Ideal Namibian Safari

Travelling to the world’s highest sand dunes at Sesriem & Sossusvlei and on to Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. From here we will enter Namibia’s most beautiful desert region, Damaraland, where we will visit Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg and the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontien.

Price: (Valid April 2010 to March 2011)
N$ 26,500 pps
12 Days Safari

Highlights * Sossusvlei * Swakopmund * Damaraland * Twyfelfontein engravings * Etosha National Park * Bushman Communities Brandberg (Namibia's highest mountain)

Departs from Windhoek on selected Saturdays of the year (min 2 people)

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

Ideal Namibian Safari Itinerary

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

Day 1 WINDHOEK - NAMIB DESERT [Guest Farm LD]
We leave Windhoek and straight away 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 near the sand dune sea.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Guesthouse with en-suite facilities
Distance/time: approx. 5 hrs (350 km)

Day 2 NAMIB DESERT [Guest farm 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.
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, 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. Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Includes: Entrance to the Namib desert
Overnight: Guesthouse with en-suite facilities
Distance/time: approx. 3 hrs (260 km)

Day 3 SWAKOPMUND [Hotel BLD]
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 river bed 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.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Hotel, bar and restaurant facilities
Distance/time: approx. 6 hrs (280 km)

Day 4 SWAKOPMUND [Hotel BLD]
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.
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. Traveling 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.
(N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients' own risk and expense).Dinner tonight is for the clients own account in a local restaurant.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Hotel with en-suite facilities
Optional Activities: Sand boarding, sky diving, quad biking, surfing bird-watching and many more

Day 5 BRANDBERG [Lodge BLD]
A long drive today, leaving early and heading north along the coast, we will first visit 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, back into the desert and the beautiful area known as Damaraland and the next stop will be at the small town of Uis, located in the remote desert. Uis is 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.
We will pass the Namibia's highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573m) as we travel deeper into Damaraland and our accommodation will be at a desert lodge in the vicinity of Twyfelfontien.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Lodge with en-suite facilities
Distance/time: approx. 6 hrs (300 km)

Day 6 DAMARALAND [Lodge BLD]
We leave early to visit the ancient site of Twyfelfontein. Here is an impressive collection of rock engravings created by the talented artisans of ancient peoples. Twyfelfontien is one of the most important archeological sites in southern Africa and we will have a local guide to take us around and introduce us to the petroglyphs.
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.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Lodge with en-suite facilities
Distance/time: approx. 6 hrs (440 km)
Optional Activities: Game drives

Day 7 DAMARALAND [Lodge BLD]
Heading further north, the Damaraland scenery stays with us today. We follow the western border of Etosha National Park for some way, heading into the far northern regions of Namibia, turning off to our destination on a small game reserve.
We aim to arrive in the early afternoon. There are some self guided bush walks available for those who are feeling energetic, but otherwise the rest of the day is designed to allow you to relax by the pool and re-charge you energy.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Includes: Bush walks
Overnight: Lodge with en-suite facilities

Day 8 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK [Bungalows BLD]
Traveling with special permission through the western side of Etosha National Park, we transit through this restricted area that is set aside for research and breeding. We have the chance to see some species not normally seen in the main tourist areas of the park.
As we drive into the Okaukuejo region of Etosha where our main game drive really begins, and we travel slowly down to 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.
Includes: Entrance fees to Etosha National Park
Overnight:Bungalows with shared facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar
Distance/time: approx. 5 hrs (200 km)

Day 9 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK [Bungalows BLD]
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 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.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the Okaukuejo.
Includes: Morning and afternoon game drives
Overnight: Bungalows with shared facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar

Day 10 NAMUTONI AREA [Lodge BLD]
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.
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 down 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.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Includes: Game drives
Overnight: Lodge with en-suite facilities
Distance/time: 550kms, ± 7½ hours excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch

Day 11 OTAVI AREA [Guest farm BLD]
First stop this morning will be to visit a local community of Bushman or San people. Before Namibian independence in 1990, the Namibian people were engaged in a liberation struggle with South Africa.
During this time Namibia had a large South African military presence and the South African army incorporated local Bushmen into their ranks because of their natural talent for tracking.
The Ombili village is located on the site of an old South African military base where, during the war years, many Bushmen had been in uniform. When the South African army withdrew, the local Bushmen trackers remained behind and were in danger of becoming displaced people, being so long away from their own villages. The local farming community in the Ombili area invited the Bushmen to stay and make their homes. Over the last 15 years or so a thriving bushman community has developed.
The Bushmen at Ombili are not living the traditional hunter gatherer lifestyle, that harsh but romanticized way of life has disappeared for ever, but the language and many of the customs remain alive. We make a stop at Ombili and we have the chance to meet the local inhabitants and learn something of their ancient and modern culture.
From Ombili, we are heading predominantly south. We pass through the Otavi mountains and our accommodation for the night is in the foothills of this small but picturesque range.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Includes: N/A
Overnight: Lodge with en-suite facilities
Distance/time:approx. 3hrs (300 km)

Day 18 WINDHOEK [ BL]
Our last day on the road, the drive down to Windhoek is on a good road and we have time to stop in Okahandja, home to Namibia's largest woodcarving market. The stalls are operated on a co-operative basis by the local community and the market is a perfect place to do last minute shopping for truly Namibian souvenirs.
We aim to arrive back in the Capital in the middle afternoon and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
Includes: N/A
Distance/time: 4 hrs (350 km)

Please note:
As of 1st April 2010, the itinerary of our 12 Day Namibia Ideal safari will be changing slightly. The last night of this safari will no longer be in the Otavi area, but will rather be at Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation.

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 Windhoek, please make sure that you are there well ahead of time. This tour ends in Windhoek