N I S T H G I 12 N NAMIBIA NAMIBIA 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
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i Strip
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Capriv
Waterberg Plateau Park
SPITZKOPPE
Spitzkoppe
Okahandja
WINDHOEK
Gobabis
Naukluft Sesriem Sossusvlei
NAMIBIA Keetmanshoop
BOTSWANA
SEE THE WORLD Y! DIFFERENTL SOUTH AFRICA
Fish River Canyon Orange River
We believe in the power of extraordinary experiences. They allow us to see ourselves, others and the world differently, and develop our confidence, independence and resilience.
12 NIGHT EXPEDITION NAMIBIA SAMPLE ONLY Trek around the mighty Spitzkoppe peaks, live alongside a local community and go on safari in Etosha National Park. With you and your team in charge of the budget and planning, this once-in-a-lifetime experience proves just how much you’re capable of. It could change the way you see yourself and the world, forever.
NAMIBIA 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
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DAY 1 ARRIVE IN WINDHOEK Sleep: Camping
Touch down in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Your African expedition has begun! Windhoek means ‘windy corner’ in Afrikaans. It’s a green oasis in the desert, with gently-swaying palm trees and pretty parks. Grab your first glimpses of urban life on the transfer from the airport. Gaze up at shiny new high rises, German castles and church spires. The European influence may seem out of
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place, but Windhoek still shows signs of its colonial past. Contact the ground team and jump straight into expedition life. You’ll need to nominate a team accountant and start planning the budget in the local currency – the Namibian Dollar. You’ll be travelling around Namibia in huge 4x4 trucks, so get ready for an exciting ride. RESPECTING THE LOCAL CULTURE IS A CRUCIAL PART OF OVERSEAS TRAVEL. WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR? HOW SHOULD YOU GREET PEOPLE? WHICH RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF? DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU ARRIVE, ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND TAKE YOUR LEAD FROM THE LOCALS.
DAYS 2-5 SPITZKOPPE TREKKING Sleep: Camping Travel: 4x4 4hrs to Spitzkoppe Trek: 3 days
Brace yourself for an adventure – you’re about to visit Spitzkoppe, a group of epic mountains and one of Namibia’s most recognisable landmarks. Hardcore rock climbers from around the world come here to tackle its highest peak, which towers 1,728 metres above sea level. Step forward as team leader, and spend the next couple of days exploring this awesome rocky landscape. Find stunning bushman cave paintings that date back thousands of years. Spot ancient etchings of hunting scenes and of giraffes, rhinos and zebra – animals that still roam this area. Trekking through the sun-baked countryside can be tough but you’ve trained for this. You’re ready. As you go, check out bizarre rock formations created by the collapse of a volcano
more than 100 million years ago. Look up to spot African hawk-eagles and peregrine falcons soaring through the sky. At night, you’ll see a zillion stars twinkling above your tents.
THE MATTERHORN OF AFRICA THE SPITZKOPPE IS NICKNAMED ‘THE
MATTERHORN OF AFRICA’ BECAUSE ITS DISTINCTIVE POINTED PEAK IS SIMILAR TO THE PYRAMID-SHAPED MATTERHORN, A FAMOUS MOUNTAIN IN THE ALPS.
NAMIBIA 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
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DAYS 6-9 COMMUNITY-LED PROJECT Sleep: Camping
Time for a whole new challenge. You’ll spend the next few days contributing to a community-led project that supports local needs. You could be helping out at a school, or in another part of the community. You’ll find out exactly what your project involves nearer the time, as it depends on what’s needed most when you visit.
Travel: 4x4 3-7hrs to the community
Cultural exchange goes both ways, so come prepared with photos of your school, community and family, as well as
DAYS 10-11
Make your way to Etosha National Park – it’s safari time. This vast park is one of the world’s best places for wildlife-viewing. It’s roamed by lions, elephants, giraffes, springboks, and more.
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK Sleep: Camping Travel: 4x4 3-7hrs to Etosha NP
games to play with the village children. If you want to be a big hit, don’t forget to pack a football! This is a side of Namibia that few tourists see. Rural life can be tough, and you’ll have none of the comforts you’re used to back home. You’ll be living alongside the community, so grab this opportunity to make new friends and learn about their lives. These are the stories that will stay with you long after you return home.
Stock up on any provisions at the small shop, then bed down in your tent for a few hours. Wake up before dawn to watch wildlife at the waterhole – it’s a hub of animal activity in the early hours. Look out for giraffes, zebras and elephants who come here to quench their thirst. Sunset is the best time to see the endangered black rhino. Think you’ve spotted one? Grab your binoculars for a closer look. There it is, drinking alongside the elephants and birds. Just incredible.
NAMIBIA 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
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DAY 12 RETURN TO WINDHOEK Sleep: Camping Travel: 4x4 5-7hrs to Windhoek
DAY 13 TRAVEL HOME FROM WINDHOEK
NAMIBIA 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
Pack down your camp and travel back to Windhoek. Spend your final day in the city, discovering local sights like Independence Avenue – this tree-lined boulevard is dotted with German colonial architecture. You could also check out the Botanical Gardens in the suburbs or head inside
All too soon, it’s time to head home. Cram everything into your backpack and travel back to the airport. Check-in, sit back and take stock of everything you’ve experienced. You’ve led your team through the rocky landscape of Spitzkoppe, worked with local communities and discovered the incredible wildlife of Etosha National Park. These experiences will shape who you are and could change the way you see the world from now on. Anything seems possible now.
Christuskirche, the German Lutheran church that’s become the unofficial symbol of the city. Visit the markets to pick up some typical Namibian crafts like wooden masks and bowls, then check your budget and spend your last dollars on a final team meal.
It doesn’t stop here. Share your story with challengers from around the globe and continue the story at @weworldchallenge
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COMMITTED TO
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL. We base our responsible travel initiatives upon the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We’re driven to create positive contributions in the world, but also humble enough to know the types of community initiatives our young travellers should and shouldn’t be involved with. We carefully select all community engagements to be appropriate for young people and after more than 30 years of overseas student travel we’ve established strong and long standing relationships
with our overseas community partners that are evaluated each year to ensure we’re truly serving both people and planet. This holistic approach means our young travellers work towards a community initiative while also coming home with greater humility and sense of place in their world. Below are a list of the UN Sustainable Development Goals we’re positively contributing towards.
THE RESULTS FROM CHALLENGERS KNOWLEDGE on issues around responsible travel
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NAMIBIA 12 NIGHT ITINERARY
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