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A luxury self drive honeymoon safari allowing you privacy and romance as well as enjoying some of the best locations and conservation programmes Namibia.
Highlights include: Namib Rand, Sossusvlei and Swakopmund; opportunity to track black rhino with Save The Rhino Trust and see desert elephant; Etosha National Park;
Day 1 Olive Grove Guesthouse, Windhoek
Upon arrival at the airport collect your vehicle and drive into the city about 40kms away. Depending on the time of arrival, you may have time to wander around the city and take in the sights. Overnight in twin bedded rooms with en suite facilities, dinner at own expense
Day 2-3 Wolwedans Dunes Lodge
Recommend you depart after breakfast and drive through the desert to Wolwedans. The building style is a combination of wooden structures and overlooks panoramic vistas in all directions, complementing the desert, chalets have large canvas blinds and windows that open up to the desert beyond. The lodge reflects the ambience of a tented camp, but provides the comfort and protection of a permanent building. Each of the nine spacious Chalets with en-suite bathrooms leads onto a private verandah and vast stretches of untouched sand. Sleeping with your canvas blinds open is as good as sleeping under the stars. The main complex consists of two lounges, a number of sundowner decks, a fireplace, a tea deck, a library, the wine cellar and two dining rooms. All communal areas of the lodge open out onto verandahs with superb views. Activities include an afternoon drive on the day of arrival, followed by a full day-safari with picnic lunch en-route. Alternatively you can join one or two half-day excursions, i.e. if you feel like lazing around for an afternoon, simply admiring the views and colours that change by the hour – the choice is entirely yours. Activities are accompanied by experienced guides, visitors are introducec to the many facets of the reserve’s desert habitat with its diverse flora and fauna – on foot, by car or from a hot-air balloon (ballooning additional cost). The scenic drives in open Land Rovers or the walks with resident field guides, reveal the wonders of the desert, sundowners on the dunes and dinners by candlelight. Most drinks are included though not imported vintage wines and personal items such as laundry; phone calls
Notes on Wolvedans
Wolvedans is based on the Namib Rand Nature Reserve. Formerly a number of sheep farms situated on the edge of the Namib they have been rendered fenceless and allowed to rehabilitate in order to establish what is today one of Southern Africa’s largest private conservation areas. Game roams freely through a large section of its original habitat (please note that in the desert large numbers of game cannot be supported, nor does it have the variation of parks such as Etosha). Comprising of almost 180,000 hectares, the reserve shares a common border of some 100 kms with the Namib-Naukluft Park in the west and is protected by the Nubib Mountains in the east. This breathtaking location and the diversity of desert landscapes – sand and gravel plains interspersed by vast stretches of grass savannah alternative with mountain ranges. Encroaching from the west are tongues of dunes with colours ranging from yellow-gold and ochre to rose, russet and beep red, paling and deepening as the day wanes. Game includes gemsbok, mountain and plains zebra, springbok, red hartebeest, giraffe, bat-eared fox, spotted hyaena, cape fox and African wild car. In addition, the rocky areas home kudu, klipspringer, baboon and leopard while the dunes harbour a rich and diverse mirco-fauna. Over a hundred species of birds have been recorded at Namib Rand.
