From Cape Town to Victoria Falls

Your varied trip starts in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. At 1 pm you meet your guide and your fellow travellers at the aha Harbour Bridge Hotel. After a short briefing, you’re off straight away: together you hike up Table Mountain. Once at the top, you are rewarded with fantastic views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. The next day you take a tour of the Cape Peninsula and visit the idyllic fishing village of Hout Bay as well as Cape Point and the famous Cape of Good Hope. Depending on the weather, the programme may occasionally be rearranged. In the evening you go for dinner at one of the restaurants at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (at your own expense). You spend both nights in the Sea Point district at the aha Harbour Bridge Hotel.

You leave Cape Town and, after a last look at Table Mountain from the other side of the bay, drive north. A long stretch lies ahead of you: through the “Swartland” and the West Coast district into Namaqualand. In the first weeks of spring this otherwise barren land is covered with a carpet of wildflowers – an impressive sight. You spend the night in the small town of Springbok at the Springbok Inn.

You cross the border into Namibia and drive a little further to your camp on the banks of the Orange River. Here you meet your canoe guides, and after a quick lunch and a safety briefing, today’s canoeing adventure begins. The Orange River presents a fantastic picture, winding like a green ribbon through the desert and the rugged mountains. You glide downstream and immerse yourself in the picturesque, unspoilt landscape. On hot days you can cool off in the water. In the late afternoon you return to camp and let the day drift gently to a close on the riverbank. You spend the night in a tent.

Your journey continues to Fish River Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the world. Among Namibia’s many fascinating geological features, Fish River Canyon is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent. It was formed over millions of years by the Fish River, which today flows through the gorge only periodically. From the rim of the canyon you enjoy fantastic views. You pitch your tents very close to the canyon.

After breakfast you set off for the Namib Desert. Your route leads along one of the most scenic roads in Namibia to Greenfire Desert Camp, which lies in a private conservation area that is part of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Surrounded by mountains and sand dunes, you camp for two nights and can experience the silence and solitude of the desert. During a hike the next morning, your guide gives you a deep insight into the unique flora and fauna of the Namib. Rest at camp during the hot midday hours. Those who prefer to be active can explore the surrounding area on their own. In the afternoon you set off on a drive through the beautiful landscape. When the sun slowly approaches the horizon, you take a break. With a cool sundowner drink, the sunset is especially good to watch. As soon as it gets dark, you head back to camp. With a little luck you will come across nocturnal animals on the way.

Today starts very early with the drive via Sesriem into the Namib-Naukluft Park towards Sossusvlei. As the temperatures in the morning are still pleasantly cool, you first climb one of these giant sand mountains. The view over the seemingly endless dune landscape is incredible! Then you travel by 4x4 vehicle even deeper into the desert to Deadvlei – a white clay pan enclosed by rust-red dunes, with dark, dead camelthorn trees – and to Sossusvlei. Explore the area on foot and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Finally you return to the overland truck. In the afternoon you also visit Sesriem Canyon, before making your way to today’s campsite.

Through Kuiseb Canyon and across the Namib-Naukluft Park you drive today to the Atlantic coast. Via Walvis Bay you reach Swakopmund, a charming little town set between desert and sea. Use the two days to explore the town and its surroundings. Swakopmund is known for all kinds of adventure activities: ride a quad bike through the dunes, take a scenic flight, or go skydiving or sandboarding (all optional). If you prefer something more relaxed, you can explore the town. The many shops, cafés and the beach promenade invite you to stroll and linger. In the evening you have dinner together at one of the many restaurants (at your own expense). You spend two nights at Amanpuri Lodge.

After breakfast you leave Swakopmund behind and drive north along the Skeleton Coast to Cape Cross. Thousands of seals live here in a huge colony. Get out and watch the animals up close on a walk along the boardwalks. Then you set off for today’s destination: the “Matterhorn of Namibia” – the Spitzkoppe. In the afternoon you go on a hike to marvel at the unusual rock formations and enjoy the breathtaking landscape. You camp in the wilderness at the foot of the mountain.

Your next destination is Etosha National Park, which is without question one of the highlights of this trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls. Here you spend the next two days on extended game drives to discover the rich wildlife. Look forward to countless opportunities for wildlife viewing! Your chances of seeing elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and many others are good. Keep a lookout for wildlife; from the overland truck you have a great view. On the way you stop again and again at the numerous waterholes. You spend two nights at one of the campsites in the park. In high season, when the camps in the park are very full, it may however happen that you spend the night outside.

A long drive lies ahead of you. From Etosha National Park you continue north-east into the Kavango region, the western part of the former Caprivi Strip. On your way you pass small towns and villages and gain a little insight into daily life in Namibia. The harsh, dry landscape of recent days gives way to lush green along the Okavango River. Right on the riverbank, at the campsite of Ngepi Camp, you pitch your tents for the coming night. Relax for the rest of the day under the shady trees with a view of the Okavango.

Today you cross the border into Botswana and drive along the so-called Panhandle, the pan handle of the Okavango Delta, to your next camp on the edge of a large lagoon. From here you explore the Okavango Delta, one of the largest inland deltas in the world, over the next two days. Look forward to a mokoro trip into this unique water world and bush walks across the unspoilt islands. From your local guides you learn not only a great deal about the delta’s wildlife and plants, but also about their life in this remote area. At camp there is also plenty of time to relax. From a wooden deck you can enjoy the view over the lagoon with a cold drink or cool off in the swimming pool. On one of the afternoons, a sunset boat cruise is on the programme. You spend two nights in tented chalets.

The day begins early with the drive to Maun. There you stock up on supplies for the next few days and then, after a short drive, reach Drifters Maun Lodge on the banks of the Boteti River. Spend the afternoon on the riverbank, watching the colourful birdlife, or refresh yourself in the swimming pool. Treat yourself and your fellow travellers to a drink at the bar and let the day drift gently to a close. You spend the night in tented chalets.

Today you start the day at a leisurely pace and can enjoy the fantastic calm on the riverbank one last time. If you wish, you can visit the nearby village of Chenoga. As it lies off the usual tourist route, you get an insight into real village life here. You are accompanied by a lodge employee who lives in the village. After a late brunch your journey continues to the Makgadikgadi Pans. The glistening salt pans appear like white, endless plains and offer a very special picture. Your destination for the day is Elephant Sands Campsite north of Nata. At the camp there is a natural waterhole that is very frequently visited by elephants – exciting wildlife viewing is almost guaranteed. You spend the night in a tent.

After breakfast you set off towards Kasane. An extended boat safari on the Chobe River within Chobe National Park awaits you in the afternoon. From the water you can watch a variety of animals coming to the riverbank to drink at close range. Hippos frolic in the water and every now and then crocodiles can be seen too. Back on land, your overland truck takes you on across the border into Zimbabwe to the town of Victoria Falls. Your accommodation is in the immediate vicinity of Victoria Falls. You spend the night at Shearwater Explorers Village.

Look forward to visiting Victoria Falls today! Together with your tour group you stroll along the gigantic waterfalls and can admire this impressive natural spectacle. During your stay in Victoria Falls there is also plenty of time to explore the town and visit the large souvenir market. Activities such as scenic flights, bungee jumping or white-water rafting (all optional) provide a special adrenaline kick. In the evening you have dinner together at a traditional restaurant (at your own expense). You spend another night at Shearwater Explorers Village.

After breakfast you return to the wilderness. After a fairly short drive you reach Zimbabwe’s largest national park: Hwange. Besides huge elephant and buffalo herds, it is home to over 100 different mammal species as well as an extremely varied birdlife. In the afternoon you go on a game drive in open safari vehicles in the park. Your local guides know the best wildlife viewing spots in the park and give you a deep insight into the local fauna and flora. Overnight in a tent.

Today your journey takes you via Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, Bulawayo, to Matobo National Park, which captivates with its picturesque landscape. Large granite boulders tower high into unique stone figures. In the afternoon an excursion in an open vehicle awaits you in the park, to watch the animal residents and enjoy the beautiful nature. You will also set out on foot on the trail of rhinos and, with a little luck, track them down. You spend the night in a tent.

Today’s stage takes you across the border into Botswana to a private wildlife reserve in the Limpopo Valley. After the long drive you can stretch your legs on a walk along the riverbank. Immerse yourself in the wonderful nature and take in its smells and sounds. Let your last evening together draw to a close with a delicious meal and a cosy gathering around the campfire. You spend the night in a tent.

After crossing the border into South Africa, you follow a scenic route through the Waterberg Mountains and finally reach Johannesburg. You arrive in Johannesburg in the late afternoon, where your trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls ends.

Breakfast

Single tents and single rooms are only available on request and in limited numbers! Solo travellers are welcome to share a tent/room with other travellers of the same sex at no extra charge.

Should you wish to end the tour in Victoria Falls for reasons of time, you can fly back to Europe directly from Victoria Falls on day 21. Speak to our travel experts if you are interested.