Blessed with well – maintained and often empty roads, Namibia by vehicle is an event one can only truly appreciate when they have done it for themselves, you know our destinations are world renowned but do you know that getting there is just as epic? Alright, you love the scenery and the vast open plains bring you satisfaction, almost make you feel at ease, however you do not buy into the idea of having to ferry yourself across the country to our iconic locations. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to guided safaris. Travel in comfort and with the peace of mind that you are in the hands of an elite naturalist guide, a naturalist guide whose only concern during your stay is that you are comfortable, content and curious. This ensures that all you need to be concerned about is how much charge your camera battery had….and even then, he will be on hand to assist. Your guide will fill the role of chauffeur, friend, and concierge extraordinaire. Blessed with an intimate knowledge of the country and a knack for making others feel good, your guide will carry with him, the spirit of Essence lifestyle.
The 11-day Southern Excursion takes you to some of Namibia’s most iconic destinations, you’ll first stay in the Kalahari Desert followed by an exciting journey to the geographical masterpiece that is the Fish River Canyon. After your stay on the rim of the canyon at Fish Lodge you’ll head to the coastal town of Lüderitz where you’ll have the chance of seeing one of the most well-kept ghost towns in the world at Kolmanskop. Following this you head north with your guide to the NamibRand Nature Reserve where you’ll bear witness to a celestial night show in one of the worlds few gold tier dark sky reserves and lastly a memorable excursion to the towering dunes at Sossusvlei is in order.
Trip Highlights
- Travel with an elite naturalist guide
- Travel through the deep South of Namibia
- Stay at Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
- Visit and hike the iconic Fish River Canyon
- Stay at Fish River Lodge
- Visit Kolmanskop Ghost town
- Stay at the Luderitz Nest Hotel
- Spend Time at the iconic Namib Rand Nature Reserve
- Stay at Kwessi Dunes Lodge
- Travel with your guide to the Namib Naukluft Park
- Climb the highest sand dunes on the planet at Sossusvlei
- Stay at Sossusvlei Lodge
Trip Summary
Day 1
After arriving at the Windhoek International airport a representative of Essence Lifestyle will transfer you to The Olive Exclusive Boutique Hotel where you spend your first night in Namibia. Kickback and relax to save some energy for the memorable 11 days that lie ahead of you. Your guide will come to the Olive Exclusive and meet you for your safari briefing. Dinner tonight can be held at the Olive Exclusive’s fine restaurant or at any fine dining establishment in town with your guide.
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Olive Exclusive Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Type: Boutique Guesthouse
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 2
Your guide will collect you from your accommodation for a drive to your first destination, the Kalahari Desert. Your stay tonight will be at Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge where the red sand dunes of the Kalahari come alive with the sounds of Africa. You can look forward to a scenic sundowner drive with a Red Dunes Lodge guide and vehicle on a shared basis this afternoon.
Destination: Kalahari Desert
Stay: Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge (or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Full Board – Dinner Bed & Breakfast + Afternoon Sundowner drive with Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge guide and vehicle on shared basis
Day 3
After breakfast this morning you depart the Kalahari Desert and head south to the Fish River Canyon area where you will spend the following two nights at Fish River Lodge. Fish River Lodge is perched on the western rim of the Fish River Canyon, the lodge offers mesmerising views, excellent accommodation and a range of activities for the adventurer. Just as with the previous day, you can look forward to a gorgeous sundowner taking in the sights of the second largest canyon on earth.
Destination: Fish River Canyon
Stay: Fish River Lodge (or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Dinner Bed & Breakfast + Canyon Sundowner drive with lodge guide and vehicle
Day 4
After breakfast this morning you take part on an exhilarating canyon drive, the only access route by vehicle into the Fish River Canyon, this excursion offers a captivating journey into the depths of this natural wonder. This is a full day excursion into the Canyon. Upon returning to Fish Rive Lodge you have a bit of time to reflect on your day before enjoying another sundowner drive (optional).
