13 Day Canyon & Desert Deluxe Safari - Cape Town to Windhoek Overland

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• This African overland safari also runs in the reverse direction:
  (Windhoek to Cape Town)

Day 1: Cape Town

Today is spent at leisure in Cape Town to enjoy the many optional attractions and activities available in this magnificent city. Sample the sights and sounds of this magical city at the Southern tip of the African continent. Optional activities include trips to Robben Island, Cape Point Nature Reserve and Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, Table Mountain National Reserve, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the many wine estates of Paarl, Franschoek and Stellenbosch.

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 2: Lambert's Bay (B)

We start the day with the pre-departure meeting where you will be introduced to your crew. Departing from the lodge after the meeting, we head north up the coast past the West Coast National Park to Lamberts' Bay, a quaint fishing village on an unspoilt stretch of coastline. Here we visit a rare breeding colony of the Cape Gannet.

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 3: Fish River Canyon (B / L)

Travelling up the west coast region, we head to our first border crossing into Namibia. The west Coast region is known for its spectacular display of spring flowers (September), when the masses of wild flowers bloom, turning the entire region into a yellow, red and orange maze. After border formalities, we head through the barren Richtersveld and on to the Fish River Canyon. Time permitting, we view sunset at a canyon viewpoint.

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 4: Fish River Canyon & Aus (B / L)

This morning we head to the Canyon where we partake in an optional walk along the rim. The canyon is one of the most awesome sights in Africa, and second in size only to the Grand Canyon of America. After viewing the Canyon, we proceed on to the Aus region.

Accommodation: Lodge

Days 5 & 6: Namib-Naukluft Park (B ; B)

After breakfast we continue on through the Aus region where we have the possibility of seeing the famed wild desert horses. We head north toward the Namib Naukluft National Park and the giant sand dunes of Sossusvlei. This is one of the world's oldest deserts, offering over 130 million years of natural wonder, and some of the highest sand dunes in the world!

On Day 6 we leave early in the morning and enter the National Park. We climb Dune 45 for stunning views of the surrounding dunes, after which we proceed to Sossusvlei and the 2x4 parking area. From here it is an approximate 5 km walk to the vlei where you are free to explore. Alternatively, there is an option to partake in a guided desert walk to learn more about this area and the creatures that survive here. Stunning photographic opportunities are available in the dunes. On our return to the lodge we will stop off at the Sesriem Canyon.

Accommodation: Lodge

Days 7 & 8: Swakopmund (B / L ; B)

From the Namib Naukluft National Park, we head across the barren coastal belt to the Atlantic Ocean and the delightful Bavarian style town of Swakopmund. Swakopmund is situated snugly between sea and desert and offers great beaches, deep-sea fishing, quad-biking, dune-boarding, flights over the desert, plus an array of shops, bars and restaurants. Here you are free to explore at your leisure or partake in the many optional activities. This is also a chance to catch up on logistical matters such as laundry, banking and communication (internet facilities).

Accommodation: Lodge

Days 9 & 10: Etosha National Park (B / L ; B)

Leaving Swakopmund we journey via the awesome granite Spitzkoppe scenery. The mountains and granite mounds provided a home to the San people (Bushmen) for thousands of years. We explore the Etosha National Park by game driving with our vehicle along the many winding tracks. Etosha National Park is dominated by shimmering white saltpans and arid bush vegetation. On our drives, we search for the wide variety of wild animals that make this National Park their home - you have a chance to see the African elephant, as well as black rhino, lion, leopard and many more. Dependant on the season, we will spend either the first or the last night within Etosha (the second is spent at a lodge in the greater Etosha area).

Accommodation: Lodge / Chalet

Day 11: Waterberg Plateau National Park (B)

We leave Etosha and head south to the breathtaking Waterberg Plateau National Park. Historically significant as the site of the war between the Colonial Germans and the Herero Tribe, the area has now become a haven for many endangered species. It is renowned for its incredible rock formations and nature walks. Our afternoon here is at leisure and you are free to partake in these walks or the optional game drives and guided hikes.

Accommodation: Chalet

Day 12: Windhoek (B)

This morning we depart the picturesque Waterberg Plateau region and head to Namibia's capital - Windhoek. Nestled between the hills, Windhoek is a rather small capital city but has many places of historical interest. We have the afternoon at leisure to visit the local museum or haggle at the street side markets. There are also many shops for those in need of a bit of retail therapy!

Accommodation: Lodge

Day 13: Windhoek (B)

Our Southern African overland safari ends after breakfast and we part ways having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!

Optional excursions

• Cape Town, Winelands - US$ 75
• Cape Town, Whale Watching - US$ 75
• Cape Town, Cape Point - US$ 75
• Cape Town, Table Mountain - US$ 25
• Cape Town, Robben Island - US$ 30
• Cape Town, Shark Cage Diving - US$ 200
• Sossusvlei, Guided Walk (min of 4) - US$ 35
• Swakopmund, Sky Diving - US$ 270
• Swakopmund, Sand Boarding - US$ 45

(All prices are approximate and are subject to change)