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Culture & Nature SafariSAFARI HIGHLIGHTS:This trip combines the main tourist highlights of Etosha and Sossusvlei with an insight into the cultural side of Namibia - visiting the Bushmen, Owambo, Ovahimba and Damara people. Accommodation is partly in lodges and partly camping Departure: Scheduled departure dates Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights Price: From NAM$14 200.00 per person sharing Currency Converter DAY 1: NAMIB DESERT/SOSSUSVLEI » We leave Windhoek and straight away join the small desert roads that connect the whole of rural Namibia » Windhoek is in a mountain valley and we have to climb out, first over the Eros Mountains and then the Khomas Hochland Range » The mountain passes are spectacular, we pass by several desert homesteads and we often see wild game along the road » As we come through the mountains we drop down from the central plateau by way of the impressive Remhoogte Pass and emerge to find grassy desert savanna » We stop at Solitaire, Namibia's second smallest town, for afternoon tea, then cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib » We aim to arrive at Sesriem during the late afternoon and we have time to drive out to one of the nearby dunes to watch the colours on distant mountains to the east, glow and change » Driving time: approx. 5hrs (350 km) » Overnight: Sesriem Camp. Camping/communal ablutions » (Lunch and Dinner) DAY 2: NAMIB DESERT/SOSSUSVLEI » A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert » After driving into the heart of the dune field, we reach Sossusvlei itself by walking the last 5 km through the dunes » The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert » Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect » We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting dune 45, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon » Overnight : Sesriem Camp. Camping/communal ablutions » (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) DAY 3: SWAKOPMUND » An early start today, we are heading north-west to the seaside town of Swakopmund located on the Skeleton Coast » Leaving the dune fields far behind us we are soon back into the mountain desert » We cross the Tropic of Capricorn and traverse both the Gaub and the Kuiseb passes, driving down to the dry river bed at the bottom of the canyon before climbing up the other side, watching the spectacular desert landscape unfold before us » From the mountains we cross the desolate Namib gravel plains before reaching the coastal sand dunes at the port town of Walvis Bay » We will stop to see the ocean and there will be time to see the flamingos and other bird life in the Walvis Bay lagoon before continuing the short drive into Swakopmund » Dinner tonight is for the clients own account in a local restaurant » Driving time: approx: 5 hrs. (350km) » Overnight: Hotel accommodation En-suite facilities » Breakfast and Lunch DAY 4: BRANDBERG, DAMARALAND » Leaving town we head north, following the rugged Skeleton Coast to the small town of Henties Bay » After a short stop here, we continue on to the Cape Cross Reserve » Here there can be as many as 100 000 Cape Fur Seals basking on the rocks and cavorting in the "boiling" Atlantic waters » We turn east and inland from here heading into one of the most beautiful desert areas in Namibia, Damaraland, home to the elusive desert elephant and rare black rhino » Our destination is the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain, (2573 m), an ancient Bushman spiritual site and tonight we sleep under the shadow of this giant granite monolith » Driving time: approx. 5 hrs (300 km) » Overnight: Damaraland. Chalet accommodation. En-suite facilities » (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) DAY 5: PALMWAG, DAMARALAND » Damaraland scenery is beautiful and we drive through the heart of the region today » Giant granite "koppies" and open grassland make up the terrain with rare and unusual flora species dotting the landscape » Our first stop is in the Twyfelfontein valley where we visit the Bushman rock engravings or petroglyphs » Ancient artisans used tools made from quartz to leave modern generations with the gift of a fascinating open air museum » The art is carved into the flat surfaces of a ruined petrified sand dune and a local guide will introduce us to this important site » We then continue to our destination at Palmwag Oasis » Located beside a rare desert spring that can attract a wide variety of game, we camp tonight on the banks of a dry river and under the shade of huge palm trees » Driving time: approx. 