Welwitschia Tour from Swakopmund
4.5
Welwitschia Tour from Swakopmund
By Charly's Desert Tours
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About
Discover eroded canyons and welwitschia “living fossils” in Namibia’s Moon Landscape on a Namib Desert tour from Swakopmund. You also explore traditional culture, desert plants, and wildlife, and learn about the future of development in this region. With all transport and national park fees included, this Moon Landscape tour is a fascinating introduction to a beautiful but harsh environment.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 2-80, max of 9 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Visit the Namib Desert and its Moon Landscape on a guided tour
- Learn about indigenous plants and animals
- Watch for wildlife, such as springbok, ostrich, klipspringer, and more
- Convenient pickup and drop-off at Swakopmund hotels
- National Park fees
- Bottled water
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (no pick up at Airbnb's or private homes. Please arrange for a central pick up location)
What's not included- Gratuities
- Meet a driver at your hotel in Swakopmund, and then travel into the Namib Desert to see badlands formed millions of years ago. Travel in a 4WD vehicle, so you can explore some of the Moon Landscape’s most rugged corners, while learning how Namibia’s indigenous people have managed to thrive in the arid terrain. This is also a great chance to gain an understanding of the future of the Namib Desert, including industrial development, uranium mining, and more. Throughout the tour, watch for springbok, ostrich, klipspringer, swallow-tailed bee-eaters, and karoo chat, as well as the small chameleons and beetles that scurry across the desert floor. This tour concludes with return transportation to your Swakopmund hotel.
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
- Charly's Desert Tours, Sam Nujoma Ave, Swakopmund, NamibiaOur office is in the Brauhaus Arcade, right opposite from Nedbank
Pickup details- We do not collect from Airbnb's. Guests staying at an Airbnb should meet us at our office in the Brauhaus Arcade, Sam Nujoma Avenue.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 14755P2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Accommodation address required
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 9 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 14755P2
From
$55.39
per adult
Select date and travelers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 1Our experienced guide will show and explain all the interesting things in the Moon Landscape. endemic plants like the Welwitschia and the Nara, and the fascinating geology that makes up the Moon Landscape
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Kayaya_zm0 contributionsBreath taking viewsAmazing time in the sand dunes. Breathtaking views and an adrenaline filled 4by4 drive. A worthwhile vacation to take.Written January 14, 2025
- brianad7360 contributionsFantastic Way to See the "Little Five"Very knowledgeable guides and a great way to see some of the local desert wildlife aka: "Little Five" that are unique to this region! After hunting for (and hopefully finding) several creatures the guides then take you on a fun scenic drive through the dunes! Must do when visiting Swakopmund!Written September 10, 2024
- Sunrise74240 contributionsGreat Desert TourMy husband and I went on this tour with about 8 other people from our tour group. PJ was our guide and he was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing information about what lives in the Namib desert. He also described how the sand is composed of many minerals. We saw the following: Palmetto Chameleon, FitzSimmons Legless Skink (lizard), Namaque Chameleon, Shovelsnouted Lizard, Sidewinder Snake. We spent 3 hours driving and walking thru the desert. I highly recommend this tour.Written August 1, 2024
- dragonj70 contributionsGood tourGood tour but I set my expectations too high after my friend recommended the Living Desert Tour in Swakopmund to see chameleons. On booking, we were told we would definitely see a chameleon. However, when we were picked up in the morning we were told that this company hadn't seen chameleons for 3 months. But just one week before we did this tour, my friend had seen a chameleon through Tommy's Desert Living tour. Was definitely great to see the geckos and snakes, but I do wish we had booked Tommy's Living Desert.Written December 23, 2023
- julialG90 contributionsWonderful experience.We had a great tour with Ernst, he was fascinating to listen to and he found a surprising range of critters in the dunes. We highly recommend Charley's Desert Tours. They were pleasant to deal with and responsive to our emails.Written September 23, 2023
