3 day Sossusvlei Camping Safari

Route:           Windhoek to Namib Naukluft Park

Distance:       310 km

Collection time:     08h00 – 08h30 from any accommodation within the City of Windhoek

Since there’s no place to stay right at Sossusvlei, most visitors find themselves lodging in Sesriem, which is about 65 kilometres away. This spot has camps and lodges that make a great home base for checking out the stunning dunes. One of the highlights in the area is Sesriem Canyon, a deep gorge shaped by water over time, and it’s best explored on foot. The canyon features steep rocky walls on either side, with birds nesting in the crevices and lizards scurrying along the edges. The name "Sesriem" comes from the early settlers who used six leather thongs to lower buckets down to the water at the bottom of the canyon.

Journey:  A short drive through the City as we head out towards the Gamsberg, a table-topped mountain which on clear days,  has some stunning views of the distant Naukluft Mountains, the area we are headed to for the next few days.  Our drive takes us through farmland and reserves crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and down the Remhoogte or Spreetshoogte Pass - the escarpment drops down to meet the desert floor as we arrive at our campsite in the Sesriem area.  

Such a magical area for sundowners as your gaze takes in the Naukluft Mountains and a small section of the dune-belt.  This evening as you sit around a crackling fire your gaze is drawn skywards to the blanket of stars, an area that is good for the soul!   Rest well tonight as tomorrow is a very early start.  

Overnight: Sesriem Oshana Campsite (o/s)
Sesriem Oshana Campsite is situated close to the southern end of the quiet and lush Naukluft Mountains within the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia. Facilities include bathrooms, kitchenettes, barbecue sites. Guests are not permitted to make use of Dead Valley Lodge facilities rather those of NWR (Namibia Wildlife Resort) at Sesriem campsite. 

Route:  Sesriem - Weltevrede

Distance: 170 km 

Located in Central Namibia, the Naukluft Mountains cut a fine silhouette against the vast open skies of this incredibly beautiful country. Private farms occupy the northern reaches and to the south, the range falls within the spectacular Namib-Naukluft National Park. Rising steeply from the vast plains of Central Namibia, the rugged landscape holds a fascinating history, interesting geology and a boasts a variety of deep gorges, caves, small streams and beautiful waterfalls. These mountains support an array of wildlife including over 50 mammal species such as leopard, mountain zebra; various antelope species and almost 200 species of bird.

Journey:   The world famous Naukluft area is one of our most versatile conservation areas of which you will see a small portion being Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei.  This is one of our most visited areas by international tourists.  It is a magical area where you can experience the feeling of vastness and isolation with dunes that are some of the highest in the world.  A photographers dream as the early morning light plays with colours from apricot to red and no better place that Dead Vlei to experience this as the dunes drop down to meet a white clay pan dotted with the skeletons of ancient camelthorn trees.  

Mid-morning as the temperatures rise we travel back to camp, pack up and drive the short journey to Weltevrede.  Nestled near the spectacular rugged Naukluft mountains we'll set up camp.  Put on your hiking boots as this afternoon we'll take a walk to nearby Bushman paintings.  We're spoiled with another night of tranquillity and star gazing.

Overnight: Weltevrede Guest Farm (o/s)

Situated in the heart of the Namib Desert, some 300 km south west of Windhoek and bordered on three sides by the Namib Naukluft Park, Weltevrede Guest Farm is the home of abundant wildlife and gateway to the famed Sossusvlei dunes and Sesriem Canyon. Nestled amidst a spectacular mix of rugged mountains, you'll find Weltevrede a welcome oasis of friendly hospitality at the end of your adventuresome day.

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.

Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is the spot to check out those famous red sand dunes in Namibia. The bright blue skies really pop against the massive red dunes, making it one of the most stunning places in Africa and a dream for photographers. This breathtaking location is likely Namibia's top attraction, with its unique dunes soaring nearly 400 meters high, ranking among the tallest in the world. The dunes look especially magical during sunrise and sunset, attracting photography lovers from all over. Plus, Sossusvlei is home to a range of desert wildlife, like oryx, springbok, ostriches, and various reptiles.

Dead Vlei
This old clay pan used to be a lush oasis, filled with acacia trees and nourished by a river that unexpectedly shifted its path, causing the land to dry out along with the trees that thrived there. The climate became so arid that the trees didn’t even rot; instead, they completely lost their moisture, and now, 900 years later, they stand as dried, blackened reminders scattered across the cracked ground. Nestled among the red-pink dunes of the Namib Desert, they form a bizarre yet stunning scene that any photographer would love to capture.

Route: Weltevrede to Windhoek

Distance:  260 km

Arrival in Windhoek:   15h00 – 16h00

Journey:  Our route today takes us back towards Solitaire from here we travel to the town of Rehoboth, an area of natural hot water springs, before arriving back into the city of Windhoek, this will be mid-afternoon.

Outbound flight today: Kindly be advised that C Africa Safaris & Tours assumes no responsibility for any missed outbound flights that may result in not arriving on time for the late afternoon/evening departure.   

Rehoboth
Located in Hardap, Namibia, about 90 kilometres south of Windhoek, Rehoboth is surrounded by camel thorn, sweet-thorn and candle-pod acacia and dotted with several natural hot springs. The area is known not only for its striking natural beauty but also its rich heritage - the ancient Baster community, who came across the river to settle here in 1870, have a long and interesting history.