Personalised Namibia Safari - Special Frontline Workers Package 2020/21 - In Association with - Special Frontline Workers Package ...
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In Association with
Personalised Namibia Safari - Special Frontline Workers Package 2020/21
Sossusvlei - Swakopmund - Brandberg - Etosha South - Outjo - Kalahari North - Windhoek
11 Days / 10 Nights
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Introduction
This amazing 11 Day Personalised Namibia Safari will take you to many of Namibia’s must-see natural wonders.
We will visit the vast Namib Desert, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that includes iconic Sossusvlei, home to some of
the highest sand dunes in the world. Then we move onto the quaint town of Swakopmund where the desert and the
Atlantic coast come together. We will then make our way up along the Skeleton Coast and turn inland into the
dramatic and scenic Damaraland. After visiting Etosha National Park, we will spend some time at local clinics,
townships and communities in Outjo, Gobabis and Windhoek.
Start Accommodation Destination Duration
Day 1 Namib Desert Camping2Go Gondwana Collection Sossusvlei 1 Night
Namibia
Day 2 Sandfields Guesthouse Swakopmund 2 Nights
Day 4 Brandberg White Lady Lodge Brandberg 1 Night
Day 5 Etosha Safari Camping2Go Gondwana Collection Etosha South 2 Nights
Namibia
Day 7 Sasa Safari Camp Outjo 1 Night
Day 8 Zelda Game & Guest Farm Kalahari North 2 Nights
Day 10 Arebbusch Travel Lodge Windhoek 1 Night
Included
• Private airconditioned vehicle
• Accommodation on a double sharing basis.
• Breakfast (at the lodge or packed)
• Dinner (except for Swakopmund and Windhoek)
• Private Guide
• All park entry fees
• Airport transfer fees
• Provision of drinking water inside the car only.
• Activities as specified on the itinerary
Excluded
• International Flights
• Extra optional activities not specified in the itinerary
• Laundry
• Lunch
• Dinner in Swakopmund and Windhoek
• Drinks
• Items of a personal nature and Other unspecified cost in the itinerary.
Page |3 Day 1: Arrival and Sossusvlei Day Itinerary Welcome to Namibia! Your guide will meet you at the arrivals hall of the airport or at your Windhoek hotel, after which you will depart for Sossusvlei. We will drive through the Khomas Hochland and down the escarpment via one of the scenic mountain passes into the Namib Desert. We will make regular stops for photographs and to stretch our legs. This journey will take about 4 hours and we will arrive at our lodge late afternoon. Dinner and accommodation will be at one of the best lodges in the area perfectly situated to explore the surrounding desert and its attractions. Depending on the time of arrival we can do a short walk around the lodge or meet up for sundowners before we enjoy dinner and plan our exciting day tomorrow. Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red sand dunes to make this one of the natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven. Aside from the attractions at Sossusvlei - Dune 45, Hiddenvlei, Big Daddy and Deadvlei - other attractions in the area include the Sesriem Canyon and Namib-Naukluft National Park, where the mountains of the Namib meet its plains. Overnight: Namib Desert Camping2Go Gondwana Collection Namibia View iBrochure Going back to one’s roots has never been easier as with Camping 2Go. After spending an unforgettable day in the desert with the remarkable sights of Sossusvlei and the Sesriem Canyon, it is time to unwind. Relax around a cosy campfire at night with loved ones while listening to the call of the hyena. The sounds of nature will lull you to sleep. Wake up to the most spectacular sunrise setting the fossilised dunes ablaze. A total of eight permanent tents, only a stone’s throw away from the Namib Desert Lodge, have been set up for travellers’ convenience. The tents located at the foot of the fascinating fossilized dunes are fully equipped, each with four beds and an en-suite bathroom with a shower. With the fully kitted out kitchen that includes a fridge, stove, sink and all the necessary cooking utensils and cutlery on the outside terrace, it is a hassle-free way of being immersed in nature. There is an outside braai, as well as a fire pit that you can place it in the nearby riverbed to fully enjoy nature’s music.
