Namibia — Africa — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

AFRICA NEW! Hidden Tribes of Kaokoland 13 DAYS CAMPING/HOTEL/BUNGALOW NAMIBIA'S REMOTE NORTH Ref NH JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Traditional Himba Basking Cape fur seals/Mette Steen-Petersen NAMIBIA Namib Wilderness & Wildlife 15 DAYS HOTELS/CAMPING ETOSHA PANS AND NAMIB DESERT Ref NW JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Atlantic Ocean Using a specially modified truck, well explore dramatic canyons and sand dunes and enjoy the colonial charm of early European settlements. Three days are spent in the prehistoric Etosha National Park one of Africas very best wildlife reserves. A rare combination of remote wilderness and excellent infrastructure. Jewels of the Namib Desert From Namibias capital, Windhoek, we head southwest into the Namib desert, skirting the great Kalahari. The Namib is the oldest desert on earth and offers a wealth of sites from the Sesriem Canyon to the sand dunes and pans of the Sossusvlei area. The Sossusvlei clay pan, a surreal 300m depression, is a photographers delight and you may wish to try a dawn balloon flight over the dunes. Atlantic Coast & Damaraland From the sands to the seas, we enjoy a scenic drive to the Atlantic coast. Via the Kuiseb Rivers Canyon and Walvis Bay lagoon, we reach Swakopmund with its distinctly Germanic flavour. After visiting the thriving Cape Cross Seal Colony (home to up to 100,000 Cape fur seals), we enter southern Damaraland and begin our exploration of the area a unique cultural and conservational experience. Salt Pans of Etosha National Park At the heart of Etosha National Park lie the sprawling salt pans, once a lake the size of Holland. Dating back some 12 million years, its now a silvery depression of dust-laden mirages. In terms of game viewing, many consider the Etosha NP as the very best in Africa and during our exploration we observe the prolific birdlife and some of the 114 species of animals which thrive here. Our itinerary finally takes us to the Waterberg Plateau Park, home to the elusive dik-dik We also visit the Africat Foundation at Okonjima. Relaxing in camp Namib Wilderness &Wildlife Ref NW ETOSHA NP Game drives NAMUTONI OKAUKUEJO Lake Otjikoto Outijo Petrified forest a Twyfelfontein -Hu Aba Rock art NAMIBIA WATERBERG PLATEAU NP ABA-HUAB Cape Cross Fur seal colony KALAHARI Brandberg 2573m OKONJIMA D E S E RT Kuiseb Canyon Venturing into the vast, silent wilderness of northern Namibia, we focus on three contrasting areas: the mountains of Damaraland, the spectacular landscapes of Etosha Pan and a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the lives of the Himba people in the remote Opuwo region. Rock Art & Northern Damaraland We begin our journey walking in the spectacular Erongo and Brandberg mountains and discovering the history of the ancient bushmen through the rock art of the region, including the White Lady of Brandberg. Heading further north via the famous engravings and paintings at Twyfelfontein, we reach Damaraland and explore the vast expanse and game of the remote Palmwag Concession. SWAKOPMUND Walvis Bay Lagoon WINDHOEK Capital city Optional balloon flight Remote Lands of the Himba Heading into Namibia's remote north we reach the Upowo region in Kaokoland. This is the home of the Himba, semi-nomadic pastoralists whose customs and language has remained unchanged for centuries. We aim to learn more about their unique culture and the threats facing their traditional way of life through careful contact with these remote communities. Big game in Etosha Returning south we reach the Hobatere Concession on the western edge of Etosha before heading into the great park itself. Centred on the Etosha Pan, a shallow depression whose perennial springs provide sustenance to myriad birds and animal species, we hope to see African elephant, wildebeest and oryx, as well carnivores such as lion, hyena and jackal. Birdlife is equally impressive and hornbills and eagles are commonly spotted. b FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Windhoek. 2 Arrive Windhoek; free day. 3 Drive Sesriem. 4 In NamibNaukluft NP; explore Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon. 5 Optional balloon flight then scenic drive via Walvis Bay to Swakopmund. 6 Free in Swakopmund. 7 Drive via Uis mine, Brandberg Mountain, Cape Cross Seal Colony and Twyfelfontein to Damaraland. 8 Drive via Petrified Forest to Etosha, PM game drive. 9 & 10 Game viewing in Etosha NP. 11 Drive to Waterberg Plateau Park. 12 Optional plateau game drive and walks. 13 Drive to Okonjima; visit Africat Foundation. 14 Early game drive; drive to Windhoek; fly London. 15 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 3nts hotel; 9nts camping; 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 9 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Safari Truck/On foot. Comment: An adventurous trip into the wide open landscapes of northern Namibia requiring little physical exertion. Roads and campsites are of a generally good standard. Our safari truck is ideal for group travel and due to its height, it provides great vision whilst travelling or game viewing. Some long drives, but through spectacular scenery. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, driver and cook. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Request a tour dossier for comprehensive tour information on let Sk e Co ast B O T S WA N A Namib Desert Highest dunes SESRIEM CANYON on Earth km Sossusvlei Namibrand NR 0 300 Hidden Tribes of Kaokoland Ref NH ANGOLA Visit Himba villages NAMIBIA OPUWO HOBATERE Night safari K A L A H A R I B A S I N FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Windhoek. 2 Arrive Windhoek; drive to Erongo mountains; afternoon walk. 3 Morning walk; drive Brandberg; visit White Lady rock painting. 4 Drive via Twyfelfontein to Palmwag Concession. 5 At Palmwag Concession Area; gameviewing. 6 Drive via Ongongo Waterfall to Opuwo region. 7 Full day excursion to Himba villages. 8 Drive to Hobatere Concession; night game drive. 9 Drive to Etosha National Park; game-viewing. 10 At Etosha NP; game drives. 11 Drive to Windhoek. 12 Fly London. 13 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 8nts camping, 1nt hotel, 1nt bungalow; 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 10 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Safari truck; on foot Comment: An off-beat cultural and wildlife journey, come prepared for rough roads and basic camping conditions in the Opuwo region. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, driver(s) and camp staff Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. s h a ETOSHA NP E t o n Game drives Pa OKAUKUEJO Twyfelfontein Rock engravings AT L A N T I C OCEAN km 0 N A PALMWAG Game-viewing White Lady Rock paintings M I B BRANDBERG ERONGO MOUNTAINS Walks D T E R E S 200 WINDHOEK Himba settlement 133

Africa contd… Namibia