NAMIBIA - Scheduled Guided
Tours & Safaris Scheduled
Guided Tours Overview
11 Day - Namibia Kaleidoscope Tour
Routing Highlights:
Windhoek – Namib Naukluft Park - Sesriem –
Swakopmund – Skeleton Coast – Twyfelfontein - Damaraland – Opuwo – Etosha
National Park – Cheetah Conservation Fund – Otjiwarongo – Windhoek
Explore the stark yet stunningly beautiful desert and dunes of Sossusvlei, the
seaside and activity town of Swakopmund, the dramatic landscapes of Damaraland
and the nomadic Himba people in the north as well as one of the most famous
and prolific game parks of Southern Africa – Etosha National Park. This safari
also includes a visit to the Cheetah Conservation Fund so a real must for
animal lovers while enjoying the luxury of accommodation throughout the tour.
Tour Information:
TOUR CODE:
NSA031
Safari Type:
Scheduled Guided Shuttle Tour
Style:
Accommodated
Duration:
11 Days / 10 Nights
Departure Date:
Set departure dates, see below
Departure Location:
Windhoek - Namibia
Tour Ends:
Windhoek - Namibia |
click the map to enlarge ...
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NOTES:
This Group Safari itinerary can easily be converted
into a Private Safari
or a Self Drive Tour
Airport transfers and pre & post safari accommodation is not included but can be arranged on
request.
We also offer regional flights and coach
bookings.
Please contact us for advice & information on how to reach departure point
of
this safari and how to continue afterwards…
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ITINERARY:
Day 1
Namib Naukluft Park
You will be collected from you accommodation and depart from Windhoek at
around 08h30am. Driving through the rugged Khomas Hochland mountain range we
descend to the desert floor via the Gamsberg Pass, an imposing flat topped
mountain and one of the highest points in Namibia, which provides a dramatic
back drop for our roadside lunch. After a short stop at Solitaire, we arrive
at camp mid afternoon and you can relax on the veranda outside your permanent
tent or by the swimming pool before we visit the nearby Sesriem Canyon, one of
the few places in the region with a permanent water source. We return to camp
just after sunset to enjoy dinner prepared by your guide. Overnight twin bed
tent chalet with en suite facilities and views across the desert. Approx
distance 320kms
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Day 2
Namib Naukluft Park – Sesriem - Sossusvlei
Dawn departures from our camp and drive to the Sesriem gate then onto
Sossusvlei, a 65kms drive witnessing first light and shadows on the sand dunes
before arriving at the heart of the famous sand dune sea of Namibia. We watch
the colours change on the sand dunes from this spectacular and unique area
(dependent on opening time of inner park gate). We can climb 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 camp for a swim and this afternoon we
take a late afternoon walk across the desert to Elim’s Dune on the edge of the
famous sand dune sea with views across to the nearby mountains. Enjoy another
spectacular sunset surrounded by this colourful desert and sleep under the
bright stars of the southern hemisphere. Overnight twin bed tent chalet and
dinner prepared by guide. Approx distance 140kms
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Day 3
Swakopmund
Early morning departure from camp stopping at the quaint town of Solitaire
before continuing through the desert with its endless views across the
pastel-coloured gravel plains to the port town of Walvis Bay. We visit the
lagoon, which is a protected RAMSAR wetland site, where we may see the many
species of birds including greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, avocets,
plovers and the endemic Damara tern before a short stop at the salt farm. We
continue onto Swakopmund, full of historic buildings and where your guide will
assist those wishing to book optional adventure activities such as sand
boarding, quad biking, scenic flights, parachuting, dolphin cruises to name
but a few, which you have time for this afternoon and tomorrow. Overnight in
comfortable twin/double rooms with en-suite bathroom close to the town centre.
Laundry facilities are available here. This evening’s meal is a group dinner
in a restaurant at client’s own expense. Approx distance 300kms
Accommodation: Dunedin Star Guest House
Day 4
Swakopmund
A chance for you to relax today or you may wish to enjoy optional
activities such as dolphin cruising, maybe sand boarding or quad biking.
Alternatively you can walk along the beach or visit the museum and aquarium,
enjoy coffee and cake at one or the many cafes or wander along the beach
listening to the roar of the waves of the mighty Atlantic Ocean - the choice
is yours. Overnight is in twin room with en-suite facilities. Lunch and dinner
at own expense.
