Southern Safari | Northern Safari | North and South Safari
Namibia
TAILOR-MADE ITINERARIES THROUGHOUT NAMIBIA
A fascinating environment hosting a wide variety of desert adapted plants, animals and people... relentless sunshine... sun bronzed mountains...rugged canyons…..vast open plains…., the highest red sand dunes in the world… complete silence. Try a different world: experience the thirstland... You will never forget it!
Please see our suggested sample custom designed itineraries, hereunder, that utilize guest houses, farms and lodges.
Then advise us on any changes to these itineraries as prefered, additional destinations, your specific interests, dates of travel,start & end points, eg. Windhoek to Windhoek or Victoria Falls, etc. your group size and dynamics, eg. doubles, Twins, singles, childrens ages and suchlike and we will Custom design and price an itinerary to suite.
Selfdrive Packages
We can design a tour package to suite your interests and time available, doing all your accommodation bookings and arrange for a suitable Hire vehicle for you to have a totally prepared package ready for you on arrival in Windhoek.
You can choose a fully equipped Camping Vehicle and camp all the way, or a Sedan or SUV and stay in Lodges and permanent camps or Bed & Breakfast establishments or whatever you prefer and best suits your budget.
These itineraries can include South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland Zambia and or Zimbabwe as well.
Guided Safaris
The following are typical tour packages we offer and these can be altered or extended to suit your preferences and preferred travel dates. We can arrange accomodation prior to and after safaris, and add-ons as required. For prices and availability please email papadi@info.bw with details of your group, eg: number of doubles, singles, children and age, preferred start and end points and dates of travel. Also the itinerary you are interested in and any variations thereto.
Our Standard Guided Safaris comprise a group of 2 to 10 Clients, for exclusive individual or larger group Safaris we will quote on request.
Southern Safari - 8 days
DAY 1WINDHOEK - HOTEL
A Papadi guide will meet you on your arrival at Windhoek International Airport and transfer to hotel. This evening you will have dinner with your guide during which he will deliver a full tour briefing.
DAY 2FISH RIVER CANYON - LODGE
Leave after breakfast for a long main road drive South towards Keetmanshoop. Proceed further on a gravel road to overnight at Canyon Lodge, not far from the Fish River Canyon.
DAY 3
LUDERITZ - HOTEL
After breakfast we will visit the Lookout point to the Fish River Canyon, second largest in the world after the Grand Canyon, before continuing to Luderitz on the Atlantic ocean. En route there will be a visit to the sight of the First World War concentration camp as well as the possibility to catch a glimpse of the renowned desert horses, one of the few desert dwelling feral horse populations in the world. Luderitz owes its existence to the discovery of diamonds in 1908 and still portrays a wealth of German Colonial Architecture that remained from that era. Known for the very heavy winds in the afternoon which will restrict activities to a drive around the peninsula towards the Diaz Cross. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 4LUDERITZ - HOTEL
An early breakfast will be called for before departing on the "Sedina", an old 2 mast wooden vessel who's previous owner have sailed it around the world. The cruise will take you to Halifax Island where a colony of Penguins made their home among the redundant houses of the guano workers of the previous century. It is not uncommon to see some Dolphins close up during the cruise. Back to main land for a short drive to the Ghost town of Kolmanskop, once a thriving and very rich town during the diamond run of early 1900's. After lunch and weather depending, a visit to the diamond barge will be a worth while exercise to get a glimpse of the way diamonds were retrieved from the sea by making use of divers. Overnight Hotel.
DAY 5
SOSSUSVLEI - LODGE
Depart after breakfast for Sossusvlei. The route will be main road to Aus where the gravel road will be taken via Helmeringhauzen. Lunch will be en route to arrive at the lodge in time for sundowners.
DAY 6
SOSSUSVLEI - LODGE
Early morning you will depart for Sossusvlei. Many visitors to Namibia say that no part of the desert is visually more stunning than Sossusvlei, the major attraction of the Namib Naukluft Park, renowned for its gigantic dunes, the shadows caused by their sinuous crests continually changing as the day waxes and wanes. These star-shaped mountains of sand, the highest of which is estimated to be about 325 m, are a sought-after topic for artists and photographers.
