6-Day Desert Opulence Kalahari Sossusvlei Swakop Self-Drive

Windhoek to Kalahari

Welcome to Namibia! You will be met and assisted upon arrival at Windhoek International Airport. After a detailed briefing with a Dunas Safari representative, your 4x4 rental vehicle (Toyota Fortuner, Hilux Double Cab, or similar) will be ready for collection. Please note that a credit card must be presented when collecting your vehicle. From here, you will embark on the first leg of your journey into the stunning desert landscape.

Inspired by the breathtaking splendor of the Southern Namibian landscape, Africa Safari Lodge offers comfortable accommodation overlooking a majestic horizon. The lodge is perfectly situated en route to the famous dunes of Sossusvlei, providing an ideal gateway to your safari adventure.

Main Destination:
Kalahari Region

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located less than a 1-hour drive from Mariental

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib Desert. The clear blue skies contrast sharply with the giant red dunes to make this one of the natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven. Aside from the world-famous attractions at Sossusvlei—such as Dune 45, Hiddenvlei, Big Daddy, and Deadvlei—other highlights in the area include the geological formations of Sesriem Canyon and the vast Namib-Naukluft National Park, where the desert mountains dramatically meet the plains.

Optional Activity: Hot Air Balloon Safari
Watching the spectacular sunrise over this magnificent landscape from a silent hot air balloon is the experience of a lifetime. Floating gently above gigantic orange dunes, undulating plains, and rocky mountains creates a magical kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, offering arguably the ultimate perspective of the Namib Desert.

Main Destination:
Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)

Wildlife in Namib-Naukluft NP

• Leopard: Rare
• Zebra: Rare
• Hyena: Rare
• Cheetah: Very Rare

Accommodation:
Sossusvlei Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located less than a 1-hour drive from Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Sossusvlei

Today, you will visit the spectacular red dunes of the Namib Desert, exploring some of the most iconic landscapes in the region:

Deadvlei: This ancient clay pan was once an oasis, studded with acacias and fed by a river that suddenly changed course, leaving the earth to dry up along with the trees it previously supported. So dry were the climatic conditions that the trees never decomposed—instead, they were entirely leached of moisture so that today, 900 years later, they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels dotting the pan’s cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes, they create a surreal spectacle that is a photographer's dream.

Dune 45: Named for its location 45 kilometers past the town of Sesriem, Dune 45 is renowned for its elegant shape, which—along with its position close to the road—has earned it the distinction of being the "most photographed dune in the world."

Sesriem Canyon: A deep chasm carved through the rocks by water over millions of years, Sesriem Canyon is a striking natural feature of the area that is best explored on foot.

Main Destination:
Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)

Accommodation:
Sossusvlei Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located less than a 1-hour drive from Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Sossusvlei to Swakopmund

Today, you will depart for the coastal city of Swakopmund, enjoying several iconic roadside landmarks along the route:

Solitaire: There’s not much to do or see in the small village of Solitaire, but it is nevertheless an important and legendary stop on the way through the desert. It provides the only petrol station, general store, and post office between Sesriem and Walvis Bay. Solitaire is also home to a small bar and a bakery famous for its world-renowned apple pie.

Tropic of Capricorn: Along the route, you will cross the approximate latitude of the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5 degrees South. As one of the Earth's five major circles of latitude, it marks the southernmost point where the sun can be seen directly overhead. This famous line of latitude runs across the globe through countries like Brazil, Mozambique, and Australia.

Main Destination:
Swakopmund (City)

Accommodation:
Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre

• Luxury hotel located in Swakopmund (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Swakopmund

Today features two spectacular, fully included excursions showcasing the dramatic meeting of the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean:

Dolphin Catamaran Cruise: Enjoy an adventure-packed morning tour to Pelican Point and Walvis Bay’s beautiful harbor area. Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, Cape fur seals, and the unusual Mola Mola (ocean sunfish) as you search for the marine "Big 5." The experience is paired with sparkling wine, fresh local oysters, and savory snacks served aboard a spacious, comfortable catamaran.

Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Excursion: Located roughly 50 kilometers south of Walvis Bay, Sandwich Harbour is a breathtaking natural lagoon framed by towering sand dunes on one side and the pounding Atlantic surf on the other. It is a prime bird-watching site where countless sea birds gather to feed in the nutrient-rich waters—including rare white pelicans and vivid flocks of pink flamingos. You will explore this remote, roadless wilderness via an exciting 4x4 dune-driving excursion.

Main Destination:
Swakopmund (City)

Accommodation:
Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre

• Luxury hotel located in Swakopmund (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Swakopmund to Windhoek

Windhoek is Namibia’s capital, home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe, and well-organized, with a colonial legacy reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek features an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, including the Alte Feste (Old Fort), the 1896 Christuskirche (Christ Church), and the more contemporary Supreme Court.

Following your journey back to the capital, you will depart for Hosea Kutako International Airport for your onward flight home.

This concludes your itinerary. Safe travels!

Main Destination:
Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek)

Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included