Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Southern Africa | Namibia | Special Interest (Namibia)

Your guide will collect you from the airport and transfer you across to Amani Lodge, located west of the city set in the Khomas Hochland Mountains.  You may have time to relax before joining the Big Cat Tour this afternoon where you’ll have the opportunity to view cheetahs at close quarters and then onto the lion and leopards. The viewing platforms allow for good photographic opportunities before returning to the lodge for a champagne sun downer.  Overnight in twin-bedded rooms (D)

Day 2&3         Sossus Dune Lodge – full board
Depart after breakfast and drive south east towards the magnificent Namib Naukluft Park, enjoying the beautiful scenery. This is the only lodge situated within the Namib Naukluft Park and allows 24hour access to the dunes! Your guide will be able to escort you to the dunes for sunset and sunrise. Built in an environmentally sensitive manner, primarily from wood, canvas and thatch, in an attractive ‘afro-village’ style, the lodge offers guests an evocative and life changing experience. Since it is situated within the park, guests benefit from being able to reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, and stay until after sunset, and on their return after an exhilarating day, relax in the tranquillity and splendour of the Namib Desert, under the spectacular African sky.   An early morning drive to the Sossusvlei dunes the following morning, in time to watch the sun rise over the red sand dunes – a truly unforgettable experience. 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 the lodge to relax and this afternoon explore the nearby Sesriem Canyon or return to the dunes.. Sossusvlei 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 based in twin share rooms with en-suite facilities on full board basis (BLD)
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 (reins) together and secured to a bucket to draw water from the pools

Sossusvlei: Sossusvlei is a clay pan set amid monstrous piles of sand known as star dunes that reach the height of a 70storey 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 ephemeral 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 lie 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.

Day 4             Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund- 1night bed and breakfast

This morning we depart from the dunes and drive north crossing the Kuiseb Canyon and onward through the desert with its endless vistas across the plains. We can stop at Walvis Bay to visit the lagoon – a protected RAMSAR site to see flamingos, pelicans and the endemic Damara tern, before heading up the coastline to Swakopmund and relax or you may wish to join in an optional activity.  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 Hansa Hotel, a charming building centrally located on a bed and breakfast basis only (B)

Day 5              Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund – 1night bed and breakfast

Enjoy a free day – you can choose if you wish to take part in one of the many optional activities. .  An excellent option is to join a scenic flight over the sand dune sea over Sossusvlei, out to the coast line seeing the old diamond mines and shipwrecks and along the coastline viewing flamingos, seal colonies and the dunes falling into the ocean, a totally different perspective to the land and taking you places unable to visit on land (for the serious photographers we will be able to arrange doors etc to be taken out of the plane but this does need to be arranged in advance and subject to availability, this flight is generally then based as a chartered flight).    such as tandem skydiving, sand boarding, quad biking, a township tour where you are able to chat to the locals, enjoy a dolphin cruise or fishing trip, the choice is extensive Alternatively there is also a day trip to Sandwich Harbour, a natural lagoon, this trip comes highly recommended and can be booked in advance if you wish.  You may just choose to visit the museums or wander along the beach. Lunch and dinner at clients own expense. Overnight as above (B)

Day 6&7         Camp Kipwe, Damaraland 2 nights with elephant tracking activity

We depart Swakopmund heading north along the Skeleton Coast, we’ll stop at Cape Cross to view the huge seal colony and retrace our steps to Henties Bay to turn inland to Camp Kipwe and spend tonight in this stunning region.  Camp Kipwe is a new camp and whilst we are here will be able to enjoy heading out the following morning to search for the elusive desert elephant.  We’ll also visit the nearby Twyfelfontein and famous rock etchings during our stay.  Each of the chalets is set amongst the rocks and has an amazing view, en-suite facilities and private verandah.  Overnight in twin bedded rooms (BLD)

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

Day 8              Opuwo Country Lodge - 1night with Himba visit
We drive north crossing a mountain pass keeping our eyes open for the desert elephant that roam freely in this area and also stop to gaze at the mighty boabab forest before arriving at Opuwo. This town is a real mixture of modern and old, dusty streets, goats, and cattle wander on the road yet modern life has also reached here.  The following morning we will take a local guide and head out to visit a local Himba village. We will be able to witness how this tribe still survive off the land tending their cattle and goats and see the women prepare food as well as prepare the ochre and butter fat that they put on their skin to protect it from the harsh environment.  The local guide will be able to translate all of your questions and the kids normally play together happily teaching and sharing things with each other. Overnight based in a twin bedded rooms, with dinner in the restaurant (BLD) 320kms

Day 9              Hobatere Lodge – 1night accommodation and afternoon game drive

We drive south along the border fence of Etosha to a private concession area on the western side of the National Park. After a game drive to the lodge you will have time to relax by the swimming pool or the waterhole. Later this afternoon you’ll enjoy a game drive run by the lodge searching for the many species of game in their reserve. Animals on the concession include elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and many more. Overnight based in twin bedded room with en suite facilities, dinner is served al fresco or in the restaurant (BLD)

Day 10-13       Etosha National Park – 2nights Okaukuejo waterhole chalet & 1night Halali bush chalet
We enter Etosha via the Western gate, only open to Namibian tour operators and game drive across the park to Okaukuejo where we will be based for 2 nights before moving onto Halali for a final night.  Both of these rest camps are renowned for their active waterholes that are floodlit enabling after dark game viewing.  Your guide will also drive you around the park searching for the game early morning and late afternoon when the light is at its best.  Overnight in twin bedded accommodation with meals served in the restaurant (BLD)
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 timeous 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 bird life 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. Before setting out it is always a good policy to enquire from camp officials what the current game movements are. 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.

Day 13     Okonjima Main Camp – AfriCat Foundation -1night accommodation and 2 activities      

 Please contact us for more details for this special safari with a professional photographer