Namibia - 7 Day Southern Swing Safari

  Namibia

• Other Cities in Namibia: 
Windhoek

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: All Year - Please Contact Us

Description: Day One
Windhoek to Quiver Tree forest (500 km) (LD) (camping)
Pick up time: 07:30-08:00

We start our long journey south on the main B1 highway, travelling through the thin strip of Kalahari Desert that protrudes onto the eastern side of Namibia. Stopping at small towns along the way including Rehoboth, traditional home of the Baster people, we aim to arrive at the Quiver Tree Forest in the middle afternoon. Located just north of the southern centre of Keetmanshoop, (officially the sunniest town in the world), we make camp and have time to explore the area on foot.

Quiver trees are not in fact trees, they are a type of aloe, (Aloe Dichotoma), so called because the branches fork "dictomously". These weird looking plants dot the landscape in this part of the world and are locally common, however they are one of the world's rarest flora species.

Day Two
Quiver Tree Forest to Fish River Canyon (250 km) (BLD) (camping)

We leave Keetmanshoop and head further south to Fish River Canyon. We are heading to the main view point where we can see how impressive this canyon actually is. This is an ideal opportunity for photos and to spend some time experiencing this amazing sight.

After lunch we then make our way to our campsite for the night which is a few hours drive away but is still based on the top of the Fish River Canyon.

Day three
Fish River Canyon Klein Aus Vista, southern Namib, (250 km) (BLD) (camping)

It's an early start to make the most of the morning and our visit in to the Canyon. Viewing from the top we can see the river sparkling in the sunlight far below us, and can barely imagine how many millennia it took for the forces of erosion to carve such a magnificent vista.

It's possible to make our way into the canyon and to the bottom of this the second largest Canyon in Africa. We have lunch and a dip in the cool waters before making our way out and back to camp. Time to pack up camp and move on to our next destination, the tiny town of Aus. We sleep tonight at Klein Aus Vista, a private reserve, beautifully located in the Aus Mountain Range, (Huib-Hoch-Plateau region).

Day Four
Klein Aus Vista to Luderitz to Klein Aus Vista (250km) (BD) (camping)

We are up with the dawn this morning for the short drive to Luderitz, we travel on the main road and keep a sharp look out for the unique Namib wild horses. These horses are the only feral horses in Namibia and have, very unusually, become adapted to an existence with very limited water. Where they originated from is un-clear, some people think they are the descendants of the horses used by the German cavalry during the First World War. Another theory is that they originally came from a horse farm that used to be run by a German Barron, (von Wolff), in the very early colonial days.

We arrive in Luderitz in time to join an optional extra excursion, a trip on an old wooden sailing ship, "The Sedina". We take a cruise around Luderitz bay and, weather permitting, to Halifax Island to see the Jackass Penguins. If the weather conditions are suitable we turn off the engines and come back to Luderitz under sail.

Straight after the Sedina trip we drive out to Kolmanskop, a desert ghost town about 20 km out of Luderitz. It was built in the 1920's during the diamond rush and was abandoned when bigger and better diamonds were found further along the coast. The area is still abandoned and the desert has encroached over the entire town, giving an eerie feeling and real meaning to the word "ghost".

Lunch today is not included in the programme, this is to allow everybody as much flexibility with their time as possible and to give us the opportunity to sample some of the excellent local cafes.

During the middle of the day there is time to explore Luderitz Town with its traditional German architecture and later we will take a drive out to Diaz Point to see the bird life, hopefully a few seals and the stone cross replica, originally erected by the Portuguese mariner Bartholomew Diaz.

Returning to Klein Aus Vista in the late afternoon, the road takes us through the "forbidden Zone" so named because in years gone by, the alluvial diamonds found in Namibia were simply scattered across the desert and we again have time to enjoy sunset over the mountains.

N.B: The "Sedina" excursion is subject to availability and, if undertaken, will be for the clients own risk and expense.

Day Five
Klein Aus Vista to Namib Desert Camp, outside of the Namib Naukluft Park (350km) (BLD) (camping)

Turning north, we once again head deep into the ancient southern Namib, travelling on small gravel roads and passing some tiny rural communities along the way. The scenery is harsh, and sometimes forbidding. The process of erosion in these areas is well advanced and we pass time rounded "koppies" arid terrain and outcrops of tortured rock.
Our lunch stop will be near to Maltahohe at a Namib cultural centure, so we can stop and learn a little of the culture and lives of the people of this region.

Traversing this bleak yet beautiful landscape, the terrain begins to change and we cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib. We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east.

Day Six
Namib Desert Camp to Sossusvlei to Namib Desert Camp, outside of the Namib Naukluft Park (camping) (BLD)

A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. After passing through Sesriem, the gateway to the dunes and driving into the heart of the dune field, we reach Sossusvlei itself by walking the last 5 km through the dunes.

The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert.
Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.

We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting dune 45, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.

Day Seven
Namib Desert Camp to Windhoek (350 km) (BL)

After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We will travel over the Naukluft Mountains and also the Khomas Hochland Range, through beautiful mountain passes on our way back to civilization.

We are due back into the city around 16:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return.

Highlights: This safari has a guaranteed departure every Friday of the year, with a minimum of 2 people. There is no single supplement, and the price is virtually fully inclusive of everything you will need whilst travelling with us. The style is limited participation, assisted camping. Collection time is between 07:30 and 08:00 from anywhere within the Windhoek city limits.

This safari can also be combined with our 7 day Northern Adventure itinerary to make an unforgettable 14 Day Namibian Experience. To make a comprehensive 10 day itinerary, combine this with our 3 day Etosha Link itinerary. Two of the world's natural wonders, the Okavango Delta and the mighty Victoria Falls can also be included by combining this trip with our 8 day Delta and Falls Safari.

Quiver Tree Forest: The quiver tree or "Kokerboom" is indigenous to the hot and dry southern part of Namibia. The plants are succulents and can reach a height of up to 9 metres in height. They have adapted to the extreme environmental conditions by storing water in their trunks. The tree only blossoms for the first time after 20 to 30 years and can reach 300 years of age. The wood is very light and spongy inside. And because the trunk and branches can be easily hollowed out, they were used as quivers by the bushmen (San people) who formerly inhabited this area.

1000 million years old: The Fish River Canyon, situated in southern Namibia, is second in size and splendour only to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, U.S.A. Fish River Canyon is an incredible and immense show of rock valleys along a 100-mile course. According to the San Bushmen a serpent named Kouteign Kooru, in an attempt to escape its captors, created the massive curves and turns. But geologists report that it was initially formed by a fracture in the earth's crust 500 million years ago, and that it has deepened and widened over the years due to the action and erosion of glaciers! This canyon drops suddenly along a flat plateau by 1,800ft (550m), and is, at some points, an astonishing 17 miles (27km) wide.

Cost in US$: Please Email Us For Latest Pricing

Safaris exclude:
* Sleeping bag (can be hired)
* Alcoholic beverages
* Soft drinks
* Personal travel insurance

Useful items to bring with you:
* Two litre water bottle
* Torch
* Towel
* Sun hat
* Pillow

Important Notice

These details, guidelines and figures are accurate at time of posting (April 2009) and should remain so. They may change without notice should our local service providers update their tariffs due to unforeseen circumstances (such as Tax or Fuel Increases). Please ensure you email us to reconfirm this at time of enquiry or booking.

Typical Application Process:

The client will email FYI Travel, we will send out our application & indemnity form via email or fax. They need to complete it (hand sign it) and scan & email or fax it back to FYI Travel for approval.

They will be contacted and notified according to availability and date requirements. Full acceptance will be confirmed with an invoice from FYI for payment. Once payment is received, the program is confirmed and booked with service providers.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Namibia Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

FYI Travel's Mission Statement: Travel is a life-changing experience and FYI Travel will assist those who wish to, providing important information, giving peace of mind and support throughout their journey. FYI Travel is a link between traveller's and ground operators/service providers. We empower those in South Africa and Africa who offer extraordinary experiences. Our goal is to be instrumental in assisting individuals in making their trip a memorable one, being part of the traveller's life experience. We firmly believe that South Africa and Africa have so much to offer. The beauty and character of these countries are unique and should be experienced by everyone on this planet.

Year Founded: 2007