Explore Southern Africa: Cape Town to Victoria Falls - 20 Days

Day 1: South Africa, Cederberg Region

Leaving Cape Town this morning, you'll make a last stop to look back at Table Mountain from across Table Bay. The Cederberg region has spectacular mountains and orange farms and is also the home of the Rooibos bush. Today you'll visit a working Rooibos tea farm and see the plants of Rooibos and Buchu that occur naturally in the wild. Indigenous to the mountain slopes of the Cederberg, this herbal beverage has earned an international reputation as a healthy and refreshing alternative to regular tea.

Dinner at your overnight stop offers an opportunity for you to get acquainted while enjoying some South African hospitality.

Day 2: Namibia, Gariep (Orange) River

Namaqualand presents your first experience of desert vistas. Continue your journey north and travel to your camp on the banks of the Orange River.

If you are traveling in the spring months (July to September), you may encounter the wildflowers that have made this region famous. Crossing the border this afternoon, you'll enter Namibia and settle in on the banks of the Gariep River.

Day 3: Gariep (Orange) River & Fish River Canyon

The Orange River was named after the Dutch Royal House. Recently, it has been referred to by its original name of Gariep, which means "river" in the Khoekhoe indigenous language. The Gariep originates in the mountains of Lesotho and is the longest river in South Africa, offering a unique contrast to the desert landscapes along its banks.

The best way to experience the river is by getting out on the water. This morning you'll have the opportunity to join an optional canoe trip. Around midday, you'll depart the Orange River and head inland to your overnight stop, where guests will be able to enjoy the Ais-Ais Hot Pools.

Day 4: Fish River Canyon, Quiver Tree Forest & Giants Playground

Rise early this morning and drive to the rim of Africa's largest canyon—Fish River Canyon. You'll have time to watch the morning sun rays filter through the canyon. After stretching our legs with a gentle walk along the canyon's rim, you'll turn west and head for Keetmanshoop.

The afternoon will be spent meandering through the Quiver Tree Forest and The Giants Playground, named for how the massive dolerite boulders have been placed on each other, creating rock formations and a series of mazes.

Day 5: Namib & Naukluft National Park

Every overland journey has some long travel days and today is one of those as you venture deeper into the Namib Desert. Your destination is the Dune Fields that cover the western reaches of the desert. Long dusty roads and sparsely populated farmlands offer insight into the vastness of rural Namibia. From the grasslands in the east to the red dunes of the west, the slowly changing landscapes represent the many faces of this desert country.

Tonight you'll camp on the doorstep of the dune fields and fall asleep to the unique calls of the elusive barking gecko.

Day 6: Sossusvlei Dunes, Namib & Naukluft National Park

A brisk climb up Dune 45 offers you the perfect vantage point to marvel at the changing colors of the desert. Afterward, you'll descend this famous dune and enjoy a hearty breakfast before catching a 4×4 transfer into Sossusvlei. Upon arrival, you'll spend time on foot visiting the pans at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei.

Tonight you'll empty the red sand from your shoes and spend the night under the magnificent desert stars, knowing that you spent a full day enjoying the wonders of this harsh land.

Day 7: Swakopmund

Today you'll continue west and make your way to the coastal town of Swakopmund, where adventure and a dose of civilization await. Your day in the desert ends as you join a local expert for an educational desert excursion and after, continue making your way across the Tropic of Capricorn to the Atlantic Coast. You'll make a brief stop at the Walvis Bay Lagoon to see if you get lucky and catch a glimpse of the flamingos that feed in the shallows.

Upon arrival in Swakopmund, take the opportunity to book some of the many adventures on offer.

Day 8: Swakopmund

Swakopmund offers plenty of adrenaline-fueled adventures and activities for those who want to have a more relaxed time. Today take the opportunity to explore the town at your leisure.

An excellent selection of famed coffee shops and bakeries offer a delightful range of German-inspired treats that you don't want to miss. Swakopmund offers all the conveniences of a small city and is the perfect launching pad for the journey through the northern reaches of the land.

Day 9: Swakopmund to Brandberg

The Brandberg Mountain (Burning Mountain) is the highest in Namibia and home to the famous White Lady, one of more than 45,000 rock paintings. This morning you'll make the 1-hour hike to visit the painting that is said to be around 2,000 years old.

