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NAMIBIA TRIP:
THE UNEXPLORED FRONTIER

Year-round Departures (May-December is best for wildlife viewing)

Home to the world's oldest living desert and highest sand dunes, Namibia is a country of compelling beauty, abundant sunshine, and a feeling of unconfined space. It remains a largely unexplored frontier, a land of contrasting, pristine landscapes with a large variety of game, particularly in Etosha. About 16% of Namibia has been set aside as national parks, and you will visit three of them on this expedition. At Sossusvlei, you'll encounter an endless expanse of 1000 foot-high dunes with hues ranging from pale apricot to vivid reds and oranges. It is truly a remarkable setting, and you'll have an opportunity to go hot air ballooning if you choose. You''ll stop briefly in Swakopmund for easy dune surfing and quad biking or to take a wonderful dolphin and sea lion watching cruise at Walvis Bay. Some of the sea lions may even hop aboard! Then fly northward along the Skeleton Coast and inland to Damaraland, where you'll enjoy wonderful bushwalks, game drives, and star-gazing "par excellence". You'll also see San Rock Art dating back to the Stone Age 6,000 years ago! Next you'll explore Etosha National Park, where huge herds of game can be seen teeming against the unique backdrop of the Etosha Pan. Etosha is widely considered one of the best game viewing parks in Africa.

On your safari, you'll also come to appreciate the good-natured Namibian people. They are an eclectic mix: the Bushmen (or San) are the last representatives of the ancient hunter-gather tradition; the Damara have a curious language laced with outlandish clicks; the Himba are renowned for their statuesque beauty, intricate hairstyles, and symbolic jewelry; and the Herero women wear voluminous Victorian-style dresses. Whomever you meet, your adventure in Namibia will certainly be unforgettable!

Optional 2 or 3- night extensions to Serra Cafema camp, Skeleton Coast Camp or Palmag Rhino camp! Call for details.

Note: All adventures are elective and low-intensity.

Choice of optional lecture(s) from topics listed below. Delivered by a regional specialist, these lectures would supplement the information conveyed by your top-notch guides. Some lectures may not be available on certain departures.

– Wildlife lecture on mammals or ornithology
– The Namib Desert
– Namibia’s main peoples and cultures
– Overview of Namibia’s history
– Spiritual & religious beliefs of Namibia’s main peoples

I T I N E R A R Y

Note: We will gladly customize an itinerary to meet your preferences.

Fly from New York to Johannesburg, arriving on the afternoon of day 2. Private transfer to your hotel, where you may relax after your international flight. The Grace Hotel.

Days 3-4

Sun-Mon

Sossusvlei

Private airport transfer for your flight to Windhoek. Short air transfer to Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp.

Sossusvlei, situated l2 miles away, is one of the most remarkable sites in the Namib-Naukluft Park and the Namib Desert . Towering red sand dunes, perhaps the highest in the world, rise dramatically over 1,000 feet above the surrounding plains. Apart from their size, Sossusvlei's dunes are captivating for their continually changing hues, which attract photographers from around the world. You'll enjoy day- and night-time game drives in 4x4 vehicles as well as escorted bushwalks. You'll drive to the magnificent dunes -- including Big Momma and Big Daddy -- and to the "vlei" itself at the end of the Tsauchchab River, a dry river bed that only flows in years of exceptional rainfall. You'll also visit lovely Sesriem canyon. The harsh environment prevents large concentrations of game; however; you will see many interesting animals such as the Springbok, Gemsbok (Oryx), Ostrich, and Aardvark. These animals are dramatized by the contrast with the surrounding desert scenery. Weather-permitting, you may decide to go hot air ballooning (optional).

The Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp is situated on a 7,000 hectare property with wonderful desert scenery and views of the dunes in the distance. The camp was built near the top of a mountain, using natural materials of rock, timber, and thatch. It provides a cool refuge from the desert. Each of the nine luxury bungalows is superbly appointed and has private bathrooms with hot and cold running water. There is also a pool.
Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp (or Little Kulala). (B,L,D)

Morning scenic flight over the incredible Sossusvlei dunes on your way to the coastal city of Swakopmund. You have a choice of enjoying a sand dune experience -- dune surfing and quad biking -- or transferring to Walvis Bay for a boat ride to see pelicans, dolphins and sea lions. After lunch, you'll fly along the Skeleton Coast and then inland to arrive at Damaraland.

Damaraland Camp, located on the north face of the Huab River Valley, 55 miles inland from Torra Bay on Namibia's Skeleton Coast. The camp presents endless vistas across stark plains, ancient valleys, and soaring peaks. The brooding mass of the Brandberg (7,900 ft) provides a focal point. Early morning mists, generated by the icy Atlantic and the warm land mass along the Skeleton Coast drift inland along the river line, providing sustenance to varied life -forms. Wildlife includes the Desert Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Oryx, Kudu, Springbok, and other species that are able to endure the desert environment. The absence of fences in the area gives one a complete sense of freedom not often found in Namibia. Star-gazing is "par excellence" with crystal-clear night skies.

Activities center around game drives in 4x4 vehicles and bushwalks into the Huab River system. At Twyfelfontaine, you may observe lovely petroglyphs and paintings carved into the local sandstone by San Hunters up to 6,000 years ago! (The Stone Age).

Each of Damaraland's large, comfortable, walk-in tents has en-suite facilities and a roomy verandah. They also offer lovely views of the valley. The camp has a pool.
Damaraland Camp. (B,L,D)

Note: If you have a particular interest in seeing rhinos, then you might consider staying at Palmwag Rhino Camp instead. This camp is more rustic than Damaraland Camp.

