Truly
Africa proudly offers this budget tour through our travel partners
This
safari has a fully accommodated itinerary using a selection of
bungalows, guest-houses and lodges throughout Namibia. There are
guaranteed departure nearly every Saturday of the year, there
are no minimum numbers and we will operate the trip with only
one booking if necessary. Collection time is between 09:00 &
09:30 from anywhere within the Windhoek city limits.
This
itinerary can also be combined with our 8 day Delta and Falls
Safari which will take you to visit two of the world's natural
wonders, the Okavango Delta and the mighty Victoria Falls.
Day
one
Windhoek - Namib Desert (350 km) (lodge) (LD) You will be
collected between 09:00 & 09:30. 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.
Day
two
Lodge - Sesriem - Sossusvlei - Lodge (250 km) (lodge) (BLD) A
pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the
soft light of the sunrise on the desert. We drive the short distance
to Sesriem, the entrance to the Namib Naukluft National Park and
gateway to the world's highest dunes. 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, 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 camelthorn
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.
Day
three
Sand dune desert - Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast (300 km) (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.
Day
four
Swakopmund (hotel) (B) 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.
Day five
Swakopmund - Brandberg Mountain (300 km) (BLD) (lodge) 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,
inland and back into the desert, travelling on to the small town
of Uis, an old mining town, located more or less in the middle
of no-where. Uis is 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 Uis it is now only a
short drive to Namibia's highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573
m). Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site and
in the cool of the late afternoon we will hike, "into"
the mountain with our guide to see the world famous "White
Lady" rock painting. Attributed to the Bushman artists, the
white lady panel is believed by some to be in excess of 20 000
years old. Tonight we will sleep at the quaint White Lady Lodge
under the shadow of this giant granite monolith.
Day
six
Brandberg - Damaraland Desert (350 km) (BLD) (lodge) Starting
early to enjoy the cool of the morning we will hike, "into"
the mountain with our guide to see the world famous "White
Lady" rock painting. Attributed to the Bushman artists, the
white lady panel is believed by some to be in excess of 20 000
years old. Our next main stop will be 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.
Day
seven
Damaraland (200 km) (BLD) (lodge) With an easy drive we are
pushing further north today into the even more remote areas of
Namibia, travelling up as far the western boundaries of Etosha
National Park. Today's theme is take it easy in a beautiful region,
arriving at our lodge in the early afternoon where again there
will be the chance to complete optional activities, nature / game
drives or self guided walking trails. Otherwise the rest of the
day is designed to allow you to relax by the pool and re-charge
your energy.
Day
eight
Northern Damaraland - Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park (200 km)
(BLD) (bungalow) 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. Dinner tonight is prepared by your guide over an open
fire.
Day
nine
Okaukuejo, Etosha (BLD) (bungalow) 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.
Day
ten
Okaukuejo camp - Namutoni Etosha (BLD) (bungalow) 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.
Day
eleven
Etosha - Otavi Mountains (300 km) (BLD) (lodge) 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.
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.
Day
twelve
Otavi - Windhoek (350km) (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.
Dates
and Prices
2008
***
Feb 9th *** Mar 15th ***Apr 5th and 19th *** May 10th and 24th
*** June 7th and 21st *** July 5th and 19th *** Aug 2nd, 9th,
16th, 23rd and 30th *** Sept 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th *** Oct
11th and 25th *** Nov 8th and 22nd *** Dec 20th ***
Prices
(in South African Rand)
R23000
per person
Single
supplement R3100
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.
Maximum
group size is 12 people and will be conducted in a Toyota minibus
with a special "pop top" for easy game viewing, or our
larger Toyota Dyna with pop-top. Unless otherwise specified, all
safaris will be conducted in English
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.
Safaris include: Safaris exclude:
1. All transport 1. Alcoholic beverages
2. Three meals a day (unless differently specified) 2. Soft drinks
3. Tap drinking water 3. Personal travel insurance
4. Park entrance fees Useful items to bring with you:
5. Pop Top vehicle 1. Two liter water bottle
6. Professional guide 2. Torch
7. Pick up & drop off from accommodation in Windhoek 3. Towel
4. Sun hat
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.
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.
The
Namibian Dollar (N$) is tied permanently 1-1 to the South African
Rand (SAR). SAR, notes and coins are legal tender in Namibia.
Airport
transfers and pre-and-post safari accommodation can be arranged
on request
It
is customary to tip in Namibia, usually, around 10% at restaurants.
Porters, at hotels, around N$ 5.00. Your guide can be tipped at
your own discretion for good service, and as a guideline we recommend
between N$20 - N$30.00 per person per day.
To
book this tour, or for further information, please contact Gemma
on +264 81 364 5069
or e mail bookings@trulyafricatours.com a
