African Wilderness in Comfort

PRE TOUR: 3 April 2011 Cape Town
Arrive in Cape Town, South Africa for a pre tour hotel stay. Additional expenses apply for hotel stay. The group hotel may be selected or you are free to make your own arrangements.

DAY 1: 4 April 2011 Cape Town
Set against the majestic Table Mountain, Cape Town offers scenic, historic and cultural attractions. Depart from Breakwater Lodge at 0800 hours, for a full day's peninsula tour. Driving along the Atlantic seaboard via Hout Bay and Chapman's Peak, we visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve, returning along the Indian Ocean coastline back to our well situated Waterfront hotel. A morning or afternoon cable car ascent up Table Mountain is included (weather dependent). Dinner can be enjoyed at the bustling Waterfront at your own expense.
Overnight Breakwater Lodge (or similar).
Meals: NIL

DAY 2: 5 April 2011 Calvinia (Hantam region)
Upon departing Cape Town we pass through the picturesque Namaqualand region arriving in the historic town of Calvinia, nestled at the foot of the Hantam Mountain range.
Overnight Hantam Huis (or similar)
Meals: B

DAY 3: 6 April 2011 Augrabies Falls National Park
Leaving the Little Karoo we head north to the Augrabies Falls National Park. We pass through a lush oasis area with an abundance of wine farms. Here the mighty Orange River plummets 56 metres into the gorge below. The local name for these majestic falls is ‘Aukoerebis' or ‘place of great noise'. We spend the afternoon enjoying the falls from its many viewpoints.
Overnight Vergelegen Guest House (or similar accommodation).
Meals: B               

DAY 4-5:  7-8 April 2011 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Leaving Augrabies Falls National Park we head north into the Kalahari and the magnificent Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Covering over 3.6 million hectares this is one of the largest reserves in Africa. Due to sparse vegetation in the area excellent predator sightings are common including that of the famous black- maned Lion.
Overnight Kgalagadi Restcamp chalets (or similar)
Meals: B

DAY 6-7: 9-10 April 2011 Fish River Canyon
Leaving the Kalahari region we head west and enter Namibia, then arrive at our lodge situated in a scenically beautiful area. The following morning is free to relax and in the afternoon we visit the Fish River Canyon, which is one of the largest and most awe inspiring canyons in the world.
Overnight Vogelstrausskluft Country Lodge (or similar accommodation).
Meals: B,D

DAY 8-9: 11-12 April 2011 Sesriem
Our journey takes us north through ever changing scenery to our accommodation located on the edge of the Namib Desert. The following morning is an early departure for Sossusvlei, stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colours of the world's highest sand dunes. We undertake a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. In the afternoon we enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon.
Overnight Desert Camp (or similar accommodation).
Meals: B,D

DAY 10-11: 13-14 April 2011 Swakopmund
We reach the coast at Walvis Bay and enjoy lunch while viewing the many flamingos feeding. We arrive in Swakopmund and spend the afternoon and following day exploring this German colonial town or booking one of the numerous optional excursions (own expense). Activities available include sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving, kayaking, hot air ballooning or scenic flights over the vast Namib Desert.
Overnight Swakopmund Boutique Hotel (or similar accommodation).
Meals: B

DAY 12: 15 April 2011 Damaraland/ Twyfelfontein
We drive inland through the Damaraland region with its vast and rugged terrain. Its mountain ranges are intercepted by wide gravel plains, which run into sandy, vegetated riverbeds and hot, dry valleys. We visit the Twyfelfontein area for walks to the Bushmen paintings and rock engravings as well as the Organ Pipes. Our lodge is located on top of a mountain with absolutely spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Overnight Ugab Terrace Lodge (or similar accommodation).
Meals: B,D

DAY 13: 16 April 2011 Himba Visit/Etosha National Park
In the morning we visit the Himba tribe, a semi-nomadic tribe, living in scattered settlements throughout the region. They are characterised by their proud yet friendly stature and the women are noted for their unusual beauty, enhanced by intricate hairstyles and traditional dress. A few hours are spent learning more about these fascinating people. After our visit we proceed to Etosha National Park where we enjoy our first game drive.
Overnight Etosha Restcamp Chalets (or similar)
Meals: B,D

DAY 14: 17 April 2011 Etosha National Park
This Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa with thousands of wild animals such as the blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion and elephant, making this area their home. The day is spent on a remarkable game drive through the Park from the Western to the Eastern side of the Park.
Overnight Halali Restcamp inside Etosha National Park (or similar accommodation).
Meals: B,D

DAY 15-16: 18-19 April 2011 Okavango River
We enter the Caprivi Strip where we spend the night set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Okavango River. Enjoy sunset on the deck or a swim in the famous "river pool". The following day is free for optional excursions (own account) such as bird walks, game drives, mokoro excursions*. Overnight Ngepi Camp (or similar accommodation).

*Please note that World Expeditions has not included the canoe trip as an option in this package, and strongly advises against participation on the canoe trip because of safety concerns - the proximity on the river to dangerous wildlife, particularly the hippopotamus. If you chose to undertake this with other local contractors, you do so against our advice and entirely at your own risk.
Meals: B,D

DAY 17-18:  20-21 April 2011 Chobe River
Crossing into Botswana via the Chobe National Park we overnight on the banks of the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. We relax on a beautiful sunset game-viewing cruise on the Chobe River. Optional Game Drive (own account).
Overnight Chobe Safari Lodge (or similar accommodation).
Meals: B,D

DAY 19-20: 22-23 April 2011 Livingstone / Victoria Falls
And now we travel across the Zambian border to Livingstone, to view Victoria Falls - without doubt one of the greatest and most spectacular sights in Africa. Days are spent at leisure to browse the local markets, to experience the many optional activities on offer in the adrenalin capital of Africa, including white water rafting, bungi jumping, microlighting, airplane or helicopter flights over the Falls, rhino walks, elephant back safaris, and to visit the Falls (own expense).
Overnight Protea Hotel Livingstone (or similar accommodation).
Meals: B

Link to sightseeing tours, Livingstone, Zambia