Diverse Namibia
10 day scheduled departure itinerary
Diverse Namibia is an active exploration to key areas of this vast country - dunes, desert, plains and iconic wildlife. Exclusive accommodation is provided on this fully serviced cross-country safari in private reserves putting you close to nature in comfort and style. Your private guide will share his expert knowledge of Namibia with you from start to finish creating a seamless and detailed interpretive experience.
Diverse Namibia takes in the soaring red dunes of Sossusvlei, the life-filled blue Atlantic Ocean, the desert and denizens of Damaraland, and the plains game and predators of Etosha National Park. You'll explore the country enjoying activities such as scenic walks, mountain biking, visiting the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, as well as optional hot air ballooning and horse-riding - all together, a true Namibian adventure!
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 Drive from Windhoek to Kulala Camp, Sossusvlei
Days 3 & 4 Drive to Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund
Days 5, 6, 7 Drive to Damaraland Private Camp, Damaraland
Days 8 & 9 Drive to Andersson's Camp, Ongava Game Reserve
Day 10 Drive to Windhoek
Diverse Namibia - Price
Note: Prices shown for this safari are in South African Rand
2012 Departures:
January 20 - May 31 & November 1 - January 6, 2013
ZAR 26,050 per person sharing Single Supplement ZAR 2,305
June 1- October 31
ZAR 29,055 per person sharing Single Supplement ZAR 2,515
If a guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply. No triple rooms are accepted.
Prices include all transportation as specified in the itinerary, driver/guide services, park fees, accommodation on a shared basis, all meals from lunch on Day 1 (except dinner in Swakopmund) and drinks (except premium brands) while at Desert Rhino Camp; Ongava Tented Camp & Skeleton Coast
Research Camp; activities as specified, laundry (excluded at Hansa Hotel, Damaraland Camp and Skeleton Coast Research Camp),
Prices exclude gratuities, all drinks while in Swakopmund (Hansa Hotel) and at Kulala Desert Lodge and Damaraland Camp, airfare, travel insurance, visa fees, entry and departure taxes, any personal purchases, phone calls, optional activities, any new taxes, fee, or fuel increases which may be imposed, and any pre- or post-safari plans.
Diverse Namibia - Departure Dates
2012
January 20, February 1, 10, March 6, 12, 21, 28, April 2, 10, 14, 25, May 8, 15, 23, 29, June 4, 10, 16, 27, July 1, 7, 19, 22, 28, August 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, September 2, 5, 8, 20, 26, October 2, 5, 11, 20, 26, 31, November 4, 16, 22, December 7, 16, 22, 28
Diverse Namibia - Detailed Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 Windhoek to Kulala Camp, Sossusvlei
You will be met at Windhoek Airport by your guide and start the drive through the iconic Sossusvlei region. The first two nights are spent at Kulala Adventurer Camp on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve. The camp, comprising dome tents under the shade, is perfect for taking in the Reserve's expansive vistas and stark beauty and enjoys views into the Namib Naukluft National Park. Dining under the star-filled Namibian skies and watching a blood red sunset punctuated by the cacophony of barking geckos are a few highlights, as is spending unrushed quality time at the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, known for their red coloring in the early morning sunlight. Desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok can be seen on the reserve, as well as smaller creatures like bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal and Cape fox. Other activities include day and night scenic drives and walks, and optional early morning ballooning, horse riding or quad-biking (the last three at extra cost).
Days 3 & 4 Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund
An early drive out to Walvis Bay and the hauntingly beautiful skeleton coast, into the quaint town of Swakopmund, a distance of 300 miles. On day 4, we explore the ice-blue Atlantic coast and the incredible marine mammals that inhabit the area. A private "Dolphin and Seal" catamaran cruise from Walvis Bay provides a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful bay and coastline. The cruise takes in the Oyster Platforms, where we learn about the oysters cultivated here - including tasting the delicacies - before moving on to Pelican Point to see the lighthouse, and an area in which three species of dolphins may be encountered, namely the rare endemic Heaviside's dolphin, dusky and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Aside from spotting diverse pelagic (ocean-going) bird life, pelicans and flamingo, and Cape fur seals, the massive sunfish, leatherback turtles, southern right and humpback whales can be seen in season.
Then we have time to relax at the Hansa Hotel, an iconic place that forms part of Swakopmund's architectural culture and 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 locally and internationally. We will have an opportunity to appreciate this hotel as well as other restaurants and sights in Swakopmund over the two days.
Days 5, 6 & 7 Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
We continue our journey by road to Damaraland, west of the Brandberg Mountain, stopping for lunch at Ugab Save the Rhino Trust Camp. The Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has been involved with rhino conservation in this area since the early eighties, and has been singly responsible for helping these rare animals survive and thrive, so that today this area boasts the largest concentration of black rhino anywhere on the planet outside of a national park.
Once in the area around Damaraland, we are in the heart of the rocky desert, an ancient glacial landscape. Damaraland boasts a varied and breathtaking assortment of desert-adapted species including one of the highest concentrations of desert elephant and black rhino, and a surprisingly high diversity of wildlife including Hartmann's mountain zebra, kudu, giraffe, gemsbok, and springbok, with occasional cheetah sightings. Our activities range from nature walks, mountain biking, viewing the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein (a World Heritage Site) to day and night nature drives, exploring the mountains, hills and ephemeral river beds and springs. Looking south from camp toward the imposing Brandberg Mountains, Damaraland offers its guests endless vistas and one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia. Early morning mists generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the river sand canyon, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region.
Days 8 & 9 Andersson's Camp, Ongava Game Reserve
A five hour drive to Ongava Game Reserve, on the boundary of Etosha National Park, grants the experience of big game viewing and this iconic salt pan. Etosha remains the highest density wildlife area within Namibia, its fame justly acknowledged. The salt pan (largest salt pan in the world) is speculated to be a remnant of an ancient glacial lake - today being maintained by scouring winds across its surface and sporadic ephemeral flooding. On day nine we embark on a full day game drive into Etosha, exploring the southern roads of Etosha Pan from Okakeujo through to Halali, meandering our way from waterhole to spring and enjoying the endless vistas and mirages of the pan itself.
On the southern boundary of Etosha National Park and forming a buffer to the Park lies Ongava Game Reserve. It is a haven to large concentrations of wildlife: notably lion, cheetah, black rhino, white rhino, springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, Hartmann's mountain zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, eland and the largest population of the endemic black-faced impala outside of Etosha. Andersson's Camp makes for a comfortable modern day, eco-friendly exploration of the Etosha landscape. Its resurrected farmstead fronts onto a waterhole and the 20 tented guest units, each with en-suite bathroom, are raised on decks for an enhanced view.
Day 10 Windhoek
Today we drive back to Windhoek where the adventure ends.
Note
- ** Departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 guests traveling. A maximum of 8 guests can be accommodated. The itinerary can be custom-tailored for private groups.
- ** Minimum age limit is 12 years unless it is a private group booking.
- ** Travelers need to arrive in Windhoek no later than 9 a.m. on the day of departure. We recommend an overnight in Windhoek the night before. Guests will arrive back in Windhoek at approximately 4 p.m. on the last day of the safari.
Contact Duffle & Compass to begin planning your Africa adventure.