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Included
• Airport pick up by your guide
• Dinner
Excluded
Optional activities:
* E-bike
Walking Trails at the lodge
*At an additional cost
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Day 2: Sossusvlei and Swakopmund
Day Itinerary
We will be up before the sun rises to get ready for our Sossusvlei visit. We will enjoy a quick cup of coffee/tea and
then wait for the entrance gates of the park to open. (The gates open at sunrise) We will drive for about 30 minutes
while appreciating the beauty of the sun that is rising over the amazing red dunes. The dunes in this area are some of
the highest in the world, reaching almost 400 meters, and provides opportunity to capture wonderful images in the
beautiful morning and evening light.
For the adventurous you have the option of climbing the dunes, sliding down them or enjoy a brisk walk to Dead
Vlei. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the many highlights that surrounds Sossusvlei itself.
• Dune 45, the most photographed dune on earth (situated 45 km past Sesriem on the road to Sossusvlei)
• Hiddenvlei, perfect if you are looking for solitude in the desert
• The magnificently tall Big Daddy dune
• Deadvlei, a paradise for photographers, as it is punctuated by blackened, dead acacia trees, in vivid contrast
to the shiny white of the salty floor of the pan and the intense orange of the dunes
We will take a break halfway and enjoy a picnic breakfast while enjoying the surrounding landscape.
After a full morning's activity we will make our way to Swakopmund where we will spend 2 nights.
Swakopmund is a very popular holiday destination for many Namibians and will probably be the only place that you
will visit on the Namibian safari that has a real town feel to it. Wedged between the Namib Desert and the cold
Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund which is known for its very relaxed atmosphere, has something for everybody. There
are plenty of great restaurants and bars, good shopping opportunities and fascinating architecture. For the
adventurous there’s quad biking, sand-boarding, skydiving, beach angling and scenic flights over the coastline and
Sossusvlei to name a few. The nearby Walvis Bay, Namibia’s major harbour town is well known for the lagoon and its
prolific bird life.
Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more
German than Germany. Now a seaside resort, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has
plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, colonial-era buildings and the cool
sea breeze make it very popular.
Overnight: Sandfields Guesthouse View iBrochure
Sandfields Guesthouse is an intimate and sophisticated family-run boutique guesthouse offering comfortable bed
and breakfast accommodation in Swakopmund, Namibia.Page |6
We are in a quiet, upmarket neighbourhood a few minutes’ walk from the sea and a short drive
from the town centre.
At Sandfields guest house you can look forward to a warm welcome with cosy log fires in every room, personal
service and a peaceful, carefree stay
Included
• Sossusvlei & Deadvlei Excursion in our own vehicle
• Breakfast
Excluded
• Dinner is excluded. We will gladly arrange dinner reservations.
Day 3: Swakopmund
Day Itinerary
After an early breakfast we will make our way to Swakopmund for a Living Desert Experience, a unique adventure
indeed!
We will encounter and learn more about the fascinating wildlife of the Namib Desert with the help of a local expert.
We will look for geckos, scorpions, snakes, lizards, birds and beetles as well as the incredible plant life that survives
in this harsh and seemingly inhospitable environment. Some of the special creatures we might see include Namib
Sand Gecko, Namaqua Chameleon, Shovel-snouted Lizard, Tractrac Chat and even Peringuey’s Adder.
After our tour in the morning you have the afternoon available for any of the many optional activities on offer in
Swakopmund:
Optional Activities
• Catamaran Charters
• Pelican Point Kayak Tour
• Scenic Flights
• Sandboarding
• Quad Biking
• Horse Riding
• Swakopmund Fat Bike Old City Tour
• Swakopmund Fat Bike Scenic Desert Tour
• Swakopmund Tandem Skydiving TourPage |7
Living Desert Tours
The Living Desert Tour is a unique 4x4 adventure which specializes in bringing the desert to life while sharing the
awesome beauty of the Namib Desert with travellers from all over the world. The coastal dune belt may seem barren
and lifeless to many people, but in fact it is alive with a fascinating variety of little desert adapted animals, which are
able to survive on the life-giving fog which consistently rolls in from the cold Atlantic Ocean.
Come see the Dancing White Lady Spider (Carparachne aureoflava) cartwheel 44 turns per second down a dune to
escape the enemy. Admire the transparent Namib Dune Gecko (Pachydactylus rangei) with webbed feet that are
equivalent to snow shoes. Learn about the different beetles and insects and how they survive in the dune desert.
