Amazing Southern Africa

The adventure

Jump on board an exhilarating journey through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Southern Africa is bursting with a diverse array of wildlife, culture and landscapes – all waiting to be explored. Travel through the ever-changing scenery and watch as green landscapes give way to harsh desert dunes and rocky mountain peaks. Soak in the panoramic views of the vibrant orange sand dunes of Sossusvlei, discover the vast expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans and embark on thrilling game drives through Etosha National Park. Take to the water on mokoros, see the sheer force of Victoria Falls and spend two nights on a houseboat at the Okavango Delta Panhandle.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

South Africa

Day 1Cape TownWelkom! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Cape Town – the capital that’s known for its beautiful beaches, amazing hiking opportunities and rich cultural heritage. If you arrive early, there's plenty to see and do. Maybe join a Cape Malay Cooking Tour, visit Robben Island or ride an aerial cable in Table Mountain. After the welcome meeting, get to know your new travel group over an optional dinner with your local leader.

Cape Town

Welkom! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Cape Town – the capital that’s known for its beautiful beaches, amazing hiking opportunities and rich cultural heritage. If you arrive early, there's plenty to see and do. Maybe join a Cape Malay Cooking Tour, visit Robben Island or ride an aerial cable in Table Mountain. After the welcome meeting, get to know your new travel group over an optional dinner with your local leader.

Day 2Cape Town

Cape Town

Cape Town is a dynamic city known for its diverse landscapes, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural heritage. With a wealth of activities to choose from, you're free to craft your own adventure this morning, guided by the expert advice of your leader and possibly some enthusiastic group members. This afternoon, join your group on a light hike to Signal Hill in Table Mountain National Park. At the top, take in panoramic views over Cape Town and the surrounding ocean at sunset.

Your journey through

Botswana

Showing Days 3-9

19-day itinerary

Day 3Trawal (Lamberts Bay)Depart Cape Town this morning and travel along the west coast to the small seaside town of Lamberts Bay. The bay’s white beaches, lobsters and incredible wildlife earned the town its nickname ‘the diamond of the west coast’. When you arrive, enjoy a delicious feast at a local open-air restaurant, where the ocean views will make for the perfect lunch setting. After, you'll head to Trawal where you can relax among the wine farms and the Cedarberg Mountain Range.

Trawal (Lamberts Bay)

Depart Cape Town this morning and travel along the west coast to the small seaside town of Lamberts Bay. The bay’s white beaches, lobsters and incredible wildlife earned the town its nickname ‘the diamond of the west coast’. When you arrive, enjoy a delicious feast at a local open-air restaurant, where the ocean views will make for the perfect lunch setting. After, you'll head to Trawal where you can relax among the wine farms and the Cedarberg Mountain Range.

Day 4Orange RiverSay farewell to South Africa as you cross the border into Namibia. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into a book or your favourite podcasts. Mid-afternoon, arrive on the banks of the Orange River – the longest river in South Africa, running from the Drakensberg Mountain Range into the Atlantic Ocean. This river is significant for its role in transporting diamonds, which leave deposits that are found along the coastline. When you arrive, enjoy the rest of the day exploring at your own pace.

Orange River

Say farewell to South Africa as you cross the border into Namibia. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into a book or your favourite podcasts. Mid-afternoon, arrive on the banks of the Orange River – the longest river in South Africa, running from the Drakensberg Mountain Range into the Atlantic Ocean. This river is significant for its role in transporting diamonds, which leave deposits that are found along the coastline. When you arrive, enjoy the rest of the day exploring at your own pace.

Day 5Fish River CanyonSpend a leisurely morning unwinding by the outdoor pool or soaking in the views of the Orange River in the morning light. If relaxing isn't your style, maybe head out on a canoe adventure along the river and through the ancient Richtersveld Mountains. Later, venture to Fish River Canyon – one of the biggest canyons in the world. Along the way, stop at various lookouts to catch this gigantic gorge on camera. Look out for some exotic birdlife while you’re here, including plovers, wagtails, hamerkops and herons – you might even catch a glimpse of a baboon or an antelope at dusk!

