We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Please note that some of the campsites are simple with basic facilities. This is a participatory camping tour and you will be expected to put your tent up and down and help out with some camp chores. This is very much a rugged overland trip and road conditions can sometimes be rough, pot-holed and bumpy in this part of Africa. You will experience a number of long drives, however the ever changing diversity of views and landscapes more than make up for this. You will need to adopt a flexible and open minded approach, participate in the group experience and embrace a spirit of adventure on this tour.
Accordingly you should allow approx. £10 for gratuities for local staff.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Angola |
Namibia |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
|
£1.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
|
£1.00 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
|
£0.80 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
|
£1.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
|
£15.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
|
£20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
£7.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Visas are required by UK, NZ, AUS, USA & CAN citizens and must be obtained prior to travel. Visas can be obtained through the Explore visa service and can take up to two months.
Other nationalities must consult their travel agent or consular office.
Please be advised that we due to the visa requirements on this tour and the fact that the embassy will require your passport for more than a month we do not recommend prior travel for a least 2 months before the tour officially starts. In order to obtain you Angola visa you are required to submit an invitational letter – this letters is obtained by our local agent and takes approximately a month to 2 months to obtain. The visa will need to be used within 60 days of being issued and then on entry it will be valid for 30.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
We recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, diptheria, polio and yellow fever. Vaccinations against rabies, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis and cholera are also sometimes advised. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. A Yellow fever certificate mandatory as condition of entry from all travellers over 1 year old.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Winters are dry and cold but with frequent cold nights especially in June & July their winter, our summer. Summers are warm and rainfall is low. The low humidity and large number of sunshine hours make for a pleasant and healthy climate for most of the year. In the desert the weather and climate are unusual and quite distinctive. The region receives very little rain and is a complete desert, but temperatures are kept low most of the time by the cold Benguela current.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
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Clothing
Pack as for 'All Tours' plus 'Hot Conditions'. Clothing should be lightweight, however a warm fleece and sweater/thick shirts are essential, as nights (and daytime) can be cold, especially from May to September, and game drives tend to take place at dawn and dusk. A waterproof and windproof jacket is recommended during these months. Brightly coloured clothing is not suitable for game viewing.
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Footwear
Lightweight trail boots or robust trainers with good grip, and sandals.
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Equipment
Bring a 2-season sleeping bag (Nov- Mar; temperature 0°C to 5°C) or a (3-4 season from Apr-Oct; temperature –10°C to –5°C), a silk sleeping bag liner, a head torch, a water bottle, a sunhat, sunglasses and high factor sunscreen. Good, thick foam sleeping mats are provided. Binoculars are essential for game viewing and a 300mm lens is recommended for photography. Tents have sewn-in mosquito screening so nets are not required. Bring a good supply of camera batteries for the duration of the tour as charging opportunities are limited.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
Travelling through the little visited landscapes of northern Namibia and southern Angola, this remarkable journey takes you through some of south-west Africa’s most remote regions. Heading into Damaraland and deep into the heart of the Namib-Nakluft Desert, you will venture into the tribal lands of the Himba and the Mucubali, discovering traditions and customs that have remained unchanged for centuries. After visiting Angola’s Iona National Park you then travel through landscapes of surreal rock formations and ancient flora, journeying along vast, uninhabited stretches of the Atlantic coastline to visit traditional markets, and hidden oases en route to the fabulous crossing of the Leba Mountains. After enjoying the tropical valleys and colonial charm of Lubango, you then head back into Namibia, to visit the stunning game reserve of Etosha, without a doubt one of the continent’s most spectacular national parks. Camping amongst some of Africa’s most haunting scenery, this fabulous adventure travels deep into the natural and cultural heart of a part of Africa little known to the outside world.
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Country info
Angola
Area: 1,246,700 km2
Population: 18,498,000
Language: Portuguese
Religion: Christian 53%, Roman Catholics are 38%, Protestants 15%.
Indigenous beliefs are practised by 46.8% of Angolans. There is also a small Muslim minority
Local Time: GMT
Electric Supply & Plugs: 220V 50 Hz C
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the UK and European website
