Great Namibian Journey, 13 Days - From: $11,265
Trip Summary
Explore the dunes of Sossusvlei and the awesome space of the Namib Desert, counted as the oldest desert in the world. Sossusvlei is Namibia's famous highlight in the heart of the Namib Desert. Some of the spectacular hills of sand are, at a height of 300 metres, the highest in the world. Only after a heavy rainfall, which is a rare event in the Namib Desert, does the vlei fill with water. As the clay layers hardly allow any water infiltration, a turquoise lake will remain for quite some time. Wildlife here is fascinating in its adaptation to the harsh conditions. Guests are thrilled to see springbok, gemsbok, ostrich, bat-eared fox, the rarely seen aardwolf and many small fauna.
Encounter the stark beauty of the Skeleton Coast. This area is located on the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia and south of Angola from the Kunene River south to the Swakop River, although the name is sometimes used to describe the entire Namib Desert coast. The Bushmen of the Namibian interior called the region "The Land God Made in Anger", while Portuguese sailors once referred to it as "The Gates of Hell".
Additionally, view amazing marine life just off Swakopmund as you cruise Walvis Bay.
Damaraland is one of the most scenic areas in Namibia, a huge, untamed, ruggedly beautiful region. Here there are prehistoric water courses with open plains and grassland, massive granite koppies and deep gorges. Towards the west, the geography changes dramatically with endless sandy wastes, that incredibly are able to sustain small, but wide-ranging, populations of desert-adapted elephant, black rhino, giraffe, ostrich and springbok. These animals have adapted their lifestyles to survive the harshness of the sun-blistered, almost waterless desert spaces. Elephant move through euphorbia bush country, and can travel up to 70km in a day in search of food and water and unusually, do not destroy trees in their quest for food.
Etosha National Park is one of Southern Africa's finest and most important Game Reserves. Etosha Game park was declared a National Park in 1907 and covering an area of 22 270 square km, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish. The game viewing in Etosha National Park is excellent. Visitors to Etosha Game Reserve can expect to see many buck species, elephant, giraffe, rhino and lions. More fortunate visitors will see leopard and cheetah.
Highlights
- Scenic flights into the Skeleton Coast
- Cruise the Atlantic coast off of Walvis Bay
- Hiking and cycling through the stark desert beauty of Damaraland
- Walking in the Sossusvlei sand dunes
- Interacting with traditional Himba people
Trip Details
Per Person Double Occupancy Price:
| November - May | $11,265 |
| June - October | $12,235 |
Based on two guests traveling together. Note that prices may be higher during peak Holiday travel time from mid-December through mid-January.
Please note that these small group safaris require a minimum of 2 guests to run and take a maximum of 8 guests per departure date.
Departure Dates:
- May 20, 2012
- June 08, 2012
- June 15, 2012
- June 23, 2012
- July 02, 2012
- July 17, 2012
- July 28, 2012
- August 03, 2012
- August 10, 2012
- August 13, 2012
- August 23, 2012
- September 04, 2012
- September 11, 2012
- September 17, 2012
- October 01, 2012
- October 05, 2012
- October 12, 2012
- November 06, 2012
- November 12, 2012
- November 18, 2012
- December 01, 2012
- December 21, 2012
Itinerary
Days 1 - 2
Sossusvlei, Namiba
Today you will arrive in Windhoek, Namibia and travel by vehicle approximately 380km to Kulala Wilderness Camp, enjoying awe-inspiring views of the mountains and the desert floor. En route, enjoy a lunch close to the Khomas Hochland escarpment, reaching onto sweeping vistas below.
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.
Lodging: Kulala Desert Lodge
Days 3 - 4
Swakopmund, Namibia
On Day 3, you will 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.
Arrive at the grand Hansa Hotel in Swakopmund in the late afternoon.
On Day 4, 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 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.
Lodging: Hansa Hotel
Day 5
Damaraland, Namibia
Today you will 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. From here you will be driven through the back roads of 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 your arrival at Damaraland Camp.
Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water. (Laundry facilities are limited due to the low rainfall in the area). 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.
Lodging: Damaraland Camp
Days 6 - 7
Damaraland, Namibia
On Day 6, depart Damaraland Camp for a jeep safaris into the Huab riverbed in search of 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 northwest Namibia, between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast few places on the planet can offer this level of privacy and wilderness experience.
This reserve has a number of freshwater springs that support healthy populations of animals including desert-adapted black 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. Bird life is prolific and diverse featuring most of Namibia's endemics. Welwitschia plants (ancient and highly unusual succulents) 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.
Lodging: Desert Rhino Camp
Days 8 - 9
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Day 8 begin by departing Palmwag eastward on an extended combination wildlife viewing safari (first part of the drive) and transfer drive of approximately 350km to Etosha National Park, where you experience the pinnacle of African safaris 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 safaris, walks and hides. Within Etosha 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 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.
Lodging: Ongava Tented Camp
Days 10 - 12
Skeleton Coast National Park, Namibia
On Day 10, 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, picnicing 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.
Lodging: Skeleton Coast Research Camp
Day 13
Windhoek, Namibia
Say farewell to the adventure as you return by air charter to Windhoek, arriving at approximately 4pm late afternoon. On arrival, connect to your international flights home.