Southern Africa Wildlife Explorer - African Wilderness In Comfort

Day 1

Victoria Falls

Days 2-3

Chobe River (B,D)

Crossing into Botswana via Chobe National Park, our overnight accommodation will be spent on the banks of the Chobe River, at the Chobe Safari Lodge. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. We’ll have the chance to relax on a sunset game-viewing cruise on the Chobe River. An optional morning game drive is included at an additional expense.

Day 4-5

Okavango River (B,D)

We’ll continue through the Caprivi Strip where we spend the night set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Okavango River. An optional afternoon boat cruise on the river is available at our own expense. We’ll spend our overnight accommodation at Hakusembe River Lodge. *Please note that this trip does not offer any mokoro trips on Okavango River and strongly advises against participation on this because of safety concerns, namely the proximity on the river to dangerous wildlife, particularly the hippopotamus. If you choose to undertake this with other local contractors, you do so against our advice and at your own risk.

Day 6

Kwando River (B,D)

Travelling through the eastern side of the Caprivi Strip, we’ll soon arrive at our lodge overlooking the flood plains of the Kwando River. A lush area teeming with wildlife and birdlife offers a great opportunity for a late afternoon game drive (on our own account). We’ll spend the overnight at Namushasha River Lodge.

Day 7

Etosha National Park (B,D)

Etosha National Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa. It is centred around a massive salt pan 50km wide and 130km long. Perennial springs and waterholes occur within the park allowing the predominantly desert environment to support an incredible diversity of wildlife such as blue wildebeests, springbok, zebras, kudu, giraffes, cheetah, leopards, lions and elephants. We will game drive in the eastern section of the park en route to our accommodation. We’ll spend the overnight Namutoni Restcamp inside Etosha National Park.

Day 8

Etosha National Park (B,D)

Today we’ll enjoy morning and afternoon game drives through Etosha National Park, moving west to our next overnight stop. In the evening, there’s opportunity to relax by the floodlight waterhole at the Restcamp. For the hardy game viewer, it is possible to sit up all night and watch animals come to drink undisturbed. We’ll spend the overnight in Halali Restcamp or Okakeujo Restcamp inside Etosha National Park.

Day 9

Damaraland (B,D)

Our last game drive takes us out of Etosha National Park traveling to Damaraland, one of the most scenic areas of Namibia. This region is dominated by prehistoric water courses with open plains and grassland, massive granite koppies and deep gorges. Our lodge, the renown Ugab Terrace Lodge is located on top of a mountain with spectacular views of the surrounding area. You can spend the afternoon taking in the incredible setting or simply relaxing by the pool.

Day 10

Swakopmund (B)

We’ll drive inland through the Damaraland region with its vast and rugged terrain. Its mountain ranges are intercepted by wide gravel plains, which run into sandy, vegetated riverbeds and hot, dry valleys. We’ll arrive in Swakopmund and spend the afternoon and following day exploring this German colonial. Popular Swakopmund activities include sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving, kayaking, hot air ballooning or scenic flights over the vast Namib Desert. We’ll spend the overnight at the Delight Hotel.

Days 11 - 12

Sossusvlei and Sesriem (B,D)

Our journey takes us south through ever-changing scenery to our accommodation located on the edge of the Namib Desert. The following morning is an early departure for Sossusvlei (a 1 hour drive), stopping in the dune belt to witness the phenomenal colours of the world’s highest sand dunes changing with the rising sun. We will take on a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, remarkably beautiful for such a harsh environment. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon, a natural canyon about 1km long and 30 metres deep in places. We’ll spend the overnight Desert Camp.

Day 13

Fish River Canyon (B,D)

Continuing south we’ll arrive at our next lodge, Canyon Village, located in a scenic, beautiful area. The following morning is free to relax and in the afternoon we visit the Fish River Canyon. Second only to the Grand Canyon in size, it is a truly awe-inspiring work of nature.

Days 14-15

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (B,D)

Today we’ll drive into the Kalahari and the magnificent Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Covering over 3.6 million hectares, this is one of the largest reserves in Africa. Due to sparse vegetation in the area, excellent predator sightings are common including that of the famous black mane Lion. We will enjoy game drives to and from our lodge. From our lodge there is opportunity to discover the true wonders of the Kalahari on optional activities (at our own expense) including night game drives, sunset Pan drives, Kalahari nature walks & interaction with the ancient Bushmen. The evenings are spent gazing at the stars through the telescope on the lodge viewing deck, enveloped by an endless horizon. We’ll spend the overnight at !Xaus Lodge.

Day 16

Augrabies Falls National Park (B)

In contrast to the desert landscapes of previous days, we’ll pass through a lush oasis area with an abundance of wineries. We’ll visit Augrabies Falls National Park where the mighty Orange River plummets 56m into the gorge below. The local name for these majestic falls is ‘Aukoerebis’ or ‘place of great noise’. We’ll spend the afternoon enjoying the Falls from the many viewpoints. Our overnight will be Vergelegen Guest House.

Day 17

Namaqualand (B,D)

We’ll arrive in the picturesque Namaqualand region, where our overnight will be spent at the foot of the Van Ryns Pass. During the months of August to October, the landscape is transformed into an explosion of colour due to the prolific wild flowers of the region. Outside this period, the normally arid landscape is naturally stunning in any case with a beautiful mountain backdrop. Our accommodation will be spent at Highlanders Guesthouse or similar. 

Day 18

Cape Town (B)

Travelling through the picturesque Namaqualand region, we’ll arrive in Cape Town. Set against distinctive Table Mountain, Cape Town offers scenic, historic and cultural attractions. Dinner can be enjoyed at the bustling Waterfront with its variety of cafes and restaurants at your own expense. We’ll spend the overnight at Breakwater Lodge.

Day 19

Cape Town Peninsula Tour (B)

We’ll depart from Breakwater Lodge at 8:00am for a full day peninsula tour. Driving along the Atlantic seaboard via Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak, we visit Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. We’ll return along the Indian Ocean coastline to our hotel. A morning or afternoon cable car ascent up Table Mountain is included (weather dependent). Dinner can be enjoyed at the bustling Waterfront at your own expense. We’ll spend this overnight at Breakwater Lodge as well.

Day 20

Cape Town (B)

Our tour ends after a final, concluding breakfast in Cape Town, where we’ll have one last chance to bond over the memories we’ve shared and the new friendships we’ve forged.