Charlys Desert Tours

Charly Gürtel was born in South West Africa (nowadays Namibia) in 1911. Being unemployed and without transport for a long time, he walked many kilometers in the Namib Desert in search for work. During these hard times, farmers often offered him a meal and accommodation. The lonesome walks in the Namib Desert had an unforeseen advantage as he got to know the desert like none other. His first mode of transport was a donkey cart with rubber tyres and water tanks, which he built himself. When he sold the donkey cart, he bought his very first Land Rover. His knowledge of the Namib Desert was remarkable; he was extremely knowledgeable about minerals, fauna and flora. Being a tall man with blistering blue eyes and a gentle nature, people loved to experience the desert with him. Charly became a legend in South West Africa and he became known as "Charly, the desert fox". He founded the company which was initially called Charly's Atlantic Tours. Now "The Godfather" of Charly's Desert Tours and a true role model for all our guides who take clients into the desert. Charly sadly passed away in August 1984 but his philosophy lives on. More