Namibia holidays, Aloe safari
| country: | Namibia |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | Departures every week on Fridays throughout the year |
| price: | From £1309 - £1727 (13 days) including flights from UK. Christmas & Easter departures are more expensive due to increased flight costs. This trip can also be booked without flights. |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
The Aloe Safari is an assisted camping safari that offers the classic overview of northern Namibia’s highlights before visiting the spectacular sand dunes at Sossusvlei.
This trip takes you through Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s top game parks, before travelling from the highlands of Damaraland down to the desolate Skeleton Coast. Cape Cross is home to tens of thousands of Cape fur seals while the pleasant coastal town of Swakopmund is well known for its delicious, fresh seafood. In the Namib Desert you explore the spectacular dunes at Sossusvlei; also you visit the amazing rock art at Twyfelfontein, spend quality time with a Himba community, and enjoy a special night at Okonjima, the home of the famous AfriCat Foundation, which rescues big cats.
By camping for much of the time, camping safaris offer the best of Namibia at a very reasonable cost. In a country where it’s usually much warmer and drier than in the UK, this is a great way to maximise your time outdoors.
Each trip is led by a professional guide, who also acts as your driver and helps around the camp. The other vital person on these trips is the camp assistant. It’s his/her job to do most of the camp chores. Whilst you will help to put up and take down your tent (it’s very easy!), you need not worry about cooking or washing up. This leaves you and your guide more time to relax and chat about the country and your experiences.
This trip takes you through Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s top game parks, before travelling from the highlands of Damaraland down to the desolate Skeleton Coast. Cape Cross is home to tens of thousands of Cape fur seals while the pleasant coastal town of Swakopmund is well known for its delicious, fresh seafood. In the Namib Desert you explore the spectacular dunes at Sossusvlei; also you visit the amazing rock art at Twyfelfontein, spend quality time with a Himba community, and enjoy a special night at Okonjima, the home of the famous AfriCat Foundation, which rescues big cats.
By camping for much of the time, camping safaris offer the best of Namibia at a very reasonable cost. In a country where it’s usually much warmer and drier than in the UK, this is a great way to maximise your time outdoors.
Each trip is led by a professional guide, who also acts as your driver and helps around the camp. The other vital person on these trips is the camp assistant. It’s his/her job to do most of the camp chores. Whilst you will help to put up and take down your tent (it’s very easy!), you need not worry about cooking or washing up. This leaves you and your guide more time to relax and chat about the country and your experiences.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Flight to Namibia. Scheduled overnight flight from London Gatwick to Windhoek. (D) |
| Day 2: | AfriCat Foundation. On arrival in Windhoek you are met and transferred to the Windhoek office where you will meet your guide, stock up with cool drinks and head out for the short drive north to Okahandja: home to the country’s largest and best craft market, where local artisans come from all over Namibia to sell their wares. Your journey continues to a private campsite at Okonjima, where you spend the afternoon learning about the work done by the AfriCat Foundation to conserve Namibia’s big cats, especially cheetah. You can usually get very close to some of these magnificent predators. Windhoek to Okonjima: approx 3½ hours (300km). (BLD) |
| Day 3: | Etosha National Park. Rise with the sun for a hearty breakfast, before driving north to stop by the mysterious Lake Otjikoto. This unusual landmark is Namibia’s largest permanent natural lake, and you will spend a little time here learning something of its history. Then continue to your campsite on the eastern side of Etosha National Park. The late afternoon is spent game-viewing, partly driving around and partly stopping to watch the action at waterholes. You’ll return to camp in time for a cool drink just before sunset. Okonjima to eastern Etosha: approx 5 hours (300km). (BLD) |
| Day 4: | Etosha National Park. After breaking camp, you head slowly west through this stark but beautiful park, with some spectacular views of the huge, silvery expanse of Etosha Pan. Spotting the big game is easy; but travelling with a guide allows you also to appreciate the fascinating smaller species, and learn about some of Etosha’s many birds. Stop at Halali in the middle of the park for a leisurely lunch before game driving your way to your camp situated in Etosha’s south western region. Game drives. (BLD) |
| Day 5: | Himba Community Project. After an early game drive in Etosha, you set off towards Damaraland. Stopping at Outjo to buy fresh produce, you’ll often be tempted to pause for a pastry and drink at the local German-style bakery/café. Then, close by Kamanjab, you reach your campsite, before heading out to the nearby Himba Village for the afternoon. Like East Africa’s Maasai, the Himba have a proud culture that they have successfully retained in the face of the modern world. Many adhere to their traditional dress and customs, living in ways that have changed little over the centuries. Each aspect of their lives has a meaning, from how they set up their kraal to honour their ancestors, to the way they wear their hair. Oase village is the only traditionally functioning Himba community outside the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia. These tribes-people have migrated here, lifestyle and customs intact, and are following their traditional way of life in their village located on a farm. You spend the afternoon with the people at this village, where a local guide introduces you to their alternative lifestyle and helps you to learn about Himba life and culture. Southwest Etosha to Kamanjab: approx 3 hours (300km). (BLD) |
