- Overview
- Itinerary
- Rates
- Before you go
The Lüderitz to Walvis Bay Guided Self Drive is an adventure into the Namib Desert's “Diamond Area no 2” visiting Silvia Hill, Meob Bay, Conception Bay and Sandwich Bay. Desert wildlife, spectacular scenery, untouched beaches, abandoned mining settlements, miles of sand-driving and shipwrecks are some of the attractions along the way.
Due to the discovery of diamonds in 1908 around Kolmanskuppe, an uncontrollable diamond rush resulted forcing the Government to establish the “Sperrgebiet” between 26-degrees (Gibraltar) and the southern border stretching 100-kilometer inland. Prospectors were forced to turn northwards beyond the Sperrgebiet. This resulted in the discovery of diamonds at Spencer Bay in December 1908 and between Meob and the Conception Bay area (Diamond area no 2). A total of 5000 diamond claims were registered in 1909 and hopeful prospectors tried their luck at Saddle Hill and Spencer Bay and via Swakopmund and Sandwich Harbour southwards towards Meob Bay. However, the small yields of diamonds from these claims resulted in only a few prospectors being successful in the long term.
The Lüderitz to Walvis Bay Guided Self Drive takes you on a spectacular journey that sends you back in time to Namibia's diamond rush while exploring the desert region of Namibia that is restricted without permits.
*This is a self-drive guided tour
Travelers need to provide their own 4x4 vehicle & camping equipment or hire a fully equipped 4x4 camping vehicle from Getaway Africa.
*4x4 Experience Required
Although the tour’s emphasis is not solely on 4x4 and offroad driving, driving on and over the world's highest sand dunes means previous experience and proficiency in off-road driving are recommended. Beginners will be talked through each phase of the
journey.
Highlights of the Lüderitz to Walvis Bay Guided Self Drive:
- An extraordinary guided self-drive 4x4 adventure
- Travel a coast of the Namib desert
- Explore the relics left from old mining towns
- View shipwrecks that have drowned in the sands of the Namib
- Travel through the 'Spergebiet', a restricted area that sees few visitors
- Camb on the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean
- Learn the history of the diamond rush in Namibia
See also the Faces of the Namib Guided Self Drive
Summary
Day 0: Arrive in Lüderitz
The adventure starts at Lüderitz where the group assembles at 18h00 the evening at Kratzplatz, Barrel’s Restaurant for a dinner briefing before venturing into the desert the next day. (Accommodation and dinner for this evening are not included in the tour package.)
Dinner is a buffet and will be for the client’s own account. (Accommodation for this evening is not included in the tour package. Ask your tour consultant to assist with bookings.)
Excluded: Accommodation in Lüderitz, Dinner & Drinks during dinner
Day 1: The Adventure Starts
After backtracking for about 30km on the Lüderitz to Aus main road it is time to say goodbye to tar roads, starting an adventure of a lifetime. On day one we pass the ‘stompneus’ Ford and camp close to Suzy.
O/N Namib Desert (dinner included).
Day 2: Passing Suzy and the Bulldozer
On the second day, the trail leads north passing Suzy and the bulldozer before crossing into the dune belt on the way to Sylvia Hill. For the next couple of days, participants will experience ‘camping under the desert sky’ in true expedition style.
O/N Namib Desert (breakfast and dinner included).
Day 3: Beach Camping
Dunes are getting progressively higher and driver experience and skills acquired during the previous two days will be tested and honed to perfection.
O/N Namib Desert (breakfast and dinner included).
Day 4: Meob Bay And Mining Settlements
The dune belt opens up at Meob Bay and it is in this stretch between Meob Bay and Conception Bay that active diamond mining was in the order of the day during the early 1900s. The settlements of Holsatia, Charlottenfelder and Grillenberger are visited en-route.
O/N Namib Desert (breakfast and dinner included).
Day 5: Passing the Eduard Bohlen
From Holsatia the trail leads to Conception Bay and along the beach northwards towards Sandwich Bay. En route the wrecks of the Eduard Bohlen and Shawnee are visited. Passing ‘Langewand’ where massive dunes end in the sea, a very limited time span is available to negotiate this stretch of beach. After Langewand the trail once again leads into the dunes, circumnavigating the salt pans ‘extensions’ of Sandwich Harbour. The dunes are still getting progressively larger to offer an ever-changing new experience of ultimate dune driving. The night is spent approximately 1.5km from the ocean close to Sandwich Bay.
O/N Namib Desert (breakfast and dinner included).
Day 6: Ending In Walvis Bay
From Sandwich the trail enters the ‘Roller Coaster’, a series of massive ‘roaring’ slip faces, not only giving the participants a new thrilling experience but also offering breathtaking views of Sandwich Harbour. Follow a panorama of sandscapes exiting onto the beach south of Walvis Bay. The trail ends at Walvis Bay around lunchtime. Please contact our tour consultants who will assist with booking accommodation for the night after your desert trip.
