The journey starts at Windhoek International Airport according to your internationl arrival which should not be later then 14:30 in order to get to Fish River on the same day. The safari ends at Windhoek International Airport at approx. 3pm.
On this fly-in safari you travel all along Namibia's coast, from the Fish River in the very south via Namib Desert and the coastal town of Swakopmund to the beautiful and wild Hoanib Valley and from there to the far north to Kunene River that forms the border to Angola.
Flight to Fish River Lodge
Accommodation
Marvel at the world’s second largest canyon from the lodge’s terrace! Fish River Lodge is the only lodge situated on the very edge of the spectacular Fish River Canyon, offering guests unparalleled views from sunrise to sunset. The Fish River has nibbled away at the rock for millions of years to create a river valley 550 m deep and 90 km long - and you are sleeping just 8 m from the abyss ...!
The unique quiver trees that are found all around the lodge have had a great influence on the design of the lodge. The dark exterior colour of the main building and the rooms blends seamlessly with the harsh, stony surroundings. The interior decor is a mix of traditional and modern furniture, with many accessories created in the workshops of nearby San and Nama people.
The lodge offers 20 spacious chalets with large window façades allowing spectacular views of the canyon. The rooms have a veranda with deckchairs, a bedroom, dressing room and bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower. Due to the exposed location, strong thermal winds are likely to arise in the afternoon as the temperature rises, which can become a bit noisy. For this reason, on arrival guests are given a welcome pack with earplugs to ensure a good night's sleep.
Sandy paths connect the chalets with the main building. Here you will find the reception, the restaurant, the lounge and of course the large outdoor area with pool and deckchairs and direct access to the bar.
The access road is NOT from Seeheim, but further west, as the lodge is located on the western side of the canyon. The drive from Keetmanshoop towards Lüderitz to the D463 turn-off takes one hour, then another hour on the gravel road D463 to the next signpost 'Fish River Lodge', from where it is about another 30 minutes to the lodge.
The former farms 'Vergelee' and 'Soutkuil' have been merged into a private Canyon Nature Park. Guests of Fish River Lodge enjoy exclusive access to a 45,000 hectare area, which includes 74 km of the Fish River riverbed itself.
The canyon can be seen quite simply from above or explored while on excursions offered by the lodges. Multi-day trekking is also an option, but only during the winter months, as the Fish River Canyon can reach temperatures of up to 50°C, which makes walking rather difficult.
At over 650 km long, the Fish River is the longest in Namibia. Its source lies east in the Naukluft Mountains, and it flows southwards until blocked by the Hardap Dam at Mariental. The river only flows through the canyon during the wet season; it dries out entirely during the winter months. Luckily, there are places along its length where groundwater breaks through to the surface, providing a lifeline for the animals that live here.
The canyon itself begins at Seeheim and ends at Ai-Ais. The Fish River continues further south before meeting the permanently flowing waters of the Orange River, which marks the border to South Africa. Surprisingly, the canyon wasn’t formed over millions of years by the constant flow of the river, but first and foremost by the collapsing of the earth’s crust, which can be deduced by the very broad valley floor.
Flight to Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
Accommodation
The Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is particularly stylish, comfortable and in harmony with its dramatic and endless desert environment. The lodge is undoubtedly one of the country‘s finest lodges. The ten lavishly large suites are climate-controlled and have wide glass fronts that can be fully opened as desired. On the private veranda with pool you can easily relax and an in-door fireplace provides for cosiness in the cool winter nights.
The Star Dune Suite (267m²) is the prefect getaway for a family or a group of friends. It consists of two Suites linked by a covered walkway, with a private lounge, customised personal bars, and dining space. For families, the &Beyond team will provide a host of fun and interactive children’s activities.
The main area of the lodge is also architecturally clean, with movable glass fronts, various inviting seating areas and an interactive kitchen concept. A fine selection of wines from an impressive walk-in wine cellar completes the excellent cuisine. For sporty guests, the small gym is ideally positioned to enjoy the sunrise during yoga or a treadmill lap before breakfast.
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is located south of Sossusvlei in the northern part of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. The area is only accessible to the guests of the lodge. Sossusvlei, one of the areas most associated with Namibia, can be visited from the lodge. It is a 26km drive to the entrance of the park and another hour's drive to Sossusvlei.
Sossusvlei is the area most associated with Namibia: Red dunes as far as the eye can see (up to 380 m high, coloured red by the clay-rich sand) and dead trees in the Vleis or pans decaying slowly at the will of the arid climate. The Vleis were created by the Tsauchab River, which probably once flowed to the Atlantic some 50 km away. The whole Sossusvlei region is quenched with water during those very rare years when a good amount of rain falls, prompting bushes and flowers to spring up everywhere.
Established in 1984 by the Brückner family, the reserve currently encompasses more than 200’000 hectares of land. The NamibRand is situated some 2 hours by car south of Sesriem and abuts the Namib Naukluft Park to the west and the Nubib Mountains to the east. Its diverse landscape includes red sand dunes, vast meadows, mountains and valleys supporting several species of animal, including zebra, oryx, springbok, kudu, giraffe and cheetah.
The west of the reserve is dominated by the bush-covered dune fields of the Namib, and the east by granite cliffs and the Nubib Mountains. It is different from the Sossusvlei and its high sand dunes, so combining the two areas offers visitors a truly comprehensive insight into the Namib region.
All Namib Rand lodges offer scenic drives and the guides are more than happy to explaind the flora and fauna of the Namib to their guests. The guides will also encourage guests to leave the vehicle and explore the Namib on foot as well. As there are only few camps in the area, excursions in the NamibRand Nature Reserve are always very private and exclusive.
