Vic Falls to Cape Town

Day 1-2: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Today is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time. The remainder of your day is for you to enjoy at leisure. There is a pre-departure meeting on your first evening at 6pm. Nothing quite prepares you for the awesome power of Victoria Falls. At its peak it is believed that five million cubic metres of water pass over the cataracts every minute - that's a lot of water! We camp on the Zimbabwean side of the border in Victoria Falls township and from here your tour leader can help you arrange any of the optional activities that are on offer. There is much to choose from, including whitewater rafting, paddling canoe trails or bungy jumping. In addition there is also time to view the falls themselves, as well as explore the town. While in Victoria Falls only breakfast is included, but most of the optional full-day activities also include lunch. Victoria Falls town is well set-up with many restaurants and bars.

Day 3-4: Chobe National Park

(Driving time: approx 2 hours not including time at border; game drive times variable) There is time for a short activity this morning prior to our departure from Victoria Falls just after lunch. We leave Zimbabwe, cross the border into Botswana and travel on to Kasane where we spend one night camping on the banks of the Chobe River. The following morning we meet with our local specialist guide, travelling in open 4WD vehicles through Chobe National Park. Known throughout the world as Africa's greatest elephant sanctuary, Chobe National Park is also home to a wide variety of other animals including Cape buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippo and many different species of antelope. In the afternoon we enjoy a magical sunset boat trip on the Chobe River, watching elephants and other animals coming down to drink - a great way to end our day! Tonight we have the option to rest at a mobile camp located inside Chobe National Park. (own expense)

Day 5: Sepupa

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) Leaving Kasane we transit through parts of Chobe National Park before exiting Botswana at the Ngoma Bridge border. We enter Namibia and head west along the 500 kilometre long Caprivi Strip before re-entering Botswana. At Sepupa we set up camp on the banks of the Okavango River and prepare for our upcoming Okavango Delta excursion.

Day 6-7: Okavango Delta

No visit to this corner of Africa is complete without exploring the irresistible wilderness of the Okavango Delta. Over the next two days we explore our surroundings on land and on the water. The real attraction here is the experience of travelling by mokoro (local dug-out canoe) and seeing how the people and animals share the wilderness, living as they have for hundreds of years. If we are lucky we may also have the bonus of seeing various antelopes and other animals in the area. We spend one night camping in the wild under the stars of the southern skies and experience the full majesty of the area, whilst the other night is spent on a houseboat on the waterways in the delta. A powerboat ride through the upper channels is a real highlight, as is the opportunity to take a walk though the village of the local Setswana people. This excursion explores the permanent water areas of the inner delta, also known as the panhandle section, which ensures an incredible experience year round regardless of rainfall and water levels in the Okavango Delta system. This excursion is operated through the Okavango Polers Trust, whose aim is to preserve and maintain the traditional lifestyle of the Batswana people who inhabit the delta region. This trust ensures that all members of the community are given the opportunity to become polers, which allows them to earn money through tourism. Poler and guides fees are set by the trust and additional income earned by the trust is used to assist various community projects in the area. For the two nights in the Okavango Delta you need to pack clothing and other personal items into a smaller overnight bag, as space is limited. There will be no access to showers and you will be away from the safari vehicle.

Day 8: Rundu

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) Leaving behind the beauty of the Okavango Delta we rejoin our vehicle and travel west to Rundu parallel to the Kavango River, on the way to our campsite at Rundu. Here we visit the local school and church. Whilst Gecko's donates money to the school you are welcome to bring donations of school equipment (such as pens and pencils, etc.) to give to the school, which is then distributed to the children as required.

Day 9-11: Bushmanland - Etosha National Park

(Driving time: approx 5½ hours on Day 9 not including time at border, and approx 5½ hours on Day 10; game drive times variable) In the morning we visit the Kavango tribe (time permitting) whose woodcarving is exceptional. We spend one night at a community campsite in Omatako Valley where we enjoy an evening of traditional dance & music with the San (Bushmen) people. There are also many optional activities here including guided walks, tracking skills and gathering bush foods & medicines. From here we head to Etosha National Park and arrive in time to set up camp, before heading to the floodlit waterhole for some night time game viewing. Two days in the park allow for plentiful game opportunities in this enormous wildlife arena. Etosha is the third largest wildlife sanctuary in the world and one of the most impressive national parks in Africa, especially in the dry season. The pan is a vast shallow depression 139 kilometres long and 50 kilometres wide and a number of permanent springs are located along its southern edge. We spend our time exploring the park on morning and afternoon game drives, as we traverse the southern flank of the pan, observing zebra, oryx, elephant and rhino. We may also find time for a swim in the heat of the day. It is a magical place and, for many people, the highlight of the trip.

