Safaris South Africa | Impi Safaris

GUIDED SELF DRIVE 4X4 EXPLORER CW2109

Short and sweet

This tour has all the epic destinations , including Namib desert, the succulence of the Karoo, the rugged Cedarberg mountains, Mopani forests, Etosha Nature Reserve, a Walvis Bay Harbor tour, Spitzkoppe desert elephants and the Brandberge with the “white lady”.  This full house tour encompasses all the magical landscapes Namibia has to offer!!!

 ITINERARY

DAY 1-2 CAPE TOWN (guest house ---)

Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities of the world, with the majestic Table Mountain towering over the city.  We will visit many attractions including the famous Cape Point, Bouders beach’s penguin colony, Hout Bay harbor and the V&A Waterfront.  This cosmopolitan city also has many fine restaurants to indulge in (own expense).

After checking into your hotel you will be taken on a short orientation tour of Cape Town and with the option of taking a cable cart up Table Mountain (own expense).  These first 2 days will be spent in a fully guided mini van, this is proven to be more eco-friendly due to the city’s constraints.

DAY 3 CAPE TOWN (guest house, B - -)

This morning we start early and have a briefing at our vehicle depot and familiarize ourselves with the newly equipped vehicles (usually Nissan twin cabs with roof top tents).  Spend the rest of the day catching up on last minute curio shopping or just lazing on the beach absorbing the Cape’s sunshine.  We will have dinner at a local restaurant (own expense).

DAY 4 CEDARBERG (chalets BLD)

The Cedarberg is a massive rocky wilderness where giant sandstone boulders have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes ie, maltese cross and wolfberg cracks.  Eco-tourism is the primary activity as this is a wilderness area.  There are various 4x4 routes which can be explored.  The Cedarberg is renowned for its rugged mountain passes.  Due to clear skies most of the year, it makes excellent sites for star gazing.  In the afternoon we explore the rugged mountain landscape.

DAY 5-6 GARIEP RIVER (camping BLD)

We make our way into the more arid regions and entering Namibia, we camp at the Gariep/Orange River.  With the lack of dangerous animals and high water levels, the river is commonly used for recreational canoeing.  The lower reaches of the river are most popular because of the spectacular topography, we canoe easily through this wilderness to our camp.  We return to the camp on the morning of the 7th day.

DAY 7 FISH RIVER CANYON (camping BLD)

After lunch on the banks of the Gariep River we have a short drive to Hobas where we camp.  We make our way to Fish River Canyon, second largest canyon in the world.  It cuts deep into the plateau which is today dry, stoney and sparsely covered with dessert plants.  The canyon is in total 160 km long, 27 km wide and 550 meters deep in places.  In the afternoon we enjoy sun downers as we watch the sun disappear beneath the African horizon.

DAY 8-9 LUDERITZ / KOLMANSKOP (chalets BL -)

The wind tugs at the wooden shutters, doors and roof beams.  Rusty water pipes and railway tracks disappear into sandy oblivion.  Rooms with high ceilings and even whole houses are filled by rippled dunes.  Through broken windows and holes in roofs or walls the sun paints bizarre pictures of light and shadow.  The appealing atmosphere of the dilapidation of a settlement which once flourished in the hostile desert attracts around 20 000 tourists each year.

Kolmanskuppe sprang up in 1908 after diamonds were found.  During the following years the little town was the centre of a veritable diamond rush, which filled it with life.  All that remains today is the Diamond Restricted Area, where mining of precious stones continues, and the ghost town of Kolmanskuppe.  We have 2 days to explore the area, and if lucky we may even see the legendary desert horses of Namibia.  We spend 2 nights in the picturesque town of Luderitz, where we enjoy dinner at local restaurants (own expense).

DAY 10-11 NAMIB DESERT (camping BLD)

Today is a long drive day with spectacular photographic stops through the terrain ending at Sesriem.  The area is considered to be one of the oldest deserts in the world, having endured arid or semi-arid conditions for at least 55 million years. Its aridity is caused by the descent of dry air and cooled by the cold Benguela current along the coast. It has less than 10 mm of rain annually and is almost completely barren.  Towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert.  We will enter Sossusvlei along a 4x4 driven track.  We explore Sesriem Canyon and watch breathtaking sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes.

DAY 12-14 SWAKOPMUND (chalet Bx3 Lx2 - )

Today we make our way through places like Solitaire and the Tropic of Capricorn with Lunar landscapes.  Swakopmund was founded in 1892 as the main harbor town for the old German South-West Africa.  It is the capital of the Erongo district and is a beach resort with German colonial architecture.  This town is popular for its cooler temperatures.

Day 13:

We will head out on a full day Harbor and Desert Excursion.  Towards the end of the marine cruise the boat will drop you off on a deserted beach to be met by guide(s) and 4x4 vehicle(s).  First enjoy a picnic on the beach, including fresh oysters, sparkling wine, snacks, salad, bread, fruit etc, before driving from there straight down to Sandwich Harbour.  You will return to Swakopmund at approximately 5pm.

