From Cape Town to Kruger National Park - Camping or Lodge Safari

Our African journey begins with a final glance at the majestic Table Mountain before we leave Cape Town and head north to the Cederberg region. On the way, we stop at one of the many traditional 'Padstals'; these charming farm shops line the roads in South Africa, offering delicious homemade treats. The Cederberg region is not only known for its impressive mountains and orange farms but is also the home of the Rooibos bush. This plant, which grows exclusively on the slopes of the Cederbergs, has made a name for itself worldwide as a healthy and refreshing alternative to common tea varieties. In the evening, we enjoy a communal dinner where we get to know each other better and experience South African hospitality for the first time. Meals: Lunch, Dinner. Inclusive Highlight: Traditional Dinner.

After a delicious communal breakfast, the adventure through Africa continues. Namaqualand offers us the first encounter with desert landscapes, which will accompany us in abundance over the coming days. After a short stop in the small town of Springbok for some shopping, we continue our drive and reach our campsite on the banks of the Gariep River. If you're lucky enough to travel during the spring months (July to September), you may have the chance to see the famous wildflowers in full bloom. However, at any time of the year, the mysterious desert landscapes provide a unique photo backdrop for our day. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today promises another day filled with impressive landscapes. The Gariep River, once named Orange River in honor of the Dutch royal family, is now referred to by its original name 'Gariep,' which simply means 'river' in the KhoeKhoe language. It is the largest river in South Africa and a vital artery of the country. The best way to explore the river is by canoeing on the water in the morning. After a hearty lunch, we set out for the Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa (and the second-largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon). Upon arrival, we enjoy a walk along the canyon's edge with unique views into the depths before heading west to the desert town of Keetmanshoop, where we will spend the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Inclusive Highlight: Scenic walk along the Fish River Canyon. Optional Activity: Canoeing on the Gariep River.

This morning of our adventurous African journey begins with a walk through the fascinating Quiver Tree forest and the Giants Playground, where we will find massive dolerite blocks stacked up seemingly by giant hands. Today is a long travel day as we dive deeper into the picturesque Namib Desert. The endless dusty roads and sparsely populated farmland give us a sense of the vastness and solitude of Namibia. From the lush grasslands in the east to the picture-book-like red dunes in the west, the landscape gradually changes, revealing the many faces of this desert land (formerly German South-West Africa). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Inclusive Highlight: Quiver Tree Forest, Giants Playground.

Today is all about relaxation. The breathtaking desert landscape invites you to fully enjoy the peace and vastness and let it affect you. There is an opportunity to take walks through the desert sand on your own or simply to unwind. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today we rise early to explore the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Shortly after sunrise, we reach the famous Dune 45. The climb is rewarding, as it offers a breathtaking view of the ever-changing colors of the desert. After a delightful breakfast, we continue by 4x4 vehicle to Sossusvlei, where we explore the impressive clay pans of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei on foot. Our desert exploration concludes with a visit to the Sesriem Canyon (a small canyon that is 1 km long and up to 30 meters deep. The special thing about it is that it is very narrow in some places). In the evening, we fall asleep under a spectacular starry sky, full of memories of the wonders of this rugged landscape. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Inclusive Highlight: Hike on Dune 45, 4x4 transfer to Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and Sesriem Canyon.

On our last day in the desert, a local guide accompanies us on an exciting and unique desert excursion. We bid farewell to the Namib and stop at the Tropic of Capricorn before continuing our African journey to Swakopmund, a vibrant coastal town that welcomes us with open arms of its colonial style. Here, numerous adventures await us, along with a touch of civilization after days in the endless expanse of the desert. In the evening, we enjoy a communal dinner at a local Swakopmund restaurant. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Inclusive Highlight: Tropic of Capricorn, guided desert walk, dinner at the restaurant.

Today is a day of relaxation, yet it can still bring many experiences. Swakopmund is the perfect destination for adventurers and connoisseurs alike. Whether you're looking for a thrill with sandboarding or quad biking or prefer to stroll through the charming streets of the town, there's something for everyone here. A must-visit are the numerous famous cafés and bakeries offering a wide selection of German delicacies. Swakopmund is the ideal starting point for our further journey into northern Namibia. Meals: Breakfast. Optional Activities: Dolphin Cruise, Skydiving, Sandboarding, Quad Biking.

Our impressive African journey takes us further north into Namibia, where the hot desert sands meet the cool waves of the monstrous Atlantic. After a photo stop at the holiday resort Wlotskabaken, we visit the lichen fields, where our guide tells us more about the unique lichen colonies that survive there despite the harsh conditions. After that, the road leads us away from the coast and towards Khorixas, where we explore the rock engravings of Twyfelfontein and the Petrified Forest (a unique natural phenomenon) with a local guide. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Inclusive Highlight: Petrified Forest, Twyfelfontein rock engravings.

Today we set off for the first safari experience of our African journey. We head to Etosha National Park, one of Africa's largest, most famous, and impressive wildlife reserves. With its vast salt pans, savannahs, and forests, Etosha provides a stunning backdrop for our safari adventures. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the park, where we hopefully observe some of the numerous legendary African wildlife. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Inclusive Highlight: Afternoon safari in a Nomad vehicle.

Our second day in the impressive Etosha National Park is all about wildlife observation. No safari day is the same as the other, and the excitement of the next special sighting keeps our eyes alert. We explore the edges of the white Etosha pan while searching for the numerous wildlife that call this place home, including the famous Big Five. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Inclusive Highlight: Full-day safari in a Nomad vehicle.

This morning is free for relaxation at the camp, where a pool is available to cool off. After a hearty lunch, we board our truck and embark on an afternoon game drive while making our way to our next overnight stop. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Included Highlights: Afternoon game drive.

We leave the white sands of Etosha National Park behind and head towards the Kavango River for our overnight stop in the small town of Divundu. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Before we continue our African journey to Maun, we enjoy a delightful boat trip on the beautiful Kavango River. Afterwards, we cross the border into Botswana and travel to the town of Maun, known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta. We spend the night in Maun before embarking on our next fascinating adventure in the Okavango Delta. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Included Highlight: Morning boat trip on the Okavango River.

For the next two nights, we will be separated from our truck, so it is important to pack the essentials for the coming two nights into a small separate bag. We have time to pack this morning. Today we head into the Okavango Delta, where a unique adventure of flora and fauna awaits us. Early birds have the option to take a scenic flight over the delta (weather and time permitting). After the optional flight and delicious breakfast, we will be picked up in Maun and transferred in smaller safari vehicles to the Khwai Conservancy. Our guide will explain what to expect during our afternoon experience in a Mokoro (traditional dugout canoes) in the Okavango Delta. (Please note: It is possible that the Mokoro excursion takes place on a different day depending on the season). The Khwai Conservancy is a private and community-managed area, with tourism focused on sustainable practices. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Included Highlight: Sunset Mokoro excursion. Optional Activity: Okavango Delta scenic flight.

Today promises another full-day safari experience. We will spend the day in the Moremi Game Reserve, searching for the wildlife that roams the plains. Some bumpy roads await us as we traverse this area in our 4x4 vehicles. This region offers an incredible mix of habitats from wetlands, open water to grassland and savanna forest, and we hope to see as many species of animals and plants as possible. In the evening, we return to Khwai to share and compare the amazing sightings from our safari. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Included Full-Day Safari in Moremi Game Reserve.

This day of our impressive African journey takes us from Khwai to Nata, passing the fascinating salt pans of Botswana. Early risers will board the 4x4 safari vehicles back to Maun, where we will rejoin our truck. The scenic drive from Maun to Nata offers some of the most stunning landscapes in Botswana and a rich cultural heritage. This is one of the largest salt pan systems in the world. Keep a keen eye out, as there is always a chance of spotting some wildlife along the way to Nata. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

This morning, after breakfast, we enjoy a guided ride to the Nata Pans, which serve as a breeding ground for a variety of waterbirds, including thousands of pelicans and flamingos (bird populations depending on seasonal migratory patterns). During the rainy season, the salt pans transform into a small lake landscape. Afterward, we continue our safari-filled African journey to Kasane and arrive just in time for lunch and a short rest before exploring Chobe National Park from the river in the afternoon and enjoying a leisurely boat safari that provides a close-up and unique experience with the many elephants and other wildlife visiting the river in the afternoon. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Included Highlight: Morning excursion through the Nata salt pans, Chobe National Park boat safari in the afternoon.

