Departing on Thursdays from Windhoek, this 4 day & three night accommodated safari is the perfect way to experience Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast and the stunning sand dunes of the Namib Desert. The Ramsar Site at Walvis Bay and the big dunes. Big Daddy, Big Mamma and the iconic Dune 7.
Relaxation or thrills and spills in in Swakopmund, the choice is yours, then heading for adventure on a magical trip to one of the most beautiful places on Planet Earth, the centre of the Namib - the oldest desert in the world. From the coast we cross the vast gravel plains that stretch inland for over 100km. We traverse high mountain passes and cross The Tropic of Capricorn on our way down to the dune fields.
A pre-dawn start to catch the soft light of sunrise as we head for Dead Vlei with its stark collection of skeleton trees and on to Sossusvlei, waters end for an ancient river. We watch out for wildlife, oryx and springbok are often seen in this sandy land but if we look and have sharp eyes, the dunes are also home to a full menagerie of reptiles, beetles, insects, rodents and birds. All these creatures are uniquely desert adapted survive in this waterless wonderland using super-power evolutionary adaptations. The Namib Desert is internationally recognised as a top biodiversity hot spot in a desert habitat. Climbing a towering sand dune, 300 m from top-to-toe, is an experience unique to Namibia, Big Daddy, Big Mamma and Dune 45 are all waiting to be conquered if you are feeling intrepid and want to experience the view from such a lofty perch. We visit the Solitaire cheetah conservation project, then homeward bound up-and-over rocky mountains as we climb our way up the central plateau and across the Khomas Hochland mountains to Windhoek.
WildlifeNature and bush walks
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Windhoek, Swakopmund, Namib Dese
Windhoek, Swakopmund, Namib Desert, Sossusvlei, Solitaire, Walvis Bay, Sesriem
Namibia is a fantastic country with amazing landscapes and wildlife. This tour provided a good experience going to many of the best places in the country at a good pace in a good amount of times considering the long travel distances.
WildlifeExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Windhoek, Sesriem, Swakopmund, Etosha National Park
Windhoek, Sesriem, Swakopmund, Etosha National Park
27% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
I thought after the first day of cycling I was going to hate this trip, but it got much much better. Being on the ground cycling through the dunes or with a random zebra crashing through a fence and bounding across the road in front of you is an amazing experience. Well worth the sometimes challengin cycling.
Mountain bikingBicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Windhoek, Otjiwarongwe, Waterber
Windhoek, Otjiwarongwe, Waterberg Plateau, Sesriem, Solitaire, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park
Highlights -
Stunning landscapes, especially around the Namib desert/Sossusvlei, Brandberg area and Walvis Bay/Swakopmund.
Wildlife viewing was excellent - plenty of time to view and observe and search both mammals and birds throughout the trip. You will get some amazing photos and memories!
A knowledgeable guide who sorted everything that needed doing and had a great understanding of the wildlife/country.
A couple of the lodges were above expectations (NB the app stated that there might be changes and there were).
Things that surprised me:
One of the lodges was disappointing but we were only there for one night (Brandberg White Lady Lodge - no proper AC and nowhere to charge anything plus very basic room and the food was also below par).
There wasn't much time to decompress and just enjoy the areas without being on the move - ideally this should be a 14 or 15 day trip with Toshari or Makuti and Swapokmund stays being extended by a further day.
Water is not provided at many of the lodges or at the inclusive meals so you end up buying plastic bottles of water (more costly than a beer!) that you then can't keep chilled as the rooms often did not have a fridge.
One of the recommended excursions in Walvis Bay was a waste of time and very expensive. The Shifting Sands excursion to Sandwich Harbour was vastly more costly (x3) than the Desert Discovery trip (both 3 hours) and yet covered much the same but at a much lower standard. The Desert Discovery Trip had much better guides, much more to see and a far superior dune driving experience. The Sandwich Harbour trip just gave the "dunes meeting the sea" and a fraction of the elements covered in the other trip but for the time/cost and drive it would have been better to have stayed in Walvis Bay and appreciate all the birdlife and coast there. Avoid that if offered.
What I needed on the trip:
The following items were really useful:
A sarong - to sit on a very hot seat or use as a sunshield in various locations; a water bottle flask that kept my water chilled all day;
A broad brimmed hat - in summer a baseball cap did not cut it at Sossusvlei;
Binoculars - even a basic pair;
A power bank for your phone as some days you are on the road for 12 hours and with all the photos you'll need an extra power source.;
A usb adaptor for your phone charger as a few lodges had these in the socket spaces;
Washing powder as you may end up hand washing a lot;
A basic set of general medications..... you never know!
Additionally I would recommend going at least one day earlier so you have time to take in a township and Windhoek tour. The on-cost of the hotel was minimal (arranged directly) but it meant we had no stress of being late and we had a chance to acclimatise, plus had a good look around prior to meeting the rest of the group and the guide. The Mercure has full access to the sister Movenpick which has a great pool area, other restaurants and spa/gym for use by all residents.
If you fly through Germany and direct on to Windhoek, you travel overnight and arrive morning time giving you a whole afternoon plus a whole day before you meet the group at 6pm. Plus your return flight is early evening so you get the departure day too if you extend your room at the Mercure. Well worth it!
Overall a truly great and varied trip even if you have done safaris before.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Great trip except for Namibia. Off season was much less crowded and we still saw a lot of animals. Great guides.
National parksLocal culture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Guest House, Resort, Tent
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Matobo National Park
Cape Town, Matobo National Park, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, Kasane, Nata, Maun, Okavango Delta, Ghanzi, Windhoek, Etosha National Park, Swakopmund, Namib Desert, Fish River Canyon, Orange River, Lambert’s Bay, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Great Zimbabwe
27% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.