Wagon Trails | Cape Town to Livingstone extended itinerary

Cape Town to Livinstone extended itinerary

Day 1 Cape Town

Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa.

An arrival transfer is from the airport to your hotel is included in your tour. If you have confirmed this transfer by providing your flight details at least 15 days prior to departure you will be met at the airport and taken to the joining point hotel.

You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 6:00pm tonight. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Your leader will collect the first part of your local payment at this meeting. The second part will be collected on day 14.

Please note this is a combination trip. The composition of your group, your group leader and your overland vehicle will change in Windhoek.

After the meeting, feel free to explore this cosmopolitan city and perhaps experience South Africa's rainbow of cultures first-hand by enjoying a meal out in one of the many fine restaurants.

Cape Town is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous city, with plenty to see and do if you arrive early. Consider taking a cable car up the iconic Table Mountain, chill out in the Botanic Gardens, take an amazing prison tour to see where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated on Robben Island, or head to a museum - District Six and the South African Museum are both worth a wander.

Meals included: None
Overnight: Tudor Hotel
Our Cape Town accommodation is within walking distance of the city centre. Rooms come with all facilities including air conditioning, cable tv full ensuite bathrooms.

Days 2-3 Cedarberg/Orange River

Departing Cape Town we make our way to the Cedarberg Mountains where we spend the night. It is approximately 3 hours (300km) from Cape Town to Cedarberg. Time permiting, there may be the opportunity to exploring this beautiful area on local hiking trails.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: We overnight in en-suite cabins.

On day 3 we continue north, reaching the Orange/Gariep River. The Orange River forms the border between South Africa and Namibia and the evening is spent in a lodge on its scenic banks. From the Cedarberg to the Orange River is approximately 350km. We travel through the Namaqualand via the town of Springbok arriving in time to enjoy an awesome African sunset over its well-known golden cliffs and spend the evening relaxing with a sundowner or two from the bar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Our accommodation is in comfortable en-suite chalets with a great riverside location.

Day 4 Fish River Canyon

This morning after breakfast, we explore the beauty of the Orange/Gariep River on a half-day canoe adventure through the Richtersveld mountains, the oldest desert mountains in the world.

After lunch we will drive to the Fish River Canyon making our way into the magical land of Namibia- you'll notice a stark change in the landscape. Our journey takes us through an area famous for its quiver tree forests and then on to the mighty Fish River Canyon, second only to the Grand Canyon in size. Todays travel distance is 150kms which will take approximately 4 hours including the border crossing.

After settling into our lodge, we head out to enjoy a magnificent sunset over the canyon. It isn 40kms from our accommodation to to Canyon, approximately 45 minutes drive each way.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Our lodge offers rooms with en-suite facilities. There is also a swimming pool and comfortable lounge area. Rooms have fans and are equipped with mosquito nets.

Day 5 Sossusvlei

Departing the Canyon we make our way to the eastern edge of the Namib Desert (580km- approx. 8 hours travelling including a lunch stop) This is an amazing drive in terms of contrasting scenery with great photo opportunities around every corner. Expect to see a vast diversity of wildlife including springbucks, oryx, Hartman's zebras and ostriches roaming the vast plains of the Namib. After arriving at the lodge and enjoying a refreshing swim in the pool, we take a short drive to enjoy sundowners and sweeping views of the Namib landscape.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Lodge
Our lodge for this evening has twin share or double rooms with ensuite bathrooms, a swimming pool and fantastic views out over the Namib desert.

Days 6-7 Swakopmund

Awake very early the next morning we venture into the heart of the Namib Desert. Here there is an opportunity to climb the world-famous Dune 45 for unforgettable views over the desert. We explore the dunes on foot, enjoying a fascinating desert walk with "Bushman", the Steve Irwin of the desert. You will be amazed at what a simple animal track or spore can reveal, and the huge variety of communities living in and on the sand. While here we visit the world renowned Sossusvlei, an ancient lakebed in the middle of the desert with scattered skeleton camel thorn trees dating back over 1,000 years.

The total drive distance from our accommodation to Soussesvlei is around 140kms and will take approximately 2 hours.

This afternoon we continue to the oasis town of Swakopmund. The distance travelled today is about 320km which will take around 5 hours, including stops.

Day 7 is at your leisure to explore this attractive and historic town. Relax on the beach, take a walk to admire the German architecture, browse in the many boutiques or take part in the various adrenaline activities on offer. Evenings can be spent exploring the popular nightlife that Swakopmund has offer.

Meals included: Breakfasts
Overnight: Our accommodation for these days is centrally located in simple but comfortable ensuite rooms.

Day 8 Spitzkoppe

After two nights in Swakopmund we travel north to the majestic Spitzkoppe. The Spitzkoppe is a huge granite outcrop towering some 1,950 m above sea level, dominating the flat landscape. Explore the strange rock formations around the area on foot and take the opportunity to view the beautiful and ancient Twyfelfontein bushman paintings this area is famous for. Today we travel around 280 kms. This is made up of around 4 hours driving time and 4 hours of sight seeing.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Our accommodation tonight is comfortable with ensuites.

Days 9-10 Damaraland

Get off-the-beaten-track travelling to the Kaokoveld and Damaraland regions. These remote areas are especially famous for wild elephants and the nomadic Himba people.
Enroute from Spitzkoppe to our accommodation we visit the beautiful and ancient Twyfelfontein bushman paintings. Distance travelled on day 9 is approximately 550kms.

We begin day 9 with a visit to Cape Cross, one of the biggest seal colonies along the African Coast. After seeing the seals, we travel up the skeleton Coast National Park with an opportunity to stop at some ship wrecks and to find out more about the ancient welwitchia plants.

On day 10 we explore the area, tracking the elusive desert elephants and there may be an opportunity to visit a local Himba tribe. The untouched wilderness and these beautiful tribespeople will ensure that your visit to this area is truly unforgettable.

Meals included: Breakfasts, Dinners
Overnight: We spend these nights making the most of the dramatic surroundings staying in luxury tents with full ensuites. There is also a swimming pool and bar to enjoy.

Days 11-12 Etosha National Park

We depart the magical Damaraland to head to the Etosha National Park. Travel distance today is around 350km which will take us around 5-6 hours depending on road conditions. The Etosha is ranked as one of Africa's greatest game parks and is home to a large population of animals. The saline Etosha pan, which dominates the park, stretches for 120 km and is a sanctuary for the largest population of black rhino in the world.

After settling into our lodge, we take an afternoon game drive through this expansive park.

Day 12 is spent exploring Etosha, spending the day game spotting, stopping at all the waterholes along the pan's edge. The lodge's sparkling pool is a great place to refresh after our long day of wildlife viewing.

Meals included: Breakfasts
Overnight: These nights we enjoy comfortable rooms with ensuites. There is a relaxing terrace perfect for a drink, and a swimming pool to cool down in.

Day 13 Waterberg Plateau Park

Today we travel from Etosha National Park to the Waterberg Plateau (a journey of approximately 2 hours, 250km).

Waterberg National Park was the site of one of the major turning points in Namibia's History. It was at Waterberg, in the foothills, that the Herero people lost their last and greatest battle against German Colonial forces at the beginning of the 20th century. The Herero were forced to retreat from the Waterberg and headed eastward to British Bechuanaland (now Botswana). Thousands were killed by the pursuing Germans and many lost their lives in the Kalahari Desert due to lack of food and water. Estimates are that nearly two thirds of the Herero population lost their lives during this period. The graves of German soldiers who lost their lives at Waterberg can still be viewed near the Bernabe De La Bat rest camp at the base of the park.

This 20 kilometre wide and 50 kilometre long sandstone Waterberg Plateau stands out spectaclarly from its surroundings. It is part of a nature conservancy and endangered species such as the black and white rhino, sable antelope and blue wildebeest have been introduced and there is the option to participate in a guided afternoon game drive. We may even spot the rare Cape Vulture which nest here if we are very lucky. This region is also one of the main settling area of the Herero people.

Depending on how energetic you are feeling, there is the option for great hikes as well as relaxing walk in this area.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Tonight's accommodation is twin share with ensuite bathrooms.

Day 14 Windhoek

There is time for an optional morning game drive before we head to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. We travel south, stopping to buy souvenirs from the local San and Herero people along the way (300kms, approx. 4-5 hours including a lunch stop).

Windhoek is a melting pot of the many different ethnic groups that live in Namibia and its colonial past is highly evident in the German-style architecture.

Please note that as this is a combination trip, the composition of your group and your group leader may change today. There will be a group meeting this evening to introduce your new group members and provide important information regarding the second half of your tour. Your new leader will collect the second part of your local payment today.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Our hotel in Windhoek is comfortable. All rooms feature en-suite bathrooms, heating/air-conditing, tea/coffee facilities, tv and electronic room safes. There is a pool, sauna and unique rooftop bar and restaurant.

Day 15 Ghanzi

Crossing into Botswana, we arrive in the town of Ghanzi, an area well-known for the San and Bushman people. We travel for approximately 540km which will take us about 7-8 hours made up of 6 hours driving and 1-2 hours of the border crossing and a lunch break.

The tribespeople of this area are part of the oldest hunting and gathering societies known to man and they number around 100,000 today. To protect their culture, the Kuru Cultural Centre, founded in 1991, works alongside the Kuru Art Project in order to preserve and promote age-old San and Bushman traditions. While in Ghanzi, there's an opportunity to take part in activities including the traditional Bushman Dance Festival and time here is spent gaining an insight into the lives of these unique people.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: We stay tonight in simple twin share accommodation.

Days 16-17 Okavango Delta

Today we drive from Ghanzi to Sepupa (approx. 3 hours, 260km), arriving between 12noon-1pm. We then have an hour to relax on the river bank while all our luggage is packed onto speedboats. The water transfer from Sepupa to our house boat at Serongwe takes 2 hours.

After breakfast the following morning, we head into the Delta by mokoro, a local canoe, followed by a game walk (around 2-3 hours in duration), before returning by mokoro to our houseboat base for lunch. There is time this afternoon for an optional scenic flight over the Delta or perhaps to visit a local village before we head off on another cruise.

Meals included: Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners
Overnight: Houseboat
Our houseboat has twin share rooms and a dining area on board the deck.
Please note that on occasion our houseboat will not be available due to regular servicing and maintainance requirements. If this occurs the program will be replaced with alternate land based accommodation.

Days 18-19 Ngepi Camp/Caprivi Strip

We take a water transfer back to Sepupa (approx. 2 hours). Reboarding our vehicle we drive for about 45 minutes to Tsodilo Hills, where we take a guided 2 hour walk around some of the bushman paintings with a local guide. From Tsodilo Hills we drive another 45 minutes to the Muhembo Border Post (a total of 55km driven so far). Once through the border we take a river drive through Mahango Game Reserve looking for Sable and Roan antelope which the area is famous for. Elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffe etc. can also be seen. The river drive takes about 1.5 hours. Once we exit the park Ngepi camp is only 15km away arriving in the late afternoon.

Ngepi has a unique floating swimming pool actually IN the river, mokoro trips, canoeing, a sun deck, star bath, frisbee golf course, volley ball, abundant bird life, a lively bush bar, fishing (rods for hire), walking tours to a local village, traditional dancing and drumming performances can be arranged.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Staying in either Deck Tents on raised wooden platforms overlooking the river, or Tree-houses, on raised platforms under the tree canopy this accommodation is simple but unlike anywhere else you have ever experienced.

On day 19 we drive through the Caprivi National Park to stay on the banks of the river at the Hippo Lodge in Katimu Malilo. There is also a change to visit a local fish market enroute. The distance from Ngepi to Katimu Malilo is 300km.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Our accommodation in twin share rooms, set amongst a very verdant garden with en-suite shower and toilet, mosquito nets and fans.There is a pool to swim in and a bar and restaurant area jutting out over the river.

Day 20 Chobe National Park

We leave for Kasane going through the Caprivi National Park. En-route there is a border crossing back into Botswana at Ngomo Border Post. The last 70km is through Chobe National Park with a good change of seeing big herds of Elephants. In total it is about 6 hours driving today.

This afternoon we embark on the Chobe River Sunset Cruise. We'll keep a look out to sopt birdlife, hippos and crocodiles as we glide along the Chobe River on a relaxing sunset cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Enjoy the swimming pool and bar at your lodge before retiring to your comfortable accommodation with air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms and shower facilities.

Days 21-22 Victoria Falls/Livingstone

This morning there is the chance for an optional open vehicle game drive into the Chobe National Park. This park has an enormous number of elephants and the sight of these tuskers is almost guaranteed as we traverse the area.

Crossing into Zambia by ferry (approx. 20 minutes), we then make our way to Livingstone (90kms, approx. 1 hour driving but sometimes delays can be experienced at this border crossing).

This afternoon we head out for a grand conclusion to our tour- a visit to the magnificent Victoria Falls. The falls are an enormous curtain of water, about a mile wide, falling 108 m into a narrow chasm below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 m and the falls are an impressive raging torrent. The spray from the falls can sometimes be seen from kilometres away. It's no wonder the local name Mosi oa Tunya, means the "smoke that thunders". In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and it's possible to see little islets in the river below.

The remainder of your time in Livingstone is free time to consider taking part in the many optional adrenaline activities that this area is famous for. Jet boating or taking a scenic helicopter over the falls make for an exhilarating end to your African adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Your accommodation for tonight is a Lodge with ensuite rooms.

There are no activities planned for day 22 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 10am If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast