Desert Escape 8 day Family Safari Windhoek to Windhoek

DESERT ESCAPE - 8 DAYS
WINDHOEK NAMIBIA

This fabulous trip begins in Windhoek, Namibia, then travels through Etosha National Park with its large variety of animals and birdlife, and on to Kamanjab Cheetah Park, where you have the rare opportunity to interact with tame cheetahs. The trip then heads to lively Swakopmund where many adventure activities are available and finally time in the Namib Desert before returning to Windhoek.

Location:

WINDHOEK NAMIBIA

Dates:

Regular departure dates throughout the year

Fees:

£385 - 8 days
USD 340 - Local Payment

Payment:

£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure

Reference:

AT039

General Information

Start and Finish Points: Windhoek
Countries visited: Namibia
Departure Point: Hotel Thuringer Hof, Independence Avenue, Windhoek
Check-in time: 8.45 am
Departure time: 9.30am
Pre-Departure Meeting: Held at the Departure Point at 17.00 hours the day before departure
Please note: This trip requires a minimum of 4 people - please contact Amanzi Travel for available dates.
Family departures available (6 yrs +) - please contact Amanzi Travel for dates.

Itinerary

DAY 1: Windhoek (L / D)

Leaving Namibia’s capital city, the trip heads north towards Etosha National Park, Namibia’s premier nature reserve, covering 20,000 km². Situated around the Etosha Pan with a wide variety of animal and bird life, the extensive network of gravel roads gives us the opportunity to access even the most remote areas of the park. Camp is set up and there is time to relax before a late afternoon game drive.

DAY 2: Etosha National Park (B / L / D)

Today is spent looking for the Big 5, also keeping a look out for Etosha’s large herds of desert antelope such as Springbok and the famed Oryx. The evening is spent relaxing at the camp, which overlooks a floodlit water hole, where you can watch the antics of the animals as they come to quench their thirst.

DAY 3: Etosha National Park to Cheetah Park (B / L / D)

With an early start, there is a final chance to spot some of the elusive game. Stopping in the small town of Outjo, we replenish our supplies before heading to the Cheetah Park - a private farm dedicated to conserving Namibia’s cheetah population, where there is the opportunity to meet the resident cheetahs - a photo opportunity not to be missed!

DAY 4: Cheetah Park to Swakopmund (B / L)

Today we reach Namibia’s prime holiday resort – Swakopmund where we enjoy two nights of rest and relaxation.

DAY 5: Swakopmund

Founded by the Germans in 1892, their colonial influence is still evident today. Swakopmund has a selection of excellent coffee shops, restaurants and bars as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian curios. There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum, aquarium and galleries to visit.
OPTIONAL Excursions include sky diving, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic desert flights, water sports, fishing trips, golf and 4WD hire.

DAY 6: Swakopmund to Sesriem (B / L / D)

Heading south we enter the Namib-Naukluft Park in one of the oldest deserts in the world. We base ourselves at Sesriem, a great place to experience the Namib and its many moods. A short distance away is Sossusvlei, surrounded by a dramatic sea of sand dunes reputed to be the highest in the world. Magnificent views of the desert can be seen from the top of the dunes, some over 300 m high. We spend the afternoon exploring this amazing area and have the option of learning about the amazing history, geology, flora and fauna with a local guide. We’re also given a glimpse into the cultural legacy of the San people. Viewing the sunset from the top of Dune 45 is a truly memorable experience.

DAY 7: Sesriem to Windhoek (B / L)

After watching the sunrise across this beautiful area we leave the serenity of the dunes and head north to Windhoek, where we’ll spend our last night at leisure.

DAY 8: Windhoek (B)

After breakfast, there is a chance to exchange addresses before parting ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime! We suggest you spend this day taking in some more of what Windhoek has to offer. Visit the museum of Alte Feste, the home of the first German military headquarters, the Reiterdenkmal, a memorial to German soldiers killed in action and the Christus Kirche, an impressive church built by the German Lutheran congregation in 1907.

Please note that the above itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road and weather conditions, political situations and group decisions. Due to Tourism Laws in some countries visited there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.

Optional Excursions

Please note that prices are approximate and are subject to change. Where activities occur away from your base, there may be an additional transfer cost.

Sossusvlei Desert Walk - 2 - 3 hours (minimum of 8 people) - 30 US$

Activities at Swakopmund

Quad Biking - 1 hour/2 hours - 50 US$/85 US$
Sand Boarding - Lie Down/Stand Up - 45 US$/60 US$
Township Tour - 70 US$
Tandem Skydive (weather permitting) - 320 US$
Horse Riding - 2 hours - 65 US$
Fishing - 145 US$
Dolphin Cruise - 75 US$
Kayaking - 90 US$
Paragliding (weather permitting) - 135 US$
Scenic Flight (various - weather permitting) - As per Operator
Hot Air Ballooning (weather permitting) - 420 US$

Support

Support and advice is available from the Trip Guides whilst on the expedition and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support.

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent upon booking this expedition and our staff are always on hand to offer further advice and information provided via telephone and email before departure. The day before the trip begins, there will be a full orientation at 5.00 pm at the departure point by the project coordinator. The pre-departure meeting is not essential but it is recommended, and is a great opportunity to meet trip companions.

Accommodation and Meals

The trips are camping trips, and spacious 2-person tents with sewn in ground sheets and a separate fly sheet are provided. Most nights will be spent in organised campsites which usually have hot water showers and extra facilities such as a bar or swimming pool. Increasingly these places have simple roomed accommodation, so on occasion there will be the choice at extra cost to upgrade to a bed if desired. Occasionally, when it is not possible to drive any further or when there is no local campsite available, it may be necessary to bush camp. The vehicles are completely self-sufficient for this and camping out in the middle of the African bush can be a memorable experience.

The safari cook does all the cooking on the trip, although it may be necessary to participate in the preparation of the meals on a rota basis. Meals and menus vary depending on what is available locally, but three healthy square meals a day on the road will be provided. Fresh fruit and vegetables will be purchased from market stalls, supported by a bulk buy of goods bought prior to departure. In the towns and cities there is the optional alternative of sampling the local restaurants.

Getting There

Flights can be arranged into Windhoek International Airport. Please make sure that you arrive in plenty of time for this trip, to allow for flight delays, as the truck will leave early on the day of departure. There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport – for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel. If required Amanzi Travel can arrange an airport pick up and accommodation for you.