This tour takes you through popular destinations covering 4 countries. Highlights include Table Mountain, Orange River canoeing, dune boarding, Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls.
Okavango Delta
Table Mountain
Orange River canoe trip
Dune climbing
Victoria Falls
Chobe National Park
Namib Desert
Etosha
From the dynamic city of Cape Town, to the scorched deserts of Namibia, and the wildlife sanctuaries of Botswana and Zimbabwe, this tour endeavours to show the highlights of the region. On a journey of contrasts, canoe the Orange River, climb on giant sand dunes in Namibia to witness the sunset, game drive in some of Africa's best-known parks, and view the mighty Victoria Falls. Be prepared to cover a great distance on some remote and rough roads, but the natural wonders that are encountered, more than compensate for any discomfort for those who truly seek adventure. Group size usually numbers between 6 and 17 clients.
Start: Cape Town Scheduled flights: Cape Town International Airport
Day 1 - 2 Table Mountain, Hout Bay Meet at Drifters' Cape Town Inn at 13h00 to spend the afternoon exploring and visiting the sights. You have one and a half days here, in which to hike Table mountain, visit Cape Point, the Waterfront, Hout Bay, the Stellenbosch winelands and numerous other sights, weather permitting. Overnight in Drifters' Cape Town Inn on the beachfront for two nights. Meals: Breakfast (Both lunches and evening meals are for your own expense.)
Day 3 West Coast You leave the Mother City behind, and after a visit to Blouberg Strand for a last view of Table Mountain from across the bay, then travel north through the "Swartland" and then along the West Coast into Namaqualand. In the early spring this usually barren area comes to life with the blooming of numerous desert adapted flower species. This night is spent camping. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - 5 Richtersveld National Park, Orange River Today you cross the border into Namibia, then travel the short distance to the base camp on the banks of the Orange River from where your canoe adventure begins. Once you have packed all of your gear into the two man canoes, the group sets off into the wilderness. The Orange River creates an awesome spectacle, a green ribbon winding its way through the desert and towering mountains of the Richtersvelt National Park. One night is spent camping on the banks, under the desert skies, the second night is spent back at base camp in relative comfort. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Fish River Canyon Go directly to Fish River Canyon today, the second largest of its kind in the world. After visiting the viewpoints for the breathtaking scenery, set up camp at Hobas, the nearby campsite. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - 8 Namib Desert After an early start, continue north into the true Namib, with its continually shifting barchan dunes and barren landscape. The next two nights are spent at the Drifters Desert Camp on a private game reserve. This camp is spectacularly situated against a rock outcrop between the stark mountains and the red dune-lands. Guided walks and drives, including a night drive within the reserve will be conducted during your stay here. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Sossusvlei, Swakopmund An early start, you travel directly to the dune fields of Sossusvlei, the last part of the journey to the dunes will be through the thick sand and for this an open 4x4 vehicle is used. After climbing the dunes for the spectacular view from the summit, we transfer by 4x4 back to our vehicle, and continue on to the seaside town of Swakopmund where you will spend two nights at the Drifters Swakopmund Inn. Tonight you enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 Swakopmund The Drifters Inn provides the ideal location for exploring the town of Swakopmund with its beaches, markets, curio shops and huge variety adventure options of dune boarding, aircraft flips, horse riding and many more. The nightlife in Swakopmund is also worth experiencing. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 Skeleton Coast, Spitzkoppe Head north up the Skeleton Coast to the Cape Cross seal colony before venturing inland once again to camp wild at the impressive Spitzkoppe where you camp wild amongst the boulders at the base of this massive rock outcrop. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 Twyfelfontein Continuing through the desert, you move on to visit the Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, whereafter you cross the mountains into the wilderness to camp at the oasis of Palmwag. With a bit of luck, you may get to see the Desert Elephants. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 - 14 Etosha For an incredible wildlife experience, enter Etosha National Park, and after setting up camp at Okakuejo, enjoy an extensive afternoon game drive. Return to camp to spend the evening game viewing at the floodlit waterhole. Continuing through the game reserve, we drive to Fort Namutoni to camp the night. Dine one night at a camp restaurant (own expense). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 Caprivi Strip Leaving the harsh desert landscapes behind you, you travel north to the lush Caprivi area. Tonight you will camp on the banks of the mighty Okavango River at Ngepi Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 Maun Crossing into Botswana today, you travel through the Kalahari to the frontier town of Maun. Relax for the afternoon at the swimming pool. Tonight you stay at the Drifters Maun Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 Okavango Head into the heart of the Okavango today, either by light aircraft or by sandy track, depending on conditions. Once in the Delta you continue by Mekoro - the traditional dugout canoe - to a remote camp. This is truly nature's wonderland and a huge variety of wildlife will be witnessed in its natural state. Tonight you camp wild on a remote island - fall asleep to the sounds of the wild. Guests will have the option of a Game Flight during these days. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 Makgadikgadi Pans After a morning mekoro trip and short transfer, you return to Drifters Maun Camp to freshen up before continuing through the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to the oasis-like camp of Nata. Camp the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19 Chobe National Park, Chobe River Travelling north through the Chobe forest reserves, head for the border town of Kasane from where you will venture into the renowned Chobe National Park in search of the large concentrations of animals that this area is known for. Late this afternoon you then cross the border and drive the short distance to the Drifters Victoria Falls Inn where you spend the following nights in comfort. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 20 Victoria Falls This morning you awake to the "Adventure Capital of Africa" - Victoria Falls. Spend two nights here at the Drifetrs Victoria Falls Inn, allowing ample time to explore the falls and to participate in the multitude of activities on offer, white water rafting, bunji jumping, aircraft flips etc. One night enjoy a braai and experience traditional dancing around the pool. (An evening's meal and both lunches will be at your own expense.) Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 21 Hwange National Park A leisurely start today, you returning to the wilderness, and travel the short distance to the magnificent Hwange National Park where you overnight in a remote camp on the Parks boundry. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 22 Matobo National Park, Bulawayo After and extensive open vehicle game drive in the Park searching for the many animal species theat occur here, we travel south, to the wide streets of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city and then on to the Matobo. Camp the night in our bush camp situated amongst the precariously balancing boulders that this area is known for. B L D
Day 23 Limpopo River This morning, enjoy a tour into the National Park to view the sights and game and where on foot you will track rhino through the bush. Continue south, crossing the border into South Africa and to a bushcamp situated on a private game reserve within the Limpopo valley. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 24 Enjoy a short walk to view the magnificent bushman paintings surrounding the camp before making the journey to Johannesburg. You arrive at the Drifters Johannesburg Inn in the late afternoon. Meals: Breakfast is included.
End: Johannesburg Scheduled flights: Johannesburg International Airport
Optional Activities * Quadbiking * Horse riding * Game Flight * Bungi Jumping * White River Rafting
Important Information Should it be necessary to avoid Zimbabwe for whatever reason, you will simply deviate to Botswana for this portion of the tour. The tour covers a vast distance and is not for the faint-hearted. A valid passport is required and malaria precautions are advised. The rand is accepted by all countries on this tour. During winter the temperature can drop very low so be prepared for this.
Rate includes Transport, food, coffee, tea, fruit juice at breakfast, a professional guide, group equipment, accommodation, permits and park entry fees. (No food kitty).
Rate excludes Flights, restaurant meals, tips, curios, visas, optional excursions and alcohol and soft drinks.
Group size Minimum: 3 Maximum: 17
Guestbook
We were ecstatic about the trip and still basking in the afterglow of Africa. We hope we can return one day. The trip exceeded any and all expectations - Drifters and our guide Jan, proved to know the territory well and exhibited professionalism in every way and made each day an educational and enlightening experience.
