10 Days Namibia Highlights

2010 DEPARTURES - Departs every Monday
PRICE FROM 1 NOVEMBER 2009 - 30 OCTOBER 2010
PRICE: N$9350/person (South African Rand or Namibia Dollars only)

 
Namibia Highlights 4x4 Adventure
10 days Windhoek to Windhoek

Combine the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei with the oldest desert in the world and continue your journey through this remarkable country into the north enjoying highlights such as the wildlife kingdom of Etosha National Park. You have the opportunity to meet and learn about the fascinating culture of the semi nomadic Himba people in the far north as an OPTIONAL activity.

Day 1 AGAMA RIVER CAMP

We depart from Thimbi Thimbi Offices at 09h00. Driving through the town of Rehoboth on our way to the lovely Agama Camp. We have a roadside lunch at a suitable spot for us to enjoy the atmosphere and feel the fresh breeze in this peaceful environment. We continue our drive through Solitaire arriving at camp late afternoon in time to set up camp and enjoy a swim or just relax around the camp. This late afternoon is optional sundowner drive with Agama Camp if interested. We enjoy our dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant. Overnight camping (LD)

Day 2 AGAMA RIVER CAMP

A pre-dawn departure from our campsite to drive to Sossusvlei, a 100kms drive in the darkness witnessing first light and shadows on the sand dunes before arriving at the heart of the famous sand dune sea of Namibia. We watch the sunrise from this spectacular and unique area (dependent on opening time of inner park gate). We head up a dune close to Sossusvlei then walk to Dead Vlei with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal camel thorn trees scattered around, contrasting with a backdrop of huge orange-red dunes that make for superb photographic opportunities. We enjoy a mid morning brunch after exploring this dramatic and desolate landscape before returning to camp for lunch, a swim and then explore nearby Sesriem Canyon on foot. We drive this afternoon back to our campsite. Enjoy another spectacular sunset surrounded by this colourful desert and sleep under the bright stars of the southern hemisphere. Overnight camping and dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant (BLD)

Day 3 VILLA WIESE GUESTHOUSE, SWAKOPMUND

Early morning departure from camp with a stopover at Solitaire before continuing through the desert with its endless views across the pastel-coloured gravel plains to the port town of Walvis Bay. We visit the lagoon, which is a protected RAMSAR wetland site, where we may see the many species of birds including Greater and Lesser Flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers and the endemic damara tern. We continue onto the quaint town of Swakopmund, full of historic buildings and where your guide will assist those wishing to book optional adventure activities such as sand boarding, quad biking, scenic flights, parachuting, dolphin cruises to name but a few, which you have time for this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Overnight in comfortable twin/double rooms with en-suite bathroom close to the town centre. Laundry facilities are available here. This evening's meal is a group dinner in a restaurant at client's own expense (BL)

Day 4 SPITZKOPPE

This morning you have free time to visit the museum and aquarium, explore the town, or partake in optional activities such as sand boarding and quad biking. We depart after lunch, driving along a section of the Skeleton Coast before turning inland for Spitzkoppe, a huge inselberg towering above the dry desert plains and arriving late afternoon to set up camp. We have the opportunity to explore the area and enjoy the wonderful rock formations that have been created by erosion over thousands of years. Dinner prepared by the guide and camp assistant. Evening spent under a million stars. Overnight based at community run bush camp with no toilet/shower facilities (BLD)

Day 5 PALMWAG CAMP

This morning we enjoy a walk to Bushmen's Paradise, viewing the ancient bushman paintings and vistas of the vast surrounding desert or you may simply wander around the desert floor. From here our drive takes us to the World heritage site to visit the rock engravings and paintings at Twyfelfontein. After lunch we drive through some beautiful and dramatic landscapes arriving at our campsite late afternoon. This afternoon you can take a walk around the camp or just have a good time at the campsite. Sometimes, the well-known Desert adapted Elephants are seen roaming around the campsite. Overnight camping, dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant (BLD) OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION

Day 6 PALMWAG CAMP

Today you can relax at the camp, enjoy a walk in the surrounding land or do a game drive with Palmwag Lodge, alternatively join an OPTIONAL day trip to visit the local Himba tribes. These remarkable and proud people live in the Kunene region. Formally cattle/goat herders some still live a traditional life style in this harsh environment. You will be accompanied by a local guide who will translate all your questions giving you a chance to find how they survive in today's modern world learn about their fascinating culture. We return to camp late afternoon and you can enjoy your afternoon around swimming pool and the bar. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant (BLD) OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION

Day 7 OKAUKEUJO, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

We depart for Etosha entering through the western gate and game driving through to Okaukuejo. This massive park is a haven for wildlife and supports one of the most important ecological and wildlife systems on the continent. After setting up our tents we take a late afternoon game drive visiting the surrounding waterholes looking for species such as elephant, lion, rhino, kudu, giraffe as well as the large herds of springbok, zebra and wildebeest that survive in this region. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant. Evening viewing at flood lit waterhole, famous for its visits by black rhinos (BLD) OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION

Day 8 NAMUTONI, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Sunrise departure from camp for full morning game drive transiting across the park visiting various waterholes along the way and look out for the many species of animals. We spend the hottest part of the day at Halali camp where we have lunch and enjoy a swim or an afternoon snooze. Late afternoon game drive to Namutoni via the famous Etosha Pan, a vast depression which can even be seen from space and the white shimmering haze disappearing into the horizon. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant. Evening viewing at flood lit waterhole. (BLD)

Day 9 WATERBERG PLATEAU

We'll enjoy an early morning game drive before departing Etosha on the eastern side. We have a stop at Tsumeb collecting fresh supplies and continuing on to Hoba Meteorite, the largest meteorite in the world for lunch. We arrive late afternoon at Waterberg Resort at the eastern end of the Plateau. Witness the fabulous colours of the lichen growing on the rock face of the plateau at sunset from the top of the plateau directly above our camp and enjoy the views across the Kalahari. There are plenty of animals wandering freely in this area such as eland, ostrich, springbok, kudu and impala. Dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant. (BLD)

Day 10 WINDHOEK

Your guide will lead you on a short walk this morning before we head back to Windhoek. After brunch we return to Windhoek via the Okahandja Craft Markets for those last minute gifts. We arrive at Thimbi Thimbi office where you can enjoy an after safari drink and share your memories of your safari (BL)

Please note - the itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change - for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated above. IMPORTANT - Whilst visiting villages and local communities we cannot guarantee activities on offer, it often depends on how they feel on the day, however, it will give you the opportunity to meet and experience life in Namibia in today's society. Approx total distance 2450kms

OPTIONS FOR UPGRADING ACCOMMODATION IN PALMWAG LODGE, OKAUKUEJO, NAMUTONI AND OKONJIMA BUT DEPENDS ON AVAILABILITY.

 806 Unit 2, Mogwase, Pilanesberg 081 354 5210
PO Box 250 Sun City, 0316 - Updated  Jan 2010
wom@mweb.co.za