| Day 6: | Damaraland. Today you take your time on a spectacular drive into the mountainous and picturesque Damaraland. You’ll travel via the Petrified Forest geological site before enjoying lunch near Twyfelfontein – a seemingly ordinary valley that hides an amazing gallery of ancient rock art and is now a World Heritage Site. At each of these sites a local guide will lead you; this ensures that the local knowledge is maintained and revenue from tourism is ploughed back into the surrounding communities. From here you continue to your campsite in the shade of Brandberg, which at 2,573m is Namibia’s highest mountain and a National Monument. Kamanjab to Brandberg: approx 5 hours (400km). (BLD) |
| Day 7: | Swakopmund. An early start ensures that you make the most of the cool morning for the 90-minute and relatively easy hike into the mountain to see the world famous ‘White Lady’ rock painting. Attributed to the Bushman artists, the painting is believed by some to be more than 20,000 years old. On your way to the coast, there is time for a short stop in Uis. Once there was a busy and thriving community here, centred on a large tin mine; but the mine closed a few years ago, and now Uis is much quieter and almost sleepy. Semi-precious stones such as amethyst and tourmaline can be found here at bargain prices. Along the Skeleton Coast you pause to pay a visit to Cape Cross, where you can walk to within feet of an enormous colony of Cape fur seals, before reaching Swakopmund and settling into your chalet. There are many interesting shops and craft centres here, and several excellent (and great-value) seafood restaurants to choose from for your evening meal. Brandberg to Swakopmund: approx 4 hours (250km). (BL) |
| Day 8: | Swakopmund. Your base for today, this small coastal town is a major centre for activities, from dune-boarding, quad-biking, sky-diving and dolphin cruises to scenic flights over the desert. Your guide will explain these and many other options to you (costs are payable locally and activities undertaken at your own risk), and help you make bookings. Alternatively, you can spend your time exploring the museums, galleries and curio markets, relaxing in one of Swakopmund’s many cafés or taking a quiet stroll along the beach. Often the group and guide will arrange to meet up for dinner. (B) |
| Day 9: | Namib-Naukluft Park. You start by heading south along the coast to the port town of Walvis Bay, where you’ll usually see flamingos, pelicans and other waterbirds in the lagoon. From here you turn southeast to drive across the gravel plains of the Namib, traversing the deep Kuiseb and Gaub passes. In both cases you drive to the riverbed at the bottom of the canyon and then climb back up the long steep road to the top, where the mountains reveal their spectacular panoramas. The scenery changes yet again as you continue onward to your campsite at the edge of the desert. After setting up camp, there is time to relax with a sundowner whilst you watch the sun set. Swakopmund to Namib Desert Camp: approx 6 hours (300km). (BLD) |
| Day 10: | Namib-Naukluft Park. Rising well before dawn, you drive deep into the desert, home to some of the world’s highest dunes and stunning scenery. The shifting, contrasting patterns of light and shadow on these dunes are always enthralling, and the view from the top (if you have the energy!) is spectacular. After breakfast in the desert you continue through breathtaking scenery to some of the world’s highest dunes at Sossusvlei. Spend the morning exploring these, marvelling at the surroundings and the wildlife, before travelling back to Sesriem for lunch. As the day cools down you take a drive to nearby Sesriem Canyon, where the rock has been sculpted into amazing shapes by the force of the ephemeral Tsauchab River. Desert Camp to Sossusvlei to Desert Camp: approx 2 hours (150km). (BLD) |
| Day 11: | Windhoek. Driving back to Windhoek, you pass through more stunning scenery as the road climbs up and over the escarpment. You arrive back at your guesthouse around 16.00 and your evening is free, although the group and guide often arrange to meet up for a farewell dinner together. Desert Camp to Windhoek: approx 5½ hours (450km). (BL) |
| Day 12: | Flight to London. After some free time to explore Windhoek, you are collected from your guesthouse and driven to the airport in time to depart on your scheduled flight to London. (BD) |
| Day 13: | Arrive London. (B) |
travellers' tales
The complete Namibian experience was really fantastic. I have been on 2 previous safaris, but this was certainly the best! (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
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In line with our strong stance on responsible tourism, all guides on this trip are local Namibians, picked for their excellent indigenous knowledge of the area and high degree of training. Their understanding of the country’s flora, fauna and local culture will ensure a true insight into Namibian life.
Throughout the trip you will stay at community run campsites and visit community initiatives at various local sights. You will also experience a taste of the nomadic Himba people in Damaraland, where a local farmer and village chief have formed a unique partnership which allows visitors to discover this intriguing culture in a sensitive and responsible manner. The trip also supports the world-renowned AfriCat foundation, which conducts vital research into the preservation of Namibia’s big cats. Visitors will see first-hand the fascinating work of this respected organisation, which includes sheltering “problem” animals and rehabilitating them into the wild. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've lead the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |