Important Information
Namibia is a destination unlike any other in Africa. With its almost otherworldly dune landscapes, ancient deserts and incredible game viewing opportunities, Namibia is the ultimate African road trip destination for intrepid explorers.
| COST & VALIDITY | From ZAR 138 690,00 1st April 2021 – 31st October 2021 |
| WHAT TO BRING | Comfortable shoes Warm jackets Sunhat and sunglasses Sun cream Cameras Personal belongings Personal medication |
| IMPORTANT NOTE | Namibia emergency number: +264 81 127 0564 |
| INCLUDED | Accommodation and boards as per itinerary All guided tours and excursions English-speaking naturalist guides Airport transfers as noted Safari accommodation as indicated All meals Private Activities & specially air-conditioned equipped safari vehicles Mineral water on board the safari vehicle and in every camp Local drinks are provided with most meals, at Ongava Camp and Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp National Park and Game Reserve fees Tourism Bed Levy o 15% VAT included The price includes a service fee for the configuration of the requested Tour Package / Services according to your specifications. |
| NOT INCLUDED | International airfare into and out of Windhoek Tips and gratuities Applicable Visa fees (none needed for US citizens) Laundry services Drinks, alcoholic beverages, and meals other than listed above Premium brand drinks Personal expenses for extra services, optional activities, or changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control Travel insurance for trip cancellation, medical services, or evacuation Any other items not mentioned above Souvenirs Airport taxes |
Please note
Our proposal is subject to availability of the relevant accommodation establishments, pilot and aircraft.
Day 1
Windhoek
After landing at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport, we are transferred to the Galton House guesthouse and enjoy a welcome dinner.
Galton House is the newest accommodation in Windhoek. Named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Galton, it has a relaxed but efficient style that creates a very welcoming atmosphere. Only a ten-minute drive from the city centre and situated on the outskirts of Windhoek’s northernmost affluent suburb of Eros, guests staying here are guaranteed peace and tranquillity. The communal areas consist of a large lounge, dining room, swimming pool and garden. There is also a lovely “al fresco” dining area by the pool, serving freshly prepared and very tasty meals. There are also a number of shops, restaurants and supermarkets within easy reach.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at Galton House.
Travel distance: 46.3 km
Day 2
Windhoek to Ongava Private Game Reserve
This morning we leave Windhoek and drive to the southern border of Etosha National Park.
Ongava Lodge is one of Namibia’s finest lodges in one of the country’s most important private game reserves – you will be able to sit in a comfortable chair in the shade while photographing animals coming to drink. The lodge has also built in “hide” next to the waterhole, accessible through a tunnel, which will give us very close access to the animals and a different light direction. This setup is a great opportunity for everyone to hone their wildlife photography skills and approaches before we go on game drives – and a great place to capture excellent images.
Ongava Lodge is situated in the 35,000 ha Ongava Private Game Reserve, which shares a boundary with Etosha National Park. An added advantage over the park is that walking safaris and night drives are conducted in Ongava’s own private game reserve. Perched on a ridge with seemingly endless views across the plains, Ongava Lodge’s air-conditioned brick, rock and thatch chalets, each with en-suite bathrooms, offer a relaxing retreat in the African bush. Gather in the thatched dining area and enjoy a drink at the bar while watching the wildlife congregate and interact at the floodlit waterhole.
Overnight with full board at Ongava Lodge.
Day 3
Ongava Private Game Reserve & Etosha National Park
After a hearty breakfast, we have another opportunity for a game drive in Etosha National Park before returning to the lodge to also spend some time at the Ongava waterhole.
Etosha is a huge park where the government has created a number of waterholes to support the wildlife. We will enter Etosha on both days, explore different waterholes and areas of the park and stop for lunch at one of the rest camps within the park.
