Muir's Tours - Namibian Budget Safari

Low budget Safari is what many of our clients ask for and they do not get any better value than this one. Yes, you have to do some of the work around camp, but you will see a great deal on your travels for a great deal. On this safari meet indigenous people, see and experience exciting places such as the Skeleton Coast and the Namib Desert, as well as watching the wildlife in a number of locations.

We spend some time at the Africat Foundation where you will se the work being carried out to help all manner of large cats, in particular the cheetah. A contribution to the foundation is built into our price, but you are free to donate additional funds if you are a wild cat lover.

Etosha National Park is the main attraction in Namibia for wildlife watchers.

Etosha is one of the largest parks in Africa, and one of the best-known. Huge herds can be seen teeming against the unique backdrop of the dried up lake - Etosha Pan. The leopard and lions lie in the sun with full bellies. After the rains the pan is briefly transformed into a vast inland lake where flamingos breed and a diverse aquatic life suddenly comes to life.

With this dry environment the water holes are a magnet for the animals and make it easy for you to see part of the daily life of many wonderful animals. More about the climate.

This safari starts and finishes in Windhoek with a departure every Tuesday all year round.  Because of the mostly dry conditions travel within Namibia is easy.

You will be collected from your accommodation in Windhoek between 08:00 and 08:30 and you should be on the road by about 09:00. The price reflects the limited participatory (we now include a kitchen assistant as part of the staff on this trip) nature of this safari – you have to help set up / break camp with some supervision from our staff.

Families are welcome, with the minimum age being 10 on scheduled group safaris and no age limit on private safaris.  

Vegetarians of all types are catered for.            Camping Arrangements

Other budget safaris by Muir's Tours - Namibia 14 Day  Namibia & Botswana - South Africa - Tanzania - Kenya

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Windhoek - Africat Foundation's Rehabilitation Centre
Pick up from your hotel sometime between 08.00 and 08:30 in the morning. We start off at about 09:00 travelling to Okonjima, home of Africat Foundation who are doing great work to help protect the big cats, in particular the cheetah.  We will arrive by about 15:00 with various stops along the way.  Africat will take us on a guided tour and will explain the type of work being done.  Africat are rehabilitating orphan cubs and cats of all ages that have been snared / trapped and the plan is to release them back into the wild. Travel 300 km. Camping overnight. L, D.

Day 2 Namutoni Camp - Etosha National Park
An early start and continuing north we pass through some small towns, making short stops for supplies and fuel. Our first main port of call An early start and continuing north we pass through some small towns, making short stops for supplies and fuel. Our first main port of call today is the mysterious Lake Otjikoto. Otjikoto is in fact Namibia's largest permanent natural lake and we take time here to rest a little and learn something about the history of this unusual landmark. 

Continuing on to Namutoni camp in Etosha National Park we again aim to arrive in time for lunch, giving you time to relax before heading out into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first animal viewing drive. 

After your evening meal there are still more chances to see Etosha's wildlife at Namutoni's floodlit waterhole. Situated on the boundary of the camp and easily reachable on foot from your tent, elephants are regular visitors here and there is a good chance of seeing other species as well. Travel 300 km. Camping overnight. B, L, D.

Day 3 Halili & Okaukuejo Camp - Etosha National Park
A full day of wildlife watching as we continue the safari to Okaukuejo, where we stay at Halili camp.  We visit some of the numerous waterholes in the area hoping to catch some of Etosha's big mammals out for an early morning drink.

We are in the central part of Etosha's dried up lake "pan" and aim to get out of the vehicle to relax during the hottest part of the day. The pool and bar at Halili Camp are very welcoming as part of our lunch break.

We continue our safari in the afternoon towards Okaukuejo which is famous for the waterhole that sits right by the camp.  Okaukuejo Camp has been described as one of the best locations for wildlife watching in southern Africa. It is usual to see black rhino, elephant, lion and various antelopes at the waterhole. Camping overnight. B, L, D.

Day 4 Oase Village Kamanjab - Meet the Himba people
We drive to Kamanjab where we take break before continuing to the nomadic village (the exact location often changes) where a group of Himba people living a traditional life style. We set up camp a little way from the fenced in homes of the villagers.

During the afternoon we will be invited to join them inside the fenced area. We will have a specialised guide to translate for us, such things as their explanation of marriage customs, religion and foods etc. Camping overnight. B, L, D.

Day 5 Brandberg Mountain - Damaraland
Leaving the Himba after breakfast we head into Damaraland and soon we are into a very beautiful desert area. We drive to the small town of Khorixas, the main town of the region, and onwards to the Petrified Forest geological site, where we see the famous rock paintings which are thought to have been drawn by bushmen, in the vicinity of Twyfelfontein.

We are well into desert elephant and black rhino country and other wildlife such as springbok, ostrich and gemsbok are often seen. Aba Huab Desert Camp is right in the middle of this wilderness providing basic facilities including showers and a small bar. We aim to arrive in the early afternoon and have time to relax in the shade before making a late afternoon excursion to Twyfelfontein itself. 

Here, again, a local guide will introduce us to the ancient bushman rock engravings (petroglyphs). We camp on a community site under the shadow of the tallest mountain in Namibia - Brandberg (2573m). Travel 400 km. Camping overnight. B, L, D.

Day 6 Damaraland - Swakopmund
We make an early start trekking to the White Lady rock painting on Brandberg mountain. The engraving is thought to be about 20,000 years old.

After some very beautiful scenery in Damaraland we turn west and cross the gravel plains on our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. Meeting the ocean at Henties Bay, we first head north along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. Here at certain times of the year there can be as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals. 

The next destination is Swakopmund, stopping for lunch en-route and following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia's premier seaside town. There is no suitable campsite available in Swakopmund, so we make the most of being back in civilization by staying in holiday chalets.

The Swakopmund section of the trip is designed to allow people to relax either with the group, or on their own. Only breakfast is provided. This is to allow you to plan your time here with as much flexibility as possible and not to be tied to group meal times. It also gives you the chance to sample some of the excellent local cafes and restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. 

Your guide will offer to organise a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means required. Travel 200 km. Dinner is not included today.  Chalet Accommodation. B, L.

Day 7 Swakopmund
Today is a free day. The idea is to allow time for everybody to do their own thing. Swakopmund is a very pleasant seaside town with lots of shops, a good stretch of beach (although the Atlantic here is quite cold) and an open-air curio market. There is also a very good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium is located in Swakopmund.

Alternatively, there are various optional activities (at extra cost) that can be arranged. These include aeroplane and microlight flights over the desert, scenic drives, fishing trips (both from the beach or in a boat), four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert and over the sand dunes around Swakopmund, sand boarding trips (also in the dunes), skydiving, surfing, bird-watching and many other activities are available. 

Your tour guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund and will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival. N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability and are made at the clients' own risk and expense. Dinner is not included today.  Chalet Accommodation. B, L.

Day 8 Swakopmund - Sesriem
Away by 09:00 and a little further down the coast to the port town of Walvis Bay. South of the town there is a large marine lagoon which is home to a vast array of marine bird life, in particular flamingos. We will make a short visit to the lagoon to see the birds and a short visit to Walvis Bay to collect any last minute supplies before once again heading out into the desert. 

The first part of our journey today takes us across more of the seemingly endless Namib gravel plains. Then the landscape suddenly changes and we are into the mountain desert. We traverse both the Kuiseb and Gaub passes, driving both times to the river beds at the bottom of the canyons and then climbing the long steep road to the top and enjoying the spectacular panoramas the mountains provide. Again the scenery changes as we make our way down to the dune fields at Sesriem.

We cross some open grass savannah and farmlands before the terrain begins to give way to the immense red sand dune desert of the Namib. We stop for lunch in the desert en-route and arrive in Sesriem during the late afternoon. We have time to relax and watch the sunset over the dunes from our campsite. Travel 300 km. Camping overnight. B, L, D.

Day 9 Sesriem - Sossusvlei - Sesriem
A pre-dawn start to see the sunrise in the dunes. From our campsite we drive a further 60-km into the desert and have our breakfast as the colours change and glow across the landscape. To reach Sossusvlei itself we must then walk for the last five-km through the dunes. The walk is like nothing else, in the cool of the morning, with soft sunlight just beginning to play over the dunes creating a sharp light and shadow contrast across the whole desert. Ancient mineral pans, stunted Camel thorn trees and the chance of seeing a gemsbok or maybe an ostrich make for wonderful photo opportunities.

We spend the morning in and around Sossusvlei (there is a good chance of getting a ride in a four-wheel drive vehicle for the return 5-km walk and there is often a four-wheel drive shuttle service available in both directions for a small extra charge), but as the day wears on we return to our camp for lunch and to escape the heat of the day. Back into the usual rhythm of relaxing in the shade and eating ice cream beside the swimming pool or, having a siesta, or both. As the day cools off in the late afternoon we will take a short excursion to Sesriem Canyon. Travel 150 km. Camping overnight. B, L, D.

Day 10 Sesriem - Windhoek
A fairly leisurely start to our last day. After breakfast we begin our journey, along scenic roads, back to Windhoek. We stop for a last lunch en-route and rejoin the sealed road at Rehoboth, about 100 km south of Windhoek. We are due back into the city around 15:00 and you will be dropped off at your accommodation on our return. Travel 450 km. B, L.

Dates
This safari starts and finishes in Windhoek with a departure every Tuesday (the dates may be amended on the 18th January 2008) all year, leaving at 09:00, returning ten days later at about 15:00.

Flight Schedules: Daily from Frankfurt plus (from 18th Jan 2008) Wednesday and Friday from London Gatwick.   More Details

Price Indication per person to 10th December 2007:

GBP500 - GBP600 / USD950 - USD1200 / NAD7700

The Namibia Dollar is the base currency and payments in other currencies may need to be adjusted for variations in the exchange rate.                           Email for current price and availability


What is included
Our group equipment for tented camping. Two nights in a Chalet. An experienced driver and local crew providing all meals and non alcoholic drinks while tented camping. English speaking local guide and additional specialist guides.

What is not included
The price allows for joining in Windhoek and includes everything stated, except; accommodation in Windhoek, international airfare, transfers from and to Windhoek airport (about £15 each way), personal insurance, visa fees (if needed), vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and all drinks.

Windhoek Hotels
We have not included any hotels in the price as we want to be flexible and to be able to allow for different tastes and budgets. We would like to help you with all your travel needs in Namibia, please let us know what type of accommodation you would like. Some accommodation options

Visas
A visa is not currently required for most European or US passport-holders. See the embassy page for contact details. 

Flights to Windhoek
The best option is often Air Namibia.  The contact details for the UK operation is...

Travel Insurance (UK Residents only)
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. We only recommend the policies issued by the British Mountaineering Council  www.thebmc.co.uk   We are unable to advise residents of other countries about insurance as insurances are always peculiar to each country. You must buy your insurance from a company based in your country of residence.