5hrs. (300km) » Overnight: Palmwag Camp. Camping/communal ablutions » (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) DAY 6: KUNENE RIVER LODGE, KAOKOLAND » We cross the mountains into the far northern region of Kaokoland, the home of the Himba » The Himba people are, in fact, part of the Herero Clan, sharing a common language and heritage » The original people were, and still to some extent are, nomadic pastoralists, settling in one area only long enough to harvest a crop before herding their cattle and families to literally, greener pastures » They arrived in Namibia as late as the 1920's and continued their almost Stone-Age existence in the far northern regions until late into the 20th Century » Globalisation has caught up with most traditional ways of life and the Himba are no exception » Today in Kaokoland the unlimited space that Africa used to boast is no longer available for nomadic people and the villages in the region are pretty much permanent. Many of the younger generations have migrated for the last time but this time to the cities and not to a new "kraal" » The Kaokoland Himba of today still retain many of their traditional ways, ways that are being adapted to fit in with 21st Century living » We travel to the main center of Kaokoland, the small town of Opuwo and after a short stop here, we start the final northern leg of our safari to the Kunene River » We will visit several villages along the way, asking permission to enter and offering gifts of food for the whole community to show appreciation for the hospitality we hope to receive » The Kunene is a welcome sight after long desert driving, and we tonight sleep in a lodge, right on the banks of the river, looking over to Angola on the far bank » Driving time: approx. 4 hrs (250 km) » Overnight: Kunene River Lodge. Lodge accommodation/en-suite facilities » (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) DAY 7: KUNENE RIVER LODGE, KAOKOLAND » We spend a whole day in this rare wetland of the Namib Desert » There will be the opportunity to visit more Himba communities but there is also the chance to "chill-out" in the shade beside the river and re-charge » For the energetic there are various optional activities available » These include white water rafting on the Kunene, hiking trails or mountain biking in the foothills surrounding the Kunene River Valley » (N.B. All extra activities and excursions are subject to availability and are made at the clients' own risk and expense) » Overnight: Kunene River Lodge. Lodge accommodation/en-suite facilities » (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) DAY 8: RUACANA » We stay with the Kunene for the first part of the day, following the river road up-stream to the huge hydro-electric dam at Ruacana, a joint industrial project between Angola and Namibia and the source of much of Namibia's electrical power » In times of high water the sluice gates at the dam are opened to create an impressive waterfall » A short stop in Ruacana and then we pick up the main road into Owamboland travelling to our destination at Ombalantu » Ombalantu is an old South African military camp, left abandoned at the end of the Namibian liberation struggle » There is also a giant, hollow baobab tree that in times past has been used as a pub, a jail and a chapel » We make our camp on a local community site in the vicinity of this ancient tree and have time to explore the community on foot » It is a great opportunity to meet some of the local people, have a drink of traditional beer in the local pub and enjoy an afternoon of cultural exchange » Driving time: approx. 3hrs (250km) » Overnight : Omalantu. Camping/communal ablutions » (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) DAY 9: OWAMBO MUSEUM AND KRAAL » We make an early start and continue our journey through the heart of the most populated area of Namibia making numerous stops along the way to visit various local initiatives and projects » The local people are producing "cottage industry style" products that are in much demand within the local community » Much of the produce is hand made in the traditional manner and we have the chance to interact with the craftsmen and women and learn something of the "old way" of doing things » We are not the only people interested in traditional skills, the elders of the community are also taking the opportunity to pass on their expertise to the younger generations, keeping alive some of the ancient methods, traditions and lore » We will also visit the traditional Kraal at Nakambale where the preservation of the traditional Owambo lifestyle has been formalised and a museum created » Our destination is Omaheke Village where we are invited to spend the night with the local community » Depending on the season, we can visit the local school and often there is the opportunity to "go local" and help the Omahekeians with some of their daily tasks, for example, harvesting the mahango (millet) crop or herding the cattle in for the night » We have direct contact not only with the people but with their everyday way of life and we have the chance to compare our own lifestyle, (quality bathrooms for example), with the lifestyle of the people living in rural Namibia » Driving time: approx. 