Itinerary
- Day 1
Cape Town
After landing at Cape Town Airport, you'll head to your hotel and connect with your guide at 1 pm. Table Mountain is next on the agenda, and you'll hike up to take in views across the city and the Atlantic Ocean (assuming the weather cooperates). You'll be staying at the AHA Harbour Bridge Hotel for the next 2 nights.
Included Activities
- Table Mountain visit
- Guided hike on Table Mountain
Landmarks/POIs Table Mountain - Day 2
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula is the focus today. You'll see Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, then stop in Hout Bay to take in the coastal landscape. This drive covers about 180 km, so plan for a full day. By evening, you can grab dinner at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, though you'll need to pay for this yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cape of Good Hope visit
- Cape Point visit
- Hout Bay exploration
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Cape of Good Hope Cape Point Hout Bay Victoria and Alfred Waterfront - Day 3
Namaqualand - Springbok
Starting early, you'll drive north through the Swartland and along the west coast, moving into Namaqualand. The landscape here feels shaped by the cold Benguela Current's dry winds, but in spring after rains, flowers transform everything. You'll pass through vast desert areas and see the dramatic rock formations of the Cederberg mountains. The drive takes you about 570 km to Springbok in the Namaqua Desert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Swartland
- West coast exploration
- Namaqualand scenic route
Landmarks/POIs Cederberg Mountains - Day 4
Orange River, Richtersveld National Park
Crossing into Namibia, you'll reach the Orange River base camp. The river winds through desert and the towering mountains of Richtersveld National Park. If you're on the camping tour, your guide will give you a briefing before a half-day canoe trip downstream. You'll paddle past twisted rock formations with your gear secured in the canoes, returning to camp by late afternoon. Those with accommodations have free time to explore. The drive is roughly 140 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Orange River scenic viewing
Optional Activities
- Half-day canoe adventure on Orange River (camping tour only)
Landmarks/POIs Orange River Richtersveld National Park - Day 5
Fish River Canyon / Orange River
Camping guests are heading to Fish River Canyon, which is the world's second largest canyon. This 160 km gorge took hundreds of millions of years to form. Keep in mind that water flows here only in the wet summer months, becoming stagnant pools during dry winter. Accommodated guests will do a half-day canoe trip on the Orange River instead, paddling beneath towering cliffs and spotting desert wildlife and birds. The drive covers approximately 185 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Fish River Canyon viewing (camping tour)
- Orange River half-day canoe trip (accommodated tour)
Landmarks/POIs Fish River Canyon - Day 6
Namib Rand Nature Reserve
Camping tour guests reach Namib Rand Nature Reserve via a scenic panoramic road lined with rock formations and red dune fields. You'll have time to see desert plants and animals that are adapted to harsh conditions. Accommodated guests explore Fish River Canyon's rim first, then continue through the landscape into the Namib Desert. Everyone settles at a 7,000-hectare private nature reserve for 2 nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Namib Rand Nature Reserve access
- Desert landscape exploration
- Wildlife and flora observation
Landmarks/POIs Namib Rand Nature Reserve - Day 7
Namib Rand Nature Reserve
Morning starts with a guided walk to learn about the desert's geology and ecology. After that, the day is fairly relaxed - you can stay at camp with a cold drink or wander around the rock formations for bird watching. Later in the afternoon, join a game drive in an open vehicle to search for spareribs and bat-eared foxes. You'll finish with sunset drinks, and on the return trip, you might spot nocturnal animals like porcupines and hyenas if luck is on your side. The drive is about 20 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided morning desert walk
- Desert geology and ecology lesson
- Afternoon game drive
- Sunset sundowner experience
Optional Activities
- Rock formation exploration and bird watching
Landmarks/POIs Namib Rand Nature Reserve - Day 8
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei
An early start gets you driving straight to the dunes of Sossusvlei. You'll climb one of the massive dunes for sweeping views, then explore Sossusvlei and Deadvlei on foot from an open four-wheel drive vehicle. The contrast between the red dunes, white salt pan, and surrounding landscape is quite striking. You'll also stop at Sesriem Canyon, a massive gorge carved over thousands of years. This drive covers roughly 360 to 365 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sossusvlei dune ascent
