Best of African Southern Circle - Tour across six countries

Leaving Cape Town we will make our first stop at Table View and take photos of Table Mountain from across Table Bay. We will be heading north towards our stop for the first night, passing through the Cederberg Region.

Upon arrival at our overnight stop, we will enjoy a wine tasting, sampling wines from the region. Tonight we will be treated to a traditional South African meal, followed by a full tour briefing from the guides.

Today we will travel through the Northern Cape and Namaqualand, stopping at the remote town of Springbok for any last requirements. After crossing the Namibian border we check into the lovely chalets overlooking the river that forms the border between South Africa and Namibia.

This morning there’s a chance to do an optional canoe trip down the Gariep River or to spend some time relaxing at the camp along the river. After lunch we will travel north to the Fish River Canyon and take a scenic hike along the rim in order to gain some perspective as to just how large this natural phenomenon is.

Later we will return to Ai-Ais to check in to our accommodation and enjoy the hot springs.

The Namib-Naukluft National Park is one of Namibia’s geographic gems and at 50,000km², is one of the largest parks in Africa. There are massive sand dunes in the Sossusvlei desert area as well as the remarkable landscape. 

Today we will have a full day in the Namib-Naukluft National Park that starts with a walk up Dune 45 for an amazing view and photo opportunity. Later we will have the chance to be transported into Sossusvlei. In the afternoon there is a short walk into Sesriem Canyon.

After a brief photo stop while crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, we will be joined by a local expert on a guided hike and learn more about the unique desert ecosystem and how the Bushmen survived in the harsh desert conditions.

From there, we will travel onto Namibia’s Atlantic coast and the adventure capital, Swakopmund, we stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon en-route, where there are often flamingos to be seen. You will be briefed on the many optional activities available here and there will be enough time to explore the town before dinner in a local restaurant.

Today is your chance to experience the adrenalin filled atmosphere that Swakopmund offers. Taking a walk around the city's shops and having a leisurely lunch is also a great way to spend your day if you are not participating in the many activities available on offer here.

Today we will head inland towards Khorixas, stopping en-route at Spitzkoppe, where we will enjoy some time exploring the enormous granite monoliths with our guide. In the afternoon we will visit the Petrified Forest (might be done the following morning).

Today you'll have the unique opportunity to visit a Himba community close to Kamanjab where you will have the chance to interact with the people who live there. This is a working village and is only a representation of a larger group of nomadic pastoralists.

The semi-nomadic Himba people are extremely susceptible to Western influence and have lost a large portion of their land to farmers, engineers, miners and many were displaced during the wars that raged in Angola. The dwindling number of pastoralists that still exist in their natural environment are protected as far as possible by creating a “buffer zone”, or an “educational tribe” where tourists who would like to get a better understanding of the way of the Himba, their lifestyle and their traditions, can do so without interfering with those still living in their natural environment.

Visiting the Himba tribe can be a controversial topic that gets discussed at the camp fire, however not so much if the reason for visiting this particular tribe is understood beforehand.The income that this specific tribe generates from the visits goes towards the education of orphaned Himba children and assists the tribe in giving them a chance to learn about their own culture and heritage.

There is a market at the end of your visit, this is a way for the women to establish a small income, used for their own private expenses, and it is up to you whether you’d like to purchase anything or not.

The open plains of the Etosha National Park allow for spectacular elevated game viewing from our truck whilst on game drives. Our overnight stops, which boasts floodlit night water holes, are situated inside the park.

Etosha is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. The sparse grasslands allow great opportunities to see animals normally hidden in dense vegetation. Today you may even see some of the amazing animals crossing the road in front of your truck.

We will go on various game drives and spend our evenings at the abundant waterholes for some excellent game photography.

After an early morning game drive we will set off towards Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. On the way we will stop at a popular craft market where you can barter for handmade gifts to take home.

Windhoek is not only the capital; it is also the cultural, social and economic centre of Namibia. On arrival in Windhoek our guide will take us on a short drive through Windhoek in our truck.  Joe’s Beer House is an exciting dining experience for our optional dinner out.

