Compare Cape Town to Zanzibar by Acacia Africa vs Namibia to Victoria Falls Explorer by World Luxury Cruise Vacations

Day 1– 6: Cape Town, Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei

We begin our safari with a township tour in cosmopolitan Cape Town. We then travel north to camp beside the beautiful Orange (Gariep) River. In Namibia we enjoy awesome views over the dramatic Fish River Canyon and climb the world’s highest dunes in the Namib Naukluft Park. We relax for a few days and enjoy adventure activities on offer in the coastal town of Swakopmund – try skydiving, quad-biking or just soak up the atmosphere in one of Swakopmund’s many fine cafes.

Days 7 – 13: Swakopmund, Spritzkoppe, Etosha National Park, Windhoek

We continue through Damaraland and camp amongst the eerie rock formations at Spitzkoppe then on to Etosha National Park to glimpse Namibia’s wildlife drinking at its year-round waterholes. Heading into Botswana we then take a cultural bushman walk to learn about life in the Kalahari.

Days 14 – 15: Maun, Okavango Delta

The Okavango is a natural wetland spreading over some 1,600,000ha of northern Botswana. We travel by mokoro (dugout canoe) amongst the giant lily pads, tall grasses and labyrinthine channels in search of hippo, crocodile and a variety of bird to our island tented camp and explore the area on a walking safari. The Okavango is a very unspoilt area and spending time out amidst the wilderness and the rivers listening to sounds of the African night is an unforgettable experience!

Days 16 – 21: Elephant Sands, Nata, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls

Continuing to Chobe National Park via Elephant Sands, Nata, we enjoy a sunset River Cruise. We hope to see the African fish eagle and perhaps also elephant hippo and buffalo coming to the river to drink. From Chobe we cross into Zambia and arrive at our camp on the banks of the Zambezi, near Livingstone. We visit Victoria Falls and take time out to enjoy this, Africa’s ‘Adventure Capital’. Optional activities here include white water rafting, bungy jumping, scenic flights and walking safaris!

Days 22 – 34: South Luangwa National Park, Lake Malawi, Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar

From Livingstone we drive north via Lusaka to South Luangwa National Park and on to Lilongwe we reach Lake Malawi for a day or two on the beach. There’s also the opportunity to meet the Malawi people, some of the friendliest in Africa, on a village walk. Crossing the border into Tanzania we hit the coast, passing by the Mikumi National Park to the bustling capital Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam we catch a ferry to Zanzibar - the ‘Spice Island’. This was once one of the most important centres on the East African coast – a centre of slaving and spices, and the base for many of the great 19th century explorers – David Livingstone, John Hanning Speke, Richard Burton and others. Time here is yours to enjoy at leisure. ‘Stone Town’ is the capital and entry point into the island and most people choose to spend at least one night here to explore the alleys, markets and architecture of the town – but then to venture a little farther afield to the north (or the east) coast to palm-fringed beaches and the warm blue ocean for some ‘serious’ relaxation.

NB Basic shared accommodation is included on Zanzibar however meals will be for your own account allowing you to experience some of the many different options available on Zanzibar. Please refer to the tour dossier (available below) for more information.

Day 35: Dar es Salaam

Finally we return to ‘Dar’ and our beachside campsite, where our tour ends. (You may prefer to finish your tour on Zanzibar and remain there a few days. There are regular flights to Nairobi and from there you can connect beyond).

Day 1: Windhoek

On arrival this afternoon in Windhoek, you have free time to explore the capital city of Namibia. Overnight Hotel Safari (or similar accommodation).

Day 2-3: Sesriem / Sossusvlei (approx 370 kms - 90 kms tarmac & 280 kms gravel/5 hrs drive)

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We will be met at 10:00hrs in the reception area of the hotel for our transfer to Sesriem. Note that this transfer is operated by a local Namibian transfer service and is unescorted. Our journey takes us south through ever changing scenery to our campsite located on the edge of the Namib Desert, considered by many geologists to be one of the world's oldest deserts. The following morning is an early departure driving 70 kms (1 hr one-way), stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colours of the world’s highest sand dunes. We undertake a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. The name "Sossusvlei" is of mixed origin, and roughly means "dead end marsh". Sossusvlei owes this name to the fact that it is a drainage basin without outflows for the ephemeral Tsauchab River. The pan holds rainwater to form a lake and due to the high clay content of the ground, water is retained for long periods of time. Deadvlei is another clay pan, about 2 km from Sossusvlei. A notable feature of Deadvlei is that it used to be an oasis with several acacia trees. The pan is thus punctuated by blackened, dead acacia trees, in vivid contrast to the shiny white of the salty floor of the pan and the intense orange of the dunes. This creates a particularly fascinating and surrealistic landscape, that appears in uncountable pictures and that has been used as a setting for films and videos. In the afternoon we enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon, which is a natural canyon carved by the Tsauchab river in the local sedimentary rock, about a kilometre long and up to 30 metres deep. A portion of the canyon permanently contains water, which many animals use.

