Spirit of the Namib - 10 Day Itinerary
Meet the Namib: the oldest desert in the world; Damaraland: where the largest free-roaming population of black rhino resides; Cape Cross: a bewildering cacophony of Cape fur seals; Etosha: a blinding whiteness that is home to a surprising variety of wildlife. This is an all-encompassing safari that explores the spirit of this wide-open land – Namibia's most special wild places, its people and culture. Exposed and diverse landscapes with desert wildlife, scenic, jagged mountains, endless skies, and so-called ‘barren' deserts that hide a multitude and variety of life. Price £1790 per person.
Sossusvlei, Etosha, Skeleton Coast and Damaraland are all enthusiastically explored via a range of private areas, campsites, flights and lodges. Impressive range of activities, whether by day, night, sea, or land, by air or vehicle – as well as meeting local Topnaar and Damara people (dependent on their movements) – reveal the encompassing beauty of Namibia's people and land. Wonderful variety of accommodation, from an old farmhouse to dome tent camps, hexagonal meru tents, superlative lodges and quaint hotel. At Aonin Dune Camp, experience an ancient date palm oasis with views of immense red sand dunes. Travel by land when the journey is enhanced; otherwise travelling is done by air.
The Adventurer style of accommodation takes you back to the great days of African exploration. Pure cotton linen bedrolls (with duvets) on GI stretchers, bedside table with silver lantern and mini luggage benches complement the atmosphere in pristine, wild camping areas. Separate toilet and shower ‘bathrooms' with old-style tin bucket showers and basins and all amenities create simple serviced comfort.
Days 1 & 2: Ongava Homestead, Etosha Region
Transfer by comfortable charter flight to Namibia's big game country: Etosha and its environs. Here, the diverse flora and fauna is experienced in a variety of activities, from game walks to game drives and visits to hides both on the property and in the famous Etosha National Park.
The 66 000-acre Ongava Game Reserve is recognised as the nation's premier big game private game reserve. Combined with easy access to the extraordinary Etosha Park, Ongava Homestead provides the quintessential Namibian farmhouse experience.
Ongava Homestead, situated in the private Ongava Game Reserve, is a renovated old farmhouse, with en-suite bathrooms and a farm kitchen overlooking a busy waterhole. Sleeping eight guests, complete with domestic facilities, outdoor barbecue, bar, common dining, kitchen and bathroom facilities present a clean and comfortable base to experience and explore the fascinating countryside. Simple safari furnishings create a wonderful atmosphere in which to make friends and enjoy good company.
The waterhole is floodlit at night to catch sight of nocturnal visitors, from the timid genet to big game such as lion, leopard and a host of antelope. Within Etosha we'll also visit numerous perennial springs and pans, encountering lion, leopard, elephant and black rhino, as well as plains game.
Days 3: Palmwag Lodge, Damaraland
After an early breakfast, we depart westwards by road in the direction of Palmwag concession.
Here, on the concession and in the surrounding areas the desert-adapted elephant and black rhino can be found. Special activities include tracking and searching for these wonderful mammals on foot and by vehicle.
In addition, our guides expose the sheer magnificence of nature's survival strategies in this arid environment, through walks and game drives concentrating on a variety of topics from birds to insects, medicinal uses of plants and viewing wildlife. Overnight at Palmwag Lodge.
Days 4 & 5: Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland
With an early start, our journey continues by road towards the ephemeral river of the Hoanib Valley. Here, in an area seemingly parched and desolate, we enter one of Namibia's richest desert wildlife areas.
The rugged mountains and canyons of the Hoanib River provide a last refuge for some of the continent's most unique wildlife; this is the home of the legendary desert elephant and the last free-roaming black rhino population on Earth. In fact seventy-five per cent of Namibia's endemic species inhabit this last bastion of the wilderness.
Experience the wilder side of Africa where only the sporadic roar of lion or cackle of hyena punctuates the silence of the night. The Save the Rhino Trust has been involved with rhino conservation in this area since the early 1980s, with funding from and in partnership with Wilderness Safaris. The Trust is thus able to continue the conservation of this remarkable animal.
Our Discoverer-styled tented camp close to the Hoanib River is a relaxed haven from which we explore this wild land on foot, or from the comfort of one of our safari vehicles. The camp is powered by solar-powered inverter systems and there are no generators or pumps running whilst guests are in camp. There are 5 guest walk-in hexagonal meru-style tents with en suite and flush toilet and bucket shower bathrooms in a separate portion of the tent. Each tent is furnished with necessary comforts and styled with burnt orange interiors, wood and brass, effectively recreating a sense of the early explorers.
