Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: schoeman skeleton coast fly safari tour at Cape Town

After your flight from Cape Town to Namibia, dinner and overnight, embark on a four day Fly safari leaving Windhoek early with a flight to Sossusvlei, which is reputed to have the highest sand dunes in the world. From there, following the Skeleton Coast via Conception Bay to the Huab Valley during the first day. The second day continues up the coast as far as the Hoarusib Valley and the third day as far as the Kunene River, being the northern border of Namibia. The safari ends in Walvis Bay on the fourth day with a late afternoon arrival and transfer to the harbor to embark 'Silver Shadow'.

During the course of a safari with the the Schoeman Family, you will experience fascinating bird's-eye views of shipwreck remains along the coast, diverse and ever-changing geological formations and the refuges of desert-dwelling animals such as the endangered black rhino and desert-adapted elephant. As our guest, you are taken on excursions by Land Rover to be introduced to the scenic and ecological aspects of the environment with its wide diversity of flora and fauna.

04MIDCPT-N: Schoeman Skeleton Coast Fly Safari

Duration: 5 Days/4 Nights

Departs from: Cape Town

Re-join ship: Walvis Bay

Reserve: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This Land Adventure is a small group tour, providing bespoke cultural and sightseeing experiences. We limit the tour to a small group in order to ensure your experience is a high-quality one. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. If the program fills up, you'll be accommodated on a space-available basis. Advanced booking is required at least 90 days prior to sailing date via Silversea Reservations. We suggest booking early to secure your spot(s).

Please be advised that a minimum number of participants is required for this program to run as described. In rare cases when the minimum number of participants is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at an increased rate based on private arrangements or to cancel your specific departure for a refund. The self-cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, is 90 days or sooner to initial sailing date at the rate of 100% program fare per person. The payment for your Land Adventure is due in full on the same date as your final payment due for your cruise. Per Silversea's general payment terms, bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner.

All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable within 120 days of sailing, with the exception of cancellation by Silversea. Our family-friendly land programs require adult accompaniment of any guests under the age of 18. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Silversea and our local operators make every effort to ensure your land program runs as described. Our local operators reserve the right to modify tour sequence, sites visited and venues mentioned due to operational reasons.

VISA INFORMATION:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for South Africa and Namibia as visa for US citizens is required. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising. Please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The Namibian dollar is the national currency of Namibia and the South African rand of South Africa.

DAY ONE - 13 April 2023 - Cape Town to Windhoek, Namibia . Overnight Olive Exclusive

On arrival at the Windhoek International Airport, pass through Immigration, collect your baggage clear customs and make your way to the arrivals hall where you will meet the local tour agent. Privately transfer approx. 1 hour to Windhoek and check in to Olive Exclusive Guest House for 1 night. After settling in, enjoy a cocktail and dinner.

Overnight at The Olive Exclusive Guest House

DAY TWO - 14 April 2023 - Start Schoeman Skeleton Coast & Sossusvlei Safari / Kuidas camp

After breakfast at Olive Exclusive, meet your Transfers Driver/Guide in the lobby at 07:00 and privately transfer for about 10-15 minutes to the Eros (domestic) Airport in central Windhoek, to meet your Pilot/Guide and to check in and then board your flight for the start of your Schoeman Namibia Fly Safari. Sossusvlei is reputed to have the highest dunes in the world, and the view of the shadow-lined dunes from the air is spectacularly breathtaking. You land at Sesriem from where you undertake an excursion by vehicle into the dunes. The dunes reach heights of 300m or more and for those inclined and fit enough to climb them, this might pose a challenge. You return to the aircraft and fly along the coast via Conception Bay towards Swakopmund. The flight includes an aerial view of the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck at Conception Bay.

After landing and refueling at Swakopmund, you continue with a low-level flight north along the Skeleton Coast past the seal colony at Cape Cross for a light picnic lunch near the beach. Thereafter you fly east, over the desert, to the Ugab formations-a nearly lifeless 'moon landscape' of numerous black ridges that stand out in stark contrast to the white desert floor-before landing at the Kuidas camp in the Huab River Valley, where you stay for the night. Ancient rock engravings are found amongst the rocks within walking distance of the camp.

Overnight at the Kuidas Camp

DAY THREE - 15 April 2023 - Schoeman Skeleton Coast & Sossusvlei Safari / Leylandsdrift camp

After breakfast, explore the area in a short walk and visit the Bushmen paintings. Afterwards your guide will take you into the Damaraland area to explore the mountains, red lava and yellow sandstone, taking in the various flora and fauna of the area. You will return to camp for lunch and then fly to Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park. En route you will pass over the Montrose and Henrietta shipwrecks, which are only visible during certain tide conditions.

Once at Terrace Bay you can enjoy a walk on the beach with its abundance of pebbles, consisting of agate, lava, granite and others. You will also find the bleached bones of whales, seals and various other species along the beach. You will then be driven deeper into the dunes, where, fog permitting, you will come across some spectacular views. After climbing and sliding down some of the roaring dunes, you will return to the aircraft and fly to the Hoarusib Valley in Kaokoland. You might be able to spot various animals like oryx, giraffe and sometimes even desert-adapted elephant, before landing at Leylandsdrift Camp where you will stay for the night.

