Cape to Namibia Grand Explorer

Itinerary summary

Day 1 CAPE TOWN
Day 2 CEDARBERG
Day 3 GARIEP RIVER
Day 4 FISH RIVER CANYON
Day 5 - 6 NAMIB DESERT
Day 7 – 8 SWAKOPMUND
Day 9 – 10 DAMARALAND
Day 11 - 12 ETOSHA NP
Day 13 WINDHOEK
Day 14

Detailed itinerary

Day 1 CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, with the majestic Table Mountain providing its central focus. After a tour briefing at 8:00am, we visit the African Penguin colony en route to Cape Point Nature Reserve, and spend the rest of the day relaxing on Hout Bay beach. We sample some of Cape Town’s culinary wonders at a local restaurant in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (own expense). [guest house - - -]

Day 2 CEDARBERG
guided walk included The Cederberg is a massive rock wilderness with giant sandstone boulders that have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes. We head north to the Cederberg and explore the rugged landscape on foot before relaxing in chalets for the evening. [chalet BLD]
[B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]

Day 3 GARIEP RIVER
We make our way into the more arid regions and upon entering Namibia, we stay at a lodge on the Gariep River. Namibia’s southern border river flows quietly and peacefully and the river valley is hardly affected by tourism. The riverbed is sandy, the water clean and clear. Time free for swimming and relaxing or you can adventure down the river in canoes (own expense). [tented lodge BLD]

Day 4 FISH RIVER CANYON
The Fish River Canyon, situated along the lower reaches of the Fish River, is one of the most impressive natural beauties in the southern part of Namibia. With its depth of up to 550 metres, the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world. We make our way to the canyon and in the afternoon and watch a spectacular sunset as the sun slips over the canyon’s rim. [Lodge BLD]

Day 5 - 6 NAMIB DESERT
guided walk included The parched Namib Desert has endless orange dunes blown into sharp ridges by the sand-shifting wind and at Sossusvlei they form a gateway into the Namib Desert. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes. [lodge or tented lodge BLD]

Day 7 – 8 SWAKOPMUND
Swakopmund is a popular seaside resort with a slightly nostalgic atmosphere, characterized by numerous colonial buildings. In terms of flora, both the Welwitschias Mirabilis and the Kokerboom grow on the stony plains of the Namib and many beautiful specimens surround the coastal town. Swakopmund is also the adventure activity capital of Namibia. Day free to explore the town or try quad biking / dune boarding (own expense). [guest house Bx2 Lx1-]

Day 9 – 10 DAMARALAND
guided walk included Namibia is a land of great contrasts and Damaraland demonstrates this with stark plains, petrified forests and ancient valleys leading to rocky outcrops and the soaring peaks of the Brandberg Massive Mountains. We’ll also visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. [chalets BLD]

Day 11 - 12 ETOSHA NP
Once a vast lake fed by the Kunene River, the pan that is Etosha NP dried up thousands of years ago when the river waters chose a new course. Etosha is big game country. We take game drives around the huge pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions around the waterholes. We stay at a lodge on the outskirts of the national park. [guest lodge or tented camp BLD]

Day 13 WINDHOEK
This pretty town, beautifully situated in a valley, combines the architecture of a modern city with numerous buildings in the style of the German colonial era. The charm of the city of Windhoek lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. We visit the cosmopolitan capital and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense). [Guest House BL-]

Day 14 KALAHARI
Cape to Namibia clients end tour +/-08:00am on morning of day 14. [B--]