Deserts
of Namibia
8 day Serviced Camping
US $1100
Windhoek / Central
Kalahari / Tsaris Mountains / Namib Naukluft / Swakopmund
Wilds
of Namibia
6 day Serviced Camping
US $850
Swakopmund / Waterburg /
Etosha / Windhoek
Wilds of Namibia
DAY 01: SWAKOPMUND
Swakopmund is Namibia’s
premier seaside resort and resembles a Bavarian village with its many turn
of the century buildings harking back to its German colonial past.
Hedged by the desert and the wild Atlantic sea Swakopmund offers old-world
charm, a relaxed atmosphere, fine cafes and restaurants. Meet your
fellow travellers and Afro Ventures safari leader at 17.00 hours in the
foyer of the Strand Hotel for a comprehensive safari briefing and dinner,
which is for your own account. Overnight Strand Hotel on a bed and
breakfast basis.
DAY 02:WATERBERG PLATEAU
After an early breakfast
we depart for Waterberg Plateau. Our route takes us through Karibib,
known for its marble, and the pretty little town of Omaruru. Rising
some 200m above a surrounding sea of bush and savannah, the Waterberg Plateau
Park is recognisable from some distance away. Its imposing, flamboyant
red sandstone formations and lush green vegetation present an island of
vibrant colour, which seems to glow at sunrise and sunset. This vast
pristine wilderness is home to a huge variety of plant species, 240 bird
species, and rare and endangered species of game. It is also an area
steeped in history as it was in the foothills of the Waterberg where the
Herero people lost their greatest battle to the German colonial forces
at the beginning of the century. Our exclusive campsite provides a shady
refuge beautifully situated under a dense canopy of leadwood,
camelthorn, and umbrella thorn trees. Kudu and the diminutive Damara
Dik Dik frequent the area of the campsite, and leopard tracks have been
seen on a number of occasions. A late afternoon walk
for sundowners enjoyed at a vantage point on top of the Waterberg will
afford us a truly magical view of the sandstone cliffs that are emblazoned
with colourful splashes of lichen. Like a backdrop in the distance
lie the flat plains of the Northern Kalahari.
DAY 03: WATERBERG PLATEAU
Today will be spent exploring
the Waterberg Plateau on foot. In addition to bringing one closer
to nature this is a wonderful way to observe and learn about the diverse
bird and plant life that makes the Waterberg such a unique destination.
An added bonus is the possibility that we may experience the thrill of
seeing buffalo, and black or white rhino.
DAY 04: ETOSHA
Keeping to the country roads
we make our way to our exclusive campsite at Fischer’s Pan Game Reserve,
which borders the eastern perimeter of the world renowned Etosha National
Park only a couple of kilometres away from the Von Lindequist Gate.
En route we will have the opportunity to visit the San (Bushman) community
of Ombili. This was started as a self-help scheme, and visitors are
invited to visit the local school and craft centre. In addition to
its prime and secluded location our campsite is beautifully situated on
the edge of a small vlei, which is surrounded by shady terminalia
and tamboti trees. A variety of game, including leopard, roam awill
in this area. Afternoon game-drive in the vicinity of Namutoni, which
is characterised by the historic Beau Gestean fort.
DAY 05: ETOSHA
Etosha National Park covers
22 270 sq km of countryside ranging from dense bush to barren plains.
The heart of the park is the Etosha Pan, meaning "Place of Dry Water",
a vast, dry silvery-white shallow depression of shimmering mirages in the
dry season but in a good rainy season home to flamingos, pelicans and many
other water birds. Along the southern edge of the Pan perennial springs
feed waterholes, which attract an abundance of mammal and bird species
thus providing rewarding and often spectacular game viewing. The day is
spent game viewing in Etosha National Park.
DAY 06:
After a final early morning
game drive and breakfast we return to Windhoek where we arrive during the
late afternoon
Deserts of
Namibia
DAY 1: Central Kalahari
Leave Windhoek for our exclusive
camp at Intu Africa Kalahari Private Game Reserve. The surrounding
area with its colorful dunes of red sand, umbrella shaped camelthorn trees
and large variety of game, birds, trees, and grass species is typical of
the Kalaharai eco-system. The Kalahari is one of Africa's last wildlife
paradises and remains an area supporting nomadic antelope herds, such as
oryx, kudu, eland, blue wildebees and springbok. Carnivores are also
well represented in the Kalahari and include lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal,
hyena, black backed jackal and a variety of smaller cats. Bird life
is prolific and a rich complement of birds of prey including martial eagle,
lappet faced vulture, giant spotted eagle owl and pale chanting goshawk
frequent the area. A prominent feature of the Kalahari is the huge
communal nests of the sociable weaver built around the camelthorn trees.
