9 nights from £1295
Exotic Namibia, one of the world’s newest nations and which only elected its first president in 1989, is home to the world’s oldest and possibly most beautiful desert, the Namib.
Dominated by a massive mineral pan and part of the Kalahari Basin the Etosha is one of Southern Africa’s finest and most important game reserves. Declared a National Park in 1907 and covering an area of 22,270 sq. km. it is home to around 550 species of mammal, reptile, bird and amphibian. A limited rain supply supports the Etosha Pan which, despite the high rate of evaporation, particularly during the winter months, concentrates the wildlife into specific areas thus improving game viewing.
Adjoining Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, lying between the dramatic Atlantic coastline and desert dunes, offer an interesting contrast, the former reveals elaborate Germanic architecture whilst the latter was once a British port and still has a Cricket pitch!
On most dates (see Day 8) a stay is included at Okonjima, the base for the AfriCat Foundation, as featured on the BBC, a non-profit organisation committed to long-term conservation and rescue of Namibia’s large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards (profits from its excellent accommodations go to the Foundation). Optional activities include “radiotracking” leopards from the gameviewing vehicles or visiting the “Cheetah Project” which offers insight into their welfare work, with the opportunity to view rescued cheetahs.
There are no private lodges inside Etosha National Park but for 2009 we are reintroducing a stay at one of the state-run Etosha Rest Camps (normally Halali but on occasion Okaukuejo or Namutoni) as facilities have now been upgraded and service levels are improving. All have floodlit waterholes for a special opportunity for daytime and evening game viewing.
