Victoria Falls to Cape Town Overland Tour - South

Day 02      Victoria Falls – Kasane

After breakfast we travel the short distance to the Botswana border, crossing into Botswana we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. Lunch will be served from the truck and the afternoon is set aside for exploring the Chobe National Park. We begin our exploration in 4×4 vehicles, which allows us an up close and personal experience with the many Elephants that frequent the River in the afternoons. The afternoon ends with a leisurely Boat Cruise and a meal served around the campfire.

Route

Victoria Falls to Kasane

Activity package

Chobe National Park game drive

Chobe National Park boat cruise

Day 03       Kasane – Caprivi

Today we cross into Namibia as we journey across the Caprivi Strip, much of our day is spent travelling through Game Parks and there is always the possibility of a lucky sighting. Our base tonight is on the banks of the Okavango River, here we will prepare for the upcoming Delta excursions. Your guide will brief you on what you need to pack for the Delta excursions, please note that baggage restrictions apply for transfers to our camps so a small daypack or similar is advisable.

Route

Kasane to Rainbow River Lodge

Day 04     Okavango Delta

Returning to Botswana this morning we make our way into the Okavango Delta. This unique and unusual ecosystem sees the annual flood waters of the Okavango River fan out into the sands of the Kalahari Basin. The seasonality of the flood waters lends the Delta its ever changing character. While water levels may fluctuate the tranquility of this wilderness area remains constant.

Route

Rainbow River Lodge to Okavango Delta

Activity package

Okavango Delta excursion

Day 05      Okavango Delta

A full day is set aside to enjoy the activities on offer in the Delta, while the programme of activities is flexible to accommodate the seasonal changes, you will have the opportunity to enjoy amongst other activities traditional Mokoro rides and natures walks. The Okavango Delta is not only a natural wonder, but represents one of the last great wilderness areas in the world today.

Day 06     Okavango Delta – Maun

Leaving the Delta behind us this morning we make our way to our overnight stop in the bustling town of Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Reunited with our truck we enjoy an evening together at the campfire reflecting on our Delta experiences.

Route

Okavango Delta to Maun

Day 07        Maun – Ghanzi

This morning presents the opportunity for a Scenic Flight over the Okavango Delta before we travel to Ghanzi in the central Kalahari. The Kalahari is home to the San people and our stay here will present us with the opportunity to learn more about these fascinating people. An optional walk with San guides this afternoon gives us the opportunity to learn about the strategies that allow the San to survive in this harsh environment. This evening we will get a first-hand experience of the San culture, well known for its rich traditions of song, dance and story-telling.

route

Maun to Ghanzi

Included activities

San Evening Dance Performance

Optional activities

Guided Walk with San Trackers

Day 08      Ghanzi – Windhoek

We start early this morning as we continue west and cross the border into Namibia, travelling onwards to the capital city of Windhoek. We will make a short stop in the city centre before continuing to our lodging for the night. This evening you have the opportunity to enjoy a meal at the well-known Joe’s Beer House restaurant, famous for its many venison specialties and quirky atmosphere.

Route

Ghanzi to Windhoek

Included activities

Visit to Windhoek City Centre

Optional activities

Dinner Out at Joe’s Beer House

Day 09      Windhoek – Etosha

Leaving the city of Windhoek this morning, we travel north for two exciting days of game viewing in the Etosha National Park. On our way today we will make a short stop at the craft markets in Okahandja before continuing to our rest camp in Etosha. While tomorrow will see us make an early start, those who would like to chance their luck can spend some time at the floodlit waterhole at the camp tonight.

Route

Windhoek to Etosha National Park

Included activities

Craft market stop en-route

Day 10      Etosha National Park

Etosha is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. Today we have a full-day to explore the edges of Etosha Pan in search of the abundant wildlife that occurs in the park. Our truck offers us an elevated platform and we will spend some time at the many waterholes dotted throughout the park. Those who wish to partake in an optional night drive may do so tonight (subject to availability).

Included activities

Full-Day Game Viewing in Nomad truck

Optional activities

Etosha Night Drive – subject to availability

Day 11     Etosha – Outjo

As our camp tonight is only a short distance from the Etosha National Park, we will have another full day to continue our exploration of this vast park. Today also presents an opportunity to join an optional morning game drive offered by the park (subject to availability).

Route

Etosha to Outjo

Optional activities

Etosha Morning Game Drive – subject to availability

Included activities

Full-Day Game Viewing in our truck

Day 12       Outjo to Khorixas

This morning we travel north towards Kamanjab where we will visit a project that introduces us to the Himba people of northern Namibia.

