19 Southern Namibia Hiking Self-drive Safari Tour (Lodging)

Haus Sonneneck, Windhoek (45km)

After your arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport approx. 45 km east of Windhoek, you will be welcomed by the car rental company and taken to Windhoek where you will take over your vehicle with all the necessary instructions and information. Afterwards you will drive to your accommodation where you are able to freshen up and rest. In the afternoon you will be picked up by your guide from Bwana Tucke-Tucke for an interesting Windhoek city tour, during which you will get to know historical buildings and the township of Katutura. In the evening you can go out for a relaxing dinner. We can recommend Joe’s Beerhouse, Cape Town Fish Market or The Stellenbosch

Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge, Solitaire (230km)

After breakfast, you can buy some supplies at the supermarket. Through the rugged Khomas Highland (Road C26) you drive westwards to the Namib Desert. A little picnic for lunch can be held at one of the viewpoints on the way to the Gamsberg Pass. Via the picturesque pass, you’ll descend to the lower plains of the Namib Desert. After a few kilometers, you turn left onto the C14 in a southern direction. After a short drive, you’ll reach Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge. A one-hour sundowner walk will top off your day.

Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge, Solitaire

Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge offers many different walking trails, varying from one-hour, light trails to whole day walking excursions to the rock paintings of the San (Bushmen). At the reception you will receive all information regarding length, difficulty and routing of the trails. We recommend to do the early sunrise trail followed by a lovely breakfast. Afterwards you are free to do one of the longer hikes. The afternoon can be spent at the refreshing pool with grand views.

Namib Naukluft Lodge, Solitaire (130km)

The journey continues along the scenic C14 through the Namib Desert. In the little one-horse-town Solitaire you can get fuel and basic stuff from the little shop. Solitaire’s apple crumble is quite popular and people liking apple crumble claim “rightly so”. Strengthened and satisfied you’ll continue on good gravel road until you reach Naukluft Rest Camp. The contrast between the never-ending expanse of the desert and the ruggedness of the Naukluft Mountains couldn’t be bigger.

After a lunch break there is enough time to hike the “Olive Trail”, which takes about 4 hours. The level of difficulty is rated medium to difficult. One should definitely be free from giddiness and physically fit. Breath-taking views, impressive landscapes and a very special surprise guarantee an unforgettable experience.

Please note: If you don’t feel like climbing along a chain over a relatively steep cliff, you can also take a walk to a natural swimming pool up in the mountains (approx. 1,5 hours there and back). Here you have several superb swimming possibilities in crystal clear mountain spring water – unique in Namibia!

Namib Naukluft Lodge, Solitaire

Today a whole day hike, the “Waterkloof Trail” is on the program. Along perennial streams of the Naukluft Mountains, the trail takes you 17 km through beautiful, diverse nature with several opportunities to take a quick refreshing dip in between. The trail takes about 6-8 hours and is rated medium to difficult. You should have endurance, be physically fit, and have hiking experience.

On the trail, you can not only enjoy wonderful landscapes, but with some luck – especially when you walk quietly – you can spot different wildlife. The Naukluft Mountains are home to mountain zebras, klipspringers, kudus, baboons, and rock hyraxes. Numerous species of birds can be found including raptors and owls.

Sossus Dune Lodge, Sesriem (100km)

In the morning you bid farewell to the Naukluft and take a relaxing one-and-a-half-hour drive to the Sossusvlei. It is advisable to pay the entrance fee for next day’s excursion into the Namib Naukluft Park upon arrival and to enjoy the sundowner from the first dune to the right of the road – the Elim Dune. Here you have beautiful vistas of the sea of dunes to the west and the mighty Naukluft Mountains to the east.

Sossus Dune Lodge, Sesriem (130km)

Today an early rise (approx. 1 hour before sunrise) is advisable. Guests of the Sesriem Camsite, Dead Valley Lodge and Sossus Dune Lodge are able to drive to the Sossus and Dead Vlei earlier than guests staying outside the park. The spectacle of colors of this natural wonder is best seen during sunrise with the additional advantage of cooler temperatures than later in the day. You drive 80 km through dune landscapes on a good tar road. The last 4 kilometres take you through thick sands where you will have to engage your 4×4.

