This journey through South Africa and Namibia takes you to some of the continent’s most dramatic, wild, raw and captivating landscapes. The sparkle and glamour of Cape Town is starkly contrasted as you stand beside the country’s largest river, and the continent’s largest canyon. Towering ancient pink and orange sand dunes challenge your understanding of the capabilities of nature, while game drives through Etosha National Park will overwhelm you with the power and vibrancy of the animal kingdom. With countless opportunities to hike, wander and explore, this tour will give each guest the freedom to immerse themselves in the majesty and wonder of southwestern Africa.
Cape, Dunes & Safaris: Vacation in Namibia & South Africa
DESCRIPTION
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Traverse Etosha National Park on a classic African safari, searching for intimate encounters with black and white rhinoceros as well as the continent’s tallest elephants
- Wander the sparkling streets of Cape Town, sampling the country’s finest food and wine
- Stand on the edge of the largest canyon in Africa, sipping a cocktail as the sun dips below the horizon
- Traverse the remarkable Namib Desert, marveling at the height of the world’s tallest sand dunes
- Wander through the quirky and adventure-filled town of Swakopmund, observing how remnants of German colonial history have blended with modern day Namibia
- Search for ancient bushmen paintings on the rocky outcroppings that characterize Damaraland
TRIP AT A GLANCE
(Day 1): Cape Town – Arrive in the Sparkling City of Cape Town
(Day 2): Cape Town to the Gariep River – Drive Through Rooibos Tea Plantations Towards the Gariep River
(Day 3): Gariep River to Fish River Canyon – Cross the Namibian Border and Explore the Largest Canyon in Africa
(Day 4): Fish River to the Namib Desert – Travel from the Gorge into the Heart of the Soussusvlei
(Day 5): Namib Desert – Spend a Full Day Exploring the World’s Largest Sand Dunes
(Day 6): Namib Desert to Swakopmund – Cross the Namib Desert en route to Swakopmund and the Atlantic Ocean
(Day 7): Swakopmund – Spend a Full Day Exploring the Historic, Adventurous and Distinctly German Town of Swakopmund
(Day 8): Swakopmund to Damaraland – Drive up the Skeleton Coast into the Stony Desert that Epitomizes Damaraland
(Day 9): Damaraland to Etosha – Drive into Etosha National Park to Begin a Series of Stunning Game Drives around a Massive Saltpan
(Day 10): Etosha National Park – Spend a Full Day on Game Drives With a Chance to Meet Some of the Park’s Exciting Wildlife Inhabitants
(Day 11): Etosha to Waterberg Plateau Game Park – Drive South into the Lush Waterberg Plateau Game Park
(Day 12): Waterberg to Windhoek – Travel Through the Namibian Countryside en route to the Country’s Capital
(Day 13): Depart Windhoek for Home – Arrive at Windhoek International Airport in Time for your International Departure
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The glitter and glamour of this tour’s first day in Cape Town is quickly contrasted by a trip to South Africa’s largest river, and the continent’s largest canyon. This tour plunges guests into the wilderness with a night camping on the shores of the Gariep River before crossing the border into Namibia where you will stand on the edge of the dramatic Fish River Canyon. Rocky plateaus and interconnected water pools make this one of the continent’s most remarkable natural wonders and the world’s second largest canyon.
From Fish River, you will move into the heart of the Namib Desert. Here, a series of mammoth pink, orange and red sand dunes surround a collection of unique pans. With opportunities to hike, wander, fly and even sand board across the dunes, you will be able to experience the eerie magic of this region from all perspectives. The arid region is perfectly complimented by a few days on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by seals and quirky German architecture in the town of Swakopmund.
The tour culminates with the quintessential safari experience, in one of southern Africa’s most stunning and seldom visited national parks: Etosha. Game drives revolve around a shimmering silver pan, which provides sustenance to a stunning flamingo population in addition to a rich variety of mammals, birds and reptiles. A series of guided game drives will likely bring you in close proximity to Africa’s tallest elephants, and to the side of endangered black and white rhinoceros before you eventually return home via the capital city of Windhoek.
