NAMIBIA LUXURY SELF-DRIVE SAFARI
ENDANGERED NATURE
Fully-Customizable Sample Itinerary
UNLIKE ANYWHERE ELSE ON EARTH
A luxury 13-day self-drive safari across the jaw-dropping scenery of Namibia’s Endangered Nature. A land of contrast and uncompromising beauty, Namibia is regarded as one of the best destinations in Africa with the highest amount of conservancies in the world – superb landscapes, excellent game viewing and a safe country to travel around ensures it remains at the top of everyone’s “must visit” destinations. Embark on this very special journey, discovering endangered species and nature throughout this incredible country. You’ll stay in unique, luxurious properties along the way.
Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution. On this Namibian adventure, you’ll track rare and endangered animals such as pangolin, cheetahs, wild dogs, and leopards. Namibia possesses some of the most stunning landscapes in Africa, and a safari through the country is one of the great road adventures. It’s like a coffee-table book come to life as sand dunes in the world’s oldest desert meet the crashing rollers along the wild Atlantic coast.
Namibia is also the headquarters of adventure activities in the region, so whether you’re a dreamer or love hearing the crunch of earth under your boots, travel in Namibia will stay with you long after the desert vistas fade. This once-in-a-lifetime tour is fully-customizable, and available with a driver-guide if you prefer.
Interested in a Namibia Self-Drive Adventure or custom tour? Contact Us for more information about this itinerary or we would be happy to create something just for you.
DAY 1: Windhoek, Namibia – Arrival
Upon arrival in Windhoek collect your vehicle and drive to Olive Grove Guesthouse, a small and informal retreat. Depending on your arrival time you may choose to wander into the city centre, or relax by the pool. You’ll meet a tour consultant either today or tomorrow morning before departing the city who will hand over your welcome pack and answer any last-minute questions. Overnight is in twin-share luxury room with en suite facilities on a bed and breakfast basis, all other meals will be at own client’s expense. There is a simple evening restaurant facility and the famous Joe’s Beer House is just a few minutes’ drive away. Approx. 40mins to city
Windhoek is Namibia’s capital, home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language – though English is the official language. The city has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste (Old Fort), the 1896 Christuskirche (Christ Church), and the more contemporary Supreme Court. It’s not a city to linger though – generally, one or two nights is sufficient.
Overnight Windhoek: Olive Grove Guesthouse (or similar)
Meals: none
Meals: dinner
DAY 2-3: ERINDI GAME RESERVE
Depart from the capital city after a leisurely breakfast, heading north to Erindi Private Game Reserve, a drive of around 3 hours. Erindi is one of the largest private game reserves in Africa and home to wealth of animals including endangered species such as wild dog, rhino, and cheetah. Take part in a shared game drive this afternoon, and enjoy dinner overlooking the waterhole. On day 3, enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive on the reserve, though Erindi offers alternative activities, these cannot be pre-booked and are subject to availability upon arrival – as a taste of what can be offered here is more information.
Telemetry tracking – Tagged animals may include lion, elephant, cheetah, serval, honey badger, wild dogs, brown or spotted hyena, all depending on transmitters at the time. Animals are located via radio telemetry and sightings are created for game drives.
Cheetah walk: More than 28 cheetahs have been released on Erindi and due to years of exposure to people walking near them, these re-wilded cats are incredibly accepting of us on foot. It is a truly incredible experience to spend time with these animals on “their level”.
Other activities include pangolin tracking, leopard project drive, night drives, nature walks and more.
Dinner, bed, and breakfast basis with a stay in the luxury room (upgrade available) plus 3 shared game drives included.
Overnight: Erindi – Old Traders Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 4: ONGUMA GAME RESERVE
Journeying north towards Etosha National Park, Namibia’s premier game viewing destination and your overnight spot of Onguma The Fort – a beautiful lodge set on the Onguma Private Game Reserve, adjacent to the east aspect of Etosha. This afternoon, join a sun-downer drive on the reserve where you can look out for around 30 species of game ranging from plains game to predators including lion, leopard, the endangered cheetah, as well as hyena. There is also a healthy number of black rhinos and all can be spotted on the drive.
