/ Namibia / Sossusvlei /
THE NAMIB & SKELETON COAST
Day 1: Windhoek
Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako (Windhoek) International Airport you will be met by a representative from &BEYOND and driven to the Olive Grove Guest House on the outskirts of Windhoek. You will spend the night in a luxury room at the guesthouse on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2: Huab Valley
After breakfast you will be chauffeured to Eros Airport for a light aircraft flight to the Skeleton Coast via Conception Bay.
The Kuiseb canyon and the adjoining red dunes are a spectacular sight from the air. Weather permitting, the flight includes an aerial view of the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck at Conception Bay.
After landing and refuelling at Swakopmund, continue fly north along the Skeleton Coast, landing near the seal colony at Cape Cross for a light picnic lunch near the beach. After lunch, you will fly across the desert to the Ugab formations, a nearly lifeless ‘moon landscape' of numerous black ridges in stark contrast to the white desert floor. From here you will proceed to Kuidas Camp in the Huab Valley, where you will stay the night in a dome tent with ensuite bucket shower. You will also have an opportunity to admire the ancient rock engravings within easy walking distance of the camp.
Day 3: Kaokoland
After breakfast, depart by vehicle to explore the colourful red lava and yellow sandstone of the Huab River formations and to be introduced to the wide diversity of flora and fauna. This includes the Welwitschia mirabilis, a tree that has been shrunk by the rigours of the desert climate. You will enjoy lunch at Kuidas Camp before flying along the coast to Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park. The most prominent shipwrecks along this part of the coast are the Montrose and Henrietta, still relatively intact. At the coast, you will be driven to the roaring dunes by vehicle. You will also visit the beach with its profusion of multi-coloured pebbles consisting of agate, lava, granite and others, as well as old bleached whale bones scattered above the high tide mark. Return to the aircraft and continue north to Purros Camp in the Hoarusib Valley in Kaokoland, where you will stay the night in a tent amongst the camelthorn and makanani palm trees lining the dry Hoarusib River.
Day 4: Kunene River
After breakfast, take a scenic drive along the Hoarusib Valley, visiting a settlement of the nomadic Himba people. You may be lucky enough to come across the desert-dwelling elephant that frequent this valley, although a planned encounter is unfortunately not possible. From here, continue north along the Skeleton Coast by aircraft to the Kunene River on the Angolan border. The Kaiu Maru shipwreck and pieces from old sailing vessels lie scattered along this part of the coast. From the airfield take a scenic drive to your lunch site. After lunch, continue through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley, reaching Kunene River Camp, where you will spend the night, in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Windhoek
Enjoy an early morning boat trip on the Kunene River as it flows through scenic desert landscape, observing bird life and possibly some crocodiles. Birds vary from aquatic species on the perennial waters to endemic desert varieties and those that inhabit the dense riverine vegetation. After lunch at the Camp, fly back to Eros Airport in Windhoek, arriving in the late afternoon. A vehicle will be waiting to take you to the Olive Grove Guest House, where you will relax in a luxury room for the night. Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 6 & 7: NamibRand Nature Reserve
After breakfast you will be driven back to Eros Airport for a light aircraft flight to &BEYOND Sossusvlei Desert Lodge.
Spend two nights at the Lodge in a twin bedded suite built of natural rock. Your stay is on a full board basis, including activities within the NamibRand Nature Reserve.
The surrounding area lends itself to numerous adventures, which include scenic drives by four-wheel drive vehicle in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, where you may encounter a variety of desert-adapted animals, such as gemsbok, zebra, springbok, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, caracal and jackal. A wonderful way of experiencing the dunes is by All Terrain Vehicle with an experienced guide who takes you along set paths in order not to damage the fragile ecology. Guided nature walks and hiking trails provide an insight into the scenic and ecological aspects of the environment with its wide diversity of desert-adapted flora and fauna. At the end of the day the blanket of stars which lights up the desert sky is brought to life through the Lodge’s high-powered computerised telescope.
Day 8: Windhoek
Return to Windhoek International Airport by light aircraft.
View the booking information for the namib & skeleton coast .
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