36 days - Southern Circular

South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique

Trip Cost - £1,255 or €1,775

(Local Payment - US $840) What's This?

Itinerary

Day 1 - Upington (South Africa)

We head to Upington, where we will spend the night. Upington is the principal town of the North Western Cape on the banks of the Orange River, South Africa’s largest. This area is the heart of an irrigated corridor of intensive wheat, cotton and grape farms on the edge of the Kalahari desert. (D)

Day 2 - Fish River Canyon (Namibia)

Making our way to Fish River Canyon we get our first taste of what the arid countryside looks like. After setting up camp we enjoy watching the sunset over the canyon, the second largest in the world. Measuring roughly 160km from north to south and about 550m deep this is an experience to remember as we watch the sunset into the canyon! (B,D)

Days 3 - Aus (Namibia)

This morning you have time to explore the canyon further before we take a relaxed drive to Aus, a small town on the edge of the desert. We camp at Klein-Aus, a farm set amongst the rocky hills. There is the opportunity to go horse riding or hiking from here and keep alert for sightings of the famous ‘desert horses’ who have adapted to some of the most arid conditions on earth. (B,D)

Day 4 - Luderitz (Namibia)

Early the next day we make our way to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, near Luderitz, that lost the battle with the sand when its inhabitants left many years ago. This town, once an important part of the lucrative diamond mining industry, was abandoned in the 1950’s. A guided tour gives us an insight into what life was like in this very harsh climate. We then continue into Luderitz itself, the port town, with its German Imperial architecture. Here you can do a boat trip on the harbour (weather permitting) to see a jackass penguin colony as well as some great sea life including dolphins. We return to Aus for the night. (B,D)

Days 5,6 - Sesriem (Namibia)

We take a drive northwards to Sesriem. The scenery, as we approach the dunes will leave you breathless. We venture into Naukluft Park for great photo opportunities. The dunes of Sossusvlei are some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Take the challenge and see if you can make it all the way to the top! There is also the opportunity to visit the Dead Vlei, which is close to Sossusvlei for some the most amazing scenery in Namibia. We visit sesriem canyon that is about 30 metres deep where you can see 15 million-year-old deposits of sand and gravel conglomerate. (B,L,D)

Days 7,8 - Swakopmund (Namibia)

This morning we make the journey through the Namib-Naukluft Park to Walvis Bay. As we make our way through the pass, you will see spectacular scenery in colours straight from an artists painting. The lunar landscape appears, as we get closer to the coast - have your cameras at the ready. We continue through the desert to the oasis town of Swakopmund. Here there are boundless activities for you. You can relax on the beach or go deep-sea fishing. You can also go quad biking, parachuting or sand boarding on the dunes for a close up look at the landscape! The evening brings an opportunity to try some of the increasingly popular nightlife available after the days’ adrenelin rush. (B)

Day 9 - Cheetah Farm (Namibia)

Making our way up the Skeleton Coast, scene of many a shipwreck. We visit Cape Cross, where the Portugese navigator Diago Cao placed a cross in 1486. Here you will have a chance to visit the famous cape seal breeding colony with over 250,000 seals. Leaving the coast behind, we head back inland. Our overnight stop tonight is the Cheetah Farm where you have a unique experience awaiting you. We camp right next to the cheetah enclosure and have the chance to see many of thesemajestic animals close up. The brave can get very close as we feed the most effective “watch dogs” in the world at the main house! (B,L,D)

Days 10,11 - Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Continuing northwards we enter the vast Etosha National Park. Centred around the Etosha pan, this park covers an incredible 22,207km and is home to large populations of predators. One night we camp at Okaukuejo, giving us the opportunity of game viewing at the amazing water hole on the edge of the camp. All night, animals from the smallest to the largest come to the water hole to drink – it’s up to you how long you want to watch! Our days are spent on game drives, spotting some of the animals in the park. Midway we stop at the Etosha Pan after which the park is named. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Windhoek (Namibia)

Exiting Etosha we head to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. It is here that you can see the country’s vast ethnic mixture of people, making it a very interesting city, combining that with the strong German influence and architecture. Windhoek has a lot to offer when it comes to nightlife, as there are many different restaurants and bars, so go and explore! There are lots of little stands on the side of the street where you can find crafts made by Herero and San people. (B)

Day 13 - Maun (Botswana)

Crossing into Botswana we make our way to Maun, the gateway to the Delta. The Delta has many wildlife species and you will also learn the culture of the villagers, who will be escorting us during the days to follow. In the afternoon, take a look at the massive crocodiles at the Sitatunga Crocodile Farm and we make final preparations for our Delta trip. (B,L,D)

