16 Night Namibian Tour

This exciting 16 Night Namibian Tour starts in the wondrous city of Windhoek, Namibia, and features spectacular destinations for guests to enjoy, some highlights include Windhoek Central, Namibia West Coast, Desert Moon Landscape, Namib Desert, Damaraland with the Desert Elephants, Twyfelfontein heritage site, Opuwo, Kunene, Epupa Falls, and Ruacana Falls. The safari is conducted in a 4x4 tour vehicle. Accommodation is provided at comfortable guesthouses and tourist class lodges along the way.



Day 1: Windhoek - Ondekaramba

The farm Ondekaremba measures 7.300 hectares and boasts a 100-year old family tradition. Shortly after touching down you will be met by the peace and quiet of Africa's wide-open spaces. Enjoy after a long flight the charm of scenery and unspoilt nature. Ondekaremba means: The place where grazing is good. Thanks to this, combined with numerous watering places, you can be at one with nature by exploring, be it via game drives, hiking trails on a terrain where there are an abundance of wildlife and birds. The lovely garden with landscaped pool area waits for you to come and have a swim, or to just relax. Meals made to a large extent of our own products are prepared in our farm kitchen and are served on the open-air verandas, as a picnic in the bush, or inside the old rustic stone farmhouse.

Overnight Ondekaremba Farm or similar. (DBB) Farm

Day 2: Kamanjab ? Damaraland

Kamanjab is a village and a constituency in the Kunene region in Namibia. It has a population of 6,012 and is governed by a village council that currently has five seats. Oppi Koppi Restcamp is located in Kamanjab, a small settlement in the Kunene Region (also called Damaraland) of north-west Namibia. The name of the lodge means 'On a small hill' in the Afrikaans language, so it should come as no surprise to find this establishment perched on the side of a small koppie. Self-drive tourists often choose to stop in Kamanjab to refuel and rest before continuing on towards Damaraland, Kaokoland, Epupa Falls or the Skeleton Coast.

Although only a very small settlement (mostly comprised of school, petrol station a basic supermarket and several bottle stores) recently Kamanjab has become a more popular overnight destination due to the opening of Galton's Gate, the most western entrance to Etosha National Park. Only visitors with previously booked accommodation for Dolomite Camp can use this new gate into the park and Kamanjab is the nearest town. Some of the largest gatherings of animals in Etosha occur here, numbers unheard of in other sections of the park.

Overnight at Opikoppi (DBB)

Day 3: Kunene Region

Uukwaluudhi Safari Lodge is located in a 6,000ha wildlife reserve within the Uukwaluudhi Conservancy. This is situated in the Omusati Region of northern Namibia. Enjoy wildlife viewing of the pan and waterhole from the comfort and safety of the lodge. Omusati is right at the heart of Owamboland, where the greatest percentage of Namibian people live. Communal land is a feature of the region, a system where there is no individual ownership or boundaries. The name 'Uukwaluudhi' means 'small group of one clan'. The thatched main area at Uukwaluudhi Safari Lodge is set under an open-sided veranda, situated on top of a small knoll, overlooking a large savannah plain. Elephant roam the conservancy but do not enter the reserve. Black Rhino, black-faced impala, kudu, duiker, hartebeest, eland, zebra, giraffe and springbok can be observed. Activities are conducted in specialised game viewing vehicles or on foot.

Activities:

Game Drive

Overnight Uukwaluthi Lodge or similar. (DBB)

Day 4/5: Kunene Region

Kunene River Lodge is situated on the northern border of Namibia on the banks of the River Kunene, which forms the boundary with Angola. It is 50kms west of the Ruacana Falls and 100km east of the Epupa Falls in the region known as Kaokoland. The terrain is rugged, but there are tarred roads as far as Ruacana. Local roads are generally good, gravel surfaces, although the riverside road is subject to occasional flooding during the wet season. Kunene River Lodge nestles beneath a beautiful canopy of indigenous trees stretching down to the river. In addition to its idyllic setting, facilities and in-house activities, the lodge also serves as an ideal gateway for those setting out to explore the rugged and beautiful Kaokoland region of north-west Namibia. The accommodation in the lodge is not to be considered as luxurious but the beautiful and tranquil environment more than makes up for any shortfall. All rooms are laid out in the tranquil shade of jackalberry and leadwood trees.

Activities:

4 Hour Rafting

2 Hour Sundowner Birding boat cruise

Overnight Kunene River Lodge or similar. (DBB)

Day 6/7: Kunene Region

Situated east of the Epupa Falls on the banks of the Kunene River, in Kaokoland is Epupa Falls Lodge. With its waving palms, spectacular sunsets and perennially flowing waters, the Epupa area has much to see and experience. Exciting geological and archaeological sites can be seen in the area. Bird life in this riverine paradise is rich and varied, with some species endemic to the Kunene River environs. It is a small, luxury tented camp that offers you a relaxing, yet exhilarating, few days of personalised service, excellent food and the seclusion of a lush riverine wilderness. The adjacent dining room and lounge area also face the Kunene River, along with a lounging pool for cooling down from the midday heat, or enjoying a glass of sparkling wine. A small suspension bridge connects Epupa Falls Lodge with its own private island. Hammocks, benches, and lounge chairs, placed close to the river, create a personal piece of paradise. The Epupa Falls, although not the biggest or highest in Africa, have a unique beauty that entices visitors from all over the world.

Activities:

Sundowner

3 Hour Guided Walk

Epupa Falls

Overnight Epupa Camp. (DBB)

Day 8/9: Opuwo Country Lodge

Opuwo is the gateway to the Kaokoveld region in the northwestern part of Namibia or also known as the Kunene region. The remote area south of the Kunene River is the home of the Himba people, who have kept their ethnic individuality and culture in the seclusion of Kaokoland. Opuwo Country Hotel was officially opened by His Excellency, Hifikepunye Pohamba on 25 August 2005. The hotel provides comfortable luxury accommodation with air conditioning and is your ideal base from where to explore Kaokoland.

Activities:

Himba Village visit and experience their culture.

Overnight Opuwo Country Lodge. (DBB)

Day 10/11: Kunene Region

Palmwag Lodge is a paradise located on the Uniab River in north-western Namibia, Damaraland just a few kilometres north of the junction of the C4 and /C39 roads. Nestled in a spectacular landscape with waving palms whispering in the wind, Palmwag Lodge is one of Namibia's oldest and most popular tourist destinations. In the concession area around Palmwag Lodge there are large populations of Hartman's Mountain Zebra, giraffe, oryx, springbok and kudu. The predator population is the largest outside of the Etosha National Park, with over 100 lions, cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyena. Bird life is prolific and diverse with most of Namibia's endemics present. This concession supports a healthy population of desert-adapted black rhino and elephants, under the management of the Save the Rhino Trust.

Acivities:

Game Drive ? 1st Day, Approx 3 hours

Half Day Rhino tracking. 2nd Day, Approx 6 hours

Overnight Palmwag Lodge. (DBB)



Day 12/13: Kunene Region

The Twyfelfontein area, being a very vulnerable and delicate ecosystem, is renowned for some of the best examples of Bushman paintings and rock engravings in southern Africa and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interesting rock formations and the remainder of prehistoric volcanic action can be seen among the most prominent geographic features including the Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain, Doros Crater and the Petrified Forest. The fauna and flora of Damaraland is typical of the Pro-Namib region and plant species include the magnificent Welwitschia, Moringa and a variety of the Commiphora species. The Desert adapted Elephant, Giraffe, Springbok, Zebra, Oryx, and Ostrich include some of the wildlife which can be found living in total harmony with the community. The Lodge is situated in the heart of the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy and boast 56 en-suite twin rooms, reception, lounge, curio shop, open dining room, bar and swimming pool. In construction utmost care was taken to reduce the visual impact on the environment and to blend into the mountainside with the use of thatch roofs, natural stone and paint colours toning in with the surrounding rock formations.

Activity:

World Heritage Site visit

Rock Paintings/Organ Pipes/Burnt Mountain/Damara living museum

Overnight at Twyfelfontein Lodge or similar. (DBB)

Day 14/15: Swakopmund

En-route to Swakopmund we will explore the Namib Desert with the rugged Kuiseb Canyon, while driving along the Swakop riverbed. We stop at the eerie moon landscape and marvel at the Welwitschia Mirabilis, an ancient plant endemic to the Namib Desert. Today's destination is the cool Atlantic Coast and the quaint town of Swakopmund. En route we will explore the Namib Desert with the rugged Kuiseb Canyon, while driving along the Swakop riverbed. Take a walk through town and enjoy the mixture of colonial flair and historic architecture in Swakopmund (the historic town, the Woermannhouse, the Hohenzollernhouse, the old Magistrates Court, the historical Jail and the Jetty and the lighthouse. After arriving in Swakopmund you can explore the popular coastal resort on your own and spend time at leisure or with shopping.

Activities Included:

Desert Moon Landscape ? 1st Day

Quad Bike Dune ? 2nd Day

Camel Ride ? 2nd Day

Marine Cruise at Walvisbay (includes snacks, drinks etc). Approx 3 hours -2nd day @ 08h30

Overnight Desert Breeze or similar. (DBB)



Day 16: Windhoek

Overnight at Ondekaramba Farm or similar (DBB)

Day 17: Windhoek

Transfer to Hosea Kutako Airport

Subject to Fuel Price and availability

Cost Valid from 1Nov 2016 to 31 October 2017

Single Supplement on request



Inclusions and Exclusions

Included:

- SAT transport in 4x4 vehicle/s; Public Liability & Passenger Liability Insurance;

- Services of a licensed English speaking driver-guide per vehicle;

- 16 nights' accommodation in comfortable guesthouses/guest farms/tourist class lodges. Meals at DBB (Dinner Bed and Breakfast)- Fees for nature conservation areas, sightseeing & activities as per itinerary (unless stipulated as ?optional?);

- Activities as stated in itinerary;

- Non-alcoholic beverages on tour vehicle during overland drives (in limited quantities).

Excluded:

- Flights / Visa & Permits / Travel Insurances of any kind;

- Cost related to the personal use of 3G internet access & GSM cell phone provided by SAT on tour;

- Tips & gratuities to hotel/restaurant personnel and guides;

- Alcoholic and any other beverages in addition to those included above;

- Any optional services/meals/activities/excursions not included/not mentioned in the itinerary;

- Any expense of a personal nature such as for phone calls, laundry services, souvenirs, and similar.