Cape to Victoria Falls "Grand Explorer" (CV21)

Day 1: Cape Town

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).

Accommodation: Sweetest Guest House
Includes: Entrance fees to Penguin colony & Cape Nature Point

Day 2: Cederberg

The Cederberg is a massive rocky wilderness where giant sandstone boulders have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes. In the afternoon we explore the rugged landscape on foot.

Accommodation at: Camping – good ablution facilities
Includes: Meals (1 breakfast/ 1 lunch/ 1 dinner), entrance fees and walking permit in the Cedarberg

Day 3: Gariep River

We make our way into the more arid regions and upon entering Namibia, we camp at the Gariep River. Free time for swimming and relaxing or you can adventure down the river in canoes (own expense).

Accommodation at: Camping – good ablution facilities
Includes: Meals (1 breakfast / 1 lunch / 1 dinner)

Day 4: Fish River Canyon

We make our way to Fish River Canyon, the second larg¬est canyon in the world. In the afternoon we watch as a spectacular sunset slips over the canyon’s rim.

Accommodation at: Camping – good ablution facilities
Includes: Meals (1 breakfast/ 1 lunch/ 1 dinner), entrance fees to Fish River Canyon, Hobas viewing point

Day 5 – 6: Namib Desert

Towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes.

Accommodation at: Camping – good ablution facilities
Includes: Meals (2 breakfast/ 2 lunch/ 2 dinner), entrance fees to Sesriem Canyon and Naukluft National Park

Day 7 – 8: Swakopmund

Lunar landscapes surround the coastal town of Swakopmund as we approach the coast. Day free to explore the town or try dune boarding or sea kayaking (own expense). We enjoy evening restaurant meals (own expense).

Accommodation at: Dunedin Star Guest House
Includes: Meals (2 breakfast/1 lunch)

Day 9: Skitzkop

Beautiful desert landscapes. We move north along the arid coast to the Cape Cross seal colony before heading inland to set up camp under the Spitzkoppe, huge granite domes rising out of the desert. Enjoy a magnificent sunset. We’ll take a short walk to explore the area.

Accommodation at: Camping – basic ablution facilities
Includes: Meals (1 breakfast/ 1 lunch/ 1 dinner), entrance to Cape Cross seal colony

Day 10: Ugab Wilderness

Our next stop is the Brandberg where we camp next to the dry Ugab River, home to the rare desert elephants. We explore the mountains on foot with our local guides, who lead us through this region adorned with rock art.

Accommodation at: Camping – good ablution facilities
Includes: Meals (1 breakfast/ 1 lunch/ 1 dinner), entrance to see San Rock Art and guided walk with local guide

Day 11 – 12: Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park, “the great white place of dry water”, in the game rich northwest corner of Namibia offers a variety of wildlife. We take game drives around the huge dry pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions around the waterholes before we camp at Okaukuejo with its flood-lit waterhole. (Subject to animal movements we may use any of the 3 camps in Etosha.)

Accommodation at: Camping – good ablution facilities
Includes: Meals (2 breakfast/ 2 lunch/ 2 dinner), entrance fees to Etosha National Park. Morning and afternoon game drives

Day 13: Windhoek

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).

Accommodation at: Urban Campsite
Includes: Meals (1 breakfast/ 1 lunch)

Day 14: Kalahari

Crossing into Botswana we overnight in the heart of the Kalahari. We take a walk with the local San Bushmen to learn fascinating bush skills.

Accommodation at: Camping – good ablution facilities
Includes: Meals (breakfast / lunch / dinner), nature walk with local San bushman and translator

Day 15 – 17: Okavango Delta

We camp in Maun for a night in preparation before journeying deep into the Okavango Delta on mekoro (dugouts) – an experience not to be missed. We camp wild on remote islands for 2 nights and enjoy bush walks, swimming and the birdlife in this pristine wilderness area.

Accommodation at: Camping – good ablution facilities (1 night), Wild Camping – basic ablution facilities (2 nights)
Includes: Meals (3 breakfast / 3 lunch / 2 Dinner), entrance to Okavango Delta, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides

Day 18: Makgadikgadi Pans

Feel the vastness of Africa under a big sky sunset. After the rains the pans fill with water and attract thousands of water birds and herds of zebra, wildebeest and springbok.

Accommodation at: Camping – good ablution facilities
Includes: Meals (1 breakfast/ 1 lunch), entrance fees to Makgadikgadi Pans

Day 19 – 21: Zimbabwe – Victoria falls – Departure

Tour Victoria Falls, a natural wonder of the world, plunging into the Zambezi Gorge. Enjoy a sundowner river cruise on the mighty Zambezi or a spectacular “flight of angels” over the Falls (own expense). Tour ends at 08:00am at the campsite.

Includes: Meals (3 breakfast), entrance fees to Vic Falls