- diwaz190 contributionsOur Namibian highlightWe were astounded by our guide's ability to find the Tiny 5 of Africa using the most subtle of tracks. This was definitely a "pinch me moment", seeing the Plamato gecko, Sand-diving lizard; Sidewinding Snake and Namaqua Chameleon. We felt like we were in a David Attenborough documentary. These tiny creatures can only be seen with the services of a skilled guide and we felt privileged to witness them. Highly recommended.Written July 31, 2023
- travel_beaches670 contributionsA must do for creature lovers!!The team really works hard to show the little 5 in the desert and share all the knowledge related to the creature. They also take you on a short ride of the sand dunes. The tour highlights the life of the creatures thriving in desert and their survival techniques.Written July 9, 2023
- Sam B0 contributionsLove the living desertWonderful guide , jurgen , shared his knowledge of nature and life in the dunes . Respectful of the environment unlike other operators (sandwich harbour) who tore up the dunes in their 4x4’s . Jurgen made sure to teach us about the delicate wild life . We loved every single momentWritten April 14, 2023
- Andy P0 contributionsBeautiful and informativeFrom collection to drop off this was an excellent trip. Saw some fascinating animals, sidewinder, chameleon, gecko's and more. The guide Bawden was very knowledgeable about the creatures and the desert. Wine and cheese on the beach was a lovely way to end the trip before returning to the ship.Written February 7, 2023
- Jerrez0 contributionsGood value and informative guideInitially dubious as we sat waiting for the guide to turn up but once we were on the move a very informative trip in to the dunes with lots of small creatures of the desert to see and lots of information about each creature. A great way to see the smaller creatures of Namibia.Written January 2, 2023
- Myo M0 contributionsA nice "desert-and-dunes" experience :)After about three days of "getting to know the sea" by staying in a close proximity from the town's waterfront (at a place in one of the streets branching from the Strand Ave. along the waterfront), there came the time for me to "get to know the desert" which really is also my suggestion for every visitor to this small town (which nonetheless is "naturally blessed" with proximities to both the sea & the desert); and yes this one just being a half-day tour at the site "right outside" the town, I would say, is a good way to getting the "desert experience" before going out on longer tours (in my case just one which is an all-day tour to the Skeleton Coast National Park which I did two days after this). In any case, to break it down into its "5 stops" after entering the Dorob Desert from near the place like a "camel farm" just on the outskirts of this small town, there were: the 1st stop which mainly was a walk-around on the desert (with a nice luck of spotting about two small "sidewinder snakes", each in a different location, although yes not just by luck alone but also by skill of our guide with his stick to remove the sand layers where apart from those snakes were also some other tiny creatures found such as chameleons & beetles); the 2nd stop on the top of what was likely the "highest dune" of the desert from which was a pretty nice view of the "rolling landscape" of the many smaller dunes all around; the 3rd stop as in like the opposite nature to the 2nd stop was on the bottom of a dune where yes I discovered that it was "much easier said than done" trying to go up those dunes with just quite a strenuous task of lifting your foot for each step (although one guy from our group almost made it to the top of that dune!); the 4th stop above a dune with a shallow bottom & like an easy slope for some "sand play" & such (sliding down the slope as seen being done by some from another group that arrived before us) and where there was also something like a small "long-shaped salt pan" seen looking down to another side from that stop; and finally the 5th stop also above a dune but which was kind of unique in a way where you could look to the distance and see both "the desert & the sea beyond" while standing at like right on an edge of the dune where you could also look down to its some "considerable depth". So a nice break from the sea view on the previous days (although also including a day for the town's sites of the Swakopmund Museum & Woermannhaus), this was an enjoyable half-day tour for just about 3 hours in a small group of 5 people including myself with Charly's Tour (as written on the vehicle but my booking done by my hostel as the Living Dunes tour), and yes also much thanks are to the gentleman who was both our guide & driver (for showing those hard-to-see tiny creatures & also for his driving skill taking us on some "thrilling rides" going up & down the dunes).Written December 15, 2022
