View CV21 Trip Map Welcome & Overview PDF

 

Day 1: Cederburg

day1-wine-tastingWe leave from the Ashanti Lodge at 9:30, and depart on a township tour. Then, after lunch at Table bay, we head north learning about South Africa’s fascinating history. We travel north to the Cederburg and Highlander’s campsite for wine-tasting. For those interested in learning about local flora and fauna before wine-tasting, there is a rigorous hike with a spectacular view over the vineyards below.

Day 2: Orange River

We travel to the Orange River’s popular Bushwhacked (or similar) campsite, via the bustling town of Springbok. For those who love to canoe, this is a perfect chance to paddle down one of South Africa’s longest river systems and experience its wildlife and beautiful desert topography.

Day 3: Fish River Canyon

After an optional half-day canoe trip, we cross the border into Namibia, learning about this vast country’s dramatic history. We head straight to Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world. We do a one to two hour sunset hike along the canyon rim. Later that night at the beautiful campsite Canon Roadhouse, we do a night walk under a blanket of stars to find the nocturnal denizens of the Namibian desert.

Day 4: Sesriem

We delve further into the depths of the Namib-Naukluft desert, stopping along the way to snap photos of the dramatic topography. We arrive at the campsite in the afternoon and set up our tents in the red sand of Sesriem. At night we go on yet another nocturnal adventure seeking out the elusive night creatures that haunt Sesriem.

Day 5: Sossusvlei, Dead Vlei, and Solitaire

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Waking up before sunrise, we whiz out to Dune 45. We climb the 120 meters to its top to watch the sunrise over this magical landscape. For those with a competitive and adventurous spirit, you can try your luck at winning the Africa-renowned Super Dune 45 super race: 120 meters down at a 34 degree angle. We have breakfast and cheer the winner.

We then drive another 17 kilometers to Sossusvlei itself. We spend two hours hiking through the dunes to the world-renowned, photographic marvel known as Dead Vlei (as seen in the Hollywood movie “The Cell”). After this adventure, we pack up camp and beeline for our next destination, Solitaire, a place locally known for the mouth-watering delights of its bakery.

Day 6-7: Swakopmund

After a short drive, we arrive in the sea-side town of Swakopmund. We check into Gruner Kranz Swakop Lodge (or similar) and either jump immediately into activities, or walk the streets of this picturesque, “German” town. In the evening we sample the culinary delights of the town’s innumerable restaurants and plan the weekend’s adventures such as sand-boarding, sky-diving over the dunes, dolphin and seal cruise, horse-riding through the desert, or quad-biking the massive dunes.

Day 8: Spitzkoppe

After spending the morning enjoying the last of civilization’s comforts, we drive a few hours to our first bushcamp, Spitzkoppe. Among the huge granite inselbergs we hike and learn about this beautiful place, a sacred location for the San people.

At sunset we climb a koppe and watch the sun sink into the desert horizon. When Spitzkoppe’s uproarious night activities end, those desiring to do so, may sleep on the top of the inselbergs under the star-filled Namibian sky.

Day 9: North to Etosha

After breakfast we stop in the small town of Outjo on our way north, perhaps catching a glimpse of some of the Himba tribe who frequent this town. After filling up on baked goods, we beeline for our campsite that lies just outside Etosha National Park.oryx

Day 10: Etosha National Park

For those who are coming to Africa for the classic safari to see Africa’s world-famous wildlife, this day marks the beginning. W enter Etosha National Park and game drive for the day. We search for the Big Five, giraffe, herds of zebra, wildebeest, springbok, oryx and an endless array of bird and wildlife that makes Etosha one of Africa’s most coveted National Parks.

Day 11: Etosha National Park

Waking up early, we once again head into the depths of Etosha. We spend the day game driving across the great expanse of the park. We stop at the beautiful oasis Halali Resort halfway across the park. We have our lunch and relax by the pool, or sit by Halali’s waterhole to watch the animals come to drink. After our break, we go out to the edge of the vast, white expanse that is Etosha Pan. We then spend the rest of the afternoon seeking out the animals we have not yet found.

We camp at another of Etosha’s beautiful resorts, Namutoni, which has a waterhole lit by floodlights. Passengers may sit by the waterhole all night and watch the animals come to drink.

Day 12: Grootfontein

This day we drive a short distance after a minor morning game drive out of the park to Grootfontein. They we set up camp and enjoy the amenities of our new campsite.

Day 13: Divundu

Rising early, we travel the Caprivi Strip to Divundu and the beautiful riverside campsite of Rainbow Lodge. From the banks of the Kavango River there you may see hippos and/or crocs making their way through the water.

Day 14: Maun

Rising early, we cross the border into Botswana. Learning about Botswana and the Okavango Delta, we venture south toward Maun. In Maun, we shop in preparation for the following day’s adventure into the Delta. At night we camp at Sitatunga Campsite. Right next to the camp is a locally famous Crocodile farm harboring a croc over 17 feet long!

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Day 15-17: The Okavango Delta

Traveling by mokoro (dugout canoe) into the heart of the Okavango Delta, we spend two nights, three days in the true wilds of Africa. Based at a bush camp for the two nights, we venture into the Delta’s Big Five territory on foot by day. At night we share our day’s adventures around the campfire in the entertaining company of our Bostwanan guides.

When we return to Maun in the afternoon of the third day, those who want to take a flight over the Delta may opt to do so to see the Delta from another eye-popping perspective.

Days 18-19: Chobe National Park

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Traveling across the elephant-populated countryside of Bostwana arrives us in the town of Kasane and Thebe River Camp, our base for delving into the heart of Chobe National Park. The first morning begins with a river cruise on the Chobe River. The river cruise allows all to glimpse the massive herds of elephants, rare Red Lechwe and Puku antelope, hippos, and buffaloes that make Chobe their home. Later in the afternoon, the Chobe Overnight option allows overlanders to experience the inner depths of the park in the spirit of the old vintage safaris.

Days 20-21: Victoria Falls

Those on the overnight, return at 10-11am Friday morning. We drive the short distance to the border and cross into Zimbabwe. We head to the town of Victoria Falls, home of one of the Seven Wonders of the World for our last two days. Aside from seeing the awesome falls themselves, the town of Vic Falls has an endless array of other activities to choose from. Such favorite activities as Walking with Lions, Elephant-Back Safaris, or the infamous Gorge-swing and Bungee-jump are the perfect way to end a trip of a lifetime!