Desert – Module 4 : Expedition (Namibia)

2022 Dates TBC
Namibia
Hard
Desert Expedition Skills
8 Places

This is an inclusive trip, where you will be involved with all levels of preparation, from hiring 4x4s and outfitting for an unsupported desert expedition; planning for the heat, to route and anticipating the limits of the vehicles capability.We are hoping to spend a day in Windhoek to learn the basics of responsible snake handling by someone from the Namibia University of Science and Technology and firearms training at an established range.

 

On this journey to will venture to the Namib desert to learn the art of desert travel and expedition skills. This expedition is a rigorous learning experience. Your expedition will be based in the rugged Erongo Mountains, a wild arid landscape of steep escarpments on the Eastern edge of the Namib desert. This expedition phase enables you to consolidate and put into practice everything you have learned to date, plus a lot more!  From abseils and vehicle recovery, to snake handling and tracking big cats, to sand driving techniques and learning firearms safety, this is a very comprehensive (and fun) package of expedition skills training. 

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Description

This is an inclusive trip, where you will be involved with all levels of preparation, from hiring 4x4s and outfitting for an unsupported desert expedition; planning for the heat, to route and anticipating the limits of the vehicles capability. We are hoping to spend a day in Windhoek to learn the basics of responsible snake handling by someone from the Namibia University of Science and Technology and firearms training at an established range.

On this journey to will venture to the Namib desert to learn the art of desert travel and expedition skills. This expedition is a rigorous learning experience. Your expedition will be based in the rugged Erongo Mountains, a wild arid landscape of steep escarpments on the Eastern edge of the Namib desert. This expedition phase enables you to consolidate and put into practice everything you have learned to date, plus a lot more!  From abseils and vehicle recovery, to snake handling and tracking big cats, to sand driving techniques and learning firearms safety, this is a very comprehensive (and fun) package of expedition skills training. 

Very few people get to experience the African desert in this way, so don’t be surprised when you will fall in love with this vast country – bewitched by her brooding tawny landscapes, the gentle peoples and her incredible wildlife.

  • Days: Mon – Wed (9 Nights)
  • Location: Namib Desert
  • Food & Accommodation: Fully catered & camping throughout
  • Activity: Desert travel & Expedition skills
  • Group Size: 8
  • Physical Rating: Hard
  • 2022 Dates: Oct TBC

Highlights

  • Minimum impact desert camping 
  • Planning for desert travel
  • Travelling in arid terrain
  • Emergency shelters
  • Distress signals 
  • Maximum hydration
  • Transpiration bags
  • Solar still bottles
  • Fire management 
  • Flames from lens 
  • Snakes and scorpions
  • Snake handling skills
  • Firearms safety training
  • Wildlife hazards
  • Bush cookery
  • Packing a vehicle
  • Vehicle recovery techniques

Inclusions

Included

  • Two Wild Human Expedition Leaders.
  • All food (snacks and meals) and soft drinks.
  • Internal transport as outlined in itinerary.
  • Special in-country permits and permissions.

Not included

  • International flights/ travel.
  • Travel insurance (obligatory).
  • Alcohol (Due to the remote nature of this Expedition no alcohol will be taken into the Jungle)
  • Personal equipment (full kit list in the Notes Section).

General Information

We will aim to cover the following (but please bear in mind we are at the mercy of weather and factors out of our control):

Please click on the + symbols opposite to read about what you will learn each day.

DAY 0-

Accommodation:

The first night of the expedition will be spent camping at a lodge. Allowing time to recuperate from the flight, cover the initial safety briefs, swim, have a beer, eat and relax. The entire expedition will be spent under canvas (or under the stars) camping in the bush, in a lightweight expedition-style base-camp.

Solo tent surcharge:

If you do not wish to share a tent, there will be a solo tent surcharge of £250.

Sanitation facilities:

Latrines will be expedition-style, screened and seated long-drop toilets. There will be an ample supply of water available for personal washing, and a screened expedition shower will be provided.

Meals:

All of the food on the expedition will be cooked outdoors over an open fire, as the favorite way of preparing meals in Namibia is on the braai (barbecue).

Namibians are not particularly adventurous when it comes to their food; meat is pretty much the standard, however there is a post-colonial German influence on the food available.

Vegetables are not popular amongst the majority of Namibians, and are viewed as the poison of the cultural imperialists. Vegetarians can be catered for, but please bare in mind that the choice of vegetables will be limited. Tinned fish will be made available as an alternative to meat.

Pasteurised dairy products, meat and seafood are all considered safe to eat, and in many cases are excellent.

We will not have local staff cooking for us; meals will be a communal affair with everyone taking their turn to help in the expedition kitchen. Cooking will be supervised by one of Woodsmoke’s staff, all of whom hold a ‘basic food handling and hygiene’ certificate.

Water:

Mains water in towns and borehole water on farms is considered generally safe to drink.

The expedition will have a large water trailer, which will contain potable water. This will be the expedition’s water supply whilst in the bush. This allows us to be self-reliant, and will mean that we will not affect the village’s precious water supply.

You are advised to filter and treat all surface water collected away from these areas with iodine.

 

Personal Equipment:

Clothing: Rip-stop cotton is ideal due to its evaporative ability, and long- sleeve shirts and trousers made from this material are excellent for desert conditions. Light earth-tone colours should be chosen, to help blend in with the environment, and to provide a degree of solar reflection. A fleece pile jacket or wool sweater is recommended for evenings and a raincoat is advisable.

A rule of thumb is “expose as little skin as possible.” The skin must be protected from heat, ultraviolet rays, insects, and water loss. A hat is an absolute necessity, and should be broad brimmed, to protect the neck and face. A bandana (or buff) soaked in water and placed between the head and the hat, can be useful as it can act as a solar air conditioner.

Footwear should be made from leather, and should be ankle-high or higher. Low-cut shoes will allow sand to enter and do not give adequate ankle support. Wool socks help the feet to breathe and give adequate cushioning and insulation. We also recommend that you bring a pair of light trainers or sandals for the evenings.

Large brimmed sun hat Bandana or similar
Cotton cargo style trousers x 2 A belt
Long sleeve cotton shirt x 2 Underwear & wool socks x 4 Cotton cargo style shorts Cotton T-shirts x 3
Warm fleece or wool sweater Light rain coat

Equipment Checklist: Sleeping System

  • Sleeping bag, preferably a quality 2 season bag
  • Self-inflating or closed-cell foam sleeping mat

Carrying System

  • Rucksack or hybrid travel pack (you will not have to hike with it)
  • Small day-sack (20-litre min.) or bum-bag
  • Drain Pipe (4” X 22”) – For transporting your quiver home in your luggage.

Shelter System

  • Foil space blanket Cooking System
  • Knife, fork and spoon
  • Stainless steel mug
  • Stainless steel bowl / deep plate

Sun Protection System

  • Wide brimmed hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun block
  • Lip balm

Lighting / Location System

  • Head torch (and spare batteries)
  • Small LED torch
  • Whistle

Water System

  • 2 x 1-Litre strong water bottles
  • 3-Litre water bladder
  • Iodine drops

First Aid System

  • Small first aid kit, including plasters, blister kit, tweezers, foot powder and any personal medication

Tool System

  • A fixed blade sheath knife
  • Multi-tool or gadget knife
  • A quality sharpening stone – Arkansas, water-stone or diamond

Hygiene System

  • Wash kit, preferably containing biodegradable soap, wet wipes.
  • Towel
  • Sanitary products

Insect Protection System

  • Good insect repellent – Consider using DEET base products, as we will be in a malarial area.
  • Mosquito head-net
  • Anti-malarial tablets

Optional Extras

  • Notebook and pencils
  • Sewing kit
  • Camera
  • Binoculars
  • 10 meters of parachute cord
  • A folding saw
  • Milbank filtration bag
  • Ziploc Bags
  • Gaffa Tape
  • Rucksack liner – to dust-proof your kit
  • Mobile phone
  • Foam sit-mat
  • Scrim scarf for observing wildlife
  • Hammock – for relaxing during the siesta period
  • UV led key-ring – to check for scorpions