CAPE TOWN TO VICTORIA FALLS: Your journey begins at Africa’s Southern gateway. Gaze at the spectacle that greeted the early explorers, as Table Mountain appears to rise from the sea. A stunning setting for a very special city. Explore the deserts of Namibia, with its endless horizons and vast expanse of night stars. Where giant sand dunes merge with the cold Atlantic Ocean. Explore historical Swakopmund and enjoy the many activities on offer in this colonial Bavarian town. Go on safari in Etosha, known as the “Great White Place”, home to lion, rhino, elephant and much more. In Botswana we navigate the winding streams and isolated lagoons of the Okavango Delta and enjoy a tranquil game viewing river cruise in the famed Chobe National Park. Victoria Falls offers both the adrenaline junkie and the not so adventurous many opportunities to explore various exciting activities. This trip offers breathtaking sights and cultural interaction and combines these into an unforgettable holiday experience.
DAY 1 – Cape Town Today is spent at leisure in Cape Town to enjoy the many optional attractions and activities available in this magnificent city. Sample the sights and sounds of this magical city at the Southern tip of the African continent. Optional activities include trips to Robben Island, Cape Point Nature Reserve and Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, Table Mountain National Reserve, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the many wine estates of Paarl, Franschoek and Stellenbosch. All meals for your own account. LODGE
DAY 2 – Lamberts Bay (250 km) We start the day with the pre-departure meeting where you will be introduced to your crew. Departing from the lodge after the meeting, we head north up the coast past the West Coast National Park to Lamberts’ Bay, a quaint fishing village on an unspoilt stretch of coastline. Here we visit a rare breeding colony of the Cape Gannet. Breakfast from lodge. HOTEL
DAY 3 – Namibia, Fish River Canyon (650km) Travelling up the west coast region, we head to our first border crossing into Namibia. The west Coast region is known for it’s spectacular display of spring flowers (September), when the masses of wild flowers bloom, turning the entire region into a yellow, red and orange maze. After border formalities, we head through the barren Richtersveld and on to the Fish River Canyon. Time permitting, we view sunset at a canyon viewpoint. Breakfast at hotel; Lunch from truck en-route. LODGE.
DAY 4 – Namibia, The Fish River Canyon & Aus (350 km) This morning we head to the Canyon where we partake in an optional walk along the rim. The canyon is one of the most awesome sights in Africa, and second in size only to the Grand Canyon of America. After viewing the Canyon, we proceed on to the Aus region. Breakfast from lodge/truck & lunch from truck en-route. LODGE
DAYS 5 & 6 – The Namib Naukluft National Park (765 km) After breakfast we continue on through the Aus region where we have the possibility of seeing the famed wild desert horses. We head north toward the Namib Naukluft National Park and the giant sand dunes of Sossusvlei. This is one of the world’s oldest deserts, offering over 130 million years of natural wonder, and some of the highest sand dunes in the world! On Day 6 we leave early in the morning and enter the National Park. We climb Dune 45 for stunning views of the surrounding dunes, after which we proceed to Sossusvlei and the 2x4 parking area. From here it is an approximate 5 km walk to the vlei where you are free to explore. Alternatively, there is an option to partake in a guided desert walk to learn more about this area and the creatures that survive here. Stunning photographic opportunities are available in the dunes. On our return to the lodge we will stop off at the Sesriem Canyon. There are options to partake in some activities in the National Park, including guided walks, hot air ballooning and light aircraft flights. Breakfast from lodge & truck and lunch from truck. LODGE
DAYS 7 & 8 – Swakopmund (380 km) From the Namib Naukluft National Park, we head across the barren coastal belt to the Atlantic Ocean and the delightful Bavarian style town of Swakopmund. Swakopmund is situated snugly between sea and desert and offers great beaches, deep-sea fishing, quad-biking, dune-boarding, flights over the desert, plus an array of shops, bars and restaurants. Here you are free to explore at your leisure or partake in the many optional activities. This is also a chance to catch up on logistical matters such as laundry, banking and communication (internet facilities). Breakfast from lodge. All other meals are for your own account in Swakopmund. LODGE
DAYS 9 & 10 – Etosha National Park & surrounding area (590 km) Leaving Swakopmund we journey via the awesome granite moonscape scenery. The mountains and granite mounds provided a home to the San people (Bushmen) for thousands of years. We explore the Etosha National Park by game driving with our vehicle along the many winding tracks. Etosha National Park is dominated by shimmering white saltpans and arid bush vegetation. On our drives, we search for the wide variety of wild animals that make this National Park their home - you have a chance to see the African elephant, as well as black rhino, lion, leopard and many more. Dependant on the season, we will spend either the first or the last night within Etosha (the second is spent at a lodge in the greater Etosha area). Breakfast from lodge, lunch and dinner from truck on Day 9. Breakfast and lunch from truck on Day 10. CHALET/LODGE
