13-Day Namibia Desert and Wildlife Tour with Sossusvlei and Etosha

The Kalahari is a vast semi-desert of wind-blown sand held by a sparse mantle of thorn scrub, making it the largest continuous stretch of sand covering nine African countries. Unlike other true deserts, the Kalahari does receive erratic rainfall. For many, therefore, "Thirstland" is a more fitting description.

Lacking permanent surface water, the Kalahari is a challenging place to live except for those who have adapted to not only survive but flourish here. The Bushmen refer to it as the "Soul of the World," an emotive description for this area.

With its deep red sand dunes and endless grass plains interspersed with acacias and shrubs, it is still home to a surprisingly large amount of specially adapted wildlife. Enjoy the opportunity to experience the red dunes, wildlife, and plants in this desert environment on an optional nature drive.

We continue south through arid and extensive rocky plains. Visiting the unique Garas quiver tree forest, you are welcomed by quirky man-made sculptures of scrap metal which set a contrast to this serene, timeless space, with quiver trees and aloes nestled amongst huge dolerite boulders stacked in a mysterious way. The area is also aptly called the "Giant's Playground."

We continue to our lodge, situated in close vicinity to the Fish River Canyon. Here, we can explore the area on foot or on an optional guided nature drive in the later afternoon, highlighting the quiver trees, rugged landscape, and impressive sweeping rock formations. [Breakfast]

Our morning starts on the edge of the Fish River Canyon, where we gaze into this magnificent geological phenomenon. The Fish River Canyon is located in the northern part of the Nama Karoo. It is the second largest canyon on earth, featuring a gigantic ravine measuring about 160 km long, up to 27 km wide, and almost 550 meters deep.

The Fish River is the longest interior river found in Namibia, but its current flow is just a drop compared to the immense volume of water that poured down its length in ages past.

We continue our journey past the Naute dam, where we shortly stop at the Naute Kristall Cellar and Distillery to taste some of the unique liquors or enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. Proceeding onwards, we head towards the coastal town of Lüderitz. On the way to Lüderitz, we stop at Garub, a viewing point for the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert. [Breakfast]

Our morning starts with a visit to Kolmanskop ghost town. Kolmanskop is a deserted Diamond Mining Town in the Sperrgebiet National Park. Once an opulent and decadent town, a monument to the Diamond boom and built to last... until the diamonds ran out.

Today, Kolmanskop stands as a haunting monument to the thriving past, offering visitors unique photo motives into a bygone era. On our return to town, we visit Diaz Point with its Padrao on a cliff overlooking the harsh Atlantic Ocean, commemorating the initial Portuguese explorers and exploring the forlorn coast.

Arriving back in Lüderitz, we explore this small, historic town. [Breakfast]

After an early breakfast, we travel across wide-open plains north along the Tiras Mountain range to our lodge in the Namib Desert. We are located in close proximity to Sesriem, the gateway to Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei, and Sesriem Canyon, with some of the highest sand dunes on Earth towering over the white desert plains.

The afternoon can be spent relaxing at the sparkling pool, enjoying the vast open desert plains, or participating in optional activities at the lodge. [Breakfast]

The morning demands an early start. Entering the Namib Naukluft National Park with sunrise, the first rays of sunlight paint the mountains of sand into a variety of apricot, red, and orange, contrasted against a crisp blue skyline, enrapturing our senses and providing an opportunity to capture this awesome landscape on film.

You will be captivated by the surreal Deadvlei, surrounded by some of the highest dunes on earth, and Sossusvlei, where the dry Tsauchab River ends abruptly amongst dunes. Take the opportunity to walk up one of these majestic dunes to admire the desert landscape beneath.

Thereafter, we visit the Sesriem Canyon, a life-sustaining natural phenomenon in the heart of the Namib Desert. [Breakfast]

After breakfast, we continue our journey, approaching the little settlement of Solitaire on the edge of the Namib Naukluft National Park, feeling like we have arrived in the middle of nowhere. Here it is worthwhile to enjoy a cup of coffee with the delightful apple pie written about in so many travel books before travelling via the desolate, rolling hills of the Kuiseb Valley towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Reaching the coastal harbour town of Walvis Bay, we visit the shallow lagoon, one of the most important wetland areas on the African continent and a RAMSAR World Heritage Site. Over 80% of the African flamingos feed in this lagoon and present a breathtaking picture when they appear in groups.

