Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
Your African adventure kicks off today. Head to the airport and get through check-in, then settle in for the flight to South Africa. Use this time to think about what's ahead and get yourself mentally ready for the wilderness.
- Day 2
Cape Town
After landing in South Africa and getting to your accommodation, make your way to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The harbor district has street performers, shops, and cafes to wander through, with Table Mountain rising up behind everything. You can hop on the Cape Wheel for city views or head to the Castle of Good Hope to check out the old fortress walls.
Included Activities
- Transfer to accommodation
- Visit Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
Optional Activities
- Cape Wheel ride (payable locally)
- Castle of Good Hope visit
Landmarks Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Table Mountain Castle of Good Hope - Day 3
Cape of Good Hope
Drive out to Boulders Beach where African penguins hang out between the granite rocks. From there, continue to Cape Point for views across False Bay and the Atlantic. You've got options here: hike up to the summit or take the cog railroad if you want something easier.
Included Activities
- Visit Boulders Beach
- Visit Cape Point
Optional Activities
- Cog railroad at Cape Point (payable on site)
Landmarks Boulders Beach Cape Point Cape of Good Hope False Bay - Day 4
Cape Town
Start with coffee and walk through Cape Town's downtown area, checking out Long Street with its boutiques and shops. The iconic pink Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is worth seeing. If you're up for it, take the optional gondola ride up Table Mountain for views across the whole region. Later, relax at Camps Bay Beach for sunset drinks or spend time at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Included Activities
- Downtown exploration
- Long Street stroll
- Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel viewing
Optional Activities
- Table Mountain gondola (payable on site)
- Camps Bay Beach visit
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens visit
Landmarks Long Street Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel Table Mountain Camps Bay Beach Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Lion's Head - Day 5
Cape Town to Paternoster
Pick up your 4x4 rental and head out on the west coast road trip. Drive through the landscape toward Langebaan and its turquoise lagoon, then continue to Paternoster, a fishing village with artist galleries. Watch the fishermen work and grab fresh seafood for dinner. Wolfgat restaurant is available if you book ahead and don't mind paying extra.
Included Activities
- Car rental (4x4 SUV)
- Drive to Langebaan
- Drive to Paternoster
- Village exploration
Optional Activities
- Fine dining at Wolfgat (booking required, extra cost)
Landmarks Langebaan Paternoster - Day 6
Paternoster
Wake up to the sound of waves and explore Cape Columbine Nature Reserve with its rugged cliffs and trails (there's a cost for this). Head to the lighthouse on the west coast, or try optional kayaking where you might spot seals and dolphins. Back in Paternoster, try local seafood like snoek and seafood potjie, then take a beach walk under the stars.
Included Activities
- Beach exploration
- Local dining
Optional Activities
- Cape Columbine Nature Reserve visit (extra cost)
- Lighthouse visit
- Kayaking (payable on site)
Landmarks Cape Columbine Nature Reserve - Day 7
Cederberg
Drive into the Cederberg region and its dramatic red rock landscapes with unusual rock formations. You'll navigate gravel roads through remote terrain. If you're there during spring, the wildflowers put on a massive display. Watch the sunset behind the mountains, then experience the night sky with thousands of stars.
Included Activities
- Cederberg landscape exploration
- Sunset viewing
Landmarks Cederberg - Day 8
Cederberg to Fish River Canyon, Namibia
Drive from the Cederberg Mountains toward the Namibia border, passing through wide plains and dramatic rocky terrain with wildflowers scattered around. Get your passport stamped as you cross into Namibia. Continue on to Fish River Canyon, a massive gorge that cuts 160 kilometers through the landscape. Watch the sunset paint the canyon in orange and pink.
Included Activities
- Border crossing
- Fish River Canyon viewing
Landmarks Fish River Canyon - Day 9
Fish River Canyon
Spend the day exploring Fish River Canyon in detail. Walk along the cliff edge from Hobas to Hell's Bend and see the dramatic red rock faces with the river winding like a snake through the gorge. Every viewpoint offers something photo-worthy, and the ancient rock formations tell millions of years of geological history.
Included Activities
- Fish River Canyon exploration
- Walk from Hobas to Hell's Bend
Landmarks Fish River Canyon Hobas Hell's Bend - Day 10
Klein-Aus
You'll choose your route today: either drive along the Orange River gravel road for adventure or take the Naute Dam route via Old Lime Kilns Lodge. Watch for Lithops, succulents that blend into the desert perfectly. Arrive at Klein-Aus in the Namib Desert and explore hiking trails through granite hills and succulent karoo. The night sky here is incredibly clear for stargazing.
Included Activities
- Desert landscape exploration
- Hiking trails
Optional Activities
- Naute Dam detour
Landmarks Namib Desert Klein-Aus Orange River - Day 11
Sossusvlei Area
Drive deeper into the Namib through orange and red dunes that tower meters high, with rugged mountains in the distance. Navigate the Spreetshoogte Pass, one of Namibia's most beautiful with steep, winding roads. Stop at Solitaire to refuel and check out the vintage car wrecks scattered around. Arrive at your glamping spot near Sesriem Canyon and relax around the campfire.
