DUNES AND DELTA 4x4 ADVENTURE - 12 DAYS

A safari of contrast - from the dry desert landscapes of the Namib and the huge red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, the wildlife kingdom of Etosha NP and tracking with a bushman, to the tranquility of the Okavango Delta finishing at Livingstone close to the mighty Victoria Falls, this trip offers it all

 

Day 1 AGAMA RIVER CAMP This safari departs from Chameleon Guesthouse and Backpackers at 08h30. . Driving through the town of Rehoboth on our way to the lovely Agama Camp. We arrive at our camp just in time for lunch. After lunch you have time to enjoy the swimming pool or just relax around the camp. This afternoon your guide will take you for a short sunset walk or you can do an optional sundowner drive with Agama Camp. We enjoy our dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant. Overnight camping

Day 2 AGAMA RIVER CAMP

A pre-dawn departure from our campsite to drive to Sossusvlei, a 100kms drive in the darkness witnessing first light and shadows on the sand dunes before arriving at the heart of the famous sand dune sea of Namibia. We watch the sunrise from this spectacular and unique area (dependent on opening time of inner park gate). We head up a dune close to Sossusvlei then walk to Dead Vlei with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal camel thorn trees scattered around, contrasting with a backdrop of huge orange-red dunes that make for superb photographic opportunities. We enjoy a mid morning brunch after exploring this dramatic and desolate landscape before returning to camp for lunch, a swim and then explore nearby Sesriem Canyon on foot. We drive this afternoon back to our campsite. Enjoy another spectacular sunset surrounded by this colourful desert and sleep under the bright stars of the southern hemisphere. Overnight camping and dinner prepared by guide and camp assistant (BLD)

Day 3 VILLA WIESE GUESTHOUSE, SWAKOPMUND

Early morning departure from camp stopping at the one horse town of Solitaire before continuing through the desert with its endless views across the pastel-coloured gravel plains to the port town of Walvis Bay. We visit the lagoon, which is a protected RAMSAR wetland site, where we may see the many species of birds including Greater and Lesser Flamingos, pelicans, avocets, plovers, the endemic Damara Tern. We continue onto the quaint town of Swakopmund, full of historic buildings and where your guide will assist those wishing to book optional adventure activities such as sand boarding, quad biking, scenic flights, parachuting, dolphin cruises to name but a few, which you have time for this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Overnight in comfortable twin/double rooms with en-suite bathroom close to the town centre. Laundry facilities are available here. This evening's meal is a group dinner in a restaurant at client's own expense (BL)

Day 4 WINDHOEK

After breakfast you have the morning at leisure to enjoy the town and have a coffee and cake in one of the many cafes or participate in one of the many optional activities such as sand boarding or a dolphin cruise. After lunch at your accommodation your vehicle will return to Windhoek via the Okahandja craft market. Overnight accommodation included on a twin share basis at Chameleon Guesthouse (subject to availability) or similar accommodation. Evening meal at own expense (BL)

Day 5 OKAUKEUJO, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

We collect you from your accommodation and depart from Thimbi Thimbi offices in Windhoek at 8h00am. After stopping briefly at Otjiwarongo for fresh supplies we have lunch at the entrance to the Etosha National Park, Namibia's prime game viewing destination. We game drive to camp and if time permits enjoy another game drive before sunset. Overnight camping. Dinner prepared by the guide and evening is spent around the campfire or at the floodlit waterhole by the camp, which is often visited by endangered black rhinos coming to quench their thirst after sunset (LD) OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION

Day 6 NAMUTONI, ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Early morning and late afternoon game drives seeking the many species of animals found in this huge park including elephant, lion, leopard, endangered cheetah, black and white rhino as well as many antelope and over 340 species of bird, plenty of wildlife for an enthusiastic viewer. We spend the hottest part of the day at camp either by the waterhole or the swimming pool before heading to Etosha Pan, one of the translations meaning "Great White Place" to marvel at the size of the pan and mirages that disappear into the horizon. Overnight camping. Dinner prepared by guide, evening spent around the campfire or floodlit waterhole. (BLD) OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION

Day 7 ROY'S CAMP

After a short game drive we enjoy breakfast before we travel down to Roy's Camp where we will overnight. We stop briefly at Lake Otjikoto before we continue to Tsumeb to get our fresh supplies. A short lunch is taken at Hoba Meteorite - the world's largest single meteorite and we continue through to Grootfontein to refuel before entering the Kalahari. We arrive at our camp just after lunch. This afternoon we drive down to the bushman village where we will be sharing the most wonderful experience of our trip with the Bushman people. You will have a chance to also get some original craft made by the Bushman at the village. Some of the highlights will be going out with a San tracker to collect bush foods experiencing how the traditional San collect veld food -generally a fascinating experience for westerners where we are able to ask questions of how they survive in today's modern world. We return late afternoon to our camp. Overnight camping. Dinner prepared by guide (BLD)

Day 8 NGEPI CAMP, OKAVANGO RIVER

After breakfast we depart for the Okavango town of Rundu for fresh supplies. We will enjoy a roadside lunch before heading towards our camp on the banks of Okavango River, Ngepi Camp. This afternoon you have got time to relax on the deck of the river swimming pool, or go for optional activities offered by Ngepi Camp like water rafting, boat cruise, canoeing etc. Overnight camping, evening meal prepared by the guide (BLD) OPTION TO UPGRADE ACCOMMODATION

Day 9 GUMA LAGOON CAMP, BOTSWANA

This morning just after breakfast we drive to Mahango Game Reserve. This little jewel of a game reserve is home to many unusual species such as Roan and Sable antelope, Buffalo, large herds of Elephant, Hippo and many aquatic birds not found in many areas of Namibia before heading down to Botswana. We arrive at our camp just in time for lunch. After setting the camp you enjoy your free time at the camp deck overlooking the beautiful lagoon of the Okavango Delta. Overnight bush camping under a million stars and evening meal prepared by the guide (BLD)

DAY 10 GUMA LAGOON CAMP, BOTSWANA

After an early breakfast each of our guests can take only 1 small day pack and depart early morning initially in a motor boat before transferring to our mokoros (dug out canoes), we relax while our polers push us through this beautiful and serene area enjoying the tranquility of the delta. We'll have the opportunity to game walk and learn about this fragile and unique ecosystem. We enjoy more game walks and mokoro trails before we return to the luxury of our camp early afternoon for hot showers and toilets. Overnight camping and evening meal prepared by the guide (BLD

DAY 11 NAMBWA, SUSUWE NATIONAL PARK

An early morning start to cross the border back into Namibia and on to Mahango Game Reserve. We leave the park and have lunch overlooking Popa Falls before continuing through the Caprivi Strip to Susuwe National Park. This is a wild park where we camp without fences and spend an exhilarating night listening to the night sounds of the animals and maybe get the chance to enjoy "close up" encounters, please note that there are no fences and that wild animals such as hyenas' may wander through the camp. Overnight camping and evening meal prepared by the guide (BLD)

DAY 12 LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA

Enjoy breakfast and short game drive before heading through to Katima Mulilo. This busy and bustling town is the last frontier of Namibia and we glimpse our first sight of the mighty Zambezi River. We cross the border into Zambia and have lunch at a scenic location along the roadside. We arrive at Livingstone mid afternoon and we drop you at your accommodation (BL).

NOTE: This safari is designed for the adventure traveller, one who enjoys pitching in to help, conversing with nature and does not mind the discomfort of bush camping without shower and toilet facilities. Please ensure that you have the necessary entry visas for Namibia, Botswana and Zambia -THIMBI THIMBI ADVENTURE SAFARIS cannot be held liable and if you do not have the appropriate visas you may not be able to enter the country

Please note - the itinerary above is a guideline only and whilst we try to adhere to it there may be circumstances when it may change - for example weather and/or road conditions, seasonal daylight hours etc. Overnight stops on occasion may be altered from those indicated above. IMPORTANT - Whilst visiting villages and local communities we cannot guarantee activities on offer, it often depends on how they feel on the day, however, it will give you the opportunity to meet and experience life in Namibia in today's society

Approx total distance 3200kms

This safari is a combination of 4 days Sossusvlei and Swakopmund 4x4 Adventure & 8 day Bushman and Delta 4x4 Adventure

OPTION OF UPGRADING ACCOMMODATION IN SESRIEM, OKAUKUEJO AND ONGUMA BUT DEPENDS ON AVAILABILITY.

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PO Box 250 Sun City, 0316 - Updated  Jan 2010
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