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Vic Falls to Cape Town

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Vic Falls to Cape Town

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Description

Experience the extremes of southern Africa’s landscapes on this trip that travels from the thunderous Victoria Falls to cosmopolitan Cape Town, travel down lush waterways in the enigmatic Okavango Delta, cruise past elephants and birds on the Chobe River, climb giant sand dunes in Namibia, camp to the sounds of Africa’s wildlife and spot big cats, rhinos, zebras and antelopes on Etosha National Park’s arid plains. Visit the people who make their homes here, from mokoro polers on the delta to the San people of Namibia.

Trip Name
Vic Falls to Cape Town
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
22
Capacity
22
Highlights
  • Glide through the lily pad-filled waterways of the Okavango Delta on a mokoro (a small dugout canoe) and escape civilisation with an overnight stay at your island camp.
  • Be mesmerised by the staggering force and beauty of Victoria Falls, and experience firsthand why it’s known as the ‘smoke that thunders’ – a natural wonder that must be seen to be believed.
  • Choose to take an optional cruise down the Chobe River for the opportunity to get up close (but not too personal) to cheetahs, crocodiles and the African elephant.
  • Listen to the songs and stories of Namibia’s San people, the oldest inhabitants of southern Africa, and gain an insight into their traditional customs and beliefs.
  • Enjoy a full-day game drive in Etosha National Park, home to a wide range of southern Africa's wildlife, including the endangered black rhino.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. Donations help employ a team of Community Guardians who collaborate with locals to find sustainable solutions to human-wildlife conflict and conservation in Southern Africa.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. ROAD CONDITIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFRICA: Roads in Africa are often in very poor condition, which makes it hard on our vehicles. Our vehicles are serviced regularly and are generally in good condition, but breakdowns can and do happen. Sometimes the going on this trip is quite tough, the distances covered fairly large and some of the roads and tracks are not exactly smooth or free from dust, but the rewards are exceptional. The travelling times indicated in our Essential Trip Information is just a rough guide and is dependent on various factors that may be outside our control, such as road conditions, weather and time spent at borders. DRIVE TIMES: The travel times listed in the day to day itinerary are a guide only. Please be aware that delays may occur and please be patient - it's all part of the experience afterall! Additionally, the travel times do not include time spent on game drives as these can vary with each departure. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. URBAN ADVENTURES: Join us for the Best. Day. Ever. Urban Adventures are for those who want to get away from the tourist crowds and really connect with a city, with a local by their side. The experience can be as short as a couple of hours, or as long as a whole day, but in every case our Urban Adventures tours take travellers to interesting places to experience local culture and see what makes a place unique. If you are travelling before or after your trip with us and would like to book an Urban Adventure in advance, please contact your booking agent or use this link: http://www.urbanadventures.com/?aff=2226. While on tour with us, your leader can assist in booking other Urban Adventures.

