Dienstag, den 23.02.2010 geht es entlich los!! Nachdem ich meinen Trip nun 3 bis 4 mal Verschoben habe, kann ich mich jetzt auf 20 Tage Abenteuer freuen:)
Der Plan:
- Am 20.02. gehe ich in Urlaub, diesen Tag nutze ich noch zum Planen, Packen und Ausnüchtern ( wir gehen am 19. noch mal Party machen^^).
- Am 21.02. Fahre ich dann früh Morgens nach Windhoek und werde dann zwei schöne Tage in der Hauptstadt verbringen.
- Und dann geht es am 23.02. LOS!!!!
Safari Tour Details
Day one
We cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib.
We aim to arrive at our camp during the late afternoon and watch the colours glow and change on distant mountains to the east.
Day twoA pre dawn start is essential this morning as we want to catch the soft light of the sunrise on the desert as we drive in. We will arrive at the entrance to the dunes on sunrise and then travel through the dune field as the sun is coming up. The light casts strong contrasts of colour on the edges of the dunes and offers stunning views from the dry river bed you travel through.
We reach Sossusvlei itself by walking the last 5 km through the dunes. The walk is like nothing else, enjoying the changing light and coolness of the morning. Ancient mineral pans, stunted camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make the photo opportunities perfect.
We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei, also visiting “dune 45”, and as the day wears on we return to Sesriem for lunch and to escape the heat of the afternoon. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to the Sesriem Canyon.
After breakfast we begin our journey, over the mountains and along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We will travel back by different roads, this time climbing up to Windhoek and travelling by way of the massive Gamsberg Pass in the Khomas Hochland Mountain Range on our way back to civilization.
We are due back into the city around 16:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return. This night’s accommodation is included in the price of the safari but dinner tonight will be for the client’s own account in a local restaurant.
Day four
Continuing north, passing through farmland, we aim to arrive at Okonjima during the middle afternoon, giving us time to set up our camp and to relax in the shade for a while before heading out on to the property to take part in the afternoon’s activities.
Okonjima is the home of the Africat Foundation, a specialist conservation concern that centres its operations around the African Big Cats, particularly cheetah. This afternoon you will be taken on a tour during which you will be able to meet, close-up-and-personal, some of the cheetah that are going through the Africat rehabilitation programme.
Most of the animals currently living at Okonjima have been rescued from various desperate situations, being orphaned or caught in a trap, and the aim of rehabilitation process is to attempt to re-introduce them into the wild.
After our educational tour we will return our accommodation and prepare for dinner under the African stars.
Day five
Otjikoto is in fact Namibia's largest permanent natural lake and we take time here to rest a little and learn something about the history of this unusual landmark.
Continuing on to Namutoni camp in Etosha National Park we again aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving us time to relax before heading out into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first game drive.
After your evening meal there are still more chances to see Etosha's big game at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole. Situated on the boundary of Namutoni and easily reachable on foot, elephants are regular visitors here and there is a good chance of seeing other species of game as well.Day six
We stop at Halali for a rest and a leisurely lunch. There is time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities before continuing on our way and game driving down to Okaukuejo.
Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole, which has been described as one of the "best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa". Situated on the doorstep of our accommodation, black rhino, elephant, lion and numerous species of antelope are usually seen.
Day seven
This is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact, and are following their traditional way-of-life in their village on a farm. Oase Village is located about 15 to 20 km outside Kamanjab, the exact location of the site varies as the Himba occasionally roam to a new location.
During the afternoon we will be invited into Oase Village and will meet with the locals. We will have a specialist guide for the time we are there, who will be able to translate for us and will introduce us to this “alternative lifestyle”. We will learn about marriage customs, traditional food and the mysteries of the local religion, “Holy Fire”.
Day eight
Today we head into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, Damaraland. We drive south to the capital of this region, the small town of Khorixas, and then take a detour to the west, travelling via the Petrified Forest geological site, to visit the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontien. At both these locations we will have local guides to conduct us on a short guided tour.
From here we head deeper into the desert to Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m). Brandberg Mountain is an ancient Bushman spiritual site and tonight we will sleep under the shadow of this giant granite monolith.
Day nine
Back on the road for more beautiful Damaraland scenery. We make our first stop in the small town of Uis, an old mining town, and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones, for which Namibia is famous. Here, rough Amethyst, Tourmaline etc can be found at bargain prices.
From here we turn directly west and cross the “gravel plains” on our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. Meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, we first head north along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. Here at certain times of the year there can be as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals in attendance. The next destination is Swakopmund, following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia's premier seaside town. We aim to arrive in the late afternoon giving us time to explore the town on foot before sunset.
Tonight we take the chance to sample one of the excellent restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means required.
Dinner this evening in not included in the price of the safari and will be for the client’s own account
Day ten
giving us time to spend the morning relaxing in Swakopmund. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.
Alternatively, there are various optional activities that can be arranged. These include aeroplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching and many other activities are available. Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival. (N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients’ own risk and expense).
We are due back into the city around 16:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return. This night’s accommodation is included in the price of the safari but dinner tonight will be for the client’s own account in a local restaurant.
