For many people if not most, the country of Namibia
(formerly South West Africa) remains a mystery. It does however possess a beauty all of its own from its massive shifting sand dunes, said to be the highest in the world – Sossusvlei is a must for photographers, to the Etosha National Park where wildlife is found in abundance. Add to that some wonderful German architecture
on the coast in Swakopmund, and in Windhoek the capital and one has all the ingredients for a tour of contrast with a difference. You may even run into the magnificent desert oryx or the endangered desert elephant, two wonderful examples of adaptation to an apparently hostile climate.
Flanked by the Atlantic to one side and the Kalahari desert to the other, Namibia is a land of diverse landscapes and an incredible variety of wildlife.
Most of Namibia's 1.7 million people are confined to Windhoek, and the main seaside cities, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. However, Namibia's most famous inhabitants are the Bushmen. A nomadic tribe which has lived in the harsh climes of the Kalahari and has remained relatively untouched by western culture.
NAMIBIA Climate
- Rainy season is October to April - daytime temperatures
are hot, and in summer nights are cool and very cold in
winter. Language
- English, German and Afrikaans are widely spoken. Currency
- Namibian Dollar - 1ND = 100 cents Visa
- Australian passport holders do not require a Visa. Local Time
- GMT plus two hours. Departure Tax
- Included on tickets. Driving
- On the left hand side of the road and roads are good
but a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is required for unsealed roads.
THE HIGHLIGHTS:
• Windhoek.
• Game drives & night observation of animals at waterholes in Etosha National Park.
• Rock engravings and rugged scenery of Twyfelfontein.
• Optional activities in Swakopmund.
• Walking in the giant dunes of Sossusvlei and the Namibia Desert.
Explore Namibia on a luxury mobile safari in exclusive campsites.
A safari
crew travelling in a separate vehicle erects the comfortable camp. A
professional safari guide travels with the participants. The group size is
limited to 8/9 ensuring personalised attention and utmost comfort. An
experienced chef prepares excellent bush cuisine, enjoyed under the stars
(or ‘under canvas’). Namibia in style.
THE CLASSIC NAMIBIA
TENTED SAFARI
11 Days
6 Nights Luxury Mobile Safari
4 Nights Hotel
Day 1: Windhoek
Windhoek, with its lingering
heritage of German architecture, activities and
atmosphere, is a city that can be visited throughout the
year. The day of arrival is spent at leisure. This
evening we meet our guide in the hotel reception for a
safari briefing. Overnight accommodation at the Villa
Verdi (or similar accommodation).
DAY 2/3 - ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
The park is one of the most important reserves and game
sanctuaries in Africa. Our exclusive camp is set up on a
private concession from where we enjoy early morning and
late afternoon game drives, visiting the famous Etosha
Pan and numerous waterholes. Luxury Mobile Safari. (BLD).
DAY 4 - ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Tonight is spent at one of the Park rest camps, in the
comfort of en-suite bungalows. The floodlit waterhole at
the camp offers an amazing spectacle with an array of
animals visiting throughout the night. En-suite
bungalows. (BLD).
DAY 5/6 - DAMARALAND- TWYFELFONTEIN AREA- HIMBA VILLAGE
An early morning drive takes us to our exclusive camp at
Damaraland. Enroute we visit a Himba village. The Himba
are a semi-nomadic tribe, who live in scattered
settlements throughout the region. They are
characterised by their proud yet friendly stature and
the women are noted for their unusual beauty, enhanced
by intricate hairstyles and traditional dress. A few
hours are spent here visiting a traditional Himba
settlement learning more about these fascinating people.
The changing colours of the surrounding landscapes are
enjoyed on a guided sunset walk with explanations of the
unique flora and geology of the area. The following
morning we visit the Twyfelfontein area with walks to
view the rock engravings, Organ Pipes, and the Burnt
Mountain. Luxury Mobile Safari. (BLD).
DAY 7/8 - SWAKOPMUND
Travelling through Damaraland we reach the coast.
