Guides
In addition to the natural history specialist and top ornithologist, Steve Braine, the group will be under the care of a professional safari guide.
Steve Braine is an expert in natural history and a top ornithologist. Hi has as much interest in the large mammals that reside in the enthralling environment of north-west Namibia as in the smaller reptiles and rodents. Steve Braine began his career as an exploration geologist before studying nature conservation and working for almost ten years in Namibia's Skeleton Coast Park. It was here that he built upon his expertise and affinity with the Namib Desert. He has a tangible love and a passion for the bush which began at a very early age, encouraged by his father. Following in his father's footsteps, he has a particular love of birds and butterflies, with four butterflies named after him.
Camp team
A back-up crew will travel in tandem with the safari into Kaokoland, carrying all the necessary equipment for a comfortable mobile camp. The team will set up and take down each mobile camp and prepare all the meals in their field kitchen.
Mobile camps and camping equipment
Good-quality camping equipment is included in the cost of the Specialist Kaokoland Safari. At each comfortable mobile camp guests will stay in 3x3 metre walk-in canvas dome tents with built in ground sheets. Each tent will be fitted with bedrolls and include all necessary linen, duvets, pillows and towels. Camp stretchers can be arranged on request for any guests who prefer these. However, we don't recommend these as the bedrolls and mattresses which lie flat on the ground are much more comfortable than the stretcher which is often too narrow and dips a little in the middle. Each tent will also have an LED lamp, a small mirror and complimentary insect repellent all set out on a small side-table.
Depending on where in Kaokoland Steve Braine leads the safari, your mobile camp may be set up at a remote wilderness spot or at a community owned and run campsite. The community campsites usually have a tap and camp fire at each site and shared ladies/gents ablution blocks with hot/cold running water and flush toilets nearby. When camping at a remote wilderness site, canvas wash basins are set up outside each tent for guests' personal use. A separate enclosure for a bucket shower and another with a bush toilet are also erected and are shared amongst the group.
Vehicles
This unique safari is conducted in Land Rovers, each taking up to three passengers thus allowing everyone a window seat. Depending on the overall group size, up to three safari vehicles may travel in convoy. Each vehicle is equipped with a two-way radio, fridge and a power inverter with 2 round-pin plug sockets where camera batteries can be charged. There is always a satellite phone taken on safari for use in case of an emergency.
Road transfers between Swakopmund and Wereldsend are usually conducted in Land Rovers but could be in a comfortable minibus or 4WD double-cab vehicle.
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