AFRICAN SAFARI TOUR| AFRICAN LODGE SAFARI

GREAT NAMIBIAN JOURNEY

13 Days

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.

Itinerary:

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 private 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 afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is at 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.

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 your Namibia Safari as we return by air charter to Windhoek, arriving at approximately 4pm late afternoon.

Safari Price: US $6,404 11 Nov to 20 Dec
Safari Price: US $6,610 1 July to 10 Nov

Single Supplement: US $880

Depart from:  Windhoek

Finishing at:  Windhoek

Please contact us for a list of Departure Dates. Tailor-made departures can be arranged, subject to the availability of space.

Price Includes:
Accommodation on a per person sharing basis, all meals from lunch on Day 1, drinks (except premium brands) while at Kulala Wilderness Camp; Damarland Camp; Desert Rhino Camp; Ongava Tented Camp & Skeleton Coast Research Camp, national park fees, laundry (except at Hansa Hotel, Damarland Camp and Skeleton Research Camp), activities and all internal charters as specified in the detailed itinerary.

Price Excludes:
Flights (other than specified in detailed safari itinerary), visas, compulsory insurance, all relevant entry and departure government taxes, all drinks while in Swakopmund (and at Hansa Hotel), all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc.), gratuities, optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours, all drinks and travel arrangements before or after the safari.

Please contact us for a list of Departure Dates. Tailor-made departures can be arranged, subject to the availability of space.

General:
Each departure is confirmed for a minimum of 2 confirmed guests and operates with a maximum of 8 guests per safari. Children from the age of 12 are welcome on all scheduled departures. For guests over 75, a certified medical certificate of full health must be provided. The operator reserves the right, due to situations beyond our control to substitute a lodge or location with another of comparable quality. If a guest is willing to share and we can match another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. No triple rooms accepted.

Please note that we require a 20% non-refundable deposit on confirmation of your booking. The full payment is due not later than 8 weeks prior to departure. On receipt of full payment, we will send vouchers, safari information, clothing lists etc.

Arrival & Departure Notes: Guests need to arrive in Windhoek no later than 09h00 on the day of departure for the Great Namibian Journey. If guests arrive after this time, they will need to be chartered to their first camp, at an extra cost. This safari ends in Windhoek at 15h30 on the final day.

Photo Copyright: Wild Africa Safari Co, Wilderness Safaris, Mike Meyers, Michael Poliza, Dana Allen, African Safari Wildlife

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