Embark on an evocative 3 day/2 night excursion into the world’s oldest desert. This Sossusvlei tour will allow you to experience the astonishing contrasts of the Namib, including the white clay pan of Sossusvlei and its surrounding spectacle of sand dunes. The world’s oldest desert is harsh and rugged in landscape and climate, yet so delicate and exquisite in its support of fragile life.
From your accommodation in a Sossusvlei desert lodge on the edge of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, you’ll have the opportunity to view unique desert-adapted animals that roam the dry valleys and star-shaped dunes of the area.
Tours depart daily from Windhoek with a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 8. The tour includes 2 breakfasts, one lunch, 2 dinners, accommodation at Namib Naukluft Lodge, porterage, transport in air-conditioned vehicles (with English-speaking driver only on the transfer), entrance fees, and sightseeing as specified.
There is the option to stay at the more rustic Soft Adventure Camp - cost on request.
You will be met at your Windhoek hotel at approximately 14:00 (during Namibian wintertime - 13:00) and you will then depart and travel to the Kupferberg Pass, driving through cattle farmland and hilly landscapes with splendid views of fertile valleys. The journey continues via the scenic and steep Spreetshoogte Pass. Enjoy an undisturbed view from the top of one of the steepest passes in Namibia! A comfort stop will be made at the small settlement of Solitaire, before continuing to the beautifully set private nature reserve, NamNau Habitat, which hosts a variety of desert adapted game like springbok, ostrich, earth wolf, bat-eared fox and many more.
Set in a stunning 25,000 hectare private nature reserve bordering the world-renowned Namib Naukluft Park, the Namib Naukluft Lodge offers a great desert experience that is unique, peaceful and nature-loving. Tucked against the impressive granite hills, every room offers spectacular views across the open desert plains. Guests can relax in the local African craft-inspired lounge or the friendly bar, or cool off in the sparkling swimming pool. Traditional meals are served on the scenic veranda or in the open-air lapa.
Enjoy early morning coffee and tea before departing for Sossusvlei, a fascinating world of ecology and unearthly geography. The route travels along the Tsauchab dry riverbed, which has found a way through the dunes until it reaches the vivid white clay saltpan, called Sossusvlei. After a good rainy season, approximately every 7-10 years, the Tsauchab River runs in full flood and fills the vlei with water, offering sensational scenery with prolific birdlife. The early morning sun offers spectacular pastel colours in the star-shaped dunes. The first stop will be at Dune 45 before continuing to Sossusvlei. Climb one of the dunes - there are plenty - and be prepared to be overwhelmed by the sight of the dynamic and living desert! Breakfast will be served as a picnic under one of the shady camel thorn trees.
Afterwards, walk over patches of dunes until you reach the base of the 'Dead Vlei', another pan where water once flowed, but all that remains today are the skeletons of trees. Visit the rugged Sesriem Canyon before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon join a guided nature drive to the 'marble mountain' (drinks for own account) or relax on your veranda and enjoy a spectacular sunset.
Day 3
After breakfast, you will depart for Windhoek, travelling via the Remhoogte Pass, which boasts a variety of vegetation. It's also possible to travel via the Spreetshoogte Pass, depending on weather and road conditions. You will arrive in Windhoek at approximately 12:30.
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