Cape Town to Maun 18 Day Accommodated

We start our tour in Cape Town, considered by many to be one of the world's most beautiful cities. We meet at the MOJO HOTEL at 13h00, and after a briefing and some formalities, the adventure begins with a hike up Table Mountain, led by our tour guide. The views over the city and the Atlantic Ocean are spectacular. The next day we explore the scenic Cape Peninsula by vehicle, visiting Hout Bay, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. We return to the Lodge to freshen up, then head out for dinner and a night of fun at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. On occasion we may have to adjust this itinerary to accommodate the weather. We spend both our nights at the MOJO HOTEL. Located in Sea Point, the hotel is conveniently situated close to shops, restaurants and the ocean promenade. Meals: B (Lunch and dinner own expense) Distance: +- 220 km in total Accommodation: Mojo Hotel - Interior rooms Included Highlights/Activity: - Table Mountain hike - Cape Point National Park - Cape of Good Hope - Scenic coastal roads - Hout Bay - Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Optional Activities: - None, all included

We leave the Mother City behind us and, after one last iconic view of Table Mountain from across the bay, we travel north through the "Swartland" and along the West Coast into Namaqualand, a completely new environment shaped largely by the dry winds blowing off the cold Benguela current. In the early spring this usually barren area comes to life with the blooming of millions of desert flowers, painting the landscape in an unforgettable display of vibrant colours. Our route is one of contrast and ever-changing scenery, from wide open spaces to the dramatic rock formations found in the Cederberg Mountains. We cover some distance today and overnight in the small town of Springbok, nestled amongst rocky outcrops in the Namaqua Desert. Meals: B D (Lunch today is own expense) Distance: 570 km Accommodation: Springbok Inn Included Highlights/Activity: - Scenic Drive along West Coast Optional Activities: - None, all included

Today we cross the border into Namibia, known for its dramatic landscapes and beautiful desert vistas. Once through the border, we travel the short distance to our base on the banks of the Orange River. We enjoy a relaxed afternoon along the banks of the river and prepare for our canoe excursion the following day. We spend two nights in comfortable accommodation. The Orange River is the longest river in South Africa and creates a natural border to Namibia. Seen from above, the river forms a green ribbon winding its way through the desert and the towering mountains of the Richtersveld National Park. After breakfast, we take to the canoes, to follow the river at a relaxed pace and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Richtersveld. In the late afternoon we return to our accommodation to relax, swim and enjoy the stark surroundings. Meals: B L D; B L D Distance: 150 km on day 4 Accommodation: Felix Unite Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Orange River - Orange River canoe experience Optional Activities: - None, all included

Today we head directly to the magnificent Fish River Canyon, second in size only to the Grand Canyon. Formed over hundreds of millions of years, the 160km long ravine is a testament to the inexorable power of nature and evidence of ice ages and raging torrents past. Today the Fish River flows only during the wet summer months, reduced to pools of stagnant water in the dry winter. We will inspect nature's handiwork from the lip of the canyon, before continuing into the true Namib, to our destination for the next two nights, arriving in the late afternoon at the Greenfire Desert Lodge. Meals: B L D Distance: 580 km Accommodation: Greenfire Desert Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Fish River Canyon - Scenic drive through desert region - Private Desert Game Reserve Optional Activities: - None, all included

The Greenfire Desert Lodge is situated on our 7000 hectare private nature reserve in the Namib Rand, and is home to numerous species of desert adapted fauna and flora. The lodge is spectacularly built against a rock outcrop, between the stark mountains and the red dune-fields. The reserve offers visitors a private and exclusive desert experience, spectacular vistas, and time to discover the vibrant, living desert, with plants and animals ingeniously adapted to the environment. We conduct a morning walk with our guide to gain close-up insight into the desert and its unique geology and ecology. During the heat of the day it's customary to relax at the lodge, to enjoy the swimming pool and a cold drink, but the energetic are free to explore the surrounding rock formations, to birdwatch, or to sit alone high up on a rock, mesmerised by the changing colours of the vast landscape. In the afternoon we explore a bit further afield on an open vehicle desert drive, searching for gemsbok and bat-eared foxes, before stopping at a suitable place to enjoy the red sunset over a traditional sun-downer drink. Once it is dark, we slowly drive back to the lodge, hoping to encounter some of the nocturnal animals common to the area, such as porcupine, aardvark, or brown hyena. Meals: B L D Distance: 20 km (Desert drive) Accommodation: Greenfire Desert Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Morning desert walk - Afternoon desert drive / night drive Optional Activities: - None, all included

An early start, we travel directly to Sesriem and the dune fields of Sossusvlei. Here we climb one of the biggest sand dunes on earth, to reveal rank upon rank of dunes marching into the distance. As the day warms we come down from our high perch to take an open 4x4 vehicle into the heart of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. We explore these world-renowned landmarks on foot, the varied colours of the ever silent red dunes, the white salt pan and the utterly stark beauty a truly memorable experience. The 4x4's return us to our vehicle. We stop to view Sesriem Canyon, and then continue into the desert where we spend the night in comfortable accommodation. Meals: B L D Distance: 180 km Accommodation: Sossus on Foot - Bushman's Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Dune climbing - Sossusvlei - Deadvlei - 4 x 4 transfer into Sossusvlei Optional Activities: - None, all included

