Safari Quick Facts

There is time this morning for any activities missed in Cape Town, We leave Cape Town in the afternoon and we travel through farmlands of citrus, maize, cattle and sheep and through the towns of Citrusdal, and Clanwilliam to Olifants River. Here we will camp, there are some optional activities available here.

Today we take a 5 hour drive to Orange River and are able to relax in the afternoon. Camp on the riverbank.

Here at Orange River we enjoy a canoe trip. It is not tough on the water and gives us the chance to see the flora and fauna of the region as we drift by. We then take a short drive (3 hours) brings us to the second largest canyon on earth - Fish River Canyon. The views along the canyon rim are spectacular and there is time for a short walk along the canyon rim in the afternoon for some superb sunset views. We spend the night nearby at Hobas.

A long day's travel along the edge of the Namib-Naukluft Park to Sesriem where we camp

Morning at the Sossusvlei dunes, one of the great sights of Africa. We get up early to watch the early morning light over the dunes; there is then time to climb some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Alternatively just enjoy the changing colours on the towering dunes from lower down as the sun gets up. If we're lucky we may see gemsbok, ostrich or even Black-backed jackals among the dunes, an irresistibly photogenic scene! In the afternoon we visit Sesriem Canyon, from here we drive to our camp an hour away, Agama Camp

A long, but spectacular drive through Namib-Naukluft Park to Swakopmund. This national park, one of the largest in the world, is home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on earth. It contains the finest desert scenery in Africa, if not in the world, with towering jagged rock formations and incredible lunar landscapes. Be prepared for a few photo stops.

A full day in Swakopmund to enjoy some of the optional adventure activities on offer; quad biking, sand boarding, flights over the desert, even a parachute jump is possible. Alternatively explore the town and visit some of the excellent cake shops for which it is famous.

We drive towards the stark Skeleton Coast visiting the seal colony at Cape Cross. This gives a wonderful opportunity to take some close up shots of the hundreds of seals frolicking and fishing in the nearby surf. If the wind is blowing the wrong way it is not always the best place for lunch! We then continue inland to the Aba Huab River.

In the morning we visit Twyfelfontein where there are ancient and well-preserved rock-engravings. We then drive north to Etosha National Park. We should arrive in time to do a late afternoon game drive before camping at Okaukuejo, which has an excellent waterhole for viewing game at night.

Time to really enjoy this fabulous game park. Etosha is a huge park of mixed forest and grassland centred around a large salt pan. Etosha is home to a great variety and number of game, which is easy to find as the animals congregate at different times around the waterholes. There are waterholes next to the excellent campsites, and it is not uncommon for us to spend all night watching a gala performance of animals: wildebeest, zebra, impala, springbok, kudu, elephant, giraffe, lion and even rhino are all common sights here. Take plenty of film and lots of patience and you will be rewarded by one of the greatest game spectacles in Southern Africa. Etosha is also a good place for birds, with plenty of waterbirds on the lakes, weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees. While in Etosha we move our camp from Okaukuejo to Namutoni but the itinerary is kept flexible depending on where the game is. These camps now offer optional night drives which you can book and pay for on arrival.

See day 12 for Itinerary

Drive to Ngepi Camp on the Okavango River.

We take a mokoro ride from our camp on the Okavango River to a point lower down in the panhandle of the Delta. The bird life is prolific and at certain times of the year so is the game. Gliding through the waterways in the mokoro is the ideal way to absorb the sheer peace and tranquillity of the place. The panhandle of the Delta is more open so it is good for game viewing. We are 4 times more likely to see hippo and crocodile in this area than lower down in the Delta. We also get the opportunity for a village tour to meet the local community.

Drive through the Caprivi Strip to Chobe National Park, home to huge numbers of elephant and hippo.

Early morning game drive in Chobe National Park & afternoon boat ride on the Chobe River where it is possible to view huge herds of elephant coming down to drink as well as many other types of game, even lion. For bird lovers the river provides a home for the majestic African Fish Eagle and a number of species of brightly coloured bee-eaters.

See day 17 for Itinerary

Drive tor Livingstone, a small town on the Zambian side of the glorious Victoria Falls. The waterfall itself is majestic, the activities enthralling and the scenery of the Upper Zambezi beautiful. Choose from flights, rafts, bungee ropes or elephants but most importantly spend a good few hours in the Falls National Park itself. The rest of the day and the following day are free time for you to enjoy any of the activities.

End Livingstone.