Africa Safaris & Holidays

The Naukluft Mountains are well known for the day visitor hikes Waterkloof and Olive Trail. There is also the possibility for a four-day and an eight-day trail for the more advanced and fit hikers. The trails are open from first March to the third Friday in October on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays of each week. The accommodation at the overnight stops on the trail consists of stone built shelters and a hut. No showers are provided.

Day 01 – Monday/Wednesday/Friday:
Pick up time at about 10h00 in Windhoek. Heading southwards we will reach the Naukluft Mountains in the afternoon. Overnight in bunk beds at “Hikers Haven”, the old farmhouse at Naukluft. (LD)

Day 02 – Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday:
The trail starts at the hut and except for two fairly steep ascents; the first days hike covers easy terrain. Much of the trail follows a zebra path with an easy gradient and we are rewarded with spectacular views of the wide valley some 300m below. The overnight stop, “Putte Shelter” takes its name from the nearby well, which is equipped with a hand pump, enabling us to obtain water. About six hours are required to hike today’s 14km section. To watch the colours at sunset there is a possibility of taking a short walk 1.2 hour from camp. (BLD)

Day 03 – Wednesday/Friday/Sunday:
Our second day’s hike mainly traverses the undulating plateau and once again requires about six hours to complete the 15km stretch. About three hours after setting off, “Bergpos” is reached and the trail now descends down the spectacular “Ubusis Kloof”. This descent is very difficult and therefore for ease and safety several chains have been anchored at critical points. “Ubusis Hut” used to be a holiday cottage before the land was acquired for the park and will be a pleasant surprise to us. (BLD)

Day 04 – Thursday/Saturday/Monday:
On our third day’s hike, after backtracking to Bergpos (all the exhausting way up again), an easy route is followed across the plateau to the “Adlerhorst Shelter”. Maybe we are lucky to see Mountain Zebra or Kudu, which are often tobe spotted in the area. Our hike today covers about 12km and requires about four to six hours. There is a possibility to watch the sunset over the desert approx. 1 hour from the shelter. The descent from here is easy and one can get back to the shelter before dark. (BLD)

Day 05 – Friday/Sunday/Tuesday:
The fourth day of our trail to Tsams Ost covers about 17km and initially traverses fairly level terrain before branching off into a beautiful gorge carved by the Tsams River. After following the kloof for some distance the trail leaves the river and climbs steeply to bypass a waterfall before winding down to the river again where we will see an enormous “Moringa Tree”. A number of beautiful springs are passed shortly before reaching the gravel road leading to “Tsams Ost Shelter”. Transfer by vehicle to one of the “guest farms or lodges” in the area. A nice shower and bed is waiting for us and we have time to relax and recall the pleasures of the last days. (BLD)

Day 06 – Saturday/Monday/Wednesday:
Drive back to Windhoek (B)

Safari Facts
 
Price 2012: EUR 879
Start in Windhoek/Namibia
End in Windhoek/Namibia
Meals included
Tour in english
Accommodation: camping and lodge

Group Size: 4 - 7, minimum age is 12 yrs.

Important notes: A single supplement is available on this trip @ EUR 22.

Departures 2012: on request. Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your preferred dates.

Price Includes: English speaking guide/driver; door-to-door courtesy transport in Windhoek City area only; all transfers Windhoek - start/end point of hikes - Windhoek; accommodation as per itinerary; meals as per itinerary (B= cereals, coffee/tea, l= bread, cheese, salami, d= light cooked meal by our guide incl. coffee/tea); hiking permits;

Price Excludes: Personal travel insurance - this is compulory; sleeping bags, mattresses & backpack & water bottle; tips/gratuities; drinks/snacks; items of a personal nature; flights; visas

Special requirements: very good fitness; doctors medical report which is not older than 40 days; guest must sign indemnity form and have to provide own medical evacuation insurance in advance.

General: Clients have to carry weight up to 15kg (all equipment and food is to be shared plus personal belongings).

Climate: The seasons in Namibia are reversed compared to those in Europe. During the European winter months we have summer in Namibia and vice versa. Winter and summer in Namibia differ from what we are used to in Europe, though. The winter in Namibia is the cooler dry season, which is characterised by high temperature changes and hardly any rainfall. It can get very cold at night in the desert (June to August down to -5°C). During the day temperatures may rise up to 25°C. The Namibian summer (January to end of March) is the rainy season and it seldom rains during the other months. November and December are very hot with temperatures over 30°C, so it is essential to pack the suitable clothes. Rest assured that you will not encounter a grey sky that will linger for weeks! So bring some sandals, walking shoes, light cotton clothes (Shorts and shirts), a jacket or fleece pullover and long trousers. We have seen everything: from beanies and gloves to bikinis!!

Character of and requirements for the trails: The trails are not difficult, but challenging. Fitness and good condition is essential as the trails entail 7 to 8 hours walking and you have to carry your luggage every day, including food and water (all together approx. 12 – 15 kg per person). As some of the routes lead through rough terrain and over large boulders it requires well balanced and secure walking. Please be aware of high temperature fluctuations, which can reach a high of 35°C during the day whilst sometimes plummeting down to -5°C at night, which can cause additional stress to your heart and circulation. We recommend you to prepare yourself for the trail with some fitness training. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism requires a medical report by your doctor not older than 40 days.

Recommendation: We urgently recommend that comprehensive insurance cover be taken out before embarking on the tour; make provision for cancellation and curtailment; medical expenses, emergency evacuation, repatriation; loss or damage of personal baggage

SafariScout.com and local tour operator/organiser will not be held responsible for any costs arising from any of the above events. Restriction of liability also applies if clients were unaware of this policy.

Force Majeure: It goes without saying that we do our utmost to conduct the tour as described in the program; we cannot vouch for it, however. Unfavourable weather conditions, organizational problems, unforeseen events or other factors may force us to change the course of the tour and should this be the case we apologise for any inconvenience caused. The opening and the closing periods for the Fish River Canyon Hike are regulated by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and can change due to external influences (heat, water availability, flooding). The company cannot be held responsible for tours being cancelled on those grounds and we reserve the right to changes according to circumstances at the time of booking. We are able to assist with pre and post safari accommodation, airport transfers or adding this hiking trip to a part of a safari or self drive, please contact us for more info