Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Cape Town
South Africa
On arrival at the Cape Town International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for your overnight. The evening is free for you to explore the beautiful waterfront area.
Lodging: Breakwater Lodge, or similar
Day 2 Cape Town Peninsula
Set against the majestic Table Mountain, Cape Town offers scenic, historic and cultural attractions. Depart from the Breakwater Lodge, for a full day peninsula tour. Driving along the Atlantic seaboard via Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak, visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve, 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 your own expense. Overnight in Cape Town.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Breakwater Lodge, or similar
Day 3 Calvinia (Hantam Region)
Departing Cape Town, pass through the picturesque Namaqualand region arriving in the historic town of Calvinia, nestled on the foot of the Hantam Mountain range. From August to October, the landscape is transformed into an explosion of color due to the numerous wildflowers of the region.
Approximately 7 hours driving (425km)
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hantam Huis Hotel, or similar.
Day 4 Augrabies Falls National Park
Leaving the Little Karoo you head north to the Augrabies Falls National Park. 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.' You’ll spend the afternoon enjoying the falls from its many viewpoints. Overnight near Augrabies Falls.
Approximately 6 hours driving (450km)
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Vergelegen Guest House, or similar
Day 5 - 6 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
We 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. We enjoy a game drive to our lodge and when departing the Park. At our lodge clients can discover the true wonders of the Kalahari on optional activities (own expense) including Night Game drive, Sunset Pan drive, Kalahari Nature walk & interaction with the ancient Bushman. The evenings are spent gazing in wonder at the stars through the telescope on the lodge viewing deck. Overnight !Xaus Lodge (or similar accommodation)
Approximately 5 hours driving.(370km)
Meals: 2 Breakfasts
Day 7 - 8 Fish River Canyon
Namibia
Leaving the Kalahari region, you will head west and enter Namibia. Visit Fish River Canyon, which is one of the largest and most awe inspiring canyons in the world. Overnight at the Vogelstrausskluft County Lodge, or similar.
Approximately 7 hours driving.(495km)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 - 10 Sesriem
Today’s journey will take you north, through the ever changing scenery, to your hotel located on the edge of the Namib Desert. Enjoy a sunset walk in the dunes surrounding your camp. Depart early the following morning for Sossusvlei, stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colors of the world’s highest sand dunes. Embark on a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon. Overnight at Desert Camp or similar.
Approximately 7 hours driving (460km)
Meals: 2 Breakfasts
Day 11 - 12 Swakopmund
Reach the coast at Walvis Bay and enjoy lunch while viewing the many flamingos feeding. You’ll arrive in Swakopmund and spend the afternoon and following day exploring this German colonial town or booking one of the numerous optional excursions (booked locally). Activities available include sand-boarding, quad biking, skydiving, kayaking, hot air ballooning or scenic flights over the vast Namib Desert. Overnight at the Swakopmund Boutique Hotel, or similar.
Approximately 5 hours driving (300km)
Meals: 2 Breakfasts
Day 13 Damaraland
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. Overnight at Ugab Terrace Lodge, or similar.
Full day stopping at rock engravings along the way. (450km)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 Himba Village Visit / Etosha National Pa
In the morning visit with the Himba, a semi-nomadic tribe, living in scattered settlements throughout the region. They are characterized by their proud yet friendly stature and the women are noted for their beauty, enhanced by intricate hairstyles and traditional dress. Spend a few hours learning more about these fascinating people. After your visit, you will proceed to Etosha National Park for your first game drive, relaxing by the floodlit waterhole in the evening. Overnight at the Okakeujo Restcamp inside the park, or similar.
Approximately 3 hours driving (150km)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa with thousands of wild animals such as blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion and elephant making this area their home. The day is spent on a game drive through the park from its western to eastern sides of the park. Floodlit waterholes at campsites attract an abundance of animals throughout the evening, providing you with many amazing wildlife sightings. Overnight at Halali Restcamp Chalets, or similar.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16 - 17 Okavango River
Enter the Caprivi strip where you’ll spend the night set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Okavango River. Enjoy the sunset on the deck or a swim in the famous “river pool." The following Day is free for optional excursions (own account) such as bird walks, game drives, or mokoro excursions. Overnights at Ngepi Camp, or similar.
Approximately 9 hours driving (670km)
Meals: 2 Breakfasts
Day 18 - 19 Chobe River
Botswana
Crossing into Botswana via the Zambezi River pontoon, you will drive to Chobe National Park where you will overnight along the banks of the 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 game drive (own account). Overnight at the Chobe Safari Lodge, or similar.
Approximately 2-4 hours with ferry/border crossing (80km)
Meals: 2 Breakfasts
Day 20 - 21 Livingstone/Victoria Falls
We travel across the Zambian border to Livingstone to view Victoria Falls - without a 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, rhino walks, elephant back safaris, and to visit the Falls (own expense). Overnight Protea Hotel Livingstone, or similar.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 22 Livingstone/Johannesburg / Onward
Tour ends in Livingstone today. Flights booked home are typically via Johannesburg.
Meals: Breakfast
More information from Journeys International:
Comments from Facebook