Southern Africa Northbound: Dunes, Deltas & Falls

$2.899,00 / Per Person

  • Duration

    21 Days

  • Min Age

    18 +

  • Country

    Rand, ZAR

  • Location

    South Africa

  • Posted 2 days ago

  • 4,8 Super

Overview

Booking Type

G Adventures

Duration

21 days

Age Requirement

18-39 yrs

Max Group Size

22

Guiding Method

Adventure Styles

Now's the time to explore Africa on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Sand dunes, safari drives, and epic sunrises... all that and we've only scratched the surface on this 21-day tour of southwestern Africa. Visit the thunderous Victoria Falls, explore wildlife-rich deltas, and go camping overnight in the wilderness. Our Landos (overland adventure vehicles) get you close to all the action while local guides and Chief Experience Officers ensure each day goes off without a hitch.

ITINERARY

Arrive at any time.

Tonight, get to know your group on your first night out together in Cape Town. After a brief welcome meeting or dinner out together head to the clubs on Long Street to explore the vibrant nightlife. Put those dancing shoes on and get to know your fellow travel buddies as the adventure begins.
Get the most out of your time in Cape Town by pre-booking the South African Wine Tour and Tasting extra. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour as this activity has an early start time. Please note, due to the timings of this activity, there is a possibility you may miss the welcome meeting on day 1 of your tour - in this case, your CEO will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.

Accommodation:
- Never at Home (or similar).

Included Activities:
- Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Connect With New Friends

Optional Extras to chose from:
- South African Wine Tour and Tasting

Additional Notes: Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to make sure which visas you will need, if any.

 Please also note that no visa can be obtained at the border to Namibia. 


If you book any optional activities on day 1 please contact your sales agent to see if booking a pre-night is necessary to participate in the activity.

Hit the road in style in the Lando and view the stunning Western Cape scenery as the group travels to the G Adventures-supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre. Here you will learn about the history and culture of the ancient Sans people and be able to directly help this centre preserve that heritage.

In the afternoon the group will arrive at your first campsite where you can enjoy free time to sip on some local wine, or simply chill out by the campsite’s swimming pool overlooking the vineyards.


Accommodation:
- Highlanders Campsite (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Lando: Cape Town to Cederberg 05:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre

Additional Notes: The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre is closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Travel further north past large plantations of rooibos tea. You will be camping at the scenic Orange River for the night where you can kick back, relax, reflect, and enjoy a late afternoon swim in the river. If you are still in need of some activity choose to book a canoe excursion on the river. Other than that your only job today is to enjoy yourself and have a relaxing time.


Accommodation:
- Fiddlers Creek Rest Camp (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Lando: Cederberg to Orange River 06:30 Hr(s)

Yes, we know you could stay at the oasis of Orange River for much longer than one night, but this group has things to do and places to see so get a move on and cross another country off those travel lists as the group heads over the border into Namibia.

The next stop is Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa, and arguably the second largest in the world. Hop off the Lando, do some stretches, take in the majestic beauty of the canyon and together watch as the vibrant sunset slips over the canyon’s rim. Then it’s on to camp to enjoy each other's company around the campfire as the stars begin to rise.


Accommodation:
- Hobas Lodge - Campsite (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Lando: Orange River to Fish River Canyon 05:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Border Crossing (South Africa - Namibia)
- Fish River Canyon Visit at Sunset

While the group has a lot of ground to cover today don’t let that daunt you. You have been so on the go lately you won’t mind the rest of a long drive (besides, by now you probably have loads to talk about with everyone).

Pass by the small and desolate towns of Bethanien and Helmeringhausen and continue north along long and bumpy roads, en route to the Namib Desert. Then, embrace the bizarreness of this environment by really taking the time to enjoy it. The group will arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei make you really feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Set up camp and get some rest for the fun days ahead!


Accommodation:
- Sossus Oasis Camp (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Lando: Fish River Canyon to Namib Desert 10:00 Hr(s)

If you book the optional Sossusvlei Desert Walk you will have the chance to visit a clay pan surrounded by the world’s largest sand dunes and enclosing ancient dead trees. Opt to take a guided walk at the dunes, and enjoy some free time to explore them on your own. Arrive back at our campsite around lunch time and take down tents, pack up the Lando, and drive to the next desert campsite.

