Camping option available on request with a minimum of 6 Pax, guaranteed departure any day of the week.
Trip Info
-
4x4 D/Cab Pickup, 4x4 SUV Vehicle
-
3 Star Hotels, Lodges, Guesthouses
-
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
-
Scheduled Accommodated Tour
-
English, German, French, Spanish
-
Easy to Moderate
-
Min: 2 & Max: 3
-
All year round
-
Windhoek City
-
Windhoek City
-
12
-
75
Overview
Explore this majestic place, Sossusvlei is Namibia’s most spectacular and best-known attraction. Characterised by the large red dunes that surround it, Sossusvlei is a large, white, salt and clay pan and is a great destination all year round. The dunes in this area are some of the highest in the world, reaching almost 400 meters, and provide photographic enthusiasts with wonderful images in the beautiful morning and evening light. Energetic enough…! climb the famous Dune 45, Big Daddy dune and enjoy a sunrise walk into Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. This trip departs from Windhoek any day in the morning.
Trip Highlights
- Explore Sossusvlei as Namibia’s most spectacular and best-known attraction.
- Energetic enough...! climb the famous Dune 45 and Big Daddy dune.
- Explore Sesriem Canyon that has evolved through centuries of erosion by the Tsauchab River.
- Enjoy a sunrise walk into Deadvlei with it's striking camel thorn trees, died for need of water, still stand erect as they once grew.
Itinerary
This morning, A Tour Guide from Nali Safaris will collect you from your various accommodation establishments or from the Windhoek International Airport (assuming you land before 08h00). You then depart Windhoek in your safari vehicle with your private guide and drive southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland mountain highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below, stopping for a lunch at Solitaire a scenic location along the way. You arrive at the Lodge in the afternoon and you will stay here for two nights whilst you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert with your guide.
Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge or similar
This morning you will need to rise early for a magical excursion with your guide in the Namib Naukluft National Park, normally setting off before sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing monumental sand dunes in the world and your guide will give you an insight on the formation of these dunes of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and surrounding dune fields to your heart’s content you then go for lunch at a nearby restaurant at Sesriem Area.
After lunch you visit Sesriem Canyon. The Canyon has evolved through centuries of erosion by the Tsauchab River which has incised a narrow gorge about 1.5 km long and 30 meters deep into the surrounding conglomerates, exposing the varying layers of sedimentation deposited over millions of years. The shaded cool depths of the canyon allow pools of water to gather during the rainy season and remain for much of the year round. These pools were a vital source of water for early settlers who drew water for their livestock by knotting six (ses) lengths of rawhide thongs (riems) together, hence the canyon and surrounding area became known as Sesriem.
Sossusvlei: This most frequently visited section of the massive 50,000 km² Namib Naukluft National Park has become known as Sossusvlei, famous for its towering apricot coloured sand dunes which can be reached by following the Tsauchab River valley. Sossusvlei itself is actually a clay pan set amidst these star shaped dunes which stand up to 300 meters above the surrounding plains, ranking them among the tallest dunes on earth. The deathly white clay pan contrasts against the orange sands and forms the endpoint of the ephemeral Tsauchab River, within the interior of the Great Sand Sea. The river course rises south of the Naukluft Mountains in the Great Escarpment. It penetrates the sand sea for some 55 km before it finally peters out at Sossusvlei, about the same distance from the Atlantic Ocean. Until the encroaching dunes blocked its course around 60,000 years ago, the Tsauchab River once reached the sea; as ephemeral rivers still do in the northern half of the Namib.
Sand-locked pans to the west show where the river previously flowed to before dunes shifted its endpoint to where it currently gathers at Sossusvlei. Roughly once a decade rainfall over the catchment area is sufficient to bring the river down in flood and fill the pan. On such occasions the mirror images of dunes and camel thorn trees around the pan are reflected in the water. Sossusvlei is the biggest of four pans in the vicinity. Another, famous for its gnarled and ghostly camel thorn trees, is Deadvlei which can be reached on foot over 1 km of sand. Deadvlei’s striking camel thorn trees, dead for want of water, still stand erect as they once grew. They survived until about 900 years ago when the sand sea finally blocked the river from occasionally flooding the pan.
After visiting Sesriem Canyon, you return to your accommodation. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes).
Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge or similar
NOTE: Option to include a sunrise balloon flight before you depart for Windhoek (optional extra at additional cost). Please note that if making use of this offer, it will need to be booked exclusively with Nali Safaris in order to fit in with other timings for this day.
After breakfast, we depart for the capital city Windhoek via the Remhoogte Pass – although this pass is not as steep as the Spreetshoogte, it offers beautiful scenery. Expect to arrive in the city at around 13:30, although please note that times may vary.
Join Our Fixed Trip Starting Date
TRIP DATES | AVAILABILITY | PRICE | SPACE LEFT | |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 4, 2025 - May 6, 2025 | Guaranteed | $950 |
8 Available
|
|
June 8, 2025 - June 10, 2025 | Guaranteed | $950 |
8 Available
|
|
July 6, 2025 - July 8, 2025 | Guaranteed | $950 |
8 Available
|
|
August 3, 2025 - August 5, 2025 | Guaranteed | $950 |
8 Available
|
|
September 7, 2025 - September 9, 2025 | Guaranteed | $950 |
8 Available
|
|
October 21, 2025 - October 23, 2025 | Guaranteed | $950 |
12 Available
|
Cost
Includes
- Accommodations and meals as stated in the itinerary.
