|
|
Tailor Made Guided Family Safari
"Namibia Getaway" - 17 day camping & accommodated - Bronze Level |
|
Travelling with the family is not only rewarding but should be a fun and relaxing experience for everyone. As a private safari, your guide will look after you and take you to all the main highlights of the country sharing their knowledge enthusiastically and so ensuring that the kids are entertained and the parents can relax. Rest assured you are in good hands while you take in the various cultures, wonder at the landscapes and search for the magnificent game.
|
|
|
Day 1 Gobabis, Bushman Community - 1night accommodation
Your guide will collect you directly from the airport and start your adventure into the Kalahari Basin (naturally this is dependent on your flight times and we recommend an early morning arrival). Our drive today is about 2 hours and we'll check into our accommodation – a family room in the old farmhouse and this afternoon head out to visit a nearby bushman village where we will have the chance to see singing and dancing, learn how the bushmen traditionally hunted and see how they make ostrich shell jewellery – it's an insight to one of the oldest lifestyles in the world and to appreciate the way the bushman lived as one with nature. Dinner is served in the lodge, lunch is at your own expense (D)
|
|
Day 2&3 Zebra River Lodge, Tsaris Mountains -2nights accommodation
This morning we walk with the bushman in the veld collecting fruits and whatever else we can find before returning to the lodge and driving to our next destination. Zebra River Lodge is located in the heart of the Tsaris Mountains offering some great walks in the nearby canyon areas. We will be based here for 2nights and can enjoy hikes, relaxing by the pool and the relaxed atmosphere of this family run establishment. (BLD) |
|
 |
 |
|
Day 4 Sesriem - 1 night camping
From here we head across the country and down to the desert floor to our camp where we will be based for the next two nights. Sesriem is the main campsite and located inside the Namib Naukluft National Park. Each campsite is set under ancient camel thorn trees and ringed with stonewalls acting as a natural barrier. This afternoon we walk to Elim's Dune and climb the dune for sunset, your guide will drive you back to camp for your evening meal. Overnight camping (BLD)
|
|
Day 5 Sesriem - 1 night camping
Depart camp one hour prior to sunrise to reach the Sossusvlei area in time for the sun to peek above the mountains and dunes and for us to witness the changing colours of the dunes. We explore this entire area on foot and our visit will include Sossusvlei and then onto Dead Vlei – where you see white clay pans set against the orange dunes and the skeletal camel thorn trees, long dead and a distant reminder to times when the water flowed more freely into the region. You’ll have the chance to climb a dune or two and revel in the endless sand before running down to enjoy a hearty breakfast in this unique environment. On the way back to camp the energetic can also climb Dune 45, one of the most photographed dune in the Namib. Lunch at camp followed by rest time and this afternoon we visit Sesriem Canyon, which is just 4 km from camp. Overnight camping and dinner prepared by the guide with your assistance. (BLD)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 6&7 Swakopmund - 2night bed and breakfast accommodation
Early departure and a short stop at Solitaire for a glimpse into desert town life. We continue through the Namib to the coastal town of Walvis Bay, which is a protected RAMSAR for wetland birds such as great and lesser flamingos. There is time to walk around the lagoon whilst your guide prepares lunch and a brief stop at the salt farm to see one of Namibia's unique industries. From here it’s a short drive to Swakopmund arriving mid afternoon. You will have 2 days at leisure to enjoy the many optional activities available here such as sand boarding, scenic flights, dolphin cruises, parachuting, quad biking and many more. Your guide is a wealth of information when choosing the right activities for the family or you may simply wish to relax. Overnight family room with en-suite bathroom and on a bed and breakfast basis only. There are many restaurants in Swakopmund and we recommend The Tug, Cape to Cairo, Erich's, The Cauldron and the Lighthouse, evening meal at own expense (B)
Day 8 Brandberg White Lady Lodge, Brandberg - 1night camping
We leave Swakopmund after breakfast and drive north along the Skeleton Coast to visit the huge seal colony at Cape Cross before retracing our steps through to our camp. Damaraland is one of Namibia’s most beautiful areas, the Brandberg Mountain is the largest mountain and can be seen from miles away, it’s full of minerals such as quartz, amethyst and tourmalines and is home to the famous White Lady Painting. If we are lucky we might see desert elephant wander through the nearby dry riverbed. Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site, and we will visit either this afternoon or early tomorrow morning. Overnight camping with meals prepared by your guide with your assistance (BLD) |
