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DUNES
Landscapes & Wildlife of Namibia
June 30 – July 15, 2008

The Sandy Shores

Dunes form through the Aeolian process, wherein winds erode, transport, and deposit materials to reshape the land, pushing coastal sands into ever-increasing mounds. When one thinks of dunes, the first place most likely to come to mind is the Sahara Desert in northern Africa. The world’s most impressive sand dunes, however, lie at the other end of the continent.

     Namibia is situated in the southwestern corner of Africa. It is a country shaped by the desolate Namib Desert, said to be the oldest in the world with the highest dunes to be found anywhere on the planet. Some dunes reach heights of 1,100 feet or more, nearly as tall as New York City’s Empire State Building. There is an astonishing sense of space here, because the country is the one of the most sparsely populated on the continent, and vistas stretch off into the horizon unimpeded by human influence.

     Dune habitats provide niches for highly specialized plants and animals, including numerous rare and endangered species. A number of unusual species of plants and animals are found only in this desert. Essentially a desert country, Namibia does offer contrasting landscapes. Moving north from the coastal desert, the land becomes a central plateau, with thorn bush savannah and rugged mountains rising abruptly from the plains.

     In the north of the country, the Etosha National Park is the third largest in Africa. Covering an area of 8,596 square miles, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and, surprisingly, one species of fish. It owes its unique landscape to the Etosha Pan, a vast shallow salt lake depression that encompasses nearly 25% of the park. The word Etosha, in fact, means “great white place.”

     Etosha has some of the most spectacular game viewing on the continent. Visitors can expect to see many buck species, elephant, giraffe, rhino and lions. More fortunate visitors will see leopard and cheetah. There is a network of roads linking the park’s three campsites and subsidiary roads lead to various waterholes.
     Namibia was under German rule in the 19th century (the German influence can still be seen in the cities’ architecture). South Africa occupied the country during World War I, and set up a long-term protectorate relationship that did not end until Namibia achieved total independence in 1990.

     Today Namibia is one of the most beautiful and peaceful countries on the African continent, and has become a haven for celebrities hoping to escape the glare of publicity. Namibia’s climate, with clear skies and sunshine throughout the year, together with its wealth of unspoilt wilderness areas and few crowds makes it an expansive playground unlike any other. It is truly a sparkling gem for those explorers in search of pure wilderness and abundant wildlife.

Click here to view itinerary

2008 Dunes Information

ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)

Windhoek (1 night): Villa Verdi Guesthouse

Sossusvlei (2 nights): Desert Homestead Lodge

Swakopmund (2 nights): Beach Lodge

Vingerklip (2 nights): Vingerklip Lodge

Etosha (1 night): Okaukuejo Restcamp

Fort Namutoni (2 nights): Fort Namutoni Restcamp

Otjiwarongo (1 night): Okonjima Lodge

Kalahari: (1 night): Eningu Clay House

TOUR PREPARATION

Entry Requirements—U.S. and Canadian citizens do not require visas for Namibia. All you need is a valid passport good for six months after the tour’s end.

Immunizations—Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the latest immunization recommendations. Make sure your tetanus booster is current.

Exit Requirements—Departure taxes are generally included in the cost of your international flight.

SUGGESTED VIEWING

Running Free (1999) starring Chase Moore
The King is Alive (2000) starring Jennifer Jason Leigh
The Cell (2000) starring Jennifer Lopez

WHAT TO BRING

Namibia is in the southern hemisphere, so it is late winter there in July. The weather should be cool and dry. Temperature ranges from the mid-40’s in higher reaches up to low 70’s in the desert and along the coast. You’ll want to bring clothes you can layer for cool weather that can be pealed off as the day warms up.
Make two copies of all your important documents, like passports. Take one with you, in a different bag than the original, and leave one at home with someone who is easy to reach. Try to memorize all your important numbers—passport numbers, credit card numbers, etc. If you lose your bag, this could be an enormous help.
If you require specific drugs, bring a supply and a spare prescription. Bring extra eyeglasses, and/or a copy of your prescription. If you wear contact lenses, consider using disposables. Also bring spectacles as the dry dusty environment of some game reserves may irritate your eyes. If you’ve forgotten anything, you can buy whatever you need, probably at a good price. You won’t need dress-up clothes at any time on this tour. Leave expensive jewelry at home.

Suggested Packing List:

____ Passport valid for 6 months.

____ Day pack.

____ Money belt or pouch.

____ Sturdy walking shoes.

____ Second pair of shoes / Sandals.

____ Socks & underwear, enough for only one week since laundry services are readily available.

____ Shorts—(1 or 2 pairs).

____ Shirts—combo of long-sleeved, short-sleeved, t-shirts (8 - 10).

____ Long pants—(4 pairs) for dinners and cool evenings.

____ Sweater or jacket.

____ Swimsuit.

____ Bandannas (these have many uses including dust protection on game drives).

____ Sunglasses / Sunhat with tie-on.

____ Sunscreen / Lip Balm.

____ Mosquito Repellent.

____ Water repellent jacket or windbreaker & umbrella.

____ Personal toiletries / Wet wipes.

____ Ziploc bags (small for documents, large for wet things).

____ Binoculars, camera, lots of film rolls or digital memory cards, extra camera batteries.

____ A good book!

MONEY MATTERS

The Namibian Dollar (NAD; symbol N$) is in note denominations of N$200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. It is linked to the South African Rand (R) on a 1:1 basis (South African Rand = 100 cents). The South African Rand is also acceptable as currency in Namibia. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Taxes and Tipping—Value Added Tax (VAT) is levied on most goods and services but, as a foreign national, you may reclaim VAT on anything you bought to take out of the country unused. You need to do this before you embark on your flight home. We will give collective tips for services along the way. Budget about $50 U.S. each day for out-of-pocket expenses / non-included meals.

RESERVATIONS

To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check. You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by April 12, 2008). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both the signed reservation form and your deposit check or credit card authorization.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($500 maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.

LIABILITIES & DISCLAIMERS

Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
     We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in Namibia! We will provide the necessary forms upon receipt of your deposit, or you can apply online by following the link at the bottom of this page. You can also book your travel insurance with a phone call to Toto Tours.
     The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of ten participants.
     Toto Tours is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.

THE TOTO SPIRIT

Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even encourages) you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified by certain traits. They are:

fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate the positive;
good natured realists who are willing to accept situations as they exist;
undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad weather;
willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for granted;
eager to try new things & test limits;
punctual;
not whiners!

Fulfill your secret fantasy to get away from it all, like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, and escape with Toto Tours to the other-worldly beauty of the desert landscapes of Namibia. If you have any questions, please call toll-free: 800-565-1241.

THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)

Price: $4,695 double occupancy

Private Room: $700 extra, if available. (Not required. Toto Tours can match you with a roommate if you are traveling alone and prefer to share a room.)

Deposit: $500 (Due at time of registration for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)

Remaining Balance: $4,195 double / $4,895 single
(Assumes $500 deposit has already been made)

Remaining Balance Due: April 12, 2008
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)

Included: Accommodations, meals, ground transportation as per itinerary; entrance fees and activities as per itinerary; airport transfers; services of an accredited driver-guide and a Toto Tours escort; transport in air-conditioned vehicles.

Not Included: Round-trip international air transportation to Windhoek, Namibia; meals and activities not specifically included in the itinerary; insurance; alcohol; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; porterage; any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers and guides not included.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you purchase travel insurance with AIG Travel Guard to cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow the link below or call us for more information.