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| Native Escapes Fly In Safari (10 days) |
A fly in safari that takes you to the highlights in Namibia, with mainly luxury lodges all well situated, this trip is guaranteed to show the best of the country for those with little time available.
Day 1 (2009) Arrival in Windhoek -
Hotel Heinitzburg - Bed and Breakfast
Today a guide meets you on your arrival at the Windhoek Airport. You are then transferred to Windhoek and commence a short city tour. After the city tour you are taken to your hotel. 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.
Windhoek Capital City:Windhoek, Namibia’s capital nestles among rolling hills, bounded by the Eros Mountains in the east, the Auas Mountains to the south and the Khomas Hochland in the west. It is a meeting place between Africa and Europe, the modern and the old. In the capital’s main street, well-preserved German colonial buildings are in sharp contrast with modern architectural styles, while Herero women in their traditional Victorian dresses mingle with executives dressed in the latest fashions. Located centrally, Windhoek is the starting point of an adventures holiday for many visitors to the country and an ideal base from where to explore the rest of the country. The city’s restaurants offer a variety of meals, ranging from international and continental cuisine to German dishes such as Eisbein with Sauerkraut and African delicacies such as mopane worms. Windhoek offers a wide choice of accommodation options, ranging from four-star hotels and homely pensions to backpackers establishments and campsites. In the rural areas beyond the city’s limits there are also a number of lodges and guest farms.
Hotel Heinitzburg: When Count von Schwerin commissioned castle Heinitzburg for his fiancé, Margarethe von Heinitz in 1914, love was his inspiration, elegance was his achievement. We have preserved and complimented his vision to combine comfort with luxurious charm. What makes hotel Heinitzburg unique is the personal attention that your host, Beate Raith has paid to the elegant design of each room, from the four- poster beds and Italian ceramic floor tiles, to the custom fittings and specially created, hand-made wood furnishings. The Raith family name has long been associated with tradition of excellence in hospitality and exquisite cuisine. At Hotel Heinitzburg is offered in spacious and generously appointed en suite rooms. Each room is fully equipped with air-condition/hearing units, direct telephone lines, electronic safes, mini-bars, televisions with cable channels and music facilities. The pool side twin deluxe rooms have both a shower and bath.
Day 2 (2009) Windhoek to Sossusvlei
Overnight Sossusvlei Lodge - Lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast
After an early wake up call and a light breakfast (before sunrise) you are collected and transferred to the Eros Airport. Here you meet your English-speaking pilot/guide and board your private light aircraft. You take to the air and fly to the Sossusvlei area, landing at Sesriem just after sunrise. Here you board an open 4x4 vehicle and make your way to Sossusvlei. This area boasts some of the world’s largest free-standing dunes. You explore the area on foot before enjoying a scrumptious picnic breakfast under a shady tree. You also visit the Sesriem Canyon, before returning to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon is then open for some time at leisure, until the late afternoon, when you can part-take in any of the activities of offer.
Sossusvlei: Sossusvlei is a clay pan set amid monstrous piles of sand known as star dunes that reach the height of a 70 storey skyscraper and rank among the tallest dunes on earth. A deathly white against red sands, the pan is the endpoint of a usually dry river, Tsauchab, in the interior of the Great Sand Sea. The river course rises south of the Naukluft Mountains in the Great escarpment. It penetrates the sand sea for some 55km before it finally peters out about the same distance from the Atlantic. Until dunes stopped it in its tracks 60 000 years ago, the Tsauchab reached the sea, as ephenemeral rivers still do in the northern half of the Namib. Sand-locked pans to the west were endpoints before Sossusvlei. The dunes in the vicinity of Sossusvlei get to be as high as 220m. They look even higher when their base rests on an elevated surface such as a river terrace. Indeed one of them that lies beside the Tsauchab rises 325m above the valley floor. Once a decade or so rainfall over the escarpment is sufficient to bring the river down in flood and fill the pan. On such occasions the mirror images of dunes and gnarled trees around the pan are reflected in the water.Sossusvlei is the biggest of four pans in the vicinity. In one of them, Dead Vlei, big camelthorn trees, dead for want of water, still stand erect. They grew in that place until about 900 years ago when the sand sea finally blocked the occasional floods.
