Itinerary
- Day 1
Cape Town
You'll arrive in Cape Town whenever your flight gets in, and the hotel transfer is taken care of. There's a welcome meeting set up to introduce you to the group and get things started for your African adventure.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Portswood Hotel)
Included Activities
- Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
- Day 2
Cape Town
Start your exploration in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, where you'll see the colorful streets and multicultural character of the area. From there, a guided walk takes you through Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Later, head to Boulders Beach to see the African penguins, then continue on to Cape Point lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope, which marks Africa's southwesternmost point.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Portswood Hotel)
Included Activities
- Kirstenbosch Guided Walk
- Guided Cape Town Orientation Tour and Excursion to Cape Point
Landmarks Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Boulders Beach Cape Point Lighthouse Cape of Good Hope Bo-Kaap 
- Day 3
Cape Town
You've got plenty of options today in Cape Town. Take the cable car up to Table Mountain's summit for views across the city, or spend time at the V&A Waterfront. Walking through the city center lets you see historic buildings and gardens, and there are museums and theaters if those interest you. Wine lovers can book a tour of the Cape Winelands and Stellenbosch wine estates.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Portswood Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Table Mountain Cable Car
- South African Wine Tour and Tasting
- V&A Waterfront exploration
- Cape Town city center walk
- Cultural Historical Museum visit
- Planetarium visit
- Abseiling
- Two Oceans Aquarium
Landmarks Table Mountain V&A Waterfront Stellenbosch - Day 4
Cape Town to Johannesburg
Fly to Johannesburg and head out on a guided tour of Soweto township, which played a major role in South Africa's anti-apartheid movement. The Mandela House Museum is your next stop, where you'll learn about Nelson Mandela's life and this crucial period in the country's history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Southern Sun Rosebank)
Included Activities
- Soweto Tour
Landmarks Soweto Mandela House Museum 
- Day 5
Johannesburg to Greater Kruger Area
Travel toward Kruger National Park along the scenic Panorama Route, one of the world's most beautiful drives. You'll stop at Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes to take in the dramatic landscape, plus there's a viewpoint at God's Window. By evening you'll be settled at a lodge near Kruger, and dinner features South African cuisine in this scenic setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (South African Dinner)
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Umbhaba Eco Lodge)
Included Activities
- Panorama Route Scenic Drive
Landmarks Blyde River Canyon Bourke's Luck Potholes God's Window 
- Day 6
Kruger National Park
Head out early in an open jeep for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park. You'll search for elephants, lions, giraffes, leopards, and the range of large mammals across the savanna and scrubland. Return to the lodge in the evening, where you can relax and listen to the sounds of the bush at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Umbhaba Eco Lodge)
Included Activities
- Kruger National Park Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive - Full day
Landmarks Kruger National Park - Day 7
Greater Kruger Area to Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Travel to Karongwe Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger area. A researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Cheetah Range Expansion Project (supported by National Geographic's Big Cats Initiative) will give you a lecture on protecting cheetahs and other carnivores. After that, the researcher joins you for a wildlife-viewing drive through the reserve.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Karongwe Portfolio - Chisomo Safari Camp)
Included Activities
- Carnivore Conservation Experience
Landmarks Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Day 8
Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Wake around 5am for coffee, then head out on a morning wildlife drive with a local guide searching for the Big Five. Return for brunch and some leisure time on the deck or grounds. High tea comes in the afternoon before you head back out for another safari drive. End the day with a traditional South African braai dinner alongside other travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Brunch), Dinner (Traditional South African Braai)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Karongwe Portfolio - Chisomo Safari Camp)
Included Activities
- Karongwe Private Reserve Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive
- Boma Braai
Landmarks Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Day 9
Karongwe Private Game Reserve to Johannesburg
Take one final morning safari at Karongwe, watching for the reserve's wildlife. Then travel back to Johannesburg, where dinner is served at your lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Southern Sun Rosebank)
Included Activities
- Karongwe Private Reserve Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive
Landmarks Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Day 10
Johannesburg to Windhoek
Fly to Windhoek, Namibia's capital, and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon is free, so you can walk around the city and get a feel for its unique character and culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Resort (Windhoek Country Club Resort)
Landmarks Windhoek - Day 11
Windhoek to Sesriem
Drive out of Windhoek toward Sesriem, the gateway to Namib-Naukluft National Park. Along the way you'll pass through red-colored desert landscapes with camel thorn trees scattered about, and keep your eyes open for oryx, springbok, jackal, and hyena. At the lodge, relax by the pool and watch the desert sunset turn crimson.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Sossusvlei Lodge)
Landmarks Namib-Naukluft National Park - Day 12
