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| Viewing: Angolan 4x4 Expedition |
Package ID: 1654 |
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| Angolan 4x4 Expedition |
Small group camping tour through Southern Angola
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ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrival to Lubango, Angola
Arriving to Lubango Airport, you will be met by our guide, and transferred to our lodge where we will camp for the evening. We will go on a tour of Lubango town, ending with scenic sun downer drinks at Tundavalle. Tundavalle is a must see in the city of Lubango. This volcanic fissure climbs to 2600m (8528 ft) above sea level and offers breathtaking views from the edge of the escarpment over rolling hills well above the clouds. [D]
DAY 2: Lubango to Flamingo Lodge
Lubango is set in a lush tropical valley guarded by the statue of Christ built high above on the cliffs overlooking the city. Rich in colonial architecture, and mixed with the confusion of Africa, Lubango has many bars and restaurants that offer interesting variety with rich Portuguese heritage. After breakfast and break down of camp, we visit the iconic statue of Christ, which towers over the city keeping watch night & day. This statue is only one of three in the world and is a replica of the one in Rio de Janeiro – one of the few remaining signs of hope and peace. After a fantastic photo opportunity at the top of the breathtaking Serra de Leba pass, we make our way down the winding mountain road. Designed by a woman, the pass twists its way down the mountain from a height of 1845 meters above sea level. We continue our journey west towards Namibe, and leave the lushness of Lubango behind us, for the desert of the coast. Before arriving to Flamingo Lodge, we stop at Lake Arco – a hidden treasure located within a canyon, & we relax by the waters & watch the birdlife. Arriving to Flamingo Lodge, we set up our camp site, and prepare dinner. [BLD]
DAY 3: Flamingo lodge - Campsite
We use today to relax & explore the fascinating area around Flamingo Lodge. The fishing on this coastline is legendary - perhaps try your luck on catching the big one! We take a drive into the nearby canyon to hike & explore – hopefully seeing some families of Black-backed Jackals along the way. Our accommodation is located amidst 70km of uninhabited coast which supports virtually untouched fish populations and a highly diverse desert landscapes containing some areas of special beauty. Indulge yourself with a day of fishing, snorkelling, or just leisuring on the beach, enjoying the open space and clear blue skies. [BLD]
DAYS 4 & 5: Beach Drive (Flamingo Lodge to Foz du Cunene)
Our departure time will be dependant on the tide. We will depart Flamingo lodge for Foz du Cunene, stopping en-route at Baia dos Tigres, where we will spend a night camping in the dunes. One of the highlights of this tour is the exhilarating 230km drive down the beach. Driving on the beach is a unique experience not permitted in most countries, and it makes this specific journey hugely exciting. The drive can only be done at Spring tide, as the coast is bordered by high dunes which fall precipitously into the sea, leaving just a narrow stretch of sand between the ocean and the dunes. Join us in our excitement as we squeeze the vehicles between the ocean waves & enormous sand dunes! On our way from Flamingo lodge, we pass by two shipwrecks, one a quite recent addition to the coastline. Behind the dunes are a number of green oases, and near the southern end of Baia dos Tigres, there are vast lagoons teeming with fish and birds such as Pelicans and Flamingos. Day 5 sees us completing this journey, finally arriving to Foz du Cunene, where the dunes subside and the beach widens. We take the remainder of the day to explore the area and the river mouth, and spend the evening camping at the basic Foz du Cunene houses, protected by the wind. [BLD]
Day 6: Iona National Park
Leaving the coastline, we enter the Parque National du Iona. This offers an outstanding drive with scenery similar to the Koako Veld (a famous area in Northern Namibia) and is quite magnificent to pass through.
We stop to explore the hundreds of Welwitchia’s lining our route, as the desert changes face today from an endless sandy desert to rocky landscapes. [BLD]
DAY 7: Iona National Park
Today is a long & slow drive with some exciting 4x4 driving. The scenery changes dramatically from large open plains to Mopane forests. We pass by some interesting rock formations, and hope to see our first signs of the nomadic Himba people. [BLD]
DAY 8: Arrival to Ruacana, Namibia
Today will have an interesting drive, passing a major stand of enormous Baobab trees. With some imagination – and compared to the prevailing vegetation dominated by bush and grass – this patch could be called a ‘forest’. This “Baobab Forest” is home to many Prehistoric stones, left untouched on the ground by the villagers ancestors. We will have plenty of time to stop & see the many Himba people who live in the area. These nomadic people of Angola are completely untouched by modern society & live with very little. Leaving Angola behind us, we pay a quick visit to the Ruacana Falls. Located on the border of Namibia and Angola, the falls are mostly controlled by a dam upstream, & they provide fresh water to the northern part of Namibia and the southern part of Angola. They are a valuable source of hydroelectric power and a main attraction of Namibia. They are about 120 m deep and 700 m wide, but these days water gushes over the falls only after particularly good rains, when the sluice gates have to be opened. Otherwise the water is fed through the turbines of the hydroelectric power station. [BLD]
DAY 9: Ruacana to Etosha National Park
We depart early, making our way to Etosha National Park, through the North gate, arriving to Namutoni Camp. After a rest and a swim during the hottest part of the day, we will go on an afternoon game drive through the park. [BLD]
DAY 10: Etosha National Park
We enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive in the park, and the luxuries of hot showers! [BLD]
DAY 11: Etosha National Park – Windhoek
An early morning departure will take us back to Windhoek, where we relax after our travels at the Roof of Africa Lodge. You can catch a flight to your onward destination, or stay for a few days, at your leisure. [BL]
DAY 12: Windhoek - Onward destination
After breakfast at the lodge, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. [B]
Includes:
Use of full camping equipment (except sleeping bags), 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners, coffee/tea with the meals, transport on the tour, activities as per itinerary & an English-speaking guide.
Excludes:
All excursions not mentioned in the program, bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, laundry, international and domestic flights, visas and travel insurance, personal items. (Flights from/to Ondangwa can be arranged by us)
Price per Person:
Standard - USD 3225
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