Serra Cafema Namibia Safari Report -
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June has been a great month for Serra Cafema. We were very busy with the peak season starting. Our guests came from all over the world, from as far as New Zealand and as close as South Africa. Serra Cafema is a knock out for our guests, some saying they now no longer have to go to the moon, Serra Cafema is better.
The Himba tribe continues to amaze people. Even though not many of them have remained at the village, they still give the guests a good impression on how they live in this barren area. They really have such a rich culture, there is so much to learn from them.
We still have not had any rain, however, some of the animals are returning to the area. Temperatures have dropped somewhat in the mornings and evenings, however, the fireplace in the main area is very cozy and the best spot to warm up and relax after a long day out on the quad bikes. We are also getting more and more foggy mornings in camp, it sure makes getting out of bed very difficult.
The water level of the Kunene is going down quite rapidly, making the boat trips shorter and the crocodile viewing better with a 3 meter croc daily waiting at the rapids close to camp. The bird life is great. Night life has been booming with regular sightings of Black-backed Jackal and Brown Hyaena around camp.
Serra Cafema remains the best place to end your safari in Namibia, or even Botswana. After a hectic safari of getting up early in the mornings and being kept busy throughout the day, Serra Cafema is the spot to come and relax at. Our activities will also keep you busy, but the water in the late afternoons and evenings will sooth your soul back to normality.
Come see for yourselves how beautiful our dunes and mountains are, this is a little peace of heaven on earth.
Serra Cafema Camp is one of the most remote camps in all of Southern Africa and offers one of the most memorable experiences in Namibia. The small 16 bedded camp, whose only access is by aircraft, is located in the extreme north-west of Namibia and is further away from Namibia's capital city, Windhoek, than from Botswana's Okavango Delta.
Serra Cafema shares this region with the wonderful and colourful Himba people who are some of the last true nomadic people of Africa. The Kunene River is the only permanent source of water and creates an oasis along its banks surrounded by rugged mountains and sand dunes.
The camp is situated under big shady Albida trees overlooking the Kunene River and comprises 8 canvas and thatched chalets that are raised off the ground, each with its own en-suite bathroom. Other facilities include a small swimming pool, dining room and bar. One goes to sleep at night to the gurgling water sounds from the rapid just downstream from camp.
In stark contrast, during the day, guests spend their time exploring one of the planet's driest deserts. Activities include enjoying the breath-taking landscape scenes with Springbok, Ostrich and Oryx dotted here and there, traversing the sand dunes in 4x4 Landrovers and boating on the Kunene River where we can watch for the Kunene crocodiles.
Walking in the remote mountain and river valleys are also a highlight. Serra Cafema is often visited by the native Ovahimba families who live in the nearby vicinity, which gives guests the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and traditions.
Guests can get into some of the massive sand dunes to the west of the camp.
Game viewing in this area is limited to large herds of Oryx and springbok in the Hartman's valley. The Kunene River has a large population of Nile Crocodiles. Cinderella Waxbills, Rufous Bellied Palmtrush and Grey Kestrels are three species of bird not seen anywhere else in southern Africa, Palm nut vultures are seen occasionally as well as a number of the Namibian endemics. There are also a number of endemic reptiles.
LOCATION- Situated on the southern bank of the Kunene River
- At the foot of the Hartman's valley.
PRICING / CHILD POLICY
High Season: July to October
Shoulder Season: January to June & November to December
Children over the age of 8 years are welcome
ACCOMMODATION
Number of tents:
7 tents comprising of:
- 1 double tent with king size bed
- 4 twin tents
- 1 family tent
- 2 en-suite guide / pilot rooms.
This camp can accommodate 15 guests (if including a family) plus tour leaders.
Tent details- En-suite bathrooms with indoor and outside shower.
- Private viewing decks overlooking the Kunene river valley and the Serra Cafema hills.
- Overhead fan
- Large mosquito nets
- Large luxuriously appointed Meru tents which are raised off the ground
CAMP DESCRIPTION- Situated under big, shady Albia trees with uninterrupted views of the Kunene river valley.
- The camp is elevated on wooden decks with walkways to each tent.
- Small pool
- Dining area and bar
GAME VIEWING
Game viewing in this area is limited to large herds of Oryx and springbok in the Hartman's valley. The Kunene River has a large population of Nile Crocodiles. Cinderella Waxbills, Rufous Bellied Palmtrush and Grey Kestrels are three species of bird not seen anywhere else in southern Africa, Palm nut vultures are seen occasionally as well as a number of the Namibian endemics. There are also a number of endemic reptiles.
ACTIVITIES- Nature drives in Hatman's valley in open land rovers.
- Traversing the sand dunes on quad bikes
- Boating on the Kunene River
- Walks in the valleys and at the waterfalls
- Visit to a working Himba village
- Full day outings with picnic lunch
SUGGESTED DAILY ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
Below is only a suggestion as to what may happen in camp - as daily wildlife sightings tend to throw the schedule right out of schedule.
06h00 - Wake up
07h00 - Full breakfast
07h30 - Depart on full day outing which can include walking, visiting a nearby village, quad biking or boating on the Kunene River. A picnic lunch is included
19h00 - A three course dinner is served in camp
Stargazing
ELECTRICITY AND WATER- 12v Power with facility to charge video battery
- Water is solar heated
- 12v power for lighting and fans in the tents
DRINKS POLICY
Drinks on game drives and house-wine at dinner are included. All other drinks are excluded unless pre-arranged (for an extra cost all drinks can be included).
LAUNDRY POLICY
Daily service is included in the nightly tariff
EXTRAS PAYMENT
Payment can be affected by cash, travellers' cheques or Visa/MasterCard
FLYING TIME
Windhoek 3hrs 20 mins
Swakopmund 2hrs 30 mins
AIRSTRIP DETAILS
Hartmann Valley and following are the airstrip details:
Latitude: S17 22 37.0
Longitude: E012 15 22.0
Altitude: 1900ft
Length: 850m
Heading: 02/20
GRATUITY SCHEDULE
The following is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standards:
R100 per guest per day. This will be divided up amongst the camp staff.
SUGGESTED LUGGAGE LIST
1. Good quality sunglasses - preferably polarized. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light
2. Sun hat
3. Golf-shirts, T-shirts and long-sleeved cotton shirts
4. Shorts/skirts
5. Long trousers/slacks
6. Track suit
7. More formal attire for your stay at prestigious city hotels or on one of the luxury trains.
8. Underwear (sports bra recommended on game drives as the roads can be bumpy and uneven) and socks
9. Good walking shoes (running/tennis shoes are fine)
10. Sandals
11. Swimming costume
12. Warm winter jersey
13. Warm Anorak or Parka and scarf / gloves for the cold winter months (May to September)
14. Light rain gear for summer months (late November to April)
15. Camera equipment and plenty of film
16. If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust
17. BINOCULARS - ESSENTIAL (Night vision binoculars are not essential but highly recommended if your safari includes night activities)
18. Newman's bird book if you are a keen birder
19. Personal toiletries (basic amenities supplied by most establishments)
20. Malaria tablets (if applicable)
21. Moisturizing cream & suntan lotion
22. Insect repellent e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc
23. Basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Immodium, antiseptic cream and Anti-histamine cream etc)
24. Tissues/"Wet Ones"
25. Visas, tickets, passports, money etc
26. Waterproof/dustproof bags/cover for your cameras.
Please note that bright colours and white are NOT advised whilst on safari. Please remember that there may be a restriction on luggage limits on your safari - please ensure that you have the details from your agent according to your itinerary and ask your agent ahead of time if you would like details on the feasibility and costs of taking excess luggage with you on any of these restricted luggage safaris.
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