Desert and Dune Explorer

Depending on your flight's arrival time, you can either stay one night in Windhoek or drive the three hours on mostly paved roads to the Kalahari Kalahari
The Kalahari Desert in Namibia is a vast basin of semi-arid plains, dry savanna and moist woodland
More... or Namib Naukluft.

When you're there: The lodges offer scenic drives, game viewing activities and nature trails. The sunsets are spectacular and a good excuse for a gin and tonic.

Accommodation options:
Standard: Suricate Kalahari Tented Lodge
Luxury: Zebra Kalahari Lodge

After breakfast, travel west to the Naukluft Mountains to hike the Wasserberg Trail.

On the way: The moderate three-hour hike takes you through the Naukluft Mountains with fresh water rock pools and beautiful riverine trees. From here, drive on to the next lodge for 2 nights. A late afternoon nature drive or walk at the lodge is recommended, especially at sunset!

When you're there: Enter Sossusvlei Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia with red sand dunes rising 300m into the air.
More... at sunrise and remember to take plenty of film or memory, sun cream, a hat, walking shoes and water. Explore the world's highest dunes and a sheltered pan with petrified trees that are hundreds of years old; climb the dunes and look out over a sea of sand. Private reserves in the area reveal fascinating flora, fauna and ancient desert landscapes.

Accommodation options:
Standard: The Desert Homestead and Horse Trails
Luxury: Kulala Desert Lodge

A five-hour drive north takes you through the gradual change from mountains and dunes to rolling grass-covered hills with scattered acacia trees. Swakopmund Swakopmund
Swakopmund, Namibia is a charming oasis of activity and civilisation
More... is a quaint resort town by the sea with an obvious German heritage at odds with its bleak surrounds.

On the way: Look out for the endemic Hartmann's mountain zebra as you leave; stop at Solitaire, about 80km from Sesriem for some home-made bread and an ice cold drink; Kuiseb Canyon has some shady picnic spots; you can see springbok and pure-bred wild ostrich across the vast gravel plains of the Namib; the lunar landscape; look out for the welwitschia plant.

When you're there: Visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon - a RAMSAR wetlands site - where thousands of flamingoes, pelicans and numerous waders feed in the nutrient-rich shallows; restaurants, shops and attractions in Swakopmund; spend an extra day making the most of the cool air.

Among the many organised activities, we recommend a scenic flight over Skeleton Coast; a comfortable and informative boat cruise of Walvis Bay where you meet dolphins, sea lions, pelicans and terns; and quad biking, which is an exciting way to experience the sand dunes.

Accommodation options:
Standard: Sandfields Guesthouse
Luxury: Zum Kaiser Hotel

Windhoek is about four hour's drive from Swakopmund and the airport a further half hour. Stop for lunch in the city or continue on to the airport in time for your flight and the end of a fabulous desert expedition.