African Safari Lodge: From Cape Town to the Victoria Falls

African Safari Lodge: From Cape Town to the Victoria Falls

Our Signature and most popular tour, the Cape Town to Victoria Falls 20 day tour, highlights Southern Africa’s most incredible sights. Begin your tour at spectacular Table Mountain in Cape Town and travel all the way up to the barren salty flats of the Etosha Pans in Namibia. On the way we will stop to watch the sunrise from the top of Dune 45 in Sossusvlei, paddle down the Orange River in Namibia and visit the bustling town of Swakopmund. From Etosha we travel to Botswana where you can take a Mokoro ride through the Okavango Delta and then watch the sunset on a boat cruise on the Chobe River before finishing your tour in Victoria Falls, the ultimate way to experience Africa!

Our tours come with an Activity Package. This is an optional additional payment that covers what we consider to be ‘essential activities’ on our tours and therefore this itinerary has been written with these items included in the day-by-day itinerary. Ideally we would include all of these, but not everyone can afford this.

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 arrival at our camp, we will enjoy a guided hike in the Cederberg region. Later tonight at our camp, your guides will give you a full briefing on the tour.

Day 2 - Namaqualand - Gariep (Orange) River

After an early start, we continue 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.

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.

Fish River Canyon - Namibia

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 we 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!

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.

Sossusvlei Dunes - Namibia

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. Just before we arrive in Swakopmund, we stop at the Walvis bay lagoon en route, where there are often flamingos to be seen. You will be briefed on the many optional activities available here and there is time to explore the town before dinner out at one of the local restaurants

Day 7 - Swakopmund

The whole day is free to relax, explore or partake in one of the many activities available here. Most popular activities 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.

Day 8 - Spitzkoppe

Leaving the coast we drive through arid landscapes to Spitzkoppe Mountain. The enormous granite monoliths dominate the otherwise flat landscape and we set up camp in the wild plain at the base of the mountain. 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 for some stunning views of the landscape.

Day 9 - Himba Tribe

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 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.

Himba Damaraland Namibia

Day 10 - 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 waterholes for some excellent game photography.

Day 11 - Etosha National Park

Today we spend the day game viewing through the Etosha National Park from the comfort of our Truck.

Elephants Etosha National Park Namibia

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 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.

Day 13 - Botswana - Ghazi 2014

After an early start, we say goodbye to Namibia and cross the Botswana border. Later we arrive at our lodge in Ghanzi and this evening we experience some traditional tribal dancing from the local San community.

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 take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.

Day 15 - Maun - Okavango Delta

This morning we board the big 4×4 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.

Day 16 - Okavango Delta

Today we will continue exploring the Okavango Delta by mokoro (traditional canoe) and a enjoy a nature walk.

Okavango Delta Botswana

Day 17 - Nata

We leave the Delta behind us and travel east towards the town of Nata, near the Makgadikgadi Pans. The shady tree canopy surrounding the lodge is a hive of activity, with a bird feeding area and active water feature providing the bird watcher with the opportunity of viewing a variety of species from the comfort of the pool deck. The Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Francolin, Yellow Hornbill, Pied and Arrowmarked Babblers, Glossy Starling, Meyers Parrot and Paradise Whydah are just some of the species you may encounter during your stay at the lodge.

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.

Chobe National Park Botswana

Day 19 - Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls

On arrival in Victoria Falls town, 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 all the new friends you’ve made along the way.

Day 20 - Victoria Falls

Although your tour officially ends after breakfast, most people will spend the day White Water Rafting, a not-to-be-missed experience of a lifetime! Vic Falls offers many exciting activities so we recommend you add a post-tour night here.

Victoria Falls National Park