13 days – Cape to Namibia Grand Explorer

Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, with the majestic Table Mountain providing its central focus. Departing, after a tour briefing, from Cape Town at 08:00am we visit Hout Bay harbour en route to Cape Point Nature Reserve and then the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. We sample some of Cape Town’s culinary wonders at a local restaurant in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (own expense).

Day 1: Breakfast is not included
Day 1: Lunch is an own expense meal
Day 1: Dinner is an own expense meal

Includes: Entrance fees to Penguin colony & Cape Nature Point.
Distance/time: ±150km, 3h30 actual driving time, but with stops, penguins and lunch is a full day out.
Overnight: Sweetest Guesthouses – is a collection of individually decorated houses in a metropolitan area of Cape Town near the V&A Waterfront. The group may be spread amongst any of the houses, within walking distance of each other, and the group
breakfasts will be taken in the same house. Rooms are twin with en-suite facilities (or similar guest house). WiFi available.

(B=breakfast, L=Lunch D=Dinner)

The Cederberg is a massive rock wilderness with giant sandstone boulders that have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes. We head north to the Cederberg and explore the rugged landscape on foot before relaxing in chalets for the evening.

Day 2: Breakfast provided by the guest house
Day 2: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 2: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Entrance fees, and walk in the Cedarberg
Distance/time: ±250km, 3h30 actual driving time, it’s a relatively short hop north and we expect a total travel day of ±4h30
Overnight: Western Cape Nature Conservation – 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms. WiFi not available

We make our way into the more arid regions and upon entering Namibia, we stay at a lodge on the Gariep River. Namibia’s southern border river flows quietly and peacefully and the river valley is hardly affected by tourism. The riverbed is sandy, the water clean and clear. Time free for swimming and relaxing or you can venture down the river in canoes (own expense).

Day 3: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 3: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 3: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: N/A
Distance/time: ±500km, 7h00 actual driving time, today is a stretch and with a border crossing (variable) we expect a travel day of ±9h00
Optional Activities Half day canoe safari
Overnight: Felix Unite, twin share cabanas with en suite facilities. Bar, restaurant, telephone. Internet cafe available

The Fish River Canyon, situated along the lower reaches of the Fish River, is one of the most impressive natural beauties in the southern part of Namibia. With its depth of up to 550 metres, the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world. We make our way to the canyon and in the afternoon watch a spectacular sunset as the sun slips over the canyon’s rim.

Day 4: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Entrance fees to look out point at Fish River Canyon.
Distance/time: ±300km, 4h00 actual driving time, our first long gravel sections, we expect a total travel day of ±4h00.
Overnight: Canon Mountain Camp – twin share chalet with en suite facilities. WiFi not available

The parched Namib Desert has endless orange dunes blown into sharp ridges by the sand-shifting wind and at Sossusvlei, they form a gateway into the Namib Desert. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and from the comfort of our lodge outside the national park watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes. (If you prefer not to do the 4km walk to Sossusvlei there is an optional own expense 4WD transfer)

Day 5, 6: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 5, 6: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 5, 6: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Entrance fees to Sesriem Canyon and Naukluft National Park
Distance/time: ±550km, 7h00 actual driving time, through magnificent scenery but it’s long total travel day of ±9h00
Optional Activities: On arrival at Sossusvlei the guide will walk with the group into Sossusvlei (+/- 3.5km). For those clients who do not want to walk, there are 4WD vehicles that can drive you in. The 4WD is an own expense (+/- N$85 each way) and is optional.
Overnight: Desert Camp – twin share permanent tents with en suite facilities. Restaurant, swimming pool & bar. WiFi not available

Swakopmund is a popular seaside resort with a slightly nostalgic atmosphere, characterised by numerous colonial buildings. In terms of flora, both the Welwitschia Mirabilis and the Kokerboom grow on the stony plains of the Namib and many beautiful specimens surround this coastal town.
Swakopmund is also the adventure activity capital of Namibia. Day free to explore the town or try dune boarding or sea kayaking (own expense).

Day 7: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 7: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 7: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant
Day 8: Breakfast provided by the guest house
Day 8: Lunch will be an own expense meal
Day 8: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes: N/A
Distance/time: ±350km, 5h00 actual driving time, this gravel road is very rough and we expect a total travel day of ±8h00
Optional Activities: Sand boarding, Skydiving, Ocean canoe safari, Scenic flights & many more
Overnight: Hotel Pension a la Mer – twin share standard rooms with en suite facilities. Telephone & restaurant. WiFi in the main building.

Namibia is a land of great contrasts and Damaraland demonstrates this with stark plains, petrified forests and ancient valleys leading to rocky outcrops and the soaring peaks of the Brandberg Massif Mountains.

Day 9: Breakfast provided by the guest house
Day 9: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 9: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Entrance fees to Cape Cross Seal colony, San Rock Art.
Distance/time: ±350km, 6h00 actual driving time, starting on a “salt” road. The road is generally quite good, for a total travel day of ±7h00.
Overnight: Brandberg White Lady Lodge – twin share chalets with en-suite facilities, bar, restaurant & swimming pool. WiFi not available.

Once a vast lake fed by the Kunene River, the pan that is Etosha NP dried up thousands of years ago when the river waters chose a new course. Etosha is big game country. We take game drives around the huge pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions around the waterholes. We stay at a lodge on the outskirts of the national park.

Day 10, 11: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 10, 11: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 10, 11: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Entrance fees to Etosha National Park, full day game drive in Etosha NP.
Distance/time: ±400km, 5h30 actual driving time, the road can be rough and with an afternoon game drive in Etosha we expect a total of ±8h30 in the vehicle.
Overnight: Tarentaal Guest Farm – private working farm outside Etosha National Park. Twin rooms with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar & telephone. (35km/25min from Anderson Gate to Etosha). WiFi not available.

This pretty town, beautifully situated in a valley, combines the architecture of a modern city with numerous buildings in the style of the German colonial era. The charm of the city of Windhoek lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. We visit the cosmopolitan capital and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense).

Day 12: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 12: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 12: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes: N/A
Distance/time: ±400km, 5h00 actual driving time, good tarmac road and a stop for market shopping, we expect a total travel day of ±6h00.
Overnight: Klein Windhoek Guest House – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar. WiFi available.

Tour ends at 08:00 at the guesthouse. Transfers to airport available on request.

Day 13: Breakfast will be provided by the guest house
Day 13: NA
Day 13: Na

Includes: N/A
Distance/time: N/A
Optional Activities N/A
Overnight: N/A

Please note: The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo
stops!

Please note: That the accommodation specified above and in the itinerary, is a guide only and is subject to availability.
Alternatives will be of a similar standard, and accommodation changes will be made without notice.

Special Interest: See magnificently dressed Herero women whose traditional dress is reminiscent of the early German colonisation of German South-West Africa. Herero Dolls made in this fashion can be bought as curios and make wonderful gifts.

Sustainable Tourism: During our stay in Damaraland, a local guide takes us to visit a San Bushman Rock Art site. Our entrance fees go towards ensuring that the area remains protected for future generations, and that the local community benefits
directly from tourism.