Southern Cross Safari

Info

From Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, to the ever changing, arid landscapes of Namibia and the pristine wildlife sanctuaries of Botswana, this tour endeavours to show most of the highlights of Southern Africa.

On this 21-day journey of contrasts, we will climb some of the highest sand dunes in the world, visit some of the best game reserves in Africa, including Etosha Pan and the flood plains of the Okavango River, and experience the mighty Zambezi River at the famous Victoria Falls.

Day 1: Cape Town

Day 2: Cape of Good Hope and African penguins

Day 3: Cederberg

Day 4: Orange River

Day 5: Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Day 6: Namib Desert

Day 7: Namib Desert – Sossusvlei

Day 8: Namib – Naukluft Park

Day 9: Swakopmund

Day 10: Bushman Art at Spitzkoppe and the White Lady at Brandberg

Day 11: Damaraland and Twyfelfontein

Day 12: Game drive through Etosha National Park

Day13: Etosha National Park, Game Drive

Day 14: Okavango River, Rundu

Day 15 & 16: The Okavango River / Bwabwata Nationalpark in a mokoro

Day 17: Caprivi Strip / Chobe National Park, Botswana

Day 18: Chobe National Park

Day 19: Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia

Day 20: Victoria Falls, Livingstone

Day 21: Tour ends after breakfast

Itinerary*

Day 1: Cape Town 

Today we will do a short tour of Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. You can visitTableMountain,KirstenboschBotanical Gardens, the Waterfront or relax on one of the many beautiful beaches (entries at own expense).

Distance:                   40 km

Dinner:                  at own expense

Day 2: Cape of Good Hope and African penguins

Today we take a leisurely drive to the Cape of Good Hope, the southwestern most point of Africa. Here we go for an interesting hike. In the afternoon we show you some of the endangered African Penguins atBouldersBeach. We take a scenic drive alongFalse Bayand Chapman’s Peak, where we have a good chance to see some Southern Right Whales (June- November). B

Distance:                   190 km

Dinner:                  at own expense

Day 3: Cederberg

After a scrumptious breakfast we depart for the Cederberg, a beautiful mountain wilderness area 3 hours north of Cape Town. In the afternoon we do a hike in the breathtaking landscape of the Cederberg. Here a local guide shows us some interesting bushman paintings. In the evening we watch the African night sky while enjoying a romantic camp fire.

We will spend the night in simple cottages or Safari tents. BPD

Distance:                   200 km

Dinner:                  prepared by the guide at the campfire

Day 4: Orange River

We leave the Cederberg behind and drive north to the Orange River, which is the border river to Namibia. Here we can do a canoe tour. (costs: 40 Euro, about 3 hours, might also be done the next day). We experience the lunar landscape of the Richtersveld, a mountain desert with a unique fauna and flora. We spend one night on the bank of the river at a beautiful lodge. BPD

Distance:               490 km                                      Departure:  07h00

Dinner:                  restaurant at the lodge

Day 5: Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Today we cross the border to Namibia and take a drive to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest after the Grand Canyon. Watching the sunset at the edge of the canyon is an unforgettable experience.
Our accommodation is situated close to the canyon amongst beautiful dolorite hills and quiver trees. BPD

Distance:                    210 km

Dinner:                  restaurant at the lodge

Day 6: Namib Desert

Long drive through one of the oldest and most spectacular deserts in the world – the Namib. Today we might see our first springbok, Oryx antelopes and Hartmann mountain zebras. We enjoy a picnic lunch en route under a camel thorn tree. The following two nights are spent at a remote lodge. BPD

Distance:                    550 km

Dinner:                        restaurant at the lodge

Day 7: Namib Desert – Sossusvlei

We spend the day exploring the Namib Desert, which boasts some of the largest sand dunes in the world (up to 300m). For the sunrise we make our way towards Sossusvlei, a dried out lake in the middle of the desert. We do several hikes in this amazing area, visiting Dead Vlei a big pan surrounded by dunes and the interesting Sesriem Canyon. BPD

Distance:                    200 km                                              Departure:  05h00

Dinner:                  restaurant at the lodge

Day 8: Namib – Naukluft Park

Today we will have the unique opportunity to observe wild cheetahs on foot (optional, 40 Euro). Afterwards we drive through one of the biggest Nature Reserves in the world, the Namib – Naukluft Park. We visit Walvis Bay en route to Swakopmund where we spend the next two nights in a central guest house. BP

Distance:                   320 km

Lunch-stop:             Namib Naukluft National Park

Dinner:                  restaurant at own expense

Day 9: Swakopmund

We have a full day in the holiday seaside resort ofNamibia– Swakopmund. We have time to explore this idyllic “German” town by day and night. You can go shopping or relax on the beach. There is also the opportunity to do an unforgettable boat trip in Walvis Bay (optional, 50 Euro) Here you can watch dolphins, whales, pelicans and seals. B

Distance:                      0 km

Dinner:                    restaurant at own expense

Day 10: Bushman Art at Spitzkoppe and the White Lady at Brandberg

After breakfast we depart for Damaraland. This is one of the last areas in Africa where you can see desert elephants, black rhinoceros and giraffes outside of a national park. This day is dedicated to Bushman paintings. In the morning we visit Spitzkoppe where we will admire the Bushman paintings at “Little Bushman’s Paradise”. In the afternoon we hike to the White Lady, one of the most well known bushman paintings in Southern Africa. We overnight in a beautiful lodge right next to the Brandberg. Here we will experience traditional dances after dinner. BPD

