Green Kalahari and Namibia group safari

Transcription

1 Green Kalahari and Namibia group safari Escorted Group Tour 11 February 2017

2 Ground squirrel in the Kalahari Desert We are very proud to have received a number of awards over recent years from The Guardian and Observer, The Telegraph newspaper and Ultratravel magazine, and Wanderlust, as voted by their readers. We are a Which? Recommended Provider achieving the maximum five star rating across all categories and have also won awards with The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Condé Nast Traveller. Additionally, we have achieved two stars from the Best Company organisation for our great working environment. These awards are widely recognised as being the most respected in the travel industry as they are professional surveys of the publications readerships. With over 500 travel companies for you to choose from in the UK alone, we hope you find these awards are an additional reassurance of the quality of service you can expect from Audley.

3 Contents Meet our specialists 4 Introduction to tour 6 Flights & visas 8 Day by day summary of our Green Kalahari and Namibia group safari arrangements 9 Price 11 Why travel with us? 12 Introduction to the region 13 Photographs of the region 16 Your itinerary in detail 18 Accommodation information 29 Charity support 37 General information 39 Terms and conditions 42

4 Sossusvlei, Namibia Quality of Service Most companies claim to offer first class service, but very few genuinely set out to achieve it. At Audley we are wholeheartedly devoted to offering you first class service from the moment we start planning your trip until after your return. If you feel that our standards at any time drop below your expectations or you have any suggestions about how we could improve our service, then please contact the Africa Manager, Ruth Milligan on or We may record telephone calls to ensure quality of service and for training purposes. 4 Meet our specialists

5 Meet our Africa Specialists The Africa team at Audley is made up of over thirty Africa specialists each with bags of passion for and experience of both Africa and safari. Many of us lived and worked in Africa before joining Audley and our knowledge of the different regions is unsurpassed. We return regularly to our specialist countries, keeping up-to-date with developments and discovering the best safaris, lodges and beach hideaways for our clients. Heading up the Africa team are Regional Managers Terry Moohan, Sharre Fox, Glenn Evans, Sean Hughes and Andrew George. Meet our specialists 5

6 Introduction to our Green Kalahari and Namibia group safari tour Tour overview This trip visits many of southern Namibia's most compelling destinations, but one of the undoubted highlights is the chance to head across the border in the south to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This park, as well as being a bit of a mouthful, straddles the border of South Africa and Botswana and is one of Southern Africa's most exciting spots to see predators. The tour has been planned so that you can escape the colder months in the northern hemisphere and enjoy the heat in Namibia. This is a time of occasional thunderstorms in Namibia, which can be sudden and spectacular, with dramatic skies providing atmospheric backdrops for pictures. The thunderstorms also bring greenery to the desert, and the normally red landscape takes on a verdant covering. The places we will visit will be mostly empty, and wildlife viewing will be undisturbed. The tour begins in Namibia's capital, Windhoek and passes through the town of Rehoboth, home to the country's community of 'Basters', descendants of white settlers and local tribes. The name comes from the Dutch word for bastard, but the people here use it to refer to themselves with pride. After here Rehoboth crosses the Tropic of Capricorn, an imaginary line marked only by a road sign - you won't feel any colder on the southern side. The Kalahari stretches from here towards South Africa and Botswana, the two countries that have combined to form the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This supranational undertaking allows the numerous predators of the park to nip over the border to for a spot of lunch should they so wish, and there are sizeable populations of black-maned lion, cheetah, and leopard. After exploring the many accessible tracks in the park the group will cross back into Namibia to stop off for photographic opportunities in quiver tree forests and at deserted ghost towns that are slowly being reclaimed by the desert. You will trek around and descend into one of the world's largest canyons and climb up (or admire from below) one of the world's tallest sand dunes. Finally you'll have some time to explore the capital and buy any gifts you might want to take home. Expert guides The tour will be led by one of our expert Namibian guides. We work with a very small number of guides who are provided by Ultimate Safaris, our partners in Namibia. Guides are selected for their infectious personalities, enthusiasm and dedication, as well as their in-depth knowledge of the region. They are trained to the highest levels of professionalism and expertise and have an incredible knowledge of Namibia and its flora and fauna. We invest in guide training, ensuring that they are constantly updated and that they never cease adding to their encyclopaedic knowledge. Vehicles The group tour will travel around the country in one or two 4x4 air-conditioned safari vehicles. These vehicles have been specially modified so that every guest has a comfortable window seat with good support. They also carry second batteries for fridge/freezers, lights and camera battery charging, long range fuel tanks and plenty of water. Most also have VHF intervehicle radios that allow vehicle groups to communicate with each other while on the road. Early starts and logistics There are a number of early starts in the itinerary. This is done invariably so as to capture the best part of the day for game viewing. For this reason we have built in time at leisure, often in the middle of the day, when you can relax. There are also long days in the vehicle, often on bumpy roads, due to the distances covered during this itinerary and the remoteness of the areas visited. The vehicle will stop regularly for comfort breaks, but this tour would not be recommended for those who find it uncomfortable to be seated for large periods of time. Group size The group size is between a minimum of four and a maximum of 14. The small size of the group ensures that the trip is a more personal experience and that you can always hear and speak to your guides. The small group size also ensures that your experience of a particular sight is not marred by the presence of too many people. Single travellers We welcome single travellers and there are two options: you can choose to share a room with another single traveller on the tour and pay the standard tour price, or if you want to guarantee sole occupancy of a room a supplement will be payable. Please note that due to limited numbers of rooms at some of the lodges on the tour, we are only able to accept a maximum of four single travellers unless you are prepared to share a room. Extending your trip You have the option to extend your trip, either before or after your tour. For example, some may want to go and see Namibia's north before starting the trip while others may like to fly to a beach in Mozambique or Mauritius at the end of the trip. If you would like to extend your trip please just speak to one of our Namibia specialists. 6 Introduction to our Green Kalahari and Namibia group safari tour

7 Introduction to our Green Kalahari and Namibia group safari tour Tour health and fitness requirements To ensure that all participants get the most out of the tour, it is important that you are aware of the level of activity and fitness and health required. Please read this dossier carefully prior to confirming your place on the tour. It is your responsibility to contact us with any concerns regarding your level of fitness, health or ability. Please be aware that our tour leaders have the right to exclude clients from the tour if they feel they are not sufficiently fit, healthy or able to complete the tour without affecting its safety, comfort or smooth progress. If you would like to discuss any of these issues further please contact our Namibia team. Activity level - medium The vast majority of this trip does not require any significant level of physical fitness or agility. However, you will need to get in and out of safari vehicles which are quite high off the ground and walk on rough ground so a certain degree of physical dexterity will be required. There are guided walks in hot conditions and although speed is not required, a medium level of fitness is advisable. An experienced guide will be on hand to help anyone should they need it. There is a lot of driving on rough, bumpy roads and game drives can last for several at a time. Finally, it may also be necessary for guests to carry their own luggage to and from vehicles and their rooms. Luggage requirements Luggage is restricted to 20 kilogrammes per person (not including photographic equipment) in a soft, holdall type bag. Weight is generally less important than volume as everything is carried with you on safari and you must be able to easily lift and move your own baggage. Weather in Namibia This tour goes during Namibia's summer and the weather is sunny and hot with the occasional rain shower. Namibia receives a great deal of sunshine, with over 10 hours in the summer and overcast days are the exception, rather than the rule. Summer evenings are wonderfully warm and pleasant with temperatures in the low teens. Days are hot with temperatures in the mid-thirties. Standard of accommodation The accommodation included in this group tour is of a simple to medium standard. A lot of the trip is spent well off the beaten track and we have chosen the best (or only) options in these areas. These places are typically comfortable and clean but without all the bells and whistles associated with luxurious accommodation. The quality of food is usually good but simply styled and with a lot of red meat on offer, so be sure to tell your specialist if you have any special dietary requirements. The lodges and hotels have been selected due to their locations and the accessibility to unique experiences. Visas Namibia UK passport holders do not currently require a visa to enter Namibia. You will though require a minimum of two blank pages in your passport. British nationals can enter Namibia for a holiday or private visit of up to 90 days without a visa. Driving licence: please note if you are hiring a car in Namibia, you must have a UK photocard driving licence. If you have an old-style paper licence or a European licence, you must get an international driving permit or you will not be permitted to collect your car or drive. UK residents can obtain an international driving permit from major branches of the Post Office for a small fee. Overseas clients should contact their country's licensing authority for information on how to obtain an international licence. South Africa British passport holders do not require a visa to enter South Africa, but must have two consecutive blank visa pages in their passport (i.e. a blank double-facing page). It must also be machine-readable. If you are arranging your own flights you will need to ensure that you carry a printed e-ticket. We will provide this for you if you are booking your flights as part of your package. Travelling with children: As of 1st June, 2015, anyone travelling with children under 18 years of age is required to travel with an original, full, unabridged, birth certificate for that child. This no longer applies if you are in transit through a South African airport without clearing immigration, however, if there are delays and you need to enter South Africa, or your plans include entry to South Africa at a later point, you will need the unabridged Introduction to our Green Kalahari and Namibia group safari tour 7

8 Introduction to our Green Kalahari and Namibia group safari tour birth certificate and supporting documents, so we therefore recommend getting it to be on the safe side. Please note that the birth certificate provided as standard in the UK is an abridged version and so you will need to apply for a full version. Copies can be obtained from the and cost 9.25 for a standard service or for a premium service, which is posted first class the same day (if ordered before 4pm). Special delivery post is available through the General Register Office on Where only one parent is accompanying, proof of parental or legal authority to travel with the child is also required. Please refer to the South African Department of Home Affairs website for more specific information: Important Note: we cannot under any circumstances guarantee that your visa application for any country will be accepted. However, in our experience refusals are extremely rare. Visa information is given in good faith and is accurate to the best of our knowledge. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Sossus Dune Lodge Health and safety note We do not recommend this property for families with children under 12 years due to the design of the balconies and the walkways. Adults should take care. 8 Introduction to our Green Kalahari and Namibia group safari tour

9 Day by day summary 1 Saturday 11 February Sunday 12 February Monday 13 February Tuesday 14 February Wednesday 15 February Thursday 16 February Friday 17 February Saturday 18 February Sunday 19 February Monday 20 February 2017 You'll set off on your adventure with an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Johannesburg. On arrival in Johannesburg, connect with your onward flight to Windhoek. Here you will meet the rest of the group and your guide. You will then be driven to your guesthouse with a short tour of Windhoek en route. This afternoon will be at leisure. This evening you will enjoy a welcome dinner at the guesthouse. The group sets off from Windhoek and heads south, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn on the way to the Kalahari. While in the desert you can search for the specially adapted wildlife that manages to survive in the dry and dusty conditions. It's an exciting day today as the group not only crosses into South Africa, but also reaches the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Here you can enjoy some of Southern Africa's best predator viewing in an area very little known and visited. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park extends over the border from South Africa into Botswana and is a great example of how conservation can foster cooperation and overcome narrow national interests. On this trip you will stay in the quarter of the park which is on South African territory and today you'll head out on game drives looking for black-maned lion and southern oryx. Head deeper into the park to Twee Rivieren Restcamp from where the are numerous trails to follow on game drives. The other predators of the area include cheetah, leopard and hyena, while the blue skies are home to buzzards, eagles and secretary birds. Leaving the Kalahari the group crosses back into Namibia and drives to Keetmanshoop, home to a quiver tree forest. The quiver tree is a photogenic variety of aloe and the forest here is home to 300 or so. Visiting at sunset, you'll be able to take some good shots or just enjoy the late afternoon sun. Today you can enjoy an unhurried breakfast before heading off on the drive to Fish River Canyon. Arriving by lunch, you will have time to relax and take in the views. In the afternoon you can get out and explore the paths along the canyon edge with your guide. This morning's drive down into the canyon takes you through the various geological layers and fault lines. Keep your eyes peeled for sub-tropical plants and the few animals that can withstand the hot and dry conditions. Lunch is served by one of the permanent rock pools on the canyon floor, and when you get back to the top you can enjoy a drink while surveying the vast panorama. In flight. Galton House, Windhoek 1 x Luxury room - Breakfast and dinner are included Kalahari Anib Lodge, Southern Kalahari 1 x Standard - All meals are included Kalahari Tented Camp, The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 1 x Desert tent - All meals and selected excursions included Kalahari Tented Camp, The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 1 x Desert tent - All meals and selected excursions included Twee Rivieren Restcamp, The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 1 x Standard - All meals and selected excursions included Twee Rivieren Restcamp, The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 1 x Standard - All meals and selected excursions included Bird's Mansions Hotel, Keetmanshoop 1 x Standard room - All meals and selected excursions included Fish River Lodge, Fish River Canyon 1 x Chalet - All meals and selected excursions included Fish River Lodge, Fish River Canyon 1 x Chalet - All meals and selected excursions included Day by day summary 9

