Victoria Falls to Cape Town  

  Duration20 Days

Please note: This itinerary is flexible and can be changed without notice. A detailed, up-to-date dossier itinerary is available to download.

Day 1 – Victoria Falls

Today is your arrival day in the town of Victoria Falls, home to the spectacular Victoria Falls.  The bustling adventure town of Victoria Falls also offers a range of optional activities for those wanting a dose of adrenaline, today is your chance to participate in the various activities on offer.  For the more relaxed traveller there are craft markets to explore, and a delicious high tea is on offer at the Victoria Falls Hotel.   You will meet your crew in the reception area of Shearwater at 17:00pm. This evening, you have the option to join the group for an optional dinner at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal and reflect on the day’s adventures. Your guide will arrange a booking for those who wish to participate.

(As we will depart Victoria Falls tomorrow morning, if you wish to participate in the many optional activities, we advise that you plan to arrive in Victoria Falls a day or two earlier).      

Day 2 – Victoria Falls – Kasane – Chobe National Park

This morning, we depart Victoria Falls and travel the short distance to the Botswana border.  Crossing into Botswana, we enter the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Spanning five countries, including parts of our route through Botswana and Namibia, is one of the world’s largest protected areas, supporting diverse wildlife and ecosystems. We will arrive at our accommodation in time to set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River, before heading out for our afternoon activity.  In the afternoon we explore the Chobe National Park from the river, enjoying a leisurely boat cruise which allows us an up close and personal experience with the many elephants that frequent the river in the afternoons.

Day 3 – Kasane to Nata

We leave the banks of the Chobe River, and head south into the Kalahari Desert. You’ll notice the ‘bushveld’ change as you get closer to Nata, our overnight stop near to Botswana’s famous salt pans.

Day 4 – Khwai Conservation Area

You will be separated from your Nomad truck for the next 2 nights and it is therefore important that you pack/gather your personal belongings which you may need, before we depart camp today.  Please pack lightly and only take what you need for the following two nights. Accommodation in Khwai can best be described as a rustic style mobile fly camp.  Your meru style tent is equipped with 2 single beds and adjoining en-suite amenities consisting of a bucket shower system and chemical toilet.  Today we make our way towards the Okavango Delta, stopping at the viewing point of the Salt Pans en-route (seasonal access dependant). You will be collected in Maun in open 4×4 safari vehicles and will be transferred to the Khwai Conservation area.  Our guide will prepare us on what to expect for our afternoon mokoro excursion into the Okavango Delta. (Please note:  It is possible that the mokoro activity could take place the following morning, depending on the season).

Day 5 – Moremi Game Reserve
Today is a full day game drive as we spend most of our day on safari in the Moremi Game Reserve in search of the species that roam the plains.  Expect some bumpy roads as we traverse this wilderness area in our 4×4 vehicles.  Offering habitats from wetland, open water to the grasslands and Savannah woodland, we hope to see as many species of fauna and flora possible.  This evening, we arrive back at Khwai to share and compare all the amazing sightings while on safari.

Day 6 – Khwai to Maun

We will depart early this morning in our 4×4 vehicles and make our way back to Maun, where we will overnight, before heading for our next adventure in Namibia.                                       

Day 7 – Maun to Divundu

We depart Maun early this morning and journey northward through the changing landscapes of northern Botswana. After crossing into Namibia, we head towards our destination, the riverside town of Divundu, nestled along the banks of the Kavango River. Arriving in the late afternoon, we settle into our overnight accommodation and enjoy a peaceful introduction to Namibia’s lush Zambezi Region, where riverine forests and wetland habitats support a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Day 8 – Divundu

This morning, we enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the tranquil waters of the Kavango River, taking in the serene scenery, birdlife, and perhaps spotting hippos or crocodiles along the banks. In the afternoon, there’s an opportunity to embark on an optional game drive in Mahangu National Park, a hidden gem known for its rich biodiversity and frequent sightings of elephants, buffalo, antelope, and even big cats.

Day 9 – Divundu to Etosha National Park Area

This morning, we depart for the gates of Etosha National Park. With vast salt pans, savanna and woodland, Etosha is one of Africa’s finest game parks. At 18 000 sq km, it is one of the biggest Parks in Southern Africa. Etosha means “great white area”, which refers to the large, dried pan in the middle of the Park.

Day 10 – Etosha National Park

We will head out of camp this morning to explore the surrounding plains in search of the many animal species that call Etosha home.  After enjoying our lunch back at camp, you will have the afternoon at leisure.

Day 11 – Etosha National Park

Today we have a full day of exploration of the park. No day on safari is ever the same and the suspense before that special sighting is the motivation that keeps our eyes wide open.  We explore the edges of the Etosha Pan in search of the abundant wildlife that occur in the park. 

