Cape & Dunes Discoverer
12 days
From
$ 2449
Duration12 days
From desert scenery to white-sand beaches and the cosmopolitan streets of Cape Town, witness the diversity of southwestern Africa on this 12-day nature adventure. Leave footprints on some of the world's highest sand dunes, peer deep into the heart of Africa’s largest canyon, and experience incredible wildlife safari drives through Etosha National Park. Your knowledgeable CEO will take care of the planning while you recharge in a combination of hotels, camping, and guesthouses for a cultural experience you’ll treasure forever. Have your breath taken away by incredible scenery and marvel at amazing wildlife – this is truly an only-in-Africa experience!
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 12 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Light
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Windhoek
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Windhoek/Etosha National Park
Leave Windhoek and head north through the Namibian countryside to Etosha National Park.
Visit Etosha National Park on a wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle. Keep an eye out for lions, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and antelopes.
After sunset, some animals may head to the watering holes near the campground.
Opt to head out for more wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle to make the most of your time here.
Visit Etosha National Park on a wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle. Keep an eye out for lions, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and antelopes.
After sunset, some animals may head to the watering holes near the campground.
Opt to head out for more wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle to make the most of your time here.
Visit the G Adventures supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, just outside of Windhoek, to pick up a tasty packed lunch, then continue up to Etosha National Park. Enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle, then opt to explore more on an open vehicle night drive.
Meals: B, L
Day 3: Etosha National Park
Enjoy another wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for some of the famous wildlife.
Day 4: Etosha National Park/Swakopmund
Watch the beautiful desert landscape go by en route to western Namibia.
Spend two nights in the area exploring this historical town or trying some of the numerous activities available, such as sandboarding or a skydiving.
Swakopmund has bizarre lunar landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, and prehistoric Welwitchia plants.
Spend two nights in the area exploring this historical town or trying some of the numerous activities available, such as sandboarding or a skydiving.
Swakopmund has bizarre lunar landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, and prehistoric Welwitchia plants.
Drive to the historical city of Swakopmund.
Day 5: Swakopmund
You can pre-book your sky dive on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Spend a day exploring all the area has to offer. Optional activities include sandboarding, skydiving, and a township tour.
Day 6: Swakopmund/Namib Desert
Get a real feel for the Namib Desert as we spend hours crossing this empty region.
En route, take a coffee break in Solitaire, a mystical village consisting of a filling station, a general dealer/coffee shop, and a small mechanical workshop. Drive through Walvis Bay, the only town on the Namibian coastline that boasts a deep sea harbor.
Arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert.
En route, take a coffee break in Solitaire, a mystical village consisting of a filling station, a general dealer/coffee shop, and a small mechanical workshop. Drive through Walvis Bay, the only town on the Namibian coastline that boasts a deep sea harbor.
Arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert.
Travel into the beautiful Namib Desert, stopping at Walvis Bay on the way.
End place: Namib Desert
Meals: D
Day 7: Namib Desert
Start place: Namib Desert
Enjoy a visit to Sossusvlei, a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes, up to 300m (984 ft) high. Here, use some free time to enjoy the sand dunes on your own. Visit the Sesriem Canyon, a small canyon typical of the area.
Visit Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon. Opt to climb up breathtaking Dune 45.
End place: Namib Desert
Meals: B, D
Day 8: Namib Desert/Fish River Canyon
Start place: Namib Desert
Spend the evening relaxing in the healing waters.
Continue south through the Namib Desert to the Fish River Canyon. Enjoy the beautiful view from the canyon lookout point, before finishing the day at the Ai-Ais.
Meals: B
Day 9: Ai-Ais/Orange River
After a relaxing morning in the hot springs, continue on to the banks of the Orange River with time to swim or just relax. Enjoy the beautiful scenery in this part of the country.
End place: Orange River
Meals: B
Day 10: Orange River/Lambert's Bay
Start place: Orange River
We head towards the coast again and on to Lambert’s Bay, a picturesque town on the west coast of South Africa.
In the afternoon, opt to visit the well known Bird Island where you can find more than 25,000 blue-eyed gannets at certain times of the year. Penguins also gather on this island for breeding between August and October.
Opt to stroll through this lovely town, visiting unique artisan shops and boutiques.
In the afternoon, opt to visit the well known Bird Island where you can find more than 25,000 blue-eyed gannets at certain times of the year. Penguins also gather on this island for breeding between August and October.
Opt to stroll through this lovely town, visiting unique artisan shops and boutiques.
Cross the border into South Africa and continue down the coast to Lambert's Bay, stopping along the way. Opt to visit Bird Island or stroll through this charming town.
Meals: B
Day 11: Lambert's Bay/Cape Town
While travelling towards Cape Town, through Namaqualand, keep an eye out for fields of Namaqualand daisies (in season August and September).
Cape Town has many different options should you book extra time to explore after the tour.
Visit Table Mountain, explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope), or join a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch (45 min drive). Visit the old French Huguenot town of Franschoek and surroundings (1 hr drive). For the truly adventurous, try skydiving, abseiling, or even cage diving, for a close encounter with the great white sharks.
Opt to wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens), or visit the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and numerous other small museums and theaters.
Cape Town has many different options should you book extra time to explore after the tour.
Visit Table Mountain, explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope), or join a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch (45 min drive). Visit the old French Huguenot town of Franschoek and surroundings (1 hr drive). For the truly adventurous, try skydiving, abseiling, or even cage diving, for a close encounter with the great white sharks.
Opt to wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens), or visit the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and numerous other small museums and theaters.
Continue on the last stretch of the trip to lovely Cape Town. Stop at the G Adventures supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre along the way, then get ready to explore the vibrant streets of this scenic coastal city.
Please note that we arrive in Cape Town in the early afternoon, you might not have time to participate in lengthy activities or see many sights. If you would like to see or do anything, we recommend booking an extra night or two before your return flight home.
Meals: B
Day 12: Cape Town
We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully enjoy this city.
Depart at any time.
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, Windhoek Your G for Good Moment: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Swartwater Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Swakopmund Your Wellness Moment: Ai-Ais Hot Springs visit, Ai-Ais Hot Springs
- Etosha National Park entrance with wildlife safari drives
- Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon entrance
- Fish River Canyon entrance
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Air-conditioned touring vehicles, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (5 nts), Guesthouse (1 nt), Lodges (1 nt), Participation camping (4 nts)