24 days – Cape-Town Johannesburg via Vic Falls

We start our tour in Cape Town, considered by many to be one of the world’s most beautiful cities. We meet at the aha Harbour Bridge Hotel at 13h00, and after a briefing and some formalities, the adventure begins with a hike up Table Mountain, led by our tour guide. The views over the city and the Atlantic Ocean are spectacular. The next day we explore the scenic Cape Peninsula by vehicle, visiting Hout Bay, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. We return to the hotel to freshen up, then head out for dinner and a night of fun at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. On occasion we may have to adjust this itinerary to accommodate the weather.

We spend both our nights at the aha Harbour Bridge Hotel. Located in Foreshore, the hotel is conveniently situated close to shops, restaurants and the ocean promenade.

MEALS
Breakfast (Lunch and Dinner own expense)

HIGHLIGHTS
Table Mountain Hike
Cape Point National Park
Cape of Good Hope
Coastal Roads
Waterfront
Hout Bay

We leave the Mother City behind us and after one last view of Table Mountain from across the bay, we travel north through the “Swartland” and along the West Coast into Namaqualand, a completely new environment shaped largely by the winds blowing off the cold Benguela current. In the early spring, this usually barren area comes to life with the blooming of numerous desert adapted flower species. The old Bushmen believed the flowers represented the souls of departed springbok.

Our route is one of contrast and ever-changing scenery, from wide open spaces to the dramatic rock formations found in the Cederberg. We overnight along the coast and enjoy a homemade meal.

Meals: B D (Lunch today is own expense)
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Scenic Drive along West Coast
– West Coast Sunset

Today we travel north to cross the border into Namibia, known for its dramatic landscapes and beautiful desert vistas. Once through the border, we travel the short distance to our base on the banks of the Orange River. We enjoy a relaxed afternoon along the banks of the river and prepare for our canoe excursion the following day. We spend two nights in comfortable accommodation.

The Orange River is the longest river in South Africa and creates a natural border to Namibia. Seen from above, the river forms a green ribbon winding its way through the desert and towering mountains of the Richtersveld National Park. After breakfast on the second morning our canoe trip will follow the river at a relaxed pace, allowing guests to enjoy the tranquillity of the surrounding views.
In the late afternoon we will return to our accommodation to relax and enjoy the surrounding beauty.

Meals: B L D; B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Orange River
– Orange River Canoe Experience

Today we head directly to the iconic Fish River Canyon, second only in size to the mighty Grand Canyon. An iconic landmark in Namibia, it is a destination not to be missed and we will spend some time admiring the canyon and surrounding landscape. After exploring the lip of the canyon, we continue into the true Namib to our final destination for the next two nights at our private desert game reserve. On arrival in the late afternoon, we settle in at the GREENFIRE DESERT LODGE.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Fish River Canyon
– Scenic Drive through Desert Region
– Private Desert Game Reserve

The GREENFIRE DESERT LODGE is situated on our private nature reserve and is home to numerous species of desert adapted fauna and flora. The lodge is spectacularly built against a rock outcrop between the stark mountains and the red dune-fields. The reserve offers guests a private and secluded desert experience, a day for learning that the desert is not a dead barren wasteland, but a vibrant living thing.

During our stay here we conduct a guided walk with our guide to gain more insight on the surrounding desert. During the heat of the day guests have time to relax at the lodge or to explore the surrounding area on foot should they wish to. In the afternoon we depart on a desert drive. During the drive we stop at a suitable place to enjoy the sunset and a traditional sundowner drink. Once it is dark we slowly drive back to the Lodge and hope to encounter some nocturnal animals adapted to living in the desert.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Morning Desert Walk
– Afternoon Desert Drive / Night Drive

An early start, we travel directly to the dune fields of Sossusvlei where we find some of the biggest dunes on earth. We take you to climb the dunes in the morning while the air is still fresh and cool. The last part of our journey to the dunes will be through the thick sand and for this we use an open 4×4 vehicle which will take is into the heart of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei to explore it further on foot. The varied colours of the ever silent dunes at various times of the day, with the utter starkness of the area create a unique experience.
After our extensive dune experience, we continue into the desert where we spend the night in comfortable accommodation.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Dune Climbing
– Sossusvlei
– Deadvlei
– 4 x 4 transfer into Sossusvlei

A short journey today, we cross the Kuiseb Canyon and the Naukluft Park toward the seaside town of Swakopmund where we spend two nights in the coastal town of Swakopmund. Established in 1892, the town is rich with history, culture and adventure. Originally built as a trading and fishing port it was later found that the nearby Walvis Bay was a more suitable location. Today the town is a visitor’s paradise with various local restaurants, shops and a multitude of activities available. We have a full day here for exploring the town and partaking in some adventure activities.

