Cape & Dunes Northbound: Wildlife & Starry Night Skies
13 days from Cape Town to Windhoek
From $ 1699
Duration13 days
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Journey from the city streets of Cape Town to the desert of Namibia and experience the diversity of Africa on this quintessential adventure. Encounter a thrilling wildlife safari drive through Etosha National Park and explore the world's highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei. Your rugged Lando (overland adventure vehicle) will get you to the sites safely, and camping will allow you to fall asleep to the sounds of the wild underneath big African skies. With guaranteed departures, plenty of optional excursions, and an expert CEO (Chief Experience Officer) to take care of the hassles, you’ll be free to absorb the spirit of these amazing countries.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 13 days
    Service level: Camping
  • Starts in: Cape Town
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Windhoek
    Ages: 18+
Cape & Dunes Overland (Northbound) - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Cape Town
Get the most out of your time in Cape Town by pre-booking the South African Wine Tour and Tasting extra. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour as this activity has an early start time. Please note, due to the timings of this activity, there is a possibility you may miss the welcome meeting on day 1 of your tour - in this case, your CEO will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.
Arrive at any time. Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to make sure which visas you will need, if any.

 Please also note that no visa can be obtained at the border to Namibia. 


If you book any optional activities on day 1 please contact your sales agent to see if booking a pre-night is necessary to participate in the activity.
Day 2: Cape Town/Cederberg
Head out of the city to begin your overland journey with a lunch stop by the coast. Arrive at our first campsite in the afternoon. Here, enjoy free time to sample and buy some local wine, kick a footy around with the local kids, or explore the area near the camp in this beautiful part of South Africa. If you prefer, just chill out at campsite’s swimming pool overlooking the vineyards. 




View dramatic Western Cape scenery, visit the G Adventures supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, camp on a farm, and opt to sip on local wine. The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre is closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Cederberg/Orange River
Travel past large plantations of rooibos tea. Opt to take a canoe trip on the scenic Orange River.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Orange River/Fish River Canyon


We will make our way to the Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa and, arguably, the second largest in the world. Watch as a spectacular sunset slips over the canyon's rim in the early evening. Permits are required to descend into the canyon; we will have access to the rim only, but the views are magnificent.
Cross the border into Namibia, and enjoy the sunset at the Fish River Canyon.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Fish River Canyon/Namib Desert
Passing the small and desolate towns of Bethanien and Helmeringhausen, continue north along long and bumpy roads, en route to the Namib Desert. Arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert. Here, you really feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere.

We arrive in the early evening and set up our camp.
Explore the natural wonders of this bizarre desert environment.

End place: Namib Desert

Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Namib Desert

Start place: Namib Desert


Visit Sossusvlei, a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes and enclosing ancient dead trees. Here, opt to take a guided walk at the dunes, and enjoy some free time to explore them on your own. Arrive back at our campsite around lunch time and take down tents, pack up the Lando, and drive to the next desert campsite. Don’t miss out on the optional sunset desert dunes bush walk to learn more about the desert, dunes, and the way of the bushmen.
Explore the Sesriem Canyon, a small canyon typical of the area. Then continue on to the breathtaking Sossusvlei Dunes, and climb the breathtaking Dune 45.

End place: Namib Desert

Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Namib Desert/Swakopmund

Start place: Namib Desert

Get a real feel for the Namib Desert as we spend hours crossing this empty region.

Spend two nights in the area exploring this historical town or trying some of the numerous activities available, such as sand boarding or sky diving.

Swakopmund has bizarre lunar landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, and prehistoric Welwitchia plants.
Cross the void region of the Namib Desert along with a few dry mountain passes to the adrenaline capital of Swakopmund.
Meals: B, L
Day 8: Swakopmund
You can pre-book your sky dive on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.



Swakopmund is one of the adventure capitals of Africa. Enjoy a free day to relax or get the adrenaline pumping. Choose from sky diving, or dune boarding, just to name a few options. Meals are not included while we are in Swakopmund in order to give our travellers the freedom to try out the many restaurants and bars in town.
Day 9: Swakopmund/Spitzkoppe
Explore on your own by foot, and be sure to check out the night sky—it's great for star-gazing!
Travel north to the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe. Our basic bush camp will have long-drop toilets and no running water.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Spitzkoppe/Damaraland
Look out over beautiful desert landscapes as far as the eye can see. There are Himba, Herero, and Damara people along the way selling local arts, and we’ll be sure to make a few stops to find out more about their offerings.
 Pass into more stony desert landscapes, and arrive at camp by mid-afternoon.
Visit the Damaraland Living Museum to learn more about the lost culture of the Damara people.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Damaraland/Etosha National Park
Upon arrival to the park in the afternoon, head out for a wildlife safari drive in the Lando to search for elephants, antelope, and lions around the watering holes.

After sunset, watch animals at the watering holes near the camping area, which is safe, being well lit with flood lights. Free time at night allows for the option of a night safari in an open vehicle.
Enter Etosha National Park and enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in the Lando.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Etosha National Park

Start place: Etosha National Park

Enjoy a full-day wildlife safari drive in the Lando. Opt to take an open vehicle safari drive in the afternoon/night.

End place: Etosha National Park

Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Etosha National Park/Windhoek

Start place: Etosha National Park

Leave Etosha National Park and head south through the Namibian countryside to Windhoek.
Transfer to Windhoek and visit the G Adventures supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop for an included lunch, after which the tour ends.

End place: Windhoek

Meals: B, L
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Swartwater Your G for Good Moment: Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, Windhoek Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Swakopmund
  • Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei Dunes and Spitzkoppe entrance fees
  • Damaraland Living Museum visit
  • Etosha NP entrance with wildlife safari drives
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Lando (overland adventure vehicle), Walking

  • Accommodation

    Hostel (1 nt, multi-share), Participation camping (8 nts), Guesthouses (2 nts, multi-share), Basic bush camping (1 nt)

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