|
|
16Day - Luxury Self Drive Namibia and Mozambique Honeymoon -
"Best of Both Worlds" |
|
Day 1 Hotel Heinitzburg, Windhoek
Upon arrival at Windhoek Airport you will collect your vehicle and drive 40kms into the city where you will have time to relax or you may wish to explore the city and enjoy some of the architecture of the buildings, wander around the museum or simply enjoy coffee in one of the cafes. Dinner tonight is at leisure and could be enjoyed at the ‘Leo’s at the castle’ restaurant of the hotel, one of the best restaurants in Windhoek, or alternatively at one of the many restaurants in the city. Overnight is based on bed and breakfast basis
The hotel situated on top of a hill, has commanding views over the city and is one of the older buildings - its turreted fort one of the most distinctive sights. The hotel has been carefully restored over the years, and every room is individually styled – beautiful 4 poster beds and white linen, along with quality finishing touches make it delightful. Each room is fully equipped with air-condition/hearing units, direct telephone lines, electronic safes, mini-bars, televisions with cable channels and music facilities.
Day 2-3 Boulders Camp, Wolwedans
This morning depart from Windhoek through towards the NamibRand. Situated 45 kilometres south of Wolwedans and hugged by massive granite rocks, Boulders Camp is the latest addition to the Wolwedans collection. Sleeping a maximum of eight quests in four spacious tents, Boulders is undoubtedly the exclusive camp at Wolwedans and perfect for honeymooners, offering peace and seclusion yet being able to mingle with other guests if you want to. The main area has a dining and lounge tent, a breakfast deck and open fireplace. Close by is an awesome sundowner spot overlooking the vast beauty of the reserve. From Boulders Camp you will explore the deep south of NamibRand Nature Reserve. Guided scenic drives, or two to three hour walking safaris treading along the ancient hunting grounds of the bushmen, will happily fill you days. Activities include an afternoon drive on the day of arrival, followed by a full day-safari with picnic lunch en-route. Alternatively you can join one or two half-day excursions, i.e. if you feel like lazing around for an afternoon, simply admiring the views and colours that change by the hour - the choice is entirely yours. Experienced guides accompany activities, visitors are introduced to the many facets of the reserve’s desert habitat with its diverse flora and fauna – on foot, by car or from a hot-air balloon (ballooning is included but is weather permitting). The scenic drives in open Land Rovers or the walks with resident field guides, reveal the wonders of the desert, sundowners on the dunes and dinners by candlelight. Wolwedans really is a beautiful place to incorporate into your honeymoon, you can participate with other guests or find a quiet spot on your own, and the staff will do their utmost to ensure this part of your holiday is a highlight. You are also able to stay at the private Mountain Suite, Mountain Camp or Dunes Lodge – please ask us for more details.
Fully inclusive basisNotes on Wolvedans
Wolvedans is based on the NamibRand Nature Reserve. This is also one of the more popular destinations for weddings or renewing vows. Formerly a number of sheep farms situated on the edge of the Namib they have been rendered fenceless and allowed to rehabilitate in order to establish what is today one of Southern Africa’s largest private conservation areas. Game roams freely through a large section of its original habitat (please note that in the desert large numbers of game cannot be supported, nor does it have the variation of parks such as Etosha). Comprising of almost 180,000 hectares, the reserve shares a common border of some 100 kms with the Namib-Naukluft Park in the west and is protected by the Nubib Mountains in the east. This breathtaking location and the diversity of desert landscapes – sand and gravel plains interspersed by vast stretches of grass savannah alternative with mountain ranges. Encroaching from the west are tongues of dunes with colours ranging from yellow-gold and ochre to rose, russet and beep red, paling and deepening as the day wanes. Game includes gemsbok, mountain and plains zebra, springbok, red hartebeest, giraffe, bat-eared fox, spotted hyaena, cape fox and African wild car. In addition, the rocky areas home kudu, klipspringer, baboon and leopard while the dunes harbour a rich and diverse mirco-fauna. Over a hundred species of birds have been recorded at NamibRand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 4 Sossusvlei Lodge
