Wild dogs, Namibia

country:	Namibia
departures:	2008: 30 Aug
price:	From £2700 (13 days) including UK flights, £2100 excluding flights. Price includes accommodation, all meals, ground transportation and excursions, services of local guides

Wildlife holidays

Namibia holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

Search for Africa's most endangered large mammal in this land rich in natural wonders and dramatic scenery. Track the wild dogs with San Bushmen through one of the most remote areas of Namibia. We will spend time with the Wild Dog Project and learn about their work to stop the dramatic decline of these carnivores. Watch for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and more in Etosha, a pristine wildlife reserve.

Search for Africa’s most endangered large mammal in this land rich in natural wonders and dramatic scenery. With its vast plains, burning deserts and red sand dunes, Namibia is unmatched in Africa. Tourism is relatively new here, which has allowed Namibia to remain a place of beauty and tranquillity.

On this unique tour we will spend time with the Wild Dog Project, currently funded by us, and learn about their work to stop the dramatic decline of these carnivores.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	The adventure begins. Arrive at London Gatwick Airport for your evening flight to Windhoek.
Day 2:	Etosha National Park. You will arrive in Windhoek early this morning and met by your local guide. You will then be transferred by road to the Okaukuejo Rest Camp, Etosha, taking about 6 hrs. Etosha is one of the largest national parks in Africa, covering over 20,000 sq kms and providing a sanctuary to large concentrations of wildlife. It is perhaps most renowned for it black rhino population, of which there are around 900, a quarter of the world population of this critically endangered species. The park is also home to important populations of elephant, lion and leopard, as well as the ubiquitous game species such giraffe, springbok, gemsbok and zebra. Okaukuejo Rest Camp is well known for its floodlit waterhole that in August – the dry season – is a haven for wildlife. A few evening hours spent here provides unrivalled game viewing opportunities especially for species such as black rhino, which are often highly elusive. You will spend tonight in the Okaukuejo Rest Camp bungalow.
Day 3:	Okaukuejo - Halali. Today will be a full day of game drives exploring the water holes around the Okaukuejo area. Each waterhole is capable of yielding a surprise – a herd of elephants taking their daily bathe; a pride of lions kicking back after a busy night, or a majestic marshal eagle waiting its turn for a drink. The game drives will end at the Halali Rest Camp, home to another floodlit waterhole and more opportunities for night time wildlife watching. You will spend tonight in the Halali Rest Camp bungalow.
Day 4:	Halali - Namutoni. The final day of game drives exploring Etosha finishing at the Namutoni Rest Camp on the Eastern boundary of the park. This day provides the best opportunities for viewing the salt pan which comprises a large part of Etosha. This evening provides the final opportunity for evening game viewing at the Namutoni waterhole. You will spend tonight in the Namutoni Rest Camp bungalow.
Day 5:	Namutoni - Nyae-Nyae Conservancy. After breakfast you will transfer by road to the Nyae-Nyae Conservancy, which will take about 6 hours. This is home to the Ju/Hoansi Bushmen and the Namibian Wild Dog Project. Namibia has granted control of large areas of the country to community groups under its Communal Conservancy programme. Communities have the rights to benefit from tourism and so have a vested interest in protecting wildlife in these areas. As a result, wildlife in communal conservancy areas of Namibia is increasing rapidly. The Nyae-Nyae Conservancy, at 1 million hectares, is one of the largest in Namibia. Bordering wild parts of Botswana, the region provides a huge expanse of wilderness and is one of only a few areas in Africa that remains undeveloped and large enough to sustain a population of wild dogs. At the camp, the group will meet with Robin Lines, the director of the project. During your time in Nyae-Nyae you will sleep in tents. There are toilet and shower facilities at the camp but please remember you are in the African bush, so they will be more basic than you are used to.
Day 6:	Nyae-Nyae. The first day in Nyae-Nyae offers a rare opportunity to learn from the masters of the African bush. The morning will be spent with the local San Bushmen learning the ancient art of tracking wildlife on foot and surviving in an arid area with only the bush to sustain you. These are skills which are used to this day by the Bushmen and also by wildlife rangers, especially the wild dog project team who track packs of wild dogs across this vast area. After lunch there will be a game drive searching for local wildlife, especially the large bull elephants whose tusks are some of the largest in Africa.
Day 7:	Nyae-Nyae. The big day - searching for wild dogs! Wild dogs roam over vast areas in their search for food so pinning them down and bringing in a group is notoriously difficult. However, you will have a few advantages: firstly, it’s denning season so the dogs tend to stay in one area while the pups grow up; secondly, the wild dog project has radio-collared a number of dogs meaning that the team can radio track the packs. For this purpose, a plane will be used to locate the dogs and the group will be brought into the area by 4x4 – it should prove to be a very exciting day!
Day 8:	Nyae-Nyae. After the rigours of the previous days, today will be more relaxed. There is an optional morning and evening game drive and you can also visit other points of interest in the Nyae-Nyae area including the traditional Bushmen village, the Bushmen art and crafts shop and the giant baobabs.
Day 9:	Nyae-Nyae - Waterberg Plateau Park. After breakfast, it’s goodbye to the wild dog project and Nyae-Nyae and off to Waterberg Plateau Park, which again will take about 6 hours. Waterberg is one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia characterised by a plateau bordered by huge sandstone cliffs. The plateau itself provides sanctuary to black and white rhino and to the rare sable and roan antelope. Your overnight stay will be at the Waterberg Guest farm.
Day 10:	Waterberg – Okonjima. This morning, there will be choice of two activities: a game drive on the plateau or a walk to the top of the cliffs, from which there are incredible views across the plains of Namibia. Mid-morning, you will travel to Okonjima, which takes about 1 hour, home to the Africat Project. Until recently, it was standard procedure for farmers to kill any lions, leopards, cheetah or wild dogs that threatened their livestock. Africat is starting to change attitudes by capturing these predators and relocating them to safe areas. It’s a great project with the added benefit of having many predators to see at their sanctuary. Tonight’s accommodation will be at Okonjima’s main camp, in a comfortable ensuite room.
Day 11:	Okonjima. Today you can enjoy a full day of the activities that are available to you at Okonjima, including game drives and bush walks. Tonight’s accommodation will be at Okonjima’s main camp.
Day 12:	Okonjima - Windhoek. After a relaxed morning at Okonjima, the final leg of the trip takes you back to Windhoek, for your evening flight home.
Day 13:	Farewell. An early morning arrival at Gatwick Airport.

how this holiday makes a difference

In line with our strong beliefs in responsible tourism our trip to Namibia is locally run from start to finish. Guests will stay in local lodges, where they can sample game dishes. There will also be some nights camping at a site where the local bush men and women are employed and paid a fair wage. You can rest assured that a fair price has been paid for all your travel, guides, accommodation and meals.

Wild dog, Wild dogs in Namibia

When searching for wild dogs your guides will be members of Namibian Nature Foundation (NNF), a non-governmental organisation, the primary aim of which is to promote the conservation and wise utilisation of natural resources in Namibia. We have been funding NNF for the last five years for their work on the endangered wild dogs. With the exception of the overheads for our small UK office, all of the money paid for the trip remains in Namibia - with Namibians. At least 15% of the overall cost of the trip goes directly to the Namibian Nature Foundation.

As well as NNF, the tour also supports the world-renowned AfriCat foundation, which conducts vital research into the preservation of Namibia's big cats. Visitors will see first-hand the fascinating work of this respected organisation, which includes sheltering animals and rehabilitating them into the wild. We provide our clients with advice on responsible travel behaviour and keep the group size small to reduce the possibility of any negative impacts on the areas you visit. The leaders are also keen to educate you during your time with them and you will leave knowing more about the wildlife, conservation programmes and way of life in Namibia.

We work towards ensuring a future for endangered species worldwide and believe sustainable practices have a role to play within this. Back in the UK, as part of our environmental policy we operate a recycling, energy-saving and waste reducing programme in our office.

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