Namibia's Red Dunes & Rhinos - NAMIBIA 11 Days | March 25 - April 4, 2020 - Bushtracks
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Namibia's Red Dunes & Rhinos
NAMIBIA
11 Days | March 25 – April 4, 2020
Windhoek, Namibia | Sossusvlei, Namibia | Damaraland, Namibia | Damaraland, Namibia | Etosha
Southern, Namibia | Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia's Red Dunes & Rhinos
NAMIBIA
11 DAYS • MARCH 25 – APRIL 4, 2020
Itinerary
25-Mar Wednesday Windhoek Namibia Hotel Heinitzburg - Closed 12/18/19 - 1/4/20
26-Mar Thursday Sossusvlei Namibia Kulala Desert Lodge
27-Mar Friday Sossusvlei Namibia Kulala Desert Lodge
28-Mar Saturday Damaraland Namibia Desert Rhino Camp
29-Mar Sunday Damaraland Namibia Desert Rhino Camp
30-Mar Monday Damaraland Namibia Doro Nawas
31-Mar Tuesday Damaraland Namibia Doro Nawas
1-Apr Wednesday Etosha Southern Namibia Ongava Tented Camp
2-Apr Thursday Etosha Southern Namibia Ongava Tented Camp
3-Apr Friday Etosha Southern Namibia Ongava Tented Camp
4-Apr Saturday Windhoek Namibia Depart
$9,298
Per Person
This is a sample itinerary and the price is an estimate, used for rough planning purposes only and is subject to change. Actual prices
and availability must be finalized by one of our trip planners who will contact and confirm pricing with all accommodations and
operators.
25 MAR 2020 – Windhoek
Start Safari: WDH Hosea Kutako International Airport
Windhoek, Namibia (Arrival Location)
Windhoek, Namibia
Amid the shifting dunes, windswept salt pans, isolated watering holes and ocean-side oases, Windhoek is the
master link that holds them all together. While it serves as the gateway to a diverse array of scenic settings, the
city itself can be a charming attraction in itself. Colonial architecture and unique desert culture showcase
Windhoek's place in the history of the Namib Desert.
Hotel Heinitzburg - Closed 12/18/19 - 1/4/20
The Hotel Heinitzburg offers 16 spacious, generously appointed ensuite rooms, each individually decorated,
leaving no two rooms looking the same. Each room has individual air conditioning/heating unit, direct
telephone, electronic safe, mini bar, and flat screen TV with satellite channels. The superior deluxe rooms have
bath with integrated showers, while the deluxe rooms all have a walk-in shower. At our serene garden, you are
welcome to relax in the private atmosphere while enjoying the refreshing swimming pool that is heated in the
winter. The restaurant overlooks the skyline of the Windhoek, the capitol city of Namibia and varied cuisine is
served ranging from local to international á la carte, a true celebration of the senses. Along with a superb view
over the city and the surrounding mountains, meals, coffee and cakes from our patisserie are served throughout
the day. Snacks and sundowner cocktails are also served on this viewpoint with marvelous vistas of spectacular
sunsets. The pride of the house, the wine cellar, bears the largest collection of carefully selected South African
vintages in Namibia. The cellar is built into the mountain rock and is the ideal meeting place for smaller groups.
Included
Accommodation, breakfast, VAT and tourism levy
Amenities
Air Conditioning, Cell Phone Coverage, Ensuite Bathrooms, Hairdryer, Pool, Wi-Fi
Available at an Additional Cost
Curio shop items, scenic helicopter tours, spa treatments, restaurant dining for additional meals, Windhoek
City tour
26 MAR 2020 - 27 MAR 2020 – Sossusvlei
Windhoek Sossusvlei
Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (1 hour)
Sossusvlei, Namibia
An ancient river used to flood the area we now call Sossusvlei: "Vlei" is the Afrikaans word for an area that
floods. But in modern times, flooding rarely touches Sossusvlei since it exists in one of the world's driest
corners of the earth - the Namib Desert. This dramatic desert landscape boasts of some of the world’s tallest
sand dunes – up to 1000 feet. Huge red dunes jut into bright blue skies for miles and miles, devoid of people
and towns. It's natural. The skies at night reveal stunning stars, and the feeling of pure wilderness is all around.
