13 Days Mobile Safari - Namibia Tour Package Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights Priced From: $4,850 pp dbl. occ. Dates: Year-round

 Wedged between the heat of the Kalahari and the waters of the South Atlantic, Namibia’s vast landscape embodies the desolate beauty of Africa. Experience the awe-inspiring dunes of Sossusvlei, the big-game wildlife of Etosha, the legendary desert elephants of Damaraland, the stark beauty of the Skeleton Coast and the charms of Waterberg.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Windhoek, Waterberg Plateau
Upon arrival at the Windhoek International airport you will be transferred by road to the Olive Grove Guesthouse for dinner and your overnight stay. During the course of the evening your safari guide will provide you with a full tour briefing.
Hotel: Olive Grove Guesthouse Meals: LD Day 2 - Waterburg
After breakfast you will embark on your safari through Kalahari bush savannah where you will have the chance of seeing several antelope species and an introduction to some of Namibia’s endemic birds. Travel off the beaten track towards the Waterberg Plateau, surrounded by a wall of steep, reddish-yellow cliffs. A stop for lunch will be included on route at a local farmstead before arriving at our destination during the afternoon. Our exclusive campsite is situated in one of the gorges, over looking a valley towards the Northern Kalahari basin. Enjoy a delicious dinner under the canopy of Leadwood and Acacia trees which surrounds our campsite.
Hotel: Mobile Camp Meals: BLD Day 3 - Etosha National Park
This morning we conduct a guided nature walk along the top of the plateau where you may encounter black or white rhino and buffalo introduced into the sanctuary and learn more about some of the countries flora. After breakfast, continue your journey to our exclusive campsite in the private Fischer's Pan Game Reserve – adjacent to the eastern edge of Etosha National Park. In the afternoon, season permitting, enjoy your first exploratory game-drive in the Etosha National Park – one of the world's great conservation areas comprising 22 270 square kilometres. Visit the permanent waterholes and viewing points at the vast, grey-white Etosha Pan which covers 4 590 square kilometres of the Park Day 4 - Etosha National Park
Depart on an early game-drive into Etosha to further explore the eastern side of the park where numerous waterholes and subterranean springs attract large herds of animals – including springbok, zebra, gnu, giraffe, kudu, elephant and the endemic black-faced impala. Excellent game-viewing occurs when prides of lion dominate the water resources during the drier months. Depending on game sightings and movements, you will spend the day in the Park stopping for a delicious picnic lunch at one of the rest camps. Day 5 - Etosha
Depart from our private campsite and travel westwards into the Park, stopping en route for lunch at one of the rest camps. A full day's game-drive will afford you the opportunity to visit several permanent waterholes surrounding the edge of the Etosha Pan. You will arrive at the Okaukuejo Rest Camp in time for sundowners at the adjacent floodlit waterhole. Accommodation is in the Rest Camp’s chalets while after dinner game viewing at the nocturnal waterhole is a must. Day 6 - Southern Damaraland
Today’s journey continues in a westerly direction towards the formerly known Damaraland Region between the Huab and the Ugab river systems. Visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein – ancient works of rock art attributed to the San (Bushmen) – and explore seasonal riverbeds with the possibility of encountering several species of game, including the elusive desert-adapted elephant. This area marks the southern limit of the Damaraland Region with its abundant diversity of desert adapted flora and fauna. Here we camp under clear desert night skies offering great opportunities for stargazing. Day 7 & 8 - Northern Damaraland
After breakfast, continue into Northern Damaraland which has a significant population of lion, elephant, leopard, large antelope, giraffe, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, and the last free-ranging black rhino population in the world. Discover this truly unique area for the next two days, searching for hidden waterholes and camping in its wild and untouched landscapes. During these excursions, you may even be fortunate enough to encounter a temporary settlement of the nomadic Ovahimba tribe who still live and dress according to their traditional lifestyles as herders. Excursions here are largely conducted on foot providing the opportunity to explore the ancient volcanic landscape. Day 9 - Swakopmund
