|
Meet the Namib: the oldest desert in the world; Damaraland: where the largest free-roaming population of black rhino resides; Cape Cross: a bewildering cacophony of Cape fur seals; Etosha: a blinding whiteness that is home to a surprising variety of wildlife. This is an all-encompassing safari that explores the spirit of this wide-open land – Namibia’s most special wild places, its people and culture. Exposed and diverse landscapes with desert wildlife, scenic, jagged mountains, endless skies, and so-called ‘barren’ deserts that hide a multitude and variety of life.
Sossusvlei, Etosha, Skeleton Coast and Damaraland are all enthusiastically explored via a range of private areas, campsites, flights and lodges. Impressive range of activities, whether by day, night, sea, or land, by air or vehicle – as well as meeting local Topnaar and Damara people (dependent on their movements) – reveal the encompassing beauty of Namibia’s people and land. Wonderful variety of accommodation, from an old farmhouse to dome tent camps, hexagonal meru tents, superlative lodges and quaint hotel. At Aonin Dune Camp, experience an ancient date palm oasis with views of immense red sand dunes. Travel by land when the journey is enhanced; otherwise travelling is done by air.
The accommodation takes you back to the great days of African exploration. Pure cotton linen bedrolls (with duvets) on GI stretchers, bedside table with silver lantern and mini luggage benches complement the atmosphere in pristine, wild camping areas. Separate toilet and shower ‘bathrooms’ with old-style tin bucket showers and basins and all amenities create simple serviced comfort.
 |
 |
 |
|
Spirit of the Namib Safari Synopsis:
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Day
|
Route/Activities |
|
1 & 2
Etosha Park |
Transfer by comfortable charter flight from Windhoek to Etosha and its environs.
Here, the diverse flora and fauna is experienced in a variety of activities, from game walks to game drives and visits to hides both on the property and in the famous Etosha National Park.
The 66 000-acre Ongava Game Reserve is recognised as the nation’s premier big game private game reserve. Combined with easy access to the extraordinary Etosha Park, Ongava Homestead provides the quintessential Namibian farmhouse experience. Surrounded by plains teeming with wildlife and situated close to Etosha Park (the vast expanse of savannah and salt pan, the largest in Africa, ‘discovered’ by Sir Francis Galton and Charles Andersson in 1851), the discoverer atmosphere of Andersson’s Camp makes for a much more comfortable modern day exploration of this landscape. The resurrected farmstead now forms the anchor fronting onto a thriving waterhole, and the twenty tented guest units with en-suite bathrooms are raised on decks for an enhanced view. This model of eco-sensitive lodging provides an authentic, safe and down-to-earth experience for small groups, families and independent travelers to Etosha. The waterhole is floodlit at night to catch sight of nocturnal visitors, from the timid genet to big game such as lion, leopard and a host of antelope. Within Etosha we’ll also visit numerous perennial springs and pans, encountering lion, leopard, elephant and black rhino, as well as plains game. |
|
3
Damaraland |
After an early breakfast, we depart westwards by road in the direction of Palmwag concession. Here, on the concession and in the surrounding areas the desert-adapted elephant and black rhino can be found. Special activities include tracking and searching for these wonderful mammals on foot and by vehicle. The camp consists of 5 meru tents, built on individual, wooden platforms and offering a great scenic view of the surroundings and also the Desert Elephants when they visit the area. Situated about 600 m away from the restaurant and secluded from the rest of Palmwag Lodge, this stop over forms a private experience and feel. The tents are tastefully furnished, with en suite facilities, solar power and a wonderful atmosphere. Over the course of the next four nights in this enormous wilderness area our guides expose the sheer magnificence of nature’s survival strategies in this arid environment, through walks, tracking and game drives concentrating on a variety of topics from birds to insects, medicinal uses of plants and viewing wildlife. |
|
4 & 5
Damaraland |
With an early start, our journey continues by road towards the ephemeral river of the Hoanib Valley. Please note that this is a long nature transfer, giving guests a unique opportunity to see some of the most rugged and “hard to get to” areas within Namibia’s remote North West. Here, in an area seemingly parched and desolate, we enter one of Namibia’s richest desert wildlife areas.
