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NAMIBIA |
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Namibia ~ South NamibiaOften missed out of first-time itineraries to Namibia due to the length of travel time needed to reach this area, southern Namibia nevertheless has some highly rewarding locations that are worthy of the effort. /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park - Fish River CanyonAround 161 km long and purporting to be the second largest canyon in the world (after the Grand Canyon) the magnificent Fish River Canyon drops nearly 550m in unexpected fashion from the surrounding flat desert plains of the Nama Karoo. Formed around 500 million years ago, the canyon was formed by a fissure in the rock due to tectonic movement as well as meandering erosion by the Fish River. The river is now dammed upstream near Mariental (Hardap Dam) and so the river only flows in summer – when it becomes a raging torrent! – whereas there is a dry riverbed with occasional pools at other times. The endless panoramas and colours in the changing light of day are breathtaking. As well as geological interest, Fish River Canyon and the surrounding area is home to diverse and drought-resistant flora including various succulents, Namibia’s national tree, the quiver tree (kokerboom) and the poisonous melkbos. Large animals are scarce but include wild horses, mountain zebra, baboon, klipspringer and kudu. Dassies and dassie rats enjoy the rocks, and reptiles such as leguan, geckos and various snakes enjoy basking in the heat of the day. Birds include black eagles, African fish eagles and ostrich. Of archaeological interest are petroglyphs and Stone Age tools left by those who lived and travelled through the area in times past. The Fish River Canyon is famous for a tough 86km five-day hiking trail, ending at the Ais Ais hot springs at the southern end of the canyon but there are some shorter options as well as nature drives and accessible viewpoints such as the famous ‘Hell’s Bend’ near to the northern park entrance. LüderitzWith a turbulent history involving the territorial claims of the local Nama chief, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, the British and the German Reich, Lüderitz was founded in 1883 as for its lucrative guano-harvesting, fishing and trading opportunities (land purchased from the local Nama chief). The town really made headlines when diamonds were discovered in 1909 in nearby Kolmanskop. Diamond mining then moved elsewhere and the towns reverted to quiet and remote outpost. The harbour is too shallow for modern ships (which tend to use Walvis Bay) and tourism is a main industry for the town nowadays. Visitors tend to pass through Lüderitz to see Kolmanskop which is now a ghost town, where the evidence of a once-thriving diamond mining town is being consumed by the Namib Desert sands. Marine wildlife is plentiful and cruises along the rugged coastline operate to Diaz Point to see Benguela dolphins, Cape fur seals (brown fur seals), an African penguin colony, greater flamingos and Damara terns. The town itself, perched on an isolated rocky peninsula with a sheltered bay between the Koichab Pan to the north and diamond fields of the south, is known for its German colonial architecture, rock lobser cuisine, museum and for the annual Lüderitz Speed Challenge – a speed sailing event which takes advantage of Lüderitz’s persistent strong winds in springtime. Garub Wild HorsesBelieved to be descended from horses of the South African cavalry, the horses of Garub (20km west of Aus) have adapted and lived wild for over 100 years in the harsh climate of this area. Their numbers have grown substantially and they now provide a great attraction for horse-lovers. |
A classic Namibia tour and rightfully so, this expertly guided itinerary shows off the breathtaking diversity of landscapes in Namibia and its desert-adapted animals and flora, including the Namib Desert, coast, stunning Damaraland and exceptional wildlife of Etosha National Park and Okonjima. Find out more... Spoil yourselves with this highlights of Namibia itinerary with your private guide, staying in lovely lodges throughout. Beginning with the awe-inspiring Sossusvlei area, you will then travel the coast for its exceptional marine life and quirky towns. Then comes Damaraland for desert elephants and ancient rock engravings. Visit the village of a nomadic Himba community before an exciting safari finalé in Etosha National Park and Okonjima. Find out more... For those with a sense of adventure, this self-drive itinerary of outstanding value and breadth will give you a priceless experience of Namibia for low cost. It takes in the highlights of Namibia including the less visited and stunning far south. Find out more... With some wonderfully scenic drives, lovely lodges and incredible wildlife, this itinerary is our most popular self-drive tour of Namibia Find out more... This itinerary allows vistas of Namibia's immense beauty from both ground level and from above. You will be truly awed at the sheer scale of this harsh natural wilderness. This itinerary is mind-blowing in all its facets, with luxury accommodation, excellent guiding and provides a truly privileged insight into this unique country Find out more... This classy itinerary will show you the very best of Namibia's desert wildlife whilst immersing you in some quite ridiculously stunning scenery! First the Erongo Mountains, then to Damaraland, before you head to the exclusive Desert Rhino Camp to track desert adapted black rhino. Then the Skeleton Coast for that 'National Geographic moment'! Finally some fabulous safari in Etosha and Ongava. We are confident it will exceed your highest expectations. Find out more... A well-deserved indulgence for honeymooners or those who simply feel they're worth it! Pampering you throughout, you will take a heavenly flight to stay at Wolwedans, experience the immense dunes at Sossusvlei before witnessing from the air the sheer scale of the Namib Desert dune sea. Fly along the coast with its shipwreck skeletons to Damaraland. Search for desert elephants and learn about the area's human history before safari in Ongava, Etosha and Okonjima, leaving you truly satisfied. What an excellent start to married life! Find out more... Namibia seen from the air is quite an extraordinary and emotive experience - with the added bonus that it cuts out long car journeys! This fly-in safari will fly you to the towering dunes of the Namib Naukluft Park, then to the coast and north to Damaraland with its desert elephants. Track desert rhinos in the beautiful wilderness of the Palmwag Concession. Then a flight over the Skeleton Coast and strange fairy circles takes you to the remote Kunene region with lush oases, dunes and mountains, home to wetland species and also the nomadic Himba tribe. Finally, fly to Ongava and Etosha for superb safari Find out more... Using comfortable fully catered mobile camps interspersed with the occasional lodge, this privately guided safari covers the highly contrasting highlights of Namibia, with exciting safari in Okonjima and Etosha National Park, a visit to a nomadic Himba community, time with the desert elephants in Damaraland, fun in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, ending with the iconic dunes at Sossusvlei Find out more... Concentrating on Namibia's cultures as well as its wildlife and scenery, this expertly guided itinerary allows for a holistic understanding of this harsh and seemingly uninhabitable land. Beginning with the big cats of Okonjima / AfriCat, you will head to Bushmanland to spend time with the San (bushmen). Then safari in Etosha National Park, before reaching Himba territory to visit these nomadic herders. Enjoy the wildlife and scenery of the Etendeka Plateau region before entering Damaraland. Search for desert-adapted elephants and visit the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings before an incredible scenic flight along the coast and vast dune sea to Sossusvlei. Find out more... Immerse into the Namibian natural world by exploring on foot. This self-drive itinerary includes hiking in the Otavi and Erongo Mountains, Sossusvlei and the southern NamibRand Nature Reserve, with the chance to sleep under the stars. Safari in Etosha National Park will be from the safety of your vehicle! The coast at Swakopmund with its plentiful marine life is included. Find out more... |
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