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Kunene River Rafting and Self Drive Expedition Namibia

Our experienced guides will guide you during a 10 day self drive and rafting tour. This tour is not for the faint hearted. Venturing by car and rafts into rural Africa and that we will be exposed to the elements and whatever else Africa throws at us on a day to day basis. Your talent will be tested as you will wind and twist through a rough primeval landscape, hear thundering waterfalls and enjoy tranquil waters, just to feel the adrenaline pumping again a few minutes later.

Winding bush roads, Challenging rapids, the big Five, Face cheetahs, Waterfalls, African skies, National Parks, Local Villages, Luxurious lodges and camping.

ITINERARY: 10 DAYS & 10 NIGHTS

ARRIVAL DATE: This is a self drive adventure where you follow our professional team in your own vehicle. You meet us in a campsite close to Windhoek (Ellisenheim approx 5pm), where you will be sleeping in luxury and dining in the bush around a crackling camp fire (included in the price). Your first night will be a “meet-and-greet” of your fellow adventurers and guides and you will receive a full briefing of your adventure that lies ahead.

DAY 1:

Today we will be traveling approx 600km. After a full English breakfast, we will head towards Okahandja and Etosha National Park. Enjoy the ever changing scenery en-route and we will reach the comfortable bush camp before sunset. Enjoy sundowners while watching game and sit down for a hearty meal.

DAY 2:

Today you get a change to meet the Big 5. It’s an early rise to see dawn break over the Namibian fields. A warm breakfast, cooked over an open fire, will be served. We will be traveling approx 500km. On the game drive to follow through the world renowned Etosha National Park, you may encounter lions, elephants or perhaps even a leopard. Departing from Etosha’s northern gate we will be driving through Ovambo Land and experience local sights. Our destination for today is the Kunene River Lodge campsite situated on the banks of the mighty Kunene River. Relax on the deck overlooking the Kunene River and enjoy a 5¬star meal prepared by your guides.

DAY 3:

Yeah! We hope you are up for it because the rafting starts. We will travel upstream by bus to The Enduruo Gorge, the starting point of your rafting expedition. This stretch has exhilarating white water varying from class 2 to challenging class 4 rapids. 15km later we are back at the lodge where a warm meal and fire awaits you. Share your days experiences around the raging campfire.

DAY 4-6:

For the next 3 days, the backup crew will leave you and the river guides to embark on your river expedition through true wilderness and will rendezvous with you on the last day at Epupa Falls. Your talent will be tested as you will wind and twist through a rough primeval landscape, hear thundering waterfalls and enjoy tranquil waters, just to feel the adrenaline pumping again a few minutes later. A Sat phone is the only contact we will have with civilization, so in essence we are modern day explorers. See the sun set over Angola and sleep under the stars, listening to the sounds of the wild.

DAY 7:

We leave our river campsite this morning to head for Africa’s Eden: EPUPA FALLS. As we get closer you will hear the roar of the water and see the mist rising from the falls. Sadly, this is where our journey ends. The backup crew will pull out all the stops in preparation of your celebratory banquet. You have completed one of the most challenging river rafting expeditions in Africa, an experience hard to equal.

DAY 8:

Spend this day sightseeing and relaxing. Meet the nomadic Himba tribe or go on hikes to see all of Epupa’s wonder.

DAY 9:

Today we will be traveling approx 600km. We start traveling back south and stop at a Cheetah farm outside of Kamanjab.

DAY 10: Today we will be traveling approx 500km We continue back to Windhoek to your final night in a Lodge. We will arrive in the late afternoon (so please do not make flight reservation departing any earlier than 18:30), so for those who do not have to catch a flight a final meal together at Joe’s Beerhouse will be a great way to end your unforgettable experience. This evening’s meal would be for your own account.

DEPARTURE DATE: After a breakfast we transport you back to the airport and sadly say goodbye to our new found friends

Why with Xtreme Gap’s tour?

World Class White Water, Etosha National Park, Kaokoland, Game viewing, possibility of spotting Lion, Elephant and other big game species, Endemic Birdlife to the Kunene region. To name a few: Cinderella Waxbill, Ruffous Tail Palm Thrush, Grays Kestrel, Harlibs Franklin, Giant Eagle Owl, Pearl Spotted Owl, Long Tailed Starling and many more.

125km of true Wilderness rafting, The off chance of a crocodile encounter, Interaction with the Herero, Himba, & Ovambo tribes, One on One Cheetah encounter, experienced guides, good food, lot’s of fun!

Included in the program

· Vehicle back up with al gear and food.

· All transfers , ex Windhoek All parks?

· Lodge nights

· Campsite fees

· Safety equipment and medical kit

· River gear, inflatable boats, life jackets, helmets, big dry bag for clothing, small dry bag for personals

· Aluminum flasks – 2 x 1L p/p (Decanting of liquids)

· road tolls & taxes

· All meals (Breakfast, lunch, dinners), with exception of 1 dinner. Your Last evening back in Windhoek

Not included in the program

· Visas if required

· All or any flights

· PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CAMPING GEAR, MATRESSES, CAMPING CHAIRS ETC IS FOR YOUR OWN ACCOUNT

· Camping gear (small lightweight tents for river.)

· All Alcoholic or soft beverages.

· Last night’s Meal in Windhoek.

· Travel or personal insurance

Xtreme Gap cannot be held liable for cost incurred due to insufficient travel and medical insurance, nor any cost incurrence due to faulty travel documents.

Why Xtreme Gap

Our partner has over 20 years experience. The guides are all highly skilled, professional individuals that have a perfect balance between fun and making your holiday safe and memorable. All you have to do is get there safe, they do the rest. You just relax and enjoy your well deserved adrenaline shot filled with adventure, swimming, fishing, birding and short hikes. On the trips they provide 5 Star freshly-made bush cuisine and our guides have pride in what they serve. Our partner provide ALL your cutlery & crockery and the guides do all the washing up! Isn’t that GREAT ;) If there isn’t shade, they make it with big shade shelters and even have a plan if it rains. The guide ratio is much higher per trip than the required industry norm, so you’ll always feel safe. They do our best never to make the trip sizes too big to lose that personal touch and by doing so better campsites are available. So why not spoil yourself and come to the River with a Touch of Class.

Namibia Drive and rafting adventure tour

10 days drive and rafting tour: €869

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

MALARIA? Yes, Be sure to visit your Local Dr. before departure.

TRANSPORT ? Fly in to meet up in Windhoek, we do all transfers from Windhoek airport and return WHEN ? only DURATION ?10 Days & 10 Nights (standard trip)

MEETING POINT ? We will collect you at the Hosea Kutako Int. airport in Windhoek.

MEETING TIME? Based on arrival times of flights, on your ARRIVAL DATE ACCOMMODATION? LODGE – 1ST and last night.

EN ROUTE – Safari style camping Ablutions with hot water ON RIVER - Open air camping with tents & mattresses

CATERING ? All trips are catered, 3 meals a day with 1st meal on arrival. One exception though, Your meal on the last night at Joe’s Beer House would be for your own account. Catering done according to special dietary requirements.

More about the river:

The Cunene River,(sometimes transliterated Kunene) is a river in Northern Namibia acting as the natural border between Angola and Namibia for approximately 325Km’s. It flows from the Angola highlands south to the border with Namibia. It then flows west along the border until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the few perennial rivers in the region. It is about 1,050 kilometers long, with a drainage basin of 106,560 square kilometers in area.

More about the Etosha National Park (day 2)

The place to go for wildlife is the 22 270 sq km Etosha National Park with no fewer than 114 species of mammal and 340 species of bird. For the most part it consists of open, flat country where animals are easy to see, especially in the dry season when they congregate in the vicinity of permanent water-holes. The park is half the size of Switzerland. Its central feature is a system of salt-pans, the largest called Etosha, with dwarf shrubs on the edge and open grasslands beyond. Etosha is one of the great game reserves of Africa. The name translates as Great White Place of Dry Water, which describes the barren depression in the heart of the park.

More about the Himba tribe:

he Himba are a semi-nomadic tribe of pastoralists who live on the harsh sun-baked plains of northern Namibia. The women are striking, covering their hair and bodies in red ochre. They are a polygamous tribe where men can have up to five wives and marriages are arranged for girls when they are young as 12 years old.

More about the cheetah farm:

It is home to a non-profit organization, aimed at conserving cheetahs in a natural environment. The cheetah originally occupied most of Africa except for the equatorial forest and the true desert, (Sahara & Namib) as well as much of the Middle East and India, where it became extinct in the early 1950's. It is now extremely rare in the rest of Asia and Africa, north of the equator.

It is estimated that there are less than 7,500 cheetah left in the world, and about 6,000 of these are found in Southern Africa. According to a 1970 study, the numbers of cheetah in Namibia had improved, due apparently to the removal of lion and hyena, by farmers. In some cases, it was because of the re-introduction of various antelope species, favoured by these fleet-footed cats.

More recent surveys have shown that Namibia has 2000-2500 cheetah, of which 95% are on private (game of cattle) farms. Unfortunately, some farmers have continued to shoot cheetah because of their tendency to raid stock, particularly where their natural prey species are scarce, or absent. Whilst the current figures do not make the cheetah endangered in the absolute sense of the word, the extraordinary degree of genetic uniformity that these cats have been shown to exhibit, raises the possibility that a disease could devastate wild populations. Otjitotongwe is dedicated to the preservation of the cheetah species.

The farm offers superb photographic opportunities at scheduled cheetah feedings, and also offers guided game drives to view wild cheetah. There are also a number of unguided nature walks.