Ideal Travel Months
Namibia is a generally warm and dry country, making for pleasant traveling conditions year round. December through to March are typically the more humid months, with localized storms occurring for short periods in central regions of the country. April and May are among the freshest months. Between June and August – winter in the Southern Hemisphere – temperatures do become quite cool at night, before warming up in September and October. Tourism is highest between July and October, and lowest between December and April. Should the safari be the focal point of your experience, July through to September often offers the best game viewing.
ACTIVITIES
- Historical Sites / Small Towns / Villages / National Park / Reserve / Nature / Outdoor Adventures / Safari / Wildlife
THEMES
- African Safari / Outdoor Adventures
FEATURES
- Spectacular Scenery / Unique Accommodations
Day to Day Itinerary
PLACES VISITED
Cape Town, Gariep River, Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Soussusvlei, Swakopmund, Etosha National Park, Waterberg Plateau Game Park, Windhoek
DEPARTURE DATES
Dates are flexible and customizable for private departures.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome to South Africa! Arrive in Cape Town in Time to Explore the City
South African vacations must include the dazzling city of Cape Town, and this is where you will begin your enthralling tour of southwestern Africa. Having cleared customs in Johannesburg, all that will separate you from a full day exploring the city will be collecting baggage, connecting with your transfer and checking into your hotel. After accomplishing that, you will have the remainder of the day to explore this captivating city.
While the day is yours to design, we might suggest spending some time at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, sampling local wines, tasting famous dishes and fitting in a bit of shopping. Consider soaking in some local history through a tour of the Robben Island Museum, and absorb local culture as you listen to marimba bands play classic South African songs at sunset. A boat tour through this working harbor at sunset will provide a stunning evening view of the city and Table Mountain before you sleepily retire to your hotel for the night.
Day 2: Travel North to the Gariep River by Way of a Series of Rooibos Tea Plantations
This morning you will drive north through some of South Africa’s most remote regions en route to the Gariep River on the Namibian border. The drive will take you through the unique and endemic fynbos vegetation with a few opportunities to stop and explore Rooibos tea plantations and to sample their products, of course!
After a full day of driving, you will arrive at the Gariep River in the late afternoon. Also known as the Orange, Groote, or Senqu River, this massive waterway creates a natural border between Namibia and South Africa. This river begins in the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho and journeys across the entire country before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest river in South Africa, and among the largest on the continent. Tonight you will set up your first camp on the banks of this epic river in excited anticipation of tomorrow’s border crossing.
What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Enter into Namibia and Spend the Night in the Continent’s Largest Canyon: Fish River Canyon
This morning you will officially enter Namibia as you cross the Gariep River and travel north into the Fish River Canyon. The road twists and turns for 200 kilometers as you approach the largest canyon on the continent and the second largest in the world, second only to the Grand Canyon. The ravine is over 160 kilometers long, nearly 550 meters deep, and up to 27 kilometers wide in select places. A river runs sporadically throughout the year, filling the bottom with either a flowing waterway or a series of small pools. The surrounding plateaus are generally dry and rocky, and are coated in a series of drought-resistant plans. Wildly unique and always dramatic, this canyon is often referred to as one of the most impressive natural wonders in Africa.
Arriving in the early afternoon, the remainder of the day can be spent exploring the canyon at your leisure. Some may wish to embark on an afternoon hike along the plateau, while others may wish to set up with a book and soak in the majesty of the region. No matter how the afternoon is spent, be sure to orientate yourself westwards as the sunset dips below the canyon’s ridge for a stunning end to the day.
What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Travel to the Sossusvlei, a Large Clay Pan Enclosed by Enormous Sand Dunes
This morning you will leave Fish River and travel to the Sossusvlei, a massive saltpan in the heart of the Namib Desert. Surrounded by the world’s largest sand dunes, with the highest standing proudly at 380 meters, this new landscape will be a stunning and stark contrast to what you left behind this morning. High levels of iron in the sand give the landscape a pink, red and orange hue – which is positively incandescent at sunset. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in this extraterrestrial-looking setting: tomorrow, you will have an entire day to explore the natural wonders.
What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Spend a Full Day Exploring the Namib Desert
The entirety of today will be spent exploring this bizarre and captivating landscape. A number of remarkable sights are found in the extended region, including the Deadvlei, Petrified Dunes and the Big Daddy Dune, which contribute to making this one of the most photographed places in Africa.