The Dead Vlei with its numerous dead camelthorn trees as well as the famous Sossusvlei offer an unbelievably impressive natural setting. Take your time to just let your soul stray whilst climbing the Big Daddy, the tallest dune in the surrounding. Depending on your state of fitness and sand conditions the climb will take about 1 – 2 hours. The way down is usually much quicker and the more adventures can run down the steep slip face into Dead Vlei – this takes less than a minute.

Before the heats starts burning your soles away you should start to make your way back. At the park entrance we recommend a visit to the Sesriem Canyon before returning to your accommodation to spend the afternoon in the cool swimming pool.

Tok Tokkie Trails, NamibRand Nature Reserve (130km)

After breakfast you continue south out of the state owned Namib Naukluft Park and into the private NamibRand Nature Reserve. More breathtaking landscapes and numerous wildlife species await you.

You will be introduced to your desert guide, who will accompany you the next two days. A short introduction to the trail is given after lunch before starting your hike in the early afternoon.

The Tok Tokkie Trail is easy to walk, as you only have to carry a day pack – all other luggage is transported by car to the overnight camp – and the speed of walking is adjusted according to the group. The maximum number of participants is eight, so that the groups are always small and that the guide is able to individually respond to the guest’s preferences.

In the evening you’ll enjoy the obligatory sundowner. You’ll sleep on cosy field beds amidst the dunes underneath a million stars – a very special experience included activities see various wild cats

Tok Tokkie Trails, NamibRand Nature Reserve

After breakfast we start with the reading the morning “newspaper”, which means that your guide will explain the fresh tracks in the sand left by the desert inhabitants to you as you go along

These inhabitants of the Namib, the oldest desert in the world, have adapted to the arid climate in an astonishing way. Your experienced guide will tell you a lot about the mammals, birds, reptiles and insects found here and will probably be able to lure one or the other desert inhabitant in front of your camera.

The hot midday hours are spent at the shady lunch spot. Here you have time to relax, to have a bite for lunch and to reminisce about the last days. Once the temperatures cool down a bit towards the afternoon you embark on the last leg of the second day. The route takes you pass fairy circles and over small hillocks with unbelievable views onto the gras-covered, orange-red dunes of the Namib.

At the dune camp you can free yourself from the desert sands under a rustic bucket shower. Your guide will take you on a short astronomy journey of the southern night sky once the sun has set and the sky is clear (i.e. nearly always).

Once more you’ll sleep in warm field beds right amidst the dunes!

Klein-Aus Vista Eagle’s Nest Chalets Gondwana Collection Namibia, Aus (280km)

Once more you awake with the rising sun surrounded by a sea of dunes. The hike today is easy going and you will arrive around 10:00 at the Tok-Tokkie farm house. Time to say good-bye to your guide and the friendly Tok-Tokkie staff.

You still have a fairly long way ahead, always continuing south along one of the country’s most beautiful scenic roads – the D707. Here the route becomes the destination, so take your time and enjoy the unspoilt nature. In the late afternoon you’ll arrive at Klein Aus Vista, a beautiful accommodation set in a scenery of rugged mountains at the northern border of the Nama-Karoo.

Klein-Aus Vista Eagle’s Nest Chalets Gondwana Collection Namibia, Aus (0/260km)

Today you can choose between two alternatives:

Day visit to the harbour town Lüderitz (there and back 260 km tarred road) with a visit to the ghost town Kolmanskop or

Hiking in the Sukkulent Karoo around Klein-Aus Vista

Option 1: The 1883 founded town Lüderitz in the Restricted Diamond Area offers a rustic Atlantic charm and has a very interesting story to tell about the diamond rush of Namibia at the beginning of the 20th century. A visit to the diamond ghost town Kolmanskop (last guided tour starts at 11 am) is just as recommendable as a stroll to the harbour and the „Felsenkirche“ (Church on the rocks) as well as an excursion to the always windy Diaz Point, where the Portuguese sailor Bartholomeus Dias erected a stone cross in the year 1487. In the late afternoon your return back to Klein-Aus Vista. On the way you can visit the feral horses of the Namib at Garub.