From Wolwedans drive to Sossusvlei Lodge, located at the entrance of the Namib Naukluft Park. Here, you can enter the park and enjoy the wonder of the magnificent dunes of Sossusvlei – recommend you arrive here early or alternatively late afternoon when the colour of the dunes change and the colours are at their most incredible. Explore Dead Vlei and Sossusvlei on foot. The last section into the region is 4x4 only so it will depend on the vehicle you hire whether you drive this last section yourselves, alternatively you can walk or take a shuttle service. Sosssusvlei is reputed to have some of the highest dunes in the world and is certainly part of one of the oldest deserts. This is an excellent location for photography. Overnight in twin bedded rooms with en suite and private verandah, a candlelit dinner is served within the main lodge on a verandah looking out over the desert as you listen to the call of the barking geckos as sunset falls. Sublime. Dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Day 5 Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund
This morning you may choose to join an optional activity such as hot air ballooning over the sand- dune sea (optional activity) and then drive to Swakopmund. Swakopmund is a bustling little town and is the main coastal town in Namibia. The architecture is interesting – many of the houses and buildings are of a colonial style and offer a good selection of shops, restaurants and cafes. Overnight in the Hansa Hotel, one of the oldest and most beautiful hotels in Swakopmund centrally located close to all amenities – bed and breakfast accommodation only. You may wish to eat in the restaurant though there are a number of restaurants in town to choose from. Recommended restaurants include The Tug and The Grapevine. |
|
Day 6-7 Ongava Lodge
From Swakopmund drive onto Ongava, situated on the border of Etosha National Park. Accommodation here comprises 10 airconditioned rock and thatch chalets, each with air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom and private balcony overlooking the expansive plains of the Ongava Game Reserve. Meals of the highest order are served in Ongava's spacious thatched lapa with its comfortable lounge area, convivial bar and magnificent views. Ongava offers daily game drives in open-sided vehicles and walking trails (with armed guide), as well as excursions into the Etosha National Park. Game drives normally leave in the early morning and late afternoon, ideal times for game viewing. Dusk and night drives offer an opportunity of experiencing nature after dark. You will be accompanied by an ecologically aware ranger who will guide you on an informative tour of the reserve, helping you discover some of the fascinating indigenous elements of the bushveld. A number of safe and secure hides are also available for guests wishing to spend time on close-up wildlife viewing or photography. Game on the reserve includes elephant, lion, rhino, various kinds of buck and a multitude of bird species.
The Etosha National Park, 22 270 km² of saline desert, savannah and woodlands, first gained conservation status in 1907 when it was proclaimed as Game Reserve 2 by the German Governor, Friedrich von Lindequist. Over the years the boundaries of the park were changed many times until in 1956 it extended over a vast 99 526 km². Unfortunately the existence of what was effectively the largest game reserve in the world was short-lived. By 1970, for political reasons, Etosha had been whittled down to its present size, a reduction of 77%. Nevertheless, by today’s standards it is still a very large park, certainly one of the largest in Africa. Etosha’s definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression, about 6 133 km² in size. Classified as a saline desert, the expansive white 'place of dry water' is an unusual setting for game and the factor, which sets Etosha apart from other reserves in Africa. On some days the pan is a shimmering sheet of mirages on which the animals appear to be floating on air. A total of 114 mammals are represented in the park, including several rare and endangered species such as black rhino and black-faced impala. The latter is endemic to North-western Namibia and South-western Angola. Due to the translocation of black rhino from Kaokoland to the safety of the park in the 1970's, Etosha’s current population of approximately 300 animals represents one of the few growing populations in the world. Etosha’s elephants are reputed to be of the tallest in Africa, the tallest measuring up to 4 metres at the shoulder. Other large mammals represented in the park include blue wildebeest, mountain and plains zebra and lion. Cheetah and leopard complete the trio of “big cats”. The giraffe, the tallest animal on earth, is also well represented. Standing almost 6 m high from hoof-tip to the curious bony “horns” on its head, its striking patchwork colouration makes it visually an exceptional and photogenic creature. Antelope species range from kudu, gemsbok and the large and stately eland, to the diminutive Damara dik-dik. These tiny antelope have a height of less than 45cm at the shoulder and weigh about 5 kg. Smaller mammals include jackal, hyaena, bat-eared fox, honey badger, warthog and ground squirrel. Etosha’s rich birdlife consists of about 340 species, of which approximately one third are migratory, including the European bee-eater and several species of waders. Etosha is one of the most important breeding grounds of greater and lesser flamingos in the southern African region. During a good rainy season, millions of these birds congregate on the pan to breed. Ten of Etosha’s 35 raptor species are migratory.
