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Namib100 Hike

Namib Desert, Namibia

A five-day hike stretching over 100 km. The Namib100 takes you through one of the wildest, most unspoilt places on the planet. As a part of the greater Skeleton Coast, you will walk over massive sand dunes in the Namib, the world’s oldest desert, and along the Sandwich Harbour lagoon, rich with sea and bird life with only your thoughts as company. This stretch of Namibia has ancient history, a place of old diamond claims, sun-bleached whale bones and shipwrecks that hide in the mist. You’ll follow no tracks and leave just your own. It is one of the world’s iconic hikes.

 Duration: 04 NIGHTS / 05 DAYS

Group size: 18 – 24 HIKERS

2024 Dates:

  • 19 -23 August 2024
  • 18 – 22 September 2024
  • 18 – 22 October 2024
  • 17 – 21 November 2024
  • 02 – 06 December 2024

2025 Dates:

  • 30 Jan – 3 Feb 2025
  • 28 Apr – 2 May 2025 (Family Friendly)
  • 9 – 13 Sept 2025
  • 5 – 9 Dec 2025

The Namib:

Hikers will discover the unique treasures of the Namib Desert. It offers a world of infinite horizons, dramatic vistas and fascinating flora and fauna.

Reported to be the oldest desert on earth, the Namib is approximately 80 million years old. The Sahara may be larger and the Gobi more isolated, but the Namib is the very oldest, so on this trip, prepare for the best desert experience possible!

At first glance, the Namib’s interior appears totally devoid of fauna and flora, but look closely and you’ll find that the desert’s unique plant and animal life is definitely another of its limitless treasures.

At the start of WWII, Henno Martin and his friend, feared internment and escaped into the Namib Desert. For two and a half years they eked out a living in this harsh environment. As you hike along, or when setting up camp, imagine trying to survive here without the luxuries offered to you on this trip. You may see the Namib in a different light!

The Namib is also the desert of diamonds. Your hike will take you through the “Sperrgebiet”; the forbidden area also known as Diamond Area no. 2. This hike is the first of its kind in the Namib’s forbidden land.

OUR TEAM:

Never forget where on earth you are. Our support team literally needs to transport everything that you need and that they need to assist you. Our team, consisting of a convoy of 4×4 vehicles and highly experienced guides, will see you safely to the Bohlen and back. Luggage will be limited to one bag per person. The vehicles will carry all the supplies required to provide you with three meals daily, the total volume of water supply for the hike, kitchen equipment, camping chairs, cutlery and crockery, fire wood, all the luggage, as well as your tent and bedding.

A hot shower and chemical toilet are available every night where we set up camp. During breakfast, hikers will pack their own packed lunch in a lunch box.

Our guide team takes great care in supporting you in a discreet and non-intrusive way so that your experience of the vastness and remoteness of this very unique area and hike is not spoiled. Due to the remoteness and location of this hike, a satellite phone will be taken along.

THE ROUTE:

You will be one of a limited number of hikers to do this exceptional route annually. Each day of The Namib100 hike has a unique charm and a much wider variety in landscape than you can ever imagine. Experience wildlife in abundance – from thousands of birds and seals to dozens of jackals and a chance to see oryx and brown hyenas. These animals are not habituated, and you will experience that they look at you with suspicion. You will be hiking off the grid, away from civilization. It is important to note that the distances per day can differ as per the itinerary below due to weather conditions.

ITINERARY

Arrival Day – Walvis Bay

It is recommended that you arrive in Walvis Bay at least one day prior to the departure of the hike. The transfer to the starting point departs on day 1 from Lagoon Chalets in Walvis Bay. A communal dinner and briefing session will take place the evening prior to the hike departure.

