7 day Mesmerizing South

Route: Windhoek to Namib Naukluft Park 

Distance: 310 km 

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

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.  

Sesriem Campsite (o/s)/

Route: Sesriem - Sesriem 

Distance: 120 km

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 where we can relax at the swimming pool. During late  afternoon we'll take a hike down into the Sesriem Canyon. We're spoiled with another night of tranquility and star  gazing. 

Sesriem Campsite (o/s).

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
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, making this one of Africa's most scenic natural  wonders and a photographer's heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia's premier attraction, with its  unique dunes rising to almost 400 metres - making them 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  various desert wildlife, including oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb 'Big Daddy', one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; and explore Deadvlei, a white, salt, claypan dotted with ancient trees.

Dead Vlei
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.

Sesriem Canyon 
Sesriem Canyon is a captivating natural wonder located in the heart of the Namib Desert in Namibia. Carved over  millions of years by the Tsauchab River, this narrow gorge is a testament to the power of erosion. The name Sesriem  comes from the Afrikaans and Dutch words for six leather straps, which early pioneers used tied together to draw water  from the deep pools within the canyon. Sesriem Canyon is not only a geological marvel but also a haven for unique  desert flora and fauna, making it a popular stop for tourists exploring the surreal landscapes of the Namib Desert.

Route: Sesriem - Aus 

Distance: 380 km 

Situated high above the vast plains of the Namib Desert, nestled in the rugged Aus Mountains, lies the charming village  of Aus. This place is a treasure trove of incredible plant life, boasting an astonishing variety of botanical wonders. Aus  is the perfect starting point for exploring the main highlight of the region: the untamed and free-roaming feral horses of the Namib Desert, gracefully galloping across the sparsely vegetated plains. For the best horse sightings, head to the  water trough at Garub, a mere twenty kilometers from Aus. To truly appreciate the Succulent Karoo, make sure to visit  the breathtaking Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park, which is home to the most diverse desert ecosystem in the world.  And don't forget to seize the opportunity to camp beneath the famously clear Namibian night sky and embark on a  horseback adventure through the mesmerizing desert landscape. 

Journey: Some consider the route we're taking today to be one of the most scenic in the south, it's all gravel road  driving as we head south through the NamibRand Nature Reserve through undulating desert landscape. Small  towns are few and far between in this region, it's a sparse landscape yet supports wildlife. Our campsite for the next  two nights is magical with giant camelthorn trees, space and open landscapes, there are several hiking trails and a  lookout point from where to watch the sunset - one that you will remember!  

Klein-Aus Vista Desert Horse Campsite (o/s). 

Overnight: Klein-Aus Vista Desert Horse Campsite  

Large old camel thorn trees greet camping guests at the Desert Horse Campsite in a small valley of the Aus Mountains.  Each of the ten sites is equipped with a tap, table, grill and windbreak. Neat shower and toilet facilities are within easy  reach of each site. Barbecue packs are available at the reception of Desert Horse Inn (1.5 km); those who like to skip  cooking for a change are more than welcome at the Inn's restaurant (subject to space available, please enquire upon  arrival). Note there are no power point outlets at the Desert Horse camp. If you have equipment that need to be charged  it can be done at reception of Desert Horse Inn.  

Location: 2 km west of Aus on the B4 (Aus/Wild Horses/Kolmanskuppe/Lüderitz) 

Route: Aus - Luderitz - Aus 

Distance: 240 km

Journey: Diamonds and Wild Horses! We'll be away from our campsite for most of the day travelling to the coastal  town of Luderitz with its old world sleepy atmosphere - this town has weathered the frenzy of the diamond rush. In  the Forbidden zone (Sperrgebiet) is the ghost town of Kolmanskop, once one of the richest communities in Namibia,  abandoned for many years now reclaimed by the Namib Desert.  

On our way back to Aus we'll stop at Garub, where the wild horses are most often seen, we may even see them during  the early morning next to the road.  

Klein-Aus Vista Desert Horse Campsite (o/s) 

Activities 

Garub Desert Horses
Garub Desert Horses are found on the very barren eastern fringe of the Namib Desert and have adapted to the harsh  conditions and the arid land which now fulfills all their needs. Research has determined that the horses are a harmonious  part of the desert ecosystem and have found their home at Garub. 

Luderitz
Sandwiched between the rugged and stark Atlantic Coast and the arid desert of Namibia, the town of Luderitz is located  in an incredible unique geographical setting. This seaside town is something of an anomaly frozen in time – a piece of  19th-century Bavaria bordering the pinkish sand dunes of the Namib Desert. Lutheran churches, German bakeries, and  colonial buildings boasting German art nouveau architecture are dotted about the settlement, while its windswept  beaches are home to flamingos, ostriches, seals, and penguins. The nearby ghost town of Kolmanskop, which has been  taken over by the desert dunes, is another fascinating must-see attraction, located approximately 10 kilometres from  Luderitz central, along with the herd of wild desert-adapted horses near the small town of Aus. 

Kolmanskop 
Amongst the sands of the Namib, the crumbling buildings of a small, once-luxurious town emerge from the drifting  dunes. This ghost town is Kolmanskop, a reminder of the wealth of a time when diamonds could be picked by hand  from the desert, and a remarkable photographic opportunity with few equals anywhere on earth.

