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Our main page: Namibia> Namibia Safaris> Accommodated Safaris Namibia |
Accommodation on this safari is in a combination of safari lodges and fully serviced discoverer camping in private concession areas. Namibia is a land of stunning landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and spectacular wildlife – and the Great Namibian Journey encompasses it all. This cross-section explores the dunes of Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert, the stark beauty of the Skeleton Coast, amazing marine life just off Swakopmund and the game-filled savannah of Etosha.
The activities provide a wide range of differing impressions, from scenic flights up the Skeleton Coast, dolphin cruises with private beach lunch, to hiking and cycling in Damaraland and interacting with traditional Himba people.
The style of accommodation in the private Discoverer campsites takes you back to the era of Africa’s exploration. Pure linens of heavy cottons, brass bucket showers and basins, separate flushing toilets and shower areas all add to the atmosphere, while luxury comforts and amenities are elegantly provided. Discoverer camping aims to connect the guest closer to nature, by means of a lively camp fire, hurricane lanterns, extensive activities and a warm atmosphere complimenting the comfort and luxury at the lodges visited. Discoverer camps are specifically outfitted to ensure the wilderness camping feel with a clear emphasis on necessary and stylish comfortable interiors and maximum wilderness experience.
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Day
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Route/Activities |
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1 & 2
Kulala Tented Camp Sossusvlei |
From Windhoek, travel by vehicle approximately 380km to Kulala Tented Camp, enjoying awe-inspiring views of the mountains and the desert floor – on a clear day you can see the fog banks of the Skeleton Coast. En route, we enjoy a lunch in a private area close to the Khomas Hochland escarpment, reaching onto sweeping vistas below.
One of the most enduring impressions of this area is the early morning light on the sea of vivid orange dunes of Sossusvlei, some as high as 300 metres. Afternoon activities include nature walks, drives to scenic viewpoints and marvelling at the unique Namib fauna and flora in the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve. Kulala Tented Camp is a nine-roomed camp situated at the foot of a mountain. It comprises 9 tents on elevated wooden decks which are linked to the main dining room, bar, reception area and swimming pool by pathways. The interiors are simple yet stylish and each tent has solar powered 12V lighting and an en-suite bathroom with solar-heated hot water. The main dining area, bar and reception are built from canvas with thatch roofing. There is a fully stocked bar and traditional 3-course dinners are served. At night, lanterns light up the main area. On the edge of the oldest desert in the world, wildlife here is sparse but fascinating. Sightings of animals such as springbok, oryx, ostrich, bat-eared fox and aardwolf are exciting in these rugged conditions. |
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3 & 4
Hansa Hotel Swakopmund |
Travel north-west via the Kuiseb Canyon with its dark, craggy canyons and via a lunar landscape of flat gravel plains (with stops along the way including visiting the extraordinary Welwitschia plants). After travelling approximately 300km, we arrive at the Atlantic Coast at Walvis Bay, finally ending our journey 30kms later at Hansa Hotel in the late afternoon.
On our second day we explore the ice-blue Atlantic coast, from the port towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund to its incredible marine mammals. A private boat cruise at Walvis Bay and a drive down the coast to Sandwich Harbour (weather permitting) creates a platform and chance to see the diverse pelagic birdlife, Cape fur seals and rare Heaviside’s dolphins up close. This activity is rounded off with a private seafood lunch, before returning to the hotel in the afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore the charming town of Swakopmund before meeting in the evening for dinner. The grand three-star Hansa Hotel forms part of Swakopmund's architectural culture and dates back to 1905; it is said to be one of the oldest buildings in the town. It is ideally situated in the centre of Swakopmund within easy walking distance of town and the beach. The luxury of the hotel, its excellent cuisine and friendly service are well known and appreciated countrywide and overseas. |
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5
Damaraland Camp Damaraland |
Travel along the back route to Damaraland Camp. It takes us up the coast past Cape Cross after which we turn inland to the SRT camp in the Ugab riverbed, travelling north we pass the Brandberg and visit the Gai As spring with its archaeological stone circles, we also see some petrified wood, and head down to the Huab and on to Damarland Camp. This is only a drive of about 280 km but take the whole day as it is slow driving.
