Living Desert Tour
the Namib Desert - Namibia
The tour starts from Swakopmund where you will be collected from your accommodation around 08.30. You travel across the Swakop River towards the local dune belt between Walvis Bay & Swakopmund, which is about 30kms long and 5 kms wide and supports an impressive wealth of fauna and flora.
We slowly drive along the foot of the dunes, taking precaution not to drive on the gravel plains and cause any unnecessary damage to the environment. The gravel plains are protected and home to nesting Damara Terns, which are endemic to this area. Driving along gravel plains leaves scars, which can take up to 100 years to recover. Conservation issues and the geological structure of the desert will be discussed in detail en route. Plenty of time is available for frequent stops to take photos of the dunes and the surrounding environment.
Your guide will stop continuously to look for tracks (known locally as reading the bushman paper), to determine which animals were active the night before and wherever possible will try to catch some of them to show you. Great care is taken in sharing knowledge with you on each desert animal, including emphasis on special adaptations and perfect design used for survival in the desert. Time and care is taken to ensure each animal is returned safely to its home.
We cross the dune belt from East to West in a 4x4 vehicle, lending opportunity for incredible views of the desert landscape and an adrenalin packed journey where experienced knowledge of sand driving is essential. Enjoy a stop on top of the dunes overlooking spectacular scenery.
After your tour you will be dropped back at your accommodation in Swakopmund.
- Includes:
- Transport
Full & half day trips from Swakopmund to various birding hotspots in the Namib Desert
A half day tour (with morning and afternoon departures) to the seal colony at Cape Cross
Visits the seal colony at Cape Cross and the Messum Crater which is best known for it's desert adapted plants such as the Welwitschia Mirabilis
Explore the Namib Desert at night on foot - a great way to learn about the nocturnal creatures which inhabit this part of Namibia.
2 hour guided trip into the dune belt near Swakopmund (50km) - you enter an area where you cannot get to by car or foot. No experience necessary...
Skitter down the slip faces of a tall star dune near Swakopmund at 80km/h on a lie-down board, or enjoy the style and grace of a stand-up board. No experience necessary.
Full day tour to the Spitzkoppe Mountains - you will meet the Damara people and be introduced to the Bushman rock art of the area.
A half day your of these two coastal towns includes visits to historical buildings & monuments as well as the teeming birdlife of the Walvis Bay Lagoon


