Itinerary
- Day 1
Johannesburg
You'll arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to your hotel in the Rosebank area. This evening you'll meet your fellow travelers over dinner. If you want to explore the city a bit, taxis are easy to arrange from your hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with fellow travellers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Southern Sun Rosebank)
Included Activities
- Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities
- Pre-accommodation booking to spend additional time exploring Johannesburg
- Day 2
Johannesburg to Greater Kruger Area
This is a long driving day, but you'll see some incredible scenery on the way to Kruger National Park via the Panorama Route. You'll stop at Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes, then check out the views from God's Window. After that, you'll continue to your lodge near Kruger for a South African dinner. Plan for multiple stops along the way, so it's a full day of travel.
- 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 3
Kruger National Park
You'll wake early and head out on an open jeep for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park. With some luck, you'll spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and maybe even a leopard as you drive through the savanna and scrubland. Back at your lodge in the evening, you can relax and listen to the sounds of the bush.
- 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 4
Greater Kruger Area to Karongwe Private Game Reserve
You'll travel to Karongwe Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger area. A researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Cheetah Range Expansion Project will meet with you to talk about protecting cheetahs and other carnivores. That afternoon, the researcher joins you for a wildlife-viewing drive. Starting tomorrow, you'll have ranger-led morning and evening safaris in open vehicles as you search for Africa's Big Five.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Karongwe Portfolio - Chisomo Safari Camp)
Included Activities
- Carnivore Conservation Experience
Landmarks Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Day 5
Karongwe Private Game Reserve
You'll be up around 5am for coffee before your morning wildlife drive searching for the Big Five. Back at the lodge by brunch, you'll have leisure time to relax on the deck, walk the grounds, or enjoy high tea. After afternoon tea, you'll head out again for a late afternoon safari. Before dinner, you'll freshen up at camp and then gather for a traditional South African braai with your group.
- 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 6
Karongwe Private Game Reserve to Johannesburg
One final safari this morning as you keep watch for Karongwe's wildlife. Afterward, you'll head back to Johannesburg for dinner at your lodge, wrapping up your safari portion of the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Southern Sun Rosebank)
Included Activities
- Karongwe Private Reserve Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive
Landmarks Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Day 7
Johannesburg to Windhoek
You'll fly to Windhoek and transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore the Namibian capital at your own pace, whether that's wandering shops, checking out local restaurants, or just getting oriented to the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Resort (Windhoek Country Club Resort)
Optional Activities
- Explore Windhoek's attractions and culture
Landmarks Windhoek 
- Day 8
Windhoek to Sesriem
You'll drive from Windhoek toward Sesriem, the gateway to Namib-Naukluft National Park. Along the way, you'll pass through red desert landscapes with camel thorn trees and dramatic dunes. Watch for desert wildlife like oryx, springbok, jackal, and hyena. At your lodge, you can relax poolside and watch the sunset over the desert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Sossusvlei Lodge)
Landmarks Namib-Naukluft National Park 
- Day 9
Sesriem
This full-day excursion takes you deep into Namib-Naukluft National Park. You'll explore the Namib Desert and head to the massive dunes at Sossusvlei and the white clay pan of Deadvlei. You'll get great shots of dead camel thorn trees against orange dunes and blue sky. Later, you'll visit Sesriem Canyon, a natural gorge carved by the Tsauchab River over millions of years.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Sossusvlei Lodge)
Included Activities
- Sossusvlei Dunes Visit
- Deadvlei Visit
- Sesriem Canyon Visit
Optional Activities
- Sossusvlei Sundowner & Nature Drive (455NAD per person)
Landmarks Sossusvlei Deadvlei Sesriem Canyon Namib Desert - Day 10
Sesriem to Swakopmund
You'll drive through changing desert landscapes toward Swakopmund on the coast. Keep an eye out for zebra, kudu, springbok, and oryx. There's a stop at a local bakery known for homemade apple pies. Then you'll join a local guide for a bushman walk through the desert, learning about ancient survival strategies and searching for smaller wildlife like snakes, geckos, and spiders. You'll arrive in Swakopmund with free time, and dinner is at your leisure with options around town or at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Homemade apple pie at a local bakery)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hansa Hotel)
