 |
Credit: Wilderness Safaris |
|
:: Holiday Styles
Guided Holidays
Spirit of the Namib
|
|
2008:
9 Days Guided 3 Star Tented Accommodation from US$3850 pp (1st January to 31st December 2008 ) (U$220 single supplement).
Set departures from Windhoek throughout the year - enquire for exact dates.
Routing: Windhoek to Windhoek.
Highlights: 2 nights Etosha National Park, 2 nights Palmwag, Damaraland, rhino & desert elephant tracking, Skeleton Coast, Damaraland camp, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay Kayaking.
Details: Guided safari inclusive of safari vehicle, professional guide, accommodation in comfortable tents stretcher beds & separate bathroom facilities, most meals, National Park fees & activities as specified.
 |
Days 1&2: Ongava Homestead, Etosha Region |
| |
Transfer by comfortable charter flight to Namibia's big game country: Etosha Pans and its environs. Here, the diverse and varied flora and fauna is brought to life in a variety of activities, from game walks to game drives and visits to hides on the Ongava property and into the famous Etosha National Park.
Within Etosha we'll also visit numerous perennial springs and pans, possibly also encountering lion, leopard, elephant and black rhino as well as plains game. Stay the night at Ongava Homestead, a renovated old farmhouse, with en-suite bathrooms, and a farm kitchen overlooking its own waterhole, floodlit at night to watch nocturnal visitors, from the timid genet to big game such as elephant, lion, leopard and a host of antelope come to drink. Simple safari furnishings create a wonderful atmosphere in which to make friends and enjoy good company throughout the Exploration. |
|
Days 3&4: Palmwag Adventurer Camp, Damaraland |
| |
After an early breakfast, we depart westwards by road in the direction of the private Palmwag concession. Here, on the concession and in the surrounding areas the desert-adapted elephant, the careful feeder and gentle giant of Damaraland, thrives. Special activities include tracking and searching for these enormous mammals, on foot and by vehicle. In addition, expert guides expose the sheer magnificence of nature's survival strategies in this arid environment through walks and game drives, concentrating on a variety of topics from birds to insects, medicinal uses of plants and viewing wildlife. Our Adventurer campsite is set in a private setting with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and wide-open landscape. |
|
Days 5&6: Hoanib Camp, Skeleton Coast |
| |
An early start, our road journey moves towards the ephemeral river of the Hoanib Valley. Here, in an area seemingly parched and desolate, we enter one of Namibia's richest desert game areas. We stay at Hoanib Camp, in a tented camp comprising elegantly appointed hexagonal meru tents. From here, we enjoy game walks, rhino tracking, game drives and night drives into the Hoanib river valley. |
|
Day 7: Damaraland Camp, Damaraland |
| |
 |
Credit: Wilderness Safaris |
|
Departing early, we travel to Twyfelfontein where we take a guided walk via a number of routes, with local San (Bushman) people to view the petroglyphs - ancient rock etchings strewn over the rock face. We end the journey at Damaraland Camp, set in the heart of the largest free-roaming population of the critically endangered black rhino on Earth. Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water. The dining room and pub are combined under canvas, and an open fire is enjoyed on calm evenings. A feature of the camp is its unique rock pool. In the late afternoon, we search on foot or on a game drive for the black rhino, hoping to have a glimpse of this prehistoric-looking animal that survives today in these desolately beautiful areas. |
|
|
Day 8: The Stiltz, Swakopmund |
| |
|
We cross-country westwards and out of the concession over the ephemeral and game-rich Ugab River, where we begin to encounter the extraordinary Welwitschia plants and "wandering lichen" en route to the life-filled Atlantic Ocean. Arriving at Cape Cross Seal colony, we make our way through the mass of life on the shore - including the only mainland-breeding site of Cape fur seals.
After relaxing over lunch in the area, we make for The Stiltz Lodge in the quaint and charming town of Swakopmund, arriving in the late afternoon. Swakopmund is a wonderful town in which to end a safari after the experiences of the northern Namibian bush, with its unique urban atmosphere that is a vibrant combination of Africa and Europe.
|
The Stiltz is a unique lodge, built on stilts thus providing breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, the red iron rich beach dunes and also the Swakopmund River Mouth. Each of the 8 minimalist and elegantly furnished thatched bungalows are linked by wooden walk ways to the main restaurant. As the lodge is sited close to the central part of Swakopmund, this allows for easy access to enjoy the special hospitality, history and cuisine. |
|
Day 9: Transfer to Windhoek |
| |
After an early breakfast, we drive southwards to Walvis Bay Lagoon. Here in a protected bay, many flamingos, pelicans and other waterfowl amass. On the calm waters of the bay, we embark on a sea kayak trip, a spectacular activity that allows us to approach at a respectable distance the water birds in their habitat and often allows for some unique photographic opportunities of birds flying low over the bay. We bid farewell to the adventure and your journey ends with a transfer by road to Windhoek. |
|
|
The route followed on this exploration aims to track and reveal the elusive wildlife of the desert and the life-rich and rugged Atlantic Coast . Surprisingly, the seemingly barren desert comes to life with an amazing plethora of plants and animals that have ingeniously adapted to their harsh surroundings - and in fact thrive. On this journey there is an excellent opportunity to find even the largest of mammals surviving here - the desert black rhino and elephant. |