Etosha National Park covers 22,270 km², of which about 5,000 km² consist of saline depressions or “pans”. The largest of these pans, the Etosha Pan, can be classified as a salt desert in its own right. The Etosha Pan is located in the Ovambo Basin, on the northwestern edge of Namibia’s Kalahari Desert. Until three million years ago, it was part of a huge, shallow lake that was reduced to a complex of salt pans when the great river that fed it, the Kunene, changed its course and began to flow into the Atlantic instead. If the lake still existed today, it would be the third largest in the world. Etosha is the largest of the pans, covering an area of 4,760 km². Today, it only fills with water when enough rain falls in northern Angola, triggering floods that flow south along the Cuvelai drainage system. The park consists of grasslands, woodlands and savannah. The waterholes tend to concentrate wildlife and bring a range of species together (often restlessly) as they seek to drink and bathe! The park is home to around 114 species of mammals and over 340 species of birds. Wildlife to be seen includes elephant, lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok (oryx), zebra, rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, honey badger and warthog, as well as the endemic black-headed impala.
Overnight with full board at Ongava Lodge.
Day 4
Ongava Private Game Reserve & Etosha National Park
The day is free for game drives into Etosha National Park or the Ongava Private Game Reserve.
You can also spend some time in the camp’s hide. There is plenty to do during your stay at this exquisite lodge.
Overnight with full board at Ongava Lodge.
Day 5
Ongava Private Game Reserve to Twyfelfontein
Time for a change of scenery and focus! We set off into Damaraland, where we find Mowani Mountain Camp perched on a high hill, with rooms nestled between weathered rocks. From here we will explore the dramatic weathered volcanic landscape of Damaraland, creating amazing scenery.
We will go in search of the elusive desert elephants concentrated along ancient washes adorned with camel thorn trees. We will find and create elaborate compositions of petroglyphs left by hunter-gatherers thousands of years ago. And we will “edit” the night sky with our cameras – creating images that relate dramatic boulders and weathered tree stumps to the Milky Way!
This afternoon, after moving into our new accommodation, we will explore Damaraland in search of dramatic compositions and strong afternoon light. We will find bare trees with white bark set against weathered rock formations and wide open skies. We return to camp in time to create sweeping panoramas as evening colours the uppermost layers of the distant rock formations.
After dinner we will have our first opportunity to work on dramatic images of the night sky. We will learn to control the light from flashes to illuminate weathered rocks or jagged cliffs against the Milky Way!
Mowani Mountain Camp is ideally situated just a short drive from the local attractions in Damaraland. The camp is nestled between huge granite boulders, overlooking the ephemeral Aba Huab riverbed, which the desert-adapted elephants often cross. The thatched, domed buildings reflect the shape of the rough, textured granite boulders between which they are built, a theme complemented by African wood carvings and artefacts. Mowani’s main complex consists of a reception area, bar, spacious outdoor dining room and lounge overlooking a waterhole with an inviting fireplace nearby for evening relaxation. A refreshing swimming pool and a fantastic sundowner viewing area with its own bar also complement the camp. Guests are accommodated in luxurious East African-style safari tents built on raised wooden platforms, each with a private veranda and magnificent views over the Aba Huab Valley.
Overnight with full board basis at Mowani Mountain Camp.
Day 6
Damaraland
Today we will explore the remarkable natural beauty of Damaraland, searching for the elusive desert elephants and creating images amongst ancient rock art.
We will start the morning with an off-road search for desert elephants. We work our way through a series of scenic dry washes looking for fresh tracks, droppings and bushes torn up by feeding elephants. This is a fun adventure as our search will require the four-wheel drive skills of our guides to navigate through deep sand and steep banks as we follow signs to where the elephants are feeding today!
This afternoon we will set off to read messages sent over thousands of years by hunter-gatherers who once foraged for game in these same hills and valleys! Scattered across a hillside at Twyfelfontein in the southern Kaokoveld, boulders and slabs of red sandstone contain some 2,500 prehistoric engravings depicting wildlife, animal tracks and abstract motifs. It is perhaps the largest and most beautiful collection of petroglyphs in Africa. The engravings show animals such as elephant, giraffe, kudu, lion, rhino, springbok, zebra and ostrich once drinking from a well at the foot of the hill. In some cases, footprints were engraved instead of hooves or paws. The abstract motifs mainly show circles. Stone tools and other artefacts found at Twyfelfontein indicate that hunter-gatherers inhabited the site over a period of perhaps 7,000 years. Twyfelfontein is a national monument and was recently designated a World Heritage Site.
