The Dune Lark is endemic to Namibia, its coloration mirroring the deep ochre sands of the Namib dune sea Callan Cohen

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1 Namibia NAMIB DESERT & ETOSHA The Dune Lark is endemic to Namibia, its coloration mirroring the deep ochre sands of the Namib dune sea Callan Cohen 2019 Sunday 7th - Saturday 20th July (14 days) Small group tour with Joe Grosel Namibia is a world-class wildlife destination, home to some of Africa s most sought-after endemic birds and mammals, one of the continent s finest national parks and some truly spectacular desert landscapes! Let our southern Africa specialist Joe Grosel guide you on a remarkable journey... one that will take you from the special birds of the immense red dunes and stark granite monoliths of the Namib, via the prolific wildlife of Namibia s mist-shrouded Atlantic shore - at the southern tip of the mysterious Skeleton Coast - to legendary Etosha National Park, the 'place of dry water'. A dazzling array of southern African birds - including many regional endemics Travel by 4WD Landcruiser, specially adapted to optimise bird and wildlife viewing The endemic Dune Lark, Gray's Lark, Tractrac and Herero Chats, White-tailed Shrike See the prolific birds and wildlife of one of Africa s richest coastlines Rockrunner, Hartlaub s Francolin and other specialities in the Erongo Mountains The haunting beauty of the desolate Namib Desert and its magnificent red dunes 4 nights at world famous Etosha National Park Mammals include African Lion, African Elephant, Southern Oryx and more The bizarre Welwitschia, one of the world's most peculiar and ancient plants Small party size - maximum of 6 participants Expertly led by our southern Africa safari specialist, Joe Grosel What's Included? Limosa Tour Leader Return flights - London Heathrow to Windhoek (via Johannesburg) 11 nights accommodation in Namibia, at comfortable lodges and permanent tented camps All main meals - with drinking water provided during the day Travel by modern 4WD Landcruiser, with 'pop-up roof' for bird & wildlife viewing All excursions, entry fees, local guides, tour based tips & taxes LIMOSA HOLIDAYS, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9EJ (UK) TEL: +44 (0) info@limosaholidays.co.uk WEB: limosaholidays.co.uk

2 Outline Itinerary Day 1: Depart London Heathrow on an overnight flight to Johannesburg Days 2-3: We meet Joe and take a connecting flight to Windhoek and transfer to the Erongo Mountains, with their speciality birds. Erongo (2 nights) Days 4-5: The Spitzkoppe, Namib Desert and the bird-rich Atlantic coast. Walvis Bay (2 nights) Day 6: Brandberg massif. Night Brandberg Days 7-10: Etosha National Park (4 nights split between lodges in the western, central and/or eastern sectors) Days 11-12: Waterberg National Park (2 nts) Day 13: Morning Waterberg. Afternoon fly Windhoek-Johannesburg-London Day 14: Arrival London Heathrow Tour Overview From the swirling apricot-coloured dunes and stark granite monoliths of the Namib, via the shores of its mysterious, mist-shrouded Atlantic coast to one of Southern Africa's best loved wildlife sanctuaries, legendary Etosha National Park... our July birdwatching tour to Namibia will astound and delight you - both in the wealth and wonder of its extraordinary birds and wildlife, and its magnificence of landscape. Travelling in a modern 4WD Landcruiser that's been specially adapted to optimise bird and wildlife viewing, our journey will take us first from the capital Windhoek to the Erongo Mountains, a dramatic range overlooking the Namib Desert. Nestled below the giant granite 'whalebacks', our lodgings here are an excellent place to start our search for Namibia's soughtafter near-endemics such as the enigmatic Rockrunner, Hartlaub s Francolin and Whitetailed Shrike, as well as flocks of colourful Rosy-faced Lovebirds. Continuing west across the gravel plains, we will find ourselves on Namibia s cool Atlantic shore, where we spend two nights at Walvis Bay. Lying at the extreme southern end of the fabled Skeleton Coast, a graveyard of so many shipwrecked sailors over the centuries, this arid and infamous stretch of fog-shrouded coastline is better known nowadays for its immense concentrations of shorebirds, flamingos, cormorants and Cape Fur Seals. From our base on the coast, we ll explore the towering red dunes of the Namib, with their sand-diving lizards and fog-drinking beetles, and the seemingly endless gravel plains. The remarkable desert is also home to the endemic Dune Lark, the near-endemic Gray s Lark and the ancient Welwitschia, a bizarre desert plant that may live for over 2000 years. Heading north, we reach the Brandberg massif, Namibia s highest mountain. This huge granite inselberg towers above the shimmering desert plains and harbours a range of endemic birds as well as Namibia's elusive Desert Elephant. Continuing north, we spend our next four nights in and around Etosha. Acclaimed as one of the world s finest National Parks and the undoubted jewel in Namibia s glittering wildlife crown, Etosha s vast natural basin has long since lost the lake that it once held. Although its name literally means place of dry water, Etosha remains an oasis for an exceptional wealth of wildlife and scenes from countless TV wildlife spectaculars spring to mind as we come face to face with large mammals including Lion, Elephant, Zebra and herds of dainty Springbok. As we return full circle towards Windhoek, we spend our final two nights in Namibia at scenic Waterberg Plateau Park - with the prospect of more exceptional birding and large mammals, too. Guide Joe Grosel is a Southern Africa specialist who led his first trip for Limosa back in 2007 (when he successfully showed us owls and rhinos around his hometown in South Africa's Limpopo Province). Joe has since led our tours to Botswana & Zambia, and South Africa. He's also a veteran of more than a dozen birding and wildlife tours to Namibia - including Limosa's own visits there in July 2016, 2017 and info@limosaholidays.co.uk

3 Daily Itinerary Day 1 DEPART LONDON Our birdwatching tour to Namibia departs London Heathrow today on an overnight flight bound for Johannesburg (South Africa). Days 2-3 WINDHOEK & THE ERONGO MOUNTAINS Morning arrival in Johannesburg and onward connection to Windhoek (Namibia), where guide Joe Grosel will be waiting to welcome everyone. We load up our modern safari vehicle and head northwest on a scenic two-and-a-half hour drive towards the Erongo Mountains, pausing along the way to enjoy our first birding as we go. Our destination today is a lodge set below magnificent boulders on the edge of the rugged Erongo Mountains. Huge granite monoliths dominate the scenery, and often birds are everywhere. Monteiro s Hornbill, Short-toed Rock Thrush and the near-endemic Rockrunner - a ground-dwelling warbler with a streaky head and bright rufous belly and undertail - are key species to be found, along with White-backed Mousebird, Greater Striped Swallow, Swallowtailed Bee-eater and Crimson-breasted Gonolek. As night falls, if it s a warm evening, Freckled Nightjars often hawk around our lovely lodge. The Erongo range is home to yet more Namibian specials and we shall need to be up bright and early to find the first of them - Hartlaub s Francolin - as this uncommon bird is only likely to be seen at daybreak, when pairs stand out atop the boulders and crow in duet. We have further chances of seeing the engaging Rockrunner scrambling about rocks near the lodge today, as well as the stunning Violet-backed and the drabber Pale-winged Starlings, plus the tiny Black-faced Waxbill. These huge granitic outcrops are also home to the magnificent Verreaux s Eagle and we should see their distinctive dark shape as they patrol the rocks. We ll also have some time for a more relaxed approach today, after the morning birding, to wander and appreciate the unique surroundings at one s own pace. Photographers might wait near the very productive waterhole for beautiful Violet-eared Waxbills and other seedeaters to come and quench their thirst, while the more energetic in the group explore the trails around the camp. The likes of Rüppell s Parrot, Blackbacked Puffback, Acacia Pied Barbet, Pririt Batis, Familiar Chat, Ashy Tit and Blackthroated Canary occur - and we should be treated to some great views of them here! Two nights at a lodge on the edge of the Erongo Mountains Days 4-5 SPITZKOPPE, WALVIS BAY & THE NAMIB DUNE SEA Leaving Erongo, we set off early this morning for the Spitzkoppe - another magnificent granite inselberg or kopje that rises like a colossus from the flat gravel landscape. As we head out over the stark gravel plains, we ll be keeping a keen eye open for the nearendemic Gray s Lark, an elusive and pallid desert dweller that's found only in western Namibia and the southernmost tip of Angola. This is also one of the premier sites for Herero Chat, another near endemic - but we will still require luck and patience to find this elusive bird! The enigmatic and splendid White-tailed Shrike is yet another local speciality here that s all but confined to Namibia; with its pale eye, striking black, white and grey plumage, long legs and stubby tail, it s a bird not to be missed! Also recognised by its disproportionately short tail, we ll watch for the distinctive Augur Buzzard, along with the pretty Rosy-faced Lovebird, Acacia Pied Barbet, White-throated Seedeater and Mountain Wheatear. The roadside birding is good, with the crisp lines of Black-breasted Snake Eagle, the aptly-named African Pygmy Falcon, more Pale-winged and Cape Glossy Starlings, Karoo Chat and Great Sparrow possible. As the Namib s landscapes become increasingly arid and stark, we ll make frequent stops to scan for desert specialities such as the nomadic Rüppell s and Ludwig s Bustards, and the dapper Double-banded Courser, with its striking chestnut hindwing in flight. We should also see our first Springbok, an antelope that's restricted to the arid areas of Southern Africa info@limosaholidays.co.uk

