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| Great Namibian Journey |
| 12 NIGHT PACKAGE / THE SEASON OPERATES FROM 07 JANUARY 2009 TO 09 JANUARY 2010 |
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Namibia is a country of startling contrasts that straddles two great deserts: the Namib (after which it is named) is the oldest desert on the planet, and its sea of red sand lies along the Atlantic coastline, while in the eastern interior lies the Kalahari, a vast and sparsely vegetated savannah that sprawls across the border into neighbouring countries.
Over the years, there have been a number of cultural influences that have all added to the unique atmosphere of Namibia. At various times Germany, Great Britain and South Africa have all governed the territory, but it was with the eventual independence of Namibia in 1990 that the country was able to develop its multi-cultural character and reinvent itself. There is a rich and colourful uniquely African vigour that now freely blends in with the European influences on architecture, food, customs and art, all merging to create a distinctive Namibian character.
All this is in interesting juxtaposition with the expansive landscapes that surround the cities. The many national parks and game reserves boast a huge variety of wildlife in a kaleidoscope of differing environments: giraffes amble across the blinding white saltpans of Etosha National Park, gemsbok plunge headlong up impossibly steep red dunes at Sossusvlei, and seals in their many thousands colonise lonely beachheads along the Skeleton Coast. Astonishing contrasts are everywhere for the visitor to savour, enjoy and photograph.
Namibia has rapidly become a well-known safari destination with a difference, famed for its remote and intimate lodges, interaction with the indigenous people as well as the wildlife, and offering unique opportunities to become involved with the cultural heritage of all its peoples.
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, the volcanic rock-strewn landscape of Damaraland and the game-filled savannah of Etosha.
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| LOCATION: |
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Departure Location: Windhoek ( Namibia )
Arrrival Location: Windhoek ( Namibia )
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| RATE / COST: |
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12 night package
Windhoek-Windhoek
7-Jan-09 to 30-Jun-09
Rate Per Person Sharing US $ 6,916
Single Supplement US $ 950.00
1-Jul-09 to 10-Nov-09
Rate Per Person Sharing US $ 7,345
Single Supplement US $ 950.00
11-Nov-09 to 20-Dec-09
Rate Per Person Sharing US $ 6,916
Single Supplement US $ 950.00
21-Dec-09 to 31-Dec-09
Rate Per Person Sharing US $ 7,345
Single Supplement US $ 950.00
The Great Namibian Journey includes:
accommodation on a per person sharing basis, all meals from lunch on Day 1, drinks (except premium
brands) while at Kulala Wilderness Camp; Damaraland Camp; Desert Rhino Camp; Ongava Tented Camp & Skeleton Coast Research Camp,
national park fees, laundry (except at Hansa Hotel and Damaraland Camp), activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed
itinerary.
Package excludes:
flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary), visas, compulsory insurance, all relevant entry and departure
government taxes, all drinks while in Swakopmund (Hansa Hotel or The Stiltz), all personal purchases (including curios, premium brand liquors,
telephone calls etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours and meals or accommodation before or after the safari.
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| BRIEF ITINERARY: |
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This journey encompasses Namibia as a whole: a land of stunning landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and spectacular wildlife. Explore the dunes of Sossusvlei and the awesome space of the Namib Desert. Encounter the stark beauty of the Skeleton Coast, view amazing marine life just off Swakopmund, absorb the volcanic rock-strewn landscape of Damaraland and enjoy the game-filled savannahs of Etosha. All these encounters are enhanced by a superlative range of luxury Discoverer camps and lodges. This cross-section includes a variety of activities such as scenic flights into the Skeleton Coast, a dolphin cruise with private beach lunch, hiking and cycling in Damaraland, walking in the Namib's great dunes and interacting with traditional Himba people.
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: From Windhoek drive to Kulala Wilderness Camp, Sossusvlei
Days 3 & 4: Drive to Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund
Day 5: Transfer by road to Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Days 6 & 7: Drive to Desert Rhino Camp, Damaraland
Days 8 & 9: Road transfer to Ongava Tented Camp, Etosha
Days 10, 11 & 12: Fly to Skeleton Coast Research Camp, Skeleton Coast National Park
Day 13: Fly to Windhoek
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| UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS TOUR: |
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This Exploration has the following unique features:
- Sossusvlei, Etosha and Damaraland are enthusiastically explored via a range of private areas, campsites, flights and varied accommodation, from camping to lodges.
- Superlative guiding allows for flexible activities and detailed insights to all habitats and wildlife movements in a relaxed personalised manner.