Overnight with full board at Mowani Mountain Camp.
Day 7
Twyfelfontein & Damaraland
After an early breakfast, we set off along a winding and scenic route to a local Himba settlement near the Grootberg Pass. We will learn about the cultures and traditions of this very proud people and gain an insight into their beliefs, way of life and daily routine.
Our guide will address the Himba on our behalf and set the parameters for photography. The Himba will be wearing traditional robes and will be going about their daily activities when we arrive. We will be challenged to take photos as they move in the shade and intense sun – and often sit in subdued light (an opportunity to hone our skills). Our aim will be to overcome the technical challenges to capture the beauty and dignity of a people who have not embraced modern technology, western dress or global notions of appearance and behavior.
The Himba, Tjimba and other Herero who inhabit Namibia’s remote northwestern Kunene region are roughly referred to as the Kaokovelders. Basically Herero by origin, language and culture, they are semi-nomadic pastoralists who move from one waterhole to the next. For many centuries they have lived in relative isolation and have not been involved to any significant extent in the long struggle for grazing land between the Nama and the Herero. The largest group of Kaokovelders are the Himba, semi-nomads who live in scattered settlements throughout the Kunene region.
They are a tall, slender and statuesque people, distinguished above all by their proud yet friendly bearing. The women in particular are known for their unusual sculptural beauty, accentuated by intricate hairstyles and traditional jewellery. They rub their bodies with red ochre and grease, a treatment that protects their skin against the harsh desert climate. The houses of the Himba in Kaokoland are simple, cone-shaped structures made of saplings tied together with palm leaves and plastered with mud and dung. The men build the structures while the women mix the mud and do the plastering. In the chief’s hut, a fire burns day and night to keep insects away and to provide light and warmth. A family may move from one house to another several times a year in search of pasture for their goats and cattle. Men, women and children wear body jewellery made of iron and shell beads. A Himba woman spends up to three hours a day on her toilet. First she bathes, then she anoints herself with her own individually prepared mixture, which not only protects her skin from the harsh desert sun, but also keeps insects away and prevents her body hair from falling out. She rubs her hair with another mixture of butterfat, fresh herbs and black coals and regularly “steams” her clothes over the steady fire. Men, women and children adorn themselves with necklaces, bracelets, anklets and belts of iron and shell beads.
Return to Mowani Mountain Camp for overnight.
Overnight with full board at Mowani Mountain Camp.
Day 8
Twyfelfontein to Okonjima Nature Reserve
This morning after breakfast we change camp again and set off for Okonjima and Africat, which lies at the foot of the Omboroko Mountains near the Waterberg, arriving at our camp in time for lunch.
For the next three days we will arrange a mix of activities with the Africat guide(s), including extended drives in search of radio-tagged leopard and cheetah, visits to hide sites where we can photograph untagged leopard, cheetah and lion relatively close up, to night drives to find animals and photograph landscapes and the night sky.
Okonjima Plains Camp Okonjima Plains Camp was the original farmhouse of the Hanssen family, converted into a lodge in 1993 and renovated in 2008. The farmhouse facilities include a reception, a lapa for dining, a bar, a large outdoor boma and entertainment area with an open fire, a peaceful garden and a refreshing swimming pool. The “view rooms” are just a short walk from the main boma and lapa area and offer guests magnificent views of the surrounding bushveld and the Omboroko Mountains. Each viewing room (just completed in June 2014) is equipped with a mini-fridge for your own drinks, a tea/coffee station, a safe, a telephone, a roof fan, a spacious bathroom with two sinks and a large shower, and a balcony to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Overnight with full board basis at Okonjima Plains Camp.
Day 9
Okonjima Nature Reserve & AfriCat Foundation
Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary founded in 1991 and dedicated to creating awareness for conservation, preserving habitat, promoting environmental research and supporting the animal welfare.
