2020 NAMIBIA BUS TOURS - JB Train Tours
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2020 NAMIBIA BUS TOURS
Departs Windhoek & ends in Windhoek
(Linking up from Cape Town, Johannesburg & other cities in the world by air
or bus)
8 Days & 7 Nights
JB Train Tours invites you to join us on one of these new 8-day bus tours in our beautiful
neighbouring country Namibia. It is a country of contrast, endless horizons and soft natural
colours. It is a big country with long distances to be covered. We’ll make it easy and
comfortable (and affordable) for you.
We have revamped the contents of our very popular 7-day train tour that has been hosted
for the past decade in order to add a bit more variety and converted it into a bus tour.
(Sorry, the Desert Express train set was not available during 2017, neither is it in 2018 and
2019. It is to be refurbished). On this tour we’ll be traveling with a luxury bus and visit more
places compared to our normal train tour.
This very well priced tour is the ideal opportunity for a quick break away for couples, friends,
companies (group bookings are welcome), clubs or families.
There is so much to be seen, experienced and enjoyed on this tour. A summary of places to
be visited will not give justice to the contents of the tour. A surprise or two awaits you at
certain spots.
Places to be visited include the holiday town of Swakopmund and Dune 7, Walvis Bay,
Hentie’s Bay, the Namib Dessert, Etosha Pans & Game park, the ‘moon landscape’ area,
Goanikontes, flamingo lake, Windhoek, Omaruru, a wine cellar, root carving factory,
Spitzkoppe, the Petrified Forest, ‘Vingerklip’, Joe’s Beer House in Windhoek and many more.
Page 1 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South Africa
Optional visits to Sossusvlei, Dolphin & Seal cruise (highly recommended), Skeleton Coast,
Desert Experience and quad rides in the Namib Desert are available. Booking done whilst on
tour.
The tour starts in Windhoek and passengers can fly in from Johannesburg, Cape Town or
abroad. We’ll collect you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel (included in the tour
price).
The pace we follow on tour is manageable by all. We don’t hurry. We had a 94-year old
gentleman on one of our recent Namibian tours and he travelled very well. During 2012 we
had an elderly couple in their late 80’s. They said they are going to return for more! (They
did do so!!)
Are you tired of driving, looking for accommodation and worrying about the logistics?
Travelling in a foreign country can be challenging. We’ll make it easier for you. When
travelling by luxury bus, you don’t have to worry about increasing petrol prices, tollgate fees,
heavy traffic, driving or getting lost and we show you the places you did not know exist! It is
so much easier and VERY price competitive.
Any person who is interested in going to Namibia may join us! I.e. Family, friends & groups
from anywhere! It is ideal for companies for incentives as well.
Please make sure that your passport still has got two empty pages for customs’ stamps and it
is still valid for another six months when exiting the country. No visa is needed for SA
Citizens.
Please don’t punch holes in your passport to put it in a file! No yellow fever certificate is
currently needed to enter the country.
Vingerklip
Use your Voyager miles or other discounted miles to fly to/from Namibia.
Important Notice: We are a Foreign Tour Operator registered under the Namibian Tourism
Board Act, 2000 (Act No. 21 of 2000) Section 24 with Registration Number: FOR00125.
Page 2 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South Africa
The original legal Certificate of Registration for Regulated Business (in Namibia) is on display
at our offices (as requested by law).
Dit bly maar altyd lekker om deur ons buurland te reis. Die mense is vriendelik, die natuur
asemrowend, die wild volop, die besoekpunte interessant en die stede en dorpe skoon. Om
met ‘n georganiseerde toer deur Namibië te reis, gee aan u die geleentheid om al die vêraf
plekke te besoek, maar teen ‘n rustige tempo. U kom dus uitgerus by die huis aan. Hierdie
toer is vir alle ouderdomme en kwale geskik! ‘n Mens moet net LUS wees om te toer – dan
hoort jy op hierdie toer!
Rock arch at Spitzkoppe
NAME OF TOUR
2020 Namibia Bus Tours – 8 Days
TOUR DATES AND NUMBERS
Monday to Monday
15 – 22 June Nam 1
6 – 13 July Nam 2
17 – 24 August Nam 3
14 – 21 September Nam 4
TOUR PRICE Persons/Hotel Room
R14 180 per Person 2
R16 520 per Person (Single) 1
Page 3 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South Africa
NOTE #1
It is still the most affordable way of travelling & lodging in Namibia.
INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE
Bus trip from Windhoek Airport to Windhoek Airport according to the itinerary; 7 nights’
accommodation in hotels/lodges; daily breakfast & dinner; tour guide traveling along; entry
fees during excursions as per the itinerary and value for money.
