Lüderitz to Walvis Bay 4x4

This adventure into the Namib Desert starts in Lüderitz and ends in Walvis Bay … the area was formerly known as “Diamond Area no 2”.

Places to be visited along the way include Sylvia Hill, Meob Bay, Conception Bay and Sandwich Bay. Desert wildlife, spectacular scenery, untouched beaches, abandoned mining settlements, miles of sand-driving and shipwrecks are some of the attractions along the way.

Due to the discovery of diamonds in 1908 around Kolmanskuppe, an uncontrollable diamond rush resulted forcing the government to establish the “Sperrgebiet” between 26-degrees (Gibraltar) and the southern border stretching 100-kilometer inland. Prospectors were forced to turn northwards beyond the Sperrgebiet. This resulted in the discovery of diamonds at Spencer Bay in December 1908 and between Meob and the Conception Bay area (Diamond area no 2). A total of 5000 diamond claims were registered in 1909 and hopeful prospectors tried their luck at Saddle Hill and Spencer Bay as well as via Swakopmund and Sandwich Harbour southwards towards Meob Bay. However, the small yields of diamonds from these claims resulted in only a few prospectors being successful in the long term.

Transporting of supplies and mine equipment was done mainly from Swakopmund by ship and the cutter Viking via Sandwich Harbour, Conception Bay and Meob Bay. Various shipping casualties occurred, such as when the Eduard Bohlen intended to off-load mining equipment and were consequently lost at Conception Bay (1909).

In the area between Conception Bay and Meob Bay the mining settlements of Holsatia, Charlottenfelder and Grillenberger were established, and no form of engine-driven transport was available during the first 15 years. An ox-wagon fitted with special wide iron bands, which made transportation in sandy areas possible, is visible north of Grillenberger. The wagon and surfboats at Meob Bay are examples of pre-World War I historical relicts depicting the immense difficult pioneering days in those inhospitable desert conditions.

During 1912/1913 a light railway from Conception Bay to Conception Water and an 80-kilometer pipeline linking the settlements were constructed. It is not totally clear as to how many prefabricated buildings were erected at the various settlements as only the foundations of some of these are still visible today.

In November 1914 everyone had to stop operations and had to proceed to Swakopmund up-country. This order came as a result of an expected invasion of allied troops. During 1920 activities recommenced in this area and only four companies operated in this area until De Beers purchased one concession area after the other in 1929. From old mining records, it is clear that the average diamond found in this area was much smaller than those found south of Lüderitzbucht. Operators made use of hand-operated movable sieve jigs, of which some are still visible today at the old mining settlements.
They were largely dependent on an Ovambo labour force, for instance, Namaqua Diamonds employed between 500 and 600 Ovambos under contract. They were distributed in groups of 50 over the extent of the mining area.

In 1932 the price of diamonds dropped considerably and almost all known diamondiferous ground has been worked over at least once. The small diamonds left in the tailings of earlier workers made production uneconomic.

After World War II a company known as Industrial Diamonds of South Africa (1945) Ltd., conducted extensive prospecting in the Meob area in which no diamonds were recovered and CDM also abandoned Meob Bay in the early ‘60s.

Today only some remnants of the activities are visible and are deteriorating at an alarming rate. There is a limited quantity of hand-operated mining equipment left, two surf boats at Meob and an ox-wagon north of Grillenberger giving some insight into the hardships endured by Indigenous Namibians and early settlers to Namibia.

Saddle Hill became well known in Namibian diamond operations through the efforts of the remarkable Mose Kahan. The unsinkable Mose was born in Königsberg, Prussia and after immigrating to South Africa, he became involved in prospecting and mining. His application for a concession in Diamond area no 2 was successful and he named his claims Saddle Hill, Ophir and Atlantis.