Most commonly seen are lappet faced and white-backed vultures, and less frequently Cape, Egyptian, palm-nut and hooded vultures. There are eight species of owls, including the pearl-spotted and white-faced, and four species of nightjars. For the greater part of the year, Etosha’s animals and birds are dependent on 30-odd springs and waterholes. This provides for excellent game viewing and ideal conditions for photography. Wildlife lovers who visit the area usually select a favourite waterhole, which they maintain is “lucky” for them. The best was to see the widest array of game is to stake out a waterhole and let the game come to you. The vegetation in the park varies from dwarf shrub savannah and grasslands, which occur around the pan, to thorn bush and woodland savannah throughout the park. Eighty per cent of all the trees are mopane. West of Okaukuejo is the well-known Sprokieswoud (Phantom or Fairy Forest), the only location where the African moringo tree, Moringa ovalifolia, grows as a dense forest in a flat area. These are the “upside down” trees, which, according to Bushman legend, were thrown out of the Garden of Eden by the God of Thunder and landed with their roots facing upwards.
Fully inclusive basis to include accommodation, meals, activities and drinks (not export drinks)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 8 Okonjima Bush Camp – AfriCat Foundation
After a leisurely breakfast depart for Okonjima. The AfriCat 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. Generally in the afternoon you will have close encounters with large predators such as cheetah and leopard and get some excellent photo opportunities. Other activities include a visit the educational centre to learn more about their projects and also see the cheetah “up close and personal”. You can also join tracking cheetah on foot, join a bushman trail as well as enjoy self-guided walks. You will spend tonight in chalets set amongst the bush affording privacy and views across the reserve. A thatched lapa offers a bar, lounge and dining area overlooking a waterhole, along with the reception and curio shop and the swimming pool and self guided walks are close by. After dinner you can join a night drive to the hide where you are likely to see porcupine and honey badger. Fully inclusive basis to include accommodation, meals and activities.
|
|
Day 10-15 Indigo Bay, Mozambique
This morning you will take a flight from Johannesburg to Indigo Bay Airstrip; you will stop en route for visa entry and to process the appropriate paperwork before flying onto the island. Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa is located on Bazaruto Island, the most northern of the magical islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago and part of a proclaimed marine national park. After your safari around Namibia this will prove a delightful contrast of beautiful blues, stunning waters and total relaxation. Indigo Bay is set in a secluded and unspoilt part of the island offering elegant accommodation and superb facilities. You will be based on a full board basis in a double bed chalet. There are plenty of activities to enjoy including diving, snorkelling, horse riding, dune boarding, sailing, fishing, water skiing, kayaking, knee boarding, island drives and bird watching. In addition, there is a spa centre where you can be pampered with an extensive range of treatments, enjoy the ice pool, wet room, hydrotherapy pool and relaxation areas. The beautiful scenery, wealth of activities and excellent standards make this a perfect getaway for everyone.
Indigo Bay offers understated luxury in the form of 30 Beach chalets and 14 luxury villas. Their elegant yet natural design makes the most of the superb location on the shores of unspoilt Bazaruto Island. The lodge also has facilities such as swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, golf and restaurants and bar areas so although this lodge is a reasonable size you can still lose yourselves and spend time alone and away from other guests if you wish.
Day 16 Flight
You will be flown back to Johannesburg to arrive mid afternoon. Services end.
|
|
|
|
2010 Rates
High Season:
Price per person to Chameleon based on 2 people twin sharing with 4x4 Single Cab N$41,200 + US$3600
Price per person to Chameleon based on 2 people twin sharing with 2x4 Nissan X-trail N$40,150 + US$3600
Low Season:
Price per person to Chameleon based on 2 people twin sharing with 4x4 Single Cab N$37,535 + US$3100
Price per person to Chameleon based on 2 people twin sharing with 2x4 Nissan X-trail N$36,800 + US$3100
(Price valid until 31st October 2010)
Please note that the N$ is fixed to the South African Rand on a 1/1 basis
Price Includes: Regional Flights as follows – Windhoek to Johannesburg; Johannesburg to Indigo Bay and return to Johannesburg; Accommodation, activities and meals as per itinerary; South African Airport taxes,
Price Excludes: All activities in Mozambique; meals not stated in itinerary; optional activities not stated in itinerary in Namibia such as hot air ballooning; items of a personal nature; tips/gratuities; visas; personal insurance; telephone calls and internet facilities; curios etc
PLEASE NOTE THAT CHAMELEON CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR VISAS. IT IS CLIENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THEY HAVE THE CORRECT VISA AND PASSPORT DETAILS PRIOR TO ENTERING A COUNTRY |
print friendly version of this page
|