Greenloons Namibia Tour

Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, lies at the heart of the country, encircled by magnificent mountains, expansive valleys, and fertile farmlands. The landscape of the Greater Windhoek area surrounding this bustling city is characterised by vast valleys, thick scrub, rocky hills, and covered in golden savannah. Visitors can explore the dry river beds and mountainous scrublands, as well as enjoy birding, leopard-spotting and view large quantities of wildlife in the north; visit the more arid eastern part with its olive, potato, and date plantations; explore the rolling hills of the Khomas Hochland Mountains in the west of the Greater Windhoek area and soak up the epic views along a number of scenic passes leading off the high plateau, including Bosua Pass, Gamsberg Pass, and Spreetshoogte Pass.

The 96 kilometre fence surrounding the 22 000 ha Okonjima private, Nature Reserve was finally completed in 2010. This fence has created:

- a 20 000 ha reserve for Captive Carnivore rehabilitation (also home to Brown Hyaenas and the resident Leopards);

- a 2000 ha 'safe' area around Main Camp, Bush Camp, Bush Suite, the Omboroko Campsite and the PAWS Environmental Education Centre.

Although hunting is instinctive in carnivores, many of the cheetahs at AFRICAT lack experience due to being orphaned or removed from the wild at an early age. This inexperience, as well as their conditioning to captivity, makes them unsuitable for release. The 200km (20 000ha) NATURE RESERVE | PARK, provides captive cheetahs and other carnivores with the opportunity to hone their hunting skills and become self-sustaining and thereby giving them a chance to return to the wild. The captive cheetahs are fitted with radio-collars prior to their release into the reserve, so that their welfare and progress can be closely monitored.

Rehabilitation gives a captive carnivore a second chance to be released back into the wild and to take the time it needs, to become a completely independent hunter - in a protected area right in the middle of commercial farmland!

Ongava is one of the largest and most exclusive games reserves in the southern part of Etosha National Park. It offers an authentic and comprehensive safari experience, including nature walks and game drives, as well as luxurious accommodation. The reserve is home to – among others – lion, eland, black-faced impala, Hartmann's mountain zebra and a variety of other antelope species. It is also one of the few private reserves in South Africa where both black and white rhino can be observed. Birdlife is plentiful at the reserve, with over 340 species recorded in the area.

Situated 450 kilometres from Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, within the Otjozondjupa Province of Namibia, Grootfontein (meaning ‘Big Fountain’) is famous for being home to the largest meteorite ever discovered on earth (located roughly 25 kilometres from the town centre). Hoba is believed to have occurred around 80,000 years ago, and its enormity is a true sight to behold. The town is also unique in that it is extremely lush and fertile during the summer months. Purple Jacaranda trees create a riot of colour around the town. Other must-see attractions include the fascinating Grootfontein Museum, and the Abenab and Berg Aukas Mines. From here, a fantastic network of hiking and biking trails lead into the wild.

Although game is not abundant as in Namibia’s other game parks, the Mamili National Park offers visitors a true wilderness experience. There are no facilities and very few people have discovered this very wild tract of land. Cradled by the V-shaped arms of the Kwando-Linyanti River, the 32’000 hectare park was set aside in 1990 to protect and conserve Namibia’s largest wetland, the Linyanti swamps. This is the area that also mostly resembles the Okavango Delta of Botswana further southwest. From its origins in the highlands of Angola, the Kwando River flows in a south-easterly direction for nearly 1000 kilometres. It then quite enexpectantly makes a 90° turn to the northeast to follow the Gumare fault and becomes known as the Linyanti River (further east in Botswana the same river is called the Chobe River!) The annual floodwaters of the Kwando-Linyanti reach the area in August and September, inundating the floodplains and flooding the relic channels. Mamili is home to Namibia’s largest concentration of buffalo herds. Predators include lion, leopard and spotted hyena, while crocodile and hippo abound in the river. The success for viewing game differs, but the best season to view game is generally June to November.

One of the original natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and an extremely popular tourism attraction. Known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ this spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is an ideal place to combine a game viewing and water sports. There is excellent fishing, a terrifying bungee jump and arguably the best commercial white water rafting in the world.