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Organized Group: July 31st – August 14th, 2005
Land Cost $4,100 per person, Single Supplement $600
Day 1 - Windhoek
You flight arrives in Windhoek in the afternoon. We will be there to pick you up and return to our hotel for check in at the Hotel
Heinitzburg. The restored castle is a two-minute drive from the heart of town. Every room has a magnificent view of the skyline.
This hotel is a proud member of Relais & Chateau and known for its superb cuisine complimented by choice wines from the largest
private wine cellar in Namibia. Windhoek, Namibia’s capital is a quaint city. It is famous for its game leather shopping at the boutique
around the central outdoor market.
We will have an orientation over dinner where we will discuss all the details of the coming adventure.
Hotel Heinitzburg - B
Days 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 – Cheetah Conservation Fund
After breakfast, we hit the road and head north to the headquarters of the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Here we have 5 full days of
working for the CCF in their conservation efforts.
The cheetah being Africa’s most endangered cat, this project helps to research on and educate about cheetah conservation in their
natural habitat. They work on implementing strategies to help cheetahs survive and to stop ranchers from killing so many of them.
About 2,500 cheetahs live in Namibia, which is the largest remaining free-ranging population of cheetahs in the world. For this reason,
Namibia is referred to as the “Cheetah capitol of the world”.
We will learn about their guard dog program. This program brings up Anatolian Shepherd dogs to become protectors of their herds to
help livestock farmers to stop seeing cheetahs as a threat to their farms.
Our work could be helping out on the working farm, building fences for the new black rhino enclosure or wildlife counts at local watering holes.
CCF headquarter rondavels – B, L & D
Days 7 & 8 – Etosha National Park
We depart after breakfast to have a look around this beautiful country. We drive north to Etosha National Park. Here we stay at the Mokuti Lodge,
near the Namutoni Gate at the Eastern boundary of Etosha National Park, in comfortable thatched cottages. Activities include nature walks on
their private game reserve, open vehicle drives on the Etosha pan at sundown, or just relaxing by the pool.
The game viewing in Etosha is excellent, including lions, black rhino, elephants, and possibly wild cheetahs. A massive mineral pan, meaning
“Great White Place”, dominates Etosha. Once the largest lake in the ancient world, the pan today rarely has water as it is supplied mostly from
rainfall but with high evaporation the water quickly disappears.
Mokuti Lodge – B & D
Day 9- Twyfelfontein
We have an early departure as we head west on an interesting 7 hour drive to Twyfelontein. Twyfelfontein has one of the most extensive
accumulations of pre-historic rock paintings in Namibia.
Predominantly portrayed are lions, giraffes and elephants. Furthermore, there are numerous abstract objects, about which no definite knowledge
is available. Although the exact age of the drawings is unknown, it is estimated that they are between a few hundred and several thousand years
old. Experts believe that the drawings originate from hunting bushmen (San), who were in wait for wild animals at the waterholes and perhaps
attempted to secure their good luck by engraving the rocks.
Twyfelfontein – B, L & D
Days 10 & 11 - Swakopmund
We continue to Swakopmund (6 hour drive). We will stop en-route to see the seals at Cape Cross and witness the daunting Skeleton Coast.
The Hansa Hotel is located in the center of the charming little town of Swakopmund. The classic building, dated from 1905 is elegant and
steeped in history. Only blocks from the beach, and walking distance to all the amenities in town, it offers the traveler a perfect place to explore from.
The hotel has 58 twin/family rooms, all with bathrooms en-suite, under carpet heating, TV’s, and garden views. The hotel also offers laundry and
valet service, secure parking and child care. The hotel restaurant is a favorite in town. Renowned for its seafood and game specialties, it also
boasts an extensive wine list.
Activities in the area include golfing, tennis, horse and camel riding as well as the natural attractions of the desert environment. The hotel is
surrounded by curio shops, jewelers, and local tour operators that can organize excursions. The surrounding areas offer dune related activities
such as quad-biking, sand-boarding, para-gliding, skydiving and Dolphin cruises.
Hansa Hotel – B, L & D
Days 12 & 13 – Sossusvlei – Namib Desert
We depart after breakfast moving inland to the second largest desert in the world (340 kms – 6 hour drive). Situated on the 21,000 hectare
Kulala Wilderness Reserve, bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, Kulala Desert Lodge lies in the heart of the Namib. It offers magnificent views
of the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei as well as spectacular mountain scenery and vast open plains.
Kulala has twelve thatched and canvas chalets or Kulalas (Swahili for "resting place") with en suite bathrooms and showers. They are set on
wooden platforms to provide maximum airflow. Mattresses can be moved to the rooftop to sleep under the stars on a private stargazing platform
on top of the room; a popular option with outdoor enthusiasts on sultry summer nights. The main lodge has a lounge, bar, dining area and plunge
pool. The verandah overlooks a waterhole and provides the perfect location to view and photograph the desert sunset.
Early morning guided game drives to the spectacular dunes are via a private gate on the Tsauchab River. Game drives and walks are also offered
on the private reserve with incredible scenery, desert game and smaller desert adapted fauna and flora. Spotlit night drives are a highlight. Early
morning ballooning, is another option offered, weather permitting. The 60 minute balloon safari offers a truly unique experience of soaring silently
above the magnificent desert sand dunes and and ending off with a champagne breakfast served at the landing site.
Kulala Lodge – B, L & D
Days 14 - Windhoek
After breakfast, we return to the road headed back to Windhoek. We will return to the Hotel Heinitzburg for a relaxing evening. We will go
into town for a final evening dinner to conclude our tour and trip.
Hotel Heinitzburg - B
Day 15 - depart
The next morning, we head towards to airport to start our journey to Cape Town, Botswana or towards home.
Before You Go to Namibia
Booking Info
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