4 Approaching the cool Atlantic coast, we ll notice a definite - and welcome - drop in temperature. Our accommodation for the next two nights will be in the seaside town of Walvis Bay, at the southernmost end of the treacherous and utterly desolate Skeleton Coast. The gargantuan red dunes along the Kuiseb River south of Walvis Bay are simply stunning, especially in the early morning and late afternoon light. We will wake up early for a scramble in the sparsely vegetated foothills of the giant dunes, where we should enjoy excellent views of the surrounding dunescape, stretching into the distance towards Sossusvlei, over one hundred miles to the south. We will be close to the famous desert research station at Gobabeb, where so many of the pioneering studies that have been done on the region s fascinating desert life have made the Namib Desert so famous. We ll of course be looking for some of the small lizards and beetles that are remarkably adapted to this harsh landscape. The dunes in this area are also home to the handsome Dune Lark; endemic to Namibia, its coloration blends perfectly with the deep ochre sands of the Namib dune sea. Rufous-vented Warbler, Dusky Sunbird and Orange River White-eye eke out a living here too - and, if we are very lucky, we might find a wandering Burchell s Courser. We ll also travel inland from Walvis Bay to seek out that most remarkable plant, the Welwitschia. With its ancient and gnarled grey stem and fraying leaves, one s mind is transported back to ancient desert landscapes. In fact, as with the fictional triffid, the scene has been likened to that of a barren planet other than the Earth. In the same area we have good chances of finding the pale and ghostly Namib form of Tractrac Chat, a southern Africa endemic. Two nights Walvis Bay Day 6 WALVIS BAY TO THE BRANDBERG The coast, offshore islands, saltpans and estuaries around Walvis Bay teem with shorebirds, terns and cormorants. Even in the Austral winter, migrant waders such as Curlew Sandpipers and busy Ruddy Turnstones can be present here in good concentrations, as lines of the near-endemic Cape Cormorant stream out over the cold ocean in search of food. Hartlaub s Gull, Kittlitz s Plover and the localised Chestnut-banded Plover are also likely, and the fish-rich waters support masses of terns, including Caspian and Greater Crested. Greater and Lesser Flamingos crowd the mudflats, presenting a confusing forest of bright pink legs as they bustle this way and that. We ll hope to see Cape Fur Seals from the shore, although we ll have to be much luckier to spot either Heaviside s or Common Bottle-nose Dolphins that also occur off this coast. Leaving Walvis Bay, we head back out into the Namib Desert on our way to the massive granite outcrop of the Brandberg. At 2500m (8200 feet), this is Namibia s highest peak. This immense granite monolith towers above the shimmering desert plains below and is home both to a variety of endemic birds and Namibia's elusive Desert Elephant. We ll be on the lookout for recently described Benguela Long-billed Lark, along with Rock Kestrel, Rüppell s Bustard, Barecheeked Babbler and the lemon-chested Bokmakierie. With luck, we may find signs of Namibia s famous Desert Elephants in this remote landscape, but one has to be very fortunate to actually set eyes upon these mystical creatures. Night near the Brandberg Days 7 10 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK After a morning birding the desert plains and tree-lined watercourses of the Brandberg, we ll set our sights northwards to Etosha. As we continue north, the landscape becomes increasingly verdant. We shall spend the next four nights enjoying world famous Etosha National Park, dividing our time between lodges in the western, central and/or eastern sections of this massive reserve - which covers an area almost the size of Norfolk! Accommodation at Etosha is of an excellent standard and will be staying in lodges situated at the edge of the park, as well as in the government-run park itself. With great anticipation, we enter Etosha itself. This fabulous National Park - at one time the largest such park in the world - fulfils everyone s ideal of the real Africa. We should arrive in the Okaukuejo area in time to enjoy info@limosaholidays.co.uk

5 some birding nearby. The stunning Crimsonbreasted Gonolek, Sociable Weaver, African Hoopoe and Rufous-vented Warbler occur around camp. At dusk, flocks of thirsty Doublebanded Sandgrouse descend upon the waterhole, and on some nights we ll have the thrill of watching mammals visit the famous floodlit waterholes. These remain a scene of constant activity after dark, with chances of seeing an endangered Black Rhinoceros, African Elephant and Lion. Predators can also be much in evidence during the day and we expect to have a number of Lion sightings. Cheetah and Leopard occur in the park too, but we ll have to keep a sharp eye open for them. Big herds of Elephants frequent the waterholes at this time of year. The open grasslands and acacia savanna are the haunt of impressive Martial and Tawny Eagles, sentinel Pale Chanting Goshawks and the aptlynamed African Pygmy Falcon, while stately Kori Bustards move through the grassy brush. We ll look out for the strikingly handsome White-quilled Bustard, which we hope to see in display flight - the males flying in circles above the grassland, calling raucously and flashing their dazzling white primary feathers. Ant-eating Chat and Rufous-eared Warbler are amongst a wealth of small birds we shall be looking for, and grazing mammals such as Common Zebra, Blue Wildebeest and Gemsbok are plentiful. We may find the enormous Verreaux s Eagle Owl, hiding its gaze behind surreal pink eyelids, along with the rather smaller, superbly camouflaged African Scops Owl. The central area of the park is a great place to look for Violet Woodhoopoe and Bare-faced Babbler. In the mopane woodlands, Fawncoloured Lark, White-browed Scrub Robin and flocks of inquisitive White Helmetshrikes could all come our way, as we watch for the distinctive tail-less outline of the snake-hunting Bateleur, sailing against the cloudless blue Namibian sky. Not to be confused with the similar call of African Hoopoe, the voice of African Cuckoo is its most diagnostic feature and we might well hear them here, calling from the trees. Travelling east towards Namutoni, the scenery becomes ever greener and the vegetation taller. Few African birds are more elegant or instantly recognisable than the long-legged Blue Cranes and Secretarybirds, which frequent the more open areas here. However, unless we are fortunate enough to catch a male in display, we shall have to look a good deal harder to detect any evidence of the rufous nape feathers of the imaginatively named Red-crested Bustard! Happily, the striking Southern Pied Babbler is much more appropriately named (and somewhat easier to spot!), while the upright Groundscraper Thrush, delicate Burnt-necked Eremomela, Chinspot Batis and must-see Long-billed Crombec could all be added to the list today. Spotted Hyena and Black-faced Impala are among a host of mammals to watch for, while a habituated group of Banded Mongoose often forages around our accommodation. Four nights Etosha National Park Days ETOSHA & WATERBERG NATIONAL PARKS Before we leave Etosha, we ll spend some time birding and looking for more mammals near Namutoni. A highlight might be the diminutive Damara Dik-dik, which we ll search for in the woodlands south of Namutoni. This is also the best area in the park for African Elephants, so we ll keep a look out for them. Southern Redbilled Hornbills are common, and we ll be able to compare them to the Damara Red-billed Hornbill that we will have seen further west. After lunch, we head south for four hours to Waterberg National Park and our lodgings situated in woodland on the slopes of the Waterberg Mountain, close to Otjiwarongo. The park is dominated by a brick-red sandstone plateau - crowned with lush vegetation - which rises above the Kalahari plains of Eastern Namibia. This area has both an interesting natural and human history, the local Herero tribe ultimately being forced out of their tribal grounds by German colonial forces in the early 20th Century. Nowadays, the park has a very active mammal protection programme. The grounds of our rest camp are perfectly situated below the cliffs, and with birds all around - so we can simply stroll out from our accommodation to enjoy them. The variegated info@limosaholidays.co.uk

