Days 1 -
6
From exciting Johannesburg head to the Mpumalanga Region and southern Africa's
most famed and premier game reserve, the greater Kruger. Spend two nights
in the Kruger area in search for the Big 5 - lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino
and leopard, as well as giraffe, hippo, antelope and many smaller animals.
Continuing quickly north we travel into Botswana, via Francistown and Nata
to Kasane and Chobe National Park. Enjoy an afternoon on the famous fish
eagle game viewing cruise on the Chobe River, a relaxing way to see hippo
and elephant drink in the river's cool waters. We cross the Zambezi River
on the Kazangula ferry into Zambia and drive the short distance to Livingstone
our base to explore the thundering Victoria Falls. The area is a hub for
various optional activities, including white water rafting, bungy jumping,
microlighting, canoeing and horse riding, to name but a few.
Days 7 - 12
In addition to the activities, simply viewing the Victoria Falls is a
must-do African experience. There is also the option of a sunset game
viewing cruise on the quiet upper stretches of the river (above the
Falls) and hopefully catch sight of hippo, crocodile and a variety
of birdlife. From Livingstone we return to Botswana and visit Chobe
National Park for an early morning game drive, hoping to see elephant,
buffalo, lion as well as the range of birdlife present in the park.
Relax during the heat of the day before an afternoon game viewing cruise
on the Chobe River. Further south is the Okavango Delta, a natural
wetland where the Kavango River fans out into the only inland delta
in the world. Explore the myriad waterways and stunning scenery on
foot and by makoro (dugout canoe), and perhaps catch a glimpse of hippo,
crocodile and the abundant birdlife. We camp on river islands and enjoy
the peace amongst the swamps, lily pads, and swaying grasses of the
Okavango Delta - an unforgettable wilderness experience!
Day 13 - 19
From Botswana we cross into Namibia and enjoy a bushman walk before continuing
to Windhoek and heading north to Etosha National Park. This vast reserve
of over 20,000 sq km, surrounds a central salt pan. We track game by
day and spend two nights camping near floodlit water holes. From Etosha,
visit the cheetah park for an intimate encounter with these majestic
cats, before passing into Damaraland, an area of eerie landscapes and
barren rocky outcrops. At the Atlantic Coast we visit the Cape Cross
Seal Colony, home to 80,000 seals and the site where Portuguese mariner
Diego Cão, first set foot on the coast of south-west Africa
in 1486. Further south, sandwiched between the ocean and desert is
Namibia's only seaside resort, Swakopmund, where a number of optional
activities such as quad-biking sand boarding, scenic flights are typically
available.
Days 20 - 25
Continuing south to the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the world’s
oldest desert. At dawn climb to the top of a giant sand dune for a dramatic
sunrise over the vast sand sea and walk to the shimmering saltpans and
enjoy a guided walk amidst the dunes. Further south we visit another
natural wonder of Africa - Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon
in the world. Continuing to the Gariep (Orange) River we camp on its
banks and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Crossing into South Africa, we
pass through Namaqualand’s barren landscape and stop overnight
at Citrusdal. The tour ends in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, one
of the world's most attractive cities, and after a cultural visit to
one of the Townships, we end our tour.
Notes And Ideas
You can start this tour at the Victoria Falls, but if you have more time,
join in Johannesburg and take in Kruger too. Don’t forget to
make time for Johannesburg and Cape Town, as there’s a wealth
of things to do and see in South Africa’s top cities. Combine
this tour with a Johannesburg add-on, a Cape Town City Stay or for
a real adventure book a Cape Town Shark Dive.
Must Do’s
- Watch the sunrise over the highest sand dunes on earth
- Go on a German pub-crawl in quirky Swakopmund
- Slither down a slippery sand dunes on a sand board
- Pat a cheetah at the Cheetah Park
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