The Southern Swing is a 7 day camping tour that takes in the southern areas of Namibia including; Sossusvlei, the Namib Desert, Lüderitz and the Fish River Canyon. This tour offers an excellent cross-section of southern Namibia and can be combined with its Northern Namibia Safari counterpart, allowing a more comprehensive experience to most of Namibia's traditional highlights.

• That this safari stays outside of the Namib Naukluft Park. Overnight stops are not at Sesriem Campsite, but at Agama Camp, which is 48 kms from the main entrance gate to the dunes.
• Arrival at the main gate is therefore at sunrise and then a drive through the dune field as the sun is coming up.
• This drive is stunning and one of the best ways to see the dune field with the early morning sun casting shadows and light onto the sand.
• You will not be on top of a dune to see the sun rise.
• Itinerary is assisted comfortable camping, with participation limited to only helping with the tents.

Camping Safaris | Namibia

Day 1: Windhoek - Quiver Tree Forest

Travellers are collected from their hotel in Windhoek between 07h30 and 08h00. The long journey south (480km) on the main B1 highway, travels through a thin strip of the Kalahari Desert that protrudes onto the eastern side of Namibia. There are a number of stops at small towns along the way, including Rehoboth, the traditional home of the Baster people. Arrival time at the Quiver Tree Forest, is expected to be mid-afternoon and it is located just north of Keetmanshoop, (officially the sunniest town in the world!) After setting up camp, there is time to explore the area on foot.
Quiver trees are not in fact trees, but a type of aloe, (Aloe dichotoma), and one of Namibia's more striking species. They are a hardy, smooth-trunked plant that stores water in its succulent leaves and sponge like stem. It is so called because the branches fork 'dichotomously.' The early San (Bushman) people fashioned quivers from its branches, to keep their arrows.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Quiver Tree Forest Campsite

Day 2: Quiver Tree - Fish River Canyon

Before leaving the Keetmanshoop area, there is time to visit another local site of interest, the 'Giants Playground,' an area filled with massively eroded dolorite rocks that are precariously balanced in tottering towers. A short stop in the town of Keetmanshoop, a former German garrison town, follows.
The journey heads further south, off the tarmac and onto gravel roads heading towards the Fish River Canyon, one of the world's most spectacular natural formations. (161km long and in places 27km wide.) The cliffs to either side is a sheer 500m fall to the valley below. The campsite is on the north-west side of the Canyon, and opposite the traditional viewing point of the Canyon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Fish River Canyon Campsite

Day 3: Fish River - Klein Aus Vista

Viewing from the rim of the canyon, the sparkling Fish River can be seen. Although it's flow is seasonal, it leaves deep pools that outlast even the longest and driest of winters. After breaking camp, it's time to move on to the tiny town of Aus, formerly the site of a German prisoner-of-war camp. Camping tonight is at Klein Aus Vista, a private reserve, beautifully located in the Aus Mountain Range, (Huib-Hoch-Plateau region).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Klein Aus Vista

Day 4: Luderitz Day Trip - Klein Aus Vista

An early morning start for the short drive to Luderitz, a surreal colonial relic if ever there was one! En-route, keep a sharp look out for the desert feral horses. (Once tame but now wild.) The origin of these horses is unknown, and they have become adapted to an existence with very limited water. (They urinate less than domestic horses if you really want to know!)
Arrival in Luderitz is scheduled to join an optional extra excursion; a trip on an old wooden sailing ship, 'The Sedina,' for a cruise around Luderitz bay and weather permitting, on to Halifax Island to see the African jackass penguins, returning under sail. Lunch is on own account in Luderitz.
After the boat trip, there is a short drive out to the desert ghost town at Kolmanskop. It was built in 1908 after the discovery of diamonds, to provide shelter for workers from the harsh environment. Now it's just sand, abandoned houses, sand, you, more sand, and the howling wind! The rest of the afternoon is spent exploring the town of Luderitz, with it's German architecture, delicatessens, coffee shops and Lutheran churches. Later on there is a drive out to Diaz Point to see the bird life, seals and the stone cross replica, originally erected by the Portuguese mariner Bartholomew Diaz.
Returning to Klein Aus Vista in the late afternoon, the trip goes through the diamond fields of 'Sperrgebiet' or the 'forbidden territory.' N.B: The 'Sedina'excursion is subject to availability and on own account.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Camping: Klein Aus Vista

Day 5: Klein Aus - Sesriem Area

Turning north, we once again head deep into the ancient southern Namib, travelling on small gravel roads and passing some tiny rural communities along the way. The scenery is harsh, and sometimes forbidding. The process of erosion in these areas is well advanced and we pass time rounded "koppies" arid terrain and outcrops of tortured rock.
Traversing this bleak yet beautiful landscape, the terrain begins to change and we cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib. We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east. (350 km).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Agama Camp

Day 6: Sossusvlei

A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. After passing through Sesriem, the gateway to the dunes and driving into the heart of the dune field, we reach Sossusvlei itself by walking the last 5 km through the dunes.
The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting dune 45, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Agama Camp

Day 7: Windhoek

After breakfast the final leg of the journey is a pleasant drive over the Naukluft Mountains and the Khomas Hochland Range. Arrival in Windhoek is scheduled for around 16h00, and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Mode of transport

Transport for up to 8 people will be in a minibus or a Land Cruiser. For more than 8 a specially converted safari truck will be used

Number Of Participants

Maximum of fourteen

Included

All transport
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Tea & coffee in camp
All camping equipment
Park entrance & accommodation fees
Guide
Pick-up and drop-off at accommodation in Windhoek

Excluded

Beverages
Sleeping Bag (can be hired)
Tips
Travel Insurance

Other

Itinerary is assisted comfortable camping with participation limited to only helping with the tents

Route & Accommodation

The itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change - for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated.

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