Accommodation: Sossusvlei Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Activity included: Birding with your guide
Optional activities: Sossusvlei and Sesriem excursions, Sunrise and Sunset Horse rides, Nature drive in the evenings

Upon arrival, you will be met by a Safariwise representative and transferred to Dead Valley Lodge. This setting makes it the ideal destination for visitors wanting to explore this section of the Namib Desert, without having the longer early morning drive associated with accommodations located further away.

Sossusvlei is a clay pan in the central Namib Desert, lying within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia. Fed by the Tsauchab River, it is known for the high, red sand dunes which surround it, forming a major sand sea. Vegetation, such as the camel thorn tree, is watered by infrequent floods of the Tsauchab River, which slowly soak into the underlying clay. The sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert are often referred to as the highest dunes in the world. Various arguments are laid out to support this claim, but all miss the point, which is that Sossusvlei is surely one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia. Located in the Namib Naukluft park, the largest conservation area in Africa, and fourth largest in the world, the sand dunes at Sossusvlei are just one excellent reason to visit Namibia. The best time to view Sossusvlei is close to sunrise and sunset; the colors are strong and constantly changing, allowing for wonderful photographic opportunities.

The midday heat is intense and best spent in the shade, while sunset also offers excellent photo opportunities at Sossusvlei. ‘Vlei’ is the Afrikaans word for a shallow depression filled with water (well, a depression that might sometimes be filled with water!), and the name ‘Sossusvlei’ should strictly only be applied to the pan that lies at the place where the dunes close in, preventing the waters of the Tsauchab River from flowing any further—that is, on the rare occasions that the river does flow as far as this.

During exceptional rainy seasons, Sossusvlei may fill with water, causing Namibians to flock there to witness the grand sight, but normally it is bone dry. This particular ‘vlei’ is actually a more-or-less circular, hard-surfaced depression that is almost entirely surrounded by sharp-edged dunes, beyond which lies a formidable sea of rolling sand, stretching in unbroken immensity all the way to the coast. However, the name ‘Sossusvlei’ nowadays applies to the whole area—an area that encompasses the great plain of the Tsauchab River together with the red dunes that march along like giant sentinels to the south and north of the plain.

The second attraction of the area is Sesriem Canyon, which is only a few kilometers from the campsite, the entrance gate, and main Nature Conservation office. The canyon derives its name from the fact that early Afrikaner trekkers had to use six (‘ses’) leather thongs (a thong is a ‘riem’) so that their buckets could reach the water far below. The canyon begins as an almost imperceptible but nevertheless deep cleft in level, stony ground, and then widens until it finally flattens out onto the plain. Because it is so deep and sheltered, it often holds water well into the dry season—an invigorating sight in such a barren and stark environment.

Many of their guests marvel at the desert beauty from a bird’s-eye view in a hot air balloon or by aircraft. A visit to The Adventure Centre is recommended. There is a wide variety of activities to enjoy in the area including Sossusvlei excursions, desert scenic flights, bush dinners, nature drives, sundowners, guided sunset walks, hot-air balloon flights, and eco-quad biking. Airstrip transfers to and from the lodge are available for guests of Sossusvlei Lodge.

Birds to look out for include Sociable Weaver, Common Ostrich, Ruppel’s Bustard, Cape Sparrow, Scaly Weaver, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Ludwig’s Bustard, Kori Bustard, Secretary Bird, Burchell’s Courser, Rosy–faced Lovebird, Dusky Sunbird, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Pygmy Falcon, White–backed Vulture, Lappet–faced Vulture & Dune Lark.

Accommodation: Hansa Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Included activities: Birding with your guide
Optional activities: Dolphin cruise, Living desert tour, quad biking, sand boarding, sky-diving, fishing, sightseeing & shopping

After breakfast we depart for the town of Swakopmund. The four star Hansa Hotel is nestled in the centre of Swakopmund and offers easy access to everything the town has to offer. This classical building dates from 1905, and it is an integral part of the architectural heritage of the area. The ‘a la carte’ menu includes soups, cold and warm starters, main courses of seafood, game and grilled meats, vegetarian dishes, and a huge selection of mouthwatering desserts for after. If you’ve had enough to eat, then why not retire to the residents bar? It features a large fireplace, a welcome relief from the cool Swakopmund night, as the fog rolls in, not to mention a wide variety of spirits, beer, wines and after-dinner drinks. There is also a secluded garden courtyard, where guests will be well-protected from any inclement weather.