Swakopmund, with its German colonial atmosphere, is the
principal coastal resort of Namibia. Time is spent at
leisure to enjoy the charm of this old town or to
undertake one of the many optional activities on offer
(scenic flights, hot air ballooning, etc. - own
expense). A morning Marine Boat Cruise is included,
where a variety of bird species can be seen, and seals
are fed by hand. There is also the chance to see two
dolphin species and the leatherback turtle that inhabit
the Namibian coast. In the afternoon we take an
excursion to the Moon landscape where we stop to view
the unusual prehistoric Welwitschia plant, a dwarf tree
flourishing on the moisture of the Atlantic Coast. Its
lifespan is estimated at more than 1,000years.Hotel
Eberwein. (or similar accommodation). (B)
DAY 9/10 - NAMIB DESERT / SESRIEM
We drive via Kuiseb River enroute to our camp on the
edge of the Namib Desert. The following morning is an
early departure for Sossusvlei, stopping in the dune
belt to enjoy the changing colours of the world’s
highest sand dunes. The morning is spent walking amongst
the dunes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Enroute back to
camp we enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon
and experience sunset in the dunes surrounding our camp.
Luxury Mobile Safari. (BLD)
DAY 11 - WINDHOEK
We arrive back into Windhoek at approximately midday
(B).
The itinerary can vary depending on local conditions.
(Trees in foreground help show size of dune)
Luxury Mobile Safaris use exclusive bush camps with fully serviced accommodation in luxury "Out of Africa" walk-in safari tents with en suite facilities.
The guides and cooks take care of all camp duties including erecting and dismantling the tents. Camp and travel in style.
Nothing can compare to sitting around a blazing campfire at night, under a canopy of stars in a spectacular wilderness area, listening to the sounds of Africa.
Key to Inclusions:
(B) Breakfast
(L) Lunch
(D) Dinner
(B&B) Bed & Breakfast
(FB) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
11 Days/10 Nights
Package
Cost Per Person
Twin
Single
Nov 07 - Jun 08
$4150
$6075
Jul - Oct 08
$4375
$6305
Luxury
Mobile Safari: A safari team pre-erects/
dismantles the camp and attends to all duties.
Accommodation: 6 nights walk-in safari tents
furnished with 2 comfortable beds, linen,
blankets, pillows and en suite bathroom with
shower and toilet. 4 nights hotel/chalet
accommodation in Windhoek, Etosha and Swakopmund.
Meals:
All meals with table wine and mineral water
in the evening while on safari. Drinks are
excluded and may be purchased enroute. Excludes
lunches & dinners in
Windhoek and Swakopmund.
Group
Size: 2-8/9 participants.
Transfers: Airport transfers are provided in
Windhoek on day 1 and day 11.
N.B.
Luggage limit 12kgs in soft bags.
In March 1907, an entire century ago, the colonial authorities
had the vision and foresight to proclaim a vast conservancy in
the north of Namibia. After considerable changes, Etosha
National Park remains one of the leading and biggest
conservation areas in the world where nature and wildlife are
dealt with in a sound ecological and scientific way.
Etosha National Park is one of the best game parks in all of
Africa. The name Etosha means 'huge white area' or 'place of dry
water', and it is certainly one of the largest game parks. Most
of the year Etosha is a vast shallow pan, which shines brightly
due to the crystallized salt that shimmers across the entire
surface.
During the rainy season, this vast arid land transforms
abundantly and attracts thousands of birds and other kinds of
wildlife. These include: huge herds of elephant, zebra,
wildebeest, springbok, eland, black-faced impala, rhinoceros,
lion, hyaena, jackal, oryx, curly-horned kudu, and an incredible
array of bird life, including yellow-billed hornbill, eagles,
vultures, lilac-breasted rollers, and flamingos. The best time
is during the coolest dry months of May to September, although
birding is at its peak during the rainy season from November to
March.
Day Trips Available - We have additional optional excursions
available to extend your stay. Please contact us for
details.
If you do
not need the ultimate comfort offered by 'Luxury
Mobile Camping Safaris' you may consider 'Standard
Mobile Camping Safaris' in dome tented
accommodation. Or if you prefer more adventurous
camping you may wish to look at our 'Adventure
Participation Camping' tours where you erect the
tents and help with cooking.
Also have
you considered adding a South Africa or Botswana stay to your Namibia
trip?
Please confirm prices with Bench International prior
to booking your trip.
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