The Welwitschia Goanikontes Moonlandscape and Sandwich Harbour Full Day Tour commences at 08H30 and ends roughly at about 16H30
This half day tour takes you into the Namib Dessert, we follow unique ecosystem of gravel plains and wind eroded river valleys for some breath-taking views of this 500 million-year-old-area.
The Moonlandscape. You will feel that you are on another planet…. Listen to the Silence!
The rock formations create stunning landscapes of dolerite, granite and lava dykes. Dry river beds, washes with windswept plains.
On your way you will explore the rare Lichens and other uniquely evolved Desert Plants. Lichens are a joint-venture between Mushroom and Algae, fog for moisture it’s only lifeline. You will learn how these Desert Plants have evolved to survive these harsh weather conditions, severe hot and cold temperatures, strong winds and dry air.
The road leads past history rich Goanikontes a desert oasis and a local Farmstead where you will see what these hardy people do for a living in this harsch environment. A lone Trac Trac Chad or Springbuck may be seen.
A little further on you will reach the Welwitschia Plains, a narrow band of dessert stretch where this age-old plant grows.
You will view the 1000-year-old Welwitschia Mirabilis plants and learn how they survive. There are male and female plants, pollination bugs and you will learn that each plant only consists of 2 leaves, unbelievable, as the stem gnarls and the leaves torn by the desert winds.
Our route is unique and interesting.
You will then enjoy a light lunch with local beverages on a lonely and quiet spot. You will have covered most of the interesting sites in the Swakopmund River area, amongst other the abandoned Date Palm plantations and the unsuccessful Olive Tree plantations.
After lunch we then head towards Walvis Bay. Going through Walvis Bay you will then arrive at the Walvis Bay Flamingo Lagoon and you will learn more about the Flamingos and their Habitat. The Ramsar acclaimed Walvis Bay Lagoon Wetland with up to 300 000 birds and 54 resident species of waders and Palaearctic migratory.
This route then takes us past the enormous Salt Works, the Lagoon, and the Pink Salt Lakes and onto the sandy beach shores. We then take you on a dessert game drive through The !Nara Valley searching for Oryx, Ostrich and Springbok, amongst the little Greenery the animals live in.
The sandy route then takes you to the most awesome dune views were dune Meets Sea.
It is STUNNING! It’s Awesome! It’s unforgettably beautiful!
We then find a lone spot to absorb the tranquillity and the vastness of the Dunes and serve up a light tasty lunch with local beverages. As the quietness absorbs you, the vastness and beauty stuns you.
It’s unique! It’s Sandwich Harbour!
The dune drive is exhilarating; as we traverse the towering dunes and steep slip faces,
through the salt pans and back onto the sandy shores the way you came.
Duration: Full-Day
Pick-up: 08h30
Drop-off: 16h30
Pack: Camera, Hat & Sunscreen
Included: pick up & drop off at your chosen accommodation establishment; park fees and a light lunch with local beverages
Start Off: Swakopmund
Conditions:
– Minimum of 2 persons per tour
– Private Tours must be specified on booking, minimum 4 persons
– We cater for vegans, vegetarian or other dietary requirements (please advise on booking)
– We cater for special occasions, e.g., proposals, anniversaries (please advise on booking)
– Please specify drop off and collection points and times on reservation
– All trips are subject to Tide or weather conditions. We retrain the right to change the schedule/ route for safety reasons. Sandwich can only be entered at low tide
– Tours are pre-payable. We except cash or Credit Card
