NAMASTE YOGA SAFARI NAMIBIA
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NAMASTE YOGA SAFARI
NAMIBIA
ITINERARY
8-Days Camping Combo Yoga Retreat
We will visit Namibia’s Greatest Wildlife Park for incredible game viewing before heading to
Damaraland, one of Namibia’s most scenic areas.
Explore the German influenced coastal town, Swakopmund - where we will be meditating in
the stillness of the oldest Desert in the World. Join one or two of the many adventurous
activities the town has to offer.
Yoga Experience
Each day is set to begin with a morning yoga practice out in nature. What better place
to find yourself at sunrise? The picture-perfect settings will give you the feeling as
though time is standing still and you will almost certainly be able to hear the landscapes
whispering rejuvenation into your soul as the world awakes.
The remainder of the mornings, after breakfast, will be spent on an excursion specific
to the area, a chance to really get to see the country and what makes it so unique. On
return from the activity, lunch will be served and then some time to relax and enjoy the
“holiday” part of this adventure or head off for another afternoon in the wilderness on
a guided activity (optional) as offered by the lodges.
As the days draw to a close, you will find yourself back in nature for an afternoon yoga
practice at sunset. An incredible way to end the day and quiet your mind before dinner
under the Namibian starlit skies.
Please note: Due to a few activities needing to take place early in the morning, there will be a
longer afternoon yoga session.
Accommodation Experience
Most of this trip will you be staying in already set up tents that either has beds or
bedrolls. Your first night at Urban Camp in Windhoek, tents have twin beds. The
following 3 nights at Etosha Village, the tents have bedrolls with a mattress and
bedding. In Damaraland at Madisa Camp, the tents have twin beds and your last 2
nights in Swakopmund you will be staying at a Bed and Breakfast.
Please note: An additional night in Windhoek to end can be added depending on your
international flight departure details.
ITINERARY
Day 1
April 27: Windhoek, Urban Camp
Day 2/3/4
April 28/29/30: Etosha National Park, Etosha Village Campsite
Day 5
May 1: Damaraland, Madisa Camp
Day 6/7
May 2/3 Swakopmund, Driftwood Guesthouse
Day 8
May 4: End of Retreat
ROUTE
DAY 1 Venue: Urban Camp Location: Windhoek Included: Sunset meditation flow Excluded: Lunch and dinner On arrival at Windhoek International Airport, you will be picked up and taken to Urban Camp. Relax at the pool or explore Windhoek city before a much needed sunset meditation flow before dinner.
VENUE
Urban Camp
Urban Camp is a centrally located comfortable camping ground situated in the heart of
Windhoek. It is the perfect get away with all the convenience of being in town. Big shady
trees, Wi-Fi internet, nice bathrooms and a sparkling pool. It is a mere 5 min walk to the
legendary Joe’s Beerhouse or a good Portuguese restaurant.
For added convenience, you will find a small shopping centre with a bank, ATM, post office,
supermarket, pharmacy, 24 hr fuel station, car wash, butchery, café etc. - all just around the
corner.
And if you really are in a sightseeing mood –it is just a stone-throw away from the city centre
and most attractions.
TENTS
Garden Tent with 2 single beds, Free WI-Fi Internet, warming blanket in winter and cooling fan
in summer. Comes with towels, power point, light, mini fridge, water, kettle, lockable cupboard.
