22 Merensky Street, Windhoek, NAMIBIA
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Namib Naukluft and Sossusvlei Area | more national parks>>
NAMIB NAUKLUFT - SOSSUSVLEI & SESRIEM
Sandwiched between two deserts the Namib in the west and the Kalahari in the east Namibias arid southern region offers breathtaking landscapes.
The Namib-Naukluft Park is Namibias most versatile conservation area and one of the countrys major tourist destinations. The vast wilderness of almost 50 000 square km contains key features such as Sossusvlei, Sesriem, the Welwitschia Trail, Sandwich Harbour, the Naukluft Mountains and the Kuiseb Canyon. This vast tract of land covering an area the size of Germany, consists of dunes (some of which at Sossusvlei are amongst the highest in the world), gravel plains and rugged mountainous areas.
Sossusvlei, with its monumental dunes, up to 325 m when measured from the base, is one of the top destinations in Namibia. The star-shaped dunes are a sought after topic for artists and photographers. Formed by strong multi-directional winds, they are at their highest and most spectacular where the west-flowing Tsauchab River empties itself into the vlei. The warm tints of the sand, ranging from apricot to orange, red and maroon, contrast vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the large deflationary clay pans at their bases. One of these, referred to as Dead Pan, is a large ghostly expanse of dried white clay, punctuated by skeletons of ancient camel-thorn trees, carbon-dated as being between 500 and 600 years old. When it has rained sufficiently in the interior for the Tsauchab River to come down and fill the main pan, flamingoes and other aquatic birds are drawn to the area.
This campsite is situated within the Naukluft mountains, which are part of the huge Namib Naukluft Park, with an area of some 50 000 square kilometers.
With its massive and varied rock formations, Naukluft is a geologist paradise. The intermittent layers of horizontally folded igneous rock, quartzite, dolomite and shale are impressive with their giant symmetrical patterns. Five different vegetation communities within the park ensure a wealth of tree and shrub species, and a variety of aloes.
NAMIB NAUKLUFT
In addition to the Hartmann mountain zebra, there are kudu, gemsbok, klipspringer, duiker, steenbok, leopard, baboon, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, African wild cat, caracal and aardwolf. Nauklufts steep cliffs are nesting grounds for various cliff-breeding bird species, including Black eagles.
Facilities
- 10 x campsites
Attractions and Activities
- Hiking
- 4x4 trail
- Bird watching
SOSSUS DUNE LODGE
Namibia Wildlife Resorts is on schedule to complete the first lodge in the Namib-Naukluft Park, the Sossus Dune Lodge, by June 2007. Built in an environmentally sensitive manner, primarily from wood, canvas and thatch, in an attractive afro-village style, Sossus Dune Lodge will offer guests an evocative and life changing experience.
Situated within the park, guests will benefit from being able to reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, and to stay until after sunset, and on their return after an exhilarating day, to relax in the tranquility and splendor of the Namib Desert, under the spectacular African sky. Sossus Dune Lodge will offer professional guided tours, to fully unleash the beauty and biological diversity of the desert environment to visitors, and is poised to offer the best beds in the desert.
Facilities
- 23 x desert chalets (2 beds)
- 2 x honeymoon suites
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Swimming pool
Attractions and Activities
- Sossusvlei sunset drives
- Guided nature drives
- Namib by night - guided after dinner stroll and stargazing
- Guided walks to the Sesriem Canyon
Rates per person per night
Dune Chalet (Maximum 2 adults): N$1800.00 sharing; N$2300.00 single Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.
Honey Moon Chalet (Maximum 2 adults): N2500.00 sharing; N$3000.00 single Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.
info@wanderzonetours.com; for your bookings and reservations.
SESRIEM
At the entry to Sossusvlei is Sesriem Canyon, where centuries of erosion have incised a narrow gorge about 1 km in length. At the foot of the gorge, which plunges down to 30 to 40 m, are pools that become replenished after good rains. Sesriem derives its name from the time when earlier pioneers tied six lengths of rawhide thongs (riem) together to draw water from the pools.
Facilities
- 24 x campsites
- Kiosk
- Bar
- Swimming pool
Attractions and Activities
- Visits to Sossusvlei
- Nature drives in surrounding area
Rates per person per night
Camping (Maximum 8 people per site): N$300 per site + N$150.00 per person