Sesriem Canyon: At the entry to Sossusvlei is Sesriem Canyon, where centuries of erosion have incised a narrow gorge about 1km in length. At the foot of the gorge, which plunges down 30 to 40 m, are pools that become replenished after good rains. Sesriem derives its name from the time when early pioneers tied six lengths of rawhide thongs together to draw water from the pools.
Sossusvlei Lodge: Located next to the entrance gate of the Namib – Naukluft Park almost unnoticed in a vast of unparalleled desert beauty, is Sossusvlei Lodge, your gateway to the Namib. Shaded by ancient camel-thorn trees, the Lodge bears testimony to the ingenuity of an eco-friendly design. Accommodation is in 45 en-suite bedroom units, each sleeping four. After an exciting day in the desert, you can shake off the desert dust with an ice-cold local lager in the unique bar, take a refreshing dip in the sparkling pool or browse through our curio shop. Excellent cuisine under the guidance of our executive chef is the order of the day in the restaurant and on our al fresco terrace. Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure centre offers several activities: guided Sossusvlei trips, nature drives, sundowner drives, trips to Elim dune and Sesriem canyon, scenic flights, air taxi to /from Windhoek and Swakopmund, air charter flights, hot-air ballooning and quad biking.
Day 3 (2009) Sossusvlei to Damaraland via Walvis Bay
Overnight Mowani Mountain Camp, Damaraland - lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast
After an early breakfast you are transferred to the airstrip, where you board your private light aircraft. You take to the air and fly over the great sand sea and along the diamond coast to Walvis Bay. You are then transferred to the Walvis Bay Yacht Club, where you board a Ski Boat for a marine cruise. The cruise takes you out onto the Atlantic Ocean, and close encounter with marine birds, seals and dolphins are common. The morning is ended off with a light finger lunch and a glass of sparkling wine on the boat, before returning to the yacht club. You are then transferred back to the Walvis Bay Airport and take to the air heading due north. You fly along the Skeleton Coast and over Damaraland, landing at Mowani Mountain Camp in the mid afternoon. The afternoon could be spent exploring the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings, which have recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes. The day is capped off with a sundowner overlooking one of the most exquisite views in Namibia.
Mola Mola Marine Cruise: This morning tour is very popular with tourists as well as incentive/ conference groups who visit the coast, as it shoes them an area that the average visitor doesn’t have access to. The entire cruise is done with ski boats in the protected lagoon area of Walvis Bay, where the water is calm and abundant with bird life. Entertainment is provided by two types of dolphins, a large seal colony at pelican point where some seals climb onto the boat for a fishy snack, and wonderful photographic opportunities of low-flying pelicans. To round off the trip you will be spoilt with fresh Walvis Bay oysters, snacks and cold sparkling wine served on board the boat
Walvis Bay environs: Midway between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund is the Langstrand Holiday Resort. Established by the Walvis Bay Municipality, the resort features tidal pools and open beaches. The neighbouring Dolphin Park Recreation Resort has its own chalets, swimming pool, hydroslide and barbecue facilities. Dune 7, on the outskirts of town, is the highest dune in the area. Palm trees provide shade for day camping and barbecue facilities, ideal for family entertainment Direction signs point the way to the Bird Sanctuary in 13th Road, where a watchtower has been erected for bird- wathers. The angling potential along the coast is particularly good. An angling area favoured by locals is paaltjies, which consists of four angling spots south of town. The ‘paaltjies’ are navigational beacons used by commercial fishermen. The first paaltjies can be reached by ordinary vehicle, but a 4x4 is required to reach the other three further south. The Walvis Bay lagoon is ideal for windsurfing, boating and the regattas organized by the Yacht Club, in which pete. A tour operator offers ski-boat trips for shark, bottom and game fishing. Beach fishing trips in 4x4 vehicles along the coast specialize in shark fishing. Boating day trips are enjoyable pleasure excursions.
Twyfelfontein: Strewn over a hillside at Twyfelfontein in the southern Kaokoveld, boulders and slabs of red sandstone hold some 2 500 prehistoric engravings that depict wildlife, animal spoor and abstract motifs. It is perhaps the largest and finest collection of petroglyphs in Africa. The engravings show animals such as elephant, giraffe, kudu, lion, rhinoceros, springbok, zebra and ostrich that once used to drink from a fountain at the bottom of the hill. In some cases footprints were engraved instead of hooves or paws. The abstract motifs feature mainly circles. Stone tools and other artifacts found at Twyfelfontein suggest that hunter- gatherers occupied the site over a period of perhaps 7 000 years. The exact age of the engravings is unknown, but the patina on individual figures the darker, the older does give and idea of their relative age. Guides take visitors to view the rock art. The engravings lie along two circular routes, one an hour’s climb and the other 40 minutes longer. The engravings are best seen in the softer light of early morning or late afternoon. Twyfelfontein is a national monument situated about 100 km south – west of Khorixas in a valley among flat- topped mountains of red sandstone.