Sesriem
Venture into one of Africa's largest national parks and explore the Namib desert, the world's oldest. You'll drive to the massive dunes at Sossusvlei and the white clay pan at Deadvlei, where dead camel thorn trees stand against orange dunes and blue sky. The Sesriem Canyon, a natural gorge carved by the Tsauchab River over millions of years, is also on your route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Sossusvlei Lodge)
Included Activities
- Sossusvlei Dunes Visit
- Deadvlei Visit
- Sesriem Canyon Visit
Landmarks Sossusvlei Deadvlei Sesriem Canyon - Day 13
Sesriem to Swakopmund
Continue through changing desert landscapes on your way to Swakopmund, a coastal city. Watch for zebra, kudu, springbok, and oryx as you drive. Stop at a local bakery known for homemade apple pies. Later, a local guide takes you on a bushman walk through the desert where you'll learn survival strategies and spot smaller wildlife like snakes, geckos, spiders, and insects. You'll have free time to explore Swakopmund when you arrive, with an optional orientation walk available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Homemade apple pies at local bakery)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hansa Hotel)
Included Activities
- Living Desert Walk
Optional Activities
- Swakopmund orientation walk
Landmarks Swakopmund - Day 14
Swakopmund
Wake early for breakfast before heading to Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coast. Your guide explains the Namib Desert landscape and wildlife on the scenic drive to Walvis Bay. Entering Namib-Naukluft Park, depending on tide conditions, you'll drive along the beach to Sandwich Harbour. A 4x4 ride through tall dunes follows, with lunch at a private spot where desert meets ocean. This afternoon, tour Mondesa township with a local guide, visit the market for traditional foods, check out an arts and crafts shop, and chat with locals. Finish with dinner and a performance at a family-run establishment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a private location in the park), Dinner (Dinner and performance at a family-run establishment)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hansa Hotel)
Included Activities
- Sandwich Harbour & Skeleton Coast Excursion
- Mondesa Township Walk
Landmarks Sandwich Harbour Skeleton Coast Walvis Bay Mondesa Township - Day 15
Swakopmund
The morning is free to explore Swakopmund's Afro-German culture, browse curio shops, visit museums and restaurants, or try optional activities like sandboarding in the Namib, sea kayaking, or fat tire bike tours. Everyone meets back together in the evening for an included dinner at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner at hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hansa Hotel)
Included Activities
- Group dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Swakopmund town exploration
- Sandboarding in the Namib Desert
- Sea Kayaking
- Fat Tire Bike Tours
Landmarks Swakopmund 
- Day 16
Swakopmund to Etosha National Park Area
After breakfast, head toward Etosha National Park, widely considered Namibia's most spectacular wildlife sanctuary. Stop in Outjo for a break in this charming town, then continue to your lodge outside the park. The evening is free, though you can join an optional wildlife drive in the surrounding area if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Taleni Etosha Village), Hotel (Etosha Village)
Optional Activities
- Wildlife drive in surrounding area
Landmarks Etosha National Park Outjo 
- Day 17
Etosha National Park Area
Spend the full day on safari in Etosha National Park, traveling in an open vehicle across open grasslands that meet a massive salt pan. Search for lions, elephants, and other endangered species with your camera ready. Lunch happens at one of the park's rest areas where you can swim. Watch hundreds of bird species and other creatures gather at the watering holes throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at one of the park's rest areas), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Taleni Etosha Village), Hotel (Etosha Village)
Included Activities
- Etosha Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive
Landmarks Etosha National Park - Day 18
Etosha National Park Area to Windhoek
After breakfast, visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a global research and education center founded by National Geographic Grantee Dr. Laurie Marker. Tour the facility to learn about conservation and community work protecting the world's fastest land animal, hear a talk from a researcher, and drive through the grounds to meet rescued and rehabilitated cheetahs. Then travel to Windhoek for your final evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Resort (Windhoek Country Club Resort)
Included Activities
- Cheetah Conservation Experience
Landmarks Cheetah Conservation Fund - Day 19
Windhoek to Victoria Falls
Fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, named after one of Earth's most powerful waterfalls. Visit a nearby village and shop in the lively local market. Then have dinner with a local family, helping prepare a traditional Zimbabwean meal using ingredients you picked out while hearing stories about local life and culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Zimbabwean meal prepared with a local family)
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Explorers Village Lodge)
Included Activities
- Zimbabwean Family Dinner
Landmarks Victoria Falls 
- Day 20
Victoria Falls
Take a guided tour of Victoria Falls, named by Scottish explorer David Livingstone after Queen Victoria. The indigenous name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, means 'the smoke that thunders.' You can either take a day trip to wildlife-rich Chobe National Park or enjoy a sunset river cruise, depending on your preference.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Explorers Village Lodge)
Included Activities
- Victoria Falls Guided Tour
Optional Activities
- Full Day Excursion to Chobe National Park
- Sunset river cruise
Landmarks Victoria Falls Chobe National Park - Day 21
Victoria Falls
Leave at whatever time works for your flight. Your African adventure comes to an end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
