Introduction: The
below is planned to guide you along one of the the more popular tour routes
allowing you access to the main attractions of the country. We have
arranged the tour giving a choice of time-frames, as this often is a
limiting factor as to how long and how far you can go, and how much you want to
spend. You
can study the various routes and options and with this information you
will be able to plan a schedule that will allow you to get the best
value for your tour. You are welcome to email us with questions,
requests, comments and suggestions for improvement. It is only by
understanding your needs that we will be able to improve our service.
Windhoek to Solitaire to Sesriem / Sossusvlei to Walvis Bay to Swakopmund
8 Day Self Drive Tour:
Should you want to visit all of the attraction points on this route we
consider a 5 day tour to be the minimum practical time frame, but extra days can
be added to suite your personal schedule. The route makes use of tarred and
gravel roads in a ratio of about 15 / 85. You should estimate about 900 km driving. The distances
indicated in the side able do not include around town and detour driving.
Day 1 is counted as the day you arrive Windhoek Airport and...
Day 7 is counted as the day you depart
Swakopmund.
Day 1: arrive Windhoek Airport. Collect vehicle, drive to
accommodation and book in. You have the options of self guiding in
Windhoek or taking a half-day guided tour. For the following attractions you
should minimum time budget: Some tourists prefer to leave their
Windhoek site-seeing until the end of their tour when they return to Windhoek.
This 13 day tour allows you time for some relaxation from the driving and
affords you more time to appreciate the beauty of the attractions. overnight Windhoek
Day 2: Drive the B1 to Rehoboth. Then drive the C24 to
Solitaire. (+-261km / 3,5hr) overnight BullsPort / Naukluft Mountains area
Day 3. Stay on Guest Farm at BullsPort / Naukluft Mountains.
Options: relaxing, 4x4 track & trail, hiking, mountain-biking, nature watch.
Day 4. Stay on Guest Farm and enjoy your stay. Early night in bed
ready for:
Day 5. Early morning visit to Sossusvlei Dune Complex. Afternoon
visit Sesriem Canyon. overnight Sossusvlei area or Solitaire.
Day 6. Drive the C14 to Walvis Bay and (+-235km / 4hrs) overnight
Swakopmund.
Day 7. Depart Swakopmund
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Back to
Tour Routes Intro
Notes:
Gravel Road Driving: Some tourists prefer to rent sedan cars, but for long distance driving on gravel roads you should
consider the usability of the more robust 2x4 pick-up trucks and 4x4 pick-up
trucks having their load boxes fitted with canopies. For added security of your
luggage etc. it is preferable that the canopy be of the enclosed steel or
aluminium type with no windows. We recommend you carry emergency supplies of:
extra fuel. in Jerry-Cans, a minimum of 15lt of drinking water, food supplies,
an emergency medical kit.
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Windhoek is possibly the most attractive capital city on
the African continent having a population of about 200,00, which is small in comparison to the sprawling metropolises
of Pretoria or Lusaka, but Windhoek has its' own unique character. The
road system is well signed and easy to navigate. Clean streets with groomed
gardens, bistro cafes,
modern shopping malls, good restaurants and modern hotels. The country's
official language is English. However, Afrikaans and German are spoken
almost everywhere. You need a 1 day stay-over here |
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The
Alte Feste is located on Robert Mugabe
Avenue and overlooks the city. This old German Fort now houses the
Namibia National Museum. Highly recommended. The exhibits include archive photos from the Herero Uprising of 1904, the history of the final liberation struggle,
the United Nations Transitional Period (1989-1990), Namibia's first
democratic election. Time budget 1hr |
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The
Geological Survey Museum is located in
the Ministry of Mines and Energy building situated in Aviation Rd. This
is near Eros Suburban Airport and directly opposite the Safari Hotel
Complex. The museum is not well advertised or known of, but is well
worth a visit. Here you can see a fascinating display of Namibia's
Geological wonders, including the remainder of the Gibeon Meteorites.
The exhibition of dinosaur fossils and Massospondylus seen at the left.
Time budget 1hr |
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In the Post Street shopping mall, right in
the centre of town, is where you can see the display of 32 of the
Gibeon Meteorites. This is the
largest shower of extra terrestrial bodies known to have landed on the
earth. The meteorites have a high nickel content and one has been
sliced in half, so you can see the shiny stainless-steel like interior:
Time budget 10min |
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Heroes' Acre is a National Heritage Site and
is located about 5km south of the city on the B1. Namibia was under
occupation by foreign colonial forces from 1884 to 1990 and this is our
National Memorial to the Heroes and Heroines who struggled and fought
for our Independence, which was finally achieved on 21 March 1990. The
guided tours are most informative, and a visit here will give you a
better appreciation of beautiful Namibia and its people.
Time budget 2hr |
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BullsPort & Naukluft Mountains are one of the most
picturesque areas in Namibia and is overlooked by the majority of tourists who
scurry past on their way to
Sossusvlei.
This is a pristine area for those interested in magnificent scenery, fascinating
geology, exotic plants, birds and wildlife and home to the Hartmann's Zebra.
There are guest farms having some of the best hiking, mountain-bike and 4x4
trails in Africa. And, for those who just want to get away from it all and soak
up the vast and rugged wilderness.
Direction Map |
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Solitaire. OK, it's a photo of my mate standing at
36 the Tropic
of Capricorn. I know most tourists travelling the C14 also think this is a
cool place to snap a holiday picture. It's a pretty remote place and when you reach the tiny settlement at Solitaire you can tank-up with fuel for your truck, and then sample some of the Moose's renowned Apple Pie that is served without cream. Thinks !! nobody ever mentions the heavyweight bread this guy bakes.
Direction Map |
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Sesriem
is where the entrance gate, offices and camp are located. The
park gates are open between sunrise and sunset with a lunch break 13h00
to 14h00. About 4.5km from the complex is the
Sesriem Canyon. 2 million
years ago a great ice-age spread across the northern hemisphere and
caused the world's ocean levels to drop. The increased flow rate of the Tsauchab River carved through the sedimentary layers and formed the
canyon. Time budget 1hr+
Direction Map |
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The Sossusvlie Dune Complex is a 65km drive west from
Sesriem. It is a
spectacular dune area. It is advisable to make your tour of the dunes early, as
the mid-day temperatures can be above 40°c. Always carry
enough water with you and appropriate clothing with a hat or cap for your head.
It is a 1km hike to the dead vlei, so a good pair of hiking boots will be
needed. Sand temperatures can get to 70°c 5hr Time budget 4hr+
Direction Map |
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