Truly Africa Tours are proud to present the following safari through our travel partners.

2009 Prices/Dates - R9200 per person departs Tuesdays

 

This safari has a guaranteed departure every Tuesday of the year. There are no minimum numbers and no single supplements. The price is virtually fully inclusive, the style is limited participation, assisted camping and there are two accommodated nights included in the itinerary, one in Windhoek (day 3) and one in Swakopmund, (day 9). Collection time from anywhere within the Windhoek city limits is between is 08:00 and 08:30 for the first southern section, (to the Namib Desert), of the trip and between 08:30 & 09:00 for the second northern section, (to Okonjima), of the trip.

Two of the world's natural wonders, the Okavango Delta and the mighty Victoria Falls can also be included by combining this trip with our 8 day Delta and Falls Safari.

Day one
Windhoek - Namib Desert Camp (350 km) (LD) (camping) You will be collected between 08:00 & 08:30. We travel out over the Eros Mountains and along scenic roads, on our way south-west to the desert. We also pass over part of the Naukluft Mountains the Khomas Hochland range on our journey today and head down from Namibia's central plateau by way of the beautiful Remhoogte Pass. Coming out of the mountains we reach open plains and from here it is only a short distance to our next stop, the tiny town of Solitaire. We will stop here for some refreshments before continuing on through desert scenery. 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 aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east.

Day two
Namib Desert Camp - Sossusvlei - Namib Desert Camp (camping) (BLD) A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert. After passing through Sesriem, the gateway to the dunes and driving into the heart of the dune field, we reach Sossusvlei itself by walking 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 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 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
Namib Desert Camp - Windhoek (450 km) (BL) After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We will travel back by different roads, this time climbing up to Windhoek and travelling by way of the massive Gamsberg Pass in the Khomas Hochland Mountain Range on our way back to civilization. We are due back into the city around 16:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return. This night's accommodation is included in the price of the safari but dinner tonight will be for the client's own account in a local restaurant.

Day four
Windhoek - Okonjima (300 km) (LD) (camping) You will be collected between 08:30 & 09:00. We will travel north, stopping at small towns along the way including Okahandja, where we have time to visit Namibia's largest wood carving market. The market is operated on a local co-operative basis and is one of the best places to shop for truly Namibian souvenirs. Continuing north, passing through farmland, we aim to arrive at Okonjima during the middle afternoon, giving us time to set up our camp and to relax in the shade for a while before heading out on to the property to take part in the afternoon's activities. Okonjima is the home of the Africat Foundation, a specialist conservation concern that centres its operations around the African Big Cats, particularly cheetah. This afternoon you will be taken on a tour during which you will be able to meet, close-up-and-personal, some of the cheetah that are going through the Africat rehabilitation programme. Most of the animals currently living at Okonjima have been rescued from various desperate situations, being orphaned or caught in a trap, and the aim of rehabilitation process is to attempt to re-introduce them into the wild. After our educational tour we will return our accommodation and prepare for dinner under the African stars.

Day five
Okonjima - Namutoni / East Etosha region (300 km) (BLD) (camping) An early start and continuing north we pass through some small towns, making short stops for fresh supplies and fuel. Our first main port of call today is the mysterious Lake Otjikoto. Otjikoto is in fact Namibia's largest permanent natural lake and we take time here to rest a little and learn something about the history of this unusual landmark.
Continuing on to our East Etosha, Namutoni region camp we again aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving us time to relax before heading into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first game drive.

Day six
East Etosha region - Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park (BLD) (camping) A full day's game driving. We again leave early to enjoy the cool morning air as 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 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. 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 usually seen.

Day seven
Okaukuejo - Oase Himba Village, Kamanjab (300 km) (BLD) (camping) Leaving Etosha we begin our journey south with a relatively short drive to the small town of Kamanjab where we will make a short stop here before continuing on to find the Himba Tribesmen. This is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact, and are following their traditional way-of-life in their village on a farm. Oase Village is located about 15 to 20 km outside Kamanjab, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new location. During the afternoon we will be invited into Oase Village and will meet with the locals. We will have a specialist guide for the time we are there, who will be able to translate for us and will introduce us to this "alternative lifestyle". We will learn about marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the local religion, "Holy Fire".

Day eight
Oase Village - Brandberg Mountain (400 km) (BLD) (camping) Today we head into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, Damaraland. We drive south to the capital of this region, the small town of Khorixas, and then take a detour to the west, travelling via the Petrified Forest geological site, to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontien. At both these locations we will have local guides to conduct us on a short guided tour. From here we head deeper into the desert to Namibia's highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m). Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site and tonight we will sleep under the shadow of this giant granite monolith.

Day nine
Brandberg Mountain - Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast (250 km) (BL) (chalet) 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. Back on the road for more beautiful Damaraland scenery. We make our first stop 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, following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia's premier seaside town. We aim to arrive in the late afternoon giving us time to explore the town on foot before sunset. Tonight we take the chance to sample one of the excellent restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means required. Dinner this evening in not included in the price of the safari and will be for the client's own account

Day ten
Swakopmund - Windhoek (BL) (350 km) The drive back to Windhoek today will take about 4 and a half hours. We will only depart after lunch,
giving us time to spend the morning relaxing in Swakopmund. 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. (N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients' own risk and expense).

This is the last day of our trip and after lunch we will transfer back to the capital city where you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

Tonight the accommodation is not included in the price of the safari.

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Tour Information

 

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 16 people, with no minimum number. Transport for up to 8 people will be in a minibus and for 9 people and more in a Toyota bus / truck. The style of safari is limited participation, you will be asked to assist put up and take down your own tent, 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.

Safaris include: Safaris exclude:
1. All transport 1. Sleeping bag (can be hired)
2. Three meals a day (unless differently specified) 2. Alcoholic beverages
3. Tap drinking water 3. Soft drinks
4. Tea & coffee in camp 4. Personal travel insurance
5. All camping equipment
6. Park entrance fees Useful items to bring with you:
7. Camping fees 1. Two litre water bottle
8. Professional guide 2. Torch
9. Camp Assistant 3. Towel
10. Pick up & drop off from accommodation in Windhoek 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 a cost of N$: 100.00 per 10 day 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 you 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. Your guide and assistant can be tipped at your own discretion and only for good service, but we ask that the guide be tipped separately from your assistant.
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Truly Africa Tours - +27 21 674 6913, or Gemma Digweed +264 81 364 5069