Intrepid Travel
DealGorillas to Vic Falls
Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe · 42 days · Moderate5.0(2)
fromCAD 8,348
Next: 15 Aug
Operated by G Adventures
Journeys: Southern Africa Highlights
From
CAD 13,899
Duration
21 days
Countries
Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa
Activity
easy
Group size
Max 16
The adventure
From multicultural cities to awe-inspiring landscapes and iconic wildlife, discover southern Africa’s most incredible attractions on one epic journey. Scan the grasslands of Kruger National Park for elephants and big cats, take in the otherworldly desert vistas of Namibia, and feel the thundering power of Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy delicious traditional foods along the way, and get a taste of daily life on visits to local markets.
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Begin the day with an exploration of vibrant Cape Town, wandering through the multicultural Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Then enjoy an exclusive guided tour of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, named by National Geographic Travel as one of the world’s 10 most magnificent gardens. Later, stop by Boulders Beach to see the resident population of African penguins, and continue to the Cape Point lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope, the southwesternmost point in Africa.
Enjoy a day of leisure in Cape Town, choosing from a variety of optional activities. Hop on a cable car to the summit, taking in extraordinary views of the city and the Atlantic seaboard. Or explore the Cape Winelands, visiting the historical city of Stellenbosch, touring wine estates with expert guides, and indulging in a variety of tastings and pairings.
Fly to Johannesburg, then take a guided tour of Soweto township. Soweto was an important center of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement and home to its leader, Nelson Mandela. Visit the Mandela House Museum and learn about this painful chapter in the country’s history.
Set out towards Kruger National Park via the magnificent Panorama Route, one of the world’s most picturesque drives. Make stops at the dramatic Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes, and take in panoramic views of the forest-covered valley from the God's Window viewpoint. Continue to our lodge near Kruger National park, savour a delicious South African Dinner in this picturesque location.
Rise early and climb aboard an open jeep for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park—home to an extraordinary array of large mammals. Spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and perhaps elusive leopards as we explore this breathtaking wilderness of savanna and scrubland. Return to our lodge in the evening, where you can take some time to relax and enjoy the nocturnal sounds of the bush.
Travel to the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, a pristine wildlife sanctuary located in the Greater Kruger area. Meet with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Cheetah Range Expansion Project—a program funded in part by National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative. Sit back for a lecture and learn about efforts to protect the region’s cheetahs and other carnivores. After, the researcher then joins us for a wildlife-viewing excursion through the reserve.
Spend the day exploring Karongwe on morning and afternoon safaris with our local guides. Search for Africa's famed "big five" as we drive through the shrublands of the bushveld. Back at camp, relax on deck or take a walk around the grounds before enjoying a traditional South African dinner with your fellow travellers.
Embark on one last safari this morning, keeping a lookout for Karongwe’s iconic inhabitants. Then head back to the city, where you’ll enjoy dinner in our lodge.
Fly to Windhoek and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy free time to explore the Namibian capital this afternoon.
Set off from the Namibian capital towards Sesriem, the gateway to jaw-dropping Namib-Naukluft National Park. Drive past red-hued desertscapes, stark camel thorn trees, and dramatic curved dunes while keeping an eye out for the astonishing creatures that call these arid lands home—the oryx, springbok, jackal, hyena, and more. Settle in to our lodge and relax poolside, watching a fiery crimson sunset over the desert.
Embark on a thrilling excursion into one of Africa’s largest national parks. Explore the Namib desert, the oldest desert in the world; and venture to the massive dunes at Sossusvlei and the white clay pan of Deadvlei. Capture dramatic images of dead camel thorn trees against a backdrop of orange dunes and a crisp blue sky. Then visit the Sesriem Canyon, a natural gorge carved out by the Tsauchab River over millions of years.
Continue by road through changing desert landscapes towards the coastal city of Swakopmund. Look out for roaming zebra, kudu, springbok, and oryx on the way and stop at a local bakery renowned for its delicious homemade apple pies. Enjoy one of these tasty, fresh baked treats before the group gathers with our local guide for the bushman walk through the desert. Along the walk, learn about the survival strategies of bushmen who lived in this inhospitable area thousands of years ago and search for the smaller wildlife that has managed to survive here, such as snakes, geckos, spiders, and an array of insects. Continue on to Swakopmund later in the day for free time, or join an orientation walk. Dinner will be at your leisure with options in town and at the hotel.
Rise early for breakfast at the hotel. Our local guide will meet the group there before beginning our excursion to Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coast. Travel on scenic roads to Walvis Bay while our guide provides background information on the Namib Desert landscape and wildlife. After stopping at a few different viewpoints the group will enter Namib Naukluft Park, and depending on the tide, drive along the beach to Sandwich Harbour. Enjoy a deeper immersion into this ever shifting environment on an exhilarating 4x4 ride through the towering dunes. Stop for lunch along the route at a private location in the park to fully appreciate the desert meeting the ocean.
This afternoon, take a tour of Mondesa township with a local guide, learning about its people and history. Visit the local market for an introduction to traditional foods such as wild spinach, mopane worms, and dried sardines or kapenta. Stop by an arts and crafts shop; chat with the locals; and round off the day with dinner and a performance at a cozy family-run establishment.