To reach his claims with food and mining supplies, Kahan had to make his way through shifting dunes, which was indeed a hazardous undertaking. After World War II Kahan bought some Ford “stompneus” lorries from surplus war stock, fitting them with Dakota DC3 aircraft tyres. With these low-pressure aircraft tyres he was able to bring supplies and equipment to Saddle Hill. However, one of these lorries, nicknamed Suzie, unfortunately, had to be abandoned in the dunes, today still awaiting the return of a repair crew. Likewise, a bulldozer, pulling trailers with supplies and equipment can be seen close to the Uri Haugab Mountains.

2024 Dates:

• 03 - 09 November 2024
• 31 December 2024 - 06 January 2025

2025 Dates: 

• 10 – 16 February 2025
• 16 – 22 April 2025
• 20 – 26 May 2025
• 29 June – 05 July 2025
• 29 August – 04 September 2025
• 20 – 26 October 2025
• 03 – 09 November 2025
• 18 – 24 December 2025
• 31 December 2025 – 06 January 2026

Lüderitz - Walvis Bay: 01 November 2023 - 31 October 2024

Tour Cost SADC Residents
Per Adult: R18,380 (R12,600 tour cost + R5,780 concession fee)
Per Child 13 - 17 years: R5,500 (R1,900 tour cost + R3,600 concession fee)
Per Child 06 - 12 years: R4,750 (R1,900 tour cost + R2,850 concession fee)
Per Child 0 - 05 years: R2,550 (R950 tour cost + R1,600 concession fee)

Total Tour Cost Foreign Residents
Per Adult: R18,680 (R12,600 tour cost + R6,080 concession fee)
Per Child: R7,980 (R1,900 tour cost + R6,080 concession fee)

Lüderitz - Walvis Bay: 01 November 2024 - 31 October 2025

Tour Cost SADC Residents
Per Adult: R18,880 (R13,100 tour cost + R5,780 concession fee)
Per Child 17 years: R7,680 (R1,900 tour cost + R5,780 concession fee)
Per Child 13 - 16 years: R5,500 (R1,900 tour cost + R3,600 concession fee)
Per Child 06 - 12 years: R4,750 (R1,900 tour cost + R2,850 concession fee)
Per Child 0 - 05 years: R2,550 (R950 tour cost + R1,600 concession fee)

Total Tour Cost Foreign Residents
Per Adult: R19,180 (R13,100 tour cost + R6,080 concession fee)
Per Child: R7,980 (R1,900 tour cost + R6,080 concession fee)

** A single supplement will apply if there is only 1 adult in a vehicle. Please asl your consultant for the applicable rate.

NOTE:

• This tour operates on a minimum of 20 adult guests travelling.
• Special terms & conditions apply to any tour booked on an exclusive private basis.
• 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 for the traveller’s account.

• Breakfast and dinner (coffee/tea and fruit juices are supplied with meals)
• Experienced guides with own vehicle
• Two-way radios for vehicles
• Camping fees
• Concession fees and levies
• Recovery equipment and on-site recovery only
• “Communal” camping equipment; braai grid, cooking facilities & equipment, tables, etc.
• Wind shelter, communal camp shower and chemical toilet at campsite
• Additional vehicle to carry logistics

• Dinner and accommodation for the first night in Lüderitz
• Transport
• Fuel
• Lunch
• Snacks and drinks
• Camping gear
• Travel insurance and vehicle insurance
• Items of a personal nature

OPTIONAL SERVICES

Guideline of prices for optional accommodation:

Kratzplatz, Lüderitz (2 adults sharing): from R 475.00 per adult per night
Lüderitz Nest Hotel, Lüderitz (2 adults sharing): from R 2,100.00 per adult per night

Lagoon Chalets, Walvis Bay (2 adults sharing): from R 450.00 per adult per night
Amjicaja, Walvis Bay (2 adults sharing): from R 695.00 per adult per night
De Baken, Walvis Bay (2 adults sharing): from R 850.00 per adult per night

We would also suggest a sundowner or dolphin cruise in Walvis Bay:

Sundowner Cruise: from R 550 per adult
Dolphin Cruise: from R 990 per adult

For more information or to book your accommodation, meals and / or cruise, please contact your Live the Journey consultant. We can also book other accommodation and excursions.

Fill out the form below to request a full itinerary.