Also don’t miss out on the other optional Namib Desert dunes bush walk to learn more about the desert, dunes, and the way of the bushmen.

Accommodation:
- Namib Desert Camp Boesman (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Lando: Namib Desert 05:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Sesriem Canyon Visit
- Dune 45 Visit

Bid farewell to your lovely campsite and zoom off further north in the Lando. Get a real feel for the Namib Desert as the group spends hours crossing this empty region over dry mountain passes to get to the adrenaline capital of Swakopmund.

Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the mighty Namib desert this coastal city has strong German heritage which is reflected in the architecture around town. The group will spend two nights in Swakopmund so fear not, you have time for all of the fun activities you want to try.


Accommodation:
- Amanpuri Backpackers (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Transport:
- Lando: Namib Desert to Swakopmund 07:00 Hr(s)

The day is yours! Grab some friends or set off alone and conquer this outdoor lovers paradise. From skydiving to sandboarding there’s no shortage of activities to try. Flip a coin to see which will be your fate or even better try them all (we have our eyes feasted on the Skeleton Coast scenic flight).
You can pre-book your sky dive on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.

Accommodation:
- Amanpuri Backpackers (or similar).

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Swakopmund Skydiving

Additional Notes: Meals are not included while we are in Swakopmund in order to give our travellers the freedom to try out the many restaurants and bars in town.

Bid farewell to lovely Swakopmund and hop in the Lando travelling through the coastal region of Namibia to the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe.

What is Spitzkoppe you ask? Great question! It’s been dubbed the “Matterhorn” of Namibia, but basically if you are the type of person who loves epic climbing, hiking, camping, stargazing, sunrises, and sunsets then Spitzkoppe will have a very special place in your heart.

Upon arrival the rest of the day is yours to explore as you will. This mountaineering paradise will have you breaking out of your comfort zones in no time. Scramble up rock faces to get that perfect view, take selfies under the natural rock arch, get some artsy photos as the sun sets, and after cooking up some grub around the campfire get ready to see the milky way light up the night sky.
Explore on your own by foot, and be sure to check out the night sky—it's great for star-gazing!

Accommodation:
- Spitzkoppe Camp (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Lando: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe 03:00 - 04:00 Hr(s)

Additional Notes: Our basic bush camp will have long-drop toilets and no running water.

Wake up and feel like you crash landed on Mars. Gaze in wonder at this wild landscape and let peace wash over you (trust us you’re going to need it) before the group travels to Etosha National Park for some prime wildlife viewing. As the group enters the park you will enjoy a short safari drive in the Lando on the way to your camp.

As you drive look out over the beautiful landscape as far as the eye can see. After sunset, watch animals at the watering holes near the camping area, which is safe, being well lit with flood lights. Free time this evening allows for the option of a night safari in an open vehicle.
Look out over beautiful desert landscapes as far as the eye can see. There are Himba, Herero, and Damara people along the way selling local arts, and we’ll be sure to make a few stops to find out more about their offerings.


After sunset, watch animals at the watering holes near the camping area, which is safe, being well lit with flood lights. Free time at night allows for the option of a night safari in an open vehicle.

Accommodation:
- Etosha NP Okaukuejo Restcamp (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Lando 07:00 - 08:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Etosha National Park Wildlife Safari Drive (Lando)

It’s time to adventure in 3… 2… 1!

Today, your group will embark on a full-day wildlife safari drive in Etosha NP. It’s crazy the amount of animal species that occupy this smaller protected area (more than 100 different mammals call Etosha home). Try not let your attention wander as you move further and further into the wild lands of Etosha. Play some eye-spy with your travel buddies and go crazy with those cameras because we can’t wait to see what you experience!

The coolest thing about this national park is that because of its size and the large amount of animals within it’s almost as if the wildlife comes directly to you; especially during the dry season (May through October) when the animals all gather around the waterholes creating some of the densest wildlife viewing opportunities in the world.


