Namibia Explorer

Namibia Explorer
Journey on this award-winning itinerary and explore
Namibia’s incredible regions – Windhoek, Namib Rand
Reserve, Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park
Namibia Explorer: This award-winning itinerary features Windhoek, Namib Rand
Reserve, Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park
Your tour at a glance: Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Itinerary In Flight Johannesburg/Windhoek Windhoek/NamibRand Reserve NamibRand Reserve NamibRand Reserve NamibRand Reserve/Skeleton Coast/Huab Valley Huab Valley/Hoarusib Valley Hoarusib Valley/Kunene River Kunene River/Mokuti/Onguma Nature Reserve Onguma Nature Reserve Onguma Nature Reserve/Mokuti/Windhoek Depart Namibia Arrive Gateway City Accommodation In Transit Hotel Heinitzburg Wolwedans Dunes Lodge Wolwedans Dunes Lodge Wolwedans Dunes Lodge Kuidas Camp Purros Camp Kunene Camp Onguma Tented Camp Onguma Tented Camp Hotel Heinitzburg In Transit Meals B,L,D B,L,D B,L,D B,L,D B,L,D B,L,D B,L,D B,L,D B B Land Only: $ XXXXX per person ‐ sharing Intra Africa Flights: $ XXXX per person Prices subject to change pending agreement to terms and conditions This is a proposal only – no space is being held. All prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates prevailing as of the date of this proposal and are subject to change without notice. Itinerary sequence is subject to change without notice based on accommodation availability. Similar accommodations may be substituted based on availability. Air schedules, quoted rates, and space are always subject to change by the airline without notice, and airline seats cannot be reserved until we receive passport copies for each traveler. To avoid airfare changes, upon your advance payment, please purchase your airline tickets in full. If schedule changes result in an itinerary modification, any additional costs incurred will be passed on to the passenger. Includes: • Namibia airport taxes • Ker & Downey Meet & Greet services in Windhoek • Accommodations: Hotel Heinitzburg, Windhoek – 2 nights; NamibRand Reserve, Wolwedans Dunes Lodge – 3 nights; Skeleton Coast Safari – 3 nights; Onguma Private Nature Reserve, Onguma Tented Camp – 2 nights • Seat in plane transfers – Eros to Wolwedans; Wolwedans to Skeleton Coast; Skeleton Coast to Etosha National Park; Etosha National Park to Eros Airport • All activities as described in itinerary, unless labeled as optional • All meals in camps according to Meals described in itinerary • Ker & Downey final documents wallet Excludes: • International Air • Intra‐Africa flights Johannesburg to Windhoek; Windhoek to Johannesburg •
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Items of a personal nature (i.e. internet, curio, laundry, beverages, etc.) unless specifically quoted for above Tips and gratuities Excess baggage fees and airport departure taxes Visa and passport fees Anything not specifically quoted for in the “Tour includes” above ~Itinerary~ Day One Day Two In Transit Windhoek Upon arrival in Windhoek, you will be transferred to your hotel. Hotel Heinitzburg, one of Windhoekʹs three castles, combines old‐world charm with modern comfort. The castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the city, was built by a German aristocrat in 1914 and was used for various purposes before it was converted into Namibiaʹs highest‐rated hotel. Accommodation is in seventeen spacious, generously appointed en suite rooms. All rooms have air‐conditioning, TV, telephone, mini bars and feature a magnificent view of the surrounding Khomas Hochland. Day Three Overnight at Hotel Heinitzburg (Meals: B) Windhoek to NamibRand Nature Reserve After breakfast, you will be met and transferred by road to Eros Airport, where you will board a flight to Wolwedans Dunes Lodge. Wolwedans Dune Lodge is beautifully set atop a dunes landscape in the heart of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. There are only 8 chalets and one suite at Wolwedans in this 130 million‐year‐
old desert. The Dunes Lodge aims at providing a unique experience close to nature, yet without compromising comfort and style. The entire lodge is constructed on wooden platforms and overlooks panoramic vistas in all directions, capturing the desert in an intimate and memorable way. The building style is a combination of wooden poles and large canvas blinds/windows that open up to the desert beyond. The lodge reflects the ambience of a tented camp, but provides the comfort and protection of a permanent building. Each of the eight spacious chalets with en‐suite bathrooms leads onto a private verandah and stretches of untouched sand. Careful selection of furniture, light colored linen as well as the selection of accessories gives the Dunes Lodge a distinct natural charm. A special attraction is the ‘Mountain View Suite’. Providing living space in abundance the Suite is ideally suited for those who want to stay over for several days, taking it easy at times. The main complex‐
also built on stilts‐consists of a bar and lounge, sundowner decks with a fireplace and spacious dining room. All communal areas open out onto a verandah with a superb view of the surroundings. Five chalets are directly accessible from the main complex by wooden walkways, also easily accessible for elderly and handicapped guests. Day Four Overnight at the Wolwedans Dunes Lodge (Meals: B,L,D) NamibRand Nature Reserve At Wolwedans, you will be introduced to this great theatre of nature and ancient stirrings will begin to kindle within you. Accompanied by experienced guides, visitors are introduced to the many facets of NamibRand Nature Reserve’s desert habitat with its diverse fauna and flora‐on foot, by car, or from the air in a hot air balloon. Our interpretive scenic drives in open Land rovers or the walks with resident field guides, reveal the wonders of the desert. Overnight at Wolwedans Dunes Lodge (Meals: B,L,D) Day Five NamibRand Nature Reserve A special attraction at NamibRand is the hot‐air balloon excursions, starting at Mwisho which is situated about 30 kilometers north of Wolwedans. Soaring silently over the dune belts and never‐ending plains provides unforgettable and breathtaking 360 degree vistas. From the best viewpoint imaginable, you admire the stark beauty of the Namib for about an hour, before you celebrate this extravagant experience with a champagne breakfast at the landing spot. Hot Air balloon excursions are at an additional cost.