Days 14,15,16 - Okavango Delta (Botswana)

This morning we venture into the wild bush of Africa, far from any form of civilization. Our trip begins by 4x4 landrover. Once in the Delta we join local villagers/ guides on mokoros (2 man dug out canoes). We begin our search for the abundance of wildlife that inhabits the Delta. Drifting silently through the channels, we set up camp on islands in the Delta. After a breathtaking sunset, relax around the campfire listening to sounds the nights have to offer. The days are filled with game walks, tracking different species and exploring the waterways of the world renowned Okavango Swamps. On the last afternoon we return to Maun, where we shop in the local town and enjoy a well deserved local braai (BBQ). (B,L,D)

Day 17 - Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Continuing north, we drive through an area where the game move freely and it’s not uncommon to see wild dogs, zebras, ostriches and elephants on the side of the road then setting up camp in Kasane, on the edges of the Chobe River, where you can relax and enjoy some great game viewing on an optional river cruise. (B,D)

Day 18,19,20 - Livingstone - Victoria Falls (Zambia)

We start off with a 4x4 game drive into Chobe before crossing via the ferry info Zambia, where we set up camp in Livingstone, the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. We do a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi (Zambian side) and you have the chance to explore Africa’s adrenaline capital, with the variety of extreme sports that it has to offer. You may decide to go white water rafting on one of the few commercially rafted, grade 5 rivers in the world or go bungy jumping from one of the highest jumps in the world! There is also the choice to go microlighting, gorge swinging, jet boating and of course visit the falls. (B)

Day 21 - Luangwa Bridge (Zambia)

Leaving Livingstone and the majestic falls behind, we head northwards and camp at Luangwa Bridge on the banks of the beautiful Luangwa river which also forms the border between Zambia and Mozambique. Here you can relax and have a amazing view of this snaking brown African river as the sun sets over it (B,L,D)

Day 22 - Chipata (Zambia)

Today we drive through to the border of Zambia and Malawi where we camp in the small town of Chipata, going past lots of local villages and some amazing forests. Here you will see how friendly people in Zambia really are and the scenery will yet again leave you breathless. (B,L,D)

Day 23 - Lilongwe (Malawi)

Today we depart for Malawi, “the warm heart of Africa” where we spend the night in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Here you can explore the town and shop at the local markets and experience the local culture. This is also where we prepare for our visit to the lake. (B,L,D)

Days 24,25,26 - Lake Malawi (Malawi)

We camp on the shores of lake Malawi. We relax on the shores of the lake, explore the area and shop in the markets. There are many water sports available on Lake Malawi including snorkelling, diving, fishing and canoeing. You can go horseriding, and have as the opportunity to meet the locals and see their craftsmen, famous for their carved mahogany chairs and other artefacts. (B,D)

Day 27 - Blantyre (Malawi)

After breakfast we head southwards to the town of Blantyre, the unofficial commercial capital of Malawi. Established by Scottish missionaries the town is the crossroads to Mozambique. Though not the capital, this city is the commercial capital of the country. Here we will spend our last night in Malawi. (B,D)

Day 28 - Chimoio (Mozambique)

Today we cross into Mozambique. The former Portuguese colony was devastated by years of civil war and since the 1995 peace accord has made great strides in reconstruction. See for yourself the evidence as we enter the country and make our way to the camp at Chimoio. This drive is filled with beautiful scenery and forests dotted with giant boabab trees. (B,L,D)

Day 29/30 - Vilanculos (Mozambique)

We reach the coast of Mozambique and relax on the beach of this coastal town. Once a sleepy fishing village, Vilanculos is one of the most scenic spots on the Mozambique coast and the jumping off point to the Bazaruto Archipelago. (B,L,D)

Days 31,32 - Tofo

We make our way south to Inhambane and the beach of Tofo. We set up camp in a remote campsite near the beach and town, where we will spend 2 nights. During your free day you can snorkel, scuba dive, take a walk along the coast or explore the markets of Inhambane. (B,D)

Day 33, 34 - Maputo (Mozambique)

Leaving the peace and tranquillity of the beach behind, we continue on to the bustling capital city of Maputo. With its attractive tree lined avenues it has a unique almost European feel about it. We spend the night here and you get the chance to sample the capital’s fantastic nightlife. (B)

Day 35 - Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Leaving Maputo we travel the short distance to the South African border where we make our way to the world-famous Kruger National Park. We enter the Kruger Park and our game viewing starts immediately. You have the option of a night game drive and we relax around the fire. (B,D)

Day 36 - Johannesburg

We make our way back to Johannesburg by late afternoon. (B)

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