This 18-day journey through four African countries hits the highlights and is perfect for the adventurer who wants to discover the region’s diversity. Explore the Okavango Delta by dugout mokoro canoe, marvel at some of the highest sand dunes in the world in the Namib Desert, and meet the San Bushmen of the Kalahari. Your knowledgeable tour leader will take care of the hassles and planning while you recharge in hotels, local lodges, and camps for a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience you’ll forever treasure.
As today is the arrival day, you may arrive at any time. There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting. Check the notice boards or ask at reception for the exact time and location of the group meeting, typically 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. After the meeting, you might take the opportunity to head out for a meal in a nearby local restaurant to get to know your tour leader and traveling companions further. Please make every effort to arrive on time for this welcome meeting. If you are delayed and will arrive late, please inform us. Your tour leader will then leave you a message at the front desk informing you of where and when to meet up. The mist off Victoria Falls can rise to a height of more than 400m (1312 ft). Local tribes used to call the falls Mosi-o-Tunya or “the smoke that thunders.” Explorer and missionary David Livingstone renamed the falls after Queen Victoria when he first saw them in 1855. There is a lot to see in Victoria Falls so we suggest coming in one day early. Don't worry, we can book your extra hotel nights. Visiting both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the falls is a must and can easily be done in an afternoon. Please see our optional activity list further below to get an idea of the things you can do in the area. Your accommodation is in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and NOT Livingstone (Zambia). Please make sure you have the necessary visa.
Today we drive to the border and cross from Zimbabwe into Botswana. Continue to the Kasane area, outside the gates of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa. You will have the option to check out one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. There are options here for a casual cruise to enjoy the scenery with a cocktail or a photo safari by boat, with the opportunity to capture some great shots with instruction, a professional camera, and a zoom lens. The evening is a great time to be on the river. Travelers have the option to prebook either the Evening Photo Safari on the Chobe River OR Chobe Sunset Cruise for this evening. Please note that the Morning Photo Safari on the Chobe River is also pre-bookable the following morning at sunrise. Approximate travel time: 1.5 hrs by private vehicle
You can opt to rise early for a sunrise safari on the Chobe River which we can book for you in advance of the trip. Then we travel to Nata where you can opt for a bush walk or sunset wildlife safari drive in the area. Watch elephants drink from the camp's watering hole at night. Approximate travel time: 4 hrs by private vehicle
Prepare for a 1-night/2-day journey into the delta. Opt to take a scenic flight over the delta. In the morning we travel to Maun, the biggest town in the Okavango Delta area to pick up any supplies needed and prepare for the journey into the Okavango Delta. You will be able to pre-book an amazing flight over Okavango Delta, which would take place this day. Get a fresh perspective on the vast wilderness of Africa with a once-in-a-lifetime view only a select few will ever see. Enjoy the hippos in the waterways and elephants and buffalo in the tree line. Gaze at the winding water channels as they make their way through the Delta. In the evening, watch a traditional dance group performance on the poolside terrace. Approximate travel time: 3.5 hrs by private vehicle
Today the excursion begins with a drive in safari vehicles for about 1-2 hrs to the "dock" to board a mokoro (canoe) that takes us deep into the delta. After a 1-2 hrs in the mokoro, arrive at the basic bush camp. Enjoy wildlife walks and viewing, mokoro trips and birdwatching in the pristine wilderness area of the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta. In the evening, count the shooting stars, sing with the locals, or simply unwind with a sundowner (cheers!) around the campfire. Approximate travel time: 1-2 hrs by 4x4, 1-2 hrs by Mokoro
Enjoy the sunrise in the delta before traveling back to Maun by mokoro. Travel along the northern portions of the Kalahari Desert throughout the day – this is a severely arid and barren landscape, though very beautiful. Arrive in the late afternoon and camp close to D'kar. Get a glimpse of how the San tribe adapted to the Kalahari Desert and learn about their fascinating wilderness survival skills. The gatherer life of the San/Bushmen has all but disappeared; there are few remaining who retain the survival skills of their ancient way of life. During the walk, San/Bushmen guides will share their knowledge on mastering this harsh environment, helping us learn about the botany of our surroundings. Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the San when you stay at Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp tonight. This campsite and wildlife area is the only land owned freehold by an Indigenous community in all of Southern Africa. The San are known throughout the continent for their warm hospitality, and tonight you have the opportunity to be immersed in their history and culture with dance and storytelling around the campfire. Dqae Qare San Lodge provides much-needed employment for the nearby village of D'kar, and revenue from the lodge is invested in the nearby preschool, art program, and museum, and community upliftment projects that bring clean water and other resources to the village. Enjoy a traditional local meal before settling in for the night. Approximate travel time: 1-2 hrs by Mokoro, 1-2 hrs by 4x4, 4-5 hrs by private vehicle
Today we leave Botswana and travel to Windhoek, the German-influenced capital city of Namibia. Approximate travel time: 3-4 hrs by private vehicle
This morning we visit the G Adventures-supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, just outside of Windhoek. Penduka works with women from the Katutura township, and surrounding rural communities, by helping them develop livelihoods through working in their handicraft workshops and cafe. Penduka trains and employs women disadvantaged through poverty, disability, ill-health, or lack of education, empowering them to develop skills in textiles, beading, and pottery. Pick up a fresh-packed lunch at the cafe to help support the center before touring the facilities and purchasing some of these crafts. Then continue up to Etosha National Park. Set off into the wilds of Etosha National Park in the touring vehicle for an included wildlife safari drive. Over 100 species of mammals call Etosha home, including elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos, and hyenas. After sunset, some animals may head to the watering holes near the campground. In the evening you can opt for a night safari. Approximate travel time: 5.5 hrs by private vehicle
Enjoy another wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for some of the famous wildlife. You can opt for more safaris in an open-top jeep or just have a bit of downtime back at the campground. Approximate travel time: 6-7 hrs by private vehicle
Drive to the historical town of Swakopmund. Looking out over the beautiful desert landscapes we begin moving to the far west of Namibia. On this route, we pass through a moon-like landscape and see the imposing Spitzkoppe, also known as the “Matterhorn” of Namibia in the distance. We spend two nights in Swakopmund, where you can explore this historical town or try some of the numerous activities. Approximate travel time: 7.5 hrs by private vehicle
There's plenty to see and do in Swakopmund, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Optional activities include sandboarding, skydiving, and a township tour. Swakopmund has bizarre lunar landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, and prehistoric Welwitchia plants.