Onguma is also regarded as a prime bird-spotting region, with over 300 species identified and the reserve boasts the largest breeding colony of white-backed vultures in Namibia. During the summer months, there are plenty of migrating species heading to Etosha Pan including flamingos as well as blue crane. Dinner, bed, and breakfast with sun-downer drive in overnight in chalet Approx 4-4.5hours drive
Situated east of Etosha, bordering Fisher’s Pan, Onguma Game Reserve is one of Namibia’s best-kept secrets. The reserve offers visitors the opportunity to experience Africa in all her beauty and diversity. Onguma Game Reserve features over 34000 hectares of protected land scattered with a variety of wildlife including plains game, black rhino, kudu, giraffe, zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard, and more than 300 bird species. The seasonal rains attract thousands of migrating birds to the Fisher’s Pan wetland area. The neighbouring Etosha National Park is home to a rich array of wildlife, including four of the Big 5. Visitors can enjoy game drives, guided walks, and rhino research drives within the private reserve as well as wildlife safaris into Etosha National Park to view abundant game in the largest national park in Namibia.
Overnight Etosha National Park.- Onguma The Fort
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 5-6: ONGAVA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Enter Etosha and game drive across this magnificent park stopping at Etosha Pan – so vast it can be seen from space. Visit a range of waterholes as you track west before leaving the park at Anderson Gate in the south. Ongava is adjacent to this sector of Etosha and your next two nights are spent at 4.5* Ongava Lodge or Ongava Tented Camp on a fully inclusive basis.
This game-rich savannah follows an eco-sensitive ethos supporting communities and conservation projects. Overnight in a twin bed chalet (lodge) or luxury permanent tented camp (Tented Camp), all meals, accommodation, and standard/shared activities are included and include game drives in open vehicles with other guests on the reserve as well as into Etosha, night drives and game walks. Surprisingly the terrain on the reserve varies quite considerably from that of Etosha, with hills and plains, various woodlands, and shrub areas – a highly recommended option where you’ll find large pride of lion, endangered species including rhino, various types of plains game along with animals such as waterbuck not found inside the park.
Sharing the southern boundary with Etosha National Park, the prolific 30 000-hectare private Ongava Game Reserve is considered one of the top private game reserves in the region, enjoying global recognition for exceptional conservation, groundbreaking research, and exciting safari experiences. The landscape is characterized by vast open plains dotted with salt plans and abundant wildlife. Visitors can easily access Etosha through Andersson’s Gate in the south.
Known for its luxury lodges made out of natural materials, Ongava is a popular destination for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. The reserve offers visitors the perfect combination of wildlife safari experiences within and around the Etosha National Park. One of Ongava’s top attractions is its rhino population and guests can experience the thrill of getting close to these majestic creatures. Popular activities include: night game drives, guided nature walks, bird watching and 4×4 guided game drives.
Overnight: Ongava Lodge, Ongava Game Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Drinks: All local brands (spirits, wine and beers) included
DAY 7-8: PALMWAY
Your destination is the ancient landscapes of Damaraland and Desert Rhino Camp is set within the huge Palmwag concession, where trackers patrol and protect one of Africa’s largest free-ranging populations of Critically Endangered desert-adapted black rhino. Rhino tracking on foot and by vehicle with these dedicated conservationists is a unique and exclusive wilderness experience; other activities include exploring the area on a full-day outing (ideal if you wish to increase your trip by a further night), nature drives or walks.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet with the Save the Rhino Trust trackers, and learn about some of the individual rhinos found in the concession and how SRT operates. The region has a number of freshwater springs and is also home to a number of other species from the desert-adapted elephant, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, kudu, and possibly even predators, which may also be spotted during the drive-please note long distances may be covered over quite rugged terrain. Birdlife is prolific and diverse with most of Namibia’s endemics present. Birding enthusiasts will enjoy the diverse avifauna found in the Palmwag Concession. Fully inclusive basis. Note you will leave your vehicle at the agreed Palmwag concession meeting point and a road transfer will take you to/from camp. Drive from Ongava to Palmwag approx 4.5hours plus transfer into camp
Desert Rhino Camp works in partnership with the Save the Rhino Trust Namibia, as well as local communities and the Palmwag Conservancy, to develop responsible ecotourism initiatives and thereby support wildlife conservation in the area.
Palmwag is a nature reserve idyllically located along a palm-lined tributary of the Uniab River. Water is scarce in this area, so the river’s presence often lures elephants closer to the camps. Palmwag is situated halfway between Swakopmund and Etosha and is the ideal base from which to see the sights of the Kunene region or embark on one of the many local hiking trails. The reserve is notable for its unusual species of palm tree, the hyphaena pertesiana, and for being home to the largest population of southwestern black rhinos in Africa. Animal lovers can also get a peek at leopard, lion, cheetah, mountain zebra, Angolan giraffe, springbok, kudu, and African bush elephant.
