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The 12 day Namibian Ideal Safari is our only fully-accommodated scheduled safari option. The accommodation used is around 3 star and is chosen for clean & comfortable value for money rather than luxury.
Travelling to the world’s highest sand dunes at Sesriem & Sossusvlei and on to Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. From here we will enter Namibia’s most beautiful desert region, Damaraland, where we will visit Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg and the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontien. Into Etosha National Park for the Big Game experience and returning to Windhoek via a Bushman community and the Otavi Mountains.
Guaranteed departures on selected Saturdays of the year, with a minimum of two people. There is a single supplement, but the price is virtually fully inclusive of everything you will need whilst travelling with us. Collection time is between 08:30 & 09:00 from anywhere within the Windhoek city limits.
| Two of the world’s natural wonders, the Okavango Delta and the mighty Victoria Falls can also be included by combining this trip with our 8 day Delta and Falls Safari. |
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Price per person:
N$ 23,000
Single supplement is N$3,100
From April 2010 until end of March 2011
N$ 26,500
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- Maximum group size is 12 travellers
- Transport for up to 8 people will be in a minibus. For more than 8 a specially converted safari truck will be used.
- Itinerary is fully accommodated, 3 star and is chosen for clean & comfortable value for money rather than luxury
- Guaranteed departures on selected Saturdays of the year
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Safaris include |
Safaris exclude |
All transport
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Optional extra activities |
| 3 Meals a day (unless differently specified) |
Personal travel insurance |
| Tap drinking water |
Alcoholic beverages |
| Tea & coffee in camp |
Soft drinks |
| Professional guide |
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| Park entrance fees |
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| Accommodation |
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| Pick up & drop off from accommodation
in Windhoek |
Useful to bring with you:
Towel, torch, water bottle, hat. |
Safari Tour Overview
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Day |
Destinations |
Accommodation |
Meals |
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1 |
Namib Desert /Sossusvlei |
Guest Farm |
L, D |
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2 |
Namib Desert /Sossusvlei |
Guest Farm |
B, L, D |
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3 |
Swakopmund |
Hotel/Pension |
B, L, D |
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4 |
Swakopmund |
Hotel/Pension |
B, L, D |
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5 |
Brandberg |
Lodge |
B, L, D |
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6 |
Damaraland |
Lodge |
B, L, D |
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7 |
Damaraland |
Lodge |
B, L, D |
|
8 |
Etosha-Okaukuejo |
Bungalows |
B, L, D |
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9 |
Etosha - Okaukuejo |
Bungalows |
B, L, D |
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10 |
Namutoni area |
Guest Farm |
B, L, D |
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11 |
Otavi area |
Guest Farm |
B, L, D |
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12 |
Return to Windhoek |
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B, L |
Safari Tour Details
Day 1
We leave Windhoek and straight away join the small desert
roads that connect the whole of rural Namibia. Windhoek is
in a mountain valley and we have to climb out, first over
the Eros Mountains and then the Khomas Hochland Range. The
mountain passes are spectacular, we pass by several desert
homesteads and we often see wild game along the road. As we
come through the mountains we drop down from the central plateau
by way of the impressive Remhoogte Pass and emerge to find
grassy desert savanna.
We stop at Solitaire, Namibia's second smallest town, for
afternoon tea before driving on to our accommodation near
the sand dune sea.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Driving time: approx. 5 hrs (350 km)
Overnight: Namib Desert Camp. Guest farm accommodation/en-suite
facilities. Lunch and Dinner.
Day
2
A pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert as we drive in. We will arrive at the entrance to the dunes on sunrise and then travel through the dune field as the sun is coming up. The light casts strong contrasts of colour on the edges of the dunes and offers stunning views from the dry river bed you travel through.
From here we drive another 60 km to Sossusvlei itself, transferring to special desert vehicles for the last 5 km through the dunes. The drive is like nothing else, enjoying the changing light and coolness of the morning. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting "dune 45", and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch and to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Driving time: approx. 3 hrs (260 km)
Overnight: Namib Desert .Guest farm accommodation/en-suite
facilities.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3
An early start today, we are heading north-west to the
seaside town of Swakopmund located on the Skeleton Coast.
Leaving the dune fields far behind us we are soon back into
the mountain desert. We cross the Tropic of Capricorn and
traverse both the Gaub and the Kuiseb pass, driving down to
the dry river bed at the bottom of the canyon before climbing
up the other side, watching the spectacular desert landscape
unfold before us.
From the mountains we cross the desolate "Namib gravel
plains" before reaching the coastal sand dunes at the
port town of Walvis Bay. We will stop for a picnic lunch beside
the ocean and there will be time to see the flamingos and
other bird life in the Walvis Bay lagoon before continuing
the now short drive into Swakopmund.
Driving time: approx. 6 hrs (280 km)
Overnight: Swakopmund. Hotel or pension/en-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4
Today is a free day. The idea is to allow time for everybody
to do their own thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside
town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although
the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market.
There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National
Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.
Alternatively, there are various optional activities that
can be arranged. These include aeroplane and microlight flights
over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the
beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips
into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund,
sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing,
bird-watching and many other activities are available. Your
tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you
before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings
in advance of your arrival.
In addition to this, if you have decided not to join any
of the optional afternoon activities, your guide will take
you on an excursion into the Swakopmund River Valley. Traveling
through the ancient, long dried up Swakopmund Delta, we first
stop at the "Moon Landscape" an unusual example
of water erosion in the desert.
From here we continue to the Swakopmund Valley itself to
hunt the giant Welwitchia Mirabilis plants. This plant is
in fact a species of tree and is one of the rarest fauna species
in the world. We will see examples that are reported to be
in excess of 1500 years old.
(N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are
subject to availability and are made at the clients' own risk
and expense).
Dinner tonight is for the clients own account in a local
restaurant.
Overnight: Swakopmund.Hotel or pension/en-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day
5
A long drive today, leaving early and heading north along
the coast, we will first visit the seal colony at Cape Cross
where it is possible to see thousands of Cape Fur Seals in
the water and on the surrounding rocks and beaches.
From here we will turn east, back into the desert and the
beautiful area known as Damaraland and the next stop will
be at the small town of Uis, located in the remote desert.
Uis is an old mining town and one of the best places to buy
semi-precious stones for which Namibia is famous. Here, rough
Amethyst, Tourmaline etc can be found at bargain prices.
We will pass the Namibia's highest mountain, The Brandberg,
(2573 m) as we travel deeper into Damaraland and our accommodation
will be at a desert lodge in the vicinity of Twyfelfontien.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Driving time: approx. 6 hrs (300 km)
Overnight: Twyfelfontein.Lodge accommodation/en-suite
facilities.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6
We leave early to visit the ancient site of Twyfelfontein.
Here is an impressive collection of rock engravings created
by the talented artisans of ancient peoples. Twyfelfontien
is one of the most important archeological sites in southern
Africa and we will have a local guide to take us around and
introduce us to the petroglyphs.
We continue on, deeper into the beautiful Damaraland region to our accommodation in a stunning desert setting. There is time this afternoon to join an optional activity, game or nature drives are available for those who want to explore the area, but the views across the desert from the lodge are truly awe inspiring for those who would like to relax at the lodge.
Dinner is at the lodge. Driving time: approx. 6 hrs (440 km)
Overnight: Damaraland. Lodge accommodation/en-suite facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day
7
Heading further north, the Damaraland scenery stays with
us today. We follow the western border of Etosha National
Park for some way, heading into the far northern regions of
Namibia, turning off to our destination on a small game reserve.
We aim to arrive in the early afternoon. There are some self
guided bush walks available for those who are feeling energetic,
but otherwise the rest of the day is designed to allow you
to relax by the pool and re-charge you energy.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Overnight: Kaokoland.Lodge accommodation/en-suite
facilities.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8
Traveling with special permission through the western side
of Etosha National Park, we transit through this restricted
area that is set aside for research and breeding. We have
the chance to see some species not normally seen in the main
tourist areas of the park.
