TOUR INFORMATION: TOUR CODE:              NSC013 Safari Type:                        Scheduled Guided Tour (Guaranteed Departure Dates) Style:                                   Camping (limited participation, assisted camping) Duration:                             10 Days / 9 Nights Departure Date:                 Mondays (weekly) Departure Location:          Windhoek - Namibia Tour Ends:                          Windhoek - Namibia Routing Highlights: Windhoek – Namib Naukluft Park – Sesriem Canyon – Sossusvlei – Swakopmund – Spitzkoppe – Hobatere – Etosha National Park – Waterberg Plateau Park – Windhoek Combine the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei with the oldest desert in the world and continue your journey through this remarkable country into the north enjoying highlights such as the wildlife kingdom of Etosha National Park safari. You have the opportunity to meet and learn about the fascinating culture of the semi nomadic Himba people in the far north as an OPTIONAL activity.

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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 the departure point of this safari and how to continue afterwards…

ITINERARY:

Day 1
Namib Naukluft Park
We depart from Windhoek around 08h30. 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 enjoy 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. We return to camp just after sunset to enjoy our dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant.
OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (LD)

Day 2
Namib Naukluft Park – Sesriem - Sossusvlei
A pre-dawn departure from our campsite to drive to Sossusvlei, a 65kms drive in the darkness 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 sunrise from this spectacular and unique area (dependent on opening time of inner park gate). 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 camp for a swim and this afternoon explore nearby Sesriem Canyon on foot. Enjoy another spectacular sunset surrounded by this colourful desert and sleep under the bright stars of the southern hemisphere. Overnight camping and dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant
OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (BLD)

Day 3
Swakopmund
Early morning departure from camp stopping at the one horse 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 the quaint town of 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 morning. 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
Accommodation: Dunedin Star Guesthouse (BL)

Day 4
Spitzkoppe
This morning you have free time to visit the museum and aquarium, explore the town, or partake in optional activities such as sand boarding and quad biking. We depart after lunch, driving along a section of the Skeleton Coast before turning inland for Spitzkoppe, a huge inselberg towering above the dry desert plains and arriving late afternoon to set up camp. We have the opportunity to explore the area and enjoy the wonderful rock formations that have been created by erosion over thousands of years. Dinner prepared by the guide and camp assistant. Evening spent under a million stars. Overnight based at community run bush camp with no toilet/shower facilities.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (BLD)

Day 5
Hobatere
This morning we enjoy a walk to Bushman’s Paradise, viewing the ancient bushman paintings and vistas of the vast surrounding desert or you may simply wander around the desert floor. From here our drive takes us through some beautiful and dramatic landscapes arriving at camp late afternoon. Hobatere borders western Etosha and the camp is set amongst boulders and trees offering seclusion, however, game, including lion may wander around freely and there are no fences to separate the camp from concession land. Overnight wild camping, dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant
OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (BLD)

Day 6
Hobatere
Today you can relax at the camp, enjoy a walk in the surrounding land or watch the game from the nearby hide come to drink at the waterhole, alternatively join an OPTIONAL day trip through to Opuwo and visit the local Himba tribes. These remarkable and proud people live in the Kunene region. Formally cattle/goat herders some still live a traditional life style in this harsh environment. You will be accompanied by a local guide who will translate all your questions giving you a chance to find how they survive in today’s modern world learn about their fascinating culture. We return to camp late afternoon and you can sit at the waterhole watching the game come to quench their thirst. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant
OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (BLD)

Day 7
Etosha National Park
We depart for Etosha entering through the western gate and game driving through to Okaukuejo. This massive park is a haven for wildlife and supports one of the most important ecological and wildlife systems on the continent. After setting up our tents we take a late afternoon game drive visiting the surrounding waterholes looking for species such as elephant, lion, rhino, kudu, giraffe as well as the large herds of springbok, zebra and wildebeest that survive in this region. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant. Evening viewing at flood lit waterhole, famous for its visits by black rhinos
OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation: Rest Camp in Etosha National Park (BLD)

Day 8
Etosha National Park
Sunrise departure from camp for full morning game drive transiting across the park visiting various waterholes along the way and look out for the many species of animals. We spend the hottest part of the day at Halali camp where we have lunch and enjoy a swim or an afternoon snooze. Late afternoon game drive to Namutoni via the famous Etosha Pan, a vast depression which can even be seen from space and the white shimmering haze disappearing into the horizon. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant. Evening viewing at flood lit waterhole
OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation: Onguma Camp (BLD)

Day 9
Waterberg Plateau
After a leisurely breakfast we have a short stop at Lake Otjikoto before collecting fresh supplies at Tsumeb and continuing on to Hoba Meteorite, the largest single meteorite in the world for lunch. We arrive late afternoon at Waterberg Bush camp at the eastern end of the Plateau. Witness the fabulous colours of the lichen growing on the rock face of the plateau at sunset from the top of the plateau directly above our camp and enjoy the views across the Kalahari. There are plenty of animals wandering freely in this area such as eland, ostrich, springbok, kudu and impala. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (BLD)

Day 10
Windhoek
Your guide will lead you on a short hike through the ravine at the base of the plateau. After brunch we return to Windhoek via the Okahandja Craft Markets for those last minute gifts.

