Southern Namibia Explorer

The seven day Southern Swing has been designed to give you a short but comprehensive safari around the main highlights of Southern Namibia. You will visit the weird Quiver Trees, the mighty Fish River Canyon and the vital water artery of the Orange River. The trip closes with two nights at Sesriem and Sossusvlei where you will stroll among the world’s highest sand dunes, in the world’s oldest desert, before returning to Windhoek

Price: (Valid April 2010 to March 2011)
N$ 7,500 pps
7 Days Safari

Highlights * Fishriver Canyon * Orange River * Sand dunes

Departs from Windhoek, every Friday (min 2 people)

Includes
* All transport
* 3 Meals a day (unless differently specified)
* Tap drinking water
* Tea & coffee in camp
* All camping equipment
* Park entrance fees
* Camping fees
* Professional guide
* Camp Assistant
* Pick up & drop off from accommodation in Windhoek

Southern Namibia Explorer Safari Itinerary

Meal codes [B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]

Day 1 WINDHOEK [Camping BLD]
We start our long journey south on the main B1 highway, travelling through the thin strip of Kalahari Desert that protrudes onto the eastern side of Namibia. Stopping at small towns along the way including Rehoboth, traditional home of the Baster people, we aim to arrive at the Quiver Tree Forest in the middle afternoon. Located just north of the southern centre of Keetmanshoop, (officially the sunniest town in the world), we make camp and have time to explore the area on foot.
Quiver trees are not in fact trees, they are a type of aloe, (Aloe Dichotoma), so called because the branches fork "dictomously". These weird looking plants dot the landscape in this part of the world and are locally common, however they are one of the world's rarest flora species.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Quiver Tree Forrest - Camping
Distance/time: Driving time: approx. 6.5hrs (500 km)

Day 2 ORANGE RIVER [Chalet BLD]
Before leaving the Keetmanshoop area we visit another local site of interest this morning, the Giants Playground", an area filled with massively eroded dolomite rocks that are precariously balanced in tottering towers. After a short stop in Keetmanshoop itself we continue south, leaving the main road far behind us and join the extensive network of gravel roads that unite rural Namibia.
Arriving at Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world, in the early afternoon, we drive to the main look out where the views of need to be seen to be believed. We can see the river sparkling in the sunlight far below us, and can barely imagine how many millennia it took for the forces of erosion to carve such a magnificent vista.
Driving still further south, we travel all the way to the southern border with South Africa, the mighty Orange River. Coming from the arid desert regions that have formed the landscape for most of our journey, it is an amazing sight to see green vegetation and bright ribbon of flowing water appear out of seemingly no-where.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: Driving time: approx. 4,5hrs (400 km)

Day 3 KLEIN AUS [Camping BLD]
An easy drive this morning so we have a leisurely start. There is time for a dip in the cool waters of the Orange, (very cold waters in the winter time). Our road follows the scenic course of the river for the first part of the day's journey before heading back into the desert and the beautiful landscapes that Namibian has to offer.
Our route takes us past the zinc mines of Rosh Pinah where we will take a short break before arriving at our destination, the tiny town of Aus in the middle to late afternoon. We sleep tonight at Kline Aus Vista, a private reserve, beautifully located in the Aus Mountain Range, (Huib-Hoch-Plateau region).
There is time to explore this stunning area on foot and to find a lofty perch in the mountains to watch the sun slip over the western horizon.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 3.5hrs (200 km).

Day 4 FISH RIVER CANYON [Lodge BLD]
We are up with the dawn this morning for the short drive to Luderitz, we travel on the main road and keep a sharp look out for the unique Namib wild horses. These horses are the only feral horses in Namibia and have, very unusually, become adapted to an existence with very limited water. Where they originated from is un-clear, some people think they are the descendants of the horses used by the German cavalry during the First World War. Another theory is that they originally came from a horse farm that used to be run by a German Barron, (von Wolff), in the very early colonial days.

We arrive in Luderitz in time to join an optional extra excursion, a trip on an old wooden sailing ship, "The Sedina". We take a cruise around Luderitz bay and, weather permitting, to Halifax Island to see the Jackass Penguins. If the weather conditions are suitable we turn off the engines come back to Luderitz under sail.
Straight after the Sedina trip we drive out to Kolmanskop, a desert ghost town about 20 km out of Luderitz. It was built in the 1920's during the diamond rush and was abandoned when bigger and better diamonds were found further along the coast. The area is still abandoned and the desert has encroached over the entire town, giving an eerie feeling and real meaning to the word "ghost".
Lunch today is not included in the programme, this is to allow everybody as much flexibility with their time as possible and to give us the opportunity to sample some of the excellent local cafes.
During the middle of the day there is time to explore Luderitz Town with its traditional German architecture and later we will take a drive out to Diaz Point to see the bird life, hopefully a few seals and the stone cross replica, originally erected by the Portuguese mariner Bartholomew Diaz.
Returning to Klein Aus Vista in the late afternoon, the road takes us through the "forbidden Zone" so named because in years gone by, the alluvial diamonds found in Namibia were simply scattered across the desert and we again have time to enjoy sunset over the mountains.
N.B: The "Sedina" excursion is subject to availability and, if undertaken, will be for the clients own risk and expense.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 3hrs (240 km).
Optional Activities: Sedina excursion

Day 5 NAMIB DESERT [Camping BLD]
Turning north, we once again head deep into the ancient southern Namib, travelling on small gravel roads and passing some tiny rural communities along the way. The scenery is harsh, and sometimes forbidding. The process of erosion in these areas is well advanced and we pass time rounded "koppies" arid terrain and outcrops of tortured rock.
Traversing this bleak yet beautiful landscape, the terrain begins to change and we cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense Naukluft Mountains of the Namib. We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 5hrs. (350 km).

Day 6 SOSSUSVLEI [Camping BLD]
A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert as we drive in. We will arrive at the entrance to the dunes on sunrise and then travel through the dune field as the sun is coming up. The light casts strong contrasts of colour on the edges of the dunes and offers stunning views from the dry river bed you travel through.
We reach Sossusvlei itself by walking the last 5 km through the dunes. The walk is like nothing else, enjoying the changing light and coolness of the morning. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting "dune 45", and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch and to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
Includes: Sesriem Canyon
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities.
Distance/time: approx. 2hrs (150 km)

Day 7 WINDHOEK [BL]
After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We will travel over the Naukluft Mountains and also the Khomas Hochland Range, through beautiful mountain passes on our way back to civilization.
We are due back into the city around 16:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return.
Includes: N/A.
Distance/time: approx. 5,5hrs (350 km)

Please note:
The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo stops!

PRE & POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION:
This tour departs from Windhoek, please make sure you are there well before the time. This tour ends in Windhoek