20 Day Four Country Classic - Cape Town to Victoria Falls Overland Safari
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 Lambert's 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: Chalets / Lodge
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: Chalets
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: Gobabis (B)
After a leisurely morning, we bid farewell to those who are finishing their trip here and we head east toward the border town of Gobabis. This is our last night in Namibia and a fitting place to bid farewell to this country.
Accommodation: Chalet
Day 14: Maun (B)
After an early start, we head to the border and cross over into Botswana. Once all the formalities have been completed; we head for Maun, known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta. We prepare for the following days to come and are briefed by our guides on what to expect on our trip to the Delta. We recommend packing a small overnight bag (daypack) with necessary clothes for 2 days. Our accommodation for tonight is on the outskirts of Maun. Although it is a small town, Maun has several shops, good communications facilities (internet) and banks. This afternoon (time permitting) we enjoy a scenic flight over the Delta.
Accommodation: Lodge / Chalet
Days 15 & 16: Okavango Delta (B /L /D)
This morning we are transferred to the Delta region. The tented camp is located in the heart of the Delta and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding bush area. We participate in morning game walks and 'mokoro' safari in the late afternoon. Please note that mokoro safaris are seasonal and will depend on water levels in the Okavango Delta.
Accommodation: Mobile Tented Camp (please note that our accommodation is in Dome Tents with padded bed rolls/mats)
Day 17: Nata (B / L)
After breakfast we transfer back to Maun and head east to Nata. The birdlife in this area is particularly spectacular, due to the nearby Makgadikgadi Pans and Nata Sanctuary.
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 18: Chobe National Park (B / D)
We leave Nata and head for the riverside town of Kasane. We arrive around midday - on arrival we will transfer to the Chobe Mobile team who will take us on our adventure into the Chobe National Park. This excursion includes game drives within the park, the popular Chobe Boat Cruise, and the rare experience to overnight within the African wilderness. The Chobe National Park is famous for its vast herds of elephant. Many have sighted elephant, hippo, crocodile, and an impressive array of birds and plains game.
* Please note that there will be no more opportunities to withdraw foreign currency after our departure from Botswana. Clients are requested to take cash only into Zimbabwe as credit cards and travellers cheques cannot be used.
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Day 19: Victoria Falls
A short drive from Kasane takes us to the historical town of Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls town is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park that borders the Zambezi River. The Victoria Waterfalls are fed by the Zambezi River that forms the natural border between Zimbabwe & Zambia. The waterfall is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world and is listed as a world heritage site. Our time here is at leisure to explore the captivating Victoria Falls & surrounding rain forest, take a sun downer cruise or enjoy a variety of other adventure activities (own expense).
Accommodation: Lodge - just outside centre of town
Day 20: Victoria Falls (B)
Our tour ends after breakfast from the lodge and we part ways having just experienced an African overland safari of a lifetime!
We can book airport transfers and additional accommodation through our central reservations office. Please notify us at the time of booking if you wish to make use of this service.
Please note: While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. You will be advised of any amendments or changes in the itinerary during your pre-departure meeting on day 2.
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 (minimum 4) - US$ 35
- Swakopmund, Sky Diving - US$ 270
- Swakopmund, Sand Boarding - US$ 45
- Victoria Falls, White Water Rafting on the Zambezi - US$ 95
- Victoria Falls, Bungee Jump - US$ 90
(All prices are approximate and are subject to change)
