South Africa & Namibia Desert Safari – Camping Tour
Summary of this Budget Safari Package
Leaving from Johannesburg, this 10-day tour crosses the Great Karoo Desert en-route to Namibia and its fascinating terrain.
We visit Augrabies Falls, Fish RIver Canyon, a ghost town, watch the sunset over the mysterious Namib Desert, climb the sweeping desert dunes, enjoy adventure activities in Swakopmund before ending our tour in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital.
Travel with a small group of no more than seven, in a comfortable microbus and camp in well-equipped two-man dome tents on this memorable tour.
Itinerary for this Tour
Day 1: Johannesburg to Kuruman, South Africa
Leaving the city of gold behind our comfortable tour bus travels south-west into the Great Karoo of the Northern Cape en-route to Kuruman, our first stopover.
Known as the ‘Oasis of the Karoo’, Kuruman is an enigma as it is blessed with an abundant supply of crystal clear water from a mineral spring, known as ‘The Eye’. This gem produces 20 million litres of water a day to the town’s 10 000 inhabitants. Established by the missionary, Robert Moffat, the town is famous for being David Livingstone’s first missionary posting.
After a break, we travel to our campsite a short distance from the town.
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meal: None
- Travel: 572 kms
Day 2: Kuruman to Augrabies Falls, South Africa
After breakfast, we travel the brief distance to Augrabies Falls. The Khoi people called it “Aukoerebis”, or place of Great Noise, an apt title for this powerful flow of water cascading into the Orange River Gorge.
In the afternoon we tour the falls but there is an option (own expense) to take a canoe down the Orange River for a quiet paddle.
Our evening is spent around the campfire re-living the day and anticipating our crossing into Namibia tomorrow.
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Travel: 368 kms
Day 3: Augrabies Falls, South Africa to Fish River Canyon, Namibia
Keep your passport, complete with visas, handy today for our border crossing into Namibia. As with some border crossings, there could be some delays so patience may be required.
Once over the border, we journey via Karaburg to the Fish River Canyon. The desolate, dry, dusty road is a foretaste of the desert region to come.
We break our journey at Ais-Ais for a dip in the hot springs, before making our way to our overnight campsite.
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Travel: 370 kms
Day 4: Fish River Canyon to Aus, Namibia
After breakfast, we head out to view the dramatic, breathtaking canyon. Second, only to the Grand Canyon in size, the canyon stretches 160km in length and up to 27km in width with a 500m vertical drop.
It’s a popular destination for a six-day hike through the canyon, during the cooler months, for the brave or foolhardy.
Moving on to Aus we cross the edge of the Kalahari Desert and into a winter rainfall area that boasts spectacular desert flora. Arriving around mid-afternoon there is time for a short hike around our camp area before dinner and an evening at the campfire.
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Travel: 340 kms
Day 5: Aus – Luderitz – Aus, Namibia
We have a busy day today, beginning with a visit to view the feral horses thought to be the legacy of German Cavalry, stationed here in WW1 or descendants of Baron von Wolff’s horse farm dating back to colonial times. However they came to be here, these horses have managed to find a way to survive in the harsh desert conditions.
From here we visit Kolmanskop or what remains of it. Established in the 1920s during a diamond rush when diamonds were literally scattered across the desert, the town boomed. Evidence of this is can be seen in the abandoned lavish homes, the theatre and the bowling alley. Sadly the diamond mining companies moved in and the town became deserted and the desert sands took over.
Moving on to Luderitz we take a lunch break at a cafe (own expense). Then it’s time for a visit to the site of the original Dias Cross where a replica of the cross, originally planted by Bartholomew Dias, the Portuguese explorer, has been placed.
We head back to camp in Aus for dinner and an evening around the campfire.
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Travel: 250 kms
Day 6: Aus to Sossusvlei, Namibia
Today we are privileged to travel through some of the most magnificent desert scenery in the world – from massive mountain ranges to rolling dunes – the Namib will enthral you.
We pause to take a lunch break under one of the Camelthorn trees found here. You will be struck by the absolute silence of this mystical place. This coastal desert is thought to be the oldest desert in the world and stretches alongside the Atlantic Ocean from Angola in the north to South Africa in the south.
Tonight we camp at Sesriem and spend the evening around the campfire listening to the silence and the occasional bark of a gecko.
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Travel: 340 kms
Day 7: Sossusvlei, Namibia
Today, for many, will probably be the highlight of the tour, as we rise very early and head out into the desert to catch the sunrise over the dune. The last five kilometres are a hike as the area is restricted to 4×4 vehicles. The walk is fascinating as we pass dried up pans and clamber over dunes to arrive at Sossusvlei and the Dead Vlei. We take advantage of the cool morning air to explore our surrounds and Dune 45.
Back at camp, we have lunch and then venture to Sesriem Canyon, where we take a stroll through the canyon.
Once again our evening is spent around the campfire, under starry skies, relaxing and reminiscing about the day.
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Travel: 0 kms
Day 8: Sossusvlei to Swakopmund, Namibia
This morning we make a lazy start to our journey to Walvis Bay. We explore this small, industrial harbour town and its surrounding salt pans and lagoons, before continuing to Swakopmund, a well-known coastal resort.
The rest of the day is spent wandering around the town and researching the optional adventure activities that are on offer, which include short scenic flights, Catamaran cruises, dune-boarding, quad-biking and so much more. It’s important to discuss your chosen optional activities with your guide in the evening as bookings need to be made.
This evening contrasts with the night before as dinner is enjoyed in one of the many restaurants in Swakopmund and we say a fond farewell to our dome tents and spend the night in a guesthouse.
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Travel: 320 kms
Day 9: Swakopmund, Namibia
Today we are free to roam Swakopmund enjoying the adventure activities that we have booked in advance (own expense). See the town from the air or take a catamaran tour in Walvis Bay, try dune boarding or sky diving, above all, have an exciting, adventure-filled day.
Dine in one of the many excellent restaurants in town (own expense) and spend another night in the guesthouse.
- Accommodation: Guesthouse
- Meals: Breakfast
- Travel: 0 kms
Day 10: Swakopmund to Windhoek, Namibia
Our tour comes to an end today as we leave Swakopmund behind and head for Windhoek.
En-route we admire the Spitzkoppe Mountains whose peaks punctuate the flat, surrounding landscape, before continuing to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Travel: 365 kms
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