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12 Day Namibian Ideal Scheduled Accommodated Safari - Silver Level |
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This safari has a fully accommodated itinerary using a selection of bungalows, guesthouses and lodges throughout Namibia, minimum of 4 people. Collection time is between 09:00 & 09:30 from anywhere within the Windhoek city limits. This itinerary can also be combined with the 8 day Delta and Falls Safari, which will take you to visit two of the world’s natural wonders, the Okavango Delta and the mighty Victoria Falls. |
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Day 1 Namib Desert - 1 night
You will be collected betwwen 09:00 & 09:30
We leave Windhoek and straight away join the small desert roads that connect the whole of rural Namibia. Windhoek is in a mountain valley and we have to climb out, first over the Eros Mountains and then the Khomas Hochland Range.
The mountain passes are spectacular, we pass by several desert homesteads and we often see wild game along the road. As we come through the mountains we drop down from the central plateau by way of the impressive Remhoogte Pass and emerge to find grassy desert savanna.
We stop at Solitaire, Namibia’s second smallest town, for afternoon tea before driving on to our accommodation. (LD)
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Day 2 Namib Desert - 1 night
A pre-dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. We drive the short distance to Sesriem, the entrance to the Namib Naukluft National Park and gateway to the world’s highest dunes.
From here we drive another 60 km to Sossusvlei itself, transferring to special desert vehicles for the last 5 km through the dunes. The drive is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camelthorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting “dune 45”, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch and to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon. Overnight in accommodation (BLD)
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Day 3 Swakopmund - 1 night
We head north-west to the seaside town of Swakopmund located on the Skeleton Coast. Leaving the dune fields far behind us we are soon back into the mountain desert. We cross the Tropic of Capricorn and traverse both the Gaub and the Kuiseb pass, driving down to the dry river bed at the bottom of the canyon before climbing up the other side, watching the spectacular desert landscape unfold before us.
From the mountains we cross the desolate “Namib gravel plains” before reaching the coastal sand dunes at the port town of Walvis Bay. We will stop for a picnic lunch beside the ocean and there will be time to see the flamingos and other bird life in the Walvis Bay lagoon before continuing the now short drive into Swakopmund. Overnight in accommodation (BLD)
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Day 4 Swakopmund - 1 night
Today is a free day. The idea is to allow time for everybody to do their own thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.
Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged. These include aeroplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching and many other activities are available. Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival.
In addition to this, if you have decided not to join any of the optional afternoon activities, your guide will take you on an excursion into the Swakopmund River Valley. Traveling through the ancient, long dried up Swakopmund Delta, we first stop at the “Moon Landscape” an unusual example of water erosion in the desert.
(N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients’ own risk and expense).
Dinner tonight is for the clients own account in a local restaurant.
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Day 5 Twyfelfontein - 1 night
We leave early today and head north along the coast, first visiting the seal colony at Cape Cross, where it is possible to see thousands of Cape Fur Seals in the water and on the surrounding rocks and beaches. From here we will turn east, inland and back into the desert, travelling on to the small town of Uis, an old mining town, located more or less in the middle of no-where. Uis is one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones for which Namibia is famous. Rough Amethyst, Tourmaline etc can be found at bargain prices. From Uis we pass Namibia’s highest peak, the Brandberg Mountain (2573 m) and continue into Damaraland, the old name given to the region south of Kaokoland and north of the main road to Swakopmund. Our destination is Twyfelfontein. (BLD) |
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Day 6 Damaraland – 1 night
Our next main stop will be the ancient site of Twyfelfontein. Here is an impressive collection of rock engravings created by the talented artisans of ancient peoples. Twyfelfontein is one of the most
important archaeological sites in southern Africa and we will have a local guide to take us around and introduce us to the petro glyphs. We continue on, deeper into the beautiful Damaraland region to our accommodation in a stunning desert setting. There is time this afternoon to join an optional activity, game or nature drives are available for those who want to explore the area, but the views across the desert from the lodge are truly awe inspiring for those who would like to relax at the lodge. Distance: 350km. (BLD)
Day 7 Kavita Lion Lodge – 1 night
With an easy drive we are pushing further north today into the even more remote areas of Namibia, travelling up as far the western boundaries of Etosha National Park, before continuing on to Kavita Lion Lodge and Africat North. A local Otjiwarongo business has chosen to fund a project at AfriCat North - the communal Carnivore Conservation Project. This team works with farming communities as well as those surrounding the Etosha National Park, assisting in carnivore management (mainly lion) and advising communal and commercial farmers on how best to protect livestock. This is the first unit of its kind in Namibia. During the afternoon we visit the project and education centre. (BLD)
