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| Namibia Mountain Bike Safari |
| 5 NIGHT PACKAGE / THE SEASON OPERATES FROM 1 MAY - 30 JUNE 2009 |
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An Exploration for the reasonably fit, cycling through some of the most spectacular areas in Namibia, getting close to the amazing geology, wildlife and scenery of the desert while on a mountain bike. Travel with a light footprint in the open air to view spectacular desert life, from the bizarre Welwitschia plant to the desert-adapted elephant and black rhino.
The Namibian Mountain Bike Safari operates from 01 May 2009 to 30 June 2009.
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| LOCATION: |
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Departure Location: Windhoek ( Namibia )
Arrival Location: Windhoek ( Namibia )
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| RATE / COST: |
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5 night package
Windhoek-Windhoek, Namibia
1-May-09 to 30-Jun-09
Rate per person sharing US$ 3,465.00
Single Room supplement US$ 416.00
Package includes:
accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals from lunch on day 1, drinks (except premium brands) while at Damaraland and Desert Rhino camps, national park fees, activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed itinerary.
Package excludes:
any additional flights, 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, drinks at all other camps/lodges, pre and post safari tours and meals or accommodation before or after the safari.
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| BRIEF ITINERARY: |
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A unique way for reasonably fit guests to experience the wilds of north-western Namibia: a combination mountain bike and vehicle safari, taking in wildlife and spectacular desert scenery on the way. The famous desert-adapted elephant and black rhino can be seen, while the spectacular wonders of Damaraland captivate cyclist and hiker alike. Relish that sense of achievement that is a part of pedalling one's way through the vast, changing landscapes and relax at the day's end, to evening drinks in the cool desert air. A support vehicle is in accompaniment in case cycling becomes too arduous for some!
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Drive to Save the Rhino Camp, Ugab River, Brandberg
Day 3: Cycle/drive to Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Day 4: Cycle/drive to Palmwag Campsite, Palmwag
Day 5: Cycle/drive to Desert Rhino Camp, Palmwag Concession
Day 6: Drive to Windhoek
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| UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS TOUR: |
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This Exploration has the following unique features:
- Original active adventure journey
- Innovative combination of activities: biking, tracking on foot, hiking and wildlife viewing
- View spectacular desert life such as elephant and black rhino
- Unique features include riding the Brandberg monolith, tracking black rhino on foot, up-close observation of Save The Rhino
- Trust activities in the area
- Direct contribution made to the Save The Rhino Trust from guest fees
- Camps situated in huge private concessions, providing unmatched wilderness experience
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| DETAILED ITINERARY: |
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Days 1 & 2: Save the Rhino Camp, Ugab
After arrival in Windhoek, we are met by our guides and drive to the stunning monolith of Brandberg, on the banks of the Ugab River. We enjoy a warm-up ride of 40 kilometres to the Save the Rhino campsite, our Adventurer campsite that is pre-erected under the shade of immense acacia trees. On Day 2 we cycle to the old zinc mine, enjoying steep climbs, thrilling downhills and exhilarating challenges on the route. Our afternoon is spent relaxing at the camp and exploring the wildlife-rich Ugab riverbed.
Day 3: Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Today we embark on the longest stage - a route of 90km through changing habitats to Damaraland Camp. This also creates a wonderful opportunity to find elephant and rhino en route, as well as to view gemsbok, springbok and giraffe.
Situated on the northern face of the Huab River valley and looking south toward the imposing Brandberg Mountains, Damaraland Camp offers its guests endless vistas. 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 river sand canyon, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region. This comfortable and friendly camp offers walks and drives in one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia. Although wildlife is not concentrated, Damaraland Camp is situated where the rare desert-adapted elephant roams, alongside gemsbok, springbok, ostrich and other hardy desert animals. Rare succulent plants somehow manage to eke out an existence in this harsh environment. Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water.
Days 4: Palmwag Campsite, Palmwag Concession
Damaraland has a desolate, volcanic landscape with small rock-strewn plains where long-ago glaciers once moved. Our 80km ride traverses this incredible panorama and is the heart of black rhino country, creating a highly rewarding ride that has the possibility of seeing this endangered animal.
Day 5: Desert Rhino Camp, Palmwag Concession
After a short exciting ride of 40 kilometres through black rhino country, we enjoy an afternoon tracking rhino on foot with the specialist Save the Rhino trackers. We end with sunset drinks, taking in the isolated beauty of Damaraland.
Desert Rhino Camp is situated in the 450 000-hectare private Palmwag Concession 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 private concession has a number of freshwater springs that support healthy populations of animals including desert-adapted black rhino and elephants as well as large populations of the Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok and kudu. The predator population is the largest outside of the Etosha National Park with over a large lion population, cheetah, leopard, and brown and spotted hyaena. Birdlife is prolific and diverse, with most of Namibia's endemics present.
Desert Rhino Camp has eight large East African-styled "Meru" tents each with an en-suite bathroom comprising hand basin, flush toilet and a classic bucket shower that is filled with hot water whenever needed. The tented dining room offers uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains. Welwitschia (ancient desert-adapted plants) dot the plain in front of the camp. Guests can also enjoy full day outings, with a picnic lunch, on the reserve. Desert Rhino Camp is a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the "Save the Rhino Trust" - a non-profit conservation organisation that has been working in this area for 20 years. The Trust has been singly responsible for helping to ensure that these rare, desert-adapted black rhino survived the slaughter that went on throughout other parts of Africa in the late 20th century. Today this population of black rhino is growing in numbers and the area boasts the largest concentration of rhino anywhere on the planet 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.
Day 6: Transfer to Windhoek
After breakfast we transfer by road to Windhoek and bid farewell to the adventure.
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| TERMS AND CONDITIONS: |
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- The Desert Rhino Expedition and the Namibia Mountain Bike Safari operates with a minimum of 4 confirmed guests and operates with a maximum of 8 guests.
- Should all other bookings on an Exploration cancel to one guest, we will convert the booking to an FIT package at an increased price.
- The Desert Rhino Expedition and the Namibian Mountain Bike Safari operate during the winter months.
- For the Desert Rhino Expedition, guests need to arrive at Palmwag Lodge no later than 15h00 on the day of departure. The safari ends at Palmwag Lodge on the last day at approximately 15h00. Please ensure that the relevant flights connect. For the Namibian Mountain Bike Safari, guests need to arrive no later than 10h00 on the day of departure. We therefore recommend a pre night at Windhoek.
- For the Desert Rhino Expedition, please note that connecting charters onto the safari are not included. These are provided by Sefofane Air from Windhoek to Palmwag at an additional cost and are available on request.
- Packages include: accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals from lunch on day 1, drinks (except premium brands) while at Damaraland and Desert Rhino camps, national park fees, activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed itinerary.
- Packages exclude: any additional flights, 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, drinks at all other camps/lodges, 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.
- 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.
- The Namibian Mountain Bike Safari operates from 01 May 2009 to 30 June 2009.
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| SCHEDULED SAFARI DATES: |
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Sequence of set dates for the Mountain Bike Safari is:
Language / Departure Day / Departure Date / Depart From / Finish Day / Finish Date / Finish In
- English Sunday 03 May Windhoek Friday 08 May Windhoek
- English Friday 05 June Windhoek Wednesday 10 June Windhoek
- English Wednesday 17 June Windhoek Monday 22 June Windhoek
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