01342 834700 (UK) 0818 719321 (EIRE) [email protected] www.facebook.com/nativeescapes @nativeescapes TRIP ITINERARY Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld Safari (Guided) Namibia Namibia is a vast country, even by African standards, covering an area approximately four times the size of the United Kingdom but with a population of a mere 2 million - one of the lowest densities in the world. It is also an 'ageless land’; visible through our heritage of rock art created by stone-age artists and geological attractions such as the petrified forest where fossilised tree trunks have lain for over 280 million years. Added to the space and silence, these all contribute to a feeling of antiquity, solitude and wilderness. The Skeleton Coast and Kaokoland are Namibia’s most remote regions, with access allowed only to those few who know the area intimately. An area free of game fences and home to some of the most specialized mammals on earth, including desert adapted black rhino, elephant and lions, these areas are also home to the ancient Himba culture. This combined with some of the most spectacular scenery in Namibia makes for what must be one of the most authentic and pioneering safaris available in Namibia. Namibia was the first country in Africa to incorporate protection of the environment into its constitution and now almost 45% of Namibia’s land is protected by the Government. Its successful ‘conservancy movement’ has engaged 230 000 rural residents and brought about remarkable increases in wildlife and income generation. Further to this, Namibia is the only country in Africa where the endangered black rhino are being translocated out of National Parks into conservancies. In addition, Namibia not only has the largest population of cheetah in the world (50% of the global population), but it is also the only country in Africa where free roaming lion populations are increasing, and the instances of poaching have decreased dramatically to almost negligible levels today. Day 1 Overnight flight from the UK to Windhoek Day 2 Transfer from Windhoek Airport to a local B&B. Depending on arrival time, this afternoon, you may choose to take a guided tour of the City. The city mixes modern architecture and latest fashions alongside old colonial German buildings and Herero women in their traditional Victorian dress. Overnight: Galton House or similar. Day 3 Today you will meet your private naturalist guide at the Doro Nawas Airstrip. Your arrival time is dependent on your flight arrangements you may have selected journeying from other areas of Namibia. A noon arrival at Doro Nawas means a quick visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings is possible, so that you can still arrive at your Under Canvas destination, in time to enjoy fireside sundowners at your camp that will be your home for the next two nights. Overnight: Huab under canvas. Fully inclusive (drinks included) Day 4 Today you explore the Damaraland, enjoying the freedom to explore the fascinating landscapes with your private naturalist guide both by vehicle and on foot. Damaraland is a surprising refuge for desert adapted wildlife that may include giraffe, oryx, springbok and even some predators such as lion. However, as with any wildlife sightings in Namibia, this depends on many factors including seasonality so specific sightings are never guaranteed. The wildlife roams large tracks of unfenced desert landscapes and finding game can be challenging, but this is all part of the adventure of exploring this wild untouched gem of Namibia. Overnight: Huab under canvas; Fully Inclusive (drinks included) Day 5 Today after breakfast you continue on the next adventure, venturing north to the Hobatere Lodge, a joint venture tourism concession that is owned by the #Khoadi //Hoas Conservancy. You enjoy a delicious picnic along the journey and arrive in time for siesta, or just spend the afternoon enjoying the views overlooking the waterhole from the outside veranda. Overnight: Hobatere Lodge; Fully Inclusive (drinks included) Day 6 Today is focused on game viewing, but there is also the exciting opportunity on early morning and night drives to spot nocturnal animals, such as aardvark, cape fox, bat-eared fox, aardwolf and genet. Book at www.nativeescapes.com Native Escapes 46 Lincolns Mead, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6TA Tel: 01342 834700 Page 1of 3 01342 834700 (UK) 0818 719321 (EIRE) [email protected] www.facebook.com/nativeescapes @nativeescapes TRIP ITINERARY Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld Safari (Guided) Namibia Alternatively game drives with your naturalist guide into the western side of the Etosha National Park are also possible – as you have the full time services of your own private guide, in your own 4x4, the day’s activities into Etosha are scheduled around the specific game movements of the season. Overnight: Hpbatere Lodge Fully Inclusive (drinks included) Day 7 This morning you will start early for a magical drive