DAY 1: WINDHOEK

Our adventure in Namibia begins in the capital city of Windhoek at 14h00.

After a short tour briefing and “meet and greet”, we set off exploring Windhoek, viewing the attractions of the city before ending the day welcoming the warm hospitality at the infamous Joe’s Beerhouse restaurant. Tonight we spend in comfort at our hotel and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Meals: Dinner own expense
Accommodation: Hotel Safari
Included Highlights/Activity:

• Windhoek city tour

 DAY 2: NAMIB DESERT RESERVE

Leaving the city lights behind we enter the heart of the Namib, taking in its vast plains, red dunes, towering mountains and ever-changing landscapes. Late afternoon, we reach the Namib Desert region, a remote camp, within a conservancy that forms part of the vast Namib Rand Nature Reserve, The reserve gives life to a variety of desert adapted fauna and flora and many an animal species.

Enjoy an extensive walk as well as an optional day and a night desert drive during our time here.

Meals: B L D
Accommodation: Lodge Accommodation
Included Highlights/Activity:

• Private Desert lodge
• Private Desert Reserve

 DAY 3 NAMIB DESERT RESERVE

We awake to desert vistas that extend further than the eye can see. All animals here exist in completely natural surroundings, and are free to move unrestricted over the full extent of the reserve. Our expert guide will help us understand the unique desert fauna and flora, so today we start off with an ecology walk in this beautiful environment, searching for animals, foot prints, and signs of the behaviour and survival strategies that allow them to exist in these harsh conditions.

During the heat of the day guests have time to relax at the camp, or to explore the surrounding area on foot, should they wish to. Mid-afternoon we depart on a desert drive, up and over the magnificent dunes. As the evening approaches, a traditional sundowner drink is enjoyed while the sun dips over the African landscape. Once dark, we slowly drive back to camp anticipating to encounter some of the nocturnal animals adapted to living in the desert.

Meals: B L D /strong>
Accommodation: Lodge Accommodation
Included Highlights/Activity:

• Private Desert lodge
• Private Desert Reserve

DAY 4: SOSSUSVLEI DUNES

Setting off early, we enter the Sesriem Canyon and the awesome red Sossusvlei dunes – reputedly the highest in the world.

We transfer into the heart of the dunes, to spend some time climbing these spectacular mountains of sand, before taking a 4×4 transfer into Sossusvlei and Deadvlei – a clay pan characterized by dark dead camel thorn trees against the white pan floor. We explore these truly unique sites on foot, before the 4×4’s take us back to our vehicle. On exiting the park we first make a stop to visit the Sesriem Canyon

Meals: B L D
Accommodation: Lodge Accommodation
Included Highlights/Activity:

• Sossusvlei
• Deadvlei
• 4×4 transfer into these areas
• Dune climbing

DAY 5-6: SWAKOPMUND

Crossing through Kuiseb Canyon, and the Namib-Naukluft National Park, we make our way to the port town of Walvis Bay, and then on to Swakopmund, where German influence still lingers from late 1800’s and spend two nights in comfortable accommodation. We explore this holiday town and its surrounds thoroughly and enjoy both our evening meals at local restaurants (own expense).

Swakopmund is a must-see for any visitor and offers guests a variety of adventure activities. Clients have the opportunity to partake in quad biking, sand boarding and skydiving whilst here (own expense). For those that simply want to relax, the town offers a variety of restaurants and shops, where one can get a feel for the local culture.

Meals: B L; B
(Dinner on Day 5, lunch and dinner on Day 6 all own expense)
Accommodation: Amanpuri Lodge
Included Highlights/Activity:

• Scenic drive through Namib-Naukluft National Park
• Swakopmund

Optional Activities:

• Skydive
• Quad bikes
• Dune boarding
• Desert tours
• Boat cruises

DAY 7: SKELETON COAST – SPITZKOPPE

Today we head north up the harsh Skeleton Coast, a barren stretch of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, with scattered shipwrecks, littering the beaches. We visit Cape Cross, a spectacular breeding ground for Cape fur Seals where more than 100 000 seals take refuge.

We then venture back inland, travelling through the vast desert to the iconic Spitzkoppe, which is a group of bald granite peaks in the Namib desert of Namibia. The granite is more than 120 million years old and the highest outcrop rises about 1,728 meters above sea level. The peaks stand out dramatically from the flat surrounding plains, before arriving at the lodge early afternoon.