Day 12 – Etosha National Park Area to Brandberg

The Brandberg (Burning Mountains) are regarded as the highest in Namibia and home to the famous White Lady, one of more than 45,000 rock paintings in the area.  After reaching our destination for the day, we will make the ±2-hour return hike to visit the painting that is said to be around 2,000 years old. (Please be advised that it is possible that this hike will take place the following morning.  The hike does traverse rough terrain along the gorge of the normally dry Tsisab River). 

Day 13 – Brandberg to Swakopmund

On our journey we stop to visit the Lichen Fields. Your guide will give a captivating talk about the intricate Lichen Colonies that blanket the area. It’s an exceptional opportunity for some unforgettable photographs. Our final stop before reaching Swakopmund is the seaside holiday town of Wlotskasbaken. This charming town offers a fantastic photo opportunity with its quaint houses and scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean. After capturing these memories, we’ll complete the final leg of our trip and arrive in the beautiful coastal city of Swakopmund, ending an exciting day of exploration.

Day 14 –Swakopmund

While for many it is the adrenaline fuelled adventures that will grab their attention, Swakopmund offers all that and more. Take the opportunity today to explore the town at your leisure, as there are a number of attractions for every taste. Not to be missed is the selection of famed coffee shops and bakeries that offer a delightful range of German inspired treats.  Swakopmund offers all the conveniences of a small city and is the perfect launching pad for the journey through the northern reaches of the land.

Day 15 – Swakopmund to Sesriem

Leaving behind the charms of Swakopmund we continue our journey to Southern Namibia and the Namib Desert. While bidding a reluctant farewell to the ocean, we make a stop to commemorate our crossing of the Tropic of Capricorn this morning before turning east towards the heart of the desert. This afternoon, we have the privilege of joining a local expert for an enlightening desert excursion. Our local guide will introduce us to the wonders of the desert environment – an amazing introduction to the Namib that is sure to get all your senses ready for the next few days. An early night is advisable as tomorrow will see us up as the dawn breaks, but tonight we spend the night under the magnificent desert stars, knowing that the next day holds more adventures among the red sand dunes.

Day 16 – Sossusvlei Dunes – Namib-Naukluft National Park

Today we will rise early for our drive to the Namib-Naukluft National Park.  We will enter the park just after sunrise and travel through to the famous Dune 45. A brisk climb up Dune 45 offers us the perfect vantage point to marvel at the changing colours of the desert. Once satisfied we descend this famous dune and enjoy a hearty breakfast before catching a 4×4 transfer into Sossusvlei, here we will spend time on foot visiting the pans at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Tonight, we camp on the doorstep of the dune fields, we’ll empty the red sand from our shoes and fall asleep to the unique calls of the elusive Barking Gecko.

Day 17 – Keetmanshoop

This morning, we pack up and turn east and head for Keetmanshoop.  Every cross-country journey has some long travelling days and today is one of those as we spend most of the day driving onto our next destination.  Our exploration of the desert concludes this afternoon with a visit to the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playgrounds, named for the way in which the massive dolerite boulders have been placed on each other- creating rock formations and a series of mazes. Contrary to belief, the quiver tree is not really a tree, but a plant that can grow to between 200 – 300 years old. 

Day 18 – Fish River Canyon – Orange River

The Fish River Canyon is the longest river in Namibia and the largest Canyon in Africa.  We will drive to the rim of the Fish River Canyon and have an opportunity to stretch our legs with a gentle walk along the rim of the canyon, before we head further south and make our way to the Orange River, our final stop in Namibia.   Our last night in Namibia is spent on the banks of the Orange River and the best way to experience the Orange River is by canoe. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to partake in an optional canoe trip on the river.

Day 19 – Orange River – Cederberg

A final border crossing sees us enter South Africa this morning as we travel through the desert landscapes of Namaqualand on our way to the Cederberg region. If you are fortunate enough to be travelling in the spring months (July to September) you may encounter the wildflowers that have made this region famous. No matter the time of year though, the strange desert vistas offer a unique backdrop to this day’s travel. 

Day 20 – Cederberg – Cape Town

The Cederberg region not only boasts spectacular mountains and orange farms, but it is also the home of the Rooibos bush. Indigenous to the mountain slopes of the Cedarberg, this herbal beverage has earned an international reputation as a healthy and refreshing alternative to regular tea.  The Cederberg region is known for its mountain fynbos and spectacular views of the rugged Cedarberg Mountains. Nearing Cape Town, you will notice Table Mountain appear in the distance and we will stop to look at Table Mountain from across Table Bay.  Your tour ends upon arrival in Cape Town city centre.