11-Day Cape Desert Safari Adventure Accommodated Tour from Cape Town

11-Day Cape Desert Safari Adventure Accommodated Tour from Cape Town

Starting in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, this accommodated tour takes you into Namibia to the oldest desert in the world to climb its giant dunes. As well game viewing in its premier game park Etosha before finishing in the capital Windhoek.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg Area

Stop At: Cederberg, Cederberg, Western Cape
Our adventure safari begins in cosmopolitan Cape Town, overlooked by Table Mountain and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, one of the world’s most picturesque cities. Before we leave the city, we take a tour of the Cape Flats, at one of Cape Town’s intriguing townships, visiting some of the local people and community projects in the area. The townships illustrate both South Africa’s tumultuous history and its hope for the future which makes for a fascinating visit. From here we head north through South Africa’s Western Cape and through the fruit growing regions of Citrusdal. Our accommodation is located near the Olifants River overlooking the stunning Cederberg Mountains. After setting up there is an option to sample some of the local wines of the region, properly meet the rest of the group and enjoy our first night under the African sky.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Highlanders camp, Trawal, South Africa

Day 2: Western Cape – Gariep (Orange) River

Stop At: Orange River
Continuing north, the landscape gradually turns drier and rockier as we head towards the Namibian border crossing at Vioolsdrift. We set up camp tonight on the Namibian side of the Gariep (Orange) River, a stunning backdrop. Our camp provides you with the necessary comforts like hot showers, flush toilets, grassy campsites, swimming pool, bar facilities and the Orange River is safe for swimming! You will be briefed on an optional Orange River canoe safari for later this afternoon or the following morning. The camp by night is showered with stars of the Richtersveld – a truly peaceful and tranquil experience.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Felix Unite Camp, Namibia

Day 3: Gariep (Orange) River – Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Stop At: Fish River Canyon, Ais-Ais Namibia
This morning we have the opportunity to partake in an optional canoe safari on the river, or simply relax on the water’s edge before making our way to the majestic Fish River Canyon. One of the natural wonders of Africa, the canyon is some 500m deep and over 160km long and often referred to as the second largest canyon in the world. There are plenty of opportunities for keen photographers this afternoon especially at the canyons infamous sharp river bend known as ‘Hells Corner’. A great opportunity to find a quiet spot and marvel at the sheer beauty of the Fish River Canyon.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Canyon Road House Lodge, Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Day 4: Fish River Canyon – Sesriem Area

Stop At: Namib-Naukluft National Park, C27, Sesriem Namibia
After a night near the canyon we continue north to the Sesriem Area, the gateway to the Namib Naukluft National Park, containing the world’s oldest desert and highest sand dunes. The Namib-Naukluft National Park contains part of the Namib Desert and the Naukluft mountain range. With an overall area of 49,768 km2 it’s larger than Switzerland and is the second largest game park in Africa and the fourth largest in the world. Here we set up for the evening under the starry Namibian sky.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Sossus Oasis Overland Camp, Sesriem Area, Namibia

Day 5: Namib Naukluft National Park – Sossus On Foot Camp

Stop At: Dune 45, 45 kilometers From the Park Entrance Gate, Sossusvlei, Namib-Naukluft Park Namibia
This morning we enter the National Park to trek to the top of famous Dune 45. A spectacular sight but be warned, it’s not an easy feat to reach the top as some dunes are over 300m high! After a well-deserved breakfast we continue deeper into the park for a short shuttle ride and nature walk to ‘Dead Vlei’, amidst the giant sand dunes – a real glimpse of Namibia’s un-spoilt natural environment. Bring your camera – the shifting colours of the desert as the sun climbs throughout the mid/late morning offer some brilliant photographic opportunities. Departing from the dunes, we stop off at the smaller Sesriem Canyon where the multiple layers of rock and pebbles make for an interesting insight to what lies beneath the mountains of sand. Thereafter we make our way via Namibia’s smallest town, Solitaire to our camp for the night.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Sossus On Foot Bush Camp, Khomas Region, Namibia