Scenic drives in open Land Rovers and nature walks with experienced field guides reveal the diversity of this unique part of the world. For those looking for adventure there are walking trails that can be explored. Visitors can have picnics in the wild, sundowners on the dunes and dinners by candlelight. Day Six Overnight at Wolwedans Dunes Lodge (Meals: B,L,D) NamibRand Nature Reserve to Skeleton Coast to Huab Valley Depart on an early morning flight to Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Park. The Sossusvlei area is said to have some of the highest dunes in the world. The view of the shadow‐lined dunes from the air is amazing to behold. Land at Sesriem, where a vehicle excursion into the dunes is undertaken. The dunes reach heights of almost 1,000 feet and those so inclined (and fit enough!) may try to climb them. After a picnic lunch among the dunes, fly along the coast via Conception Bay towards Swakopmund. After landing and refueling at Swakopmund, continue on a low‐level flight north along the Skeleton Coast, past the seal colony at Cape Cross. Cross the desert by aircraft to the Ugab formations, a nearly lifeless landscape of black ridges that provide stark contrast to the white desert floor. From here proceed to Kuidas Camp in the Huab Valley and stay for the night. Among the rocks and within walking distance of the camp are ancient rock engravings. Overnight at Kuidas Camp (Meals: B,L,D) Day Seven Skeleton Coast to Kaokoland After breakfast, depart by Land Rover to explore the colorful red lava rocks and yellow sandstones of the Huab River formations. The introduction to the ecological aspects of this environment with its wide diversity of flora and fauna is quite fascinating. Have lunch at Kuidas Camp before flying along the coast to Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park. The most prominent shipwrecks along this part of the coast are the Montrose and Henrietta, still relatively intact. At Terrace Bay, access the “roaring dunes” by Land Rover; visit the beach with its profusion of multi‐colored pebbles consisting of agate, lava, granite and other stones; and see old sun‐bleached whale bones scattered along the beach above the high tide mark. Return to the airstrip and continue north to Purros Camp in the Hoarusib Valley. Overnight at Purros Camp (Meals: B,L,D) Day Eight Skeleton Coast to Kunene River Enjoy a scenic drive along the Hoarusib Valley and visit a settlement of the nomadic Himba people. The Himba have managed to preserve their traditions and the beautiful Himba women are noted for their intricate hairstyles and traditional jewelry. As Himba men and woman wear few clothes apart from a loin cloth or goat‐skin short skirt, they rub their bodies with red ochre and fat to protect them from the sun which also gives their skin a rich red color. You might be lucky enough to come across the desert‐
dwelling elephant, which frequents the Hoarusib Valley. Continue north along the Skeleton Coast by aircraft to the perennial Kunene River on the Angolan border. Shipwrecks and pieces of old sailing vessels lie scattered along this part of the coast. From the airfield take a scenic drive by Land Rover and enjoy a special lunch en route. Afterwards continue through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley, which extends to the Kunene River. Arrive at Kunene Camp in the late afternoon. Overnight at the Kunene Camp (Meals: B,L,D) Day Nine Skeleton Coast to Onguma Private Nature Reserve After breakfast, enjoy an early morning boat trip on the Kunene River as it flows through scenic desert landscape, observing bird life and possibly some crocodiles. Birds vary from aquatic species on the perennial waters, to endemic desert varieties and those that inhabit dense riverine vegetation. After lunch at the camp, fly to your next destination, arriving in the late afternoon. Situated on the eastern side of Etosha, bordering Fisher’s Pan, Onguma Tented Camp is one of Namibia’s best kept secrets! Here you will be afforded the opportunity of experiencing Africa in all her beauty and diversity. The ultimate in safari chic, Onguma Tented Camp is a beguiling mix of sophistication and authentic African style. The essence here is of the earth and delicate balance between nature and luxury. Using textures such as stone, leather, steel and delicate linens, and the interior echoes the colors of its natural surrounds. In the Herero language, Onguma means “the place you don’t want to leave”, and with a stunning main building and seven elegantly stated tents, it is easy to see why it has earned its name and reputation. Onguma Private Nature Reserve has more than 20,000 hectares of protected land and wildlife. The nature reserve boasts over thirty different animal species consisting of plains game including kudu, giraffe, eland, oryx, hartebeest, zebra, impala and many more roam freely as well as predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, being common residents of the area. The latest addition to the already abundant wildlife at Onguma Nature Reserve is a family of black rhinos! More than 300 bird species can also be viewed at Onguma Nature Reserve. During the Namibian summer months, the nature reserve becomes a bird‐watchers’ paradise with thousands of species migrating to the wetlands created by the seasonal rains and ephemeral river systems. Overnight at Onguma Tented Camp (Meals: B,L,D) Day Ten Onguma Private Nature Reserve Guests can enjoy game drives on Onguma Nature Reserve. Alternatively, guests can also participate in a nature drive into Etosha National Park where you will be afforded the opportunity of viewing various game in the largest national park in Namibia. Various waterholes in and around Etosha ensure fantastic photographic opportunities and the thrill of seeing some of the largest mammals in the world. Overnight at Onguma Tented Camp (Meals: B,L,D) Day Eleven Onguma to Windhoek Today, a charter flight will bring guests from Mokuti Airstrip to the Windhoek International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative and transferred to Hotel Heinitzburg for your overnight stay. Overnight at Hotel Heinitzburg (Meals: B) Day Twelve Depart Namibia You will be met and transferred to Windhoek International Airport for your flight home. End of Ker & Downey Arrangements