The Grand Southern Safari tour

The grand southern safari starts in the Cape Town city centre, where we'll all gather before heading off towards the Cederberg region of the Western Cape, which boasts spectacular mountain ranges and orange farms.

The Cederberg is also the home of the Rooibos bush, which is indigenous to the slopes of the Cederberg mountains. The leaves of this tree are used to make a herbal beverage which has international acclaim as a healthy and refreshing option to regular tea.

We'll have dinner together at our accommodation in Citrusdal for the evening, which offers a great opportunity to get acquainted with the rest of the travelling group whilst enjoying some South African hospitality.

Route: Cape Town to Citrusdal
Included Highlight: Traditional Dinner
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms

From Citrusdal, we make our way to Namaqualand, which provides the first view of the desert vistas which will be a regular occurrence in the days ahead. We travel north, stopping in Springbok to refuel before we make our way to our camp located on the banks of the Orange River - the longest river in Southern Africa.

If you are lucky enough to be travelling during the South African spring months between July to September - you will be greeted with colourful expanses of wildflowers that are unique to the region.

Route: Citrusdal to Orange River
Included Highlight: Spring Wild Flowers (July – September)
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms

The Orange River may have been named after the Dutch Royal House, but it has also recently been referred to by its original name - Gariep - which means river in the KhoeKhoe language.

The Orange River starts its journey in the mountains of Lesotho and flows through the desert landscape which surrounds it. One of the best ways to experience the river is by getting into its waters and we have the opportunity to do that today by joining an optional canoe trip on the river.

After lunch, we travel inland to our overnight accommodation at Ais Ais, where you will get the chance to soak in its mineral and sulphur-rich hot spring waters.

Route: Orange/Gariep River to Fish River Canyon (camping) / Ai-Ais (accommodated)
Included Highlight: Hot springs (pool)
Local Options: Canoe trip
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms

We start the day early as we make our way to the edge of the Fish River Canyon to marvel at the sun rising over the canyon. We'll then make our way west as we travel to Keetmanshoop. Our afternoon is spent exploring the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground - which is named after the towering dolerite boulders which are stacked on each other, creating unique rock formations and mazes.

Route: Fish River Canyon to Keetmanshoop
Included Highlight: Scenic walk along the rim of Fish River Canyon / Visit to Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms

We'll spend most of the day travelling today as we head deeper into the Namib Desert, until we reach the dune fields that cover the western reaches of the desert. You will get a good glimpse into rural Namibia we pass expanses of sparse, dry farmland. We'll spend the night camping on the edge of the dune fields as we fall asleep listening to the cry of the elusive Barking gecko.

Route: Fish River Canyon to Keetmanshoop
Included Highlight: Sesriem Canyon (camping departures)
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms

We start the day early as we spend time in the Namib-Naukluft National Park and climb up the famous Dune 45, which offers a spectacular vantage point to marvel at the changing colours of the desert.

We'll enjoy a hearty breakfast before we hop into a 4x4 to Sossusvlei & Deadvlei, where we'll explore its vast salt pans before we settle in at our campsite in the Namib-Naukluft National Park for the rest of the day. Camping departures spend the afternoon joining a local expert for an educational excursion into the desert.

Included Highlight: Sesriem Canyon (accommodated departures), Hike up Dune 45, 4x4 shuttle to Sossusvlei / Deadvlei, Guided desert walk with local expert (camping departures)
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms

Accommodated departures finish their time in the desert this morning taking an excursion into the desert with a local expert this morning. The tour now leaves the Namib Desert, stopping at the Tropic of Capricorn to stretch our legs.

We'll then make our way to the coastal town of Swakopmund - the adventure capital of Namibia. We'll stop briefly at the Walvis Bay lagoon to see the flamingos which frolic in its shallow waters. Once we arrive in Swakopmund, you have the day free to book some of the adventure activities on offer, from sandboarding to quad biking and various other water sports.

Route: Naukluft Area to Swakopmund
Included Highlight: Guided desert walk with local expert (accommodated departures), Walvis Bay Lagoon, Tropic of Capricorn
Facilities - Camping: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms

Swakopmund may be Namibia's adventure capital, but it's much more than just adrenaline filled fun. You have the day free to explore the town on your own. Be sure to visit one of its famed coffee shops and bakeries that offer a variety of German-inspired treats.

Local options: Dolphin cruise, skydiving, sandboarding, quad biking
Facilities - Camping: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms

We say goodbye to Swakopmund today as we make our way to the huge granite formations at Spitzkoppe, which towers at 700m high. Most notably, the presence of rock art on the boulders show the importance of these natural wonders to the San people who lived here many years ago.

Led by a local guide, we get to see the San rock art before we make our way to our accommodation for the evening.

Route: Swakopmund to Brandberg (via Spitzkoppe)
Included Highlight: Visit and explore Spitzkoppe
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

The Brandberg Mountains is one of the highest mountain ranges in Namibia, but its popularity stems from the famous White Lady rock painting, which is estimated to be 2,000 years old. There are thousands of paintings in the area, with the White Lady depicting a ritual/warrior scene. We reach it following a hike along a riverbed, which can get quite strenuous in hot or wet weather. We'll spend some time exploring the area before we make our way to Kamanjab.There is an optional excursion available this afternoon to visit an educational centre which showcases the lifestyle of the local Himba Tribe.

