GAVA EXPLORATIONS DETAILED ITINERARY

25 March 2004  - 07 April 2004,  trip code TM 4-2

DAY 1: WINDHOEK
Arrive Windhoek - Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is an excellent introduction to Africa.  Safe, small and friendly, the city is a melting pot of cultures and peoples. Take in the sounds and sights as you wander its colorful streets and markets. The shopping is excellent, the restaurants are delightful and the people are warm and welcoming. Make your way to the craft market, which offers beautiful hand-made artworks - and the best cup of coffee in town. Overnight in Casa Piccolo

Accommodation - Casa Piccolo, (B&B, lunch, dinner, drinks extra)

DAY 2:  WINDHOEK
Windhoek - a visit to the markets, Katatura township and various women's handcraft projects, dinner in a local restaurant

Accommodation - Casa Piccolo, (B&B, lunch, dinner, drinks extra)

DAY 3: SWAKOPMUND
Drive to Swakopmund. We stop for a picnic lunch along the way and should arrive in town sometime during the afternoon.

Accommodation - Beach Lodge (B&B, lunch, dinner, drinks extra)

DAY 4: KAYAKING WALVIS BAY LAGOON
From Swakopmund we drive along the coast to Walvis Bay for a morning of kayaking on the Walvis Bay Lagoon. During the afternoon shopping, a visit to the aquarium, museums & galleries in Swakopmund will be possible.

Accommodation (Beach lodge - B&B, lunch, dinner, drinks extra).

DAY 5: NAMIB DUNES AND TOPNAAR VILLAGE
From Swakopmund we drive to the Namib dunes for a day of walking, dune boarding and cultural exchange. A walk through a Topnaar village with one of the grandmothers discuss the hard, traditional way of living of this marginalised tribe. The Topnaars - the few remaining descendants of the once-proud Khoikhoi - speak Nama, a click language.  These are a slight people with many similarities to the San (Bushmen) and a long history on the African subcontinent. Slender-bodied with apricot-coloured skin and prominent cheekbones, these people resemble the desert they inhabit - beautiful and lean

. Accommodation (Beach lodge - B&B, lunch, dinner, drinks extra).

DAY 6: TWYFELFONTEIN
We leave the coast behind us today as we head for Southern Damaraland - famous for it's numerous Bushman (San) rock art sites which includes rock paintings as well as engravings. We explore one of the largest collections of rock engravings discovered of the ancient San-people as yet. Interesting rock formations and the remainder of prehistoric volcanic action can be seen. The barren surroundings and rock-strewn slopes seem a most unlikely place for any human habitation, but there is a small spring near the base of the hill and this has been providing water to animals for thousands of years. The well-preserved engravings and paintings (more than 2,500 of them!) are more than 10 000 years old, going back to the early Stone Age. The well-preserved engravings executed by cutting into the sandstone, show-hunting scenes and depict different animals such as rhino, antelope, ostrich, giraffe, lion and elephants. Be prepared to spend a good couple of hours here, for some good photographic opportunities go in the late afternoon to this U-shaped valley of unusual reddish sandstone formations and terraces.

The fauna and flora of Damaraland is typical of the pro-Namib region and plant species include the magnificent Welwitschia, Moringa and a variety of the Commiphora species. The desert adapted elephant, rhinoceros, giraffe, springbok, endemic Damara chat and ostrich are some of the wildlife which can be found living in total harmony with the community and the communal farming activities of the Twyfelfontein Conservancy.  We will look at both types of art in the vicinity of Twyfelfontein Lodge where we overnight.

Accommodation - (Full Board).

DAY 7: HIMBA VILLAGE
Our journey takes us north today to a traditional Himba village. The friendly people are closely related to the Herero. Both ethnic groups speak the same language. The Himba are a pastoral people. They predominantly breed cattle and goats and lead a nomadic life depending on the time of year, they move with their herds to different watering places.  Clothes, hairstyle and jewelery are all of particular significance to the Himba and are part of their tradition and culture. The proud Himba women take several hours for beauty care every morning. The entire body is rubbed with a cream, which consists of rancid butterfat and ochre powder. The aromatic resin of the Omuzumba bush is added as well. The cream lends the body an intense reddish shine, which corresponds to the Himba ideal of beauty.

Accommodation - Oase Guesthouse - full board, drinks extra.

DAY 8-10: ETOSHA
Our final destination today is the world-famous Etosha National Park, an area known for its remarkable wildlife, centrs on the Etosha Pan - a vast saline pan stretching 120 km from east to west, and with a width of 55 km. The rainfall in the catchment areas of the Ekuma and Oshigambo rivers determines the extent to which the pan is filled with water. The animals we expect to see here are typical of the southern savannah plains of Southern Africa: large numbers of zebra, wildebeest, elephant, giraffe and an assortment of other antelope can be seen on the open saltpans, while lion, cheetah, hyena and jackal are the most commonly-seen predators. Opportunities to watch exciting dramas unfold around the waterholes forms an integral part of our visit to Etosha.

Accommodation, Etosha Tented Camp - full board, drinks extra.

DAY 11: PHANTOM
We set off together for Phantom - one of the few successful dual game and cattle farms in Namibia. Also home to Monteiro's hornbill and other endemic bird species.

When the afternoon shadows fall across the grass, we set off on a scenic game drive to try and capture on film some of the classic scenes of Africa - open savannah, scattered with flat-topped Acacia trees. Opportunities for photographing some of the many antelope (kudu, steenbok, gemsbok and hartebeest), on the farm is good. After sunset we return to the farmhouse for a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: Farmhouse rooms with en-suite facilities (full board, drinks extra)

DAY 12: PHANTOM
We explore the true life-style and workings of a Namibian farm today.

 Accommodation: Farmhouse rooms with en-suite facilities (full board, drinks extra)

DAY 13: RETURN TO WINDHOEK
We enjoy sundowners before our final dinner together. Already sadness touches the group as we prepare to say goodbye - but with so many incredible experiences shared, the bonds between us will not be broken easily. We believe that we’ll see you again - after all, Africa is on your blood now.

Accommodation: Casa Piccolo guesthouse (B & B, lunch, dinner, drinks extra)

DAY 14: DEPARTURE
After breakfast at the guesthouse, a transfer to Windhoek airport is arranged, where a flight takes you to Windhoek in time for your connecting flight home, or on to your next destination. This concludes your Namibian safari. We hope to leave you with Africa resonating in your soul - and a longing in your heart to return to its desolate beauty, its night skies, its rich sounds and scents.