Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

The Great Trek

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Detailed Trip Description

This in-depth tour of Botswana and Namibia combines visits to exciting wildlife areas with active explorations of natural geologic features. Visit Etosha National Park, the Okavango Delta, Fish River Canyon, Chobe River and the oldest desert on earth, the Namib, whose red dunes are the highest in the world. This exciting overland tour begins in Cape Town and ends in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Cape Town

 
Arrive in Cape Town.
Hotel

Upon arrival in Cape Town, you will be met at the airport and transferred the Breakwater Lodge, or similar, for your overnight.

Cape Town Hotel picture
Sightseeing

Set against the majestic Table Mountain, Cape toTown offers scenic, historic and cultural attractions. In the evening, you will meet your guide and travel companions in the hotel lobby.


Day 2 - Cape Town

 
Sightseeing

Depart from Breakwater Lodge at 8:00 am, for a full day peninsula tour. Driving along the Atlantic seaboard via Hout Bay and Chapmans Peak, you will visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve, returning along the Indian Ocean coastline and make your way back to the lodge.

Cape Town Sightseeing picture
Sightseeing

A morning or afternoon cable car ascent up Table Mountain is included (weather dependent).

Food and Dining

Dinner can be enjoyed at the bustling Waterfront (own expense).

Hotel

Return to the Breakwater Lodge, or similar, for your overnight. Meals: Breakfast


Day 3 - Cape Town

 
Namaqualand.
Camping

An early departure will take you up the West Coast via Namaqualand, to the campsite near in the heart of the Namaqualand region.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 4 - Namibia

 
Fish River Canyon.
Private Car Service

Cross the border into Namibia. After lunch, you will have a short drive to the Fish River Canyon, one of the most staggering sights in Africa (second in size to the Grand Canyon of America).

Sightseeing

After setting up camp, enjoy a walk along the rim of the canyon and watch the changing colors of sunset over the canyon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 5-6 - Sesriem

 
Namib Desert - Sossusvlei - Sesriem.
Camping

Today your journey will take you north through ever changing scenery, to your camp located on the edge of the Namib Desert.

Sightseeing

Enjoy a sunset walk on the dunes surrounding camp. The following morning, you will have an early departure for Sossusvlei, stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colors of the world’s highest sand dunes. You will undertake a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei.

Hiking

In the afternoon, take another short hike through the Sesriem Canyon. Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners


Day 7-8 - Swakopmund

 
Walvis Bay - Swakopmund.
Food and Dining

Heading north, you will reach the coast at Walvis Bay, and enjoy lunch while viewing the many flamingos.

Sightseeing

Arrive in Swakopmund, and spend the afternoon exploring this German colonial town or book one of the numerous optional excursions (all activities booked locally) for the following day.

Ballooning

Activities available may include sand-boarding, quad biking, skydiving, kayaking, hot air ballooning or scenic flights over the vast Namib Desert.

Hotel

Accommodation in bungalows or guest house. Meals: 2 Breakfasts, Lunch


Day 9 - Namibia

 
Spitzkoppe.
Relaxation

The morning is spent at leisure enjoying the town of Swakopmund or the various optional activities.

Camping

After lunch, you will continue north and set up camp among the boulders of the Spitzkoppe Mountains. The spectacular setting of your remote bush-camp is sure to leave a lasting impression. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 10 - Namibia

 
Damaraland - Twyfelfontein.
Private Car Service

Drive inland through the Damaraland region with its vast and rugged terrain.

Sightseeing

Its mountain ranges are intercepted by wide gravel plains which run into sandy, vegetated riverbeds and hot, dry valleys. Visit the Twyfelfontein area for walks to the bushmen paintings/ rock engravings as well as the Organ Pipes. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 11 - Namibia

 
Himba Visit - Etosha National Park.
Sightseeing

In the morning, you will visit the Himba people, a semi-nomadic tribe living in scattered settlements throughout the region. They are characterized by their proud yet friendly stature, and the women are noted for their beauty, enhanced by intricate hairstyles and traditional dress.

National Parks

A few hours are spent learning more about these fascinating people, then proceed to Etosha National Park for your first game drive.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 12-13 - Namibia

 
Etosha National Park.
National Parks

Etosha National Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa, with thousands of wild animals such as blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion and elephant making this area their home.

Safari

Floodlit water-holes at Okaukuejo and Namutoni campsites attract an abundance of animals throughout the evening, providing many amazing wildlife sightings. Enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives. Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners


Day 14-15 - Okavango

 
Okavango River.
Camping

Enter the Caprivi Strip where camp will be set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Okavango River.

Sightseeing

Enjoy sunset on the deck, or a swim in the famous “river pool."

Sightseeing

The following afternoon, relax on a sunset mokoro excursion whilst enjoying the prolific bird and animal life of the Okavango. Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners


Day 16 - Namibia

 
BwaBwata National Park - Kwando River.
National Parks

Driving through the BwaBwata National Park (formally Caprivi Game Reserve) you will stop for a guided tour at a traditional Caprivi village and have a chance to buy their famous weavings before setting up camp on the banks of the Kwando River.

Safari

Elephant and hippo can be viewed from the deck overlooking the river. Take an afternoon boat excursion in search of the many wild animals that inhabit the park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 17-18 - Livingstone

 
Livingstone - Victoria Falls.
Private Car Service

Travel across the Zambia (or Zimbabwe) border to Victoria Falls - without doubt one of the greatest and most spectacular sights in Africa.

Adventure

Days are spent at leisure to browse the local markets, to experience the many optional activities on offer in the adrenaline capital of Africa, including white water rafting, bungee jumping, micro-lighting/ airplane or helicopter flights over the Falls, rhino walks, elephant back safaris, and to visit the Falls (all activities booked locally).
Note: You have the option of ending this tour in Livingstone / Victoria Falls on the morning of day 19 or continue as follows:
Meals: 2 Breakfasts, Lunch, Dinner


Day 19 - Chobe

 
Chobe River.
Camping

Crossing into Botswana via the Zambezi River pontoon, you will set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River.

River, Barge or Yacht Cruise

Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of animals and bird-life. Relax and enjoy the incredible scenery during a game viewing sunset cruise on the Chobe River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 20 - Botswana

 
Nata (Makgadikgadi Pans).
Sightseeing

After arriving in Nata, you will visit the Makgadikgadi Pans (weather permitting) for a truly unforgettable sunset over what remains of an ancient 6500km² lake. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 21 - Botswana

 
Limpopo Area.
Camping

Today you will install camp for the last night near the mighty Limpopo River, which forms the border between Botswana and South Africa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 22 - Johannesburg

 
Sightseeing

Travel via the ‘Jacaranda City’ of Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, and home of the famous Union Buildings, ending in Johannesburg around 4:00 p.m. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch


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