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14 Day Best of Namibia Accommodated Safari Package Deal - Silver Level |
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This is a fully accommodated itinerary using a selection of bungalows, guesthouses and lodges throughout Namibia - you will have a wonderful experience of just some of what Namibia has to offer.
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Day 1 Vondelhof Guesthouse, Windhoek - 1night accommodation
Upon arrival at the airport you will be collected and transferred to Vondelhof Guesthouse in Windhoek, a small and informal retreat offering highly-personalized service. The guesthouse is centrally located a mere 5 minute walking distance of the city centre with its parks, museums, restaurants and many other attractions. Overnight based in a twin share room with en-suite facilities on a bed and breakfast basis, all other meals will be at client’s expense.
Windhoek Capital City: Located within the Central Region of the country, Windhoek nestles in a basin surrounded by rolling hills, bounded by the Eros Mountains in the northeast, the Auas Mountains to the southeast and the Khomas Hochland in the west and with a population of around 250,000 people this small city has a laid-back ambience. It is often described as having a continental atmosphere, mixing African lifestyle with European history; picturesque German architecture, European influenced restaurants and shopping malls combine with street-vendors make it unique
Day 2 Namib Desert - 1night accommodation
You will be collected between 09:00 & 09:30 and we depart from Windhoek around 10.30, within a few minutes the city is behind us and we 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. (BLD)
Day 3 Namib Desert, visit Sossusvlei - 1night accommodation
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 camel thorn 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” – one of the most famous and photographed dunes in the region. As the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch and to escape the heat of the afternoon and later, as it cools off we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon before returning to the lodge. Overnight in twin share rooms with en-suite bathrooms. (BLD) |
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Day 4 Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast - 1night accommodation An early start today, we are heading 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 riverbed 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 twin share rooms with en-suite bathrooms. (BLD)
Day 5 Swakopmund - 1night accommodation
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. However, we are more than happy to book activities such as a scenic flight or perhaps a highly recommended visit to Sandwich Harbour in advance as particularly in high season these activities tend to fill up. 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. Travelling through the ancient, long dried up Swakopmund Delta, we first stop at the “Moon Landscape” an unusual example of water erosion in the desert. From here we continue to the Swakopmund Valley itself to hunt the giant Welwitchia Mirabilis plants. This plant is in fact a species of tree and is one of the rarest fauna species in the world. We will see examples that are reported to be in excess of 1500 years old. Dinner tonight is for the client’s own account in a local restaurant. Overnight in twin share rooms with en-suite bathrooms. (B)
(N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients’ own risk and expense). |
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Day 6 Twyfelfontein - 1night accommodation
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. This town 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 where we overnight at a lodge in the area. (BLD)
Day 7 Damaraland Desert - 1night accommodation
Our 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.(BLD)
Day 8 Kavita Lion Lodge, Kamanjab - 1night accommodation
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) |
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Day 9 Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park - 1night accommodation
Travelling with special permission through the western side of Etosha National Park, we have the chance to see some species not normally seen in the main tourist areas of the park such as mountain zebra and baboon. We drive into the Okaukuejo region of Etosha where our main game drive really begins, and we travel slowly down to what’s regarded as Etosha’s main camp, Okaukuejo - where we aim to arrive in time for a late lunch. Time to relax in the afternoon and then sundowners at Okaukuejo’s floodlit waterhole, situated on the boundary of the camp and easily reachable on foot from your bungalow, the Okaukuejo waterhole is famous One of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa". Perfectly placed for sunset, black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen. Dinner prepared by your guide over an open fire. Overnight in twin share rooms with en-suite bathrooms. (BLD)
Day 10 Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park - 1night accommodation
We go straight out on an early morning game drive visiting some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to catch some of Etosha's big game out for an early morning drink or if we are really lucky after a successful hunt. 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 in twin share rooms with en-suite bathrooms. (BLD)
Day 11 Namutoni, Etosha National Park - 1night accommodation
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 including the endemic black-faced impala. 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 on 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 in twin rooms with en-suite bathrooms. (BLD) |
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Day 12 Otjiwarongo Area - 1night accommodation
Time for one more morning game drive before we leave Etosha National Park, we travel to the Otjiwarongo area to visit one of the Conservation programs dedicated to the Cheetah. We arrive mid afternoon with remainder of day at leisure, dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge. (BLD)
Day 13 River Crossing Lodge, outside Windhoek - 1night accommodation
This morning you will be taken on a tour during which you will be able to meet up close and personal, some of the cheetah living in a huge camp out on the farm. After our educational tour we will return to the lodge and prepare our return journey to Windhoek, where you will be dropped off and then a private transfer will take you to River Crossing Lodge, just two kilometres outside of Windhoek and five minutes away from the many attractions of the capital; the lodge offers sumptuous accommodation on a pristine game farm. The German architecture at River Crossing Lodge resembles a farm style of yesteryear, complete with corrugated roofs, wide balconies decorated with impressive pots of geraniums, all on an unspoiled game estate. Entrance through the main lodge area, is through a set of impressive double doors that lead straight to the bar, overlooking the swimming pool. The large dining room leads out onto a deck with dramatic views of the city, the mountains and surrounding game farms. Overnight based in a twin share room on a bed and breakfast basis, all other meals will be at client’s expense. (BL)
Day 14 Flight
Enjoy a leisurely morning before you will be transferred to the airport in time for your onward flight (B) |
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2012 Rate [valid until 31st October 2012]
R32,275 per person sharing
single supplement will apply
2012 Arrival Dates: 6, 27 Jan; 17 Feb; 9, 30 Mar; 6, 13 Apr; 11, 25 May; 8, 22 Jun; 6, 20 Jul; 3, 17 Aug; 7, 21 Sep; 5, 26 Oct; 9, 23 Nov; 14, 21 Dec;
The tour departures are guaranteed to run with the following minimum numbers:
01 April 2012 – 30 June 2012: 4 passengers
01 July 2012 – 31 October 2012: 2 passengers
Price includes: safari vehicle, meals and park entry fees as indicated; tap drinking water; airport transfers as specified; accommodated safari on twin share basis as specified; pre and post safari accommodation as per itinerary; professional guide
Price excludes: meals not specified; visas; flights; drinks and snacks; items of a personal nature; telephone calls and internet facilities; tips/gratuities; curios etc
This safari is run by a local tour operator |
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