3-Day Sossusvlei

Tour Overview

	Accommodation	Destination	Basis	Duration
Day 1-2	Dead Valley Lodge or similar	Sossusvlei	FB	2 Nights

FB Full Board

Price

1 November 2022 – 30 June 2023

N$ 21 985 per person sharing - N$ 5 760 single supplement

1 July 2023 – 30 October 2023

N$ 24 000 per person sharing - N$ 6 790 single supplement

Included-Excluded

Day 1 - Dead valley Lodge, Sossusvlei

 

Located in the scenic Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia's premier attraction, with its unique dunes rising to almost 400 metres-some of the highest in the world. These iconic dunes come alive in morning and evening light and draw photography enthusiasts from around the globe. Sossusvlei is home to a variety desert wildlife including oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb 'Big Daddy', one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; explore Deadvlei, a white, salt, claypan dotted with ancient trees; or for the more extravagant, scenic flights and hot air ballooning are on offer, followed by a once-in-a-lifetime champagne breakfast amidst these majestic dunes

Day Itinerary

Windhoek – Sossusvlei area (350 km) (D,B&B)

You will be collected between 08:00 & 08:30. 

We travel out over the Eros Mountains and along scenic roads on our way south-west to the desert. We also pass over part of the Naukluft mountains, which are of particular interest for the ancient geological history of this part of the country. Heading down from Namibia’s central plateau by way of the beautiful Remhoogte Pass, we reach open plains and the tiny settlement of Solitaire.

We cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain gives way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib. We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east.
We aim to arrive at the lodge afternoon in time for an afternoon sundowner nature drive.

Activities

Sundowner nature Drive

Depart from Dead Valley Lodge in the late afternoon on a leasurely drive into the National Park. Relax with a sundowner drink and experience the most spectacular sunsets in the Namib!

Overnight

 Dead valley Lodge

Situated at the Entrance Gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. Experience the true art of Hospitality with the thoughtful touch of attentive staff to contribute to a truly memorable experience. Facilities include a sparkling pool, bar, sundowner deck where one can enjoy exquisite food, award-winning wines and magnificent views of the floodlit waterhole.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 2 - Dead Valley Lodge, Sossusvlei

Day Itinerary

Sossusvlei (D,B&B)

A pre-dawn start is essential this morning as we drive to the park entrance gate and passing through Sesriem, the gateway to the dunes, we head into the heart of the dune field, reaching Sossusvlei on foot, trekking the last 5 km through the dunes. Landscape photo opportunities abound in the cool of the morning. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or ostrich makes it essential to remember your camera!

 

We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting dune 45 and the Deadvlei. As the day wears on we return to the lodge for lunch, escaping the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.

Activities

Dune 45

Named for its location 45 kilometres past the town of Sesriem, Dune 45 is renowned for its elegant shape, which – along with its position close to the road – have earned it the distinction of ‘most photographed dune in the world’. If you’re not keen for the strenuous hike to the top of Big Daddy, Dune 45 is a more forgiving alternative, standing at only 80 metres and featuring a much gentler gradient.

Sesriem Canyon

Sesriem Canyon, a deep chasm carved through the rocks by water, is a striking natural feature of the area that is best explored on foot. Stony walls rise up sharply on both sides of the canyon, while birds roost in its crags and lizards dart along the ledges. The canyon’s name was coined when early settlers used it as a water source, using six lengths of leather (‘ses riem – six thongs) tied together to lower buckets into the water at the base of canyon.

 

Deadvlei

This ancient clay pan was once an oasis, studded with acacias and fed by a river that suddenly changed course, leaving the earth to dry up along with the trees it previously supported. So dry were the climatic conditions that the trees never decomposed – instead they were entirely leached of moisture so that today, 900 years later, they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels dotting the pan’s cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes of the Namibia Desert, they create a surreal spectacle that is a photographer's dream.

 

Big Daddy 250 m

Big Daddy is the tallest dune in the Sossusvlei area. This magnificent dune is situated between Sossusvlei and Deadvlei and at 325 meters it dwarfs the other dunes. Should you want the ultimate bragging rights, take a lot of water and trek to the top of Big Daddy where you can look down onto Deadvlei. At 325 meters, Big Daddy may be the highest dune in the Sossusvlei area, however it is not the highest in the Namib Desert. This honour is given to Dune 7, which has been measured at 388m. Dune 7 earned its name by being the 7th dune along the Tsauchab River.

Overnight

Dead Valley Lodge

Situated at the Entrance Gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. Experience the true art of Hospitality with the thoughtful touch of attentive staff to contribute to a truly memorable experience. Facilities include a sparkling pool, bar, sundowner deck, beer garden and an al fresco terrace where one can enjoy exquisite food, award-winning wines and magnificent views of the floodlit waterhole.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary

Sossusvlei area – Windhoek (450 km) (BL)

After breakfast we begin our journey back to Windhoek following a different route, ascending the massive Gamsberg Pass in the Khomas Hochland Mountain Range on our way back to civilisation, depending on the road conditions alternative roads will be used.

Namibia

Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia boasts a well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa, and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders.

Visitors can explore the capital of Windhoek and discover the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund boasting remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations.

In order to properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with abundant wildlife, such as lions, desert-adapted elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course the Namib Desert stretching for over 2000 km along the magnificent Atlantic Coast.

Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness. 

Practical Information

Please note that all accommodation places stated on the itinerary strictly depend on availability at the time of booking.  Thus if there should be no availability in a particular accommodation, a similar place will be choosen after consultation with all parties involved.  So the earlier you book, the better.

Included

1. Standard Information package
2. Pick up & drop off from accommodation in Windhoek
3. Accommodation as per itinerary
4. Meals as per itinerary
5. Activities as per itinerary
6. Park entrance fees
7. Professional English-speaking guide

Excluded

1. Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks & bottled water
2. Personal travel insurance
3. Optional activities
4. Tour guide tips and gratuities
5. Visa’s
6. Flights
7. Items of personal nature

It is strongly recommended that you purchase comprehensive personal travel insurance before you embark on your safari. Travel insurance is for your own protection and we consider it to be an essential part of modern international travel. Your tour guide will do all the shopping, day-to-day organization of the safari. Unless otherwise specified, all safaris will be conducted in English.

When selecting your clothing please be aware that Namibian summer temperatures (December - March) can reach 45°C and winter temperatures (June - September) can be as low as -5°C. The rainy season is between December and April.

All evening meals will be provided at the lodge restaurant unless specified differently. We cater for vegetarians, but please notify us prior to departure.

Namibia is a low risk malarial destination, but we recommend seeking professional medical advice, enabling you to make informed decisions on personal malaria protection.

All tap water in Namibia has been purified or comes directly from boreholes and is safe to drink. In some areas the water can be brackish, your guide will advise you daily on this and where to purchase bottled mineral water.

Electrical plugs are 220 V and are 3 pin (round pin as opposed to square pin, the same as in South Africa). Adaptors can be purchased in Windhoek. It is possible to re-charge batteries at some campsites.

The Namibian Dollar (N$ or NAD) has a fixed 1-1 exchange rate to the South African Rand (ZAR). ZAR notes and coins are legal tender in Namibia.

Airport transfers and pre-and-post safari accommodation can be arranged on request.

It is customary in Namibia to tip 10% at restaurants. Your guide and assistant can be tipped at your own discretion, but we ask that the guide be tipped separately from your assistant.