Travel to Namibia: Diverse Namibia Adventure

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Diverse Namibia Adventure

			DAYS: 11 GRADE: I-II, Adventurer camps, longer drives define PRICE: From $3888 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Soussevlei Skeleton Coast Damaraland desert rhino wildlife Etosha ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges Wilderness Camp MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Diverse Namibia is an active, exciting adventure, exploring the iconic areas of this vast country. Namibia's dunes, desert, plains and superb wildlife are enhanced by exclusive accommodation in private reserves and concessions.

Take in the soaring red dunes of Sossusvlei, the life-filled blue Atlantic Ocean, the desert and denizens of Damaraland, and the dense plains game and predators of Etosha National Park. Throughout the Exploration are interspersed activities such as scenic walks, mountain biking, visiting the spectacular and ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein and rhino tracking, along with optional hot air ballooning and horse-riding. This is a true Namibian adventure with a range of activities impossible to beat!

This exploration is led by highly skilled and qualified professional guides with a passion for the natural regions they work in. Sharing the adventure and guiding you on this journey of discovery combined with their vast knowledge of the natural world, history and culture are their professions and personal hobby. Experience in the field and a depth of understanding of animal behavior and the environment will leave you with a sense of complete wonder.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE WINDHOEK
You will be met upon arrival at Windhoek International Airport and transferred to Olive Grove boutique guesthouse for overnight.

The dunes of Sossusvlei are reported to be the tallest in the world. We'll visit during the morning and evening hours when the light captures their majesty. Photo by Dana Allen.

DAYS 2-3 :  SOSSUSVLEI
Drive time: 5 hours, 211 miles
Our early morning departure from Windhoek takes us through the Khomas Hochland mountains and down into the iconic Sossusvlei region.

The first two nights are spent on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, a 91430 acres tract of land near the spectacular sights of Sossusvlei, bordering the expansive Namib Naukluft Park. The camp, comprising dome tents under the shade, is perfect for taking in the Reserves expansive vistas and stark beauty and enjoys views into the Namib Naukluft National Park. Dining under the star-filled Namibian skies and watching a blood red sunset punctuated by the cacophony of barking geckos are a few highlights, as is spending unrushed quality time at the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, known for their red coloring in the early morning sunlight, accessed through our private gate which is closer to the dunes than the main park entry gate. Desert-adapted wildlife such as ostrich, springbok and gemsbok can be seen on the reserve, as well as smaller creatures like bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal and Cape fox.

Other activities include day and night scenic drives and walks, and optional early morning ballooning, horse riding or camel rides (the last three at extra cost).  Overnights Kulala Adventurer Camp. [BLD]

DAYS 4-5 :  SWAKOPMUND
Drive time: 5-6 hours, 230 miles
We depart camp early, driving through the snaking roads of the Kuiseb Canyon and out onto the expansive gravel plains before arriving in Walvis Bay and then finally driving up the skeleton coast into the quaint town of Swakopmund.

On day 4, we explore the ice-blue Atlantic coast, from the port town of Swakopmund to its incredible marine mammals. A private Dolphin and Seal catamaran cruise from Walvis Bay (weather permitting) provides a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful bay and coastline. The cruise takes in the Oyster Platforms, where we learn about the oysters cultivated here including tasting the delicacies before moving on to Pelican Point to see the lighthouse, and an area in which three species of dolphins may be encountered, namely the rare endemic Heavisides dolphin, dusky and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Aside from spotting diverse pelagic (ocean-going) birdlife, pelicans and flamingo, and Cape fur seals, the massive sunfish, leatherback turtles, southern right and humpback whales can be seen in season. Overnights Hansa Hotel. [BLD]

	Desert adapted elephants are a highlight of our stay in Damaraland. Photo by Dana Allen.

DAYS 6-8 :  DAMARALAND

Drive time: 8 hours, 200 miles
We continue our journey by road to Damaraland, west of the Brandberg Mountain (the second largest monolith in the world after Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, Australia), stopping for lunch at Ugab Save the Rhino Trust Camp. The Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has been involved with rhino conservation since the early eighties, and has been singly responsible for helping these rare animals survive and thrive, so that today this area boasts the largest concentration of black rhino anywhere on the planet outside of a national park. Community game scouts employed by the Trust as monitors are the trackers and guides.

Once in the private area around Damaraland, we are in the heart of the rocky desert, an ancient glacial landscape. Damaraland boasts a varied and breathtaking assortment of desert-adapted species including one of the highest concentrations of desert elephant and black rhino, and a surprisingly high diversity of wildlife including Hartmann's mountain zebra, kudu, giraffe, gemsbok, and springbok, with occasional cheetah sightings. Our activities range from nature walks, mountain biking, viewing the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein (a World Heritage Site) to day and night nature drives, exploring the mountains, hills and ephemeral river beds and springs.

Looking south from camp toward the imposing Brandberg Mountains, Damaraland offers its guests endless vistas and one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia. Early morning mists generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the river sand canyon, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region.  Overnights Damaraland Adventurer Camp. [BLD]

Water is scarce in Etosha, forcing multiple species such as oryx, zebra, and springbok to come together at the same watering hole. Photo by Dana Allen

DAYS 9-10 :  ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Drive time: 5 hours, 205 miles
We drive to Ongava Game Reserve on the boundary of Etosha National Park, to experience big game viewing and this iconic salt pan. Etosha remains the highest density wildlife area within Namibia. This is the largest salt pan in the world and is speculated to be a remnant of an ancient glacial lake, which is today being maintained by scouring winds across its surface and sporadic flooding. Springs along the edge of the pan attract and quench the thirst of a dense and varied conglomeration of wildlife, mixing savanna and desert species like impala and springbok. On day 9 we embark on a full day game drive into Etosha, exploring the southern roads of Etosha Pan from Okakeujo through to Halali (where we stop for lunch and relax in the cool shade watching the game coming in to drink at the waterhole), meandering our way from waterhole to spring and enjoying the endless vistas and mirages of the pan itself.

On the southern boundary of Etosha National Park and forming a buffer to the Park lies Ongava Game Reserve, a prolific 74130 acre private concession. It is a haven to large concentrations of wildlife: notably lion, cheetah, black rhino, white rhino, springbok, oryx, wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, Hartmann's mountain zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, eland and the largest population of the endemic black-faced impala outside of Etosha. Anderssons Camp makes for a comfortable modern day, eco-friendly exploration of the Etosha landscape. To further enhance our Etosha experience and while accommodated on the private Ongava Reserve, we can enjoy night game drives and walks, while evening game viewing is enhanced with a floodlit waterhole out the front of the main area. Overnights Andersson's Camp. [BLD]

DAY 11 :  DEPARTURE
Drive time: 6-7 hours, 260 miles
Driving south, we return to Windhoek, arriving at 1pm in time for departing flights. Please make sure that your departing flight is booked for 3:30 or later. [BL]

Note: Please note that international flights do not allow same day connections to Namibia so you will need to allow 2 days to get to Windhoek to begin your adventure.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Jeff Stivers 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Nick Bay 1(800)345-4453