Included Activities
- Spreetshoogte Pass drive
- Solitaire stop
Landmarks Spreetshoogte Pass Solitaire Sesriem Canyon - Day 12
Deadvlei
Start early to see Sossusvlei at sunrise as the first light colors the Namib in red shades. Pay the entrance fee for Namib-Naukluft National Park when you arrive. At the parking lot, decide if you'll drive through the sand yourself or take the optional shuttle. The hike up Big Daddy is challenging but gets you to the highest dune, then explore Deadvlei with its white salt pan and ancient camel thorn trees.
Included Activities
- Sossusvlei sunrise viewing
- Big Daddy dune hike
Optional Activities
- Shuttle service (payable on site)
- Self-drive option through sand
Landmarks Sossusvlei Big Daddy Dune Deadvlei Namib-Naukluft National Park - Day 13
Namib Desert to Swakopmund
Leave the desert behind and drive through the dramatic gorges of Gaub and Kuiseb as you head toward the coast. The air shifts from dry desert to fresh sea breeze. Stop at Walvis Bay to photograph pink flamingos in the lagoon, then arrive in Swakopmund. This town blends German colonial architecture with African landscapes. Try the iconic Black Forest gateau while you explore.
Included Activities
- Gaub Canyon drive
- Kuiseb Canyon drive
- Walvis Bay flamingo viewing
Landmarks Gaub Canyon Kuiseb Canyon Walvis Bay Swakopmund - Day 14
Swakopmund
Spend your day in Swakopmund exploring its colonial history and coastal relaxed vibe. The Swakopmund Museum offers insights into Namibia's past if you want to check it out (there's an admission charge). Walk along the beach and feel the sand, photograph the red and white lighthouse, then head to the jetty, the southernmost German pier in the world, for sunset drinks over the Atlantic.
Included Activities
- Beach exploration
- Jetty visit
- Sunset viewing
Optional Activities
- Swakopmund Museum visit (admission payable on site)
Landmarks Swakopmund Museum Swakopmund Lighthouse Swakopmund Jetty - Day 15
Palmwag
Leave the coast and venture back into the wilderness on dusty tracks. Pass through Uis and approach Brandberg where Herero women sell colorful handicrafts. Visit the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein and keep an eye out for elephants crossing your path. Arrive at your glamping tent in Palmwag with views across the steppe and private bathrooms. Sit by the campfire, count stars above the makalani palms, and enjoy the silence.
Included Activities
- Brandberg region exploration
- Twyfelfontein rock engravings visit
Optional Activities
- Herero handicraft purchases
Landmarks Brandberg Twyfelfontein Palmwag - Day 16
Etosha National Park
Drive to Etosha National Park, the heart of Africa's wildlife. As soon as you pass the gate, the real safari begins. Move slowly through dusty tracks and watch for movement. Spot elephants at waterholes, zebras crossing your path, giraffes towering over acacia trees, and if luck's on your side, lions resting in the shade or a leopard in tall grass.
Included Activities
- Etosha National Park exploration
- Game drive
Landmarks Etosha National Park - Day 17
Etosha National Park
Continue your Etosha safari by driving to the Etosha Pan, a massive area where huge waterholes attract wildlife from across the park. Park your car and wait as elephants, rhinos, lions, and other animals pass by. A whole elephant herd bathing in front of you becomes an unforgettable moment. Explore the remote corners where fewer tourists go for more authentic experiences.
Included Activities
- Etosha Pan exploration
- Waterhole viewing
- Game drive
Landmarks Etosha Pan - Day 18
Etosha National Park
Wake up knowing lions and elephants roam the savannah nearby. Take time reviewing yesterday's photos to confirm it's all real. Look for any remaining Big Five sightings and head to the Okondeka waterhole on the Etosha Pan's western edge, where lions typically appear in early morning. You might see a whole pride moving through tall grass before leaving the park.
Included Activities
- Okondeka waterhole visit
- Game drive
- Lion tracking
Landmarks Okondeka Waterhole - Day 19
Etosha to Windhoek
Leave Etosha early in the morning and drive to Windhoek, Namibia's capital. Once there, dive into the vibrant markets, street food spots, and cafes where African culture meets urban life. You can optionally explore townships with a local guide for genuine experiences beyond typical tourist activities and hear real stories from locals.
Included Activities
- Drive to Windhoek
- Markets exploration
- Street food sampling
- Café visits
Optional Activities
- Township tour with local guide (extra cost)
Landmarks Windhoek - Day 20
Windhoek Departure
Your adventure is winding down now, but these memories will stay with you forever. Spend your final hours at the hotel before heading to the airport. Think back on the unforgettable experiences, the warmth of the people you met, and all those daily smiles shared. Board your flight as city lights fade beneath you, carrying a suitcase full of memories and a heart full of African adventure.
Included Activities
- Hotel relaxation
- Transfer to airport
- Day 21
Arrival Home
You've landed back home with a head full of images: road trip vibes, desert sunsets, wild safaris, and African adventure. Now comes sorting photos, telling stories, and dreaming about the next journey. These memories will stay with you long after you've unpacked everything.