Overnight: Desert Rhino Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Drinks: All local brands (spirits, wine, and beers) included
DAY 9-10: TWYFELFONTEIN
Return to your vehicle, and it’s a relatively short drive to central Damaraland and a little step down in comfort to Doro Nawas Camp, your base for a further 2nights, and where the camp rests on the edge of the dry Aba-Huab River overlooking ancient plains with views of the rugged Damaraland area. The camp provides a base for exploring in-game drive vehicles and on foot, as well as excursions to view fascinating geological phenomena, petroglyphs (prehistoric rock engravings) and San rock art at Twyfelfontein, Namibia’s first World Heritage Site., or enjoy meeting with some of the local communities. While are no large concentrations of wildlife this seemingly stark environment is amazingly home to a range of wildlife including desert-adapted elephants, gemsbok, springbok, and a variety of other species such as bat-eared fox and the occasional glimpse of black rhino and cheetah. Birdlife is excellent with several Namibian endemics, such as Damara hornbill, Carp’s tit and Rüpell’s korhaan. Fully inclusive basis. Drive approx 2.5hours from Palmwag
Twyfelfontein is a site of ancient rock engravings in Damaraland, and Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site (2007). It has one of the largest collections in Africa as well as one of the most note-worthy with around 2,000+, some thought to be around 6,000 years old! It is believed that the creators of the rock art were the medicine people or shamans who incised their engravings as a means of entering the supernatural world and recording the experiences, the process could prepare the shaman for a state of trance by the repetitive chipping and concentration of energy. Etched into the rock are thus stories within stories, eternalized as a legacy
Overnight: Doro Nawas Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Drinks: All local brands (spirits, wine and beers) included
DAY 11-12: OKONJIMA NATURE RESERVE
Enjoy a morning activity (or if you prefer depart straight after breakfast, and make your way to Okonjima, situated south of Otjiwarongo. The AfriCat Foundation is based here and is devoted to the conservation of predators, specifically cheetah and leopard with the aim to ease the conflict of interests that arises between humans and carnivores. A large part of their work is in animal welfare – rehabilitating and relocating animals, which have been causing problems in their home territory and providing refuge and veterinary care for injured or orphaned animals.
Beautiful luxury accommodation and superb service round it off. When you arrive, discuss with the staff your interests to choose what activities suit you best, this can be leopard tracking on the reserve, pangolin tracking, endangered species search, or game drives including night drives. Fully inclusive with 2 standard activities/day (note this may exclude night drives, hide visit,s etc) the lodge will reconfirm with you Approx 3-4 hours
Halfway between Windhoek and Etosha lies the well-known Okonjima Nature Reserve. The 22 000 ha Nature Reserve is surrounded by 96 km of fence and was finally completed in 2010. Okonjima is home to AFRICAT, a Carnivore Conservation, which gives the captive carnivores a second chance to be released back into the wild and to take the time it needs, to become completely independent hunters – in a protected area right in the middle of commercial farmland! Also in the Reserve is a 2000 ha ‘safe’ zone around Plains Camp, Bush Camp, Bush Suite, and the Omboroko Campsite as well as the PAWS Environmental Education Centre.
Overnight: Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Drinks: All local brands (spirits, wine and beers) included
DAY 13: DEPARTURE
Today you’ll bid farewell to this incredible country. Drop off your car at the airport before your flight home or contact us to extend your stay in Africa!
SAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
https://onguma.com/onguma-the-fort/
https://wilderness-safaris.com/our-camps/camps/desert-rhino-camp
https://okonjima.com/luxury-bush-camp/
*All accommodation is subject to change due to availability
Tour Exclusions
We are happy to help you extend your stay in Africa. Why not extend to South Africa, Botswana, or exotic Zanzibar?! Contact us for more information.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
PRICE from $6595 USD per participant Double / Twin based on a minimum of 2 travellers
Low Season (01/11/20- 31/05/21) TBD
High Season (01/06/21 – 31/10/21) TBD
Prices to change with additional people.
A 25% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to reserve your place. Please contact info@finisterra.ca for more booking information.
Final Payment
Full payment is due 60 prior to departure.
