Explore cosmopolitan Johannesburg, then onto historical German village Swakopmund, world-renowned Sossusvlei with its magnificent terracotta sand dunes that rise over 300m and desert landscapes. Plus premier game viewing at Sanctuary Chief's Camp, and others: the top ultra-luxury tented game camps with en suite tents furnished with antiques and 4-poster beds, and gourmet meals served at extra-long tables groaning under the weight of silver and crystal.
• Explore historical Swakopmund, a town which has the ambiance associated with a small German village and still manages to create a feeling of timelessness
• No Namibian safari is complete without a visit to world renowned Sossusvlei – It is a place of awe-inspiring beauty – magnificent terracotta sand dunes that rise over 300m
• Nature drives to explore the Namib Rand Nature Reserve which will concentrate on unique desert adapted plants and wildlife as well as beautiful desert landscapes
• Enjoy premier game viewing at Sanctuary Chief's Camp, situated in the Mombo Concession of the Moremi Game Reserve, considered to have the finest game viewing in Southern Africa including the Big Five
• Discover the vast open space of the Makgadikagadi Pans, a series of large salt pans are all that remain of a vast ancient super lake that dried up around 10,000 years ago.
• Get up close and personal with the captivating Meerkats, see how they interact and experience the desert from their view point
• Visit a remote cattle-post to learn about the traditional culture of the Batswana people
• Watch the sun set and the stars rise as you cross the pans on a quad bike. Explore the pans in search of stone tools and fossils as well as unique desert species
• Spend the morning walking with Zu/'hoasi Bushmen Trackers
Day 0 - Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Depart Home on any regularly scheduled flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Day 1 - Wednesday, November 2, 2016
On arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, please clear customs and immigration and collect your luggage. Proceed through into the Arrivals Hall where a representative will meet you, hand over further documentation and transfer you to the hotel. The transfer time is approximately 45 minutes.
Situated on ten acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, The Saxon Hotel is a haven of tranquillity and a welcome escape from busy city life. There are shops, museums, art galleries, the Johannesburg Zoo and Gold Reef City to keep you busy. For nature and wildlife, the Shambala Private Game Reserve and the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens are both nearby.
Hotel: Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, Johannesburg, 5*
Room: Luxury Room
Day 2 - Thursday, November 3, 2016
After landing at Walvis Bay Airport, you will be welcomed by a representative who will transfer you to Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre with the option of a short city orientation tour of Swakopmund en-route, if so desired.
There will be time this afternoon to wander around town and along the waterfront on foot if appeals.
Dinner tonight will be taken at the stylish restaurant at the Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre, Swakopmund, 5*
Room: Standard Room
Day 3 - Friday, November 4, 2016
After an early breakfast you will be collected at the Hotel by a representative and you will be transferred along the scenic coastal road to Walvis Bay for a The Marine Dune Day which provides you the ultimate combination of a leisure cruise to look for dolphins and seals etc on the Atlantic Ocean, a delicious lunch on the beach or in the dunes, and a 4×4 ride in the breath taking views of Sandwich Harbour Area of the Namib Naukluft Park. On the marine cruise you will get a chance to see pelicans, seals, the Walvis Bay Harbour, an old shipwreck, dolphins and – during season – even whales and turtles!
Around 11h30, your skipper will drop you off to meet the guide taking you in for your 4 x 4 excursion to Sandwich Harbour. From there, you will begin with your Sandwich Harbour Excursion to see the Kuiseb River Delta, flamingoes, the saltpans and the wetlands just north of the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon. If weather and tides allow, we will drive right to the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon, one of Southern Africa's richest and unique wetlands. If our vehicles cannot drive all along the beach to get to Sandwich Harbour because of the tides, you will have the time to walk 4-5 km.
Return to Swakopmund late afternoon with your evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre, Swakopmund, 5*
Room: Standard Room
Day 4 - Saturday, November 5, 2016
After breakfast you will be collected by a representative at the hotel and be transferred to the Swakopmund Airport in time for your light aircraft transfer along the coast and then inland to Sossusvlei. The flight takes you along the coastline (fog permitting) over Sandwich Harbour, the salt pans, shipwrecks and abandoned mining camps before landing at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge. Upon your arrival at Sossusvlei Desert (Mountain) Lodge airstrip you will be met by your local lodge guide. You are then transferred to the lodge in time for lunch. For the afternoon you have the option of various activities in which to explore the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Activities on offer include a sundowner drive, guided walk, or quad biking in the dunes. The NamibRand Nature Reserve is a vast conservation area spanning 184,000 ha of pristine Namib Desert, a magical reserve which has been aptly described as a photographer's paradise. Your evenings here can also be spent at the lodge's sophisticated observatory under the guidance of the resident astronomer.
