From Cape Town to Zimbabwe


Trip description

We offer you an exceptional 25-day expedition to the heart of Southern Africa.

Land of contrasts and preserved nature, from Cape Town to Victoria Falls, South Africa offers a thousand faces. Namibia with its arid desert which can boast the highest dunes in the world, a mountainous relief with fanciful mineral formations, a wild coast which is home to the largest colony of sea lions in the world, exuberant waterfalls, the second largest canyon on the planet, a savannah with animal parks which have nothing to envy to those of East Africa, and what can we say about these fascinating primitive peoples: the famous Himbas, whose women smeared themselves with laterite, the San, the last bushmen of the Kalahari, and the Heroes with their extravagant clothing? !?!?  

These 25 days will allow you to travel all over the country, from the extreme south to the extreme north, regions rarely proposed. The most complete and cheapest circuit on the market, the conviviality in addition! 

Four safe, welcoming, colourful and structured countries, where life is good!

Discover the agency :
Rafiki Tours and Safaris


25 days

From : €5,490*

Maximum recommended reservation date
22/10/2020

Day 1: The Journey

Day 2: Cape Town

Day 3: Cape Town

Day 4: Cape Town

Day 5: Cape Town - Strandfontein

Day 6: South Africa - Namibia

Day 7: Orange River - Fish River Canyon

Day 8: Fish River

Day 9: Fish River - Aus

Day 10: Aus - Sesreim

Day 11: Sesriem - Sossusvlei

Day 12: Sesriem - Swakopmund

Day 13: Walvis Bay

Day 14: Walvis bay - Spitzkoppe

Day 15: Spitzkoppe - Himba Village - Etosha

Day 16: Okaukuejo - Namutoni

Day 17: Namutoni - Tsumkwe

Day 18: Tsumkwe - Botswana - Guma Lagoon Camp

Day 19: Guma - Okavango Delta - Guma

Day 20: Guma - Tsodilo Hill - Shakawe

Day 21: Shakawe - Bagani - kongola

Day 22: Kwando - Kasane

Day 23: Kasane - Victoria Falls

Day 24: Victoria Falls

Day 25: Return Trip

Day 1 : The Journey






Day 2 : Cape Town



Arrival in Cape Town, and departure for a first discovery of the city, the southernmost city of the African continent. Many possibilities are offered to you, the Castle of Good Hope, the Cape Town City Hall, the gardens of the Company, the Bo Kaap district with its colourful houses, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and without forgetting the ascent of the Table Mountain which offers a magnificent panorama on the Cape Bay. At the end of the day head to Long Street, an avenue overflowing with legendary bars, cafes, restaurants and bookstores. Free Dinner and Night in a Guesthouse




Day 3 : Cape Town



Discover the famous Cape Peninsula today, along the magnificent road that runs along the coast. Pass through Hout Bay, a picturesque village known for its small fishing port, and then along the famous Chapman's Peak scenic drive. You will then cross the Reserve of Good Hope before arriving at Cape Point at the extreme south of the peninsula, a mythical place for explorers. Continue your day by Simon's Town and Boulder's Beach, famous for its penguin colony. On your return to Cape Town visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, which stretches out on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Dinner at your leisure and overnight in a guesthouse. 




Day 4 : Cape Town



Continuation of your journey along the famous wine route and its prestigious vineyards, with visits to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, the best known in the region. These villages are full of historical monuments and sublime properties with Dutch architecture. The Stellenbosch Valley is made up of more than 300 vineyards and is considered the wine capital of South Africa. For its part, Franschhoek has preserved its traditions and the French know-how of the Huguenots who settled in the valley in the 17th century. The gastronomy is not to be outdone and you will find some of the best restaurants in the country. Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse.




Day 5 : Cape Town - Strandfontein



Breakfast and meeting with our team and drive to the town of Lambert Bay, a small town known for fishing and shrimp farming. Visit Lambert Bay with its concentration of Cape Town madmen. Free lunch in a restaurant to taste the local specialities (Poisons) and continue to our campsite by the sea in Strandfontein. First night on the campsite. Dinner and overnight stay in Strandfontein (Camping).




Day 6 : South Africa - Namibia



Breakfast and drive through the small town of Lutzville. Crossing the northern part of Cape Town in this region of Namaqua, part of the Garden Route will allow you to discover the enchanting landscapes of the Karoo and this northern and mountainous region. Beware the authenticity has only just begun! You will also have the opportunity to see wine cellars and wild gardens whose flowers change according to the seasons and Regions. Tea Rooibos very famous and known for its Karoo region. Crossing the South African border and entering Namibia. Dinner and Night at Felix United (Camping)




Day 7 : Orange River - Fish River Canyon



Breakfast and departure for a canoe trip on the Orange River. Enjoy the magnificent landscapes that pass in front of you and observe the life of the river. Afternoon departure for the Fish River Canyon. Dinner and Overnight at Hobas Fish River (Camping)




Day 8 : Fish River



You will admire the panorama offered by the largest canyon in Africa from different observation points. Morning walk along the canyon, then in the afternoon return to the extreme south to discover a wild nature with breathtaking landscapes. Return after sunset for a second night in Hobas.




Day 9 : Fish River - Aus



After breakfast you will take the track back to Aus, a former German fort which was the scene of a battle during the First World War. Visit the Garub water point to observe the wild horses of the Namibian desert that come to drink at dusk. Dinner and Overnight at Klein Aus Vista in Hotel (single rooms)




Day 10 : Aus - Sesreim



You will take the track often considered the most beautiful in Namibia (the 707) to reach Sesriem, the gateway to the Naukluft Park. You will probably have time to walk in the Sesriem canyon before going to watch the sunset on a small dune 40 min walk from the camp. Return to the camp by car. Dinner and Night at Sesreim Campsite (NWR)




Day 11 : Sesriem - Sossusvlei



This day will probably be the most emblematic of your stay. Wake up an hour and a half before sunrise in order to reach Sossusvlei and its majestic dunes as soon as possible. The world reputation of these dunes is due to their beauty, their colours, their dimensions (the highest on the planet) but also to these surprising "Vlei", a kind of salar, ancient ponds dried and bleached by salt. A good three hours walk, to climb the highest dune for the bravest, then back to camp. Swimming pool...

At the end of the day, after the heat, you will probably go to watch the sunset on the dune Elim.

Dinner and Night at Sesriem Campsite




Day 12 : Sesriem - Swakopmund



Departure to Solitaire. There you will have coffee and an apple-pie, the most delicious in the country. You will continue to Walwis Bay where you will sleep in a very comfortable guest-house. Please note that depending on the progress of the day, your guide may make a detour to Dune 7.

There again, among the activities he will propose to you, according to your arrival schedule, there will be the discovery of Walvis Bay, which is just a stone's throw away from the hotel. Thousands of pink flamingos, accessible at less than 10 m distance (probably the best flamingo watching spot in the world). Free dinner and overnight at Horus Guesthouse




Day 13 : Walvis Bay



Morning dedicated to the discovery of this famous bay populated by flamingos and several colonies of fur seals. In this period of births, it is essential to approach them in the best possible way: by sea, by kayak. This way you don't frighten them, and you get very close to them (they swim and play around the kayaks). This excursion is for all levels, even if you have never been in a kayak and you don't know how to swim! Indeed excellent supervision, good equipment, life jackets, and above all no current or waves because you are inside the lagoon. At noon you will have free time to visit Swakopmund and have lunch wherever you want.

The afternoon is free. You can take advantage of this time to make an optional excursion (at your own expense): fly over the coast (breathtaking scenery), or a 4x4 tour to Sandwich Harbour. You can also simply stroll in Swakopmund (remarkable mineral museum), or along the banks of the lagoon, from Walvis' hotel (flamingos...). We will take care of the logistics during this afternoon "à la carte". (Moon landscape is an excursion which will probably have been done the day before, and which can also be done the next day by leaving for Spitzkoppe, but if nobody is interested in the excursion by plane or 4x4, it can also be done that afternoon. It will be at your guide's discretion).




Day 14 : Walvis bay - Spitzkoppe



Short transfer (100 km) in the morning to the Spitzkoppe where you can take a fairly long walk inside this small reserve with phantasmagorical mineral formations. Amazing sunset in this extraordinary mineral universe. Attention, no shower near the camp, but located at the entrance of this park run by a local community. Possibility to take it the next morning before leaving when you get close to the exit of the park, or in the evening.




Day 15 : Spitzkoppe - Himba Village - Etosha



Departure for the city of Kamanjab where you will discover the fascinating Himba ethnic group that still lives with its ancestral customs. A few hours of an exceptional encounter! You will be asked not to take a photo during the first hour in order to engage in sharing and exchanges. You will then be able to immortalize these memorable moments.

Afternoon safaris in Etosha Park, which has a superb waterhole and water points lit at night that can give rise to beautiful observations. You will have a good part of the afternoon to enjoy a safari. The Okaukuejo campsite is a short walk from the waterhole, which is lit up at night. Dinner and Night in Okaukuejo (NWR) (Camping)




Day 16 : Okaukuejo - Namutoni



Your safari continues from west to east. A nice and almost exclusive safari day, as very few tourists use this route reserved for tour operators.