Burnt Mountain: A rounded hill south-west of the Petrified Forest, Known as the Burnt Mountain, seems to catch fire again at sunrise and sunset. Its fantastic range of colours comes from a chemical reaction that took place 132 million years ago when molten lava penetrated shale and limestone deposits. In ordinary sunlight it is a dull black. Blackened rubble lies to one side like cinders from the original fire.
Organ Pipes: The Organ Pipes, a mass of basalt slabs in a ravine gouged out by a river, is another geological curiosity in the area.
Mowani Mountain Camp: The thatch dome-shape structures of Mowani Mountain Camp echo that shape of the rough textured granite boulders amongst which they are built, a theme complemented by African wood carvings and artifacts. Mowani’s main complex consists of a reception area, bar, spacious dining room and lounge overlooking a waterhole where elephants and other animals come to drink. Guest are accommodated in 12 Luxury East African style en suite safari tents built on raised wooden platforms, each with a canvas veranda and splendid views over the Aba Huab Valley.
Day 4 (2009) Damaraland
Overnight Desert Rhino Camp, Fully inclusive (most drinks and laundry included)
This morning is spent on an activity in an open 4x4 vehicle in search of the desert adapted elephant. This is no guarantee, but extremely rewarding when one comes across one of these large giants. Other desert game is also plentiful and you return to camp for lunch. After lunch you are transferred to the Mowani Airstrip and take to the air for a short flight to the Desert Rhino Camp Airstrip. Here a representative of the camp meets you and transfers you to the camp, in time for our first bucket shower. The evening is enjoyed around the campfire, with hopefully many stories.
Desert Elephant: In habitats with sufficient vegetation and water an adult elephant consumes as much as 300 kg of roughage and 230 litres of water every day of its life. Consider what a herd of them would eat and drink in a week or a month or a year. African elephant in a desert? Well, yes! Not only elephant, but other large mammals as well, like black rhinoceros and giraffe. Their ranges extend into the northern Namib from river catchments in the Kaokoveld. Apart from the Kunene River, seven river courses northwards from the Ugab provide them with possible routes across the desert, right to the Skeleton coast. The biggest are the Hoarusib, the Hoanib, the Huab and the Ugab. Desert-adapted elephant in the Kaokoland and the Namib walk further for water and fodder then any other elephant in Africa. The distances between waterholes and feeding grounds are as great as 68 km. The typical home range of a family herd is larger then 2 000 square km, or eight times as big as ranges in central Africa where rainfall is much higher. They walk and feed at night and rest during the day. To meet their nutritional and bulk requirements they browse on no fewer than 74 of the 103 plant species that grow in their range. Not a separate species or even a subspecies, they are an ecotype unique to Namibia in Africa south of the equator, behaviourally adapted to hyper-arid conditions. Elephant in Mali on the southwestern fringe of the Sahara Desert are the only others known to survive in similar conditions.
Desert Rhino Camp: Palmwag Rhino Camp is a comfortable tented camp run in conjunction with “safe the Rhino Trust” on the Palmwag concession in rugged northern Damaraland. This camp offers a fascinating insight into the ecology and conservation of the area as well the incredible desert adapted black rhino, while at the same time contributing directly to the Trust. Activities include guided 4x4 excursions, rhino tracking, walks, birding and nature drives.
Day 5 (2009) Damaraland
Overnight Desert Rhino Camp - Fully inclusive (most drinks and laundry included)
Today is spent exploring the desert wildlife, and more so trying to track the desert adapted black rhino...a truly thrilling experience!