Day 8 Okaukuejo, East Etosha region – 1 night
Travelling with special permission through the western side of Etosha
National Park, we transit through this restricted area that is set aside for
research and breeding. We have the chance to see some species not normally seen in the main tourist areas of the park. As we drive into the Okaukuejo region of Etosha where our main game drive really begins and we travel slowly down to Etosha’s main camp, Okaukuejo, where we aim to arrive in time for a late lunch. There is ample time to relax in the afternoon and then sundowners at Okaukuejo floodlit waterhole, situated on the boundary of the camp and easily reachable on foot from your bungalow,
the Okaukuejo waterhole is famous for being one of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa". It is perfectly placed for sunset, black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen. (BLD)
Day 9 Okaukuejo, East Etosha region – 1 night
We go straight out on an early morning game drive. We visit some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to catch some
of Etosha's big game out for an early morning drink. The game drives around the Okaukuejo area are some of the best in the park. We cover
several different terrains this morning, from wooded areas to open savannah and in the rainy season, wetland. Back to Okaukuejo in the late
morning and after lunch there is time once again to relax during the heat of the day. The pool area here is great, shaded by palm trees and
close to the waterhole. We take a shorter game drive in the late afternoon, often driving out to one of the waterholes popular with game and waiting for the animals to come to us. (BLD)
Day 10 Namutoni, East Etosha region - 1 night
A full day's game driving and we
leave early to enjoy the cool morning air. We game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species that are usually only seen on the eastern side of the park. We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch and there is also time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving down to Namutoni. A short stop here to check the camp waterhole for game and then we leave the park, checking into a lodge located on the eastern boundary of Etosha. (BLD)
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Day 9 Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park - 1 night
We go straight out on an early morning game drive. We visit some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to catch some of Etosha's big game out for an early morning drink. The game drives around the Okaukuejo area are some of the best in the park.
We cover several different terrains this morning, from wooded areas to open savannah and in the rainy season, wetland. Back to Okaukuejo in the late morning and after lunch there is time once again to relax during the heat of the day. The pool area here is great, shaded by palm trees and close to the waterhole.
We take a shorter game drive in the late afternoon, often driving out to one of the waterholes popular with game and waiting for the animals to come to us. Overnight accommodation. (BLD)
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Day 10 Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park - 1 night
Another day game driving and we leave early to enjoy the cool morning air. We game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species that are usually only seen on the eastern side of the park.
We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch and there is also time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving down to Namutoni. A short stop here to check the camp waterhole for game and then we leave the park, checking into a lodge located on the eastern boundary of Etosha. Overnight accommodation. (BLD)
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Day 11 Okonjima/AfriCat - 1 night
Time for one more morning game drive before we leave Etosha, but it’s not the end of our game viewing. We will aim to arrive at Okonjima during the middle of the afternoon, giving us time to check into our rooms and to relax in the shade or plunge into the pool. Okonjima is the home of the Africat Foundation, a specialist conservation concern that centers its operations around; the African Big Cats, particularly cheetah. Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge. (BLD) |
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Day 12 Windhoek - End of tour
Our last day on the road, the drive down to Windhoek is on a good road and we have time to stop in Okahandja, home to Namibia’s largest woodcarving market. The stalls are operated on a co-operative basis by the local community and the market is a perfect place to do last minute shopping for truly Namibian souvenirs.
We aim to arrive back in the Capital in the middle afternoon and you will be dropped off at your accommodation. (BL)
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2012 Rate
N$ 29,700 per person sharing
N$ 3,500 single supplement
2012 Departure Dates
7&28 Jan; 18 Feb; 10&31 Mar; 7&14 Apr; 12&26 May; 9&23 Jun; 7&21 Jul; 4&18 Aug; 8&22 Sep; 6&27 Oct;
10&24 Nov; 15&22 Dec
Price includes: accommodation as per itinerary; transport in safari vehicle; meals as per itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner); services of a professional English speaking guide; game drives and activities as per itinerary;
Price excludes: Personal travel insurance - this is compulsory; flights; visas; optional activities; snacks/drinks; items of a personal nature;
NOTE: This safari is designed for the adventure traveller.
Please ensure that you have the necessary entry visas for Namibia, Botswana and Zambia – CHAMELEON HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL cannot be held liable and if you do not have the appropriate visas you may not be able to enter the country
This safari is run by a local tour operator |
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