Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
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Example holiday
Namibia Northern Odyssey
We hope that this example holiday will give you give some inspiration to help you begin to plan your own dream holiday to Africa.
The next couple of pages show a summary of the itinerary, followed by a detailed page on each destination.
Important travel information for visitors to Namibia is included at the back of this document.
All the holidays we offer to our clients are tailor-made so we can adjust this trip to fit in with your travel dates, interests, preferred accommodation...and of course your budget.
All our travel consultants have extensive knowledge of travel throughout Southern and East Africa, and our strong relationships with suppliers mean that our rates to you will always be competitive.
Let us take the hard work out of planning your trip: you can get in touch either by giving us a call on +44 (0) 1483 266725, completing the Enquiry Form on our website or emailing us at info@travelbutlers.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Travel Butlers Team
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Today you will be transferred to the coastal town of Swakopmund, and upon arrival in the afternoon you will check in at your hotel. With palm-lined streets and seaside promenades, Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination in Namibia. For the international guest, the town is a bohemian mix of German architecture and African rhythms, a laid back attitude with adrenalin activities. It is colourful, it is vibrant, but most of all, it is pure fun.
Hansa Hotel is located in the very center of the charming little town of Swakopmund, and is a timelessly classical building dating from 1905.
Swakopmund is often referred to as the playground of Namibia, and it has numerous activities to offer visitors during your day of leisure here. Embrace the relaxed pace of this idyllic coastal town whilst enjoying coffee and freshly baked pastries in one of the many cafes. Alternatively explore the rugged, sweltering desert on a day tour, or view this awesome environment from the air on a scenic flight. Find your inner child and push adrenaline to its limits with extreme adventures such as skydiving over the desert or quad biking and sand boarding on the dunes. Take time to get the feel of this quaint town with its historic buildings, museums, shopping arcades and beach bar that has transformed into its own personality by the vibrant use of colour and the bohemian lifestyle.
Day 3
Leaving the coast behind this morning, you make your way towards Damaraland. The journey takes you through the mining village of Uis and past the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain, just shy of 2,600m. You then continue further into Damaraland, one of the least populated and most geologically diverse areas in Africa. This harsh, rocky environment is home to the elusive desert elephant, the black rhino and free-roaming antelope species. Arrival at the lodge will be in the afternoon, with the remainder of the day at leisure to soak up the atmosphere of the lodge.
Enjoy an early morning scenic nature drive through the wilderness area of the Otjimboyo Concession as you make your way towards the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain. This is the best time to capture the perfect light of sunrise and catch the last mist engulfing the mountain. You then continue down into the dry Ugab riverbed, which you follow back towards the camp. Stopping under one of the majestic camelthorn trees you enjoy a light picnic lunch. On your drive along the meandering river you might encounter the elusive desert elephant that roam the dry riverbeds of the Damaraland, feeding on the nutritious pods of the trees lining the riverbanks. Arriving back at the camp you have enough time left to enjoy the scenery or follow one of the walking trails.
Day 5
During the cooler hours of the morning you start your adventure filled day in the company of a local Damara guide, who takes you to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO heritage site where Bushman communities engraved and painted over 2,500 pictures some 6.000 years ago!.After a visit to the nearby Living Museum of the Damara, you proceed to the Petrified Forest - a geological phenomenon depicting the creation and metamorphosis of wood into stone amongst some of the oldest landmasses on Earth. Here you also see the Welwitschia mirabilis plant - the oldest living desert plant on Earth.
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Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
...continued from previous page.
Your onward journey takes you to the wildlife heaven of Namibia - the Etosha National Park. You check into your lodge located on the border of the Etosha National Park and can unwind after the adventure filled day alongside the pool.
Today is devoted purely to the abundant wildlife found in the Etosha National Park, which surrounds a parched salt desert known as the Etosha Pan. The Park is home to 4 of the Big Five - elephant, lion, leopard and rhino. The Park was proclaimed as Namibia's first conservation area in 1907 by the then Governor, von Lindequist. Despite the size of the Etosha National Park, only the southern edge of the pan is accessible to visitors. Game viewing in the Park is largely focussed around the waterholes, some of which are spring fed and some supplied from a borehole, ideal places to sit and watch over 114 different game species, or for an avid birder, in excess of 340 bird species. Popular game species such as giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains and mountain zebra, hyena, lion, leopard, antelopes such as kudu, oryx, eland, as well as some of the endangered species such as black rhino, cheetah and the black-faced impala are all found here. An extensive network of roads link over 30 waterholes allowing visitors the opportunity of an extensive game viewing safari over the stretch of the Park as each different area will provide different encounters.
Day 7
Today your guide again takes you on another game drive into Etosha. You may encounter animal species we have not seen the previous day and look forward to any new surprises at the different waterholes visited.
Later in the afternoon you will travel to your final lodge, where you can relax for the rest of the day.
After breakfast you will travel back through the centre of the country to the capital Windhoek. Time permitting, you may stop at the famous wood carvers market in Okahandja or the craft market in the main street in Windhoek to pick up some souvenirs. Windhoek is a cosmopolitan melting pot of European architecture and African culture, with a variety of good restaurants to choose from. On arrival, you will be dropped off at your accommodation of choice, or transferred to the airport for your outward flight.
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Hansa Hotel
Swakopmund: 2 Nights
Surrounded on 3 sides by the Namib desert, and on the 4th by the Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund is an interesting blend of African and German heritage, and one of the most friendly towns in Southern Africa. Many of the locals are of German descent, and together with its beautifully preserved German colonial architecture, the availability of German style beer, and the precise orderly manner which is evident everywhere, you would be forgiven for thinking you were in a small town in Germany, and not on the edge of the Namib Desert.
Probably the most popular single activity is quad-biking over the large red sand dunes that start from the edge of the town, or try sandboarding down the dunes as an alternative. The Cape Cross Seal Reserve is a 125 km drive north of Swakopmund, and home to breeding colonies of thousands of Cape fur seals.
Several operators also offer scenic flights. The 2 most popular options are to take a flight north up the coastline, over the Skeleton Coast and back round, or to fly across the desert to the Sossusvlei Dunes and back to Swakopmund along the coastline, taking-in a number of shipwrecks.
The internationally acclaimed, award-winning Hansa Hotel offers a relaxed and personal approach to service.
Perfectly situated right in the middle of Swakopmund, the Hansa offers 58 well-appointed twin or double rooms, including 2 suites and 5 family rooms.
The restaurant is renowned for its seafood and game specialities, which are complemented by an extensive wine list.
Example Details For Hansa Hotel
Nights:
2 Nights
Adults:
2
Children:
0
Room:
1 x Standard Room
Includes:
Breakfast is included.
Location
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Ondjamba Hills
Damaraland: 2 Nights
Stretching from Swakopmund in the south and as far north as the Hoanib River, and from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the town of Usako in the east, the vast desert landscape of Damaraland is comprised of plains, mountains and koppies (small hills), and is one of the most beautiful regions of Namibia.
Whilst the area has many attractions for the visitor, the real draw is the peace, tranquillity and beauty of a desert landscape that has only ever been sparsely inhabited by humans over its long history.
Probably the biggest single attraction of the region for most overseas visitors is the chance to track the rare desert dwelling elephants and free-roaming black rhino. Damaraland is one of the few places in Southern Africa where these creatures can be found outside of National Parks or private game reserves, and co-exist with traditional villages and farms.
The Bushman paintings and engravings of the region are best seen at Twyfelfontein, the Brandberg and Spitzkoppe, and these places, along with the remarkable Vingerklip, are the most frequently visited 'sights' in Damaraland.
Ondjamba Hills is nestled within some of the most iconic landscapes in Damaraland, 40 km northwest of Uis next to the Ugab River and offers an eclectic fusion of nature, rustic old-world safari charm with modern chic, creating harmony with the dramatic environment and nature.
Ondjamba Hills offers 20 randomly placed large Meru-style safari tents (10m x 5m) with en-suite bathrooms and outside veranda with seating arrangements that offers spectacular views over the Brandberg Mountain. The camp is fully off-grid, having its own boreholes for water and being powered by solar energy with a back-up generator. Although the camp is powered by solar, water is heated using old-school, traditional 'donkies' (geysers heated by fire) adding the sense of uniqueness of the great outdoors and the smell of woodsmoke.
The highlight however remains the pristine landscape the camp is located in.
Example Details For Ondjamba Hills
Nights:
2 Nights
Adults:
2
Children:
0
Room:
1 x Standard Room
Includes:
Breakfast is included.
Location
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Eldorado Lodge and Camping
Etosha National Park: 2 Nights
The Etosha National Park in the north of Namibia offers some of the finest wildlife viewing in Africa, and is one of the undisputed highlights of a visit to the country.
The Park itself is centred around a vast salt Pan, which is a massive 130 km long and 72 km wide. Although it not possible to drive on the Pan itself, there is an excellent road infrastructure, making this a superb self-drive safari destination.
The Park is home to 4 of the Big 5 - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant - plus large numbers of springbok, gemsbok, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and other plains game. Etosha is also home to 3 uncommon antelope species - the beautiful black-faced impala, the roan antelope, and Southern Africa's smallest antelope, the Damara dik-dik, which stands only 40cm to the shoulder as a fully grown male adult.
January and March are also the wettest months, and the Pan may fill with water if the rainfall is exceptionally heavy. The Park is incredibly lush and green during these months, and large herds of zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, gemsbok and springbok dominate the open grassy plains.
The winter months between July and September are the dry season, and during these months, Etosha's waterholes enjoy a constant stream of elephants, zebras, wildebeest, gemsbok and other wildlife coming to drink.
Come and enjoy a unique Etosha camping experience at Eldorado Lodge in the bushveldt. All guest rooms have been built and decorated to make your stay here a peaceful experience and offer en-suite showers, air conditioning and coffee making facilities. Main guest facilities include a bar, dining room and swimming pool.
Experience Etosha’s pristine wilderness and exceptional wildlife with an authentic game drives led by expert guides. Witness majestic elephants, lions roaming free, and vast open landscapes.
The lodge is situated just 10-15 minutes drive from the Anderson Gate into the Etosha National Park.
Example Details For Eldorado Lodge and Camping
Nights:
2 Nights
Adults:
2
Children:
0
Room:
1 x Standard Room
Includes:
Breakfast is included.
Location
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
La Rochelle Lodge
Etosha National Park: 1 Night
The Etosha National Park in the north of Namibia offers some of the finest wildlife viewing in Africa, and is one of the undisputed highlights of a visit to the country.
The Park itself is centred around a vast salt Pan, which is a massive 130 km long and 72 km wide. Although it not possible to drive on the Pan itself, there is an excellent road infrastructure, making this a superb self-drive safari destination.
The Park is home to 4 of the Big 5 - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant - plus large numbers of springbok, gemsbok, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and other plains game. Etosha is also home to 3 uncommon antelope species - the beautiful black-faced impala, the roan antelope, and Southern Africa's smallest antelope, the Damara dik-dik, which stands only 40cm to the shoulder as a fully grown male adult.
January and March are also the wettest months, and the Pan may fill with water if the rainfall is exceptionally heavy. The Park is incredibly lush and green during these months, and large herds of zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, gemsbok and springbok dominate the open grassy plains.
The winter months between July and September are the dry season, and during these months, Etosha's waterholes enjoy a constant stream of elephants, zebras, wildebeest, gemsbok and other wildlife coming to drink.
La Rochelle Lodge is nestled amongst chalky plains with islands of Makalani palms towering the sky and acacia thickets wrapped with endless grasslands. The 10,000 hectare reserve is home to a myriad of bird life and game species which allows for photographic game drives and waterhole sightings.
The lodge is also situated within driving proximity to the eastern gate of the Etosha Park making this an ideal base for anyone wanting to visit one of Namibia's premier wildlife destinations.
Example Details For La Rochelle Lodge
Nights:
1 Night
Adults:
2
Children:
0
Room:
1 x Standard Room
Includes:
Breakfast and dinner are included.
Please Note: As the animals are wild, it is not possible to guarantee what you will see during your safari.
Location
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Important Travel Information For Namibia
Passport, Visa and Entry Requirements
Latest Travel Updates
For up-to-date travel information from the UK government, please check:
Normally, holders of the following passports do not require a visa to enter Namibia when travelling as a tourist for stays up to 90 days:
United Kingdom; United States of America; Canada; Australia; New Zealand; Ireland; Belgium; Netherlands; Italy; France; Germany; Spain; South Africa.
If you are a passport holder from another country, please contact your local Namibia High Commission or Embassy for up-to-date visa requirements, as citizens of certain countries are required to obtain visas before travelling. You can also check on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Namibia
Please note that if you are applying to the Embassy for your visa, some visas can take a long time to be processed so please do take this into consideration, as it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa in place before you travel.
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Namibia and have at least one completely blank page for Namibian immigration to use. If you’re travelling to South Africa, you will need an additional 2 blank pages.
TRAVELLING TO/FROM NAMIBIA WITH CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 18 YEARS OF AGE AT DATE OF TRAVEL: The following requirements apply regardless of nationality.
Parents travelling with children must produce an unabridged birth certificate for the child, showing full details of the child's parents. If the birth certificate is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a sworn translation issued by a competent authority in the country concerned.
If the child is adopted, the adoption certificate must be produced.
If only one parent is travelling, said parent must also show consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent named on the birth certificate authorising the child to travel (the affidavit must be no more than 6 months old from the date of travel), or a court order granting full parental responsibilities to the travelling parent, or (where applicable) a death certificate for the deceased parent. Legally separated parents should also provide a court order when the other parent does not give consent.
Where a person is travelling with a child who is not their biological child, he/she must produce an unabridged birth certificate for the child supplemented by affidavits from the child's parents/legal guardian giving consent for the child to travel and copies of the identity documents or passport of the parents/legal guardian PLUS their contact details.
There are also additional rules for unaccompanied minors - available on request.
PLEASE NOTE: All documents must be original - PHOTOCOPIES ARE NOT ACCEPTED. In the case of foreign countries that do not issue unabridged birth certificates, a letter to this effect issued by the competent authority of the foreign country should be produced.
For more information, please contact your Namibia High Commission.
IMPORTANT: Plastic bags are banned in all Namibian National Parks. Arriving visitors are requested to avoid bring plastic bags into the Parks and any plastic bags in your possession will be removed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism personnel when you enter any of the National Parks.
PLEASE NOTE: Countries can change their entry requirements at any time. Travel Butlers try to ensure that the information displayed here is correct, but the onus remains with the traveller to verify the information with the relevant High Commission or Embassy and ensure that they can comply with the applicable entry requirements.
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Important Travel Information For Namibia
Continued
Medical
You are advised to contact your doctor or clinic around 4-8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations and to get their professional medical advice regarding travel to Namibia.
To help avoid heatstroke, drink plenty of bottled water/fluids, and keep out of the midday sun.
Tap water is chemically treated and safe to drink in major cities and towns, but you can often taste the chemicals, so it is not particularly pleasant. Bottled water is readily available and is a much nicer-tasting alternative!
We also advise that you do not drink the water in more remote places such as Etosha and other National Parks, or on farms - the water may be safe to drink, but it simply is not worth the risk or being laid up with a dodgy stomach for the next few days. Do not drink water from any river lake without firstly purifying the water.
Always take water with you on a long car journey to avoid dehydration.
There is a risk of malaria in the Caprivi Strip. During the summer/wetter months (November-June), it is also advisable to take malaria precautions if you are visiting the Etosha National Park although the risk of malaria during this time is still deemed to be low. Check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets. Dengue fever can also be transmitted via mosquito bites. Try to avoid mosquito bites wherever possible - wear loose long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and use a repellent on clothing and exposed skin.
There is no risk of yellow fever in Namibia, so a yellow fever vaccination is NOT required for travellers whose sole destination is Namibia. However, in accordance with International Health Regulations, Nambia requires all travellers over one year of age arriving from a yellow fever risk country, or having been in transit longer than 12 hours at the airport of such a country, to have a yellow fever certificate. These countries include Kenya and Uganda but it is up to the traveller to check the full list here https://nathnacyfzone.org.uk/factsheet/60/yellow-fever-maps
Languages And Culture
English is the official language of Namibia, although it is only the first language of a small percentage of the population, about 7%. Afrikaans is the most widely spoken first language for most Namibians, and around 30% of the population also speak German. Different tribes throughout the country speak either a Bantu dialect (including Owambo, Caprivian and Herero) or a Khoisan dialect (including Nama, Damara and San). The Khoisan dialects are characterised by a 'clicking' sound.
We would ask that all travellers are respectful of the local culture as follows:
If the army or police are protecting a building or place, check before taking any photographs. If in doubt, put your camera away!
Homosexuality is not prohibited by law, but local attitudes can be less tolerant and public displays of affection may attract negative attention. Whilst everyone is of course entitled to their own sexual preferences and gender identity, we would advise all clients of the LGBT+ community to refrain from public displays of affection (including kissing and holding hands) and to be as discrete as possible about their relationship.
Travel Butlers Ltd
Astra House
The Common, Cranleigh
Surrey GU6 8RZ, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1483 266725
Page
Book With Confidence
Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world. In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.
Flexibility and peace of mind before you travel
Our team are specialists in travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean, and we are constantly monitoring the changing situation regarding travel to the region. If your trip cannot go ahead due to specific travel restrictions related to Covid-19 then we will get in touch to offer you the choice of the following:
Postponing to a later date
Switching to another destination
Receiving a full refund of all monies paid to Travel Butlers for the trip, providing the balance due has been paid in full
The specific Covid-19 travel restrictions are defined as follows:
The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel or your booked country is placed on the red list
The government in your country of residence (non-UK residents) restricts all but essential travel
The destination you are travelling to has entry restrictions in place that prohibit you travelling, such as closed borders or extended quarantine requirements
International flights are cancelled without alternative routing available for you to use to reach the destinations in the itinerary
We would not normally be able to confirm that your trip cannot proceed due to travel restrictions until a couple of weeks before the start of your trip, however should you want to look at postponing or altering your trip before then we would aim to be as flexible as possible.
If we confirm that your trip is unable to proceed due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, then we will not charge you an amendment fee if you choose to postpone your trip or move it to another destination. We may need to adjust the cost of your trip to reflect the new dates, particularly if those coincide with a more expensive season of travel or higher grade of accommodation. Equally, if the cost of your postponed trip is less, we will reduce the cost accordingly.
You should still take out travel insurance that includes Covid-19 to cover you in the event that your trip can go ahead but you are unable to travel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances. If there are no travel restrictions in place that mean your trip could not go ahead but you need to cancel due to illness or a change in your personal circumstances then our normal terms and conditions would apply. You should ensure that your travel insurance provides adequate cover for cancelling due to illness, including Covid-19, and you may be able to make a claim against your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy.
Support whilst you are away
We offer 24/7 telephone assistance to all our clients whilst they are away, and also have partners in each country that are able to assist with any PCR tests or other issues that might arise during your trip.
If you fall ill whilst you are away, or if your trip is disrupted due to Covid-19 whilst you are travelling, then our experienced team will be on hand to assist you in whatever way you need. You would need to pay any additional costs incurred due to illness or travel disruption whilst you are away, however you may be able reclaim these expenses on your travel insurance depending on the cover offered by your policy. Travel Butlers will be able to assist by providing supporting documentation for your claim.
Financial protection for your Travel Butlers holiday
All of the holidays we sell are 100% financially protected through our ATOL and ABTOT bonding so your money is in safe hands when you book a Travel Butlers holiday. Furthermore, our business is well positioned to navigate through the challenges which the travel industry is currently facing.
Finding suitable travel insurance that covers Covid-19
You can now get insurance that offers cover for disruption related to Covid-19, and these policies could include cover for:
cancellation if you or anyone covered by the policy gets a positive coronavirus test in the two weeks before you travel
medical costs if you get coronavirus while you are away
additional transport and/or accommodation expenses if you fall ill with coronavirus while you are away
Not all policies offer this kind of cover, not necessarily even all policies from the same provider, so you should ensure you check the policy details carefully before buying your insurance.
Travel Butlers have 20 years experience of booking travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean for clients from all around the world. In this time we have supported clients through disruptions caused by numerous unexpected events including natural disasters, localised disease outbreaks and airline cancellations. Nobody can be certain exactly what will happen in the future, however Travel Butlers can offer you peace of mind and flexibility to ensure that you feel confident booking a holiday with us.