Ecosystems of the Namib Desert

When: Year round, as long as it is kept in mind that summer temperatures in the Namib are extremely high, while winter nights can be extremely cold - in winter, fortunately only till about 09:00 in the morning - then warm days are enjoyed.

Length of tour: Any length the visitor wishes - the sample program is based on a 10-day visit.

Number of guests: From one to a maximum of six.

Fee: As an indication, the sample program illustrated here, for two or more Guests on a 10-day visit, the fee is US$115 per person per day - excluding airport taxes and airfare to and from Namibia. All other costs such as meals, transport, entrance fees, insurance cover for possible Medical Emergency transfers by air and/or road, and all accommodation and camping equipment is included in this fee.

DAY 1 : Meet your host at the airport. Transfer via Windhoek, for a quick tour of its sights and sounds, and drive South towards the Escarpment. Overnight, with dinner included. (Lunch subject to flight arrival time).

DAY 2 : Enjoy a farm breakfast, then drive towards the very edge of the Escarpment, with camera in hand, capture the endless vistas of the Namib desert at your feet. Descend into the desert towards your next camp. Arrive at your campsite early- to mid-afternoon. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included).

DAY 3 : After breakfast, you may choose whichever short hike within the Naukluft mountains you wish to take. If you should choose one of the longer hikes, a lunch-/trail pack will be supplied. Your only hiking companions will be the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra and other local wildlife. Return to camp in time for a relaxing evening, while dinner is being prepared over an open campfire. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

DAY 4 : A leisurely breakfast, with birdsong to welcome the new day. A short stroll around the camping area (highest potential for viewing wildlife, is early morning), continue to your next campsite. Arrive in time for lunch. Explore the Geologically historic Sesriem Gorge. Around the evening campfire, keep your eyes peeled for Gemsbok (Oryx) and Cape Fox that might visit the campsite. An early night recommended. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

DAY 5 : Be woken before sunrise for one of the most unforgettable experiences of a lifetime! Drive towards Sossusvlei to view some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Arrive in time to climb a dune, and wait for the rising sun. Experience the splendour of Nature's artist at work, as the rays of the sun paints the surrounding landscape in earth-tone colours, enhanced by light and shadow. Enjoy brunch under the shade of age-old Camelthorn trees, return to camp. At sunset, drive just outside camp and climb halfway up a dune and see the sun reversing its actions of this morning. Enjoy this kaleidoscope of colour in utter peacefulness and total silence. (Brunch and dinner included).

DAY 6 : Penetrate deeper into the southern Namib, arrive at a Biosphere Reserve. Your first thoughts would be that of having landed on an Alien and unknown planet! (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included).

DAY 7 : Learn about the geology of this unique region, and the balance between Nature and commercial farming in such an arid landscape. This is part of the activities as offered by the Biosphere Reserve itself - included, as is breakfast, lunch and dinner.

DAY 8 : Return - probably reluctantly - towards the central area of the Namib. Arrive at your next campsite, a gradual return to a non-desert environment, early- to mid-afternoon. Guests will have the opportunity to drive to the summit of the mountain on a late afternoon Game drive - various antelope species and Hartmann's Zebra. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)

DAY 9 : Activities at this campsite include a Game drive over the entire area of the mountain-farm, as well as short hikes of own choice. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included).

DAY 10 : After breakfast, bid the Namib farewell, as you head back towards Windhoek, to arrive in time for your return flight. (Breakfast included, lunch subject to flight departure time).

Background notes:

• Weather - The most important aspect of Namibian weather is that we only have two seasons - Winter and Summer. Both Autumn/Fall and Spring are not noticeable at all. The Summer months are regarded as from September to March, while Winter starts at the beginning of April through August. The hottest time throughout Namibia occurs from November to January, while the coldest varies from year to year. Sometimes from May to July, other times from June to August. Short, but very cold spells are not uncommon during October. Our official rainy season starts with isolated and sporadic thundershowers from early October through January, reaching its peak - countrywide - during February/March. Thundershowers normally occur during mid- to late afternoon, and lasts about 30 minutes. In general, the most pleasant, and moderate weather conditions will normally be experienced from mid-March to mid-June, and then again from August to October. Although excellent weather can be enjoyed throughout the Winter months, if the colder nights are accepted.

• Routes and accommodation - Normal Tourism routes within Namibia are rather restricted, and follow a very well defined, deep-trodden path. This normally includes accommodation establishments such as Game Lodges, Hotels and Luxury Camps at exorbitant rates - a Namibian citizen will never be able to afford these accommodations. Leon prefers the low volume, seldom-used routes and accommodation establishments - off the beaten track, and being closer to Nature. There are some excellent Nature camping sites and wonderful Guest Farms where visitors are treated as family Guests and not Tourists - all of these offer excellent Namibian cuisine, and visitors may experience family farm life in Namibia.

• The Namib - The oldest desert in the world! In fact, general scientific consensus has it that, when the Dinosaurs became extinct (65 million years ago), the Namib had already been an arid, desert environment for 15 million years - setting its estimated age as a desert at 80 million years. This fact can be witnessed throughout the Namib by experiencing how the various life forms have adapted over many years. The best example being the very ancient Welwitschia mirabilis plant, some individual specimens already having entered their third Millennium! Animals, birds and insects demonstrate these same long-term adaptations for survival in such a harsh environment. Life forms such as the delicate Lichens found on the gravel plains, took many years to develop and establish themselves, but can be destroyed within seconds when only one vehicle tyre rides over them - indiscriminately. In short, the secrets of the Namib alone, in writing, will need several volumes. Best to experience them all in person!

• Visit Practicalities: Visitors should bring:

  • A small and lightweight knapsack for short hikes
  • Binoculars and cameras (even some sound recording device)
  • Good quality, comfortable hiking boots or shoes
  • Lightweight clothes for daytime wear, and warmer clothing such as jackets and track suits for the evenings, nights and early mornings
  • A good quality sunscreen ointment and a lip balm
  • A hat and sun shades for your eyes - due to the clear, unpolluted air, the sunlight is very intense and bright

APPENDIX:

Appendix 1: A "Namibian snake story" by Leon