19-day Cape Town to Victoria Falls (Camping)

Continuing north, the landscape gradually turns drier and rockier as we head towards the border and cross to Namibia. We set up camp tonight on the Gariep (Orange) River, which has a stunning backdrop to take in. There is the option of a canoe safari, a hike to the lookout above the campsite, or a swim in the Orange River before sunset. The night sky above camp shows a wide expanse of stars on clear Richtersveld nights.

This morning we have the opportunity to partake in an optional canoe safari on the river or simply relax on the water’s edge. Next, we arrive as a group at the majestic Fish River Canyon in the mid-afternoon. It’s the perfect time for a great photographic opportunity or a chance to find a quiet spot and marvel at the sheer beauty of the setting.

After a night near the canyon, we continue north to the Sesriem Area, the gateway to the Namib Naukluft National Park. The park contains the world’s oldest desert and highest sand dunes. Here we set up camp for the evening under the starry Namibian sky.

This morning we enter the National Park to trek to the top of famous Dune 45. After a well deserved breakfast, we continue deeper into the park on a short shuttle ride and nature walk to ‘Dead Vlei’. Departing from the dunes, we stop off at the smaller Sesriem Canyon before making our way to our desert camp for the night a – short distance from Solitaire, Namibia’s smallest town.

Leaving our camp, we head to the Atlantic coast, where we will spend the next two nights. Crossing over the Tropic of Capricorn, we stop for a photo opportunity before arriving in Swakopmund. This coastal town makes for a refreshing change with cooler weather from the Atlantic sea air, a taste of civilization and a swathe of exciting things to do and places to explore.

Today is a free day to enjoy all that this quaint seaside town has to offer. For the daring there are desert based adventure activities such as quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving (weather permitting) and more. For those not seeking adventure, simply relax or enjoy what the town has to offer: shopping, restaurants, museums, aquarium, art galleries – or else simply walk along the promenade admiring the ocean, the quaint German-style architecture and indulge in the town’s café culture.

Leaving the coast we turn inland to the beautiful Damaraland region and explore Spitzkoppe where we admire ancient bushman paintings still visible on peculiar rock formations. Take your time to explore the area and its delightful calmness. Keep an eye on the ever-changing color of the rock, especially during sunrise and sunset, when they acquire intense red hues. The Spitzkoppe Rest camp is located at the base of the mountain and is owned and maintained by the local community. All proceeds from our visit go directly to this community.

From Spitzkoppe we turn north again – making our way to Etosha National Park. We spend two nights here, usually making camp near a floodlit waterhole. Upon entering the park we enjoy a short afternoon game drive as we head to the campsite.

Today, we enjoy a full day game driving in this magnificent animal kingdom – taking in Etosha National Park’s main characteristic – the central salt pan – which can apparently be seen from space! After a full day of game driving, we turn to camp and enjoy our last evening around the floodlit water holes, observing natural animal behavior at its best.

Our journey heads south where we arrive in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. It is located in a basin between the Khomas Highland, Auas and Eros Mountains. Take the opportunity to enjoy a night out at one of the local restaurants.

Leaving Windhoek, we travel west into the Kalahari region to our camp just before the border of Botswana. After settling in, we meet the San/Bushman and enjoy a guided bush walk with them. This cultural experience provides insight into this ancient culture’s nomadic way of life.

Leaving Namibia behind we make our way to Maun – the gateway to the Okavango Delta. From here we prepare for our excursion into the Delta the next day. If time permits, we have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, either this afternoon, or on day 15 when we return from our Delta excursion.

Leaving the campsite in Maun, we begin our excursion into the Okavango Delta on an open 4×4 vehicle to the mokoro station. Here we will be introduced to the local Tswana Polers who will be guiding us on this expedition. We travel by mokoro (dugout canoe) to our tented camp from where we can explore the area on a walking safari. We enjoy the afternoon wilderness experience and then delight in listening to the sounds of the African night – a truly unforgettable experience!

This morning we take an easy paced mokoro ride out of the Okavango Delta back to the polers station from where we will drive back to Maun, our overnight stop. We aim to get back to camp around lunch time to allow for the opportunity to enjoy an optional scenic flight over this spectacular UNESCO world heritage site. Alternatively the afternoon can be spent at leisure at the camp’s pool.

Today, we make our way towards Nata, travelling through a wide open wildlife corridor between the Nxai and the Makgadikgadi Pans. Along the way we stop to see one of Africa’s most iconic tree-types – the Baobab, also locally known as ‘upside down trees’ – and arrive at the Elephant Sands Lodge during the late afternoon. The camp has no fences, so all wildlife can roam freely from one waterhole to another, and we can expect to see a variety of antelope and other wildlife during our stay.

Our adventure safari continues to Kasane in the northern corner of Botswana and gateway to Chobe National Park. This is the third largest park in the country and also the most diverse where we will board a ‘Fish Eagle’ cruise on the Chobe River – a great opportunity to view hippo and perhaps elephant or buffalo coming down to the river banks to bathe and drink.

This morning we head out to explore the Chobe National Park on an open vehicle game drive. Moving on from Kasane, we take a ferry across the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers into Zambia. We visit the Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls on earth and try to take in the immensity of one of nature’s Wonders of the World. We set up camp at the Waterfront campsite on the banks of the Zambezi, just a few kilometres from the Victoria Falls and the small town of Livingstone.