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Desert Experience Trail - 5 days (from/to
Windhoek)
The NamibRand Nature Reserve represents all facets of
the Namib Desert like vegetated red dunes in different
shapes and colours, endless plains and mountains. Covering
an area of some 160.000 hectares a number of former sheep
farms were fenced off to create an area where once again
the wildlife could roam free in their natural habitat.
This desert experience trail shows the diversity of desert
organism, adaptation and scenery. |
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Min.
/ Max per group: 4-7 pax
Min.
age: 12 years
Scheduled departures 2008 for Desert
Experience Trail
(or on request):
- 23.04.-27.04.08
- 28.05.-01.06.08
- 24.06.-29.06.08
- 23.07.-27.07.08
- 27.08.-31.08.08
Rates:
N$ 6 230.00 per person
Single
suppl.: N$ 0.00 |
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Itinerary:
[meals: B = Breakfast, L
= Lunch, D = Dinner Dinner] |
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Day 01:
Pick up time at about 8h00 in Windhoek. Heading southwards
we reach
“Die Duine House” at NamibRand Nature Reserve
in the afternoon. On
a 2-3 hours walk we have enough time to get accustomed
to the red
dune landscape in the soft afternoon light, before we
reach or first
camp. Drinking water available at camp.
Walking time: 2 - 3 hrs
Overnight under a thousand stars; [LD] |
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Day 02:
The rising sun awakes us and we continue our trail up
the “Kudu Gorge”
on the “Schafsberg” and enjoy a spectacular
view over the red sand
dune area. We descent the “Schafsberg” and
reach our lunch spot
where fresh water is available. Refreshed we resume our
trail until we
reach the foot of the Weaver Mountain, our second camp.
To be able to
see another dazzling sunset we climb the mountain only
equipped with
a camera and some water. It is a 150 m high climb, quite
steep and
mainly consisting of loose gravel. The panorama that awaits
us up there
compensates for the exhausting walk. Drinking water available
at camp.
Walking time: 4 - 5 hrs
Overnight under a thousand stars; [BLD] |
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Day 03:
Today we cross the gravel plains to reach the “Gorrasis
Mountain”. At the foot of the mountain we fill up
our water reserves, as there is no water available at
the camp. We climb up a 100m gorge to reach our camp just
in time for lunch. In the afternoon we explore the surrounding
area of the camp until darkness falls onto this part of
the Namib.
Walking time: 3 - 4 hrs
Overnight under a thousand stars; [BLD] |
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Day
04:
With an early breakfast we prepare ourselves for the longest
walking day of the trail. We continue our climb from yesterday.
The challenging way, covered by loose gravel, winds itself
up for 450m. Flora and fauna changes compared to what
we experienced on the dunes and plains. Close to the summit
we leave our backpacks behind and climb the top only equipped
with water and camera. We find a suitable spot on the
ridge of the mountain to have lunch. The descent requires
our absolute concentration, as it is steep, covered with
loose gravel and granite boulders. Once at the bottom
another two hour walk across the dunes finally takes us
to the “Horseshoe Wilderness Area”, our camp
for tonight. Exhausted and tired we fall asleep under
the starry firmament. Bucket showers and long drop toilets
available.
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs
Overnight under a thousand stars; [BLD] |
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Day 05:
A short walk through the vegetated sand dunes leads us
back to “Die Duine House”. We enjoy the luxury
of a hot shower to refresh ourselves before embarking
on the long drive back to Windhoek.
Walking time: 2 - 2.5 hrs
[BL] |
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INCLUSIVE
IN THE PACKAGE:
- One English speaking experienced nature guide/driver
per group
- Free door-to-door courtesy transport in Windhoek City
area only
- All transfers Windhoek – start/endpoint of hikes
- Windhoek
- Program as stated above
- All meals as stated above; during the hike (B= cereals,
coffee/tea, L= bread,
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cheese, salami, D= light cooked meal by our guide
incl. coffee/tea
- All crockery and cutlery
- Hiking permits |
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NOT INCLUSIVE IN
THE PACKAGE:
- Sleeping bags, light iso mattress and back packs (recommended
55 litre plus),
-
1.5 ltr water bottle
- Personal insurance (important: medical evacuation)
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks and beverages |
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Climate:
The seasons in Namibia are reversed compared to those
in Europe. During the European winter months we have
summer in Namibia and vice versa. Winter and summer
in Namibia differ from what we are used to in Europe,
though. The winter in Namibia is the cooler dry season
which is characterised by high temperature changes and
hardly any rainfall. It can get very cold at night in
the desert (June to August down to -5°C). During
the day temperatures may rise up to 25°C. The Namibian
summer (January to end of March) is the rainy season
and it seldom rains during the other months. November
and December are very hot with temperatures over 30°C,
so it is essential to pack the suitable clothes. Rest
assured that you will not encounter a grey sky that
will linger for weeks! So bring some Sandals, walking
shoes, light cotton clothes (Shorts and shirts), a jacket
or fleece pullover and long trousers. We have seen everything:
from beanies and gloves to bikinis!! |
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Character
of and requirements for the trails:
The trails are not difficult, but challenging. Fitness
and good condition is
essential as the trails entail 7 to 8 hours walking and
you have to carry
your luggage every day, including food and water (all
together approx.
12 – 15 kg per person). As some of the routes lead
through rough
terrain and over large boulders it requires well balanced
and secure
walking. Please be aware of high temperature fluctuations,
which can
reach a high of 35°C during the day whilst sometimes
plummeting down
to -5°C at night, which can cause additional stress
to your heart and
circulation. We recommend you to prepare yourself for
the trail with
some fitness training. |
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Recommendation:
We urgently recommend that comprehensive insurance cover
be
taken out before embarking on the tour to
- make provision for cancellation and curtailment
- medical expenses, emergency evacuation, repatriation
- loss or damage of personal baggage
Safaris Unlimited will not be held responsible for any
costs arising from any of the above events. Restriction
of liability also applies if clients were unaware of
this policy. |
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Force Majeure:
It goes without saying that we do our utmost to conduct
the tour as
described in the program; we cannot vouch for it, however.
Unfavorable weather conditions, organizational problems,
unforeseen events or other factors may force us to change
the course of the tour. We apologies for any inconvenience
caused. The opening and the closing periods for the
Fish River Canyon Hike are regulated by the Ministry
of Environment and Tourism and can change due to external
influences (heat, water availability, flooding). Safaris
Unlimited cannot be held responsible for tours being
cancelled on those grounds and we reserve the right
to changes according to circumstances at the time of
booking. |
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| © Safaris Unlimited 2006-2007 l
Disclaimer
l Reservations |
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