Meals: B L D
Accommodation: Spitzkoppe Accommodation
Included Highlights/Activity:

• Cape Cross seal colony
• Spitzkoppe Granite Mountains

DAY 8: BRANDBERG

After a leisurely start we spend time exploring and climbing the Granite boulders of Spitzkopppe, before venturing through the vast desert to the iconic Brandberg Mountain, the highest mountain in Namibia, en route we make a roadside stop to interact with members the local Himba tribe, before stopping at the base of the Brandberg mountain where take a guided hike to the iconic White Lady bushmen paintings before arriving at the lodge in the late afternoon. Those interested why not take an optional excursion hoping to encounter the elusive rare desert elephant, before retiring to our rooms snuggled at the foot of the mountain

Meals: B L D
Accommodation: Brandberg Accommodation
Included Highlights/Activity:

• Himba tribe interaction (subject to availability)

Optional Activities:

• Game drive to find the rare Desert elephants

DAY 9 – 10: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Today we continue our trip up to Etosha, this journey takes us through breath taking Damaraland, region and home of the Damara people. Along the way we will stop for a roadside lunch before reaching our Lodge for the night.

Making our way further north, we enter the renowned Etosha National Park, arguably the highlight of the tour. Becoming one with nature we enjoy two days of exploring the park. During these days we conduct extensive game drives, visiting little water holes, exploring, letting your senses free, making the most of our time in the park. (Game drives will be conducted in the Drifters truck ) On one of the days we will shorten the game drive and drive to the world famous Okekeujo waterhole where we will spend approximately 2 hours, waiting patiently for the animals to come and quench their thirst, before leaving in time to exit the park.

Time permitting; why not take an optional sunset game drive (drinks included) on private land bordering the parks.

Meals: B L D; B L D
Accommodation: Lodge – Etosha area outside the park
Included Highlights/Activity:

• Brandberg white lady Hike
• Damaraland
• 2 days within the Park
• Extensive game viewing opportunities

DAY 11: WINDHOEK

An early morning, we pack up and begin our journey back to civilization. The drive to Windhoek will take the majority of the day and the tour will officially come to an end in the late afternoon on arrival back in the capital city.

Meals: B
Included Highlights/Activity:

• Scenic drive to Windhoek

At time of presenting the above itinerary was correct, but Drifters continually strive to offer our clients the best available tour options, and as such we reserve the right to change aspects of the itinerary at our discretion. During the validity period of the published itinerary, conditions may change, roads may be improved or deteriorate, contracted camps and accommodation facilities may change standards, optional activities may become available or be discontinued, new border posts open or existing ones become congested, etc. Drifters are continuously monitoring all of the factors that contribute to a successful tour, and will make amendments to the published itinerary if circumstances so demand, or if we believe that the change will enhance the tour.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Please ensure that you are in possession of valid travel documents for Namibia. If you have any queries in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact us. Although we will endeavour to assist, we do not accept any liability or obligation for your travel documents.

The contact telephone number for Namibia Tourism in Johannesburg is: + 27 11 784 8024.
Or visit Namibia Tourism on www.namibiatourism.com.na

Make sure that your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to your home country. Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

FOREIGN CURRENCY

The Namibian Dollar and the South African Rand are the currencies used in Namibia. All major currencies can be exchanged in Namibia. Please ensure that you have enough Rand as there are very few opportunities to exchange foreign currencies. Major credit cards are widely accepted and can be used to pay for restaurant meals etc. Small trading stores will probably not accept credit cards.

Upon arrival in any respective country we operate in, you will be able to find a Bureau de Change OR ATM Facilities at the airport or in the Town/City the tour is departing from. It is advised to bring any major world currency (US Dollar, Euro or British Pounds) in small denominations and not dated older than 2009. It is advised to get a small amount of local currency upon arrival just to get around until your tour starts.

During the tour our guides will inform and show you the best places to exchange any Major World Currency with the best possible exchange rates either before your tour starts or during the course of the tour. Our guides will brief you exactly on where to exchange and roughly how much you will need to exchange after discussing possible optional activities, own expense meals or possible curio stops. Drifters trucks have safe-keeping facilities for extra cash/flight tickets/passport.

The preferred currency is Namibian Dollar $

INSURANCE
It is compulsory that all passengers make arrangements for adequate travel insurance to financially safeguard against unforeseen circumstances. If you need further information please do not hesitate to contact us. Drifters do not accept responsibility for any loss, injury, damage, accident, fatality, delay or inconvenience experienced whilst on tour. You will be required to complete and sign a full indemnity prior to your tour departure.