Included Activities
- Living Desert Walk
Optional Activities
- Orientation walk in Swakopmund
- Dinner options at town restaurants or hotel
Landmarks Swakopmund 
- Day 11
Swakopmund
After breakfast, you'll meet your local guide and head to Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coast. You'll travel scenic roads to Walvis Bay while your guide talks about the desert landscape and wildlife. Depending on the tide, you might drive along the beach to Sandwich Harbour, followed by an exciting 4x4 ride through towering dunes with lunch where the desert meets the ocean. In the afternoon, you'll tour Mondesa township with a local guide, visit the market to learn about traditional foods, stop at an arts and crafts shop, then end the day with dinner and a performance at a family-run place.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner and performance at a family-run establishment in Mondesa township)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hansa Hotel)
Included Activities
- Sandwich Harbour & Skeleton Coast Excursion
- Mondesa Township Walk
Landmarks Sandwich Harbour Skeleton Coast Walvis Bay Mondesa Township - Day 12
Swakopmund
Your morning is free to explore Swakopmund on your own. Walk through curio shops, visit the museum, or try local restaurants to experience the town's unique Afro-German culture. Optional activities include sandboarding in the Namib desert, sea kayaking, or a fat tire bike tour of Old City Swakopmund. In the evening, your group gathers for an included dinner at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hansa Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Sandboarding in the Namib Desert (700NAD per person)
- Sea Kayaking (800NAD per person)
- Fat Tire Bike Tours (480NAD per person)
- Visit curio shops, museum, and restaurants
Landmarks Swakopmund 
- Day 13
Swakopmund to Etosha National Park Area
After breakfast, you'll depart Swakopmund and head toward Etosha National Park. You'll stop in the charming town of Outjo for a break, and you can grab lunch at one of the local cafes if you like. Then it's on to your lodge outside the park. Your evening is free or you can do an optional wildlife drive in the surrounding area if you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Taleni Etosha Village)
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local cafes or restaurants in Outjo
- Optional wildlife drive in the surrounding area
Landmarks Etosha National Park Outjo 
- Day 14
Etosha National Park Area
You'll spend the full day on safari in Etosha National Park where grasslands meet a massive salt pan. Your camera will be useful as you look for some of Africa's largest populations of lions, elephants, and other endangered species. You'll have lunch at one of the park's rest areas where you can also take a swim. Throughout the day, you'll watch hundreds of bird species and various wildlife congregate at the watering holes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at one of the park's rest areas), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Taleni Etosha Village)
Included Activities
- Etosha Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive
Landmarks Etosha National Park - Day 15
Etosha National Park Area to Windhoek
After breakfast, you'll visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a research and education center founded by National Geographic Grantee Dr. Laurie Marker. You'll tour the facility to learn about conservation and community outreach protecting cheetahs. A researcher will give a talk, and then you'll drive through the grounds to meet rescued and rehabilitated cheetahs. From there, you'll continue 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 16
Windhoek to Victoria Falls
You'll catch a flight to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, named after one of the most powerful waterfalls on Earth. You'll visit a nearby village and go shopping in the bustling market. Then you'll sit down with a local family for dinner, helping your hosts prepare a traditional Zimbabwean meal using ingredients from the market. You'll hear stories about their local life and culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Zimbabwean meal prepared with local family)
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Explorers Village Lodge)
Included Activities
- Zimbabwean Family Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit local village
Landmarks Victoria Falls 
- Day 17
Victoria Falls
You'll go on a tour of Victoria Falls. You can choose to take a day trip to wildlife-rich Chobe National Park or enjoy a sunset river cruise instead. If you have an activity planned this morning, the Falls tour will be rescheduled for this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Explorers Village Lodge)
Included Activities
- Victoria Falls Tour
Optional Activities
- Full Day Excursion to Chobe National Park
- River Song Sunset Cruise (82USD per person)
- Victoria Falls Historic Bridge Tour (55USD per person)
Landmarks Victoria Falls Chobe National Park - Day 18
Victoria Falls
You can depart at any time. Your trip concludes today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