Day 1 - Victoria Falls
Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 4 pm where you'll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, there are many optional activities and sights to see around Victoria Falls. Tonight, maybe ask your leader for the best dinner recommendation and toast to a new adventure.
Day 2 - Victoria Falls
Today you have the option of visiting the magnificent Victoria Falls. Spanning about a mile wide across and falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below, the spray from the falls can sometimes be seen from kilometres away. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by mist, and it's possible to see little islets in the river below. To fully understand the sheer force of this staggering curtain of water, it needs to be experienced in person. It's no wonder that the local name Mosi oa Tunya means the 'smoke that thunders'. Alternatively, your leader will be able to recommend a range of other activities that are available.
Day 3 - Chobe National Park
This morning is free for you to continue enjoying all that Victoria Falls has to offer. Afterwards, travel to Chobe National Park in Botswana via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, one of The Intrepid Foundation’s projects. Here you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. Continue your journey to Botswana's first national park, which is famous for its high concentration of elephants, so keep an eye out! They can often be seen swimming in the Chobe River.
Day 4 - Chobe National Park
Rise and shine for an early-morning game drive. Adventuring through the park, you will get the opportunity to get up close to the wildlife – with luck you will spot a variety of animals and any number of exotic birds. As well as the Chobe icon, the elephant, the river also attracts hippos and crocodiles – the latter like to sun themselves by the water's edge. Cheetahs also come down for a drink. The birdwatching is excellent here too – look out for eagles, kingfishers and marabou storks, among hundreds of other species. In the afternoon perhaps take an optional cruise down the Chobe River – one of the best ways to enjoy the park's animals.
Day 5 - Bagani
Today you will enter Namibia, driving from Kasane to Ngoma Bridge, and on to your camp at Bagani. Enjoy the journey, watching the scenery change with towns, trees and skies rolling past you. Bagani is the homestead of the local Mbukushu kings. You will have the opportunity to stop at an ATM and a market or shop today.
Day 6 - Okavango Delta
Drive across the border into Botswana and head south along the Okavango Panhandle (the narrowest part of the delta) to Seronga. Here you'll leave your vehicle and join your transport for the journey into the delta. Take a boat across the swamps to Gao Island to meet your mokoro team and start exploring the Okavango Delta with them. Each mokoro (small dugout canoe) takes two people and is poled along through the waterways by a local tribesman. Reeds and lily pads line the streams, and birds startled by the mokoros rise out of the long grasses. Punting along, you'll hear hippos occasionally piercing the peaceful atmosphere with their grunts. On the first night here, you'll camp on an island well away from civilisation.
Day 7 - Okavango Delta
Continue your trip around the delta and then return to Gao Island before heading to the relative civilisation of Umvuvu Camp. This camp usually has hot showers, and there's a small bar at which you can relax and perhaps enjoy a refreshing sundowner. Today there is an option to take a nature walk with your guide. This is a great chance to discover the beautiful natural surrounds, gain some insight into the history of the local area and look out for animals such as giraffe, zebra and elephants.
Day 8 - Bagani
Cross the border back into Namibia and return to Bagani to camp for the night. Various boat trips and guided hikes are possible from Bagani, so if you're feeling active, get out and make the most of it. Those who are feeling bold might even be able to challenge the local kids to a soccer match – don't expect to win though! Retire to your camp in the evening and enjoy this welcome break from the road.
Day 9 - Grootfontein
Drive to your camp situated 50 km outside of Grootfontein. The town of Grootfontein, part of the Otavi Triangle, tends to get very green in the warmer months but dries out markedly in the winter. If it's springtime, you'll likely see jacarandas in bloom.
Day 10 - Grootfontein/San people
Embark on a 180-km (112-mile) round-trip to visit the San people. The oldest inhabitants of southern Africa, the San, have lived in this region for at least 20,000 years. Listen to their stories and songs and learn how those who still adhere to a traditional way of life emphasise the importance of living in harmony with the environment.
Day 11 - Etosha National Park
Travel to Etosha National Park this morning. While Etosha National Park is home to a wide range of southern Africa's wildlife, including the big carnivores and five rare or endangered species: black rhino, Hartmann's mountain zebra, black-faced impala, roan antelope and the tiny Damara dik-dik. Game viewing in Etosha is relatively easy due to the man-made waterholes and the large, sparsely vegetated pans. The bushland surrounding the pans is difficult to see through, but there are enough clearings, pans and waterholes to usually allow for some sightings. Embark on an optional evening game drive here in the evening, then spend the night at Namutoni. Accommodation upgrades are on offer here.
Day 12 - Etosha National Park
Enjoy a full-day game drive in Etosha National Park. Namibia has protected its game reserves against poaching, which means significant numbers of elephants, antelope and other herbivores reside here. The park is also home to some 340 species of birds – keep an eye to the sky where you might spot a soaring eagle. Tonight, you will stay at the particularly spectacular Okaukuejo Camp. The camp overlooks a floodlit waterhole visited by many different species throughout the day and night. Upgrades are not available at this location tonight.
