21-Day Cape to Vic Falls Grand Explorer

>> Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, with the majestic Table Mountain providing its central focus. Departing (from the first night's accommodation), after a tour briefing, from Cape Town at 8:00 am, we'll visit Hout Bay Harbour en route to Cape Point Nature Reserve and then the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. We'll sample some of Cape Town’s culinary wonders at a local restaurant in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (at your own expense).

Airport transfers or pre-tour accommodation can be arranged at extra cost. Alternatively, you can make your own way to the departure point by 8:00 am.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Mid-range hotelin Cape Town (City, South Africa)

>> 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'll head north to the Cederberg and explore the rugged landscape on foot before relaxing in chalets for the evening.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Algeria Cottages Budget self catering accommodationin Cederberg (Mountain Range, South Africa)

>> We'll make our way into the more arid regions and upon entering Namibia, we'll 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, and the water is clean and clear. Take some free time for swimming and relaxing or you can venture down the river in canoes (at your own expense).

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Provenance Camp Mid-range lodge located at Orange River (South Africa)

>> 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 a depth of up to 550 metres, the Fish River Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the world. We'll make our way to the canyon and in the afternoon, watch a spectacular sunset as the sun slips over the canyon’s rim.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp Mid-range guest housenear Keetmanshoop (City, Namibia)

>> 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).

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Desert Camp Mid-range self catering accommodationnear Sesriem (Town, Namibia)

>> 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. Have a free day to explore the town or try dune boarding or sea kayaking (at your own expense).

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Hotel Pension A la Mer Mid-range hotelin Swakopmund (City, Namibia)

>> En route to our destination, we'll visit the Cape Cross seal colony. 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. We will walk in these mountains and view the ancient rock art of the San people.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady Lodge Mid-range lodge bordering Damaraland (Namibia) without fences

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

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Tarentaal Guest Farm Mid-range guest house located outside Etosha NP (Namibia)

>> 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.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Guesthouse Terra Africa Mid-range guest housein Windhoek (City, Namibia)

>> Crossing into Botswana, we'll overnight in huts in the heart of the Kalahari. Our accommodation is very simple and immerses us in local culture. We'll take a walk with the local Bushmen to learn fascinating bush skills and are given an opportunity to learn more about their dying culture.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Ghanzi Trail Blazers Budget lodgein Ghanzi (Town, Botswana)

>> The Okavango Delta is the only inland delta in the world: the annual flood of fresh water spreads over 15000sq km of the Kalahari sand in a maze of lagoons and channels. We'll journey to the western floodplains of the Okavango Delta to our lodge overlooking a permanent lagoon. Here we'll enjoy a game walk, a mokoro excursion and the amazing birdlife in this pristine wilderness area.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp Mid-range tented camp located inside Okavango Panhandle (Botswana)

>> Making our way around the Okavango, we'll head to Maun where we have an evening meal at a local restaurant (at your own expense). We expect a day's travel of about 5 hours. This overnight stop is necessary for us to load up on supplies before continuing on our journey.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Island Safari Lodge Mid-range lodgein Maun (City, Botswana)

>> The shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi are the size of Switzerland and most of the time appear as a glaring, white, endless plain. When the rain comes, a dramatic change takes place as the pans come to life with frantically feeding water birds and great herds of zebra, wildebeest and springbok.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Nata Lodge Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Makgadikgadi Pans NP (Botswana)

>> Chobe National Park is famous for large herds of elephants and buffalo. We'll explore the national park on a morning game drive and spend the rest of the day on the river, enjoying lunch on our cruise boat with spectacular wildlife viewing

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Thebe River Safaris Lodge Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Chobe NP (Botswana)

>> Magnificent Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. David Livingstone ‘discovered’ the falls in 1885 and named them after his Queen. The scene he encountered was a mile-wide (1.6km) sheer basalt fault line over which the mighty Zambezi tumbled to a depth of 100m, creating a cloud of spray. The falls are also the centre of a wide range of activities, including white water rafting on the mighty Zambezi, scenic flights or a 111m bungee jump (at your own expense).

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Shearwater Explorers Village Budget lodge located at Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

>> Relaxed and ready to rejoin life, this tour ends at 8:00 am at the hotel.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)