Transport

Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. In Southern Africa some departures may use vans and luggage trailers subject to group size and vehicle availability. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air. There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you. African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it’s certainly our aim to avoid them, it’s important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times. Overland vehicle , Canoe , Mokoro , Open Safari Vehicle , Boat

Meals

20 breakfasts, 16 lunches, 16 dinners

Others

Complimentary Arrival Transfer Lamberts Bay - Cape Gannet Island Fish River Canyon - Canyon entrance Orange River - Canoe trip Sesriem - Sesriem Canyon Visit Sossusvlei - Dune 45 Damaraland - Petrified Forest Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Bushman Paintings Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drives Etosha National Park - 4x4 Vehicle Game Drive Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari Okavango Delta - Nature Walk Makgadikgadi Pans - Meerkat & Kalahari Bushman Experience Chobe National Park - River Safari Cruise Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive Victoria Falls - Entrance & Visit Victoria Falls - Brewery Tour and Tasting

Accommodation

If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators which are turned off during the night. Lodge (10nights), Hotel (7 nights), Desert Camp (2 nights), Houseboat (2 nights)

Guide

On this trip you will be accompanied by two crew members, a Group Leader and a Driver. Your Intrepid Group Leader’s role involves organizing the overall operation and smooth-running of the trip, managing trip logistics and providing the group with information. Your Group Leader will work towards making the trip as safe and enjoyable as possible for all travellers. Intrepid trips are built around the co–operation and participation of all the group members under the supervision of the group leader. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting, especially when tracking and identifying game - we think it’s the best of both worlds. Our Group Leaders are chosen for their leadership skills and are wonderful ambassadors for our company and our beautiful continent and its people. Your Driver’s main responsibility is to get you to your destination safely; they are also responsible for the maintenance of the vehicles along the way. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader and driver; however, situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Cape Town
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Cape Town

Welkom! Welcome to Cape Town. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, it’s recommended that you catch the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain, taking the ferry across to Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years). Alternatively, those with more time can take a day trip down to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope Peninsula. Tonight, get to know your new travel group over an optional dinner with your local leader.
Day 2 Day 2: Trawal (Lamberts Bay & Cape Gannet Island)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Trawal (Lamberts Bay & Cape Gannet Island)

Depart Cape Town and travel along the west coast to the small seaside town of Lamberts Bay. The bay’s white beaches, lobsters and incredible wildlife earned its nickname ‘the diamond of the west coast’. When you arrive, you’ll visit Cape Gannet Island. At the right time of the year, you might be lucky enough to see the flocks of gannet that breed here in August and September. For birdwatchers, the colony at Lambert’s Bay is the most accessible of the six gannet colonies in South Africa and Namibia. Tonight, sit down to a delicious feast at a local open-air restaurant, where the amazing ocean views will make for the perfect dinner setting. After your seaside lunch, you’ll head to Trawal to relax and soak in the views of wine farms and Cedarberg mountain range.
Day 3 Day 3: Orange River
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Orange River

Say farewell to South Africa as you cross the border into Namibia. You should reach your destination on the banks of the Orange River by mid-afternoon. The border crossing and a few photo stops along the way can delay this arrival time. Orange River is the longest river in South Africa, running from high up in the Drakensberg Mountain range and into the Atlantic Ocean. The river is significant for its role in transporting diamonds, which in turn leaves deposits that are found along the Namibian coastline.
Day 4 Day 4: Fish River Canyon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Fish River Canyon

Kick things off today with a half-day canoe adventure along the Orange River. With a local guide, you’ll wind through the ancient Richtersveld Mountains in 2-man canoes. This is a slow-paced trip covering approximately 10 km and you’ll mostly be travelling downstream. After, venture to the Fish River Canyon – one of the biggest canyons in the world. You’ll stop at various lookouts along the way – all great opportunities to catch this gigantic gorge on camera. Look out for some exotic birdlife while you’re here, including plovers, wagtails, hammerkops and herons. You might even catch a glimpse of a baboon or an antelope at dusk!
Day 5 Day 5: Sesriem
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Sesriem

Today is a long travel day, so grab a window seat if you can or play some road trip games with your fellow travellers. You’re heading to the eastern edge of the Namib Desert today – this region of the world’s oldest desert is known for its array of geological features. Take in the diversity and sprawling beauty of the scenery as you drive, and when you arrive, relax at your desert lodge.
Day 6 Day 6: Sesriem – Sossusvlei
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Sesriem – Sossusvlei

Today, you’ll 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 unparalleled views. After breakfast, head to Dead Vlei – a clay pan well known for the iconic postcard-like images taken here by many. The pan is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world, including ‘Big Daddy’ and ‘Crazy Dune’. If you’d like to avoid a long walk in the sun, you can opt to pay extra for a 4WD transfer out to the entrance point. In the afternoon, visit Sesriem Gorge – a tranquil natural corridor you can walk through and explore. The canyon was caused by water erosion over thousands of years and the people who lived in the area used to pull buckets of water up from the depths with six knotted belts. Therefore, the canyon was named after the Afrikaans word ‘sesriem’, meaning ‘six belts’.
Day 7 Day 7: Swakopmund
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Swakopmund

Depart your desert lodge and travel across the Namib Desert today, ending up on the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean coastline. The drive goes through a diverse and colourful landscape, so keep your eyes on the windows and soak up the scenery. You’ll see the incredible Kuiseb Canyon along the way, before arriving at the beachside town of Swakopmund, located on the Skeleton Coast.
Day 8 Day 8: Swakopmund
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Swakopmund

Enjoy 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. Your local leader will take you to the local activity centre if you’re not quite sure how you’d like to spend your day.
Day 9 Day 9: Damaraland
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Damaraland

Get off the beaten track and head into the heart of Damaraland. The ancient landscapes of the Kunene Region are ruggedly spectacular – think awesome sunsets and night skies filled with a multitude of dazzling stars. This part of Namibia is also known as Damaraland, as it’s the ancestral homeland of the enigmatic Damara people (whose exact origins remain unclear). This is also home to a small population of hardy desert adapted elephants and some super unique flora and fauna.
Day 10 Day 10: Damaraland
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Damaraland

Spend the morning visiting the surrounding sights such as Twyfelfontein Heritage Site and the Petrified Forest. Twyfelfontein has one of the largest concentrations of ancient rock engraving in southern Africa and is a fascinating insight into the past. The Petrified Forest looks back into nature’s history, where 280-million-year-old fossilised tree trunks lie. You’ll be accompanied by local guides at both sites. It can get hot at this time of day so be sure to have a hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water with you. Spend the rest of the day back at the lodge, maybe by the pool or reading a book in the shade.
Day 11 Day 11: Etosha National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Etosha National Park

Depart your lodge this morning and head towards Etosha National Park. Namibia has protected its game reserves against poaching, so there are large herds of elephants, antelope and other herbivores here. When you arrive, you’ll head out on a short afternoon game drive in your truck. Keep your eyes peeled for the resident wildlife!
Day 12 Day 12: Etosha National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Etosha National Park

Today, you’ll enjoy a full-day game drive through Etosha National Park in open 4WD vehicles. Keep your eyes peeled for black rhino, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, black-faced impala, roan antelope, and the tiny Damara dik-dik. Game viewing in the park is relatively easy due to the man-made waterholes and the large, sparsely vegetated pans. The bushland surrounding the pans is hard to see through, but there are enough clearings, pans, and waterholes to allow for some sightings. Head back to the lodge after and enjoy a free evening.
Day 13 Day 13: Windhoek
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Windhoek

After you arrive in the old German town of Windhoek, you’re free to do as you please. Maybe head out to explore the German architecture of the older buildings lends the town a historic atmosphere. Good examples of German architecture can be seen in a number of buildings, but the best are the Tintenpalast (Ink Palace), the Christuskirche (church), the gymnasium and the Genossenschaftshaus.This evening, you might like to join your new group members for an optional dinner.
Day 14 Day 14: Ghanzi/Central Kalahari
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Ghanzi/Central Kalahari

Today is a bit of a long travel day as you cross the border into Botswana and make your way to Ghanzi – known as the ‘Capital of the Kalahari’. Take the opportunity to grab a window seat and watch the landscape pass you by or get to know your fellow travellers a little better with some road trip games. When you arrive, settle into your lodge accommodation and soak up some Botswana sunshine or cool off in the pool.
Day 15 Day 15: Okavango Delta Panhandle
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Okavango Delta Panhandle