Desert Black Rhinoceros: Namibia is home to the larger of two subspecies of the black rhinoceros found in southern Africa. The only population that remains in the wild, unfenced and outside reserves occupies an arid range in the western Kaokoveld. Their preferred habitat is the mountainous escarpment, but they follow ephemeral rivers into the northern Namib as well, especially when conditions are favourable after rains. They are the only black rhinoceros in Africa that are internationally recognized as a “desert group”. Like desert-adapted elephant, they cover great distances. They walk and feed at night and rest during the day. To meet their nutritional and bulk requirements they browse on no fewer than 74 of the 103 plant species that grow in their range. One of the few animals to eat fibrous welwitschia leaves; they even feed heavily on the milkbush (Euphorbia virosa) with its sharp spines and toxic latex, presumably because of the high water and fat content. They are physical defences of dryland plants without apparent harm. Good numbers of black rhinoceros are also found in the Namibia is the second largest in southern Africa. Once widespread in the subcontinent, black rhinoceros are an endangered species. The smaller subspecies, Diceros bicornis minor, does not range into Namibia. |
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Day 6 (2009) Damaraland to East Etosha National Park (ENP)
Overnight Mushara Outpost - Lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast
After a leisurely breakfast you transferred to the airstrip, where you board your private aircraft, and head for the Etosha National Park. You land at the Mushara Outpost and are transferred to the camp in time for lunch. The afternoon is spent game viewing in the ENP in an open 4x4 vehicle.
Etosha National Park: Large enough to be classified as a saline desert in its own right, the Etosha Pan lies in the Owambo Basin, on the north-western edge of the Namibian Kalahari. Until three million years ago it formed part of huge, shallow lake that was reduces to a complex of salt pans when the major river that fed it, the Kunene, changed course and began to flow to the Atlantic instead. If the lake existed today, it would be the third largest in the world. Etosha is the largest of the pans, 4 760 km in extent, or about half the size of Lebanon. It is nowadays filled with water only when sufficient rain falls to the north in Angola to induce floods to flow southward along the Cuvelai drainage system. Etosha is open through out the year and is accessible with the tarred roads via the Anderson Gate in the central southern section and the Von Lindequist Gate in the east.
Mushara Outpost: The Mushara outpost is on the same reserve as the Mushara Lodge and Villa Mushara, as the crow flies 2 km east of the Mushara Lodge. The Mushara Outpost consists of 8 units for guests, each sleeping two and two units for tour guides.Guests are accommodated in custom made tents on a wooden deck nestled amongst trees on the western bank of a small omuramba, also known as a dry river bed. As far as we know the last time water flowed through the omuramba was 40 years ago. The ground water level is shallow so that trees and shrubs have overgrown most of the omuramba. The tents are facing eastwards, to allow for privacy and protection from the sun which is harshest from the west. Pathways leading to and from the main lodge are on the western side. Since we spend most of our time on “ground level” we decided to raise the tents off the ground to provide a different perspective of the surrounding bush. A wooden ramp leads onto the deck and 12 square meters of private space, this is the perfect spot for enjoying the solitude of nature. A large glass sliding door leads into the tents, all windows and doors are covered with fly- screen to keep cool air in and insects out. The tent is wooden structure, wrapped with canvas containing fixed wooden door and window frames. Three large glass windows stretching from ceiling to floor allow for plenty of fresh air during the night. For warm afternoons, air conditioning adds an extra level of comfort.The open-plan bathroom has an enclosed toilet with ceiling and two large windows. When faced with a choice between a large mirror at the basin or a better view into the bush, the mirror size quickly shrank. The shower walls are glass from top to bottom. Unzip the outside canvas wall of the shower to your preferred height and your time in the shower takes on a new dimension! The furnishing of the tent is minimal, comfortable and has a light feel to it. A mini bar, coffee station, safe, telephone, mosquito net and hair drier are standard. Did we mention the air con? The lodge house is styled on an old farm house, tall walls, corrugated iron roof with a large wrap around veranda. This is NE facing to take advantage of cooling shade. The ambiance is that of a well lived in house, friendly, warm and extremely comfortable with a homely atmosphere. Dinner is enjoyed under the African stars, breakfast and lunch are taken on the veranda and in the house. A wide refreshing pool is welcome relief after a hot day in Etosha where the focus where the focus of the day’s activities take place. The Etosha National Park is Namibia’s premier big game destination and one of the Africa’s iconic landmarks. The Mushara Outpost offers game drives into the park with talented local guides who are truly passionate about sharing the wonders of Etosha. The Mushara Outpost is all about old-fashioned hospitality with warm, friendly and personalized ser vice on the door step of the magical Etosha Pan National Park.