|
Day 9 Twyfelfontein - 1night camping
This morning we continue inland to Twyfelfontein, home to one of the largest collections of rock etchings in Southern African and now a World Heritage Site. We will take a local guide to explore the etchings and learn about the history not only to the rock etchings but also to the region as a whole. This area is well known for visits by the elusive desert elephant in the dry season so we keep our eyes open over the next couple of days in case we are lucky to get a glimpse of them. Overnight camping, dinner prepared by guide with client assistance (BLD)
Day 10&11 Opuwo - 1 night camping
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 baobab forest before arriving at Opuwo. This town is a real mixture of modern and old, dusty streets, goats and cattle wandering on the road yet modern life have also reached here. The following morning we will take a local guide and head out to visit a local Himba village where we’ll 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 fatthat they put on their skin to protect it from the harsh environment. Your 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 camping with meals prepared by guide with your assistance (BLD) |
|
|
|
|
|
Day 12-14 Etosha National Park - 3night camping
We enter Etosha through the Western Gate, which is only open to Namibian Tour Operators and game drive through the park. We will spend 3 nights in the park to be able to enjoy as many game drives and visits to some of the various waterholes. One of the translations of Etosha is "Great White Place" and refers to what seems like the endless Etosha Pan that makes up part of the park. There are many springs that run on the edge of the pan that attract species of game to come to drink. Etosha is one of the greatest game reserves in Southern Africa and at over 22,000sq kms one of the largest too. This mighty reserve deserves time to expereince amazing game viewing sightings. Each of the rest camps has a swimming pool, small shop, bar/restaurant and a floodlit waterhole. Overnight camping, dinner prepared by guide with client assistance (BLD)
|
|
Day 15 Frans Indongo Lodge - 1night accommodation
We sadly leave Etosha behind and head south to our lodge just north of Otjiwarongo. Overnight family room with en-suite facilities. This afternoon you may wish to enjoy an optional activity such as a game drive on the private reserve to see unusual species such as blesbok and black springbok, visit the nearby REST (Rare And Endangered Species Trust) to protect the endangered Cape griffon vulture – this region is their most northerly breeding area, or simply relax by the pool (BLD)
Day 16 Chameleon Guesthouse - 1night accommodation
After a hearty breakfast we visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund and learn more about these endangered large cats and the educational programme run for many Namibian farmers as well as ensuring that visitors learn about these great cats. We continue south to the craft market at Okahandja and arrive back at Windhoek late afternoon. There are many fine restaurants in Windhoek and we recommend the following: La Marmite, Joes Beerhouse, Luigi and the Fish to name a few. Your accommodation tonight is in a family room with en-suite bathroom and the guesthouse is centrally located within easy walking distance to the shops, banks, restaurants etc. Evening meal at own expense (BL)
Day 17 Flight
Depending on your flight details, you may have a full day at leisure to explore Windhoek, perhaps do a township tour or just buy some last minute gifts, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home (B)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012 Rates
Price based on a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children under 12 years of age) N$118,100
Price based on a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children over 12 years of age and under 16years) N$121,350
Rates valid until 31 October 2012
Price includes: transport in 4x4 vehicle; services of a professional English speaking guide; meals - prepared by the guide; accommodation as specified in family room; camping and entrance fees; services of local guides; educational tour of Cheetah Conservation Fund; fuel; camping equipment excluding sleeping bags; airport transfers.
Price excludes: personal travel insurance; flights; tips/gratuities; drinks including mineral water and alcoholic beverages; laundry; items of a personal nature; curios; telephone calls; medication; departure taxes and visa fees (if applicable); optional activities in Swakopmund and additional activities in Hobatere (possibility of a night drive); meals Swakopmund and Windhoek except breakfast.
|
print friendly version of this page
|