Follow in the tracks of a legless Lizard (Fitsimmon’s Burrowing Skink), observe Sand Diving Lizards (Meroles Anchieta)
dancing on the hot sand, Sidewinder Snakes (Perinquey’s Adder), Desert Chameleons and many more fascinating
creatures. Learn about the geology, structure and formation of the desert, and admire the vast and beautiful
landscapes while enjoying a scenic dune drive combined with fun and adrenalin.
Included
• Living Desert Tour
• Breakfast
Excluded
• Lunch and Dinner is excluded. We will gladly arrange dinner reservations.Page |8 Day 4: Swakopmund to Damaraland Day Itinerary Today we continue our safari northwards along the Skeleton Coast. This bleak and evocatively named area is one of the most unusual coastal wildernesses on the planet, protecting about a third of Namibia’s long coastline. After visiting one of the many shipwrecks along the coast for some dramatic photographs, we will turn inland towards spectacular Damaraland. We will drive past the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. In the distance we will also see the Spitzkoppe (sharp head), one of Namibia’s most recognizable landmarks. This beautiful mountainous region is home to an assortment of scientifically important desert-adapted wildlife such as elephant, rhino, zebra and lion, which somehow survive and thrive in this near-barren landscape. We hope to see some of them; a special treat indeed! We will be at our lodge in time for a sundowner drink while we enjoy the view over this rugged but beautiful landscape. Dinner will be enjoyed at our lodge and if we are lucky we will be treated to a "dinner show" by the local staff, a treat indeed! Situated in northwestern Namibia, the Brandberg (Fire Mountain) Massif is Namibia’s highest peak, at its zenith, the Königstein (King’s Stone), standing at a whopping 2573 metres above sea level. Named for the vivid shade of orange it sometimes turns at sunset, this is undoubtedly the main highlight of the region. The Brandberg has been sacred to the San people for centuries. The Tsisab Ravine at its base is permeated with over 45 000 ancient San rock paintings, including the famous ‘White Lady’. Visitors flock here to view this unique bushman painting, said to be over 2000 years old. Other popular drawcards include its untouched natural beauty and its free roaming wildlife such as mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, and desert elephant. Overnight: Brandberg White Lady Lodge Brandberg White Lady Lodge is named after the San paintings for which the Brandberg became famous. It is a place where you will feel at home and enjoy a true warm-hearted hospitality, "tranquility" is name of the game.
Page |9 Included • Breakfast • Dinner
P a g e | 10 Day 5: Damaraland to Etosha National Park & Himba Village Visit Day Itinerary After breakfast we will make our way north and visit the Twyfelfontein rock engravings (UNESCO World Heritage site) and the organ pipes rock formation and the Petrified Forest en route to Etosha National Park where will spend the next 2 nights. We will stop at a Himba Village and spend some time here to learn more about their everyday way of life. Omapha Himba Village Omapha Himba Village in Etosha South, Namibia, is home to the indigenous Himba tribe, who are half-nomadic people. The people are famous for maintaining the traditional way of life of their ancestors up to recent times. External influences have not polluted them, and this reflects in the way they dress, cook, trade, interact and live. An array of wildlife can be seen roaming freely close to the village. Guided tours are offered, and guests can look forward to exploring the village in its natural environment. After arriving at the lodge and freshening up we will meet up just before sunset and then have dinner at our lodge Located just south of the boundary of Etosha National Park in North-western Namibia, Etosha South makes up the southern region of this wild paradise. The national park can be accessed via the southern entrance at Andersson’s Gate. Visitors can catch a glimpse of a variety of wildlife including: lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of plains game. Overnight: Etosha Safari Camping2Go Gondwana Collection Namibia View iBrochure Located 10km south of the Andersson Gate, Gondwana Collection Etosha Safari Camping2Go is home to eight self- catering tents. Each tent is equipped with four beds, an en-suite bathroom and shower while the campsite facilities include a fully equipped kitchen, veranda, grill and a fire pit. Guests staying at the campsite can enjoy a cosy evening around the fire pit, or experience an evening of live music at the Oshebeena Bar near Etosha Safari Camp or indulge in a delicious meal at Okambashu Restaurant. Guests are invited to partake in activities which includes game drives or simply absorb the African sun while lounging at the swimming pool.
