Namibia

Starting Price:	$8,138.00
Trip Length:	10 days
Includes airfare allowance from New York

Interests:

Self Drive
Soft/Multi Adventure
Natural Wonders

Desert roads

Southern Journey

Description Pricing Itinerary

Explore the main highlights of southern Namibia on this ten day self-drive tour. Your itinerary will begin in the small capital city of Windhoek where you will spend the first two days engaging in wildlife activities at the home of the AfriCat Foundation. Then, travel south to see the sights in Swakopmund and the amazing sand dunes of Sossuslvei.

The journey will begin in Windhoek, where you will be transferred from the airport to pick up your vehicle. Within its mix of 19th century German architecture, you will find a small and friendly city that is lined with broad tree avenues, modern shopping malls, and diverse restaurants. The following few days will be spent in Okonjima, the home of the AfriCat Foundation. Here you will have the chance to track and study Namibia’s large cats on foot. The experience given by observing these rehabilitating cats will provide a great insight into the various initiatives and efforts of the foundation.

The journey continues through the vastness of the Namib Desert on to Swakopmund, one of the few coastal towns in the entire country. Here you will relax in the Bohemian atmosphere of this Bavarian styled town. Enjoy the intriguing fusion of people and cultures here, but not without exploring some of the town’s outlying areas on the coast and in the desert. Before the drive back to Windhoek, you will have a final couple of days exploring the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei.

A choice of vehicles is offered for varying rates. All vehicles are equipped with 4-wheel drive, long range fuel tanks, and GPS tracking in the event of an emergency. Manual and automatic transmissions are available. The first level option is a Daihatsu Terios with a permanent 4WD manual transmission. With a 500 km fuel tank range, this vehicle comfortably seats 2 people
with luggage, or 4 people with limited luggage.

The mid level vehicle option is a Nissan 4WD Double Cab, with a manual transmission, optional 4WD, dual battery, and an extra tank for a combined fuel tank range of 960 kilometers. This vehicle comfortably seats 4 people and luggage.

The top level vehicle option is a Toyota Land Cruiser Station Wagon with permanent 4WD, automatic transmission, and a fuel tank with a range of 500 kilometers. This vehicle will comfortably fit 5 people with luggage.

This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you.

The Olive Grove Guesthouse takes more than just its name from the actual olive grove on its doorstep. There is a decidedly Mediterranean feel to the cool uncluttered rooms and stylish touches found throughout the shared guest areas. The delicious al-fresco dining and poolside coffee bar suit the dry Namibian climate just as well as any Ionian Island. Like all the best city retreats, the guesthouse is tucked away in a quiet cul de sac which still provides easy access to the busy town centre.

Okonjima Main Camp is designed around the original family farmhouse with its well established gardens, shady trees and prolific birdlife. The thatched main lapa is a cool retreat from the midday sun and at night is brightly lit by lanterns and several welcoming fireplaces. The sixteen rooms offer either a sheltered view onto the main lawn or across open bush to the low mountains beyond. West of the Waterberg Plateau Park, vast plains are occasionally broken by remnants of ancient Sandstone outcrops, which once covered large areas of northern Namibia.

Nestled in the very centre of the charming little town of Swakopmund, the Hansa Hotel offers you a feeling of being enveloped in a luxurious and sophisticated hospitality with a satisfying blend of both classical atmosphere and truly elegant interior, matched with friendly and personalised service. Steeped in history this luxury establishment offers every modern amenity the discerning traveller could wish for.

The Mountain Homestead is located in the private Kulala Reserve which borders the massive national park. The property is built on top of a hill to provide sweeping views across the open plains below. The nine thatched chalets are dotted along the ridge, each blending in beautifully with the natural rock and desert scenery. Stone footpaths lead around the hill to the chalets which are bright and spacious. Each luxurious en-suite chalet has wonderful views from a private deck which also has a private plunge pool.

This tour includes airfare allowance from New York, on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via New York; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Day 1

Overnight flight to Windhoek via Johannesburg

Day 2

Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to Windhoek to collect your rental vehicle. You will then drive a few minutes to your accommodation, where you will be met by a representative to be briefed on your safari. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. An easy to walk, European-styled city, you can visit the main attractions that include several architectural highlights, local restaurants, shops, and the city’s outdoor market.

Day 3

After a leisurely breakfast, you will depart to the AfriCat Foundation, in Okonjima, via the B1 highway. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the Okonjima staff at the gate and directed to your accommodation. The total drive time is approximately 3 hours.

The AfriCat Foundation is a non-profit organization that is devoted to the conservation of Namibia’s large cats and carnivores. In cooperation with commercial farmers and local communities, the Foundation provides environmental education, as well as rehabilitation and welfare programs, to provide solutions to human-wildlife conflict issues.

Following afternoon tea and cake, you will radio-track leopards, where they roam freely and catch their own prey within the 4500 hectare rehabilitation area. Afterwards, enjoy dinner and cold drinks around the camp fire. If you wish, you may view some of the local nocturnal creatures from the night hide.

