2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

BILL ABBOTT

This unforgettable safari will have you working alongside some of the most dedicated wildlife researchers in the world. PHOTO: JP SURAUD

Giraffe Conservation & Safari WORLD EXCLUSIVE SAFARI WITH GPS TAGGING OF GIRAFFE

Namibia is stunning, its otherworldly landscapes like no other place on Earth. With more than 40 percent of its land under conservation, Namibia is also the greatest conservation story ever told. We’ll track cheetah on foot at famed AfriCat, search the vast Etosha savannas for elephant, lion, and leopard, and encounter the semi-nomadic Himba people in remote Damaraland. With behind-the-scenes access at Save the Rhino Trust, we track desert-dwelling black rhino on foot in the wild. On two thrilling days, we’ll join a team of field conservationists and vets, working right alongside them in the field to track and attach GPS tags to wild giraffes—be prepared to be awed! Days 1-2 Windhoek / Leopard Tracking / AfriCat We head to Okonjima, home of AfriCat, the world’s largest center for the rehabilitation of Africa’s big cats. In the last 20 years, more than a thousand of these predators have been rescued, with over 85 percent released back into the wild. We search for leopard, track cheetah on foot, and enjoy remarkably close encounters.

Africa’s finest game reserves and a haven for an immense variety of wildlife. At Etosha’s springs, fountains, and waterholes, we should see herds of wildebeest, flocks of ostrich, lines of zebra, and other game, as well as Etosha’s large predators, including lion, cheetah, and jackal. Days 5-8 Himba / Damaraland Namibia’s wildlife roams large tracks of unfenced desert landscapes and to behold this vast and beautiful land is as much of a reward as the thrill of seeing wildlife. We visit the semi-nomadic Himba people, then head to our private “under canvas” camp (expect comfort!) in Damaraland. Here we search for rare desert-adapted wildlife including rhino. Wilderness Travel is proud to support the vital anti-poaching work of the Save the Rhino Trust located here. Namibia now has the only growing black rhino population in all of Africa. Days 9-13 Tagging of Giraffe On a private game reserve adjacent to Etosha National Park, we have the extraordinary—and world exclusive—opportunity to be an integral part of a team performing GPS tagging of giraffe in the wild. We will work alongside them, observing the darting procedures, assisting with tagging, and at the same time, learning about giraffe ecology with pioneering conservation scientist Dr. Julian Fennessy. Fly back to Windhoek on Day 12 and depart on Day 13.

HIGHLIGHTS • Just 6 participants—led by Jason Nott, one of Namibia’s most respected safari guides • Hands-on participation in GPS tagging of giraffe with Dr. Julian Fennessy—an incredible experience! • Track cheetah and leopard at AfriCat, and endangered rhino in Damaraland with the Save the Rhino Trust • Stay in gorgeous game lodges and wonderfully remote camps DETAILS • 13-day trip begins and ends in Windhoek • 9 nights hotels and lodges, 3 nights mobile camp • All meals included

DATES Nov 3-15, 2018 Mar 30-Apr 12, 2019 *Special Event Jul 7-19 Jul 19-31

TRIP COST $8995 (6 members) $9295 (5 members) $9695 (4 members) Single supplement: $1300

Internal airfare: $820 (subject to change) Donation to Giraffe Conservation Foundation (tax deductible): $3250 * Call for Special Event pricing and details

Days 3-4 Etosha National Park Explore by 4WD vehicle in magnificent Etosha, one of

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 + 3 4 5 6 7 4WD game viewing, bush walks

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL AFRICA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 26