About this Tour
Journey into Namibia and South Africa, where unspoiled nature and wildlife coexist with enterprising cities like Cape Town and Windhoek. Search for the “Big 5” at two of Africa’s largest national parks, Etosha and Kruger, where game sightings are all but guaranteed. Travel through the remote and otherworldly Namib desert, home to some of the largest sand dunes on earth. Soak in the eclectic culture of Cape Town and share stories with a local family during a home-hosted dinner. Make friends with endangered African penguins at Boulders Beach. Experience the German-influenced resort town of Swakopmund, situated between the ocean and the desert. Drive the outskirts of the famed Skeleton Coast where shipwrecks are abundant. From desert plains to vibrant coastal cities, discover the magic of Southern Africa on this epic adventure.
Your Tour at a Glance
GET IN TOUCH
Begin Your Journey
Highlights and Inclusions
Your Tour Includes
- 7 Handpicked Accommodations
- 33 Meals
Must-See Inclusions:
- Explore three distinct natural parks and search for the “Big 5”.
- Be whisked away to the top of Table Mountain on an aerial cable car.
- Witness the otherworldly landscape of Sossusvlei’s dunes.
Cultural Experiences:
- Visit a local non-profit in Windhoek dedicated to empowering women through traditional craftwork and skill sharing.
- Join a local Capetonian family at home and learn about their daily life.
Culinary Inclusions:
- Enjoy a tasting and lunch at a winery set against Namibia’s Erongo Mountains.
Highlights
- Sossusvlei Dunes
- Swakopmund
- Etosha National Park
- 5 Wildlife Safaris
- Cape Town
- Table Mountain
- Cape of Good Hope
- Kruger National Park
Full Itinerary
Day: 1 Overnight Flight
You’re on your way to South Africa and Namibia, two nations with intertwined histories and some of the most incredible landscapes, wildlife, and cultural diversity in the world. Get ready for a truly unique experience, from the dunes of Sossusvlei to the coasts of Cape Town.
Day: 2 Johannesburg, South Africa
Southern Sun O.R. Tambo
Arrive in Johannesburg after your overnight flight. Get settled at your airport hotel and rest before tomorrow’s morning flight to Namibia. As arrival times will vary, there are no scheduled activities today. Settle in at your own pace, perhaps exploring the city independently.
Day: 3 Johannesburg – Windhoek, Namibia – Sossusvlei
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner The Desert Grace
Today, fly to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city. One of Southern Africa’s most fascinating destinations, Namibia is one of the youngest countries in Africa and one of the least populated in the world. With its recent independence from South Africa, this frontier nation is a surprise to most. After landing in Windhoek, start your adventure with a road journey to Sossusvlei, one of Namibia’s most stunning landmarks. Arrive at your lodge after a day of travel, just in time to settle in and enjoy your first dinner with your traveling companions.
Day: 4 Sossusvlei
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner The Desert Grace
Embark on the experience of a lifetime. Start the day early to ensure the best experience at one of Namibia’s most dramatic landscapes – the red sand dunes of Deadvlei in the Namib desert. A landscape reminiscent of science fiction movies, the Sossusvlei region is home to some of the world’s tallest dunes. Climb one of these epic dunes to access Deadvlei,* a salt pan famous for its ancient petrified trees. A paradise for photographers and scenery enthusiasts alike, the Namib desert will leave lasting memories. See firsthand how animals survive in this harsh environment, and look for its most famous resident – the oryx!
Day: 5 Sossusvlei – Swakopmund
Breakfast & Dinner Strand Hotel
Say farewell to the Namib desert and set out on another epic journey as you take a long, scenic drive to the coastal town of Swakopmund. With its German colonial architecture, marine wildlife, and access to the Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund is a unique desert oasis. This afternoon, visit the Welwitschia Plains and Moon Valley for another look at what makes Namibia so unique – its hyper-arid landscape creates the perfect conditions for endemic species of plants seen nowhere else.
Day: 6 Swakopmund
Breakfast Strand Hotel
This morning, drive to Walvis Bay and join a marine cruise to search for seals, pelicans, and dolphins. Learn from your cruise guides what makes this area so unique for these marine animals. Continue your exploration to Pelican Point for a glimpse of some pink feathered friends and a view of what makes this coastline so famous – its numerous ship wrecks.
Day: 7 Swakopmund – Etosha National Park
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner Etosha Safari Lodge
Leave this coastal beauty behind as we head to your second Namibian National Park – Etosha. During your longest land transfer on this adventure, stop for a tasting and lunch at a winery paving the way for Namibian wines and spirits. Later this afternoon, check in to your rustic lodge and settle in before dinner overlooking the African bush.
Day: 8 Etosha National Park
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner Etosha Safari Lodge
Early this morning, depart for your first game drive. In open safari vehicles, search for rhino, giraffe, lions, elephants, and several types of antelopes. Ostriches will welcome you at every corner and wildebeest will greet you at watering holes. Return to your lodge for lunch before departing for your afternoon game drive. End the day with memories of salt flats and wild animals thriving in a surreal landscape.
Day: 9 Etosha National Park
Breakfast & Dinner Etosha Safari Lodge
Today, take a break from safari vehicles and join a full day game drive in an enclosed vehicle. If you wish, you may choose to upgrade to open vehicles (if your adventurous side has not yet been satiated!).
