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This holiday to Namibia takes you through Etosha National Park, one of Africa's top game parks, before
travelling from the highlands of Damaraland down to the desolate Skeleton Coast. Cape Cross is
home to tens of thousands of Cape fur seals while the pleasant coastal town of Swakopmund is well
known for its delicious, fresh seafood. In the Namib Desert you explore the spectacular dunes at
Sossusvlei; also you visit the amazing rock art at Twyfelfontein, spend quality time with a
Himba community, and enjoy a special night at Okonjima, the home of the famous AfriCat
Foundation, which rescues big cats.
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Aloe Safari Summary:
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| Day 1 |
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Flight to Namibia |
| Day 2 |
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Africat Foundation, camping |
| Day 3 & 4 |
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Etosha National Park, camping |
| Day 5 |
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Himba Community, camping |
| Day 6 |
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Damaraland, camping |
| Day 7 & 8 |
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Swakopmund, shared chalets |
| Day 9 & 10 |
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Namib-Naukluft Park, camping |
| Day 11 |
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Windhoek |
| Day 12 |
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Flight to London |
| Day 13 |
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Arrive London |
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DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Flight to Namibia
Begin your holiday to Namibia with a scheduled overnight flight from London Gatwick to Windhoek with Air
Namibia.
Day 2 - AfriCat Foundation
On arrival in Windhoek you are met and transferred to the Windhoek office where you will meet your guide,
stock up with cool drinks and head out for the short drive north to Okahandja: home to the country's largest
and best craft market, where local artisans come from all over Namibia to sell their wares. Your journey
continues to a private campsite at Okonjima, where you spend the afternoon learning about the work done by
the AfriCat Foundation to conserve Namibia's big cats, especially cheetah. You can usually get very close to
some of these magnificent predators.
Day 3 - Etosha National Park
Rise with the sun for a hearty breakfast, before driving north to stop by the mysterious Lake Otjikoto. This
unusual landmark is Namibia's largest permanent natural lake, and you will spend a little time here learning
something of its history. Then continue to your campsite on the eastern side of Etosha National Park. The
late afternoon is spent game-viewing, partly driving around and partly stopping to watch the action at
waterholes. You'll return to camp in time for a cool drink just before sunset.
Day 4 - Etosha National Park
After breaking camp, you head slowly west through this stark but beautiful park, with some spectacular views
of the huge, silvery expanse of Etosha Pan. Spotting the big game is easy; but travelling with a guide allows
you also to appreciate the fascinating smaller species, and learn about some of Etosha's many birds. Stop at
Halali in the middle of the park for a leisurely lunch before game driving your way to your camp situated in
Etosha's south western region.
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Day 5 - Himba Community Project
After an early game drive in Etosha, you set off towards Damaraland. Stopping at Outjo to buy fresh produce,
you'll often be tempted to pause for a pastry and drink at the local German-style bakery/café. Then, close by
Kamanjab, you reach your campsite, before heading out to the nearby Himba Village for the afternoon.
Like East Africa's Maasai, the Himba have a proud culture that they have successfully retained in the face of
the modern world. Many adhere to their traditional dress and customs, living in ways that have changed little
over the centuries. Each aspect of their lives has a meaning, from how they set up their kraal to honour
their ancestors, to the way they wear their hair.
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Oase village is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of
Namibia. These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact, and are following their
traditional way of life in their village located on a farm. You spend the afternoon with the people at this
village, where a local guide introduces you to their alternative lifestyle and helps you to learn about
Himba life and culture.
Day 6 - Damaraland
Today you take your time on a spectacular drive into the mountainous and picturesque Damaraland. You'll
travel via the Petrified Forest geological site before enjoying lunch near Twyfelfontein - a seemingly
ordinary valley that hides an amazing gallery of ancient rock art and is now a World Heritage Site. At each
of these sites a local guide will lead you; this ensures that the local knowledge is maintained and revenue
from tourism is ploughed back into the surrounding communities. From here you continue to your campsite in
the shade of Brandberg, which at 2,573m is Namibia's highest mountain and a National Monument.
Day 7 - Swakopmund
An early start ensures that you make the most of the cool morning for the 90-minute and relatively easy hike
into the mountain to see the world famous 'White Lady' rock painting. Attributed to the Bushman artists, the
painting is believed by some to be more than 20,000 years old.
On your way to the coast, there is time for a short stop in Uis. Once there was a busy and thriving community
here, centred on a large tin mine; but the mine closed a few years ago, and now Uis is much quieter and
almost sleepy. Semi-precious stones such as amethyst and tourmaline can be found here at bargain prices.
Along the Skeleton Coast you pause to pay a visit to Cape Cross, where you can walk to within feet of an
enormous colony of Cape fur seals, before reaching Swakopmund and settling into your chalet. There are many
interesting shops and craft centres here, and several excellent (and great-value) seafood restaurants to
choose from for your evening meal.
Day 8 - Swakopmund
Your base for today, this small coastal town is a major centre for activities, from dune-boarding,
quad-biking, sky-diving and dolphin cruises to scenic flights over the desert. Your guide will explain these
and many other options to you (costs are payable locally and activities undertaken at your own risk), and
help you make bookings. Alternatively, you can spend this part of your Namibian holiday exploring the
museums, galleries and curio markets, relaxing in one of Swakopmund's many cafés or taking a quiet stroll
along the beach. Often the group and guide will arrange to meet up for dinner.
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Day 9 - Namib-Naukluft Park
You start by heading south along the coast to the port town of Walvis Bay, where you'll usually see
flamingos, pelicans and other waterbirds in the lagoon. From here you turn southeast to drive across the
gravel plains of the Namib, traversing the deep Kuiseb and Gaub passes. In both cases you drive to the
riverbed at the bottom of the canyon and then climb back up the long steep road to the top, where the
mountains reveal their spectacular panoramas. The scenery changes yet again as you continue onward to your
campsite at the edge of the desert. After setting up camp, there is time to relax with a sundowner whilst
you watch the sun set.
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Day 10 - Namib-Naukluft Park
Rising well before dawn, you drive deep into the desert, home to some of the world's highest dunes and
stunning scenery. The shifting, contrasting patterns of light and shadow on these dunes are always
enthralling, and the view from the top (if you have the energy!) is spectacular. After breakfast in the
desert you continue through breathtaking scenery to some of the world's highest dunes at Sossusvlei. Spend
the morning exploring these, marvelling at the surroundings and the wildlife, before travelling back to
Sesriem for lunch. As the day cools down you take a drive to nearby Sesriem Canyon, where the rock has been
sculpted into amazing shapes by the force of the ephemeral Tsauchab River.
Day 11 - Windhoek
Driving back to Windhoek, you pass through more stunning scenery as the road climbs up and over the
escarpment. You arrive back at your guesthouse around 16.00 and your evening is free, although the group and
guide often arrange to meet up for a farewell dinner together.
Day 12 - Flight to London
After some free time to explore Windhoek, you are collected from your guesthouse and driven to the airport in
time to depart on your scheduled flight to London and the end of your holiday to Namibia.
Day 13 - Arrive in London
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Departures:
Cost is per person sharing, departing and returning UK
There is no single supplement on this trip.
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| 14/11/08 - 26/11/08 | £1342 | | 21/11/08 - 03/12/08 | £1342 | | 28/11/08 - 10/12/08 | £1342 | | 05/12/08 - 17/12/08 | £1342 | | 12/12/08 - 24/12/08 | £1727 | | 19/12/08 - 31/12/08 | £1727 | | 26/12/08 - 07/01/09 | £1480 | | 02/01/09 - 14/01/09 | £1326 | | 09/01/09 - 21/01/09 | £1326 | | 16/01/09 - 28/01/09 | £1326 | | 23/01/09 - 04/02/09 | £1326 | | 30/01/09 - 11/02/09 | £1326 | | 13/02/09 - 25/02/09 | £1326 | | 20/02/09 - 04/03/09 | £1326 | | 27/02/09 - 11/03/09 | £1326 | | 06/03/09 - 18/03/09 | £1326 | | 13/03/09 - 25/03/09 | £1326 | | 20/03/09 - 01/04/09 | £1326 | | 27/03/09 - 08/04/09 | £1326 | | 03/04/09 - 15/04/09 | £1431 | | 10/04/09 - 22/04/09 | £1431 | | 17/04/09 - 29/04/09 | £1351 | | 24/04/09 - 06/05/09 | £1351 | | 01/05/09 - 13/05/09 | £1351 | | 08/05/09 - 20/05/09 | £1351 | | 15/05/09 - 27/05/09 | £1351 | | 22/05/09 - 03/06/09 | £1351 | | 29/05/09 - 10/06/09 | £1351 | | 05/06/09 - 17/06/09 | £1351 | | 12/06/09 - 24/06/09 | £1351 | | 19/06/09 - 01/07/09 | £1351 | | 26/06/09 - 08/07/09 | £1351 | | 03/07/09 - 15/07/09 | £1431 | | 10/07/09 - 22/07/09 | £1431 | | 17/07/09 - 29/07/09 | £1546 | | 24/07/09 - 05/08/09 | £1546 | | 31/07/09 - 12/08/09 | £1546 | | 07/08/09 - 19/08/09 | £1546 | | 14/08/09 - 26/08/09 | £1546 | | 21/08/09 - 02/09/09 | £1431 | | 28/08/09 - 09/09/09 | £1431 | | 04/09/09 - 16/09/09 | £1431 | | 11/09/09 - 23/09/09 | £1431 | | 18/09/09 - 30/09/09 | £1431 | | 25/09/09 - 07/10/09 | £1431 | | 02/10/09 - 14/10/09 | £1431 | | 09/10/09 - 21/10/09 | £1431 | | 16/10/09 - 28/10/09 | £1431 | | 23/10/09 - 04/11/09 | £1431 | | 30/10/09 - 11/11/09 | £1431 | | 06/11/09 - 18/11/09 | £1431 | | 13/11/09 - 25/11/09 | £1431 | | 20/11/09 - 02/12/09 | £1431 | | 27/11/09 - 09/12/09 | £1431 | | 04/12/09 - 16/12/09 | £1431 | | 11/12/09 - 23/12/09 | £1431 | | 18/12/09 - 30/12/09 | £1793 | | 25/12/09 - 06/01/10 | £1546 | | | | | | |
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This itinerary can be downloaded from our Downloads Page
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