Project Namibia 2010
11th – 22nd September 2010
This event is full, but please contact us if you would like to be held as a reserve participant
A group of 17* people are travelling to Namibia for our third overseas 'charity challenge', to take up a triple challenge of trekking, building a school playground project, and raising money* for our Research Fund. They will be helping to find a cure for blindness caused by RP and at the same time experiencing one of the world's most beautiful and exciting places.
We will be with the group every step of the way - literally - as our Chief Executive David Head will be undertaking the expedition as well. The project is being delivered with the support of expert expedition organisers Across the Divide, who tell us:
"Namibia is a country where the natural environment rules supreme, with spectacular sunsets and plentiful wildlife. It is a country where you can experience a real sense of freedom due to the huge open expanse of the desert.
"The Anixab community at Sorris‐Sorris in Damaraland consists mostly of Damara speaking people, with a smattering of Herero folks here and there. They are predominantly livestock farmers trying to eke out a living in this harsh environment which borders the Namib Desert to the north of Brandberg Mountain (at 2370m the highest mountain in Namibia).
"They keep goats, with some cattle and desert adapted sheep whose numbers fluctuate with the ups and downs of the unpredictable rainfalls of these parts. A few roadside shops and curio stands attempt to secure some trade from passing tourists on their way into the highly sought after destinations offered by northern Damaraland and Kaokoland in the north‐west of Namibia.
"This is also the land of the famous desert elephant, black rhino, giraffe, zebra, springbuck, oryx, kudu and hyena. The slopes dropping from the Brandberg to the Ugab are dotted with granite outcrops that, together with the grass and mopane covered plains, present the most scenic landscapes imaginable.
"The Anixab settlement is situated right in the middle of this fantastic landscape on the edge of the Ugab riverbed, with the school buildings dominating the formal residences and informal shacks. The government provides the water supply which is pumped from bore holes in the Ugab river bed, and mains electricity is tapped from overland power lines, but
little maintenance or school supplies are provided, which accounts for the fact that the school and subsequently the whole community, are finding it difficult to cope with the requirements of learning and education."
THE GROUP'S ITINERARY
DAY 1 UK ‐ WINDHOEK
Flight for Windhoek.
DAY 2 WINDHOEK – UIS MOUNTAINS – DAMARA PLAINS
From Hosea Kutako airport we board our coach and transfer in a north‐westerly direction past Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, and the towns of Okahandja, Omaruru and to our drop off point at the Uis mountains.
Transfer: 5hrs plus short hike
Accommodation: camping
DAY 3 WINDHOEK – UIS MOUNTAINS – DAMARA PLAINS
We head in a north‐westerly direction, dropping down into the Ugab valley and passing a spectacular display of granite outcrops strewn on the vast grassy plains with chances to sight springbuck and ostrich. Our camp is situated near the dry Ugab river bed amongst granite rocks.
DAY 4 DAMARA PLAINS ‐ ANIXAB
We followthe course of the Ugab staying well clear of the sandy river bed, making our way to the project site at Anixab, where we camp underneath huge riverine trees about 1km away from the settlement.
DAY 5‐8 PROJECT WORK
The next four days are spent working on renovating the Anixab school playground.
DAY 9 TREK TO BRANDBERG
After saying goodbye to all the kids and community members, we trek west to our camp at Jonas, at the foot of the Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia.
DAY 10 BRANDBERG – OKAHANDJA LODGE
A short hike to then transfer to Okahandja Lodge for a celebration meal.
DAY 11 OKAHANDJA ‐ WINDHOEK
Visit to the wood market and then towards Windhoek and the airport for our flight back home.
DAY 12 ARRIVE BACK IN THE UK
Subject to flight schedules.
*12 participants are raising funds for RP Fighting Blindness, 5 for other charities.