Accommodation:
- Etosha NP Okaukuejo Restcamp (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Lando: Etosha National Park

Included Activities:
- Etosha National Park Wildlife Safari Drive (Lando)

“Lions and elephants, and springboks… oh my!” By now you will most likely have seen some wildlife and that’s a good thing because it’s time to move on from Etosha further south to the Waterberg Plateau.

Once the Lando pulls to a stop you’ll be itching to stretch those legs so hit the trails in this gorgeous national park searching for secret plunge pools and wildlife such as buffalo and giraffe along the way. Or if you are looking to relax, chill out at camp, write in your travel journal, or take a dip in the pool of the group campsite.


Accommodation:
- Waterberg Campsite (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Lando 04:00 - 05:00 Hr(s)

Leave the Waterberg Plateau National Park behind and head south through the Namibian countryside to Windhoek. Along the way you will stop at the G Adventures-supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, just outside of Windhoek where you will enjoy a delicious included lunch.


Accommodation:
- Urban Camp (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Transport:
- Lando 04:00 - 05:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop

Additional Notes: Please note that this is a combination tour. Some of group members may be departing the tour in Windhoek and some new group members may be joining. Enjoy an optional group dinner with both old and new travellers.

Get ready to check another country off your list as the group crosses the border from Namibia into Botswana. Travel east into the heart of the Kalahari to Ghanzi. Catch a glimpse of how the local San people adapted to this difficult landscape on an optional bushman walk.


Accommodation:
- Thakadu Bush Camp (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Lando 08:00 - 09:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Border Crossing (Namibia - Botswana)

Kiss the sands of the Kalahari goodbye and jump in the Lando towards Maun; arriving around lunchtime.

Then you have two options for your afternoon. You can take advantage of some leisure time around camp, catch up on some journaling, take some photos, and simply relax in this beautiful setting, or you can take to the air and book a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta for a bird’s-eye view of the fertile lands at your feet. Search for wildlife as you soar through the sky and feel the rush of excitement in your veins.

In the evening set up camp, unwind with your friends and as the night settles around you search for shooting stars above from the comfort of your sleeping bag.


Accommodation:
- Sedia Riverside Lodge (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Transport:
- Lando 04:00 - 05:00 Hr(s)

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Okavango Delta Flight

Additional Notes: After arrival in Maun, pick up supplies to prepare for the one night/two day excursion into the Okavango Delta. We recommend each person brings a 5 litre bottle of water to take into the Delta; this should be sufficient for both drinking water and cleaning purposes.

Please note: if you have pre-booked the Okavango Delta flight, today's likely the day for this activity! Your CEO will give you final confirmation when it will take place, as it is subject to change.

Today is going to be busy, but fun! Wake to the sounds and smells of the bush around you and then dive right into some nature with an overnight excursion into the Okavango Delta. Travel in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) and do some birdwatching on the way to our basic bush camp for the evening. Arrive around lunchtime, set up camp, and get used to your surroundings.

Then head out for some adventure on a wildlife walk. The cool thing about being on foot is that you will get to learn about tracking the animals and gain insight into their movement patterns and behaviour more than if you were just in a vehicle. As night falls on the group gather around the campfire, sing with the locals, and simply unwind with a sundowner as you count the stars (cheers!)


Accommodation:
- Okavango Delta Camping (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Safari vehicle: Maun to Okavango Delta 01:00 Hr(s)
- Mokoro: Okavango Delta 01:00 - 02:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Okavango Delta Excursion

Additional Notes: Please note that there is no shower and only a dig-out bush toilet, as our camp is very basic and in the wild – but it is all worth it due to the incredible landscape and wildlife!

Wake up to the image of the sun rising and watch as the light turns the landscape varying shades of pinks, oranges, and reds. You can’t help but feel completely isolated from the rest of the world being out in the middle of nowhere... our advice? Savour that moment! After rubbing the sleep from your eyes grab those cameras and take one more safari walk before riding in a mokoro back to Maun where you will pack up the Lando and hit the road to the ancient baobab trees of Gweta.

The group will arrive to the campsite mid- to- late afternoon. Have a walk around, take pictures of the baobabs, swim in the pool and enjoy a proper shower after the night in the bush.


