Join a 21-day adventure trip through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia during which you will experience some of Africa’s absolute gold nuggets. The trip includes highlights such as the Stellenbosch wine district in South Africa, the Etosha National Park in Namibia, the Kalahari desert and steppe area in Botswana and Victoria Falls in Zambia. During the trip, you will experience fascinating natural landscapes that have basically been left untouched by human hands, but you will also have the opportunity to gain an insight into how the indigenous people in these areas have learned to make use of nature’s resources without doing too much damage to the environment. Among other things, you get the opportunity to get to know people from the hunter-gatherer San, probably one of the oldest peoples on earth, in the Kalahari Desert, and learn about their culture and traditional way of life.
Day 1: Travel to Cape Town in South Africa
Flights from Stockholm, Gothenburg or Copenhagen to Cape Town. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight.
Day 2: Arrival in Cape Town
After arriving in Cape Town in the morning, you have the whole day at your disposal. We arrange for you to get bus tickets to the excellent “Hop on Hop off” service which is available in Cape Town and which conveniently transports tourists between the most popular sights. With the buses, you can, for example, easily get to the cable car that connects Cape Town with the top of Table Mountain, from where you get a fantastic view of the sea, the city and its surroundings. You can also go to the beautifully located Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which is by far the best restaurant and shopping area in Cape Town with a wide selection of restaurants.
Day 3: South Africa’s wine district
After breakfast, a full day excursion to South Africa’s wine district through an idyllic landscape awaits. You will be picked up at the hotel before the full day excursion in the spirit of wine which begins with a visit to the Seidelber Wine Estate outside the city of Paarl (Afrikaans for “pearl”). After a guided tour with tasting, we go on to Franschhoek (Afrikaans for “the French corner”). In the late 17th century, French Huguenots settled in the area to grow wine in the beautiful valley where the city is located. The city is one of South Africa’s gourmet capital and after wine tasting, lunch awaits at one of the city’s many award-winning restaurants. We continue, via the scenic mountain pass Helshoogte, to South Africa’s perhaps most well-known wine district Stellenbosch for more wine tasting in the heart of South Africa’s wonderful wine culture landscape. It is also possible to arrange a half-day excursion to the wine district if you would rather see more of Cape Town or perhaps visit Robben Island where Nelson Madela was imprisoned. (Breakfast and lunch.)
Day 4: Cape Peninsula
After breakfast we go on a half-day excursion to the Cape Peninsula. We travel along the dramatic Atlantic coast and pass the small coastal towns of Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay and stop at the lookout point just outside Llandudno for a magnificent view of the countryside. We then continue to Hout Bay, a picturesque coastal community, beautifully situated in a valley by a bay with white sandy beach. We continue along Chapman’s Peak Drive, which is generally considered one of the most beautiful coastal stretches in the whole world, to Cape Point and further towards the Cape of Good Hope. After visiting the southwesternmost point of the African continent, we return to Cape Town via the charming town of Simon’s Town with its beautiful old buildings in British colonial style. We also take the opportunity to visit the nearby beach Boulders beach with its penguin colony. You can choose between morning or afternoon excursion. (Breakfast.)
Day 5: Cape Town – Lambert’s Bay
In the morning we head north towards the pleasant fishing community Lambert’s Bay which has come to attract more and more tourists with its beautiful location and excellent restaurants. The coastal resort is especially known for its delicious lobster. In Lambert’s Bay you have time to explore the resort on your own, but you can also take the opportunity to visit the nearby Bird Island Reserve. Overnight in Lambert’s Bay. (Breakfast.)
Day 6: Lambert’s Bay – Orange River
During the day we leave South Africa behind us and cross the border into Namibia. Next to the tranquil Orange River (Gariep River) which forms the natural border between South Africa and Namibia, we enjoy the wonderful nature and for those who want there are good swimming opportunities. Overnight near the Orange River. (Breakfast.)
Day 7: Orange River – Fish River Canyon
During the day we see the world’s second largest canyon, Fish River Canyon. In the rugged mountain landscape, the canyon, which is over 100 km long, 25 kilometers wide and over 500 meters deep, is a completely outstanding sight! (Breakfast.)
Day 8: Fish River Canyon – Namib Desert
After breakfast we travel north through Namibia’s dramatic landscape and reach Sesriem, a settlement close to the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the Namib Desert. Joint dinner and overnight stay in Sesriem. (Breakfast and dinner.)
