Delta and Dunes Safari

This Safari takes in all of the major sites in Namibia but also taking time to concentrate on the Okavango Delta in Botswana. From the Delta you will travel into the Caprivi Region of Namibia, then head south through Etosha National Park, the beautiful desert region of Damaraland, and on to Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. The last few days are used for the world’s highest sand dunes in the world’s oldest desert at Sesriem & Sossusvlei.

Price: (Valid April 2010 to March 2011)
N$ 17,500 pps
14 Days Safari

Highlights * Okavango Delta * Etosha National Park * Swakopmund * Skeleton Coast * Damaraland desert region * Sossusvlei & Sesriem

Departs from Windhoek on selected Thursdays of the year.

Includes
* All transport
* 3 Meals a day (unless differently specified)
* Tap drinking water
* Tea & coffee in camp
* All camping equipment
* Park entrance fees
* Camping fees
* Professional guide
* Pick up & drop off from accommodation in Windhoek

Delta and Dunes Safari Itinerary

Meal codes [B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]

Day 1 GHANZI [Camping LD]
A long drive today, making use of the Trans-Kalahari-Highway, a relatively new road that provides an invaluable communication link between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The road takes us first to the small town of Gobabis, one of the main livestock farming centres of Namibia, and then on to the border with Botswana.
After completing the immigration formalities we continue, through rural Botswana to the town of Ghanzi, located in the centre of cattle farming Botswana. Ghanzi is located almost in the middle of the Kalahari Desert and was almost unknown before the Trans Kalahari Highway.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 6.5 hrs (530 km)

Day 2 OKAVANGO DELTA [Camping BLD]
An early start and a quick stop in Ghanzi to collect any last minute supplies before continuing west, traversing the linear dunes of the Kalahari and passing through small towns along the way.
A change in vegetation heralds our arrival on the very western edge of one of the natural wonders of the world, the Okavango Delta. Here we turn north for some way before again pointing our wheels west as we enter the Delta proper.
We see our first glimpse of the crystal waters through the lush vegetation and we make our camp on the banks of a pristine African lagoon.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 6hrs. (430 km)

Day 3 OKAVANGO DELTA [Bush Camping BLD]
We are in the territory of the River People, so this morning we leave our vehicle behind and travel in a more appropriate fashion, first by motor-boat and then by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), deep into the Delta.
Mokoro's will be our main form of transport for the next two days. These amazing traditional craft are perfectly designed for the narrow waterways of the Okavango and allow us to travel further into the Delta than if we were using more modern forms of transport. Mokoros carry three people, two seated passengers and one driver. The driver stands in the rear of the canoe, (a real feat of balance), and uses a long wooden pole to propel and steer the mokoro through the twisting channels. It really is the only way to travel.
We are fully self sufficient and make our camps on the river banks and islands, under huge indigenous trees, sharing the environment with the local people and the local fauna of Africa. The Okavango is a wildlife paradise and we will look for game from both our mokoros and on bush walks guided by local specialist guides, our polers.
NB: The bathroom facilities in the Okavango Delta can be best described as rustic. There is plenty of water but it is used, straight from the river, (well boiled first). There is no electricity and we will enjoy bucket showers and basic toilet facilities. These conditions will prevail for the two days on the islands.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - bucket showers and basic toilet facilities.

Day 4 OKAVANGO DELTA [Bush Camping BBrD]
Once established into our wilderness routine, we usually take a long, early morning bush walk to see the terrain and hopefully spot some Big Game, returning to camp in the mid morning for a cooked brunch.
There is time to relax in the shade during the heat of the day and from most camps our polers will be able to take us to a safe swimming place to cool off
In the afternoons there is often a shorter walk or a mokoro cruise in the cool evening air. Sunset from the river is not to be missed.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Bush Camping - Bucket showers and basic toilet facilities.

Day 5 OKAVANGO DELTA [Camping BBrD]
The way of life of the Okavango River people has remained largely un-changed for hundreds of years. It is a totally no-stress environment in a pure wilderness setting.
We are heading back to our first camp today, gliding across the crystal waters, home to an amazing variety of bird life. There is the chance to add crocodiles and even a hippopotamus to our list of creatures seen before making our final Okavango camp amongst the lush riverine bush.
We will transfer back to camp in the motorboats and aim to be back on the lagoon, with full facilities by the early afternoon. We enjoy a final night beside the unparralled Okavango Waters
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities

Day 6 RUNDU [Camping BL]
Back on the road today, destination Namibia. Passport formalities completed we go directly into the Mahango Game Reserve, a small but excellent park right on the edge of the Okavango River. We game drive our way through Mahango and have the chance to spot rarely seen Namibian species such as roan and the majestic sable antelope.
We now head west, through part of Namibia's Caprivi Strip to our camp for tonight. We are again beside the Okavango, but this time the main river, on its journey from the Angolan highlands, through the pan handle to waters end, the delta.
Dinner tonight will be for the clients own expense in the restaurant at the lodge.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 4 hrs. (350 km).