Day 6: Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Departing early, we travel to Twyfelfontein where we take a guided walk via a number of routes with local Damara guides to view the San (Bushman) petroglyphs - prehistoric rock etchings strewn over the rock face. We end the journey at the award-winning Damaraland Camp.
Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water. The dining room and bar are combined under canvas, and an open fire is enjoyed on calm evenings. A feature of the camp is its unique natural rock pool. In the late afternoon, we search on foot or vehicle for the black rhino, hoping to have a glimpse of this prehistoric-looking animal that survives today in these desolately beautiful areas.
Day 7: The Stiltz Lodge, Swakopmund
We leave Damaraland Camp and cross over the Huab riverbed. Traveling south we begin finding some Welwitschia plants, we also come across some petrified wood and pass the Gai As spring where we find numerous stone circles made by people who lived here about 500 years ago. Continuing south we cross over the Ugab River and then start heading westwards towards the coast. As we get closer to the coast there are lichen fields strewn over the gravel plains, one of the most fragile ecosystems on Earth.
After relaxing over our packed lunch en route, we make for The Stiltz Lodge in the quaint and charming town of Swakopmund, arriving in the late afternoon. Swakopmund is a wonderful town in which to end a safari after the experiences of the northern Namibian bush, with its unique urban atmosphere that is a vibrant combination of Africa and Europe.
The Stiltz, as its name implies is built on stilts, providing breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, the red iron-rich beach dunes and also the Swakopmund River mouth. Each of the 8 minimalist yet elegantly furnished thatched bungalows is linked by wooden walkways to the main restaurant. As the lodge is sited close to the central part of town, this allows for easy access to enjoy the special hospitality, history and cuisine.
Days 8 & 9: Kulala Adventurer Camp, Sossusvlei
After an early breakfast, we drive southwards to Walvis Bay Lagoon. Here in a protected bay, many flamingos, pelicans and other waterfowl amass. On the calm waters of the bay, we experience sea kayaking, a spectacular activity that allows us to approach the waterbirds at a respectable distance and in their habitat, allowing for some unique photographic opportunities of birds flying low over the bay.
We enjoy a seafood lunch served on the beach and afterwards drive inland to the Kulala Adventurer Camp in our private Sossusvlei concession.
Here we enjoy access to the Sossusvlei dunes, for walks in the immense moving sands of the Namib, game drives on our concession and stargazing. Photography in the early morning of the dunes is particularly stunning with rich reds and dark shadows completing the extraordinary vista that is the enormity of the Namib Desert.
Day 10 : Transfer to Windhoek
After breakfast we transfer by road, including lunch overlooking the view of the plains nearby, to Windhoek and bid farewell to the adventure.
Single Supplement £110
Itinerary includes: accommodation as outlined in the itinerary, all meals from lunch on Day One, all drinks (except premium brands of alcohol - house wine is included), National Park fees, activities and internal charters as specified in the itinerary.
Itinerary excludes: international flights, personal travel insurance, items of a personal nature, laundry, optional extra activities, pre and post safari accommodation in Windhoek, pre and post safari meals and drinks, tips and gratuities.
Routes: The routes followed on this safari aim to track the shy, elusive wildlife of the desert, revel in the abundance of life on the Atlantic Coastline and view the enormous moving dunes of the Namib Desert. Surprisingly, the seemingly barren desert comes to life with an amazing plethora of plants and animals that have ingeniously adapted to their harsh surroundings – and in fact thrive. On this journey there is an excellent opportunity to find even the largest of mammals surviving here – the desert black rhino and elephant.
Exclusive experience: To ensure total privacy and exclusivity, most areas in which we travel are private concessions in unspoiled, prime game and scenic locations. All campsites are private and for the use of Wilderness Safaris guests only. Group size 8 people maximum.
Guides: The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional and passionate trained guides who share their in-depth knowledge to present a seamless, well-rounded experience.
Transfers: To maximise guests' travel time, a variety of transport modes that bring out the best of each area is used: flying in private charters (when the travelling experience is not enhanced by road) and cross-country transfers provide both a bird's-eye view and an in-depth experience of the contrasting landscapes of Namibia.
Departure Dates for 2008: 16 January 2008, 11 February 2008, 29 February 2008, 22 March 2008, 12 April 2008, 16 April 2008, 24 April 2008, 14 May 2008, 29 May 2008, 17 June 2008, 24 June 2008, 02 July 2008, 11 July 2008, 17 July 2008, 06 August 2008, 12 August 2008, 16 August 2008, 22 August 2008, 28 August 2008, 13 September 2008, 26 September 2008, 10 October 2008, 14 October 2008, 21 October 2008, 15 November 2008, 21 November 2008, 27 November 2008, 10 December 2008, 31 December 2008.