- Wendy L0 contributionsToo many people. Iinformative but not enjoyablePicked up on time - informative guides but WAY too many people for one tour. 23 adults cramming round a tiny desert creature just didn’t work - we could hardly see. Unless you were prepared to push in front of people (which we weren’t) it was easier to stand back. One women smoked 3 times and left her butts in the sand…..if the main purpose of this tour is education to conserve this should not have been allowedWritten September 18, 2022
- shannonaQ6004IF0 contributionsA requirement for all desert travellersThis is a great tour to learn more about the animals and reptiles in the area. We'd highly recommend this tour! This was our second tour with Erst, our guide. And we were delighted to have him for a second tour. He's a great storyteller! We learned so much about the animals and geology of the desert. As usual, what made the tour really special was how Erst explained the beauty and wonder of the desert to us. He really has a deep respect and admiration for nature that shows in his tours!Written August 11, 2022
- SteveTheBeaver320 contributionsExperience of a lifetimeThis was an awesome experience which was led by our very knowledgeable guides, Johnny and Ernst. We had such an awesome time and learnt so much. He let all the kids see the animals up close and showed us all cool experiments with magnets and the sand. I highly recommend you do this trip. We saw so many animals and so many beautiful things. Absolute must do for Swakopmund!!Written July 9, 2022
- cpl17750 contributionsGlad we took Charley's!We actually did two tours on the same day: living desert tour in the morning and the moon landscape/welwitschia flower tour in the afternoon. We had Ernst as our guide for both and he was absolutely fabulous! He really knows his stuff and its evident that he is passionate about protecting the environment. We learned a ton and had a great time. He even had good suggestions for a dinner spot that evening. Touring with Charley's was a great decision.Written June 25, 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
14 reviews
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Shannon A
4 contributions
Aug 2022
We'd highly recommend this tour! Our guide, Erst, was super informative! We learned so much about the plants and geology of the moon landscape. We even got to see a spider and few geckos. The landscapes were spectacular, but what made the tour really special was how Erst explained the beauty and wonder of the desert to us. He really has a deep respect and admiration for nature that shows in his tours!
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marjanvd
Venhuizen694 contributions
Easy to do yourself with your aito.
Get a permit in Swakopmumd.
You also criticize the description with that.
Spacious and varied tour.
Not only the welwischia plant but also the moonscape and more.
Take your time.
Don't leave too late, it's a whole tour.
The same tour is also offered guided, but for a lot of money.
Get a permit in Swakopmumd.
You also criticize the description with that.
Spacious and varied tour.
Not only the welwischia plant but also the moonscape and more.
Take your time.
Don't leave too late, it's a whole tour.
The same tour is also offered guided, but for a lot of money.
Written November 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SimonWB
Stellenbosch, South Africa114 contributions
May 2021
The tour took bus deep into the moonscape desert. We were shown all sorts of special plants and amazing landscapes. The welwitschia plants were fascinating. Do take the afternoon tour. the guide was very knowledgeable.
Written May 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear SimonWB, thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are so happy that people are starting to travel again and enjoy our tours.
Written May 26, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Martin Z
Hamburg, Germany19 contributions
The tour through the moon landscape was an awesome experience. Breathtaking views, great nature and a fantastic geology. We have had the extraordinary privilege being guided by Bawden, He is featuring an amazing profound knowledge in all the disciplines like nature, geology, society and national and international history. His competence is outrageous. A really great personality and a fantastic guide.
Written November 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ahhh...the moonlandscape is such an interesting landscape, and a guided trip makes it so even better. We will sure relay your kind words the guide Bawden.
