Truly
Africa Tours are proud to present the following safari through
our travel partners.
Departs
every Friday
R7500
(South African Rand)
Day
1
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.
Driving time: approx. 3.5hrs (300 km).
Overnight: Okonjima.Communal ablutions / camping.Lunch
and Dinner.
Day 2
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 Namutoni camp in Etosha National Park we again
aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving us time to relax before
heading out into the park during the cool of the late afternoon
for our first game drive.
After your evening meal there are still more chances to see Etosha's
big game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole. Situated on the boundary
of Namutoni and easily reachable on foot, elephants are regular
visitors here and there is a good chance of seeing other species
of game as well.
Driving time: approx. 4hrs (300 km).
Overnight: Etosha National Park - Namutoni.Communal ablutions
/ camping.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3
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.
Overnight: Etosha National Park - Okaukuejo.Communal ablutions
/camping.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4
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".
Driving time: approx. 6 hrs (300 km)
Overnight: Oase-Himba Village camp.Communal ablutions /camping.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5
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.
Driving time: approx. 5hrs (400 km)
Overnight: Brandberg Mountain. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6
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
Driving time: approx. 4hrs (250 km)
Overnight: Swakopmund.Chalet Accommodation/communal ablutions.Breakfast
and Lunch. (Dinner at own expense.)
Day 7
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.
Driving time: approx. 4.5hrs (350 km)
Overnight: Breakfast and Lunch.
Safari
includes
All transport
3 meals a day unless specified
Drinking water, tea and coffee
All camping equipment
Park entry fees
Professional guides
Pick up and drop off in Windhoek
Safari
Excludes
Sleeping bag (can be hired)
Personal insurance
Alcoholic beverages
Soft drinks
Maximum
group size is 16 people, there is no minimum group size.
Transport for up to 8 people is in a minibus or lancruiser, for
9 to 16 people 16 seater safari vehicles are used.
To
book this tour please call +264 81 364 5069 or e mail bookings@trulyafricatours.com