Accommodation: Dunedin Star Guest House
Day 5
Skeleton Coast – Twyfelfontein - Damaraland
We leave after breakfast and head north along the Skeleton Coast seeing
the gravel plains and desert opening up around us with the ocean crashing down
onto the shore. We visit Cape Cross, home of thousands of Cape Fur Seals,
during the breeding season over 100,000 are crammed onto the beach fighting
for space. We turn inland and drive past Brandberg, the highest point in
Namibia and a huge massif rising up over the plains to Twyfelfontein.
The Twyfelfontein area, a very vulnerable and delicate ecosystem, is renowned
for some of the best examples of Rock Paintings and Engravings in Southern
Africa. Interesting rock formations and the remainder of prehistoric volcanic
action can be seen in the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain, among the most
prominent geographic features. The fauna and flora of Damaraland include;
plants such as Welwitschia, Moringa and a variety of Commiphora species and
animals such as the Desert Elephant, Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Springbok, Oryx and
Ostrich living in total harmony with the community and the communal farming
activities of the Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy. The lodge, situated in
the heart of the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy has en suite double rooms,
reception, lounge, curio shop, dining room (open), bar and swimming pool. The
development was done to minimise the visual impact on the environment and
blends into the mountainside with the use of thatch roofs, natural stone and
paint colours blending with the surrounding rock formations. We visit the rock
etchings with a local guide who will explain the history and importance of
these etchings. Dinner in the restaurant. Approx distance 310kms
Accommodation: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Day 6
Opuwo - Damaraland
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 wander on the road yet modern
life has also reached here. This afternoon we will take a local guide and head
out to visit a local Himba village. (Should time not permit this afternoon we
will visit the village tomorrow morning.) 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. We return to our lodge
later this afternoon. Overnight twin share accommodation, dinner in the
restaurant. Approx distance 320kms
Accommodation: Opuwo Country Lodge
Day 7, Day 8 & Day 9
Etosha National Park
Our destination is Etosha and we follow the road south before entering the
Park from the Western Gate. We’ll spend the next few days enjoying game drives
in this premier park, one of the largest and best reserves in Africa. Etosha
is over 22,000 sq kms and home to many species of game including lion,
leopard, cheetah, elephant, hyena, giraffe as well as antelope and over 340
species of birds so should keep you amused. We will spend nights in each of
the rest camps in twin room share accommodation. Dinner prepared by guide,
evening spent around the floodlit waterhole watching the game come to quench
their thirst. This park is recognised as one of the best game parks in
Southern Africa for the numbers and various species of game as well as the
interesting geology. Each of the rest camps have a swimming pool, bar,
restaurant and small shop. Approx distance 180kms to Etosha gate, 200kms to
Okaukuejo. Game drives approx 250-300kms
Accommodation: Okaukuejo Rest Camp
Day 10
Cheetah Conservation Fund - Otjiwarongo
After a short game drive this morning we leave Etosha behind us stopping
at Lake Otjikoto briefly before continuing our way back south. We will arrive
at Frans Indongo around lunchtime and this afternoon can enjoy a trip to
Cheetah Conservation Fund to their educational centre, maybe if we are lucky
we will also see the cheetah feeding. This international conservation
programme promotes the protection of these great predators to ensure their
ongoing survival. Namibia has the largest wild population of cheetah as many
live on farmlands where there is conflict between them and humans. This
project helps to educate the people to the benefits of not killing the cheetah
and trains dogs to protect the livestock from predator attack. Overnight in
twin room with en-suite facilities with dinner in the restaurant. Approx
distance 290kms
Accommodation: Frans Indongo Lodge
Day 11
Return to Windhoek
We return to Windhoek today after stopping at the craft markets in
Okahandja where you can watch the various crafts being carved in wood. You
will then be dropped in Windhoek at your accommodation or at the airport for
you ongoing flight. Approx distance 260kms
2007 DEPARTURE DATES:
23/7/07,10/09/07
If these dates do not fit with your travel plans please contact us for
alternative dates and options (2008 departure dates will follow soon)
TOUR NOTES:
It is strongly recommended that you purchase comprehensive personal travel
insurance before you embark on your safari. Travel insurance is for your own
protection and we consider it to be an essential part of modern international
travel.
Our
safaris are merely suggested itineraries and therefore can be
tailor-made
to suit your specific needs:
- Routes can be amended
according to your preference
- Accommodation can be
changed to suit your style and budget
- Accommodation meal
basis can be booked according
to your requirements
- Extra nights can be added
depending on your arrival and departure flight times and the
pace that you want to travel
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