Day 4 Sossusvlei Lodge
From Wolwedans drive to Sossusvlei Lodge, located at the entrance of the Namib Naukluft Park. Here, you can enter the park and enjoy the wonder of the magnificent dunes of Sossusvlei – recommend you arrive here early or alternatively late afternoon when the colour of the dunes change and the colours are at their most incredible. Explore Dead Vlei and Sossusvlei on foot. The last section into the region is 4×4 only so it will depend on the vehicle you hire whether you drive this last section yourselves, alternatively you can walk or take a shuttle service. Sosssusvlei is reputed to have some of the highest dunes in the world and is certainly part of one of the oldest deserts. This is an excellent location for photography. Overnight in twin bedded rooms with en suite and private verandah, dinner is served on the main verandah looking out over the desert. Dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 5 Villa Margherita, Swakopmund
This morning you may choose to join an optional activity such as hot air ballooning. You will be collected and driven to the take off point and at sunrise take off for an hours flight, who knows where the wind will take you – possibly along the mountain range or over the sand dune sea. After landing you will enjoy a delicious champagne breakfast before being dropped off at the lodge. From here drive north crossing the Kuiseb Canyon and onward through the desert with its endless vistas across the plains. You can stop at Walvis Bay to visit the lagoon – a protected RAMSAR site to see flamingos, pelicans and the endemic damara tern, you can also make a short stop at the salt works, one of the major export industries in the country before heading up the coastline to Swakopmund and relax or you may wish to join in an optional activity. Swakopmund is a bustling little town and is the main coastal town in Namibia. The architecture is interesting – many of the houses and buildings are of a colonial style and offer a good selection of shops, restaurants and cafes. Overnight in Villa Margherita, one of the oldest and most beautiful houses in Swakopmund, that has been lovingly restored. Each individually styled room has a touch of class and elegance along with spacious en-suite facilities and lounge. Bed and Breakfast basis though additional meals can be served upon request
Day 6 Villa Margherita, Swakopmund
Enjoy a free day – you can choose if you wish to take part in one of the many optional activities such as tandem skydiving, sandboarding, quadbiking, a township tour where you are able to chat to the locals, enjoy a dolphin cruise or fishing trip, the choice is extensive. An excellent option is to join a scenic flight over the sand dune sea over Sossusvlei, out to the coast line seeing the old diamond mines and shipwrecks and along the coastline viewing flamingos, seal colonies and the dunes falling into the ocean, a totally different perspective to the land and taking you places unable to visit on land. Alternatively there is also a day trip to Sandwich Harbour, a natural lagoon, this trip comes highly recommended and can be booked in advance if you wish. You may just choose to visit the museums or wander along the beach. Lunch and dinner at clients own expense. Overnight as above.
Day 7 Mowani Mountain Camp
This morning depart from Swakopmund, recommend you drive along part of the Skeleton Coast and visit the Cape Cross seal colony where thousands of seals congregate on the beach. From here continue into Damaraland and Mowani Mountain Camp that is set between the Ugab and Huab Rivers in a vast and unspoilt wilderness area of desert, unique geological formations and amazing flora and fauna. The main structure consists of domed thatching buildings that blend in with the natural surroundings and yet offer pure comfort on the interior. Each luxury tent has its own en-suite and again there is unsurpassed attention to detail. Here, you can drive to Twyfelfontein to take a local guide and visit one of the largest rock etching collections in Southern Africa or perhaps take an optional activity with the lodge. Dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 8-9 Desert Rhino Camp
Depart Mowani and head to Palmwag Lodge, around 3pm you will be taken on a game drive and onto Desert Rhino Camp. This is a beautifully located and remote camp with meru style tents and dining area with uninterrupted views of the desert. The camp is run in conjunction with Save the Rhino Trust in the Palmwag Concession area and offers a fascinating insight into the ecology and conservation of the incredible area at the same time contributing directly to the Trust and ultimately the sustainability of this vulnerable area and wildlife. This organisation that has been has been responsible for helping to ensure that these rare, desert adapted black rhino survived the slaughter that went on throughout other parts of Africa in the '80s and '90s. Today this population of black rhino is growing in numbers and the area boasts the largest concentration of rhino anywhere on the planet outside of a national park. Community game scouts who were employed by the Trust to help with the patrolling and monitoring all these years are now seconded to the camp and are its trackers and guides. Guests gain an amazing insight into the ecology and conservation of this area, while at the same time a portion of guest revenue contributes to the Trust and its rhino conservation projects.
