Namibia
13 Day Culture and Nature
A 13 day part accommodated and part assisted camping
Safari with the following highlights:
*
Etosha National Park
*
Ombili Bushman Project
*
Owamboland Culture
*
Ovahimba Villages
*
Damaraland People
*
Twyfelfontein Rockart
*
Cape Cross Seal Colony
*
Swakopmund
*
Sossusvlei Dunes
*
Sesriem Canyon
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, then cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before
the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune
desert of the Namib.
We aim to arrive at Sesriem during the late afternoon and we
have time to drive out to one of the nearby dunes to watch the
colours on distant mountains to the east, glow and change.
Driving time: approx. 5hrs (350 km)
Overnight: Sesriem Camp. Camping/communal ablutions. 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. After driving into
the heart of the dune field, we reach Sossusvlei itself by walking
the last 5 km through the dunes. The walk is like nothing else,
in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning
to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast
across the whole desert.
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 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.
Overnight: Sesriem Camp. Camping/communal ablutions. 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 passes, 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 to see the ocean and there will be time to
see the flamingos and other bird life in the Walvis Bay lagoon
before continuing the short drive into Swakopmund.
Dinner tonight is for the clients own account in a local restaurant.
Driving time approx: 5 hrs. (350km)
Overnight: Hotel accommodation En-suite facilities. Breakfast
and Lunch. Dinner at own expense.
Day 4:
Leaving town we head north, following the rugged Skeleton Coast
to the small town of Henties Bay. After a short stop here, we
continue on to the Cape Cross Reserve. Here there can be as
many as 100 000 Cape Fur Seals basking on the rocks and cavorting
in the "boiling" Atlantic waters.
We turn east and inland from here heading into one of the most
beautiful desert areas in Namibia, Damaraland, home to the elusive
desert elephant and rare black rhino.
Our destination is the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain,
(2573 m), an ancient Bushman spiritual site and tonight we sleep
under the shadow of this giant granite monolith.
Driving time: approx. 5 hrs (300 km).
Overnight: Damaraland. Chalet accommodation. En-suite facilities.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5:
Damaraland scenery is beautiful and we drive through the heart
of the region today. Giant granite "koppies" and open
grassland make up the terrain with rare and unusual flora species
dotting the landscape.
Our first stop is in the Twyfelfontein valley where we visit
the Bushman rock engravings or petroglyphs. Ancient artisans
used tools made from quartz to leave modern generations with
the gift of a fascinating open air museum. The art is carved
into the flat surfaces of a ruined petrified sand dune and a
local guide will introduce us to this important site.
We then continue to our destination at Palmwag Oasis. Located
beside a rare desert spring that can attract a wide variety
of game, we camp tonight on the banks of a dry river and under
the shade of huge palm trees.
Driving time: approx. 5hrs. (300km).
Overnight: Palmwag Camp. Camping/communal ablutions. Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6:
We cross the mountains into the far northern region of Kaokoland,
the home of the Himba. The Himba people are, in fact, part of
the Herero Clan, sharing a common language and heritage.
The original people were, and still to some extent are, nomadic
pastoralists, settling in one area only long enough to harvest
a crop before herding their cattle and families to literally,
greener pastures. They arrived in Namibia as late as the 1920's
and continued their almost Stone-Age existence in the far northern
regions until late into the 20th Century.
Globalisation has caught up with most traditional ways of life
and the Himba are no exception. Today in Kaokoland the unlimited
space that Africa used to boast is no longer available for nomadic
people and the villages in the region are pretty much permanent.
Many of the younger generations have migrated for the last time
but this time to the cities and not to a new "kraal".
The Kaokoland Himba of today still retain many of their traditional
ways, ways that are being adapted to fit in with 21st Century
living.
We travel to the main center of Kaokoland, the small town of
Opuwo and after a short stop here, we start the final northern
leg of our safari to the Kunene River. We will visit several
villages along the way, asking permission to enter and offering
gifts of food for the whole community to show appreciation for
the hospitality we hope to receive.
The Kunene is a welcome sight after long desert driving, and
we tonight sleep in a lodge, right on the banks of the river,
looking over to Angola on the far bank.
Driving time: approx. 4 hrs (250 km)
Overnight: Kunene River Lodge. Lodge accommodation/en-suite
facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7:
We spend a whole day in this rare wetland of the Namib Desert.
There will be the opportunity to visit more Himba communities
but there is also the chance to "chill-out" in the
shade beside the river and re-charge. For the energetic there
are various optional activities available. These include white
water rafting on the Kunene, hiking trails or mountain biking
in the foothills surrounding the Kunene River Valley.
(N.B. All extra activities and excursions are subject to availability
and are made at the clients' own risk and expense).
Overnight: Kunene River Lodge. Lodge accommodation/en-suite
facilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8:
We stay with the Kunene for the first part of the day, following
the river road up-stream to the huge hydro-electric dam at Ruacana,
a joint industrial project between Angola and Namibia and the
source of much of Namibia's electrical power. In times of high
water the sluice gates at the dam are opened to create an impressive
waterfall.
A short stop in Ruacana and then we pick up the main road into
Owamboland travelling to our destination at Ombalantu. Ombalantu
is an old South African military camp, left abandoned at the
end of the Namibian liberation struggle. There is also a giant,
hollow baobab tree that in times past has been used as a pub,
a jail and a chapel.
We make our camp on a local community site in the vicinity of
this ancient tree and have time to explore the community on
foot. It is a great opportunity to meet some of the local people,
have a drink of traditional beer in the local pub and enjoy
an afternoon of cultural exchange.
Driving time approx. 3hrs. (250km)
Overnight: Omalantu. Camping/communal ablutions. Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 9:
We make an early start and continue our journey through the
heart of the most populated area of Namibia making numerous
stops along the way to visit various local initiatives and projects.
The local people are producing "cottage industry style"
products that are in much demand within the local community.
Much of the produce is hand made in the traditional manner and
we have the chance to interact with the craftsmen and women
and learn something of the "old way" of doing things.
We are not the only people interested in traditional skills,
the elders of the community are also taking the opportunity
to pass on their expertise to the younger generations, keeping
alive some of the ancient methods, traditions and lore.
We will also visit the traditional Kraal at Nakambale where
the preservation of the traditional Owambo lifestyle has been
formalised and a museum created. Our destination is Omaheke
Village where we are invited to spend the night with the local
community. Depending on the season, we can visit the local school
and often there is the opportunity to "go local" and
help the Omahekeians with some of their daily tasks, for example,
harvesting the mahango (millet) crop or herding the cattle in
for the night.
We have direct contact not only with the people but with their
everyday way of life and we have the chance to compare our own
lifestyle, (quality bathrooms for example), with the lifestyle
of the people living in rural Namibia.
Driving time approx. 4hrs. (250km)
Overnight: Owamboland. Traditional village. Rustic ablutions/
bush shower. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 10:
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.
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.
Continuing on to Namutoni camp in Etosha National Park, we aim
to arrive in time for lunch, giving us time to relax before
heading out into the park during the cool of the late afternoon
for our first game drive.
After your evening meal there are still more chances to see
Etosha's big game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole. Situated
on the boundary of the camp and easily reachable by foot, elephants
are regular visitors here and there is a good chance of seeing
other species of game as well.
Driving time approx. 2hrs. (200km)
Overnight: Etosha National Park Namutoni Camping/communal ablutions.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 11:
It is up before dawn to 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 Namutoni area are
some of the best in the park.
We cover several different types of terrain this morning, from
wooded areas to open savannah and in the rainy season, wetland.
Back to Namutoni 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 very good, shaded by palm trees and a
stone's throw away from 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.
Overnight: Etosha National Park NamutoniCamping/communal ablutions.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 12:
A full day's game driving. We again 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 not normally seen on
the Namutoni side of the park. We stop at Halali for a rest
and a leisurely lunch. 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 Okaukuejo
camp.
Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, which has been described
as one of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern
Africa". Situated on the doorstep of our accommodation,
black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope
are often seen.
Overnight: Etosha National Park NamutoniCamping/communal ablutions.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day
13:
We have time for a short, final game drive this morning before
leaving Etosha and beginning our journey south. We are travelling
on the main road, passing through towns and rural areas and
we will make time to make a stop in the small town of Okahandja.
Okahandja is the home of Namibia's largest wood carving market.
The stalls are operated on a local co-operative basis and are
one of the best places to shop for truly Namibian souvenirs.
We
are due back into the city around 16:00 and you will be dropped
off at your accommodation on our return.
Driving time approx. 6hrs. (450km).
Eco Camping Safari's (to view tours click on tour below)
3
Day Etosha Link
3
Day Sossusvlei Link
6
Day Taste of Namibia, (3 days north & 3 days south)
7
Day Northern Adventure
7
Day Southern Swing
8
Day Delta and Vic Falls
10
Day Namibian Explorer
12
Day Namibia Ideal
13
Day Culture and Nature
13
Day Family Adventure
14
Day Namibian Experience
14
Day Delta and Dunes
Combination
Tours:
10
Day Combination, (3 days south + 7 days north)
18
Day Combination, (3 days Sossusvlei link + 7 day Northern Adventure
+ 8 day Delta and Falls)
22 Day combination, (14 day Namibian Experience + 8 day Delta
& Falls)
BACK
