Travel Namibia

Namibia’s well-maintained roads and diverse scenery make it an ideal spot for a driving tour, but we also recommend taking your time at each destination to really take in the wilderness and unique richness of this country.

The Skeleton Coast Park

One of the planet’s most inhospitable, but hauntingly beautiful places – Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is wild, desolate and uninhabited. The landscape includes sand dunes, canyons, and mountain ranges.

The Skeleton Coast is is normally associated with famous shipwrecks, and because of the bones that lined the beaches from whaling operations and seal hunts, but more than a few of the skeletons were human. The Bushmen called it The Land God Made in Anger. Ever since European navigators first discovered it, ships have wrecked on its numerous offshore rocks, or run aground in the blinding fog. As a result, the coast has scores of shipwrecks, some of which are barely recognizable, while others are still in remarkably good condition. The wrecks provide excellent environments for Cape fur seals, living side by side with seabird colonies and offering unequaled maritime photographic opportunities.

Kayaking with Seals

Near Swakopmund, you can kayak amongst hundreds of seals at the Pelican Point seal colony, experiencing these fascinating animals up close and observing them in their natural habitat.

Twyfelfontein Rock Art

The rock art here was carved by hunter-gatherers thousands of years ago, and displays one of the largest collections of rock petroglyphs in Africa. It was approved as Namibia’s first World Heritage Site in 2007.

Go On Safari

If Namibia’s wildlife is what you most want to see, safaris are offered in Etosha National Park, where you can watch lion, zebra and elephant drinking at waterholes. Guides are provided for all safaris, and allow you to learn firsthand how diverse the fauna of Namibia really are.

Sand Dunes at Sossusvlei

Namibia is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa, and as a result is home to miles and miles of desert and sand. The sand dunes are especially impressive. The massive red-orange sand dunes at Sossusvlei are the largest in the world and to climb one just before dawn is a stunning spectacle.

Himba tribe

The Himba tribe in Damaraland is fascinating and beautiful to behold in their yellow ochre stained bodies. They are considered the last semi-nomadic people in Namibia, with an estimated population of 50,000 in northern Namibia.

High Himalayan Triplet: Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan

The mountain ranges of the High Himalayas are immense rivers of turquoise blue and are sure to inspire and exhilarate. We offer general tourism, pilgrimages, trekking, fishing, kayaking, and bicycling, all with an expert guide in the field.

Nepal & Tibet

For less humidity, head for Mount Everest/Nepal in the springtime, a logical place from which to begin the triad. After that, a flight over Mt. Everest and the Himalayas in a fixed wing aircraft to the “Top of the World” is mandatory, and a light-to-moderate trek to the Mt. Everest base camps are extraordinary at sunrise.

After touring the Kathmandu Valley and the Medieval towns, process your visa for Tibet and Bhutan in Kathmandu and travel into Tibet over land or by plane, where Earth seems to touch heaven.

Bhutan: Kingdom of Happiness

Continue on to Bhutan, a Kingdom that only opened to tourists 3 decades ago. Even today only 17,000 visitors per year are invited as tourists. Fees are regulated by the government at a minimum of 200 USD per day, inclusive of accommodation, tour, and food.

Bhutan appears to be centuries behind the outside world because of its isolation, recent opening to tourism, and the absolute benevolent monarchy, but is surprisingly progressive. Buddhism is the foundation of spiritual life here and Bhutan is believed to be the last Shangri La on Earth.

Bhutan Travel Package

Costs

The government of Bhutan sets costs for a complete Bhutanese accommodation package. There are no hidden fees and it is all-inclusive with the exception of airfare.

With this basic accommodation package you can upgrade to luxury and exclusive properties.

35% of the tour costs are deducted by the government to help provide free health and education, and the remaining is disbursed to the tour operator in local currency to manage all the tour logistics. The cost is higher if you have fewer than three members.

The program cost for 2011, is USD $200 per person per night for groups of three travelers or more. For solo travelers, there is a $40 surcharge per night and for groups of two members, there is a $30 surcharge per night (240 for solo).

Since 2012, the government has increased the daily rate for basic tours and it is $50 extra per person per night (290 for solo).

Included in the package:

• All Accommodation in standard hotels (government approved & monitored) on twin/double sharing basis.
• Transfers by Hyundai/Toyota SUV and sightseeing within Bhutan.
• Visa fee & processing.
• Pack animals, porters, cook, trek guide.
• Accompanying English speaking tour leader/guide.
• All meals. Water is complimentary in the car. Empty bottles are recycled.
• 35% government welfare levy.
• Government tourism development fee.
• Museum fees and temple & monument permits.

Not included in the package:

• Airfare
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, shopping, etc.)
• Beverages
• Tips, gratuities for staff (optional).

Hotel upgrade exclusive property option

We also arrange accommodations at upscale properties like Aman Resorts.

Amankora offers 5 Lodges for a journey through up to five different valleys:

• Amankora Paro
• Amankora Punakha
• Amankora Gangtey
• Amankora Thimphu
• Amankora Bumthang

Luxury properties include:

• Uma Paro
• Hotel Zhiwaling in Paro
• Namgay Heritage Hotel in Thimphu
• Taj Tashi in Thimphu

Call us for pricing of exclusive and luxury properties.

Visa requirement & procedure

Visa-only service is not offered in Bhutan or on arrival.

Goldenfish can arrange for your visa. Upon application, a government permit is sent to us to give to you to board the plane upon entering Bhutan.

This must be done four weeks prior to departure and is easily done via our agency.

Zanzibar, The Maldives, The Seychelles & Mauritius Custom Guided Tours

Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania in East Africa, and should be the first on your list of islands to visit. Because of its high production of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper, Zanzibar is sometimes called the “Spice Islands,” and as a result spices are a huge part of the local cuisine. Tourism is another one of Zanzibar’s main industries, primarily thanks to the clear, turquoise-blue water and shallow sandbars perfect for wading. There are many small, nearly deserted islands virtually unvisited by tourists to explore as well. Be sure to explore the World Heritage Site of Stone Town, Zanzibar City’s old quarter, or just go beach to beach between Zanzibar’s tiny fishing villages. Each one is unique and more beautiful than the last.

Maldives

After Zanzibar, head over to the Maldives, where you can visit Malé Friday Mosque, built in 1658 and one of the oldest and most ornate mosques in the city of Malé. For more history, visit the National Museum, home to a large collection of historical artifacts ranging from stone artifacts to fragments of royal antiquities. Then, to finish up a long journey or day of exploration, stop at the beaches of Hulhulmalé, which is a reclaimed, artificial island off the coast of Malé.

Seychelles

For a more natural experience, the archipelago of Seychelles is a wonder to behold.  Home to numerous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as giant Aldabra tortoises, Seychelles’ beauty is a must-see on a tour of the islands. While here, stop in at the palm forests of the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, where you can see the amazing coco-de-mer plants and appreciate the area’s largely untouched beauty. For more beauty, also see the Sainte Anne Marine National Park. This area is famous for its clear waters and excellent snorkeling conditions, and for the well-preserved state of the islands there. Sainte Anne Marine National Park is best known as a haven for wildlife.

No trip to Seychelles is complete without seeing the astounding Bicentennial Monument firsthand. This architectural wonder stands to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the town of Victoria.

Mauritius

The island nation of Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean, is known for its varied flora and fauna, and recognized as the only known home of the dodo bird which went extinct shortly after the island’s settlement. A visit to Mauritius offers a glimpse into a rich culture with many influences. Experience the area’s Sega music or enjoy the local cuisine, a combination of Creole, French, Chinese, and Indian.

When you visit The Islands, there’s no limit to what you can do and see. Every day is a diverse cultural experience, and one you will remember for years to come.

Make sure to visit the Spice Islands of Africa and Islands in the Indian Ocean. We offer Custom Guided Tours to Zanzibar, Maldives, Seychelles, and Mauritius as either separate destinations or as custom extensions to our other African Tours.