5 Day Skeleton Coast Safari C - Namibia
Day 01
We meet at Eros Airport, Windhoek, at 7h00 for an early morning flight to Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft Park. Sossusvlei is reputed to have the highest dunes in the world. The view of the shadow-lined dunes from the air is well worth seeing. We land at Sesriem from where an excursion by vehicle into the dunes is undertaken. These dunes reach heights of 300m and more - a challenge to those who can pluck up the courage and meet the necessary fitness levels to climb them. After a picnic lunch among the dunes we fly along the coast via Conception Bay towards Swakopmund. The Kuiseb canyon and adjoining red dunes are a spectacular view from the air. The flight also includes an aerial view of the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck at Conception Bay. After landing and refuelling at Swain, we continue with a low-level flight northwards along the Skeleton Coast, past the seal colony at Cape Cross for a light picnic lunch near the beach. After lunch we cross the desert by aircraft to the Ugab formations, a nearly lifeless "moon landscape" of numerous black ridges which contrast sharply with the white desert floor. From here we cross to our camp Kuidas in the Huab Valley where we stay for the night. Within walking distance of the camp are ancient rock engravings.
Day 02
After breakfast we depart by Land Rover to explore the colourful red lavas and yellow sandstones of the Huab River formations and to be introduced to the ecological aspects of this environment with its wide diversity of flora and fauna. This includes the Welwitschia mirabilis, a tree that has been dwarfed by the rigours of the desert climate. We have lunch at our Huab camp before we depart by aircraft along the coast for Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park. The most prominent shipwrecks along this part of the coast are the Montrose and Henrietta, both still relatively intact. At Terrace Bay we access the roaring dunes by Land Rover, which has always proved to be a stimulating experience. We also visit the beach with its profusion of multi-coloured pebbles consisting of agates, lavas, granites and others. Interesting items include old whale bones scattered along the beach above the high tide mark. We return to the airfield and continue north to our camp Purros in the Hoarusib Valley where we stay for the night.
Day 03
After breakfast we take a scenic drive along the Hoarusib Valley to visit a settlement of the nomadic Himba people. We might be lucky enough to come across the desert dwelling elephant, which frequent this Valley. A planned encounter is unfortunately not possible. From here we continue north along the Skeleton Coast by aircraft to the perennial Kunene River on the Angolan border. The Kaiu Maru shipwreck and pieces from old sailing vessels lie scattered along this part of the coast. From the airfield we take a scenic drive by Land Rover to our favourite lunch site. After lunch we continue through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley, which extends to the Kunene River, arriving at our camp next to the river in the late afternoon, where we spend the last night.
Day 04
An early morning boat trip on the Kunene River as it flows through scenic desert landscape, observing birdlife and some crocodiles. Birds vary from aquatic species on the perennial waters, to endemic desert varieties and those which inhabit dense riverine vegetation. After the boast trip we depart by Land Rover through the mountains of the Hartmann Valley to a shaded lunch spot. After lunch we fly from the Kunene River to the Etosha National Park. We spend the night at one of the lodges outside the Park.
Day 05
Early this morning after breakfast, we make use of the services of an Etosha safari operator to drive us through the Park where we visit several waterholes. Springs provide numerous drinking places for wild animals, which congregate in spectacular numbers, especially during the dry season (June to December). Animals such as lion and steenbok may be found in specific home ranges, while others such as springbok, eland, zebra, wildebeest and elephant wander all over in search of better grazing or browsing. After lunch at one of the rest camps, we embark on an afternoon game drive. Our flight back to Windhoek commences at about four in the afternoon to ensure that we land before dark.