Enjoy a free morning in Swakopmund, getting a taste of the town’s unique Afro-German culture; or opt to try different activities like, sandboarding in the Namib desert, sea kayaking, or a fat tire bike tour of Old City Swakopmund. In the evening, come together as a group for an included dinner at the hotel.
Depart from Swakopmund right after breakfast and travel towards Etosha National Park, arguably Namibia’s most spectacular wildlife sanctuary. Stop in Outjo for a refreshing break in this charming town before continuing your journey to Etosha National Park. Opt to enjoy lunch at one of the local cafes or restaurants, savor a taste of Namibian hospitality, and stretch those legs. Continue onwards to our lodge, located outside of the park and spend the evening at leisure, or on an optional wildlife drive in the surrounding area.
Spend a full day on safari in Etosha National Park, where open grasslands converge on a massive salt pan. Etosha harbours some of the largest populations of lions, elephants, and other endangered species, so keep your camera on the ready as you explore in your open vehicle. Enjoy lunch at one of the park’s rest areas, where you can also take a swim; and sit back and watch all manner of creatures—including hundreds of species of birds—flock to the nearby watering hole.
After breakfast, visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a global research and education center founded by National Geographic Grantee Dr Laurie Marker. Tour the facility to learn about the important conservation and community outreach work they do to protect the world’s fastest land animal, and enjoy a talk by one of the researchers. Then head out on a drive through the grounds to meet some of the center’s rescued and rehabilitated cheetahs. Continue to Windhoek for our final evening.
Catch a flight to the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, named after one of the most powerful waterfalls on Earth. Visit a nearby village and go grocery shopping in the bustling market. Then sit down with a local family for dinner, helping your hosts prepare a traditional Zimbabwean meal using the ingredients you picked out, and hear stories about local life and culture.
Set out for a tour of magnificent Victoria Falls. Scottish explorer David Livingstone named them after Britain’s Queen Victoria, while their older, indigenous name is Mosi-oa-Tunya—“the smoke that thunders.” Opt to take a day trip to wildlife-rich Chobe National Park or enjoy a sunset river cruise.
Depart at any time.
At a glance
Duration
21 days
Route
Cape Town → Victoria Falls
Countries
Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa
Activity level
easy
Style
Culture & History, Multi-Country / Grand Tour, National Parks & Wilderness, Wildlife & Safari
Group size
Max 16
Ages
12+
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Zimbabwe, Namibia & South Africa
Showing Days 1-7
21-day itinerary
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalArrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.
Day 2Begin the day with an exploration of vibrant…Cape Town
Cape TownBegin the day with an exploration of vibrant Cape Town, wandering through the multicultural Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Then enjoy an exclusive guided tour of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, named by National Geographic Travel as one of the world’s 10 most magnificent gardens. Later, stop by Boulders Beach to see the resident population of African penguins, and continue to the Cape Point lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope, the southwesternmost point in Africa.
Day 3Enjoy a day of leisure in Cape TownThere is something for everyone in Cape Town. Visit Table Mountain, walk the V&A Waterfront or embark on a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch. For the adventurous, opt to go, abseiling. Wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa. Check out the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and many other museums and theatres.
Cape TownThere is something for everyone in Cape Town. Visit Table Mountain, walk the V&A Waterfront or embark on a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch. For the adventurous, opt to go, abseiling. Wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa. Check out the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and many other museums and theatres.
Day 4Fly to Johannesburg
Fly to Johannesburg, then take a guided tour of Soweto township. Soweto was an important center of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement and home to its leader, Nelson Mandela. Visit the Mandela House Museum and learn about this painful chapter in the country’s history.
Day 5Set out towards Kruger National Park via…
Set out towards Kruger National Park via the magnificent Panorama Route, one of the world’s most picturesque drives. Make stops at the dramatic Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes, and take in panoramic views of the forest-covered valley from the God's Window viewpoint. Continue to our lodge near Kruger National park, savour a delicious South African Dinner in this picturesque location.
Day 6Rise early and climb aboard an open jeep…
Rise early and climb aboard an open jeep for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park—home to an extraordinary array of large mammals. Spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and perhaps elusive leopards as we explore this breathtaking wilderness of savanna and scrubland. Return to our lodge in the evening, where you can take some time to relax and enjoy the nocturnal sounds of the bush.
Day 7Travel to the Karongwe Private Game ReserveFor the next two days, enjoy ranger-led morning and evening wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle in Karongwe Nature Reserve, searching for Africa's famed Big Five. With over 9,000 hectares (22,240 acres) of supreme African bushveld, Karongwe Private Game Reserve is home to many creatures, and our safari drives provide several opportunities for wildlife viewing. We use various accommodations within the reserve (the location is based on availability). During your time here, you will either stay in lodge rooms or very comfortable permanent tents (both of equal quality and with similar amenities).
For the next two days, enjoy ranger-led morning and evening wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle in Karongwe Nature Reserve, searching for Africa's famed Big Five. With over 9,000 hectares (22,240 acres) of supreme African bushveld, Karongwe Private Game Reserve is home to many creatures, and our safari drives provide several opportunities for wildlife viewing. We use various accommodations within the reserve (the location is based on availability). During your time here, you will either stay in lodge rooms or very comfortable permanent tents (both of equal quality and with similar amenities).
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Operated by G Adventures
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