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South Africa

Self-drive / Family / Walking / Romance / General Tours / Specials
Camping Tours / Wildlife Training Courses / Victoria Falls

The Great Trek

18 days Cape Town to Livingstone / Victoria Falls - or - 21 days Cape Town to Johannesburg

THE 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.
" Bushmen experience at Tsumeb.
" 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.

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: ORANGE RIVER
An early departure takes us up the West Coast via Namaqualand, to our campsite situated on the banks of the Orange River, the border between South Africa and Namibia. (B, L, D).

DAY 3: FISH RIVER CANYON
An optional half-day canoe excursion on the Orange River is available in the morning (own expense). After lunch we have a short drive to the Fish River Canyon. After setting up camp enjoy a walk along the rim of the canyon and watch the changing colours of sunset over 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: 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 exploring this German colonial town or booking one of the numerous optional excursions (own expense) for the following day. Activities available include sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving, kayaking, hot air ballooning or scenic flights over the vast Namib Desert. Dinner is enjoyed at a local restaurant (own expense). Accommodation in bungalows or Guest house. (B, L).

DAY 7: SPITZKOPPE
The morning is spent at leisure enjoying the town of Swakopmund or the various activities on offer. Departing after lunch, we head north and set up camp among the boulders of the Spitzkoppe Mountains. The spectacular setting of our remote bushcamp is sure to leave a lasting impression. (B, D).

DAY 8: 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 9: 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 10/ 11: 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 12: TSUMEB (BUSHMEN EXPERIENCE)
Departing Etosha we enter the Tsumeb area of Namibia. Learn about the traditional Bushmen way of life, their uses of the local fauna and flora and gain an insight into the life of this ancient culture on a 3 hour guided walk. (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 stop for a guided tour at a traditional Caprivi village and 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.

Tour grading: - participation safari - All the camp duties are shared amongst the participants. A camp assistant/ cook helps the guide with the cooking. Your participation and involvement is part of the fun. It builds the group dynamic and plays an important role in the enjoyment and success of the tour.
Accommodation: 18 nights camping, 2 nights hotel/ chalet in Cape Town and Swakopmund. We provide spacious, comfortable tents (W 2.4m, L2.4, H 1.9m) accommodating 2 persons each. Each tent is insect proof and equipped with a built in ground sheet for insulation as well as two aerating windows with mosquito nets. Each passenger is provided with a foam mattress and a comfortable safari folding chair. A comprehensive set of cooking and camping equipment, water containers, first aid box, reference books on mammals and birds of the area and a set of spare parts is carried in the vehicle. In fact the only things the participants need to bring are their personal effects and a sleeping bag or blanket, and small pillow.
Meals: All meals when camping, except 1 lunch &1 dinner in Livingstone/ Victoria Falls. Breakfast only in Cape Town and Swakopmund.
Group Size: 4-16 participants.
Sleeping Bag Hire: EURO 35 - 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.

2009 Dates and prices: