Welcome to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital and largest city. Lying in a valley bordered by the Eros Mountains in the north and the Auas Mountains in the south, Windhoek is a scenic city with a harmonious blend of African and European cultures and architectural influences. This evening we’ll meet our fellow travellers during a group welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

We’ll get our first glimpses of the real African desert today as we leave Windhoek behind and head north to the Waterberg Plateau National Park. As it’s name suggests, the Waterberg Plateau is a table mountain range, rising some 200 metres high. Cracks in the top layer of porous rock has allowed lush vegetation to grow down the mountain and foothills creating a visually spectacular masterpiece. After lunch at the lodge, we’ll take a guided bush walk for approximately 3 hours along the Waterberg Honeymoon Sundowner Trail. Our walk will be along uneven, rocky ground. Along the way, our guide will happily share his knowledge of the area, including the fauna and flora and tales of the locals, the Herero people.

Multi-Activity

Embark on an exclusive plateau hike and enjoy a sundowner on Mount Olympus at the edge of the Kalahari.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Our morning here at Waterberg is at leisure. You may choose to do another self-guided hike around the lodge before our late morning departure for Etosha National Park. Along the way, we’ll stop in the small town of Otijiwarongo for some lunch and to stretch our legs. Etosha is one of Africa's most diverse and well-known wildlife reserves, boasting over 110 different animals and over 300 different bird species. It is characterised by an immense salt desert, so large that it can be seen from space – the Etosha Pan. The perennial springs along the edges of the Etosha Pan draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds during the dry season each year. After a period of rain, the salt pan fills with water (and flamingos), making for an ideal photo opportunity. Upon arrival, we’ll take an afternoon game drive through this spectacular national park.

Optional Excursion

Waterberg Etosha Plateau Hike approximately 2-3km, 3 hours. Your guide climbs the plateau with you (approx. 150 m above the plains) and explains plants and animals in the park to you and gives you an insight into the daily life and culture of the Herero people living in this area. Terrific view of the valley or of the plains of the Kalahari. From US $459pp (no minimum participants)

We have an early start today for our full day of game viewing through Etosha National Park. The park is home to four of the ‘Big Five’ – elephant, lion, leopard and rhino. Its waterholes support a rich diversity of birds and mammals, including rare species such as the black-faced impala, cheetah and Namibia’s smallest antelope, the Damara dik dik. Make sure you bring your binoculars to help spot the magnificent birdlife!

This morning we make our way through the Erongo region to Swakopmund, a German heritage town located on the south-west African coast. Established in 1892, Swakopmund is home to over 40,000 people and is the country’s largest coastal town with palm-lined streets, sandy beaches, seaside promenades and old German colonial buildings. It’s a highly sought-after holiday destination for those seeking adventure activities.

Special Experience

Visit a local village of the San people and join them for a unique bush walk.

Optional Excursion

Optional Excursion - Swakopmund Scenic Flight (Cessna 210 Craft) – Often described as 'the flight of a lifetime', travelling from Swakopmund along the Kuiseb Riverbed to the awe-inspiring dunes at Sossusvlei. The colour and shadows of these gigantic mountains of sand change by the hour from beige to rust-red to purple, dazzling the eye. The flight continues over the ‘sea of sand’, towards the shore at Conception Bay, soaring along the coastline and over the shipwreck of the German passenger liner, Eduard Bohlen. Other points of interests include Sandwich Harbour and it’s a large saltwater lagoon, home to an incredible variety of bird life and one of southern Africa’s greatest natural bird sanctuaries; and the salt mines of Walvis Bay, before landing back in the town of Swakopmund. 2 hours (610km) - from US $390pp (minimum 4 participants)

Multi-Activity

Kayak on the Atlantic Ocean along the Namibian coast and interact with marine animals.

Multi-Activity

Experience the wide-open spaces of the Namib Desert as we go dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle through Sandwich Harbour.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Enjoy the passing scenery as we travel through the desolate rolling hills of the Kuiseb Moon Valley this morning on our way to Sossusvlei. This phenomenal desert has been in existence for some 43 million years and its current landscape has remained unchanged for the last 2 million years. One of Namibia’s most spectacular landmarks, Sossusvlei is a large white salt and clay pan, which is surrounded by magnificent red dunes. Some of these dunes reach over 400-metres-high, making them the highest on earth.

Special Experience

Admire the passing scenery on a drive through the lodge’s private reserve and relax with a sundowner drink while witnessing the most spectacular sunset.

Visiting the highest sand dunes on earth is our first adventure this morning, where we experience this soulful, awe-inspiring place at sunrise. We’ll clamber up the dunes to admire the ageless desert and claypans from above. Be sure to bring your camera as this will be an incredible sight!

Multi-Activity

Take the slow walk through the sands as we scale 'Big Daddy', one of the tallest dunes in the Sossusvlei area and be rewarded with spectacular views over the peaks and troughs of the sand sea, down to Dead Vlei.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Today we can sit back, relax and savour the starkly beautiful African plains on our way to Klein-Aus Vista. Known as the home of the wild horses of the Namib, over many decades these wild horses have conquered and made the sparse desert plains their own. After our afternoon arrival at the lodge, we’ll have some time to stretch our legs before embarking on a scenic sunset drive through Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park. Called ‘Namibia’s Namaqualand’, it is said that the Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park is the most bio-diverse desert on the planet. Within it’s granite mountains, dry riverbeds and sweeping plains 3 different desert systems meet and converge and after rainfall, the desert comes alive with a variety of colourful blooms.

Optional Excursion

Hot Air Balloon Ride – Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the world’s oldest desert come to life at sunrise. Enjoy a hot-air balloon ride directly over Namib Naukluft Park. Away from the crowds in the peaceful glow of dawn, your flight over the Namib Desert promises to be a highlight of your visit.

A day of fascinating history, incredible wildlife and stunning natural scenery await us as we make our way to the coastal town of Luderitz today. Along the way, we’ll stop at the watering hole at Garub, hopefully we’ll be lucky enough to spot the wild horses as they come to drink. Next, we explore the once prosperous diamond town of Kolmanskop. When diamonds were discovered in the area in the early 1900’s, the town of Kolmanskop rose from nothing out of the desert. The town was completely deserted by 1954 after a richer supply was found further south. Today it is a ghost town and slowly sinking back into the sand of the Namib desert, a photographers dream! Reaching Luderitz, we’ll enjoy some free time after lunch and to roam the picturesque streets. Located in a rare bay along an otherwise inhospitable coastline, Luderitz was first discovered by the Portuguese in 1487 and then settled by the Germans in 1883 when Robert Luderitz suggested to the German government that it put the area under German protection. The town is now an eclectic mix of German colonial architecture and art nouveau styles. We arrive back at our lodge in Klein-Aus Vista and the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. You may wish to explore one of the self guided hiking trails, or even test yourself on the advanced mountain bike tracks!

Today we leave Klein-Aus Vista behind as we make our way to Naute, where we visit the Naute Kristall Cellar and Distillery for a gin tasting. Continuing our travels, we make our way to the stunning Fish River Canyon Viewpoint. The second largest canyon on earth, Fish River Canyon is spectacularly beautiful. Created millions of years ago during a shift in the earth’s crust, further water erosion has helped make it a natural phenomenon. Now is not the time to forget your camera! The afternoon takes us via Ais Ais and to the border of South Africa where our lodge is located on the banks of the Orange River.

Flowing westwards from the Drakensberg Mountains towards the Atlantic Ocean, the Orange River is the longest river in southern Africa. Today we’ll have the opportunity to experience the river firsthand.

Multi-Activity

Paddle through the spectacular scenery on the Orange River during a guided rafting and canoeing adventure.

Special Experience

Savour a unique candlelight dinner under the stars with breathtaking views of the Orange River.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Heading south today, we cross into South Africa, southernmost tip of the African continent. We have the chance to settle in on the coach and enjoy the ever changing scenery as we make our way to Clanwilliam. Touted as one of the ten oldest towns in South Africa, Clanwilliam is a picturesque town nestled between the Cederberg Mountain ranges and the Olifants River and is well known for being the home of the delicious rooibos tea. It’s pretty streets are filled with history and the lovely old colonial buildings tell a wonderful tale of times past.

An exciting day ahead as we visit Cederberg National Park in the Western Cape and take a guided hike in the stunning mountain ranges.

Multi-Activity

Take a guided hike in the stunning mountain ranges of the Cederberg Wilderness Area with a registered and accredited hiking guide.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

This morning we take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting), South Africa’s most iconic landmark. Table Mountain towers over the city and is the country’s most photographed attraction. It takes only 5 minutes to ascend by cable car and once atop, we’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the city, beaches and across Table Bay to Robben Island. Afterwards, we’ll have some free time to explore the V&A Waterfront independently.

Special Experience

Learn how to make a variety of Cape Malay favourites during a hands on cooking class and enjoy the creations for dinner.

Today marks the end of our incredible adventure across Namibia and South Africa. We transfer to Cape Town airport to begin our journey home. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!