|
Departure: Scheduled or tailor made.
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights.
Accommodation: Mobile camping.
Group Size: Minimum 4, Maximum 16
Note: Travel insurance is compulsory for all safaris.
Day 1: Swakopmund - Ugab River
» Departing Swakopmund in the early morning, we travel northwards along the West Coast Recreational Area.
» We visit the holiday village of Wlotzkasbaken - only a few people live here year round.
» After a visit to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, we leave the main road and start exploring the fascinating gravel plains of the Namib.
» We head in an easterly direction towards the Messum Crater, an extinct volcanic protrusion with a fascinating geological history, where we are introduced to the unique desert vegetation.
» Further in a northerly direction, we make our way to the Ugab River, a dry seasonal river only flowing for a couple days in the rainy season.
» Here, under giant Ana Trees we will pitch our camp for the first night. With a bit of luck we might even encounter the first desert adapted elephants.
» Dinner is prepared over an open fire and the day’s sightings and adventures are relived around the dinner table.
Day 2: Huab River
» After an early breakfast we head further northwards towards the imposing Doros Crater and the heart of Damaraland.
» Here our specially modified Land Rovers will be tested when we negotiate some serious off-road tracks
» We meander through this prehistoric landscape encountering the incredible wildlife that has adapted to this hostile landscape.
» Species that survive here include Hartmann’s Zebra, Oryx, Springbuck, Giraffe, Ostrich, Black Basked Jackal, Kudu and with a bit of luck, the elusive Black Rhino.
» We also spend some time exploring the fascinating rock engravings of the Twyfelfontein Massive.
» Using ancient watercourses we make our way down to the Huab River and camp wild under a starry sky. Once again, dinner is prepared as you enjoy the silence and solitude of the desert whilst sipping your sundowner drink.
Day 3: Palmwag Concession
» Today we enter the Palmwag Concession, a 5500sq Km private game area.
» We spend the day tracking wildlife and visiting the various hidden springs.
» We also find the last of free ranging Black Rhino in this area.
» Wildlife we may encounter here includes Lion, Cheetah, Elephant and various species of plains game.
» Wild camping in the area.
Day 4: Hoanib river
» We keep heading northwards in the Palmwag Concession towards the Hoanib river.
» This fascinating river is an eco-system within itself and also the border between Damaraland and the Kaokoveld.
» Various game species, including Elephant meander up and down this river, walking great distances everyday to feed and drink from its springs.
» We camp in one of its beautiful side valleys.
» It is not uncommon to see Elephant stealthily moving past our camp during the night.
Day 5: Hoarusib River
» Today we head towards Purros, an Ovaherero settlement in the Hoarusib River.
» We might encounter some of the nomadic Himba people, depending on the availability of grass and water for their cattle and goats.
» We also have an opportunity to visit a local school and meet the teachers and pupils.
» Tonight we camp at a rustic campsite belonging to the local community in the area.
» Here we have a good opportunity for seeing the desert adapted Elephant in this majestic landscape.
Day 6: Hoarusib River
» Spend the morning tracking Elephant in this ancient river bed, driving through imposing canyons and ravines as we make our way towards the "clay castles" and wetlands of the western Hoarusib.
» It is a geological paradise, and many different formations as and a variety of desert flora can be encountered.
» We make our way back to our campsite in the late afternoon.
» Camping at Purros on fullboard.
Day 7: Etendeka Mountains
» Today we start making our way back towards "civilization" via the village of Sesfontein.
» This was riginally a German police fort more than a hundred years ago, and gets its name from the prolific fountains found in the area.
» We visit the Khowarib Schlucht, a narrow gorge in the dry Hoanib River and home to a few Damara and Herero families, making our way into the Etendeka Mountains, where we will spend the night wild camping.
Day 8: Grootberg Plateau
» Our last day is spent at Grootberg Lodge, perched on the edge of the Grootberg Plateau.
» Here we will have a last opportunity to search for the elusive Black Rhino in the ravines and dry rivers of this harsh environment.
» Overnight at Grootberg Lodge on fullboard.
Day 9: Swakopmund
» We return to Swakopmund via the village of Uis, an old Tin mining town with majestic views of the Brandberg.
» We also have an opportunity for shopping for semi precious stones from vendors along the road reaching Swakopmund in the afternoon.
Included in this safari;
- Travelling costs as per itinerary; game drives, activities, entrance- and park fees
- Accommodation in two-man tents / double rooms
- Full board, refreshment drinks en route, house wine and beer at dinner whilst camping
- Experienced guiding in English or German
- VAT and Bed levybr>
Excluded from this safari;
- Expenses of a personal nature, i.e. laundry, telephone, gratuities, souvenirs, etc
- Personal-, medical- and evacuation insurances
- Additional activities
- Alcoholic beverages and drinks
|