The warm tints of the sand, ranging from pale apricot to brick orange and deep red, contrast vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the large deflationary clay pans at their bases. When it has rained sufficiently in the interior for the Tsauchab River to come down in flood and fill the main pan, flamingos and other aquatic birds are attracted to the area. Only day visits are allowed to the Vlei, which is 55 km from Sesriem Canyon, a narrow 30 m-deep gorge carved out over centuries by the Tsauchab River. Overnight at the lodge.
DAY 7SWAKOPMUND - HOTEL
An early morning start in order to have enough time to travel along the main gravel road to Swakopmund. Accommodation in Swakopmund will be in a hotel with dinner in one of the good sea food restaurants this town is known for.
DAY 8
An early morning start in order to have enough time to travel along the main gravel road to Swakopmund. Accommodation in Swakopmund will be in a hotel with dinner in one of the good sea food restaurants this town is known for.
THIS IS AN UPMARKET PACKAGE UTILISING AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLES AND LUXURY ACCOMODATION.
Where Lodges and camps as named do not have accommodation available we will ensure equivalent accommodation at similar establishments as available. Southern Safari starts on the first Saturday of the month and Northern Safari then links onto the end of Southern Safari.
DEPARTURE DATES:
On request or to suit.
Alternative departure dates for groups available on request.
We can arrange transfers back to Windhoek on request.
We will be happy to design tailor-made itineraries to suit your specific interests and preferences.
INCLUDING
Full time attendance of Professional Safari Guide and air conditioned vehicle. All accommodation as described on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis, all entry fees, and activities as described.
EXCLUDING
Visa fees, drinks, lunches and gratuities, excursions and activities not included in itinerary, compulsory comprehensive travel and medical treatment and repatriation insurance cover.
Northern Safari - 13 days
DAY 1
SWAKOPMUND - HOTEL
A Papadi Guide will meet you at the Airport on your arrival and transfer you to your Hotel. You will have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the town. This evening you will have dinner with your guide during which he will deliver a full tour briefing.
DAY 2
SWAKOPMUND - HOTEL
Depart after breakfast to Walvisbay, 30 km away. Here the main attraction will be a boat cruise on the Walvisbay lagoon searching for Cape Fur Seals and Heaviside Dolphin. The Seals normally find the boat and some of them will climb on the boat, although they are wild! It all started with a rescue operation to save the seals trapped in nets. Now they keep on coming back! The Heaviside Dolphins are endemic to the area and are one of the smallest Dolphin species. To see them playing around the boat will be unforgettable. Sightings of Whales, the big South Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, Sunfish, Leather Back Turtles and Killer Whales are not uncommon.
DAY 3
TWYFELFONTEIN COUNTRY LODGE
A long drive North along the coast, before turning inland to Twyfelfontein [doubtful spring] via the main gravel road where accommodation will be in one of the most beautiful lodges currently in Namibia. The rooms are spacious thatch roofs and the main dining area one of the biggest areas under thatch in Namibia. An afternoon visit to one of the biggest collections of rock art in Namibia, dating back 6 000 years. An early evening will be recommended.
DAY 4
FORT SESFONTEIN LODGE
Leave Twyfelfontein Lodge after breakfast to continue further North towards Sesfontein, on the boundary between Damaraland and Kaokoland. The road is gravel all the way and the villages of the local subsistence farmers can be seen along the road where they live in harmony with their domestic stock sharing water points with Elephant, Rhino and other wild animals. The country side is usually game filled allowing for a very interesting road with several photographic opportunities. Arrive in Sesfontein during mid afternoon where the night will be spend in an old German Fort now renovated to an accommodation facility.
DAY 5
HOANIB RIVER - FORT SESFONTEIN LODGE
Sesfontein lies on the banks of the Hoanib River, a powerful ephemeral river that is dry for most of the year but flows underneath the surface, breaching the surface at times to form clear flowing water rivulets crucial to the survival of the animals found in the river and on the banks. Even giraffe can be found here, although it is since been proven that they are almost independent of water. The biggest significance of this river however, is that it is home to the Desert Elephants, of which only +/- 50 still remain. The excursion this day is to go off-road down the dry riverbed to try to locate some of these very special animals. The river is also scenically beautiful with huge Albida trees where the lunch stop will be made. This will be a full day with lots of off-road travelling and hopefully the excitement that finding some of these Elephants. Overnight at the Fort.