6 colours of light on the sandstone cliffs of the Waterberg provide a spectacular backdrop to our birding here. Highlights could include another chance of Rüppell s Parrot, African Paradise Flycatcher, Little Sparrowhawk, Bradfield s Swift, Bearded Woodpecker, Burchell s Starling, Black-backed Puffback and more amazing Crimson-breasted Shrikes. Pearlspotted Owlet is often present and mammals include two real cuties - the inquisitive Dwarf Mongoose and the delicate Damara Dikdik. We will also allow ourselves some time off today, to relax and appreciate the beauty of the surroundings at one s own pace - and maybe to catch up with some of the packing for tomorrow! Two nights Waterberg Day 13 TO WINDHOEK & FLIGHTS HOME Reluctantly, on our final morning in Namibia, we must leave Waterberg after breakfast and travel back south to Windhoek (a journey of about four hours). If flight times permit, we may pay a short visit to Avis Dam, an area of rich woodlands and grassland on the edge of town and within a short drive of the airport. We may be treated to our last views of the extraordinary displaying male Shaft-tailed Whydahs, with their vivid orange plumage and impossibly long tails! Arriving back at Windhoek, we bid farewell to Joe and board our flight to Johannesburg, with onward overnight connection back to London. Day 14 ARRIVAL LONDON Morning arrival in London on Day 14, where our birdwatching tour to Namibia concludes. Trip Information Group Size Max 6 participants & 1 leader What to Expect A 14-day birdwatching and wildlife tour to Namibia visiting the Erongo Mountains and Namib Desert, Walvis Bay, The Brandberg, Etosha National Park and Waterberg Plateau Park. Many endemic, near endemic and regional endemic birds - plus some wonderful mammal watching, too! Birds species Mammals species Accommodation 11 nights accommodation in Namibia, staying at a varied selection of goodexcellent guesthouses, lodges and permanent tented camps. All rooms have private facilities. Meals All main meals are included in the tour price, commencing with either lunch or dinner on arrival in Namibia on Day 2 and concluding with breakfast or lunch in Namibia on Day 13 (meal plan can vary according to flight times). Food is good to excellent throughout. Most main meals will be taken at our accommodation with lunches taken either as picnics or at the lodges. Walking Easy. In common with much of Africa, please note that the presence of large mammals at Etosha and Waterberg precludes excursions on foot in certain areas. Sturdy, comfy walking shoes adequate for this tour. Weather Daytime temperatures will be falling away and are much more comfortable at the time of our visit in July, with daily averages ranging between 6-27C (43-81F), making this the ideal time to visit Namibia. It will be cooler along the coast than in the interior. Rainfall and humidity are low. Flights There are no direct flights to Namibia from the UK. We fly with British Airways or South African Airways, routing from London Heathrow to Windhoek with a change of planes in Johannesburg (South Africa). Ground Transport We travel by modern 4WD Toyota Landcruiser that's been specially adapted info@limosaholidays.co.uk

7 to optimise bird and wildlife viewing, with 'popup roof' and fully retractable windows. Roads in Namibia are generally good but some travel will out of necessity be on well-graded gravel roads. Insects We may encounter some mosquitoes in places but there is a low risk of malaria in Namibia at this time of year (see page 9, below). Photos Good-excellent opportunities for birds and other wildlife. Some amazing landscapes! Tour Cost 2019 (14 days): 5495 (inc flights from London) Land only cost: 4595 Deposit: 700 Single Supp: 575 Cost includes Limosa Tour Leader Return flights London Heathrow-Windhoek 11 nights accommodation in Namibia All main meals (with drinking water provided) Travel by 4WD Landcruiser with 'pop-up' roof All excursions, permits, entry fees and wildlife drives in the parks, tour based tips (including tips to local drivers/guides) and taxes Map and Limosa checklist of bird & mammals Cost excludes Insurance, drinks, airport meals/snacks & other items of a personal nature. What You Say... This was an excellent tour, well led, lovely country and some wonderful birds & mammals. PP, Namibia tour We really enjoyed it. Joe was exceptionally helpful with everything - and proactive over the temporary loss of our luggage. We have lots of lovely photos." R&EA, Namibia tour All the accommodations on this trip exceeded expectations. There were some lovely lodges - I particularly enjoyed Erongo... A good group, good accommodation, great wildlife. About Your Guide AB, Namibia tour Joe Grosel Joe grew up in northern South Africa and since a young age showed a great passion for the natural environment around him. He has been guiding birdwatching and wildlife tours in Africa for more than 20 years now and first led for Limosa in 2007, when he introduced us to owls and rhinos around his hometown in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Joe is an exceptional birder and a highly accomplished safari guide - and is pretty handy with a camera, too. He has been involved in an array of wildlife related activities ranging from field research in the Kruger National Park, through game capture and translocation to field guide training. Joe is a veteran of more than a dozen birdwatching and wildlife tours to Namibia, including leading our July 2016, 2017 and 2018 tours there. In 2019, you can also travel with Joe on Limosa's Kruger & Drakensberg tour (South Africa) - as well as to Namibia, of course! Financial Security Limosa Holidays is a fully bonded Tour Operator and a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO). We hold an ATOL (Air Tour Operators Licence) granted by the CAA, providing for your protection in the event of Limosa Holidays' insolvency. Our ATOL licence number is ATOL For tours not including the cost of a flight from the UK or for holidays booked by you as Land Only, all payments made to us are fully bonded through the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT). Our ABTOT membership number is For details please see our brochure or website: info@limosaholidays.co.uk

8 Limosa Loyalty Discount We are proud of the number of loyal customers who travel regularly with us. As our way of saying thank you, we offer a Frequent Travel Discount. Under the scheme, everyone who takes four trips with us is entitled to claim a 5% discount on their 5th trip. *1 *1 Please note: This offer applies to the basic tour cost only and excludes certain commissionbased trips, extras such as additional flights or accommodation, private extensions and cancellations. Discounts cannot be given in lieu of tour deposits or off the cost of single room supplements. Discount must be requested at time of booking! How To Book Check availability on our website or with our office. We are happy to hold Provisional Reservations for up to 7 days. After this, we do require a Booking Form and deposit to confirm your place on tour. Any unconfirmed space will be released. Book Online, by Phone or by Post You can book and pay the deposit simply and securely Online via our website, using the Book This Tour button on the relevant tour page or the Booking tab at the top of the page. Telephone bookings must be confirmed in writing by completion of a Booking Form (there's one tucked inside every brochure or as a PDF download from our website), which can be mailed to us in the time honoured way. Be sure to read our Booking Conditions and General Information (found at the back of our brochure, on our website or available from our office on request) prior to booking. When to Book Early booking is advised since flights and accommodation are much more easily secured well in advance. To encourage early booking, we are pleased to offer an Early Bird Discount - see our current brochure or website for details. All our tours are limited to small group sizes. So they can fill up quickly - sometimes even before our new brochure comes out! Single rooms in particular can often be in short supply and among the first to go, so do try to plan well ahead if you definitely require one of these. Last-minute Bookings: We inevitably receive a few unexpected cancellations over the course of a season so it is always worth enquiring about vacancies on any tour - even for those departing in just a few weeks! Payments Deposit: The amount of booking deposit per person is shown alongside every tour. We accept deposit payments by electronic bank transfer (please ask for our bank details), UK debit card and cheque (made payable to Limosa Holidays and drawn on a UK bank in GBPounds Sterling). For payment of booking deposits only we also accept Visa and MasterCard credit cards. Balance: Full payment of the tour balance is due not later than 12 weeks prior to departure (20 weeks in the case of certain tours such as cruises or those involving rail travel). We will send you an invoice before the balance is due. We accept balance payments and any additional payments (e.g. interim flight deposits, flight upgrades, extra hotels etc) by electronic bank transfer, UK debit card or cheque. Payment by overseas customers must be in GB Pounds Sterling and may be made by electronic transfer direct to our bank (please ask for our bank details). We do not accept cheques on US Banks in US Dollars, or cheques in Euros or Eurocheques. Credit cards We do NOT accept credit cards or overseas debit cards for balance payments (including any additional or interim payments) from customers living within the UK or European Economic Area (the EEA is the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) info@limosaholidays.co.uk

9 For customers living in North America, Australia and all other areas outside of the UK and the European Economic Area we are able to accept payment by Visa and MasterCard credit cards or overseas debit card but with a charge of 2.5% of the transaction amount to help offset card company charges. Late Booking Payments: In order for us to guarantee your airline seats, hotels etc., full payment is required at time of booking for all late bookings (i.e. bookings made within 12 weeks of departure). Other Things You Need To Know Passports & Visas Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Namibia. IMPORTANT! Your passport must have at least 1 completely blank page for Namibian immigration to use. If you are also going to travel in, or transit via South Africa you should be aware that although South African authorities state they require 1 blank passport page for entry, some officials insist on 2 blank pages. If you plan to take this route, be sure you have at least 3 blank pages. If you do not then you may be refused entry and will be returned back to the UK on the next flight. Please be sure to check your passport complies with these requirements in good time prior to travel. VISA NOT REQUIRED by UK passport holders to enter Namibia. Be sure to check the current UK Foreign Office Travel Advice in good time prior to travel for latest information concerning entry into Namibia. N.B. Flights for this tour go via South Africa (Johannesburg). Visa not required by UK passport holders for entry or transit via South Africa but see above note (page 8). All others should contact the nearest Namibian and South African embassies or consulates to check whether or not they require a visa/s. If a visa/s is required, you will need to apply locally. If the embassy or consulate requires you to provide a letter confirming that you are booked on an all-inclusive tour, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide one. [Although British nationals can enter Namibia for a holiday or private visit of up to 90 days without a visa, there have been cases where visitors have only been given permission to stay for periods much shorter than the usual 90 days, sometimes as short as only 7-10 days. Before leaving the immigration desk in the airport arrivals hall at Windhoek, check that you have been given permission to stay in Namibia for at least the duration of your intended visit up to the maximum allowable of 90 days and that you have been given a correctly dated entry stamp by Namibian Immigration officials, as this will be checked on departure.] You should carry identification with you at all times within Namibia (a photocopy of the relevant pages from your passport is generally sufficient). Health & Vaccinations Visit your health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), visit: travelhealthpro.org.uk/countryinformation/ and by NHS (Scotland), visit: Useful information and advice about healthcare abroad is also available at NHS Choices website: ad/pages/healthcareabroad.aspx Compulsory vaccinations: None (but yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from infected areas). Recommend immunisations: hepatitis A, tetanus, polio and typhoid. Consult your doctor for up-to-date advice about diphtheria, hepatitis B and TB, which may be recommended in some circumstances info@limosaholidays.co.uk

10 Malaria: there is a low risk of malaria in Namibia at this time of year (July). The NHS Fit for Travel website lists the region we travel to as a low to no risk area see ca/namibia/namibia-malaria-map.aspx A wide-brimmed sun hat is essential and use of an effective barrier cream and sunglasses are strongly advised. The above information, together with that contained within our Travel Information sheets (sent to everyone who books), outlines health requirements for this tour. Please note that these details are given for guidance only - and are only for certain diseases - and you must consult your doctor in good time prior to travel as to what immunisations (if any) are needed for your chosen holiday. For full and latest health information we urge everyone to consult The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website (see above) prior to booking any overseas holiday. NaTHNaC is funded by the UK Government s Health Protection Agency and provides health information for both health professionals and travellers, with information compiled by its own clinical and scientific team. You can search for individual country requirements, which are updated regularly. Your Safety & Travel Advice An unavoidable aspect of travelling abroad nowadays is the risk it may pose to your safety and security. The best advice on current risks is provided by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). In order to assess and protect against any risks in your chosen destination we strongly recommended that you refer to the relevant FCO Travel Advice - both prior to booking and regularly before you travel. See It is standard Limosa policy for our office to send a copy of the relevant FCO Travel Advice about the tour to all participants along with their Final Letter (ca. 2-3 weeks prior to the trip). Travel Aware - staying safe and healthy abroad - is a travel safety campaign run by the FCO, and another useful resource. Go to: Travel Insurance Good travel insurance is essential before setting off on any overseas trip. In common with all responsible tour operators, it is a condition of booking that all clients are fully and adequately insured before travelling overseas with us. Be aware that some destinations may require you to produce proof of comprehensive travel insurance (e.g. valid insurance certificate) at immigration on arrival in the country, so you should carry your documentation with you. Your travel insurance should cover against cancellation, curtailment, missed departure, delay, personal accident, death, loss of baggage and valuables (see note below), personal liability and legal expenses. Most importantly, your insurance must cover you fully in respect of medical care and repatriation should you become too ill to continue with the tour, including the cost of emergency evacuation by helicopter or air ambulance should this be necessary. Note that passenger liability insurance covering the transportation that we hire, particularly in Third World countries, may be inadequate; it is therefore important that your insurance cover includes sufficient provision for your dependents in the event of an accident. We recommend that you obtain travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your holiday to ensure you are protected right from the word go in the event of unexpected cancellation prior to departure due to accident or illness. You must inform your insurers of any pre-existing medical conditions (including those of persons not necessarily travelling but upon whom your holiday may depend) that may require treatment during a period of overseas travel or might cause you to cancel the trip. Once you have arranged your insurance, please be sure to send us the following essential details: name and contact details of info@limosaholidays.co.uk

11 your insurance provider, your policy number, expiry date and your insurers 24hr Emergency Assistance number. Important Things to Note about Insurance Travel Insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover for valuable optical equipment, which is often best protected under your own household insurance policy. If in doubt ask your insurers for advice prior to travel. Most travel insurance policies limit the amount of cover, typically up to a maximum tour cost of 5000 per person. If the tour you are booking exceeds this amount, additional cover can usually be provided upon payment of additional premium. We recommend all travellers check their individual policy limit to ensure the full cost of their holiday is covered. Arranging Your Insurance: due to UK Government legislation, under Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations, we are not allowed to offer or recommend travel related insurance to customers. Premiums can vary widely according to your age, needs, health, choice of destination and other factors, while many people nowadays have Annual Travel Insurance cover. For these reasons, we leave you free to shop around and pick your own policy, one best suited to your own individual needs. Smoking Almost all of our clients prefer a smoke-free environment. For the enjoyment and comfort of all, we ask that smokers refrain from smoking in proximity to the group and respect our NO SMOKING policy in the vehicle, at meal times and when watching wildlife. Any Questions? If you have any questions at any time, you ll find our office staff friendly, efficient, approachable - and just a phone call away, eager to assist you in every way. Our office is open hrs Mon-Fri, and can also be reached by . In the event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone (24 hrs) and our office will contact you as soon as we can. Thank you for your interest in our tours. We do hope that you will be able to join us - and we look forward to hearing from you again! CK General Information Our website gives easy access to detailed tour itineraries (Tour Info Packs), trip reports, trip photos and the latest Limosa News. Special Diets & Other Requests We pass on all such requests to the airlines, hotels and other suppliers, and do our best to ensure (but of course cannot guarantee) that your needs will be met. Please be sure to tell us about these (in as much detail as possible) at the time of booking, to allow good time to make the necessary arrangements info@limosaholidays.co.uk