Get a real feel for the Namib Desert as we spend hours crossing this empty region. En route, take a coffee break in Solitaire, a mystical village consisting of a filling station, a general dealer/coffee shop, and a small mechanical workshop. Drive through Walvis Bay, the only town on the Namibian coastline that boasts a deep-sea harbor. Arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert. Here you will really feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere. Approximate travel time: 4.5 hrs by private vehicle
Enjoy a visit to Sossusvlei, a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes, up to 300m (984 ft) high. Here, use some free time to enjoy the sand dunes on your own. Opt to climb up breathtaking Dune 45. Then enjoy a short stop at Sesriem Canyon, a small canyon typical of the area. The Tsauchab River flows through the canyon every five to ten years, and this creates the nearby salt and clay pan of Sossusvlei.
Continue south through the Namib Desert. We'll visit Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa and, arguably, the second largest in the world. We will only have access to the rim, but the views are spectacular. We finish the day at Ai-Ais, a sulfur-rich mineral spring at the southern end of the Fish River Canyon. Ai-Ais means 'scalding hot' or 'burning water' in one of the local Nama dialects. Ai-Ais is also a part of the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, covering a large piece of land in northern South Africa, and southern Namibia. The hot springs resort is a popular gateway to Namibia from the south and the endpoint of the grueling five-day Fish River Canyon hike. The spring water is piped to a number of indoor and outdoor pools and Jacuzzis. Spend the evening relaxing in the healing waters. Approximate travel time: 9-10 hrs by private vehicle
After a relaxing morning in the hot springs, continue on to the banks of the Orange River with time to swim or just relax. Enjoy the beautiful scenery in this part of the country. Approximate travel time: 2 hrs by private vehicle
Cross the border into South Africa and continue down the coast to Lambert's Bay, stopping along the way. In the afternoon, opt to visit the well known Bird Island where you can find more than 25,000 blue-eyed gannets at certain times of the year. Penguins also gather on this island for breeding between August and October. Opt to stroll through this lovely town, visiting unique artisan shops and boutiques. Approximate travel time: 7 hrs by private vehicle
Continue on the last stretch of the trip to lovely Cape Town. Stop at the G Adventures-supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre along the way. The San people of Southern Africa have historically faced centuries of political and cultural oppression. The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre provides tailor-made training for young San women and men of Southern Africa. Travelers learn about San culture and history at the interpretive museum. Visits help trainees gain experience with international clients while garnering support for the center's efforts to preserve San culture and history. We arrive in Cape Town in the early afternoon, so you might not have time to participate in lengthy activities or see many sights. If you would like to see or do anything, we recommend booking an extra night or two before your return flight home. Cape Town has many different options should you book extra time to explore after the tour. Visit Table Mountain, explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope), or join a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch (45 min drive). Visit the old French Huguenot town of Franschoek and surroundings (1 hr drive). For the truly adventurous, try skydiving, abseiling, or even cage diving, for a close encounter with the great white sharks. Opt to wander through the city center, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens), or visit the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and numerous other small museums and theaters. Approximate travel time: 5.5 hrs by private vehicle
Depart Cape Town at any time. We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully enjoy this city. Want more adventure? GEEO will give you a discount for booking more than one program in the same summer! Book two or more GEEO programs and receive 10% off on the lesser value program (up to 3 programs). For more details please click here. Want more adventure? Book two or more GEEO trips in the same year and receive a discount! GEEO will give you 10% off of the lesser value program(s) (up to 3 programs). If you don’t see a program that interests you that pairs with this trip, but still would like to extend your time abroad, let us know. We will work with you to find a non-teacher trip from our tour operator’s much larger catalog. Even better, if you are an educator, we can still offer you a discounted price on the trip you choose!