Meals: B L (Dinner own expense in town)
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Scenic Drive through the desert

Today guests have the full day for exploring the town of Swakopmund with its beaches, markets, curio shops and huge variety of adventure options that include quad biking, sky diving, dune boarding, and much more. On both nights here we enjoy restaurant meals getting the most out of town and all it has to offer (own expense).

Meals: B (Lunch and Dinner own expense in town)
Optional Activities:
– Sky Diving
– Market Visits
– Quad Biking
– Desert tours
– Dune Boarding

Today we head north up the Skeleton Coast, a barren stretch of coastline with scattered ship wrecks along the Atlantic Ocean. We visit Cape Cross, where the Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão arrived in the Jan of 1486, planted a Padraô, and declared the surrounding lands to fall under King Joan 11 of Portugal. It is also home to thousands of Cape Fur Seals.

We venture back inland and travel through the desert to the iconic Brandberg Mountain, the highest mountain in Namibia to visit the Bushmen rock paintings. We spend the night at the foot of the mountain and hope to see the rare desert elephants on this day.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Cape Cross
– Seal Colony
– Brandberg White Lady Bushman Painting Walk

Etosha is unique. At its heart is a vast salt pan, Etosha Pan, nearly 5000km² of dazzling white, sun-baked lake bed in the dry winter, and a shallow sea with tens of thousands of strutting flamingos, jumping fish and lurking terrapins in summer. Surrounding this pan is a varied landscape of bushveld and grassland, home to hundreds of species of wildlife.
We will spend these days exploring the expanses of park from the high vantage point of our vehicle, game driving and visiting water holes. During peak season, when the rest camps are crowded, we may opt for accommodation outside the park.

Meals: B L D; B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Etosha National Park
– Full-Day Game Drive

After a short game drive, we leave the harshness of the area, and head for the lush lands of the Caprivi. The Caprivi got its name from the German Chancellor Leo von Caprivi who negotiated the land acquisition from the UK in order to gain access to the Zambezi River.
From the park we cover some distance today and will travel through many villages and towns, giving us a glimpse into the daily lives of the local people. Tonight we stay on the banks of the mighty Okavango River in relative comfort.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Short morning game drive while we exit Etosha
– Scenic drive through Namibia

It is with great excitement that we cross the border into Botswana and travel the short distance to the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta and a truly unique spectacle of nature.

The Okavango River, emanating from central Angola, far to the northwest, flows south- and eastwards, before slowing and spreading into one of the world’s only true inland deltas, creating as it does so a unique ecosystem that supports a huge variety of animal and plant life. The sight of a Jacana striding delicately amongst the flowering lilies, the Bee Eater diving to prey on an unsuspecting insect, and of course the familiar cry of the African Fish Eagle – all combine to create the canvas of one of nature’s unique masterpieces. The river, eventually spilling its contents into the vast plains of the Makgadikgadi sands, disappears.

Our comfortable and well-appointed camp on the edge of one of the largest lagoons serves as a base from which we explore. We will glide through narrow reed-lined channels by mokoro, walk on uninhabited islands, and picnic in the wilderness, while learning about the animals and plants of the Delta from local guides who have grown up in the area. Through informal interaction with the guides, we will have the opportunity to learn about the local people and their way of life in this isolated wilderness. We will also have time to simply relax and enjoy the views over a glistening lagoon from a beautiful wooden deck, cold drink in hand, or take a refreshing dip in the pool. We will enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on a boat. A helicopter flip, to see the vastness of the Delta from the air, is recommended (own expense).

