Marienfluss Fly-In Safari,
8 Days (Namibia, Kaokoland - Marienfluss)
The Marienfluss valley in the West Kaokoland is regarded as one of our earth's last pristine areas. Here we create the setting for a unique experience. We would like you to have your own individual adventure - in the total freedom of rugged and wild areas, yet with sufficient comforts to make you feel relaxed and at ease. The 8-day tour has been developed specifically for visitors who would like to escape the hectic rush of modern civilisation and decide on their own programme day by day. Such absolute flexibility is granted by a well-experienced guide. The owner is a born and bred Namibian who speaks English, German, Afrikaans and some Otjihimba. More than ten years of experience with the Marienfluss area and its people allows him to respond to the individual requests of his guests.
On the first day you arrive at the Hosea Kutako International Airport close to Windhoek in Namibia and get a transfer to the Namibian capital with a city tour. Overnight in a room at the Safari Court Hotel.
Transfer to the Eros Airport. Early morning you depart from Windhoek and fly for approximately three hours to the remote north-western corner of Namibia. With the sun rising fast, well-known landmarks like Spitzkoppe, Brandberg and the Hoanib river can be identified from the air.
The first three nights are spent in the central and southern part of the valley, the Marienfluss. You sleep on beds in comfortable igloo tents with portable shower and chemical toilet being provided. Every day towards sunset we offer you a sundowner at carefully selected spots with fantastic views.
You might come across some springbuck, gemsbuck and ostrich and - with some luck - even mountain zebra and cheetah. You may go for relaxed strolls, longer hikes or more strenuous climbs up the mountains just as you desire. Whichever way you choose, you have a chance to directly experience the fragile ecosystem of a majestic landscape. Through interested observation some of the secrets of fauna, flora and geology will disclose themselves.
Your encounters with the Ovahimba people are meetings rather than visits. Owing to the mutual trust that has developed over the years between Kaokohimba Safaris and the local communities, you have the opportunity to directly observe the daily activities of the Ovahimba, feel part of their daily life and gain insight in their different living conditions. It is respect for these people and their culture, and not mere curiosity or the hectic rush of a tight schedule which determines the length of our encounters.
During talks around the camp-fire, you learn about the history of the area, developments and threats, old stories and new dreams... Between the mountain ranges of Hartmann and Otjihipa mountains, we travel north until we reach the Kunene river. Camp Syncro under the big Ana trees will be our resting-place for the last two nights. It is a peaceful and secluded site with an unique atmosphere, characterised by the constant rush of the river and the warbling of the mourning dove.
From here we take you for scenic drives into the beautiful side valleys of the Marienfluss where you can visit an old garnet mine and the remains of age-old settlements. You are also likely to spot one of the big Kunene crocodiles. Highlight of the last day will be a bath at the rapids where we know of a natural "jacuzzi".
After breakfast on the seventh day the aeroplane takes you back to the Eros Airport in Windhoek. Transfer to the Safari Court Hotel. Overnight here.
On the eighth day you get a transfer to the Hosea Kutako Airport for your flight out or continue your visit to Namibia or southern Africa.