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Extension: Namibias Etosha National Park

Program Number: 19836RJ
Start and End Dates:
2/17/2013 - 2/22/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Namibia
Price starting at: $2,470.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Natural History
Meals: 13; 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Discover Namibia's greatest national park, Etosha, and the diversity of wildlife residents in this protected area. Learn about animal behavior and the unique adaptations that plants and animals have made in order to live in this arid region, and look at the conservation issues facing Namibia today. This extension program provides a fascinating contrast to the wildlife reserves visited during the main program "African Safari: a Close-up on Wildlife" (#13938).




Highlights

Explore Etosha National Park, one of the world's best game viewing areas, home to hundreds of bird and animal species including the Big Five (lion, leopard, cape buffalo, elephant, rhino).
Examine current conservation issues in Namibia and discover the unique desert adaptations of the local plants and animals.
During game drives in the park, witness hundreds of colorful bird species that flock to Etosha in the summer.



Activity Particulars

Bumpy and dusty game drives in open-air safari vehicle that requires stamina, flexibility and stability getting in and out.



This program may only be taken as an extension to program #13938, "African Safari: a Close-up on Wildlife." Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary if you plan on booking your own flights for correct arrival and departure dates.



Itinerary Summary

Overnight flight to Johannesburg (South Africa), 1 night; flight to Windhoek (Namibia), 1 night; coach to Etosha National Park, 3 nights; flight to Johannesburg for start of program #13938.



Overnight flight to Johannesburg (South Africa)
1 night
Flight to Windhoek (Namibia)
1 night
Coach to Etosha National Park (Namibia)
3 nights
Flight to Johannesburg for start of program #13938

During an expert-led exploration of Windhoek, discover Namibias colonial history and how that has shaped the country today. On game drives within Etosha National Park, view rhino, elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, oryx, springbok, red hartebeest and giraffe while local specialists give insight into animal behavior. Further educational study exposes the adaptations local flora and fauna have made for living in the desert and examines Namibias conservation efforts.
Lodging: modern lodges with spectacular views.




Namibia

Etosha, the Great White Place of Dry Water, is one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries, encompassing 8,850 square miles of African wilderness that is home to 114 mammal and 340 bird species. Wildlife is easy to see in the mostly open landscape that consists of a series of saltpans, dwarf shrubs, open grassland and mopane savannah.
Accommodations
Johannesburg: Tuscan-themed hotel with lake view. Windhoek: Boutique hotel with personalized service. Etosha National Park: Luxury safari camp with spacious bungalows.
Meals and Lodgings
   The Elegant Guesthouse
  Windhoek, Namibia 1 night
   Etosha Safari Camp
  Etosha National Park, Namibia 3 nights
   Courtyard Hotel Eastgate
  Johannesburg, South Africa 1 night
 The Elegant Guesthouse
Type: Bed and Breakfast
  Description: Located in the trendy suburb of Klein, Windhoek and near the city center, the aptly named Elegant Guesthouse features contemporary styling alongside natural stone and other distinctive African touches. This boutique hotel prides itself on personalized service and warm hospitality. Guests are treated to fabulous breakfasts, fine teas and coffees, and the opportunity to relax in a peaceful setting surrounded by the capital citys urban charms.
  Contact info: Corner of von Eckenbrecher and Ziegler Street
Klein
Windhoek,   Namibia
phone: +264 61 301934
web: www.the-elegant-collection.com/
  Room amenities: The six luxurious double rooms have en-suite bathrooms and are equipped with a TV, telephone, safe and air conditioning.
  Facility amenities: Twenty-four hour wireless internet access is free of charge: simply obtain the password for your wireless device at the reception area. Coffee and tea, available throughout the day, are also complimentary. A generous, healthy breakfast buffet is included. An electrical gate ensures complete security and privacy, and a beautiful garden with swimming pool offers an oasis of calm amid the urban environment. The comfortable lounge has TV, DVD and a library. Laundry service is available.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: Call Program Provider Call Program Provider for current price, toll-free 888-596-6377

 Etosha Safari Camp
Type: Lodge
  Description: Etosha Safari Camp, situated on a small hillock near the southern entrance of Etosha National Park, provides a comfortable base from which to explore the park. All of the 50 chalets are nestled amongst the mopane trees, and the verandas provide an inviting place to relax with views over the surrounding bush. Each chalet boasts artistically painted floors and furniture created by local craftsmen, as well as air conditioning, mosquito nets and a spacious, private bathroom. The main lodge area, which comprises the restaurant and bar, is styled as a traditional shabeen, or typical township bar, and brims with African joie de vivre.
  Contact info: N/A
Etosha National Park,   Namibia
phone: +264061230066
web: www.gondwana-collection.com/?id=69
  Room amenities: Each bungalow is equipped with air conditioning, mosquito nets and spacious bathrooms with running water, as well as a private verandah overlooking the surrounding bush.
  Facility amenities: Facility amenities include: a swimming pool, main restaurant and bar area, laundry facilities and a series of walking trails. There is no wireless availability at Etosha Safari Camp.
  Smoking allowed: Yes

 Courtyard Hotel Eastgate
Type: Hotel
  Description: The Courtyard Hotel, a beautifully appointed, Tuscan-themed hotel, is located on a small lake only 15 minutes from the Johannesburg International Airport in a very secure area. All studio suites have private, attached bathrooms, and either twin or double beds.
  Contact info: 9 Zulberg Close, Off Ernest Oppenheimer Road,
Bruma Lake
Johannesburg,  2100 South Africa
phone: +27 -(0)11-622-8436
web: www.citylodge.co.za/cy2.php
  Room amenities: Large rooms include full bathrooms, seating/office area, television, patios overlooking the lake as well as coffee/tea making facilities, telephone, radio, hair dryer, TV, AC/heat, safe, fan, safe/lock box, and electrical outlets. Refrigerator, ironing board, and iron are available on request.
  Facility amenities: Amenities include a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, pool (not heated), restaurant serving continental meals, bar, room service, and US currency exchange. Hotel staff can provide laundry service during week-days; guests can also do their laundry for a nominal fee. Guests can get 15 minutes wireless free per day on each of their personal wireless devices. After the 15 minute deal guests can purchase a voucher from the front desk or via credit card on the web link. The purchase will generate a username and password to be entered on screen by the guest. Alternatively, a PC computer and printer is available at the guest office but the 15 minute free wi-fi deal does not apply. The voucher prices vary by time: in summer 2012 30 minutes of wireless costs 30 South African Rand, 1 hour is 50 South African Rand, 2 hours is 90 South African Rand, 4 hours is 145 Rand, and 1 day is 195 Rand.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights after: Contact Program Provider Please phone EXPLORE, Inc. at 888-596-6377 for more information.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Program begins with the flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to Windhoek, Namibia departing at 12:00pm You will be staying at The Elegant Guesthouse that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at 5:00pm in Johannesburg, following arrival of flight from Windhoek; extension group is met at the Johannesburg airport and transferred to hotel for start of main program #13938. You will be staying at Courtyard Hotel Eastgate the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. US passport holders need a minimum of six blank visa pages (not amendment/endorsement pages at back) given the amount of entries and exits for programs #19836 and #13938. No visa necessary for South Africa or Namibia. Signed liability waiver required for participation.
  Parking availability:
No parking is needed.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
To Start of Program
  Location:  Windhoek
  Nearest airport:  Windhoek, Namibia
  Transportation to site: The first flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek is included in the extension program cost, so the group arrives in Windhoek on the same flight. The arrival transfer to the guesthouse is provided in a hired coach. If you wish to arrive in Windhoek earlier than the group, taxis are available (although not recommended for safety reasons) or a private airport transfer can be arranged. Approximate transfer time to the lodge is 15 minutes, and the price for the private transfer is $52 for one person or $35 per person for two or more people.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Johannesburg
  Nearest city or town:  Johannesburg
  Nearest highway: R21
  Nearest airport:  Johannesburg International Airport
  Transportation from site: Group transfer from the last location in Etosha National Park to the Windhoek airport included for everyone. The flight from Windhoek to Johannesburg is also included in the extension program price. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, the extension group is met at the airport and transferred to the hotel for the start of program #13938, African Safari: a Close-up on Wildlife (transfer included for everyone).
Elevation Note: Windhoek is approximately 5500 feet and Etosha N.P. is approximately 3800 feet in elevation.

Equipment Requirements: Suggested equipment: binoculars, camera, flashlight.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Departures
(Sunday, February 17)
   
 Morning: Late morning departure from New York-JFK on an overnight flight to Johannesburg. Other departure cities are available, but may require an overnight stay in Johannesburg due to flight arrival times.

Day 2: Arrival / Windhoek
(Monday, February 18)
   
 Morning: Morning arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa, where you then connect to a commercial flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek, Namibia.
 Afternoon: Mid-afternoon arrival in Windhoek where you clear customs and are met for a transfer to the guesthouse, located in a quiet suburb of Windhoek. After settling in to your rooms, your group leader leads a short orientation walk around town; alternately, you may choose to relax by the pool and recuperate from the long travel you've just finished. Your local group leader gives an orientation and group introduction session prior to dinner.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: The Elegant Guesthouse
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Windhoek City Tour / Drive to Etosha National Park
(Tuesday, February 19)
   
 Breakfast: At the lodge.
 Morning: After breakfast you take a short city tour of Windhoek before starting the six hour drive to Etosha National Park.
 Lunch: Packed lunch provided.
 Afternoon: Late afternoon arrival at the lodge where you settle into your rooms before your group leader gives an overview of Namibia including its history, politics, local peoples, etc. If time allows, a short excursion into Etosha National Park is done in the coach to explore a bit of the park and to see what wildlife can be found.
 Dinner: At the lodge.
   
Accommodations: Etosha Safari Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Desert Adaptations of Plants and Animals
(Wednesday, February 20)
   
 Breakfast: At the lodge.
 Morning: Embark on an all-day field trip into Etosha National Park. Etosha is well-known for its diversity of wildlife; within Etosha, 114 mammal species including rhino, elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, oryx, springbok, red hartebeest and giraffe can be found. Birds are also plentiful with over 340 species recorded. Visit some of the best waterholes within the park where you have a chance for up-close viewing of the park's plentiful wildlife. Your local guides give insight into the flora and fauna seen.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch eaten within the park.
 Afternoon: Your game drive within the park continues. Your group leader gives a lecture on the unique adaptations of desert animals and plants. Arrive back at the lodge in the early evening and have time to freshen up before dinner.
 Dinner: At the lodge.
   
Accommodations: Etosha Safari Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Conservation Issues in Namibia
(Thursday, February 21)
   
 Breakfast: At the lodge.
 Morning: Embark on an early morning game drive within the park searching for animals not seen yesterday. Return to the lodge in the late morning.
 Lunch: At the lodge.
 Afternoon: For those who wish, a field trip into the park is offered, searching for animals that may have eluded you so far. Alternately, you may choose to relax by the lodges pool and take in the desert scenery. Your group leader gives a lecture on the conservation issues facing Namibia and its national parks.
 Dinner: At the lodge.
   
Accommodations: Etosha Safari Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Fly to Johannesburg / Start of Program #13938
(Friday, February 22)
   
 Breakfast: At the lodge.
 Morning: Early morning departure for the ground transfer back to Windhoek and the airport.
 Lunch: Packed lunch provided.
 Afternoon: Arrive at the airport and check-in for the mid-afternoon commercial flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you clear customs and are met for the transfer to the hotel where you meet up with the rest of the group for the start of Road Scholar program #13938, "African Safari: a Close-up on Wildlife."
 Dinner: At the hotel.
 Evening: Orientation session and group introductions for program #13938.
   
Accommodations: Courtyard Hotel Eastgate
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Windhoek Alte Feste
Built as Windhoeks fort in 1890, the Alte Feste is now a museum displaying Namibian historical artifacts and documents. On Saturdays, the museum is open 10 a.m.12:45 p.m. and 36 p.m. There is an entrance fee.
  National Gallery
The National Gallery houses a permanent collection of significant Namibian artists and exhibitions by local and international artists are a regular occurrence. Entry is free. On Saturdays, the museum is open 9 a.m.5 p.m.
  Self-guided Visit of Windhoek
Take a self-guided walk around the center of Windhoek. The downtown area has a museum, numerous shops and galleries, craft market and a fountain made out of 33 meteorites. Estimated walking time is 2530 minutes, without stops.
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Adventuring in Southern Afica


Author: Allen Bechky


Description: This comprehensive guide to game parks throughout Southern Africa includes an overview of the region, tips on watching wildlife and good descriptive information on each park or nature reserve.



Cry of the Kalahari


Author: Mark Owens, Delia Owens


Description: A thoroughly readable version of Born Free, set in Botswana (and just as weepy about the animals). This is the book that got the Owens family thrown out of Botswana, in part because of their opposition to fencing the land.



Exploration of Africa, From Cairo to the Cape


Author: Ann Hugon


Description: This jewel of a book chronicles 19th century exploration of Africa with hundreds of contemporary paintings and prints, brief chapters on the expeditions and a very useful chronology.



Lost World of the Kalahari


Author: Laurens van der Post


Description: Originally published in 1958, this poetic book is the story of a quest to find the San people in the desert. It has become a classic romanticized tale of an encounter between a literate European and a noble savage.



Newmans Birds of Southern Africa


Author: Kenneth Newman


Description: This classic field guide features hundreds of color plates, a comprehensive checklist and information on habitat and distribution.



Running Wild


Author: John McNutt


Description: An authoritative, illustrated account of the behavior, ecology and conservation of wild dogs. Author John mcnutt is a founder of the Botswana Wild Dog Research Project.



Silent Thunder, In the Presence of Elephants


Author: Katy Payne


Description: In this memoir, Katy Payne relates stories of research, discovery and conservation in Africa. An acoustic biologist, Payne has worked on communication among elephant populations at Amboseli National Park, Etosha and Sengwa.



Southern Africa Wildlife, A Visitor's Guide


Author: Mike Unwin


Description: A popular, photographic guide to the mammals, birds, reptiles and habitats south of the Zambezi. With 300 color photographs and illuminating text.



Southern, Central, and East African Mammals


Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart


Description: A compact guide to 152 mammals.



The Eye of the Elephant


Author: Mark Owens, Delia Owens


Description: Mark and Delia Owens, having set up camp in the Luangwa River Valley in northern Zambia among the elephants, are drawn into an ugly struggle with the local people.



The Harmless People


Author: Elizabeth Marshall Thomas


Description: A classic study of the Bushmen of the Kalahari. Its an account of the authors fieldwork, strong on the character of the people.



The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals


Author: Jonathan Kingdon


Description: The most complete African mammal guide available.



The Myth of Wild Africa


Author: Jonathan Adams, Thomas McShane


Description: A no-holds-barred attack on old-style conservation in Africa, provocative and dead-on. The authors explore the fallacy of an untouched continent where animals roam freely in sanctuaries.



The Safari Companion


Author: Richard Estes


Description: An encyclopedic guide to the behavior of Africas mammals by a noted scientist.



The Scramble for Africa


Author: Thomas Pakenham


Description: A well-written, meticulously researched history of the Victorian land grab in Africa. The book includes especially good portraits of the egomaniacal personalities who overran the continent.





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