Fish River Canyon

Spend a leisurely morning unwinding by the outdoor pool or soaking in the views of the Orange River in the morning light. If relaxing isn't your style, maybe head out on a canoe adventure along the river and through the ancient Richtersveld Mountains. Later, venture to Fish River Canyon – one of the biggest canyons in the world. Along the way, stop at various lookouts to catch this gigantic gorge on camera. Look out for some exotic birdlife while you’re here, including plovers, wagtails, hamerkops and herons – you might even catch a glimpse of a baboon or an antelope at dusk!

Day 6SesriemSay goodbye to the scenic Orange River as you drive to the eastern edge of the Namib Desert – the world's oldest desert, known for its array of geological features. Today is a long travel day so enjoy the ever-changing scenery, maybe play some road trip games with your fellow travellers, and on arrival take some time to relax at your desert lodge before dinner.

Sesriem

Say goodbye to the scenic Orange River as you drive to the eastern edge of the Namib Desert – the world's oldest desert, known for its array of geological features. Today is a long travel day so enjoy the ever-changing scenery, maybe play some road trip games with your fellow travellers, and on arrival take some time to relax at your desert lodge before dinner.

Day 7Sesriem - SossusvleiAfter breakfast, make an early morning visit to Sossusvlei, which lies at the end of an ancient riverbed. If you find yourself in the mood, a climb to the top of Dune 45 will reward you with panoramic views. Then head to Dead Vlei – a clay pan surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world, including ‘Big Daddy’ and ‘Crazy Dune’. When you arrive, maybe explore the area on foot or organise a 4WD transfer out to the entrance point. In the afternoon, visit Sesriem Gorge. Shaped by water erosion over thousands of years, the place got its name, Sesriem (meaning ‘six belts’ in Afrikaans), from the people who lived in the area who used six knotted belts tied together to pull up water from the deep gorge.

Sesriem

After breakfast, make an early morning visit to Sossusvlei, which lies at the end of an ancient riverbed. If you find yourself in the mood, a climb to the top of Dune 45 will reward you with panoramic views. Then head to Dead Vlei – a clay pan surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world, including ‘Big Daddy’ and ‘Crazy Dune’. When you arrive, maybe explore the area on foot or organise a 4WD transfer out to the entrance point. In the afternoon, visit Sesriem Gorge. Shaped by water erosion over thousands of years, the place got its name, Sesriem (meaning ‘six belts’ in Afrikaans), from the people who lived in the area who used six knotted belts tied together to pull up water from the deep gorge.

Day 8SwakopmundDepart your lodge this morning and travel across the Namib Desert to the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Along the way, you'll see the incredible Kuiseb Canyon, before arriving at the beachside town of Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own place. Your local leader will take you to a local centre, where you might like to take part in one of the activities on offer.

Swakopmund

Depart your lodge this morning and travel across the Namib Desert to the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Along the way, you'll see the incredible Kuiseb Canyon, before arriving at the beachside town of Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own place. Your local leader will take you to a local centre, where you might like to take part in one of the activities on offer.

Day 9SwakopmundSoak up some free time in this gorgeous coastal oasis. Your accommodation is within walking distance of town, making optional activities easy to access. Maybe stroll along the beach, explore the open-air markets or visit the local museum. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner at a local restaurant – your local leader will have the best recommendations!

Swakopmund

Soak up some free time in this gorgeous coastal oasis. Your accommodation is within walking distance of town, making optional activities easy to access. Maybe stroll along the beach, explore the open-air markets or visit the local museum. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner at a local restaurant – your local leader will have the best recommendations!

Previous days1 / 3Next days

Your journey through

Zimbabwe

Day 22Victoria FallsTravel to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, and when in full flow, it forms the largest sheet of falling water on earth. After visiting the falls, the rest of the day is yours to relax, or take part in the many optional activities available in Victoria Falls. This evening, why not share a final dinner with your travel crew and keep the night going to celebrate a trip well-travelled.

Victoria Falls

Travel to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, and when in full flow, it forms the largest sheet of falling water on earth. After visiting the falls, the rest of the day is yours to relax, or take part in the many optional activities available in Victoria Falls. This evening, why not share a final dinner with your travel crew and keep the night going to celebrate a trip well-travelled.

Day 23Victoria FallsWith no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Victoria Falls

With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

What's included

Discover Botswana

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

Upcoming departures