Day 13 - Spitzkoppe
Travel to the mountain of Spitzkoppe today. The wild lands around this superb granite peak are some of Namibia's most stunning. The mountain itself is 700 million years old and 1987 m (6519 ft) high. Although you shouldn't try to climb to the top, the area is rich in plant life and with some bush paintings to be found. Be sure to look out for the sunset from your bush camp this evening – the landscape is known to take on dazzling hues of orange and red.
Day 14 - Swakopmund
Continue to the town of Swakopmund. Be dazzled by the sight, sound and smell of thousands of olive-coloured seals on the shores of Cape Cross while you're travelling up the Atlantic Coast. You'll be able to stop along the way to access an ATM and market if you need some supplies.
Day 15 - Swakopmund
Surrounded by the massive dune fields of the Namib Desert on three sides and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, Swakopmund is an example of the German culture found in all major settlements in Namibia. With your free time, maybe wander the streets and explore at your own pace or ask your leader for recommendations on activities and dining options.
Day 16 - Swakopmund
Today is another free day to enjoy this fun beachside town. If you're after a dose of history and culture, you can stop in at the lighthouse and visit the Swakopmund Museum. Active types and thrillseekers might like to take advantage of the many outdoor activities on offer – this town is the adventure sports mecca of Namibia.
Day 17 - Sesriem
Drive to Sesriem, your base for exploring the incredible Namib Desert region. The most famous part of the Namib Desert is its vast dune fields, the most spectacular of which are found near the Sesriem Canyon. This canyon was formed when the Tsauchab River carved a gorge 30 metres into the gravel deposits about 15 million years ago. Now, the river flows out to the dune fields that stretch for hundreds of miles up the coast and dries up in a clay pan at Sossusvlei. The dunes – the highest in the world – are stunning, with magnificent flaming tones created by the brightly coloured sands.
Day 18 - Sossusvlei/Konkiep River
Wake up before dawn and scramble to the top of the dunes for a dramatic sunrise view across a vast sea of sand. The colour changes are simply incredible and provide a spectacular setting for your brunch. Afterwards you will jump in the back of a pickup truck for a trip to Sossusvlei, the incredible salt and clay pan just nearby. Enjoy some time to explore this incredible and mysterious desert oddity. Later, continue to your camp past the small town of Bethanie. Your camp has basic facilities, with showers, flush toilets, wi-fi and optional upgrades.
Day 19 - Fish River Canyon
Check out the town of Bethanie before heading further south into the vast desert lands of Namibia towards Fish River Canyon. At 500 m deep and over 160 km long, Fish River Canyon is one of the very largest canyons in the world. During the dry season, the riverbed tends to dry out completely, leaving only a few puddles. In the wet season, after the summer rains, the river can turn into a spectacular raging torrent. At any time of year there are remarkable photographic opportunities here as you watch the colour of the granite rocks change as the sun goes down.
Day 20 - Orange River
Departing Fish River Canyon, travel to Noordoewer in southern Namibia. Pitch your tent on the scenic banks of the Gariep (Orange) River, which stretches 2200 kilometres (1367 miles) – the longest river in Lesotho. The river’s source is high up in the Drakensberg mountain range, and it flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay in South Africa. The Orange River is responsible for transporting diamonds and creating the deposits that can be found along the Namibian coast.
Day 21 - Western Cape
Depart your camp first thing in the morning and head to Klawer, a town named after the Afrikaans word for a wild clover blooming after rainfall. The surrounding countryside is beautiful, and if there's time, you’ll have the opportunity to explore some of it. Perhaps take a delightful walk around the nearby mountains and farms before settling in for a relaxing evening.
Day 22 - Cape Town
Head to Cape Town this morning, where your trip will come to an end. With its stunning coastline, modern cityscape, nearby mountains and a plethora of vineyards within reach, this is one of Africa's most exciting cities. There's no accommodation provided for tonight, but this can be arranged – please enquire at the time of booking this trip.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
13-12-202403-01-2025AUD $ 3,788-
27-12-202417-01-2025AUD $ 3,640-
04-04-202525-04-2025AUD $ 3,596-
02-05-202523-05-2025AUD $ 3,740-
16-05-202506-06-2025AUD $ 3,740-
13-06-202504-07-2025AUD $ 3,740-
27-06-202518-07-2025AUD $ 3,740-
11-07-202501-08-2025AUD $ 3,740-
25-07-202515-08-2025AUD $ 3,884-
01-08-202522-08-2025AUD $ 3,884-
15-08-202505-09-2025AUD $ 3,884-
29-08-202519-09-2025AUD $ 3,884-
12-09-202503-10-2025AUD $ 3,884-
26-09-202517-10-2025AUD $ 3,884-
10-10-202531-10-2025AUD $ 3,596-
24-10-202514-11-2025AUD $ 3,596-
14-11-202505-12-2025AUD $ 3,596-
05-12-202526-12-2025AUD $ 3,596-
19-12-202509-01-2026AUD $ 4,495-
02-01-202623-01-2026AUD $ 4,720-
06-03-202627-03-2026AUD $ 4,720-
03-04-202624-04-2026AUD $ 4,720-
01-05-202622-05-2026AUD $ 4,910-
15-05-202605-06-2026AUD $ 4,910-
12-06-202603-07-2026AUD $ 4,910-
26-06-202617-07-2026AUD $ 4,910-
10-07-202631-07-2026AUD $ 5,095-
24-07-202614-08-2026AUD $ 5,095-
31-07-202621-08-2026AUD $ 5,095-
14-08-202604-09-2026AUD $ 5,095-
28-08-202618-09-2026AUD $ 5,095-
11-09-202602-10-2026AUD $ 5,095-
25-09-202616-10-2026AUD $ 5,095-
09-10-202630-10-2026AUD $ 4,910-
23-10-202613-11-2026AUD $ 4,910-
13-11-202604-12-2026AUD $ 4,720-
04-12-202625-12-2026AUD $ 4,720-
18-12-202608-01-2027AUD $ 4,720-
01-01-202722-01-2027AUD $ 4,495-

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (17 nights),Camping (without facilities) (1 night),Cabin (3 nights)

Transport

Overland vehicle,4x4 Safari Vehicle,Mokoro

Map