Meals: B L D; B L D
Included Highlights / Activity:
– Okavango Delta
– Guided walk in the Delta led by local Motswana guides
– Mokoro trip

Today we make our way to Maun, and then on to the DRIFTERS MAUN TENTED LODGE where we will have time to relax after our day of travelling. Located on the banks of the seasonal Boteti River, this tented lodge offers guests comfortable accommodation, a swimming pool and a cosy bar.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Private Tented Lodge on the banks of the Boteti River

After the early mornings of the last few days, we enjoy a relaxed start at the lodge today, spending time along the river bank enjoying the tranquillity of the area, or lounging at the swimming pool. For those interested, we recommend going on a local village walk. Chenoga Village, not far from our lodge, is not on a regular tourist route, so you have the opportunity to explore an authentic village with one of our staff from the lodge, who lives in the village.

We have an early lunch, before continuing our journey eastward into the spectacular Makgadikgadi Salt Pans area. Oceans of golden grass give way to the stark white pans, under a very big sky. We stop to take in the isolation and serenity of this expanse, before continuing to our accommodation for the night, Elephant Sands Lodge. Close-up sightings of elephants at the water hole are almost guaranteed.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights / Activity:
– Relaxed morning
– Visit to Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Venturing north today, we leave the desolation of the pans behind and make our way up to the mighty Chobe River. The Chobe area is known for the huge herds of elephants and other animals that are attracted to drink from the river. Renowned for its Elephant herds, these majestic animals are known for the absolute gentleness and love of their young and affection for their herd. This afternoon we enjoy an extensive boat cruise within Chobe National Park. Gliding close to the banks we hope to approach the animals from the river for close up viewing. Our cruise will explore the Chobe riverfront and a section of the Namibian side of the Chobe River. Back on land, we cross the border into Zimbabwe and make our way to the GREENFIRE LODGE VICTORIA FALLS. The lodge is centrally situated and within walking distance of the falls and other attractions.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Chobe National Park
– Extensive Boat Cruise on the Chobe River

Awaking in the adventure capital of Africa, it is with new excitement that we explore the amazing Victoria Falls. “Mosi o Tunya “, meaning “The smoke that Thunders”. On this day we include your entry into the falls and leave you to admire this wonder of the world.

During our stay various other attractions can be visited like the tribal village or curio market. Vic Falls is also home to a multitude of adventure activities such as an aircraft flip over the falls or a boat trip on the Zambezi River, white water rafting or bungee jumping, but allowance must be made for the extra expense.

We spend two nights here, thus allowing clients some time to explore the town and all it has to offer by themselves. Tonight we will eat out in a local restaurant (own expense). Relax to the sound of the African night and the distant roar of the falls and drink the farewell toasts to your adventure.

Meals: B (Lunch and Dinner own expense)
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Victoria Falls Entry fee

We enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge before we leave Victoria Falls behind us and make our way back to the bush. We travel the short distance to the renowned Hwange, well known as one of Africa’s best conservation areas and our base for the night.

After an afternoon open vehicle game drive/walk, we spend the night at our accommodation enjoying the sounds of the surrounding bush. Being unfenced to the national park allows the animals to freely wonder to and from the property.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Hwange
– Game drive/Walk within the Park

Today we travel south to the wide streets of Bulawayo – Zimbabwe’s second largest city. We then continue to the Matobo area where, in the afternoon, we enjoy a tour into the national park to view animals and track rhino through the bush on foot. Tonight our accommodation is situated amongst the balancing boulders of the Matobo Hills which, of course is where the local Matabele tribe helped bury the remains of Cecil John Rhodes, from whom Rhodesia originally derived its name.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Matopos National Park
– Rhino Tracking on Foot

Continuing south today, we cross the border back into Botswana and to our accommodation situated on a private game reserve within the Limpopo valley. On arrival in the afternoon there will be time for a short walk in the surrounding bush on the property.

Meals: B L D
Included Highlights / Activity:
– Scenic Drive
– Short Walk

This morning, after crossing the border into South Africa, we follow a scenic route through the Waterberg Mountains, before entering the bustle of Africa’s economic heart, the golden city of Johannesburg. The tour ends on arrival in the late afternoon in Johannesburg.

Meals: B (Lunch own expense)
Included Highlights/Activity:
– Scenic Drive through SA back to Johannesburg

The day by day descriptions published are intended as a rough guideline only. Adventure travel by nature is unpredictable, weather patterns, game migrations, road conditions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard. Due to the nature of the tours and industry, these accommodation options are subject to change/ vary at any time. wE will always try our utmost best to stick to the information provided as far as possible and would find similar accommodation in the area if needs be. Please do understand if changes have to be made on tour.