- Transportation in air-conditioned safari vehicle.
- Services of a registered and experienced English-speaking safari guide.
- Entrance fees and excursions as described in the itinerary.
- Bottled still water on board the safari vehicle.
- Airport transfers to Windhoek International Airport if departing on the last day of the tour.
Excludes
- International flights to Namibia and airport taxes.
- Pre and post safari accommodation in Windhoek (to be done on request).
- Any entrance fees and excursions not included in the itinerary.
- All beverages with the exception of mineral water on board the safari vehicle.
- Laundry (laundry service available at lodges at extra cost).
- Gratuities and Items of personal nature (telephone expenses, curios, medicines etc).
- ENTRY VISA FEES, BANK CHARGES (as per bank percentage commission for VISA/MASTER and commission for AMEX).
Details
Low Season Package:
- Includes: Breakfast and Dinner (lunch on clients own cost)
Please note:
-
- Please note that all prices indicated are based on a per person sharing rates per night.
- Single (Sup) Supplement is an additional rate charged for one person to stay in a room or tour package meant for two people.
- If you have made up your decision for the tour of your choice and number of travelers, make your booking and payment here.
FAQs
Namibia is found in the South West of Africa. Angola borders it to the north, Zambia to the northeast, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south. The Atlantic Ocean borders Namibia on the western side.
Namibia has a subtropical climate, characterized by hot and dry weather with little rain along the coast. Periods of winter drought alternate with summer rainfall between October and March with the interior having higher rainfall.
Namibia is a year round destination but Peak season is from July to November. Bear in mind that if you are planning to visit in December/January it gets very hot!
No you do not necessarily need a 4×4 to tour in Namibia. It however depends on which areas in Namibia you would like to see. Areas such as the Kunene Region it is advisable to hire a car with high ground clearance and 4×4. The National parks in the Zambezi (Caprivi) you will require a 4×4. It will also depend on if you are planning on traveling to Namibia during the rainy season. Remember that 80% of roads in Namibia are gravel and if you are traveling in a normal sedan car you will be required to travel slowly to ensure your safety.
The official currency of Namibia is the Namibian Dollar (N$), divided into 100 cents. The Namibian Dollar and South African Rand are the only currencies accepted in Namibia. Traveler’s cheques in Rands are accepted. Foreign currency can be converted into Namibian Dollars or South African Rands at commercial and bureau de change.
Major credit cards are widely accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club. Cards can also be used to withdraw cash from ATM’s. Filling stations do not accept credit cards.
It is customary to give 10% of the bill in restaurants if service received is of a good standard. Porters should receive about N$5.00 – N$10.00, a petrol station attendant about N$10.00 and if you are on a guided safari tour, the minimum tip for your tour guide is N$100.00 per person per day, it’s not compulsory but it’s a token of appreciation for service rendered daily.
Namibia is a peaceful country overall…it is considered to be one of the most stable and safe countries on the African continent. However like any country tourists can be targeted. Pickpockets can be a problem and don’t make yourself a target i.e. have your camera hanging around your neck – rather place your goods in a secure bag or back pack. Be alert and use some common sense and you should be fine. If you want to visit a township, do so in a group and with someone who is familiar with the area. Driving under the influence of alcohol is also a problem, so when driving and walking over the weekends, be alert.
Yes, Namibia is a safe country and often regarded as a great place not only for first time travelers to Africa but also for families. Most of the accommodation establishments cater for families and a lot of the activities on offer cater for families and children. The infrastructure is good, water is generally safe to drink and there is plenty to keep everyone of all ages occupied.
Mobile phones are common in Namibia and use the same frequency as Europe and the rest of Africa. One is able to purchase a starter kit from the local Cell phone service provider. These are widely available at international airports, cities and towns. You would then need to purchase air time as and when you need it.
Most of the accommodation establishments now offer free WI-FI for their guests. There are also internet cafes in Windhoek, Swakopmund and other towns.
The voltage in Namibia is 220-230 V (identical to South Africa). Most supermarkets sell adapters. Many farmers generate their own electricity with a diesel generator, which is only run during the day.
Yes most definitely. The largest and only international airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport located about 45km east of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia There are smaller airports located all over the country.
Namibia does have a few strange items on the menu as with many countries in the world. Don’t worry too much though, those are not the only options available. Namibia offers a great selection of steaks and game dishes and hamburgers are widely available. A wide variety of seafood is also available as Namibia borders the Atlantic Ocean which is rich in sea life. If you are vegetarian you will be pleased to know that more and more of the local restaurants and accommodation establishments cater for vegetarians.
Highways exist from Windhoek to all major towns. Asphalt roads extend to most of the borders (except Mata Mata, Klein Manasse, Velloorsdrift and Tsumkwe). Main roads are in good condition and are maintained to all weather standards. At least 80% of the roads in Namibia are gravel roads and are generally very well maintained. Please always remember to stay within the speed limit on gravel roads.
Write a Review