DAY 2 Venue: Etosha Village Campsite Location: Etosha National Park Included: Breakfast, dinner, 2 yoga sessions Excluded: Lunch After an early yoga session and breakfast, we will head to our next venue close to Etosha National Park. From Windhoek it’s an 4 hour drive, the perfect time to get to know your fellow yogi’s and an introduction to what the week has in store for you while enjoying majestic landscapes and the unique environment of flora and fauna. After lunch and settling into your tented accommodation, we will meet for a restorative sunset yoga session followed by a welcoming ceremony and a mouth-watering dinner under the African sky…
DAY 3
Venue: Etosha Village Campsite
Location: Etosha National Park
Included: Breakfast and dinner, 1x Yoga Session, 1x Morning Game Drive to Etosha National
Park
Optional Activities: Guided Nature walk, Stargazing
Starting the day with a beautiful sunrise yoga session that will awaken all your senses, making
you feel reconnected with your soul…
After a healthy breakfast we will meet with an experienced guide that will take us to Etosha
National Park. It is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including
several threatened and endangered species such as the black rhinoceros. Elephant, Lion,
Leopard, Cheetah, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hyena, Zebra, Springbok, Kudu, Gemsbok and Eland
are common in the park which make game viewing in Etosha a unique experience.
For lunch we will return to Etosha Village, relax by one of the 3 swimming pools, read a book
or go on a nature walk.
We will meet again for sunset yoga, ending the day with a buffet dinner.
DAY 4
Venue: Etosha Village Campsite
Location: Etosha National Park
Included: All meals, 2x Yoga Sessions, 1X Morning Game Drive to Etosha National Park,
Live African Music at neighboring lodge
Optional Activities: Guided Nature walk, Stargazing
Waking up to another beautiful day in Africa!!
Sunrise yoga on our open-air yoga deck practicing calmness and becoming one with nature,
followed by breakfast and a Wildlife Game Drive to Etosha National Park.
After a healthy lunch and swim you can relax before meeting for a yoga session. After dinner
we will visit the neighboring lodge for live African Music…perfect ending to your first 4 nights
in Namibia!
Etosha has exceptional wildlife including black Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard,
Cheetah, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hyena, Zebra, Springbok, Kudu, Gemsbok and Eland.
VENUE
Etosha Village
Prime destination for nature lovers combined with excellent service and cuisine! Etosha Village
uniquely delivers the perfect safari style experience in a private and protected reserve directly
adjacent to the Etosha National Park, near Okaukuejo.
At Etosha Village nature and luxury are in perfect harmony through design and comfort.
Besides the 45 accommodation units and camping facilities, Etosha Village has three
restaurant seating areas, a sparkling pool plus two smaller pools as well as a well-stocked
utility , curio shop…and of coarse…the outdoor yoga deck!CUISINE
Etosha Village is well known for inspiring cuisine and many guests have claimed that it is the
best buffet dinner experience in Namibia!
Breakfast: You can start your day with a scrumptious buffet breakfast with an extensive
selection of all the favorite delectable breakfast foods and treats.
Lunch: Served a' la carte with loads of mouth-watering dishes to choose from, but we will also
have lunches at nearby lodges.
Dinner: The popular buffet dinner will leave you spoiled for choice between the salads, side
dishes, grilled meats and stir-fries - all prepared fresh and in front of every guest! For the
perfect ending there is a range of decadent dessert sensations as well as a variety of cheeses
and biscuits.
At the buffet area there is a 24 hour coffee station with a variety of coffees and teas to enjoy
at any time! Cater for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-intolerant.DAY 5
Venue: Madisa Camp
Location: Damaraland
Included: Breakfast, Lunch packs, Dinner, 2x Yoga sessions
Excluded: Optional activities (Game drive at Madisa/Twyfelfontein Tour)
Today we will be heading to Damaraland!
After sunrise yoga and a healthy breakfast, we will drive through one of Namibia’s most scenic
areas to Twyfelfontein. This World heritage site comprises of ancient rock engravings, Organ
pipes, Burnt Mountains and a Petrified Forest. It is also the most famous rock art
concentration in Africa featuring more than 5000 petroglyphs and 200 rock paintings.
From Twyfelfontein it’s an hours drive to Madisa where you will settle into your Tented
accommodation, before a meditation session up on the Mountains taking in one of the most
spectacular sunsets you will encounter.ABOUT MADISA & DAMARALAND
Madisa Camp is situated on the D2612 road to Twyfelfontein, a very popular route. The camp
is hidden between amazing rock formations which are scattered with Bushman Paintings and
has privy to an ancient Desert Elephant route that often gets visited by these beautiful giants.
