NAMIBIA HIGHLIGHTS - 10 DAYS
Combine the towering sand dunes
of Sossusvlei with the oldest desert in the
world and continue your journey through this
remarkable country into the north enjoying
highlights such as the wildlife kingdom of
Etosha National Park safari. You have the
opportunity to meet and learn about the
fascinating culture of the semi nomadic Himba
people in the far north as an OPTIONAL activity.
Day 1: SESRIEM
We depart from Chameleon
Guesthouse and Backpackers at 08h30. Driving
through the rugged Khomas Hochland mountain
range we descend to the desert floor via the
Gamsberg Pass, an imposing flat topped mountain
and one of the highest points in Namibia, which
provides a dramatic back drop for our roadside
lunch. After a short stop at Solitaire, we
arrive at camp mid afternoon and enjoy a late
afternoon walk across the desert to Elim’s Dune
on the edge of the famous sand dune sea with
views across to the nearby mountains. We return
to camp just after sunset to enjoy our dinner
prepared by guide and camp assistant. Overnight
camping (LD) OPTION TO
UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Day 2: SESRIEM
A pre-dawn departure from our
campsite to drive to Sossusvlei, a 65kms drive
in the darkness witnessing first light and
shadows on the sand dunes before arriving at the
heart of the famous sand dune sea of Namibia.
We watch the sunrise from this spectacular and
unique area (dependent on opening time of inner
park gate). We head up a dune close to
Sossusvlei then walk to Dead Vlei with its large
expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal
camel thorn trees scattered around, contrasting
with a backdrop of huge orange-red dunes that
make for superb photographic opportunities. We
enjoy a mid morning brunch after exploring this
dramatic and desolate landscape before returning
to camp for a swim and this afternoon explore
nearby Sesriem Canyon on foot. Enjoy another
spectacular sunset surrounded by this colourful
desert and sleep under the bright stars of the
southern hemisphere. Overnight camping and
dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant (BLD)
OPTION TO UPGRADE
ACCOMMODATION
Day 3: DUNEDIN STAR GUESTHOUSE,
SWAKOPMUND
Early morning departure from camp stopping at
the one horse town of Solitaire before
continuing through the desert with its endless
views across the pastel-coloured gravel plains
to the port town of Walvis Bay. We visit the
lagoon, which is a protected RAMSAR wetland
site, where we may see the many species of birds
including Greater and Lesser Flamingos,
pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic
damara tern before a short stop at the salt
farm. We continue onto the quaint town of
Swakopmund, full of historic buildings and where
your guide will assist those wishing to book
optional adventure activities such as sand
boarding, quad biking, scenic flights,
parachuting, dolphin cruises to name but a few,
which you have time for this afternoon and
tomorrow morning. Overnight in comfortable
twin/double rooms with en-suite bathroom close
to the town centre. Laundry facilities are
available here. This evening’s meal is a group
dinner in a restaurant at client’s own expense
(BL)
Day 4: SPITZKOPPE
This morning you have free time to visit the
museum and aquarium, explore the town, or
partake in optional activities such as sand
boarding and quad biking. We depart after
lunch, driving along a section of the Skeleton
Coast before turning inland for Spitzkoppe, a
huge inselberg towering above the dry desert
plains and arriving late afternoon to set up
camp. We have the opportunity to explore the
area and enjoy the wonderful rock formations
that have been created by erosion over thousands
of years. Dinner prepared by the guide and camp
assistant. Evening spent under a million stars.