EXCLUDED FROM THE TOUR PRICE
Meals & drinks not mentioned, flights, Comprehensive Travel Insurance, gratuities and
personal expenses.
DEPOSIT
A R6 000 per person non-refundable deposit is needed when booking is done. The balance
is to be paid by latest six weeks before departure date. If this is not done, you'll forfeit your
reservation and deposit. No cancellation within the last six weeks period. The R6 000
deposit forms part of your tour price.
If you would like us to do your flight booking as well, an additional non-refundable deposit
of R5 000 per person is needed. If the flight is more expensive you’ll have to pay the
outstanding balance to us.
Current flight costs (JHB to WHK) are +-R4 000 per person (international return flight).
Remember to use your Voyager miles or Medical Fund discount on flights if you do qualify
for it – when you book your flight yourself. When you book & pay yourself with your own
credit card, you qualify for certain insurances as well.
You can pay your tour fees by Snapscan: I.e.: By credit card.
Visit www.snapscan.co.za to read more about Snapscan.
Page 4 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South Africa
INSURANCE
As a rule we highly recommend our passengers to arrange comprehensive travel insurance
once booked for a tour to cover all possible losses, injuries, cancellations, etc.*
INDEMNITY
* JB Train Tours shall not be held responsible for damage to, or loss or theft of personal luggage and
belongings, nor can we be liable for personal injury, accident, illness or death. JB Train Tours will also not be
responsible for instances where circumstances beyond its control lead to an interruption, earlier termination,
or cancellation of any particular trip. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to instances of this
major/force majeure and/or casus fortuitus (acts of God such as floods and other natural disasters, fortuitous
and unforeseen events, etc.). We strongly urge you to adequately cover for any eventualities with your
insurance agent. We recommend that you also purchase a "trip cancellation" protection insurance to cover
yourself in the unlikely event of a late cancellation or loss.
PASSPORT
YES, you do need a valid passport to enter Namibia. Please send us a clear copy of your
passport with your Booking Form.
ACCOMMODATION
The group will be staying at the following Lodges and Hotels:
Windhoek Safari Hotel www.safarihotelsnamibia.com
Etotongwe Lodge in Outjo www.etotongwelodge.com/
Brandberg White Lady Lodge www.brandbergwllodge.com/
Brandberg Rest Camp http://www.brandbergrestcamp.com/
Bay View Hotel – Swakopmund www.bayview.com.na/
Okahandja Country Lodge www.okahandjalodge.com
OR at places of similar standard if circumstances warrant it.
ROOMS
All the rooms have either a double bed or twin beds with an en suite bath room. Not all the
rooms are exactly the same.
Page 5 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South AfricaMEALS
Two superb meals (breakfast & dinner) are served per day and are included in the price.
Lunch would be available en route – for your own pocket.
BUS ROUTE
The bus route to be followed: WHK Airport – Windhoek – Okahandja –Otjiwarongo – Outjo –
Etosha – Outjo – Khorixas – Brandberg – Uis – Henties Bay – Swakopmund – Walvis Bay –
Spitzkoppe – Usakos – Karibib – Omaruru – Okahandja – Windhoek – Windhoek Airport
A maximum total distance of 2156 km is travelled by bus over the 8 days, including some
gravel roads. We stop regularly for toilet stops & smoke breaks.
BUS TRANSPORTATION & EXCURSIONS
All the excursions by bus, as per the itinerary, as well as the entry fees, are included in the
tour price. (Excluding optional extras).
BUSSES USED
We make use of a Namibian bus company’s luxury* buses with reclining seats, AirCon, PA
system, curtains and big windows. Their drivers know the routes, road conditions and are
well experienced. The company’s safety bona fides and record are very good. There is no
toilet on board, but we stop regularly and the bus trips are not too long.
* The Namibian luxury buses are NOT of the same standard as in Europe or South Africa. It is
purpose-fully built for the local tough and demanding conditions. I.e.: No TV in any bus will
last on the gravel roads. No toilets on board but we stop regularly.
LUGGAGE
You are limited to one suitcase, max 20 kg, a small overnight bag and one piece of hand
luggage, max. 7 kg. (This is in accordance with your flight restrictions as well).
DRESS
We are in Africa. You don’t need to dress up for meals. Take casual clothing, a hat and
comfortable walking shoes.
Page 6 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South AfricaLAUNDRY FACILITY
There are limited laundry facilities en route. However, there are facilities close by in
Swakopmund. Outjo Lodge would be willing to some washing as well. Please enquire prices
with them.
GENERAL
This is a tour NOT to be missed. The people of this country, the vastness, the sand, the wind,
the contrast, the silence and the beauty will stick under your skin. Go once and you’ll come
back for more.
We are looking forward to take you there. No one is too old or too young or too fragile! Just
bring your smiles along and leave the ‘whining and pains’ at home! The weather is normally
good. Somewhat cold during the night and comfortable warm during the day. Please note
that all our tours are hosted from autumn to spring – nothing during the hot summer
months.
NOTE #2
The flight to/from Windhoek (before & after the bus tour) from/to your home destination is
NOT included in the tour price. We will gladly do your booking on your behalf.
Please ensure that you do not arrive later than 14:30 in Windhoek on day one of the tour
(Monday) or book on any flight departing from Windhoek before 13:00 (Namibian time) on
the last day of the tour (Monday). The flight takes +- 2 hours from/to Jo’burg & Cape Town,
whilst Namibian time differs one hour from SA’s time during winter months.
The majority of passengers normally fly in on the morning flights. We’ll still collect you at the
airport, show you around and transfer you to the hotel – free of charge.
RECOMMENDED AIR CARRIERS
Air Namibia www.airnamibia.com Tel: 011-390 2876 / 021-422 3224
Kulula.com www.kulula.com Tel: 011 921 0111
SAA www.flysaa.com Tel: 011 978 1100
Page 7 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South AfricaThere is safe car parking available (covered) at the OR Tambo Airport. The parking area on
the Southern side of the airport (ex Griffiths Road on the R21) charges +-R70 per car per
night! (This is highly recommendable). There is a free bus service from the airport to the
parking area (after the return flight).
The same applies to parking at the Cape Town airport.
Pelicans in Walvis Bay harbour
Transport from Windhoek airport (Husea Kutako Airport) to the hotel and vice versa: We
provide this transport free of charge to passengers, but only on Days # 1 and # 8 of the tour
AND if we know your flight arrival and departure details. Please inform us timeously.
You are welcome to travel a day earlier or later than the official arrival and departure dates
of the tour.
RECOMMENDED AIR CARRIERS
You can travel by overnight bus from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Kimberley
and Pretoria and Johannesburg. The Intercape Buses runs daily to Windhoek and it arrives
on the morning of the tour’s departure in Windhoek. It departs as well again late afternoon
on the last day of the tour. The bus tickets are lower compared to flight costs.
The bus’s drop-off point in Windhoek is in Bahnhoff Street in Windhoek, right at the railway
station.
Page 8 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South AfricaMALARIA
Namibia, and the area we visit, is not malaria infected.
We urge passengers to drink lots of water regularly. Even during winter times. A face
moisturiser for ladies is highly recommended.
CURRENCY
In Namibia the Namibian Dollar (N$) is used. It is linked directly to the South African Rand.
I.e.: 1 Rand = 1 Namibian Dollar. You can use South African notes in Namibia (not coins).
You may use your bank credit card as well. Please check with your bank, before departure,
that your credit card is internationally ‘activated’.
LAST NOTE
With the huge increase in fuel costs (petrol & diesel) in recent times and the major
increases in accommodation prices in Namibia over the past five years, this is by far the
most affordable way of travelling through & lodging in Namibia.
Travel greetings
Lean Badenhorst &
The JB Train Tours Team
N.S. Ons doen ook graag sake in Afrikaans
P.S. We host various other scheduled train & bus tours like Holiday: Namaqualand Flowers, Cape Town,
Durban, PE, Drakensberg, Eastern Free State, Sun City & Magaliesberg, KZN South Coast, Boland, Garden Route,
Kruger National Park, Mozambique (by luxury bus), Swaziland, etc. Motorbike-on-Train tours to: The Western
Cape and Boland, Namibia, Garden Route, ‘Stofpad in die Karoo’, Namaqualand Flowers, Africa Bike Week,
Buffalo Rally, Route 62, etc. Sport: Comrades- & Two Oceans Marathons, Rugby Tests, etc. Art & Music
Festivals: KKNK (Oudtshoorn), Cape Town Jazz Festival, Cherry Festival at Ficksburg, Oyster Festival in Knysna,
national Arts festival in Grahamstown, etc.
Page 9 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South AfricaNAMIBIA BUS TOUR
Windhoek to Windhoek
4 x Tours in 2020
8 Days
ITINERARY
DAY 1 WELCOME - Windhoek
Monday
Start arriving at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport and be transferred to your
hotel on this day. Your tour guide will welcome you at the airport.
If you arrive on the morning flight you’ll have some spare time available in Windhoek for last
minute shopping or a walk about.
Visit Windhoek CBD & Taxidermy (Time permitting).
Tonight you’ll enjoy your first dinner on tour at the famous landmark in Windhoek – Joe’s
Beer House restaurant. The food is divine, the ambience good and the décor VERY
interesting. Enjoy a 1 meter beer!
Tonight you’ll sleep at the Windhoek Safari Hotel.
Distance travelled by bus today: 55 km
Herero lady Christus kirche
Page 10 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South AfricaDAY 2 WINDHOEK to OUTJO Tuesday After breakfast we explore Windhoek briefly. A drive through the city’s CBD will take you past the Christus kirche; Turnhalle, Pink parliament buildings and you’ll view Windhoek from a high rise building with a beautiful view of the city. The bus travels further North on the only dual road highway in Namibia before arriving in Okahandja for a quick stop. A brief visit to a huge African craft market will expose you to local hand made products and you’ll have time to buy some of the best biltong in Namibia in a nearby shop – ‘padkos’. Then further North through the Savanah bushveld to Otjiwarongo before stopping briefly at the Outjo Bakerei for some German cuisine. Just before dark you’ll book in at the Etotongwe Lodge in Outjo for dinner and overnight. Distance travelled by bus today: 317 km DAY 3 OUTJO to ETOSHA PANS and GAME PARK Wednesday We depart from Outjo after breakfast towards the Etosha and enter at Anderson gate. At the first rest camp inside the Etosha, Ukaukuejo, you have the choice to: Either sit at the waterhole the whole day and enjoy the game roaming or travel with the bus further into the park. This game park is unique – as is its game. Late afternoon you’ll return to Outjo to overnight at the same lodge. Dinner will be served again. Distance travelled by bus today: 342 km DAY 4 OUTJO to UIS District Thursday Today is a long and busy day. We depart after an early breakfast and travel via Khorixas to the lodge outside Uis. En route you’ll visit the ‘Vingerklip’ (Finger Rock), Petrified Forest and Damara Living Museum before proceeding via gravel road to Uis. Distance travelled by bus today: 408 km Page 11 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South Africa
DAY 5 UIS via HENTIES BAY to SWAKOPMUND
Friday
After breakfast we’ll depart for the coastal town of Swakopmund, but en route you’ll
experience the changing landscape from bush to gravel to sand – eventually traveling in the
Namib Desert. The possibility of fog and mist close to the coast is always very good. (Keep
your jerseys close by).
Halfway we’ll stop at the small, thriving town of Henties Bay (a town with 3000 permanent
residents but filled to capacity with 35000 people during the December holiday period) –
well known for its annual Fishing Competition and Festival.
En route we’ll drive via Jakkalsputz, view a ship wreck, through Wlotzkasbaken (a tiny holiday
town) and experience the salt roads en route and then finally off to Swakopmund.
The late afternoon is at leisure in Swakopmund. We book in at the hotel for two nights.
Old jetty at Swakopmund Bay View Hotel Swakopmund
Remember to take your walking shoes & camera for this afternoon!
Dinner is served at our hotel after the sunset over the sea has been enjoyed.
Distance travelled by bus today: 229 km
Page 12 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South AfricaDAY 6 WALVIS BAY & DUNE 7: MOON LANDSCAPE, GOANIKONTES AND
SWAKOPMUND’s GOLF COURSE
Saturday
MORNING SPECIALISED ACTIVITIES - OPTIONAL
SEAL AND DOLPHIN CRUISE (Highly recommended)
The cold Atlantic waters off the Namibia coast are home to a wealth of marine life, including
two dolphin species and a large colony of Cape Fur seal resident at Pelican Point. The 1.3 m-
long Heavisides’ dolphins are seen less often. The Walvis Bay-based skippers are highly
successful in tracking down the dolphins and giving their guests close-up views of the Cape
Fur seals.
On this trip see how wild birds are fed by hand - even some very large Pelicans. Experience
the thrill of dolphins leaping from the water alongside the boat, seals fed by hand, fresh
oysters and cold sparkling wine on the calm water of the Walvis Bay Lagoon. This morning-
to-midday activity (+-4 hours) is an experience not to be missed. It is HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED. Bookings are done only once on tour. +-R800 pp (Morning: weather
dependent)
In the afternoon we’ll do an excursion into the Namib Desert, Dune 7, as well as Goanikontes
and a stop at a lookout point over the valley known as the Moon Landscape. Soft overlaying
levels of earth, deposited some 450 million years ago and eroded over millennia, created the
eerie landscape.
The coffee shop at the oasis at Goanikontes serves some of the best cake and tarts in the
region with tea, coffee or beer to be enjoyed in the garden. Experience the tranquility of this
venue and take photos of the barren world.
Page 13 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South AfricaWalvis Bay flamingo’s Dune 7 The bus continues into the rocky desert en route to one of the military insignias next to the railway line (quality of the road permitting) where stories of suffering soldiers are told. Then off to a spectacular golf course outside the town of Swakopmund, where Springbuck roams freely on the fairways and greens. The bus trip from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay, between the dunes on the one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other side, is magnificent. Dinner is served at a restaurant in Swakopmund before we overnight in the same hotel as the night before. Distance travelled by bus today: 155 km DAY 7 SWAKOPMUND to OKAHANDJA Sunday Today is another long but exciting day. We leave Swakopmund for Okahandja, but en route we’ll visit one of the most majestic mountains (Spitzkoppe) in Namibia. The Arch Rock is very popular with visitors – especially to take pictures. The further on via Usakos and Karibib to Omaruru. Called the ‘Artist Town’ of Namibia. Omaruru is a town and constituency in the Erongo Region of Namibia. Its official population is +-7000. The town is situated close to the Erongo Mountains, on the banks of the usually dry Omaruru River. Page 14 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South Africa
The town grew around a mission built in 1872 by Gottlieb Viehe, now a museum, and was
attacked in 1904 during the Herero and Namaqua Genocide. Captain Franke's Tower was
built in this period to defend the settlement.
The town is known for its annual festival, its winery and for the dinosaur footprints at
nearby Otjihaenamparero. We’ll visit a wine cellar - Kristal Kellerei Winery – one of only a
few in the country! The white wine produced in this vineyard is unique and ‘the tales behind
the story’ are interesting.
Captain Franke's Tower Root carving
An unique feature in this town is the Tikoloshe root-carving factory on the outskirts of the
town. Hardly any visitor leaves this place without a souvenir bought at this interesting venue.
Then a fairly long drive takes us via Wilhelmstal to Okahandja were we enjoy dinner and
overnight for the last night in Namibia.
Distance travelled by bus today: 431 km
DAY 8 TRANSFER DAY: OKAHANDJA to WINDHOEK & AIRPORT
Monday
A last breakfast will be served at the hotel.
The bus departs for Windhoek airport via Windhoek. Time permitting time will be spend at
the taxidermy en route to the airport. Passengers who are not flying out on this day will be
dropped in Windhoek.
Transfers to the airport is included in the tour package.
Distance travelled by bus today: 114 km
Maximum total distance travelled by bus: 2156 km
End of tour.
Page 15 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South AfricaBOOKING FORM
FAX TO: 086 687 7344 or 011 913 0552 OR EMAIL TO: upmarket@jbtours.co.za
Att: JB Train Tours
PLEASE WRITE WITH A BLACK PEN AND IN BOLD LETTERS
Complete fully. One form per person
Tour Name: Namibia 8-Day BUS Tour 2020 Tour No: _____________
Tour dates: ______________________
Herewith the Reservation for above mentioned tour:
Name and Surname: _________________________________________________________
(As on your passport)
Name (As you are being called): ________________________________________________
Passport Expiry Date: ____________________________ Male/Female: ________
Passport No: ___________________________ and ID No: __________________________
Tel No: _____ (Code) _________________ (W) _____ (Code) ____________________ (H)
Cell phone: ___________________________Fax No: ____ (Code) ___________________
E-mail address: ________________________________________________________ (NB!)
Postal address: _____________________________________________________________
Code: ___________ Country: ________________________________________________
I want to share a hotel room with the following person:
1. ____________________________________ Male/Female
Attached is the deposit of R6000 per person or full payment of R_____________________
(I understand and accept that my deposit is non-refundable but transferable). Balance is to
be paid by latest 6 weeks before departure date. Your booking will be confirmed in writing.
Flight No: ______________ Date & Time of arrival: _________________
Flight No: ______________ Date & Time of departure: _________________
Would you like us to book your place on a flight on your behalf? ________ If ‘yes’, the deposit
is an additional R4000 pp
Page 16 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South AfricaIndemnity: I understand and accept that the organisers will not be held liable for any losses of any kind, injuries, inconvenience, delays or cancellations that may occur. More details available on our website: www.jbtours.co.za Dietary requirements: _____________________________________________________________________ Signature: ____________________________ Date: _____________________ Next of kin Name: (for emergencies): ___________________________________________ Tel No: ______ (Code) _______________________ Cell: ___________________________ Banking details: Account Name: JB Tours Bank: ABSA Account No: 405 307 1777 Branch: Boksburg (632005) Type of Account: Cheque Please attach the bank deposit slip AND a copy of your passport Page 17 Po Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470, South Africa
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