3 Day Sossusvlei Budget Camping (Windhoek-Windhoek)
3 Day Sossusvlei Budget Camping (Windhoek-Windhoek)
$710
3 Day Sossusvlei Budget Camping (Windhoek-Windhoek)
3 Days Starting and ending in Windhoek, Namibia
Visiting: Sesriem, Sossusvlei, Windhoek
Tour operator:
Tour code:
51
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on a thrilling 3-day budget camping adventure in Namibia with Chameleon Safaris, starting and ending in Windhoek. This tour offers an early morning excursion to the iconic Dune 45, Dead Vlei, and Sossusvlei, with a 4x4 shuttle service to navigate the sandy terrain. Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery en route to Sesriem, where you'll camp under ancient camelthorn trees. Experience the breathtaking sunrise over the dunes, explore the ancient Tsauchab Riverbed, and visit the striking Dead Vlei. The tour includes transport in a Toyota Quantum, a professional English-speaking guide, camping equipment, meals, and National Park entry fees.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Windhoek - Sesriem campsite– 320 km
Location: Sesriem
Accommodation Name: Sesriem Campsite
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
You will be collected from your accommodation within the Windhoek city limits at 07:00 and transferred to Chameleon Safaris HQ for a short pre-departure meeting. There is some lovely mountain scenery on our drive to Sesriem. The road climbs up onto and over Namibia’s central plateau and stops at the small town of Rehoboth for essential supplies, back on the road we pass via the small community at BűellsPort from here we continue on through the desert landscape aiming to arrive at Sesriem around mid-afternoon and make our campsite under a huge, ancient camelthorn tree from where we can glimpse the towering red dunes of the world’s oldest desert. We enjoy a picnic-style lunch on the road before settling in at Sesriem Campsite. In the late afternoon, there is the option with which to start our time in the world’s oldest desert. A short drive will take us to Elim Dune, for the best golden light before sunset. From here, if you would like to, it is a relatively short walk back, through the desert, to our camp.
Day 2 : Windhoek - Sesriem campsite– 120 km
Location: Sossusvlei
Accommodation Name: Sesriem Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sunrise in the dunes is the name of the game this morning and that means a pre-dawn start. Our first stop will be at dune 45, so named because it is 45 km from Sesriem, and we cover this first distance in darkness and early morning twilight. The best time to photograph the dunes is around sunrise and sunset. This is when you can see towering sand dunes illuminated a glowing orange, apricot red on one side and swathed in shadow on the other. The depth of field is amazing at this time of day. We arrive at Dune 45 and climb to a vantage point for sunrise, watching as the colours grow and change with the ever-altering light. Back to the vehicle for a quick breakfast and we carry on for the last few kilometers to the 2x4 car park where all 2-wheel drive vehicles have to stop. From here we enter the ancient Tsauchab Riverbed for the last 5km leg to Sossusvlei itself. The Tsauchab River is ephemeral, it only flows seasonally, when there is enough rain, and for the most part, the riverbed is dry. Eons ago, during these rare floods, the Tsauchab sometimes received enough water to flow all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. However, as the millennia passed and the dune fields began to form, (around five million years ago), wind-blown sand invaded the riverbeds. The rivers became more and more constricted by sand until eventually, the occasional floods could not break through the sand barriers that had been erected by the wind. The valley we drove along this morning in the darkness is kept free of sand by the Tsauchab but Sossusvlei is now permanently waters end. Sossusvlei does still sometimes flood, (perhaps once in a decade). After good rains in the Naukluft Mountains where the river rises, Sossusvlei can become inundated, and the lake that this creates can last for many months, but no longer can the river find its original path to the Atlantic. There is a 4x4 shuttle service that will transport us through the sandy terrain of the riverbed. We will visit Dead Vlei, an ancient pan completely surrounded by sand, that is strikingly populated with dead, skeletal camelthorn trees. These trees have been a feature of this landscape for over 1000 years. Sossusvlei is almost surrounded by dunes, just one narrow path kept open by the Tsauchab River. We have time to explore the area on foot and to climb one of the highest dunes in the world, some towering 300 m above us, the views are breathtaking and justly famous. We drive back to Sesriem for lunch and perhaps a dip in the swimming pool and in the afternoon, we take a short excursion to see the Sesriem Canyon. Only four km from our campsite, this canyon has been carved out of the landscape by the Tsauchab River. Around two million years ago there was an ice age in Europe. This caused glaciers to form and resulted in a worldwide drop in sea level. The knock-on effect of this at Sesriem Canyon was that it increased the length and water flow of the Tsauchab River. This greater force of water allowed the Tsauchab to begin cutting through the terrain resulting in the canyon we can see today. We can easily walk into the riverbed, it is usually much cooler in the canyon and we can follow the river for some way along its journey to Sossusvlei.