Your insurance should include all the countries and territories that your tour will pass through. You must ensure that you have sufficient cover for medical and evacuation costs, and should base this on advice from your insurer. A minimum benefit of USD 60 000.00 is recommended for evacuation from any area in which Drifters operates in Africa to South Africa, with further benefits for medical costs in South Africa, and for possible repatriation to your home country. Please note that you will be required to furnish details of your travel insurance to Drifters before you will be allowed to travel with us. Please ensure that these details are completely and accurately recorded in order to facilitate a claim should this be necessary.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS & REQUIREMENTS

The only necessary prophylaxis for Southern and East Africa is against Malaria, but on this tour there is no eminent danger as Namibia is regarded mostly as a Malaria free zone however prevention is better than cure, so we do advise to also use insect repellent on exposed areas after sunset. Please consult with your general practitioner regarding this before departure.

All Drifters guides have first aid boxes for use in emergencies, however we recommend that you bring along your own basic supply of medication, headache tablets etc.

Personal medication
Please bring along any personal medication that you might need on your tour as specific medication could be difficult to find or might not be obtainable in most places we visit. General medication for headaches, colds and fever are easy to get. Please also inform your guide of any medical conditions. This information will be received professionally and kept confidential.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Please note that Southern African weather conditions vary tremendously from season to season. During summer months temperatures of up to 40°C can be experienced. During the winter months of June, July and August the nights are very cold, temperatures may drop well below 0°C, although the day temperatures will be pleasant at around 20°C. Please take weather conditions into consideration when choosing a sleeping bag for your tour.

CLOTHING & PERSONAL EFFECTS

Herewith a recommended guide of what to bring along:
For walking, hiking and Safaris
Sport Shoes / Sneakers
Sandals
Hat
Sun Cream
Water Bottle
Smaller day pack
Camera, Binoculars
Books (Birds, Mammals, personal reading books, Optional)

For general travelling (to keep yourself entertained on the longer drives)
Personal iPod
Personal Reading Books
A deck of cards or something similar
Battery chargers for your personal devices (Ipods, Ipads, E-Readers, Handy’s etc)

Our vehicles are well equipped with charging facilities while driving. A Two-pin charger is perfect.
Clothing and Toiletries
Long Trousers / Tracksuit Hat or cap
Shorts Swimming Costume & Towel
Waterproof Windbreaker Personal toiletries
Jersey / Jumper Insect Repellent
Socks & Underwear
T-Shirts / Shirts

General Accessories
Mosquito Net (Optional)
Malaria Prophylaxis (please inquire from your general Doctor at home)
Money (Sundry expenses, gratuities)
Headlamp / Flashlight / Batteries
Sleeping Bag & Small Pillow
Refreshments
Pen
Visas (if applicable)

** Luggage should be limited to a maximum of 15kg’s HARD SUITCASES ARE NOT SUITABLE!!
*** Refreshments can be purchased en-route on the first day of the tour, and at regular intervals throughout the tour.

MEALS AND REFRESHMENTS

Meals are provided as indicated in the brochure/website. We do not provide meals on the first day of your tour. We do however stop en-route; therefore it is always possible to buy something along the way. Soft drinks, bottled water and alcohol are for your own expense; there is ample opportunity during the tour to buy refreshments. The guide will advise when you need to stock up for a couple of days.

PERSONAL EXPENSES

A reasonable amount of personal spending money must be brought on our tours. This is to cover own expense meals as indicated in our Drifters Brochure, bottled water, soft drinks, alcohol, sundry goods purchased- such as suntan cream etc., curios, optional extra excursions, airport tax, transfers and tips.
In Africa things work a little different to the rest of the World. Tipping or gratuity, unless otherwise specified, is not included in the price you pay for services delivered. This accounts for restaurant meals, casual help and the services of the guide or guides that you will meet on your tour.

In Southern and East Africa it is classified as a common courtesy to TIP “casual help (guides)”.

This TIP is not something that is forced upon you by any means, but in many industries of tourism it is customary. It works as follows: if you believe your guide has lived up to your expectations and has performed his/her job in a way that you respect and are happy with the services rendered, an amount of R 50 per day or equivalent amount of R50 per day in any major currency per person per day would constitute a fantastic tip. Remember that this is just a guideline and is not by any means compulsory, but seen as common courtesy in Southern and East Africa.