Cape to Kruger
NCVJ – 26 DAY CAPE TO KRUGER
Price: R 18095, Sgl Supp: R 790
Day 1 South Africa – Cederberg Mountain Region
Leaving Cape Town we make our first stop at Table View and take photos of Table Mountain from across Table Bay. On the way to the Cederberg we visit !Kwa ttu where we enjoy a San guided tour & museum visit. After the tour, lunch will be prepared and afterwards we continue to our campsite in the Cederberg region. We arrive at our accommodation and your guides will give you a full briefing on the tour.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Marcuskraal: www.marcuskraal.co.za
Day 2 Namaqualand – Gariep (Orange) River
An early start, we head north via the distant town of Springbok, best known for its diamonds, copper and spring flowers. We then proceed to our camp located right beside the Namibian border. The camp is situated on the riverbank that forms the border between South Africa and Namibia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Fiddlers Creek Campsite: www.bushwhacked.co.za
Day 3 Namibia – Gariep (Orange) River - Fish River Canyon
This morning there’s the chance to see the beautiful river valley by canoe or just relax at camp. After lunch we cross the border and travel to the Fish River Canyon. After a scenic walk along the edge of the canyon we enjoy our dinner while watching the sunset. This is also a fantastic photo opportunity. Optional Activities: Half-Day Canoe Adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Hobas Campsite: www.nwr.com.na/hobas.html
Day 4 Namib-Naukluft National Park
We arrive at the Namib-Naukluft National Park and set up camp, then enjoy a short hike into the Sesriem Canyon. Tonight enjoy the star-studded sky and enduring silence of the Namib Desert, only occasionally interrupted by the call of a Jackal or, a rather unique lizard, the barking gecko!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Sesriem Campsite: www.nwr.com.na/sesriem_campsite.html
Day 5 Sossusvlei Dunes - Namib-Naukluft National Park
This is our earliest morning as we prepare for our hike up Dune 45 to marvel at the sunrise. After our hike, we will have the chance to visit Sossusvlei. Later, we join a local expert on a guided hike and learn more about the unique desert ecosystem and how the Bushmen survived in the harsh desert conditions.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Desert Shelter Cha-re: No website available
Day 6 Swakopmund
After a brief photo stop while crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, we travel onto Namibia’s Atlantic coast and the adventure capital, Swakopmund. Often there are flamingos at the Walvis Bay lagoon, just before we arrive in Swakopmund. You will be briefed on the many optional activities available here and then there is time to explore the town before dinner out at one of the local restaurants. Optional Activities: Dinner out
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Dunedin Star Guest House: www.dunedinstar.com
Day 7 Swakopmund
The whole day is free to relax, explore or partake in one of the many activities available here. Most popular are quad biking in the Dunes or Tandem Skydiving. On a clear day’s skydiving you can see all the way to the next day’s destination! Taking a walk around Swakopmund’s shops and having a leisurely lunch is also a great way to spend your day. Optional Activities: Quad biking, Sand boarding, Sky Diving, Scenic flights, Dinner out etc.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Dunedin Star Guest House: www.dunedinstar.com
Day 8 Spitzkoppe
Leaving the coast we drive through arid landscapes to the Spitzkoppe Mountain. The enormous granite monoliths dominate the otherwise flat landscape and we set up camp in the wild plain at the base. This afternoon our guide will take us on a guided walk to explore the unique rock formations. The more adventurous among us may want to try some mountain climbing behind camp for some stunning views of the landscape. Optional activity: Guided hike to the San rock paintings at bushman paradise.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Spitzkoppe Community Campsite:
http://www.namibian.org/travel/community/spitzkoppe.htm
Day 9 Himba Tribes
After some early morning exploration we continue north and drive towards Kamanjab. Today we have the chance to experience life within a Himba tribe. The Himba are a pastoral people and predominantly breed cattle or goats. They are easily recognisable by their unique style of dress. The Himba have been extremely diligent about upholding the roots of their culture, but they are also very curious about visitors to their home.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Kamanjab Camp – no website available
Day 10/11 Etosha National Park
Etosha is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. The sparse grasslands allow great opportunities to see animals normally hidden in dense vegetation. You may even see some of the amazing animals crossing the road in front of your truck! We will go on various game drives, and spend our evenings at the abundant water holes for some excellent game photography. Optional Activities: Night or Dawn Drives in safari vehicles
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Halali and Okaukuejo: www.nwr.com.na/etosha_national_park.html
Day 12 Windhoek
After an early morning game drive we set off towards Windhoek, the Capital city of Namibia. On the way we stop at a popular craft market where you can barter for handmade gifts to take home. Windhoek is not only the capital; it is also the cultural, social and economic centre of the Namibia. On arrival in Windhoek our guide will take us on a short city tour in our truck. Joe’s Beer House is an exciting dining experience for our optional dinner out. Optional Activities: Dinner out.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Hotel Uhland: www.hoteluhland.com
Day 13 Botswana - Ghanzi
After an early start, we cross into Botswana and drive to Ghanzi. After setting up camp we meet with a local Bushman (San) community and experience some traditional tribal dancing.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Ghanzi Trail Blazers: http://ghanzitrailblazers.wheretostay.na/