As we drive into the Okaukuejo region of Etosha where our
main game drive really begins, and we travel slowly down to
Etosha's main camp, Okaukuejo where we aim to arrive in time
for a late lunch.
Time to relax in the afternoon and then sundowners at Okaukuejo's
floodlit waterhole. Situated on the boundary of the camp and
easily reachable on foot from your bungalow, the Okaukuejo
waterhole is famous One of the "best game viewing opportunities
in Southern Africa". Perfectly placed for sunset, black
rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are
often seen.
Dinner tonight is prepared by your guide over an open fire.
Travel and game driving: approx. 5 hrs (200 km)
Overnight: Damaraland. Lodge accommodation/en-suite facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day
9
We go straight out on an early morning game drive. We
visit some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to
catch some of Etosha's big game out for an early morning drink.
The game drives around the Okaukuejo area are some of the
best in the park. We cover several different terrains this
morning, from wooded areas to open savannah and in the rainy
season, wetland. Back to Okaukuejo in the late morning and
after lunch there is time once again to relax during the heat
of the day. The pool area here is great, shaded by palm trees
and close to the waterhole.
We take a shorter game drive in the late afternoon, often
driving out to one of the waterholes popular with game and
waiting for the animals to come to us.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the Okaukuejo.
Overnight: Okaukuejo Rest Camp.Two-roomed chalets
with shared facilities.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day
10
A full day's game driving and we leave early to enjoy
the cool morning air. We game drive our way through Etosha
to Halali camp, situated in the middle of the park. Along
the way we visit several waterholes and are afforded splendid
views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually
excellent and we have the chance to tick off a few new species
that are usually only seen on the eastern side of the park.
We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch and there
is also time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use
of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing
on our way and game driving down to Namutoni. A short stop
here to check the camp waterhole for game and then we leave
the park, checking into a lodge located on the eastern boundary
of Etosha.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Overnight: Onguma Game Ranch.Lodge accommodation/
en-suite facilities.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 11
First stop this morning will be to visit a local community
of Bushman or San people. Before Namibian independence in
1990, the Namibian people were engaged in a liberation struggle
with South Africa.
During this time Namibia had a large South African military
presence and the South African army incorporated local Bushmen
into their ranks because of their natural talent for tracking.
The Ombili village is located on the site of an old South
African military base where, during the war years, many Bushmen
had been in uniform. When the South African army withdrew,
the local Bushmen trackers remained behind and were in danger
of becoming displaced people, being so long away from their
own villages. The local farming community in the Ombili area
invited the Bushmen to stay and make their homes. Over the
last 15 years or so a thriving bushman community has developed.
The Bushmen at Ombili are not living the traditional hunter
gatherer lifestyle, that harsh but romanticized way of life
has disappeared for ever, but the language and many of the
customs remain alive. We make a stop at Ombili and we have
the chance to meet the local inhabitants and learn something
of their ancient and modern culture.
From Ombili, we are heading predominantly south. We pass
through the Otavi mountains and our accommodation for the
night is in the foothills of this small but picturesque range.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge.
Driving time: approx. 3hrs (300 km)
Overnight: Otavi Mountains.Lodge accommodation/ en-suite
facilities.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 12
Our last day on the road, the drive down to Windhoek is
on a good road and we have time to stop in Okahandja, home
to Namibia's largest woodcarving market. The stalls are operated
on a co-operative basis by the local community and the market
is a perfect place to do last minute shopping for truly Namibian
souvenirs.
We aim to arrive back in the Capital in the middle afternoon
and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
Driving time: approx. 4 hrs (350 km)
Overnight: Breakfast and Lunch.
Please note:
As of 1st April 2010, the itinerary of our 12 Day Namibia Ideal safari will be changing slightly. The last night of this safari will no longer be in the Otavi area, but will rather be at Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation.
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