TOUR INFORMATION: TOUR CODE:              NSC019 Safari Type:                        Scheduled Guided Tour (Guaranteed Departure Dates) Style:                                   Camping (limited participation, assisted camping) Duration:                             14 Days / 13 Nights Departure Date:                 Thurdays (see departure dates below) Departure Location:          Windhoek - Namibia Tour Ends:                          Windhoek - Namibia Countries Visited:            NAMIBIA - BOTSWANA Routing Highlights: Windhoek – Ghanzi, Kalahari, Botswana - Okavango Delta – Rundu, Namibia – Etosha National Park - Twyfelfontein, Damaraland – Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast - Namib Naukluft Park - Sesriem – Sossusvlei - Windhoek One of our most popular trips that offers a great combination of the famous Okavango Delta, Bushmanland and the San People, Etosha National Park, Damaraland and the rock engravings, Cape Fur Seals, The Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund and the amazing Namib Desert and Sossusvlei sand dunes. This safari has a guaranteed departure nearly every Saturday of the year. There are no minimum numbers, no single supplements and we will operate the trip with only one booking if necessary. The price is virtually fully inclusive, the style is limited participation, assisted camping and there are two accommodated nights included on the itinerary.

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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
Windhoek – Ghanzi, Kalahari, Botswana
We will collect you from your accommodation in Windhoek on the morning of departure. Pick up time will be between 07:30 & 08h00.
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.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: L, D)

Day 2
Ghanzi – Okavango Delta
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.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 3
Okavango Delta
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. Mokoro’s 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 mokoro’s 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.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 4
Okavango Delta
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.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 5
Okavango Delta
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 and 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 unparallel Okavango Waters.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 6
Okavango Delta – Rundu, Namibia
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.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 7
Rundu – Namutoni, Etosha National Park
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 Namutoni camp in 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.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 8
Etosha National Park
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.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 9
Etosha National Park
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.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 10
Okaukuejo – Twyfelfontein, Damaraland
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.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 11
Twyfelfontein – Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast
More beautiful Damaraland scenery this morning. We pass Namibia's highest mountain, the Brandberg (2573 m) 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.
Accommodation: Chalet Accommodation (Meals: B, L)

Day 12
Swakopmund – Namib Naukluft Park
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 at Sesriem. 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. We stop for lunch in the desert en route and arrive in Sesriem during the late afternoon.
We have time to drive out to the nearby dunes to watch the colours on distant mountains to the east, glow and change.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 13
Namib Naukluft Park - Sesriem – Sossusvlei
A pre-dawn start to see the sunrise in the dunes. We drive a further 60 km into the desert and have our breakfast as the colours change and grow across the landscape. To reach Sossusvlei itself we walk for the last 5 km through the dunes. The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel horn 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.
Accommodation: Overnight Camping (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 14
Windhoek
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.

DEPARTURE DATES:

TOUR NOTES:

The style of safari is limited participation, you will be asked to assist put up and take down your own tent, and however there will be a camp assistant to complete all the other campsite chores. Your tour guide will do all the shopping, cooking and day-to-day organization of the safari. Unless otherwise specified, all safaris will be conducted in English.

Includes:
1. All transport
2. Three meals a day (unless differently specified)
3. Tap drinking water
4. Tea & coffee in camp
5. All camping equipment
6. Park entrance fees
7. Camping fees
8. Professional guide
9. Camp Assistant
10. Pick up & drop off from accommodation in Windhoek

Excludes:
1. Sleeping bag (can be hired)
2. Alcoholic beverages
3. Soft drinks
4. Personal travel insurance

Useful items to bring with you:
1. Two litre water bottle
2. Torch
3. Towel
4. Sun hat

The tents are dome type, which are easy to assemble and your mattresses are approximately 5 cm thick with your own mattress cover, and everyone has a camp chair with a backrest.

Clients are limited to one soft, barrel type bag per person with maximum weight of 15kg, one medium sized hand luggage bag, one medium sized camera bag and a sleeping bag.

We suggest a sleeping bag range of “3 – 4 season”. Sleeping bags can be hired by prior arrangement for the trip. When packing your clothing please be aware that Namibian summer temperatures (December - March) can reach 45*C, and winter temperatures (June - September) can be as low as -5*C. The rainy season is between December and April.

All evening meals on camping safaris, (unless stipulated), are cooked on an open fire by your guide. Salads and fresh vegetables will be served where possible, but please note in some areas this is not necessarily every day. Fresh fruit will also be supplied when possible. Vegetarians can be catered for but please notify us prior to safari departure.

Namibia is a low risk malarial destination but we recommend that seek professional medical advice to enable you to make decisions on personal malaria protection.

All tap water in Namibia has been purified or comes directly from boreholes and is safe to drink. We supply tap drinking water but bottled mineral water is easily available at shops and rest camps should you prefer to drink this.

Electrical plugs are 220 V and are 3 pin (round pin as opposed to square pin). Adaptors can be purchased in Windhoek. It is possible to re-charge batteries at some campsites.

It is customary to tip in Namibia, usually, around 10% at restaurants. Your guide and assistant can be tipped at your own discretion but we ask that the guide be tipped separately from your assistant.

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