DAY 6
EPUPA FALLS - LODGE
All the way North to the Boundary with Angola and the Cunene River, home of the Himba People. They are regarded as among the 4 most primitive tribes in the world. Not that it seems to bother them and unlike the Bushman, very few modern amenities have been included in their culture. They are very happy people and pastoralists, their life stock being the single most important thing in their lives, although herding cattle in this harsh arid environment bordering the desert, not always easy. Overnight in a tented lodge on the bank of the river with en-suite facilities in every tent.
DAY 7
EPUPA FALLS - LODGE
An early morning visit to the Himba People. The visit will give you a glimpse into their lives and taking of photographs will be permitted. A visit to one of the traditional graveyards will also be included. Lunch at the lodge with the afternoon off to relax and rest or, for the brave, a swim in one of the safe and crocodile free areas of the river.
DAY 8
HOBATERE LODGE
A long drive South towards Hobatere Lodge on the Western boundary of Etosha National Park. This is one of the " Wild " lodges in the country, the camp is not fenced in with the result that game [including Elephant and Lion] can wander through the camp un hindered. Elephants will sometimes drink from the swimming pool giving sun tanning a whole new meaning! Another unique feature is to be able to go on a night drive in big 5 country. Accommodation is in en-suite chalets and room
DAY 9
OKAUKUEJO - BUNGALOW
An early morning start will be recommended in order to catch the odd predator still on the move. The route will take you through the Western part of Etosha that is closed to tourists but accessible with special permit only. There are many waterholes en route to Okaukuejo that will be visited, searching for a variety of game as well as Elephant, Rhino and Lion. Lunch will be en route before ending the day at Okaukuejo, the biggest of the rest camps. The main feature at Okaukuejo is the illuminated waterhole where Lion, Elephant and Rhino can be seen interacting at night. To witness a Lion hunt only several metres away, is not uncommon. Each chalets has 2 rooms sharing a bathroom with a choice of dinner in the restaurant or a barbeque at the chalets.
DAY 10
ETOSHA - OKAUKUEJO
Remain at Okaukuejo with a full day of game drives in the surrounding area.
DAY 11
ETOSHA - NAMUTONI
Leave Okaukuejo as early as possible to follow one of the roads stopping at Halali rest camp where we have lunch before continuing on to Namutoni. There will be several waterholes en route and photographic opportunities aplenty. Situated at the eastern entrance to the park, the Namutoni rest camp centres around an old German fort dating back to 1903. Renovations in the early 1980's included the addition of a shop and restaurant complex and 24 accommodation units (not serviced), ensuring that the camp has all the necessary modern amenities. There should be time for a game drive in the Namutoni area during the afternoon. A floodlit waterhole next to the fort allows for comfortable game viewing at night.
DAY 12
WINDHOEK RETURN
We drive back to Windhoek with a stop at the craft market at Okahandja. Overnight in a hotel with the farewell dinner in one of the many restaurants to choose from.
DAY 13
AIRPORT
We transfer you to Windhoek International Airport in time to catch your return flight home.
THIS IS AN UPMARKET PACKAGE UTILISING AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLES AND LUXURY ACCOMODATION.
Where Lodges and camps as named do not have accommodation available we will ensure equivalent accommodation at similar establishments as available. Southern Safari starts on the first Saturday of the month and Northern Safari then links onto the end of Southern Safari.
DEPARTURE DATES:
On request or to suit.
Alternative departure dates for groups available on request.
WE can arrange transfers back to Windhoek on request.
We will be happy to design tailor-made itineraries to suit your specific interests and preferences.
INCLUDING
Full time attendance of Professional Safari Guide and air conditioned vehicle. All accommodation as described on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis, all entry fees, and activities as described.
EXCLUDING
Visa fees, drinks, lunches and gratuities, excursions and activities not included in itinerary, compulsory comprehensive travel and medical treatment and repatriation insurance cover.
North and South Safari - 20 day
Previous two itineraries combined to run back to back
HATAB: |
SATSA: |
Birdlife South Africa affiliated |
Game Rangers Association of Africa |