4hrs. (250km) » Overnight: Owamboland. Traditional village. Rustic ablutions/ bush shower » (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) DAY 10: SAN PROJECT AND ETOSHA - NAMUTONI » First stop this morning will be to visit a local community of Bushman or San people. Before Namibian independence in 1990, the Namibian people were engaged in a liberation struggle with South Africa » During this time Namibia had a large South African military presence and the South African army incorporated local Bushmen into their ranks because of their natural talent for tracking » When the South African army withdrew, the local Bushmen trackers remained behind and were in danger of becoming displaced people, being so long away from their own villages » The local farming community in the Ombili area invited the Bushmen to stay and make their homes » Over the last 15 years or so a thriving bushman community has developed » The Bushmen at Ombili are not living the traditional hunter gatherer lifestyle, that harsh but romanticized way of life has disappeared for ever, but the language and many of the customs remain alive » We make a stop at Ombili and we have the chance to meet the local inhabitants and learn something of their ancient and modern culture » Continuing on to Namutoni camp in Etosha National Park, we aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving us time to relax before heading out into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first game drive » After your evening meal there are still more chances to see Etosha's big game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole » Situated on the boundary of the camp and easily reachable by foot, elephants are regular visitors here and there is a good chance of seeing other species of game as well » Driving time: approx. 2hrs. (200km) » Overnight: Etosha National ParkNamutoni Camping/communal ablutions » (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) DAY 11: ETOSHA - NAMUTONI » It is up before dawn to go straight out on an early morning game drive. We visit some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to catch some of Etosha's big game out for an early morning drink » The game drives around the Namutoni area are some of the best in the park » We cover several different types of terrain this morning, from wooded areas to open savannah and in the rainy season, wetland » Back to Namutoni in the late morning and after lunch there is time once again to relax during the heat of the day » The pool area here is very good, shaded by palm trees and a stone's throw away from the waterhole » We take a shorter game drive in the late afternoon, often driving out to one of the waterholes popular with game and waiting for the animals to come to us » Overnight: Etosha National ParkNamutoniCamping/communal ablutions » (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) DAY 12: ETOSHA - OKAUKUEJO » A full day's game driving » We again leave early to enjoy the cool morning air. We game drive our way through Etosha to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park » Along the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan » The game viewing is usually excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species that are not normally seen on the Namutoni side of the park » We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch » There is also time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving down to Okaukuejo camp » Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, which has been described as one of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa" » Situated on the doorstep of our accommodation, black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are often seen » Overnight: Etosha National ParkNamutoniCamping/communal ablutions » (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) DAY 13: RETURN TO WINDHOEK » We have time for a short, final game drive this morning before leaving Etosha and beginning our journey south » We are travelling on the main road, passing through towns and rural areas and we will make time to make a stop in the small town of Okahandja » Okahandja is the home of Namibia's largest wood carving market » The stalls are operated on a local co-operative basis and are one of the best places to shop for truly Namibian souvenirs » We are due back into the city around 16:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return » Driving time: approx. 6hrs(450km) » (Breakfast and Lunch) The above Culture & Nature Safari rates are inclusive of: -» Accommodation and meals as specified in itinerary » Transportation » Professional guide » Camp assistant » Tap drinking water, teas/coffees » All camping equipment (except sleeping bags) » Park entrance and camping fees » Collection and drop-off at Windhoek accommodation Excludes » Flights and airport taxes, visa costs, other beverages and drinks, items of a personal nature, gratuities and curios » Booking Conditions |
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SAFARI PHOTOS     NAMIBIA SAFARINAMIBIA SAFARI» SELF DRIVE SAFARIS » CAMPING SAFARIS » LODGE SAFARIS » FLY IN SAFARIS NAMIBIA ACCOMMODATIONNAMIBIA ACCOMMODATION» NAMIB LODGES » ETOSHA LODGES » SWAKOPMUND HOTELS » DAMARALAND LODGES » CAPRIVI LODGES » WINDHOEK HOTELS » WATERBERG LODGES » SKELETON COAST LODGES » FISH RIVER LODGES » LUDERITZ HOTELS NAMIBIA TRAVEL INFONAMIBIA TRAVEL» NAMIBIA SAFARI PLANNER » VISA REQUIREMENTS » HEALTH REQUIREMENTS » NAMIBIA MALARIA » NAMIBIA WEATHER » GENERAL SAFETY TIPS » WHAT TO TAKE ON A SAFARI » NAMIBIA DISTANCE TABLE » NAMIBIA MAP GAME RESERVESNAMIBIA GAME RESERVES» SKELETON COAST » DAMARALAND » WATERBERG PLATEAU » SWAKOPMUND » ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK » NAMIB NAUKLUFT » SOSSUSVLEI » CAPRIVI STRIP » FISH RIVER CANYON |
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