Guided Holiday “3-4*, Responsible Travel, Wildlife, Active” Style

Namibia Ideal Accommodated Safari

  All prices are per person sharing

Seasonal Prices:From: 01-04-2012 Until: 31-03-2013 Price: aprx. NAD29700

Routing:Windhoek to Windhoek.

Highlights:Sesriem, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Cape Cross, Twyfelfontein, Etosha, Okonjima.

Details:This safari has a fully accommodated itinerary using a selection of bungalows, guest-houses and lodges throughout Namibia. Set departure dates throughout the year. Collection time is between 09:00 & 09:30 from anywhere within the Windhoek city limits.

• [?]Day 1: Namib Desert
  

  You will be collected from you accommodation 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, taking us past several desert homesteads and occasional wild game viewings along the way.  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 savannah. 

  We stop at Solitaire, Namibia’s second smallest town, for afternoon tea before driving on to our accommodation. 

  Lodge: Sesriem Campsite

  Activities: Hiking & Walking Game/ Nature driving Birding
• [?]Day 2: Sesriem
  

  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 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 and to escape the heat of the afternoon. 

  We return to our lodge to relax before dinner.

  Lodge: Sesriem Campsite

  Activities: Hiking & Walking Scenic Flights/ Hot Air Ballooning Game/ Nature driving Birding
• [?]Day 3 to 4: Swakopmund
  

  Starting early we head north-west to the seaside town of Swakopmund located on the Skeleton Coast. 

  At Solitaire we stop at the ‘N/a’an ku se Namib Conservation Centre’, a 500 hectare Conservation Centre which hosts an educational centre and wildlife tracking within the purpose built enclosures and receive information on the carnivore surveillance in the greater Namib area.

  From the mountains we cross the desolate “Namib gravel plains” before reaching the coastal sand dunes at the port town of Walvis Bay where we stop to see the flamingos and other bird life in the Walvis Bay lagoon beofre driving to Swakopmund.

  Day 4 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 and cafes, 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.  

  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.

  Dinners are for the client's own account in a local restaurant.

  Lodge: Swakopmund

  Activities: Birding Game/ Nature driving
• [?]Day 5 to 6: Twyfelfontein
  

  We leave early today and head north along the coast, first visiting 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.

  From Uis we pass Namibia’s highest peak, the Brandberg Mountain (2573 m) and continue into Damaraland, our destination is Twyfelfontein.

  Our next main stop on day 6 will be the ancient site of Twyfelfontein.  Here is an impressive collection of rock engravings created by the talented artisans of ancient peoples.

  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.

  Overnight at a Lodge in the area.

  Lodge: Twyfelfontein

  Activities: Hiking & Walking Game/ Nature driving Birding
• [?]Day 7: Kavita Lion 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, before continuing on to Kavita Lion Lodge and Africat North.

  A local Otjiwarongo business has chosen to fund a project at AfriCat North - the Communal Carnivore Conservation Project. This team works with farming communities as well as those surrounding the Etosha National Park, assisting in carnivore management (mainly lion) and advising communal and commercial farmers on how best to protect livestock. This is the first unit of its kind in Namibia.

  During the afternoon we visit the project and education centre.

  Lodge: Kavita Lodge

  Activities: Game/ Nature driving Birding
• [?]Day 8 to 9: Etosha National Park
  

  Travelling 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.

  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.

  There is ample time to relax in the afternoon and then sundowners at Okaukuejo floodlit waterhole, situated on the boundary of the camp and easily reachable on foot from your bungalow, the Okaukuejo waterhole is famous for being one of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa". 

  We go straight out on an early morning game drive on day 9.  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. 

  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.

  Lodge: Okaukuejo

  Activities: Game/ Nature driving Birding
• [?]Day 10: Etosha National Park
  

  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.

  Lodge: Namutoni

  Activities: Game/ Nature driving Birding
• [?]Day 11: Okonjima
  

  Time for one more morning game drive before we leave Etosha, but it’s not the end of our game viewing.  We will aim to arrive at Okonjima during the middle of the afternoon, giving us time to check into our rooms and to relax in the shade or plunge into the pool.

  Okonjima is the home of the Africat Foundation, a specialist conservation concern that centres its operations around; the African Big Cats, particularly cheetah. 

  Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.

  Lodge: Okonjima Main Camp

  Activities: Game/ Nature driving Birding
• [?]Day 12: Return to Windhoek
  

  This morning you will be taken on a tour to meet some of the cheetah or leopard that are part of the Africat rehabilitation programme.

  Most of the animals living at Okonjima have been rescued from various desperate situations, being orphaned or caught in a trap and the aim of the rehabilitation process is to attempt re-introduction into the wild.

  After our educational tour we will return to the lodge and prepare our return journey to Windhoek.

  We are due back into the city around 15:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return.

  Lodge: Windhoek

  Activities: Game/ Nature driving Birding