Included: Breakfast
Lüderitz to Walvis Bay Self-Drive Tour |
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SADC Nationals | ||||
South African Rand | ||||
01 Jul - 31 Oct'23 | R 17,100 pp sharing R 5,500 per child (13-17yrs) R 4,750 per child (6-12 yrs) R 2,550 per child (u/5 yrs) |
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01 Nov'23 - 31 Oct'24 | R 18,380 pp sharing R 5,500 per child (13-17yrs) R 4,750 per child (6-12 yrs) R 2,550 per child (u/5 yrs) |
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Foreigners / International Travelers | ||||
South African Rand | US$ (Subject to ROE) |
Euro (Subject to ROE) |
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01 Jul'23 - 31 Oct'24 | R 18,680pp sharing R 7,980 per child (u/17 yrs) |
US$ 1,026 pp sharing US$ 439 per child (u/17 yrs) |
€ 917 pp sharing € 392 per child (u/17 yrs) |
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Book Now |
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Need a vehicle and camping equipment? Contact our travel experts for a quote on a fully equipped 4x4 vehicle *Please note that no trailers are allowed on this tour. |
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Included:
*Take note: when choosing a suitable tent – you will be pitching it in the sand and will need tent pegs suitable for this. There may also be winds, so make sure your tent is wind resistant. **Please note: Although the tour’s emphasis is not solely on 4x4 and offroad driving, driving on and over the world's highest sand dunes means previous experience and proficiency in off-road driving are recommended. Beginners will be talked through each phase of the journey. Optional Services:
We would also suggest a sundowner or dolphin cruise in Walvis Bay:
For more information or to book your accommodation, meals and/or cruise, please contact us for the best rates. We can also book other accommodation and excursions. |
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Rates are subject to change due to increases in fuel charges and increases imposed by suppliers. |
Departure Dates | ||
2023 | 2024 | |
January | ||
February | 20 | |
March | ||
April | 16 | |
May | 20 | |
June | 20 | |
July | ||
August | ||
September | 05 | 08 |
October | 02 | 02 |
November | 01 | 03 |
December | 18, 31 | 18, 31 |
Travel Insurance & medical evacuation required It is a booking requirement that you must submit proof of travel insurance when making your first payment. You will not be able to join the tour without travel insurance.
Clients need to take out their own travel insurance and emergency evacuation cover in case of a motor vehicle accident, heart attack or any other medical emergency. Please take out your travel insurance within 48 hours of making your first payment towards the tour. Please supply details of this information that we know whom to contact in case of an emergency.
Emergency contact number: Should anybody wish to contact you whilst on the trip – we will be out of range of any cell phone reception or normal telephone services. A satellite phone will be available for emergencies and our Walvis Bay office will know how to reach the guides. We will supply the emergency number with tour documents should anybody need to get hold of you urgently.
Vehicle insurance: Please check with your insurance provider that your vehicle is covered for an off-road trip through the desert. Should you have a breakdown we will assist with on-site recovery, but this will be at an additional cost and the account for this must be settled directly upon arrival in Walvis Bay.
Essentials The following items are mandatory for each participating vehicle:
- Spade
- 60 litres water in total of which 20 litres will be used by the kitchen and the remainder will be for showering
- Bottled water for drinking
- Tyre pressure gauge
- Pump to inflate tyres
- Toilet paper
- Plastic bags to carry waste (e.g. empty cooldrink tins, etc.)
- Brake fluid
- Gear oil
- Engine oil
- Fuses
- Spare V-Belt set (type of belt depends on your vehicle)
- Sufficient Petrol / Diesel to cover the distance – 750km. Heavy sand driving conditions (+/- 3km/l and +/- 5km/l consumption for larger petrol and diesel engines respectively) will be experienced. You will need to keep the extra fuel in your own jerry cans.
- Vehicle to be fitted with points to attach tow ropes both in front and at the rear. NB!!
- All equipment and luggage must be strapped in and securely fastened
- Vehicle must be loaded in such a way to ensure that the vehicle is not ‘Top Heavy’ – e.g. only light items, camping gear on roof carriers
- 2 Large bags of firewood per vehicle (supplied by you)
Optional:
- Hi-lift Jack & Q20 Spray
- Extra spare wheel (no 6)
- Small broom and a small spade
All you need:
- Tent, folding chair and sleeping gear (bedroll, tent etc.) *Longer tent pegs are needed for pitching in the sand.
- Eating utensils (cutlery, plate, bowl, glass and mug)
- Provide your own lunch
- Own snacks and refreshments (alcoholic beverages, cooldrinks etc.)
- Flashlight and batteries
- Camera (extra memory cards and battery)
- Sunglasses and sunblock
- Clothing (suitable for hot days and cold evenings), toiletries and towels
- Prescribed medication
4x4 Driving - What to expect: If this is your introduction to the Namib Desert, expect the exceptional. The emphasis of the tour is not only on the adrenaline thrill of dune-driving, but a huge part of its focus is studying the plants, small creatures and wildlife all of which make this desert their home.
Enjoying the Namib’s incredible views and history is also emphasized. Our guides will capture your imagination with their knowledge of the fauna and flora of the desert and historical facts. They will also wow you with their cooking skills, preparing two mouth-watering meals each day. Equally, if you are a seasoned desert traveller you will find our Faces tour to be both an unparalleled adrenaline rush and a journey of discovery. The dunes along this stretch of the Namib are higher and more challenging than elsewhere. Driving here requires good technique and discipline to manoeuvre from one dune strait to the next.
The magnitude of what awaits you is difficult to express in words. Although the tour’s emphasis is not solely on 4x4 and offroad driving, driving on and over the world's highest sand dunes means previous experience and proficiency in off-road driving are recommended. Beginners will be talked through each phase of the journey.
Other:
- Petrol cards are no longer accepted in Namibia for fuel purchases. Only cash/ debit/ credit cards will be accepted.
- Children under 18 must have an unabridged birth certificate to leave/ enter South Africa at the border and at international airports.
- New Namibian Traffic Regulation - Daylight Headlights: As from the 28th of July 2015, a person driving a vehicle during the day on a trunk road, main road and/ or a district road must switch on the headlamps on dimmed beam or daytime running lights.