Hi everyone,
I have to be in Cape Town in early June (timing not my choice!) and I want to take a side trip before - preferably Namibia. I had a great safari in the Okavango Delta so am able to pass on Etosha. Some people are put off by the thought of dunes and desert but I quite like that.

I'll have just under two weeks and am travelling by myself (young male). Having spent my life in cities I never bothered to get my license, so I can't rent a car (or if the rules are loose, wouldn't want to ). I've seen a week-long tour from Nomads in South Africa (recommended?) that takes in Swakopmund, Sossusvlei (Dune 45), Fish River Canyon, Gariep, Cederberg and then ends, quite conveniently, in Cape Town. The tail end of the trip is not terribly exciting to me but I suppose it's the tradeoff for having a convenient way back to Cape Town (although I would be willing to fly). I am concerned that the time spent in Namibia is only five days.

I'd like thoughts on if it would be possible in my circumstance to do my own tour, perhaps spending a few days in/around Swakopmund (Walvis Bay, Spitzkoppe Mountain - others?) and then Sossusvlei (it seems there are public transport/tour groups from Swkopmund to Sossusvlei). Spending an extra day or two in the desert (compared to the tour group) walking around the dunes in the morning and evening is appealing (I did this in Oman). How close is accommodation around Sossusvlei to dunes - could I walk, would any of the accommodation places offer a tour to the dunes?

The Skeleton Coast is of interest. I'm more interested in the shipwrecks than seals. Some good shipwrecks seem to be around Toscanini and Torra Bay but some camp sites (eg Torra Bay) only seem to be open around Namibian school holidays in Dec/Jan. I'd ideally like to spend more time than what could be afforded on a scenic flight, but how much time would I need and how practical would this be?

I might have to sacrifice Fish River Canyon as well as the South African bits (Gariep and Cederberg), which I'm fine with, but let me know if that would be a huge mistake (FWIW, I've been to the Grand Canyon).

Thoughts are very much welcome.