13 DAY SOUTHERN NAMIBIA TOUR

Day 1 I will fetch you from the airport and take you to a good guest house in Windhoek.  i.e. Casa Piccolo www.natron.net/tour/casapiccolo or a similar quality guesthouse in case it is fully booked. The rest of the day is yours to relax and catch up on some sleep, especially if you have been on the long flight, or if you are up to it, go on a sight seeing tour of Windhoek.  Go out to dinner in the evening to one of the many good restaurants in town.  

Day 3 Today we will travel to a working farm, east of Keetmanshoop, where you can look at the delicate imprints of the Mesosaurus fossils which used to live in the ancient Mesosaurus Sea that was formed when Gwondwanaland started breaking up more than 120-130 million years ago, www.mesosaurus@mweb.com .  On the same farm you will also see hundreds of beautiful quiver trees (Aloe dichotoma) growing amongst some lovely rock formations.  These fascinating fossils and aloes are unique to this part of the country and the scenery is a photographer's paradise.  We will sleep in the small rustic chalets (clean and neat, but not luxurious) with en suite bathroom facilities and have a genuine Southern African “braai” (barbeque) this evening.  

Day 5 We will make an early start and head for the little village of Aus, on the eastern edge of the Namib Desert, and from there down through the seemingly endless and fascinating Namib Desert to the small, late 19th century harbour town of Luderitz, where huge diamond deposits were discovered early in the 20th century, resulting in a big diamond rush.  Luderitz is known for its old-world charm and distinctive German colonial architecture.  Spend the night at a good guest house, Haus Sandrose, www.sandrose.com   or an hotel, www.nesthotel.com,  in town (please let me know your preference).   

Day 7 Set off after breakfast and en route we stop off at Duwisib Castle, which was built by the legendary Baron Von Wolff for his American wife, Jayta, and only completed in 1909.  Visitors can look at some of the original furniture and artworks which was transported all the way from Germany (ditto for the building material) to Luderitzbucht and across the Namib Desert by ox wagons, a century ago. From Duwisib we will carry on to a lodge located close to Sesriem Canyon, i.e. Sossusvlei Lodge, www.sossusvleilodge.com or Sossus Desert Camp, www.desertcamp.com (or some other nearby lodge, depending upon availability) where we will spend the night.  Spend the rest of the afternoon taking it easy. The road from Aus to Sesriem runs between the escarpment on the east and the Namib Desert on the west and is considered by many to be one of the most scenic in Namibia.    

Day 9 After an early breakfast leave for Walvis Bay and Swakopmund via Solitaire (the most aptly named settlement in Namibia) - famous for the farm shop and Moose’s apple pie - and the gravel plains of the Namib Desert Park.  On the way we will visit the Kuiseb Canyon Viewpoint, where two German geologist hid out for almost three years during WW II because they wanted nothing to do with the war (read “The Sheltering Desert”  ISBN 0 86852 150 7 by Henno Martin).  In Swakopmund (the activity centre of Namibia, so there are many activities to partake in) we will book into one of the many good guesthouses for three nights, i.e. Secret Garden Guesthouse, www.natron.net/tour/secretgarden; Sandfields Guesthouse, www.sandfieldsguesthouse.com; The Stiltz, www.thestiltz.com , or one of the up-market hotels, i.e. Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre, www.legacyhotels.co.za;  Hansa Hotel, www.hansahotel.com.na; Swakopmund Boutique Hotel; Rossmund Golf Lodge (one of only five desert golf courses in the world, with 200+ springbok wandering all around) etc. The afternoon is yours to do as you wish.  There is plenty to do and see in Swakopmund, http://www.namibiatourism.com.na/swakopmund-and-walvis-bay/ ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swakopmund because it is a very charming little late 19th century “German” town, set on the desert coast of Africa and everything is within easy walking distance. Namibia is well known for its excellent German jewellers, who make some of the most beautiful jewellery imaginable, both traditional and contemporary, and both Windhoek and Swakopmund have several outstanding jewelers as well as some excellent leather merchants (including a workshop where visitors can have coats etc. made to order).   Do bear in mind that our overseas visitors can get the 15% VAT refunded on items bought, provided they obtain a tax invoice from the seller and can show the articles at the airport when they apply for the tax refund (be sure to get to the airport a bit earlier). Yet another option to consider is to undertake a mid-afternoon flight across the Namib Desert down to Sossusvlei, and from there across to the cold Atlantic coast where desert and ocean meet and then back again along the coast to look at some of the shipwrecks and seabirds to be found here.  One has no idea of how large and how spectacularly beautiful the desert is, and such a flight helps to put everything into perspective.  Do please bear in mind that the flight should be reserved in advance, especially during the peak tourist season (optional extra for your own account). Tonight we will have dinner at either the Secret Garden Bistro or one of the good local restaurants.  

Day 11 This morning you will go on a “Living Desert” excursion in the dunes close to Swakopmund to discover the wonders of the Namib Desert, www.living-desert-adventures.com.  This is a fascinating experience and most people are totally amazed at the variety and amount of living creatures to be found in the desert. Those guests who are more interested in natural history can instead choose to go on an excellent and most interesting quad bike excursion (slow and suitable for novice riders) into the Kuiseb River delta, www.kuisebonline.com, where apart from wonderful desert scenery; they will discover huge shell middens as well as remains of the ancient nomadic coastal dwellers, fossilled rhino and elephant and human foot prints and many other fascinating bits of information!!  Please let me know which excursion you would like to go on. Later during the afternoon, you will go on a fascinating Combined Tour that will introduce you to many of the other interesting aspects of the Namib Desert i.e. Moon Landscape Visit, Welwitschias, Sundowner, Dinner in the Desert (something different) and a Night Walk.  This is particular tour is very special and is only available to one group at a time, so it has to be reserved well in advance.  

Day 13 You have the morning free to do as you wish and I will then take you out to the airport in time for you to catch your flight home.  I will be available for anybody who wishes to be taken to town. The tour will include the following:  All transport in an air-conditioned vehicle fitted with a fridge; driver/guide with extensive experience; all accommodation; all meals; snacks/water in the vehicle; entrance fees plus 15% VAT – no extra hidden costs.  Only tips (porters/waiters), laundry and alcohol/all drinks at the table and optional extras are excluded, otherwise the only extra money you have to bring is what you wish to spend on yourself.   We try at all times to provide top quality service so that you may have a holiday to remember and we look forward to being of service to you and your friends.