Day 4

This morning you can choose from several options, including an excursion on one of the self guided walking trails (up to 8 km), radio tracking of Spotted Hyenas on foot, or taking part in one of the AfriCat feeding runs for cats that cannot yet hunt for themselves. Enjoy lunch at camp between activities, where you can take the chance to peruse the curio shop or take a dip and lounge by the pool.

In the afternoon, you will visit The Cheetah Project, where you will gain a valuable understanding of Foundation’s work. Here, you will be able to learn more about the science that goes into conserving these animals as well as a bit of AfriCat’s 18 year history.

Day 5

Before you depart this morning, you will have a final chance to radio-track the rehabilitating cheetahs on foot. Once checked out, with a packed lunch in hand, you will begin your journey through the mining towns of Omaruru, Karibib, and Usakos, before finally arriving at Swakopmund. The estimated driving time today is about 4 hours.

After arriving, you will spend your first afternoon exploring the town. In addition to its German architecture, there are plenty of small shops, a beachfront promenade, open air markets, a small aquarium and historical museum. After your afternoon at leisure, choose one of the town’s many restaurants for dinner, and be sure to take advantage of the exceptional local seafood.

Day 6

Today will be a day spent at leisure in the town, with a choice of plenty activities that you may choose to add on at an extra cost. One highly recommended activity is the half day Marine Cruise of the nearby Walvis Bay to explore the rich sea life and beautiful habitat. Another option would be to join a tour of the living desert just outside of town, where your expert guide will introduce you to many of the fascinating and hidden life in this seemingly desolate landscape.

In the afternoon, you may choose to join a community township tour of Swakopmund. This rare opportunity will give you an insight into the livelihoods of working class Namibians, as you will visit their schools, houses, and craft stalls. Alternatively, you could visit some of the local outfitters to try some of Swakopmund’s famous adventure sports. The options range from quad biking and sandboarding through the huge dunes, to kayaking the coast or even skydiving. In the evening, choose another restaurant of your choice to experience the local cuisine.

Day 7

Depending on your departure time, you may have a final opportunity to engage in any of the activities that you have yet to try, or perhaps you could take a leisurely morning to enjoy breakfast before you hit the road towards Sossusvlei. This drive will take you out of the coastal dunes, through the flat yellow desert and the Kuiseb Canyon, and finally to the towering red dunes of the Namib.

Upon arrival, you will settle into your comfortable room at the Mountain Homestead, where you can soon after enjoy a sundowner drive through the pristine desert habitat of the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve. This will be a relaxing way to end your day, with the beautiful views of the landscape, before heading back for dinner.

Day 8

Start the day with an early morning self-guided trip into the Namib Naukluft National Park, to visit the classic red dunes around Sossusvlei and Deadvlei (both large clay pans). Here the photographic opportunities are endless and if you have enough energy, you can climb the dunes to enjoy even more expansive views of the seemingly endless sea of red sand. This experience of the park can take up to 7 hours to fully enjoy it, so be sure to take a packed lunch from the Homestead.

Once returning to the Homestead, you will have plenty of time for a swim and some snacks before meeting your guide in the late afternoon, for a number of options including a drive or walk around the Reserve, or perhaps even a tour of the land on horseback.

Day 9

Depending on when you choose to depart, you could choose to join a sunrise balloon flight (at extra cost) over the desert. Afterwards, you will have 5 hour drive through the Naukluft Mountains and back to Windhoek for one final night.

Day 10

Depending on the time of your departure, you will return your vehicle and be transferred to the airport for your flight home or the add-on of your choice.

10 days , from $8138

Occupancy Type	Daihatsu Terios	Nissan Double Cab	Land Rover Station Wagon
Double	$8138	$8650	$10683
Single	$8923	$9436	$11469

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($).

Price Includes:

Round trip international airfare between New York and Johannesburg

Round trip local airfare between Johannesburg and Windhoek

Airport transfers

All Accommodations

Meals and activities where specified

15% VAT on the vehicle

Unlimited kilometers

Collision damage waiver

Standard tools

Contract fee

Second Driver

2x spare wheels

Airport transfers

Map

Tourism levy and stamp duty

Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote)

Note:

A valid and unendorsed license must be produced by all drivers, licence must be legible and with English translation
The minimum age for authorized drivers is 25 years. Younger drivers are subject to additional charge as per rates given
Maximum 2 drivers allowed per vehicle.
A Yellow fever vaccination and certificate is required for travelers in Namibia, if arriving from or having passed through countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission. Otherwise, no other immunizations are required; however it would be wise to have an updated TPD (tetanus, polio, diphtheria) vaccine, and a Hepatitis A Vaccine.

All guests require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay in the country. Passports should have a minimum three blank pages upon entry into the country.

Name:
E-mail:
Phone: