Namib Desert
By the time you have to tackle the highest dunes, you know exactly what to do. The guides never leave your side and keep a close eye to make sure you get down safely.
A guided five-day tour of 585 km through the Namib Desert is definitely no holiday, but an adventure you’ll never forget.
You depart from Solitaire, on the edge of the desert, where the beautiful landscape reminds you of a Pierneeff painting after the good rains of 2009. Here you can also fill up your jerry cans for one last time and buy the essentials at the shop.
Our tour leader, Kosie, grew up in this area and his love of the desert is contagious. He surprises you with his knowledge of the desert and dune driving. Everyone in the group follows in his tracks.
For the first three days we drive from east to west through the desert. It was an experience – the silence, the overwhelming dunes, the beauty of the stars at night and also the wildlife of the desert.
We encountered beautifully fat gemsbok in the middle of the desert and made a turn at the Kuiseb Canyon where two Germans hid out during the Second World War. The black rocks of the canyon was covered with white clumps of grass – in the early evening it looked almost like snow.
On the last two days you drive north along the sea. Sometimes right on the coast and other times over the white dunes with blue sea in the background. Greece couldn’t be this beautiful.
We also saw shipwrecks, of which the best-known one is the Eduard Bohlen, which stranded near Conception Bay in 1909.
All 4x4 tours we’ve done before were child’s play compared to the desert tour. My wife Susan had to take one of those Rescue pills quite often. This is the real McCoy. You won’t believe what you and your vehicle are capable of. The bonus is the beautiful scenery.
Cost: R5550 per person (Note: Prices accurate in June 2010)
Contact: URI Adventures www.uriadventures.com
Related articles:
Kneel in the Namib
Namib desert: Did you know?
Take this
*This is not Sandton 4x4 country. Your vehicle can’t be towed and should be able to get up and down the dune under its own steam.
*Your vehicle works hard. You have to take extra fuel.
*Take at least two spare tyres. I wrote off a brand new tyre en route to Solitaire.
*You have to provide your own camping gear, snacks and drinks and drive in your own vehicle. Three meals – from braaivleis and potjiekos to the fattest steaks – are included in the price.
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