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Included
• Breakfast and Dinner
Entrance fees for the following:
• Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings
• Organ pipes
• Petrified Forest
• Etosha Park Fees
• Himba Village Visit
Day 6: Etosha National Park
Day Itinerary
We will explore the southwestern side of world famous Etosha park today, going for a morning drive in our own
vehicle after breakfast and returning to our lodge for lunch and a break in the heat of the day.
In the drier months of the year, almost all the animals tend to congregate around the waterholes dotted around the
massive park. They come to drink water and are inevitably followed by predators; this allows us to sit and wait at
some of the waterholes and wait for the action to come to us. This is what sets Etosha apart from other parks in
southern or east Africa; unique indeed!
We will return to the lodge after our afternoon game drive in our own vehicle to enjoy dinner. Remember to look up
before settling into your bed tonight – the African night sky, undisturbed by city lights out here in the bush, is truly
amazing.
Etosha West
The area and vegetation is very different to the south-eastern and eastern part of the park and the Hartmann’s
Mountain Zebra can be found here. In this area and with a more undulating landscape, it makes for a very different
wildlife experience. White dust and clay which makes up the Etosha Pan turns to a reddish-brown soil during this
time which may lead you to believe you have entered an entirely new park when you visit.P a g e | 12
Etosha Pan
Aeons ago, Etosha Pan was the bed of a vast lake; today what remains is a glittering, silvery-green salt pan that
stretches across roughly 5000 square kilometres. Etosha is protected by the Etosha Pan National Park surrounded by
savannah plains and woodlands supporting large herds of elephants. When dry, the pan sustains little life except for
the algae that gives it its distinctive colour, and migratory birds that use it as a pit stop, but with heavy rain it
becomes a shallow lake where flamingos breed, pelicans wade and feed, and a variety of mammal species come to
quench their thirst, including leopards, lions, white rhinos, hunting dogs and antelopes.
Included
• Etosha Park Fees
• Game drives in our own vehicle
• Breakfast and DinnerP a g e | 13
Day 7: Etosha National Park and Outjo Community Visit
Day Itinerary
After breakfast we will make our way south to the town of Outjo, we will head straight for our lodge where we will
join one of the local volunteers and we will spend the afternoon at a local village where we will spend some time
with the women and children of the village. We will learn more about their everyday way of life and their daily
program and challenges.
This visit will also take you through the informal settlement and into the lives of some of the interesting people who
live there. We will explore the creativity people have in poverty.
After a wonderful afternoon we will return to the lodge. We will freshen up and meet up for sundowner drinks.
Dinner will be enjoyed at our owner run lodge.
Located in Namibia's Kunene region, the city of Outjo is known as the gateway to Etosha. Outjo’s central position
also makes it an excellent stopover en route to the Skeleton Coast and Damaraland, but that’s not the only reason to
visit this small town. Set amidst rolling hills, Outjo is a charming getaway boasting attractive forest and savannah
surrounds, friendly locals and several historical sites. Roughly an hour’s drive to the west you will find the Ugab Rock
Finger, a 35-metre high stone monolith, while slightly further on is a 250-million-year-old petrified forest. Visitors
can look forward to a variety of interesting sights including: visiting the local Franke Haus Museum, for a historical
account of the area; and exploring the nearby Hopewell Farm to find magnificent volcanic tiger's eye deposits.
Overnight: Sasa Safari Camp
Sâsa Safari Camp is built with natural rock stone from the area, blending in harmony with its backdrop of splendid
rock formations.
Included
• Breakfast and Dinner
• Outjo Local Village and Township Visit
Outjo Local Community and Township Visit:P a g e | 14
P a g e | 15
Day 8: Outjo to Kalahari North
Day Itinerary
This morning after breakfast we will make our way to our next destination Gobabis. This will mainly be a travel day
but we will make regular stop to stretch our legs and enjoy the beautiful countryside.
If time allows we will do a short visit to visit a local village close to our lodge.
Dinner will be enjoyed at our lodge.
