Essence Of Namibia 12 days

RACK RATE
Valid from 1 January 2008– 31 December 2009
PRICE: PER PERSON N$20,900
Based on min of 2 people.
Single supplement N$1600/person
Approx total distance 3000km
*Children welcome but pay full rack rate on scheduled departures Please note that at Okonjima and Grootberg children are unable to take part in wildlife activities if under 12 years of age

Overview
This luxury mobile camping and accommodated safari is geared to those wishing to enjoy the feel of being in the “bush” with the additional comfort of camp beds supplied with full bed linen, a qualified guide and two camp assistants that will enable you to spend quality time enjoying this incredible country. The safari takes you through hauntingly beautiful deserts, into the wildlife kingdom of Etosha, to the san people, as well as a conservation project for large cats. Enjoy the fascinating diversity that Namibia has to offer.
Day 1 SA TA KAO – SAN VILLAGE
You will be collected from your accommodation and depart Windhoek at approx 08h30 and drive east close to the Botswana border. We lunch en route and arrive at the camp in the Kalahari basin mid afternoon, the camp will already have been set up and you will have a chance to relax and visit the local San village to experience the daily life as it exists today. The local San woman make exquisite jewellery hand crafted from ostrich shell and other items sourced from their surroundings. Around sunset you can enjoy the singing, dancing and story telling of the san people and have a chance to chat about day-to-day life. Evening spent around campfire (LD) Approx distance 420kms
Day 2 SESRIEM
This morning we can walk with a San tracker to learn how their forefathers would have hunted and collected food as well as discuss how they survive in today’s modern world and the traditions that have survived (this activity may also be run on day 1). From here there is a long drive through to Sesriem, heading through mountain and desert landscapes. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the desert and surrounding mountain ranges from camp. Overnight under canvas with camp beds and linen provided. Ablution facilities are shared (BLD) Approx distance 530kms
Day 3 SESRIEM
We depart camp one hour prior to sunrise and drive down an ancient riverbed surrounded by towering sand dunes. Our first stop is Sossusvlei where the dunes are at their most spectacular just after sunrise and witness the changing colours of these famous sand dunes as long shadows are cast and gradually lessen as the sun rises higher in the sky and the deep intense colours turn to pastel shades. We enjoy brunch under the shade of the acacia trees before exploring on foot Dead Vlei, a dramatic vlei with ancient, skeletal camel thorn trees scattered around the shimmering pan. We return to camp to relax during the hottest part of the day and later this afternoon we explore the nearby Sesriem Canyon and top off the day with a climb on Elim’s Dune for sunset and drinks. Overnight under canvas with camp beds and linen provided, shared ablution facilities (BLD) Approx distance 140kms
Day 4 THE STILTZ, SWAKOPMUND
Departing camp after breakfast we drive through the heart of the Namib with panoramic views across the dry, unforgiving desert. We stop at the port town of Walvis Bay on the edge of the lagoon, a RAMSAR wetland site where we may see the many species of aquatic birds that make their home here such as the greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets and the endemic damara tern. We also see the salt farms and learn more about this fascinating industry that is one of the most important exports of the country. We arrive mid afternoon in the quaint town of Swakopmund and relax for the afternoon. Overnight we are based in twin share rooms with en suite facilities (B) Approx distance 300kms
Day 5 THE STILTZ, SWAKOPMUND
Full day at leisure for optional activities which your guide will be able to assist you with – maybe take a spectacular scenic flight over the desert, a dolphin cruise and enjoy a champagne breakfast on board, or try tandem skydiving, sand boarding or quad biking to name but a few of your choices. You may just wish to wander around the streets enjoying the charm and colonial elegance of many of the buildings, visit the museum or aquarium or wander along the beach listening to the roar of the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight in twin share rooms with en suite facilities (B)
Day 6 GROOTBERG LODGE, DAMARALAND
