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| Spirit of the Namib |
| 9 NIGHT PACKAGE / THE SEASON OPERATES FROM 07 JANUARY 2009 TO 09 JANUARY 2010 |
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| >> BOOK THIS TOUR NOW! << |
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This Exploration reveals the elusive wildlife of the desert, the life-rich rugged Atlantic Coast and the immense moving dune fields of the Namib Desert. 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.
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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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9 night package
Windhoek-Windhoek
7-Jan-09 to 30-Jun-09
Rate Per Person Sharing US $ 4,071
Single Supplement US $ 238.00
1-Jul-09 to 10-Nov-09
Rate Per Person Sharing US $ 4,278
Single Supplement US $ 238.00
11-Nov-09 to 20-Dec-09
Rate Per Person Sharing US $ 4,071
Single Supplement US $ 238.00
21-Dec-09 to 31-Dec-09
Rate Per Person Sharing US $ 4,278
Single Supplement US $ 238.00
The Spirit of the Namib Tour 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.
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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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, desert wildlife, scenic, jagged mountains, endless skies, and so-called 'barren' deserts all reveal a multitude and variety of life. On this journey there is also an excellent opportunity to find even the largest of mammals surviving here - the desert-adapted black rhino and elephant.
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Andersson's Camp, Etosha Region
Day 3: Drive to Palmwag Lodge, Palmwag
Days 4 & 5: Drive to Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland
Day 6: Transfer via Twyfelfontein to Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Day 7: Drive via Cape Cross seal colony to The Stiltz Lodge, Swakopmund
Days 8 & 9: Drive to Walvis Bay for sea kayaking and then to Kulala Adventurer Camp, Sossusvlei
Day 10: Drive to Windhoek
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| UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS TOUR: |
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This Exploration has the following unique features:
- Sossusvlei, Etosha, Atlantic Ocean, Walvis Bay Lagoon and Damaraland are explored via a range of private areas, campsites, flights and lodges
- Impressive range of activities, whether by day or night, sea or land, by air or vehicle - as well as meeting local Damara and
- Himba people (dependent on their movements) - reveal the encompassing beauty of Namibia's people and land
- Wonderful variety of accommodation, from an old-style farmhouse to trails camps, Wilderness camps and small lodge in Swakopmund.
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| DETAILED ITINERARY: |
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Days 1 & 2: Andersson's Camp, Etosha Region
Transfer by comfortable charter flight to Namibia's big game country: 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.
Andersson's Camp is surrounded by plains teeming with wildlife and situated close to Etosha (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 the 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 20 tented guest units, each with en-suite bathroom, 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 travellers to Etosha. Within Etosha on game drive we'll visit numerous springs and pans, in search of lion, leopard, elephant and black rhino, as well as plains game.
Day 3: Palmwag Lodge, Palmwag Concession
After an early breakfast, we travel to the Palmwag concession. Here, on the concession and in the surrounding areas the desert-adapted elephant and elusive black rhino can be found. The camp consists of 5 Meru-style tents, built on individual, wooden platforms and offering a great scenic view of the surroundings and also the desert-adapted elephants when they visit the area. Situated about 600 metres away from the restaurant and secluded from the rest of Palmwag Lodge. The tents are tastefully furnished, with en-suite facilities, solar power and a wonderful atmosphere.
Over the course of the next four nights in the enormous wilderness areas of Damaraland and Palmwag 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. In addition, we travel through regions with an exciting array of exposed geological sequences, ranging in age from "young" 130 million-year-old igneous shale through to 850 million-year-old schist formations.
Days 4 & 5: Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland
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-adapted elephant and the last free-roaming black rhino population on Earth. While here, we have the opportunity to explore this area on game drives and walks. Possibly, we can visit one of the nomadic Himba villages if they are in the region at the time.
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.
Day 6: Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Departing early, we travel east to Sesfontein and we end this road journey at the award-winning Damaraland Camp.
Damaraland Camp is situated on the northern face of the Huab River valley and looking south toward the imposing Brandberg Mountain. The camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms (with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers) with endless vistas as views. The dining room and pub are combined under canvas, and an open fire is enjoyed on calm evenings.
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. Although wildlife is not concentrated, we are situated where the rare desert-adapted elephant roams, alongside gemsbok (oryx), springbok, Ostrich and other hardy desert animals. Rare succulent plants eke out an existence in this harsh countryside.
Day 7: The Stiltz Lodge, Swakopmund
After an early breakfast, we travel to Twyfelfontein where we take a guided walk with local Damara guides to view the San petroglyphs - prehistoric rock etchings, strewn over the rock face.
After lunch we continue our journey travelling south via Uis en route to Swakopmund. Closer to the coast there are lichen fields strewn over the gravel plains, one of the most fragile ecosystems on Earth.
After a packed lunch en route, we make for The Stiltz Lodge in the quaint, charming town of Swakopmund, arriving in the late afternoon. Swakopmund, with its unique urban atmosphere that is a vibrant combination of Africa and Europe, is a wonderful town in which to end a safari after the experiences of the northern Namibian bush.
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. The lodge is sited close to the central part of town, allowing for easy access to enjoy the special hospitality, history and cuisine.
Days 8 & 9: Kulala Adventurer Camp, Sossusvlei
After an early breakfast, we drive southwards to Walvis Bay Lagoon. Here in a protected bay, many flamingos, pelicans and other waterbirds amass. On the calm waters of the bay, we experience sea kayaking, a spectacular activity that allows us to approach seals, dolphins and birds at a respectable distance and in their habitat, allowing for some unique photographic opportunities.
Afterwards, we 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.
Day 10: Transfer to Windhoek
After breakfast we transfer by road, including lunch overlooking the view of the plains nearby, to Windhoek and bid farewell to the adventure.
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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 Spirit of the Namib Tour is:
Language / Departure Day / Departure Date / Depart From / Finish Day / Finish Date / Finish In
- English/German Friday 16 January Windhoek Sunday 25 January Windhoek
- English Wednesday 11 February Windhoek Friday 20 February Windhoek
- English Sunday 01 March Windhoek Tuesday 10 March Windhoek
- English Sunday 22 March Windhoek Tuesday 31 March Windhoek
- English Sunday 12 April Windhoek Tuesday 21 April Windhoek
- English Friday 24 April Windhoek Sunday 03 May Windhoek
- English Thursday 14 May Windhoek Saturday 23 May Windhoek
- English Friday 29 May Windhoek Sunday 07 June Windhoek
- English/German Wednesday 17 June Windhoek Friday 26 June Windhoek
- English Thursday 02 July Windhoek Saturday 11 July Windhoek
- English Friday 17 July Windhoek Sunday 26 July Windhoek
- English/German Thursday 06 August Windhoek Saturday 15 August Windhoek
- English Sunday 16 August Windhoek Tuesday 25 August Windhoek
- English Friday 28 August Windhoek Sunday 06 September Windhoek
- English/German Sunday 13 September Windhoek Tuesday 22 September Windhoek
- English Saturday 26 September Windhoek Monday 05 October Windhoek
- English Saturday 10 October Windhoek Monday 19 October Windhoek
- English Wednesday 14 October Windhoek Friday 23 October Windhoek
- English/German Wednesday 21 October Windhoek Friday 30 October Windhoek
- English Sunday 15 November Windhoek Tuesday 24 November Windhoek
- English Saturday 21 November Windhoek Monday 30 November Windhoek
- English Friday 27 November Windhoek Sunday 06 December Windhoek
- English Thursday 10 December Windhoek Saturday 19 December Windhoek
- English Thursday 31 December Windhoek Saturday 09 January 2010 Windhoek
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