Day eleven
You will be collected from your accommodation between 07:30 and 08:00. A long drive today, making use of the Trans-Kalahari-Highway, a relatively new road that provides an invaluable communication link between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The road takes us first to the small town of Gobabis, one of the main livestock farming centres of Namibia, and then on to the border with Botswana.
After completing the immigration formalities we continue, through rural Botswana to the town of Ghanzi, located in the centre of cattle farming Botswana. Ghanzi is located almost in the middle of the Kalahari Desert and was almost unknown before the Trans Kalahari Highway.
Day twelve
An early start and a quick stop in Ghanzi to collect any last minute supplies before continuing west, traversing the linear dunes of the Kalahari and passing through small towns along the way. A change in vegetation heralds our arrival on the very western edge of one of the natural wonders of the world, the Okavango Delta.
Here we turn north for some way before again pointing our wheels west as we enter the Delta proper. We see our first glimpse of the crystal waters through the lush vegetation and we make our camp on the banks of a pristine African lagoon.
Day thirteen
We are in the territory of the River People, so this morning we leave our vehicle behind and travel in a more appropriate fashion, first by motor-boat and then by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), deep into the Delta.
Mokoro’s will be our main form of transport for the next two days. These amazing traditional craft are perfectly designed for the narrow waterways of the Okavango and allow us to travel further into the Delta than if we were using more modern forms of transport. Mokoros carry three people, two seated passengers and one driver. The driver stands in the rear of the canoe, (a real feat of balance), and uses a long wooden pole to propel and steer the mokoro through the twisting channels. It really is the only way to travel.
Back to camp in the late afternoon for another night by the Okavango waters.
Day fourteen
Back on the road today, destination Namibia. Passport formalities completed we go directly into the Mahango Game Reserve, a small but excellent park right on the edge of the Okavango River. We game drive our way through Mahango and have the chance to spot rarely seen Namibian species such as roan the majestic sable antelope.
Our camp for tonight is just outside the Game Reserve, and we are again beside the Okavango, but this time the main river, on its journey from the Angolan highlands, through the pan handle to waters end, the delta.
Day fifteen
The Caprivi Strip is a long narrow stretch of territory running along the Botswana’s northern border. It is a landscape of broadleaf forest with many small communities dotted along our route. The locals in this area are the Kavango people and we make a cultural visit to a local community. The people here have taken the initiative to establish a traditional “kraal” which will be opened for us and we will give a guided tour.
We have the chance to gain a significant insight into the local customs and culture, including demonstrations of traditional medicine and superstition.
From here it is only a short drive to our camp for the night, also operated as a community project, located on the banks of the Kwando River in a beautifull setting. There is a craft market nearby where you can shop for truly Namibian souvenirs.
Day sixteen
We finish our long transit of the Caprivi region this morning when we arrive in Namibia’s easternmost town, Katima Mulilo. A short break here before crossing back across the border into Botswana. The road takes us directly into the world famous Chobe National Park. Chobe has the world’s largest population of African Elephants and the chances of seeing some big game are very good as we transit through the park to the small town of Kasane. We make camp in the grounds of a local lodge, right on the banks for the Chobe River.
Time to relax in the afternoon before joining a river boat cruise, back into the park. From the boat we will have the chance to see a huge amount of wild game, both on the river banks and in the waters swirling around us.
Crocodiles and hippos abound in the forbidding Chobe River and on the land side there is often a kaleidoscope of different antelope and species such as elephant, buffalo and even the Big Cats come to the river banks for their sun-downer drink. The Chobe River provides a very broad habitat for bird life and it is possible to see many beautifull species of our feathered friends.
Day seventeen
The views of the waterfall from the Zambian bank are fantastic, there are many small paths and lookout points to explore. This afternoon your guide will help you organise the many optional activities available in Livingstone. These include white water rafting, bungi jumping, other excursions on the river and scenic flights to mention but a few.
Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant at the client’s own expense.
NB: All extra activities are subject to availability and are done at the clients own risk and expense.
Day eighteen
After breakfast the safari is finished. Your guide will be able to offer advice on other travel plans you have in this region. We pack up our campsite.
For clients transferring back to Windhoek tomorrow this is a free day for you to explore the area or to take part in optional activities. Lunch and dinner are not included in the price of the trip. Your guide will arrange a time to collect you for the return journey in the morning. You will keep your tent for tonight and this nights camping is included in the price of the safari.
Day nineteen
An early start and a long drive. We are in transit only and will not be stopping to take in the sights along the way. We will traverse the Caprivi Strip and will spend the night near the small town of Rundu in northern Namibia. We camp in the grounds of a lodge on the banks for the Okavango River, looking into Angola on the far river bank.
Dinner tonight will be in the restaurant at the lodge and is included in the price.
Day twenty
Another early start and another long drive. We head south through Kavango Province, down through the towns of Grootfontien, Otjiwarongo and Okahandja before reaching our final destination, Windhoek.
There will be stops at some of the local woodcarving stalls as well as the market at Okahandja before arriving in the city.
We are due back into the city in the late afternoon and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return. Tonight the accommodation is not included in the price of the safari.