OPTIONS FOR UPGRADING ACCOMMODATION IN SESRIEM, HOBATERE, OKAUKUEJO AND ONGUMA BUT DEPENDS ON AVAILABILITY.

OPTIONAL HIMBA EXCURSION:
The North Western region of Namibia, also known as Kaokoland, is home to the nomadic groups of proud Himba people who still choose to live a nomadic and traditional lifestyle. They are also referred to as the Kaokovelders. Basically Herero in terms of origin, language and culture, they are semi-nomadic pastoralists who tend to trek from one watering place to another seeking grazing areas for their goat and cattle. They seldom leave their home areas and maintain, even in their dress, a tradition of their own, on which other cultures have made little impression. For many centuries they have lived a relatively isolated existence and were not involved in any significant measure in the long struggle for pasturelands.
They are tall, slender and statuesque people, characterized by their proud yet friendly bearing. The women are noted for their unusual sculptural beauty, with their detailed and intricate hairstyles, and traditional adornments. They rub their bodies with a mixture of red ochre and butterfat, which protects their skins against the harsh desert environment and gives them a red-drown complexion. They use many different hairstyles and dress to illustrate their status, for example the men plait their hair differently to show their marital status. Men, women and children wear body adornments made from iron and shell beads.

A full day Himba Excursion in a 4x4 vehicle through from Hobatere Camp on the Northern Namibia 4x4 Adventure (Day 4) and the Namibian Highlights (Day 6).

This full day excursion travels north along the western boundary of Etosha and visits a village south of Opuwo. Your local guide will gain permission to enter the village from the local chief and you will learn all aspects of modern day Himba life. This is a full day excursion from approx 07h00 to 15h30. Maximum 8 persons and minimum of 2 persons.

Please pre-book this activity when booking your safari to avoid disappointment, however please note that all optional activities are subject to availability.

The price is N$650/person for a minimum of 2 persons.
This money is used to buy foodstuffs for the village and to pay our local guide; therefore a large proportion of what you pay goes directly to the community.

TOUR NOTES:

LOCAL PAYMENTS – N$950 LOCAL PAYMENT in cash (South African Rand or Namibia Dollars only) payments must be paid in cash in the stated currency on the morning of departure (relevant to the safari booked).

The itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change – for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated above.

IMPORTANT - Whilst visiting villages and local communities we cannot guarantee activities on offer, it often depends on how they feel on the day, however, it will give you the opportunity to meet and experience life in Namibia in today’s society.

The Vehicles – 4x4 camping safaris
Our Safaris use 4x4 custom built Toyota Land Cruisers and a VW Minibus. All Toyota Land Cruisers are 9-seater vehicle with comfortable individual bucket seats fitted with seat belts for your safety. All our vehicles have a cool box on board with ice (when available) for your own drinks and is accessible whilst the vehicle is travelling. We use custom built off-road trailers to carry your luggage and other equipment required for the duration of your safari.

The camping equipment
We are using two types of tents on our safaris depending on the season you want to travel:
During the wet season which normally starts from November and ends in April, we are using canvas tents, dome type, very easy to put up, spacious (250cm x 250cm x 200cm) and waterproof.
During the dry season May through to end October we use mosquito netted dome tents (210cm x 210cm x190cm) with 60cm high canvas from the floor for your privacy and comfort. These tents are perfect for sleeping under starry African skies safe from creepy crawlies.
We also provide 6cm thick high density mattresses and a little pillow for your comfort.

Our scheduled safaris are conducted on the basis of limited participation, which means you are only required to erect and dismantle your tent. All other camp chores will be dealt with your guide and apprentice guide.

All camping equipment is supplied EXCEPT sleeping bags. These can be hired from us whilst you are on safari. The tents are 2 man dome tents with full mosquito netting with flysheet and we supply 6cm thick high density foam mattresses.
On safari we supply three meals per day (except for evening meals in Swakopmund and on your first and last days). All other snacks and drinks must be supplied by you.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT is not charged on this safari. If you single and travelling alone we ask you to share with another single traveller of the same sex. If there is no other single traveller of the same sex you will not have to share.
TAP WATER is safe to drink almost everywhere in Namibia. Whilst on safari your guide will advise when the drinking water is not safe, alternatively you can buy bottled water at your own expense.
HEALTH – Malaria does occur in parts of Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. Please consult your physician prior to leaving home or email us for more information. Your physician may also recommend other injections for your travel and advice should be sought.

GENERAL NOTES:

PASSPORTS must be carried with you at all times whilst on safari and in the vehicle. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your safari finishes/you leaving the country. You may not be allowed into Namibia if your passport does not have the required 6 months; we cannot accept any responsibility or refund on a safari in this scenario.

CURRENCY – The Namibian Dollar (N$) is tied permanently 1-1 to the South African Rand (SAR). SAR, notes and coins are legal tender in Namibia. Credit cards are widely accepted at ATM’s. Traveller’s cheques can be changed only in major towns but it is advisable to carry a limited amount of cash with you.

PERSONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE is not included but is compulsory when travelling on any safari. Travel insurance is for your own protection and we consider it to be an essential part of modern international travel. Please consult your travel agent prior to leaving home or contact us. 

VISA REQUIREMENTS – Visas are your own responsibility; persons arriving without the relevant visa for their safari will not be refunded in this scenario.

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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