Travelling north along the coast we make a brief stop at the lichen fields, an important ecological site before continuing our way to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross, here thousands of Cape Fur seals live and breed on the beach. We journey further north along the coast and enter the Skeleton Coast National Park, visiting a small shipwreck. Heading inland we look at some of the fascinating plant life including the welwitschia mirabilis that can live for over a thousand years, the landscape dramatically changes as the imposing, ancient mountain ranges come into view. We arrive at the lodge late afternoon. The lodge offers wonderful views across the mountains, twin room with en suite, dinner served in the restaurant (BLD) Approx distance 475kms
Day 7 GROOTBERG LODGE, DAMARALAND
A wonderful adventure awaits us today. We can enjoy rhino tracking with local trackers and guides to search for the bull rhinos that are living in this conservancy region. Relocated from the Torra Conservancy by Ministry of Environment and Tourism in mid 2006, they are now settling into their surroundings. You will head out into this concession land using telemetry equipment and initially tracking from a vehicle and then on foot. Please note you should be of reasonable fitness to participate in this activity. Alternatively, there are other excursions you can join such a visit to a local himba community to meet these proud nomadic people or join a game drive. Note: no children under 12 able to join the rhino tracking and min 2/person per activity. Overnight in lodge with dinner served in the restaurant (BLD)
Day 8 OKAUKUEJO, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
We enter Etosha through the Western Gate that is reserved for Namibian Tour Operators only. We game drive through this little travelled area looking for the many species present. If time permits we can enjoy a game drive later this afternoon or relax by the pool or waterhole at Okaukuejo. The evening is spent at the floodlit waterhole by the camp to watch as the animals come to drink. This is often a busy waterhole and many species flock here to quench their thirst after sunset. Overnight under canvas with camp beds and linen provided, shared ablution facilities (BLD) Approx distance 150kms to gate, game drive through Etosha to Okaukuejo c200kms
Day 9 HALALI, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
We follow the rhythm of the animals during our stay in Etosha – up early to watch them feed in the coolness of the morning, return to camp then head across to Halali our base for tonight. We’ll relax after lunch and enjoy an optional afternoon game drive to nearby waterholes as they again become active. Etosha is home to species of game including elephants, black and white rhino, lion, leopard, endangered cheetah, hyaena, giraffe and numerous types of antelope, it’s a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. We can spend the evening at the floodlit waterhole often visited by elephant, rhino, hyaena and leopard. Overnight under canvas with camp beds and linen provided, shared ablution facilities (BLD) Approx distance c100-150kms
Day 10 HALALI OR NAMUTONI, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
We game drive early morning and return to camp for brunch. Today we game drive and visit the stark Etosha Pan, where this park derives it’s name, the white shimmering haze disappears into the horizon and indistinct shapes gradually appear from this apparently lifeless wasteland as the animals cross to the water holes scattered around the edge of the pans and provide a vital life source. Overnight under canvas with camp beds and linen provided, shared ablution facilities, evening spent at floodlit waterhole (BLD) Approx distance 100-150kms
Day 11 OKONJIMA MAIN CAMP/AFRI-CAT FOUNDATION
A final game drive before we leave Etosha behind and drive south to arrive at Okonjima after lunch. The Afri-Cat Foundation is based here and is devoted the conservation of predators specifically cheetah and leopard with the aim to ease the conflict of interests that arises between humans and carnivores. A large part of their work is in animal welfare – rehabilitating and relocating animals, which have been causing problems in their home territory and providing refuge and veterinary care for injured or orphaned animals. This afternoon we will have close encounters with large predators such as cheetah and leopard and get some excellent photo opportunities. Overnight at Main Camp – twin share room with en suite facilities. (Please note that no children under the age of 12 are able to join in the activities at Okonjima) (BLD) Approx 360kms
Day 12 FLIGHT
You can enjoy a self-guided walking trail looking for the many species of birds before we transfer you to the airport in time for your onward flight and we visit the craft markets at Okahandja en route where you can bargain for some local crafts, or last minute gifts (B) Approx 180kms
PLEASE NOTE – the itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change – for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated above.

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