Ideal for the traveler who wishes to camp comfortably without compromising the experience of
exclusivity in this vast and magnificent area of Damaraland Namibia.
Madisa is a good base camp to explore from as there are very interesting sites in the area such
as Twyfelfontein, Brandberg, the Petrified Forest and much more these are all an easy drive
and after a day of exploring what better to finish with a swim and enjoy your campsite under a
blanket of stars.
The swimming pool and bar area are very welcoming after a long day and give you a chance to
rejuvenate and enjoy your surroundings. It’s also nice to meet fellow travelers and share tails
around a communal camp fire at night while the sky puts on a breath-taking show of stars.
Madisa Safari Tents
Madisa Safari Tents are built cleverly and as eco-friendly as possible around scenic boulder
formations each with their own en-suite rock bathroom consisting of a basin, shower and
toilet. The tents sleep a max of two people and offer twin beds or a double bed. Hot water is
available at night (solar system) and there are paraffin/solar lighting in the tent and bathroom
area.DAY 6
Venue: Driftwood Guesthouse
Location: Swakopmund
Included: Breakfast, Yoga & Meditation
Optional Activities: Living Desert Tour, Fat Wheel Biking, Quad biking, Dune boarding,
Ocean Safaris, Kayaking with seals, Horse riding, Camel riding, Surfing, Scenic Flights
An early rise for Yoga as the sun starts creeping up over the horizon. A time to reflect,
breathe and simply take in the peacefulness of all that surrounds you. It is then time for
breakfast before heading to the picturesque coastal town of Swakopmund - where the ocean
meets the desert. The driving time is around 4 hours, somewhat meditative with forever
changing landscapes.
Once in Swakopmund, we will enjoy sunset yoga with spectacular views of the Namib dunes
followed by a German cuisine dinner.DAY 7
After yoga and a healthy breakfast, you will surely be ready for a fun filled day in
Swakopmund. You can choose between a variety of adventurous excursions (optional),
from quad biking, fat wheel biking, ocean safaris, dune boarding, horse riding, camel riding,
kayaking or surfing. If you would like to observe your surroundings from above, you could
even try skydiving or a scenic flight.
After lunch you can either relax or explore this cute little German town. Sunset Yoga will be on
the beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert followed by your choice of
restaurant…
DAY 8
Our last sunrise yoga session…
We will head back to Windhoek after breakfast, about a 4 hour drive.
Please note: An additional night in Windhoek to end can be added depending on your
international flight departure details.SWAKOPMUND, especially out of season, can feel like a holiday town along Germany’s
North Sea and Baltic coasts transplanted onto African soil.
It has laid back feel to it with palm trees, good restaurants and gift shops. For the more
adventurous, there are a variety of extreme sports, from skydiving, quad biking, fat
wheel biking, ocean safaris, dune boarding and surfing.VENUE
Driftwood Guesthouse
Spacious, personal, tranquil and unique are words best suited to describe Driftwood
Guesthouse. Situated a 30 minutes’ walk along the beach, using the garden walking routes, to
the centre of town and a stone’s throw from the beach. Driftwood is perfect for families, solo
travellers, and small groups who want to get the true Swakopmund experience but escape the
hustle and bustle of staying in the town centre.
The guesthouse is 200 meters from a beautiful beach, so be sure to grab the free umbrella
and beach towels at reception if you want to spend a day there. The beach is undisturbed so
don’t be surprised if you have it all to yourself. Swakopmund boasts some of the best
restaurants in Namibia, one of which is on our doorstep – the famous Wurstbude restaurant
and bar. Other great restaurants are located a 15 minutes’ walk or 5 minutes’ drive away.
Driftwood Guesthouse has 8 en-suite rooms, 4 Sea View Rooms are located on the top floor
and 4 Garden View Rooms are located on the ground floor.