On landing (wherever the wind has taken you) there is a champagne breakfast waiting for you.
Flight to Swakopmund
Travel by road to Strand Hotel
Accommodation The new Strand Hotel has set a new standard in Swakopmund. Uniquely located on the iconic and historic Swakopmund Mole and surrounded on three sides by the Southern Atlantic Ocean its 125 rooms and suites make this hotel one of the larger ones in town, but of those certainly the one with the best seaside location. All rooms have tea & coffee stations, mini-bars, hair-dryers, TV’s, free Wi-Fi Internet access, telephones and air-conditioning.
The Strand Hotel offers its residential guests and all casual visitors three exciting restaurants. The Farmhouse Deli is good for coffee, cake, sandwiches and fresh salads. The Brewer & Butcher welcomes beer and meat lovers. The Ocean Cellar caters for guests who prefer seafood, sushi, oyster and a glass of fine white wine.
The Strand Hotel is destined to become the social epicenter of Swakopmund for locals and tourists alike.
Swakopmund was the centre of German colonial rule, and relics of this chapter of its history can be found around every corner. Most noticeable of these is the long jetty, which stands witness to the German’s activities in this area and their attempt to create a usable port. Unfortunately, Swakopmund turned out to be wholly unsuitable for the task. Walvis Bay is a natural bay just 30 km south. It was occupied by the English as early as 1795, and later became a fish-processing industrial town under South African rule.
Swakopmund is charming. The old part of town is very pretty and offers several cafes, bakeries and, of course, the unavoidable beer houses. Time appears to have stood still in many parts, and it’s difficult not to keep rubbing your eyes in wonderment at the mix of German and African.
There’s a lot to do if you stay at Swakopmund: take a day trip southwards along the coast to Sandwich Harbour, hop on a boat at Walvis Bay and wait for the seals and pelicans to greet you, Kayak with seals, jump on a quad bike for a ride through the dunes, or just take a stroll along the beach and enjoy a tasty meal in one of the great restaurants. Swakopmund’s most famous landmark, the jetty, has been renovated and now boasts the appropriately named ‘Jetty 1905’ restaurant at its end.
Travel by road to Swakopmund AirportFlight to Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
Accommodation The exclusive Hoanib Skeleton Coast camp compromises just eight twin-bedded tents and one family unit. The tents are raised on platforms and include a private shaded outdoor lounge.
The central part of the camp compromises a big tent with bar, lounge, library and dining area. A second lounge and the swimmingpool area are located on either side of the main building. The fire pit in front of camp is the meeting point for pre-dinner drinks and early breakfasts.
The camp has views north towards the Hoanib river and is flanked east and west by rugged hills. The camp looks out onto a small waterhole that is often visited by elephant, oryx and other mammals.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is located on a private concession available only to the guests of the lodge. This huge area includes the Hoanib riverbed and its banks from Amspoort down to the ocean. Only guests of Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp are allowed to use this area on scenic drives and excursions.
The Hoanib river remains dry for most time of the year. However, once the first rains fall, usually not before November, the Hoanib can temporarily turn into a wild river.
The Kaokoveld covers an area of around 50’000 km², and includes the region between the Hoanib River and the Kunene River, which marks the Angola border; the Skeleton Coast National Park marks the western border. There is little to no infrastructure here, which means the Kaokoveld is one of the few true wildernesses still in existence. The few people you’re likely to come across in this region are the semi-nomadic Himba, who have learned to survive in this sometimes extremely arid environment.
The western part of the Kaokoveld, from Sesfontein up to the Epupa Falls, is less interesting for us. We stick to little-known tracks in the hinterland and never travel on tarred roads in the Kaokoveld. Riverbeds are our roads and the starry sky is the roof above us.
If you like a combination of camping in remote places and staying in beautiful lodges, then our Kaokoveld Expeditions are perfect for you. Not only is the landscape fascinating here, we also often come across desert elephant, giraffe, zebra, oryx and sometimes even lion and rhino. This is one trip you will never forget.
Flight to Serra Cafema
Accommodation Eight elegantly furnished, thatched Meru-style villas sit nestled in the green belt along the banks of the Kunene River. The main building houses a dining area with large outdoor terrace, a river bar, gift shop, lounge/library and a swimming pool.
The camp is stylishly and luxuriously furnished and each of the en-suite rooms is equipped with a lounge, outdoor shower and fantastic terrace, where guests can relax and read on the sofa or in the hammock. The views over the lush green vegetation along the riverbanks and the sweeping desert landscape are breathtaking.
Running a large distance parallel to the coast, Hartmann Valley acts as the gateway to Serra Cafema. The airfield where guests arrive was built on a plateau, from where the road leads steeply (and full of surprises) down to the river. The surrounding area is a spectacular combination of sand dunes, rugged rocky outcrops and the broad grass plains of Hartmann Valley, lined with rolling hills and sprinkled with so-called ‘fairy circles'.
Flight to Windhoek
Basic Information
Individual journey. The journey will be planned on your preferred dates.
Duration 14 nights. Minimum age 6 years. Weight limit of luggage 20 kg.
Includes all transfers from Windhoek to the hotels/camps to Windhoek
- Fish River Lodge: Double Room. Dinner, breakfast. Includes guided drive into Fish River Canyon.
- Sossusvlei Desert Lodge: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides. Includes guided excursion to the dunes of Sossusvlei and scenic balloon flight.
- Strand Hotel: Luxury Room. Breakfast.
- Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides. Includes day trop to the skeleton coast / Möwe Bay.
- Serra Cafema: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
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