Day 1; Saturday, USA Departure. Depart New York (JFK). Outer Edge will arrange your air schedule. _

Day 2; Sunday, Johannesburg — Windhoek, Namibia. An early morning arrival in Johannesburg where we will connect with our flight to Windhoek, arriving in the afternoon. This is where we will meet our Expedition Leader and fellow travelers in the lounge of the Hotel Safari at 7:00 PM for a comprehensive safari briefing and dinner. (Dinner tonight is on our own). Overnight Windhoek Country Club (or similar). _

Day 3: Monday, Windhoek - Waterberg Plateau. Our Safari starts this morning when we meet our guide at 8.00am in the foyer of the Windhoek Country Club. Once we have met our fellow travelers and had a briefing from our guide, we travel off the beaten track towards the Waterberg Plateau. Our route takes us through Kalahari Bush Savannah, with the chance to see several antelope species. The Waterberg Plateau itself extends over 30 miles (48 km) from the southwest to the northeast. Surrounded by a wall of steep, reddish-yellow cliffs which seem to glow at sunrise and sunset, the massif rises at it highest peak in the south-west, some 5,900 ft. (1,800m) above sea level, whereas the north-east slope is very gradual. Our exclusive campsite is in one of the gorges, which forms a natural horseshoe, and looks down a valley towards the Northern Kalahari. After lunch we enjoy an afternoon walk along the top of the plateau, which affords some magnificent views, and where we might be lucky enough to encounter black or white rhino and buffalo. This evening we enjoy dinner under the canopy of leadwood and acacia trees, which surround our campsite. Overnight Waterberg Plateau Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Tuesday, Waterberg Plateau — Etosha National Park. After breakfast this morning, we leave the Waterberg, and continue our journey to our exclusive campsite, on the private Fischer's Pan Game Reserve adjacent to the eastern edge of Etosha National Park. En route we will have the opportunity to visit the San (Bushman) community at Ombili. This was started as a self-help scheme, and visitors are invited to visit the local school, and craft center. This afternoon we enjoy our first exploratory game drive in Etosha National Park. Etosha is one of the world's great conservation areas, and is some 22 270 square kilometers. We drive along the gravel road network that crosses the Park, visiting the permanent waterholes and viewing points. There is something enigmatic in the vast silent grey-white Pan that covers 2,851 square miles (4,590 square kilometers) of the Park. Overnight Etosha Private Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Wednesday, Etosha National Park. We have an early start today, with a game drive into Etosha, to further explore the eastern side of the park. Numerous waterholes and subterranean springs attract large herds of animals including springbok, zebra, gnu, giraffe, kudu and elephant. Great game viewing can occur when prides of lion dominate the precious water resources. Our day is dictated by wildlife movements and sightings: we expect to spend the entire day in the Park, enjoying a picnic lunch at one of the Rest Camps. Overnight Etosha Private Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Thursday, Etosha National Park — Okaukuejo. We leave our private campsite and travel westwards into the Park, stopping en route for lunch at one of Park's Rest Camps. Today is a full day's game drive, affording us the opportunity to visit several permanent waterholes. We arrive at Okaukuejo in time for a sundowner drink at the waterhole. Dinner this evening is a traditional barbecue, after which we will be able to spend time at the floodlit waterhole, watching a variety of species, quenching their thirst. Our accommodation tonight is in the Rest Camp's chalets. (B,L,D)

Day 7 & 8: Friday & Saturday, Okaukuejo — Northern Damarland. Today's journey begins after an early breakfast, as we head into Damaraland, an area whose attractions are spread over a large area. Our interests lie in the area bordering Kaokoland. Northern Damaraland still has a significant population of lion, elephant, leopard, large antelope, giraffe, mountain zebra (Hartmann's), and the last free-ranging black rhino population in the world. We enjoy this truly unique area for the next two days, camping in its wild and untouched landscapes. Our discovery of this fascinating area continues, as we search for hidden waterholes. This also affords us the opportunity to explore the ancient volcanic landscape on foot. Overnight Northern Damarland Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 9 & 10: Sunday & Monday, Northern Damarland — Sourthern Damarland. Our Safari continues to the area between the Huab and the Ugab, where we will again be camping wild. We will visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein - ancient works of Art attributed to the San (Bushmen). It is in this area where we will be able to explore the seasonal riverbeds, with the possibility of encountering several species of game, including the elusive desert-adapted elephant. This area marks the southern limit of Damaraland. Overnight Southern Damaraland Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 11 & 12: Tuesday & Wednesday, Southern Damarland — Swakopmund. No safari in Namibia is complete without a visit to the quaint coastal town of Swakopmund. Our route takes us from the unique landscape of Damaraland to the coast, and a visit to the Cape Cross seal colony. It is in this area that the Portuguese explorer, Diego Cao first set foot on Namibian soil, in 1486. We continue southwards on the coastal road, to Swakopmund itself. We spend two nights at the Strand Hotel, conveniently situated near the beach and within walking distance of the museum and shops. There is time to enjoy some of the town's exciting optional activities, such as quad biking, camel riding, and dune boarding. Another interesting excursion is the morning dolphin cruise leaving from Walvis Bay and travelling around Pelican Point with its seal and sea-bird colonies. Overnight Strand Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 13: Thursday, Swakopmund — Namib/Naukluft. The Namib-Naukluft is Namibia's largest National Park, and offers a surprising variety of landscapes and ecosystems - ranging from the massive sand-dunes of Sossusvlei to the vast quartzite gravel plains, and the rugged Naukluft Mountains along the eastern edge of the desert. The highlight of the Namib-Naukluft is a visit to the awe inspiring dunes of Sossusvlei, many of which are in excess of 300m high, arguably making them the highest in the world. The tints and hues of these fascinating dunes are best appreciated in the late afternoon, as colours can range from apricot to orange. The afternoon is spent climbing and exploring the dunes and pans. We leave this fascinating area for our exclusive campsite in the Naukluft Mountains. Overnight Naukluft Mountain Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 14: Friday, Namib / Naukluft. The Naukluft Mountains offer a surprising contrast to the surrounding area. We enjoy a 4x4 excursion, and hiking trail today, to the quiver-tree gorge. It takes us up to the plateau, followed by a hike through the biggest fountain gorge in the Naukluft Mountains with its many rock-pools (which we can cool off in). Our hike ends back at our campsite. An optional late afternoon activity is horse riding at a nearby guest farm. Overnight Naukluft Mountain Camp. (B,L,D)

Day 15: Saturday, Waterberg Plateau Park - Windhoek. After breakfast we travel via Okahandja to Windhoek where we are transferred to our hotel. Overnight Windhoek Country Club.

(B,L)

Day 16: Sunday, Windhoek — Johannesburg. Today we transfer to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg and then back home. Overnight on plane. _

Day 17: Monday, USA Arrival. We will arrive in the USA early in the morning. _

Included: Accommodations, all meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner), group camping equipment (when required), sleeping pads when camping, first aid supplies, and English-speaking professional guide services.

Not Included: Air transportation, sleeping bag or pillow (bag can be rented for $27), comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory for this expedition), excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, transfers from/ to airport (they can be arranged for), overnight accommodations in Johannesburg on the way in, tipping for special services rendered, wines & liquors, laundry, & room service.

Pre-Departure Information: Once you have registered for an expedition you will receive our "Expedition Packet" that contains extensive logistical information (packing list, visa information, health details, etc.) and informative materials (country and regional profiles, wildlife to be seen, suggested reading, etc.).

Add-on Expeditions: Additional excursions in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, and South Africa are available.

Weather: Namibia generally has hot days and cool nights. There is little rainfall with most of it occurring during the summer months of November to April. In the winter (May - October) the lows average around 32 F and the highs up to 79 F. The summer months (November - April) have lows of 50 F and highs reaching 113 F. The humidity is low so the temperature does not feel as high as it is. The dry winter months are considered best for game viewing, though the wet summer months show the countries at their lush best with superior bird life.

Wildlife: The African wildlife we come to see, while wonderful and exciting, can be dangerous. Wild animals are generally afraid of humans and avoid us when possible. However no camping, walking or boat safari can guarantee immunity from attack by wild and potentially dangerous animals. Outer Edge is not to be held responsible for any injuries caused during any incident involving the behavior of wild animals.

Safari Vehicles: Spacious 7- or 9-seater minibuses and 10-seater specially modified safari vehicles are used for comfort over the vast distances covered. All these vehicles are maintained to the highest standards by the maintenance staff at the safari bases.

Age Limit: You must be between 12 and 65 years of age to participate on this safari.

Qualifications: Outer Edge trips are created for active, enthusiastic people with a sense of adventure. That Spirit of Adventure and the willingness to be flexible are the most important requirements.

Level of Difficulty: II. Moderate - Moderate trips are appropriate for anyone in good health who lives an active outdoor lifestyle — or those prepared to get into adequate physical shape. You can prepare for these trips with regular conditioning at least 2 months before departure. These trips can include 5 - 8 hours (8 — 12 miles) hiking/trekking per day, class II — III whitewater rapids, easy sea kayaking and jungle hikes up to 4 hours. Some experience in trekking can be helpful, but is not necessary. These trips can often involve high altitudes and rugged conditions.

Expedition Structure: There will be a single guide throughout the entire adventure.

Suggested Reading: The trip is likely to be more enjoyable if you have read something about the area ahead of time. A portion of our reading list is presented below:

Shadows Over Africa, Peter Matthiessen and Mary Frank, $34.95.

Journey Through Namibia,

Spectrum Guides, 1994, $34.95

The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals, Richard Estes, 1993, $25.00.

Note: As is the case with all true adventures, the itinerary should be considered an approximation of activities only. The itinerary may be changed subject to worthwhile opportunities (e.g. ceremonies, invitations), weather, group desires, and circumstances beyond our control.