The Namib100 Hike
- Carry only your daypack as you hike the enchanting Namib desert
- Enjoy desert hospitality from our excellent support team
- Fire-side dining under a canopy of stars each night
- Walk the Langewand, where gigantic dunes meet the ocean
- Stand in awe of the Eduard Bohlen and Shawnee shipwrecks
- View abundant birdlife in the Sandwich Harbour lagoon
Overview
Hiking into the forbidden land!
The Namib100 is not your average run-of-the-mill hike, but rather in a bucket-list league of its own with the likes of Kilimanjaro, the Grand Canyon and the Camino de Santiago.
This fully catered, fully supported five-day slackpacking hike in the Namib, the oldest desert on earth, will overwhelm you with a sense of total freedom and inspiration. It’s an area that answers to names like the Forbidden Land, Sperrgebiet and Skeleton Coast, where numerous shipwrecks stand witness to the power of nature over man.
This hike is unique to Live the Journey and only allows a limited number of hikers to experience the epic Namib Desert on foot annually. The 100 km five-day hike originates a few kilometres outside of Walvis Bay and ends at the wreck of the famous Eduard Bohlen, which was stranded in 1909.
Distance: 100 km.
Duration: 5 Days (not including pre-/ post days)
Group size: Groups are limited to only 24 hikers.
Rating: Level 6 and 7 – although it is not a difficult hike, endurance and stamina is required.
Please also visit namib100hike.com for more information.
Itinerary
DAY 0: ARRIVAL WALVIS BAY
It is recommended that you arrive in Walvis Bay at least one day prior to the departure of the hike. A communal dinner and briefing session will take place at Dolphins Coffee Shop this evening.
DAY 1: APPROXIMATE DISTANCE 22 - 23 KM, ELEVATION 411 M
The support vehicles will meet the group at Lagoon Chalets. The transfer from Lagoon Chalets to the starting point (50 kms) will be in special converted 4x4 vehicles. Today you will experience Sandwich Harbour’s huge and abundant bird and sea life. Sandwich Harbour was classified as a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 1995.
DAY 2: APPROXIMATE DISTANCE 23 - 24 KM, ELEVATION 72 M
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. 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. You will also 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.
DAY 3: APPROXIMATE DISTANCE 20 - 21 KM, ELEVATION 258 M
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.
DAY 4: APPROXIMATE DISTANCE 19 - 20 KM, ELEVATION 95 M
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. Your camp will be near one of the old mining settlements where wind-washed buildings are engulfed by Namib sand.
DAY 5: APPROXIMATE DISTANCE 13 - 14 KM, ELEVATION 113 M
After the morning’s exploration of the old buildings and imagining life as it was 100 years ago, you 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 4x4 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 however assist with bookings. Our team will drop you off at your preferred overnight stop.
DAY 6: DEPARTURE WALVIS BAY
Transfers to the Walvis Bay Airport will be provided on this day.
Dates
2025 Dates:
- 30 January – 03 February 2025
- 01 - 05 March 2025
- 28 April – 02 May 2025 (Family-friendly!)*
- 09 - 13 September 2025
- 16 - 20 December 2025
* Watch this space for an exciting announcement coming soon…
Rates
Hike rates valid until 31 October 2025:
| Guest Nationality | Tour Cost | Concession Fee* | Total Cost |
| SADC: Per adult | R21,600 | R4,500 | R26,100 |
| Foreign: Per adult | R21,600 | R5,200 | R26,800 |
| SADC / Foreign: Per child (valid 28 April – 02 May 2025 date only) |
R6,950 | 0-5 years R1,600 | R8,550 |
| 6-12 years R2,900 | R9,850 | ||
| 13-17 years R3,600 | R10,550 |
Family Supplement valid for 28 April - 02 May 2025 only:
| Dome tent and mattress | 4-man Tent and mattresses |
| (1 adult + 1 child) | (1 adult + 2 children, 2 adults + 1 child or 2 adults + 2 children) |
| R1,550 | R3,800 |
*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.
All rates are quoted in South African Rand and subject to increase.
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.
Included
- Return airport / hotel transfers as specified – dependent on your flight times.
- Communal dinner and drinks at info session on day 0.
- Current concession fees, park fees, camping fees, levies.*
- Three meals per day during the hike.
- Camping chair.
- Shower and chemical toilet set up each evening.
- Wood.
- Water for drinking and showering.
- Transport from Walvis Bay to the starting point of the hike and return from from the Eduard Bohlen to Walvis Bay, all in convoy-style with 4x4’s.
- Support team and 4x4 vehicle convoy.
- Your luggage and camping equipment will be transported during the trip. Please make sure to pack light and use ‘soft’ baggage. You will only have to walk with your backpack.
*Concession fees are paid to the Topnaars. The Topnaar community, proud custodians of the Namib Desert, received concession rights from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. The concession rights allows the Topnaar community to control, protect and conserve the desert, the !Nara plants, Topnaar graves, historical homesteads as well as the fauna and flora of this area. In Live the Journey, the Topnaars found a worthy partner, a company that honours and understands the heart of the Namib Desert and all it holds.
The costs for park fees, local levies, concession fees and VAT can be increased without prior notice. This is beyond our control. Increases will be added to the published tour prices, and will be for the traveller’s account.
Excluded
- All pre- and post- travel arrangements (travel by road, flights, accommodation).
- Camping gear and bedding (can be hired at extra cost).
- Passport.
- Visa fee, if applicable.
- Comprehensive travel insurance (compulsory).
- Medical visit for doctor's clearance.
Reviews
Janeen van der Merwe - 25 to 29 November 2022
“Dit was voorwaar ’n ervaring! "Humbling" om die grootsheid van die woestyn en die skepping te ervaar en "empowering" om te weet ek het dit beleef en oorleef.”
Anel du Toit - 12 to 16 October 2022
“Wat ‘n wonderlike ervaring om so een te word met die wonderlike natuur van die Namib woestyn. Ons het die fynste detail daar langs Langewand strand net bly bewonder... Wanneer laas het ons iets so ongerep gesien waar die natuur net in harmonie is... Op dag 4 het ons behoorlik gevoel ons speel in die duine! Net nog en meer mooi... Ag te pragtig... Julle kos was 5 ster en baie meer as wat ek verwag het. Baie dankie vir die geleenthede wat julle vir ons beskikbaar stel om “great memories” te maak! 100% vir julle...”
Theo & Gita Doubell - 29 Aug to 2 Sep 2022
“There are few memories that stay with one for years. The Namib100 provides MANY, of these. Taking pictures will only capture a small fraction of the true experience. More than we expected, the planning, staff, meals were outstanding. Thanks guys, you are awesome… A real honour to have been able to experience this!!”
Marina Gous - 05 to 10 November 2021
“’Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time’, het iemand gesê. Wat ‘n voorreg! Wat ‘n verbysterende ervaring. Woorde skiet ver te kort om te beskryf wat ‘n mens beleef, ‘n “trippie” geweef met teenoorgesteldes. Ons het die elemente beleef en trotseer, water, wind, son en sand. Ek woon in die Namib, maar al my verwagtinge is oortref. Met ‘n 5-ster span gidse, ‘n onvergeetlike 5 dae! ‘Die waarde van die koelte is die warm son rondom hom.’”
Reservations
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