Delta, Dunes and Falls

19 days - from $5550

A truly inspiring experience of southern Africa’s natural wonders The dramatic landscape of Table Mountain, as it is towers over the great cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, is one of the most striking views you’ll encounter on the continent. From this impressive introduction we travel north through the verdant hills of Cederberg and the arid, rocky panorama of the Northern Cape to Namibia. Namibia is one of the great surprises of southern Africa, boasting some of the most spectacular and breathtaking desert scenery on earth. The great sand dunes of the Namib Desert, which rear over 300 metres above the desert floor, are a sight never to be forgotten. When one adds some of the world's most weird and wonderful vegetation, the wild Atlantic coast and the famous rock etchings of Twyfelfontein, it all results in a destination of unparalleled diversity. And as no visit to Africa is complete without viewing wildlife, the famous Etosha National Park provides the perfect opportunity to encounter a great array of animal and bird life, the equal of any in Africa. When you combine all of this with a visit to an area containing arguably the most amazing wetlands in the world, namely the wonderful Okavango Delta in neighbouring Botswana, the result is an expedition of extraordinary diversity. The Okavango boasts delightful water-based scenery, often in total contrast to the dry and arid lands which surround it, along with some quite exceptional birding – you don’t have to be an enthusiast to be soon enthralled - and the opportunity to see much of the wildlife which Africa is so justifiably famous for. To complete this magical safari we travel to Livingstone in Zambia to view the spectacular Victoria Falls or 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' as it is locally known, meaning 'The Smoke That Thunders'.

Highlights

• Canoe the Okavango Delta
• The Chobe riverside, Chobe National Park, Botswana
• Dawn in Etosha National Park
• See (and smell) the seals at Cape Cross
• Sunrise at Sossusvlei Dunes
• Swakopmund
• The birds of Mudumu National Park, Namibia
• Cederberg
• Explore Cape Town’s historic heart
• Victoria Falls by moonlight, Livingstone, Zambia

Itinerary:

Day 1: (Sun) Arrive in Cape Town and transfer to hotel.2: Enjoy a San-guided cultural experience in the Western Cape. In season we’ll witness the fields of Namaqualand as they are transformed by a spectacular blanket of coloured wildflowers.3: Crossing into Namibia we explore the picturesque Fish River Canyon – the second largest canyon in the world.4-5: Drive to Namib-Naukluft National Park. Explore the dramatic Sesriem Canyon, Sossusvlei and unique Deadvlei landscape on foot.6-7: Drive through Kuiseb Canyon to the seaside town of Swakopmund. Free time for optional activities including deep-sea fishing, hot-air ballooning and scenic flights.
8: Drive to Cape Cross seal colony. Visit the famous rock paintings of Twyfelfontein.9: Visit a traditional village of the Himba tribe of northern Namibia.10: Optional morning visit to cheetah sanctuary. Drive to Etosha National Park.11-12: Explore the various regions of the park, including Etosha Pan, on game drives. Enjoy flood-lit waterholes at night.13: Continue to our lodge in the lush Caprivi Strip - a region which shares borders with four countries. Optional boat excursion.14-15: Drive to the western edge of the Okavango Delta. Two nights sleeping on a houseboat. Boat trip, mokoro excursion and sunset cruise.16: Depart Botswana. Drive east along Caprivi Strip to Mudumu National Park. Afternoon game drive.17: Enter Chobe National Park. Sunset cruise on Chobe River. Overnight in mobile tented camp.18: Morning game drive in Chobe. Enter Zambia. Drive to Livingstone. Guided tour of Victoria Falls.19: Tour ends this morning in Livingstone (Thu).
Included: An experienced English-speaking local Peregrine leader, an experienced driver, specialist local guides, arrival transfer, transport, accommodation, meals, game activities and entrance fees.
Not Included:

International flights, airport departure taxes, departure transfer, visas, meals unless specified in the itinerary, insurance, laundry, any optional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.

This trip includes 1 day in Mudumu National Park, 1 day in Namib-Naukluft National Park, 1 day in Chobe National Park, 3 days in the Okavango Delta area, 3 days in Etosha National Park and a visit to Victoria Falls in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.