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NAMIBIA HIGHLIGHTS - 10 DAYS
Combine the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei with the oldest
desert in the world and continue your journey through this
remarkable country into the north enjoying  highlights
such as the wildlife kingdom of Etosha National Park safari.
You have the opportunity to meet and learn about the fascinating
culture of the semi nomadic Himba people in the far north
as an OPTIONAL activity.
PRICE: N$5100/PERSON + N$950 Local payment
in cash
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES OF EITHER DAMARALAND GAME EXCURSION
OR HIMBA EXCURSION MUST BE PAID FOR PRIOR TO SAFARI DEPARTURE
LOW SEASON Himba - N$650/PERSON (1/1/07–30/6/07)
Damaraland Game Excursion N$830/PERSON (1/1/06-30/6/06)
HIGH SEASON Himba - N$710/PERSON (1/7/07– 31/12/07)
Damaraland Game Excursion N$830/PERSON (1/1/06-30/6/06)
DEPARTS: Every Monday from Windhoek
Vehicle Used: 4x4
Maximum Group Size: 8 + 2 guides
Single Supplement: None
Prices (Valid until 31st Dec 2007)
Itinerary:
Day 1 SESRIEM
We depart from Windhoek at 08h30. Driving through the rugged
Khomas Hochland mountain range we descend to the desert floor
via the Gamsberg Pass, an imposing flat topped mountain and
one of the highest points in Namibia, which provides a dramatic
back drop for our roadside lunch. After a short stop at Solitaire,
we arrive at camp mid afternoon and enjoy a late afternoon
walk across the desert to Elim’s Dune on the edge of
the famous sand dune sea with views across to the nearby mountains.
We return to camp just after sunset to enjoy our dinner prepared
by guide and camp assistant. Overnight camping (LD)
Day 2 SESRIEM
A pre-dawn departure from our campsite to drive to Sossusvlei,
a 65kms drive in the darkness witnessing first light and shadows
on the sand dunes before arriving at the heart of the famous
sand dune sea of Namibia. We watch the sunrise from this spectacular
and unique area (dependent on opening time of inner park gate).
We head up a dune close to Sossusvlei then walk to Dead Vlei
with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal
camel thorn trees scattered around, contrasting with a backdrop
of huge orange-red dunes that make for superb photographic
opportunities. We enjoy a mid morning brunch after exploring
this dramatic and desolate landscape before returning to camp
for a swim and this afternoon explore nearby Sesriem Canyon
on foot. Enjoy another spectacular sunset surrounded by this
colourful desert and sleep under the bright stars of the southern
hemisphere. Overnight camping and dinner prepared by guide
and camp assistant (BLD)
Day 3 DUNEDIN STAR GUESTHOUSE, SWAKOPMUND 
Early morning departure from camp stopping at the one horse
town of Solitaire before continuing through the desert with
its endless views across the pastel-coloured gravel plains
to the port town of Walvis Bay. We visit the lagoon, which
is a protected RAMSAR wetland site, where we may see the many
species of birds including Greater and Lesser Flamingos, pelicans,
avocets, plovers and the endemic damara tern before a short
stop at the salt farm. We continue onto the quaint town of
Swakopmund, full of historic buildings and where your guide
will assist those wishing to book optional adventure activities
such as sand boarding, quad biking, scenic flights, parachuting,
dolphin cruises to name but a few, which you have time for
this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Overnight in comfortable
twin/double rooms with en-suite bathroom close to the town
centre. Laundry facilities are available here. This evening’s
meal is a group dinner in a restaurant at client’s own
expense (BL)
Day 4 SPITZKOPPE
This morning you have free time to visit the museum and aquarium,
explore the town, or partake in optional activities such as
sand boarding and quad biking. We depart after lunch, driving
along a section of the Skeleton Coast before turning inland
for Spitzkoppe, a huge inselberg towering above the dry desert
plains and arriving late afternoon to set up camp. We have
the opportunity to explore the area and enjoy the wonderful
rock formations that have been created by erosion over thousands
of years. Dinner prepared by the guide and camp assistant.
Evening spent under a million stars. Overnight based at community
run bush camp with no toilet/shower facilities (BLD)
Day 5 HOBATERE
This morning we enjoy a walk to Bushmans Paradise, viewing
the ancient bushman paintings and vistas of the vast surrounding
desert or you may simply wander around the desert floor. From
here our drive takes us through some beautiful and dramatic
landscapes arriving at camp late afternoon. Hobatere borders
western  Etosha
and the camp is set amongst boulders and trees offering seclusion,
however, game, including lion may wander around freely and
there are no fences to separate the camp from concession land.
Overnight wild camping, dinner prepared by guide and camp
assistant (BLD)
Day 6 HOBATERE
Today you can relax at the camp, enjoy a walk in the surrounding
land or watch the game from the hide come to drink at the
waterhole, alternatively join an OPTIONAL day trip through
to Opuwo and visit the local himba tribes. These remarkable
and proud people live in the Kunene region. Formally cattle/goat
herders some still live a traditional life style in this harsh
environment. You will be accompanied by a local guide who
will translate all your questions giving you a chance to find
how they survive in today’s modern world learn about
their fascinating culture. We return to camp late afternoon
and you can sit at the waterhole watching the game come to
quench their thirst. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant
(BLD)
Day 7 OKAUKEUJO, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
We depart for Etosha entering through the western gate and
game driving through to Okaukuejo. This massive park is a
haven for wildlife and supports one of the most important
ecological and wildlife systems on the continent. After setting
up our tents we take a late afternoon game drive visiting
the surrounding waterholes looking for species such as elephant,
lion, rhino, kudu, giraffe as well as the large herds of springbok,
zebra and wildebeest that survive in this region. Dinner prepared
by guide and camp assistant. Evening viewing at flood lit
waterhole, famous for its visits by black rhinos (BLD)
Day 8 NAMUTONI, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Sunrise departure from camp for full morning game drive transiting
across the park visiting various waterholes along the way
and look out for the many species of animals. We spend the
hottest part of the day at Halali camp where we have lunch
and enjoy a swim or an afternoon snooze. Late afternoon game
drive to Namutoni via the famous Etosha Pan, a vast depression
which can even be seen from space and the white shimmering
haze disappearing into the horizon. Dinner prepared by guide
and camp assistant. Evening viewing at flood lit waterhole.
(BLD)
Day 9 WATERBERG PLATEAU 
We’ll enjoy an early morning game drive before departing
Etosha on the eastern side. We have a short stop at Lake Otjikoto
before collecting fresh supplies at Tsumeb and continuing
on to Hoba Meteorite, the largest meteorite in the world for
lunch. We arrive late afternoon at Waterberg Bush camp at
the eastern end of the Plateau. Witness the fabulous colours
of the lichen growing on the rock face of the plateau at sunset
from the top of the plateau directly above our camp and enjoy
the views across the Kalahari. There are plenty of animals
wandering freely in this area such as eland, ostrich, springbok,
kudu and impala. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant.
(BLD)
Day 10 WINDHOEK
Your guide will lead you on a short hike through the ravine
at the base of the plateau. After brunch we return to Windhoek
via the Okahandja Craft Markets for those last minute gifts.
We arrive back in Windhoke where you can enjoy an after safari
drink and share your memories of your safari. (BL)
Please note – the itinerary above is a guideline only
and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances
when it may change – for example weather and/or road
conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on
occasion may be altered from those indicated above. IMPORTANT
- Whilst visiting villages and local communities we cannot
guarantee activities on offer, it often depends on how they
feel on the day, however, it will give you the opportunity
to meet and experience life in Namibia in today’s society.
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