- Exceptionally diverse range of activities, including day and night, sea- to land-based, flying, driving, and boating.
- Other activities include meeting local Damara and Himba people (dependent on their movements), tracking black rhino on foot, motorboat lagoon trip at Walvis Bay, with extension to Sandwich Harbour, and seafood lunch.
- Skeleton Coast Research Camp, set in the heart of Skeleton Coast National Park, provides excellent access to the dry river courses and seemingly barren Atlantic coastline.
- Travel by land when the journey is enhanced; otherwise travelling is done by air
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| DETAILED ITINERARY: |
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Days 1 & 2: Kulala Wilderness Camp, Sossusvlei
From Windhoek, travel by vehicle approximately 380km to Kulala Wilderness 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 close to the Khomas Hochland escarpment with its sweeping vistas.
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 Wilderness Camp lies at the foot of a mountain facing west to catch the majestic Namibian sunsets. It comprises 9 tents on elevated wooden decks which are linked to the main dining room, bar, reception area and swimming pool by pathways. On the edge of the oldest desert in the world, wildlife here is sparse but fascinating. Sightings of animals such as springbok, gemsbok, ostrich, bat-eared fox and aardwolf are exciting in these rugged conditions.
Days 3 & 4: Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund
Travel 280km by road north-west via the Kuiseb Canyon with its dark, craggy canyons and via a moon-like landscape of flat gravel plains (with stops along the way that include viewing the extraordinary Welwitschia plants). We arrive at the grand Hansa Hotel in Swakopmund 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 boat cruise at Walvis Bay and down the coast to Sandwich Harbour (weather permitting) provides a unique chance to see the diverse pelagic (ocean-going) 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 late afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure 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.
Day 5: Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Travel approximately 280km, partly up the legendary Skeleton Coast (named for the numerous shipwrecks the treacherous shores have claimed over the years) to the Cape Cross seal colony with thousands of Cape fur seals. (We'll visit Cape Cross only if we have not seen large populations of seals on the boat cruise from Walvis Bay.) From here we drive the back roads through the game productive Ugab riverbed, travelling north past the Brandberg Mountain - the second largest monolith on earth - to Damaraland.
This all-day excursion with lunch en route ends with our arrival at Damaraland Camp. Damaraland is a land of stark desert beauty. 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 canyons, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region. Rare succulent plants abound in this harsh countryside. Our activities include explorations on foot, by mountain bike or 4x4 vehicles, viewing springbok, gemsbok 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. The dining room and pub are combined under canvas, and an open fire is enjoyed on calm evenings. A lovely feature of the camp is its unique rock pool.
Days 6 & 7: Desert Rhino Camp, Damaraland
We depart Damaraland Camp and drive into the Huab riverbed to search for desert-adapted elephants, before heading north to the mountainous and rocky paradise of the massive Palmwag Concession.
Desert Rhino Camp is situated in the enormous private Palmwag Reserve in north-west Namibia, between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast - few places on the planet can offer this level of privacy and wilderness experience. This concession has a number of freshwater springs that support healthy populations of animals including desert-adapted back rhino and elephant as well as large populations of the rare Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok and kudu. The predator population is the largest outside of the Etosha National Park including lion, cheetah, leopard, and brown and spotted hyaena. Birdlife is prolific and diverse featuring many of Namibia's endemics. Welwitschia mirabilis (ancient, endemic cone-bearing plants) dot the plain in front of the camp. The speciality of the area is its growing population of the rare desert-adapted black rhino (the largest concentration in the world outside a national park), which are monitored and protected by the Save the Rhino Trust.
Desert Rhino Camp accommodates guests in 7 large East African-style 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. On the second day, the highlight is rhino tracking on foot or by vehicle; other activities include day and night nature drives.
Days 8 & 9: Ongava Tented Camp, Etosha National Park
We depart Palmwag eastward on an extended combination wildlife viewing (first part of the drive) and transfer drive of 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 day and night drives, walks and hides. Within Etosha we visit numerous perennial springs and pans, encountering a myriad of differing species.
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.
Days 10, 11 & 12: Skeleton Coast Research Camp, Skeleton Coast National Park
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. Skeleton Coast Research Camp comprises 5 Meru-style tents nestled between granite rocks. Surrounded by pure wilderness, this camp is truly remote and the perfect setting for a serviced style of camping. The camp is outfitted with necessary comforts and equipment, essential elements to the old and relaxed manner of early explorers.
