|
 |
NAMIBIA
Itinerary:
Day 1 & 2
Arrive at the Windhoek International Airport and report at the vehicle rental counter where you will be assisted with the collection of your rental vehicle. Continue to Okonjima via Windhoek and Okahandja.
For complete privacy the chalets at Okonjima Bush Camp are situated a minimum of 80 meters apart. The chalets are a combination of earthy ochre walls, and khaki green canvas, under a thatched roof. With half the chalet made from canvas the entire front of the chalet can be rolled up at night allowing the cool breeze and sounds of the Namibian bush into the bungalow. The less adventurous can securely close the sides and sleep safely in the knowledge that the outside world is where it belongs..... outside!
While building Okonjima Bush Camp all the experience gained from several years of operating the (already excellent) Main Lodge was put to good use as the Bush Camp is probably one of the most special lodges in Namibia. Couple this with the good work done by the Africat Foundation and the Okonjima Bush Camp is a must on any visit to Namibia.
Okonjima Bush Camp (Full Board + activities)
Day 3 & 4
Leave Okonjima and continue to the eastern side of the Etosha National Park via Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Tsumeb.
Onguma Tented Camp is a beguiling mixture of sophistication and relaxation, of elegance and the earth. It is this intriguing combination and attention to detail that makes Onguma Tented Camp, the latest in Visions of Africa's up-market portfolio of camps, the ultimate in safari chic. In the local Herero language, Onguma means, "the place you don't want to leave." With a stunning main building and seven tents providing private, exclusive accommodation, Onguma Tented Camp, certainly lives up to its name.
An atmosphere of elegant dining prevails, complimented by the daily activities taking place around the watering hole, approximately 60 metres away. The surrounding nature lends itself to long lazy afternoons, spent relaxing on the sofas in the lounge, watching the animals go. And when things heat up, all that is required is a gentle stroll to the rim flow pool. Sit and relax in the flowing waters while enjoying an ice cold cooler. Alternatively if more strenuous activity is required, then relaxing on your patio and reading a good book should provide you with all the exercise you may need.
Onguma also became part of an innovative custodianship project relating to the black rhino. Six black rhino were darted in Etosha National park and shipped to the reserve. Here they are protected and monitored. More than 300 bird species can be viewed at Onguma. The reserve boasts the biggest breeding colony of white-backed vultures in Namibia. During the summer months Onguma becomes a bird-watchers paradise with thousands of species migrating to wetlands created by the seasonal rains and ephemeral river systems. This part of Namibia has been identified as one of the key bird watching sites in Southern Africa.
Onguma Tented Camp (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
Lunch, entrance fees and all activities offered by the lodge are on own account
Day 5
Spend another relaxed day of game viewing inside the Etosha National Park.
The most popular resort and also the oldest in the Etosha National Park - it has been in existence since the early fifties - is Okaukuejo, characterized by its thatched bungalows.
Okaukuejo’s focal point is the floodlit waterhole where visitors gather at night to watch game, including black rhino, elephant, giraffe and lion, come to drink. The resort has a newly built restaurant, bar and shop complex. Okaukeujo is the main administrative centre of the park, and houses the Etosha Ecological Institute, from where research and the conservation management are conducted.
Okaukuejo Resort - Waterhole chalet (Bed & Breakfast)
Lunch, dinner and entrance fees are on own account
Day 6 & 7
Leave the Etosha National Park and drive to the Damaraland area.
Between the Ugab and Huab Rivers in Southern Damaraland lies a vast and unspoiled wilderness. This area boasts magnificent desert scenery, fascinating geological formations, archaeological sites and a unique variety of desert fauna and flora. It's also the Southernmost roaming ground for the rare black rhino and desert elephant. This is where you will find the Twyfelfontein Conservancy and the Mowani Mountain Camp.
Mowani is taken from the word M'Wane, meaning "Place of God", and it is here, that you will find the true meaning of peace and tranquility. Mowani Mountain Camp nestles amongst the boulders of this beautiful area on a high spot commanding distant views over the ancient landscape. The luxury tented accommodation is built unobtrusively, so as to ensure minimum impact on the natural environment. The stilt-like supports of the tents ensure that very little excavation was needed in order to create this special oasis.
The main complex at Mowani consists of a reception, bar, dining room and a lounge which overlooks the waterhole. Accommodation is in 12 luxury East-African-style en-suite safari tents which are spread around the mountain crest. The tents are built on raised wooden platforms, each with its own private veranda and great views of the Aba-Huab Valley. The suite at Mowani is the ultimate retreat! Built high upon a rocky outcrop, the views from every room are spectacular! This luxury thatched suite comes complete with butler service and is tastefully furbished with a distinct African flavour. The private lounge is equipped with a music centre and satellite television, complimented by private dining and bar facilities. Whether relaxing in the folds of your crisp white bed, enjoying a romantic dinner under the stars or throwing caution to the wind in the open-air bush bathroom, you'll be delighted by this unique bush experience!
Mowani Lodge is situated close to the main sites of this area of Namibia: Twyfelfontein, the Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes are all within easy driving distance.
Mowani Mountain Camp (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
Lunch and all activities offered by the lodge are on own account
Day 8 & 9
You will be transferred to the Twyfelfontein airstrip from where you will charter to the Kaokoveld area.
Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, situated on the banks of the ephemeral Hoarusib River near the tiny town of Puros, is one of Namibia’s most remote destinations. A domed entrance gives access to the open-air buildings which are linked by wooden walkways all joining onto a central area with a rustic deck and infinity pool.
The cottages are decorated in a rich and sensuous fusion of ochre, honey and sand colors, whilst each one has its own unique style and atmosphere; ethnic and locally carved furnishing adds to the romance and excitement of the pervading African ambience. The lodge has a spectacular wraparound view and you can spend your days lazing around the pool, reading a book in the cool comfort of the library, relaxing in one of the 2 open air lounges or having a body massage.
The cuisine is a delicious fusion of Italian and African cooking. Dinner is served by candlelight in one of the two dining rooms or under starry Namibian skies in a traditional boma around a fire. Most of the fresh produce comes from the lodges' organic garden.
Sometimes springbuck, gemsbok and ostrich can be seen while desert adapted elephants, traverse the dry riverbed on their way to fresh water springs. Activities include morning and afternoon and night drives and walks and hikes in the Uarosib River and surrounding mountains. Highlights are tracking the rare desert-adapted elephants or visiting a nearby Himba village - where guests gain an insight into the hardy lifestyle & culture of these semi-nomadic desert-dwelling people. Many guests at Okahirongo Elephant Lodge prefer to spend lazy days surrounded by the silence of the desert in one of the lounges, the library, the pool or their own bedrooms. This is an ideal place to connect with the vast spaces of Namibia.
Okahirongo Purros Elephant Lodge (Fully Inclusive)
Day 10
Return charter flight to the Twyfelfontein area where you will be met and taken back to Mowani to collect your rental vehicle. Continue from here via Uis and HentiesBay to the coastal town of Swakopmund.
The Swakopmund Guesthouse has 12 en suite rooms. Centrally located on the corner of Hendrik Witbooi and Rhode Allee it is within 5 minutes walking distance to the centre of town and to the beach. It has a modern design and thus does cater for the discerning traveller. We offer complimentary transfers to and from the Swakopmund Airport. Free Internet connection available.
Swakopmund Guesthouse (Bed & Breakfast)
Lunch, dinner and all activities and entrance fees are on own account
Day 11
Depart to WalvisBay for your early morning dolphin cruise. Enjoy the sheer thrill of watching dolphins leaping alongside the boat, seals fed by hand and fresh oysters and champagne being served on the calm waters of the WalvisBay Lagoon.
Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or optionally enjoy some other activities such as quad biking, sand boarding etc, or perhaps a visit to the museum, aquarium or the crystal gallery.
Swakopmund Guesthouse (Bed & Breakfast).
Lunch, dinner and all additional activities and entrance fees are on own account.
Day 12
Enjoy breakfast and the morning at leisure before you need to drop off your rental vehicle at the Swakopmund airport, in time for your scheduled Dune Hopper flight (seat rate) to the famous Sossusvlei area, departing at 14h15.
The wide grassy valley in which the lodge is situated is sheltered by the Nubib, Tsaris and Naukluft Mountains with a view reaching the distant dunes of the Namib Desert in the west.
In this exquisite position, the lodge offers simple but stylish accommodation in thatched chalets which were designed with the fragile beauty of this remarkable environment in mind.
The Desert Homestead will ensure you an unrivalled respite from the desert extremes. Tranquil surroundings, Alfresco dining, delectably fresh farm cuisine, refreshing dips in the pool, stunning sunsets and sunrises are the basic pleasures at the lodge.
Enjoy an afternoon scenic drive before dinner will be served back at the lodge.
Desert Homestead (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast + scenic drive).
Lunch is on own account
Day 13
Early morning departure toward the towering dunes of Sossusvlei. Here you will be able to view and climb some of the highest dunes in the world, some of which measures up to 325 m from its base.
Return to the lodge for lunch before you will be transferred by road to the NamibRand Nature Reserve. (approx a 2 hours transfer)
The Wolwedans Dunes Lodge aims at providing a unique experience close to nature, yet without compromising any comfort and style. The entire lodge is constructed on wooden platforms and overlooks the panoramic vistas in the 185 000 NamibRand Reserve in all directions, capturing the desert in an intimate and memorable way.
The building style is a combination of wooden poles and large canvas blinds that open up to the desert beyond. Each of the 9 spacious chalets with en-suite bathrooms as well as the four-bedded family chalet and the exclusive Mountain View Suite lead onto a private veranda and stretches of untouched sand.
A careful selection of furniture, light-coloured linen as well as the selection of accessories gives the Dunes Lodge a distinct natural charm. The main complex - also built on stilts - consists of a bar and lounge, sun-downer decks with a fireplace and a spacious dining room.
Wolwedans Dunes Lodge (Fully Inclusive).
Day 14 & 15
Accompanied by experienced guides, visitors are introduced to the many facets of NamibRand Nature Reserve's desert habitat with its diverse fauna and flora - on foot or by car. The classic programme - that is if you stay for two nights - would entail an afternoon drive on the day of arrival, followed by a full day-safari with picnic lunch en-route. Alternatively you can join one or two half-day excursions, perfect if you feel like lazing around for an afternoon, simply admiring the views and colours which change by the hour. The choice is entirely yours.
Wolwedans Dunes Lodge (Fully Inclusive).
Day 16
After breakfast you will be transferred down to the farmhouse to bid Wolwedans farewell and commence on your return Dune Hopper flight to the Windhoek Eros Airport at 09h00. Upon arrival at 10h15 you will be met and transferred to the Windhoek International Airport in order to be there in time for your outbound flight.
Cost for the above itinerary will be:
Low season: 1 Jan – 30 June 2010
Based on 2 pax: £4785 per person sharing a double/twin room
Single supplement: £780
Additional cost: £7 per person for airport passenger taxes from Swakopmund
High season: 1 July – 31 Oct 2010
Based on 2 pax: £4835 per person sharing a double/twin room
Single supplement: £795
Additional cost: £7 per person for airport passenger taxes from Swakopmund
Additional cost for the Scenic C from Wolwedans:
Based on 2 pax: £888 per person
Description:
Depart Wolwedans early and fly straight to the Canyon. Transfer to the Canyon viewpoint where coffee/tea and snacks will be offered. Continue south and enjoy a bird-eyes-view of the world’s second largest Canyon, before heading west towards Lüderitzbucht. Take a guided tour to the ghost town of Kolmanskuppe, followed by lunch and a city tour. The coastal town of Lüderitz is a small enclave within the Sperrgebiet (restricted Diamond Area) and an impressive collection of historical German-style buildings, which were erected during the diamond rush. The most striking is Goerke Haus, a former magistrate's residency built in 1909.
The scenic return flight to Wolwedans can only be labeled spectacular. From Lüderitz you fly north along the Diamond Coast and over Spencer Bay and Mercury Island. From there route along the Lange Wand where massive dunes just seem to grow out of the sea, before heading east towards Wolwedans, arriving in the late afternoon.
Included in Complete package:
• Accommodation and meals as per above brief outline
• VAT
• Tourism levy
• Conservation levy at Wolwedans
• Community development levy at Okahirongo
• Scheduled activities at Okonjima, Okahirongo and Wolwedans
• Dolphin cruise with snacks and drinks
• Scenic drive & Sossusvlei excursion at Desert Homestead
• Road transfer between Desert Homestead and Wolwedans
• Dune Hopper seats from Swakopmund / Desert Homestead and Wolwedans / Windhoek Eros
• All relevant airport and airstrip transfers
• Private charter flight from Twyfelfontein / Purros / Twyfelfontein
• Vehicle rental – Nissan X Trail or similar (2 x 4), radio, air conditioner, super cover and unlimited km for a duration of 12 days
Excluded:
• Personal insurance and personal items
• International and regional flights
• Tips and portages
• Any additional meals and ALL drinks (except at Okahirongo and Wolwedans)
• Vintage wines and imported spirits at Okahirongo and Wolwedans
• Curio shop purchases
• Laundry services
• Any additional / optional activities and entrance fees into National Parks and other places of interest
• Fuel cost
• Any costs incurred due to delays or diversions as a result of bad weather or any other reason that might affect the safety of the aircraft and/or the passengers
Vehicle rental info: Various inclusions and exclusions apply
Luggage:
Please be advised that there is a very strict luggage restriction of 10 kg soft luggage per person on the light aircraft flights, including hand luggage.
Any excess luggage can be transferred from Swakopmund to Windhoek by road. Cost is approximately N$ 200.00 for a 20 kg suitcase.
The above quotations are valid till 31 Oct 10 and subject to availability at the time of booking, increases in supplier prices, exchange rates, major increases in fuel costs affecting the flight rates and any relevant Government action.
Enjoy Your Tour!