There are few places on earth that can rival the stark and remarkable beauty of Namibia; a land of dramatic contrast, vermillion sunsets and vast open spaces - this is an essential destination for the nature enthusiast. You begin this unforgettable adventure exploring the desolate beauty of the towering dunes of Soussosvlei before moving on to the quaint seaside town of Swakopmund where the icy Atlantic meets the vast expanses of the barren Namib Desert. From here you will journey to a charming camp in ancient Erongo Mountains where giant granite domes dominate the landscape and the endearing Klipspringer antelope abounds. Your journey through this wondrous land will conclude searching for the sought after Black Rhinoceros and other game, in one of the continent’s most spectacular reserves, Etosha National Park; notable for its barren yet teeming landscapes this serves as a perfect encore to this African adventure. We look forward to sharing this unbeatable “ultimate mammal voyage” through the wildernesses of Namibia with you!
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Windhoek
Day 2: Soussosvlei
Day 3: Soussosvlei
Day 4: Swakopmund
Day 5: Swakopmund
Day 6: Erongo Wilderness
Day 7: Erongo Wilderness
Day 8: Etosha – Mushara
Day 9: Etosha – Mushara
Day 10: Etosha – Okaukuejo
Day 11: Etosha – Okaukuejo
Day 12: Etosha to Windhoek and depart.
Windhoek: Windhoek is a vibrant and scenic city and the perfect base to begin our adventure. We may have some time to explore the city centre for traditional crafts or take a short drive to a nature reserve on the outskirts of the city.
Soussosvlei: Your Namibia experience would be incomplete without time spent in these remarkable dunes and the landscapes around them. We explore the apricot-colored dunes of Soussosvlei and the surrounding areas of interest. On drives and walks out into the desert we will marvel at the fascinating geological formations and dramatic scenery of the area. Here you will learn of the intricate and delicate ecology of this ancient desert as your expert leader identifies animal tracks and unveils the mysteries of this harsh land. A range of incredible creatures like the endearing Namaqua Dwarf Chameleon and the flighty Dune Lark may be seen as we explore. We will also visit the Sesriem Canyon; a narrow fissure in the sandstone up to 30m deep in places, carved over many millennia by the Tsauchab River. We will be treated to a star-studded sky patterned with constellations typical of the Southern Hemisphere.
Swakopmund: Swakopmund is an historic town, a scenic colonial German village on the shores of the frigid Atlantic. It is a haunting part of the coast, known for its fog enshrouded shoreline, strewn with bleached whalebones and rusted shipwrecks. We will make our way out into the desert on the fabled Welwitschia Drive. This drive will take us through some wondrous scenery to an astounding specimen of one of the world’s most remarkable plants, Welwitschia mirablis, a coniferous tree (most closely related to the Pinon Pine). Additional highlights on this drive include one of the planet’s most extensive lichen fields and the moonscape like scenery of the ancient plains carved up by the workings of the Swakop River.
The tour includes a boat cruise in search of the region’s marine creatures. We will journey up the barren Atlantic coast to a colony of Fur Seals at Cape Cross where these fascinating, if not noisy, creatures can be seen in their hundreds!
Erongo Wilderness: Flanked by the Namib Desert to the west and mixed-woodland savannah to the east, these mountains form a rare convergence of ecosystems, giving rise to a whole host of plant, reptile, mammal and bird species endemic to Namibia. The camp itself is a fabulous place to see wildlife; the strange Dassie Rat is often observed drinking from the lodge pool and water points in front of the lodge are a great place to see Greater Kudu, the comical Chacma Baboon and smaller mammals such as the delightful Western Rock Elephant Shrew and the recently described Black Mongoose.
Etosha National Park: Etosha National Park is one of the continent’s most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries. We have 3 full days ahead to explore the wonders of Etosha and, travelling across the entire length of the park open to visitors, we will enjoy a rewarding combination of waterhole viewing and game drives. The word ‘Etosha’ is derived from the local Herero language and means ‘great white place' - an apt description of the huge, flat depression (or pan) around which the park is situated. The 'Pan', a staggering 5,000 square kilometers in extent and about a quarter of the park’s size, provides an awesome white backdrop of shimmering mirages in an area of otherwise semi-arid savannah grassland and thorn scrub. During the drier months of June to November (which happily coincides with our visit), the park’s many water points act as magnets to many mammal species. Etosha’s waterholes represent some of the best game viewing in Africa, and by day our game drives will be punctuated by several stops at these oases. For many the evening vigil at these waterholes is a tour highlight offering a truly intimate opportunity to observe some of Africa’s most sought after mammals!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices:
- US$3,875.00 per person in double occupancy
- The single supplement cost is US$300.00, and will be charged if you wish to have single accommodation. If we cannot provide you with a rooming partner although you choose to share, the single supplement will become applicable. We will however make all reasonable efforts to ensure that a rooming partner is found if you do wish to share.
Price Includes:
- All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 12
- 1 and ½ liters of mineral water a day
- A soft drink/beer/glass of wine at meals
- All lodgings
- Ground transportation
- Reserve entrance fees
- Tips and all guiding services.
Price Excludes:
- International airfare and airport taxes,
- Optional excursions and activities,
- Travel insurance
- Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Namibia
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Desert Expeditions
National Parks
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