10-day Namibia Under Canvas

This Namibia Under Canvas Safari affords you the chance to experience this magnificent and memorable country in a very personal way. You will have your own professional and experienced safari guide who will enhance your enjoyment of this unique country by making it a fascinating and stress-free journey of discovery amidst very dramatic scenery. The knowledge, experience, and character of our guides are critical to a successful safari which is why we ensure that they are both personable and very professional. Your guide will have an intimate knowledge of each area and camp/lodge that you visit, allowing them to share the local insights and highlights whilst adding continuity and depth to your safari. It goes without saying that they all know exactly what a “True African Safari” is all about. Not only are our guides highly qualified, each has a specific area of expertise. Together they possess the breadth and depth of knowledge to allow them to answer questions and satisfy the interests of each of our guests. The presence and company of your guide will turn your safari into an experience of a lifetime!

 

Highlights

  • Windhoek
  • Neuhof Nature Reserve
  • Onguma Game Reserve
  • Damaraland
  • Swakopmund
  • Namibia

Tour Summary

Full Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1 : Onguma Game Reserve

This morning, your guide will collect you from your various accommodation establishments or from the Windhoek International Airport (assuming you land before 07h00).  You then depart Windhoek in your safari vehicle with your private guide and set off on your journey.

On your way to Onguma Tree Tops you will visit the Okonjima’s AfriCat Day Centre, a wonderful highlight with which to start your safari.  Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary which focuses on the research and rehabilitation of Africa's big cats, especially injured or captured leopard and cheetah. You will arrive in time to embark on an exciting and informative game drive and tour of the centre.  Here you will learn about the function and vision of the AfriCat Foundation and will also get to meet some of the Foundation’s special captive carnivore ambassadors.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no tracking of wild cats on this visit and should that be required a pre-overnight extension should be booked.

After the excursion you will enjoy a light lunch before you journey continues further north via the small towns of Otjiwarango, Otavi and Tsumeb arriving at Onguma in the late afternoon.  You will have time to freshen up and relax before dinner and the official safari briefing with your guide.

Overnight:         Onguma Tree Top Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Okonjima AfriCat visit (local drinks included)

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Day 2 : Onguma Game Reserve

Today is full of exciting game viewing within the eastern section of Etosha National Park, with the option to go on across towards Halali or to concentrate on the areas closer to Namutoni and north to Fischer’s Pan.  You also have the option to return to the camp for lunch or spend the entire day in the park to maximize your game viewing experience.

Overnight:         Onguma Tree Top Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Etosha Game Drives with Guide (local drinks included)

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Day 3 : Onguma Game Reserve

Another morning dedicated to memorable game drives within the eastern section of Etosha National Park with your guide.  You return to camp for lunch and an early afternoon rest, spending your final afternoon on a shared game drive with a local guide on the private Onguma Game Reserve, culminating in a sundowner overlooking Fischer’s Pan.  You then return after sunset with enough time to freshen up and enjoy your final ‘safari dinner’ overlooking the camp’s floodlit waterhole.

Overnight:         Onguma Tree Top Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, AM Etosha & PM Onguma Drive (local drinks included)

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Day 4 : Damaraland

This morning after breakfast you will continue your safari to the heart of Namibia, Damaraland, traveling through farmlands and the small towns of Tsumeb, Otavi, Outjo and Khorixas.

Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation.  The present-day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces.  It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word 'wilderness'.

You enjoy a delicious Magic Box picnic en route and arrive in time in time to enjoy fireside sundowners at your exclusive Camp Doros.  Please note that today is a long day of travelling, rewarded with another 3 night stay at your next camp.

Overnight:         Camp Doros
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and nature based activities with Guide (local drinks & limited laundry included)

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Day 5 : Damaraland

Today you will spend an exciting and memorable morning out rhino tracking with the assistance of local trackers. It is worth noting that these black rhino form part of one of the only free-roaming black rhino populations in Africa and tracking animals in an unfenced and uninhibited environment is an absolute privilege. You will return to camp for a freshly prepared lunch and with time to relax at camp during the heat of the day. Later in the afternoon you head out again for a scenic nature drive or walk to explore this vast and astounding ecosystem.  Camp Doros works together with the Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) - an NGO that has been instrumental in the preservation of the rare, endangered, desert adapted black rhino. Having barely survived the slaughter in many parts of Africa during the '80s and '90s, the black rhino population of Namibia increased substantially since the formation of SRT.