Route: Brandberg to Kamanjab
Included Highlight: Brandberg White Lady
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

We start the day early once more as we make our way to the Etosha National Park, which is famed for offering some of the most unique game watching experiences in Africa. We will reach Etosha in the afternoon, where we'll enjoy our first game drive before heading to the rest camp.

Route: Kamanjab to Etosha National Park
Included Highlight: Afternoon game drive in Nomad truck
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

We will spend most of the day exploring the Etosha National Park, searching for the wildlife that call this wildlife sanctuary home. No day on safari is ever the same, so keep your eyes out for any special sightings.

Route: Etosha National Park Included Highlight: Full day game drive in Nomad truck
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Today we make our way to Namibia's capital city of Windhoek, which was officially founded in 1890 when the Germans built a fort and started to occupy the area permanently. Upon arrival, we will take a short walk through the city, viewing some of its most popular landmarks.

Route: Etosha National Park to Windhoek
Included Highlight: Walk through Windhoek with your guide
Facilities - Camping & Accommodated: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

We make our way east today, crossing the border into Botswana and the Kalahari Desert, one of the homes of the San people. This afternoon, we'll head out on a guided walk with the San community, which provides great insight into their way of life. Tonight, we enjoy an evening of dance, song and story-telling - key components in the Sans' way of life.

Route: Windhoek to Ghanzi
Included Highlight: San Guided Walk (could take place the next morning) / San Tribal dance in evening
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Note: You will be travelling apart from the truck for the following 2 nights and should therefore pack all the personal belongings you may need before we depart for Maun today as time will be tight on arrival there. Please pack lightly and only take what you need for the next 2 nights

Today we head to one of Africa’s most spectacular natural places - the Okavango Delta. It is formed where the Okavango River flows into the Kalahari Desert. This forms an inland delta made up of grasslands, swamps, and wetlands that are home to an astonishing diversity of life. We'll leave early for Maun, the gateway to the Delta, and on arrival have the option to take a scenic flight over the Delta (subject to weather conditions and available time). You'll then leave the truck and travel with a local guide on smaller safari type vehicles to the Greater Moremi Game Reserve area. The evening will include a briefing on what to expect on tomorrow's mokoro excursion and game drive.

Route: Ghanzi to Maun to Moremi South Gate
Optional Activity: Okavango Delta scenic flight
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Permanent tent with en-suite bathroom

One of the best ways to explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta is in a dugout canoe called a mokoro. We head out early today until we reach the poling station, where we'll meet the polers who will guide our mokoros through the delta.
Once we reach one of the many islands in the delta, a nature walk can be taken with your poler. Whilst the mokoro ride may not primarily be a game viewing activity, there is a variety of game that can be spotted here, including, elephant, giraffe, kudu, impala and zebra.
After lunch, we'll return into Moremi Reserve for an afternoon game safari taken in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Your local professional guide will select the best routes and animals to look for based on recent sightings and on the water levels at the time of your visit, as when the waters are high some roads will be closed or impassable.

Route: Moremi South Gate – poling station – Okavango Delta – Moremi South Gate
Included Highlight: Okavango Delta morning mokoro excursion. Moremi Game Reserve afternoon game drive
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Permanent tent with en-suite bathroom

We'll spend most of today driving on a 4x4 game safari through the unique Savuti Game Reserve. Bordered by the Okavango Delta to the west, and Chobe National Park to the west, Savuti is renowned for having one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Southern Africa, and for being a great place to view big game. The reserve includes habitats ranging from wetlands and open water to grasslands and Savannah woodlands, and we'll aim to see as many different species as possible.
In the afternoon we'll reach the banks of the Chobe River and be reunited with our truck in the town of Kasane.

Route: Moremi South Gate to Kasane via Savuti Game Reserve
Included Highlight: Full day game drive through Savuti Game Reserve in 4x4 safari vehicles
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

Those who have chosen to take the optional game drive in Chobe National Park will start early for their morning safari in open 4x4 vehicles. They'll return to camp for lunch before we all head out in the afternoon for a leisurely boat cruise which should afford us great views of some of the many elephants that make this park home (Chobe has some of the highest concentrations of African elephant on the planet)..

Included Highlight: Chobe National Park boat cruise
Optional Activity: Chobe National Park game drive
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

We say goodbye to Botswana today as we cross the border into Zimbabwe and travel towards the Victoria Falls - one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and the major waterfall on the Zambezi River in Africa.

You have the day free to explore this natural wonder at your leisure. There are a range of optional adventure activities to enjoy as well if you're looking for an adrenaline rush. If you're looking to relax, there are various craft markets and coffee shops to enjoy.

Route: Kasane to Victoria Falls
Optional Activity: Victoria Falls entry fee, Zambezi Sunset Cruise
Facilities - Camping: Pre-erected dome tent with camper beds
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per room with en-suite bathroom

The tour comes to an end after breakfast. With the variety of activities on offer in Victoria Falls, feel free to try some of them at your leisure.

Optional Activity: Visit the Vic Falls, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Bungee Jump, Helicopter Flights, White Water Rafting