Duration & Fees
Please note: The currency conversion is an estimate based on today's exchange rates and is to be used as a guide only. All payments to Amanzi Travel have to be made in Pounds Sterling (GBP)
Start Dates
Departs every Thursday
Please note: This trip is offered as a guaranteed departure.
Anyone preferring their own room guaranteed should book on the single supplement rate.
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- Fully equipped custom built expedition vehicle (no air conditioning)
- 3 nights' twin-share accommodation with en-suite facililties
- Meals as indicated (B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner)
- National Park entry fees (1 day Sossusvlei)
- Visit to Walvis Bay Lagoon and Dune 7
- Sossusvlei excursion (including 4x4 shuttle) and cheetah tracking activity in Solitaire
- Service of a professional English speaking guide/driver
- Pick up and drop off within Windhoek city limits
- Pre-departure pack and support and advice from Amanzi Travel staff and trip leaders
What's not included
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Visas
- Optional excursions/activities
- Restaurant meals and drinks and snacks
HIGHLIGHTS
Swakopmund; Sossusvlei; Deadvlei; Dune 45; Big Daddy; Sesriem Canyon; Cheetah Tracking
Day 1 Thursday Hotel a La Mer Swakopmund (L)
The tour will depart from Windhoek at 8.00 am and drive via Okahandja and Usakos to the lagoonat Walvis Bay where a light lunch will be provided. Here travellers will see many species of wetland birds, including the greater and lessor flamingo. Arriving in Swakopmund mid afternoon there will be time to explore this quaint seaside town on foot and the tour leader will be happy to recommend a good restaurant for an evening meal (own expense). There will also be the chance to meet up with the guests coming from Etosha who will join the adventure to Sossusvlei. Overnight accommodation is on a twin share basis with en-suite facilities.
Day 2 Friday Desert Camp, Near Sesriem (B / L / D)
This morning after breakfast travellers can join an optional activity such as the sand boarding which will take them into the coastal dune fields. The safari vehicle will leaqve Swakopmund at 12 noon (1.00 pm in wintertime) and drive via Kuiseb Pass and Gaub Pass, stopping for a leg stretch at the Tropic of Capricorn, before continuing on to Solitaire and camp for the night. Arrival at camp will be late afternoon giving a chance to relax and enjoy the views before taking a short walk to view the sunset looking over the Naukluft mountain range. Overnight is based in twin rooms or permanent tents with en-suite bathroom facilities. Dinner prepared by the guide.
Day 3 Saturday Desert Camp, Near Sesriem (B / L / D)
Departure to-day is at dawn from camp to arrive at the park
gate for sunrise. The group will drive down an ancient river
bed surrounded by towering dunes to the 4x4
parking (around 55kms) and then take a 4x4 shuttle
into the Sossusvlei area and head into Dead Vlei
with its large expanse of bleached cracked
clay and skeletal camel thorn trees, contrasting
with a backdrop of huge dunes with their ever-
changing colours. After a hike travellers will head to Sossusvlei and enjoy a tasty brunch prepared by the guide to give everyone enough energy to climb and explore the famous Sossusvlei Dunes. This unique area will be explored on foot before getting the
4x4 shuttle back to the vehicle. On the drive back
to the accommodation there will be a stop at the famous
Dune 45 with the chance to climb this dune if desired or just
wander around the base. On the return to Sesriem
there will be a visit to the nearby Sesriem Canyon, one of the
few permanent water sources before arriving back
at the lodge late afternoon to watch the sunset
over this spectacular desert. Overnight in twin
share rooms or permanent tents with en-suite bathrooms. Dinner prepared by the guide.
Day 4 Sunday Windoek (B)
After an early breakfast the tour will travel to Solitaire Guest Farm where travellers can join a biologist to track wild cheetah at the Na'ankuse Namib Conservation Centre. The group will return to Windhoek via Bullsport and Rehoboth arriving mid afternoon when everyone will be dropped at their accommodation. Any travellers wishing to book their onward travel are recommended NOT to book any flight prior to 5.00 pm. (B)
The accommodation provided is on a twin share basis in safari style permanent tents or twin rooms with en-suite facilities.
Meals will be provided as indicated above.
Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary
Why visit Namibia?