Driftwood as the name suggests, is furnished with unique driftwood pieces that was specially
made for us by a team of local carpenters. Each room has been lovingly decorated with
weathered driftwood headboards and bases, complimented by crisp white sheeting.
All rooms boast unlimited access to high-speed Wi-Fi, a TV with satellite, a bar fridge,
hairdryer, a wall-mounted safe, coffee/tea station, complimentary water and port, plus a small
verandah with chairs.
Guests can expect breakfast served with a twist. Special touches include Swakopmund
asparagus, homemade breads, and fresh smoothies served in our cosy, open plan kitchen. We
have included an la carte breakfast menu and a breakfast tray. We can also pre-pack
breakfasts for early travellers. For guests visiting the nearby beach, we offer towels,
umbrellas and beach bats free of charge. There is a Yoga Studio just next door which is open
to all our guests, at a small fee. At Driftwood Guesthouse, our main focus is on being small,
convenient and authentically Namibian.Retreat Rates:
• Per person shared accommodation: €1, 550
• Per person private accommodation: €1,700
Included
• 1x Private yoga teacher/host
• Professional guides at all the venues
• Daily yoga and meditation
• 5 nights accommodation in set up tents
• 2 nights accommodation in a bed and breakfast
• All breakfasts
• Dinners at Etosha Village
• 2x Still waters per day
• 2x Game Drives to Etosha National Park
• Live African music
• Road transport
• Passenger liability insurance
• 2x Airport Transfers
• Park fees
• VAT & Tourism Levy
• Welcoming gift
Excluded
• Travel insurance
• International flight tickets
• Gratuity
• Laundry
• All lunches
• Dinners in Windhoek and Swakopmund
• All drinks and alcoholic beverages
• All optional extra activitiesFLIGHTS
• Please book your flight to arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport no later than 10am
on the first day of Retreat Booking
• Daily flights to Hosea Kutako International Airport Windhoek
• National airline is Air Namibia.
• British Airways, South African Airways, Air Berlin, Condo, KLM, Qatar Airways and
TAAG fly to Namibia.
• Most international airlines fly to South Africa with good connecting flights to Namibia.
CURRENCY
The Namibia Dollar (NAD) and South African Rand (ZAR) is the only legal tender in Namibia
and can be used freely to purchase goods and services.
The following are accepted as payment methods:
• Matercard
• Visa
• Maestro
• And local currency (ZAR & NAD)
TIME ZONES
• Summer time: GMT + 2 hours from the 1st Sunday in September to the 1st Sunday in
April.
• Winter time: GMT + 1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September.
WEATHER
Namibia is a year-round destination. You can expect hot, wet summers and cooler, dry winters.
Generally, the days can be quite hot and the evenings and early mornings can be remarkably
cool.STAYING OVER NIGHT IN WINDHOEK
If you are considering to arrive earlier than the retreat date, have a look at the following
recommendations:
• Urban Camp: Standard/backpacking, tents with beds
• Hilltop Guesthouse: Standard
• The Olive Grove: Mid-market to luxury
• Village Courtyard Suites: Mid-market to luxury
• Naankuse: Luxury, situated between the airport and Windhoek
• Bookings.com have regular specials. Please contact us before booking as we will let
you know if it is good accommodation or not
NAMIBIAN VISA REQUIREMENTS
Visas for Namibia are not required by the following nationals and can stay up to 3 months:
• Australia, Britain, Canada, EU and USA.
Visas required by following nationals:
• Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia
To enter Namibia, a passport valid for six months from date of entry with one blank page
If you require a visa, you must have at least three blank pages in your passport.
Nationals not referred to are advised to contact the high commission/ embassy for visa
requirements for Namibia.
WHAT TO PACK
• Comfortable lightweight clothing, sweater or jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
• Sunblock, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Toiletries (some will be supplied)
• Yoga mat (will also be supplied if you don’t have one)
• Camera
• For electrical small appliances or chargers, a conversion plug to a three-pin type outlet.You can also read