Day 6: Sossus On Foot Camp - Swakopmund

Stop At: Swakopmund, Swakopmund, Erongo Region
Leaving our desert camp, we head for the Atlantic coast for the next two nights, crossing over the Tropic of Capricorn, and stopping for a photo opportunity en-route. Swakopmund makes for a refreshing change with cooler Atlantic sea air, a taste of civilization and a swathe of exciting things to do and places to explore Be daring and try some desert-based adventure activities – quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving (weather permitting) and more! For those not seeking adventure enjoy what the town has to offer: shopping, restaurants, museums, aquarium, art galleries – or else simply walk along the promenade admiring the ocean, the quaint German-style architecture and indulge in the town’s café culture.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Amanpuri Lodge, Swakopmund, Namibia

Day 7: Swakopmund

Stop At: Swakopmund, Swakopmund, Erongo Region
Today is a free day to enjoy all this quaint seaside town has to offer - from the many optional activities to the German patisseries, cafés and restaurants.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Amanpuri Lodge, Swakopmund, Namibia

Day 8: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe

Stop At: Spitzkoppe, Namibia
Leaving the coast, we turn inland to the beautiful Damaraland region and explore Spitzkoppe where we admire ancient bushman paintings still visible on peculiar rock formations. The giant boulder-like rock formations peak at approx 1800m above sea level and form a spectacular view. Take your time to explore the area and its delightful calmness. Keep an eye on the ever-changing colour of the rock, especially during sunrise and sunset, when they acquire intense red shades. The most impressive rock painting is “Bushman Paradise” and the natural rock bridge is a favourite viewpoint.

The Spitzkoppe Rest camp lies at the base of the mountain and is owned and maintained by the local community. All proceeds from our visit go directly to this community.

Please note that some group members may be starting their tour on this day.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Spitzkoppe Rest Camp, Namibia

Day 9: Spitzkoppe to Etosha

Stop At: Etosha National Park, Etosha National Park, Oshikoto Region
From Spitzkoppe we turn north again making our way to Etosha National Park, a vast reserve of over 20,000 sq. km surrounding a central salt depression or ‘pan.’ The pan is seasonally full of water, but specially managed waterholes sustain some 114 mammal and 340 bird species. We spend two nights here, usually near a floodlit waterhole. Observers frequently see a range of night visitors including elephant, giraffe, zebra, even lion and hyena, making it one of the most memorable wildlife encounters in Namibia - a truly African experience and a highlight of any trip to Namibia. We have a short afternoon game drive on entering the park and heading to the accommodation.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at one of the main camps - Okaukeujo/Halali/Namatoni inside Etosha National Park, Namibia

Day 10: Etosha National Park

Stop At: Etosha National Park, Etosha National Park, Oshikoto Region
Today, we enjoy a full day game driving in this magnificent animal kingdom - taking in the park’s main characteristic, the salt pan which can be seen from space - in search of elephant, rhino, zebra, giraffes and the numerous grazing animals frequently spotted around the water holes. Despite the dry nature of the terrain, the park sustains a wide variety of bird species including the large Kori Bustard, Secretary Bird and many other seed & insect eaters, as well as birds of prey.

After a full day game driving we return onto the next accommodation and enjoy our last evening around the floodlit watering holes, observing natural animal behaviour at its best.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 11: Etosha to Windhoek

Stop At: Windhoek, Windhoek, Khomas Region
Heading south, we arrive in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, which is located in a basin between the Khomas Highland, Auas and Eros Mountains. Windhoek (Windy-corner in English) is home to approximately two hundred thousand people, an extremely small capital by global standards. The city centre is characterized by a proliferation of German style buildings, a lasting reminder of Namibia's early colonial history and atmosphere.

Our safari finishes upon arrival in Windhoek.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.