Day 12: Spitzkoppe

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) Driving south from Etosha we travel through the beautiful area of Damaraland, taking in views of Namibia's tallest peak, Brandberg (2573 metres), before reaching our community campsite at Spitzkoppe. The 1728 metre high Spitzkoppe, a granite isleberg, is the remnant of an ancient volcano. Its distinctive shape has led to it being commonly referred to as The Matterhorn of Africa. One optional activity is a guided walk to Bushman's Paradise, but you are also free to spend time on your own exploring this beautiful area on foot. Spitzkoppe has long been of spiritual importance to the bushmen and an evening spent under a million stars will surely be one that etches itself into your memory.

Day 13-14: Cape Cross - Swakopmund

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) We head west to the Namibian coastline where we witness the largest seal colony in Africa, as a multitude of Cape fur seals bask in the sun on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. It is literally quite an experience for all the senses, including that of smell! Cape Cross is also an important historic landmark, being the first place that European explorers set foot on Namibian soil. Our next two nights are spent on the coast at Swakopmund, a great spot to relax after all the wilderness we have encountered on our journey since Victoria Falls. We will stay in bungalows here, providing a welcome break from camping. There is a first-rate museum and aquarium to visit and there are also a number of optional activities, such as duneboarding and quadbiking. Lunch is included on our drive to Swakopmund, but only breakfast is provided during our two-night stay in town. Some of the full-day activities include lunch, and there are many inexpensive cafes, restaurants and bars around town.

Day 15-16: Sesriem - Sossusvlei - Namib-Naukluft National Park

(Driving time: approx 6 hours on Day 15, and approx 3 hours on Day 16) Sossusvlei, in the heart of the Namib Desert, is probably the oldest desert on the face of this planet. The scenery in this harsh and primaeval area is spectacular to the extreme. We have a full day to explore the highest sand dunes in the world - some of which rise to an unbelievable 300 metres above the surrounding terrain. The effects of sunlight and the atmosphere combine to create a myriad of shades and hues on the sand dunes, so that the entire area seems to change complexion throughout the course of the day. Whilst in Namib-Naukluft National Park we watch the sunrise from the dunefields and then climb up one of these 'sand mountains' (hard work, but great fun) to watch the sunset. We also walk through this incredible landscape of dunes and shifting ridgelines and visit Sesriem Canyon. We have an option to walk from Sossusvlei to Deadvlei, accompanied by our local guide. This specialist guide will give us an incredible insight into the geography and wildlife of the region, as well explain the unique lifestyle of the indigenous bushmen.

Day 17: Fish River Canyon

(Driving time: approx 7 hours) We travel from Sesriem to Hobas, our base for for exploring Fish River Canyon. In a country of scenic superlatives, this canyon is perhaps the 'jewel in the crown'. Nearly 30 kilometres across and 160 kilometres in length, it is reportedly the second largest (and one of the least visited) canyon in the world. We walk along the rim and, in the late afternoon, watch the canyon walls change colour, as they are tinged with golden rays from the setting sun.

Day 18: Gariep (Orange) River

(Driving time: approx 2½ hours not including time at border) Today we cross the Gariep (Orange) River, which forms the natural land border between Namibia and South Africa. After clearing immigration and customs we set up camp on the South African side, by the banks of the river. We have the option to take a canoe trip on the river, which enables us to survey the harsh and arid surroundings.

Day 19: Cederberg Region

(Driving time: approx 5 hours) Today we travel south, winding our way across a rugged mountainous plateau to reach the Cederberg Region. Depending upon the season, we make our final campsite at either Clanwilliam or Citrusdal. The scenery on today's drive is one of open, arid plains, dotted with the strange quiver trees, all of which produces an impression of rugged beauty and isolation. As we reach further south, mountain ranges emerge providing a more fertile environment for growing citrus fruit. After settling into our campsite, we spend the remainder of the day taste-testing some of the region's best produce; wine!

Day 20-21: Cape Town

(Driving time: approx 5 hours) Our final drive takes us into the heart of Cape Town, set dramatically at the foot of Table Mountain, where we check into our lodge located in the heart of the city. Cape Town is an exciting cosmopolitan city and our hotel is located just a stone's throw from the restaurant and nightlife hub of Long Street. If you can spare the time, then its definitely worth extending your stay a few days to discover this vibrant city in depth. Our tour ends just after breakfast on our final morning.

Tour Grade: Moderate

A moderate level of fitness is required. These trips generally involve some physical activities and occasional long travelling days. Accommodation and travel conditions may be more basic.