After an early start, we will say goodbye to Namibia and cross the Botswana border. Later we will arrive at our lodge in Ghanzi and this evening we will experience some traditional tribal dancing from the local San community.

Today we will travel to the outback town of Maun.  The afternoon is spent relaxing and preparing for our adventure into the Okavango Delta.

After breakfast, we will board our plane, flying over the winding channels of the Delta. Upon arrival at the camp we settle in and prepare for our afternoon sunset cruise in the waterways of the Delta. 

Tonight we will spend the evening around the campfire accompanied by the many sounds of the bush. Those of you not doing the Delta excursion will remain behind in Maun for the next 2 nights, where you can relax or partake in optional activities including scenic flights and mokoro trips.

After an early start today we will head towards the crystal clear waters of the Okavango.  Water lily beds and palm islands make for the most scenic of experiences.  We will also stop at an island for a nature walk where we will have the possibility of seeing wildlife. After breakfast, we will return to the camp to relax before heading out onto the water again for a sunset cruise.

A morning game drive today will end with our arrival at the airstrip where we bid farewell to the Delta.  A scenic flight gives us our last view of this breathtaking water wonderland and the animals that inhabit it.  We will meet up with our truck in Maun and set off Nata where we'll spend the afternoon exploring the enormous and world renowned Makgadikgadi salt pans.

After continuing north to Kasane, today we will enjoy a sunset river cruise on the Chobe River (in the National Park) where animals such as hippos, buffalo and elephants are plentiful.

On arrival in Victoria Falls we will have enough  time to plan the next day’s adventure activities before we visit the spectacular Victoria Falls and experience the thundering of the mighty Zambezi river as it drops over 100m into the gorge below.

Today we wil visit the spectacular Victoria Falls National Park. As we stay in Victoria Falls tonight, you will  have sufficient time to explore the falls and visit all of the view-points for some great photo opportunities.

Optional Activities: Zambezi sunset cruise, Bungee jump – solo, dinner out in Victoria Falls, helicopter flights, white water rafting.
 

We'll leave early today from Victoria Falls and drive south through Botswana to Palapye, or the border post at Martinsdrift, where we will spend the night at a lively campsite.

After another early departure, today we enter South Africa. Covering the next 450 – 550 km on sealed roads we should get to Johannesburg as early as possible. There are no meals provided on the transit.

Your hotel offers travellers a wonderful opportunity to spend the evening enjoying a traditional “braai”, served by the hotel staff. This is an optional meal which you can book through your guide.

Leaving Johannesburg we will travel towards the Panorama Route, one of South Africa’s most scenic drives. The Panorama route consists of Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon including God’s Window and Three Rondavels. This evening we will enjoy a traditional Shangaan dinner with dancing.

This morning we will head towards the world famous Kruger National Park and immediately begin our first game drive in our truck. Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.

We will spend the day driving through the park in our Nomad truck, which gives us an elevated view and increases our chance to spot the animals.

We will make the most of our day travelling through the Kruger National Park in search of wildlife. Today you will have the opportunity of experience Kruger in an optional open 4×4 safari vehicle.

Optional Activities: Morning bush walk or evening game drive in Nkambeni reserve.

 

Today we'll reach the Kingdom of Swaziland, a landlocked country bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is Swaziland's oldest reserve and covers 4,560 hectares. As there are no large predators in this area there are a number of self-guided hikes available. Hiking is an excellent way of interacting with the flora and fauna here and comes highly recommended.

Optional Activities:Game drive – Mlilwane (min 2 clients).
 

We will leave Swaziland and take a scenic drive towards the warm Indian Ocean coast, re-entering South Africa on our way to the amazing Isimangaliso Wetland Park: this Unesco recognized area is extremely varied and includes lakes, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, woodlands, coastal forests and grasslands together supporting an astounding diversity of animal, bird and marine life.

In the afternoon we will participate in a Zulu Cultural Evening. During the experience, we will sample the local beer, made from the local Ilala palm, unique to the Zululand area and will be taught the basic Zulu language, how to greet, count and learn about the family traditions.

