Desolate, vast and uncompromising. These are the words best associated with the Namib Desert. Stretching more than 2000 Kilometers along the western Atlantic coasts of Southern Angola and the western Cape of South Africa, it is said to have endured these arid conditions for between 55 – 80 million years, thus making it the oldest desert in the world, The Namib contains some of the driest conditions in the world with only the Atacama Desert in South America matching it in aridity benchmarks. The Namib is of Khoekhoegowab origin and means “an area where there is nothing”. This name perfectly encapsulates this unforgiving stretch of planet where perfectly formed sand dunes press and against deserted stretches of coast and reach inland for as far as the eye can see. Sand consumes shipwrecks more than a kilometer from the ocean. Wildlife thrives in a land completely devoid of water. A key part of Namibia and one which will most likely be here long after we are gone. This is the essence of the grain.
Trip Highlights
- Self – Drive in Namibia
- Travel through the Namib Desert
- Stay at Hoodia Desert Lodge
- Climb the highest sand dunes in the world at Sossusvlei
- Visit the iconic NamibRand Nature Reserve
- Stay at Kwessi Dunes Lodge
- Visit the Kalahari Desert
- Stay at Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
Trip in 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 in Namibia. Kickback and relax to save some energy for the memorable 8 days that lie ahead of you. Your car hire will be available upon arrival and will be ready at Essence fully fueled for you. You will also be giving a comprehensive briefing as we will share some tips and tricks that you might find handy on your adventure. Dinner tonight can be held at one of the many fine dining establishments in town or at Essence Lifestyle.
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Essence Lifestyle (or similar)
Type: Boutique Guesthouse
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 2
After breakfast this morning, you hop into your rental car and drive to Hoodia Desert Lodge in the Namib Desert. Absorb the vastness and take in the deafening silence of the oldest desert in the world. You’ll be treated to some incredible landscapes on your way to Sossusvlei so do ensure that your camera is fully charged. You’ll also take part on a scenic sundowner drive this afternoon. An exciting day indeed.
Destination: Sossusvlei
Stay: Hoodia Desert Lodge (Or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Full Board (All meals + scheduled activities with a Hoodia Desert Lodge guide and vehicle on a shared basis) – PM Sundowner Drive
Day 3
The highlight today is a lovely excursion to the world reknown dunes at Sossusvlei with a Hoodia Desert Lodge guide and vehicle on a shared basis. Save some stomach space for a delectable brunch in the dunes.
Destination: Sossusvlei
Stay: Hoodia Desert Lodge (Or similar)
Type: Desert Lodge
Basis: Full Board (All meals + scheduled activities with a Hoodia Desert Lodge guide and vehicle on a shared basis) – Morning Sossusvlei Excursion
Day 4
After breakfast at Hoodia Desert Lodge you head south to the famous NamibRand Private reserve where you’ll be spending the following two nights at Kwessi Dunes Lodge. As with your time in the Namib Nauklift Park surrounds, you can once again 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 – Fully Inclusive (All Meals, local drinks and activities with a Kwessi Dunes Lodge guide and vehicle)
Day 5
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 – Fully Inclusive (All Meals, local drinks and activities with a Kwessi Dunes Lodge guide and vehicle)
Day 6
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 to the Namib Desert, 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 – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast + sundowner drive with lodge and vehicle on a shared basis.
Day 7
Today, you drive back to where it all started, Windhoek where you’ll stay at Essence Lifestyle (or similar) for your final night in Namibia. Au revoir and we cannot wait to see you again.
Destination: Windhoek
Stay: Essence Lifestyle (or similar)
Type: Boutique Guesthouse
Basis: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 8
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. We cannot wait to see you again
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
- Afternoon Sundowner Drive at Hoodia Desert Lodge
- Morning Sossusvlei Excursion at Hoodia Desert Lodge
- All meals, activities and local drinks at Kwessi Dunes lodge
- PM Drive at Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
Excluded
- International flights
- Vehicle fuel
- Personal insurance
- Any drinks, meals, or activities not specified in the itinerary