10 Day by day summary 11 Tuesday 21 February Wednesday 22 February Thursday 23 February Friday 24 February Saturday 25 February Sunday 26 February 2017 The end destination today is Luderitz, a Teutonic town on the Atlantic. En route you will stop for lunch and have a look around Aus, known for its herd of feral horses. Luderitz's streets are lined with historic German-style buildings but the dusty hills surrounding town remind you you're in Namibia. The Atlantic borders the town, giving it a year round mild climate, with the temperature hovering around 20C. The area around Luderitz was once the site of a diamond rush where Germans came to make their fortune, founding the little towns of Elizabeth Bay and Kolmanskop that became fabulously wealthy almost overnight. The diamonds eventually ran out, and the towns were abandoned and left to become ghost towns, with the buildings being reclaimed by the desert sands. Today you can wander round the former mansions of the German colonial settlers and get a sense of what it would have been like in the 1920s during the mining boom. Leave the coast and head back north to Sesriem where you can explore the Sesriem Canyon, a narrow gorge around a kilometre and a half long and 30 metres deep. When Namibia is shown in colour supplements, it's often the sand dunes at Sossusvlei that are depicted and this is simply because they are majestic. Rearing 300 metres above the surrounding plains, they are the archetypal desert sand dune, in striking orange hues. This morning you can explore the area and, if you're feeling particularly fit, climb up the dunes. If you do make it to the top the views are well worth the effort. In the afternoon you'll have the chance to take it easy, perhaps with a swim in the pool. Leave Sossusvlei and head back to the closest thing Namibia has to a buzzing metropolis, Windhoek. Tonight there is a farewell dinner where you can swap stories with the rest of the group and reminisce about the highlights of the past two weeks. This morning there is time to explore Windhoek if you would like, and perhaps pick up some gifts for those at home before you are taken to the airport for your flight home. The Nest Hotel, Luderitz 1 x Standard - All meals and selected excursions included The Nest Hotel, Luderitz 1 x Standard - All meals and selected excursions included Sossus Dune Lodge, Sossusvlei 1 x Standard - All meals and selected excursions included Sossus Dune Lodge, Sossusvlei 1 x Standard - All meals and selected excursions included Galton House, Windhoek 1 x Luxury room - All meals are included In flight. 10 Day by day summary

11 Prices Arrangements as specified per person 4, Please note the following supplements and/or upgrade options per person: Single Supplement Per person deposit required to confirm these arrangements 744 Optional carbon off-setting for your flights per person (see General Information section for further details) 15 The deposit required is detailed above and relates to the itinerary detailed in this quotation. In most cases the deposit is 15% of the total cost or 200 per person (whichever is the greater), however in some instances a larger deposit is required in order to secure particular services. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions section at the back of this booklet. Please note if you confirm your booking within 60 days of your departure date full payment is required at the time of booking. By paying the deposit you are confirming you have read and agree to our Terms and Conditions on behalf of all persons named on the booking. How to book If you have any questions regarding the tour or would like to hold a no obligation option for a place on the tour, please feel free to contact our Namibia specialists on who will be delighted to assist you. To confirm an option, please send us a completed booking form and the deposit specified above. The deposit can be paid by cheque, bank transfer or credit / debit card. Please make cheques payable to Audley Travel. Please see below for more information on paying by credit card. Payment by credit card Please note that we do not charge a fee on deposit payments by credit card, except when a deposit is more than 15%. In this situation a charge will apply. Credit card fees are detailed on the booking form. Balance or full payment is subject to a 1.3% fee to cover the credit card issuer s commission. There is a 2% fee for AMEX. We make a credit card fee due to the high fees charged to tour operators by the credit card companies: we do not make a profit on this charge. We charge a credit card fee due to the high fees charged to tour operators by the credit card companies. We have chosen to make this transparent rather than including it within the trip price. You may therefore wish to pay the balance by bank transfer, debit card or personal cheque. Included in the price All flights as specified in the itinerary Twin share accommodation as specified All transfers and excursions as specified Services of experienced local guides Sightseeing and entrance fees Meals as specified in the itinerary Not included in the price Meals not indicated within your itinerary Where applicable, local airport departure taxes; payable locally on departure in some locations Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, etc. Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary) Any camera or video fees at any sites Entrance fees and other costs when on 'free time Travel insurance (see general information section) Terms and Conditions The Terms and Conditions that apply to all of our holidays are detailed at the back of this booklet. By paying the deposit you are confirming you have read and accept the Terms and Conditions on behalf of all persons named on the booking. Prices 11

12 [ Why travel with us? The New Mill, our offices on the outskirts of Witney in west Oxfordshire Reputation and quality Well over 80% of our clients have travelled with us in the past or have had Audley recommended to them. When you book with us you are assured of quality arrangements if only for the fact that we simply cannot afford to risk our excellent reputation. Our service has been recognised by the readers of well-known publications including the Guardian & Observer, the Daily Telegraph and Wanderlust magazine, where we have consistently featured in their best tour operator awards for a number of years. Personal service We are committed to offering you a very personal service, with all your arrangements being handled by one country specialist. They will remain your one point of contact and will take responsibility for the smooth operation of your trip. They are supported by a team of specialists for that region and a professional administration and management team. From the moment you contact us, we are here to answer your questions accurately and honestly, be they about specific arrangements or any more general queries you may have. We are experienced travellers with a thorough and in-depth knowledge of our specialist destinations, and the benefit of this experience is yours throughout. When we do not know the answer to a question we will endeavour to find out and get back to you as soon as possible. Quality service when you are travelling We take a good deal of care when choosing our travel partners overseas, taking into account their quality of service, guides and vehicles. We have built up many long-standing relationships, ensuring that they deliver the level of service demanded by Audley clients. Our local guides and drivers, where appropriate, are the people you will meet. In many cases we know them personally, in all cases we ensure that they are of the highest calibre. They are there to do much more than show you specific sights and provide factual information. They will be able to tell you about local life, culture, cuisines and customs; and, where applicable, act as translator. In certain parts of the world a specialist guide is more appropriate, for example, a wildlife expert. First class guides A smooth journey We have procedures in place for dealing quickly and efficiently with mishaps from minor flight time alterations to more fundamental changes. If problems do occur we will rapidly rearrange your itinerary to make best use of your time given the changed circumstances, not simply cancel part of your trip or leave you sitting in an airport waiting for hours for a rescheduled flight. Importantly, in these situations we will do everything possible to minimise any extra costs involved in the vast majority of cases no extra charges will be made. If a problem does occur while you are travelling you can contact us on our 24 hour number. We will do everything in our power to rectify the problem immediately rather than allow it to spoil your trip. Detailed travel documents Approximately two to three weeks before you travel we will send you all your travel documents presented in a convenient travel organiser. As well as your full itinerary and travel documents, there will also be additional information such as recommended restaurants and practical tips. A few days before you travel your specialist will call you to have a final talk through your itinerary and answer any last minute questions you may have. Responsible travel We have a firm commitment to minimising the environmental and social impact of travel, and strive to ensure that a visit from an Audley client has a positive effect on the destination. We have a firm commitment to the principles of responsible travel and have been awarded AITO 5 star status (the highest achievable) for our policies and practises. We continue to work with AITO, and a number of other bodies, to improve our policies. For more details please refer to our website ( where you will find details of our responsible travel policy and also our Travellers Code. If you are particularly interested in these issues, your country specialist will be able to tell you more. Legal liability We are a UK company and hence must fully comply with English law. When booking with us you can rest assured that your arrangements are carefully planned as we have a reputation to maintain and are legally liable for any omissions or negligent acts. You may not find you have this level of reassurance if you make your own travel arrangements independently. 12 Why travel with us?

