Itinerary | Cape Town to Vic Falls, via Namibia
In Cape Town there is lots to do before the trip
Cape Town, on the southern tip of the African continent is a beautiful city, with many cafes, pubs, clubs and markets. Try to spend a few days here before the trip starts; it might well become your favourite city.
Victoria and Albert Waterfront – a working harbour, where fishing boats offload their catch and oceangoing ship dock. With; kayaking, Two Oceans Aquarium, food and farmer street markets, cinemas, super park with a gigantic triple story 450 square metre 3-dimensional maze; Submarine Escape Rooms and a high line ropes course, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, OSSA sailing and power boat instruction for young people to learn how to run a boat, the giant observation Cape Wheel with 360 degree view of Cape Town, cycle hire, Tommy the Tugboat which cruises the harbour. Visit Robben Island the prison of Nelson Mandela, go and look at a shark close up while shark cage diving, take the cable car up Table Mountain, go whale watching, visit the Cape of Good Hope and a penguin colony.
For an extra £1,250 upgrade from camping to hotels all the way
DAY 1: Cape Town to Cederberg
Cape Town – a beautiful city, plenty of cafes, pubs, clubs and markets. Visit a township.
We leave the farmland of the Western Cape and the Mediterranean climate, following the road north through mountain valleys and stony semi-desert, past Citrusdal a centre of the Cape’s many wine routes. A wine tasting makes for a great afternoon. Then on to Cederberg; the growing area and centre of one of the Cape’s many wine routes.
Included Highlight: Traditional Dinner
DAY 2: Cederberg to the Orange River
We drive through mountain valleys and stony semi-desert, following the farmland north through the sparsely populated areas of the Western Cape. We camp on the South African bank of the Gariep River after taking a canoe trip down the river, or relax by the pool enjoying view.
Optional Activity: Canoeing on the Orange River
DAY 3: South Africa to Ais Ais, Namibia
After crossing the border into Namibia, we drive north to Ais Ais, you can bathe in the mineral and sulphur rich hot springs.
Included Activity: Ais Ais Hot Springs
DAY 4: Fish River Canyon
Fish River Canyon; 160km long and 550m deep; is second in length only to the Grand Canyon. You can trek along the rim, to look over the canyon from the viewpoints. We visit the Quiver Tree Forest and the Giants Playground – here massive dolerite boulders sit atop each other, creating rock formations and a series of mazes.
Included Activity: Walk along the rim of Fish River Canyon, Quiver Tree Forest & Giants Playground
DAY 5 – 6: Namib Naukluft National Park & Sesriem
An early start; heading north, we enter the area of the Namib-Naukluft desert, one of the oldest in the world. We base ourselves at Sesriem, a good place to experience the starkness of the desert. Nearby is Sossusvlei and the highest sand dunes in the world. Great views of the desert can be seen from the top of these 300 metre high dunes. The stars at night are like diamonds on black silk.
At dawn into Namib-Naukluft National Park, to roam around the sands. We take some time to summit the famous Dune 45. We then take a desert shuttle a further five kilometres into the desert, where you can take a walk to Sossusvlei; a river which ends is a salt and clay pan, surrounded by high red dunes.
Included Activity: Namib Naukluft National Park, Climbing Dune 45 & Sossusvlei
DAY 7- 8: Sesriem to Swakopmund
We cross the Tropic of Capricorn towards the Atlantic Ocean, via Walvis Bay, to Swakopmund; an old German colonial seaside resort, with lots of things to do for the energetic and German beer halls for those after a more relaxing time. Horse-riding or sand boarding on the dunes, deep sea fishing in the Atlantic or scenic flights over the coastline.
Included Highlight: Tropic of Capricorn, Guided desert walk, Restaurant dinner
Optional Activities: Skydiving, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic desert flights, dolphin cruises, fishing trips, golf, horse riding
Day 9 – Swakopmund to Khorixas
Our exploration of the desert continues with a trip up north, where the hot desert sands meet the cold waves of the Atlantic Ocean. We’ll stop at seaside holiday town of Wlotskabaken and the Lichen Fields for a viewing and talk by your guide on the Lichen Colonies. We then visit the renowned Seal Colony at Cape Cross, known as the largest in the world with over 200,000 Cape Fur Seals hugging the shore. (Please note that the Cape Cross Colony may be inaccessible at times which means that we will not be able to visit the seals.) The road then continues away from the coast and takes us towards the Khorixas area where we will explore the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings and the Petrified Forest.
Included Highlight : Cape Cross Seal Colony, Petrified Forest, Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings
DAY 10-12: Kunene Region to Etosha
Etosha Pan National Park. Thousands of years ago this vast saltpan was a lake, till Kunene River changed course and deprived the lake of water. Now the pan and surrounding bush support large numbers and a wide range of wildlife. We view game from the truck and spend the evenings by the floodlit water holes at the park’s campsites. These water holes provide an excellent opportunity to observe animals that are hard to find during the day, particularly rhino and also smaller animals such as the genet. Elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok, jackals, hyenas and meercats are also likely to be seen here.
Included Activity: Game drives
Optional Activities: Night game drive
DAY 13: Etosha to Divundu
We leave the white sands of Etosha behind and venture towards the Kavango River for our overnight stop in Divundu.
DAY 14: Divundu to Maun
Through the Kalahari Desert to Maun a small town on the edge of the Okavango Delta, the starting point for a Mokoro trip into the Delta.
Included Activity: Morning Boat Cruise
DAY 15-16: Maun to Okavango Delta, Khwai Conservation Area
A Mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe and your transport into the Delta. As you glide through the waterways, you will see a fantastic array of wetland wildlife, birds in particular, and you will come across hippos in the water and elephants drinking on the shore. You can go on a walking safari to look for giraffe, buffalo and rare antelope – the overnight stay is a great wilderness experience.
Up early and it’s off walking with the guide, a unique chance to see game on foot; elephants, herds of grazing zebra and pods of hippos. Try learning how to pole your mokoro, or try to catch a catfish, which the guides make it look so easy. A last swim in the clear delta water before heading back to the truck and campsite for a shower and cold drinks.
Included Activity: Sunset Mokoro Excursion
Game Drive Moremi Game Reserve
Optional Activity: Okavango Delta scenic flight
DAY 17: Kwai to Nata
We head to Elephant Sands. The drive will take you through sparsely unpopulated country, where the donkeys roam freely.
DAY 18: Nata to Kasane, Chobe National Park
After an early start and a stunning drive to the town of Kasane where we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River, where elephant and hippo can be seen from the campsite. In Chobe National Park you can take an overnight game drive; a wild experience – excellent game viewing.
Included Activity: Morning Pans excursion, Chobe National Park Boat Cruise
DAY 19: Chobe to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
After returning to camp we head to Zimbabwe and over the border to Victoria Falls. When the river is in full flow, the falling water causes a huge roar and sends a cloud of spray up to 500 metres into the air.
Optional Activity: Entrance to Victoria Falls
DAYS 20: Victoria Falls
We stay beside Victoria Falls in Victoria Falls town, there is a lot to see and do. Adventure activities abound – you can bungee jump, white water raft, and go game-viewing on horseback or walking with lions. More sedate excursions include canoeing, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the Falls and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi. Though the Falls themselves are the main attraction, you can walk in the rainforest along the cliff opposite for an excellent view.
Optional Activities: Bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge, abseil down the Gorge. Fly over the Falls. Whitewater raft down the Zambezi. You can float serenely down the river deep below the cliff topped gorge.