Kulala Desert Lodge
Kulala Desert Lodge is located within the arid Namib Desert on the 91,500 acre private Kulala Wilderness
Reserve, and is closest to the iconic dunes of the Sossusvlei. Accommodation at Kulala Desert Lodge comprises
23 thatched and canvas "kulalas" ("to sleep" in Oshiwambo) with en-suite bathrooms and verandas. This
includes three family tents which can accommodate two adults and two children. Each unit is built on a wooden
platform to catch the cooling breezes and has a deck on the flat rooftop where bedrolls are placed for guests to
sleep under the myriad stars that Namibia's clear skies portray. Kulala Desert Lodge has a main area, lounge,
bar, dining area, plunge pool, and wrap-around veranda overlooking the waterhole - a perfect location to view
and photograph the desert vista. The overall setting is a true delight to the senses, bringing together the rhythm
of Namibia, wholesome meals and intimacy. A waterhole in front of camp attracts a number of local wildlife
(such as gemsbok, springbok, ostriches and jackals) and provides a perfect location to view and photograph the
desert scenery. Activities at Kulala Desert Lodge revolve around early morning guided nature drives and guided
walks. Drives to the spectacular dunes of Sossusvlei begin through the private gate on the Tsauchab River.
Along your drive, enjoy the game-viewing hide situated along the Aob River. World-famous Sossusvlei is an
enormous clay pan, flanked by the famous sand dunes that stand out starkly against the blue sky and flush red
in the early morning sun. These dunes have developed over millions of years, the wind continuously
transforming the contours of this red sand sea. The 'vlei' itself only fills after rare, heavy rainfalls when, in a
complete turn-around, it becomes a spectacular turquoise lake. Additional options, at an extra cost, are early
morning hot-air ballooning. The balloon safari offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the
magnificent sand dunes and desert, with a champagne breakfast being served at your landing site.
Included
Full Board Basis: accommodation, all meals, twice daily scheduled camp activities; nature drives through the
Kulala Wilderness Reserve, walking trails, visits to Sossusvlei and Sesriem, sundowners, outdoor dining, star
gazing, laundry at camps which are able to provide this service, park fees, all house drinks (premium exported
brands excluded), VAT Half Board basis: accommodation, dinner, bed and breakfast, VAT
Amenities
Ensuite Bathrooms, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included, Pool, Recharge Facilities, Wi-Fi
Available at an Additional Cost
Premium imported brand drinks and Champagne, guests booked on half board basis may order lunch, hot air
balloon safari, horse riding safaris, curio shop items
28 MAR 2020 - 29 MAR 2020 – Damaraland
Sossusvlei Damaraland
Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (2 hours, 25 minutes)
Damaraland, Namibia
This world revolves around water. The Haub River provides the motivation for desert-adapted wildlife to pass
in close proximity to the camp. Gemsbock, greater kudu and springbok come for a drink, and occassionaly
attract lions, cheetahs and other hungry hunters. Even great elephants and rhinos pass in the eternal quest to
quench their thirst. Visitors won't have any problems finding drinks in this area. Camps are well-equipped with
water, as well as much stronger drinks.