Overnight based at community run bush camp with
no toilet/shower facilities (BLD)
Day 5: HOBATERE
CAMPSITE
This morning we enjoy a walk to
Bushman’s Paradise, viewing the ancient bushman
paintings and vistas of the vast surrounding
desert or you may simply wander around the
desert floor. From here our drive takes us
through some beautiful and dramatic landscapes
arriving at camp late afternoon. Hobatere
borders western Etosha and the camp is set
amongst boulders and trees offering seclusion,
however, game, including lion may wander around
freely and there are no fences to separate the
camp from concession land. Overnight wild
camping, dinner prepared by guide and camp
assistant (BLD) OPTION
TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Day 6: HOBATERE
CAMPSITE
Today you can relax at the camp,
enjoy a walk in the surrounding land or watch
the game from the nearby hide come to drink at
the waterhole, alternatively join an OPTIONAL
day trip through to Opuwo and visit the local
himba tribes. These remarkable and proud people
live in the Kunene region. Formally cattle/goat
herders some still live a traditional life style
in this harsh environment. You will be
accompanied by a local guide who will translate
all your questions giving you a chance to find
how they survive in today’s modern world learn
about their fascinating culture. We return to
camp late afternoon and you can sit at the
waterhole watching the game come to quench their
thirst. Dinner prepared by guide and camp
assistant (BLD) OPTION
TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Day 7: OKAUKEUJO,
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
We depart for Etosha entering
through the western gate and game driving
through to Okaukuejo. This massive park is a
haven for wildlife and supports one of the most
important ecological and wildlife systems on the
continent. After setting up our tents we take a
late afternoon game drive visiting the
surrounding waterholes looking for species such
as elephant, lion, rhino, kudu, giraffe as well
as the large herds of springbok, zebra and
wildebeest that survive in this region. Dinner
prepared by guide and camp assistant. Evening
viewing at flood lit waterhole, famous for its
visits by black rhinos (BLD)
OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Day 8: ONGUMA CAMP
Sunrise
departure from camp for full morning game drive
transiting across the park visiting various
waterholes along the way and look out for the
many species of animals. We spend the hottest
part of the day at Halali camp where we have
lunch and enjoy a swim or an afternoon snooze.
Late afternoon game drive to Namutoni via the
famous Etosha Pan, a vast depression which can
even be seen from space and the white shimmering
haze disappearing into the horizon. Dinner
prepared by guide and camp assistant. Evening
viewing at flood lit waterhole (BLD)
OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Day 9:
WATERBERG BUSH CAMP
After a leisurely breakfast we have a short stop
at Lake Otjikoto before collecting fresh
supplies at Tsumeb and continuing on to Hoba
Meteorite, the largest single meteorite in the
world for lunch. We arrive late afternoon at
Waterberg Bush camp at the eastern end of the
Plateau. Witness the fabulous colours of the
lichen growing on the rock face of the plateau
at sunset from the top of the plateau directly
above our camp and enjoy the views across the
Kalahari. There are plenty of animals wandering
freely in this area such as eland, ostrich,
springbok, kudu and impala. Dinner prepared by
guide and camp assistant (BLD)
Day 10: WINDHOEK
Your guide will lead you on a short hike through
the ravine at the base of the plateau. After
brunch we return to Windhoek via the Okahandja
Craft Markets for those last minute gifts. We
arrive at Chameleon Guesthouse where you can
enjoy an after safari drink and share your
memories of your safari (BL)
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.
IMPORTANT - Whilst visiting villages and
local communities we cannot guarantee activities
on offer, it often depends on how they feel on
the day, however, it will give you the
opportunity to meet and experience life in
Namibia in today’s society. Approx total
distance 2450kms
2007 DEPARTURES:
EVERY MONDAY FROM WINDHOEK
PRICE FROM 1
NOVEMBER 2007 - 30 OCTOBER 2008 N$5500 + N$950
LOCAL PAYMENT in cash (South African Rand or
Namibia Dollars only payable on morning of
safari)
PLUS
OPTIONAL HIMBA
EXCURSION – N$650/PERSON – min of 2 people
OPTIONS FOR
UPGRADING ACCOMMODATION IN SESRIEM, HOBATERE,
OKAUKUEJO AND ONGUMA BUT DEPENTS ON
AVAILABILITY. |
