We go through some incredibly diverse landscapes - richly fertile winelands, arid and hauntingly beautiful deserts, dramatic canyons and tranquil lagoons. Highlights include game watching in Etosha National Park, climbing giant sand dunes in Sossusvlei, camping out in the Okavango Delta, and an overnight excursion in the Chobe National Park. There are plenty of optional activities to choose from too, from white water rafting on the Zambezi River to quad-biking through the Namib Desert. As our most popular safari - this trip is sure to leave you loving Africa and wanting more!
This trip begins in Cape Town, South Africa and travels north through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, before ending in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
This trip departs from Cape Town early on Sunday morning. Should you wish to explore Cape Town, an earlier arrival should be planned and accommodation, please enquire with one of our consultants.
Departure Point: Ashanti Lodge & Travel Centre - 11 Hof Street, Gardens, Cape Town.
Please Note: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.
From the Cederberg we travel further north through the region known as Namaqualand, well known for its prolific display of Namaqua wildflowers that occur each spring. After stopping for supplies in the small mining town of Springbok, we continue on through the desert area of the Richtersveld to the Gariep River, the natural land border between South Africa and Namibia, where we camp at a beautiful campsite on the South African bank of the river.
This morning we enter the Namib-Naukluft National Park where we spend the morning exploring this amazing area. View the sunrise from the top of Dune 45 - a truly memorable experience. Following our sunrise experience you will have the option to take the desert shuttles a further 5kms into the desert where you can take a walk to Sossusvlei and explore the surrounding area. An optional guided walk is available at an additional cost, after our leisurely morning exploring the desert and its dunes.
This morning after breakfast we head off in a north-westerly direction to meet the Atlantic Ocean at Walvis Bay. Our drive takes us across the Tropic of Capricorn – the 'imaginary line' that shows the southernmost point of direct sun, and signals the southern hemisphere's mid-summers day. From Walvis Bay, we follow the coast for some 35 km to arrive at Namibia's prime holiday resort - Swakopmund where we enjoy 2 nights of rest, relaxation and a little bit of adrenalin for those that are keen! Accommodation will be in dormitories for the next 2 nights, upgrades into private rooms are possible, but depend on availability and can be booked with your trip leader.
Our departure from Swakopmund takes us to the 'Matterhorn of Namibia' - Spitzkoppe. The 1728 m high rock formation, one of Namibia's most recognised landmarks, is well known as an ancient San sacred site. The area we camp in is managed by the local community who offer local guides for guided walks to the San Rock Art at an additional cost. Explore the surrounding area and its San rock paintings or simply enjoy the magnificent views. Tonight we bush camp (no ablution facilities) under the African stars.
Today's drive takes us further north through the Namibian countryside is to the Cheetah Park - a private farm dedicated to conserving Namibia's cheetah population. While Cheetah are endangered in Africa, Namibia has a high population of wild, free roaming cheetah who cause immense damage to some of the local farms by hunting their livestock. As such, there are many local farmers who have offered a sanctuary to those that have been trapped, or injured. We get to meet the resident cheetahs, a photo opportunity not to be missed!
After stopping briefly in Outjo to get stock up on supplies, we head to the area of Etosha National Park. Covering 20 000 km2, Etosha is Namibia's premier nature and wildlife reserve. Situated around the Etosha Pan with a large variety of animal and bird life, the extensive network of gravel roads affords us the opportunity of accessing even the most remote areas of the park. After lunch, and once it has cooled off a bit, we spend the remainder of the day exploring the park's southern area. Keep an eye out for the striking Oryx and Springbok as these are endemic to desert National Parks! Tonight's camp is situated just outside the parks boundaries, only 10kms from Anderson Gate. Perhaps a quick dip in the pool or a sun downer on the deck before dinner, followed by a relaxing evening in this interesting bar.
Here we have the opportunity to take the optional 3 Day / 2 Night Drive In/Mokoro Excursion into the Delta. After an early rise, we pack our expedition vehicle and from Maun we drive north for a couple of hours to reach the mokoro poler's station. The Delta region is studded with many local villages where many families live in a traditional way. Some of the villages are very remote and can only be reached by the traditional mode of transport – the Mokoro. Mokoros are dugout canoes manoeuvred through the waterways by local guides who "pole" them through the reeds. At the Mokoro station, we meet our 'Polers' and pack our supplies before heading out into the waterways. After a couple of hours along the waterways, our guides find us a place to camp, and later in the afternoon we set off on an afternoon game walk, allowing us to experience The Delta wilderness. The camp is situated in an open wilderness area with no ablution facilities.