Day 3 : Windhoek - Windhoek – 320 km
Location: Windhoek
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our last day today but excitement is still on the menu. We head back to Solitaire where we have time to sample the apple pie that has made this homestead famous. There is some lovely mountain scenery on our drive back to Windhoek. The road climbs up onto and over Namibia’s central plateau and we return to Windhoek via the small community at BűellsPort and the small town of Rehoboth. We arrive mid-afternoon and will be dropped at Chameleon Backpackers or the accommodation of our choice within Windhoek city limits.
What's Included
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Transport
Transport in a Toyota Quantum.
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Guide
Services of a professional English-speaking guide.
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Accommodation
2 nights camping.
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Camping Equipment
Camping equipment (excluding sleeping bag which can be hired).
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Meals
Meals as above (B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner).
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Water
Tap water.
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National Park Fees
National Park entry fees.
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Activities
Early morning excursion to Dune 45, Dead Vlei and Sossusvlei in Chameleon Safaris vehicle.
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4x4 Shuttle
4x4 Shuttle voucher 2x4 carpark to Sossusvlei and return.
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Pick Up
Pick up within Windhoek City limits.
What's Not Included
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Drinks and Snacks
Drinks and snacks are not included.
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Tips
Tips are not included.
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Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bag is not included (can be hired from Chameleon Safaris).
Mode of Transport
Travel comfortably in a Toyota Quantum, with pick-up and drop-off within Windhoek city limits, and a 4x4 shuttle service for the sandy terrain of the Tsauchab Riverbed.Accommodation
Enjoy 2 nights of camping in twin share tents with shared ablution facilities at the Sesriem campsite, nestled under a huge, ancient camelthorn tree with views of the towering red dunes.Check out our Q&As
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What type of vehicle will be used for transport during the tour?
Transport will be provided in a Toyota Quantum.
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Is a guide provided during the tour?
Yes, the services of a professional English-speaking guide are included.
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
Accommodation is provided in twin share tents with shared ablution facilities at the campsite.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, meals are included as specified: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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Is drinking water provided during the tour?
Yes, tap water is provided.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, drinks and snacks, tips, and the cost of hiring a sleeping bag are not included.
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What activities are included in the tour?
Activities include an early morning excursion to Dune 45, Dead Vlei, and Sossusvlei in a Chameleon Safaris vehicle, and a 4x4 shuttle voucher from the 2x4 car park to Sossusvlei and return.
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Is there an option to hire a sleeping bag?
Yes, a sleeping bag can be hired from Chameleon Safaris.
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Where will the pick-up and drop-off take place?
Pick-up and drop-off will be within Windhoek city limits.
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What is the itinerary for the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will be collected from your accommodation within Windhoek city limits at 07:00 and transferred to Chameleon Safaris HQ for a pre-departure meeting. The drive to Sesriem includes stops for essential supplies and a picnic-style lunch. You will arrive at Sesriem mid-afternoon, set up camp, and have an optional excursion to Elim Dune before sunset.
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What can I expect on the second day of the tour?
The second day starts with a pre-dawn drive to Dune 45 for sunrise photography. After breakfast, you will continue to the 2x4 car park and take a 4x4 shuttle to Sossusvlei. You will visit Dead Vlei and have time to explore and climb the dunes. After lunch, there will be an excursion to Sesriem Canyon.
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What happens on the last day of the tour?
On the last day, you will head back to Windhoek with a stop at Solitaire to sample their famous apple pie. The drive includes scenic mountain views, and you will arrive in Windhoek mid-afternoon for drop-off at Chameleon Backpackers or your chosen accommodation within the city limits.
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Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Chameleon Safaris Namibia allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 40 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Chameleon Safaris Namibia requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of chameleon safaris namibia charges.
Up to 31 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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