Be advised that the hike traverses rough terrain along the normally dry Tsisab River gorge. After exploration, your journey continues to the area of Kamanjab.

Day 10: Twyfelfontein to Kamanjab

Today your journey takes you to the area of Kamanjab. En route, you'll explore the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings in the Kunene Region. This area has been inhabited for 6,000 years by the Khoi San. The Khoi San used the site to conduct shamanist rituals, and during their processes, 2,500 rock paintings were created. This site displays one of the largest concentrations of rock petroglyphs in Africa.

Day 11: Etosha National Park

Rising early this morning, you'll drive to Etosha National Park. Etosha is the venue for some of Africa's most unique game viewing experiences. In the afternoon, you'll reach the park and begin your first game drive as you make your way to camp.

Day 12: Etosha National Park

Your second day in Etosha allows for a full day of driving through the park to see what wildlife you'll see. Each day on safari is different. The suspense of what will be your first sighting and the possibility of seeing one of the Big Five keeps you alert and motivated.

Day 13: Windhoek

An early morning game drive wraps up your visit in Etosha National Park. From here, you'll make your way to Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. Once in Windhoek, you'll take a short walk through the city center and have the opportunity to view some of its better-known landmarks.

Day 14: Botswana & Ghanzi

Today you'll travel east to neighboring Botswana and the Kalahari Desert. Starkly different from the Namib Desert, after which Namibia is named, the Kalahari is no less dramatic and covers over 347,492 square miles (900,000 sq km). The San people have long been associated with this harsh environment. Tonight, enjoy an evening of dance that provides an insight into their culture of song, dance, and story-telling.

Day 15: Okavango Delta

The most rewarding and enjoyable way to experience the beauty and serenity of this intricate system of lily-covered channels and lagoons is by mokoro—a wooden-style canoe—typical in the Okavango Delta. You'll meet the crew and fellow guests. Then, you'll go by safari to the poling station, approximately a 1-hour drive. Here you'll meet the polers, escorting you through the Delta. The polers will steer everyone through the narrow, reed-lined channels, which open onto beautiful lagoons.

Reaching one of the many islands, a nature walk may be taken with your poler. After the walk, you'll return by mokoro back to the mooring station. While the mokoro route is not primarily a game viewing activity, wildlife may be encountered in this pristine wilderness area, including elephants, giraffes, kudu, impala, and zebra.

Day 16: Maun (Moremi Game Reserve)

You'll drive to the South gate to enter Moremi Game Reserve. As the lagoons and channels form a vital section of the Okavango Delta ecosystem, sightings of bird and animal populations become more frequent as the day progresses. The game viewing routes will be chosen by the professional guide. During high floods, there may be road closures or some routes that are impassable. 

Day 17: Nata

Leaving Maun behind this morning, make your way toward the town of Nata. You'll spend most of the day in the truck as you journey across the northern reaches of the Makgadikgadi Pans. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon guided game drive in the Nata Sanctuary, which is a breeding ground for a host of water birds, including pelicans and flamingos.

Day 18: Chobe National Park

Rise early this morning and continue north to your camp on the banks of the Chobe River. The afternoon is set aside for exploring the Chobe National Park. Your exploration begins in a 4×4, allowing for an up-close experience with the elephants that frequent the Chobe River. The afternoon ends with a leisurely boat cruise, followed by a meal served around the campfire.

Day 19: Zimbabwe & Victoria Falls

With the memories of your wildlife encounters firmly etched in your minds, you'll cross the border to Zimbabwe this morning, and travel the short distance to Victoria Falls. Today you have the opportunity to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls, also known by the local name of "Mosi-oa Tunya" (The Smoke that Thunders).

While much of today is dedicated to viewing the mighty Zambezi River as it drops into the Batoka Gorge below, the bustling adventure town of Victoria Falls offers a range of optional activities for those wanting a dose of adrenaline. For the more relaxed traveler, there are craft markets and coffee shops on offer.

Tonight your guide will assist you in deciding on the many options available for dinner out on the town.

Day 20: Victoria Falls, End of tour

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Today is the perfect day for the adventure that most suits your style, with many activities available in Victoria Falls. You may want to go rafting down the mighty Zambezi River or enjoy a flight over the falls. 

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