Desert Rhino Camp
Desert Rhino Camp lies among rolling, rocky hills scattered with the scrubby vegetation and isolated clumps of
trees of the Palmwag Concession. This region is noted for its tranquil, minimalist beauty, surprising wealth of
arid-adapted wildlife and the largest free roaming black rhino population in Africa. Desert Rhino Camp
functions as a collaborative effort between Wilderness Safaris and the Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) - an NGO
that has been has been instrumental in the preservation of these rare, desert-adapted black rhino. Having
barely survived the slaughter of '80s and '90s throughout other parts of Africa, the black rhino population has
doubled since the formation of the SRT. Accommodation at Desert Rhino Camp is in the form of eight Meru-
style canvas tents that sleep up to 16 guests. Raised from the ground on a wooden deck, each tent features an
en-suite bathroom with a hand basin, flush toilet and shower. Beds are made up with crisp, white linen and
have two dark-wood bedside tables with wicker reading lamps. An extension of the deck functions as a front
veranda where guests can relax in director's chairs to take in the magnificent vistas of the surrounding desert
and Etendeka Mountains. Extra duvets are available for the sometimes frosty nights. The tented dining and
lounge area of Desert Rhino Camp is also raised on a wooden deck in a single, open-plan tent and has partially
open sides offering panoramic views. To one side there are couches and to the other, a large, simple dining
table. Evening meals are taken around the fire pit, where guests can relax and socialize. Activities at Desert
Rhino Camp obviously include rhino tracking on foot or by vehicle. Other 4x4 outings are geared at exploring
this vast, miraculous ecosystem with some of the most knowledgeable guides in Namibia. Palmwag
Concession's freshwater springs also support healthy populations of desert-adapted elephants, Hartmann'smountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, kudu and predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, brown and
spotted hyenas. Bird life is prolific and diverse with most of Namibia's endemics present.
Included
Accommodation, all meals, all house drinks (premium exported brands excluded), twice daily scheduled camp
activities: rhino tracking on foot and by vehicle, off-road game viewing, guided nature walks, full day outings
with picnic lunch, birding, outdoor dining, sundowners, laundry at camps which are able to provide this
service, park fees, VAT
Amenities
Ensuite Bathrooms, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included, Pool, Recharge Facilities, Wi-Fi
Available at an Additional Cost
Premium imported brand drinks and Champagne, curio shop items, scenic helicopter tours
30 MAR 2020 - 31 MAR 2020 – Damaraland
Damaraland Damaraland
Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (20 minutes)
Damaraland, Namibia
This world revolves around water. The Haub River provides the motivation for desert-adapted wildlife to pass
in close proximity to the camp. Gemsbock, greater kudu and springbok come for a drink, and occassionaly
attract lions, cheetahs and other hungry hunters. Even great elephants and rhinos pass in the eternal quest to
quench their thirst. Visitors won't have any problems finding drinks in this area. Camps are well-equipped with
water, as well as much stronger drinks.
Doro Nawas
Doro Nawas Camp is located in the dry Aba-Huab River Valley, within the Doro Nawas Conservancy in central
Damaraland, and commands spectacular views of the Etendeka Mountains to the north and the red sandstone
cliffs of Twyfelfontein in the south. Accommodation at Doro Nawas Camp consists of 16 units: a mix of natural
stone and canvas walls with wood and glass doors, shaded by a thatch roof. Each unit is designed to blend into
the surrounding scenery, and consists of a bedroom, en-suite bathroom (with outdoor shower) and a veranda
for stargazing or sleeping out under the stars. The main building of Doro Nawas Camp is perched atop a sparse,
rocky knoll and offers unspoiled panoramic views. This diverse and dramatic landscape varies from tabletop
outcrops, small canyons and dry riverbeds, to savannah and grassland vistas. The main area is made up ofindoor and outdoor dining areas, pool area, bar, and local curio area. A staircase to the roof allows for relaxing
sundowners and stargazing. Activities revolve around extensive game drives and exploratory hikes through this
unparalleled landscape. A trip to the fascinating Twyfelfontein San art engravings is not to be missed.
Namibia's first World Heritage Site, Twyfelfontein has the largest collection of petroglyphs (prehistoric rock
art) in Africa. Visit the Damara Living Museum and learn about the fascinating traditional culture of the
Damara people. This combination of Africa past and present makes for a truly unique and unforgettable
experience. Wildlife viewing at Doro Nawas Camp concentrates on the game found in the riverbed and along
the valleys that fill with floodwaters during particularly good rainy seasons. There are no large concentrations
of wildlife, but this arid environment is home to desert-adapted elephants, gemsbok, springbok and variety of
other species such as bat-eared fox. This includes the occasional glimpse of endangered black rhinos and
cheetahs. Birdlife is excellent with several Namibian endemics, such as Damara hornbill, Carp's tit and Rüpell's
korhaan. A visit to Doro Nawas Camp is also a wonderful opportunity to contribute to economic empowerment
of the local community while enjoying a luxury safari experience.
