Overview
About the Package:
Guests on this Guided Safari option will be able to develop a deeper appreciation, for not only Namibia’s natural beauty, but also the country’s rich cultural heritage and diverse ethnic groups. Highlights of this safari include visiting Bushmanland, the Etosha National Park, the far north and north western regions of Ovamboland, Kaokoland and Damaraland, the coastal town of Swakopmund and the Namib Desert while coming into contact with the various population groups of Bushmen, Ovambo, Ova-Himba, Herero, Berg Damara and Nama.
1
Day - 1
Upon arrival at the Windhoek Airport you will be met by your guide and transferred to Namibia’s Capital, Windhoek. Overnight accommodation will be at the Safari Court Hotel / similar on a bed and breakfast basis. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to visit the city centre. Lunch and dinner today are for you own account
2
Day - 2 :
After breakfast the route takes us in a northerly direction, to the Waterberg Plateau Park. An excursion on route is included to the Okahandja wood carvers market. Afternoon arrival and overnight accommodation at the Bernabe de la Bat Rest Camp / similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only. Optional excursions while at the Waterberg include guided hiking trails to the summit of the plateau and game viewing drives in open safari vehicles. Lunch today is for your own account.
3
Day - 3
Today’s we continue towards the commercial farming town of Grootfontein, and an excursion to the world’s largest known meteorite at Hoba, is included. From Grootfontein we continue into an area which is often referred to as “Bushmanland”. Here there are a number of San settlements. The San are the earliest inhabitants of Namibia. While many now live a settled existence in villages, a few of them still manage to practice their traditional itinerant lifestyle. Although their culture is vanishing fast, it is hoped that their great love for stories and songs will survive as a record of their ancient heritage. Afternoon arrival at the Tsumkwe Lodge for overnight accommodation on a full board basis.
4
Day 4
Enjoy a full day guided excursion to the local Ju’/hoan San community. The emphasis on this excursion is to discover more about the hunting skills and techniques, traditional uses of local plants, village life and dancing. Overnight accommodation is at Tsumkwe Lodge on a full board basis.
5
Day - 5
Leaving Bushmanland, today’s route returns via the town of Grootfontein before continuing towards the mining town of Tsumeb and the Etosha National Park. If time allows, there will be a short game drive into the Park this afternoon. Overnight accommodation is at Mokuti Lodge on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only. Lunch today is for your own account
6
Day - 6
Today will be spent conducting a full day of game viewing activities in the Etosha National Park, Namibia’s premier game viewing destination. The park has recorded over 114 mammal species, 350 bird species and 21 different vegetation types. The most common plains game species encountered include; zebra, springbok, black-faces impala, blue wildebeest, oryx, giraffe and red hartebeest. The Etosha National Park also boasts healthy populations of lion, elephant and black rhino. Today’s journey will also include a visit to the Etosha Pan – the “Great White Place”. Overnight accommodation is at the Mokuti Lodge on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only. Lunch today is for your own account
7
Day - 7
Departing from the Etosha National Park today’s journey continues into the far north of the country, an area formerly known as Ovamboland. This region, with a total population of 650 000, is the country’s most densely populated area and has been described as Namibia’s indigenous and cultural heartland. The landscape is characterized by flat, sandy plains dotted with Makalani palms, Savannah grassland and Mopane woodland. The central area is dominated by an exceptionally flat plain covered by a network of shallow ephemeral watercourses, known as Oshanas. The major towns in the area are Oshakati, Ondangwa and Ongwediva. Excursions include visits to various markets, historical sites and the Cuca shops. Overnight accommodation will be at the Oshakati Country Lodge on a full board basis.
8
Day - 8
Today we continue with our discovery of the region as we travel via the town of Ruacana en route to the Kunene Region. Formerly known as “Kaokoland”, this region is situated in Namibia’s remote northwest, home to the inhospitable Skeleton Coast, and forming the border with Angola. The Kunene River, forming the border between these two countries, has given its name to the area. Many of Namibia’s primary attractions are found here – the famous desert-adapted elephant, the ancient culture of the semi-nomadic Himba People, the rare black rhino as well as beautiful landscapes and interesting geological formations. Inhabitants of this area are divided among three dominant ethnic groups – Damara, Herero and Himba. Overnight accommodation will be at the Opuwo Country Lodge / similar on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis only. Picnic Lunch is included en route.
9
Day - 9
10
Day - 10
11
Day - 11
12
Day - 12
13
Day - 13
14
Day - 14
15
Day - 15