14 Day Desert Tour - CW14
Camping & Cabins
Cape Town to Windhoek, Namibia
2008 Price € 1145
pps + local payment ZAR 1200pp (15 Days)
14 day small group participation camping safari Group size max 12 people
Departs Cape Town on Wednesday at 08:00am
Ends Windhoek on Tuesday at ±07:00am
Highlights* Fish River Canyon – views
* Namib Desert – Sossusvlei dunes
* Swakopmund – dune boarding & quad biking
* Brandberg – rock paintings
* Etosha NP – game drivesIncludes
* 4 nights in hotel / cabins and 9 nights camping
* Entrance fees
* Use of camping equipment (except sleeping bags)
* Transport in minibus / safari truck & 4WD
* Meals as per itinerary
* Professional guideA complete tour of Namibia with the bonus of a Cape Town start. Discover the desert of Namibia, including Fish River Canyon, awesome red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, wildlife in Etosha NP, and adventure activities in Swakopmund!
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY PRICES Below is a list of approximate prices, in US$, for the optional activities available on the various tours:
NAMIBIA
Quad biking 55
Dune boarding 30
Flight
- 1½ hour desert 70
- 2½ hour Sossusvlei 110
- 3 hours Skeleton coast 125
Fishing, ski boat 5 hours 55
Sky diving
- tandem 160
- static 80
Ballooning Sossusvlei 2 hours 200SOUTH AFRICA
Table Mountain cable car 10
Robben Island cruise 25
Seal Island cruise 10
Abseiling Cape Town 30
Diving 50
Shark cage diving 125AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Pre / post-tour airport transfers cost € 20 per person per transfer. Please book these with your tour.
At departure there will be short meeting to discuss final arrangements of tour & inform you about the days activities. Please bring your travel voucher & insurance policy.
A complete tour of Namibia with the bonus of a Cape Town start. Discover the desert of Namibia, including Fish River Canyon, awesome red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, wildlife in Etosha NP, and adventure activities in Swakopmund!
ITINERARY
Day 1 CAPE TOWN [Guest House Lodge ---]
Departing, after a tour briefing, from Cape Town at 08:00am we visit the African Penguin colony en route to Cape Point Nature Reserve and spend the rest of the day relaxing on Hout Bay beach. We sample some of Cape Town’s culinary wonders at a local restaurant in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (own expense).
Day 2 CEDARBERG [camping BLD]
The Cedarberg is a massive rocky wilderness where giant sandstone boulders have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes. In the afternoon we explore the rugged landscape on foot.
Day 3 GARIEP RIVER [camping BLD]
We make our way into the more arid regions and entering Namibia, we camp at the Gariep River. Time free for swimming and relaxing or you can adventure down the river in canoes (own expense).
Day 4 FISH RIVER CANYON [camping BLD]
We make our way to Fish River canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. In the afternoon we watch as a spectacular sunset slips over the canyon’s rim.
Day 5 - 6 NAMIB DESERT [camping BLD]
Towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes.
Day 7 - 8 SWAKOPMUND [chalet Bx2 Lx1 -]
Lunar landscapes and the prehistoric Welwitchia plants surround the coastal town of Swakopmund. Day free to explore the town or try quad biking / dune boarding (own expense). We enjoy evening restaurant meals (own expense) and overnight in a guest house.
Day 9 SPITZKOP [camping BLD]
Two days of beautiful desert landscapes. We move north along the arid coast to the Cape Cross seal colony before heading inland to set up camp under the Spitzkoppe, huge granite domes rising out of the desert. Enjoy a magnificent sunset.
Day 10 UGAB WILDERNESS [camping BLD]
Our next stop is the Brandberg where we camp next to the dry Ugab River bed, home to the rare desert elephants. We explore the mountains on foot with our local guides, who lead us through this region adorned with rock art.