Day 9: Namib Desert (Namib-Naukluft National Park)
After breakfast, we head to the national park’s red shimmering dunes (Sossuvlei Dunes) and climb the huge dune Dune 45, among other places. We also take the opportunity to visit Sesriem Canyon. In the evening dinner together. (Breakfast and dinner.)
Day 10: Namib Desert – Swakopmund
After breakfast we head to the coastal town of Swakopmund. The city was founded by Germans in the late 19th century and European influences are still evident (Namibia was a German colony between 1884 and 1915). Overnight in Swakopmund. (Breakfast.)
Day 11: Swakopmund
All day open to discover Swakopmund on your own. The city is small and it is excellent to explore it on foot. Here you can stroll along streets with names like Bismarck Street, Moltke Street and Am Zoll Street in a city center that is very reminiscent of those found in small German towns. There are plenty of interesting museums in the city, but also a nice beach to cool off for those who so wish.
Day 12: Swakopmund – Etosha Nationa Park
After breakfast we travel to northwestern Namibia and the world famous Etosha National Park. Here you will find landscapes with vast savannas and grasslands in an environment that differs significantly from what we experienced in the Namib Desert. In the afternoon we go on safari in four-wheel drive vehicles and spend the night in the national park.
Day 13: Etosha National Park
Throughout the day we go on a wildlife safari in open safari vehicles and experience the rich wildlife in the national park where you will find elephants, black rhinos, giraffes, leopards and lions. Overnight at Etosha National Park.
Day 14: Etosha National Park – Windhoek
In the morning we travel through Namibia’s fascinating landscape and pass the central highlands on our way to the country’s capital Windhoek, located in the middle of the country at an altitude of 1,654 meters above sea level. With its 350,000 residents, Windhoek is the country’s only major city and for the European visitor, the recognition factor is great, especially in the central parts. Here you will find German architecture and restaurants serving dishes that the settlers from the former colonial power once introduced in the country. Overnight in Windhoek. (Breakfast.)
Day 15: Widhoek – Kalahari Desert
In the morning we travel east, cross the border into Botswana and further into the vast Kalahari Desert. On site, we get to meet representatives of the San people and get to know about their culture and world of ideas. The San people have lived in symbiosis with the fauna and flora of the Kalahari Desert for thousands of years and this collector and hunter people know the steppe and desert areas of this part of Botswana like no other. Anyone who wants to is welcome to accompany them on an excursion on foot to learn more about their phenomenal survival skills in the barren environment. Overnight in the Kalahari Desert. (Breakfast.)
Day 16: Kalahari Desert – Maun
After breakfast we head north towards the town of Maun, located on the riverbeds of the Thamalakane River. Maun is an ideal starting point for safaris to the Okavango Delta, which with its fantastic wildlife is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The unique wilderness area contains both black and white rhinos, elephants, hippos, zebras, baboons, antelopes and lions, as well as a large number of rare bird species. It is possible to take a flight over the area for an additional fee. Overnight in Maun. (Breakfast.)
Day 17: Okavango Delta
The whole day is dedicated to experiences in the wilderness area with safaris, bird watching and excursions with mokoro – a canoe-like boat that is driven with a pole. You will also gain knowledge about the way of life of the local population and how nature’s resources have traditionally been taken advantage of. Shared dinner in the evening. Overnight in Okavango Delta. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner.)
Day 18: Okavango Delta – Nata
After breakfast we continue to the village of Nata with a fantastic wildlife just around the corner. Here you have the opportunity to do a bush walk in the surroundings or a wilderness trip with a four-wheel drive vehicle at dusk. During the night we have the opportunity to see how the elephants drink from the watering hole not far from our camp. Overnight in Nata. (Breakfast and dinner.)
Day 19: Nata – Kasana
Our journey through Botswana continues towards the resort of Kasana in northern Botswana where you can join a wildlife safari in open vehicles or take a boat trip at sunset on the Chobe River. Overnight in Kasane. (Breakfast.)
Day 20: Kasane – Victoria Falls
In the early morning, a short wilderness safari awaits before we board the ferry that takes us to Zambia and the next World Heritage Site – the fabulous Victoria Falls. Seeing how the huge masses of water roar down into the Zambezi River is an outstanding experience that completely takes your breath away! During the day there is also an opportunity for those who want to paddle a canoe or perhaps try rafting. It is possible to take a flight over the area for an additional fee. Overnight near Victoria Falls. (Breakfast.)
Day 21: Livingstone
During the day return from Livingstone via Johannesburg. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight.
Day 22: Return
Arrival at the respective boarding place (Stockholm, Gothenburg or Copenhagen) during the morning.