This morning we will drive to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve for a game drive in open 4×4 vehicles. The park is the only state-run park in the province of KwaZulu-Natal where all the Big Five can be viewed. In the afternoon we will return to Isimangaliso Wetland Park where we will get on a boat for a sunset cruise on the lagoon for some bird and hippo viewing.

Today we will arrive in Durban, South Africa’s largest marine port and well-known surfing destination. The evening can be spent enjoying authentic Indian cuisine as Durban is also home to the largest population of people of Indian descent outside of India.

Optional activity: Dinner out in Durban.

We will leave behind the beautiful beaches of KwaZulu Natal and travel inland to the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg or Royal Natal National Park, part of the huge and scenic Drakensberg Escarpment. The Drakensberg is South Africa’s highest mountain range with peaks at over 3000 metres. Hiking is the most popular activity here and your guides will take you on a lovely hike if you are not already busy with other optional activities.

Today, our second day in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, we will have the opportunity to go on a guided walk to see some of the San rock paintings or just relax around camp and enjoy the day at your leisure.

Today we'll enjoy the impressive drive up to the Lesotho border. Lesotho is one of the highest countries in the world, being over 1000m above sea level.

Optional activities: Pony trekking.

After an early start, those who choose to go on the optional Pony Trekking Excursion will ride into the remote hills of Lesotho accompanied by local guides. On their way back, the group will visit the local village and school (school holidays permitting).

Optional Activities: Hiking.
 

Leaving Lesotho behind, we will travel south to Cintsa where we will have the chance to relax and participate in many activities available at your resort.

Today is free and you can choose to take part in the many optional activities or just laze around the campsite and enjoy the sights and sounds of your surroudings.

Optional Activities: Sea kayaking / canoe trail, quad biking.
 

Addo Elephant National Park is home to one of the thickest concentrations of African elephants on earth as well as boasting the ‘Big Seven’(elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark) as Addo is a land and marine park.

This morning we will make a quick stop at Port Elizabeth’s airport and arrive in the afternoon at Tsitsikamma. The name means ‘place of abundant water’ and in fact has indigenous forests and dramatic coastline. This area is home to the famous multi-day Otter Trail hike and the first few hours of this hike are actually included in your Activity Package.

Today is free at your leisure and you can explore the small village of Stormsriver or take part in the optional activities available such as blackwater tubing, jumping the highest bungee jump in the world Bloukrans or discover the Tsitsikamma rainforest from above by joining one of the treetop canopy tours on offer.

Optional activities: Bungee jumping (highest in the world), treetop canopy tours, blackwater tubing (min 4 clients).

We will reach the heart of the world famous Garden Route. Your day will be spent en-route exploring the attractions of Knysna.

Optional Activities: Dinner out in the wilderness, Birds of Eden, Monkey Town.

We will travel through the marvellous Outeniqua Mountains towards Oudtshoorn where we will stop at the world-famous Cango Caves. These caves contain spectacular halls and huge limestone formations, and a local guide will tell you all about the cave system, which extends for over 4km.

Optional Activities: Ostrich farm visit.

Enjoy the marvellous scenic drive to Somerset West, taking in some of Route 62 and a possible stop at Ronnie’s Sex Shop, not a sex shop at all, but a rather interesting country pub. Today we will also stop at the Kraal Gallery, a family business that trains, employs and empowers women to become qualified master weavers.

You will have the unique chance to participate in the 2-3 hour “Weaverbird course”, where your teacher will guide you through the steps of making your own take-home weaved sample.  Later in the evening, we will enjoy some wine tasting and a dinner out at one of the local wine farms in the area (a portion of this activity may take place the following day).

Optional Activities: Dinner out in Somerset West.
 

After  breakfast, you will journey to Stellenbosch which is the heart of the Western Cape’s wine region and second oldest European settlement in the Western Cape.  You will have the opportunity to explore this historical town on foot before making our way to Cape Town, the final destination of our tour.  Your tour ends upon arrival in Cape Town.