13 Day South Africa & Namibia Grand Explorer

CAPE TOWN

Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, with the majestic Table Mountain providing its central focus. Departing, after a tour briefing, from Cape Town at 08:00am we visit Hout Bay harbour en route to Cape Point Nature Reserve and then the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. We sample some of Cape Town’s culinary wonders at a local restaurant in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (own expense).

Distance/time: ±150km, 3h30 actual driving time, but with stops, penguins and lunch is a full day out.

Overnight: City Lodge V&A Waterfront – twin rooms with en suite facilities OR Similar

CEDERBERG 

The Cederberg is a massive rock wilderness with giant sandstone boulders that have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes. We head north to the Cederberg and explore the rugged landscape on foot before making our way to our overnight accommodation.

Breakfast provided by the hotel

Lunch & Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Distance/time: ±300km, 4h30 actual driving time, but with a stop for lunch and a hike in the Cederberg, we expect a total travel day of ±8h30.

Overnight: Highlanders Lodge – twin rooms with en suite facilities.

GARIEP RIVER 

We make our way into the more arid regions and upon entering Namibia, we stay at a lodge on the Gariep River. Namibia’s southern border river flows quietly and peacefully and the river valley is hardly affected by tourism. The riverbed is sandy, the water clean and clear. Time free for swimming and relaxing.

 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Distance/time: ±430km, 7h00 actual driving time, today is a stretch and with a border crossing (variable) we expect a travel day of ±9h00.

Overnight: Felix Unite, twin share cabanas with en suite facilities. OR similar

FISH RIVER CANYON 

The Fish River Canyon, situated along the lower reaches of the Fish River, is one of the most impressive natural beauties in the southern part of Namibia. With its depth of up to 550 meters, the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world. We make our way to the canyon to marvel at the sheer grandeur of the enormous canyon.

Moving on, we arrive at the Quiver Tree Forest outside Keetmanshoop to enjoy the sunset over these bewitching plants.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Distance/time: ±340km, 5h00 actual driving time, our first long gravel sections and viewing of the canyon so we expect a total travel day of ±7h30.

Overnight: Quivertree Forest Rest Camp – twin share chalet with OR similar

NAMIB DESERT 

The parched Namib Desert has endless orange dunes blown into sharp ridges by the sand-shifting wind and at Sossusvlei, they form a gateway into the Namib Desert. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and from the comfort of our lodge outside the national park watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes. (If you prefer not to do the 4km walk to Sossusvlei there is an optional own expense 4WD transfer)

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Distance/time: ±480km, 7h00 actual driving time, through magnificent scenery but it's long total travel day of ±8h30.

Overnight: Desert Camp – twin share permanent tents with en suite facilities OR similar

NAMIB DESERT 

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Overnight: Desert Camp – twin share permanent tents with en suite facilities OR similar

SWAKOPMUND 

Swakopmund is a popular seaside resort with a slightly nostalgic atmosphere, characterised by numerous colonial buildings. In terms of flora, both the Welwitschia Mirabilis and the Kokerboom grow on the stony plains of the Namib and many beautiful specimens surround this coastal town. Swakopmund is also the adventure activity capital of Namibia. Day free to explore the town or try dune boarding or sea kayaking (own expense).

Breakfast, Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Distance/time: ±360km, 5h30 actual driving time, this gravel road is very rough and we expect a total travel day of ±8h00.

Overnight: Hotel Pension a la Mer - twin share standard rooms with en suite facilities OR similar

SWAKOPMUND

Breakfast provided by the guest house

Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Overnight: Hotel Pension a la Mer - twin share standard rooms with en suite facilities OR similar

DAMARALAND 

Namibia is a land of great contrasts and Damaraland demonstrates this with stark plains, dry river beds and ancient valleys leading to rocky outcrops and the soaring peaks of the Brandberg Massif Mountains. On our way north we will visit the Cape Cross seal colony where thousands of Cape fur seals come ashore to rest and have their pups.

Breakfast provided by the guest house

Lunch & Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Distance/time: ±360km, 5h00 actual driving time, starting on a "salt" road. The road is generally quite good, for a total travel day of ±6h00.

Overnight: Brandberg White Lady Lodge – twin share chalets with en-suite facilities OR similar

ETOSHA NP 

Once a vast lake fed by the Kunene River, the pan that is Etosha NP dried up thousands of years ago when the river waters chose a new course. Etosha is big game country. We take game drives around the huge pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions around the waterholes. We stay at a lodge on the outskirts of the national park.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Distance/time: ±540km, 7h30 actual driving time, the road can be rough and with an afternoon game drive in Etosha we expect a total of ±9h30 in the vehicle.

Overnight: Tarentaal Guest Farm – private working farm outside Etosha National Park. Twin rooms with en-suite facilities OR similar

ETOSHA NP 

Game Drives

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Overnight: Tarentaal Guest Farm – private working farm outside Etosha National Park. Twin rooms with en-suite facilities OR similar

WINDHOEK 

This pretty town, beautifully situated in a valley, combines the architecture of a modern city with numerous buildings in the style of the German colonial era. The charm of the city of Windhoek lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. We visit the cosmopolitan capital and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense).

Breakfast & Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group

Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Distance/time: ±410km, 5h00 actual driving time, good tarmac road and a stop for market shopping, we expect a total travel day of ±6h00.

Overnight: Terra Africa Guesthouse – twin rooms with en-suite facilities OR similar

WINDHOEK - TOUR ENDS 

Tour ends at 08:00 at the guesthouse.

Breakfast will be provided by the guest house  

END OF ITINERARY