A special kind of ecotourism. Special because our programs are not packaged tours where the visitor simply joins a pre-existing group - your host deals with you on a one-on-one basis. You are invited to state your special interests and preferences. These programs are generally  fully customizable.

Also special because you communicate with your host directly via e-mail - before the trip takes place. On arrival, you are met by your host, personally.

When: Anytime, though December/January can become unbearably hot.

Length of Tour: Depends on the guest(s), but due to the changes in airline schedules, a minimum of eight days are recommended. The sample itinerary is a comfortable 10-day proposal, allowing 8 full days on safari, and 2 days for arrival & departure.

Number of guests: From one to a maximum of six, but four is an ideal group size.

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BACKGROUND NOTES:

• Weather – The most important aspect of Namibian weather is that we only have two seasons - winter and summer. Both autumn/fall and spring are not noticeable at all. The summer months are regarded as from October to March, while winter starts at the beginning of April through September. The hottest time throughout Namibia occurs over the December/January holiday seasons, while the coldest varies from year to year. Sometimes from May to July, other times from June to August. Short, but very cold spells are not uncommon during October. In general, the most pleasant, and moderate weather conditions will normally be experienced from mid-March to mid-July, and then again during September/October. Although excellent weather can be enjoyed throughout the Winter months, where only nights and early mornings can be regarded as cold, from 09:00 AM, days are beautiful, moderate and pleasant.

• Routes and accommodation – None of the daily distances are uncomfortably long on this proposal, and where possible, two nights per venue were included, allowing more time for inter-action with the Bushman. At the same time, one venue is used expressly as an overnight stop to shorten distance, while another venue will be three nights to enable very close contact with the Ju/Hoansi Bushman – including a night camping out in the Kalahari as their guests.

• The Kalahari – The moods of the Kalahari desert, its unusual orange/red, linear sand dunes, or its gratitude towards each drop of rain, can only truly be appreciated by the vegetation, creatures and human life dependent on the desert for sustenance, protection and survival – those who call the Kalahari their home. We are only visitors, onlookers who will experience something new with each successive visit, a different story heard from every individual visitor. Why? Because the Kalahari gives to each what he/she came to seek in the first place. The mood of the desert at the time of your visit can never be predicted, ordered or altered – nor can the weather.

• The Bushman – The oldest human inhabitants of Africa, whether in the Kalahari desert section of Namibia, South Africa or Botswana, had always experienced an uphill battle, through many, many generations. Not only were they dependent on their skills for survival in such harsh conditions, but also politically and ethnically they never had a chance. Still, the remaining few small bands or family groups are a friendly, constant smiling people, regardless of their clan. A People who does not even have the word “war” anywhere in their vocabulary; who live so close to nature that a Bushman woman cannot conceive when nature predicts a year of drought and famine! Two of the three clans you will meet on this tour is the Naro- and Ju/Hoansi.

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PROPOSED ITINERARY:

This is only an outline, or sample, to illustrate the possibilities. A detailed itinerary will always be supplied, AFTER the necessary e-mail correspondence to establish the guest(s)’ personal interests and preferences.

Day 1: Meet your host at the airport on arrival. Transfer directly to your first Game-/guest farm in the eastern Kalahari. Relax after the long flight and acclimatize to Namibia. End your day with a welcoming song and dance by the local San community.

Day 2: Fresh, and with a hearty breakfast behind you, join a Bushman tracker in the crisp morning air for a guided hike through this part of the Kalahari. During the course of the day, you may also join a local Game drive to acquaint yourself with the wildlife of the desert.

Day 3: Travel along the perimeter of the Kalahari towards a guest farm for an overnight stop en-route to your next Bushman meeting – the Ju/Hoansi of Bushmanland.

Day 4: During the latter half of your journey today, being in the vicinity, you might wish to stop over for a visit to the largest, intact Meteorite found on earth to date – the Hoba Meteorite. Arrive at a rustic rest camp by mid- to late afternoon, in time to freshen up and enjoy nature walks on the premises. Here you may encounter from the smallest antelope in Namibia – the Damara Dik-dik – to the largest antelope in the world – the Eland.

Days 5 & 6: Directly after breakfast you transfer into Bushmanland to meet the Ju/Hoansi. Join the men, woman and children on an old traditional hunting- and gathering trip. A bow, arrows, digging stick and collecting skin (which you may buy as a souvenir, if you wish) will be provided, and then see what nature offers you. Take or leave your sleeping bag, but don’t forget to take along at least 5 L of water and a hat!

Day 7: Start your journey back towards Windhoek, but not directly. Stop over at a Bush Camp run by the local, indigenous people. En-route, join a wine tour before a light lunch. (Yes! A winery in the arid Namibia).

Day 8: Entire day in the care and guidance of a San family. The ultimate cultural experience, offered by the people themselves, while you will be accommodated in Bushman-like huts.

Day 9: Unfortunately, all good things must also come to an end, and today you have to return to Windhoek. But not to make the transition from the wilderness to civilization too harsh, you will be accommodated at a Game Lodge en-route to the airport. Should you so wish, you may join a scenic drive for a final view of our sunset on this, your last night in Namibia, Africa.