Option 2: Klein-Aus Vista offers six marked hiking trails between 4 and 20 km long and with different levels of difficulty. Here you can explore the fauna and flora of the private “Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park” on your own. The easy, medium and difficult hikes in the Succulent Karoo of Namibia’s south are well worth it and set contrast to the previous hikes in the Namib Desert. After the hike we recommend a visit to the feral horses of Garub close by.

Fish River Lodge, Fish River Canyon (230km)

You leave Klein-Aus Vista in the early morning and drive along the B4 in an easterly direction. In the small village of Goageb you turn onto the D463, a good gravel road leading through beautiful landscapes. You should reach the Fish River Lodge situated directly at the fringe of the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon worldwide, no later than 2 pm.

Between April and September guided hikes into the Fish River Canyon are offered.

After arrival and a welcoming drink, you will receive a short briefing. Canvas bags are distributed to all hikers. All items needed for the hike are packed into the bags. These will be transported to the camp by car. An open vehicle will take you on a leisurely drive to the starting point of the hiking trail.

After a 2 km walk, you will reach the first overnight camp, where you have enough time to settle in your tent and make use of the camp facilities. Enjoy a beautiful and relaxing sundowner, followed by a 3 course menu under the stars.

Fish River Lodge, Fish River Canyon

After a healthy breakfast the descent into the canyon begins. At the famous rock pools we take a break, relax and take a refreshing swim. Lunch packs are served, before we continue our hike. Upon arrival at the second camp we are welcomed with a refreshing drink. Another breath-taking sundowner and delicious dinner will round off this special day.

Between October and March, it is mostly too hot to do the hike. A whole-day canyon drive can be booked alternatively, which will take you right into the canyon.

Felix Unite Provenance Camp, Orange River

Today you have an unguided half-day canoe tour on the picturesque Orange River on your program, organized by Amanzi Trails. The Orange River is one of the View Rivers in Namibia, which does not have crocodiles nor hippos. The canoe tour is hence not dangerous and meanders through the breath-taking gorges of the South African / Namibia border area. Thera are lots of swimming possibilities.

Other than the multi-day tours, which Amanzi Trails also offers, the half-day tours are organized individually. After receiving an introduction, you are simply put into the river and are free to climb out again a few kilometres downstream – a contemplative, amusing river ride. Don’t forget to take sun protection and hats!

You’ll return to your accommodation in the early afternoon. Enough time to let the adventurous of the past few days sink in.

Schützenhaus Guesthouse, Keetmanshoop (300km)

In the morning your journey takes you up north. A short detour to the main viewpoint of the Fish River Canyon is well worth it and for lunch, we recommend a stop-over at the superb Canyon Roadhouse. Afterward, you continue to Keetmanshoop, your stop-over route to the Kalahari.

Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge, Kalahari Namibia (300km)

Today you should make an early start to at the Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge be in time. The last highlight of your journey, the Trans Kalahari Hike is awaiting you. Check in is from 2 pm and your guide is already awaiting you with the necessary information. The evening is spent at the Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge.

Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge, Kalahari Namibia

An early rise allows you to enjoy the sunrise on a Kalahari dune with a hot cup of coffee. Afterwards the hike commences. Experience the orange-red dunes of the Kalahari and the bush and tree savanna so typical for Namibia. After a picnic lunch you will reach the exclusive, luxurious Kalahari Dune Camp with shady Lapa and view deck in the afternoon. The camp’s waterhole is often visited by giraffes and antelopes. A small pool is at your disposal to clean yourself from dust and sweat of the hike. Most of the time a clear sky allows a fabulous starry sky. You overnight in tents, each with own bathroom and hot shower.

end of Itinerary, Windhoek (200km)

The Trans Kalahari Walk ends around noon at the Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge. It is the last day of your safari. Bid farewell to the Kalahari and to Namibia! Depending on your return flight you can plan a bit of time for souvenir shopping in Windhoek.

The drive to Windhoek takes about two hours. You return your vehicle in Windhoek at the car rental and are transferred to Hosea Kutako Airport, as agreed upon at the beginning of your safari already.