12 Day Itinerary
£3,465pp
Discover the epic landscapes of Southern Namibia on this self-drive adventure through the Kalahari Desert, Fish River Canyon and the NamibRand Nature Reserve.
Namibia’s compact capital city of Windhoek is the start and end point for the majority of trips here and is a lovely place to relax before your adventure starts in earnest with some very pleasant hotels and excellent restaurants.
From Windhoek airport you will be transferred by road to the lovely AM Weinberg, one of the city’s best hotels and the ideal place to spend the night. During the afternoon your rental car will be delivered and our local partners will be on hand to run through your trip and handover maps, driving directions and other important information. You will have the afternoon to relax and ready yourselves for the trip ahead. The sparkling swimming pool offers a welcome relief from the heat of the afternoon whilst the spa offers a wide range of treatments if you are looking to be pampered. With three excellent restaurants on site there is no shortage of places to eat in the evening.
Characterised by ochre red sands and rolling dunes, the Kalahari Desert covers huge swathes of southern Namibia and is a great area to explore. Desert-adapted wildlife including oryx, ostrich and springbok can be seen and the landscapes are truly breathtaking.
Drive south from Windhoek and enjoy the beautiful views of the Namibian countryside that unfold as you venture further south. You will be staying at Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge, a charming little lodge set on the desert plains and surrounded by palm trees. Here you can relax by the swimming pool, on the terrace of your room or in the spacious lounge and enjoy the peace and tranquillity that the Kalahari offers. A wide range of activities can be enjoyed from the lodge, including morning and afternoon game drives, self-guided hiking trails, e-bike tours, guided walks through the dunes and night walks to see scorpions.
The second-largest river canyon in the world, the mighty Fish River Canyon is found in the far south of Namibia and is a wonderful destination to visit if you are looking to be active and explore on foot or even by bike with a huge number of trails to cover.
Continue your journey south from the Kalahari to the Fish River Canyon which cuts a huge swathe through southern Namibia. You will be staying at Fish River Lodge, a delightful property perched right on the rim of the canyon. Spacious and comfortable rooms are strung out in a line away from the main lodge and offer stunning views across the surrounding terrain. The pool is an immensely popular spot to relax and the restaurant offers an excellent variety of cuisine. During the winter months (May to September) they offer full day guided walks on the canyon floor, as well as bike trips. During the warmer months walks are shorter and they also offer drives to escape the heat of the day.
The tiny outpost of Aus may not have much in the way of things to do, but it is a superb access point for travellers who want to visit the historic diamond mining town of Kolmanskop – long abandoned and now being reclaimed by the desert sands.
From the canyon start to make your way north, through the rugged terrain of southern Namibia and on to Desert Horse Inn, a charming little property close to Aus. With stunning views of the surrounding hills and desert, comfortable rooms, a lovely restaurant and charming staff, it is a lovely spot to spend a couple of nights. It is also the ideal base from which to head west to the old diamond mining town of Kolmanskop. Between 1908 and 1928 it was one of the most productive diamond mines in the world before going into decline and being abandoned in 1956. Today it is an eerie reminder of the glories of the past and daily tours run to allow visitors to see the buildings being reclaimed by the desert sands.
Revel in the incredible solitude that Wolwedans offers as you enjoy sundowner drinks in the heart of the Namib Desert.
Take a hot air balloon ride over the reserve to see the unique “Fairy Circle” formations from above and marvel at the expanse of desert in which you are staying.
Nestled away beneath the boulders, hillsides and plains of the NamibRand Nature Reserve, Wolwedans is a beautiful spot from which to explore the deserts, boasting luxurious accommodation and an incredible array of activities.
Keep heading north from Aus towards the NamibRand Nature Reserve, turning off the road when you reach Wolwedans, where you will be staying in Wolwedans Dune Camp. Explore the stark but beautiful Wolwedans Reserve with your guide, learn how the wildlife has adapted to live in this harsh environment and marvel at the affinity that the local Bushmen have for the wilderness. Wolwedans is a Dark Sky Reserve so you can also enjoy a “star safari”, visit a local village, take an e-bike tour or explore the many walking trails that have been set up around the reserve. In between activities, relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the wonderful camp.
Head back to Windhoek from Wolwedans where you will be overnight at AM Weinberg. Your rental car will be collected this afternoon leaving you at leisure to relax with a transfer arranged to take you back to Windhoek airport tomorrow.
Day Itinerary
£3,465pp
10 Day Itinerary
Guide Price: £16,700pp
Embark on the ultimate Namibian journey, delving into the breathtaking landscapes on land whilst tracking elephants, rhinos and leopards, and through the skies on an exhilarating air safari along the Skeleton Coast.
15 Day Itinerary
Guide Price: £7,600pp
Embark on a self-driven adventure through Namibia, discovering stunning landscapes that range from mountains to coastlines. Prepare to encounter diverse wildlife amidst these breathtaking views of natural beauty throughout your journey.
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