Route: Aus - Fish River Canyon 

Distance: 340 km 

Encircled by dramatic, rust-coloured cliffs and arid plains in the southern reaches of Namibia's Fish River Canyon, Ai Ais, which translates to "burning hot" in the Nama language, is renowned for its sulphurous hot springs. A single road  runs through the town, flanked by comfortable lodges and campsites designed for adventurous visitors. At the heart of  Ai-Ais lies the iconic Hot Springs Resort, where steaming sulphurous pools invite travellers to relax following a thrilling  hike down the Fish River Canyon Trail or to enjoy a scenic soak under the expansive Namibian sky. 

Journey: Down to the mining town of Rosh Pinah and then head down to the Orange River - our border with South  Africa. Travelling through the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Trans Frontier Park we'll wend our way upstream, this is a very scenic  road, there are no towns / settlements along this section of the River.  

We'll arrive into our campsite during late afternoon, - camping at Ai-Ais / Hobas (o/s). 

Overnight: Camping at Ai Ais  

Located in Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Namibia, Camping at Ai Ais offers guests a camping experience set in  tranquil surroundings. The establishment features a campsite situated the end of the Fish River Canyon. Shared ablution  and dishwashing facilities are available. Camping guests have full use of all resort facilities which include a restaurant,  a bar, a swimming pool, hot springs and a spa. Activities include playing tennis, hiking and birdwatching. 

Activities 

Orange River 
Rising from the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho, forming part of the international border between South  Africa and Namibia, the Orange River is the longest river in South Africa. The Orange River Basin extends into Namibia  and northern Botswana. The river snakes its way through one of Southern Africa’s harshest environments bringing life  to an area of sheer rugged beauty. Aside from vineyards in the desert the river also creates a mobile playground from  which to explore the area. This spectacular river created the diamond dune fields along Namibia's coast, by washing diamonds downstream from the Kimberly region over millions of years. Visitors can look forward to excellent whitewater  rafting, canoeing, and kayaking, as well as wonderful river cruises which allow excellent views of the surroundings.

Route: Fish river Canyon - Stampriet 

Distance: 472 km 

Spreading across Botswana, South Africa and Namibia, the Kalahari meaning 'the great thirst' is an exceptionally  beautiful living desert. The landscape is characterised by a large semi-arid sandy savannah draped over a gently rolling  inland sea of sand covering most of Botswana and large parts of Namibia and South Africa. It is also the last bastion of  the indigenous San people with the modern world having enveloped all the other areas they once roamed. The Namibian  portion is made up of red sands covered in thin, wispy, mostly golden grass and dotted with acacia trees and wide ranging wildlife including gemsbok, impala, jackals and cheetah. 

Journey: Sunrise at the Fish River Canyon! A visit will be made to the viewpoint on the northern end, this is probably  the most photographed area of the Canyon with its awe inspiring vistas - nothing to impede your view as far as the  eye can see. Renowned as one of the largest canyons globally, it spans roughly 160 kilometers (100 miles) in length,  with widths reaching up to 27 kilometers (17 miles) and depths plunging to 550 meters (1,800 feet). This magnificent  canyon was shaped approximately 500 million years ago, likely as a result of various geological processes, including  tectonic movements and erosion. 

Afterwards we are on our way to a remarkable destination, the Kalahari, known for its striking red sands and expansive  grassy plains. While it may not have the same fame as the Namib Desert, the breathtaking beauty of the sunset here  makes it an experience you won't want to miss.

Activities 

Giant's Playground 
The Giant's playground gets its name from the way in which the massive dolerite boulders appear to have been  purposefully placed on top of one another by a gigantic hand. The manner in which the boulders are stacked creates  fascinating rock formations and a series of mazes where one can easily lose one's bearings if one is not careful. Hiking  between these rock formations will entertain visitors for a couple of hours and is guaranteed to present great photo  opportunities. This fascinating rock formation is located on the farm Gariganus, and visitors need to buy their tickets at  the farm office before setting out. 

Quiver Tree Forest 
Set amidst the arid terrain near Keetmanshoop are the ancient quiver trees, a striking Southern African phenomenon  with twisted branches reaching towards the sky. These tall and photo-friendly trees, reaching up to eight metres, exhibit  a unique dichotomous branching pattern, creating a distinctive candelabra-like silhouette. Slow-growing, some  specimens in the forest are estimated to be 200-300 years old, thriving in the harsh climate by storing water in their  thick trunks and fleshy leaves. Protected as a national monument in Namibia, the Quiver Tree Forest holds both  ecological and cultural significance, with its smooth grey bark and fibrous wood once used by the San people for quivers.  Nearby, the Giant's Playground, a geological wonder of large dolerite boulders, boasts a unique feature of appearing  haphazardly stacked, as if by a giant child. A nearby rest camp provides a comfortable base for travellers keen to  experience Namibia's surreal natural landscapes firsthand.

Route: Stampriet - Windhoek 

Distance: 280 km 

Journey: A leisurely morning as we wend our way through the Kalahari area to the city of Windhoek.  

Activities 

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. Plant lovers will be interested to find that some of the Acacia Trees here date  back around 2000 years. History enthusiasts will delight in the interesting town museum. Rehoboth makes for a  convenient base for reaching popular destinations such as the Fish River Canyon, Sossussvlei, and Hardap Dam.