Hike Day 1: Distance Approximately 22-23 Km

The support vehicles will meet the group at Lagoon Chalets. Pick-up time will be confirmed the night before at the hike briefing. The transfer from Lagoon Chalets to the starting point (50 kms) will be done in specially converted 4×4 vehicles. The drive is approximately one hour. Modderbankies is where the Kuiseb River in ancient times flowed into the Atlantic before it was stopped by the desert. Here you can still see the remnants of mud and silt that were deposited at this estuary millions of years ago. Although the river disappears under the dunes, fresh underground water filters into the Sandwich Harbour lagoon, changing the colour and temperature of the water and even the immediate environment, creating a micro-climate that nurtures a huge and abundant bird and sea life. Sandwich Harbour was classified as a Ramsar Wetland of international importance in 1995. The total area of the Ramsar Wetland is 13,8 hectares.

Combined with the unique vegetation adapted to the micro-climate of this lagoon, this first day will set the tone for the diversity in scenery, fauna, and flora that you will experience in the following days. You will experience that it is a myth that the desert is devoid of any life. The tracks of animals will remind you that you are not walking alone. The last stretch of this day can either be done inland over the dunes or by following the lagoon’s shoreline. Both will take you to your first night’s camp.

Hike Day 2: Distance Approximately 23-24 Km

Today you will pass huge seal colonies on your way to the Langewand, where the dunes drop directly into the ocean. It is only possible to walk the Langewand at low tide as you will be trapped between the perpendicular dunes and mighty Atlantic during high tide. The cathedral-like formations of the dunes, created by a combination of sea, sand and wind, will take your breath away. Today you will encounter the wreck of the Shawnee that stranded in 1976. The skeleton of this wreck will remind you that this coastline is the book of remembrance, telling the story of hopes and dreams and of lives lost.

Hike Day 3: Distance Approximately 20-21 Km

Today’s route takes you all along the shore, littered with the shells of ancient oysters the size of your hand. White-washed whale bones and driftwood that comes from some mysterious places, the continuous rolling of the waves – this is where you will experience with all your senses, where you will connect with your inner self, where you will renew and revive.

Tonight’s camp is next to the ocean on a dune.

Hike Day 4: Distance Approximately 19-20 Km

Today you will turn inland to walk the dunes. Standing on top of a dune will give you a different perspective, emphasizing how insignificant we are in the bigger picture. Follow the crown of the dunes as it takes you to a spectacular campsite. Today you will see a completely different face of the Namib. You move down from the dunes to a grit plain that will surprise you with its micro life – from the dancing white lady spider to the smallest of succulents. Long stretches of scattered white quarts or the black snake-like formation of exposed lava fields tells you about the geology of this area. The diamond mining era forms an important part of the history of this area. Big diamond companies monopolized this area to strip it from its diamond bearing gravel. That is why it was called the Sperrgebiet – or Forbidden Land.

Your camp will be near one of these old mining settlements where wind-washed buildings engulfed by Namib sand, reminds you of lives lost by those that were enchanted by stories of diamonds lying under trees like plums. People literally walked themselves to death in these harsh conditions, searching for the ‘big one’.

Hike Day 5: Distance Approximately 13-14 Km

From last night’s campsite, you pass through a patch of greenery where the tracks and droppings of oryx tells of a nearby natural spring. Hikers will have enough time to explore these old buildings, imagining life as it was a 100 years ago.

After exploring, we turn towards the sea, crossing pink saltpans and ancient ocean floors littered with shells, occasionally catching sight of the wreck of the Eduard Bohlen in the distance, beckoning you to come closer. The Bohlen stranded on 5 September 1909, and it is also at the Bohlen where the hike ends. Enjoy this accomplishment as you end the hike with a glass of bubbly in your hand. After that we will start the drive back to Walvis Bay where our services conclude upon arrival. Board the 4×4 vehicles. This journey back to Walvis Bay will cement the hike in your mind as the drive will be along the route you have hiked the last few of days. The arrival time in Walvis Bay will be approximately around 18:00.

Accommodation for this night will be for your own account. We can assist with bookings. Our team will drop you off at your preferred overnight stop.

Departure Day

Transfers to the Walvis Bay Airport will be provided on this day.

** It is important to note that daily walking distances are an approximate distance only and will depend on the weather and suitable camp sites. It may vary by as much as 2 to 3 kilometres. Please use as a guideline only.**

Group size: 18 -24 hikers (tailor-made options available for private groups)

Duration: 5 days (travel time not included)

Distance: Approximately 100 km

Rating: Level 6 and 7 – Although this is not a difficult or technical hike, you must be very well prepared – inner strength and a strong mind is just as important as physically doing the distance every day.

Age: We don’t recommend the hike for children under 16/17 years due to the stamina required to do the hike, but we are open to discussing younger aged children joining depending on their hiking experience. We do not have a maximum age limit. For the 28 April – 02 May 2025 hike date, children will be allowed, but they must have previous hike experience. Please contact us with children’s ages before making any booking.

Rating: Level 6 and 7 – Although this is not a difficult or technical hike, you must be very well prepared – inner strength and a strong mind is just as important as physically doing the distance every day.

Rates:

Rates valid until 31 Oct 2025

Description

Tour Cost

Concession Fee

Total Cost

SADC: Per adult

R21 600.00

R4500.00

R26 100.00

Foreign: Per adult

R21 600.00

R5200.00

R26 800.00

SADC/ Foreign Per Child

R6950

6-12Yrs – R2900

13-17Yrs – R3600

R10 550.00

Family Supplement

Dome tent and mattress (1 adult + 1 child)

4-man Tent and mattresses

(1 adult + 2 children, 2 adults + 1 child or 2 adults + 2 children

R1 550.00

R3 800.00

Prices for concession fees, taxes, park fees and fuel may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.

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.

Tour includes

  • Return transfers between Walvis Bay airport and Walvis accommodation (fly-in guests).
  • Hike briefing and optional dinner (drinks for own account) (from 01/11/24 cost of dinner is included).
  • From 01/11/24 – 1 night’s accommodation at Lagoon Chalets/similar the night before hike departs.
  • Hike transport and transfers: Drop off at starting point of hike; 4×4 transfer from Eduard Bohlen to Walvis Bay at end of hike; Support team and 4×4 vehicle convoy.
  • Three meals per day during the hike.
  • Limited beer and wine will be available each evening.
  • Drinking water – 5 litres per person per day
  • Water for showering – 5 litres per day per person.
  • Shower and chemical toilet at each overnight campsite.
  • Current concession, park fees, community levy, vehicle park fees and 15% VAT.

Tour excludes

  • Pre and post travel arrangements (travel by road, flights, accommodation) – feel free to ask us for assistance (Exception: Family hike date where 1 night’s accommodation is included).
  • Travel insurance – needs to cover extreme adventure and must include an air lift.
  • Camping gear and bedding (option to hire through LTJ)
  • Extra snacks and drinks that you would like to take on the hike.
  • Tips/Gratuities (we will provide a guideline).

Admin Fee:

  • R55.00 once off per reservation.

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It is a condition of booking that all travellers, including any accompanying dependents or companions, are covered by fully comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the duration of their trip. It is the responsibility of all travellers to purchase such travel insurance within 24 hours from making any payment towards a trip to ensure they are covered for personal effects, personal accident, medical and emergency travel expenses, cancellation and curtailment. Live the Journey will not be held responsible should a guest need to cancel a tour and did not take out timely and adequate travel insurance. Furthermore, buy completing this form I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms and conditions as set out in this document. To the extent that this form contains health/medical information or information relating to a minor I confirm that it is provided with the required consent and authority and may be collected, held, utilised and processed in respect of services rendered to me/us from time to time and including the services referred to in this document. To the extent that the services rendered to me/us requires the sharing of information with a third party who is in a country other than the Republic of South Africa, I consent to the sharing of my/our information with such third party. To view our terms and conditions please see: http://www.livethejourney.co.za/terms-conditions/
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