Its main focus is on Africa’s big cats, particularly injured or captive leopards and cheetahs. AfriCat runs the largest cheetah and leopard rescue and release programme in the world. In the last 17 years, over 1000 of these these predators have been rescued over the past 17 years and over 85% of them have been released back into the wild. Close encounters with leopards and cheetahs are an unforgettable highlight.
We will arrange a mix of activities including extended drives in search of radio-tagged leopards and cheetahs, visits to hide sites where we can photograph untagged leopards, cheetahs and lions relatively close up, to night drives to find animals and photograph landscapes and the night sky.
Overnight with full board basis at Okonjima Plains Camp.
Day 10
Okonjima Nature Reserve
After a relaxed breakfast at our lodge, we take part in one of the following activities (included).
Game drives, visit the research area to learn more about the animals or leopard tracking (children 12 years and older).
Lunch will be served.
The rest of the afternoon can be spent at leisure at the lodge’s swimming pool. There is never a dull moment during our stay at the lodge as there are many activities on offer.
Overnight with full board basis at Okonjima Plains Camp.
Day 11
Okonjima Nature Reserve to Sesriem
Today we have a big commute as we move from north of Windhoek to the Namib Desert south and west of Windhoek! It’s an early start this morning as we leave AfriCat Foundation to drive to Sossusvlei via Windhoek. We will drive south-west through the picturesque Khomas Highlands before descending the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert.
It will be a long day today, but we will stop along the way and also have lunch en route.
Arrive at Sossusvlei Lodge in the early evening and overnight.
Overnight with full board basis at Sossusvlei Lodge.
Day 12
Sesriem & Sossusvlei
Today we have a full day of photography in the dunes with an early morning excursion. As our lodge is closer to the park, we can get to Sossusvlei before anyone else and we will see the sunrise and capture the dunes while the light is soft and the shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest freestanding sand dunes in the world. Our guide will give you an insight into the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to this harsh environment.
The most visited section of the vast 50,000 km² Namib-Naukluft National Park has become known as Sossusvlei, famous for its towering apricot-colored sand dunes, which can be entered by following the valley of the Tsauchab River. Sossusvlei itself is actually a clay pan in the middle of these star-shaped dunes that rise up to 300 metres above the surrounding plains, making it one of the highest dunes on earth. The dead-white clay pan stands out against the orange sands and forms the terminus of the ephemeral Tsauchab River in the interior of the Great Sand Sea. The river course originates south of the Naukluft Mountains in the Great Escarpment. It penetrates the Sand Sea for about 55 km before finally running dry at Sossusvlei, about the same distance from the Atlantic Ocean. The Tsauchab River once reached the sea until the encroaching dunes blocked its course about 60,000 years ago; as ephemeral rivers still do in the northern half of the Namib. Sossusvlei is the largest of four pans in the area. Another, famous for its gnarled and ghostly camelthorn trees, is Deadvlei, which can be reached on foot via a 1km sandy path. Deadvlei’s distinctive camelthorn trees, which have died for lack of water, still stand upright as they once grew. They survived until about 900 years ago, when the sand sea finally stopped the river from occasionally flooding the pan.
After exploring to your heart’s content, enjoy a relaxed picnic breakfast in the shade of a camel thorn tree. In the early afternoon we return to Sossusvlei Lodge for a late lunch. In the late afternoon we set off again to seek more photo opportunities combining dramatic light, high dunes, gnarled trees and maybe even a small canyon!
Overnight with full board basis at Sossusvlei Lodge.
Day 13
Sesriem & Sossusvlei
This morning we get up before dawn for a remarkable hot air balloon ride over the dunes. The balloon rises as the sun rises. The first hour of light of the day is known to be the most spectacular, especially in the desert with the rich contrast of colours and shapes on the towering sand dunes of the Sossusvlei area, on the vast desert plains and the surrounding mountain ranges. The flight itself takes about an hour and ends with an exclusive champagne breakfast at the landing site in the midst of nature.
After returning to the lodge, you will take a nature drive and after lunch you may choose to return to the dunes in the afternoon to capture more images in this truly amazing scenery.
Please note that the balloon ride is entirely weather dependent. If there is wind, the trip will have to be postponed until tomorrow and we will leave Sossusvlei a little later.
Overnight with full board basis at Sossusvlei Lodge.
Day 14
Sesriem to Windhoek
We have another early morning excursion to see the first rays of light falling dramatically over the dunes around Sossusvlei. We then return to our rooms to pack and begin our journey back to Windhoek.
Our last night is again at Galton House.
Overnight, dinner and breakfast at Galton House.
Day 15
Departure
After breakfast we will be transferred to the Windhoek Airport to meet our departing flights home.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Southern Africa!
Galton House
Named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Galton, it has a relaxed but efficient style which creates a very welcoming atmosphere. Impressive wildlife photography adorns the walls whilst the rest of the interior is a combination of modern minimalist and understated chic.
A mere ten-minute drive from the centre of town and perched on the edge of Windhoek’s northernmost affluent suburb of Eros, guests staying here will be ensured of peace and tranquillity. There is Wi-Fi throughout the property and the nine guest rooms all have wireless and wired internet connectivity as well as satellite television. The rooms also have stocked coffee/tea stations.
The communal areas consist of a large lounge, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a swimming pool, an early arrival/late departure day room (including toilet, shower, changing and re-packing facility) as well as understated garden areas. There is also a delightful ‘al fresco’ dining area by the pool where freshly prepared and very tasty meals are served (including lunch and dinner). A number of shops, restaurants and supermarkets are within easy striking distance.
Ongava Lodge
Ongava Lodge is one of Namibia’s premier lodges on one of the country’s most important private game reserves.
The well-established Ongava Lodge is situated in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Placed as it is close to the top of a hill in the foothills of the Ondundozonanandana range, the vantage point is beautiful and overlooks a well-frequented waterhole and the plains beyond.
Ongava Lodge offers luxury accommodation in 14 rock-and-thatch en-suite chalets. There are impressive views over the camp’s waterhole from the main lounge and dining areas and there is also an inviting pool to cool off in the heat of the day. Meals are either served in the main dining area under thatch or on the dining deck under the stars.
Activities include game drives into Etosha, spending time in the camp hide, and nature drives and walks on the reserve. Ongava has resident white and black rhino, giving guests staying at Ongava the opportunity to see both species.
Mowani Mountain Camp
Mowani Mountain Camp offers luxury tented accommodation with magnificent desert views. Open air en-suite bathrooms and private decks give you great views of Damaraland and the reliability of nearby Twyfelfontein with its San engravings and paintings is contrasted by the elusive desert adapted elephants.
The Twyfelfontein conservancy has been protecting the southernmost roaming ground of the black rhino and elusive desert elephant. Sustainable eco-tourism and community upliftment is of the utmost importance at Mowani. Guides from the local tribes compliment day-time game drives to track mountain zebra, kudu, springbok, klipspringer and if you are fortunate enough… the leopard! The adventurer in me took over at Mowani. Days were filled with game drives, hot air balloon trips over the Aba-Huab Valley, champagne breakfasts and al fresco meals amidst the dusky landscape beneath Mopani trees.
Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp
The elegant Luxury Bush Camp is situated within the 2 000-ha enclosed wilderness area of Okonjima Nature Reserve, only 2.5 km from the Okonjima Plains Camp.
The Luxury Bush Camp consists of 8ight thatched, African-style chalets, a junior suite and three en-suite safari tents for pilots & guides.
The Luxury Bush Camp consists of:
Eight thatched, safari-chic chalets with earthy tones and African design elements.
Each of the private chalets are between 80-100 metres away from one other.
The junior suite.
A Camelthorn pod-shaped lapa that encompasses the reception area, curio shop, a cosy lounge area with inside and outside fireplaces, a restaurant and dining area. It looks out onto the waterhole.
A secluded, private swimming pool.
A Wi-Fi hotspot and has cellphone reception as well as undercover, private parking.
Sossusvlei Lodge
Luxury right at the entrance gate to Sesriem Canyon and the famous Sossusvlei Situated at the Entrance Gate to the Namib Naukluft Park, Sossusvlei Lodge offers direct access to the towering red sand dunes, the famous pan of Sossusvlei, the scorched black trees of Dead Vlei and the remarkable depths of the Sesriem Canyon. The Superior Accommodation units at Sossusvlei Lodge feature a patio to enjoy views over the Desert landscapes, a spacious air-conditioned twin-bedded room and a full en-suite bathroom. The Standard Family Units feature two rooms back to back connected by a lockable inter-leading door between the two private bathrooms. An elegant Junior Suite boasts a spacious bedroom, living area, patio with a splash pool, large bathroom and inspiring views. Experience the true art of Hospitality with the thoughtful touch of attentive staff to contribute to a truly memorable experience. Facilities include a sparkling pool, bar, sundowner deck, beer garden and an al fresco terrace where one can enjoy exquisite food, award-winning wines and magnificent views of the floodlit waterhole. The Sossusvlei Lodge Adventure Centre provides a range of activities including Guided Excursions to Deadvlei and Sossusvlei, Elim dune walks, Sundowner Trips, Quad Buggy Nature Drives, Hot Air Ballooning, Scenic Flights and much more to explore the area’s natural beauty.
Galton House
Named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Galton, it has a relaxed but efficient style which creates a very welcoming atmosphere. Impressive wildlife photography adorns the walls whilst the rest of the interior is a combination of modern minimalist and understated chic.
A mere ten-minute drive from the centre of town and perched on the edge of Windhoek’s northernmost affluent suburb of Eros, guests staying here will be ensured of peace and tranquillity. There is Wi-Fi throughout the property and the nine guest rooms all have wireless and wired internet connectivity as well as satellite television. The rooms also have stocked coffee/tea stations.
The communal areas consist of a large lounge, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a swimming pool, an early arrival/late departure day room (including toilet, shower, changing and re-packing facility) as well as understated garden areas. There is also a delightful ‘al fresco’ dining area by the pool where freshly prepared and very tasty meals are served (including lunch and dinner). A number of shops, restaurants and supermarkets are within easy striking distance.
Banking Details
Account holder: Africa Focus Tours Namibia (Pty) ltd
Bank: Nedbank Namibia
Account number: 1100 0070 752
Branch code: 461 696
Swift code: NEDSNANX
Payment Terms
- 20% Prepayment at time of booking.
- Balance to be paid 60 days prior to travel.
Cancellation Terms
- 90 – 45 days prior to travel: 20% (forfeit the deposit paid)
- 44 – 30 days prior to travel: 30%
- 29 – 15 days prior to travel: 40%
- 14 – 08 days prior to travel: 60%
- 07 days to No Show prior to travel: 100%
Special cancellation terms may apply for certain products and services.
Terms & Conditions
General Terms
- The hotels mentioned in the itinerary will depend on availability at the time of making the booking. Should alternatives be used it would be of similar standard
Health
See your doctor for advice in regards to vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis.
Travelling with Children
- Parents travelling with children will be requested to provide an unabridged birth certificate (including the details of the child’s father as well as the mother) of all travelling children. This applies even when both parents are travelling with their children.
- When children are travelling with guardians, these adults are required to produce affidavits from parents proving permission for the children to travel.
- The above applies to foreigners and South Africans travelling to or from South Africa as well as travellers in transit.
- Please note that the child must be the appropriate age (according to accommodation stipulated) at the time of travel
- Unless otherwise specified, children under 12 years of age qualify as a child rate and over 12 years of age as an adult rate.
Disclaimer
Travel and safety information and advice is based on information received from the various Southern African tourism boards of the countries we trade and operate in, and is deemed as correct and up to date at the time of publish. A guarantee of accurate and complete information, as well as a liability for any occurring damages and / or changes cannot be applied.
