25 Day Desert Tracker Overland Safari - Cape Town to Johannesburg
Highlights of the Desert Tracker Overland Safari include: Culture tour of the Township in Cape Town. Stunning views and walks at the Fish River Canyon and the Namib Naukluft National Park. Activities in the quant coastal town of Swakopmund. Sleep under the desert skies at Spitzkoppe. Game drives in the Etosha, Kruger and Chobe National Parks. Meet the Kalahari bushman. Relax in a Mokoro (dug out canoe) in the Okavango Desert. Relax on a sunset cruise on the Chobe National ParkP. Adrenaline activities and views of the cascading falls in Livingstone.
Itinerary
DAYS 1 to 3: Cape Town, Orange River, Fish River Canyon
We begin with a cultural tour of Cape Town's townships and enjoy a traditional lunch before travelling north through the citrus farming area of the Western Cape and semi-desert of Namaqualand, en route to our camp on the banks of the Gariep (Orange) River. Our first stop in Namibia is one of the natural wonders of Africa - the Fish River Canyon. At some places 500m deep and 160km long, this is the world's second-largest canyon (after the American Grand Canyon).
DAYS 4 to 7: Namib-Naukluft, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund
Continuing north, we arrive at the Namib Naukluft Park. The Namib Desert is the world's oldest and is home to the world's highest sand dunes (up to 300m high) at Sossusvlei. Climb a dune at dawn for a dramatic sunrise spectacle across the vast sea of red sand. Sandwiched between the desert and the ocean is our next stop, Swakopmund, a delightful coastal town. Relax in one of the town's many cafes or enjoy one of the thrilling adventure sports on offer, from deep sea fishing to skydiving and sand-boarding.
DAYS 8 to 12: Cape Cross, Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park
We head north towards the dramatic Skeleton Coast and come face to face with 80,000 seals at the Cape Cross Seal Colony! Turning inland, we travel to the spectacular rock formations of Damaraland at Spitzkoppe. Here we camp out among massive rock outcrops and see ancient bushman paintings. Etosha National Park, a vast reserve of over 20,000 sq. km surrounding a central salt pan, features 114 mammal and 340 bird species. We take morning and afternoon game drives and camp for two nights next to floodlit waterholes, allowing exciting night viewing. From Etosha, we travel south to Windhoek, Namibia's capital city, reminiscent of the German colonial era, before heading to Botswana.
DAYS 13 to 15: Okavango Delta
We skirt the northern reaches of the Kalahari Desert via Ghanzi and join local bushmen for a desert walk before continuing to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. The Okavango is a natural wetland, an elaborate world of giant lily pads, labyrinthine channels and swaying grasses. We venture out into the delta itself, to explore the oxbow lakes and flood plains on foot and by mokoro (dugout canoe). We bush camp on grassy islands in the midst of this watery world for an unforgettable wilderness experience!
DAYS 13 to 17: Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls, Livingstone
We turn towards the northern corner of Botswana, viewing the Makgadigadi Pans en route. Chobe National Park is home to some of the largest populations of elephant in Africa as well as lion and abundant birdlife. We take an early morning game drive and afternoon Fish Eagle Cruise in search of elephant and hippo. From Chobe, we cross into Zambia and drive to our relaxing riverside camp in Livingstone. Why not try one of the many optional activities around Victoria Falls, including white water rafting, canoeing, bungy jumping, elephant back safaris, horse riding or a scenic flight over the Falls to name but a few. We also visit the 'Falls' themselves.
DAYS 18 to 21: Chobe, Kruger National Park, Johannesburg
From Livingstone we travel back into Botswana and briefly revisit Chobe National Park. Via Nata and Francistown we enter South Africa and arrive at the famed Kruger National Park. By day we game drive, seeking Africa's 'Big Five' as well as giraffe, hippo and antelope, and at night have the option to take a night game drive in an adjoining private game reserve. From the Kruger area we head via the Mpumalanga province to bustling Johannesburg, where our tour ends.