The remainder of your day is at leisure to enjoy the activities on offer.
Luggage allowance: Luggage is normally restricted to 15 kg per person including photographic equipment and hand luggage – in soft, hold all type bags which should not have any wheels, frames, or rigid structures as these may not be able to fit in the plane's luggage compartment.
Luggage Dimensions: The maximum dimensions for soft bags that can be easily accommodated are as follows: 25 cm (10 inches) wide, 30 cm (12 inches) high, and 62 cm (24 inches) long
Excess Luggage: If you need to bring luggage with you that exceeds this allowance, you may still be able to take this with you by paying for an additional seat on the aircraft. However, this is not guaranteed
Passenger weights: Please note that passengers weighing over 100 kg may be required to pay for a second seat when flying on scheduled seat rate flights. This should not be applicable very often and it would rarely be the case if travelling on private charter flights when some of the seats are not filled. This is more a matter of the pilot being able to balance the plane for safety reasons than because of the seemingly arbitrary weight limit. However, please let us know in advance if this restriction is likely to apply to you so we can do whatever is possible to minimize the likelihood of it becoming an issue or leading to any significant extra costs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Sesriem, 5*
Room: Standard Suite
Day 5 - Sunday, November 6, 2016
This morning you will rise early for a magical excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park, entering the Park gates at sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world. Your local guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored the areas around Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to your hearts content you can enjoy a relaxing picnic breakfast in the shade of a camel thorn tree. Return to Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in the early afternoon for a late lunch, stopping off to view Sesriem Canyon along the way.
The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes) or can be spent on another guided scheduled activity within the NamibRand Nature Reserve as offered by the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Sesriem, 5*
Room: Standard Suite
Day 6 - Monday, November 7, 2016
After a leisurely breakfast, and the option of a final walk in the local area, you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Windhoek.
On arrival at Windhoek's local Eros Airport you will be met by a representative and be transferred to The Heinitzburg Hotel for the last night of your Namibia safari.
Dinner tonight will be taken at the renowned Leo's restaurant by the Terrace at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Heinitzburg Hotel, Windhoek, 5*
Room: Standard Deluxe Room
Day 7 - Tuesday, November 8, 2016
This morning, if there is still time, you can go into Windhoek city shops for some last minute curio shopping, or yuan just relax in the comfort of the hotel before you are transferred to Windhoek International Airport in time to check in for your ongoing flight.
Depart Windhoek on flight to Maun. (Booked by you)
On arrival at Maun Airport, a representative will meet and assist you to your onward shared light aircraft transfer to Chief's Camp.
Depart Maun Airport by shared light aircraft transfer to Chief's Camp. Estimated flying time to Chief's Camp is 25 minutes.
Kindly note, however, that all inter-camp flights are subject to multiple pick ups and drop offs en route to your destination which could affect the flying time.
All passengers travelling on Mack Air shuttle flights are entitled to one free piece of checked luggage and one small carry on item.
Checked in bags: Maximum size: 25 cm x 30 cm x 62 cm (10' x 12' x 24')
Maximum weight: 20 kg (44 lbs) including hand luggage and all camera equipment
There is a luggage storage facility available at O. R. Tambo International Airport and the costs can be settled directly. Excess luggage remains the responsibility of the affected passenger at all times. Oversized bags cannot be carried on your lap – your safety is key to our operation and unsecured objects inside the cabin is hazardous.
On arrival at Chief's Airstrip, after your shared light aircraft transfer, you will be met by a camp representative and transferred to the camp. Transfer time is approximately 40 minutes.
Sanctuary Chief's Camp is located on Chief's Island in the Mombo Concession of the Moremi Game Reserve. This area is known as the "Predator Capital of Africa" and is ideal for game viewing. The seasonal water of the delta ensures that the area in front of the camp is always changing – from a dry flood plain teeming with wildlife to a lush and tranquil lagoon.
Game viewing opportunities include daily excursions in open safari vehicles and quiet mokoro trips along narrow delta channels during the flood season. Expert guides are always on hand to offer guests a wealth of wildlife knowledge.
The remainder of your day is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sanctuary Chief's Camp, Moremi Game Reserve, 5*
Room: Luxury Bush Pavilion – Twin/Double
Day 8 - Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Your day is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activities on offer.
