4-Day Namibia Desert Adventure with Sossusvlei and Swakopmund

Your guide will pick you up from the airport or accommodation in Windhoek. We will drive southwards to the desert through scenic landscapes that may include mountain passes depending on the used road. You will have a lunch stop along the way to Sossusvlei. We will be in the Sossusvlei area before sunset and enjoy the sundowner drive in the desert.

An early morning start will see us getting into the Namib Naukluft Park. Early morning light shining on the red dunes gives one great photographic opportunities and memories of the magnificent Namib Desert. The Namib Naukluft Park is Africa's third largest National Park, covering an area of 50,000 km2. The Namib desert has been arid for about 80 million years, with true desert conditions predominating the last 15 to 20 million years. Various wildlife thriving in this area includes Gemsbok, Springbok, Brown Hyena, and Black-backed Jackal, among others. If lucky, you might see the only true Namibia Endemic bird, the Dune Lark, among various birds in this area. We will visit the most photographed dune in the area, Dune 45. Depending on your energy levels, climbing one of the highest dunes in the area, the Big Daddy, is quite fun. A visit to the Dead Vlei is worthwhile. This is a white clay pan with dry Camel Thorn trees believed to have died 800 years ago. The area is so dry that the trees have not decomposed. After a visit to the Sossusvlei, we will visit the Sesriem Canyon. It is about a kilometre long and 30 meters (100ft) deep and might have some water, quite important for animals to drink. After lunch, we will go to the Coast past scenic Gaub and Kuiseb passes.

We will go past Walvis Bay Lagoon for interesting water birds, including Flamingoes. We will then overnight in Swakopmund and enjoy dinner in some of the best restaurants.

We have options for this day. All optional activities start in the morning after breakfast:

• The Living Desert Tour is in the Dorob National Park, in the sand dunes between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay towns. Dry bone, without a trace of moisture, and as dry as a weathered bone! These terms may be used to describe this unique biome with sneaky creatures that have adapted to living in harsh environments. For these little creatures, camouflage or agility to faking deaths helps serve food on the table or somehow avoid being someone's meal. This is a 4- to 5-hour tour conducted by passionate and experienced desert specialists who are desert conservationists as well. If lucky, you might see the desert "Little Five"; Shovel-nosed Lizard, the Namib Sand Gecko, the Namaqua Chameleon, the Namib Desert Sidewinding Adder, and the Cartwheeling Spider ("Dancing White Lady"). Birds of interest include Gray's Lark, Tractrac Chat, and Damara Tern, among others. You should be back around lunchtime, enjoy a stroll around Swakopmund city or take any optional activities we can arrange.

• Catamaran and Sandwich Harbour Combo: This takes the whole day and is done in Walvis Bay. Your guide will drive you to the Waterfront in Walvis Bay after breakfast. You start with the Catamaran tour and might get entertained by Cape Fur Seals and Pelicans on the cruise. Depending on the time of the year and luck, one might encounter Whales, Dolphins, Leatherback turtles, and Seals. After lunch, you then proceed to the Sandwich Harbour on an adventure of 4 x 4 sand dune driving. This is one of the 5 RAMSAR sites (Wetlands of International Importance) where the dunes meet the sea. The coastal desert environment is characterized by pale sand dunes with traces of black shades of magnetite, implying they are of greater aesthetic value as well as being a photographer's playground. You might encounter Black-backed Jackal, Oryx, and Springboks on your way in dry riverbeds. There is a great diversity of sea birds in the wetlands and mudflats. After this busy day, your guide will pick you up in Swakopmund.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Windhoek. Depending on your flight schedule, there is a possibility of going past a Shipwreck and Cape Cross Seal Reserve. This is the largest seal colony in the world.