north to the Kunene River. The trip starts by traversing the rocky Hartmann’s Pass to After an early breakfast this morning you will leave Hobatere and head north, towards Opuwo. From here true wild landscapes await you as you snake along Hoarusib River west before heading north towards the Onjuwa Plains (meaning holy plains), an area set aside where local tribes have not allowed hunting for centuries, thus creating an interesting sanctuary often dotted with livestock and game grazing side-by-side in harmony. Lunch is had picnic style en route, arriving at the camp in the late afternoon in good time to enjoy the magnificent view with a ‘sundowner’ drink in hand. Tonight is spent around the campfire absorbing the tranquility of the area whilst your guide prepares and serves a tasty dinner. Overnight: Etambura Camp. Fully Inclusive (drinks included) Day 8 This morning you set off on an early start for a magical drive north to the Kunene River. The trip starts by traversing the rocky Hartmann’s Pass to Rooidrom (Red Drum), a major intersection in the middle of nowhere. Heading west and then north you will head up the famous Hartmann’s Valley, eventually making your way over the Hartmann’s Mountains and into the Marienfluss Valley. This area is filled with the mysterious fairy circles, something which is bound to keep the conversation going in the vehicle whilst heading for the Kunene River before arriving there in time for lunch. The Kunene River is a wild river having its origin in the Angolan Highlands, and it abounds with large crocodiles, while still being a lifeline for man and beast in this arid environment. You spend the day exploring the area and return to Etambura in the late afternoon, passing the Holy Mountain of the Himba as well as the towering Mt Ojiunaune and Mt Otjiomuhana peaks while meandering your way back to the settlement of Orupembe. Overnight: Etambura Camp. Fully Inclusive (drinks included) Day 9 After an early breakfast this morning you will head south. Depending on the season, your guide will either head along the Hoarusib and Khumib Rivers, hopefully spotting desert adapted wildlife, including elephant and giraffe or, should the season not allow, you will head through the western vast and silent plains. After a scenic picnic lunch stop under the welcoming shade of towering camel thorn and ana trees you will make your way down the river. This is also a well-known area for desert adapted wildlife, including elephants and lions. Along the way you search for the last nomadic tribe of Namibia, the Himba tribe. Your search for a local Himba settlement could perhaps take a while as the semi-nomadic Himba people sometimes move location with no notice. They are one of the last and most traditional peoples of Namibia and have little time for conventional practices. You will learn about the customs and traditions of this very proud nation, and will be given insight into their beliefs, way of life and everyday routine. After visiting the Himba settlement you will continue onto Puros, a small settlement of a population of less than 300 Himba and Herero herders. You will arrive at the luxurious Okahirongo Elephant Lodge in the late afternoon, with time to revel in the luxury of the lodge and enjoy an entertaining evening reminiscing about the experiences of the past days while enjoying the comforts of the lodge. Overnight: Okahirongo River Camp. Fully Inclusive (drinks included) Day 10 After an early breakfast you set off for the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp and head south, traversing via Sawurogab to the Hoanib River, a recovering wildlife refuge. You explore the Hoanib River, to arrive at camp around sunset, in time to freshen up before dinner and enjoying the evening around the campfire, learning about this remarkable area. This marks the end of your privately guided safari, as you bid farewell to your naturalist guide. For the next three days you will be hosted by local camp guides in camp safari vehicles on all shared activity experiences. Overnight: Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. Fully Inclusive (drinks included) Day 11 Today is spent on activities as arranged by the camp, exploring this remarkable area with local guides. The activities include exciting game drives searching for desert adapted wildlife within the Hoanib River guided walks and hiking trails and afternoon drives. Overnight: Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. Fully Inclusive (drinks included) Book at www.nativeescapes.com Native Escapes 46 Lincolns Mead, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6TA Tel: 01342 834700 Page 22 of 3 01342 834700 (UK) 0818 719321 (EIRE) [email protected] www.facebook.com/nativeescapes @nativeescapes TRIP ITINERARY Skeleton Coast and Kaokoveld Safari (Guided) Namibia Day 12 This morning after breakfast you can enjoy a memorable activity into the Skeleton Coast National Park, usually travelling by road to Möwe Bay’s, a journey that can take a full morning.