Namibia: Walking and Wildlife in a Last Great African Wilderness

NAMIBIA, Walking and Wildlife in a Last Great African Wilderness

Namibia, one of the world’s least known and least densely populated countries, encompasses vast tracts of unspoilt mountain and desert wilderness where the last wild black rhinos, the elusive ‘desert’ elephant and 90% of Africa’s leopards and cheetahs still live.

We walk in mountains where there is no trace of man visible in any direction; scramble up the world’s highest sand dunes at first light; sit outside in the warm African night with a glass of chilled white wine and watch brighter and bigger stars than one could ever have imagined; encounter the distinctive Namibian tribes, notably the Herero and the semi-nomadic Himba; explore 2,000 year old rock engravings on foot; and experience the very best of African game viewing and photo opportunities in the Etosha National Park as the animals congregate round the waterholes in large numbers at the end of the dry season. In addition to travelling on gravel roads through the spectacular moonscape of the Namib desert, we experience the notorious Skeleton Coast with its shipwrecks, fogs and fur seal colonies, and trace the architectural legacy of the 19C period of German colonisation.

Namibia is endowed with the world’s richest diamond fields and has enjoyed peaceful democratic government since 1990 - one result of this is that the standard of accommodation, food and wine is very high indeed. We stay in exclusive private lodges and remote luxury camps, enjoying delicious meals accompanied by fine South African wines - a safari in Namibia is an African journey in style and comfort.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

D included

Transferring from Windhoek airport, the museum in the ‘Beau Geste’ fort illuminates Namibia’s colonial history and struggle for independence. We relax for the afternoon in the hotel’s palm-filled garden. Dinner features such Namibian specialities as grilled ostrich steak with Cape Gooseberry sauce.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

Heading south, we are soon on gravel roads, encountering more warthogs and donkey-carts than other vehicles. We walk up into the hills after settling into our welcoming private lodge (set in a 14,000 hectare estate) appreciating the silence and sense of wilderness.

DAY 3

B, L, D included

In the spectacular canyons of the Tsaris Mountains we walk to a mossy pool beneath wild fig trees which attract parrots and baboons. After a candle-lit dinner we watch the brilliant stars of the African night sky.

DAY 4

B, L, D included

Following narrow zebra trails, we walk among the moringa and quiver trees to observe mountain zebra, kudu and klipspringer and typical mountain birds such as African rock martins and augur buzzards. After a swim and a leisurely lunch we drive west to a luxury wilderness camp near Sesriem, the gateway to the Namib-Naukluft desert park. The thatch and canvas buildings blend into the hills, with individual private wooden decks offering outstanding views across to the dunes. After dinner we marvel at the stars, exceptionally brilliant where there is no light pollution.

DAY 5

B, L, D included

We travel by 4WD into the dune systems and climb a 300 m apricot coloured dune shortly after sunrise. Brunch is served under the spreading camel thorn acacias in Sossusvlei before heading for our next private lodge for a geology walk and a swim in the infinity pool.

DAY 6

B, L, D included

We drive across the world’s oldest desert, the Namib, observing extraordinary plants like the Welwitschia Mirabilis and birdwatch in the Walvis Bay lagoons which are internationally important for shorebirds, including flamingos and pelicans. An invigorating walk along the South Atlantic beach brings us to our 4 star centrally located hotel in Swakopmund.

DAY 7

B, L, D included

A boat trip brings the opportunity to see heavyside dolphins, seals, the rare Damara tern, Kelp gulls and flying fish, and to learn about Namibia’s important fishing industry. In the afternoon we explore Swakopmund with its picturesque colonial architecture, interesting shops (particularly gemstones) and a good local museum. Dinner on the beach features seafood, especially the excellent local oysters.

DAY 8

B, L, D included

An early start to drive on the packed salt road north along the Skeleton Coast, notorious for its fogs and shipwrecks, and visit the Cape fur seal colony at Cape Cross. In remote Damaraland our luxurious private lodge offers panoramic views over the wilderness.

DAY 9

B, L, D included

In the cool early morning we investigate the 2,000 year old rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, the largest collection of prehistoric rock art in Africa. We return for a swim in the pool before a late afternoon guided walking safari amidst the red sandstone mountains of Damaraland.

DAY 10

B, L, D included

A day to explore this outstanding wilderness area by four wheel drive and on foot. Guided by the highly skilled local rangers, we track, and hope to encounter, family groups of the unique desert-adapted elephant, oryx, Hartmann’s Mountain zebra, and endemic birds such as Ruppell’s Korhaan.

DAY 11

B, L, D included

We head for the world-renowned Etosha National Park, encountering kudu as soon as we enter the gate. We stay in comfortable thatched rondavels, situated close to a natural waterhole to which the animals, especially the highly endangered black rhino, have been coming since time immemorial - the wildlife viewing and photo opportunities are outstanding.

DAY 12

B, L, D included

Today we view wildlife in Etosha, anything from the diminutive mongooses, through oryx, ostrich and giraffe, right up to the heavyweights: elephant and black rhino. Birdlife is prolific, with pale chanting goshawk, secretary birds, drongoes, bee-eaters and the crimsonbreasted shrike (Namibia’s national bird) all seen regularly.

DAY 13

B, L, D included

Our early morning wildlife drive takes us east, sticking closely to the edge of the vast pan where cheetah and lions prey on the grazing herds of oryx, springbok and zebra. Just before sunset we are at Namutoni, a picturesque 19C fort, now a comfortable rest camp. Dinner is a buffet of traditional African dishes, accompanied by full-bodied South African red wines.

DAY 14

B, L, D included

Leaving Etosha Park, we head for Tsumeb, where Herero women in Victorian era dresses turn only the visitors’ heads and the local history museum is well worth a visit. Our next destination is the lodge at Okonjima, the home of ‘Africat’, a foundation protecting the endangered wild cats of Namibia which offers extraordinary opportunities to photograph leopards and cheetahs, plus porcupines, caracal and honey-badgers after dark.

DAY 15

B, L included

We go cheetah watching on an early morning game drive in an open 4WD, then after a final dip in the pool and a substantial brunch we drive south, pausing en route to shop for souvenirs in the excellent craft markets of Okahandja. We arrive in Windhoek in time for late afternoon flights home.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 15 on a double shared basis

All meals with beer or wine as preferred at lunches and dinners

All land transportation in a private vehicle as described except during free periods

All entrance and sightseeing fees as described except during free periods

All activities as described ie game drives and walks with specialist trackers and rangers

Boat trip for dolphins and seals

Gratuities for hotel, camp and restaurant staff

Visa and Health Requirements

Visitors from the EU, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand currently require a valid passport for entry to Namibia - a 90-day tourist visa is issued on arrival. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of Namibia.

At present there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Namibia if you are arriving from Europe or North America. Malaria is endemic in some areas, so prophylaxis may be required. Please consult your doctor (at least 2 months before you travel) about any precautions they may suggest. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.

Insurance

It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents.

If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.