With numerous memories of our wildlife encounters firmly in our minds (where they will remain forever), we cross the border into Zimbabwe today and take the short drive to Victoria Falls. The Victoria Falls are not only the largest waterfalls in Africa but also rank among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. They were discovered in the 19th century by the British explorer David Livingstone, who named them after Queen Victoria of England at the time. Today presents the opportunity to visit the stunning Victoria Falls at leisure, also known by its local name 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' (the smoke that thunders). The thundering water creates a unique spray that rises up to 400 meters. While a significant part of today will be dedicated to marveling at the mighty Zambezi River as it cascades over 100 meters into the Batoka Gorge, the vibrant adventure town of Victoria Falls also offers a range of optional activities for those seeking an adrenaline rush in the afternoon. For the more relaxed traveler, there are also arts and crafts markets and cafés. Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch. Optional Activities: Visit to Victoria Falls, Bungee Jump, Gorge Swing, Sunset Boat Cruise, Helicopter Flight.

Today is once again a free day on our African journey, but this in no way means there are no adventures to be had. With numerous activities on offer in Victoria Falls, today is the perfect day to indulge in the adventure that suits your taste best. Whether it's rafting on the mighty Zambezi River or a flight over the falls, today you can fully enjoy the many attractions of Victoria Falls. Included Meals: Breakfast. Optional Activities: Visit to Victoria Falls, Sunset Boat Cruise, Bungee Jump, Helicopter Flight, White Water Rafting, Boma Dinner Experience.

After breakfast, we leave the Victoria Falls in the morning and cross the border into Botswana, where we continue our African journey south to Francistown in central Botswana. Francistown is the country's second-largest city and an important economic and cultural center. The region is known for diamond mining. We reach our overnight stop on the outskirts of Francistown in the late afternoon. Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

We rise early and head towards the border with South Africa and further into the bustling and lively metropolis of Johannesburg, where we will arrive in the late afternoon. Included Highlights: Breakfast.

*We would like to point out that there may be unannounced deviations in the order of planned activities during the next days (for the time we spend in Kruger National Park) and a certain degree of flexibility will be required. After leaving the city of Johannesburg, bolstered by a delicious breakfast, we make our way east through the coalfields of Mpumalanga province. Our adventurous day follows the old trade routes to Lowveld and Kruger National Park. Our accommodation for the next three nights is our base camp, and we enjoy a glorious sunset drive in the evening. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Included Highlight: Sunset drive.

We wake up early again this morning and enter Kruger National Park to gather a whole day of safari experiences. The abundance of wildlife allows us excellent spotting opportunities, and Kruger is also home to the famous African Big Five. The safari offers the exciting experience of experiencing the park from an open 4x4 vehicle. Kruger National Park is Africa's largest safari park and offers not only a diverse wildlife but also fascinating landscapes. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Included Highlight: All-day safari in Kruger Park in a 4x4 safari jeep.

This morning we take a drive along the scenic and legendary Panorama Route, where we visit God's Window (a fantastic view at Blyde River Canyon), Bourke's Luck Potholes (water holes formed by erosion) and the Three Rondavels (bizarre rock formations resembling traditional African huts). Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Included Highlight: The Panorama Route (God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and Three Rondavels), morning guided bush walk.

We enjoy our last game drive through the park before proceeding. We head back to Johannesburg, where our breathtaking and impressive African journey comes to an end. Our travel luggage is filled with memories of landscapes, cultures, and safaris that will remain in our minds until the end of our days. Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Included Highlight: Morning game drive in Kruger National Park.