Big Daddy is the highest dune in the area, towering over neighboring Big Mama Dune at approximately 380 meters. Ambitious travelers may wish to attempt climbing Big Daddy in search of a physical challenge and surreal views of the landscape below. Others may prefer to circle around to the base of Big Daddy to explore the Deadvlei. Like Sossusvlei, the Deadvlei is another saltpan in the center of the desert. What makes this area unique is that it was formerly an oasis in the desert. However, when the river changed its course, the surviving acacia trees died. All that remains today are blackened skeletons of the life that once thrived here. It is among the most eerie and enchanting landscapes in the desert. As you travel between landmarks, do keep an eye out for the ancient petrified dunes which have solidified into rock after over a billion years in existence!
What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Travel across the Desert, Arriving in the Historic and Coastal Town of Swakopmund
This morning you will traverse the whole of the Namib Desert as you move west towards the coast and the town of Swakopmund. This historic town is surrounded by the same vibrant dunes which roll out onto a foggy section of the Atlantic Ocean. Spend the afternoon wandering through this eccentric town taking note of the preserved elements of German colonial culture. Early twentieth century German architecture makes the streets a fascinating place to explore, with the Altes Amtsgericht and the Woermannhaus being noteworthy stops along a self-guided tour. The seaside promenades along the Atlantic Ocean are another noteworthy detour. Here, you can imagine befuddled explorers coming up on the shores as part of an epic search for the southernmost point in Africa. While the town shares a shocking number of similarities with classic German coastal towns, it differentiates itself with the sheer number of adventure-related activities available. These, you will have the chance to explore tomorrow!
What’s Included: breakfast, lunch
Day 7: Spend a Day Exploring Swakopmund and its Endless Outdoor Adventure Options
You will have the whole of today to experience all that Swakopmund has to offer. The city itself is famed for being the adventure-capital of the country, and those looking for an adrenaline rush may want to consider surfing, sand dune boarding or a light-plane tour. Should at this point you still feel a desire to explore the dunes, it is also possible to walk into the desert from the city center and wander through at your own pace. Others may be happier to spend a morning observing an enormous Cape Cross seal colony, which coats the shoreline just beyond the city limits. Seals and their pups are easily observed from a series of boardwalks or by boat or kayak on the ocean. The city also happens to have one of the best libraries in Africa which perfectly complements a series of delightful street side cafes. No matter how you spend the day, be sure to factor in time to indulge at the city’s fantastic restaurants and to pair your meals with Hansa Draught, the famous and local brew.
What’s Included: breakfast, lunch
Day 8: Travel North up the Desolate Skeleton Coast, Entering the Heart of Damaraland
Early this morning, you will leave Swakopmund and travel north along the Skeleton Coast. Named as a result of the countless ships that beached themselves on the shore because of heavy fog, this region is among the most peculiar places in Africa. As you venture north, the stunning desert landscapes will be gradually replaced with massive rocky outcroppings as you enter into Damaraland. Rugged, raw and dramatic, this region again sits in stark contrast to the landscapes before. Highlights in the region include the Spitzkoppe, also known as “The Matterhorn of Africa,” a million-year-old Petrified Forest and innumerable Bushman paintings on various rock faces. Slowly explore these sites and more as you travel through the homeland of the Damara people.
What’s Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9: Arrive at Etosha National Park, and Begin Your Game Drives across this Epic Landscape
Day 10: Spend a Full Day on Safari in Etosha National Park
Day 11: Return South by Road, Spending the Night at the Lush Waterberg Plateau Game Park
Day 12: Travel through the Countryside, Arriving in the Capital City off Windhoek
Day 13: Arrive at Windhoek International Airport in Time for an International Departure
Pricing
PRICE
Recommends the following guidelines for customized Namibia, and South Africa safari tour packages, excluding international flights:
- 5-star: USD $600 – $1,000+ per person per day
- 4-star: Minimum USD $500 per person per day
- 3-star: Minimum USD $400 per person per day
The customized package will include hotels, airport transfers and other transportation within Namibia, and South Africa, guided tours or activities, unique experiences, trip planning, and 24X7 support during your trip.
Please inquire for a custom quote. The price is customized based on final hotel choices, travel dates, and other custom preferences.
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