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DUNES AND DELTA 4x4 ADVENTURE - 12 DAYS
A safari of contrast - from the dry desert landscapes of
the Namib and the huge red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, the wildlife
kingdom of Etosha NP and tracking with a  bushman,
to the tranquility of the Okavango Delta finishing at Livingstone
close to the mighty Victoria Falls, this trip offers it all.
PRICE: N$6800/PERSON + N$1320
local payment (cash) + US$240 pp cash for Delta package
DEPARTS: Every 2nd Monday from Windhoek
Vehicle Used: 4x4
Maximum Group Size: 8 + 2 guides
Single Supplement: None
Prices (Valid until 31st Dec 2007)
This safari is a combination of 4 day Sossusvlei and Swakopmund
4x4 Adv & 8 day Bushman and Delta 4x4 Adv.
Itinerary:
Day 1 SESRIEM
This safari departs from Windhoek at 08h30. Driving through
the rugged Khomas Hochland mountain range we then 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 set up your tents underneath the ancient camel thorn trees
then 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, the endemic Damara Tern as well as a visit
to the nearby 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 WINDHOEK
After breakfast you have the morning at leisure to enjoy the
town and have a coffee and cake in one of the many cafes or
participate in one of the many optional activities such as
sand boarding or a dolphin cruise. After lunch at your accommodation
your vehicle will return to Windhoek via the Okahandja craft
market. Overnight accommodation included on a twin share basis
at our Guesthouse (subject to availability). Evening meal
at own expense (BL)
Day 5 OKAUKEUJO, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
We depart the next morning at 8h00am from Windhoek. After
stopping briefly at Otjiwarongo for fresh supplies we have
lunch at the entrance to Etosha National Park, one of the
best game reserves in Africa. We game drive to camp and if
time permits game drive before sunset. Overnight camping.
Dinner prepared by the Guide and Apprentice Guide and evening
is spent around the campfire or at the floodlit waterhole
by the camp, which is often frequented by the endangered black
rhino. (BLD)
Day 6 NAMUTONI, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Early morning and late afternoon game drives seeking the many
species of animals found in this huge park including elephant,
lion, leopard, the endangered cheetah, black and white rhino,
giraffe as well as many species of antelope and over 340 species
of bird, a wildlife enthusiasts dream. We spend the hottest
part of the day at camp either by the waterhole or the swimming
pool before heading to Etosha Pan, one of the translations
meaning “Great, White Place” to marvel at the
shimmering mirages and distant horizons. Overnight camping.
Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant and evening spent
around the campfire or at the floodlit waterhole (BLD) 
Day 7 BUSHMANLAND
Enjoy a short, early morning game drive and then return to
camp for breakfast. We travel via Lake Otjikoto to Tsumeb
for fresh supplies. A short lunch is taken at Hoba Meteorite
– the largest meteorite in the world then we continue
through to Grootfontein to refuel before entering the Kalahari.
We arrive at our camp mid afternoon and walk with a San tracker
to collect bush foods and learn how the traditional Bushmen
collect and gather food – generally a fascinating experience
for westerners where we are able to ask questions of how they
survive in today’s modern world. This evening we join
the local community around the campfire for singing and dancing.
Overnight camping. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant
(BLD)
Day 8 GUMA LAGOON CAMP, BOTSWANA
An early morning departure from camp takes us into the Kalahari
basin via Tsumkwe and into our neighbouring country, Botswana.
The sandy track takes us through the heart of the Kalahari
to the panhandle section of the Okavango Delta. The last 13kms
are 4x4 only and some pushing maybe required, but the jewel
of the river edge awaits us at the end of the day and this
wetland lies like an oasis in an otherwise harsh environment.
Overnight camping and evening meal prepared by the guide and
camp assistant (BLD)
Day 9 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
We take only what we need – each of our guests can take
only 1 small day pack and depart early morning initially in
a motor boat and then in a mokoro (dug out  canoe),
we relax while our polers push us through this beautiful and
unique area enjoying the tranquility of the delta until we
reach an island camp, our destination for the night. We’ll
have the opportunity to game walk and learn about this fragile
and unique ecosystem. Overnight bush camping under a million
stars with no facilities and evening meal prepared by the
guide and camp assistant (BLD)
Day 10 GUMA LAGOON CAMP, BOTSWANA
We enjoy more game walks and mokoro rides before we return
to the luxury of our camp early afternoon for hot showers
and toilets. Overnight camping close to the river, and evening
meal prepared by the guide and camp assistant (BLD)
Day 11 SUSUWE NATIONAL PARK
An early morning start to cross the border back into Namibia
and on to Mahango Game Reserve. This little jewel of a game
reserve is home to many unusual species such as roan and sable
antelope, buffalo, large herds of elephant, hippo and many
aquatic birds not found in many areas of Namibia. We leave
the park and have lunch overlooking Popa Falls before continuing
through the Caprivi Strip to Susuwe National Park. This is
a wild park where we camp without fences and spend an exhilarating
night listening to the night sounds of the animals and maybe
get the chance to enjoy “close up” encounters,
please note that there are no fences and that wild animals
such as hyena may wander through camp. Overnight camping and
evening meal prepared by the guide and camp assistant (BLD)
Day 12 LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA
Breakfast and short game drive before heading through to Katima
Mulilo. This busy and bustling town is the last frontier of
Namibia and we glimpse our first sight of the mighty Zambezi
River. We cross the border into Zambia and have lunch at a
scenic location along the roadside. We arrive at Livingstone
mid afternoon and we drop you at your accommodation. (B,L)
This should be pre-booked through African Budget Safariss
to enable you to obtain a visa waiver from your accommodation
establishment to avoid paying the Zambian visa fee. We recommend
Jolly Boys Backpackers, please note that this service CANNOT
be guaranteed
NOTE: This safari is designed for the adventure traveller,
one who enjoys pitching in to help, conversing with nature
and does not mind the discomfort of bush camping without shower
and toilet facilities. Please ensure that you have the necessary
entry visas for Namibia, Botswana and Zambia – Chameleon
cannot be held liable and if you do not have the appropriate
visas you may not be able to enter the country
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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