We've selected six of the best wildlife areas and exclusive tented camps and lodges in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. Choose two or more and create the safari of your dreams!

The Skeleton Coast Park is one of the planet's most hauntingly beautiful places. Wild, desolate, and undeveloped, it has everything from roaring sand dunes and windswept plains to towering canyons and salt pans. This is a rare opportunity to explore the little-visited northern sections of the park that are off limits to the general public—a very rugged area with limited access. While here you'll spend most of the day out in the wild, with a picnic lunch, and return to camp in the late afternoon. You'll also have a chance to visit with the Himba , who are celebrated for their traditional way of life. "Base camp" is Skeleton Coast Camp, featuring six luxury tented rooms with en suite bathrooms.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the beautiful and rarely traveled northern section of Skeleton Coast National Park: discover unusual wildlife and rare plants, visit with the Himba nomads

Other "Build Your Own" Private Adventures:

• South Africa: Cape Town: Between Mountain & Ocean Private Adventure
• South Africa: Kruger National Park, "Big Five" Heaven!" Private Adventure
• Botswana: The Kalahari Desert Private Adventure
• Botswana: Okavango & Linyanti Flying Safari Private Adventure
• Namibia: Exploring the Sand Dunes of Sossusvlei Private Adventure
• Zambia: Kafue National Park Private Adventure
• Mozambique: Bazaruto Archipelago Private Adventure
• Malawi: Lake Malawi Private Adventure

• Overview: "Build Your Own Southern Africa Dream Trip!"

DAY 1 ~ Windhoek – Skeleton Coast

From Windhoek, take a morning flight northwest to the remote and rugged Skeleton Coast, a strange landscape of sand dunes, gravel plains, and fog-bound, treacherous coastline. You will be met upon arrival at the airstrip and transferred to Skeleton Coast Camp, set in a private area of about 600,000 acres of Skeleton Coast Park and about 12 miles inland from the coast. The camp features six luxury "Meru-style" tents that are large and roomy, and an open-air dining area under an ancient leadwood tree. It's a comfortable base from which to explore this incredible and diverse corner of the world. Activities include all-day safaris, game and nature drives, birding, and guided walks.

Lunch, Dinner…Skeleton Coast Camp

DAYS 2-3

You'll spend the next few days exploring Skeleton Coast Park on foot or by vehicle. The arid desert environment in the Skeleton Coast is within the northern reaches of the Namib Desert. The cold Benguela Current travels from Antarctica and brings plankton-rich waters to this coastline, along with massive amounts of fish. The current also helps to moderate temperatures. The cool air off the ocean meets the hotter desert air, and nearly every morning in winter, a cool mist envelops the coastline, bringing life sustaining moisture to the desert. (By about 9 or 10 a.m. this mist is burned off by the rays of the sun.)

Freshwater springs permeate the barren sands to create rare desert oases that sustain pockets of wildlife. Springbok, gemsbok (oryx), the rare desert elephant, ostrich, Cape fur seals, jackal, and brown hyena—even cheetah on rare occasions—carve out an existence in this rugged terrain, along with vegetation like the ancient Welwitschia that has adapted to the harsh conditions.

Though there are many regions in the Skeleton Coast, we'll visit the most isolated, beautiful, remote, and private northern sector of the park—just north of Mowe Bay to just south of the Kunene River. While here we'll spend most of the day out in the wild, with a picnic lunch, and return to camp in the late afternoon. We travel in 4x4 Land Rovers with pop-top roofs and cover an extraordinary variety of terrain. Nature drives may include visits to the clay "castles" of the Hoarusib River, deposited here around 35,000 years ago; Rocky Point on the coast, where seals frolic offshore and dolphins swim close by; the roaring dunes; lichen fields; and possibly a shipwreck site. We may also have a chance to do some walking—due to the pristine nature of the area, many parts are accessible only on foot, and we'll be able to search out many specially adapted species of plants like lithops and welwitschia.

While in the extreme northern section of the Skeleton Coast, we will also have a chance to visit with the Himba nomads (the bare-breasted, ochre-daubed women you may have seen in photos). The Himba are celebrated for their traditional way of life, which revolves around their cattle, symbols of wealth and status. Many still wear traditional dress: animal-skin aprons or skirts and jewelry that includes coiled leather necklaces, copper bangles, and beaded anklets. The women also sport elaborate braided hairdos. The Himba migrated into the area from central Africa and tend their stock in these thirstlands.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner each day…Skeleton Coast Camp

DAY 4 (or 5) ~ Depart

Transfer to the airstrip and fly back to Windhoek.

