Southern Namibia Camping Safari

A great 7 day camping Safari to Southern Namibia.

You will start off from Windhoek the Capital City of Namibia and head to the Quiver Tree Forest, then its off to the Fish River Canyon which is an important source of water for the Orange River. You will visit the mountains at Klein Aus Visa and then move on to the coast to a small town called Luderitz.From here you will continue your travels to the remote and barren Southern Namib Desert.

You will end your journey with a two night stay in Sesriem ans Sossusvlei home to the worlds highest sand dunes.

You journey will end back in Windhoek.

Day 1: Windhoek to Quiver Tree Forest, Keetmanshoop (Camping)

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.

Driving time: approx. 6.5hrs (500 km)

Overnight: Quiver Tree forest. Communal ablutions / camping. Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Quiver Tree Forest to Fish River Canyon (Camping)

Before leaving the Keetmanshoop area we visit another local site of interest this morning, "the Giants Playground", an area filled with massively eroded dolorite 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.

We camp tonight in the southern end of the Fish River Canyon at Ai-Ais. In the late afternoon, we will have a chance to enjoy the warm springs that occur naturally here.

Overnight: Fish River Canyon. Rustic ablutions / camping. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. (300km)

Day 3: Fish River Canyon to Klein Aus Vista (Camping)

An early morning rise today to enjoy a short walk into the canyon before we head off south to the South African border, the Orange River.

Our route takes us along the Orange River 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 horizon.

Overnight: Klein Aus. Communal ablutions / camping. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. (370km)

Day 4: Luderitz & Klein Aus Vista (Camping)

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.

Driving time: approx. 3hrs (240 km).

Overnight: Klein Aus. Communal ablutions / camping. Breakfast and Dinner. (Lunch in Luderitz or Kolmanskop at own expense.)

Day 5: Klein Aus to Sesriem, Namib Desert (Camping)

Turning north, we once again head deep into the ancient southern Namib Desert, 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.

Driving time: approx. 5hrs. (350 km).

Overnight: Namib Desert. Communal ablutions / camping. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 6: Namib Desert - Sossusvlei & Sesriem (Camping)

A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the Namib 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, before heading to our overnight desert camp nearby. 

Overnight: Namib Desert - Sossusvlei - Namib Desert. Communal ablutions /camping. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. (220km)

Day 7: Namib Desert to Windhoek - Namibia

After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and along scenic roads, back to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. 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, bringing the Southern Namibia Camping Safari to an end.

Driving time: approx. 5,5hrs (350 km) 

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Please Note:

• Maximum group size on the Southern Namibia Camping Safari is 14 travellers and minimum is 2 travellers.
• Itinerary is assisted comfortable camping with participation limited to only helping with the tents. The price is virtually fully inclusive of everything you will need whilst travelling with us.
• Visiting Sossusvlei, we camp outside of the Namib Naukluft Park. We stay at a desert Camp 48 kms from the main entrance gate to the dunes. This means that you will arrive at the main gate on sunrise and drive through the dune field as the sun is coming up. This drive is stunning and one of the best ways to see the dune field with the early morning light casting its shadows and light onto the sand.

The following vehicle types may be used on safari:

• 2 – 3 guests  4×4 double cabin vehicle
• 4 – 5 guests  Toyota Quantum / Hi-Ace with purpose built trailer
• 6 – 14 guests  Toyota Dyna truck – modified Safari Vehicle

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