This morning, you’ll head to the Okavango Delta – known for its sprawling grassy plains that flood seasonally, making the delta a lush animal habitat. When you arrive, board speedboats and make your way to your home for the next two nights – a houseboat in the Okavango Delta Panhandle. You can chill out on the deck or grab a few friends and attempt one of the onsite board games. For dinner, your captain will serve dinner on the deck, and you can watch the sunset while you eat and listen to the sounds of the nearby hippos on the water’s edge.
Day 16 Day 16: Okavango Delta Panhandle
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Okavango Delta Panhandle

After breakfast, take a speedboat and a 4WD to a nearby polling station. From here, you can explore the waterways in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) with a local guide. Your guide will take you on a short nature walk around one of the many islands in the Delta Panhandle, followed by a picnic lunch. Then, return to the houseboat where you can relax, read a book or do some fishing. This evening, grab a sundowner, pull up a chair and watch the often striking sunset.
Day 17 Day 17: Maun
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 17: Maun

Leave your houseboat behind and again board the speedboats that take you back to dry land. Drive on to Maun – the gateway of the Okavango Delta. For those seeking an extra adventure, there’s an opportunity to fly over the delta in a helicopter for a bird’s-eye view! Your leader can give you more information on this activity and how to book, so just ask them if you’re interested. Alternatively, the afternoon is free for you to sit by the pool and take a breather when you arrive in Maun.
Day 18 Day 18: Makgadikgadi Pans
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 18: Makgadikgadi Pans

Leave your lodge after breakfast and head towards north-east Botswana. The next stop is the Makgadikgadi Pans – a large salt pan in the middle of the dry savanna. This pan is now all that remains of the former Lake Makgadikgadi. Head out to the Makgadikgadi Pans for an afternoon excursion in open 4WDs to one of the largest salt flats in the world, spending some time with a local meerkat community along the way. This visit to the local colony of meerkats will allow you to get close to them without disturbing their natural habitat. Then, take a bush walk with one of southern Africa’s oldest inhabitants and learn their way of life within the Kalahari Bushman group. They will teach you how they interact with nature, keeping a well-balanced relationship with the local land. Tonight, sip on a couple of sundowners and enjoy some snacks as you watch the sun fall behind the old baobab trees.
Day 19 Day 19: Chobe National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 19: Chobe National Park

This morning, make tracks towards Kasane, which sits on the edge of Chobe National Park. The stretch of road between Nata and Kasane is known as the ’Elephant Highway’. With no fences, elephants are free to move between Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Botswana. So, this is the perfect time keep your eyes peeled for roadside elephants during your drive! When you arrive in Chobe National Park – Botswana’s first national park, known for its high concentration of elephants – settle into your lodge on the banks of the Chobe River and soak in the sounds of the wildlife.
Day 20 Day 20: Chobe National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 20: Chobe National Park

Wake up nice and early this morning to take a dawn game drive in Chobe National Park. In the park, you might see the resident elephants drinking at the waters’ edge, large herds of cape buffalo or one of the many impalas that call this place home. In the afternoon, you’ll take a scenic cruise on the Chobe River – ideal for spotting local bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters. As well as birds, look out for hippos, crocodiles and large families of elephants. There will also be an opportunity to enjoy a drink and watch the sunset over the river after the boat cruise.
Day 21 Day 21: Victoria Falls
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 21: Victoria Falls

Travel on to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe. Arrive in time to have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River. 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. Your leader will take you to a local activity centre where various activities will be on offer to fill up your afternoon here. This evening, take a local brewery tour with your group and enjoy a tasting paddle to sample the brewery’s finest. After, maybe keep the night going and celebrate a trip well-travelled with your group.
Day 22 Day 22: Victoria Falls
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 22: 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.

+19

22 days tour

Amazing Southern Africa (18 Destinations)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Amazing Southern Africa (18 Destinations)

Day 1: Cape Town

Day 2: Trawal (Lamberts Bay & Cape Gannet Island)

Day 3: Orange River

Day 4: Fish River Canyon

Day 5: Sesriem

Day 6: Sesriem – Sossusvlei

Day 7: Swakopmund

Day 8: Swakopmund

Day 9: Damaraland

Day 10: Damaraland

Day 11: Etosha National Park

Day 12: Etosha National Park

Day 13: Windhoek

Day 14: Ghanzi/Central Kalahari

Day 15: Okavango Delta Panhandle

Day 16: Okavango Delta Panhandle

Day 17: Maun

Day 18: Makgadikgadi Pans

Day 19: Chobe National Park

Day 20: Chobe National Park

Day 21: Victoria Falls

Day 22: Victoria Falls

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