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change. Although we always do our best to stick to the itinerary, due to the ever-changing nature of Mother Earth, activities, hotels, and visits are subject to change due to forces beyond our control.
PRICES: The cost of the trip is subject to change and will vary throughout seasons. Price is based on 2 people in twin/double accommodation and will change if number of travellers changes.
FLIGHTS: Please do not purchase your flights until this tour is confirmed.
PASSPORTS: Must be valid for at least 6 months upon return date to your home country. Proper documentation is the responsibility of each traveller.
VISAS: Responsibility of the traveller.
Travel Insurance
Cancellation, Travel, Flight, and Health insurance are required and are the responsibility of the participant to research and secure the appropriate coverage. Click HERE for a Travel Insurance Quote or please email nicola@finisterra.ca for a quote.
Check with your local travel agent /insurance provider/health plan for advice about traveling overseas.
Waiver Form
All participants will be required to sign a Waiver Form prior to departure.
IMPORTANT
Namibia is an incredible country to visit but please remember that we are in Africa and that not all standards are the same as you would get in Canada or other first world countries. To the majority of our clients, that is part of the appeal of travelling to destinations such as ours. If you are not comfortable with new challenges then you may wish to consider other companies or destinations. Please also note that due to the location of destinations, some long days are inevitable – you’ll travel on gravel roads which can vary in quality depending on the season and maintenance work carried out – we follow only well-defined roads. Note that for safety we do not travel after sunset – please do not expect your guide to do so
Car Rental – As with all car hire companies if you have an accident and they prove you were negligent– for example – speeding then the zero excess becomes void and you are liable. You will complete the contract and discuss any extras with the car rental company upon collection of the vehicle – please check the vehicle carefully as you are responsible for it thereafter. If you have any problems with the car whilst you are on the road please contact them directly. With all car rentals you will need to provide your passport, driving license (written in English or an international license), as well as supply credit card for refundable deposit. A GPS is often available by the car rental companies (at clients’ own expense), however, we do find that due to our road network system (and small population), it is not normally required, we realize this is a personal preference and are happy to pre-book for you. Note that the prices quoted on vehicle extras are a guideline only and subject to change. Please do not drive around/after sunset
Please note that this quote is based on the availability of both accommodation/ vehicle and on the understanding no bookings have been made. Should we need to use alternative options the price and itinerary is subject to change
Money: The Namibian dollar is tied permanently against the South African rand on a 1/1 basis so you are able to check the current exchange rate against your local currency but please note that Namibian dollars are not regarded as an international currency and cannot be purchased outside of the country, therefore if bringing money into the country then you’ll receive SA rand. Both Namibian dollars and South African rand are legal currencies in Namibia. Generally, credit card facilities are accepted in the lodges and ATM’s are available in towns, however, we recommend you carry some cash with you in case a machine is out of order. Travellers’ cheques can only be exchanged in major towns and it is often a time consuming and costly process so we do not recommend carrying them with you. We recommend you bring South African rand with you or exchange at the airports prior to landing in Windhoek to avoid any unnecessary delays upon arrival or needing to carry large sums of money and passports around the city. It is customary to tip in Namibia, usually, around 10% at restaurants. Your guide can be tipped at your discretion if you feel he/she has done a superb job – we recommend N$40-50/person/day
Safety: As with every destination safety tips needs to be adhered to; we strongly recommend you use a safe in a hotel/lodge or lock up your valuables when you are not in the room; when in a vehicle do not leave valuables on display but tucked away and out of sight. It is also better to have copies of passports, money; cards etc split between travellers so if anything unexpected happens and a bag is lost or stolen then other funds/cards are available, you may also wish to consider using a money belt/neck wallet. We suggest you leave valuable jewellery at home – you won’t need it while travelling. A padlock for your luggage is also recommended
Dietary: We can assist with booking of various dietary requirements or food allergies but we appreciate your details when you book with us and we will advise the appropriate lodges. Please be aware that the choice and options may not be as great as your home country.
