Enjoying four deserts as close as can be

White footprints lead the way. First they take us around the side of a sparsely vegetated plain. Then up into the mountains. Across a ridge, along a slope and into a wild, romantic valley. A dry riverbed meanders through the mountainous scenery, and the footprints continue right up to the precipice where the mountain ends. Far below, the desert plains extend all the way to the distant horizon. We are lost for words. And there are no more white footprints either – a cheerful ‘Good luck down’ accompanies our descent.
These Parks are made for walking...

Of course, it is easy enough to get down. This, however, does not diminish the sensation of having accomplished a rather extraordinary feat. Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park/Klein-Aus Vista (3 km west of Aus) is a hiker’s paradise: five trails, laid out with great care, lead through the
picturesque valleys of the Aus Mountains (two to five hours). This is the area where two different desert systems overlap, the Nama Karoo and the Succulent Karoo, leaving nature lovers thrilled about the incredible diversity of plants.
The park can also be explored with a guide and by car: guests can join a Desert Tour (half-day or full day) to God’s Window and the Kuck-Aus Mountains. An excursion to the Wild Horses (two to three hours) is fascinating as well as instructive, while the eight-hour guided tour into the dunes on the other side of the seasonal Koichab River is a self-drive adventure for 4x4 aficionados.

In Gondwana Cañon Park (20 km east of the Fish River Canyon) hiking is high on the list of activities, too. On one’s own steam the Nama Karoo can best be explored on a trail of about two to three hours. Starting at Cañon Village, the trail leads in easy serpentines onto a high plateau with incredible views of the slightly slanted plain, lined by mountain ranges on the far horizon; to the west, the chasm of the Fish River Canyon is almost tangible.
More insight into the fascinating plant and animal life can be gained during the Sunrise Walk (app. one hour) and the Morning Hike (app. three hours). Expert guides will show you the quiver tree, the milk bush and other interesting plants, and tell you all they know about them. The one-hour (longer, if required) horseback excursion is something that not only horse freaks get wildly excited about. As the horses are experienced and patient, beginners have all the fun, too.
Seasoned riders have the opportunity to explore the area of the Fish River Canyon on horseback. ReitSafari Horse Trails, known world-wide for its challenging tour through the Namib Desert, offers a new trail (300 km, ten days) from the upper Fish River Canyon to the Orange River. Highlights are the Canyon, the vast plains of the Gondwana Cañon Park which is rich in game, the narrow King’s Throne Canyon at Aussenkehr and the Gariep/Oranje.

Hikers can experience the Fish River Canyon – from closest quarters and unhampered by gear. Novel hiking tours (two or four days) in the wilderness area north of the main lookout point will be offered by Canyon Mule Trails. Participants savour the stark beauty of almost untouched nature with only the barest essentials in their backpack, as all the luggage and equipment is carried by mules. A guide explains the geology, flora and fauna; a cook prepares breakfast, lunch packs and dinner. Nights are spent in tents or in the open, depending on personal choice and outside temperatures.
Gondwana Kalahari Park (north-east of Mariental) offers the opportunity to experience the Kalahari desert with its rows and rows of longitudinal dunes. Two hiking trails are available.

In Gondwana Namib Park (60 km north of Sesriem/Sossusvlei) guests can explore the world’s oldest desert on hiking trips. Several trails have been laid out which take hikers across the fossilized dunes of the protomorphic Namib right into the sand sea of the ‘younger’ desert.

Sven Eric-Kanzler, PR Consultant
Gondwana Desert Collection