Day 11 - 12 ETOSHA NP [camping BLD]
Etosha National Park, "the great white place of dry water", in the game rich northwest corner of Namibia offers a variety of wildlife. We take game drives around the huge dry pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions around the waterholes before we camp at Okaukuejo with its flood-lit waterhole. (Subject to animal movements we may use any of the 3 camps in Etosha.)
Day 13 WINDHOEK [guest house BL-]
The charm of the city of Windhoek lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. We visit the cosmopolitan capital and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense).
Day 14 TOUR ENDS - WINDHOEK [- B--]
Tour ends in Windhoek at the guest house after breakfast. Tour ends.
2008 Price € 1145 pps + local payment ZAR 1200pp (15 Days part of 21 days Cape To Vic Falls)
* SA: The “Cape to Namibia Desert Tour” can be combined after all “South Africa Scenic Route” departures to create
a comprehensive safari in Southern Africa.2008 Departures
Sag 27-Feb-08 12-Mar-08 German
SA 19-Mar-08 02-Apr-08
Sag 02-Apr-08 16-Apr-08 German
SA 16-Apr-08 31-Apr-08
SA 07-May-08 21-May-08
Sag 21-May-08 04-Jun-08 German
SA 04-Jun-08 18-Jun-08
SA 02-Jul-08 16-Jul-08
SA 09-Jul-08 23-Jul-08
SA 23-Jul-08 06-Aug-08
Sag 06-Aug-08 20-Aug-08 German
SA 20-Aug-08 03-Sep-08
SA 10-Sep-08 24-Sep-08
Sag 24-Sep-08 08-Oct-08 German
SA 08-Oct-08 22-Oct-08
Sag 29-Oct-08 12-Nov-08 German
SA 12-Nov-08 28-Nov-08
SA 26-Nov-08 10-Dec-08
SA 17-Dec-08 31-Dec-08
Sag 31-Dec-08 14-Jan-09 German
SA 14-Jan-09 28-Jan-09
German: These tours are run with a German speaking guide
SA: The “Namibia Desert Tour” can be combined after some “South Africa Scenic Route” departures to create a comprehensive safari in Southern Africa.
SAg : These South Africa Scenic Route routes are run with a German speaking guide, and can be combined with a German speaking Cape – Vic Falls tour.DETAILED TOUR INFO
In a nutshell
A complete tour through Namibia with the added bonus of Cape Town! All inclusive trip with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife. Gariep River, Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Skeleton coast, Spitzkoppe, Twyfelfontein engravings and Etosha.
Why travellers like this trip
Variety - a tour that explores the diversity of Namibia! Spectacular Namib Desert, wild Etosha and it all starts in Cape Town. From the wildlife areas and cultural interaction to historical sites all set in beautiful landscapes! National Parks and wildlife areas - We visit the famous Fish River Canyon, Namib Nauklauft and Etosha National Parks, as well as other lesser-known wildlife areas. This trip visits some fantastic wildlife areas as well as the fascinating desert environment. Culture and history - we try to introduce you to the people of the areas we visit for example the Himba and Herero people of northern Namibia where we have the opportunity to experience a living contact with local people. Small group - travelling in groups of up to 12 people creates a friendly, holiday atmosphere. Walking - every opportunity to get out and walk in the areas such as the Namib Desert, Spitzkoppe and Brandberg. Walks are easy to moderate exertion and optional. Duration from ½ - 4 hours. Adventure - activities available include: dune boarding, quad biking, deep-sea fishing, hot air ballooning, sky diving and game walks!
Accommodation
Camping - for 9 nights on safari we stay at designated campsites in national parks, on private land and in towns. Campsite facilities are generally very good but in places can be basic. There are hot and cold showers, restaurants, washing facilities and telephones available at most of the campsites. Some camps in Namibia have simple reed enclosures for showers but do have flush toilets!
Your operator supplies all the camping equipment with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow. The dome tents we use are 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.8 metres and putting them up or down takes only 5 minutes. Tents have built-in insect nets. We supply mattresses, which are about 5 cm thick, warm and comfortable. The camp chairs have a backrest.Hotel - 1 night on tour is spent in a comfortable, but basic, hotel in a metropolitan area of Cape Town near the V&A Waterfront. Rooms are twin with en suite facilities. Cabins – 2 nights in Swakopmund we stay in a cabins. We may have twin or double rooms all with two bedrooms sharing 1 bathroom. Guest House – 1 night in Windhoek we stay in a guest house. We may have twin or double rooms all with shared facilities. The guest house is central and convenient.
TransportOn foot - easy to moderate walks throughout the tour – Cedarberg, Gariep River, Sossusvlei, Spitzkoppe, and Brandberg. Duration from ½ - 4 hours. Vehicle - for longer distance travel, place to place, we use custom built safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats. Comfortable touring and good for game viewing. Large, sliding windows and viewing hatches give everyone a good view; or Toyota Hiace minibuses with 10 forward facing seats (roof rack and trailer for equipment and baggage) or There are a couple of long days of travelling but the vehicles have a comfortable cruising speed. The emphasis of the trip is "getting out and doing things".
Local Payment
A local payment is required on this safari and this will be collected by ther tour leader on departure. This covers a portion of the local operational costs including entrance and park fees. This ensures that a major portion of your tour price goes directly into the country you are visiting, benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the area.
Participation
An essential part of your safari is participation – from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing away in the morning to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up – it’s all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun!
Shopping
Craft shops for carvings, batiks, paintings and clothing are available in Windhoek and Cape Town which have a wide variety of curios. Namibia has unusual and interesting curios and crafts. If you see something you like, it is best to buy it because it is unlikely that you will see something similar further along. Crafts from change from region to region.
Food
We pride ourselves on giving very good healthy meals to our clients and will provide three meals per day, except 4 dinners and 2 lunches in Cape Town, Windhoek and Swakopmund where we try local restaurants. The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: Breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast, Lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls, Dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided. We do cater for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies.) We will supply fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be for your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour.
Difficulty
Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip. The outdoor enthusiast enjoys simple campsites and basic wild camps, you will get dusty on occasion; but this is Africa! Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days, Namibia is a vast country, but also plenty of outdoor activity with some relaxing time. Due to local conditions, border crossings, road detours and weather, the trip may alter route / schedule - please remember that this continent has its own time scale and things work differently here. Keep an open mind and a sense of humour - it’s all part of the adventure! Everyone is asked to help out with the running of camp on tour. In other words if everyone spends a little time setting up camp, preparing meals and cleaning up then the tour will run smoothly and everyone will have a good time. Participation is the name of the game.
Things you should know
Includes park entrances and game drives. You will need a valid passport and visas for entry into South Africa and Namibia. Luggage, please pack to a limit of 12kgs in a soft sports tog bag. Bring a daypack for walks. We recommend that you bring Euro, US$ or South African Rand for personal expenses on this trip but please note that Euro and US$ will need to changed into Namibian $ or South African Rand as shops, restaurants and market vendors only accept N$ and ZAR. Major credit cards can also be used for optional activities. Traveller’s cheques can be changed in Cape Town and Swakopmund. See the tour dossier for approximate costs of drinks and meals etc.
Common questions about this trip
What do I need to bring? A warm sleeping bag, comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, a water bottle and a small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly - a sense of adventure! Is it safe? Namibia is relatively safe and your guide knows the country intimately and will endeavour to show you the best parts while looking after you. In the wild areas your guide will brief you on the necessary precautions, follow this advice and you will be fine. Be aware of your personal belongings and you will have a great trip! Every precaution is taking to ensure a happy holiday. Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended. Can I buy camera film? Film and other accessories will be available several times on tour. A camera with a zoom lens from wide angle to telephoto, 35-200mm, is advisable to capture both scenic and wildlife shots.
Can I wash my clothes on tour? There are facilities for hand washing your clothes along the way.
