A special kind of ecotourism. Special because our programs are not packaged tours where the visitor simply joins a pre-existing group - your host deals with you on a one-on-one basis. You are invited to state your special interests and preferences. These programs are generally  fully customizable.

Also special because you communicate with your host directly via e-mail - before the trip takes place. On arrival, you are met by your host, personally.

When: Anytime, though December/January can become unbearably hot.

Length of tour: Depends on the guest(s), but due to the remoteness of the area, and long distances that have to be covered, plus the changes in airline schedules, a minimum of eight days are recommended. The sample itinerary is a comfortable 10-day proposal, allowing 8 full days on safari, and 2 days for arrival & departure.

Number of guests: From one to a maximum of six, but four is an ideal group size.

Fee: For a single guest, the fee will be US$515 per day. From two guests and upward, the fee changes with intervals from US$345 for two guests, to US$210 for six guests, per person per day – excluding airport taxes and airfare to- and from Namibia. All airport transfers, meals, transport & fuel, permits, concession fees and accommodation are included. (Due to the remoteness and distances to reach the Ova-Himba, time will not allow camping, although most of the accommodation will be in permanent tents). [The fee for this proposal is only valid until 31 October 2008].

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BACKGROUND NOTES:

• Weather – The rain bearing winds blow from the northeast with the main rainy season occurring during February / March, though occasionally it starts as early as January, and could continue until April. Average annual rainfall in the western Kaokoland is about 50 mm. Summer, mid-October to mid-April, the daytime temperatures often rise above 35°C, with minimum temperatures of about 14°C. During the winter months, temperatures range between 5°C minimum and 25°C maximum.

• Routes and accommodation – As the route via the Atlantic coast – in the area we used to travel – is not “home” to the Ova-Himba, previous safaris have proved this detour to be unnecessary and time consuming, with regard to the principal aim of this safari. The rest of the route has also been slightly altered, due to some of the venues used, which either no longer exist, or have become too over-priced for our purpose. The roads through Damaraland are proper gravel roads winding through very ancient Geological formations and Landscapes of the Soul. Because of the long distances, we have also experienced that too much time is wasted when having to pitch- and break camp, therefore, we suggest fixed establishment accommodation on this particular proposal. Some accommodation, however, will be in permanent tents.

• The Kaokoveld – (A collective word to describe the areas of Kaokoland and Damaraland). The Kaokoveld is isolated by the inhospitable coastline to the west, and the arid desert and mountains to the east - the main ranges being the Otjihipa Range, the Zebra Mountains and the Baynes Mountains. Altitude varies from 1950ft in the Hartmann’s Valley and Marienfluss, to the highest point in the Baynes Mountains at 6627ft. The proposed itinerary will also take you into the shadow of the highest mountain peak of Namibia - the Brandberg – at 8382ft. There is only one perennial river in the Kaokoveld, the Kunene River, which features both the Ruacana- and Epupa Falls. Several large seasonal rivers drain the central plateau. Geologically, the entire Namibia has some of the richest gem- and mineral deposits in Africa. In Kaokoland, along the Kunene River, is the world’s largest deposits of Sodalite, while the Zebra Mountains contain the world’s largest known body of Anorthosite. On the fringes of the Kaokoveld one will find Africa’s only Petersite mine. Towards Damaraland, and especially within the Erongo Region, are some of the richest deposits of Tourmaline, (including Indicolite, Rubellite and our famous “watermelon” Tourmaline), Aquamarine, Silver Topaz, green Garnets and huge bodies of Marble, with some Wood Opal father north.

• The Ova-Himba - The first known human inhabitants of the Kaokoveld are believed to be Herero ancestors who migrated from the Moçamendes province of Angola around 1550. Here they remained isolated for 300 years until the first European explorers (Baynes & Hartmann) arrived in 1850. Thereafter, the entire area still remained virtually unknown and isolated, partly due to inaccessibility, and partly due to the rich diamond fields discovered along the Skeleton Coast, as visiting restrictions were placed on the area to protect the diamond fields. Until as recent as 1963, there were still a few stone-using, hunter-gatherer people known as Ova-Tjimba who lived in the remote Baynes- and Otjihipa Mountains. Today there are about 5000 Ova-Himba resident in Kaokoland. Lapsing of the diamond concession, and the progress in four wheel drive vehicles, re-introduced the Kaokoveld to “outsiders” towards the end of the 20^th century – a wilderness and culture we are jealously guarding!

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PROPOSED ITINERARY:

This is only an outline, or sample, to illustrate the possibilities. A detailed itinerary will always be supplied, AFTER the necessary e-mail correspondence to establish the guest(s)’ personal interests and preferences.

Day 1: Meet your host at the airport on arrival. Transfer to Windhoek for a quick tour of its sights & sounds before settling into a comfortable B&B. Relax after the long flight and acclimatize to Namibia.

Day 2: Fresh, and with a hearty breakfast behind you, head north immediately until you arrive at the gateway to Damaraland, where you will sleep in the shadow of the highest mountain peak in Namibia, the Brandberg.

Day 3: Continue through the rugged, awesome beauty of Damaraland, right into the home of the free-roaming Black Rhino and the Ova-Himba, to the ONLY town in the entire Kaokoland – an area of 30 625 square miles, excluding the Skeleton Coast. Arrive at a comfortable rest camp by late afternoon where you can relax in the shade of Mopane trees after the long drive.

Day 4: The entire day spent on exploring your new environment, meeting and photographing the ochre-coloured Ova-Himba, their lifestyles, traditions, and this area of their Homeland.

Day 5: A specially arranged excursion to the Epupa Waterfall in the Kunene River – unofficial head quarters of the Ova-Himba. Here, you are at the northern-most point of Namibia’s border, looking across the Falls and river into Angola.

Day 6: No particular rush this morning as you have a relatively short drive to a camp right on the banks of the Kunune River. Should time allow, you may even be able to visit another traditional Ova-Himba village in this area. End your day with a peaceful cruise down the Kunene River, watching the sun set in brilliant crimson and orange splendour.

Day 7: Instead of one long trek back to Windhoek, return via a more westerly route to acquaint yourself with other features and landscapes of the Kaokoveld. Exit Kaokoland today and enter Damaraland, passing giant Baobab trees en-route to another comfortable rest camp. A scenic sundowner drive through the wide open spaces and unpolluted air, will prove the perfect end to your day.

Day 8: Entire day to explore this pristine wilderness and, with a little bit of luck, find the free-roaming Black Rhino and famous Namibian desert Elephants.

Day 9: Unfortunately, all good things must also come to an end, and today you have to return to Windhoek. But not to make the transition from the wilderness to civilization too harsh, you will be accommodated at a Game Lodge en-route to the airport. Should you so wish, you may join a scenic drive for a final view of our sunset on this, your last night in Namibia, Africa.