Continuing along the scenic route between the dune belt and the Atlantic Ocean, we reach Swakopmund, where the rest of the day is spent leisurely. With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination in Namibia. [Breakfast]

Swakopmund is often called the "playground of Namibia," and it has numerous activities ranging from adventure to exploring the fascinating features of the Namib Desert and the animals and plants that occur and survive here. Embrace the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town while enjoying coffee and freshly baked pastries in one of the many cafés.

Alternatively, explore the rugged, sweltering desert on a day tour or view this awesome environment from the air on a scenic flight. Find your inner child and push adrenaline to its limits with extreme adventures such as skydiving over the desert, quad-biking, and sandboarding on the dunes.

Take time to get the feel of this quaint town with its historic buildings, museums, shopping arcades, and beach bar that has transformed into its personality through the vibrant use of colour and the bohemian lifestyle. [Breakfast]

On long yet interesting and scenic roads, we head further north, travelling past the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain (2.579m), into Damaraland, one of Africa's least populated and geologically diverse areas. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the elusive desert elephant, the black rhino, and free-roaming antelope species.

Accompanied by a local Damara guide, we visit Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO heritage site where Bushman communities engraved and painted over 2,500 pictures some 6,000 years ago.

After a visit to the nearby Living Museum of the Damara, we proceed to the Petrified Forest - a geological phenomenon depicting the creation and metamorphosis of wood into stone amongst some of the oldest landmasses on Earth. Here, we also see the Welwitschia mirabilis plant - the oldest living desert plant on Earth. [Breakfast]

After a relaxed breakfast, we travel towards the Etosha National Park, famous for its vast amount of wildlife. Once we have reached our camp just outside the National Park, we head onto our first safari into the National Park.

Together with our guide, we explore the various waterholes close to Okaukuejo and the Anderson gate. Optional and time permitting open vehicle game drives can be booked with the lodge. [Breakfast]

The day is devoted to the abundant wildlife in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. The park is home to 4 of the Big Five - elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino. The Park was proclaimed as Namibia's first conservation area in 1907 by the then Governor, von Lindequist.

Despite the size of the Etosha National Park, only the southern edge of the pan is accessible to visitors. Game viewing in the park is largely focused around the waterholes, some of which are spring-fed and some supplied from a borehole, ideal places to sit and watch over 114 different game species or, for an avid birder, in excess of 340 bird species.

Popular game species such as giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, antelopes such as kudu, oryx, eland, as well as some of the endangered species such as Black rhino, cheetah, and the black-faced impala are all found here. An extensive network of roads link the over 30 waterholes, allowing visitors the opportunity of an extensive game viewing safari over the stretch of the park, as each different area will provide different encounters. [Breakfast]

Today, your guide again takes you on a game drive in the Etosha National Park, or optionally, you can book an open game drive park drive with the lodge. We may encounter animal species we have not seen the previous day and look forward to any new surprises at the different waterholes visited.

The Etosha Pan dominates the park. This salt pan desert, which is nearly completely enclosed by the park and is lined by numerous watering holes, is roughly 130 km long and as wide as 50 km in places. During Etosha's notorious dry spells, the pan is a deathly place, lying parched and cracked under the molten African sun. It is claimed that game viewing is best during the dry spells as animals will then congregate closer to water.

But the park remains an abundant wildlife haven even in the rainy season. You then have the pleasure of experiencing the rebirth of life as the young foals, cubs, and chicks are seen frolicking with their parents, and the sprouting of new green shrubs and grasses creates a pleasing green oasis.

In the afternoon, we travel back to our lodge, where we enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. [Breakfast]

After breakfast, we travel back through the country's centre, exposing bushland savannah to the capital in the country's centre. Time permitting, en route we may stop at the famous wood carvers market in Okahandja or the craft market in the main street in Windhoek to pick up a last few souvenirs.

Windhoek is a cosmopolitan melting pot of European architecture with African culture, with various good restaurants to choose from. You will be dropped off at your accommodation of choice or transferred to the airport for your outward flight. [Breakfast]