S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com 65 Africa / Namibia Namibia Tailor-made A tailor-made visit to Namibia is for many people the very best way to see the country. In addition to tailoring in the destinations that feature in our ‘Complete Namibia’ and ‘Highlights of Namibia’ itineraries, you should also consider the following locations… Skeleton Coast Fly-In Safari Take a fabulous scenic flight into the heart of the remote Skeleton Coast where you stay at Skeleton Coast Camp. This luxury camp which only accommodates ten people is situated in a 300,000 hectare reserve - it is a beautiful, wild and desolate spot! The camp is built on an island in a dry riverbed twenty kilometres from the coast. Each tent is large and roomy and has an en-suite bathroom, with hot and cold running water. There is a wonderful old gnarled leadwood tree which offers shelter from the elements and is the ‘dining room’ for alfresco dining. A visit to Skeleton Coast Camp is unlike any of our other safaris. You visit the most isolated, beautiful and remote northern sector of the park, between Mowe Bay and the Kunene River - a wilderness zone of some 300,000 hectares. The area is so vast and there is so much to see and experience, that traditional early morning and afternoon activities are abandoned in favour of full days of exploration enjoyed with a picnic lunch stop. The camp uses Landrovers with pop-top roofs. Walking may also play a part in the activities since due to the pristine nature of this area much of it is accessible only on foot. It has everything from soaring sand dunes and plains, to towering canyons, mountains, salt-pans, seal colonies and shipwrecks as well as some interesting gameviewing. Freshwater springs permeate through the barren sands to create life-sustaining oases in the desert for small pockets of wildlife. Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Springbok, Gemsbok, desert-adapted elephant, Cape Fur Seals, Brown Hyena, ostrich and occasionally Cheetah may be found in this rugged landscape. A visit would be incomplete without a trip to the small Himba settlement just outside the park. We offer our fly-in safaris to the Skeleton Coast as three or four night departures from Windhoek. Pick-ups and drop-offs are also possible from Damaraland, Palmwag, Okonjima or Swakopmund. (A pick-up or drop-off from Ongava is also possible for a small surcharge.) Cheetah Project The AfriCat Foundation, north of Windhoek, is the world’s largest Cheetah and Leopard rescue and release programme. During a 2-night stay, you will have the opportunity to visit the Cheetah project, where you will not only learn about the welfare work, but also track Cheetahs on foot and view Leopards from game-viewing vehicles. Accommodation is in the main lodge or at a bush camp in luxury chalets. Serra Cafema Serra Cafema Camp is located in the extreme northwest of Namibia and has to be the most remote camp in southern Africa, only reachable by light aircraft. Accommodation at the camp consists of six comfortable tents raised off the ground, each with ensuite facilities and overlooking Kunene River. Public areas include a dining room, bar and pool. Activities include walks in the breath-taking Hartmann Valley, with herds of Springbok, Ostrich and even Leopard, 4-wheel drive safaris, boat trips on the river, and visits to local Himba villages. Impalila Island Lodge, Caprivi Strip Impalila, at the eastern end of the Caprivi Strip has eight beautiful chalets with en-suite facilities, each overlooking the Mambova rapids on the Zambezi River. There is a dining area, open lounge, bar, and swimming pool. Activities here include birding and fishing from motorboats and mokoros, game-viewing along the Chobe River, nocturnal river safaris and guided nature walks on the island. Susuwe Island Lodge, Caprivi Strip Susuwe Island Lodge is situated on Birre Island in the Kwando River within the Western Caprivi National Park. The lodge itself is built in a grove of Sausage, Mangosteen, Leadwood and Knobthorn Trees on elevated decks. The six private suites each consist of a large bedroom with en-suite facilities, a private veranda overlooking the river and a plunge pool. Public areas include a reception, lounge, dining area and bar. Activities here include morning and afternoon game drives, guided walks, boat and mokoro trips along the river and sundowner cruises. The game-viewing, birdwatching and fishing are good here, and of course it is a lovely place to simply relax. Botswana The Caprivi Strip can also be easily combined with a Botswana itinerary, with daily scheduled flights to Kasane or Zambia which is only a short drive away. Contact one of our consultants for advice and ideas. Damaraland Camp, Damaraland Cheetahs At Wildlife Worldwide we specialise in tailor-making our holidays. It is what we started doing in 1992, it has been our philosophy right from the start. A tailor-made journey gives you the freedom and flexibility to travel how, when and where you want to. And of course, you are unconstrained by the wishes of a group. Throughout the brochure we show a series of itineraries to whet your appetite. These are all suggestions and ideas, none are cast in stone. We can change the properties, extend or shorten your trip, combine destinations and countries, fly you in Business Class, organise car rental and of course offer advice and suggestions from a wealth of experience that we have gained over many years. Call us on 0845 130 6982 and we will be happy to discuss the options with you! Tailor-made holidays – a unique journey designed just for you!

