Pre-conference 6-day Namibia Tour
INCLUDES:
- 3 Nights’ accommodation at Swakopmund Sands Hotel – Bed and Breakfast
- 2 Nights’ accommodation at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge – Bed, Breakfast and Dinner
- Free WiFi at both hotels
DATES:
25 September – 30 September 2024
PRICE:
R27 500 (single room)
R25 900 per person sharing
TRANSFERS:
Includes a collection in Windhoek on 25 September, transfers to Swakopmund, transfers to Mount Etjo Safari Lodge, return transfers to Windhoek on 30 September 2024.
Activities in Swakopmund
Catamaran dolphin cruise
Quad biking
Sandwich Habour half day tour
Exclusions
Swakopmund Hotel :– lunches, dinners and all drinks at all meals are for your own account
No gratuities are included for the hotel as well as the activities
Mount Etjo Safari Lodge :– lunches and all drinks at all meals are for your own account
No gratuities are included for the hotel as well as the activities
Gratuities
If you feel that you would like to leave a gratuity for your guide, tracker, staff at the hotel/lodge, then you are welcome to do so at your own discretion. It is common to leave a gratuity for your guide and tracker which can be given directly to them and should you wish to tip the camp/hotel staff please discuss this with your hosts in camp.
Activities at Mount Etjo
Game Drive
Lion Feed
Notes
A minimum of 6 pax are required for this tour to go ahead
Flights
Please ensure your flights from your departure hometown arrive in Windhoek on the Tuesday 24 September. We recommend you book into the Hilton garden Inn in Windhoek town for your overnight, as your transfer to Swakopmund will be early on the morning of Wednesday 25 September.
WHAT TO BRING:
- A good hat for the sun (the 4×4’s do not have a cover so you do get a lot of sun)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- A comfy pair of shoes and neutral coloured clothing
- Insect repellent and long trousers in the evening
- Warm clothing for your game drives. Jacket, beanie, and scarf. It can get cold on the back of an open vehicle
- Camera
- Binoculars
- A good book to read while you are relaxing in camp
- Swim costume , and beach attire
NAMIBIA:
Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia boasts a well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa, and an impressive list of breath-taking natural wonders. Visitors can explore the capital of Windhoek and discover the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund boasting remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations. To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with abundant wildlife, such as lions, desert-adapted elephants and the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course, the Namib Desert stretching for over 2000 km along the magnificent Atlantic Coast. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness.
WINDHOEK:
Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. It is home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste an old fort, the 1896 Christuskirche Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court.
Day 1 – 3: Swakopmund Sands Hotel:
Sandwiched between Atlantic rollers and the Namib Desert, Swakopmund is one of those great traveller way stations along the African road. As once Namibia’s adventure capital and a surreal colonial remnant, part destination in its own right and part launch pad for an exploration of the Skeleton Coast and Namib Desert, this is a city with as much personality as it has sea frontage. Like Lüderitz on the south coast, with its half-timbered German architecture, seaside promenades and pervasive Gemütlichkeit (a distinctively German appreciation of comfort and hospitality), Swakopmund, especially out of season, can feel like a holiday town along Germany’s North Sea and Baltic coasts transplanted onto African soil. But the city is also thoroughly African and its multidimensional appeal means that most people end up staying longer than they planned. The town is best known for its amazing adventure activities, though, and acknowledged as a top adrenalin- inducing destination.
Accommodation:
You will be collected from your hotel/pick up point in Windhoek on Thursday 25 September 2024. You will then be transferred via road to Swakopmund, a seaside town, with a travelling time of 3-4 hours. Your hotel accommodation is the beautiful Swakopmund Sands Hotel, which will host you for the next 3 nights. A detailed itinerary will be provided upon booking of which activities are scheduled for which days. A detailed itinerary will be provided upon booking your exciting activities. Besides these adventurous activities, enjoy this beautiful touristy town at your leisure.
Activities – Quad Biking:
Located in Swakopmund, Namibia. Desert Explorers Quad Biking 1 Hour Explorer Tour takes visitors on a pleasant guided quad bike tour to explore the different plant and animal life of the Namib Desert. During a variety of stops along the way, visitors can learn a little about the creatures of the desert.
Activities – Catamaran Charters:
Experience Dolphins swimming alongside our sailing catamaran, Seals playing around, Sunfish sharing the secrets of the depths and shy Leatherback Turtles surfacing. In season Humpback and Southern Right Whales breach about. How better to round off a perfect morning with Oysters and Sparkling Wine, followed by our trademark platters with savoury snacks, coffee/tea and cakes while we leasurely sail the South-Atlantic Namibian coastline
Activities – Sandwich Harbour:
Sandwich Harbour, part of the Namib Naukluft Park, is a place many have heard of but very few have ever visited. The lagoon, salt pans and the bird sanctuary, which form the Walvis Bay Wetlands, are rightly heralded as the single most important coastal wetlands of Southern Africa. It is one of five Ramsar sites in Namibia. Giant sand dunes run straight into the ocean, creating breathtaking sceneries and unique landscapes, just waiting to be discovered!
Day 4 – 5: Mount Etjo Safari Lodge:
On Saturday 28 September , you will be collected from the Swakopmund Sands hotel and taken on a journey to Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. This transfer is approximately a 3-4 hour journey. Check into Mount Etjo Safari Lodge which is located in the heart of the Okonjati Game Reserve. One of the first private Game Reserves established in Namibia and founded by world-renowned conservationist Jan Oelofse. Home to over 8000 animals and an impressive variety of bird species the Okonjati Wildlife Sanctuary is a true Conservation Area, this historic lodge deservedly carries the name “Etjo”, meaning place of refuge. Mount Etjo Safari Lodge is where the most important declaration towards Namibia’s Independence was signed in 1989 (The Mount Etjo Declaration).
Accommodation:
Experiencing wildlife activities and enjoying nature on the Okonjati Game Reserve is memorable and everlasting, while enjoying exquisite cuisine and luxurious accommodation, Mount Etjo Safari Lodge is and remains one of the most favourite destinations to visitors from around the world. Whilst here, you will enjoy a game drive.
Activities @Mount Etjo – Lion Feed:
An exciting opportunity to watch these magnificent big cats from up close! Viewing lions eating from a permanent blind structure after dinner is the perfect way to end the day at Mount Etjo. Opportunity does exist to see lions during the daytime, depending on lion sightings in that time period. Several prides of lions reside on the 3 000-hectare area, most of them already born here. The first lions were introduced in the 1980s.
Activities @Mount Etjo – Game Drives:
The game drives provide a unique opportunity to observe, encounter and admire the great variety of species that roam the Okonjati Game Reserve. Nowhere else in Namibia will you see such a diversity of animals, ranging from birds to the rare Roan and Sable Antelope, Elephants, White and Black Rhino, Giraffes, Zebras and many many more. The game drive is enjoyable for all age groups and can be booked on site.
Sadly on Monday 30 September, it is time to leave this beautiful bush escape and return to Windhoek, just in time to check into your hotel of choice for the conference week. You will be driven back to Windhoek, approximately 3-4 hour drive. Arrive in Windhoek, take time to freshen up and join us for the first event of the conference week – the SAGA Welcome Function in the Exhibition Hall at the Windhoek International Conference Centre.