7 Day Namibia Safari: Sossusvlei & Beyond (Camping)

Day 1: Windhoek – Swakopmund, Namibia

Kick off your adventure in Windhoek! After a morning meet-up, we head west, passing charming towns like Okahandja, to reach the awe-inspiring Walvis Bay lagoon. A UNESCO wetland wonderland, this haven boasts over 50 bird species, including graceful flamingos. Witness these pink wonders up close and learn about their fascinating feeding habits.

Continuing our journey, we arrive in Swakopmund, a charming coastal town brimming with German colonial architecture. Explore the walkable town center or embark on thrilling optional activities like scenic desert flights, skydiving, or exhilarating quad bike adventures through the majestic Namib Dunes. Your guide will be happy to discuss these options and assist with bookings.

Tonight, enjoy Swakopmund’s culinary scene at your own pace. With a vast array of excellent restaurants, your guide can offer recommendations and assist with reservations. Soak in the coastal vibes and get ready for tomorrow’s exciting adventures!

Accommodation: Hotel A La Mer (twin shared en-suite rooms)
Meals: Lunch
Included Highlights: Walvis Bay, Swakopmund
Optional Activities: Scenic flights over the desert, Sky diving, Quad biking over and in the Namib dunes,
Distance: 420 km

Day 2: Swakopmund - Sesriem, Namibia

Swakopmund Exploration & Desert Delights: Sandboarding, Canyons & Sossusvlei Awaits!

Sleep in and explore charming Swakopmund at your leisure this morning. Feeling adventurous? Opt for an optional adrenaline rush with sandboarding – imagine carving down a dune at 60 km/h! (This activity is typically limited to mornings.)

By 11:30, we depart Swakopmund and delve into the Namib’s embrace. Traverse vast Namib gravel plains, occasionally punctuated by dramatic mountain inselbergs. Conquer two mighty passes: the Kuiseb Pass, offering breathtaking canyon views carved by the Kuiseb River, and the Gaub River Pass, a tributary leading to the Kuiseb.

Celebrate with a photo op at the Tropic of Capricorn, marked by a convenient signpost. Continue through the desert landscape to Solitaire, a tiny town famous for its legendary apple pie – a must-try!

Our final stop today is Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei and its iconic dunes. Set up camp amidst the towering red giants of the world’s oldest desert and get ready for an unforgettable day exploring Sossusvlei tomorrow!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Campsite with facilities
Included Highlights: Solitaire, Sossusvlei, Sesriem
Optional Activities: Sand boarding
Distance: 350 km

Day 3: Sesriem, Namibia

Rise before dawn and embark on an unforgettable adventure! Our first stop is Dune 45, bathed in the ethereal glow of pre-dawn light. Ascend to a vantage point and witness the majestic dunes transform with the rising sun, the sand ablaze with fiery oranges and apricots.

After a quick breakfast, we continue the journey to Sossusvlei, traversing the ancient Tsauchab Riverbed on a 4×4 shuttle. Explore Deadvlei, a stark yet captivating landscape dotted with ancient, skeletal camelthorn trees standing sentinel for over 1,000 years. Feel the immensity of the desert as you climb one of the world’s highest dunes, soaking in breathtaking panoramic views.

Return to Sesriem camp for lunch and a refreshing dip in the pool. In the afternoon, we venture to Sesriem Canyon, carved by the Tsauchab River over millennia. Walk along the canyon floor, enveloped by cooler temperatures, and imagine the powerful forces that sculpted this natural wonder.

As the day draws to a close, embark on an optional excursion to Elim Dune, where the desert ignites in golden hues just before sunset. Enjoy a scenic walk back to camp under the vast Namibian sky, a perfect finale to an incredible day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Campsite with facilities
Included Highlights: Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon, Tsauchab River, Deadvlei
Optional Activities: Excursion to Elim Dune
Distance: 120 km

Day 4: Sesriem - Klein Aus Vista, Namibia

Today’s scenic journey unfolds through ever-changing vistas – dramatic mountains and vast swathes of open grassland. We continue south, reaching the charming community of Aus, nestled amidst the Aus Mountains and overlooking the Namib Desert plains. Aus holds a piece of history, having served as a WWII prisoner-of-war camp for German soldiers by the South African army.

Our final destination today is Klein Aus Vista, located just outside Aus within the Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park. Aiming for an early afternoon arrival, we’ll set up camp, allowing you time to explore the property’s unguided hiking trails and stretch your legs amidst the breathtaking scenery. As the sun dips below the horizon, soak in the magic of a spectacular desert sunset – the perfect prelude to your stay at Klein Aus Vista.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Campsite with facilities
Included Highlights: Namib Desert, Klein Aus Vista
Distance: 350 km

Day 5: Klein Aus Vista - Luderitz, Namibia

Today’s adventure starts early, but the smooth, paved road makes for a relaxing journey. We traverse open grasslands and vast desert landscapes, keeping an eye out for the fascinating wild horses that roam freely here. Their origins remain a mystery – perhaps they descend from WWI German cavalry horses, or maybe they’re the descendants of Hans Heinrich von Wolf’s bloodstock escaping his stables in 1909. Spotting these majestic creatures in their natural habitat is a true privilege.

Our path leads to Kolmanskop, a ghost town located near the port town of Lüderitz. Fuelled by centuries of rumors about untold riches, prospectors finally struck gold (or rather, diamonds!) in the region. The first diamond mine, Kolmanskop, was established in 1908. Imagine a German village boasting cutting-edge amenities – a hospital with the first x-ray machine in the Southern Hemisphere, a power station, a school, a ballroom, and even an ice factory!

However, the diamond boom didn’t last. By the 1920s, the diamond reserves dwindled, and a richer deposit was discovered further south. Kolmanskop was abandoned, and the desert slowly reclaimed the town. Today, this preserved ghost town offers a unique glimpse into the past. A guided tour will bring the town’s history to life, and you’ll have ample opportunity to capture photos of this fascinating site.

After Kolmanskop, we continue the short journey to Lüderitz, known for its colorful colonial architecture. We’ll drive out to the Lüderitz peninsula and visit the historical monument at Diaz Point. Just like Cape Cross, this region was first claimed by Europeans in the 15th century, this time by Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Diaz. He erected a stone cross here in 1487, naming the area “Angra das Voltas” (Bay of Tacks) due to the strong southerly winds he encountered – a testament to Lüderitz’s reputation as one of the windiest places on Earth!

With a renewed appreciation for the desert’s unique beauty and history, we return to Klein Aus Vista, keeping a watchful eye for the wild horses on the way. Enjoy a sundowner at the camsite, the perfect way to unwind after a day filled with discovery!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Campsite with facilities
Included Highlights: Kolmanskop guided tour, Luderitz,
Distance: 250 km

Day 6: Klein Aus Vista – Quiver Tree Forest, Namibia

Embark on an epic Namibian journey! We’ll conquer vast distances on smooth tar roads, heading east before veering south to unveil the awe-inspiring Fish River Canyon. Witness “Hell’s Bend” from panoramic viewpoints at /Ai-/Ais Richtersveldt Transfrontier National Park, where the canyon’s colossal 160km length, 27km width, and 550m depth dwarf all expectations—second only to the Grand Canyon. Marvel at the 1.8 billion-year-old geological masterpiece, sculpted by seismic forces, volcanoes, glaciers, and the relentless Fish River. Our journey continues north to Keetmanshoop, then onwards to the surreal Quiver Tree Forest. Discover Namibia’s national “tree,” the Aloidendron Dichotomum, a fascinating aloe, not a tree, with its unique history as a San quiver source. Wander amongst 250 of these ancient, oddly shaped plants, some reaching 300 years old, and capture their ethereal beauty against the sunset. Our rustic campsite, nestled within the forest, offers a magical final night under the stars, perfect for reflection and night photography, as we celebrate the culmination of our unforgettable Namibian adventure around a farewell campfire.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Campsite with facilities
Included Highlights: Fish River Canyon, Quiver Tree Forest
Distance: 550 km

Day 7: Quiver Tree Forest - Windhoek, Namibia

Conclude your Namibian adventure with a memorable journey back to Windhoek. Along the way, indulge in the renowned apple pie at Solitaire, a local delicacy that has made this charming town famous.

On the way back to Windhoek, we pass through some beautiful mountain scenery. Namibia’s central plateau is reached by climbing up and over the road, followed by a brief stop in BűellsPort and a short excursion to Rehoboth on the way back to Windhoek. We arrive mid-afternoon where you will be dropped off at your accommodation or taken to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast
Distance: ± 320 km

For those flying today we do NOT recommend booking any flight departing prior to 17h00 in case there are unexpected delays returning from safari.

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.