Today, we depart from Damaraland entering into the Skeleton Coast National Park before continuing in a southerly direction along the coastline towards the coastal town of Swakopmund. An excursion on route will be included to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve. It is here that the Portuguese explorer Diego Cao first set foot on Namibian soil in 1486. Late afternoon arrival in Namibia’s premier coastal resort town, Swakopmund, where you will spend the following two nights at the Intermezzo Guesthouse Day 10 - Swakopmund
This morning we continue to the harbour town of Walvis Bay to participate in a marine cruise excursion which travels around Pelican Point and offers the opportunity to encounter some of Namibia’s marine mammals. During the afternoon time will be available to explore Swakopmund on foot or participate in some of the exciting optional activities on offer such as quad biking, camel riding, and dune boarding. Day 11 & 12- Namib-Nauklft National Park
Continue to the Namib-Naukluft, Namibia’s largest National Park, which offers a surprising variety of landscapes and ecosystems ranging from Sossusvlei’s massive sand dunes to vast quartzite gravel plains, and the rugged Naukluft Mountains along the eastern edge of the Desert. Today’s journey leaves Swakopmund crossing the “gravel plains” of the Namib Desert and includes visits to the erosional feature of the “Moon Valley” and Namibia’s prehistoric plant species, the Welwitschia mirabilis, before crossing through the Kuiseb Canyon. After lunch at a lodge we continue to our exclusive campsite nestled on the slopes of the Naukluft Mountains. During your stay in this region visit the awe-inspiring dunes of Sossusvlei – the highest dunes in the world, many of which are in excess of 300m high. Spend the morning climbing and exploring these fascinating dunes and pans and learning more about the desert ecology of this living desert. Afternoons will also be spent conducting guided walks from our camp site in the Naukluft Mountains taking in the vast expanse of the desert landscape. For the less energetic the main area of the camp is shaded by two ancient Camelthorn trees supporting a pair of Sociable Weaver nests. Being located on a buffer zone between the Namib dune belt and the Naukluft Mountains the area supports a rich diversity of desert adapted flora and fauna. Day 13 - Depart
After breakfast, we return to Windhoek for lunch where our safari ends and we say our goodbyes.
Meals: B.
Charming Guest Houses & Tented Camps
Olive Grove Guest House
Olive Grove is an upmarket establishment situated close to the city centre in a quiet, peaceful area. There are 11 en-suite rooms all featuring multi-channel Satellite Television and remote controlled air conditioning. Whilst each room caters for the every need of the most discerning traveller, the emphasis remains one of simplicity and elegance. After all, luxury should be subtle.
One of Olive Grove’s main features is the large veranda in front of every room, with tables and chairs for al fresco dining and lavish breakfasts. The open-air lounge, spa bath, plunge pool and tranquil gardens all invite the visitor to unwind and relax under Namibia’s open skies. Luxury Tented Camps
Travellers will spend seven nights camping in exclusive-use wilderness campsites featuring spacious safari tents, each with ensuite bathroom, flush w.c., and hot bucket shower. This is the ultimate in luxury camping. Each tent boasts comfortable beds with down duvets and thick mattresses, and is stylishly adorned with teak furniture, bedside lamps, and canvas wardrobes. Complete with personalised private butler service, traditional bush dinners of delicious Pan African food are served under the stars or in the shelter of a separate dining tent. Each camp has its own expert guide, as well as a fully-equipped safari vehicle, complete with onboard safe and fridge. This is the soul of Africa – no mains electricity and no running water. Intermezzo Guesthouse
This lovely bad and breakfast, tucked away in a peaceful area is situated only 2 minutes walk from the beach and 15 minutes to the centre of town. Offering 5 double and 1 single room, all en suite equipped with telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. Tranquil garden. Indulge in our sumptious breakfast buffet. Airport transfers are arranged on request. Parking is available on the premises.
Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Namibia vacation specialist.
Contact: Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
12/08
|