Day 7 (2009) Etosha National Park
Overnight - Mushara Outpost - Lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast
Today is spent game-viewing from open 4x4 vehicles in the Etosha National Park.
Day 8 (2009) Etosha National Park to AfriCat Foundation
Overnight - Okonjima Bush Camp - Lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast
After breakfast you are transferred to the Mushara Airstrip. You board in your private aircraft and head for the AfriCat Foundation. You arrive in time for lunch and the afternoon can be spent on one of the many activities on offer. Close encounters with Africa’s large cats are likely!
Okonjima Bush Camp: To those coming from the south (B1): take the gravel turn off to the left, just after the road sign Otjiwarongo 50 km to those coming from north (B1): Take the gravel turn-off to the right, just after the road sign Okahandja 130 km this turn-off is approximately 48 km south of Otjiwarongo (B1), and is marked OKONJIMA 24 km. Okonjima is halfway between Etosha and Windhoek (B1). Home of AfriCat, guest can see foundation. Okonjima offers a Main Camp, with 10 en suite, dbl rooms, and a Luxury Bush Camp, with 8 unique, African – style chalets. Activities include the Cheetah Tracking trail on foot, or a visit to our Cheetah Project. Then there is Leopard viewing from the safety of a hide or radio- tracked from our game-viewing vehicles, as well as Birding, Guided and self-guided walking trails. Day visitors: prior booking required.
Day 9 (2009) AfriCat Foundation
Overnight - Okonjima Bush Camp - Lunch, dinner, bed and breakfast
Today is spent on various activities exploring the AfriCat Foundation.
Day 10 (2009) Departure
Return to Windhoek - Brunch
This morning is spent on one last activity, before returning for brunch. You are then transferred to the airstrip and head for the Windhoek International Airport in time for your international flight home. This is also the official end of your Namibian Safari…bon voyage…
Okahandja: Directly north of Windhoek lies Okahandja, a town of great significance to the Herero people because it was once the seat of Chief Sameul Maharero. Every year on 26 August referred to as Heroes’ Day thousands of Hereros converge in the town to pay homage at the graves of their great chiefs. Some of the women are dressed in traditional red and black, others in green and black, while the men wear full military regalia complete with medals. Visitors are welcome to view this rich and colourful ceremony. According to historian Dr Vedder, the name Okahandja comes from Herero and means ‘small widening’, the place where the rivers meet. The earliest records of the town date back to 1844 when the first two missionaries arrived there. The year 1894, however, is regarded as the birth of the town as Okahandja became a military base in this year and a fort was built. On 26 August, 1923, the famous Herero Chief Samuel Maharero was laid to rest in Okahandja at a funeral attended by approximately 2 000 people. Since then this day has been celebrated annually at Okahandja by the Herero people. The town is an important centre for woodcarvers from the north. They practice their ancient skills at the wood and thatch Mbangura woodcarvers Market next to the main road, both at the entrance and at the exit of the town
Brunch
*** End of Services ***
COST:
VALID FROM 01 November 2008 – 31 October 2009
PAX TRAVELLING IN HIGH SEASON 2009:
2PAX: NAD/ZAR 66 239, 00 per person sharing
4 PAX: NAD/ZAR 50 080, 00 per person sharing
NAD/ZAR 5 118, 00 single supplement
INCLUDED:
Ø Accommodation as stated above, subject to availability.
Ø Transportation in a luxury air-conditioned safari vehicle, where stated.
Ø Transportation in a light aircraft, where stated.
Ø Meals stipulated above.
Ø Services of a registered and experienced English-speaking pilot/guide.
Ø Entrance fees and excursions where stated in above itinerary.
Ø On board mineral water.
Ø Welcome Pack.
EXCLUDED:
Ø International flights to Namibia.
Ø Airport Tax
Ø All other meals other than stated in above itinerary.
Ø All other entrances and excursions than stated in above itinerary.
Ø Items of personal nature such tips, beverages, laundry etc.
Ø BANK CHARGES (as per bank or 3.5% commission for VISA/MASTER).
NOTES:
Ø The above is a quotation only.
Ø Services subject to availability at the time of booking.
Ø Rates subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances beyond our control e.g. fuel increases, currency fluctuation etc.
Ø Should the period of travel, number of participants, type of accommodation, type of vehicle, or the duration of the stay change, the quote will vary accordingly.
Ø Terms and conditions apply.
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