13 Introduction to Namibia Key facts: Population: 2.06 million Land area: thousand square kilometres Major languages spoken: English, Afrikaans and German Currency: Namibia Dollar Time difference: GMT+2 hours Capital city: Windhoek Introduction Namibia is a country of vast blue skies and endless horizons. It contains one of the world s oldest deserts, its highest dunes and second largest canyon. In the north of the country, Etosha s silvery salt pans and surrounding plains teem with game. Damaraland s desert-adapted elephant and endangered black rhino roam freely and can be tracked on foot and on open 4x4 safari vehicles. Flying along the Skeleton Coast, you ll find roaring dunes, huge seal colonies with hundreds of thousands of seals, and flocks of pelicans and flamingos. Perhaps the most spectacular scenery is found in the south. Climbing a dune at Sossusvlei to watch the sunrise, it s easy to see why Namibia is a photographer s dream. The dunes are enchanting, unspoilt, and - best of all - you have them all to yourself. Avg Max Day Temperature ( 0 C) J F M A M J J A S O N D Fish River Canyon Avg Min Night Temperature ( 0 C) Avg Hours of Sunshine Monthly Rainfall (mm) Avg Max Day Temperature ( 0 C) J F M A M J J A S O N D Luderitz Avg Min Night Temperature ( 0 C) Avg Hours of Sunshine Monthly Rainfall (mm) Avg Max Day Temperature ( 0 C) J F M A M J J A S O N D Sossusvlei Avg Min Night Temperature ( 0 C) Avg Hours of Sunshine Monthly Rainfall (mm) Introduction to the region 13

14 14 Introduction to the region Introduction to Namibia

15 Introduction to South Africa Key facts: Population: million Land area: 1.22 million square kilometres Major languages spoken: Zulu, Xhosa and Afrikaans Currency: South African Rand Time difference: GMT+2 hours Capital city: Pretoria J F M A M J J A S O N D The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Avg Max Day Temperature ( 0 C) Avg Min Night Temperature ( 0 C) Avg Hours of Sunshine Monthly Rainfall (mm) Introduction to the region 15

16 Introduction to South Africa Top: Namibia's roads have little traffic on them Left: Gemsbok fighting Lower left: Fish River Canyon, Namibia 16 Photographs of the region

17 Introduction to South Africa Top: Springbok, Kalahari Left: The ghost town at Kolmanskop Right: Climbing the sand dunes at Sossusvlei Photographs of the region 17

18 Itinerary in Detail Saturday 11 February, 2017 Sunday 12 February, 2017 Galton House, Windhoek Breakfast and dinner are included London Heathrow Terminal: 2 to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Terminal: A South African Airways - Flight No: SA Dep: 18:05 - Arr: 07:15 - (1 day later) - Duration: 11hr 10min; Class: Economy Class; Non-stop flight Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Terminal: B to Windhoek International Airport South African Airways - Flight No: SA 74 - Dep: 09:50 - Arr: 11:45 - (same day) - Duration: 01hr 55min; Class: Economy Class; Non-stop flight Northern Namibia introduction Northern Namibia offers a variety of scenery, wildlife and experiences that are hard to beat elsewhere in the world. The harsh landscapes of the Skeleton Coast and Damaraland, with its desert-adapted flora and fauna, will leave a lasting impression. Himba villages, rock formations, and the search for game, including desert-adapted elephant that roam the vast area, add a unique dimension to a visit. Thriving birdlife and seal colonies inhabit the shores around Swakopmund and in the Walvis Bay Lagoon. There are also excellent wildlife viewing opportunities both in Etosha National Park and along the Caprivi Strip. The Equestrian statue, Windhoek Windhoek introduction Windhoek is located at an altitude of 1,646 metres in the country s Central Highlands. The Auas Mountains lie to the southeast, Eros Mountains to the northeast and the hills of the Khomas Hochland to the west. Lying more or less in the geographical centre of the country, the city and surrounding suburbs are spread out over a series of picturesque valleys. Although small for a capital city by international standards, Windhoek remains the political, economic and cultural centre of the country. It is certainly a place worth spending a day or two looking around. The wide streets are lined with cosmopolitan pavement cafés. Look up, and you ll see old German architecture in soft colours sitting alongside glittering office blocks. Street vendors cluster under palm trees with arrays of wooden curios, while shops have colourful displays of African art, twinkling Namibian diamonds and books on every aspect of the country, from the Himba of the Kaokoveld to the ghost towns of Luderitz. People are busy but relaxed, and stress seems unknown here. The traffic is minimal, the air is clear, and the skies seem to be permanently blue. Windhoek is one of Africa s nicest capital cities. We have always found it very safe and easy to get around but, although it is rare, there have been incidences of petty theft from tourists in Windhoek whilst outside their guesthouse or hotel, so upon arrival, it is advisable to keep any valuables locked in your vehicle until you are within the property. We would also recommend, as a general precaution, to lock your doors when driving around. If going out to dine in the evening, you should book taxi transfers with a reputable company - your guesthouse or hotel will be able to help you arrange this. In the last few years, the Namibian economy has boomed, and small boutiques and restaurants have sprung up everywhere. You can eat out at fabulous restaurants for very good prices, explore at your own pace, and stay in some beautiful guesthouses that are full of character. 18 Itinerary in Detail