The rugged mountains and canyons of the Hoanib River provide a last refuge for some of the continent’s most unique wildlife; this is the home of the legendary desert elephant and the last free-roaming black rhino population on Earth. In fact seventy-five per cent of Namibia’s endemic species inhabit this last bastion of the wilderness. Experience the wilder side of Africa where only the sporadic roar of lion or cackle of hyaena punctuates the silence of the night. The Save the Rhino Trust has been involved with rhino conservation in this area since the early 1980s, with funding from and in partnership with Wilderness Safaris. The Trust is thus able to continue the conservation of this remarkable animal. Our Discoverer-styled tented camp close to the Hoanib River is a relaxed haven from which we explore this wild land on foot, or from the comfort of one of our safari vehicles. The camp is powered by solar-powered inverter systems and there are no generators or pumps running whilst guests are in camp. There are 5 guest walk-in hexagonal meru-style tents with en suite and flush toilet and bucket shower bathrooms in a separate portion of the tent. Each tent is furnished with necessary comforts and styled with burnt orange interiors, wood and brass, effectively recreating a sense of the early explorers. |
|
6
Damaraland |
Departing early, we travel to Twyfelfontein where we take a guided walk via a number of routes with local Damara guides to view the San (Bushman) petroglyphs - prehistoric rock etchings strewn over the rock face. We end the journey at the award-winning Damaraland Camp. 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 natural rock pool. In the late afternoon, we search on foot or vehicle for the black rhino, hoping to have a glimpse of this prehistoric-looking animal that survives today in these desolately beautiful areas. |
|
7
Swakopmund |
We leave Damaraland Camp and cross over the Huab riverbed. Traveling south we begin finding some Welwitschia plants, we also come across some petrified wood and pass the Gai As spring where we find numerous stone circles made by people who lived here about 500 years ago. Continuing south we cross over the Ugab River and then start heading westwards towards the coast. As we get closer to the coast there are lichen fields strewn over the gravel plains, one of the most fragile ecosystems on Earth. After relaxing over our packed lunch en route, 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, as its name implies is built on stilts, providing breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, the red iron-rich beach dunes and also the Swakopmund River mouth. Each of the 8 minimalist yet elegantly furnished thatched bungalows is linked by wooden walkways to the main restaurant. As the lodge is sited close to the central part of town, this allows for easy access to enjoy the special hospitality, history and cuisine. |
|
8 & 9
Sossusvlei |
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 experience sea kayaking, a spectacular activity that allows us to approach the waterbirds at a respectable distance and in their habitat, allowing for some unique photographic opportunities of birds flying low over the bay. We enjoy a seafood lunch served on the beach and afterwards drive inland to the Kulala Adventurer Camp in our private Sossusvlei concession. Here we enjoy access to the Sossusvlei dunes, for walks in the immense moving sands of the Namib, game drives on our concession and stargazing. Photography in the early morning of the dunes is particularly stunning with rich reds and dark shadows completing the extraordinary vista that is the enormity of the Namib Desert. |
|
10
Windhoek |
After breakfast we transfer by road, including lunch overlooking the view of the plains nearby, to Windhoek and bid farewell to the adventure |
Note: Itinerary description text supplied by tour operator
| Vital Statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 10 Days | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Price | valid for 2007: US$3565 per person sharing - single supplement US$200 valid for 2008: from US$3769 per person sharing - single supplement - US$220 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Departures |
Private departures are available on request 2007 Departures:
2008 Departures:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Participants | maximum 8 people | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Includes | Accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals, mineral water, a reasonable amount of soft drinks, wine and beer at meal times, national park fees, activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed itinerary. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excludes | Flights (other than specified in the safari itinerary), visas, compulsory insurance, laundry, all relevant entry and departure government taxes, all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours and meals or accommodation before or after the safari. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age Restriction |
Children from the age of 12 are welcome on all scheduled departures. For groups with children under 12, we recommend to create a private tailor-made safari, on request. For guests over the age of 75, a certified medical certificate of full health must be provided. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclaimer | We reserve the right to substitute a lodge or location with another of comparable quality. This will be advised timeously. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Email us for more information about thie Spirit of the Namib Safari