Day 14 Maun
Our journey takes us from Ghanzi towards Maun. Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta and this afternoon we will prepare for this excursion, packing small 2-night bags. There may be an opportunity this afternoon to visit the local crocodile farm or take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. Optional Activity: Crocodile Farm visit, Scenic Flight (time permitting)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Sitatunga Camp: http://www.deltarain.com/index.php?page=sitatunga-camp
Day 15/16 Maun – Okavango Delta
This morning we board the big 4x4 truck that will take us in to the Delta. In high-water season it is sometimes necessary to take a boat to the poling station where we meet up with the members of a local community who will be showing us their homeland. We spend 2-nights bush camping in the wilderness and, if the water level allows, we will take a mokoro (traditional canoe) trip through the waterways. We will also be going on some nature walks in the hope of seeing some wild animals in their natural habitat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Bush Camp: www.deltarain.com
Day 17 Gweta
We leave the Delta behind us and travel east to Planet Baobab. You can explore the bush around the campsite, lounge by the pool and view some of the region’s oldest Baobab trees.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Planet Baobab Campsite: www.unchartedafrica.com/page.php?p_id=59
Day 18 Botswana - Chobe National Park
We travel to Chobe and this afternoon we enjoy a sunset river cruise, as the animals are best spotted from the Chobe River. Elephants, Hippo, Crocodiles, Eland and many other creatures reside in Chobe so keep your cameras ready.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Thebe River Safaris: www.theberiversafaris.com
Day 19 Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls
On arrival in Victoria Falls we have time to plan the next day’s adventure activities before we visit the spectacular Victoria Falls and experience the thundering of the mighty Zambezi. An optional dinner out is a friendly way to spend the evening with the new friends you’ve made along the way. Optional Activities: Chobe morning game drive, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Dinner out, White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Elephant Excursion, Walking with Lions, Horse Riding and much more...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Vic Falls Adventure Lodge: www.adventurezonevicfalls.com/accommodation.html
Day 20 Victoria Falls
Spend the day White Water Rafting, a not-to-be-missed experience of a lifetime! Vic Falls offers many exciting alternatives such as a walk with lions or a bungee jump from the bridge that joins Zimbabwe with Zambia. Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Elephant Excursion, Walking with Lions, Horse Riding, Dinner out.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Vic Falls Adventure Lodge: www.adventurezonevicfalls.com/accommodation.html
Day 21 Victoria Falls to Palapye / Martinsdrift
Departure is at 6.00 am from Vic Falls Adventure Lodge. We drive south through Botswana to Palapye, or the border post at Martinsdrift, where we will spend the night at a lively campsite. Optional activities: South African Braai (BBQ) / All Meals.
Meals: No meals included
Overnight: Camp Itumela www.campitumela.com
Day 22 Palapye / Martinsdrift to Johannesburg
After another 6.00 am departure, we enter into South Africa. Covering the next 450 – 550 km on sealed roads we should get to Johannesburg as early as possible. Take the time to enjoy one of the many local restaurants located in the area. Optional activities: All meals
Meals: No meals included
Overnight: Garden Court OR Tambo www.southernsun.com/garden-court/or-tambo-international-airport/pages/overview.aspx
Day 23 Kwa Madwala Reserve
An early start from Johannesburg, we travel through the Northern Province of Mpumalanga en route to the breathtaking Kruger National Park. This afternoon we enter the Kwa Madwala Game Reserve just south of the Kruger Park. After settling in we enjoy an evening game drive followed by local dancing and dinner. Look out for those shining eyes and keep your cameras ready!
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Gazebo Game Lodge www.kwamadwala.net/gazebo-game-lodge.html
Day 24 Kruger National Park
Today we start with a morning game walk before proceeding into the Kruger National Park. In the afternoon we enjoy a game drive from the comfort of our Nomad Truck. On the way keep your eyes open for more wildlife. Our truck gives us a more elevated view of the park, and the ability to spot big cats and other smaller game that can be hiding in the vegetation. Optional Activities: Night game drives with SANP Game Ranger (Subject to availability)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: SANP Camp: www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger
Day 25 Kruger National Park
Today we have a full day of game viewing planned in a Kruger National Park open 4x4 vehicle. This gives you some fantastic photo opportunities so keep your eyes open for Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino and Buffalo, known as Africa’s ‘Big Five’ as well as many other species of animals and birds. Optional Activities: Night game drives with SANP Game Ranger (Subject to availability)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: SANP Camp: www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger
Day 26 Panorama Route – Johannesburg
This morning we leave Kruger National Park on our journey back to Johannesburg. We travel along the spectacular Panorama Route. Blyde River Canyon is the 3rd largest canyon in the world, with breathtaking views of formations such as God’s Window and the Three Rondavels. We also see The Bourke’s Luck Potholes, which have been gradually eroded by the Treur River. Your tour ends on arrival in Johannesburg and most groups spend this last night together at a local restaurant. Optional Activities: Morning Game Walk with SANP, Dinner in a local Restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch