Living Desert Adventures
Living Desert Adventures
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Swakopmund, Namibia
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Living Desert Adventures
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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.
Popular mentions
5.0
401 reviews
Excellent
341
Very good
45
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
2
mrc282
World9,452 contributions
Jun 2021
As a wildlife nerd anything new and endemic interests me. and the living desert tour from Chris delivers exactly that, as well as further insights on the desert flora.
although the weather at swakopmund was quite foggy, we were lucky enough that the sky gradually cleared and it seems like everything started to happen after that. we saw the namib desert gecko, skink, black hairy thick tailed scorpion, baby dwarf adder, and namaqua chameleon changing its color right before our eyes.
it is really not easy to spot these creatures if you dont know how to look for it. you probably have stepped past them most of the time as they are camouflaged or hidden underground. so Chris' experience is pretty valuable in helping us see all these critters.
although the weather at swakopmund was quite foggy, we were lucky enough that the sky gradually cleared and it seems like everything started to happen after that. we saw the namib desert gecko, skink, black hairy thick tailed scorpion, baby dwarf adder, and namaqua chameleon changing its color right before our eyes.
it is really not easy to spot these creatures if you dont know how to look for it. you probably have stepped past them most of the time as they are camouflaged or hidden underground. so Chris' experience is pretty valuable in helping us see all these critters.
Written August 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.
John P
7 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Amazing tour. We did the "Living Safari Tour" and saw geckos, chameleons, lizards, snakes and beetles. The guide was extremely knowledgeable on Namibian history, geography and fauna/flora. He was informative, funny and engaging. One of the best tours I've done which finished off with beautiful sunsets views on the dunes
Written June 26, 2024
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.
nathalypa
Windhoek, Namibia13 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
We had an absolutely awesome experience with Chris on our living desert excursion with him. We saw a snake, Namib Sand Gecko, a lizard, desert chameleon and a skink on the tour, which Chris found between dry shrubs and under the dune sand where nobody else would have even remotely seen anything. It was truly an incredibly interesting and educational experience, which we can wholeheartedly recommend to any visitor to Swakopmund or vicinity.
Written October 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.
Ilse
Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands10 contributions
Jan 2020
We had Chris Nel as our guide for the Living Desert Tour to search for the Little 5. He picked us up at the gate of our Guesthouse. We did heard some story's but we couldn't image what to really expect. Well, I can be really short about it. It was absolutely amazing and I really recommend Chris as your guide. Wow, wow and again: wow. Such a passionated man who knows a lot about the little animals living in the Desert. Before starting the tour he told us some rules and a very interesting introduction about how the desert system works and how the wildlife and plants are surviving on the little amount of water provided by rain and moisture. If you are in Swakopmund or when you are planning to travel through Swakopmund, please believe me and book this tour at Living Desert Adventures. It is absolutely worth it. A 10 out of 10!
Chris, when you are reading this, thank you very much for everything!
Greetings, Tim and Ilse from Holland!
Chris, when you are reading this, thank you very much for everything!
Greetings, Tim and Ilse from Holland!
Written February 13, 2020
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.
Wow Tim and Ilse. Thanks so much for the positive feedback. It was a great pleasure to share the desert with you.Thanks again
Regards
Chris
Written February 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TIGGERALA
Alamosa, CO231 contributions
Jun 2021
When we were scheduled this trip by our safari company, I was a bit skeptical....no more. This was such a great experience and Chris Nel was entertaining, informative, and totally into the subject, we were all enthralled. Snakes, birds, spiders, lizards, chameleons, we covered all the little creatures of the desert and dunes. Thank you for such a great adventure...I would recommend it for all.
Written July 28, 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.
Anja + Jens
21 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
An absolute highlight of our three weeks Namibia-Botswana roundtrip! It was one of the most interesting, entertaining and funny tours we have ever been on. We will never forget what we saw and learned from Chris and will definitely do this tour again and again whenever we stay in Swakopmund. Chris - you are the best! I wish we had more teachers like you in our schools - every student would love your lessons. You’re the prototype of somebody who loves and lives what he is doing and your enthusiasm is absolutely infectious. We would unconditionally recommend the tour to everyone - no matter the age - who loves nature, and even if someone isn’t a nature lover yet, he or she will become one after joining this tour. Thank you Jürgen for being our reliable and friendly driver and for scouting in the desert. Thank you Chris for this unforgettable experience! We’ll be back! Anja and Jens from Germany
Written September 21, 2024
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.
kayko77
Bury St. Edmunds, UK73 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Unbelieveably good tour! The funniest guide with so much knowledge, enthuisiam and passion, it was infectious. Learned so much and it was so much fun!
Thank you for an awesome day out, certainly one we wont be forgetting anytime soon!
Thank you for an awesome day out, certainly one we wont be forgetting anytime soon!
Written September 16, 2024
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.
Kim J
Dubai, United Arab Emirates3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
This was the most pleasant surprise of a desert adventure ever! Duan the guide, was friendly, knowledgeable and super engaging. We learned so much and enjoyed every minute. Had a few good laughs too.
Who knew that a desert has so much to.offer (small 5) and that we should preserve it with great care.
Who knew that a desert has so much to.offer (small 5) and that we should preserve it with great care.
Written December 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.
Louise
Edmonton, Canada30 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Very fun and informative tour with super close up sightings of species endemic to Namibia: chameleon, skink, gecko, snake. Also a nice drive among the dunes. Jurgen and Chris really know their stuff.
Written September 17, 2024
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.
Martina T
6 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Best ‘little 5’ living desert adventure tour. We went with Zacchi (German speaking guide) and Kevin into the dunes. We were lucky because we could see ALL little 5 animals …. Some of them even twice or triple ( chameleon f.ex) . Great information, also we got information about the dunes in Swakopmund The trip is highly recommendable. Thank you Zacchi
Written November 11, 2024
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.
Does the Living Desert tour take you to Sandwich Bay?
Are you back in Swakopmund by 1pm?
Would it be possible to finish the tour at 1pm and drive to go to Sesriem right after, arriving before dark?
Thank you!
Written April 22, 2017
Chris N
Swakopmund, Namibia
Hi
We don't do Sandwich Harbor, just the dunes around Swakopmund
Below is extra information concerning the Living Desert tour.
Please read very carefully
Our Living Desert Tour “ little 5” is a exciting educational tour which discovers the beauty and Life within the coastal dunes of the Namib. This tour focuses on the fauna and flora of the dune belt and includes a 4x4 scenic dune drive with excellent photographic opportunities and is suitable for adults and children. Some examples of the things you could see on this tour would be desert adapted creatures such as Lizards, geckos, spiders, snakes, chameleons, insects, plants and beautiful landscapes.
IMPORTANT
The tour starts at 8h00 and ends at 13h00
We pick you up at your Guest House at 8h00 in Swakopmund (pickups only in Swakopmund)
Please advise the name of your Guest house when making a booking
If you stay outside of Swakopmund we will arrange a pickup point
The price is N$700 pp or Euro equivalent in cash on completion of the tour and children 12 years and under is half price (No credit card facility)
Tours are run in English and German or a mix of both languages depending on the nationality of the people on the tour.
If everybody on the tour is German then I can offer a German only tour, otherwise the tour is in English with German translations.
TIPS
Have a good breakfast at your Guest house before the tour (breakfast and lunch is not included)
Soft drinks and water are included on the tour
Dress warmly if it is cold, remember a hat, sun block and sunglasses
Walking shoes or Sandals are fine and you can walk barefoot if the sand is not too hot
Remember your camera and a macro lens if you have one – pocket cameras have a macro lens built in already. A top end cell phone such as I phone 6 or Samsung S7 also work well.
Please take note of our group size – we start with a minimum of 2 people and have a maximum of 20 people on a tour. Our team consists of 3 guides.
And remember you are on holiday because life has meaning and each day is special including this one
VERY IMPORTANT
Should you want to cancel this tour then please let us know well in advance so that we can sell your seat to somebody else
A last minute cancelation, no show on day of tour, or incorrect booking from your side will result in 100% cancelation fees.
A cancelation on the day of the tour due to sickness is 100% cancelation fees
Regards
Chris
Written April 22, 2017
Will you pick me up at my hotel?
How should I dress for the tour? I'm planning t coming at the end of June
Written February 1, 2017
Chris N
Swakopmund, Namibia
Hi
Please send me a email and I will give you all the info you need.
Regards
Chris
Written February 1, 2017
Cost and time spent and areas covered. Thanks.
Written February 6, 2015
Chris N
Swakopmund, Namibia
Hi
Contact me via E mail which you will find if you google Living Desert Adventures and I will give you all the info you need.
Regards
Chris
Written February 6, 2015
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