Included
Accommodation, all meals, twice daily scheduled camp activities: wildlife and scenic drives, night drives,
geological excursions, cultural visits, guided walks, scorpion walks, outdoor dining, sundowners, stargazing,
laundry at camps which are able to provide this service, park fees, all house drinks (premium exported brands
excluded), VAT
Amenities
Ensuite Bathrooms, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included, Pool, Recharge Facilities, Wi-Fi
Available at an Additional Cost
Premium imported brand drinks and Champagne, curio shop items, scenic helicopter tours
1 APR 2020 - 3 APR 2020 – Etosha Southern
Damaraland Etosha Southern
Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (25 minutes)
Etosha Southern, Namibia
Imagine a huge, flat salt pan stretching for miles, surrounded by dry acacia woodlands and scrub. Then add
underground springs at various points around this pan that bring fresh water to Etosha year round, and draw
all types of Africa's classic wildlife to these watering holes. The resulting scene you might frame with your
camera includes elephant, zebra, giraffe, impala and gemsbok and springbok antelope, ostrich, and guinea fowl.
In the African summer (December to March) when short showers green the dry Namibian savannah and
grasslands, and clean the bright blue skies, the springbok calves and their pure white bellies dot the green
landscape for miles. The pan also fills with shallow water all the way to the horizon and birds flock in, including
pink flamingoes and pelicans.Ongava Tented Camp
Located in the much-lauded Ongava Game Reserve to the south of the Etosha National Park, Ongava Tented
Camp overlooks a nearby waterhole to which a plethora of wildlife congregates to drink. Constructed from
stone, canvas and thatch, Ongava Tented Camp accommodates 16 guests in eight large, comfortable Meru-style
tents - all with ensuite facilities, open air showers and private verandas. The family unit sleeps four. Relaxation
at Ongava Tented Camp typically takes place around the main area with its relaxing bar and swimming pool,
watching the wildlife that comes to drink at the waterhole. Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier wildlife
destination and one of Africa's largest game reserves. Large herds of wildlife teem around the waterholes and
the endless plains offer breathtaking vistas. The Ongava Game Reserve shares a boundary with the Etosha
National Park. Activities at Ongava Tented Camp revolve around day and night wildlife-viewing drives, visiting
hides that overlook waterholes and walking with experienced guides. The Ongava Game Reserve features much
of the characteristic wildlife of the area, with both desert-adapted black and white rhinos as well as lions. Game
drives and daytrips into the easily accessible Okaukuejo area of Etosha National Park are rewarding, with
sightings of lions, elephants, gemsbok, springbok, red hartebeest, and white and black rhinos. Guests at Ongava
Tented Camp share a dedicated guide and Land Rover, ensuring the best possible nature experience at one of
Africa's great wildlife destinations.
Included
Accommodation, meals, all house drinks (premium exported brands excluded), twice daily scheduled camp
activities: game drives, night drives, off-road game viewing, game drive excursions into Etosha National Park,
Rhino tracking on Ongava game reserve, nature walks, access to local research projects, outdoor dining,
laundry, park fees, VAT, tourism levy
Amenities
Ensuite Bathrooms, Laundry Included, Local Drinks Included, Pool, Recharge Facilities, Wi-Fi
Available at an Additional Cost
Premium imported brand drinks and Champagne, scenic helicopter flights
4 APR 2020 – Windhoek
Etosha Southern Windhoek
Scheduled Light Aircraft Transfer (50 minutes)
Windhoek, Namibia (Departure Location)
End Safari WDH Hosea Kutako International AirportWindhoek, Namibia Amid the shifting dunes, windswept salt pans, isolated watering holes and ocean-side oases, Windhoek is the master link that holds them all together. While it serves as the gateway to a diverse array of scenic settings, the city itself can be a charming attraction in itself. Colonial architecture and unique desert culture showcase Windhoek's place in the history of the Namib Desert.
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