Day: 10 Etosha National Park – Windhoek
Breakfast & Dinner Weinberg Hotel
Travel your last Namibian leg of this journey and arrive back in its capital city, Windhoek. Despite it being the capital, enjoy its calm atmosphere during your free afternoon before you join your fellow travelers at dinner to reminisce about your adventure in Namibia.
Day: 11 Windhoek – Cape Town, South Africa
Breakfast & Dinner Cape Milner Hotel
End your time in Namibia with a meaningful visit to Penduka during an Impact Moment. With its mission to support gender equality and empower women, learn how Penduka supports the local community through traditional craftwork and skill sharing. Then, travel to the airport for your flight to Cape Town, South Africa, and end your day as a guest of honor in a Capetonian family’s home. Over dinner, exchange stories and get to know what everyday life is like here in Cape Town.
Day: 12 Cape Town
Breakfast & Lunch Cape Milner Hotel
Get to see the natural side of Cape Town today. Travel to Cape Point, the southwestern tip of Africa. Marvel at the vibrant green foliage blanketing the rocky outcrops, contrasting the bright blue waves below. Visit the Cape of Good Hope and stop at Boulders Beach for the rarest of black-tie events – a rendezvous with endangered African penguins! Return to the city via Table Bay.
Day: 13 Cape Town
Breakfast Cape Milner Hotel
Today, explore South Africa’s eclectic cultural mecca. Rise gently over the South African landscape in a cable car to Table Mountain,** taking in views of Cape Town, Lions Head, and historic Robben Island. Then, view the city’s heritage sites, historic landmarks, and bustling city center during a city tour. Enjoy a free afternoon to relax at your hotel or to further explore this fascinating city as you wish.
Day: 14 Cape Town – Johannesburg – Kruger National Park
Breakfast & Dinner Kruger Gate Hotel
Say goodbye to city life and hello to South Africa’s stunning natural beauty. Board your flight to Johannesburg as you make your way to Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa. Then, a six-hour drive will bring you to the unmatched beauty of the African savanna. Check in to your hotel, ideally located at the entrance of the park on the banks of the Sabie River.
Day: 15 Kruger National Park
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner Kruger Gate Hotel
Pack your camera as you head off on a full day game drive! Search for the “Big 5” from your open-air vehicle and experience some iconic South African scenery. Relax with a picnic lunch within the park, before setting off again for your afternoon game drive.
Day: 16 Kruger National Park
Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner Kruger Gate Hotel
Head out again on another full-day game drive for your last opportunity to see all the majestic scenery and animals you have come this far to experience. Tonight, join your fellow explorers for dinner and toast farewell to all the extraordinary places you’ve encountered during this epic African adventure.
Day: 17 Kruger National Park – Johannesburg – Tour Ends
Breakfast
Bid farewell to your fellow travelers when you leave Kruger for Johannesburg and head back home.***
* Activity Levels
- Activity Level 1 – Light & Leisurely: You’re a leisurely traveler. You typically take it easy and discover the energy of a new place by people-watching or soaking in the atmosphere at a local café. You can climb at least one flight of stairs, board a coach, and walk unassisted at a relaxed pace for up to 60 minutes without difficulty. You can easily handle altitudes up to 5,000 feet.
- Activity Level 2 – Moderate: You like a balanced approach to travel. Walking two to three miles over the course of a day is no problem for you. You can partake in a two-hour leisurely walking tour, covering up to two miles (with included breaks). You can handle a variety of terrains, from cobblestone streets to moderate hills with relative ease and without assistance. You can climb two flights of stairs with ease. There may be 1 to 2 days on this tour when walking tours can cover 3 to 4 miles over uneven terrain. You can handle altitudes up to 6,000 feet.
- Activity Level 3 – Active: You’re an on-the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) isn’t a big deal. A moderately paced two-and-a-half-hour walking tour, covering several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces, is no problem for you. Walking four miles over the course of a day is very doable, as is climbing into and out of various modes of transportation (tuk-tuk, cable car, zodiac, etc.). You can climb three flights of stairs easily and handle altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. Expect some longer days balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure. This level is not a fit for travelers who require mobility assistance devices.
- Activity Level 4 – Very Active: You’re ready to seize the day, whatever it may bring. You lead an active life at home (walking, biking, and half or full day hikes are things you may enjoy) and 10,000 steps a day is normal for you. You can handle longer walking tours (more than 3 hours covering 3+ miles at a steady clip) and activities that involve traversing uneven terrain, steep slopes, standing for periods of time, and varying altitudes and temperatures. You don’t mind being on the go with some early starts, late-nights, and full days. You can handle altitudes of 9,000 feet or higher with little to no issue. This level is not appropriate for travelers who use wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility assistance devices.
** Travel Styles
- Spotlights: Unpack just once and dive deep into a destination on these gateway-style tours.
- Classic: Visit iconic must-sees and engage with new cultures on these feature-rich tours.
- Crusing: Discover life and landscapes along the world’s most beautiful waterways.
- Faith: Connect to your faith on a deeper level on these spiritual journeys.
- Explorations: Dive deeper and engage with local life on these trours designed for small groups.