Destination: Fish River Canyon
Stay: Fish River Lodge (or similar)
Type: Lodge
Basis: Dinner Bed & Breakfast, Full day Canyon Drive + Afternoon Sundowner drive with Fish River Lodge guide and vehicle on shared basis (optional)
Day 5
After breakfast at Fish River Lodge you depart for Lüderitz with your guide and private vehicle. Take in the scenery of this textbook coastal town, intimate and exotic. You’ll definitely need a fully charged camera as the route to Lüderitz is simply gorgeous.
Destination: Lüderitz
Stay: Lüderitz Nest Hotel
Type: Sea Side Hotel
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 6
After breakfast at the Lüderitz Nest Hotel you take part on an exciting excursion to see the Kolmanskop Ghost Town. Kolmanskop Ghost Town is one of Namibia’s most interesting tourist attractions. Travel back in time and explore one of the best-preserved desert ghost towns in Africa. English tours are offered and provide a lot of information about the day-to-day life of the diamond village inhabitants and mine workers. Your guide will take you to a local eatery for lunch after which you have the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Destination: Lüderitz
Stay: Lüderitz Nest Hotel
Type: Sea Side Hotel
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast + Guided Kolmanskop excursion
Day 7
Following breakfast this morning at the Lüderitz Nest Hotel you continue your journey through Namibia’s deep south this time making your way to the NamibRand Private Reserve where you will be staying tonight, at Kwessi Dunes Lodge. As with your time at the Fish River Canyon, you can look forward to taking in the sights and sounds of the Namib and just wait till you look up into the night sky!
Destination: NamibRand Private Reserve
Stay: Kwessi Dunes Lodge (Or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Fully Inclusive (All Meals, local drinks and activities with a Kwessi Dunes Lodge guide and vehicle)
Day 8
After breakfast at Kwessi Dunes Lodge, you’ll switch the red rolling dunes of the NamibRand Private Reserve for the towering golden monsters of Sossusvlei. The drive is short and scenic and your guide will have you at Sossuvlei Lodge by lunch. This afternoon will see you heading to the Sesriem Canyon with your guide for a journey into this geographical wonder.
Destination: Sossusvlei
Stay: Sossusvlei Lodge (Or Similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast + sesriem canyon excursion with private guide and vehicle
Day 9
Following a light breakfast early this morning your guide will drive to Sossusvlei where will spend a few hours seeing the most famous of the Namib Desert’s treasures. You leave early so as to arrive at the dunes near sunrise where the soft early light accentuates the curves of the towering dunes, a photographer’s paradise and a worthy destination to spend the end of your Namibian journey at. After exploring the dunes to your hearts content you make your way back to Sossusvlei Lodge where you can spend the afternoon at leisure taking in the sights and sounds of the Namib.
Destination: Sossusvlei
Stay: Sossusvlei Lodge (Or Similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast + Sossusvlei Excursion with private guide and vehicle
Day 10
After breakfast this morning you depart north and head back to where your journey Started, the capital city Windhoek. If you are staying at Essence Lifestyle, we have a surprise in store for you!
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Essence Lifestyle (or similar)
Type: Boutique Hotel
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 11
Depending on the time of your international departure flight you have the option of doing some last-minute shopping before being transferred to the Windhoek International Airport for your flight back home. Au revoir and we cannot wait to see you again
Breakfast
Included
- Transfers as specified
- Services of a private guide and vehicle.
- Accommodation on the meal & activity basis specified
- Tourism levies, VAT, Park Entry fees, & community conservation contributions
- 24/7 on the ground support
- PM Drive at Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
- Full Day Canyon Drive at Fish River Lodge
- Afternoon Sundowner Drive at Fish River Lodge
- Kolmanskop Ghost Town Excursion
- All meals, activities and local drinks at Kwessi Dunes lodge
- Private Sesriem and Sossusvlei Excursion.
Excluded
- International flights
- Vehicle fuel
- Personal insurance
- Any drinks, meals, or activities not specified in the itinerary