DAY 11 – Waterberg Plateau National Park (260 km) We leave Etosha and head south to the breathtaking Waterberg Plateau National Park. Historically significant as the site of the war between the Colonial Germans and the Herero Tribe, the area has now become a haven for many endangered species. It is renowned for its incredible rock formations and nature walks. Our afternoon here is at leisure and you are free to partake in these walks or the optional game drives and guided hikes. Breakfast and lunch from truck. Dinner will be for your own account. CHALET
DAY 12 – Gobabis (possibly via Windhoek) (580 km) (There may be a short stop off in Windhoek to collect or deposit passengers taking part in a shorter module trip. For trips without these modules, we will proceed directly from Waterberg to Gobabis.) This morning we depart from the lush Waterberg Plateau and head east to the border town of Gobabis where we overnight at a private game sanctuary. This is our last night in Namibia and a fitting place to bid farewell to this country. Breakfast & lunch from truck. Dinner will be for your own account. LODGE DAY 13 – Maun (580 km) After an early start, we head to the border and cross over into Botswana. Once all the formalities have been completed; we head for Maun, known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta. We prepare for the following days to come and are briefed by our guides on what to expect on our trip to the Delta. We recommend packing a small overnight bag (daypack) with necessary clothes for 2 days. Our accommodation for tonight is on the outskirts of Maun. Although it is a small town, Maun has several shops, good communications facilities (internet) and banks. Breakfast from lodge & lunch from truck. Dinner will be for your own account. CHALETS/LODGE
DAYS 14 & 15 – Okavango Delta This morning we are transferred to the airstrip for a light charter flight into the Delta region. The tented camp is located in the heart of the Delta region and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding bush area. We participate in a morning game walk and “makoro” safari in the late afternoon. Please note that makoro safaris are seasonal and will depend on water levels in the Okavango Delta. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided by camp. TENTED CAMP – Please note that accommodation is in Dome Tents with padded bed rolls/mats.
DAY 16 – Nata (310 km) After breakfast we are taken by charter flight back to Maun and after the arrival of all group members, we head east to Nata. Situated 10 km from Nata Town, our lodge has a large swimming pool, curio shop and restaurant. The birdlife in this area is particularly spectacular, due to the nearby Makgadikgadi Pans and Nata Sanctuary. Breakfast from camp and lunch from truck. Dinner will be for your own account. LODGE
DAY 17 – Chobe National Park – Kasane (302 km) We leave Nata and head for Kasane and our lodge on the banks of the Chobe River. We arrive around midday – in time for our sunset game cruise on the Chobe River. The Chobe National Park is famous for its vast herds of elephant. The sunset river cruise is an ideal way to end the day in search of the resident wildlife and an excellent bird watching opportunity. Many have sighted elephant, hippo, crocodile, and an impressive array of birds and plains game. Tomorrow we will have a few hours at leisure in the morning for an optional game drive in Chobe National Park. Lunch from truck. Breakfast and dinner for your own account. LODGE *Please note that there will be no more opportunities to withdraw foreign currency after our departure from Botswana. Clients are requested to take cash only into Zimbabwe as credit cards and travellers cheques can not be processed.
DAYS 18 & 19 – Victoria Falls (90 km) A short drive from Kasane takes us to the historical town of Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls town is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park that borders the Zambezi River. The Victoria Waterfalls are fed by the Zambezi River that forms the natural border between Zimbabwe & Zambia. The waterfall is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world and is listed as a world heritage site. Our time here is at leisure to explore the captivating Victoria Falls & surrounding Rainforest, take a sun downer cruise or enjoy a variety of other adventure activities (own expense). Our lodge is located just outside the centre of the town. Breakfast from lodge. Lunch and dinner will be for your own account. LODGE
DAY 20 – Victoria Falls - Tour Ends Our tour ends after breakfast from the lodge and we part ways having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!
We book airport transfers and additional accommodation through our central reservations office. Please notify us at the time of booking if you wish to make use of this service.
Included in the tour price: Itinerary as specified, fully equipped safari vehicle, services of trip leader and driver, all accommodation as specified above, all catering equipment and scheduled National Park entrance fees. Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D), No Meal (NM) where specified. Meals not shown will be to the clients account. Occasionally breakfast and lunch may be combined into a brunch where necessary e.g. mornings with early game drives.
Excluded in the tour price: International airfares, arrival and departure transfers, travel and medical insurance, personal spending money, visas, passports, vaccinations, personal taxes (including departure and border taxes) all optional activities, unscheduled or optional National Parks / Reserves entrance fees, gratuities, restaurant meals and all other items of a personal nature. All drinks, even on days with full board basis.
Please note: While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. You will be advised of any amendments or changes in the itinerary during your pre-departure meeting on day 1.