Expert guides are always on hand to share their wealth of wildlife knowledge as you explore the Delta in modified open 4 x 4 vehicles on morning and afternoon game drives. The game viewing opportunities at Sanctuary Chief's Camp are awe-inspiring. On the plains one may find the roaming lions that prey on the thousands of antelope, zebra and buffalo who live here all year round. There are also healthy populations of wild dog. These extremely rare predators have been hunted to the point of extinction in most areas of Africa and this is one of their last strongholds. There are several local lion prides and leopards, genet cats and hyena are in abundance.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sanctuary Chief's Camp, Moremi Game Reserve, 5*
Room: Luxury Bush Pavilion – Twin/Double
Day 9 - Thursday, November 10, 2016
You will enjoy a morning game viewing activity and breakfast.
Please meet the representative in the reception area for your transfer to the airstrip. Transfer time is approximately 40 minutes.
Depart Chief's Camp on a shared light aircraft transfer to Tsigaro (Jack's). The departure time will be advised to you locally by the camp management. Estimated flying time to Tsigaro (Jack's) is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
Transfer you to Jack's Camp. The transfer time is approximately 15 minutes. Jack's Camp is situated in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans.
Venturing far into the centre of the Makgadikgadi, on 4-wheel-drive quad bikes, we are able to explore remote archaeological sites, periodically discovering never-before-documented fossil beds of extinct giant zebra and hippo. A safari to Jack's Camp is also a complete desert experience, focusing on species unique to the area.
During the wet season the landscape transforms. Clouds of flamingo and other migratory birds descend from the heavens to decorate the watery grasslands. Herds of zebra and wildebeest materialise, drawn by the lush grass, and for several months, the desert is teeming with game and predators.
The remainder of your day is at leisure to enjoy the activities on offer.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Jack's Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans, 5*
Room: Luxury Tent
Day 10 - Friday, November 11, 2016
Day 11 - Saturday, November 12, 2016
Your days are at leisure to enjoy the activities on offer.
The striking desert contrast can be viewed from the comfort of your private deck and when out on game drives, quadbikes or walking safaris to experience the rugged wilderness. In addition to the Black-maned Kalahari Lions, rarer and elusive species such as Brown Hyena can also be seen.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Jack's Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans, 5*
Room: Luxury Tent
Day 12 - Sunday, November 13, 2016
You will enjoy a morning activity and breakfast.
Please meet the representative in the reception area of the camp for your transfer to the airstrip. The transfer time is approximately 15 minutes.
Depart Tsigaro (Jack's) on a shared light aircraft transfer to Kasane Airport. The departure time will be advised to you locally by the camp management. Estimated flying time to Kasane Airport is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
On arrival at Kasane Airport, off your shared light aircraft transfer, you will be met by a camp representative and transferred to the camp. The transfer time is approximately 10 minutes.
Deep in the heart of Botswana, on the edge of the Chobe National Park lies Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, 10 minutes from the Kasane International Airport.
Sitting above the Chobe River, the lodge offers unparalleled panoramic views across the islands and floodplains as far across as Namibia.
Guests can enjoy thrilling guided game drives in open-sided 4X4 vehicles that bring them to the heart of Africa's largest concentration of elephants, hippos, buffalos, antelope and lions. Guests can also join acclaimed guides on water safaris with specially adapted motorboats. Sundowner cruises are particularly spectacular on the Chobe River. Fishing excursions and day tours of Victoria Falls are also available at an additional cost.
The remainder of your day is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activity on offer.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero Lodge, Chobe National Park, 5*
Room: Luxury Suite
Day 13 - Monday, November 14, 2016
Your day is at leisure to enjoy the game viewing activity on offer.
Elephants feature largely on any activity at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, as the largest population left in Africa occupies this northern corner between Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Game drives in open-sided 4 x 4 vehicles bring these grey giants into easy reach as they drink and frolic at the water's edge in their boisterous herds. Thrilling game drives lead by our qualified professional guides bring you close to hippos, buffalos, puku and other animals that gather on the banks of the Chobe River. The puku, a small rusty-brown antelope, alongside impala, kudu and red lechwe, are only a few of the common antelope found here. Naturally, lion and leopard are also found in the area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero Lodge, Chobe National Park, 5*
Room: Luxury Suite
Day 13 - Tuesday, November 15, 2016
You will enjoy an early morning game viewing activity and breakfast.
Please meet the representative in the reception area of the lodge for your transfer to Kasane Airport. The transfer time is approximately 10 minutes.
Depart Kasane on scheduled flight to Johannesburg. (Booked by you)
The Premier Lounge is available and offers a quiet place for relaxation in preparation for your international flight.
The Premier Lounge at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport includes showers as well as internet access, fax, TV, refreshments & reading materials. The Lounge has a smoking and non-smoking area.
Meals: Breakfast
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