Highlights of Southern Africa
30 days
From $ 7099
Duration30 days

When you put the word “highlights” in the name of a trip, you better be confident that it lives up to the hype. This trip does. Across 30 epic days, you’ll go round-trip to Cape Town via Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia — a new spin on one of our most popular routes — taking comfortable touring vehicles as well as staying in a mix of hotels and campsites for a well-rounded experience. Wildlife sightings and cultural moments come standard here — everything from searching for the "big five" in national parks to enjoying meals with local families. You’ve got memories made for a lifetime.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 30 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Physical Grading: Light
  • Ages: 12+
Highlights of Southern Africa - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Cape Town
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Cape Town
Enjoy a full day in Cape Town with the option to visit Table Mountain, choose to explore Cape Point, or embark on a wine tour around Stellenbosch. In the evening, opt to join your group for meal at one of Cape Town's many great restaurants. If you are interested in visiting Robben Island - you must book it directly with the museum on their website prior to travel: http://www.robben-island.org.za Due to high demand, it is common that this tour can be sold out over one month in advance.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Cape Town/Johannesburg
Take a short flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. In the afternoon, travel to Soweto for a bicycle tour and learn more about its important history and significant role in bringing the issues of segregation to the forefront.
Meals: B
Day 4: Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area
Take the Panorama Route into the Kruger National Park area. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner and dance experience.
Meals: B, D
Day 5: Kruger National Park
Opt for a wildlife safari drive in an open safari vehicle.
Enjoy a full day wildlife safari drive in the Kruger NP (own vehicle). Keep an eye out for elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo—Africa's famed Big Five.
Meals: B, D
Day 6: Greater Kruger Area
Unfenced from the Kruger National Park, Letaba Ranch is known for its large herds of giraffe, elephant and buffalo. At night, listen to the sounds of the animals as they move along the banks of the river, and through the camp.
Head north to the Letaba Ranch, for a guided nature walk along the Great Letaba River.
Meals: B, D
Day 7: Greater Kruger Area/Morning Sun Nature Reserve
Opt for a morning safari drive, or soak up the atmosphere in the camp, before traveling to the next lodge, in the Morning Sun Nature Reserve. Free afternoon to relax by the pool, or opt to take one of the hikes in the surrounding Soutpansberg Mountains.
Meals: B
Day 8: Morning Sun NR/Great Zimbabwe Monument Area
Get an earlier start and cross the border into Zimbabwe. Continue on to the Great Zimbabwe Monument. Accommodations on this night have shared bathroom facilities.
Meals: B, D
Day 9: Great Zimbabwe Monument Area/Matobo National Park
Start the day with a visit to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Africa's most significant ruins site south of Cairo. Learn the history of the ruins and climb to the citadel for a view over the site. Continue on to Matobo National Park.
Meals: B
Day 10: Matobo National Park
Wake up early and opt to explore ancient cave paintings, visit the grave of Rhodes, hike the unique and stunning landscape, or hang out by the pool. In the afternoon, enjoy an included rhino walk, with the opportunity to get up close and personal with this endangered species.
Meals: B
Day 11: Matobo National Park/Hwange National Park
Travel to Hwange National Park for an opportunity to spot more wildlife. Opt to enjoy an evening wildlife safari drive in a safari vehicle. You can pre-book the Wildlife Safari in Hwange National Park on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Meals: B
Day 12: Hwange National Park/Victoria Falls
Continue on to Victoria Falls. Marvel at the spectacular falls from the Zimbabwean side, then enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore further. Your accommodation is in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and NOT Livingstone (Zambia). Please make sure you have the necessary visa.
Meals: B
Day 13: Victoria Falls
The town of 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) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, and for the more adventurous, bungee jump with Victoria Falls in view.

Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Spend the day exploring your beautiful surroundings. 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. You can pre-book on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.

Any optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival in Victoria Falls.
Meals: B
Day 14: Victoria Falls/Kasane
Drive to the border and cross from Zimbabwe into Botswana. Continue to the Kasane area, outside the gates of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa.

Opt to check out one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River.

There are options here for a casual cruise to enjoy the scenery with a cocktail or a photo safari by boat, with the opportunity to capture some great shots with instruction, a professional camera, and zoom lens. Evening is a great time to be on the river.
Cross the border into Botswana, and stay in Kasane, just outside of Chobe NP. Try to spot the elephants, crocodiles, and hippos this region is famous for during an optional sundowner cruise or photo river safari. Travellers have the option to prebook either the Evening Photo Safari on the Chobe River, OR Chobe Sunset Cruise for this evening. Please note that the Morning Photo Safari on the Chobe River is also pre-bookable the following morning at sunrise.
Meals: B
Day 15: Kasane/Nata
Prebook the Morning Photo Safari on the Chobe River at sunrise for one last chance to see the "big five".
Opt to rise early for a sunrise safari on the Chobe River. Travel to Nata. Opt for a bush walk or sunset wildlife safari drive in the area. Watch elephants drink from the camp's watering hole at night.

End place: Nata

Meals: B, D
Day 16: Nata/Maun

Start place: Nata

Travel to Maun, the biggest town in the Okavango Delta area, pick up any supplies needed, and prepare for the journey into the Okavango Delta.

You can pre-book the Okavango Delta Flight extra on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.

In the evening, watch a traditional dance group performance on the poolside terrace.
Prepare for a 1-night/2-day journey into the delta. Opt to take a scenic flight over the delta. If you pre-booked the Okavango Delta Flight, you will be flying today.

End place: Maun

Meals: B
Day 17: Okavango Delta

Start place: Maun

The excursion begins with a drive in customized safari vehicles for about 1-2 hrs to the "dock" to board a mokoro (canoe) that takes us deep into the delta. After a 1-2 hrs in the mokoro, arrive to the basic bush camp.
Enjoy wildlife walks, traditional mokoro excursions, and birding. Learn the ways of the bush from the local polers. Camping equipment, a mattress and bedding are provided, but if you would like to bring your own sleeping bag, you can.

End place: Delta de l'Okavango

Meals: B, L, D
Day 18: Maun/D'kar

Start place: Maun

Enjoy the sunrise in the delta before travelling back to Maun by mokoro. Travel along the northern portions of the Kalahari Desert throughout the day – this is a severely arid and barren landscape, though very beautiful.

Arrive in the late afternoon and camp close to D'kar. Enjoy a traditional local meal before settling in for the night.
Traverse the Kalahari Desert. Spend the night at the G Adventures supported Dqae Qare San Lodge, and meet the local San Bushmen on a walk to learn their desert survival skills.

End place: Dekar

Meals: B, D
Day 19: Dekar/Windhoek

Start place: Dekar

Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Travel to Windhoek, the German-influenced capital city of Namibia.
Meals: B
Day 20: 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 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 21: Etosha National Park
Enjoy another wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for some of the famous wildlife.
Day 22: 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.
Drive to the historical city of Swakopmund.
Day 23: 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 24: 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.
Travel into the beautiful Namib Desert, stopping at Walvis Bay on the way.

End place: Namib Desert

Meals: D
Day 25: 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 26: 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 27: 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 28: 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.
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 29: 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.
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 30: 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: Victoria Falls Your Discover Moment: Swakopmund Your Wellness Moment: Ai-Ais Hot Springs visit, Ai-Ais Hot Springs
  • Cape Town orientation walk
  • Soweto township tour
  • Panorama Route drive
  • Kruger National Park wildlife safari drive in our vehicle (full-day)
  • Traditional dance experience
  • Nature walk in Letaba Ranch
  • Great Zimbabwe National Monument visit
  • Rhino walk (Matobo National Park)
  • Victoria Falls visit
  • Okavango Delta excursion with entrances, wildlife walks, and dugout canoe trips
  • Traditional local meal (Kalahari)
  • Etosha National Park entrance with wildlife safari drives in our vehicle
  • Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon entrance
  • Traditional meal in a local home
  • Fish River Canyon entrance
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Plane, Air-conditioned touring vehicle, Safari vehicles, Mokoro, Walking
  • Accommodation

    Hotels (13 nts), Lodge/chalet (8 nts), Guesthouse (1 nt), Basic camping (1 nt), Adventure tents (2 nts), Participation camping (4 nts)

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