Tracking Safari in Namibia with Ray Mears

This exclusive expedition will be led by Ray Mears assisted by two expert local guides.

With over fifty years of tracking experience and thirty years exploring Namibia, Ray will show you a new way of reading a landscape. You will not believe how much you have been missing until you explore the nuanced art of tracking.

As we track our way across Namibia, we aim to open not just your eyes but also your heart to the incredible landscape, its wildlife, and peoples. There is a special magic in this arid, pastel shaded country that is totally addictive.

The aim of the safari is to familiarise you with the tracks of African wildlife, but to truly understand them we must also watch the animals as they live out their lives. Ray will teach you to fully utilise your sensory awareness to meet the challenge of spotting animals that are so well camouflaged.

Our journey is all about engagement; while Ray hates to be labelled an expert his experience in his field is second to none, more importantly he is also the most patient and gifted teacher. He has a unique way of sharing his tracking and wildlife observation skills as only a true master can. He will tell you that the true teacher is nature herself; he is just the conduit for her lessons. Whichever you choose to believe the magic is magnified by the natural classroom and what a classroom Namibia is. Awe-inspiring barely describes this astonishing land of contrasts. Namibia was the first country to include an environmental protection clause in its constitution. Today approximately half of the country is protected in one way or another. Safari is a Kiswahili word for journey, but it has come to mean more than just a physical journey, encompassing the profound spiritual growth that results from touching the wild beauty of African wilderness. When you safari in Namibia, you are immersed in the untameable spirit of the African wilderness. The aridity and sheer remoteness repels the dilettante tourist and attracts the passionate, adventurous, naturalist.

“Ray, what is your favourite moment on a safari?”

“That’s easy to answer. It’s the chilly predawn when the group assembles with a warm drink and a rusk. As they watch the sun gradually illuminating the stark horizon, there is a special atmosphere. Some may be refreshing their memory of birds or animals from field guides, others brushing dust from their binoculars. But all are smiling, immersed in the moment, in the journey, in the timeless anticipation of the days coming adventures. There are not enough days in a lifetime for moments such as these.”

Our journey will take us from the Erongo mountains which is one of the world's largest outdoor art galleries. With cave sites decorated with San art that records the details of their traditional life. Some of the galleries are estimated to be at least 6000 years old.

Tuition on the safari will comprise some lessons conducted in a relaxed atmosphere, but mostly lessons are delivered in the field as we encounter wildlife and their tracks, wherever possible we like to finish the day by upholding the tradition of a sundowner.

After stepping off the aeroplane under the fierce African sun, we will travel by 4x4 deep into the bush, travelling north to a stunning lodge, located in the Erongo Mountains, an area rich in Rock Art and birdlife. During your stay here, you will have the opportunity to visit the local bushman village as well as taking in the rock paintings, which are a significant part of the country’s cultural heritage.

Before we venture off into the bush, Ray will teach you how to behave in the environment and remain safe, especially when on foot. He will also give you some photography advice, helping to ensure you take home some fantastic memories to show friends and family. There will also be lectures from various local experts, giving you the rare opportunity to learn first-hand about a range of topics.

From the Erongo Mountains we will head northwest into Damaraland, which comprises nearly 50,000 km2 of arid mountain terrain where it often seems impossible that anything could survive let alone live. Here we will visit the mysterious San rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which for a student of tracking is a must visit location.

Exploring this region, we will use our tracking skills to search for elusive Desert Adapted Elephants, one of the rare specialities of Namibia. Meeting these giants in such a difficult landscape where people and wildlife must share the precious water resources can be a strangely emotional experience.

Our next destination will be the Etendeka Mountains in Northern Damaraland, here the semi desert landscape is interspersed with small dry riverbeds and mopane trees. The most arid regions of the basalt mountains resemble the surface of Mars, except for occasional cactus like Euphorbia. Here we will go on foot to track Africa’s last population of truly free roaming black rhinoceros. Assisting us will be expert trackers from the community game guards, professional trackers dedicated to the preservation of these critically endangered animals. This will be an astonishing demonstration of their tracking prowess but will also bring the unforgettable thrill of being on foot with one of the largest mammals of Africa.

Travelling eastward we will head into the region of Etosha National Park. One of the most exciting landscapes in Namibia to track in, it abounds with wildlife. Here the alert tracker can expect to find, Lion, Leopard, Giraffe, Elephant, Kudu, Oryx, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra to name but a few species. The aim is to see them before they see you.

Exploring the dry riverbeds and beautiful granite kopjes, this will be the honing ground for our tracking skills, providing you with ample opportunity to astonish yourself with all that you have learned. Naturally while in this area we will visit Etosha National Park, one Africa’s largest national parks, home to 114 Mammal species and 340 species of bird. As national parks rate worldwide, this is one of the crown jewels.

For our final two nights we will travel south again to Namibia’s central region where we will have the chance to experience encounters with game more suited to grassland and Acacia Thornveld. One of these mammals is the White Rhino, slightly more docile than its Black Rhino relative, but almost twice the size. Woodlore will call upon its 30 years of experience in Africa, and so as much as possible we will leave the confines of the vehicle to explore further on foot.

Beautiful lodge accommodation, superb food and true African hospitality, coupled with the astonishing wildlife and varied landscapes, will make this special expedition an unforgettable experience, comparable to nothing else.

• Black Rhino
• White Rhino
• Leopard
• Lion
• Elephant
• Impala
• Giraffe
• Hartmann's Mountain Zebra
• Springbok
• Oryx

This list is just a drop in the ocean compared to the wide range of possible encounters during your stay.

This expedition will take place from 17th - 27th November. If you are travelling from the UK using our recommended flights, you will need to book flights departing on the evening of 16th November to arrive in time for the course. Your return flight will arrive in the UK early on 28th November. Our recommended flight details will be sent in due course.

• Airport transfers
• Travel in private air conditioned vehicles
• Local English speaking guides
• Full board twin/double room accommodation in well appointed lodges with local charm
• Soft drinks and water
• All activities including game drives, rock art visits and San Bushman visit