The Great Namibian Journey
13 day scheduled departure itinerary
Those who take The Great Namibian Journey will experience this land of stunning landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and spectacular wildlife. You will fly over the scenic Skeleton Coast, cruise the waters with the dolphins, explore the dunes of Sossusvlei, game drive in Etosha, hike and cycle in Damaraland and walk in the Namib's great dunes to meet with traditional Himba people.
This safari combines the exclusive luxurious lodges of Wilderness Safaris with the remote locations of private campsites selected to bring you close to nature and provide all the comforts you need on your journey.
To maximize your travel time, this safari utilizes private charters and overland transfers, providing both a bird's-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Namibia.
The journey is hosted and guided by a professionally trained guide who will impart his in-depth knowledge, ensuring a thrilling safari experience that you'll not soon forget.
Brief Itinerary
| Days 1 & 2 | Drive to Kulala Camp, Sossusvlei |
| Days 3 & 4 | Drive to Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund |
| Days 5 | Drive to Damaraland Camp, Damaraland |
| Days 6 & 7 | Drive to Desert Rhino Camp, Damaraland |
| Days 8 & 9 | Drive to Ongava Tented Camp, Etosha |
| Days 10 - 12 | Fly to Skeleton Coast Research Camp |
| Day 13 | Fly to Windhoek |
The Great Namibian Journey - Price
2012 Departures
Note: Prices are shown in South African Rand.
January 7 to May 31 and November 12 to January 2, 2013
ZAR 58,735 per person sharing Single Supplement ZAR 5,350
June 1 to October 31
ZAR 63,956 per person sharing Single Supplement ZAR 5,350
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.
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 through the end of the scheduled safari, soft drinks, house wine, beer and alcoholic beverages (except premium brands) at meal times.
Prices exclude airfare (other than what is specified in the safari itinerary), gratuities, travel insurance, visa fees, entry and departure taxes, any personal purchases, telephone calls, laundry, optional extra activities or meals, any pre or post safari plans.
The Great Namibian Journey - Departure Dates
This safari begins and ends in Windhoek, Namibia. In addition to the set departure dates, custom-tailored itineraries are available for this safari for small groups of up to eight persons.
2012
January 7, February 4, 20, March 12, April 3,7,15, May 5, 20*, June 8, 15, 23, July 2*, 17 28, August 3, 10, 13, 23*, September 4, 11, 17, October 1*, 5, 12, November 6, 12, 18, December 1, 21*
*These safaris will be guided in English and German
The Great Namibian Journey - Detailed Itinerary
Days 1 & 2
You depart Windhoek traveling by vehicle towards Kulala Desert Lodge, a distance of 205 miles. Along the way you’ll enjoy the awe-inspiring views of the mountains and the desert floor - on a clear day you can see the fog banks of the Skeleton Coast. A stop for lunch en route will put you close to the Khomas Hochland escarpment, reaching onto sweeping vistas below. 
Kulala Desert Lodge is situated in the Namib Desert in the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve close to the iconic red dunes of the Sossusvlei. The lodge comprises 19 thatched and canvas "kulalas" ("to sleep" in Oshiwambo) with en-suite bathrooms and verandas. Each unit is built on a wooden platform to catch the cooling breezes and has a deck on the flat rooftop where bedrolls are placed for guests to sleep under the myriad stars that Namibia's clear skies portray.
On the edge of the oldest desert in the world, wildlife here is sparse but fascinating. Sightings of animals such as springbok, gemsbok, ostrich, bat-eared fox and aardwolf are exciting in these rugged conditions. 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 100 feet. Afternoon activities include nature walks, drives to scenic viewpoints and learning about the unique Namib fauna and flora in the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve.
Days 3 & 4
You’ll hit the road again traveling (about 175 miles today) northwest 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 plant). Take a brief stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon before arriving at your destination, The Hansa Hotel in Swakopmund for lunch. Spend the afternoon enjoying the town’s quaint mix of European and African culture.
The following day you explore the ice-blue Atlantic coast and the marine mammals from the port towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. If the weather permits, you’ll take a private boat cruise at Walvis Bay and down the coast to Sandwich Harbour and get a close up view of the diverse pelagic (ocean-going) bird life, Cape fur seals and rare Heaviside's dolphins. After lunch you’ll be at your leisure to explore before meeting in the evening for dinner.
The Hansa Hotel forms part of Swakopmund's architectural culture and dates back to 1905, making it one of the oldest buildings in town. It is conveniently located within easy walking distance of town and the beach. Its reputation for luxury, excellent cuisine and friendly service is well known.
Day 5
Today you will travel up the legendary Skeleton Coast (named for the numerous shipwrecks the treacherous shores have claimed over the years). From here you’ll take the back roads through the game-rich Ugab riverbed, traveling 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 ten 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.
Damaraland is a land of stark desert beauty. 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 canyons, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region. Rare succulent plants abound in this harsh countryside. Your activities include explorations on foot, by mountain bike or 4x4 vehicles, viewing springbok, gemsbok and ostrich, and tracking the unique desert-adapted elephant.
Days 6 & 7
Departing Damaraland Camp your guide will drive into the Huab riverbed to search for desert-adapted elephants, before heading north to the mountainous and rocky paradise of your next stop.
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. The camp accommodates guests in large East African-style Meru tents, elevated on decks, each with an en-suite bathroom and a classic bucket shower that is filled with hot water upon request. Lights are powered by solar panels and the tented dining room offers uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains.
This reserve has a number of freshwater springs that support healthy populations of animals including desert-adapted back 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 hyena. 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 specialty 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. You will have an opportunity to track rhino by foot or vehicle.
Days 8 & 9
Today you head eastward on a 218 mile transfer drive to 
Etosha National Park, where you will experience the pinnacle of game viewing in Namibia. Accommodations are at Ongava Tented Camp, an exclusive bush camp situated on an extensive private game reserve, just outside of Etosha.
The camp has eight large comfortable walk-in tents, each with en-suite facilities, including flush toilet and 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. Activities include day and night drives, walks and hides. Within Etosha National Park, you will visit numerous perennial springs and pans, encountering a myriad of differing species.
Days 10 - 12
Your private charter plane will provide you with 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. Your guide will give you thrilling, full-day explorations in 4x4 Land Rovers. There will also be opportunities for cultural visits to the remote villages of the Himba people.
Skeleton Coast Research Camp has five 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 to give you a “close to nature” experience.
Day 13
Today you return to Windhoek by private air charter, arriving at approximately 4 p.m.
The Great Namibian Journey - Additional Information
Arrivals - If you have an international arrival into Windhoek, you must arrive by 9:30 a.m. on Day 1 of the safari to avoid additional transfer fees. We suggest arriving the day prior and overnighting in Windhoek.
Departures - If you have an international departure from Windhoek, please insure that your flight leaves after 4:30 p.m. to avoid additional transfer fees.
* Laundry service will not be available at Damaraland Camp and Skeleton Coast Research Camp due to water shortages in these areas. Laundry will also not be possible in Swakopmund, as that is only a one night stop.
* This safari departure is guaranteed with a minimum of two confirmed travelers. There is a limit of eight travelers on this safari.
* Children aged 12 or older are welcome. Travelers over the age of 75 must provide a certificate of good health.
Contact Duffle & Compass to begin planning your Africa adventure.