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Day 6 : Damaraland

Today you continue your adventures exploring Damaraland, enjoying the freedom to discover 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 elephant, 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.  Today’s focus will be largely on tracking the elusive desert adapted elephants in the ephemeral river systems, an activity which will mean spending most of the day out.  Your guide will take along a delicious picnic lunch and you will return to camp in the late afternoon.

Overnight:         //Huab Under Canvas
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and nature based activities with Guide (local drinks & limited laundry included)

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Day 7 : Swakopmund

After an early breakfast and departure, the drive today takes you south past Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573 m above sea level, and west to meet the coast at Henties Bay.  You then continue south to the coastal town of Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for the night.  You stay on the eastern outskirts of the town, overlooking the Swakop River valley and desolate desert dune landscapes.   Tonight, includes dinner at a popular restaurant which specializes in locally harvested fresh seafood as well as other local and international dishes.

Overnight:         Desert Breeze
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (local drinks included)

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Day 8 : Neuhof Nature Reserve

After an early breakfast you depart on a fascinating drive which takes you south-east through awesome and everchanging desert landscapes via the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons to meet the dunes at the settlement of Solitaire.  A picnic lunch will be had en route, and you will continue onto the Namib Tsaris Conservancy, where you will spend your final two nights of your safari at the exclusive-use Sossus Under Canvas.  Arrival should be in the mid to late afternoon with enough time to acquaint yourself with the camp and enjoy a hot bucket shower before dinner.

NOTE: As an alternative to the drive from Swakopmund to Sossusvlei you may like to take a scenic light aircraft flight over

Sossusvlei and along the Diamond Coast (optional extra at additional cost), allowing you a bird’s eye view over the Sandwich Harbour and salt pans, the Namib Sea Sand, abandoned mining camps and two shipwrecks,.  Your guide will drive to meet up with you in Sossusvlei later in the day.  Please note that if making use of this offer, flights will need to be booked exclusively  for absolute logistical reasons.

Overnight:         Sossus Under Canvas
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and nature-based activities with Guide (local drinks included)

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Day 9 : Neuhof Nature Reserve

This morning you will need to rise early for a magical excursion with your guide in the Namib Naukluft National Park, normally setting off before sunrise to enter the park at sunrise and capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves.  This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world and your guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs.  Once you have explored Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and surrounding dune fields to your heart’s content you can enjoy a relaxed picnic brunch in the shade of a camel thorn tree.

You will return to camp for a late freshly prepared lunch and with time to relax at camp during the heat of the day.  Later in the afternoon you head out again for a scenic nature drive or walk to explore this vast and astounding ecosystem and to enjoy a magnificent final safari sundowner.

Overnight:         Sossus Under Canvas
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and nature-based activities with Guide (local drinks included)

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Day 10 : Departure

After a leisurely breakfast this morning you will depart from Sossusvlei and return to Windhoek, driving northeast up the Great Escarpment and through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands. A tasty picnic lunch will again be served en route and arrival in Windhoek should be by the mid-afternoon.

Upon your arrival in Windhoek you will be transferred to your accommodation establishment of choice, or out to the Windhoek International Airport (transfer to be booked additionally) if flying out in the evening - departure flights must be no earlier than 18h00 to allow sufficient time for the journey back to Windhoek, or a final night in Windhoek can be arranged at additional cost if required.  A final night in Windhoek is highly recommended!

Breakfast & Lunch

Included

Accommodation as stated above.
Transportation in a luxury air-conditioned safari vehicle.
All meals.
Services of a registered and experienced naturalist English-speaking safari guide.
Entrance fees and excursions as described in above itinerary.
Mineral water on board the safari vehicle.
Local drinks at meals (this includes water, soft drinks, beers and table wine).
Onguma afternoon property drive in open game viewer with camp guide.
Welcome pack.

Excluded

International, regional & local flights to Namibia and airport taxes.
Return airport transfers from Windhoek International Airport – Windhoek – Windhoek International Airport.
Pre and post safari accommodation in Windhoek.
Any entrance fees and excursions not included in the above itinerary such as scenic flights.
All premium and imported wines, champagnes and spirits
Laundry (laundry service available at lodges at extra cost) – //Huab Under Canvas will offer a limited complimentary laundry service to assist with a ‘mid-point laundry’ opportunity.
Gratuities.
Items of personal nature (telephone expenses, curios, medicines etc).
ENTRY VISA FEES.
BANK CHARGES (as per bank or 3.5% commission for VISA/MASTER and 4.5% commission for AMEX).