- Deadvlei exploration
- Sesriem Canyon visit
- Four-wheel drive exploration
Landmarks/POIs Sossusvlei Deadvlei Sesriem Canyon - Day 9
Walvis Bay to Swakopmund
Leaving the dunes behind, you'll drive through Kuiseb Canyon and Namib-Naukluft National Park. There's a brief stop in Walvis Bay, Namibia's main harbor, and then you continue to Swakopmund on the coast. This town was founded in 1892 and still shows German colonial influence in its architecture, history, and food scene. You'll arrive at your lodge in the afternoon to settle in for 2 nights. The drive is about 255 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Kuiseb Canyon transit
- Namib-Naukluft National Park passage
- Walvis Bay visit
Optional Activities
- Catamaran trips
- Quad biking
- Skydiving
Landmarks/POIs Walvis Bay Swakopmund - Day 10
Swakopmund
Today is yours to spend as you like in Swakopmund. The town has plenty of good restaurants and shops to check out, plus various adventure activities if you're interested. It's a nice break after several days of driving and has that interesting blend of German colonial history mixed with modern amenities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Catamaran trips
- Quad biking
- Skydiving
- Restaurant dining
- Shopping
Landmarks/POIs Swakopmund - Day 11
Spitzkoppe / Brandberg
You'll travel along the Atlantic coast to Cape Cross and its seal colony, then head inland through the desert to Spitzkoppe, a 600m granite mountain with huge rocks and hidden caves. Camping guests get free time in the afternoon to explore the rock formations. Accommodated guests follow a different route along the Skeleton Coast to visit Cape Cross Seal Island, then continue to the Brandberg granite peaks for a guided walk to see the famous Bushmen's White Lady paintings. The drive runs 300 to 335 km depending on which route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cape Cross seal colony visit
- Skeleton Coast exploration (accommodated tour)
- Spitzkoppe or Brandberg exploration
- Bushmen's White Lady paintings guided walk (accommodated tour)
Landmarks/POIs Cape Cross Spitzkoppe Brandberg Skeleton Coast White Lady Paintings - Day 12
Etosha National Park
Heading to Etosha National Park, you'll do your first game drive in the afternoon from an Adventure Truck. You'll stay overnight outside the park. This drive covers approximately 350 to 410 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Afternoon game drive in Etosha National Park
Landmarks/POIs Etosha National Park - Day 13
Etosha National Park
Spend the full day watching wildlife in Etosha National Park. The enormous Etosha Pan is ringed by different bush and grassland areas, and you'll see various species throughout. The route crosses the park from west to east with a stop at a suitable spot for lunch. Where you stay overnight depends on the season. The drive within the park is roughly 160 to 180 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full-day game observation in Etosha National Park
- Park exploration from west to east
Landmarks/POIs Etosha Pan - Day 14
Zambezi Region
The desert landscape transitions to something completely different as you drive into lush vegetation along the Okavango River in the Zambezi region. The change from arid to green happens fairly quickly. This is a long drive of approximately 645 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Okavango River scenic drive
Landmarks/POIs Okavango River - Day 15
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Crossing into Botswana, you'll continue toward the Okavango Delta, which is the world's largest inland delta. You'll settle in at Guma Lagoon Drifters tented camp for 2 nights. The drive covers around 140 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Okavango Delta arrival and exploration
Landmarks/POIs Okavango Delta - Day 16
Okavango Delta
This day focuses on getting to know the area. You'll do short hikes and guided excursions to see wildlife up close. Part of your time is spent on water in traditional mokoro canoes, and you'll take a boat trip to the lagoon for sunset. It's a nice blend of exploration and relaxation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Short guided hikes
- Mokoro canoe exploration
- Sunset boat trip on lagoon
Landmarks/POIs Okavango Delta - Day 17
Kalahari to Maun
You'll leave the Okavango Delta behind and drive through the Kalahari to Maun. Once you arrive, spend some time relaxing by the pool at Drifters Maun Lodge, a mid-range tented camp at the Boteti River's edge. The drive is approximately 340 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Kalahari scenic drive
- Pool relaxation time
Landmarks/POIs Boteti River - Day 18
Maun
Your final morning at Drifters Maun Lodge includes breakfast before the tour ends. It's the conclusion of your journey after exploring so much terrain across southern Africa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
