NAMIBIA

3 downloads 277 Views 290KB Size Report
skies and quiet evenings is a perpetual nirvana that will provide a sense of calm for even the busiest of people. The So
NAMIBIA NAMIBIA – SELF DRIVE 11 Day / 10 Night Tour

NAMIBIA

NAMIBIA - SELF DRIVE 11 Day / 10 Night Tour

• Kalahari Desert • Nambib Desert • Rock Art • Estosha National Park • Waterberg National park

Experience the astonishing contrasts of the Namib, the world’s oldest desert; harsh and rugged in landscape and climate, yet so delicate and exquisite in its support of fragile life. You will visit the country’s top desert attractions and enjoy sightings of the unique desert-adapted animals that roam the dry valleys and star-shaped dunes. Day 1: Upon arrival in Windhoek at Hosea Kutako International Airport, you will collect your rental vehicle from the car rental counter and make your way to Windhoek. Windhoek is situated in the Khomas Highland plateau area in an airy basin surrounded by picturesque mountains. The semi- enclosed basin cups this friendly city with a unique blend of modern, African and colonial German architecture. Windhoek is the cultural, political, economic and social hub of Namibia and doubles up as a perfect base to start your Namibian adventure. This is a great place to experience an African city without the overwhelming crowds: Windhoek is expanding its city boundaries, making it the third largest city in the world by area after Tianjin and Istanbul. It may be large, but it is sparsely populated. Windhoek has a very affable cafe culture, giving this small city a relaxed atmosphere. The city is pedestrian- friendly, and its smaller size makes it easy to get around on foot and to interact with its residents.

Day 3: Depart for the Sossusvlei. Check in at the lodge and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Optional activities available at the lodge. Sossusvlei is situated in the Namib-Naukluft National Park which is the single largest conservation area in Africa. It also boasts the highest sand dunes in the world, reaching almost 400 meters. This ocean of monolithic rolling red dunes surrounds a large salt and clay pan, making it a recognised top destination for photographers. This desert wilderness lays siege to your senses with endless horizons of vast spaces and jagged mountain heights. The clear skies and quiet evenings is a perpetual nirvana that will provide a sense of calm for even the busiest of people. The Sossusvlei region is not a static desert landscape: The dunes were formed with deposited sand for thousands of centuries, and shades vary according to the age of the dunes. The only constant will be change as the sun manipulates the bright colours of the dunes as it moves across the sky.

Day 2: Depart for the Kalahari. Check in at the lodge and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Optional activities available at the lodge. The Kalahari Desert covers much of the eastern and southern parts of Namibia, and formed approximately sixty million years ago along with the African continent itself. This so- called fossil desert receives a fair amount of rain, covering the ancient red dunes with generous vegetation growth. The ephemeral rivers support a large number of animals, making the Kalahari a grand and dramatic destination for game viewing. The Kalahari is home to over 320 species of mammals and birds. Some of the bigger beasts include the Kalahari lion, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, hyenas, desert black rhino, buffalos, zebras and giraffes. The open spaces provide visitors with a special opportunity to see many of the animals that elude people elsewhere in Africa. Animals such as the wild cat, aardwolf, porcupine, honey badger and meerkat are easier to spot, making your game viewing just a little richer.

Day 4: Clients enjoy the day at leisure. Day 5: Continue to Swakopmund. Optional activities available at the hotel. Swakopmund is a surreal Bavarian-like town wedged between the Atlantic Ocean on Namibia’s west coast and the impressive Namib Desert. This former colonial town is known as Namibia’s beach resort, with plenty of shops, bars, clubs and hotels ready to welcome its visitors. Swakopmund is not just a picturesque colonial remnant; it’s also the adventure sports capital of Namibia with seemingly endless activities available to captivate yourself. The vast spaces, ocean and high sand dunes act as a playground for adventure lovers with activities like sandboarding, quad biking, ballooning and dolphin cruises. There are many German-Namibian residents and German is spoken rather widely. Swakopmund reminds us of holiday towns along Germany’s North Sea and Baltic coasts, but with more palm trees and a unique African flair.

Day 6: Clients enjoy the day at leisure to explore and take up any of the many optional activities on offer. Day 7: Depart for Damaraland. Damaraland is a large region situated between the Skeleton Coast, Etosha National Park and the remote Kaokoland. It is also home to Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site: The prehistoric rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. In fact, the site is one of the most important concentrations of Rock Art in Africa. The remarkable Brandberg is Namibia’s highest mountain and is home to the famous White Lady rock painting. The Petrified Forest of Damaraland is an unusual habitat that dates back millions of years, and offers a poignant landscape of colossal fossilised trees. This rugged landscape has prehistoric water courses with open grassland plain, huge granite outcrops, deep gorges and scenic mountains. Here visitors can find an assortment of wildlife such as desertadapted elephant and the endangered black rhino. Day 8: Depart for Etosha. Check in at the lodge and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Etosha National Park is situated the north west of Namibia and is considered by safari aficionados as one of the world’s finest wildlife- viewing venues. Etosha National Park gets its name from the large Etosha pan—a huge, flat saline desert which covers 23 percent of the total area of the Etosha National Park. For a few days every year the Etosha pan turns into a shallow lagoon as the rain saturates the soil and animals flock to drink and play. Don’t be fooled by the park’s barren appearance: Etosha National Park is home to four of the big five, including the endangered black rhino and more than a hundred other mammals.

Day 10: Depart for Waterberg Plateau. Optional activities available at the camp. The Waterberg National Park is situated on the Waterberg Plateau in central Namibia. The Waterberg Plateau is a flat- topped plateau which stunning views and exceptional wildlife. The plateau is largely made of sandstone, with scattered freshwater springs. Over the years many endangered species have been introduced in this area because the plateau is hard to reach and thus the animals are kept safe from poachers and predators. Black rhino, eland, Roan and sable have found a haven in this protected area. The Waterberg is also home to Namibia’s only breeding colony of Cape vultures. Unlike other parks in Africa, people can’t drive themselves. Instead they must either hike or go on one of the organised drives with a professional guide. Day 11: Make your way to Windhoek, check in at the guesthouse and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Day 12: Make your way to the airport for your flight out, leaving Africa with many wonderful memories. What's included in your tour ·  Return flights ·  Accommodation ·  Transfers ·  Meal as mentioned in the itinerary ·  Entrance fee to indicated sights KEY: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

Day 9: Clients enjoy the day at leisure. Optional activities available at the lodge.

0207 290 0600

[email protected]

www.citibond.co.uk

0207 290 0600

[email protected]

www.citibond.co.uk