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Camping Tours / Wildlife Training Courses / Victoria Falls

Transkalahari Adventure

21 days Cape Town to Johannesburg via Victoria Falls - 2/3 star accommodated

The Highlights
* Cape Town, Table Mountain & the Cape of Good Hope.
* Scenic beauty of the Namaqualand region.
* Historic Hantam area of Calvinia.
* Augrabies Falls National Park.
* Game drives in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
* Fish River Canyon.
* Walking in the giant dunes of Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert.
* Optional activities in Swakopmund.
* Rock engravings in Twyfelfontein.
* Visit to a traditional Himba village.
* Game drives & night observation of animals at waterholes in Etosha National Park.
* Okavango River.
* 2 nights in Livingstone/ Victoria Falls.
* Game viewing cruise on the Chobe River.
* Sunset on Makgadikgadi Pans (weather permitting).
* Great Accommodation

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 Chapman’s 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. Overnight Breakwater Lodge (or similar accommodation).(Lunch & dinner own expense)

Day 2: Calvinia (Hantam region)
Departing Cape Town we pass through the picturesque Namaqualand region arriving in the historic town of Calvinia, nestled on the foot of the Hantam Mountain range. During the months of August – October the landscape is transformed into an explosion of colour due to the numerous wild flowers of the region. Overnight Hantam Huis (or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 3: Augrabies Falls National Park
Leaving the Little Karoo we head north to the Augrabies Falls National Park. Here the mighty Orange River plummets 56m into the gorge below. The local name for these majestic falls is ‘Aukoerebis’ or ‘place of great noise’. We spend the afternoon enjoying the falls from its many viewpoints. Overnight Augrabies Falls Restcamp chalets (or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 4/5: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Leaving Augrabies Falls National Park we head north into the Kalahari and the magnificent Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Covering over 3,6 million hectares this is one of the largest reserves in Africa. Due to sparse vegetation in the area excellent predator sightings are common including that of the famous black maned Lion. Overnight Kgalagadi Restcamp chalets (or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 6: Fish River Canyon
Leaving the Kalahari region we head west and enter Namibia. We visit the Fish River Canyon, which is one of the largest and most awe inspiring canyons in the world. Overnight Canyon Village (or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 7/8: Sesriem
Our journey takes us north through ever changing scenery to our accommodation located on the edge of the Namib Desert. 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. Overnight Weltevrede Guest Farm (or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 9/10: Swakopmund
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. Accommodation Dunedin Star Guest House (or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 11: 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. Overnight Oase Guesthouse
(or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 12: 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. Overnight Etosha Restcamp Chalets (or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 13: 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. Overnight Etosha Restcamp Chalets (or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 14/15: Okavango River
We enter the Caprivi Strip where we spend the night set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Okavango River. Enjoy sunset on the deck or a swim in the famous “river pool”. The following day is free for optional excursions (own account) such as bird walks, game drives, mokoro excursions. Overnight Ngepi Camp
(or similar accommodation). (B)

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). Overnight Bushfront chalets (or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 18: Chobe River
Crossing into Botswana via the Zambezi River pontoon, we enter Botswana heading for Chobe National Park. 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. Overnight Chobe Safari Lodge (or similar accommodation). (B)

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. Overnight Lodge (or similar accommodation). (B)

Day 20: Limpopo Area
We travel across the border into South Africa and overnight in this picturesque region of the country. Overnight Bobidi Lodge. (or similar accommodation). (B)

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)

(This itinerary will depend on local conditions.)

Accommodation: 20 nights restcamp, bungalow, chalet and small hotel/ guest farm. See examples
Meals: Breakfast throughout, lunches & dinners own expense.
Group Size: 4-16 participants.
Transfers: One night pre-tour accommodation in Cape Town, and return airport transfers may be pre-booked.
Important: This tour is recommended for healthy, active participants looking for an adventurous holiday.

2009 Dates and Prices:

Prices	Start Dates	End Dates
€ 2119	Mon, 4 May 09	Sun, 24 May 09
€ 2119	Mon, 1 Jun 09	Sun, 21 Jun 09
€ 2244	Mon, 6 Jul 09	Sun, 26 Jul 09
€ 2244	Mon, 3 Aug 09	Sun, 23 Aug 09
€ 2244	Mon, 7 Sep 09	Sun, 27 Sep 09
€ 2244	Mon, 5 Oct 09	Sun, 25 Oct 09
€ 2119	Mon, 2 Nov 09	Sun, 22 Nov 09
€ 2119	Mon, 14 Dec 09	09 Sun, 3 Jan 10