Namibia
14 Day Delta and Dunes Tour
The 14 Day Delta and Dunes is a 14 day assissted
camping tour.
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Okavango Delta
*
Etosha National Park
*
Twyfelfontein Rock Art
*
Skeleton Coast
*
Cape Cross Seal Colony
*
Swakopmund
*
Sossusvlei Dunes
*
Sesriem Delta
Day
1:
A long drive today, making use of the Trans-Kalahari-Highway,
a relatively new road that provides an invaluable communication
link between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The road takes
us first to the small town of Gobabis, one of the main livestock
farming centres of Namibia, and then on to the border with Botswana.
After completing the immigration formalities we continue, through
rural Botswana to the town of Ghanzi, located in the centre
of cattle farming Botswana. Ghanzi is located almost in the
middle of the Kalahari Desert and was almost unknown before
the Trans Kalahari Highway.
Driving time: approx. 6.5 hrs (530 km)
Overnight: Ghanzi. Communal ablutions /camping. Lunch and Dinner
Day 2:
An early start and a quick stop in Ghanzi to collect any last
minute supplies before continuing west, traversing the linear
dunes of the Kalahari and passing through small towns along
the way.
A change in vegetation heralds our arrival on the very western
edge of one of the natural wonders of the world, the Okavango
Delta. Here we turn north for some way before again pointing
our wheels west as we enter the Delta proper.
We see our first glimpse of the crystal waters through the lush
vegetation and we make our camp on the banks of a pristine African
lagoon.
Driving time approx. 6hrs. (430 km).
Overnight: Private camp Okavango Delta. Communal ablutions /camping.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day
3:
We are in the territory of the River People, so this morning
we leave our vehicle behind and travel in a more appropriate
fashion, first by motor-boat and then by traditional mokoro
(dugout canoe), deep into the Delta.
Mokoro's will be our main form of transport for the next two
days. These amazing traditional craft are perfectly designed
for the narrow waterways of the Okavango and allow us to travel
further into the Delta than if we were using more modern forms
of transport. Mokoros carry three people, two seated passengers
and one driver. The driver stands in the rear of the canoe,
(a real feat of balance), and uses a long wooden pole to propel
and steer the mokoro through the twisting channels. It really
is the only way to travel.
We are fully self sufficient and make our camps on the river
banks and islands, under huge indigenous trees, sharing the
environment with the local people and the local fauna of Africa.
The Okavango is a wildlife paradise and we will look for game
from both our mokoros and on bush walks guided by local specialist
guides, our polers.
NB: The bathroom facilities in the Okavango Delta can be best
described as rustic. There is plenty of water but it is used,
straight from the river, (well boiled first). There is no electricity
and we will enjoy bucket showers and basic toilet facilities.
These conditions will prevail for the two days on the islands.
Overnight: Okavango Delta.Rustic ablutions / camping.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4:
Once established into our wilderness routine, we usually take
a long, early morning bush walk to see the terrain and hopefully
spot some Big Game, returning to camp in the mid morning for
a cooked brunch.
There is time to relax in the shade during the heat of the day
and from most camps our polers will be able to take us to a
safe swimming place to cool off
In the afternoons there is often a shorter walk or a mokoro
cruise in the cool evening air. Sunset from the river is not
to be missed.
Overnight: Okavango Delta. Rustic ablutions / camping.Breakfast,
Brunch and Dinner.
Day 5:
The way of life of the Okavango River people has remained largely
un-changed for hundreds of years. It is a totally no-stress
environment in a pure wilderness setting.
We are heading back to our first camp today, gliding across
the crystal waters, home to an amazing variety of bird life.
There is the chance to add crocodiles and even a hippopotamus
to our list of creatures seen before making our final Okavango
camp amongst the lush riverine bush.
We will transfer back to camp in the motorboats and aim to be
back on the lagoon, with full facilities by the early afternoon.
We enjoy a final night beside the unparralled Okavango Waters
Overnight: Private camp Okavango Delta. Communal ablutions /camping.
Breakfast, Brunch and Dinner.
Day 6:
Back on the road today, destination Namibia. Passport formalities
completed we go directly into the Mahango Game Reserve, a small
but excellent park right on the edge of the Okavango River.
We game drive our way through Mahango and have the chance to
spot rarely seen Namibian species such as roan and the majestic
sable antelope.
We now head west, through part of Namibia's Caprivi Strip to
our camp for tonight.
We are again beside the Okavango, but this time the main river,
on its journey from the Angolan highlands, through the pan handle
to waters end, the delta.
Dinner tonight will be for the clients own expense in the restaurant
at the lodge.
Driving time approx. 4 hrs. (350 km).
Overnight: Rundu. Communal ablutions /camping.Breakfast and
Lunch. (Dinner at own expense.)
