An adventure safari designed especially for the true admirer of Nature, those who do not wish to simply 'visit' Africa, but to truly experience it! Totally off the beaten track. “Adventure” and “activity” are debatable terms. With this Nature safari to Africa, we shall leave interpretation to your discretion, while self-evaluating the elements of the itinerary as you read. The itinerary-included activities are not extremely strenuous, allowing a wide range age groups to participate. However, during the course of the itinerary, a few optional adrenalin activities are available for those who choose to partake thereof. (The desert Elephant- and Black Rhino tracking could be an exception, as some of it could be on foot over loose, rocky terrain).
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet your host at Namibia's International airport. Transfer to a Kalahari rest camp to relax from the long flight and acclimatize to Namibia.
Day 2: After a hearty farm breakfast, join the owner in exploring the longest cave in Namibia, after which a shower will be most welcome. The remainder of the day at own leisure to enjoy free nature walks on the grounds, make use of the local farm dam swimming pool or simply relax before dinner.
Day 3: An early start to cross from the Kalahari towards the Khomas Hochland - our central highlands. Arrive in time for lunch, maybe a short midday siesta, then end your day with an informative farm drive before dinner.
Day 4: This guest farm, near the edge of the Escarpment, offers a number of excellent nature hikes - entire day at your disposal to explore your new surroundings on one or more of these hikes.
Day 5: A wholesome farm breakfast will prepare you for the day ahead. As you depart, keep your eyes peeled for the ballerina's of the mountains - the Klipspringer antelope. Arriving at the edge of the Escarpment, experience the endless vistas of the Namib desert at your feet. Descend into the desert towards a desert guest farm. Time enough to either enjoy a scenic farm drive or attempt one of the shorter nature hikes.
Day 6: Entire day at own leisure to enjoy these magnificent mountain walks/ hikes to places such as the Rock Arch or to the mountain plateau.
Day 7: A leisurely breakfast and maybe a short hike before moving on. A relatively short "hop" today to reach a Moroccan-styled tented camp. End your day with short walks to explore your new environment before freshening up for dinner, served al fresco on the terrace with paraffin/ kerosene lamps lit after sunset. Dine while viewing desert wildlife quenching their thirst at a floodlit waterhole.
Day 8: Be woken before sunrise to drive out along the Tsauchab River valley towards some of the highest sand dunes in the world at Sossusvlei. View and climb these dunes from where the changing colors of this pristine wilderness can be observed as the sun rises in the sky. On descent, enjoy a scrumptious brunch under age-old Camel thorn trees. Return to camp for a rest, short siesta or swim in the pool, before a late afternoon drive to explore the geologically historic Sesriem Gorge.
Day 9: This morning you have a personal option (NOT included in the safari price, but privately offered at a fixed price of N$3050 per person): Again, be woken before dawn for the experience of a lifetime. In the cool, pre-dawn air, ascend in a hot-air balloon and silently drift high above the immensity of the Namib desert. From this exclusive vantage point, the rising sun paints an endless vista of shadow and light over an ocean of sand dunes and mountains. After about an hour of silently riding the air, descend and celebrate this unique event with a champagne breakfast in the middle of the desert. Flight certificates will be presented before the 4 X 4 nature drive back to the lodge. Continue to a desert guest farm where you will have your first opportunity for a night drive after dinner, searching out the nocturnal wildlife of the desert.
Day 10: Several free hikes and walks are available at this venue, and during the course of the day, you will also join a nature drive. Excellent cuisine and most hospitable hosts.
Day 11: Today you traverse the endless gravel plains of the central Namib desert towards the Atlantic coast. With a picnic lunch en-route - in the middle of nowhere - arrive at Namibia's premier holiday resort by late afternoon. If you are seafood lovers, Swakopmund is it!
Day 12: Besides browsing the German-colonial shops and architecture of this coastal town, you may wish to visit some of the treasures of the earth, such as the largest mineral crystal cluster ever unearthed to date. A return to the desert to experience the utter desolation of the Lunar Landscape or to stand in respect next to the oldest living plant specimen on earth - the Welwitschia mirabilis - are all additional options. Alternatively, the entire day at own leisure to partake in any of a number of optional adrenaline activities offered by private operators.
Day 13: Sufficient time this morning, should you wish to partake of another activity, or do some last minute shopping. As soon as you are ready - after maybe a light lunch - travel on a salt-surfaced road along the coast towards the coastal section of the last true wilderness area in Africa - the Kaokoveld. Reach an isolated coastal lodge by mid-afternoon. End your day with sundowners in hand, looking over the peaceful bay and feeling the refreshing sea breeze.
Day 14: A unique experience today as you enter a section of the Kaokoveld to visit an ancient crater where several shards of pottery and other artifacts of ancient civilizations had been found. View a petrified salt lagoon with unique salt crystals and experience the rich Lichen fields of the northern Namib desert. You will also have the opportunity to view and photograph the Cape Fur Seals - real close-up!
Day 15: A relatively early start today as you will be traveling further north into along the coast, and into the Skeleton Coast Park. When you've reached the northernmost point that permits allow, return to the Interior where you will soon enter the rugged beauty of Damaraland. Arrive at a concession area lodge in time for lunch - should "tyre-slashing drive" allow it!
Day 16: A much more relaxed start this morning as you again have a short "hop" to your next venue, where you should arrive in time for lunch. After a short siesta during the hottest part of the day, you simply cannot do otherwise than to end your first night in Damaraland with a sunset drive.
Day 17: After breakfast this morning, you will be in the care of a local guide as you set off into this pristine wilderness in search of the elusive desert Elephant and the Black Rhino. (The Only place on earth where the Black Rhino still roams free). Accommodation tonight will be a camp-out in the wilderness.
Day 18: Continue your tracking excursion today. Although the aim is to find the Elephants and Rhino, it is not uncommon to chance upon Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, a variety of antelope and a myriad birds. Return to camp in time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Day 19: All good things unfortunately also come to an end, and today you have start back towards Windhoek. To shorten the distance, stop over at a Safari Lodge boasting the widest variety of wildlife outside the boundaries of the Etosha National Park.
Day 20: Not to make the transition from the wilderness and African bush back to civilization to sudden, return to a Game Lodge en-route to the airport. End your day with a scenic drive, with a final glimpse of our Namibian sunset on this, your last night in Namibia, Africa.
Day 21: Subject to flight departure time, you may have an entire morning to finish the last few exposures on your film - or space left on your digital memory card, or simply relax on a pool chair and view wildlife at the waterhole. Transfer to Namibia's International airport to arrive in time for your departure flight.
Please Note: If a minimum number of guests are stated, we can unfortunately Not Respond to an inquiry for less than the required minimum.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
This safari is originally offered as a 14-day safari with extension option to 21-days, or to only join the last 10-days of the safari. Please indicate your preference out of these three options. The prices quoted are for the 14-day safari.
Prices valid until 31 October 2008.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Namibia
Hiking & Trekking
Wildlife Viewing
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