Southern Africa Southbound: Dunes, Deltas & Falls
21 days
from Victoria Falls to Cape Town
From
$ 2294
Duration21 days
If you want to soak up the colours, culture, and scenery of this incredible region, this is the ultimate expedition into southwestern Africa. Experience wildlife safari drives, leave footprints on the world's highest sand dunes, wonder at the majesty of Victoria Falls, and canoe wildlife-rich deltas. Our overland adventure vehicle (OAV)s are an adventurous and inexpensive way to see the highlights, while wilderness camping will bring you closer to the region’s wildlife – drift off to sleep to the call of cranes and awake to the rustle of elephants grazing on nearby riverbanks.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 21 daysService level: Camping
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Starts in: Victoria FallsPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: Cape TownAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Victoria Falls
Arrive at any time.
Your accommodation is in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and NOT Livingstone (Zambia). Please make sure you have the necessary visa.
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 you know which visas you will need, if any. Please note that not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival at the border.
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 you know which visas you will need, if any. Please note that not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival at the border.
Day 2: Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close (and wet from the spray) to the awesome Victoria Falls, opt to raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, or bungee jump (with Victoria Falls in sight).
Opt to visit Victoria Falls, go whitewater rafting, or take a helicopter flight over the falls.
Want to do more with your tour? Pre-book any two of the following activities: Zambezi Whitewater Rafting, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride, or the Zambezi River Sunset Cruise.
Any optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival in Victoria Falls.
Any optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival in Victoria Falls.
Day 3: Victoria Falls/Kasane
You will stay over just outside of the park near the town of Kasane. This afternoon, take an optional wildlife safari drive in the park or an afternoon sunset boat cruise along the Chobe River - it's your best opportunity to view hippos, crocodiles, and many elephants wallowing in the water.
You can pre-book the Chobe River Sunset Cruise on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
You can pre-book the Chobe River Sunset Cruise on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Cross the border from Zimbabwe into Botswana. Opt to take a wildlife viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River or a wildlife safari drive in an open safari vehicle in Chobe National Park.
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Kasane/Gweta
When the rain comes, it brings life to the pans, awakening the dormant fish and aquatic shrimps from the mud. The surrounding grasslands also teem with life and are home to many antelope, which attract a wide variety of predators.
Opt to do a morning safari drive before travelling south to Gweta. Camp under ancient baobab trees.
End place: Gweta
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Gweta/Maun
Start place: Gweta
Book the Okavango Delta Flight extra on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Opt to catch a bird's-eye view of the delta on a scenic flight.
Please note: if you have pre-booked the Okavango Delta Flight, today is likely the day for this activity! Your CEO will give you final confirmation when it will take place, as it is subject to change.
End place: Maun
Meals: B, L
Day 6: Maun/Okavango Delta
Start place: Maun
After leaving some of our luggage in Maun, we begin our exciting excursion into the delta as we drive about 1-2 hrs (depending on which dock we go to) to the "dock". Here, we hop into a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, which will take us deep into the delta. After a couple hours in a mokoro, we arrive to our basic bush camp.
Enjoy a wildlife walk, a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) excursion, and birding.
Please note that there will be no shower tonight, as our camp is very basic in the wild - you will be compensated by the incredible landscape and wildlife!
Once we are in Maun, you can pick up any supplies and prepare for our excursion into the Okavango Delta. We recommend you buy a 5 litre bottle of water to take with you into the Delta; this should be sufficient to use for drinking and cleaning purposes.
Once we are in Maun, you can pick up any supplies and prepare for our excursion into the Okavango Delta. We recommend you buy a 5 litre bottle of water to take with you into the Delta; this should be sufficient to use for drinking and cleaning purposes.
End place: Delta de l'Okavango
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Maun/D'kar
Start place: Maun
We continue through the western part of Botswana, the heart of the Kalahari, to D'kar. Get a glimpse of how the San adapted to the Kalahari Desert. Learn fascinating wilderness survival skills by local Bushmen on an optional Bushman walk.
Spend the night at the G Adventures supported Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp, and meet the local San Bushmen. Optional walk to learn survival skills from the locals.
End place: Dekar
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: D'kar/Windhoek
Start place: Dekar
Opt to explore the city centre of Windhoek after a long drive and a border crossing.
Meals: B, L
Day 9: Windhoek/Etosha National Park
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 a wildlife safari drive in the overland vehicle, then opt to take an open vehicle wildlife safari night drive.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Etosha National Park
Start place: Etosha National Park
Enjoy a full-day wildlife safari drive in Etosha National Park.
End place: Etosha National Park
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Etosha National Park/Damaraland
Start place: Etosha National Park
Morning wildlife safari drive in the overland vehicle. Travel to Damaraland through beautiful desert landscapes.
End place: Damaraland
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Damaraland/Spitzkoppe
Start place: Damaraland
Explore on your own by foot, and be sure to check out the night sky—it's great for star-gazing!
Visit the Damaraland Living Museum to learn more about the lost culture of the Damara people, then travel south and enjoy the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe.
Our basic bush camp will have long-drop toilets and no running water.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Spitzkoppe/Swakopmund
We will spend two nights in Swakopmund, here you can explore this historical town or try some of the numerous activities available.
Travel through the coastal region to the adrenaline capital of Swakopmund.
End place: Swakopmund
Meals: B, L
Day 14: Swakopmund
Start place: Swakopmund
Fill free time with sandboarding, skydiving, or a living desert tour.
End place: Swakopmund
Day 15: Swakopmund/Namib Desert
Start place: Swakopmund
Arrive in the area in the afternoon where we will be camping on the edge of the Namib Desert. Opt to walk with a local expert who will explain the desert and its mysteries.
End place: Namib Desert
Meals: B, L, D
Day 16: Namib Desert
Start place: Namib Desert
We will leave early morning towards Sossuvlei campsite, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert. Here you will really feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere.
The afternoon is spent exploring the natural wonders of this bizarre environment. Visit Sossusvlei - a clay pan, enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes, up to 300m (984 ft) high. Here, opt to take a guided walk in the sands dunes, or enjoy some free time to explore on your own.
The afternoon is spent exploring the natural wonders of this bizarre environment. Visit Sossusvlei - a clay pan, enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes, up to 300m (984 ft) high. Here, opt to take a guided walk in the sands dunes, or enjoy some free time to explore on your own.
Explore the Sesriem Canyon, a small canyon typical of the area. Then continue on to the Sossusvlei Dunes and climb up breathtaking Dune 45.
End place: Namib Desert
Meals: B, L, D
Day 17: Namib Desert/Fish River Canyon
Start place: Namib Desert
Journey to Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa, and arguably the second largest in the world. Spend some time here taking in the majestic beauty of the canyon, watch as a spectacular sunset slips over the canyon's rim.
Enjoy the sunset at Fish River Canyon.
End place: Visrivier Canyon
Meals: B, L, D
Day 18: Fish River Canyon/Orange River
Start place: Visrivier Canyon
Set up camp on the banks of Orange River for the night. After, enjoy a late afternoon of swimming, relaxing, or possibly even canoeing on the river.
Head to the border and cross into South Africa. Camp at the scenic Orange River and opt to go canoeing.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 19: Orange River/Cederberg
Head south through the Western Cape to the area of the Cederberg Mountains, where we spend the evening camping on a local farm. Explore the area, sip local wine, and sit back and enjoy the dramatic scenery.
Travel past large plantations of rooibos tea and view dramatic Western Cape scenery.
End place: Cederberg
Meals: B, L, D
Day 20: Cederberg/Cape Town
Start place: Cederberg
For our final travel day, journey to the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town.
Visit the G Adventures supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, before arriving in vibrant Cape Town. Enjoy beautiful views of Table Mountain, and opt for a final night out with the group.
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.
End place: Cape Town
Meals: B, L
Day 21: Cape Town
Start place: Cape Town
We highly recommend booking an extra night in Cape Town to explore all that this area has to offer.
Depart at any time.
End place: Cape Town
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp, Dekar 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
- Okavango Delta overnight bush camping excursion
- Etosha National Park entrance with wildlife safari drives
- Entrance to Sossusvlei Dunes, Fish River Canyon, and Spitzkoppe
- Damaraland Living Museum visit
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Lando (overland adventure vehicle), Walking, Mokoro, Safari vehicle -
Accommodation
Participation camping (14 nts), Permanent tented camp (1 nt), Guesthouse (2 nts, multi-share ), Basic bush camping (2 nts), Hostel (1 nt, multi-share)