The Great Trek Adventure

 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Cape Town, Table Mountain & the Cape of Good Hope.
• Fish River Canyon.
• Walking in the giant dunes of Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert. 
• Optional activities in Swakopmund. 
• Rock engravings in Twyfelfontein. 
• Visit of a traditional Himba village. 
• Game drives & night observation of animals at waterholes in Etosha National Park. 
• Mokoro excursion on the Okavango River. 
• Game drive and boat excursion on the Kwando River and Caprivi Game Reserve. 
• 2 nights in Livingstone/ Victoria Falls. 
• Game viewing cruise on the Chobe River. 
• Sunset on Makgadikgadi Pans

About this Safari

This is a Participation Safari. The concept behind a Particiapation Safari is for guests to enjoy the tasks they are responsible for, while still feeling like valued visitors who are on vacation. Clients’ involvement is an integral part of an enjoyable and successful journey. Clients are required to participate in certain tasks such as assisting the guide and assistant with the making and breaking up of camp.
Accommodation: 17 nights camping, 3 nights hotel/ chalet in Cape Town and Swakopmund.
Meals: All meals when camping, except 1 lunch &1 dinner in Livingstone/ Victoria Falls. Breakfast only in Cape Town. Breakfast and lunch only on Day 6. All meals on Day 7 in Swakopmund for clients own expense.
Group Size: 4-16 participants.
Sleeping Bag Hire: must be booked in advance.
Transfers: 1 night pre-tour accommodation in Cape Town and return airport transfers may be pre-booked.
Important: This safari is recommended for healthy, active participants looking for an adventurous holiday.

Day by Day Itinerary

DAY 1: CAPE TOWN
Set against the majestic Table Mountain, Cape Town offers scenic, historic and cultural attractions. Depart from Breakwater Lodge at 08h00, for a full day peninsula tour. Driving along the Atlantic seaboard via Hout Bay and Chapmans Peak, we visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve, returning along the Indian Ocean coastline back to our well situated Waterfront hotel. A morning or afternoon cable car ascent up Table Mountain is included (weather dependent). Dinner can be enjoyed at the bustling Waterfront at clients’ own expense. Breakwater Lodge (or similar accommodation). (Lunch & dinner own expense)

DAY 2: NAMAQUALAND
The morning is spent at leisure at the V&A Waterfront before departing for the West Coast. Travelling north we install our campsite in the heart of the Namaqualand region. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: FISH RIVER CANYON
Crossing the border into Namibia, after lunch we have a short drive to the Fish River Canyon. We visit the Canyon, which is one of the largest and most awe-inspiring canyons in the world and enjoy the many viewpoints along the rim of the canyon. (B, L, D)

DAY 4/ 5: SESRIEM/ SOSSUSVLEI
Our journey takes us north through ever changing scenery to our camp located on the edge of the Namib Desert. We enjoy a sunset walk in the dunes surrounding our camp. The following morning is an early departure for Sossusvlei, stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colours of the world’s highest sand dunes. We undertake a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. In the afternoon we enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon. (B, L, D)

DAY 6/ 7: SWAKOPMUND
Heading north we reach the coast at Walvis Bay and enjoy lunch while viewing the many flamingos feeding. We arrive in Swakopmund and spend the afternoon and following day exploring this German colonial town or booking one of the numerous optional excursions (own expense). Activities available include sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving, kayaking, hot air ballooning or scenic flights over the vast Namib Desert. Dinner on day 6 and all meals on day 7 are for clients’ own expense to sample the local restaurants. Accommodation in bungalows or Guesthouse. (DAY 6 - B, L)

DAY 8: SPITZKOPPE
The morning is spent viewing the lunar landscapes of Moon Valley and the amazing Welwitschia plant. We head north and set up camp among the boulders of the Spitzkoppe Mountains. An afternoon walk is conducted in the surrounding area. The spectacular setting of our remote bushcamp is sure to leave a lasting impression. (B, D)

DAY 9: DAMARALAND / TWYFELFONTEIN
We drive inland through the Damaraland region with its vast and rugged terrain. Its mountain ranges are intercepted by wide gravel plains, which run into sandy, vegetated riverbeds and hot, dry valleys. We visit the Twyfelfontein area for walks to the bushmen paintings/ rock engravings as well as the Organ Pipes. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: HIMBA VISIT / ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
In the morning we visit the Himba tribe, a semi-nomadic tribe, living in scattered settlements throughout the region. They are characterised by their proud yet friendly stature and the women are noted for their unusual beauty, enhanced by intricate hairstyles and traditional dress. A few hours are spent learning more about these fascinating people. After our visit we proceed to Etosha National Park where we enjoy our first game drive. (B, L, D)

DAY 11/ 12: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
This Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa with thousands of wild animals such as blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion and elephant making this area their home. Floodlit waterholes at Okaukuejo and Namutoni campsites attract an abundance of animals throughout the evening, providing us with many amazing wildlife sightings. We enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives. (B, L, D)

DAY 13/ 14: OKAVANGO RIVER
We enter the Caprivi Strip where camp is set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Okavango River. Enjoy sunset on the deck or a swim in the famous “river pool”. The following afternoon we relax on a sunset mokoro excursion whilst enjoying the prolific bird and animal life of the Okavango. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: KWANDO RIVER - CAPRIVI
Driving through the BwaBwata National Park (formally Caprivi Game Reserve) we have a chance to buy their famous weavings before setting up camp on the banks of the Kwando River. Elephant and Hippo can be viewed from the deck overlooking the river. An afternoon boat excursion and game drive are undertaken in search of the many wild animals that inhabit the BwaBwata National Park. (B, L, D)

DAY 16/ 17: LIVINGSTONE/ VICTORIA FALLS
We travel across the Zambia (or Zimbabwe) border to Victoria Falls - without doubt one of the greatest and most spectacular sights in Africa. Days are spent at leisure to browse the local markets, to experience the many optional activities on offer in the adrenalin capital of Africa including white water rafting, bungi jumping, microlighting/ airplane or helicopter flights over the Falls, rhino walks, elephant back safaris, and to visit the Falls (own expense).
(All meals excluding 1 lunch & 1 dinner)

Clients have the option of ending this tour in Livingstone/ Victoria Falls on the morning of day 18 or
continuing as follows:

DAY 18: CHOBE RIVER
Crossing into Botswana via the Zambezi River pontoon, we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. We relax on a game viewing cruise on the Chobe River. (B, L, D)

DAY 19: NATA (MAKGADIKGADI PANS)
After arriving at Nata, we visit the Makgadikgadi Pans (weather permitting) for a truly unforgettable sunset over what remains of an ancient 6500km2 lake. (B, L, D)

DAY 20: LIMPOPO AREA
We install our camp for the last night near the mighty Limpopo River, which forms the border of Botswana and South Africa.(B, L, D)

DAY 21: JOHANNESBURG
We travel via the ‘Jacaranda City’ of Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa and home of the famous Union Buildings, ending at +-16h00. (B, L)

This itinerary will depend on local conditions

Dates and Rates 2008 - The Great Trek Adventure

 All rates are based on two sharing.  Please contact us for single supplement amounts.