Namibia is one of those dreamlike places that makes one question whether something so visually fabulous could actually exist. It is characterised by vast open spaces, with breathtaking scenery and great contrasts – ocean, dunes, mountains and deserts. A predominantly arid country, Namibia can be divided into four main regions. The Namib Desert and vast plains of the Skeleton Coast in the west; the eastward-sloping Central Plateau; the Kalahari desert along the borders with South Africa and Botswana; and the densely wooded bushveld of the Kavango and Caprivi regions – a magical undeveloped oasis of waterways and wildlife, providing abundant game and birdlife viewing opportunities. Despite its harsh climate, Namibia has some of the world’s grandest national parks, ranging from the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park, to the dune fields and desert plains of the Namib-Naukluft Park. The Namib-Naukluft Park is superb for hiking, with a number of spectacular trails. It is also home to the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei - said to be the highest in the world - and the fascinating Sesriem Canyon. Windhoek is the country’s geographical heart and commercial nerve centre, with an ethnic mix of people, while surfers, anglers and beach-lovers won’t want to miss Swakopmund, with its lively entertainment and sporting activities.
Highlights
- Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s finest parks, both in size and diversity of wildlife.
- The Namib-Naukluft Park is the largest conservation area in Namibia and one of the largest in the world.
- Two spectacular deserts - the Kalahari and Namib - each with distinctive wildlife and scenery.
- The Namib, at 80 million years, is the world's oldest desert. Namib means “open space”.
- The Namib and Damaraland offer remarkably clear skies for astronomers and keen star gazers.
- Stunning Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon – it is 161km long, up to 27km wide and 550m deep.
- Sossusvlei are said to be the highest sand-dunes in the world.
- Superb birding and good fishing is available from the banks of the Kavango and Kunene Rivers on the northern border.
- Popular self-drive destination with excellent infrastructure.
- Largely malaria-free.
- More than 300 days of sunshine per year.
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
|---|
| Summer/wet (October - April) |
40 °C |
20 °C |
| Winter/dry (May - September) |
25 °C |
0 °C |
| Rainfall: October – December “little rains”, January to April more stormy period |
The winter months (May - September) range from 25 to 30°C during the day but night temperatures may drop to below freezing. June to August is the dry season with very little rain. This can be a good time for game viewing as wildlife converge at the waterholes.
The summer months (October - April) can reach highs of over 40°C and nights in the 20°C range (in the arid central Namib Desert temperatures can fall to below freezing during the night). This is a summer rainfall area, but overcast and rainy days are few and far between. Welcome thundershowers may occur in the late afternoon, bringing relief to flora and fauna. In October and November, large herds of blue wildebeest, zebra, springbok and oryx migrate from the Namutoni area to Okaukuejo, where they remain until May.
Rainfall is heaviest in the northeast, which enjoys a sub-tropical climate, and reaches over 600mm annually along the Okavango River. The northern and interior regions experience ‘little rains’ between October and December, while the main stormy period occurs from January to April.
Key Facts
Population – 2.1 million
Capital - Windhoek
Currency - Namibian dollar
Language – official language English; most widely spoken is Afrikaans; half of all Namibians speak Oshiwambo as their first language. German is also widely spoken, plus some Portuguese.
Namib – means “open space”
Etosha – means “great white place”
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 264, international access code 00
My experience with Amanzi Travel was great. Since the beginning I immediately felt very confortable in talking to Gemma who was prompt , kind and helpful in every question regarding the trip. I strongly recommend everyone Namibian Highlights tour. I appreciated a lot My volunteer project at Nankusee ( San activity skills ) and accomodation during trip were far above expectations. A special mention to trip guide Daniel. Reliable, kind and always available to answer all our questions. I wish I had a couple of days more to spend in this Amazing country: Namibia
Francesca, Italy, aged 45
A wonderful two weeks away arranged by Gemma. Nothing was too much trouble for her - I constantly emailed her questions which she promptly and politely replied to. Naankuse was a little luxury in Namibia, but the work they do for animals, children and San people is amazing. The Namibian Highlights tour was really fun and the accommodation and food standards way above our expectations. Our driver, Gideon was very professional and informative.
Mary and Family of 13, UK (Namibia Short Tour and Naankuse Lodge)
The overland trip was excellent - really well run. The guides were fantastic, the campsites great, and the food excellent. This has got to be the best way to see Africa in a short period of time ...
Amanzi Travel are excellent - professional, informative but with a real personal service ... The cheetah volunteer project was an absolutely fantastic experience, and the Overland trip was brilliant.
Jennie and Stuart, Sweden, 32 and 34 (Cheetah Volunteer Project and Overland Trip)