Day 7:
A short drive brings us to the northern Namibian town of Rundu
where there is time to explore the local market before continuing
down through the Kavango Region. There are a few breaks along
the way at various kraals to see the local crafts and woodcarvings.
Continuing on to Namutoni camp in Etosha National Park we aim
to arrive in the middle afternoon, giving us time to relax a
little before heading out into the park during the cool of the
late afternoon for our first Etosha game drive.
After your evening meal there are still more chances to see
Etosha's game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole. Situated on
the boundary of the camp and easily reachable on foot, elephants
are regular visitors here and there is a good chance of seeing
other species of big game as well.
Driving time approx. 5 hrs. (450km).
Overnight: Namutoni Rest Camp.Communal ablutions /camping.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8:
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 Namutoni 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 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.
As on day seven, 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: Namutoni Rest Camp. Communal ablutions /camping.Breakfast,
Brunch and Dinner.
Day 9:
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: Okaukuejo Rest Camp.Communal ablutions /camping.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 10:
Leaving Etosha we are en route for the desert and the most scenic
area of our safari. We make a stop at a small town called Outjo
where we can get coffee and sticky cakes at the local bakery.
We then drive west to Khorixas, the capital of the Damaraland
region. A short break here and then, leaving the sealed roads
far behind us, we drive into the desert.
We stop for lunch at the Petrified Forest geological site, where
a local guide will take us around and explain about the prehistoric
trees, before continuing on to Twyfelfontein.
Damaraland scenery is some of the best in Namibia, open grasslands
studded with massive granite koppies create the feeling of being
surrounded by mountains. We are well into desert elephant and
black rhino country and other game such as springbok, ostrich
and gemsbok are often seen.
We aim to arrive in the early afternoon and have time to relax
in the shade before making a late afternoon excursion to Twyfelfontein
itself. Here, again, a local guide will introduce us to the
ancient Bushman rock engravings or petroglyphs. We also make
a visit to another geological site in the area called the Organ
Pipes.
Driving time approx. 5hrs (400km).
Overnight: Damaraland.Rustic ablutions / camping.Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner.
Day 11:
More beautiful Damaraland scenery this morning. We pass Namibia's
highest mountain, the Brandberg (2573 m) and make our first
stop of the morning in the small town of Uis, 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.
From here we turn directly west and cross the gravel plains
on our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast.
Meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, we first head north along
the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. Here at certain
times of the year there can be as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals
in attendance. The next destination is Swakopmund, stopping
for lunch en route and following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia's
premier seaside town.
Swakopmund boasts a large range of restaurants and cafés,
many of them specializing in fish dishes. The local seafood
is superb, taken straight from the icy Atlantic waters. Tonight
dinner is for the clients own account in a local restaurant.
Your guide will be able to recommend a venue.
We also make the most of being back in a main centre by leaving
the tents loaded and checking into holiday chalets.
Driving time approx. 6 hrs (400km).
Overnight: Swakopmund.Chalet Accommodation.Breakfast and Lunch.
(Dinner at own expense.)
Day 12:
We first make a stop at Walvis Bay, situated about 40 km south
of Swakopmund. South of the town there is a large marine lagoon
which is home to a vast array of marine bird-life, in particular
flamingos. We will make a short visit to the lagoon to see the
birds and a short visit to Walvis Bay to collect any last minute
supplies before once again heading out into the desert.
The second part of our journey today takes us across more of
the seemingly endless Namib gravel plains. Then the landscape
suddenly changes and we are into the mountain desert. We traverse
both the Kuiseb and Gaub passes, driving both times to the river
beds at the bottom of the canyons and then climbing the long
steep road to the top and the spectacular panoramas the mountains
give us.
Again the scenery changes as we make our way down to the dune
fields at Sesriem. We 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 stop for lunch in the desert en
route and arrive in Sesriem during the late afternoon.
We have time to drive out to the nearby dunes to watch the colours
on distant mountains to the east, glow and change.
Driving time approx. 5.5 hrs (420km).
Overnight: Sesriem.Communal ablutions /camping.Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner
Day 13:
A pre-dawn start to see the sunrise in the dunes. We drive a
further 60 km into the desert and have our breakfast as the
colours change and grow across the landscape.
To reach Sossusvlei itself we walk for 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 horn 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.
Driving time approx. 2hrs (120km).
Overnight: Sesriem.Communal ablutions /camping.Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner
Day 14:
After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and
along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We will travel over the
Naukluft Mountains and also the Khomas Hochland range, through
beautifull Remhoogte Pass on our way back to civilization.
We are due back into the city around 15:00 and you will be dropped
off at your accommodation on our return.
Driving time approx. 5hrs (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)
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