66 F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Complete Namibia 19 days London to London This small group departure takes in the finest sights of this beautiful desert country. This trip combines wonderfully with a post-safari extension to Cape Town. Days 1 to 3. Depart London [B (Days 2 & 3 only)] Depart London on the overnight flight to Windhoek where you spend your first two nights. Day 4. Kalahari Desert [B, D] After arriving in Windhoek you head out via Rehoboth into the Kalahari Desert for the night at Auob Lodge on the banks of the Auob River. This small lodge offers a peaceful atmosphere in which to relax in the Kalahari. You may wish to relax, or perhaps take to an open vehicle for a scenic sunset drive. Day 5. Fish River Canyon [B, D] Drive through the Kalahari spending a little time at the Kokerboom (Quiver tree) forest near Keetmanshoop before continuing via Naute Dam to view the Fish River Canyon’s spectacular northern fringes. You overnight at Canon Lodge set amid a 520 square kilometre private game reserve. It is an excellent base from which to explore the canyon. The 26 bungalows of the lodge are spread amongst distinctive and gigantic boulders which are smooth to the touch and have been rounded by an eternity of erosion. Day 6. Luderitz [B, D] Travel to Aus where you may see the famous desert horses as you enter the Namib Desert. Arrive in the small fishing port of Lüderitz around midday and take an afternoon drive around the southern peninsula travelling out to Diaz point where you should see African Penguins as well as dolphins. Overnight in Lüderitz at the Nest Hotel. This medium-sized hotel has its own private beach and is the ideal place for a sundowner! Day 7. Maltahöhe [B, D] This morning visit Kolmanskop, a deserted diamond town and in the afternoon visit Duwisib Castle before continuing to the Maltahöhe region for the night at Hammersteine Rest Camp. Days 8. Namib Naukluft National Park [B, D] Make an early start today visiting the soaring dunes of Sossusvlei in the heart of the Namib Desert. Visit Sesriem Canyon and Solitaire as you pass through Naukluft Mountains. You will reach the Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge (where you spend the night) at around lunchtime. This traditionally built lodge blends beautifully into the local surroundings, it has 22 rooms and a swimming pool to cool off in! Day 9. Swakopmund [B, L, D] Drive through Kuiseb Canyon towards the coast enjoying a packed lunch en-route. Visit the nearby desert park where you will see the ancient Welwitschia plants (said to grow more than a 1000 years old) and the Moon Landscape. You spend the next three nights in Swakopmund at the Hansa Hotel. Days 10 & 11. Swakopmund [B, D (Day 9 only)] Your time in Swakopmund, an historic Victorian seaside town, is at leisure. You could simply relax, or perhaps take an optional boat trip to see Cape Fur Seals and rare Heaviside’s Dolphins, and of course plentiful birdlife. Days 12 & 13. Damaraland [B,L,D] This morning you leave early for Henties Bay visiting Twyfelfontein en-route to Damaraland where you arrive mid-afternoon. Your stay here will include morning and afternoon game-drives in search of elusive desertadapted Black Rhino, and Elephant. Here you spend two nights at Palmwag Lodge. On day 11 you have the option (at extra cost payable locally) to take a full day drive and visit one of the nearby Himba tribes. Day 14. Otjiwarongo [B,D] Continue via Kamanjab to Outjo and Mount Etjo Safari Lodge game reserve for a late afternoon game drive. This private reserve is home to both Black, and White Rhino, Elephant, Greater Kudu, Damaraland Dik-Dik, Sable and Roan Antelope. Days 15 to 17. Etosha National Park [B,D] Continue on to Etosha National Park, famous for its extensive game-viewing and dazzling white salt pans. You spend you time here on the look out for Lion, Cheetah, Giraffe, Burchell’s Zebra, and the near-endemic Blackfaced Impala. You spend two nights at Etosha Restcamp (or one of the nearby private lodges) before transferring for your last night in Etosha to Mokuti Lodge. Day 18. Windhoek [B] Visit Lake Otjikoto and the mine museum in Tsumeb before travelling via Otjiwarongo and the local handicraft market at Okahandja for your overnight flight to London. Day 19. Arrive home. Cost per person: Jan to Mar, 1 to 15 Jul, 14 Aug to Oct £2,975 Apr to Jun £2,895 16 Jul to 13 Aug, Nov to 11 Dec £3,095 12 to 23 Dec £3,495 24 to 31 Dec £3,195 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, meals as indicated, transfers & guided activities Accommodation: Hotel & lodges Departure dates: Wednesdays, throughout the year Kulala Young kudu