This is very much a trip for the pioneering traveler. Much of the journey will be off road and the distances will be long. Probably the most challenging and rewarding trip offered to-date by Undiscovered Destinations.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: UK to Lubango via Windhoek, Namibia, arriving the next day.
Day 2: Lubango. Airport to hotel transfer City tour, including visit to the spectacular Tunda-Vale, volcanic fissure (1,300 m). Overnight Somitour Hotel or similar, Lubango.
Day 3: Lubango to Namibe (3 hours). Scenic drive, through the mountains and the breathtaking Lebba Pass to the Atlantic coast. Overnight Diversi Hotel or similar, Namibe.
Day 4: Namibe to Pediva Hot Springs (6 hours). A drive through the desert, that allows for excellent wildlife viewing, bringing us to Pediva. Take time to lie back and relax, whilst you gaze at the snake eagles soaring above. Overnight Camping, Pediva Hot Springs.
Day 5: Pediva to Rock Lodge (3 hours). We continue our travels through the Namib Desert, en route looking out for the varied wildlife including springbok and ostrich. Overnight Rock Lodge or camping, Namib Desert.
Day 6: Rock Lodge to Flamingo Lodge (5 hours). Today we travel back to the Atlantic Coast and to Flamingo Lodge, located 40 km south of the town of Namibe and accessible only by driving along the empty golden beaches. Flamingo is in the middle of 70km of uninhabited coast, and its hinterland is of highly diverse desert landscapes containing areas of special beauty. A number of optional activities are available, including quad bike tours to nearby sandstone canyons, superb fishing and parasailing. Overnight Flamingo Lodge.
Day 7: Flamingo Lodge. A full day at Flamingo to relax, swim or take one of the optional activities on offer. Overnight Flamingo Lodge.
Day 8: Flamingo Lodge to Baia dos Tigres (4 hours). Today we continue with our adventure, driving south to an extremely remote and little visited corner of Angola, bordering Namibia. As we continue our drive we reach the salt marshes and lagoons of Baía dos Tigres, home to an abundance of bird and marine life. To reach the area we traverse a vast dune scape, a challenging, but equally stunning drive. Overnight Camping.
Day 9: Baia dos Tigres to Foz do Cunene (4 hours). Still hugging the coastline, we carefully navigate a narrow strip of beach with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and towering dunes on the other, until we reach Cunene. The Cunene is a large perennial river that forms the boundary between south western Angola and Namibia. The lush vegetation makes for a striking contrast with the surrounding desert. The settlement of Foz do Cunene is situated on the banks of the river 6km from the sea and is within the vast Iona National Park. Overnight Lodge or camping, Foz do Cunene.
Day 10: Cunene to Moimba (6 hours). Today we start our challenging, but rewarding journey northeast, back to Lubango. First we head for the settlement of Moimba. It will take us most of the day to traverse the spectacular Iona National Park. The drive will be slow. Our experienced guides follow nothing more than the faintest of tracks in the shifting sands. Our determination to visit such a remote corner of the country will be rewarded by having the opportunity to meet with the local people, who are virtually cut off from the outside world. For once this is no cliché, we will almost certainly be amongst only a handful of foreigners that they have encountered. Overnight camping, Moimba.
Day 11: Moimba to Oncócua (6 hours). These few days of travel in the extreme south must be described as hard and the long off road journeys will not be for everyone. However, the experience of meeting tribes, such as the Himba people, is simply exhilarating. It really is the "real" travelers dream. Overnight camping, Oncócua.
Day 12: Oncócua to Tapella (4 hours). Although the distances are relatively short, the journey continues to be slow, as we complete our final off road leg of the trip. Overnight camping, Oncócua.
Day 13: Tapella to Chibia (6 hours). Today we will reach the main road that links Namibia with the provisional capital Lubango. As is common throughout Angola, the road is in a very poor condition and is in serious need of repair. Again, this trip is not for those who are unable to cope with long and bumpy road journeys. You will however enjoy the changing scenery and the possibilities of coming across local people who simply have no concept of tourism. Overnight lodge or camping, Chibia.
Day 14: Chibia to Quedas da Hungueria (3 hours). As we enter our final leg of this unique tour we will make our last overnight camping stop at the waterfall of Hungueria. The setting is superb, made even more special by the fact that so few travelers have ever visited the area. Overnight camping, Quedas da Hungueria.
Day 15: Quedas da Hungueria to Lubango (4 hours). As we return to Lubango, you will end the tour with some wonderful memories. For even the most well-traveled, your trip will have been full of unique experiences, sights and the most genuine of encounters with a remarkable people and culture. Overnight Somitour Hotel or similar, Lubango.
Day 16: Lubango to UK, via Windhoek, Namibia. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Windhoek, connecting the same day to London.
Day 17: Arrive UK.
Notes:
- Clients traveling on this tour must be aware that tourism in Angola is in its extreme infancy. Basic infrastructure and in particular suitable accommodation is in short supply. Therefore it is very unlikely we can provide single room accommodation. All clients must be willing to share lodge and hotel rooms with another traveler of the same sex. However, we can normally supply tents for single occupancy for the nights camping. In addition when we have shown an overnight stay as lodge/hotel or camping, i.e. at Flamingo, we will do our best to secure sufficient lodge/hotel rooms for the complete group. Nonetheless all clients must be prepared to camp as very often this will be our only option. Again, we stress that this is very much the nature of traveling in Angola and we thank our clients for their understanding.
- It should be noted that the process for obtaining an Angolan entry visa can be very time consuming. We recommend that you make your application at least two months before travel, and use our in-house Angolan visa service.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Dates:
- Group Tours, Group Sizes – Minimum 6, Maximum 12:
* 8 May 2010 to 24 May 2010 - £4,600
* 28 August 2010 to 13 September 2010 - £4,600
- Private Journeys (Weekly departures). Please contact us for prices if you are interested in making this tour as a private journey for individual travellers.
Price Includes:
- All flights
- All transport, transfers and tours
- All accommodation, based on twin share
- All camping facilities
- All meals except in Lubango when only breakfast included
- Local beverages including beer and soft drinks except in Lubango
- English-speaking guide/tour leader.
Price Excludes:
- Airport Taxes (except for UK)
- Angolan Entry Visa
- Travel Insurance (mandatory, must include emergency repatriation, proof may be required)
- Optional activities at Flamingo Lodge; quad bike rental USD 120 per day, boat trip for fishing $100 per person (minimum of 4 clients)
- Single Supplement (optional on group tours).
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Angola
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
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