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Namibia: diverse landscapes; friendly people
DETAILS WHAT: FAM TO NAMIBIA WHEN: NOVEMBER 2-12 2014 WHO: LUXURY TOUR OPERATOR, AFRICA & BEYOND WHY: TO DISCOVER THE DIVERSE LANDSCAPES AND LUXURY PRODUCT
THE HOSTS Africa & Beyond hosted a nine-day fam trip to Namibia, accompanying eight agents on a whirlwind tour that saw them stay in top-end guesthouses, lodges and camps.
THE HIGHLIGHTS The group started out in Namibia's capital, Windhoek, staying at The Olive Exclusive, an all-suite hotel where each room refl ects a different region of Namibia. They dined at the quirky Joe’s Beer House, where zebra, crocodile, oryx and ostrich were all on the menu. The iconic sights of Sossusvlei and its famous sand dunes were
taken in during a spectacular hot-air balloon fl ight and a night sleeping out under the stars. Kulala Desert Lodge, where the agents stayed, also offers game drives, quad biking and horse riding. On the coast, the group got to
explore the Bavarian-infl uenced town of Swakopmund, and saw the fl amingos and pelicans of Walvis Bay. A scenic fl ight took in the dramatic shipwreck-laden Skeleton Coast and fl ew over the massive Cape Cross seal colony. Back inland, the agents spent two nights in the wilderness of the Huab River Valley in the adobe thatched huts of Damaraland Camp.
Desert-adapted wildlife in the area includes elephant and giraffe. En route to the last stop, the itinerary took in Namibia's top wildlife sanctuary, Etosha National Park, where rhino and lion sightings provided the highlights. The last stop was Ongava Tented Camp, in the Ongava Game Reserve.
WHAT THEY LEARNT Diversity was the buzz word from the agents: "Namibia has miles and miles of changing scenery," said Janet Colson, Symphony World Travel. " From sand dunes, to mountains, boulders and beaches."
africa-and-beyond.co.uk
“If you have done the usual safari locations and are looking for something friendly and fi lled with game and views then Namibia offers it all – from the barren desert in Sossusvlei to the greenery and abundance of life up in Etosha.” Mark Brewer, Imp Travel
What they said...
“Namibia was stunning! The wildlife was abundant, the roads empty and the people very friendly. It’s full of impressive landscapes, such as spectacular sand dunes.” Allison Bruce, Westway Travel
"Namibia is a fantastic destination for those clients who have already experienced a safari in South Africa, Kenya or Botswana and are looking for exploration and some genuine adventure experiences." Jacqueline Steadman, TravelTime World
“South Africa gets better every time”
When Bob Mortimore of Ultimate Destinations voted in our Travel Agents Choice Awards last year he probably didn't think that a year on he would be enjoying the trip of a lifetime to South Africa, enjoying his prize of a four-night stay at the Shamwari Game Reserve.
TRIP OF A LIFETIME Bob decided to make a proper trip of it and put together an itinerary that also took in Cape Town and Stellenbosch as well as Shamwari's Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. Said Bob: "Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is just a three-hour drive from Cape Town, set in
5,4000 hectares of vast open plains and undulating rugged mountains. The reserve boasts an impressive display of indigenous fl ora and fauna as well as rock formations featuring ancient art. "During our four days we had the most amazing game drives, thanks to our alert ranger! On one day we saw 11 cheetahs, and on another, a line of a dozen elephants cutting through the landscape with the babies cocooned in the middle of the herd. We also saw rhinos, hippos, lions, buffalos, zebra, giraffes, elands, hyenas, springboks, wildebeest, kudus and baboons. "The reserve provides three very different types of fi ve-star
accommodation to suit everyone: the relaxed but luxurious Tilney Manor, with its cosy Cape Georgian decor, spacious suites, fi replaces and spa; the family-friendly Gondwana Lodge, which resembles a typical thatched Karoo homestead with a bright Scandinavian interior and fun creches for the kids; and the Dwyka Tented Lodge, on a bend of the dry Karoo ravine and surrounded by an awe-inspiring rock formation." South Africa is safe, easy to get around, the people are lovely and the costs reasonable. It's a wonderful place for a holiday!"
shamwari.com
sellingtravel.co.uk
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