Desert Rhino Camp, set in a wide valley sometimes flush with grass, has just eight large Meru-style tents with an en-suite bathroom comprising hand basin, flush toilet and a classic bucket shower that is filled with hot water whenever needed. A tented dining and living area offers uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains, while the extraordinary welwitschia plants dot the plain in front of camp. Activities include rhino tracking on foot or by vehicle, full-day outings with a picnic lunch, birding and day and night nature drives to explore this intricate ecosystem. Dedicated guides will provide you with an informative and exciting experience. The concession's freshwater springs support healthy populations of the famous desert-adapted black rhino, desert-adapted elephant, Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, kudu and predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyaena. Bird life is prolific and diverse with most of Namibia's endemics present. Fully inclusive basis (though lunch at Palmwag not included)
Day 10-11 Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, Purros
Your destination is Purros, in the heart of the Kunene region (Kaokoland). It is often described as one of the last truly wild areas in the country and the only place in the world where elephants, black rhinos, lions and other animals live in a truly wild desert environment. The lodge, located in the Purros Conservancy, offers activities such as morning and afternoon game and scenic drives to explore the untouched wilderness area and track the desert-adapted elephants; hike along the Uaraosib River and in the surrounding mountains and visit the local Himba village. Night drives are also available. The luxury cottages offer romance and privacy and have large en-suite bathrooms in which you can admire the surroundings from a bathtub or simply lounge on a bed outside of your room where you can relax and enjoy the view. There are two open lounges, as well as a dining area and swimming pool. Fully inclusive – drinks extra
Day 12 Grootberg Lodge
Grootberg Lodge is situated at the top of the Grootberg Pass with stunning views over the valley. Each chalet overlooks the valley and has a private verandah to sit and relax. Depending on your time of arrival you may be able to join an optional activity this afternoon, walk in the region, enjoy a horse ride, plunge in the pool etc. Overnight is based on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Days 13 & 14 Ongava Lodge
Drive to Ongava Lodge, situated on the border of Etosha National Park. Accommodation here comprises 10 airconditioned rock and thatch chalets, each with air-conditioning, bathroom en-suite and private balcony overlooking the expansive plains of the Ongava Game Reserve. Meals of the highest order are served in Ongava's spacious thatched lapa with its comfortable lounge area, convivial bar and magnificent views. Ongava offers daily game drives in open-sided vehicles and walking trails (with armed guide), as well as excursions into the Etosha National Park. Game drives normally leave in the early morning and late afternoon, ideal times for game viewing. Dusk and night drives offer an opportunity of experiencing nature after dark. You will be accompanied by an ecologically aware ranger who will guide you on an informative tour of the reserve, helping you discover some of the fascinating indigenous elements of the bushveld. A number of safe and secure hides are also available for guests wishing to spend time on close-up wildlife viewing or photography. Game on the reserve includes elephant, lion, rhino, various kinds of buck and a multitude of bird species.Day 15 Erindi Game Reserve
Day 15 Erindi Game Reserve
After a leisurely breakfast depart to Erindi to arrive by around lunchtime. It’s a private reserve of around 90,000ha that’s full of enticing game such as elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and even endangered wild dog, not forgetting hippo and crocodiles. A great opportunity to enjoy some wonderful game viewing and a complete contrast to the incredible landscapes that you have witnessed. You will be able to enjoy activities in the morning and afternoon, heading off in search of some of species of game and birds that wander freely and still have time to relax. Species include black and white rhino, lion, leopard, elephant as well as endangered animals such as wild dog and cheetah. A wonderful opportunity to see some of the species not found in Etosha such as hippo and crocodiles is also available to you. Sit by the swimming pool or by your room overlooking a floodlit waterhole and watch the game come to quench their thirst. This lodge opened in 2008 and each of the rooms is spacious with plenty of attention to detail.
Day 16 Gocheganas
Return to the outskirts of Windhoek today – it’s just a 2.5 hours drive through to Gocheganas. Here you will based on the 6,000 hectare reserve and the lodge offers commanding views across the mountains and valleys. Animals wander around in these valleys including rhino, giraffe, zebra, eland, cheetah, leopard and more. .. The lodge itself has a sundowner terrace, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pool, small gym and a superb wellness centre so you are able to relax at the end of the trip and enjoy treatments such as massage, facials etc etc… alternatively you can enjoy game drives and walks. A beautiful location to end your honeymoon and why not spoil yourselves. Full board basis
Day 17 Windhoek/flight
Return to airport in time to drop off car and take onward connections.
Safari Facts
2012 Rates [valid until 31 October 2012]
High Season (June - October)
Price per person based on 2 people with 4x4 Single Cab - EUR 6699 per person sharing
or
Price per person based on 2 people with 2x4 Nissan X-trail - EUR 6599 per person sharing
Low Season (January - May AND Nov + Dec)
Price per person based on 2 people with 4x4 Single Cab - EUR 6199 per person sharing
or
Price per person based on 2 people with 2x4 Nissan X-trail - EUR 5999 per person sharing
Price includes: accommodation and luxury permanent tents as per itinerary; meals as indicated in itinerary; activities as stated in itinerary; VAT; tourism levy; Budget car hire on super cover (0 excess)
Price excludes: fuel, meals not indicated on itinerary; items of a personal nature; optional activities; personal travel insurance; snacks/drinks unless indicated; tips/gratuities; telephone and internet use; entry fees; flights, visas etc
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