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Classic Namibia

Dead Vlei (DAY 5)

Click on the name of the hotel or lodge for details.

16 days from £3850

excluding international flights

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: British Airways from London Heathrow via Johannesburg (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrival in Windhoek.

On arrival in Namibia's capital Windhoek you will receive your rental vehicle and complete the formalities before driving to your Guest House, located in the centre of the city. The remainder of the day is free. Windhoek is located at 5,500 ft on a high central plateau. Mixed amongst the high-rise buildings of the city’s financial district are quaint examples of German colonial architecture and markets selling traditional African woodcarvings. Windhoek is a modern city with sophisticated shops and convivial bistros; there are also several museums, including the National Library, National Archives and National Art Gallery.

DAYS 3 AND 4 - Namib Desert.

After breakfast leave Windhoek in a southerly direction, driving into the low plains of the Namib Desert to Wolwedans Dunes Lodge. Wolwedans, which takes its name from the African - “where the wolves dance”, is situated in the heart of the Namibrand Nature Reserve, just south of Sossusvlei. Accompanied by experienced guides, you will be introduced to the many facts of Namibrand Nature Reserve’s desert habitat with its diverse fauna and flora - on foot or by car. The classic programme for a two nights’ stay would entail an afternoon drive on the day of arrival, followed by a full day safari with picnic lunch en route.
Mealsincluded: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAY 5 - Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei, Sesriem Canyon.

Today you will enjoy three of Namibia's most famous desert attractions. Sossusvlei, perhaps the best known of all, is a huge clay-pan enclosed by mighty sand dunes (pictured). Some of the spectacular hills of sand reach a height of 300 metres, amongst the highest in the world. Dead Vlei, about 1km away from Sossusvlei, is a large ghostly expanse of dried white clay, punctuated by skeletons of ancient camelthorn trees, carbon-dated as being between 500 and 600 years old. Finally, Sesriem Canyon, where the erosion of many centuries has incised a narrow gorge about 1km in length.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAYS 6 AND 7 - The Erongo Mountains.

Today you will have to travel a long stretch (approximately 600km) to reach Erongo Wilderness Lodge, nestled amid granite formations on the outskirts of an ancient volcano in the Erongo Mountains. Flanked by the Namib Desert to the west and mixed-woodland savannah to the east, the Erongo Mountains form a rare confluence of ecosystems that give rise to remarkable biodiversity, including a vast array of plant, reptile, mammal and bird species that are endemic to Namibia. Pictured: petroglyphs at Erongo (Paula's Cave).
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 7 - Into Damaraland.

Today you will be travelling through Damaraland to the Palmwag Lodge. Namibia is a land of great contrasts and Damarland demonstrates this with stark plains, petrified forests and ancient valleys leading to rocky outcrops and the soaring peaks of the Brandberg Massive Mountains. The natural law concerning food and water supply dictates the movement and cycles of life in this arid area. As such there is no guarantee of seeing any of the animals that inhabit Damaraland and whatever you may see is to be a treasured moment. The rare and endangered desert adapted elephant (pictured right) have adapted like all the other animals here to exist on limited fodder and scant water. Desert adapted black rhino are one of the few populations to survive on land that has no formal conservation status.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAYS 8 AND 9 - Damaraland.

Continue to the Desert Rhino Camp, situated in the 400,000 hectare (1 million acre) private Palmwag Reserve, which offers an original and exclusive wilderness experience. The reserve’s freshwater springs support healthy populations of the famous desert-adapted black rhino, elephant, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, oryx, springbok and kudu, as well as large numbers of predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, and brown and spotted hyena.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAY 10 - Ongava Game Reserve.

Return to Palmwag Lodge before driving via the Grootberg Pass and Kamanjab to Andersson's Camp on the Ongava Game reserve bordering Etosha National Park.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAYS 11 AND 12 - Etosha.

Travel to Mushara Outpost, situated only eight kilometres from the Von Lindequist Gate on the eastern outskirts of Etosha National Park – 22,270 square kilometres of countryside ranging from dense bush to barren plains. Spend your days visiting the numerous waterholes and subterranean springs at the Etosha Pan – known as the "Place of Dry Water" – which attracts a diversity of animals including springbok, zebra, gnu, giraffe, kudu and elephant. Etosha also contains endangered black rhino and unusual species like the blackfaced impala, a larger and darker species found only in southwestern Angola and northwest Namibia. Birdlife is absolutely wonderful at Etosha; those to look for in particular are the ground hornbill, the yellow-billed hornbill, and the lilac-breasted roller, whose underwings when they take off in pursuit of an insect give a blinding flash of electric blue. Eagles and vultures cruise high in the warm air currents or perch on branches with beady eyes alert.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner each day.

DAYS 13 AND 14 - Okonjima.

Drive south via Tsumeb, Otavi and Otjiwarongo to Okonjima. Okonjima is home to the Africat Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to long-term conservation of Namibia's large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards. Leopards are frequently seen, giving you the opportunity to observe these magnificent predators from a hide or radio-tracked from the game-viewing vehicles. The Cheetah Project offers you valuable insight into the welfare work of the Africat Foundation. The area is excellent for birdwatching, with more than 250 species having been identified, including Namibian endemics - Carp's Black Tit, Hartlaub's Francolin and the Damara Rock Runner.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAY 15 - Return to Windhoek for homeward flight.

Take your time driving back to Windhoek Hosea Kutako Airport to return your rental vehicle before boarding your homeward flight. Places to stop en route include Okahandja, the administrative centre for the Herero people, which is also a focal point for woodcarvers from all over northern Namibia; you can view the artisans practising their ancient skills at the Woodcarvers' Market next to the main road.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 16 - Arrive UK.

Morning arrival the UK.

International Flights

We recommend the services of British Airways from London Heathrow to Johannesburg, with an onward connection to Windhoek on Comair. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Johannesburg. Depart at 21.15; arrive Johannesburg at 07.00 (next day)
Johannesburg/Windhoek. Depart at 12.00; arrive Windhoek at 12.55
Windhoek/Johannesburg. Depart at 14.00; arrive Johannesburg at 16.50
Johannesburg/Heathrow. Depart at 20.15; arrive Heathrow at 06.20 (next day)

Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Single Room Supplement on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel and lodge accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with ensuite facilities.
• 14 full breakfasts, 7 lunches and 13 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• 15 days' car rental (Group B - e.g. Toyota Corolla) including Delivery and Collection, unlimited kilometres, Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW), Super Theft Loss Waiver (STLW), Europ Assist, VAT, Airport Surcharge, National and regional maps, Stamp Duty and Tourist Information. Upgrades are available to other vehicles.
• Games drives organised by the lodges where you share the transportation with other guests.
• All sightseeing and gameviewing as shown, including guiding and entrance fees.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
• Rental Deposit (N$1000 or approximately £90), Contract Fee (N$35 or approximately £3.20) and one way fee for journey of more than 100km (N$746 or approximately £68). These charges are paid direct to the car hire company in Namibia.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter

A deposit of £800 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.