The tour starts on day one with a pre departure meeting at 18h00 in the lobby of the hotel. Set against the majestic Table Mountain, Cape Town offers scenic, historic and cultural attractions.
Depart from the City Lodge at 08h00, for a full day peninsula tour. Driving along the Atlantic seaboard via Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak, you will visit the Table Mountain National Park – Cape Point, returning along the Indian Ocean coastline back to your well-situated Waterfront hotel. A morning or afternoon cable car ascent up Table Mountain is included (weather dependent). Dinner can be enjoyed at the bustling Waterfront (at own expense). (B)
Day 3 - Namaqualand
Distance: 270 km (4 hours)
Departing Cape Town mid morning you pass through the picturesque Namaqualand region. You will overnight at the foot of the Van Ryns Pass. During the months of August – October the landscape is transformed into an explosion of colour due to the numerous wild flowers of the region. There is the opportunity of sampling the local wines of the area during a wine tasting at the Guesthouse (own expense). (BD)
Accommodation: 1 night Highlanders Guesthouse.
Highlanders is conveniently situated in the scenic region of Namaqualand on the Cape/Namibia N7 Route makes for the perfect stopover. It is nestled among the wine farms on the Olifants river at the foot of the Cedarberg mountain range in the Oliphants River wine region. The setting is simply stunning!
Day 4 - Augrabies Falls National Park
Distance: 480 km (7 hours)
Leaving the Little Karoo you will head north to the Augrabies Falls National Park. You will pass through a lush oasis area with an abundance of wine farms. Here the mighty Orange River plummets 56m into the gorge below. The local name for these majestic falls is ‘Aukoerebis’ or ‘place of great noise’. Spend the afternoon enjoying the falls from its many viewpoints. (B)
Accommodation: 1 night Kakamas Hotel.
Kakamas Hotel, surrounded by lush green vineyards, sits nestled in the Orange River valley on the outskirts of Kakamas, Northern Cape. Kakamas Hotel is en route to various popular destinations: Augrabies National Park, the Kalahari, Namibia, Richtersveld and the West Coast. The central location also provides an ideal base from which business and leisure travellers can explore the region’s variety of attractions and activities.
Day 5 to Day 6 - Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Distance: 350 km (5 hours)
Today you will head north into the Kalahari and the magnificent Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Covering over 3.6 million hectares this is one of the largest reserves in Africa. Due to sparse vegetation in the area excellent predator sightings are common including that of the famous black mane lion. Enjoy a game drive to your lodge. At the lodge clients can interact with the ancient Bushman people, discover the true wonders of the Kalahari on optional activities (at own expense) including night game drive, sunset pan drive, Kalahari nature walk. The evenings are spent gazing in wonder at the stars through the telescope on the lodge viewing deck. (BD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Kgalagadi Lodge.
Only 5km from the Twee Rivieren gate of the Kgalagadi National Transfrontier Park, The Kgalagadi Lodge offers the perfect affordable, alternative to staying in the national park. The clean, fresh, modern style chalets and camping compliment the area.
They have a wide range of accommodation suitable for all guests, these include Luxury, Family, Standard, Business, Luxury Camp Chalets and Campsites each with own ablution. All chalets have air-conditioning, DSTV and outside braai facilities.
Strategically placed, the chalets make every morning a special treat. Seeing the sun rise from your front porch is an unforgettable experience.
Then, when the sun sets in the evening and everything turns red, your seat on the dune, a few steps behind your chalet will surely make for a brilliant photo opportunity.
Day 7 - Fish River Canyon
Distance: 470 km (7 hours)
Leaving the Kalahari region you will head west and enter Namibia arriving at your lodge situated in a scenically beautiful area. The following morning is free to relax and in the afternoon you will visit the Fish River Canyon, which is one of the largest and most awe inspiring canyons in the world. (BD)
Accommodation: 1 night Canyon Village.
Quiver trees, Nama culture, rugged landscape and an impressive sweeping rock formation characterise Canyon Village. Stone-and-thatch chalets are positioned in a horse-shoe design around a celebration of young quiver trees and the sprawling thatched central area, bedecked with bougainvillea, serving as restaurant, bar, lounge and reception. A cart drawn by a team of mules waits outside, conveying luggage to the chalets in a flurry of activity and laughter. ‘Take a walk on the South’s side’ is a suitable motto for this Fish River Canyon lodge.
Day 8 to Day 9 – Sesriem
Distance: 520 km (7 hours)
Your journey today will take you north through ever changing scenery to your accommodation located on the edge of the Namib Desert. The following morning is an early departure for Sossusvlei, stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colours of the world’s highest sand dunes. Undertake a 5 km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. In the afternoon enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon. (BD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Desert Quiver Camp.
Desert Quiver Camp uniquely combines modern self-catering accommodation with comfort and style. Conveniently located a mere 5 km from the entrance gate to Sossusvlei, the inspiring scenery characterised by granite outcrops, spectacular views and roaming wildlife will captivate your senses.
The 24 uniquely designed self-catering accommodation units have spacious bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, patio and private parking. Facilities at the main building include a fully stocked bar with a big screen television, a sparkling swimming pool and 2 communal boma areas which are perfect to cater for groups travelling together.
Day 10 – Swakopmund
Distance: 380 km (5 hours)
Reach the coast at Walvis Bay and enjoy lunch while viewing the flamingos feeding. Arrive in Swakopmund and spend the afternoon and following day exploring this German colonial town or booking one of the numerous optional excursions (at own expense). Activities available include dolphin cruises or scenic flights over the vast Namib Desert. (B)
Accommodation: 1 night The Delight.
