The Sossusvlei Camping Tour is a 3 day / 2 night camping tour to the dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert. This tour, with departures scheduled every Friday, is the cheapest safari to visit this part of Namibia. Despite the low cost, expect excellent personalized guiding, good food and a fun all round experience. This drive is stunning and is one of the best ways to see the dune field with the early morning sun casting it's shadows and light onto the sand.

Please note:

• That this safari stays outside of the Namib Naukluft Park. Overnight stops are not at Sesriem Campsite, but at Agama Camp, which is 48km from the main entrance to the dunes.
• Arrival at the main gate is therefore at sunrise and the tour then drives through the dune field, as the sun is coming up.
• You will not be on top of a dune to see the sun rise.
• Itinerary is assisted comfortable camping, with limited participation.

Camping Safaris | Namibia

Day 1: Windhoek - Camp Agama

Guests will be collected from their accommodation in Windhoek, and after the guide's safari tour briefing, departure is around 09h00 en-route to the Namib Desert. The tour heads south through the town of Rehoboth, established in the early 1870's by Baster settlers who moved up from the Cape. The tour proceeds through the scenic Khomas Hochland Highlands to the edge of the Great Escarpment. It's time to stretch your legs and admire the view from the top of the Spreetshoogte Pass. Descending the Pass, the origins of the name Namib and Namibia, (referring to a desert, but in particular a large plain,) can be appreciated, and on to the tiny oasis town of Solitaire, well-known for its homemade apple pie. (Highly recommended!)
The last leg of the journey is from Solitaire to Camp Agama, affording some stunning landscapes and initial glimpses of the apricot-coloured dunes in the distance. The Camp is situated at the base of the Naukluft Mountains, an impressive back drop to the plains and dunes. Upon arrival a base camp will be established in comfortable dome tents, with the remainder of the afternoon set aside for leisure activities around the camp's splash pool or a walk in the surrounding area. This is an ideal opportunity to exchange travel stories and adventures with other travellers, over a drink on the sundowner deck, and to enjoy the magnificent sunset over the dunes. A hearty dinner follows and an early night is on the cards!
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Camp Agama.

Day 2: Sossusvlei

After a cup of tea or coffee and a light snack a pre-dawn departure is essential on the magical excursion to Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and Dune 45. Entrance is through the gates at Sesriem at sunrise, and the tour continues to Sossusvlei along the ephemeral Tsauchab River Valley, (Tsauchab is derived from the Nama language and refers to the 'river where there are many Salsola bushes.) dwarfed by the huge star dunes on either side. The first stop is at Dune 45, possibly the most photographed dune in the area. Many people think it is so called because it is about 45km from Sesriem, (which it is) but it is because the dunes have been numbered by conservation staff, and by coincidence it happens to be dune number 45 on the map!
The energetic are welcome to climb to the top for a bird's eye view of the valley, and a well-deserved hot drink and breakfast pack will be waiting for everybody on their return.
It's then deeper into the dune field to the 2x4 car park, where you the journey continues over the sand by foot. (There is a 4WD shuttle service available, on own account.) The morning is spent exploring Sossusvlei and Deadvlei and don't forget to occasionally look down. Life does exist under the sand, beetles often scurry over the dunes, and there are at least 200 species of tenebrioned beetles living in the Namib. Larger tracks might belong to the black-backed jackal or gemsbok, or even the two-toed track from an ostrich! Once the exploration is over, it's straight to the shade of a legendary camelthorn tree for some refreshments and a picnic lunch.
The return trip along the river valley might yield some Oryx, an amazing creature that can survive for weeks without drinking water, by not allowing moisture to escape from it's body. It simply stops sweating; now how handy is that! There is a stop to view Sesriem Canyon, also carved by the Tsauchab River. This small canyon is 1.5km long and 30m at its deepest, and the walk down is a welcome relief from the desert heat. Water can be found at the bottom of the canyon most of the year round, a vital water source to early settlers and their livestock. Plant life in and around the canyon includes camelthorn and ringwood trees, small thorny shrubs (Caesalpinia pearsonli) and the shepherd's tree. Return to Camp Agama in the afternoon to empty the sand from your shoes and chillax for the rest of the day. Sundowners and dinner are on the camp verandah, with no doubt one or two more stories to add to the list.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Camping: Camp Agama.

Day 3: Camp Agama - Windhoek

A lie in with a substantial breakfast served at 08h00. Departure time is at 08h30 for the return drive to Windhoek, with a scheduled arrival time at around 14h00.
Meals: Breakfast

Mode of transport

A Minibus

Number Of Participants

Maximum of eight

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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