19 Itinerary in Detail Windhoek, Namibia Windhoek International Airport to Galton House After landing in Windhoek and completing immigration formalities you will collect your bags. You will then be met and welcomed by your Ultimate Safaris guide who will transfer you in to town and to Galton House. You will be treated to a short orientation tour of Windhoek en route. On arrival at the hotel, the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax and settle in. Dinner will be eaten this evening at Galton House's excellent restaurant, where you will get to know the other group members. Monday 13 February, 2017 Kalahari Anib Lodge, Southern Kalahari All meals are included Windhoek to the Kalahari Leaving behind the relative buzz of the metropolis that is Namibia's capital, the road south winds its way through dusty mountains and desert landscapes to the town of Rehoboth, focal point of Namibia's Baster community, and then, after crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, onwards to the Kalahari. Southern Namibia introduction Southern Namibia is wild, beautiful and so quiet that the only sound you can hear is the wind. It has expanses of desert, endless yellow plains, low vegetated dunes and impressive mountain ranges. Climbing a dune at Sossusvlei to watch the sunrise, it s easy to see why Namibia is a photographer s dream. The Deep South of Namibia is an area that is often ignored by travellers, but with attractions such as the Fish River Canyon, the wild horses at Aus and deserted diamond mines at Luderitz, it is certainly worth a visit. Springbok running through the Kalahari, Southern Namibia Southern Kalahari introduction Southern Namibia is wild, beautiful and so quiet that the only sound is the wind. It has expanses of desert, endless yellow plains, low vegetated dunes and impressive mountain ranges. There are small farms dotted around this wilderness, tiny homesteads with tin windmills and clusters of prickly pear trees in the gardens. It s a wonderful area to explore, as the roads are deserted and you will have the beauty all to yourself. Driving along, you are likely to meet ostrich on the road and men in felt hats driving donkey carts. There is always an acacia tree with an enormous weaver bird nest hanging from it to stop the car beside and picnic under. Pale chanting goshawks sit on every telegraph pole, and in the early morning you may see bat-eared fox or gemsbok. Stopping in the tiny outpost towns you encounter old-fashioned shops, where you re served from behind a counter by warm, welcoming and sometimes slightly eccentric people! It s an area little visited by tourists, but time in the south cannot fail to impress. Itinerary in Detail 19

20 Itinerary in Detail Driving on a gravel road in the south Activities in the southern Kalahari Explore the Kalahari on a nature drive with a guide. In this area animals are not plentiful due to the aridity of the environment, but it is even more rewarding when you do spot them. You may well see kudu, impala and other antelope, while ostriches roam freely and if you are lucky you may come across wild cat and bateared foxes. A sundowner overlooking the desert is a traditional and fitting end to the day. Meerkat clan in the Kalahari 20 Itinerary in Detail

21 Itinerary in Detail Tuesday 14 February, 2017 Kalahari Tented Camp, The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park All meals and selected excursions included The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Southern Kalahari to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park The southern Kalahari melds into the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park at the border with South Africa. The park transcends national borders, covering portions of Botswana, South Africa and Namibia and is known as one of the best places in Southern Africa to see predators without any crowds. The drive is around six hours through desert scenery of red dunes. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park introduction The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was the first transfrontier park in Africa, created in Spanning the South African and Botswana border, it covers a total area of 38,000 square kilometres, more than twice the size of the Kruger National Park. The established facilities are all on the South African side of the park, although you can travel back and forth between the two countries while inside the park, without restriction. It is a beautiful park, of red dunes, hardy vegetation and dry riverbeds. Despite its apparently inhospitable nature, it is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The two headline acts here are the gemsbok and the Kalahari lion. Silhouetted against sun-drenched skies, the striking V of the gemsbok s horns is reminiscent of Arabia, although the gemsbok's are coloured and patterned, unlike their cousins, the Arabian oryx. The Kalahari lion are distinguished by their black manes, and prey on the large migrating herds of plains game: wildebeest, springbok, eland and red hartebeest. These also attract leopard and cheetah. Kalahari Lion, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Wednesday 15 February, 2017 Kalahari Tented Camp, The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park All meals and selected excursions included Activities in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park extends across the southern Kalahari of South Africa and Botswana and is characterised by grassy areas punctuated by the occasional tree. The rest of the landscape is made up of red dunes. While in the park the main activity is spotting the abundant wildlife, which ranges from large predators such as lion to antelope species ideally adapted to the desert such as southern oryx. Itinerary in Detail 21

22 Itinerary in Detail Gemsbok Cheetah, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Thursday 16 February, 2017 Twee Rivieren Restcamp, The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park All meals and selected excursions included Friday 17 February, 2017 Explore the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park further. Explore the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park further. Twee Rivieren Restcamp, The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park All meals and selected excursions included 22 Itinerary in Detail

23 Itinerary in Detail Saturday 18 February, 2017 Bird's Mansions Hotel, Keetmanshoop All meals and selected excursions included Quiver Tree, Fish River Canyon, Namibia Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to Keetmanshoop From South Africa head over the border to Namibia to the town of Keetmanshoop, renowned for its sunny climate. The journey takes around five hours. Keetmanshoop introduction Keetmanshoop is a six hour drive south of Windhoek and the unofficial capital of the south. It is a small and sleepy town with a small selection of shops, banks and petrol stations, as well as a couple of hotels. The town started as a missionary station and is named after German trader Johann Keetman, who was one of the key financial supporters of the mission. While being important economically to southern Namibia, it cannot be described as a tourist hub. There is an interesting museum with buildings dating back to The Lutheran church is a well-known landmark, as is the traditional Nama matjieshuis ( house made of thatched reed ) in the grounds. Other buildings of note include the old post office, hospital and Schutzenhaus, built in 1907 and headquarters of the oldest German club in the country. Probably of most interest to visitors, however, is the quiver tree forest (kokerboom) which lies about 15 kilometres northeast of town and is of great interest to photographers, particularly at dawn and dusk. Quiver trees near Keetmanshoop Sunday 19 February, 2017 Fish River Lodge, Fish River Canyon All meals and selected excursions included Fish River Canyon introduction In the far south of the country the Fish River Canyon, second only to the Grand Canyon, is spectacular. At its base the Fish River twists and turns, its clear water tumbling over rocks. In the early mornings you will hear the bark of baboons echoing around the rocks and often see a klipspringer darting up a gulley. At the top, the view is breathtaking. There are no shops or kiosks here, but there is a viewing platform with spectacular views. On a busy day there might be one other person visiting it, thus the chance of finding a rock to sit on and having the view to yourself is high. Boulders at the Canyon Itinerary in Detail 23

24 Itinerary in Detail Fish River Canyon, Namibia Monday 20 February, 2017 Fish River Lodge, Fish River Canyon All meals and selected excursions included Activities from Fish River Lodge During your stay at Fish River Lodge you can enjoy the superb location and explore the canyon. Animals that you might see in the area include the endangered Hartmann's zebra, kudu, oryx, springbok and baboon. Birdlife is plentiful, with surprises like pelicans, black eagles, fish eagles, kingfishers, lovebirds, ostriches and wading birds. Fish River Canyon Klipspringer, Fish River Canyon Tuesday 21 February, 2017 The Nest Hotel, Luderitz All meals and selected excursions included Deserted house at Kolmanskop Fish River Canyon to Luderitz Your guide will drive you from Fish River Canyon to Luderitz, passing the wild horses at Aus, and some fantastic scenery towards to the coast. Luderitz introduction Luderitz is a small outpost, a faded picturesque German colonial town, lying between the inhospitable dunes of the Namib Desert on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. It is a very sleepy town, with laid-back locals, who are happy to talk to visitors. Around the centre of town, people go about their business in pastel-coloured houses, dogs wander down the streets, and the only thing to disturb the peace is a siren sounded at noon during the week, to remind the residents of the time (The same sounded intermittently means there s a fire somewhere). Luderitz is a fascinating town to visit. The beaches south of the town are delightful 24 Itinerary in Detail

25 Itinerary in Detail for a morning s walk. You ll see flamingos wading in the surf, shells, whale and seal bones on the sand, but not another soul on the beach. A highlight is a trip to Kolmanskop to see the remains of the ghost town, or a trip deep into the forbidden Sperrgebiet Zone to see the Idatel Valley, where diamonds were collected by moonlight. Luderitz, Namibia Wednesday 22 February, 2017 The Nest Hotel, Luderitz All meals and selected excursions included Kolmanskop Tour Once collected from your hotel you'll be driven out to Kolmanskop and will enter the diamond area via security checkpoint. From here, you will proceed to the old town. Once a millionaires' avenue, this ghost town now stands derelict and empty of life. Ruins submerged in the sand make for some eerie, yet fantastic, photographs. A morning here will give you plenty of time to visit the museum and take a guided tour around the town. You will return to Luderitz in the afternoon. Wild Horses Near Aus Bowling Alley, Kolmanskop Ghost Town Thursday 23 February, 2017 Sossus Dune Lodge, Sossusvlei All meals and selected excursions included Luderitz to Sossusvlei group transfer Today's drive takes you in to the heart of the Namib Desert, travelling inland and then north past the Namibrand Nature Reserve to the legendary dunes of Sossusvlei. With a number of places to stop and enjoy some superb scenery, and an increasing amount of wildlife as you go, this journey could take up to five hours but will be enjoyable throughout. Itinerary in Detail 25

26 Itinerary in Detail Solitaire Filling Station Road D707 Sossusvlei to Aus Sossusvlei introduction In southern Namibia, at Sesriem, the Tsauchab River has carved a wide path into the dunes towards the coast. However, the river never reaches the sea, as it is blocked by mountains of sand. Instead, it spreads into pans, surrounded by curving dunes. This area is known as Sossusvlei, and has towering dunes that are apricot at sunrise and crimson at sunset. Near Sossusvlei are other vleis (valleys or pans) Dead Vlei has a silver floor and skeletal trees, and Hidden Vlei has dusty acacias. They are superb for photography and places of spectacular beauty. Many people think deserts are lifeless, however, walking through the dunes you will soon realise this is not so. The tracks of tok tokkie beetles criss-cross the sand, shovel-snouted lizards dart in to nara bushes, and you may even see a wildcat in the distance. If you are feeling fit you can climb one of the hundreds of dunes. Deadvlei Friday 24 February, 2017 Sossus Dune Lodge, Sossusvlei All meals and selected excursions included Sossusvlei Excursion from Sossus Dune Lodge This morning you will wake early and be driven towards Sossusvlei, around 60 kilometres from the park entrance and Sossus Dune Lodge. The entrance opens at sunrise and this is the best time of day to see the dunes. You will enjoy the amazing scenery of Sossusvlei, and maybe take a short walk to Deadvlei, a collection of ancient camel thorn trees, or climb the nearby dunes. Your breakfast will be served by your guide, under the shade of the acacia trees. 26 Itinerary in Detail

27 Itinerary in Detail Afternoon excursions from Sossus Dune Lodge to the dunes can also be arranged and paid for on arrival at the lodge, enabling you to be one of the few people to watch the dunes at sunset. Dead vlei pan at Sossusvlei, Namibia Sossusvlei Saturday 25 February, 2017 Galton House, Windhoek All meals are included Sesriem Area to Windhoek After breakfast you will begin your journey back to Windhoek with your private guide, stopping for a picnic lunch on the way. You ll arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon and can relax and talk about the highlights of the trip with your fellow travellers. This evening there will be a farewell dinner where you can enjoy some good food and drink and cement the friendships made during the past two weeks. Christus Kirche, Windhoek Sunday 26 February, 2017 Windhoek and the flight home There is time this morning to get up and explore Windhoek, and Galton House can arrange a taxi to take you into town. You can have an early lunch in the city or at Galton House (not included) before your guide will take you to Windhoek International Airport and assist you with check in. The transfer will take about 40 minutes. Hopefully this will be a fond farewell and you will have many happy memories and a healthy glow to take back with you. SA 77 Windhoek/Johannesburg 16:00/17:45 (Y) 2 Pax A Windhoek craft market SA 234 Johannesburg/London 19:55/06:25 (Y) 2 Pax Itinerary in Detail 27

28 Itinerary in Detail Important Notes Flight times and the daily order of sightseeing are subject to change. Transfer times are approximate and subject to local conditions at the time of travel. All flight times are local. 28 Itinerary in Detail

29 Accommodation OUR ACCOMMODATION GRADING SYSTEM Your accommodation is described on the following pages. Please do not hesitate to call us if you require any further information about any of the properties. We classify accommodation into the following categories. These are for your guidance only, they are based on the opinions of our staff and are therefore quite subjective. Basic: Very primitive accommodation where we are not aware of anything better in the region. Simple: Clean and simple but limited facilities. Medium: A good standard of accommodation, reasonable range of facilities. First Class: A high standard of accommodation with a wide range of facilities. Deluxe: Superb accommodation with facilities and service to match. Opulent: The world s most unashamedly luxurious hotels, resorts and lodges. Accommodation 29

30 Accommodation GALTON HOUSE, WINDHOEK Medium This lovely guesthouse is situated on a hillside in the upmarket neighbourhood of Eros. It has been decorated in a modern, stylish way, without being pretentious. There are eight rooms, two of which are designed for families. All rooms have en suite bathrooms as well as air-conditioning, a digital safe, satellite TV, hairdryer, and international plug adaptors. The family rooms are vast, with twin beds and two additional beds. However, the en suite bathroom in the family room is quite compact, which is worth being aware of. The main areas are open plan with plenty of sofas and areas to relax. The facilities include an honesty bar, coffee station, swimming pool, Wi-Fi Internet, curio shop and secure offstreet parking. For early check-ins or late check-outs, there is also a dayroom where you can freshen up. The food here is delicious, and lunches and dinners are available on request if you don't feel like venturing in to the city. 30 Accommodation

31 Accommodation KALAHARI ANIB LODGE, SOUTHERN KALAHARI Medium Anib Lodge is situated on a large farm, about 30 kilometres outside the tiny town of Mariental. On the edge of the Kalahari, the farm encompasses vegetated dunes and expansive yellow plains. There are a number of pretty walking trails around the farm, which guests can undertake on their own. Should you ever get lost (which is very unlikely), you simply look for the tin windmill and head for it, as the lodge is underneath it! The lodge has 53 rooms with private verandas, situated around the courtyard; these rooms are often used by group tours. For those travelling privately, there are nine sunny rooms, slightly set apart, offering views of the savanna scenery. Each room has simple Germanic furniture and spotless en suite bathrooms. Outside, there is a pool, a small green lawn, and profusion of colourful and fragrant flowers. Anib is a perfect spot for relaxing, however the more active can go rambling, mountain biking, or on farm and nature drives. Accommodation 31

32 Accommodation KALAHARI TENTED CAMP, THE KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK Simple This rustic camp, surrounded by red sand dunes, really engenders an end of the world feeling, with no other signs of civilisation to disturb the peace and tranquillity. It has an ideal position to get out and explore the park, and when you return after a long day tracking game you can enjoy a cooling dip in the pool. This is not a luxury camp, and the tents are basic and comfortable rather than fancy, but come with fans and en suite bathrooms. The camp is unfenced and often has hyena visiting during the evenings. The official advice is not to feed them, just in case you had thought that was a good idea. TWEE RIVIEREN RESTCAMP, THE KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK Simple Twee Rivieren is the largest and best equipped rest camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The accommodation is pretty simple, but air-conditioned. Each unit has its own shower and kitchen and is designed to sleep a family. As well as a petrol station, the camp also has a shop and a restaurant. There are lots of different routes to explore from the camp making it an excellent base for tracking game. 32 Accommodation

33 Accommodation BIRD'S MANSIONS HOTEL, KEETMANSHOOP Simple Keetmanshoop is not overly endowed with fancy hotels, and the Bird's Mansions Hotel is the best choice in town. The rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and very comfortable for a stopover. There is a heated outdoor pool for a swim after a dusty drive through the desert and a garden to enjoy a cool drink or cup of tea in. The hotel is a short drive from Keetmanshoop's quiver tree forest, where numerous examples of this photogenic aloe tree sit on a rocky outcrop. Accommodation 33

34 Accommodation FISH RIVER LODGE, FISH RIVER CANYON Medium Fish River Lodge has a superb location, with incredible views over the impressive Fish River Canyon. There are 20 comfortable, modern chalets based in a privately owned reserve of around 45 square kilometres, including a stunning 80-kilometre stretch along the canyon rim. Fish River Canyon is 27 kilometres wide at its broadest point, and home to a number of natural pools, a wide variety of game and incredibly beautiful picnic spots that only now have been discovered and are easily reachable for guests. The lodge has superb views into the canyon and is the only one in the area that offers day hiking trips in the canyon itself. 34 Accommodation

35 Accommodation THE NEST HOTEL, LUDERITZ Medium The Nest Hotel is built on a rocky outcrop on the fringes of Luderitz. There are 73 rooms, all of which have balconies and sea views. The rooms are international in style with double or twin beds, TV, air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms. There is a large bar and dining room and the hotel has a good reputation for its food. Our opinion: The Nest Hotel isn't an exciting hotel, but it has a good location and lovely sea views. Accommodation 35

36 Accommodation SOSSUS DUNE LODGE, SOSSUSVLEI Medium Sossus Dune Lodge is part of the Namibian Wildlife Resorts collection. Situated within the Namib Naukluft Park, close to Sesriem Canyon, the lodge comprises 25 thatched chalets, with large en suite shower rooms and wooden decks, with stunning views. Each spacious chalet is canvas-sided, with wood floors and fronted by large glass windows to make the most of the stunning views of the dunes. There is a thatched main dining area, bar and comfortable lounge, plus a swimming pool and sundeck. As it is within the park, guests on lodge activities can benefit from being able to reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, and stay after sunset, giving the opportunity to experience the splendour of the dunes with few other tourists. The lodge offers guided drives to Sossusvlei, nature drives and walks to Sesriem Canyon. Our opinion: Namibian Wildlife Resorts have had a reputation for poor standards of accommodation and service in the past. However, over the last few years, they have upgraded all of their properties, and the standard of accommodation has been greatly improved. Despite this, we do still feel that the food is best described as hearty, and service can be slow. We believe that the lodge is in a very convenient location to visit Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon, with comfortable rooms and acceptable service and food. Staying here also gives you the added benefit of accessing the dunes at first light and this benefit of entering Sossusvlei 'out of hours' is only available if you are on a guided excursion. Please be aware that rooms at this property have balcony balustrades which consist of a single barrier rail, and as the balconies are raised up above the ground with a significant drop, this could present a hazard. 36 Accommodation

37 Charity support Audley has been supporting carbon reduction projects through Friends of Conservation since 2005 and in addition to this each individual department also supports a charity of their choice with a yearly financial donation. This charity is one that is close to their hearts and the team often chooses to fundraise to add to this amount. Please ask your specialist if you would like to find out more as in most instances they will have visited the charity themselves, or one of their colleagues will have. Children, Mara Rianda Charitable Trust Richard Long The Mara Rianda Charitable Trust Our friend and former colleague Ariana Grammaticas left Audley in 2007 to return to her home country of Kenya. In early 2008 she wrote to us about The Mara Rianda Charitable Trust. Set up by Richard Long, who visited Kenya in 2004, it supports the school and community in the wider Mara area. All the money Richard raises is used to provide this support, and he covers administration costs himself. The Trust has installed a borehole to supply fresh water, built five new classrooms provided bursaries for exceptional students to go to secondary school and paid the salary for one teacher. Most recently in 2013 the Trust also opened the Mara Rianda medical centre, complete with three wards, consulting rooms and a dispensary. Though much has been achieved, there is always much more that can be done! The old Enkeriri school building Richard Long Head teacher in front of the new Enkeriri school building Richard Long Audley and The Mara Rianda Charitable Trust We initially became involved with The Mara Rianda Charitable Trust to help with its aim to bring clean drinking water to the children of Aitong Primary School, who were previously drinking from a muddy spring. Complications arose when it was discovered that the spring that the trust had hoped to tap for clean water dried up for three months of each year. After several meetings with the Maasai elders, it has now been agreed that the water can be taken from the main spring at Aitong village and be pumped over 1 kilometre to the school. This project is now completed, aided by donations from Audley and other organisations. Charity support 37

38 Charity support More recent achievements at the charity have included a new kitchen and dining room at the primary school which is now fully waterproof and the parents who help cook the meals there are delighted. The trust has also funded the building of a new maternity unit at Mara Rianda, as women who had complications previously had to travel for three hours on a bus to the nearest hospital. In addition to this they are working with a new school, Olipikdong oe, which needed help to install electricity so that the children who board could study after dark. In addition two new primary schools have been built that allow light in (unlike the original mud buildings made out of dung) and to provide a classroom for another school that was being taught under a tree. As the maternity unit at Mara Rianda grows Audley is helping to support the installation of solar power to allow continuous lighting throughout the night. In addition to this, the Trust is aiming to support a further twelve children through secondary school. If you would like further information please speak to your Africa specialist. Alternatively, if you are going to Kenya and staying at any of the Governor s Camps in the Masai Mara, do ask the staff to take you to visit! 38 Charity support

39 General information Travel insurance It is advisable to take out your travel insurance at the time of booking your trip as cover will commence for predeparture cancellation from the policy issue date. This will, therefore, provide cover should you have to cancel your trip for an insured reason such as illness or serious accident. We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are adequately insured, providing financial protection against unforeseen circumstances. Cover should include medical expenses and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. In addition, we strongly recommend that you have cover for personal belongings, delay at your outward or homeward point of departure, personal liability, overseas legal expenses and cancellation. If you are undertaking any sports or adventurous activities, including trekking, on your trip you should also make sure that your policy covers these. Please also ensure you read the policy conditions and exclusions. The type of trips we create and the requirements of Audley clients vary greatly. We have therefore listed below a number of companies who offer policies which may suit these varying requirements. You can find links to the companies' websites, at Other companies and policies are also available. We are unable to provide you with more detailed information and you should contact the company concerned directly for this. Please note this is general information only. We are not providing any specific advice on travel insurance or recommending any particular policy or insurer. Trips of up to 5,000 pp A large number of companies offer insurance policies which include cover for cancellation charges of up to the full holiday cost. Trips over 5,000 pp It can be more challenging to get insurance which includes cover for cancellation charges of up to the full holiday cost for higher value trips. A number of companies do, however, offer such policies. Thomson (in partnership with AXA) ( ) offer cancellation cover up to 20,000 per person, American Express ( ) offer cancellation cover up to 12,500 per person and Insure and Go ( ) offer cancellation cover up to 7,500 per person. This information can also be found on our website with links to the insurers websites. Clients over 65 years of age Many companies now offer cover to people over 65 years of age. However, if you are finding it difficult to get cover you could try Age UK ( ) or Saga ( ) both of whom currently have no upper age limit on their policies. See also the companies referred to under preexisting medical conditions below. This information can also be found on our website with links to the insurers websites. Pre-existing medical conditions If you have a pre-existing medical condition, there are a number of companies that may be able to help you. P J Hayman / Free Spirit ( ) will consider most pre-existing medical conditions and they have no upper age limit on single trip policies. Age UK ( ) and Insure and Go ( ) will also consider a number of pre-existing conditions and may be able to help. Cancer Travel Insurance Services ( ) specialise in travel insurance for people with non-terminal cancer and have no upper age limit on their policies. This information can also be found at with links to the insurers websites. Non-UK residents If you are not a UK resident you will usually need to get insurance in your country of residence. Some insurance companies, such as Columbus Direct ( ), will consider policies for non- UK residents. This information can also be found on our website with links to the insurers websites. Once you have a travel insurance policy in place, please let your specialist know who your insurance company is and your policy number. The above information is provided in good faith and is correct to the best of our knowledge. No liability is, however, accepted for any errors and all information must be checked directly with the insurance company. Financial security We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 4817). All the flight-inclusive holidays* that we provide are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay, you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please check to ensure that everything you booked is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information about financial protection and for further information on the ATOL Certificate. *The flight inclusive holidays we arrange are ATOL protected providing they are made available in the UK. For further information, visit the ATOL website at Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme. Those package arrangements which are not protected by our ATOL are covered by ABTOT, the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust. This insurance means your money will be refunded or you will be returned to the starting point of your contracted arrangements if already abroad in the unlikely event of our being unable to provide your holiday due to our insolvency. (For more details please see Section 12 of the Terms and Conditions.) In these instances you will not receive an ATOL certificate with your invoice. Health It is essential that you see your GP or a travel clinic before booking your trip and before travelling to make sure that you have taken all the necessary health precautions. Some vaccinations require more than one visit with a period of weeks between injections. You should visit your GP at least six weeks before departure. For up to date medical advice you may wish to use the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA). MASTA Traveller s Health Brief Before travelling abroad, you can visit to obtain a Health Brief specifically tailored to your journey. Your brief will give information about immunisations and malaria as well as any Foreign Office advice and the latest health news. General information 39