Day 7 ETOHA NATIONAL PARK [Camping BLD]
A short drive brings us to the northern Namibian town of Rundu where there is time to explore the local market before continuing down through the Kavango Region. There are a few breaks along the way at various kraals to see the local crafts and woodcarvings.
Continuing on to Etosha National Park we aim to arrive in the middle afternoon, giving us time to relax a little before heading out into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first Etosha game drive.
After your evening meal there are still more chances to see Etosha's game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole. Situated on the boundary of the camp and easily reachable on foot, elephants are regular visitors here and there is a good chance of seeing other species of big game as well.
Includes: Entrance fees and game drives
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 5 hrs. (450km)

Day 8 ETOSHA NP [Camping BBrD]
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 Namutoni 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 Namutoni 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 very good, shaded by palm trees and a stone's throw away from the waterhole.
As on day seven, 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.
Includes: Morning & afternoon game drives
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities

Day 9 ETOSHA NP [Camping BLD]
A full day's game driving. We again 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 not normally seen on the Namutoni side of the park.
We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch. 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 Okaukuejo camp.
Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, which has been described as one of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa". Situated on the doorstep of our accommodation, black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen.
Includes: Game drives
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities

Day 10 DAMARALAND [Camping BLD]
Leaving Etosha we are en route for the desert and the most scenic area of our safari. We make a stop at a small town called Outjo where we can get coffee and sticky cakes at the local bakery. We then drive west to Khorixas, the capital of the Damaraland region. A short break here and then, leaving the sealed roads far behind us, we drive into the desert.
We stop for lunch at the Petrified Forest geological site, where a local guide will take us around and explain about the prehistoric trees, before continuing on to Twyfelfontein.
Damaraland scenery is some of the best in Namibia, open grasslands studded with massive granite koppies create the feeling of being surrounded by mountains. We are well into desert elephant and black rhino country and other game such as springbok, ostrich and gemsbok are often seen.
We aim to arrive in the early afternoon and have time to relax in the shade before making a late afternoon excursion to Twyfelfontein itself. Here, again, a local guide will introduce us to the ancient Bushman rock engravings or petroglyphs. We also make a visit to another geological site in the area called the Organ Pipes.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 5hrs (400km).

Day 11 SWAKOPMUND [Chalet BL]
More beautiful Damaraland scenery this morning. We pass Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandberg (2573m) and make our first stop of the morning in the small town of Uis, an old mining town, and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones, for which Namibia is famous. Here, rough Amethyst, Tourmaline etc can be found at bargain prices.
From here we turn directly west and cross the gravel plains on our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. Meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, we first head north along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. Here at certain times of the year there can be as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals in attendance.
The next destination is Swakopmund, stopping for lunch en route and following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia's premier seaside town.
Swakopmund boasts a large range of restaurants and cafés, many of them specializing in fish dishes. The local seafood is superb, taken straight from the icy Atlantic waters. Tonight dinner is for the clients own account in a local restaurant. Your guide will be able to recommend a venue.
We also make the most of being back in a main centre by leaving the tents loaded and checking into holiday chalets.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Chalets
Distance/time: approx. 6 hrs (400km).

Day 12 NAMIB DESERT [Camping BLD]
We first make a stop at Walvis Bay, situated about 40 km south of Swakopmund. South of the town there is a large marine lagoon which is home to a vast array of marine bird-life, in particular flamingos. We will make a short visit to the lagoon to see the birds and a short visit to Walvis Bay to collect any last minute supplies before once again heading out into the desert.
The second part of our journey today takes us across more of the seemingly endless Namib gravel plains. Then the landscape suddenly changes and we are into the mountain desert. We traverse both the Kuiseb and Gaub passes, driving both times to the river beds at the bottom of the canyons and then climbing the long steep road to the top and the spectacular panoramas the mountains give us.
Again the scenery changes as we make our way down to the dune fields. We cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib and from here it is only a short distance to our next stop, the tiny town of Solitaire. We will stop here for some refreshments before continuing on through stunning desert scenery.
We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 5.5 hrs (420km).

Day 13 NAMIB DESERT [Camping BLD]
A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert as we drive in. We will arrive at the entrance to the dunes on sunrise and then travel through the dune field as the sun is coming up. The light casts strong contrasts of colour on the edges of the dunes and offers stunning views from the dry river bed you travel through.
We reach Sossusvlei itself by walking the last 5 km through the dunes. The walk is like nothing else, enjoying the changing light and coolness of the morning. 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, 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.
Includes: Entrance fees
Overnight: Camping - basic facilities
Distance/time: approx. 2hrs (120km)

Day 14 WINDHOEK [BL]
After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We will travel over the Naukluft Mountains and also the Khomas Hochland range, through beautiful Remhoogte Pass on our way back to civilization.
We are due back into the city around 15:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return.
Includes: N/A
Distance/time: approx. 5hrs (450km).

NB
As of 1st April 2010, the itinerary of our 14 Day Delta & Dunes safari will be changing slightly. This safari will become a 15 day tour, spending 2 nights in Swakopmund instead of just one.

Please note:
The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo stops!

PRE & POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION:
This tour departs from Winhoek, please make sure that you are there well before the time. This tour ends in Windhoek.