Day 13: Charter flight to Windhoek
Say farewell to the adventure as we return by air charter to Windhoek, arriving at approximately 4pm late afternoon.
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| TERMS AND CONDITIONS: |
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- This exploration operates with a minimum of 2 confirmed guests and operates with a maximum of 8 guests.
- We will gladly arrange tailor-made departures, subject to the availability of space.
- Guests need to arrive in Windhoek no later than 09h00 on the day of departure. If guests arrive after this time, they will need to be chartered to their first camp, at an extra cost. The safari also ends in Windhoek on the last day at approximately 15h00. Please ensure international flight connections.
- Should all other bookings on an Exploration cancel to one guest, we will convert the booking to an FIT package at an increased price.
- Spirit of the Namib includes: accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals from lunch on day 1, drinks (except premium brands) while at Palmwag Lodge; Hoanib Camp; Damaraland Camp & Kulala Discoverer Camp, national park fees, activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed itinerary.
- Great Namibian Journey includes: accommodation on a per person sharing basis, all meals from lunch on Day 1, drinks (except premium brands) while at Kulala Wilderness Camp; Damaraland Camp; Desert Rhino Camp; Ongava Tented Camp & Skeleton Coast Research Camp, national park fees, laundry (except at Hansa Hotel and Damaraland Camp), activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed itinerary.
- Packages exclude: flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary), visas, compulsory insurance, all relevant entry and departure government taxes, all drinks while in Swakopmund (Hansa Hotel or The Stiltz), all personal purchases (including curios, premium brand liquors, telephone calls etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours and meals or accommodation before or after the safari.
- Age Limits - Children from the age of 12 are welcome on all scheduled departures. For parties with children under 12, a private tailor-made safari will be quoted for on request. For guests over the age of 75, a certified medical certificate of full health must be submitted on booking confirmation.
- Please note that the Great Namibian Journey and the Spirit of the Namib both include long road transfers on gravel roads which may cause discomfort for guests with back or kidney problems. Please consult your doctor for advice if this is the case.
- Wilderness Safaris reserve the right, due to situations beyond our control, to substitute a lodge or location with another of comparable quality at no additional cost.
- These explorations are limited to a 12kg luggage allowance per person.
- If a guest is willing to share and we can match guests of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply.
- The season operates from 07 January 2009 to 09 January 2010.
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| SCHEDULED SAFARI DATES: |
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Sequence of set dates for the Great Namibian Journey is:
Language / Departure Day / Departure Date / Depart From / Finish Day / Finish Date / Finish In
- English Wednesday 07 January Windhoek Monday 19 January Windhoek
- English Monday 02 February Windhoek Saturday 14 February Windhoek
- English Monday 20 February Windhoek Saturday 04 March Windhoek
- English Friday 03 March Windhoek Wednesday 15 March Windhoek
- English Monday 13 March Windhoek Saturday 25 March Windhoek
- English/German Tuesday 07 April Windhoek Sunday 19 April Windhoek
- English Tuesday 05 May Windhoek Sunday 17 May Windhoek
- English/German Wednesday 20 May Windhoek Monday 01 June Windhoek
- English Monday 08 June Windhoek Saturday 20 June Windhoek
- English Monday 15 June Windhoek Saturday 27 June Windhoek
- English Tuesday 23 June Windhoek Sunday 05 July Windhoek
- English/German Thursday 02 July Windhoek Tuesday 14 July Windhoek
- English Wednesday 08 July Windhoek Monday 20 July Windhoek
- English Tuesday 28 July Windhoek Sunday 09 August Windhoek
- English Monday 03 August Windhoek Saturday 15 August Windhoek
- English Thursday 13 August Windhoek Tuesday 25 August Windhoek
- English/German Wednesday 19 August Windhoek Monday 31 August Windhoek
- English Friday 04 September Windhoek Wednesday 16 September Windhoek
- English Thursday 17 September Windhoek Tuesday 29 September Windhoek
- English/German Thursday 01 October Windhoek Tuesday 13 October Windhoek
- English Monday 05 October Windhoek Saturday 17 October Windhoek
- English Monday 12 October Windhoek Saturday 24 October Windhoek
- English Thursday 12 November Windhoek Tuesday 24 November Windhoek
- English Wednesday 18 November Windhoek Monday 30 November Windhoek
- English Tuesday 01 December Windhoek Sunday 13 December Windhoek
- English/German Monday 22 December Windhoek Saturday 02 January 2010 Windhoek
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