THE KALAHARI Day 1 & 2
You are picked up from your home or hotel and transferred to the airport, where you join your travel companions for an early morning flight to Windhoek. At Windhoek you will meet up with your driver-guide and set off southward towards the Kalahari. It is a gentle drive, with scenic semi desert scenery unfolding around us. The red sand dunes and the Camelthorn trees with their massive sociable weaver nests are typical of this living desert. We stay for two nights at an excellent lodge in the village of Mariental, set in the Kalahari ‘Sand Sea”.
Kalahari Anib Lodge is a relaxed and down-to-earth stopover for a taste of Kalahari. During our stay here we venture into the dunes to learn more about the fascinating way in which plants and animals adapt to this challenging environment. The scenery is superb, and we make the most of the “golden” hours of the day for photographic opportunities. There is time to enjoy the quiet atmosphere, going on easy strolls or spoting birds. This evening we can enjoy another beautiful Kalahari sunset.
FISH RIVER CANYON Day 3 & 4
This morning we take our time exploring the most spectacular views over the Fish River Canyon. This is the largest canyon in Africa, and second largest in the world - 160 km long, 27 km wide at its widest point and up to 550 m deep. This natural wonder of the world cuts through colourful layers of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock, exposing 50 million years of geological time. We drive to a spectacular view site, where you will have the opportunity to walk as far as you like along the very rim of the canyon, and marvel at the different hues and vistas that change as the sun moves overhead. In the late afternoon you may join a leisurely walk into the area around the lodge to explore and investigate the fauna and flora of the desert.
LUDERITZ Day 5 & 6
Today we pack up and head northwards on a scenic drive through the varied landscapes of the Namib. We descend from the rocky highlands around Aus to enjoy the endless vistas of the plains. En-route we stop at a watering hole where there is a chance to see the famous wild horses of the Namib. These magnificent creatures have been roaming the plains for generations, and have become a symbol for freedom. Their origin is steeped in myth and legend, and your guide will tell you more about this.
This afternoon we reach Lüderitz, on the desolate Atlantic Coast. We check into our comfortable hotel, right on the beach. We explore the sights of Lüderitz, starting with the famous Kolmanskop "desert ghost town". Substantial diamond deposits were discovered here in 1908, resulting in a "boom town", which rapidly developed into a decadently wealthy society with amenities that were far ahead of their time. Inevitably, the diamonds petered out, and in the 1950's, Kolmanskop was abandoned. Its Baroque buildings are wracked by the elements, and invaded by tons of sand. After lunch we explore the town with its colourful period buildings, which betray its Teutonic origin. Later we drive along the coast to visit Dias Point and the adjoining wetlands with its numerous birds.
THE NAMIB DESERT Day 7 & 8
Leaving Luderitz, we travel northwards through the Southern Namib on a lonely little road. Superb scenery unfolds around us as we venture ever deeper into the desert. We travel along the edge of the Namib “sand sea”, inhospitable but beautiful. We pause for some refreshment at the desert village of Helmeringhausen, founded as a farm by a member of the Schutztruppe, the colonial armed force of Imperial Germany. Later we pass Sesriem and then check into Namib Desert Lodge at the foot of ancient fossilized dunes. The views from the lodge are superb, and there is a sparkling swimming pool. This is an ideal setting for experiencing the tranquility of the Namib.
The next morning we make an early departure for famous Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Park. We travel in our minibus among spectacular dunes, where colours can vary during the day from amber to apricot pink. Reaching the very end of the road we continue by 4-wheel drive vehicle into the oasis of Sossusvlei itself. Here you will have time to explore this sun-baked landscape, and climb some of the nearby dunes. After leaving the park, we visit Sesriem Canyon. We return to our lodge, where you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. You may join your guide on another interesting nature walk, or as an optional extra, take the “Sundowner Drive” with lodge staff on an open vehicle into the surrounding desert areas.
KHOMAS HOCHLAND AND WINDHOEK Day 9
Today we have a 230km drive through ever changing scenery. From the edge of the sand sea we travel inland towards the distant escarpment of the Khomas Hochland. We ascend the escarpment through winding passes to reach the high lying plateau. Later the first signs of civilization appear as we approach Windhoek, and we realize that our magical encounter with the southern deserts is drawing to a close. As usual, Landscape staff will be at hand to help at the airports and see you safely to your doorstep. HOMEWARD BOUND ...
