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Artist's Escape an Inspirational Nature Safari
offered by supplier M08340 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 21
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 6
people
Destination(s):
Namibia
Specialty Categories:
Crafts Tours
Wildlife Viewing
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 28140 South Africa Rand (ZAR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 44625 South Africa Rand (ZAR)
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Calling painters, writers, poets and song writers! Experience the unpolluted air and the wide open spaces provided by Nature, in a country not yet commercialized or Industrialized. Allow Nature to write your poem, story, song or be the object on your canvas. Although we publish this safari as a 21-day escape, it is entirely customizable to your needs, interests and preferences. If you cannot find the material or inspiration to finish that book, poem or whatever, take a quick look around, here in Namibia - The Gem of Africa - then settle down in a pristine environment where your full attention is either on your art, or simply to ruminate and meditate - without having to concern yourself with preparing meals. This safari includes such areas as Kaokoland, Damaraland, the Namib desert and part of the formidable Skeleton Coast, as well as ancient sites, such as the Messum Crater in the north-Namib, and the well-known Petroglyphs at Twyfelfontein. But the last few days of the safari will be African bush lodging in the central highlands of Namibia. Here you may relax and attend to whatever your prime reason for this safari might be, or reminisce on your experiences over the last few days. To add to your pleasure, a swimming pool will be available 24-hours a day; or you may decide to wander off on Nature walks or do some horse riding. During either walks or horse riding, you may encounter wildlife such as Kudu, Gemsbok (Oryx), Springbok, Klipspringer, Chacma Baboon, Ostrich and a myriad of wild birds. You even have the option of spending a night or two out in the bush at "the Roof of Africa" - viewing the glittering canopy of the southern skies overhead.
Your Itinerary:
Days 1 - 2: Meet your host at Namibia's International airport and transfer to an eastern Kalahari guest farm. Unwind after the long flight and acclimatize to Namibia, while being welcomed by Bushman song and dance. Your first morning, refreshed and breakfasted, start you day with a guided hike in the company of a Bushman tracker, teaching you some of their centuries old survival skills in the Kalahari desert. A Game viewing drive is included during the course of the day.
Day 3: Move further into the central Kalahari desert of Namibia. You are now at the site of the longest cave in Namibia. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy free nature walking trails and acquaint yourself with your new environment.
Days 4 - 5:Next stop, the southern section of the Namibian Kalahari, where your accommodation will be on the orange/red dunes of this arid environment - so dramatically transformed after the rains. End your first day with a sundowners drive. Experience the stark contrast of the dunes against the azure blue sky during the day, and the gradient tones of the setting sun's crimson hues against the orange/red dunes. Your second day promises an informative scenic drive and guided walks/hikes through the Kalahari.
Day 6 - 7: A slightly earlier breakfast this morning as you will cross over from the Kalahari desert in the east, to the Namib desert in the west. On arrival, relax and make your own comparison between a Kalahari sunset and a Namib sunset. Here, on this soil of the oldest desert on earth, is represented the story of Earth, as portrayed through the awesome results of Nature's essential performance. Experience this timeless desert where the silence of its remote ruggedness, loneliness and desolation sometimes seems absolute to the human ear. On your second day, be woken before sunrise for a quick cup of coffee/tea before driving out to some of the highest sand dunes in the world at Sossusvlei. Arrive in time to climb these dunes & experience the ever-changing views of earth-tone hues. Return to camp for a scrumptious dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Day 8 - 9: Traverse the endless gravel plains of the central Namib today, via the Gaub- and Kuiseb Canyons, towards Namibia's Atlantic coastline. Picnic lunch en-route - in the middle of nowhere. While at this premier holiday resort of Namibia, you may wish to partake of any of a number of optional adrenaline activities on offer by private operators. If you are seafood lovers, Swakopmund is it!
Day 10: Entire morning to still partake of an activity, if you wish, or simply browse around the German-colonial architecture; shops, stores and coffee-bars. After lunch, continue on a salt-surfaced road along the coast to one of the larger Cape Fur Seal colonies on the Skeleton Coast.
Day 11: Special treat today as you join a local guide, taking you to view the largest congregation of Cape Fur Seals on a mainland in the world. Excellent opportunity for close-up photography of these - sometimes comical - creatures of the sea. This is followed by an excursion into the Interior through the ancient landscape of the northern Namib desert. Visit a 400 year old petrified salt lagoon and one of the richest Lichen fields in the Namib, en-route to the Messum Crater. The silence and solitude of the crater is totally contrasting with the turbulence of other destinations. You will be introduced to ancient rock paintings in this desolate rocky region, as well as many geological phenomena. End your day with a sensational beach drive and sundowners in the brisk breeze of the Skeleton Coast.
Day 12: A relatively early start today as you will be traveling further north 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 camp in time for lunch - should "tyre-slashing drive" allow it!
Day 13: 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 14: 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 15: Return to Windhoek for a quick night stop and to shorten the distance from the north, to your long awaited retreat. Accommodation in a comfortable bed and breakfast on the outskirts of Windhoek.
Days 16 - 18: After a leisurely breakfast, and replenishing what's needed, travel along the perimeter of the Khomas Hochland (our central highlands) towards the edge of the escarpment. On reaching the Escarpment, take a few minutes to embrace the expanse of the Namib desert at your feet. Descend into the desert to finally reach your retreat where you will be at own leisure to reminisce over the past few days; jot down some notes, or even make a sketch to take home as basis for that painting which will relate your entire experience in Namibia.
Day 19: At the end of your respite, enjoy a final drive through the Namib to refresh your memory on details you wish to imprint. Accommodation in quaint, private chalets in the valley between the Naukluft Mountains and the Tsaris Mountains.
Day 20: Unfortunately all good things must also come to an end and you have to return to Windhoek today. Not to make the transition from the wilderness to civilization too shocking on the system, accommodation will be at a small Game Lodge en-route to the airport. Before dinner, join a nature drive for a final view of our sunset on this, your last night in Namibia, Africa. Dine with local wildlife milling around a floodlit waterhole.
Day 21: Subject to flight departure schedule, there could be time for a last walk or hike on the premises of the Lodge, or simply laze in 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.
The prices quoted for this safari are significantly reduced from the 2007 rates, and is valid until 31 October 2008.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Namibia
Crafts Tours
Wildlife Viewing
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