Northern Experience - Half Accommodated

Day 1: Cape Town, South Africa   
Arrival in Cape Town.  You have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Lady Hamilton Hotel or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant, bar and swimming pool)

Day 2:  Cape Town to Cedarberg Mountains, South Africa
An early start from the Lady Hamilton Hotel takes us to the beach on the Atlantic Ocean to have a last look at Table Mountain across the bay. After lunch we head for the Cedarberg Mountains, bypassing Citrusdal, a rural village set amongst lush green citrus orchards. [BLD]

Accommodation: Gecko Creek Accommodation or similar (Cabins, separate wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool)

Day 3 & 4: Cedarberg to Orange River, Namibia
Travelling up the West Coast, we pass through some magnificent mountain ranges on our way to the Orange River. If you are travelling in spring you will see the spectacular carpets of wildflowers in the famous Namaqualand region. Later in the afternoon we will reach the Orange River, the natural border between South Africa and Namibia.  The next day the only travelling is done in a canoe. Put your feet up and relax as the currents take you downstream the Orange River – mind the rapids though! [BLD, BLD]

Accommodation: Felix Unite Camp Provenance or similar (chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar)   

Day 5: Ai-Ais & Fish River Canyon, Namibia 
Today we head off for Ai-Ais, where we stop for lunch. Here thermal water rich in sulphates and fluorides and with a temperature of approx 60°C, gushes forth from the springs.. In the Nama language, "Ai-Ais" means "burning water".
We then head onto Canon Road House close to the Fish River Canyon. Later in the evening we take in another perfect African sunset with the magnificent views and scenery along the edge of the Canyon.  [BLD]

Accommodation: Canon Roadhouse Campsite or similar (tents, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool and convenience store).

Day 6 & 7: Sossusvlei, Namibia
Moving inland we make our way towards the Namib Naukluft National Park.  This evening we embark on a wild cat walk at the lodge.  The next morning we need to wake up early to visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. At sunrise and sunset these dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake).  We also stop to view the Sesriem Canyon, which was carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River. [BLD, BL]

Accommodation: Hammerstein Lodge or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 8 & 9: Namib Naukluft National Park to Swakopmund, Namibia   
The day is spent driving through the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way to Swakopmund.  The Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit. It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world; sightings of this flora and fauna on a Namibian safari are a must. The animals of this harsh landscape include the Oryx, springbok and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. One can also see the Welwitschia mirabilis which is an odd-looking desert shrub and one of these ‘shrubs’ is a large, protected specimen estimated at over 1 500 years old.  We arrive into the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, where you will have the opportunity to partake in a few of the many optional activities that are offered over the next two days. Alternatively just soak up the atmosphere of this little quaint German town and enjoy its beauty and beaches.[BL, B]

Accommodation: A la Mer or similar (Rooms with en-suite  bathrooms; Restaurant, bars, laundry service and Internet cafe in town).

Day 10: Cape Cross Seal Colony and Brandberg, Namibia
We follow the barren Atlantic Coast line on our way out of Swakopmund to visit Africa’s largest seal colony after lunch. The seal colony at Cape Cross is the breeding place of the Cape fur seals, which are actually a species of sea lion. Along the Namibian and South African coast there are 24 colonies with a seal population of about 650 000 animals. At Cape Cross live about 80 000 to 100 000 seals.
Leaving the cold Atlantic coastline behind we the head inland across the desert plains for Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia. Either this afternoon or the next morning we walk up a valley on Brandberg and visit the famous ‘White Lady’ rock painting. [BLD]

Accommodation: Camping at Brandberg White Lady Lodge or similar (tent, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 11: Twyfelfontein, Petrified Forest and Himba Village, Namibia 
An early morning start takes us from Brandberg to our first stops at Twyfelfontein and Petrified Forest. Our final destination for the day will be Kamanjab. Depending on the time of arrival we go and explore a traditional Himba Village that afternoon or the next morning. This will be a journey of culture exchange and learning and understanding of our last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba. [BLD]

Accommodation: Porcupine Camp or similar (camping, wash rooms with hot water, bar and swimming pool).

Day 12: Kamanjab to Etosha National Park, Namibia 
After our cultural experience in Kamanjab, we head to Etosha National Park. Lunch is eaten close to the small German town of Outjo where we relax and have the opportunity to visit an Internet cafe. Our final destination for the day is Etosha. As the sun sets and late into the night, the group has the opportunity to watch animals drink at floodlit waterholes. [BLD]

Accommodation: Okaukuejo or similar (Camping, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool and convenience stores)

Days 13 & 14: Etosha National Park, Namibia   
We fill the next 2 days with game drives, including evening game viewing at floodlit waterholes. In the mornings we have the opportunity to take game drive at sunrise. At all three camps, Namutoni, Okaukuejo and Halali you can take a swim in the swimming pool or as the sun sets, and late into the night, the group can watch animals drink at the floodlit waterhole. [BLD,BLD]

Accommodation: Namutoni or Halali or similar (Camping, washrooms with hot water, swimming pool and convenience store).

Day 15 & 16: Etosha to Kavango River, Namibia 
Leaving Etosha we head to Rundu and onto n’Kwazi River Camp, which is on the banks of the Kavango River over looking Angola. A sunset cruise, horse riding, traditional dancing in the evening as well as visiting a local village are optional or you can just put your feet up and relax on the banks of the river as the sun sets. [BL. BL}

Accommodation: N’Kwazi River Camp or similar (Chalets, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool and laundry service available)

Days 17 & 18: Kavango River to Okavango Delta, Botswana
We leave Namibia for Etsha 13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We will be transferred to our camp in the Delta. The next day is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes). The Delta is a well-preserved gem of Africa with a vast oasis of crystal clear lakelets, lagoons and palm-fringed islands.  [BLD,BLD]

Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp or similar (Camping, wash rooms with hot water and bar).

Day 19: Eastern Caprivi, Namibia 
Leaving Botswana, we drive up the Western border of the Okavango Delta before crossing over into Namibia and driving through the Caprivi to our camp on the banks of the Kwando River. In the afternoon you will go on a game drive to the Mudumo National Park. In contrast to the rest of Namibia, the area is lush with riverine forest, marshes, dense savannah and mopane woodland. [BLD]

Accommodation: Camp Kwando (Chalets with en-suite open-air bathrooms, bar and swimming pool).

Day 20: Chobe National Park, Botswana
The next morning we depart from Camp Kwando, head along the Caprivi and cross the border back into Botswana to drive through Chobe National Park to our camp on the Chobe River. In the afternoon you will go on a sunset cruise along the banks on the Chobe National Park. We spend the night on the banks of the Chobe River listening to the calls of Africa. [BLD]

Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, bar and swimming pool)

Day 21: Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 
A mid morning departure takes you from Chobe to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. In the afternoon we explore the Victoria Falls on a guided tour. [BL]

Accommodation: Lokuthula Lodges or similar(Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant and bar)

Day 22: End of tour 
The tour ends after breakfast this morning.  We can arrange an airport transfer on request (own expense).  We hope to welcome you on one of our African adventures soon. [B]