5 DAY NAMIBIA VOYAGER

Delight an introduction to two of the top destinations in Namibia – spectacular Sossusvlei and charming Swakopmund

Day 1: Swakopmund

Visitors will be met, welcomed and transferred to O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for a morning flight to Windhoek. Guests are met on arrival in Windhoek and are assisted with boarding a light charter flight to Swakopmund, where the Namibian Explorer safari truly kick-off. Swakopmund was founded two years later than Windhoek, in 1892, by Captain Curt von Francois as the main harbour of German South West Africa. Increased traffic between Germany and its colony necessitated establishing of own port as Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometres south, was already in British possession.

Overnight: Hansa Hotel
Meals:  Dinner

Day 2: Swakopmund

Our initial stop is at ‘Bird Rock’, a guano island populated by over 200 000 birds. The island is one of the finest examples of man’s attempts to exploit the abundant natural resources in the region. The Namibian safari then heads-off to the lagoon at Walvis Bay and from there into the dune sea and south to Sandwich Harbour. The two areas have been defined as ‘wetlands of international importance’. As we journey into the dune sea, we experience the famed gigantic wind-sculptured dunes of the Namib Desert. Record numbers of flamingo, plover and tern between Walvis Bay Lagoon and Sandwich Harbour. Other favourites such as pelican, avocet, turnstone and a huge variety of waders can be seen, with numbers peaking at around 170 000 in November. Several endemic species, such as the Dune Lark and the Damara Tern, are also in the vicinity. Take a relaxed walk along the lagoon – an official marine sanctuary – and you may be fortunate enough to see seals, dolphins and even whales. The safari then makes its way back to Swakopmund, where the remainder of the day is spent recharging and relaxing.

Overnight: Hansa Hotel
Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Sossusvlei

After breakfast, guests are shuttle transferred to Swakopmund airstrip for a charter flight to Sossusvlei. Sossusvlei literally translates to “dead-end marsh”, as it is the place where the dunes come together preventing the Tsauchab River to flow any further, some 60km east of the Atlantic Ocean.  However, due to the dry conditions in the Namib Desert the River seldom flows this far and the pan remains bone-dry most years.  During an exceptional rainy season the Tsauchab fills the pan, drawing visitors from all over the world to witness this spectacular site. Photographic enthusiasts are spoilt with a glassy “lake” holding reflections of the surrounding dunes.  The dunes in this area are some of the highest in the world, reaching almost 400 meters. When the pan fills it can hold water for as long as a year. Led by Sossusvlei’s skilled rangers and naturalists, the afternoon is dedicated to sightseeing the desert scenery in open four-wheel drive vehicles.

Overnight: Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
Meals:  Full Board

Day 4: Sossusvlei

The morning is devoted to an excursion to the famous Sossusvlei red sand dunes and Sesriem Canyon. In a number of areas surrounding Sossuvlei look out for the petrified dunes.  These are ancient dunes that are approximately 1 billion years old and have solidified into rock. Sesriem Canyon is situated approximately 4.5km from the entrance gate of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The Tsauchab River has shaped the Canyon over millions of years and it is one of the few places in the area that holds water all year round. The Namibian canyon is narrow at places however it is worth exploring due to the stunning rock formations that will captivate your attention. In the afternoon we return to the lodge and after some time spent relaxing, we explore the area on quad bikes (four wheelers).

Overnight: Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
Meals:  Full Board

Day 5: Departure

A final breakfast in this desert retreat is followed by a charter flight to Windhoek and from there a connection to Johannesburg. . Visitors are met at O R Tambo International Airport and are shuttle transferred to any location convenient in Johannesburg or Pretoria. Reminiscences of a cherished Namibian safari are certainly to last a lifespan.

Overnight: None
Meals:  Breakfast