Short morning flight to Ongava Lodge/Tented Camp, which is situated on a private 30,000-hectare reserve that borders Etosha National Park to the south. Etosha is Namibia's premier wildlife park, with large concentrations of elephant, lion, leopard, black rhino, white rhino, springbok, gemsbok, and hartebeest. (The lions are particularly handsome). You'll also enjoy wonderful views of the salt pans which dominate the center of Etosha. Birdlife around the water-holes is abundant; you'll see ostrich, pygmy falcon, short-toed rock thrush, Hautlaub's Francolin, freckled nightjar, and Meyer's parrot. You'll spend the mornings within Etosha and afternoons in the Ongava Reserve in open sided 4x4 vehicles.

The Ongava Lodge offers the full Etosha experience, while at the same time allowing you to do night drives and bushwalks on the reserve, activities which are not allowed within Etosha.
You may also hide out (safely) in a camouflaged hut situated beside a waterhole! Ongava offers you a higher level of comfort than the park's largest camps. Ongava has a pool.
Ongava Lodge or Ongava Tented Camp (B,L,D)

Fly to Johannesburg via Windhoek, connecting with your flight to the USA. Barring delays or schedule changes, you will arrive home the same day. (B, meals en route)

Optional extensions to Serra Cafema camp, Skeleton Coast Camp, Palmag Rhino camp, Botswana, South Africa or Victoria Falls!

Land Cost Includes:

o Accommodations for 7 nights in a deluxe hotel, upscale bungalows and comfortable tented camp.
o All elective "soft" adventures (except ballooning): game drives, hiking, bushwalks, dune surfing, quad biking
o Most meals (19)
o English speaking guides
o All transfers and land transportation
o Entrance/park fees
o Porterage

2008 Land Cost:

From January-June: $5,255 (check) or $5,415 (credit card)

From July-December: $5,980 (check) or $6,165 (credit card)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Trip Grade: Easy. Emphasis is on "off the beaten track" experience. All adventures are elective and low-intensity. They include bushwalks and day and nighttime game drives. Because the trip travels into remote areas, some discomfort may result from the climate, cultural differences, and schedule changes

Land Cost Includes: All vehicle transportation and transfers as stated in the itinerary; accommodations in deluxe tented camps and thatched cottages based on double occupancy; 19 meals as detailed in the itinerary; entrance/park fees; service and handling charges; instruction and leadership.

Land Cost Does Not Include: Airfares (quoted separately); meals not included in itinerary; tips to guides ; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; laundry, passports, personal insurance, other personal items; airport departure taxes; hotel nights en route or return.

Climate: Namibia has a dry climate typical of a semi-desert country. Days are mostly warm to very hot, while nights are generally cool. Average daytime temperatures during the summer (Dec -March) range from 78F - 92F while average night temperatures during the winter (June-Aug) range from 32F -50F. Rain usually falls in the summer, with a short season in November and the main season from February to March. Average rainfall is under 50mm along the coast, 350mm in the central region, and 700mm in the far northeast.

Note: May to December is the dry season and therefore the best time to see desert elephants and black rhinos in Damaraland and Palmwag Rhino Camp.

Accommodations: Accommodations are based on double occupancy in deluxe tented camps and thatched cottages. Singles who sign up will be paired with a roommate. If none is available, there will be a single supplement charge.

Reservations and Payments: A deposit of $500 with the completed reservation form will ensure you a place on this trip. Departures are guaranteed during the season with a minimum of two passengers. Enrollment is limited to 16 passengers. Final payment of the land cost is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and Refunds: If you need to cancel your trip, please notify us in writing or by fax immediately. The cancellation penalty is calculated from the day we receive cancellation notice. (For those persons who do travel, there are no refunds for any unused meals, accommodations or other trip activities.) In certain cases, the cancellation policies of NEI's subcontractors will supercede NEI's policy. The cancellation penalty is calculated based on the schedule below.

Number of days prior to departure. Cancellation fee per person:
    61+days         $500 plus applicable airfare penalties
    45–60 days    30% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties
    30–44 days    60% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties
    0–29 days     100% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties

Insurance: Trip cancellation, accident and baggage insurance are recommended and will be offered to all participants. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised; this will protect you in the case of cancellation due to personal or family illness.

Responsibility: Nature Expeditions International is responsible for conducting this trip as outlined in the published itinerary. It reserves the right, however, to cancel the trip should it become affected by conditions beyond the company¹s control. In such an event, NEI will return all monies paid to it by the affected participants as full and final settlement.

NEI also reserves the right to substitute other lodging during the trip or to change the trip leader(s), itinerary, or travel arrangements if the staff believes it is in the best interest of all participants. In addition, NEI may decline to accept or retain any member or prospective member of an announced trip. Full refund for the unused portion of the trip will be paid to the affected participant in such an event.

Airline Clause: All arrangements for airline transportation are made by the respective airlines, which companies shall not have or incur any responsibility or liability to any person taking an trip except their liability as common carriers. Nor shall such carriers be or be held responsible for any act, omission, or event occurring after the passenger has disembarked from the conveyance. The usual passage contract in use by the carrier, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between said carrier and the passenger. All rates are based on tariffs currently or those tariffs to be placed in effect and are subject to adjustment in the event of changes therein. The air transportation services of any IATA/ARC member may be used.

© Nature Expeditions International