A relatively journey today, we cross Kuiseb Canyon and Namib-Naukluft National Park, stopping briefly in Walvis Bay, Namibia's major port, before arriving in the seaside town of Swakopmund. Established in 1892, the German colonial influence is evident in the history, architecture, culture and cuisine of the town to this day. Modern Swakopmund is a visitor's paradise, with great restaurants and shops, friendly locals and a multitude of adventure activities on offer. We will spend two nights here, giving us a full day to explore the town, and to be thrilled by our choice of adventure. For those who want to relax and wash the desert dust away, the beaches are fantastic - the white sand warmed by the hot desert sun, but the Atlantic Ocean always remains refreshingly cool. Meals: B L (Dinner own expense in town) Distance: 300 km Accommodation: Amanpuri Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Scenic drive through the desert - Kuiseb Canyon - Namib-Naukluft National Park Optional Activities: - None, all included

Today we are free to explore the town, with its beaches, markets and curio shops. A huge variety of adventure options are available, including quad biking, sky diving, dune boarding, ocean safari, fishing and much more. To really get the feel of Swakopmund, we will eat at local restaurants on both nights (own expense). Meals: B (Lunch and dinner own expense in town) Distance: 0 km (Free day) Accommodation: Amanpuri Lodge Optional Activities: - Sky diving - Quad biking - Desert tours - Dune boarding - Ocean adventure, seal, dolphin, whale watching, fishing

Today we head north up the Skeleton Coast, a barren and desolate stretch of coastline trapped between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert, with scattered ship wrecks littering the beaches. The Bushmen called this "The Land That God Made in Anger". We visit Cape Cross, named for the crosses erected by Portuguese explorers in the late 1400s. Today this protected area, Cape Cross Seal Reserve, is home to tens of thousands of Cape Fur Seals and one of the largest seal colonies in the world. We venture back inland, travelling through the vast desert to Brandberg Mountain, the highest in Namibia. Bushmen lived in rock shelters at the foot of the mountain for thousands of years, leaving a legacy of over 45 000 paintings, including the mysterious "White Lady". We will take a short hike to explore this canvas of ancient rock art. We sleep at the foot of the mountain tonight. From our lodge we hope to glimpse the elusive desert elephant, browsing the trees in the nearby Ugab River bed. Meals: B L D Distance: 325 km Accommodation: White Lady Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Cape Cross - Seal colony - Brandberg White Lady Bushman Painting walk Optional Activities: - None, all included

Etosha is unique. At its heart is a vast salt pan, Etosha Pan, nearly 5000km? of dazzling white, sun-baked lake bed in the dry winter, and a shallow sea with tens of thousands of strutting flamingos, jumping fish and lurking terrapins in summer. Surrounding this pan is a varied landscape of bushveld and grassland, home to hundreds of species of wildlife. We will spend these days exploring the expanses of park from the high vantage point of our vehicle, game driving and visiting water holes. During peak season, when the rest camps are crowded, we may opt for accommodation outside the park. Meals: B L D; B L D Distance: 335 km on day 12 and 130 km on day 13 inside the park Accommodation: Lodge Accommodation - Etosha Included Highlights/Activity: - Etosha National Park - Full-Day Game Drive Optional Activities: - None, all included

Today we cover some distance, travelling through towns and villages of northern Namibia, giving us a glimpse into the daily lives of the local people. We arrive on the banks of the Okavango River, suddenly green, lush and inviting. Not far from here the river empties into the Okavango Delta, but right here the river is strong and deep, the trees tall and the crocodiles huge. The cool shade of the river bank is a welcome respite from the bright Namibian sun. Meals: B L D Distance: 640 km Accommodation: Ngepi Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Scenic drive through Namibia Optional Activities: - None, all included

It is with great excitement that we cross the border into Botswana and travel the short distance to the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta and a truly unique spectacle of nature. The Okavango River, emanating from central Angola, far to the northwest, flows south- and eastwards, before slowing and spreading into one of the world's only true inland deltas, creating as it does so a unique ecosystem that supports a huge variety of animal and plant life. The sight of a Jacana striding delicately amongst the flowering lilies, the Bee Eater diving to prey on an unsuspecting insect, and of course the familiar cry of the African Fish Eagle - all combine to create the canvas of one of nature's unique masterpieces. The river, eventually spilling its contents into the vast plains of the Makgadikgadi sands, disappears. Our comfortable and well-appointed camp on the edge of one of the largest lagoons serves as a base from which we explore. We will glide through narrow reed-lined channels by mokoro, walk on uninhabited islands, and picnic in the wilderness, while learning about the animals and plants of the Delta from local guides who have grown up in the area. Through informal interaction with the guides, we will have the opportunity to learn about the local people and their way of life in this isolated wilderness. We will also have time to simply relax and enjoy the views over a glistening lagoon from a beautiful wooden deck, cold drink in hand, or take a refreshing dip in the pool. We will enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on a boat. A helicopter flip, to see the vastness of the Delta from the air, is recommended (own expense). Meals: B L D; B L D Distance: 140 km Accommodation: Twin-bedded tented units Included Highlights/Activity: - Okavango Delta - Guided walk in the Delta led by local Motswana guides - Mokoro trip Optional Activities: - Scenic helicopter flight over the Delta

Starting early, we begin our journey to frontier town of Maun. We will spend some time stocking up on basic supplies, before travelling the short distance out of town to the Drifters Maun Tented Lodge, our stop for the night. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Boteti River. This river is known to change its flow direction, depending upon the season and rainfall patterns. The lodge offers comfortable en-suite accommodation, swimming pool, bar, restaurant and birdlife. Meals: B L D Distance: 354 km Accommodation: Drifters Maun Lodge - twin-bedded en-suite tented units Included Highlights/Activity: - Private tented lodge on the banks of the Boteti River Optional Activities: - None, all included

The tour officially ends after breakfast.