The Hansa Hotel prides themselves on providing the finest and most luxurious accommodation that Swakopmund has to offer. Each room is individually decorated and is fitted with under tile and/or under carpet heating. There are 49 twin/double rooms, 5 family units, 2 suites and 2 executive suites. They all have en-suite bath/showers, 15 channel television stations, radio, direct dialing telephones, hair dryer, in-room safes and a tea/coffee station. All of the suites have air-conditioning, high speed internet access and freshly cut flowers. Meanwhile, the Terrace is perfect for dinners and banquets for up to 60 people. The Private Lounge on the other hand, is the venue for the more intimate cocktail party, meeting or dinner night. Swakopmund has always been the ‘jewel of Namibia’s coastline.’ It has built itself a reputation as an adrenaline-filled destination, and there is something for everybody here. The Namib dunes, beach walks, swimming and sightseeing through this historical town, and a trip to the craft market are very popular here.

Birds to look out for include:

Dune Lark, Cape Gannet, Cape, Bank & Crowned Cormorant, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rüppell’s Bustard, African Black Oystercatcher, Hartlaub’s Gull, Damara Tern, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Rosyface Lovebird, White -backed Mousebird, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Sabota Lark, Gray’s Lark, Red-eyed Bulbul, Mountain Wheatear, Tractrac Chat, Rufous-vented Wabler, Black-chested Prinia, Chat Flycatcher, Pririt Batis, Bokmakierie ,Cape Glossy Starling, Dusky Sunbird, Southern Great Sparrow, Cape Sparrow, Yellow Canary, White -throated Canary, Lark-like Bunting, White Pelican, Greater & Lesser Flamingo’s.

Accommodation: Erongo Wilderness Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Included activities: Birding with your guide
Optional activities: N.A.

After breakfast we depart to the Erongo Wild Lodge. On route we will visit Spitzkoppe. It is said to be the best area to find Herero Chat. Close to the small town of Omaruru in central Namibia, is the Erongo Wilderness Lodge. It is nestled amongst, and surrounded by huge boulders and granite formations, all on the outskirts of an ancient volcano. These are the Erongo Mountains, flanked by the Namib Desert to the west and a mixed, woodland savannah to the east. The rare confluence of ecosystems is home to a vast array of plant, reptile, mammal and bird species, some endemic to Namibia. Wildlife in the area includes leopard, kudu, oryx, eland, mountain zebra, springbok and steenbok. It is recommended to join one of the lodge’s guided walks and drives, not only to view the game, but to marvel at the magnificent environment.

Guided walks depart early in the morning to a granite view point, with various flora and fauna being pointed out on the way, including their various traditional and medicinal uses. An evening walks to a nearby koppie, can also be arranged, which gives their guests an opportunity to quench their thirst as they watch the sun set. There are also a number of unguided tracks that can be explored. The lodge is proud of being a founder member of The Erongo Mountain Nature Conservancy, a collective effort with 30 other private landowners, committed to conserve, protect and preserve over 200,000ha of land, rich in cultural heritage. This includes the historic and irreplaceable rock paintings and engravings found throughout the area, such as the Paula’s Cave rock art site at Erongo Wilderness Lodge.

Birds to look out for include:

Ruppel’s Parrot, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Herero Chat, Bradfield’s Swift, Monteiro’s Hornbill, White-tailed Shrike, Damara Red –billed Hornbill, Carp’s Tit, White backed Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Tawny Eagle, Booted Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Martial Eagle, Black-breasted Snake Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Ludwig’s Bustard, Ruppel’s Bustard, White-quilled Bustard, Burchell’s Courser, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Double-banded Sandgrouse, Long-billed Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Red-capped Lark, Stark’s Lark, Gray’s Lark and Grey-backed Sparrowlark.

Departure

Accommodation: N.A.
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Scenic drive to airport, last minute birds to be seen.
Optional activities: N.A.

After breakfast this morning we transfer you back to the airport for your return flight home.