The deep south, characterized by deep troughs, barren landscapes, unforgiving temperatures and old school charm. The crown jewel of this magnificent destination is by far and large the Fish River Canyon. The Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest in the world. It features a gargantuan ravine stretching almost 160 Kilometers long and at some places up to 27 Kilometers wide. Its rivers flow during the early rainy season and by September it usually dries up forming a chain of stagnant pools. In terms of sheer depth, the canyon can drop down as deep as 500 meters due to the separation of the super continent Gondwana and the resulting upliftment of the African continent. Channel your inner explorer and feel the rock come alive as you take on the Fish River Canyon, visit the eerie ghost town of Kolmanskop an take in the emptiness of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. This is the Essence of the Valley.
Trip Highlights
- Self – Drive through Namibia
- 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 Ldge
- Explore the Kalahari Desert
- Stay at Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
Trip Summary
Day 1
After arriving at the Windhoek International airport a representative of essence lifestyle will transfer you to Essence Lifestyle where you spend your first night Namibia. Kick back and relax to save some energy for the memorable 11 days that lie ahead of you.
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Essence Lifestyle (or similar)
Type: Boutique Guesthouse
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 2
After breakfast this morning you will set off on your self-drive journey to the next destination, south bound to the Kalahari Desert. Tonight you stay at Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge where the red sand dunes of the Kalahari come alive with the sounds of Africa.
Destination: Kalahari Desert
Stay: Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge (or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: 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.
Destination: Fish River Canyon
Stay: Fish River Lodge (or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Dinner Bed & Breakfast
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. Upon returning to Fish Rive Lodge you have a bit of time to reflect on your day, The late afternoon is reserved for a memorable sundowner. Best to keep your camera battery fully charged!
Destination: Fish River Canyon
Stay: Fish River Lodge (or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Dinner Bed & Breakfast, Full day Canyon Drive + Afternoon Sundowner drive with Fish River Lodge guide and vehicle on shared basis
Day 5
After breakfast at Fish River Lodge you depart for Lüderitz, you can stop at the small town of Aus should you need to refuel and stretch your legs before continuing on to the Lüderitz Nest Hotel. Take in the scenery of this textbook coastal town, intimate and exotic.
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 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
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 the following 2 nights 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
Take part on a host of activities at Kwessi Dunes Lodge including guided nature walks, scenic drives, quad biking in the dunes and more on a fully inclusive basis.
Destination: NamibRand Private Reserve
Stay: Kwessi Dunes Lodge (Or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Fully Inclusive (All Meals, local drinks and shared activities with a Kwessi Dunes Lodge guide and vehicle)
Day 9
After breakfast at Kwessi Dunes Lodge you drive to the Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge where you spend one night, this is Kalahari Desert and although different in some aspects what you’ll encounter here is still the marvelous vistas and surreal silence that has been the hallmark of your past few days in Namibia.
Destination: Kalahari Desert
Stay: Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge (Or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast + sundowner drive with lodge and vehicle on a shared basis
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
- 4×4 vehicle hire as specified
- 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 (Day 2 & 9)
- 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
Excluded
- International flights
- Vehicle fuel
- Personal insurance
- Any drinks, meals, or activities not specified in the itinerary