Early morning mists, generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the stark canyon, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region. Rare succulent plants somehow manage to eke out an existence in this harsh countryside. Activities include explorations on foot, by bike or 4x4 vehicles, viewing springbok, oryx and ostrich, and tracking the unique desert-adapted elephant. Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water. (Due to water shortages, it is unfortunately not possible to offer a laundry service.) 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. |
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6 & 7
Palmwag Rhino Camp Damaraland |
We depart Damaraland Camp and drive northwards to the mountainous and rocky paradise of the massive Palmwag concession.
Palmwag Rhino Camp is situated in the 1-million-acre private Palmwag Reserve in northwest Namibia, between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast - few places on the planet can offer this level of privacy and wilderness experience. This desert reserve has a number of fresh water springs that support healthy populations of animals including desert adapted Back Rhino and Elephants as well as large populations of the rare Hartmann's Mountain Zebra, Giraffe, Oryx, Springbok and Kudu. The predator population is the largest outside of the Etosha National Park with over 100 Lions, Cheetah, Leopard, Brown and Spotted Hyaena. Bird life is prolific and diverse with most of Namibia's endemics present. Welwitschia (ancient desert adapted plants) plants dot the plain in front of the camp. Palmwag Rhino Camp accommodates guests in 7 large East African-styled "Meru" tents, each with an en-suite bathroom and a classic bucket shower that is filled with hot water whenever needed. Lights are powered by solar panels and the tented dining room offers uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains. Activities include rhino tracking on foot or by vehicle as well as day and night nature drives. This free roaming population of black rhino is growing in numbers and the area boasts the largest concentration of rhino outside of a national park. Community game scouts who were employed by the Trust to help with the patrolling and monitoring all these years are now seconded to the camp and are the trackers and guides. |
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8 & 9
Ongava Tented Camp Etosha National Park |
We depart Palmwag eastward and drive approximately 350km to Etosha National Park, where we experience the pinnacle of game viewing – but accommodated in the privacy of an exclusive bush camp situated on an extensive private game reserve, Ongava, just on the outside of Etosha.
Activities include wildlife day and night drives, walks and hides. Within Etosha visit numerous perennial springs and pans, encountering lion, leopard, elephant and black rhino as well as plains game. Ongava Tented Camp comprises 10 large comfortable walk-in tents, each with en-suite facilities, including flush toilet and a hot shower. All meals are enjoyed in the thatched dining area that overlooks an active waterhole. There is a small pool in which to cool off as well. |
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10, 11 & 12
Skeleton Coast Research Camp, |
Enjoy a breathtaking scenic flight over dramatic desert landscapes to the exclusive Skeleton Coast Research Camp situated in a private concession in the Skeleton Coast Park.
This is one of the most inhospitable but hauntingly beautiful places on the planet: desolate and uninhabited. It has everything, from roaring sand dunes, windswept plains, towering canyons and saltpans to seal colonies, and shipwrecks. Full-day explorations in 4x4 Land Rovers will take all these in, picnicking on the way. Included are cultural visits to the remote villages of the Himba people. |
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13
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Say farewell to the adventure as we return by air charter to Windhoek. Meals: Breakfast |
Note: Itinerary Description Text supplied by tour operator
| Vital Statistics - Great Namibia Journey | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 13 Days | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost | valid for 2007: US$6 120 per person sharing single supplement: US$800 valid for 2008: from US$6404 per person sharing single supplement: US$880 |
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| Departure Dates | 2007 departures:
2008 departures:
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| Group Size | The group size will be a maximum of eight guests per safari. All the safaris are sold on a per person sharing basis. If you are booking onto the safari as an individual then we will pair you with another person of the same sex. If you wish to have a guaranteed single room there will be an additional cost. This must be requested when making your reservation, and is subject to availability. Should a suitable match not be found, the single supplement will be charged. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Included | accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals, drinks (except premium brands) while on activity, Wilderness house wine at dinner times, national park fees, laundry (except at Hansa Hotel and Skeleton Coast Research Camp), activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed itinerary. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excluded | are flights (other than specified in the safari itinerary), visas, compulsory insurance, all relevant entry and departure government taxes, all drinks other than specified above, 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 restriciton | 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General | The safari company reserves the right, due to situations beyond their control, to substitute a lodge or location with another of comparable quality. This will be advised timeously | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||