You'll be picked up by 7:00 am for a pre-departure meeting. There is lovely mountain scenery on your drive to Sesriem. The road climbs over Namibia’s central plateau. You'll stop at Rehoboth for essential supplies and get back on the road passing by the small community at BűellsPort. From here, you'll continue through the desert landscape, aiming to arrive at Sesriem at around lunchtime and make your campsite under an ancient camelthorn tree from where you can glimpse the red dunes of the world’s oldest desert. Enjoy a late afternoon picnic-style lunch after.
In the late afternoon, there is the option for a short drive will take you to Elim Dune, for the best golden light before sunset. It is a relatively short walk back, through the desert, to your camp.
Driving time: ~4 -5 hours
Sunrise in the Dunes is the game's name this morning, which means a pre-dawn start. Your first stop will be at Dune 45. The best time to photograph the dunes is at sunrise and sunset. After a quick breakfast, you'll carry on for the last few kilometers before entering the ancient Tsauchab Riverbed. The Tsauchab River is ephemeral, it only flows seasonally when there is enough rain, and for the most part, the riverbed is dry. There is a 4×4 shuttle service that will transport you through the sandy terrain of the riverbed. You will visit Dead Vlei, an ancient pan entirely surrounded by sand, strikingly populated with dead, skeletal camelthorn trees. You will have time to explore the area on foot and to climb one of the highest dunes in the world, some towering 300 m above us, the views are breathtaking.
You will drive back to Sesriem for lunch and perhaps a dip in the swimming pool. In the afternoon, you'll take a short excursion to see the Sesriem Canyon.
After an early breakfast, you will depart into the desert. Cross the Namib gravel plains. Your first stop is the tiny town of Solitaire. Sample the apple pie that has made this homestead famous. You will cross the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5 south degrees. You have two mountain passes to traverse this morning. You'll have lunch at Walvis Bay Lagoon and complete the final leg of your journey into Swakopmund. You will be dropped off at your accommodation anywhere within the city limits or the airport. We recommend Amanpuri Travellers Lodge, where your guide stays tonight. Swakopmund offers many opportunities to keep you busy. Scenic flights over the desert are very popular and for the more adventurous, perhaps you can try skydiving or quad biking over and in the Namib dunes. Your guide will discuss all the options with you in advance and will be able to facilitate any bookings that you would like to make.
Accommodation and dinner tonight are for your own account. Swakopmund boasts some truly excellent restaurants and our guide will be able to help you with recommendations and bookings.
Driving time: ~5 hours