Overnight at the Leylandsdrift Camp

DAY FOUR - 16 April 2023 - Schoeman Skeleton Coast & Sossusvlei Safari / Kunene River camp

After breakfast, you will enjoy a scenic drive along the Hoarusib Valley to search for the desert-adapted elephant. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to visit a traditional Himba village, gaining a fascinating insight into their nomadic way of life. They sell crafts and jewellery, and we recommend that you take small notes should you wish to buy anything.

Later you will fly further along the Skeleton Coast then inland over dunes and mountains to the Hartmann Valley. Here you will take a 4x4 vehicle, with your guide, to visit the valley of a thousand dunes, where Namibia borders Angola on the Kunene River, before heading to the Kunene River camp.

Overnight at Kunene River Camp

DAY FIVE - 17 April 2023 - Last Day of Schoeman Safari, ending Walvis Bay, Namibia

After breakfast, head out on early morning boat trip on the Kunene River as it flows through scenic desert landscape, observing bird life and possibly some crocodiles. Birds vary from aquatic species on the perennial waters, to endemic desert varieties and those that inhabit dense riverine vegetation. After lunch at the camp, fly to Walvis Bay Airport and transfer to harbor to embark Silver Shadow.

More about the History of Skeleton Coast Safaris & the Schoeman Family:

Louw Schoeman, an attorney by profession, initially came to know the Skeleton Coast through his clients who were involved in prospecting, and researching the feasibility of a new harbour in the area. Plans for the latter thankfully fell through, by which time Louw knew, and loved, the area very well. His thoughts turned to conservation, and he was instrumental in the proclamation of the Skeleton Coast Park in 1971. The Schoeman offspring spent their childhood days (early sixties) exploring and playing among the remains of old wooden ship wrecks and natural wonders of the Skeleton Coast. When Louw officially started Skeleton Coast Safaris in 1977, the now teenaged Schoeman offspring often accompanied safari groups. From their father they learnt to love and understand the complexity of the desert, its fauna and flora. They also gleaned from him the more practical skills of driving in the roaring dunes, and how to introduce the wonders of this amazing desert to perfect strangers.

Today's Team - The Schoeman children, who in the intervening years acquired and expanded on their father's expertise and vast background knowledge of the Skeleton Coast and adjacent regions, took over management of the enterprise in 1994. The late Louw Schoeman's enthusiasm and passion for the desert rubbed off on the youngsters. Today, middle-aged and wiser for it, the Schoemans are rated as experts on the Skeleton Coast and semi-desert areas of Namibia. They have followed in the footsteps of their father who, at the time, was considered the pioneer of ecotourism in Namibia. They all fully believe that the future of country not only rests with tourism and the preservation of wildlife, but also in protecting the natural resources and wilderness areas of Namibia. They take great delight in sharing their intimate understanding and knowledge of the Skeleton Coast with their visitors

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure involves an extensive amount of walking, at times over uneven surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, the aircrafts and at the sites visited. This tour is recommended for active guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Local conditions may be challenging; therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique and somewhat remote destinations. Provided description is a sample of the program. Current program is subject to change.The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Important note regarding luggage: Light aircraft are used during your Schoeman Fly Safari, and luggage space is very limited. You are requested to travel as lightly and compactly as possible. A maximum of 10kg (22lbs) of luggage is allowed per person, packed in soft, flexible travelling bags. This excludes camera equipment of approximately 2kg (4.4lb). No hard and bulky suitcases will be accommodated, nor will bags with wheels or any solid sides. Ideal dimensions for a soft bag are 60 x 40 x 40cm (24 x 16 x 16 in). A single traveller weighing more than 90kg, or two guests travelling together with a combined weight of more than 180 kg should please notify us of their weight at the time of making their reservation.

Any clothing restrictions/suggestions:

It's recommended to bring only safari-type clothing and personal toiletries. It is essential that clothing adaptable to both warm and cold temperatures be brought along. Recommended clothing, fit for wearing in layers, includes:

* T-shirts * Long-sleeved cotton shirts * Shorts * Trousers/jeans * A sweater/jersey * A warm jacket such as an Anorak/ Windbreaker * Good-quality sunglasses * A wide brimmed hat * Light walking shoes * Sandals * Sun block * Binoculars

A basic laundry service is offered at each camp.

Programme Includes:

- Four-night stay at the mentioned accomodations: 1 night at The Olive Exclusive Guest House, 1 night at the Kuidas Camp, 1 night at the Leylandsdrift Camp, 1 night at the Kunene River Camp

- Four breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners

- All Flight seeing, guiding and transfers, tours related to the Namibia Fly Safari

-Private Charter Air flights from Windhoek ending in Walvis Bay

-Regional Air flight from Cape Town, SA to Windhoek, Namibia

Not Included:

Visa (if required), passport fees, any meals and drinks not specified above, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.

Note