11 Day Wild Namibia Pioneer

Pre-departure Information Namibia Tour

This is an adventure tour, and as such involves a certain amount of walking – a small daypack is advisable.

Seasonable malaria precautions are advisable and are locally obtainable. During winter the night-time temperatures can fall below zero Celsius, and during summer the daytime temperatures can reach the forties – please be prepared.
Most major currencies can be exchanged on arrival in Windhoek and at other centres, but banking hours do apply. Credit cards are generally accepted.

Visa info – A valid passport is required by everyone. The tour will visit Namibia and it is the client’s responsibility to ensure they have the appropriate visas required for this trip. Some nationalities may need to obtain visas before departure as they may not be obtainable on arrival.

Our price includes transport, food, coffee, tea and fruit juice at breakfast, two Drifters crew, group equipment, permits and park entry fees. The price does not include alcohol, bottled water and soft drinks, tips, curios and optional extras.

Before departure, clients will be required to enter into an agreement and indemnity pertaining to our booking conditions and general information.

It is compulsory for clients to have their own comprehensive personal travel insurance that includes cover for (but not limited to) any medical emergencies as well as Covid 19 related cancellations or deviations prior or during the tour.

Please give us a call on our 24-hour emergency no +27 82 293 7384 if you encounter any issues.

Departure Point

Your tour will depart on selected Saturdays from:

•Hotel Safari, Corner of Auas & Aviation Roads, Windhoek at 14h00, Tel: +264 61 296 8000

•Guests not staying at the Hotel Safari must arrive at the Hotel at 13h00.
Please give us a call on our 24hour emergency no +2711 888 1160 if you encounter any issues.

Please note that we strongly advise against flying out on the day that the tour ends. Drifters will not be held responsible for missed flights on this day. We generally travel long distances and late arrivals are common.

Accommodation On Tour

Please note that linen will be provided at Safari Hotel, BUT you will need a sleeping bag and pillow for the rest of the tour. Should you pre purchase the accommodation upgrade prior to the start of the tour, linen will be provided on the nights that are upgraded to accommodation. The nights specified as accommodated on tour is a total upgrade from camping, but stays very basic.

•Batteries can be charged from a 220 volt source pre tour departure in Windhoek, on most nights at the lodges and every day on the truck while the truck is driving from a 12 V inverter.

•Currency exchange opportunities: Arrival at Windhoek Airport, Swakopmund

•Please note that Namibia accept South African Rand as the currency is 1to1 with SA.

•Limited Laundry facilities: Windhoek (Essential washing only)

On Safari

All our tours require participation from all group members. This entails assisting with the food preparation, washing of dishes, keeping the truck clean and the setting up the camp.

Please keep in mind that flexibility and an open mind will greatly contribute to an enjoyable safari.

We are travelling in developing countries therefore please do not expect the punctuality you have come to expect in first world countries. Things do not always run according to plan, however we do endeavour to run according to the itinerary as best as possible.

Drifters wish you an enjoyable African experience!

Swakopmund and surrounds

• Skydiving (Ground Rush Adventures)
• Quad biking (Desert Explorers)
• Sandboarding (Alter Action)
• Living Desert Tours
• Dolphin Tour (Ocean Adventures)
• Kayaking
• Fishing
• Township Tours
• Sunset Tour

Please Note:

• Optional Activities can be booked on arrival
• No bookings are made in advance
• Rates are subject to change without notice
• Activities are subject to availability
• Activities are weather dependent

Travel documents

Please ensure that you are in possession of valid travel documents for Namibia. If you have any queries in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact us. Although we will endeavour to assist, we do not accept any liability or obligation for your travel documents.

The contact telephone number for Namibia Tourism in Johannesburg is: + 27 11 784 8024.
Or visit Namibia Tourism on www.namibiatourism.com.na

Make sure that your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to your home country.

Make 2 photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

Foreign currency

The Namibian Dollar and the South African Rand are the currencies used in Namibia. All major currencies can be exchanged in Namibia. Please ensure that you have enough Rand as there are very few opportunities to exchange foreign currencies. Major credit cards are widely accepted and can be used to pay for restaurant meals etc. Small trading stores will probably not accept credit cards.

Upon arrival in any respective country we operate in, you will be able to find a Bureau de Change OR ATM Facilities at the airport or in the Town/City the tour is departing from. It is advised to bring any major world currency (US Dollar, Euro or British Pounds) in small denominations and not dated older than 2009. It is advised to get a small amount of local currency upon arrival just to get around until your tour starts.

During the tour our guides will inform and show you the best places to exchange any Major World Currency with the best possible exchange rates either before your tour starts or during the course of the tour. Our guides will brief you exactly on where to exchange and roughly how much you will need to exchange after discussing possible optional activities, own expense meals or possible curio stops. Drifters trucks have safe-keeping facilities for extra cash/flight tickets/passport.