Written November 10, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chrisinkingwood2
Houston, TX5,715 contributions
Sep 2021
This was a very interesting trip and I learned a lot about the plant. It is one of the oldest types of plants in the world and able to survive in very hard conditions.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emre A
Istanbul, Türkiye63 contributions
Aug 2019
We book a sands & rock tour from Charly's Desert tour. It is actually a combination of Living Desert tour and Welwitscia tour. Although living desert tour was very enjoyable with "little five" we found out that Welwitscia tour was better in many ways.
In this tour we seen 3 different types of desert, and plants that survive on this harsh environment.
Our guide Frank was fabulous. He knew the geography, history and flora of the desert very well. He answered all our questions with care.
In this tour we seen 3 different types of desert, and plants that survive on this harsh environment.
Our guide Frank was fabulous. He knew the geography, history and flora of the desert very well. He answered all our questions with care.
Written September 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The desert is simply amazing, and the Sand & Rock Combo is the right way to experience all the desert has to offer. It is not only knowledge of the guide that counts, but a guide like Frank is very passionate about the desert and about sharing his knowledge.
Written September 17, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KernowEngland
Cornwall, UK321 contributions
Sep 2018
We booked this tour through Trip Advisor / Viator / Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris and were really let down! We were due to be collected from our hotel at 8:00, but nobody arrived. With the help of hotel reception, the company was contacted and eventually, at 8:30, somebody arrived to take us on a buggy tour! Tour organisers in Swakopmund were very helpful and eventually we managed to get on a different desert tour with a different company. This tour (Charly's) was very good, but my husband and I were not in the same vehicle and the tour was 2 hours shorter than the tour which we booked and it was much cheaper. (We have not received any refund! In fact, no communication from Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris!)
Written November 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Now I am totally confused. If this guest was indeed booked via Viator with our company, the pick up time would have been confirmed for 14h00, not 8h00
Furthermore it is clear that we, Charly's Desert Tours , have been called in to help out and the client left a 5 star review, please see for yourself. So, if there was a booking gone wrong with Springbok Atlas Safaris as mentioned in this review, why is this negative review under Charly's Desert Tours?
Gerald
Written November 21, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ron d
Caloundra, Australia602 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
This Namib Desert tour is terrific. We did it in the afternoon taking about four hours. The minibus was very comfortable and Borden, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and likeable.
We travelled through the 'moonscape' where we were told about the history, geology, flora and fauna. The main focus was on the plants and they were presented in an interesting and informative manner. There were plenty of stops to photograph the weird landscape. Overall we were extremely satisfied with this tour.
We travelled through the 'moonscape' where we were told about the history, geology, flora and fauna. The main focus was on the plants and they were presented in an interesting and informative manner. There were plenty of stops to photograph the weird landscape. Overall we were extremely satisfied with this tour.
Written October 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark B
Johannesburg, South Africa369 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
What a wonderful trip into what they call the moon landscape of the Namib desert. Good tour guide. Especially Borden (a Scottish name for a Zim/Namib guide) is a very knowledgeable person who really tell a very all rounded story.
All and all worth going out to see this part of the world. So get your walking shoes on and take a walk on the wild side.
All and all worth going out to see this part of the world. So get your walking shoes on and take a walk on the wild side.
Written July 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TimJMeyer
Las Vegas, NV393 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
We booked a 4x4 tour expecting to see an open jeep. When the mini-van 4x4 showed up we were initially disappointed. We were VERY PLEASED being inside with all the wind and dust in the Namib desert. Had a great day seeing the Namibia desert out of Walvis Bay. Great job guys!!!!
Written June 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indeed we conduct our tours in comfortable and closed 4x4 mini vans seating up to 6 guests. Guest do often expect the old fashioned open safari style vehicle but in our environment guests are generally happy to not sit in the dust or the cold misty conditions of the Namibian coastal desert. the closed vehicles.
Written June 8, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What time return the tour? What time I will come back to the hotel?
Written April 14, 2018
What time return the tour? What time I will come back to the hotel?
Written April 14, 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.