Direction Okaukuejo, only 170 km away. But it is a "game drive" with mandatory stop at all water points to observe the rich fauna. Dinner and Night at Namutoni Campsite




Day 17 : Namutoni - Tsumkwe



You will leave Etosha Park and head towards a San (Bushmen) community on the Grasshook side. Various activities with the San people, traditional dances, village visits and walks in which you will be able to participate. Dinner and Night at Tsunkwe TUSCIN in your room.




Day 18 : Tsumkwe - Botswana - Guma Lagoon Camp



Breakfast prepared by the guide and crossing of the Kalahari Desert between Botswana and Namibia; you will be surprised by the contrast of the animated life of these very varied landscapes.

Crossing of the Kalahari to reach the border between Namibia and Botswana. Road to Nokaneng and then Etsha, located in the southwestern part of the Okavango Delta.

Picnic lunch.

Transfer from Etsha to Guma Camp located on the Delta Lagoon. At the approach of Guma Camp, the water of the Okavango River allows the large African trees to grow, the flora and fauna is more numerous.  Installation of the camp




Day 19 : Guma - Okavango Delta - Guma



Wake up to the sound of the bush. Breakfast prepared by the guide. Transfer by boat through the delta canal, meeting with the pirogue team. The Mokoro, traditional pirogues are the best way to discover the meanders of the delta. Mokoro boat trip and walk on the many islets to discover this jewel of Africa.
Transfer by Mokoro, then by boat to reach the Guma Lagoon. Dinner and Night Guma Lagoon Camp




Day 20 : Guma - Tsodilo Hill - Shakawe



Breakfast prepared by the guide. Transfer to the small village of Etsha and road to Tsodilo. Tsodilo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Rock Painting site. For the San people, Tsodilo is a mountain of the Gods and a sacred place for them. Visit this site known for the Rock Painting in these mountains that the San respect and appreciate as the mountain of the Gods.

Lunch then drive to the small town of Shakawe. Dinner and overnight at Drotsky Cabin campsite. 




Day 21 : Shakawe - Bagani - kongola



Morning safaris in the Mahango Park on the border between Namibia and Botswana. Picnic lunch and drive to Kongola through the Bwabwata Park where you can see elephants crossing the road. Kwando is a multi-armed river that meanders between termite mounds, the Kwando, later called Linyanti, and Chobe form a mini delta in this part of the Namibian savannah. This region, now called the Linyanti Swamps, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful wilderness reserves in Africa. Its inaccessibility has helped to preserve a wild and unspoiled character. Dinner and Night at Camp Kwando in Chamber




Day 22 : Kwando - Kasane



Breakfast prepared by the guide. Drive to Katima Mulilo, located on the borders of Botswana and Zambia. Road to Botswana and border crossing at Ngoma, a beautiful border post overlooking the Linyanti River in Namibia which becomes the Chobe River in Botswana. Continuation to Chobe through the National Park.

Picnic lunch.

Boat safari along the Chobe River to surprise the aquatic fauna at sunset. You will see hippos and crocodiles basking on the bank or gushing out of the water, antelopes coming to drink and a large number of birds including the famous fishing eagle. You will end this experience with an aperitif at sunset. (+/-3h)
Dinner and Overnight at Kubu Lodge Camp




Day 23 : Kasane - Victoria Falls



Morning departure for a safari in Chobe Park. A 3 hour safari in this beautiful park to observe a diverse wildlife including Elephants, Buffalo and others. Afternoon transfer from Kazungula, Zimbabwe border post, to Victoria Falls. Dinner at leisure. Overnight at Shearwater Discovery of the Village.




Day 24 : Victoria Falls



Breakfast and visit of the falls on the Zimbabwe side. A 1.7km long curtain of water flows from a 108m high cliff at the highest point. Discovered by Livingstone in 1855 (known by indigenous people for longer), its many views are among the most exceptional on the planet. A spectacle that justifies crossing the continent!

Suggestion: During your stay at the falls, many activities are possible that will allow you to complete your discovery of this magnificent site: helicopter flight, rafting, walking with lions, elephant trekking, bungee jumping etc. Our team on site will help you make your choice.
Free Dinner and Night at Shearwater - Discovery of the Village




Day 25 : Return Trip

Elephants at the waterhole. ©2630ben - iStockphoto


Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your return flight

NB: the itinerary can be done in the opposite direction on certain dates.




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