Distance:                290 km

Lunch-stop:             Spitzkoppe

Dinner:                  restaurant at the lodge

Day 11: Damaraland and Twyfelfontein

In the morning we will have the opportunity to view some of the most unique bushman art at Twyfelfontein. In the afternoon we visit the Burnt Mountain, organ pipes and the Petrified Forest. In this area we also often meet the interesting Herero and Ovahimba people. We stay two nights in a beautiful guest farm near the entrance of the Etosha National Park. BPD

Distance:                450 km

Lunch-stop:             Aba Huab dry river

Dinner:                   at the guest farm

Day 12: Game drive through Etosha National Park

A highlight of the tour! At over 22.000 km², Etosha National Park is one of the most important game reserves in the world. Here game drives are dictated by the movement of the many different animals. We have the opportunity to see animals  like lions, elephants and a wide variety of antelopes. With a bit of luck we can also spot leopards and black rhinos and can therefore see four of the BIG 5. Furthermore there are 326 different bird species. We will do a full day game drive. The hot midday hours can be spend at the pool or at a water hole in one of the 3 camps. BPD

Distance:                200 km Game Drive                         Departure:  05h00

Lunch-stop:             picnic in Etosha

Dinner:                        at the guest farm

Day13: Etosha National Park, Game Drive

After another game drive in Etosha National Park we leave the park in the late afternoon and drive towards our next lodge. BPD

Distance:                270 km                                              Departure:  05h00

Lunch-stop:             picnic in Etosha

Dinner:                        Restaurant at the Lodge

Day 14: Okavango River, Rundu

Drive through the Ovambo area with its many idyllic villages. At midday we reach the Okavango River and explore this special area. We have the opportunity to go for a sun downer boat cruise and might even step onto Angolan ground for a drink (optional, 15 Euro) BPD.

Distance:               330 km

Dinner:                  restaurant at the Lodge

Day 15 & 16: The Okavango River / Bwabwata Nationalpark in a mokoro

Two nights are spent in the Okavango River area, which is one of the world’s last natural wonders. We explore this waterway paradise with its unparalleled wildlife. A highlight is an excursion starting at Popa Falls. We use mokoros (local canoes) to get into the pan handle swamps where we also visit a local village. In the afternoon we visit Mahango or Bwabwata Game reserve with its lush vegetation, a rich bird life and a variety of interesting game, including the rare Sable and Roan antelopes, elephants, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles. (This excursion is at own expense, 90 Euro pp). BLD

Distance:      Day 15: 220 km , Day 16: 40 km Game Drive

Dinners:        prepared by the guide at the campfire

Day 17: Caprivi Strip / Chobe National Park, BotswanaLeaving the driest areas of Africa behind us, we reach the refreshing green of the Caprivi Strip. After crossing the Chobe River we enter the northernmost part of Botswana. Botswana has with about 200.000 elephants the biggest elephant population in Africa. We might see some of these majestic animals on our first game drive through the Chobe National Park. In the afternoon we reach Kasane and check into our lodge close to the Chobe River. BP

Distance:                 410 km

Lunch-stop:             picnic in Chobe National Park

Dinner:                       at own expense

Day 18: Chobe National Park

Today you can explore the Chobe National Park further. You have the option to go on a game drive in an open 4 x 4 vehicle and/ or a game- viewing cruise on the Chobe River (40 Euro each or 60 Euro for both). Chobe National Park is famous for its spectacular animal sightings. Here you can observe the BIG 5, huge nile crocodiles, many hippos and different antelope species. B

Distance:                 50 km Game Drive                     Departure:  05h45

Brunch:                   picnic at the lodge

Dinner:                       at own expense in a restaurant

Day 19: Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia

After crossing the Zambia border at the Chobe River with a ferry we reach Livingstone and check into our guesthouse. In the afternoon we visit the famous Victoria Falls, the biggest and most breathtaking waterfalls in Africa (entry at own expense). Hiking through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park we explore the raw nature of the over 100 m deep cascading Zambezi River. B

Distance:               90 km

Dinner:                       at own expense in a restaurant

Day 20: Victoria Falls, Livingstone

Today you have time to explore the area around Livingstone on your own. You can buy some African art, visit a typical African market or take another walk at the Victoria Falls. You can also try one of the many optional activities offered, like White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River, a helicopter flight over the Falls, or a ride on an African elephant. B

Distance:                 0 km

Dinner:                   at own expense in a restaurant

Day 21: Tour ends after breakfast

After 21 days of incredible nature, adventure, and amazing animal sightings it is time to say good bye. B

See you soon in Africa!

Meals:   B= breakfast  P= picknick lunch   D= dinner

*subject to change without notice

On request transfer to Johannesburg (1300 km):  

Day 21: Palapye,Botswana.

We drive south toBotswanawhere we spend the night in Palapye. F

Day 22: Johannesburg

Early departure toJohannesburg. We travel through thenorthern province. We spend the night near the airport. F

Day 23: End of the African adventure and transfer to the airport.

Price and Services

Price includes:                                                                 

• Accommodation in Hotels/ Lodges/ Guesthouses/ Bungalows and Camps
• Meals see program: 20 x breakfast, 15 x picknick lunch
• On arrival: Local payment of 250 Euro for 12 dinners plus some entrance fees
• Transport in customised vehicles
• National Park Entrance fees (except Victoria Falls)
• Professional nature guide

Not included:

• Flights
• Visa
• Travel Insurance (compulsory: luggage, accident and medical cover)
• Soft drinks, alcohol, tips and other personal expenses

FURTHER INFORMATION

Group size: 6-12 participants

Visa: Required in Zambia, 50 U$ pp cash

Entry: Passport (at least 6 month valid from date of departure)

Vaccinations: You need a yellow fever vaccination after staying in Zambia if flying back via South Africa. We can organize this for you.
We suggest malaria prophylactics. For more information please contact your doctor.

Departures

Detailed tour itinerary

Gallery

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