BOTSWANA - VICTORIA FALLS -  NAMIBIA TOUR

Day 01 - Johannesburg Randburg - 150 km

The Botswana Victoria Falls Zambia/Zimbabwe Namibia Cape Town Tour starts  from your Johannesburg hotel or guesthouse. Your experienced tourist guide will take you on a Soweto tour and the Apartheid Museum. Afternoon free to explore Sandton. Drop-off at your hotel or guesthouse

After breakfast we visit Soweto

Overnight Randburg

Day 02 - Randburg - Makopane - 250 km

In the morning we make a short city tour through the center of Johannesburg, the economic heart of the country.

Next up, the journey goes along the Springbok plain, a prosperous agricultural area, to Mokopane.

We also visit an original mampoer distillery (kind of jenever) and if time permits we visit the African Historical Museum here.

Overnight in Makopane &

Day 03 - Makopane - Nata (Botswana) - 700 km

Early departure towards Botswana. After some border formalities, the journey goes via Palapye to Nata and the lodge of the same name, located near the dry salt flat of Makgadikgadi. Once this was a large salt lake, but now only waterholes form after abundant rain showers, where flamingos and pelicans settle.

Our lodge with swimming pool, is beautifully situated between palms and marula trees. Dinner is in the open air tonight

Overnight Nata lodge

Day 04 - Nata - Chobe Nationaal Park - Kasane - 335 km.

After an early breakfast, the journey heads towards Kasane and we experience the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert. We drive through the Sibuyu and Kazuma Forest Reserve where we will probably see elephants and giraffes.

Our final destination, the Chobe National Park is known for its large herds of elephants, sometimes rising to about 500 pieces.

This makes them the largest elephant population in Africa. The park also has a rich bird life; among other ospreys occur here in large numbers.

Once there, we go on safari in open boats on the Chobe River.

We sail slowly and enjoy the peace, the rich bird life and the wildlife that regularly comes to quench its thirst by the river

While the elephants take a bath we enjoy the setting sun.

A real African buffet is reserved in the open air

We spend the night in a lodge, beautifully situated on the banks of the river

Overnight Lodge in Kasane

Dag 05 - Kasane - Victoria Falls - Livingstone - ca.100 km

Get up early to see nature awaken at sunrise during the safari by open off-road vehicle in the 50 km long Chobepark. With some luck we will see predators, (kites are abundant), also zebras, buffaloes, giraffes and many antelope species including the rare poo cow.

After this safari it is time to leave this beautiful nature reserve. At Kazangula, the four-country point, we cross the border with Zimbabwe (visa fees). The journey continues through zambezi national park to the spectacular Victoria Falls.

We visit the waterfalls and experience a spectacle of crashing and bursting water with sometimes several rainbows, which is nowhere so grand in the world. The popular walk right past the falls begins at the statue of the explorer David Livingstone.

From various points in the tropical rainforest we have a breathtaking view over the amazing grandeur of nature. The Zambezi river plunges with great noise over a width of 1700 m. into a more than 100 m. deep gorge, creating enormously high clouds of mist. The name that the locals have given to this natural violence is striking: "the smoke that thunders". We take a walk on the bridge over the Zambezi River and see in the depths the swirling water of the "Boiling Pot". We also look at the oventuriers, who take a bungi jump here from the 115 m. high bridge.

A little further we cross the border with Zambia. For two nights we stay in a lodge, which is beautifully situated on the banks of the Zambezi River

Overnight in a lodge on the Zambezi river

Day 06 - Livingstone - Victoria Falls - Livingstone - 60 km

Today we visit Livingstone, the former capital of Northern Rhodesia. Our first destination - on a dirt road - is Mkuni Village where 7000 Leyas live. The Leya people still have rich cultural traditions.

Under the guidance of the village guide we visit the huts and get to know the residents. We come across beautiful carvings that are made there on plateze. Through the entrance at the border we go in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park to see the waterfalls on the side of Zambia.

The view of the falls from the "Knife Edge" walkway is breathtaking. There is also a market with a wide variety of carvings where you can negotiate the price of beautiful souvenirs.

Around noon you will have some free time to have lunch in the village and visit the market. Then we visit the Livingstone Museum. Late in the afternoon we take a boat trip on the Zambezi River to admire that beautiful sunset and to track down the wildlife on the banks

Overnight lodge Zambezi rivier

Day 07 - Livingstone - Maun - 100 km

For the long trip we leave early with our breakfast packs. At the kazangula border post, we cross the Zambezi River with the bridge after which we drive in Botswana via Nata to Maun

If the condition of the road through Zambia is not recommended, the border at Kazangula Road can be crossed. In Nata we can have lunch in a nice gazebo restaurant. The route continues through the sparsely wooded Kalahari Desert, with some palm trees here and there and some huts. Only goats, donkeys and ostriches will cross our path.