Breakfast...

Stay a Little Longer

You may wish to combine this trip with one of our regular group departures in Africa, or other individual travel on your own. Please call us for the details.

Air Travel

Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we recommend you contact the airlines directly, either by phone or the Internet. In addition, many travelers elect to use their "frequent flyer" miles when traveling with us. But please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets, so we may verify your arrival and departure schedule.

Activity Level

Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and intellectually involved, and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. These trips are all relatively easy in nature, and all the activities are optional.

If you are not optimally conditioned, we recommend that you start a training program at least three months before departure, gradually increasing the intensity and duration. If your health is questionable or your physical stamina is limited, please discuss other trip options with us.

Your Guide

Each camp is staffed by local resident guides who possess an intimate knowledge of the region and the specific area. Their close familiarity with the wildlife, geography, history, and traditions are the key to a superb, informative experience—one you just can't get on your own. In their friendly company, you will truly learn, enjoy, and share their passion for the country they call home. You'll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

What's Included

• air transfers between Windhoek and Skeleton Coast Camp
• transfers to/from airstrip and Skeleton Coast Camp
• accommodations at Skeleton Coast Camp
• services of camp guides and staff
• ground transportation
• game drives and activities as noted in the itinerary
• park entrance fees
• basic medical and evacuation insurance

What's Not

International airfare to Windhoek and return; optional tips to camp guides and staff; insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance); excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); cost of medical immunizations; visas; and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls, etc.).

Payment & Cancellation Policy

(This differs from regular Mountain Travel Sobek trips.)

I. Payment
At time of reservation: $800 or 25% of Land Cost, whichever is greater
120 days prior to departure: 25% of Land Cost
90 days prior to departure: Balance of Land Cost

II. Cancellation
If written notice of cancellation is received:
Cancellation Fee will be:
From time of reservation until
90 days prior to departure $800 or 25% of Land Cost, whichever is greater
89 to 60 days prior to departure 50% of Land Cost
59 days or fewer prior to departure 100% of Land Cost

Note on Itinerary

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to custom tours.

Although we will do our best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change. Please read the Limitation of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form. You can find all this information on our website.

Limitation of Liability

“Mountain Travel Sobek” is defined to include its owners, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives and affiliates (collectively “Mountain Travel”). Except for the Alaska Discovery Inn, some small craft and some vans in Alaska, Mountain Travel does not own or operate any entity that provides goods or services for your trip including, for example, ownership or control over hotels or other lodging facilities, airline, vessel, bus, van or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Mountain Travel is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any other third party. Without limitation, Mountain Travel Sobek is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely, dangers associated with animals, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, bicycling, rock climbing, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of, access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Mountain Travel. In addition, participants release Mountain Travel from its own negligence and assume all risk thereof. On advancement of deposit to Mountain Travel, the depositor therefore agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. These are partial conditions. Your participation is contingent on your signature on the full list of terms specified in the four-page Participant Information Form, which you can find on our website (or call us at 1-888-687-6235 and request a copy).

Arbitration

Any dispute concerning, relating or referring to these Terms and Conditions, to any literature concerning this trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in San Francisco, California, according to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive California law without regard to the California Arbitration Act.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. Specific information on payment and cancellation policies is also contained within this document, as well as in our current catalog and on our website. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you have any questions.

Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure

Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.

References

Don't take our word for how great our trips are. We'll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers. Just give us a call at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235).

Questions?

Feel free to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you still have any questions or concerns. We're here to help you.

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.

Note on Services

We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek.

Ready to go? Signing up is easy!

Just call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) or make a reservation request online. Immediately after we receive your deposit, we will request your preferred dates. Upon confirmation (usually within four business days), we will send you a packet with all the information you need to get ready for your trip, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, and other details.

Approximately 30 days before your departure, we'll send you detailed, step-by-step instructions, with emergency contact numbers, a detailed map, and other important information. Upon arrival at your destination, you will be met by your in-country host who will help orient you and describe what to expect in the week to come.