Weather: Please note that in winter evenings and nights in particular can be very cold we recommend layered clothing – day time temps can be 25°C so t-shirts and shorts is great for then but thermals are very useful for evenings/night. Summer temperatures can exceed 40°C but also bring our rainy season so a lightweight rain jacket is handy, as with most places layering is the most recommended way of clothing – please ensure you pack your clothes in plastic bags and ensure cameras/electrical equipment is suitably protected
Climate: The African sun is very strong. Please use a factor 30 sunscreen and wear a hat. You should drink at least 3 litres of water per day to avoid dehydration. It can also get very cold during winter months on this route
Electrical: plugs are 220V and are 3 pin (round pin as opposed to square pin). Adaptors can be purchased in Windhoek and most international airports; they are the same as in South Africa if you are shopping in your home country or at the airport. Some lodges will also offer 2pin sockets or adaptors but please do not rely on this, it is much better to bring your own. It is possible to re-charge batteries at most lodges but clients must be responsible for security of their possessions.
Insurance: It is essential that you purchase comprehensive personal travel insurance before you embark on your holiday, medical insurance is insufficient. Travel insurance is for your own protection and should include evacuation; we also recommend full cover for baggage loss etc and consider it to be an essential part of modern international travel. Contact nicola@finisterra.ca for insurance.
If you have credit card insurance – please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. If you are uncertain whether this is enough please contact us when you book to ensure you have adequate cover
Health: Namibia is a low-risk malarial destination but we recommend that seek professional medical advice to enable you to make decisions on personal malaria protection. Note that Etosha is an official malarial area (low risk) so please discuss with your doctor and obtain any necessary protection before departing your home country. No vaccinations are required by law for the countries being visited on this tour though we recommend clients are up to date with vaccinations of TB, hepatitis, polio etc
Water: All tap water in Namibia has been purified or comes directly from boreholes and is safe to drink. Tap drinking water is generally safe to drink but bottled mineral water is easily available at shops and rest camps should you prefer to drink this, at some lodges it is provided though may be at an additional cost
Visas: The onus is on the client to organize all visas required for clients prior to departure. Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your scheduled departure date country of travel and has sufficient empty pages. If this is not the case, there is a danger of being turned away by the Immigration Service on arrival at the airport – assuming your airline has agreed to bring you and risk a fine in the first place. The Company cannot be held liable for any necessary visas or other travel documents not held by the clients. Please also note that if your passport requires a visa for the countries you visit and multiple entries if necessary, you will need to carry your passport with you during the trip
Responsible Tourism: When we put together an itinerary for you, our aim is to try to ensure you have the experience of a lifetime, we strongly believe in low impact or positive impact tourism. Furthermore, our responsibility to the country/ies you visit and the environment is to try our best to ensure that all benefit – whether that is a small, local operator, local community or conservation programme. Your itinerary may include visits a “local community/village” which will enable you to directly assist and barter for a piece of jewellery; perhaps overnight at a locally-owned campsite or lodge; maybe a local guide takes you to a place of interest or site; or visit an organization set up to protect endangered animals and species that occur naturally in the country. We will give you an insight into these initiatives but if you want more information please ask. Note that these initiatives vary according to the region travelled and what is available), remember your safety and enjoyment is also of paramount importance so we will not, for example, use a campsite located in a place we consider unsuitable. Please also follow some of the notes we issue in our pre-departure information to minimize the effects of negative tourism on local cultures (respect for others and their beliefs etc). Generally, we prefer not to use large, international hotel chains as much of the revenue leaves the country but again, should you prefer this option we are happy to oblige.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation: If you require accommodation before or after your tour we can arrange this for you
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Even though we wish you a flawless trip, things can happen, especially nowadays. Make sure you are prepared with a Travel Insurance policy that is right for you. Finisterra recommends Manulife Insurance or John Hancock Please feel free to ask us about Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance, Cancel for Any Reason Policies, Travel Medical Insurance, or any other questions you may have.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CANADIANS
Travel with confidence knowing that you’re covered with Manulife Insurance.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR AMERICANS – JOHN HANCOCK
Explore the world, stress-free, when you book travel insurance with John Hancock International.
WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
At Finisterra Travel we help you discover, push personal boundaries, and explore the unknown.
We are super passionate about sustainable, transformational, and adventure travel. Definitely not “armchair travellers”, we have firsthand experience of where you’ll be heading.No one wants to feel like a tourist which is why when we plan a custom travel experience for you, we strive to make your adventure as authentic as possible. We offer an array of Small Group Adventures & Custom Trips, and have something for every type of traveller.
Our unique itineraries are designed to best showcase some of our favourite destinations around Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and Europe. All itineraries are fully-customizable.Not your typical online travel agency, nor are we quite a tour operator, we are international travel designers with a flair for unique experiences. We’d love to hear from you!
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