Itinerary
- Day 1
Johannesburg
You'll arrive in Johannesburg and head to your hotel in the Rosebank area. This evening, you'll meet the other travellers at dinner. If you want to explore the city after, taxis are straightforward to arrange and get around town.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Southern Sun Rosebank)
Included Activities
- Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities
- Pre-accommodation booking recommended for additional time to explore Johannesburg at leisure
- Day 2
Johannesburg to Greater Kruger Area
An early departure gets you on the scenic drive toward Kruger National Park via the Panorama Route. You'll stop at Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes, then take in the panoramic views from God's Window. From there, it's on to your lodge near Kruger where you'll settle in and have a South African dinner.
- 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
Start before dawn and board an open jeep for a full-day wildlife safari in Kruger. You'll spend the day searching the savanna for the Big Five and hundreds of other species. By evening, you're back at the lodge to relax and listen to the sounds of the African 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 and meet with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Cheetah Range Expansion Project. A lecture covers how the region's cheetahs and carnivores are being protected, then you'll join the researcher on a wildlife-viewing drive. Accommodation here includes either lodge rooms or comfortable permanent tents, both equally nice.
- 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
Early morning around 5am, you'll head out on a safari with local guides looking for the Big Five. After returning for brunch and some downtime, you'll head back out for a late afternoon drive. Later at camp, there's a traditional South African braai dinner with the other travellers to enjoy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Brunch at lodge), Dinner (Traditional 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 last safari this morning where you'll keep watch for Karongwe's wildlife. After that, you'll drive back to Johannesburg and have dinner at your lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Southern Sun Rosebank)
Included Activities
- Karongwe Private Reserve Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive
- Day 7
Johannesburg to Windhoek
You'll fly to Windhoek and transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is free so you can explore Namibia's capital city on your own terms and get a feel for the place.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Resort (Windhoek Country Club Resort)
Optional Activities
- Explore Windhoek at leisure
- Day 8
Windhoek to Sesriem
Leaving Windhoek, you drive towards Sesriem, which serves as the gateway to Namib-Naukluft National Park. Along the way, watch for desert wildlife like oryx, springbok, jackal, and hyena among the red dunes and stark camel thorn trees. You'll settle at your lodge and can relax poolside, catching the fiery sunset over the desert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Sossusvlei Lodge)
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local cafes or restaurants in Outjo
Landmarks Namib-Naukluft National Park 
- Day 9
Sesriem
Today takes you into Namib-Naukluft National Park where you'll explore the Namib desert and the massive dunes at Sossusvlei and the white clay pan of Deadvlei. You'll see dead camel thorn trees silhouetted against the orange dunes, then 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 (455 NAD per person)
Landmarks Sossusvlei Deadvlei Sesriem Canyon Namib Desert - Day 10
Sesriem to Swakopmund
You'll drive through changing desert landscapes towards the coastal city of Swakopmund. Watch for zebra, kudu, springbok, and oryx along the way. A stop at a local bakery gives you fresh homemade apple pies, then a bushman walk with your guide teaches survival strategies of ancient inhabitants and you'll spot smaller wildlife. Arriving in Swakopmund, you have free time to explore or can join an orientation walk.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Stop at local bakery for homemade apple pies)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hansa Hotel)
Included Activities
- Living Desert Walk
Optional Activities
- Orientation walk in Swakopmund
- Dinner at leisure with options in town and at hotel
Landmarks Swakopmund 
- Day 11
Swakopmund
After breakfast, you'll meet your local guide to explore Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coast. The drive to Walvis Bay includes insights about the Namib Desert, then a 4x4 journey through towering dunes to Sandwich Harbour where desert meets ocean (depending on tide conditions). Lunch happens at a private location in the park. The afternoon includes a township tour with a local guide, time at the market for traditional foods, browsing an arts and crafts shop, and chatting with locals. Dinner and a performance at a family-run spot wraps up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner and performance at 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 12
Swakopmund
The morning is yours to explore Swakopmund's mix of Afro-German culture. Check out curio shops, visit the museum, try restaurants, or go for optional activities. You'll gather as a group in the evening for an included dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hansa Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit curio shops in Swakopmund
- Visit museum in Swakopmund
- Explore restaurants in Swakopmund
- Sandboarding in the Namib Desert (700 NAD per person)
- Fat Tire Bike Tours (480 NAD per person)
- Sea Kayaking (800 NAD per person)
- Day 13
Swakopmund to Etosha National Park Area
After breakfast, you depart Swakopmund and travel towards Etosha National Park. A stop in the charming town of Outjo breaks up the journey for refreshments. You'll continue to your lodge outside the park and have the evening to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Taleni Etosha Village), Hotel (Etosha Village)
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local cafes or restaurants in Outjo
- Optional wildlife drive in the surrounding area
Landmarks Etosha National Park 
- Day 14
Etosha National Park Area
A full day on safari in Etosha National Park has you searching for the largest populations of lions, elephants, and endangered species in an open vehicle. The landscape features open grasslands converging on a massive salt pan covering 4,731 sq km. Lunch happens at one of the park's rest areas, and you can swim if you'd like. You'll watch hundreds of bird species and wildlife gathering at the watering holes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at park rest area), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Taleni Etosha Village), Hotel (Etosha Village)
Included Activities
- Etosha Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive
Landmarks Etosha National Park Etosha Salt Pan - Day 15
Etosha National Park Area to Windhoek
After breakfast, you visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a research and education center founded by National Geographic Grantee Dr. Laurie Marker. The tour covers conservation and community outreach work protecting the world's fastest land animal. A researcher will talk to you, then you'll drive the grounds to meet rescued and rehabilitated cheetahs. From there, you head 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 Earth's most powerful waterfalls. Visit a nearby village and shop at the bustling market, then sit down with a local family for dinner. You'll help them prepare a traditional Zimbabwean meal using the ingredients you selected and hear their stories about 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 nearby village
- Grocery shopping in local market
Landmarks Victoria Falls 
- Day 17
Victoria Falls
A guided tour takes you to Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or 'the smoke that thunders'. Scottish explorer David Livingstone named the falls after Queen Victoria. You can opt for a day trip to wildlife-rich Chobe National Park or take a sunset river cruise instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Explorers Village Lodge)
Included Activities
- Victoria Falls Guided Tour
Optional Activities
- Full Day Excursion to Chobe National Park
- River Song Sunset Cruise (82 USD per person)
- Victoria Falls Historic Bridge Tour (55 USD per person)
Landmarks Victoria Falls Chobe National Park - Day 18
Victoria Falls
You can depart at any time today to head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