Sundowners are taken on a nearby dune whilst watching the sun go down over
this harsh but breathtakingly beautiful land.
DAY 2: Central Kalahari
Early morning desert walk
with a Bushman tracker who will explain the secrets of the Kalahari known
only to the San. The san were the first known inhabitants of the
Kalahari. Traditionally they are skilled hunter-gatherers living
in small communities. Their survival skills and adaptation to the
harsh Kalahari wilderness have become legendary. Afternoon game drive,
during which you will be introduced to a surprising variety of game and
birds, and if one is lucky, lion. Dinner around a campfire under
a blanket of a thousand stars is followed by a night drive where you may
see honey badger, bat eared and Cape fox, spotted genet and an array of
owls.
DAY 3: Tsaris Mountains
We travel via Duwisib Castle,
built by the legendary Baron von Wolf for his American wife, and drive
along scenic back roads to our exclusive camp site in the heart of the
rugged Taris Mountains. The spectacular scenery of the canyons and
the natural springs offer a dramatic contrast to the red dune landscapes
of the Kalahari. This area is a geologist’s paradise, famous for
its stromatolites and it was in these mountains that the earliest Shelley
fossils were found. Sundowners are enjoyed at a vantage point offering
a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
DAY 4: Tsaris Mountains
We take one of a number
of walking trails that lead us to shady gorges with seasonal springs.
There is a chance of seeing Hartmann’s mountain zebra, kudu, klipspringer,
steenbok and some of the larger raptors such as black eagle and black breasted
snake eagle which nest in this area. As the sun sets and the night
sky comes alive, the crisp, dry air of this land of vastness and stillness
provides and uparalleled opportunity to marvel at our galaxy.
DAY 5: Namib Naukluft
Today we head west towards
the Tsauchab Valley and the majestic dunes of Sossusvlei. The huge
sand dunes with their massive red, curved walls rising from white clay
pans dwarf everything in sight. In the late afternoon their color
dramatically chanes from apricot to orange to a dark maroon. From
Sossusvlei we make our way to our exclusive campsite surrounded by the
huge Naukluft mountains characterised by sheer cliffs, deeply incised river
valleys and rolling hills.
DAY 6: Namib Naukluft
We set off by 4x4 as far
as the plateau. From there we hike thr0ugh the gorge with its
many quiver grees and rock pool, which are large enough to cool off in.
An optional late afternoon horse ride at a neraby guest farm.
Day 7: Swakopmund
We travel via Solitaire
through the Kuiseb river and head across the Namib gravel flats to Walvis
Bay where we encounter, depending upon the time of year flocks of flamingoes
that feed in the shallow lagoons bordering the town. Short
drive takes us to the coast town of Swakopmund where we overnight in the
Strand Hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy activities such
as dune boarding, quad biking, tandem skydiving or walking around the town.
Day 8: after breakfast at
the hotel the safari terminates.
DATES:
Deserts
of Namibia
DN01 19 FEB TUE 26 FEB TUE
DN02 05 MAR TUE 12 MAR TUE
DN03 26 MAR TUE 02 APR TUE
DN04 07 MAY TUE 14 MAY TUE
DN05 28 MAY TUE 04 JUN TUE
DN06 18 JUN TUE 25 JUN TUE
DN07 16 JUL TUE 23 JUL TUE
DN08 30 JUL TUE 06 AUG TUE
DN09 03 SEP TUE 10 SEP TUE
DN10 17 SEP TUE 24 SEP TUE
DN11 08 OCT TUE 15 OCT TUE
DN12 22 OCT TUE 29 OCT TUE
DN13 12 NOV TUE 19 NOV TUE
DN14 17 DEC TUE 24 DEC TUE |
Wilds
of Namibia
WN01 26 FEB TUE 03 MAR SUN
WN02 12 MAR TUE 17 MAR SUN
WN03 02 APR TUE 07 APR SUN
WN04 14 MAY TUE 19 MAY SUN
WN05 04 JUN TUE 09 JUN SUN
WN06 25 JUN TUE 30 JUN SUN
WN07 23 JUL TUE 28 JUL SUN
WN08 06 AUG TUE 11 AUG SUN
WN09 10 SEP TUE 15 SEP SUN
WN10 24 SEP TUE 29 SEP SUN
WN11 15 OCT TUE 20 OCT SUN
WN12 29 OCT TUE 03 NOV SUN
WN13 19 NOV TUE 29 NOV SUN
WN14 24 DEC TUE 29 DEC SUN |
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