In the evening we arrive at the hotel in Maun, the gateway to the famous Okavango Delta

Overnight Maun hotel

Day 08 - Maun - Okavango Delta Moremi game reserve - 150 km

For the long trip we leave early with our breakfast packs. At the Kazangula border post, we cross the Zambezi River with the bridge after which we drive in Botswana via Nata to Maun

If the condition of the road through Zambia is not recommended, the border at Kazangula Road can be crossed. In Nata we can have lunch in a nice gazebo restaurant. The route continues through the sparsely wooded Kalahari Desert, with some palm trees here and there and some huts. Only goats, donkeys and ostriches will cross our path.

In the evening we arrive at the hotel in Maun, the gateway to the famous Okavango Delta

Overnight Moremi game reserve

Day 09 Okavango Delta - Moremi game reserve - 100 km

Early in the morning you will be woken up with coffee, tea and "bush rucks", after which we go on safari in the wild park. There are 36 large animal species, 200 bird species and more than 80 species of fish. Our experienced ranger will tell us a lot about the wildlife and birds in the reserve. From very close we will include zebra 's, elephants, buffalo, giraffes and sometimes the rare wild dogs can watch

We will certainly see the lechwe antelope, which feels at home in the water. Even the lions, leopards and cheetahs are used to the vehicles, which drive right through the forest and carefully follow the predators. In the deeper gullies and puddles we see the hippos. After this game drive we leave the all-terrain vehicle at the edge of the delta and we go on safari with a motorboat. We sail through a veritable maze of canals, past collars of papyrus plants and over puddles with beautiful water lilies. Perhaps we see playing otters and whisking hippos or a few elephants crossing a river. The delta is best known for the rare Sitatunga antelope. The hundreds of colorful birds make the edge of the delta a true paradise for bird lovers. After an excellent picnic lunch on an island we sail back and go in our safari truck again in search of the animals

In the evening we take a short walk with our ranger in the bush and enjoy a drink while the sun says goodbye to that day in brilliant colors. Back in our camp we discuss the insults of the day around the campfire

Overnight Moremi game reserve

Day 10 - Moremi Maun - 120 km

After a final safari in Moremi, we leave this fascinating area of the Okavango Delta behind us to return for lunch at the base camp near Maun. At our lunch address we get a tour of the crocodile farm on the bank of the Thamalakane River. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Maun. Who might meet the Hereros. The clothing of the Herero-women is characterized by the cheerful colors and the special headgear. Those who wish can optionally make a spectacular flight by plane above the delta.

Overnight Maun hotel

Day 11 - Maun - Ghanzi - 315

After breakfast we drive west to Ghanzi. On the way we stop at a mission village of the Bushmen, the original inhabitants of South Like Africa. The bushmen were nomads, they used to dress with skins and lived from hunting. Today this people is almost extinct. We visit the handicraft shop where we can buy the items made on site. We also visit the nearby church and the museum of the Bushmen. The rest of the day is free to explore Ghanzi, where we have lunch and spend the night.

Overnight Ghantsi

Day 12 - Ghanzi - Windhoek - 480 km

Early drive to the Mamuno border crossing where we enter Namibia. In Gobabis, the center of slaughter cattle breeding, we make a stop. The tour continues to Windhoek where we make a tour along the sights, including the Turnhalle and the Christ Church. We see the Tinterpalast (Ink Palace) where the government sits, er the oldest bouwerk in the city, the Alte feste Castle, now a museum. Windhoek is a pleasant city. Stately historic buildings recall a rich colonial past. From Helnitzburg castle we have a beautiful view of the city, which is surrounded by the Atlas and Eros mountains.

Overnight Windhoek

Day 13 - Windhoek - Swakopmund - 480 km

This morning we drive via the Erongo Mountains and Usakos to Swakopmund, the seaside resort of Namibia and known for its beautiful façade houses from the German colonial period. You are free to explore Swakopmund on your own. You can bring a phuftive beoek to the sea aquarium and the karakoelweverij. From the viewing tower of the famous "Woerman Haus" you can see the whole city. You can also climb the picturesque lighthouse and how about a ride on a "quad bike" through the dunes? (optional) Take a stroll along the promenade, where you are more likely to sing a seal in the cold water than bathing people.

Overnight Windhoek

Day 14 - Swakopmund - Walvisbaai - Sesriem 370 KM

A short drive takes us to Walvis Bay, Namibia's most important seaport and Africa's largest salt producer. Photo stop at the beach lake where usually countless pink flamingos and pelicans live in the brackish water. At the huge salt pans and salt mountains we turn around after which we stop at Dune 7; the highest dune in the area. We continue the journey through the bone-dry and flat part of the Namib Desert. After a picnic stop at Aruvlei we drive via the Kuiseb Canyon through beautiful mountain scenery to Sesriem. On the way we stop at Solitaire at an interesting restaurant. Two nights we stay in the area of Sesriem

Day 15 - Sesriem - Keetmanshoop - 540 km

Today the journey goes past many chap farms via Maltohohe, where we have lunch, to Keetmanshoop. If possible we visit a scapenboerdery On the way we see huge collecting nests of weaver birds in the camel thorn trees. We visit the unique Kokerboombos. The hollow branches of the trees used to be used by the Bushmen as tubes for their arrows. We also visit Giants Playground: massive boulders are stacked high on top of each other

Overnight Keetmanshoop

Day 16 - Sesriem - Sossusvlei - Sesriem - 240 km

Get up early to admire the color reflection of the sunlight on the highest sand dunes in the world at sunrise in the Namib Nauklift park.

With our minibus we drive through a huge 65 km long valley that ends in a "flat"

An all-terrain vehicle takes us the last 5 km through the dunes to Sossusvlei, which is located as a kind of oasis in the middle of the desert. In this beautiful area we use the picnic breakfast. All kinds of traces in the sand make it clear why this area is known as the living desert. And when it rains occasionally, one sees the desert flowers shoot out of the ground, as it were. You can climb Dune 45 from where you have an incredibly beautiful view. On the way back to our overnight address we visit a 30 meter deep gorge, carved into the Tsauchab River, also called the Sesriem Canyon. The beautiful nature and the untouched landscape ensure that you will not soon forget this trip. The rest of the day is free. Those who wish can optionally make a spectacular flight by plane over Sossusvlei. You can also take an optional hot air balloon ride

Overnight Sesriem

Day 17 - Keetmanshoop - Springbok - 500 km

The tour takes us to the impressive Fish River Canyon, the second largest gorge of its kind in the world; 160 km long, 27 km wide and 50 m deep!. On the way we visit Canon Roadhouse. At Hobas we have a breathtaking view of the river that has made its way through the rocks of the desert for millions of years. A beautiful landscape with wonderful rock formations. In the unique Canon Lodge, which is nestled between huge boulders, we have lunch. At Noordoewer on the Orange River we cross the border with South Africa. The journey continues across the plains of Namaqualand to Springbok, a small copper mining town. In the Cultural Village near Steinkopf we get acquainted with the traditional life of the Nama-People.

Overnight Springbok

Dag 18 - Springbok - Lambertsbaai - 410 km

Today we drive to Lambertsbaai, a fishing village railway the Atlantic Ocean, but first we visit the beautiful Goegaap nature reserve. Only a variety of succulents can survive the drought periods in this semi-desert. We continue one journey through the dry Namaqualand. In the Olifants River Valley we drive past vineyards and rooibos tea plantations. We visit a farm where the rooibos tea is grown, where we also have lunch and get an explanation about the crop. The tea bush is a unique plant that grows exclusively in this area. In Lambertsbaai we take a walk to "Vogeleiland", (weather permitting). A colony of about 15,000 gannets on the plateau, the cormorants on the rocks hatch their eggs there. which can be seen beautifully from the viewing tower. With some luck we will also see whales, dolphins and seals, swimming along the coast here. The typical Western Cape dinner on a farm is a distinct experience.

Overnight Lambertsbaai

Day 19 - Lambertsbaai - Cape Town - 160 km

Via the Piekenierskloof pass the tour goes through Swartland, a large grain-producing area. Arriving in Cape Town, the rest of the day is free. A visit to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, South Africa's biggest tourist attraction, is highly recommended. This renovated old port area is attractive and cozy because of the many terraces, shops, restaurants and other possibilities that you can explore on your own. From this old port we spring in the afternoon in good weather to the famous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela and many others were imprisoned for his struggle against the apartheid regime. The island is located on table bay, nine kilometers off the coast. There is a guided tour by bus over the island and you get to see the cell of Nelson Mandela and the quarries where the prisoners worked. A pleasant farewell evening concludes this day.

Overnight Cape Town

Day 20 - Cape Town - Cape Town wine area - Cape town - 200 km

We follow the beautiful wine routes through fertile green valleys, surrounded by mountains. In Franschoek we visit the Huguenot monument and museum. In the middle of the fields are white-dyed wine farms, where we have lunch and taste for ourselves why South African wines are becoming increasingly popular. On this farm we get an explanation about the wine production process. Via the Helshoogte Pass we go to the second oldest city in the country: Stellenbosch, a cozy town that even feels a bit Dutch with the Cape Dutch façade houses and a beautifully preserved city center. We make a tour and a walk on the historic village square "De Braak". Here we see, among other things, the Rhine church and the V.O.C Kruithuis, the oldest powder magazine in south-like Africa. In the course of that afternoon we leave for the airport