Day 4: Swakopmund (approx 380 kms/6 hrs drive)

Meals:  Breakfast & Lunch

Today we travel through the Kuiseb canyon, site of the famous book by Henno Martin, The Sheltering Desert before we stop off at Walvis Bay to view the flamingos (seasonal). The Walvis Bay wetlands - the lagoon, mudflats, shoreline and salt works - constitute the single most important coastal wetland in southern Africa for migratory birds. The wetland therefore serves mainly as a dry-season and drought refuge for migrating species like the Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Plover, Grebe and African Black Oystercatcher. We arrive in Swakopmund, a quaint beach town with a strong German influence and with a sizable part of its population still German-speaking today. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is German for "Mouth of the Swakop" as it is at the mouth of the Swakop River. We spend the afternoon and following day exploring this German colonial town or enjoying one of the numerous optional excursions (at own risk and own expense). Overnight in a local guesthouse.

Day 5: Spitzkoppe (approx 150 kms - 125 kms tarmac & 25 kms gravel/2 hrs drive)

Meals:  Breakfast & Dinner

Leaving Swakopmund after lunch we set up camp among the boulders of the Spitzkoppe Mountains. The afternoon is free to explore the stunning surrounding area on foot. Northeast of Swakopmund is the stark grandeur of The Spitzkoppe (sharp head), one of Namibia's most recognizable landmarks. The summit of this imposing granite rock formation (1,728m) was first scaled only in 1946, and its shape has inspired its nickname, The Matterhorn of Africa. The spectacular setting of our remote bushcamp is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Day 6-7: Etosha National Park (approx 530 kms/9 hrs drive)

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We enter Etosha via the Western corridor and travel through the park to Okakeujo Restcamp. The Park was first established in 1907, when Namibia was a German colony known as South West Africa. At the time, the park's original 100,000 km² made it the largest game reserve in the world. Due to political changes since its original establishment, the park is now slightly less than a quarter of its original area, but still remains a very large and significant area in which wildlife is protected. This Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa with thousands of wild animals such as blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion and elephant making this area their home. Floodlit waterholes at Okakeujo & Namutoni Restcamps attract an abundance of animals throughout the evening, providing us with many amazing wildlife sightings. We enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives (approx 150 kms drive/12 hrs including lunch). Overnight Okakeujo & Namutoni Restcamps inside Etosha.

Day 8: Kavango River - Rundu (approx 420 kms/6 hrs drive)

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a morning game drive we exit Etosha and travel to Rundu on the banks of the Kavango River. Our camp is set amongst the lush vegetation overlooking the Kavango River.

Day 9-10: Okavango Delta (approx 300 kms/5 hrs drive)

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Continuing into the Caprivi we cross into Botswana and travel by road to our campsite on the edge of the Okavango Delta. The following day we do mokoro and boat excursions in the back channels of the Nxamasire area of the Delta. Game walks are also done on the smaller islands in the area subject to water levels of the delta.

Day 11: Kwando River (approx 310 kms/6 hrs drive)

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Departing the Delta by boat we return to our vehicle and we cross back into Namibia. Driving through the Caprivi we set up camp on the banks of the Kwando River.

Day 12-13: Chobe River (approx 230 kms/5 hrs drive)

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Continuing through the Caprivi we cross into Botswana and travel through the Chobe National Park setting up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. The following day we relax on a game viewing cruise on the Chobe River. A morning game drive in Chobe National Park is optional (at your own expense).

Day 14: Victoria Falls (approx 90 kms/3 hrs drive)

Meals:  Breakfast

We travel across the Zimbabwean border to Victoria Falls, without doubt one of the greatest and most spectacular sights in Africa. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (otherwise known as Victoria Falls) is a UNESCO world heritage site. The Park covers 66 km2 from the Songwe Gorge below the falls in a northwest arc along about 20 km of the Zambian riverbank. Two countries - Zambia and Zimbabwe, share the magnificent falls. Nothing can compare to viewing the awesome power of 'The Smoke that thunders" for the first time. There will be plenty of opportunity to view the Falls 'up close and personal' by traversing the many walkways in and around the rain forest that surrounds the many view points (entrance fee own account). In the wet season, be sure to wear a raincoat as the spray can give you a thorough drenching! Victoria Falls is also the "adventure capital" of Southern Africa and there are many optional activities on offer to whet your appetite. These range from game drives in the nearby national park, scenic micro light or helicopter flights, or for the more adventurous white water rafting or bungi jumping. Victoria Falls also has many markets where you can browse for African curios. All lunches, dinners and optional activities will be at your own expense. Overnight Sprayview Lodge (or similar).

Day 15: Victoria Falls, trip concludes

Meals:  Breakfast

Our tour ends today after breakfast.