The preferred currencies are as follows:
Namibia – Namibian Dollar $

Insurance

It is compulsory that all passengers make arrangements for adequate travel insurance to financially safeguard against unforeseen circumstances. If you need further information please do not hesitate to contact us. Drifters do not accept responsibility for any loss, injury, damage, accident, fatality, delay or inconvenience experienced whilst on tour. You will be required to complete and sign a full indemnity prior to your tour departure.

Your insurance should include all the countries and territories that your tour will pass through. You must ensure that you have sufficient cover for medical and evacuation costs, and should base this on advice from your insurer. A minimum benefit of USD 60 000.00 is recommended for evacuation from any area in which Drifters operates in Africa to South Africa, with further benefits for medical costs in South Africa, and for possible repatriation to your home country. Please note that you will be required to furnish details of your travel insurance to Drifters before you will be allowed to travel with us. Please ensure that these details are completely and accurately recorded in order to facilitate a claim should this be necessary.

Health precautions & requirements

The only necessary prophylaxis for Southern and East Africa is against Malaria, but on this tour there is no eminent danger as Namibia is regarded mostly as a Malaria free zone however prevention is better than cure, so we do advise to also use insect repellent on exposed areas after sunset. Please consult with your general practitioner regarding this before departure.

All Drifters guides have first aid boxes for use in emergencies, however we recommend that you bring along your own basic supply of medication, headache tablets etc.

Personal medication

Please bring along any personal medication that you might need on your tour as specific medication could be difficult to find or might not be obtainable in most places we visit. General medication for headaches, colds and fever are easy to get. Please also inform your guide of any medical conditions. This information will be received professionally and kept confidential.

Weather conditions

Please note that Southern African weather conditions vary tremendously from season to season. During summer months temperatures of up to 40°C can be experienced. During the winter months of June, July and August the nights are very cold, temperatures may drop well below 0°C, although the day temperatures will be pleasant at around 20°C. Please take weather conditions into consideration when choosing a sleeping bag for your tour.

Clothing & personal effects

Herewith a recommended guide of what to bring along:
For walking, hiking and Safaris

• Sport Shoes / Sneakers
• Sandals
• Hat
• Sun Cream
• Water Bottle
• Smaller day pack
• Camera, Binoculars
• Books (Birds, Mammals, personal reading books, Optional)

For general travelling (to keep yourself entertained on the longer drives)

• Personal iPod
• Personal Reading Books
• A deck of cards or something similar
• Battery chargers for your personal devices (Ipods, Ipads, E-Readers, Handy’s etc)

Our vehicles are well equipped with charging facilities while driving. A Two-pin charger is perfect.

• Clothing and Toiletries
• Long Trousers / Tracksuit Hat or cap
• Shorts Swimming Costume & Towel
• Waterproof Windbreaker Personal toiletries
• Jersey / Jumper Insect Repellent
• Socks & Underwear
• T-Shirts / Shirts

General Accessories

• Mosquito Net (Optional)
• Malaria Prophylaxis (please inquire from your general Doctor at home)
• Money (Sundry expenses, gratuities)
• Headlamp / Flashlight / Batteries
• Sleeping Bag & Small Pillow
• Refreshments
• Pen
• Visas (if applicable)

** Luggage should be limited to a maximum of 15kg’s HARD SUITCASES ARE NOT SUITABLE!!
*** Refreshments can be purchased en-route on the first day of the tour, and at regular intervals throughout the tour.

Meals and refreshments

Meals are provided as indicated in the brochure/website. We do not provide meals on the first day of your tour. We do however stop en-route; therefore it is always possible to buy something along the way. Soft drinks, bottled water and alcohol are for your own expense; there is ample opportunity during the tour to buy refreshments. The guide will advise when you need to stock up for a couple of days.

Personal expenses

A reasonable amount of personal spending money must be brought on our tours. This is to cover own expense meals as indicated in our Drifters Brochure, bottled water, soft drinks, alcohol, sundry goods purchased- such as suntan cream etc., curios, optional extra excursions, airport tax, transfers and tips.

In Africa things work a little different to the rest of the World. Tipping or gratuity, unless otherwise specified, is not included in the price you pay for services delivered. This accounts for restaurant meals, casual help and the services of the guide or guides that you will meet on your tour.

In Southern and East Africa it is classified as a common courtesy to TIP “casual help (guides)”.

This TIP is not something that is forced upon you by any means, but in many industries of tourism it is customary. It works as follows: if you believe your guide has lived up to your expectations and has performed his/her job in a way that you respect and are happy with the services rendered, an amount of 10 Euros per day or equivalent amount of 10 Euros per day in any major currency per person per day would constitute a fantastic tip. Remember that this is just a guideline and is not by any means compulsory, but seen as common courtesy in Southern and East Africa.

Pre and post night’s accommodation can be arranged at the Mercure Hotel, Windhoek.

Please note that we strongly advise against flying out on the day that the tour ends. Drifters will not be held responsible for missed flights on this day. We generally travel long distances and late arrivals are common.