Embark on a spectacular journey into the heart of the Namib Desert, home to some of the world's highest sand dunes and the iconic salt and clay pans of Sossusvlei. This 4-day guided adventure takes...
Adventure
4 day journey
Duration
4 days
Group size
2–4 travellers
Style
Adventure
From
NAD 16,825 / pp
Departures
Year-round
Nights
3 nights away
The journey
Explore at your own pace.
Embark on a spectacular journey into the heart of the Namib Desert, home to some of the world's highest sand dunes and the iconic salt and clay pans of Sossusvlei. This 4-day guided adventure takes...
Embark on a spectacular journey into the heart of the Namib Desert, home to some of the world's highest sand dunes and the iconic salt and clay pans of Sossusvlei. This 4-day guided adventure takes you from Windhoek into the desert's vast landscapes, where rust-red dunes tower against deep blue skies. Climb Dune 45 at sunrise, walk the hauntingly beautiful Deadvlei pan among 900-year-old petrified trees, explore the water-carved Sesriem Canyon, and spend your nights under some of the darkest, most star-filled skies on Earth.
With a professional guide, comfortable desert camp accommodation, and all park fees included, this tour is the perfect introduction to Namibia's most iconic landscape.
Witness the breathtaking sunrise over Dune 45, the most photographed dune in the world
N° 02
Walk among the ancient, petrified trees of Deadvlei, a hauntingly beautiful salt pan
N° 03
Explore the remarkable geological formations of Sesriem Canyon, carved by millennia of water
N° 04
Experience world-class stargazing under the clear, unpolluted skies of the Namib Desert
N° 05
Journey through the vast, rust-red landscapes of Sossusvlei, home to some of Earth's highest dunes
The route, drawn out.
2 stops 720 km total
NAMIBIA · THE SOSSUSOPENSTREETMAP
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Itinerary
2 stops
1
Windhoek
Best: November – May
2
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei
Best: June – November
Day by day.
Times are flexible — we'd rather you stop for a long lunch than rush to the next viewpoint.
01
Day 1 · D
Windhoek – Arrival & Orientation
Your guide meets you at Hosea Kutako International Airport with a personalised name board and transfers you to your centrally located boutique guesthouse in Windhoek. After settling in and freshening up, enjoy a leisurely afternoon walking tour of the historic city centre: stroll past the twin-spired Christuskirche (1910) — one of Namibia's most photographed landmarks — explore the Alte Feste (Old Fort) housing the National Museum, and take in the sweeping views from the Independence Memorial Museum terrace over the capital's leafy suburbs. Browse the Namibian Craft Centre on Tal Street for quality traditional carvings, baskets, and jewellery from local artisans. As evening falls, gather for a welcome briefing where your guide outlines the journey ahead, shares desert safety tips, and answers all your questions. Dinner at a recommended restaurant features Namibian specialties — try the oryx fillet, Swakopmund oysters, or the hearty potjiekos stew.
Windhoek
Overnight—
MealsDinner
What's included.
From NAD 16,825 per person
Included
Professional English-speaking Kenakare guide for the duration of the tour
3 nights' comfortable accommodation in carefully selected desert lodges or tented camps
All meals as specified in the itinerary (typically 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners)
Comfortable, air-conditioned safari vehicle transport for all transfers and excursions
All national park entrance fees, including Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon
Complimentary bottled water provided during all road transfers and excursions
Pick-up and drop-off in Windhoek
Not included
International flights to and from Namibia
Cancellation policy+
Free cancellation up to 60 days before departure. 50% charge for cancellations made 30–59 days before departure. No refund for cancellations within 30 days of departure. All cancellations must be submitted in writing to reservations@kenakare.com.
Frequently asked questions.
What level of fitness is required for this tour?
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This tour is generally considered 'easy' and suitable for most travellers. While climbing Dune 45 does require a moderate level of physical exertion, it can be done at your own pace, and there are plenty of opportunities to relax and simply enjoy the stunning scenery.
What should I pack for a desert adventure?
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We recommend packing light, comfortable clothing in neutral colours, suitable for warm days and cooler evenings. Essentials include a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, sturdy walking shoes, a swimsuit, a jacket or fleece for cool mornings/evenings, and a camera to capture the incredible landscapes. Don't forget any personal medications.
What kind of accommodation can I expect?
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You will be accommodated in comfortable desert lodges or tented camps that offer a blend of authentic safari charm and modern amenities. Each lodge is carefully selected for its quality, location, and commitment to providing an exceptional desert experience, often with stunning views and excellent service.
No deposit until we've shaped the itinerary together. We reply to every enquiry personally, within a working day.
Payments are settled in Namibian dollars (NAD).
