The Living Namib Desert
-
Port
Walvis Bay, Namibia
-
Activity Level
Moderate
-
Excursion Type
Local Sightseeing,14,All
-
Wheelchair Accessible
No
-
Starting At
$779.95
-
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
-
Duration
Approximately 4½ Hours
-
Meals Included
Meals included
This tour concentrates on the small living creatures found in the sand dunes of the Namib Desert.
Leave the ship and travel along the dune belt between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. The drive along the foot of the dunes is slow, as your driver is careful not to drive on the gravel plains and cause unnecessary damage. Conservation issues and the geological structure of the desert are discussed en route.
Your expert guide will stop frequently, and you'll search for and find desert creatures. Among these is the sidewinder adder, the palmetto gecko, the sand-diving lizard, the namaqua chameleon and various other tiny beetles that survive and thrive in the hot desert conditions. You'll look for tracks (known locally as 'reading the bushman paper') to determine which creatures were active the night before and, wherever possible, your guide will try to catch some of them. (S)he shares his/her knowledge about each little animal, including adaptations and design for survival in the desert. After you've had a look and learned a lot, great care is taken to ensure each animal is returned safely to its home, none the worse for wear.
Enjoy the spectacular scenery, the feel of the silky sand beneath your feet, and the fantastic photographic opportunities offered by this outing.
Return to the ship via the scenic coastal road.
Notes:
Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. It is generally extremely hot and dry in the desert. Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses and biodegradable sunscreen. Bring a hat. Ride will be bumpy. Pregnant women or guests with back or neck conditions are not allowed to participate. Waiver must be signed and medical conditions disclosed. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed. Namibia is a developing country and, although visiting here is a rewarding experience, it differs markedly from South Africa in all respects. Although basic, transportation is maintained, but the quality can vary considerably. Driving through the desert and dusty roads of Namibia means that vehicles need regular servicing, which can affect the availability. Coaches are very limited and are of a much lower standard than in South Africa; soft refurbishments do not occur on a regular basis. The vehicles are specially built for durability and stepping up into them is higher than a standard coach. There is no formal guiding qualification required for Namibia and, in order to support the local community, the tour operator uses local guides. Many of these guides have had prior experience in guiding for visiting cruise ships but some have not. Your guide will do his/her best, but please keep in mind that the limited tourism infrastructure here is part of your experience, and bear with any language or other difficulties he/she may encounter. Road conditions are weather dependent. Many roads are paved, but potholes are ever-present. There are also a number of bumpy dirt roads, which will be navigated carefully. All timings are approximate, as the local traffic will have a direct influence on the overall schedule. Delays are to be expected. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel the tour due to changes in weather, road or access conditions.