The semi-nomadic Himba Tribe are extremely susceptible to Western influence and have lost a large portion of their land to farmers, engineers, miners and many were displaced during the wars that raged between Namibia and Angola. The dwindling number of pastoralists that still exist in their natural environment are protected as far as possible by creating a “buffer zone”, or an “educational tribe” where tourists who would like to get a better understanding of the way of the Himba, their lifestyle and their traditions, can do so without interfering with those still living in their natural environment. Visiting the Himba tribe can be a controversial topic that gets discussed at the camp fire, however not so much if the reason for visiting this particular tribe is understood beforehand. The income that this specific tribe generates from the visits goes towards the education of orphaned Himba children and assists the tribe in giving them a chance to learn about their own culture and heritage. There is a market at the end of your visit, this is a way for the women to establish a small income, used for their own private expenses, and it is up to you whether you’d like to purchase anything or not

After our visit to the Himba project we turn south and travel to the small town of Khorixas, we will finish our day with a visit to the Petrified Forest on the outskirts of the town. These fossilized forests remain as a natural monument to a time long ago when Namibia formed part of the Gondwana super-continent.

Route

Outjo to Khorixas

Included activities

Visit the Petrified Forest

Activity package

Himba Tribe visit

Day 13      Khorixas – Swakopmund

This morning we travel onwards to Spitzkoppe, here a local guide will join us for a walk around the base of this famed landmark. We will have the opportunity to view some San rock paintings before we continue to the seaside town of Swakopmund. Swakopmund is well known for its many adventure activities, coffee shops and rich German influence. This evening you will have the opportunity to book some of the many exciting activities on offer and we end the day with dinner out at a local restaurant.

route

Khorixas to Swakopmund

Included activities

Guided Walk at Spitzkoppe

Optional activities

Dinner Out in Swakopmund

Day 14      Swakopmund

Today is a free day to enjoy adventure, explore Swakopmund or simply enjoy a great bake at a local coffee shop. Swakopmund offers all the conveniences of a little city and there is something to keep everyone busy. This welcome brush with civilization is the perfect launching pad as we venture to the Namib Desert tomorrow morning.

Optional activities

Quad biking

Sandboarding

Skydiving

Dolphin cruise

Day 15       Swakopmund – Namib Naukluft

Leaving behind the charms of Swakopmund we continue our journey to Southern Namibia and the Namib Desert. We make a short stop in Walvis Bay this morning before turning east towards the heart of the desert. Our afternoon will be spent with a local guide who will introduce us to the wonders of the desert environment. An early night is advisable as we tomorrow will see us up as the dawn breaks.

Route

Swakopmund to Naukluft National Park area

Activity package

Guided desert walk with local expert

Day 16        Sesriem and Sossusvlei

Rising with the first light we travel to Sesriem, the gateway to the Sossusvlei dune fields. We enter the park early and make a stop to climb the famous Dune 45. Having stretched our legs we continue deeper into the Dune fields and take a 4×4 transfer to the marvels of Sossusvlei. We take time to visit both Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, before bidding the dune field farewell. Our final stop before continuing to our camp is the interesting Sesriem Canyon, a remnant of much wetter times in this dry region.

Included activities

Sunrise hike up Dune 45

Visit to Sossusvlei / Deadvlei and the Sesriem Canyon

Day 17        Namib Naukluft – Fish River Canyon

Today we travel south on the gravel byways of Southern Namibia on route to Ais-Ais. Famed for its hot springs the resort and its hot pools are the perfect tonic to ease away the dust of the Namib, an evening swim under the Desert stars is not to be missed. Tomorrow will again be an early start as we aim to catch the morning light as it filters into the Fish River Canyon.

Route

Namib-Naukluft NP to Ai-Ais

Included activities

Ais-Ais Hot Springs

Day 18      Fish River Canyon – Orange River

As dawn breaks we head out towards Hobas and the Fish River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. The early hours of the morning offer great photographic opportunities as the morning light filters into the canyon. We will spend time exploring the rim of the canyon, before making for the Orange River and our final stop in Namibia. Our last night in Namibia is spent on the banks of the Orange River and the best way to experience the Orange River is by canoe. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to partake in an optional canoe trip on the river.

Route

Fish River Canyon to Gariep / Orange River

Included activities

Visit to the Fish River Canyon

Day 19    Orange River – Cedarberg

A final border crossing sees us enter South Africa this morning as we travel through the desert landscapes of Namaqualand on our way to the Cedarberg region. The Cedarberg is the home of Rooibos tea, which has become a popular beverage throughout the world. Tonight we enjoy a traditional South African meal and celebrate the many memories we have made.

Route

Orange/Gariep River to Citrusdal

Activity package

Wine tasting & traditional dinner

Day 20     Cedarberg – Cape Town

The final leg of our journey sees us travel through the wheat fields of the Swartland to the city of Cape Town. No visit to the fairest Cape would be complete without sampling some of the wines that have made this region famous. We enjoy a wine tasting and make a short stop in Table View for some great pictures of Table Mountain. On clear days we can also catch our first glimpse of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent so many years. The tour ends on arrival in Cape Town.

Route

Citrusdal to Cape Town