Accommodation:
- Planet Baobab (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Mokoro: Okavango Delta 01:00 - 02:00 Hr(s)
- Safari vehicle: Okavango Delta to Maun 01:00 Hr(s)
- Lando: Maun to Gweta 04:00 Hr(s)

Rise early to the sounds of nature and travel north with your group to Kasane. Opt to embark on a river cruise through Chobe NP before .

“I bless the rains down in Africaaaaa” ahh we can just hear it now... (and it has never sounded so good!) because surely someone is bound to play this song as you drive through the verdant lands between Gweta and Kasane. Turns out Toto knew what they were talking about because the rains in Africa are no joke. Rain brings life to the pans awakening the dormant fish and aquatic shrimps from the mud. The surrounding grasslands also teem with life and are home to many antelope, which attract a wide variety of predators. Keep your eyes focused as the world passes you by and then reward yourself with a group toast as you camp under the stars.
Journey to the area of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa. The best way to appreciate the area’s thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles and hippos, is with an optional sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River.

You can pre-book the Chobe River Sunset Cruise on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.

Accommodation:
- Thebe River Safaris Camping (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Transport:
- Lando: Gweta to Kasane 06:00 Hr(s)

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Chobe River Sunset Cruise

Additional Notes: If you have pre-booked the Chobe River Sunset Cruise, you will be cruising this evening.

Opt for an early safari drive in Chobe then buckle those seat belts and cross the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe; home of epic Victoria falls. All that driving is bound to make you hungry and we have a treat for you today! The group will be having a traditional lunch at the G Adventurers-supported Lusumpuko Women's Club. With full bellies and even more full hearts get ready to feel the mist in the air as you enter the town of Victoria Falls.
Opt to prebook the Chobe National Park Safari Drive and head out early into the park before crossing the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe at the Kazungula border post.

Continue on to the town Victoria Falls, a great base to see falls, and take part in some exciting activities.

Accommodation:
- Explorers Village Camping (or similar).

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Transport:
- Lando 01:30 - 02:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Border Crossing (Botswana - Zimbabwe)
- Lusumpuko Women's Club Lunch

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Chobe National Park Safari Drive

Additional Notes: Your accommodation is in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and NOT Livingstone (Zambia). Please make sure you have the necessary visa.

Note that this trip combines with other tours, and some tours will be finishing in Victoria Falls, while others will be continuing on. Many of our groups opt to book their final evening together aboard a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River with wildlife-viewing, great scenery and an open bar.

Morning fellow adventurers! Get close and personal with one of the largest waterfalls in the world on this free day in Victoria Falls. Feel the strength of the water splashing your skin on the observation deck, take in the sound of tons of water thundering over the edge of the falls in the distance and make your day as relaxing or hair-raising as you like.

For the adventurous we recommend going whitewater rafting, taking a scenic helicopter flight over the falls. Either way the choice is yours!
Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close (and wet from the spray) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, and for the more adventurous, bungee jump with the Victoria Falls in view.

Accommodation:
- Explorers Village Camping (or similar).

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 12-13min
- Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 25min
- Victoria Falls Whitewater Rafting

Additional Notes: Want to do more with your tour? Pre-book any two of the following activities: Zambezi Whitewater Rafting, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride, or the Zambezi River Sunset Cruise.

Any optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival in Victoria Falls.

Alas all good things must come to an end... or do they? If you aren't ready to go home just yet talk with your CEO about extending your adventure and get to know more of Zimbabwe or beyond!


Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Destinations

  • Cape Town / ZA

  • Cederberg Wildnerness Area / ZA

  • Vioolsdrif / NA

  • Fish River Canyon National Park / NA

  • Namib-Naukluft Park / NA

  • Swakopmund / NA

  • Spitzkoppe / NA

  • Etosha National Park / NA

  • Waterberg Plateau Park / NA

  • Windhoek / NA

  • D'kar / BW

  • Maun / BW

  • Okavango Delta / BW

  • Gweta / BW

  • Kasane / BW

  • Chobe National Park / BW

  • Victoria Falls / ZW

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Operator

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Accommodation

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Transport

92.0%

Food

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