Amongst Swakopmunds captivating contrasts and old traditions, The Delight is a fresh breeze in the desert. Conveniently located within short walking distance of the ‘Mole’, our modern, uplifting and inviting hotel is the ideal base for your stay. Every effort is made to surprise and delight guests with thoughtful touches and locally inspired reasons to smile.
Day 11 – Damaraland
Distance: 380 km (7 hours)
Today you will drive inland through the Damaraland region with its vast and rugged terrain. Its mountain ranges are intercepted by wide gravel plains, which run into sandy, vegetated riverbeds and hot, dry valleys. Your lodge is located on top of a mountain with spectacular views of the surrounding area. Spend the afternoon taking in the incredible setting or simply relaxing by the pool. (BD)
Accommodation: 1 night Ugab Terrace Lodge.
Welcome to the Ugab Terrace Lodge set deep in the heart of a rare and untouched mystery situated within Namibia’s famous tourist attractions. Indulge yourself with the breathtaking view enjoying a refreshing drink and overwhelming experiences of bathing in a splash pool constructed in the natural rocks at the top of the mountain surrounded by un spoilt valleys and bush. The accommodation comprises of 16 chalets set in a semi-circle on the edge of the mountain with a panoramic view over open valleys and the ancient terraces formed by water corrosion millions of years ago.
Day 12 to Day 13 - Etosha National Park
Distance: 220 km (3 hours)
Today you will proceed to Etosha National Park where you will enjoy your first game drive and relax by the floodlight waterhole in the evening. The park’s main characteristic is a salt pan so large it can be seen from space. Yet there is abundant wildlife that congregates around the waterholes. (BD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Etosha Village.
Etosha Village uniquely combines affordability with comfort and delivers the perfect safari style experience in a private and protected reserve directly adjacent to the Etosha National Park, near Okaukuejo.
At Etosha Village nature and luxury are in perfect harmony through design and comfort. Besides the 45 accommodation units and camping facilities, Etosha Village has three restaurant seating areas, a unique bar with a big screen television, a sparkling pool plus two kiddies pools as well as a well-stocked utility and curio shop.
Day 14 - Okavango River
Distance: 630 km (10 hours)
Depart Etosha and enter the Caprivi Strip where you will spend the night set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Okavango River and Angola. An optional afternoon boat cruise on the river is available (at own expense). (BD)
Accommodation: 1 night Hakusembe River Lodge.
Entering Hakusembe River Lodge at the end of the winding gravel track, you are greeted with a refreshing image of green lawn, large trees, a collection of thatched chalets and a strip of sparkling river. Instantaneously the fresh balm of beauty soothes your weary soul. You have reached the verdant Hakusembe river oasis. A feeling of calm descends. And it remains present for the time of your visit. River birds fly up between the reeds, people row their dugout canoes on the river and soft muted sounds float over the waters from the villages on the far bank. As you sit on the floating deck, legs up, book in hand absorbing the peace to the accompaniment of bird calls and the gentle splashing of water, all worldly worries float away.
Day 15 to Day 16 - Okavango Delta
Distance: 320 km (4½ hours) then 2 to 3 hour boat ride to Island
Continuing into the Caprivi you cross into Botswana were you travel by road to the edge of the Okavango Delta. You then transfer 2-3 hours by boat to Pepere island in the delta. The following day you do mokoro and game walks on the island and the smaller islands in the area. The activities included are Mokoro trips, scenic boat tours and game walks on the island.
Accommodation: 2 nights SwampStop Okavango River Camp.
Located on 15 acres with 300 m of Okavango River frontage, the camp features 12 en suite air-conditioned chalets, a full service bar and restaurant and offers a range of activities to suit the entire family.
Boating, Camping, fishing and exploring the Okavango Delta are the main activities guests enjoy while at Swamp Stop.
Guided fishing day trips, boating day trips into the back channels of the Northern Delta permit guests to really access remote parts of the Okavango Eco-system otherwise inaccessible to adventure travellers.
Day 17 to Day 18 - Chobe National Park
Distance: 540 km (8 hours with border crossing)
Crossing into Botswana via the Chobe National Park you will overnight on the banks of the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. Relax on a sunset game viewing cruise on the Chobe River. Optional morning game drive (at own expense). (BD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Chobe Safari Lodge.
Chobe Safari Lodge is situated in Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River and shares a border with Chobe National Park. Right on your doorstep is the meeting point of four African countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Chobe Safari Lodge therefore offers an excellent getaway location to Chobe, Victoria Falls or Caprivi.
Day 19 - Victoria Falls
Distance: 90 km (3 hours with border crossing)
Today you will travel across the Zimbabwean border to Victoria Falls – without doubt one of the greatest and most spectacular sights in Africa. Days are spent at leisure to browse the local markets, to experience the many optional activities on offer in the adrenalin capital of Africa including white water rafting, bungi jumping, microlighting/ airplane or helicopter flights over the Falls and to visit the Falls (at own expense). (B)
Accommodation: 1 night Cresta Sprayview Hotel.
Cresta Sprayview is situated just 1.4 km from the Victoria Falls Rain Forest entrance. It is the perfect gateway for adventure seekers exploring the resort town of Victoria Falls and its surrounds. In months when the Falls are in full flood, the spray from this majestic wonder of nature rises like a column of smoke, locally referred to as “Mosi-oa-Tunya”, the “Smoke that Thunders” and can be seen from the hotel, hence the name “Sprayview” from which the hotel derives its name. The hotel is ideally situated, in walking distance of the town of Victoria Falls, with its accompanying restaurants and curio markets and a short 10 minute walk to the falls themselves. Set on eight acres of manicured grounds, the hotel offers a tranquil oasis from which to enjoy all Victoria Falls has to offer. Alfresco dining and the large swimming pool make the hotel a relaxing retreat for families, international travellers and honeymooners.
Day 20 - End of Southern Africa Uncovered Tour
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B)