N° 06
Enjoy the comfort and expertise of a professional, local Kenakare guide throughout your adventure
Total drive
720 km
02
Day 2 · B/D
Windhoek to Sesriem – Into the Namib (330 km)
After a hearty breakfast, load up the 4WD safari vehicle and head south on the B1 toward the world's oldest desert. The road passes through the Sun-bleached central highlands, with distant purple mountain ranges flanking the route. Stop in Rehoboth — a historic Baster community town known for its spa resort and colourful history — for a mid-morning coffee break. Continue south on the C24 through Maltahöhe, where the gravel road begins and the landscape dramatically opens into vast gravel plains. Enter the Namib-Naukluft National Park — the largest national park in Africa at over 49,000 km² — as the first iconic orange dunes begin to appear on the horizon. Arrive at Sesriem camp (the only private land within the park) by early afternoon. Your first desert experience awaits at the Sesriem Canyon — a 30-metre-deep gorge carved over millions of years by the seasonal Tsauchab River through layers of conglomerate rock. Your guide leads a 1-hour walk along the canyon floor, pointing out desert-adapted plants and the geological history written in the cliff walls. As the sun descends, follow your guide up to a nearby dune crest for sundowners: cold drinks in hand, watch the desert turn from gold to crimson to purple. Return to camp for a dinner served under a sky that glitters with the full brilliance of the Southern Milky Way.
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei
Overnight—
Drive330 km
MealsBreakfast, Dinner
03
Day 3 · B/D
Sossusvlei & Deadvlei – Heart of the Namib
This is the day you came for. Depart camp before first light and drive into the dune sea as the sky ahead begins to lighten. Your first stop is Dune 45 — the most photographed dune in Namibia — positioned 45 km from Sesriem gate along the 2×4 gravel road. Climb the steep, sinuous ridgeline (approximately 170 m from base to crest) as dawn breaks: the colours cycle from steel-blue twilight through blush pink to vivid orange, the shadow of the dune stretching kilometres across the flat pan below. Take time to enjoy the silence — the Namib is the quietest place many visitors have ever stood. A 4×4 transfer takes you deeper into the dune field to the main Sossusvlei pan, where elephant dunes up to 325 metres stand like red walls around an ancient lake bed. Then enter Deadvlei — the singular highlight of any Namibia visit. This white calcrete pan, encircled by towering dunes, is littered with the dark skeletal remains of camel thorn trees estimated to be 900 years old. The trees died when shifting dunes blocked the Tsauchab River around 600 AD; the hyper-arid climate has since mummified but not decomposed them, creating one of the most surreal and photographed landscapes on Earth. Your guide narrates the extraordinary geological and ecological story of this place. Return to camp by midday for lunch and a rest during the hottest hours. Late afternoon, join an optional guided walk among the smaller dunes near camp as the light turns golden again — perfect for photography. Dinner under the stars wraps up a truly unforgettable desert day.
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei
Overnight—
Drive60 km
MealsBreakfast, Dinner
04
Day 4 · B
Return to Windhoek via Solitaire (330 km)
Rise for a final breakfast as the desert awakens in soft morning gold. Bid farewell to the dunes and drive north toward Windhoek, retracing the scenic C24 back through the Namib-Naukluft. A highlight of the return is the iconic Solitaire fuel stop — a legendary desert oasis that has fuelled Namibia road-trippers since the 1970s. Stop here for fuel, a wander around the yard filled with rusting vintage vehicles, and the essential purchase of Moose McGregor's famous apple pie — a crumbly, caramelised Namibian institution baked fresh each morning. Continue north through the dramatic Namib plains, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn marker on the C26 before climbing back into the central highlands via the Remhoogte Pass. Arrive in Windhoek by early afternoon, with ample time for airport connections, onward travel, or a final browse of the city's craft markets. Your guide assists with luggage and delivers a warm Namibian farewell — 'Auf Wiedersehen' — as your desert adventure draws to a close.
Windhoek
Overnight—
Drive330 km
MealsBreakfast
Visa fees (if applicable)
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and items of a personal nature (souvenirs, laundry, etc.)
Optional activities not specified in the itinerary
Is drinking water readily available during the tour?
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Yes, complimentary bottled water is provided in our safari vehicles throughout all transfers and excursions, ensuring you stay hydrated in the desert environment. Additional beverages can be purchased at lodges and camps.
What is the best time of year to visit Sossusvlei?
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Sossusvlei can be visited year-round, with each season offering a unique appeal. The cooler dry season (May to October) is popular for comfortable daytime temperatures, while the green season (November to April) brings dramatic skies, occasional rain, and can lead to fleeting desert blooms, offering incredible photographic opportunities.
