Namibia

Swakopmund | Early March

• Strand Hotel

Sossusvlei | Mid March

• Little Kulala Lodge

If you need any urgent assistance while traveling, or need to make changes, reservations, or cancellations during your time in Namibia, you can contact the following local contacts:

• Local Contact: Jennifer Esau | Ultimate Safaris
  
• Local Contact Number: +264 61 248 137
  
• Local Emergency Number: +264 81 141 2275
  
• Your Curator: Christian Gibney
  
• Scenset Emergency Line: will be provided

Important: For immediate assistance, contact your local contact first, as they are in the same time zone.

In adherence to airline regulations and in the interests of passengers’ own safety, following restrictions apply to charters in light aircrafts. The baggage compartments are also limited in size and bags of a certain size or hard sided with wheels will physically not fit into the small aircraft luggage hold. Wheels on a bag are only permissible if they are not part of a solid frame or rigid structure. A collapsible wheeled luggage frame/trolley (separate to the bag) is allowed, as long as the basic dimensions are similar to that of the bag. (Images of suitable & unsuitable bags below):

• Maximum luggage weight is will be provided, including all carry on hand luggage if more than one bag and camera equipment
  
• Maximum luggage size is will be provided wide x will be provided high x will be provided long, soft sided and flexible with no rigid parts in order to fit.

Distances in Namibia are huge, parts of the country are at a high altitude, the daytime temperatures can become very high, many of the areas to be visited have ‘gravel’ airstrips, and planes almost invariably need a heavy fuel payload to give the margin of safety that passengers should want on long distance flights. All these factors combine to mean that pilots need to be very careful about the weight distribution in their aircraft. Therefore variations in the expected weight in the aircraft of both passengers and luggage need to be factored in advance to avoid overloading and breaching safety considerations.

International visitors require a valid passport together with onward travel documents. When traveling to southern Africa guests must please ensure that their passport is valid for at least 6 months after their scheduled departure date and that they have a minimum of 3 blank pages in their passport to enable the entry visa to be issued (if there is insufficient space in the passport then entry may be denied).

Please ensure that you have arranged all necessary single or multiple entry visas prior to your arrival into southern Africa (unless you have confirmed they are available on entry). For an up to date list on which nationalities are automatically granted tourist visas upon entry into Namibia please refer to the Namibia Tourism Board website.

Citizens of certain countries can currently receive tourist visas on arrival with no requirement for pre-arrangement.

Important note: As you arrive into southern Africa, immigration will provide you with an arrivals form to fill in which will request your physical address whilst here. Immigration officials are very particular about the address details being noted. For the Strand Hotel in Swakopmund, you can use Strand Hotel, A.Schad Promenade, Swakopmund, Namibia.

Vaccinations

There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. We are not medical practitioners and the following points are recommended guidelines only. Please consult your doctor and also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

Yellow Fever certificates are needed if you come from or have recently visited high risk countries, especially certain parts of Africa (East, West and Central). Bilharzia still occurs in parts of Namibia, HIV infection is on the increase and TB is widespread in the few more densely populated areas which guests will not often visit.

Recommended (but not compulsory) vaccinations are Tetanus and Infectious Hepatitis.

Malaria

Malaria within southern Africa is prevalent in some but not all areas. It is encountered mainly in wetter areas as mosquitoes require calm waters to breed. It can be found throughout Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and much of Botswana. Northern Namibia is also a malaria area. Should you be visiting these areas malaria precautions are advised.

Malaria transmission is at its highest during the warmer and wetter months of November through to April. From May to October the risks of contracting malaria are reduced. Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are generally only active in the early evening and throughout the night, at the times when one is usually sleeping or sitting around the campfire. The malaria parasite requires a human host in order to complete its life cycle. In most cases, camps and lodges are situated in remote, unpopulated areas, so the chances of contracting malaria are very slim.

Nonetheless, we believe it is worth taking preventative measures. Both chloroquine-resistant and normal strains of malaria are prevalent in Africa. Malaria prophylactic recommendations for southern Africa travelers. Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylaxis. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite chemoprophylaxis, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported.

Please remember that the best insurance is the preventative kind; avoid being bitten by using mosquito repellents liberally; wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings; if staying in a bungalow or tent, spray with an insecticide like DOOM to kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room. If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylaxis or even once you have stopped taking them, ensure that you tell your doctor you have been in a malarial area and that they do everything to establish that your illness is not malaria. Malaria is not a serious problem if you are sensible and take basic precautions. There have been no cases of our guests contracting malaria in over 15 years of operation.

Water

It is very important that guests drink plenty of water, especially during the warmer months. It is generally recommended that they drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages which act as diuretics and can contribute to dehydration.

Generally, water throughout southern Africa is safe to drink directly from the tap, with exception of locations beside perennial rivers where the tap water may be pumped from the river, as in parts of the Caprivi Strip. However, bottled water is readily available, so guests should ask their guide or lodge staff if they are unsure, and should not allow themselves to become dehydrated. Please note that water is a scarce commodity in southern Africa, and every effort should be made to save where possible!

• Winter (May to September) – Temperatures range in the interior from 18°C to 25°C during the day. Below freezing and frost are common at night.
  
• Summer (October to April) – Average temperatures range from 20°C to 35°C during the day and temperatures above 40°C are often recorded in the extreme north and south of the country. At the coast the temperature is generally much cooler, ranging from 15°C to 25°C, and fog is common.

For clothing items we would recommend cotton over synthetic fibers, and muted colors for game viewing (rather than white or bright colors). Please ensure you bring sufficient warm clothing if you will be on safari during our winter months (May to September) as temperatures are colder than most visitors anticipate. Temperatures at the coast can be cold anytime of the year so do bring at least one fleece even if on safari during our summer.

• Quality sunglasses (ideally polarized)
  
• Sun hat with wide brim
  
• Golf-shirts, T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts
  
• Shorts/skirts
  
• Long trousers/slacks
  
• Smart evening wear for upmarket accommodation establishments
  
• Underwear (sports bra recommended on game drives as the roads can be bumpy)
  
• Good walking shoes (trainers are fine)
  
• Sandals
  
• Swimming costume
  
• Warm fleece/sweater (especially in winter)
  
• Warm wind break, scarf & gloves for the cold winter months (May to September)
  
• Light rain gear for the summer months (November to April)
  
• Camera equipment & plenty of film
  
• Glasses, even if you wear contact lenses, in case of irritation from the dust & dryness
  
• Binoculars
  
• Newman’s/Sasol/Robert’s bird book if you are a keen birder
  
• Personal toiletries
  
• Malaria medication (if applicable)
  
• Moisturizing cream & lip salve
  
• Suntan lotion
  
• Insect repellent
  
• Basic personal medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Imodium, antiseptic cream, anti-histamine etc.)
  
• Tissues/wet wipes
  
• Visas, tickets, passports, money, etc
  
• Waterproof/dustproof bags/cover for cameras

Tipping is customary in southern Africa, but a gratuity or service fee is not required by law and is certainly not compulsory. If you would like to tip because you have received good service below is a brief guideline to assist you. This is shown in US$, which are generally used throughout the region. However, in Namibia, it is better to work in Namibian Dollars or South African Rand, converted at the exchange rate at the time.

• Specialist guides – around US$ 10 to 15 per guest per day (if the guide has done a good job).
  
• Camp/lodge guides - around US$ 5 to 10 per guest per day (again if they have done a good job).
  
• Pilots on private charters : around US$ 10 per day or proportion of a day flown.
  
• Mokoro paddlers, trackers & transfer drivers – around US$ 5 for each paddler per guest per day and around US$ 5 per guest per day for lodge/camp-based trackers.
  
• General camp/lodge/hotel & guesthouse staff - around US$ 5 per guest per day for general staff (camp crew, housekeepers, chefs, waiting staff etc). This should be placed in the communal tip box, generally located at reception, and will be distributed equally amongst all the staff at a later stage.
  
• Porters – around US$ 2 per room delivered to.
  
• Waiters – a tip of 10% to 15 % of the entire bill is customary, depending on the quality of the service.
  
• In accommodation establishments where meals are generally included in a package, a tip is not necessary with the meal, but any tip you wish to leave should be put in the general ‘staff tip box’ at reception on departure.
  
• Car guards - the presence of a car guard deters vehicle related crime. The car guard may also fill up an empty parking meter if a parking inspector approaches. Tip car guards US$ 1. If the meter is re-filled, reimburse the car guard the amount put in the meter and tip US$ 2.
  
• Petrol pump attendants - a tip of US$ 1 may be given, depending on the quality of the service. It is NOT customary to tip for re-fuelling only.
  
• Officials and public servants - never tip or attempt to bribe an official or public servant. Report any requests for bribes and note that bribery is punishable by imprisonment.

We have put together curated Spotify playlists for you to enjoy during your trip to Africa, full of local talent and new sounds to discover!

• Sounds of Africa is the soundtrack to your African adventure; full of local artists and beats to discover!
  
• Open Road is what road trips were made for!
  
• Summer Chill is perfect for enjoying the sunshine.

Upon arrival at Walvis Bay International Airport, you will be met by a representative. You will then be transferred by road to Swakopmund and to your accommodation, where you will spend the next two nights.

Booked by Scenset

This evening, you have a dinner reservation for two at The Tug Restaurant, a Swakopmund favorite serving locally-sourced seafood and produce.

Date: March 9th
Time: Evening
Booking Confirmation: will be provided
Address: A.Schad Promenade, Molen Road | Jetty Area, Swakopmund
Phone: will be provided

The restaurant is a short drive or walk from the hotel. Transportation is to be arranged independently. Please pay direct at restaurant.

Booked by Scenset

Strand Hotel
Standard Room

Inclusions: Daily breakfast
Confirmation Number: will be provided

Booked by a guest

Start your day on an exhilarating boat cruise, you get to meet the popular pelicans and sassy seagulls joining you on board. A friendly seal or two might pop by on the boat, and if you are really lucky, you will get to experience the wonder of dolphins swimming along in the blue ocean waters. With many surprises along the way, your experienced crew will share interesting information and anecdotes about the area.

Reaching the uninhabited Pelican Point peninsula, you will disembark direct onto the beach, where a beautiful Beach Braai (barbeque) set-up awaits. With delicious food (including Namibian crayfish, fresh oysters and beef fillet) and breath-taking setting, you get to experience true Namibian hospitality and brilliant beach vibes with friends and family.

Next, you'll head from the beach to ancient, ageless sand dunes! Your experienced guides and specialized 4x4’s will now take you on an expedition experience for the afternoon! Impossible to describe, we can only share from decades of experience – Sandwich Harbour and the Namib Sand Sea (now a UNESCO world heritage site) will take your breath away and a permanent place in your memories.

You will be transferred back to your hotel at the end of the day.

Meeting Point: Hotel lobby
Meeting Time: Morning
Start Time: Late Morning
Duration: Approximately 9 hours

If you have any issues or questions for the guide, you may call the tour operator's office at +264 64 205 511.

Booked by Scenset

This evening, you have a dinner reservation for two at Brewer + Butcher, a cozy establishment right at the Strand Hotel with their own beers and high quality meat on offer.

Date: March 10th
Time: Early evening
Booking Confirmation: will be provided
Address: On-property at the Strand Hotel
Phone: will be provided

Please pay direct at restaurant.

Booked by Scenset

Strand Hotel
Standard Room

Inclusions: Daily breakfast
Confirmation Number: will be provided

Booked by a guest

Head out with your guide to the desert dunes for an epic sandboarding experience!

No prior experience is required for this activity; however, previous boarding experience and a good sense of balance is a bonus. The boards you will use for this are snowboards with soft boots and bindings. Snowboards with Formica bases are available for experienced boarders. The experienced snowboarder must bear in mind that snowboarding and sandboarding are two entirely different sports, so they will need to adjust their stance and technique from snow to sand. Then after a ride or two, it feels just like boarding in very thick powder.

Sandboarding is also excellent for inexperienced boarders. The sand is softer than snow and a bit slower than snow, so it gives the boarder a chance to get their balance on the board. The experienced instructors will teach them balance techniques first and when balance is achieved, they will start working on turn techniques. By the end of the morning the beginner sand boarder will feel confident with their riding and their equipment and can take their newly learned skills to the dunes. Professional sandboarding instructors are always on the dune with the boarders.

If you are doing stand up boarding, you will be kitted up with helmets, snowboard boots and snowboards. You'll climb the dune which is about 100 metres high (the walk takes about 10-12 minutes). You'll then be given instruction or advice depending on your experience level. You are then boarding for about 2 hours. Most people do an average of 6 rides (4 stand up runs and 2 lie down runs.)

Meeting Point: Hotel lobby
Start Time: Morning
Duration: 4 hours

If you have any issues or questions for the guide, you may call the tour operator's office at will be provided.

Booked by Scenset

At Swakopmund Airport you will meet your pilot and board your private charter flight to the Sossusvlei area. You take to the air heading in a southerly direction along the Diamond Coast before heading inland to the Namib Desert – this flight (weather permitting) allows bird’s eye view over the salt pans, Sandwich Harbour, shipwrecks, abandoned mining camps and dune sea before landing at the airstrip.

Scheduled Departure Time: Afternoon

Booked by Scenset

Upon landing at the local airstrip, you will be met by a local representative who will transfer you to Little Kulala. The following days will be spent exploring the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert with your local lodge guides. This afternoon you have the option to explore the surrounding area with a lodge guide, perhaps on foot, ending with sundowners overlooking the vast desert plains.

Booked by Scenset

Little Kulala Lodge
Double Room

Inclusions: All meals, shared scheduled sundowner drive and selected local drinks included.
Confirmation Number: will be provided

Booked by scenset

It’s an early start this morning as you embark on a memorable balloon flight over the Namib Desert (weather permitting & timing will be reconfirmed to you the day prior). You will be transferred to the launch site, which is about 45 minutes’ drive from the lodge depending on the launch site for that day.

After a spectacular launch and take-off as the sun rises over the world’s oldest desert, your flight takes you over desert landscapes with views of the vast sand sea, gravel plains and breath-taking mountain scenery. After an unforgettable hour soaring over the desert, a delicious continental brunch awaits, complete with sparkling wine, before you head back to your accommodation or continue onwards to your next destination.

Please note that balloon flights are completely weather dependent and weather conditions can be of such a nature that flying is not possible. Departure timing and number of guests per flight is up to the pilots' discretion and can be altered at a moment's notice.

If you have any issues or questions for the guide, you may call the tour operator's office at +264 81 304 2205.

Booked by Scenset

Little Kulala Lodge
Double Room

Inclusions: All meals, shared scheduled sundowner drive and selected local drinks included.
Confirmation Number: will be provided

Booked by scenset

Board your private charter with Desert Air in a C210 aircraft and head back to Windhoek - Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH). The flight is scheduled to depart in the morning.

Booked by Scenset

Scenset invests in making the world a better place. Scenset will offset the fuel used during the trip. On top of that, an extra 10% will be offset to make the trip a carbon-positive experience.

Currently, support is provided for Gold Standard Climate+ Projects from the Gold Standard Foundation.