Gemsbok self-drive
This excellent
16-night trip strives to get the very best out of a trip to Northern Namibia; drive to the aptly-named and eerie
Skeleton Coast, then onto the huge granite massifs of
Damaraland adorned in bushman rock art, and continue to experience the phenomenal game-viewing opportunities possible in
Etosha National Park.
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Starting from London Heathrow, your scheduled South African Airways overnight flight will take you via Johannesburg to Windhoek, where you land around midday. |
Collect your hire car at the airport and make the easy 45-minute drive into Windhoek. Although the architecture, shops and restaurants give this city a slightly cosmopolitan feel, it certainly retains its African atmosphere with the many road side stalls. Whilst here, stay at a recommended guesthouse such as the… |
| Olive Grove (bed & breakfast) |
After breakfast, depart for Swakopmund, a friendly and fun town with a variety of things to see and do. We have included a full day trip to Sandwich Harbour with Turnstone Tours. For the adventurous try sand-boarding or skydiving over the dunes, or visit the wonderful lagoon at Walvis Bay with its huge number of flamingos, Cape pelicans and other water birds. Stay at the comfortable… |
| The Stiltz (bed & breakfast) |
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From Swakopmund, stop briefly at Cape Cross to see the enormous colony of Cape fur seals, before driving on to the haunting Skeleton Coast. This isolated coastline is captivating and extraordinary. You'll drive for about six hours today, to deep inside the Skeleton Coast National Park, before you finally reach the basic restcamp… |
| Terrace Bay (bed & breakfast) |
Enjoy the superb scenery throughout your drive into Northern Damaraland, where you spend 3 nights. Stay on a private reserve and with a guide explore the rugged terrain either in a 4x4 or on foot - hope to see the desert-adapted elephants and black rhino during your time at… |
| Etendeka Mountain Camp (full board & activities) |
Leave after breakfast and drive into the heart of Etosha National Park which offers not only prolific game, but a unique shallow bowl of silvery sand the size of Holland. Stop at one of the waterholes alongside this vast saltpan to view the wildlife that comes to drink, before retiring back to your camp… |
| Okaukuejo Camp (bed & breakfast) |
Amble across Etosha National Park, from its western to its eastern side, all the time looking out for big game. On your way, pass the vast pan and open planes in the centre of the park, before reaching a luxurious lodge that offers professional guided drives, the beautiful… |
| Mushara Lodge (half board) |
Depart from Etosha in the morning and enjoy a lovely drive to the hills of the Central Highlands and up into the Erongo Mountains. These rugged granite mountains are home to endless birdlife, including some of Namibia's endemic species. It is a beautiful spot to explore their many walking trails on your own or with a guide. Your base here is … |
| Erongo Wilderness Lodge (half board) |
| (Also includes a guided walk) |
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Enjoy a scenic drive back to Windhoek Airport, perhaps stopping on the way for a few photos, or at Okahandja craft market for any last minute curios. Arrive at the airport in good time to drop off your rental car, and then connect to your overnight flight with South African Airways. |
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You arrive back in London Heathrow early in the morning to make easy connections to other flights, or travel back to your home in the UK. There is little time difference between Namibia and the UK so rarely any real jet lag – at the end of such a magical holiday. |
| From |
To |
Cost |
| 1-Jan-2010 |
16-Mar-2010 |
£2,944 |
| 17-Mar-2010 |
31-Mar-2010 |
£2,814 |
| 1-Apr-2010 |
14-Jun-2010 |
£2,855 |
| 15-Jun-2010 |
17-Sep-2010 |
£2,896 |
| 18-Sep-2010 |
15-Nov-2010 |
£2,974 |
| 16-Nov-2010 |
15-Dec-2010 |
£3,096 |
Notes:
•The prices shown are per person sharing; call us for single person supplements.
• It's very easy to combine this trip with a visit to southern Namibia; ask us for the details.
• Upgrades to larger hired cars are easy to arrange; ask us for details. |
This itinerary includes:• Economy flights to and from London, plus UK and Namibian airport departure taxes.
• All your meals and activities as specified.
• A
Group C hired car for the duration of your trip, to be picked up and dropped off at Windhoek Airport.
• The hire vehicle is covered by the car hire company's Super Cover insurance. Please note that this is only valid for drivers who are aged over 25 years. This covers unlimited mileage, theft, personal accident insurance and almost all damages. (Alternative insurance arrangements are possible for fully inclusive cover, although this alters the price of the itinerary slightly.)
• A comprehensive pack of maps and information covering the places that you'll be visiting.
• See the individual lodges for precise inclusions & exclusions.
• A complementary copy of the
Bradt Travel Guide to Namibia.
This itinerary excludes:• The hire vehicle is covered by the car hire company's Super Cover insurance. This cover excludes under-carriage, sand and water damage.
• Park fees to any national parks.
• Tips and gratuities (which are optional).
• See the individual lodges for precise inclusions & exclusions.
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