Overnight: Zelda Game & Guest Farm
Extending over 10 000ha of bushveld, Zelda Game & Guest Farm offers guests an opportunity to relax on a real
Namibian cattle and game ranch close to Gobabis and the Transkalahari Border Post (Botswana border). 5 000ha of
the farm have been fenced off to form the game park in which a variety of wildlife roams freely. Great
accommodation in Namibia 16 individually furnished rooms with en suite bathrooms invite our guests to spend a few
days on this tranquil game farm and to get to know the charming Namibian hospitality and atmosphere. The resident
Nharo Bushmen families, who have lived in the area for hundreds of years, are proud to share their fascinating
heritage and traditional knowledge with our guests. A holiday in Namibia is mainly characterized by two things:
Relaxation in a quiet and stunning country on the one hand and breathtaking activities and experiences on the other
hand. Here at Zelda Game and Guestfarm we offer activities where you will meet some of the most fascinating
people of the country (and of the world) and some rare animal species that are not easy to spot. The combination of
both will make your stay at Zelda Game and Guestfarm absolutely unforgettable.
Included
• Breakfast
• DinnerP a g e | 16
Day 9: Lifeline Clinic
Day Itinerary
Early this morning we make our way to the town of Epukiro where we will visit the Lifeline Clinic.
The Lifeline Clinic based in Epukiro provides free primary health care services to more than 3,500 patients every year
– through both clinic-based healthcare and our outreach around the region. More than 40% of the patients treated
there are children and more than 90% are San Bushmen. A huge focus of the work at the Lifeline Clinic is to tackle
the tuberculosis burden within the San population. The clinic is quite literally a lifeline for thousands of San
Bushman.
We will spend the full day at the clinic and return to our lodge in Gobabis for dinner and to overnight.
Included
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Full Day at Lifeline Clinic
LIFELINE CLINIC:
The Lifeline Clinic treats around 3,500 patients each year. Approximately 80% of our patients are San, and the
remainder are mostly Herero and Damara speaking Namibians. TB and HIV are prevalent in the community, as is
alcoholism. We also see a lot of patients with aches and pains and everyday problems. Common diseases amongst
our child patients include fungal infections, intestinal worms, diarrhoea, dehydration, malnutrition and mouth
infections (e.g. oral thrush). By themselves, these infections and illnesses may not be particularly severe. However, if
left untreated they will get much worse leading to complications and in severe cases even death.P a g e | 17
Day 10: Windhoek
Day Itinerary
This morning after breakfast, we will make our way back to Windhoek where we will spend the full day at a local
health clinic. We will spend our last night in Windhoek after a wonderful Namibia experience.
Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. It is home to an
international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The
city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops,
and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and
modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste an old fort, the 1896 Christuskirche
Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court.
Overnight: Arebbusch Travel Lodge
Arebbusch Travel Lodge offers high quality accommodation at affordable rates in a natural setting in Windhoek – a
gateway to the many wonders of Namibia’s beautiful wide open spaces, its fascinating variety of cultures, nature,
wildlife and majestic sunsets. Situated on the banks of the dry Arebbusch River, Arebbusch Travel Lodge nestles in
the natural surroundings of the “veld”. Far from the hustle and bustle of central city life, yet minutes away from the
capital’s shopping centers and attractions.
Included
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Full Day at local health clinicP a g e | 18
Day 11: Windhoek City and Township Tour & Departure
Day Itinerary
This morning after a leisurely breakfast, we will do a Windhoek City Tour and Windhoek Township Visit.
Afterwards you will be dropped off at the airport for your onwards flight home.
Windhoek City and Township Tour
This 3 hour tour will give you a stunning view over Windhoek from the famous Lover’s Hill while you get to know the
comprehensive history of Windhoek and Namibia from colonial era to modern day.
We visit the Christ Church, Ink Palace, Parliament Gardens, and the Old Fort. From the city centre we then drive to
the Katutura Township.
Katatura is Windhoek’s informal settlement and estimated to be home to more than two thirds of Windhoek’s
325,000 people. The township is a vibrant and exciting place to visit and a great chance to get a bit of insight into
some of the more traditional Namibian cultures and try some Namibian delicacies.
Included
• Breakfast
• Windhoek City and Township tour
• Airport Drop Off by your guideYou can also read