Day 14

A full day light aircraft charter has been pre-booked for you.  Should you wish to confirm this booking (own expense approx €300 pp) you will enjoy an early morning flight past the majestic Brandberg Mountain, the Tabletop Mountains and Damarland on the way to Opuwo.  A proud Himba guide will gladly escort you to a traditional village.  It’s not over yet, the return flight to Swakopmund allows you to view the Skeleton Coastline and its many shipwrecks.  For those who do not wish to take this option there is a full day free to take part in the many activities that are available in Swakopmund.  Try quad biking / dune boarding / sky diving.

DAY 15 SPITZKOP (camping BLD)

Over the next couple of days we travel through the diverse desert landscapes and moving north along the arid coast, to the Cape Cross seal colony, before heading inland to set up camp under the Spitzkoppe.  These huge granite domes rising out of the desert allow for dramatic sunsets and sunrises.  The locals believe that the desert elephant was born here.

DAY 16-17 UGAB WILDERNESS (camping BLD)

Our next stop is the Brandberg where we camp next to the dry Ugab River bed, home to the rare desert elephants.  We explore the mountains on foot with our local guides, who lead us through this region adorned with rock art.  Ugab River is an ephemeral river that only flows above the surface of its sandy bed a few days each year, but its subterranean water is an important resource for species in the Damaraland region of northern Namibia.  With our 4WD vehicles we can rediscover this rugged area and river beds.

DAY 18-19 ETOSHA NP (camping BLD)

Etosha National Park, “the great white place of dry water”, in the game rich northwest corner of Namibia offers a variety of wildlife.  We take game drives around the huge dry pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions around the waterholes before we camp at Okaukuejo with its flood-lit waterhole.  (Subject to animal movements we may use any of the 3 camps in Etosha.)

DAY 20 WINDHOEK (guest house BL -)

It sits on a sloping plain on the northern side of the Khomas Hochland (Khomas Highlands) at an altitude of 1,728 meters.  The charm of the city of Windhoek lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people.  We visit cosmopolitan capital and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense).

DAY 21 TOUR ENDS (B - -)

Tour ends with a transfer to Windhoek International Airport.

TOUR INFORMATION

This tour starts in Cape Town and ends in Windhoek and visa versa can be arranged

PRICE (valid 2009)

€3315 pps for 2 people

€2936 pps for 3 people

€2669 pps for 4 people

• 9 nights in guesthouse/chalets & 11 nights modern camping
• Entrance fees
• Use of camping equipment
• Transport in 4WD
• Meals as per itinerary
• Professional guide (driver)
• Cook (camp assistant)
• Self drive off road excursions or ‘tag along’

Accomodation

• Guest house / chalets – 9 nights will be spent in guesthouses or chalets.  Most rooms are twin rooms with en-suite facilities, but some have 2 rooms sharing 1 bathroom.
• Camping: 11 nights with hot showers and clean toilets.  The 4x4 vehicles with unlimited mileage come fully equipped with camping gear and the roof top tents we use are 1.8 x 1.8 x 1.5 meters and putting them up or down takes only 3 minutes.  Tents have built-in insect nets.  Mattresses which are 5cm thick, pillows and sheets are supplied.  The camp chairs are comfortable and have a backrest.  Each vehicle is also equipped with A/C, C/D player, a 12V fridge, long range fuel tanks, air compressor and spare wheel.  Ground tents are also available.

• Craft shopping for carvings, batiks, paintings and clothing are best in Swakopmund.  Namibia also has unusual and interesting curios and crafts.  If you see something you like, it is best to buy it because it is unlikely that you will see something similar further along.  Crafts change from region to region.

• We have three balanced meals per day, the main meal is dinner - braai (charcoal/wood barbeque), potjie (stew) or stir fry.  Lunch – sandwiches with salad.  Breakfast – cereals, toast, tea/coffee/fruit juices and sometimes an English (fried) breakfast.
• When buying ingredients, the tour leader insists on obtaining fresh produce from the local shops.
• The use of melamine camping plates, cups and cutlery will be provided.
• Meals are included except where stated in the itinerary (B- Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner).  When the meals are not included we will eat at restaurants (own expense).
• If requested, the tour leader can arrange for special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, allergies, etc.
• Beverages which are not included in the meals as stated will be at your own expense.  We don’t supply bottled drinking water although it is available at most shops.

• Anyone who is in good health should enjoy this trip.
• You will need a valid passport for entry into South Africa and surrounding countries.
• Visas for relative countries are obtainable at the borders.
• Please pack a limit of 15kgs of luggage in a soft sports tog bag.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable shoes and warm jacket are highly recommended.
• A good camera and a small pair of binoculars always come in handy.
• We recommend that you bring extra money for restaurant meals, extra refreshments and curios shopping.
• With local conditions being different, border crossings, road detours and weather, the trip may alter route or schedule – in this case please note that we will make every effort to stick to the itinerary as best as possible.
• There will be a guide/camp assistant at all times, but a helping hand is always welcome.  Many hands make lighter work!!
• Don’t forget your humour and sense of adventure!!!
• Feel free to contact us for any queries.