Suggested Itinerary
HIGHLIGHTS
- Immerse in Cape Town’s cool and trendy culture, while also experiencing the undeniable natural beauty of this coastal city.
- Sample world-class wines in South Africa’s gourmet capital.
- Visit Sossusvlei’s iconic, giant sand dunes at sunrise when the rust-colored sand is ignited red.
- Discover ancient rock art and strange geological formations in other-worldly Damaraland.
- Embark on game drives and walking safaris in one of the most touted safari destinations on earth, the exquisite Okavango Delta.
- Search for leopard, lion, and wild dog in the Linyanti Concession, known for its extreme abundance of game.
- Stand, awe-struck in front of the almighty Victoria Falls.
Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town
Kensington Place
Upon arrival in Cape Town, be met by our representative who will transfer you to your accommodation for the evening, Kensington Place. This hip and contemporary hotel is stylishly designed and set in a prime location off of Cape Town’s trendy Kloof Street.
From vibrant culture to extraordinary natural beauty, Cape Town has it all. Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, on the flanks of the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town is truly blessed. While the scenery is unbeatable, the vibe is not far behind. Capetonians are cool characters who make the most out of their incredible surroundings.
Overnight Kensington Place
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2: Cape Town Touring
Kensington Place
Set off this morning on a full-day tour of Cape Town. You’ll hit the city’s highlights, hearing the fascinating stories of Cape Town’s past from your local guide along the way.
Start in the city center, head up Table Mountain for incredible views, explore the vibrant Bo Kaap area, visit urban art projects, and take a short hike in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Overnight Kensington Place
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: The Cape Peninsula
Kensington Place
Spend the day exploring the stunning Cape Peninsula. In a car fitted with all the adventure equipment one could need, stop first at Living Hope to see the community work being done by this small organization before heading onwards to the peninsula.
Wind along one of the world’s most scenic coastal roads, Chapman’s Peak, and explore the shipwrecks and white-sand beaches of Cape Point. Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales swimming off shore! Later, check out Simon’s Town, where you’ll visit a secret beach away from the crowded boardwalks and known only by locals for the splinter colony of penguins that live here before heading back to your hotel for the evening.
Overnight Kensington Place
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Winelands
Kensington Place
Embark on a full-day private tour of the winelands. After strolling around Franschhoek’s cozy village, move on to Stellenbosch, testing out the alfresco cafés and admiring the historic Cape-Dutch architecture. Enjoy a wine tasting at one of the Western Cape’s premiere wineries and venture into the cellar for an insider’s perspective on wine making in South Africa.
Overnight Kensington Place
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5-7: Sossusvlei
Little Kulala
Fly from Cape Town to Windhoek, followed by a transfer to Eros Airport and a short flight in a light aircraft to Kulala. This is where you will find Sossusvlei, the home of the Namib Desert’s giant red sand dunes.
This natural wonder is a photographer’s dream. For those who want to gain a new perspective on the dunes, inquire about taking a hot air balloon ride over the vast expanse of desert.
Stay at Little Kulala, a luxury desert camp well-positioned to get you close to the dunes at sunrise, when the views are at their most magical. Each of the private, thatched ‘kulalas’ boast a private plunge pool, rooftop star bed, and opulent fittings.
Overnight Little Kulala
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8-10: Damaraland
Damaraland Camp
Take a light aircraft from Kulala to Damaraland via Swakopmund. Untamed Damaraland is vast and ruggedly beautiful. Open plains stretch towards the horizon line, interrupted by spectacular rock formations that drive upwards out of the dry earth. Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip, and the petrified forest are just a few of the incredible sites Damaraland has to offer.
Stay at Damaraland Camp, a secluded lodge run in conjunction with the Torra Conservancy in one of Namibia’s most fruitful wildlife zones along the Huab River Valley. The camp’s ecological footprint is ultra-light, making this the perfect place to reconnect with nature.
Embark on game drives and walks to seek out the unique desert-adapted wildlife, find ancient rock-art and striking geological formations, and marvel at the super-clear night skies. Guests can also visit the local village to learn more about Namibian culture and discover the stories of Damaraland’s past.
Overnight Damaraland Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 11: Windhoek
The Olive Exclusive
Travel to Namibia’s capital city, Windhoek, in a light aircraft via Ongava. Windhoek offers a myriad of dining and entertainment options and is clean, safe, and well-organized. The city is reflective of its German-colonial heritage, and the German language is still spoken widely.
Check-in to the Olive Exclusive, an elegant but never stuffy sanctuary in the city. The décor blends stylish contemporary design with warm African touches and each of the seven suites are uniquely decorated to represent a different region in Namibia. The service is dedicated and the food is divine; there is not one could go longing for here!
Overnight Olive Exclusive
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12-14: The Okavango Delta
Jao Camp
Today, travel via South Africa to arrive in Maun, the entry point into the famed Okavango Delta. Nestled in Botswana’s northwestern corner, this World Heritage Site is the largest inland delta in the world, spanning over 15,000 square kilometers.
Rains from the Angolan Highlands wash down into the Kalahari Desert where the seasonal floods bring this otherwise dry area to life in a patchwork of meandering waterways.
Jao Camp is the most luxurious water camp in the Delta. Jao’s bespoke detailing and handcrafted finishes set the stage for an ideal launch-point for exploring the Okavango’s vast floodplains. Jao Island is dotted with 9 customized luxury suites and a spectacular common area that features two plunge pools, a library, and an outdoor boma for evening meals.
Overnight Jao Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 15-17: Linyanti Concession
Kings Pool
Fly in a light aircraft to the Linyanti area. The Kwando-Linyanti river system houses a series of private game reserves and is touted as one of the world’s premiere safari destinations for the abundance of game.
Especially during the dry season, when wildlife is drawn to the river banks to drink, this area is well-regarded for its prolific predator and wild dog sightings and the world’s highest density of elephant.
Stay in Kings Pool Camp, an opulent canvas and thatch rooms boast outdoor showers and lounges, private plunge pools, and expansive decks.
The camp has a number of nearby “hides” that are ideal for photographers and allow guests to watch game safely from close proximity. Game drives, walking safaris, and night drives all offer unique perspectives on this fascinating ecosystem.
Overnight Kings Pool
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 18-20: Victoria Falls
Tongabezi Lodge
Flying via Kasane in a light aircraft, make your way to Livingstone Airport in Zambia, and on towards Tongabezi Lodge.
Your new accommodation is ideally located on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, just upstream of Victoria Falls. This stylish, well-appointed lodge strategically places you to enjoy one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world.
Mosi-oa-Tunya or the “Smoke that Thunders”, as the falls are affectionately known is a World Heritage Site, Africa’s premiere adventure travel destination, and a bucket list item for travelers all around the world. Depending on your taste for adrenaline, guests can visit Victoria Falls just to find themselves awestruck, or they can bungee jump, swim, hike, and white-water raft.
Overnight Tongabezi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 21: Departure
After an eye-opening and awe-inducing trip throughout southern Africa, pack your bags and bid the continent good-bye. Fly from Livingstone back to Johannesburg for your departing flight home.
Inclusions
Included: All transfers, meals, lodging, volunteering with community, domestic flights, safari on shared basis with maximum of 6 guests in 6-seater safari vehicle, conservancy and park fees.
Not Included: International flights, travel insurance, tips and gratuities, purchases of a personal nature, excursions not mentioned.
Interested in booking this itinerary or customizing a trip to Africa? Get in touch with a private travel designer!
