Welcome to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital and largest city. Lying in a valley bordered by the Eros Mountains in the north and the Auas Mountains in the south, Windhoek is a scenic city with a harmonious blend of African and European cultures and architectural influences.

This evening we’ll meet our fellow travellers during a group welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

We’ll get our first glimpses of the real African desert today as we leave Windhoek behind and head north to the Waterberg Plateau National Park. As it’s name suggests, the Waterberg Plateau is a table mountain range, rising some 200 metres high. Cracks in the top layer of porous rock has allowed lush vegetation to grow down the mountain and foothills creating a visually spectacular masterpiece.

After lunch at the lodge, we’ll take a guided bush walk for approximately 3 hours along the Waterberg Honeymoon Sundowner Trail. Our walk will be along uneven, rocky ground. Along the way, our guide will happily share his knowledge of the area, including the fauna and flora and tales of the locals, the Herero people.

Our morning here at Waterberg is at leisure. You may choose to do another self-guided hike around the lodge before our late morning departure for Etosha National Park. Along the way, we’ll stop in the small town of Otijiwarongo for some lunch and to stretch our legs.

Etosha is one of Africa's most diverse and well-known wildlife reserves, boasting over 110 different animals and over 300 different bird species. It is characterised by an immense salt desert, so large that it can be seen from space – the Etosha Pan. The perennial springs along the edges of the Etosha Pan draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds during the dry season each year. After a period of rain, the salt pan fills with water (and flamingos), making for an ideal photo opportunity. Upon arrival, we’ll take an afternoon game drive through this spectacular national park.

We have an early start today for our full day of game viewing through Etosha National Park. The park is home to four of the ‘Big Five’ – elephant, lion, leopard and rhino. Its waterholes support a rich diversity of birds and mammals, including rare species such as the black-faced impala, cheetah and Namibia’s smallest antelope, the Damara dik dik. Make sure you bring your binoculars to help spot the magnificent birdlife!

This morning we make our way through the Erongo region to Swakopmund, a German heritage town located on the south-west African coast. Established in 1892, Swakopmund is home to over 40,000 people and is the country’s largest coastal town with palm-lined streets, sandy beaches, seaside promenades and old German colonial buildings. It’s a highly sought-after holiday destination for those seeking adventure activities.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to enjoy at leisure or take an optional scenic flight over the dramatic Skeleton Coast.

Our day is full of interesting activities today as we explore more of the area around Swakopmund. We’ll take a kayaking excursion on the Atlantic Ocean near Walvis Bay for approximately 2 hours, where we will have the chance to see pelicans, Cape Fur Seals, dolphins, and when in season, whales and turtles. We then enjoy a stop for morning tea before exploring the Namib Dunes by 4x4 vehicles.

On our drive we’ll travel through wetlands and saltpans with many photostops along the way as we view the area’s typical fauna and flora. Some desert adapted animals we might be able to see include the black-backed jackal, fog-basking beetle, golden mole, shovel-snouted lizard and brown hyena. Also endemic to the Central Namib Desert is the Nara plant, with a tap root reaching more than 15m into the ground to find water resources.

Enjoy the passing scenery as we travel through the desolate rolling hills of the Kuiseb Moon Valley this morning on our way to Sossusvlei. This phenomenal desert has been in existence for some 43 million years and its current landscape has remained unchanged for the last 2 million years. One of Namibia’s most spectacular landmarks, Sossusvlei is a large white salt and clay pan, which is surrounded by magnificent red dunes. Some of these dunes reach over 400-metres-high, making them the highest on earth.

Visiting the highest sand dunes on earth is our first adventure this morning, where we experience this soulful, awe-inspiring place at sunrise. We’ll clamber up the dunes to admire the ageless desert and claypans from above. Be sure to bring your camera as this will be an incredible sight!

We then discover nearby Dead Vlei, characterised by the dark, dead camel thorn trees that are in stark contrast to the white claypan floor – another great opportunity for photos. Admire the amazing views near Dead Vlei while enjoying a delicious picnic breakfast.

Next, we’ll visit Sesriem Canyon, formed around 30 million years ago when desert sands buried much of Namibia. A climatic change caused the formation of rivers which brought limestone, dissolved lime deposits and boulders. Around 2 million years ago, the Ice Age caused a drop in the sea level and following this, the increased flow of the Tsauchab River began to cut its way through the landscape to create what is now known as Sesriem Canyon.

Arriving back at our lodge, the rest of the afternoon is free to relax in this beautiful setting.

Today we can sit back, relax and savour the starkly beautiful African plains on our way to Klein-Aus Vista. Known as the home of the wild horses of the Namib, over many decades these wild horses have conquered and made the sparse desert plains their own.

After our afternoon arrival at the lodge, we’ll have some time to stretch our legs before embarking on a scenic sunset drive through Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park. Called ‘Namibia’s Namaqualand’, it is said that the Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park is the most bio-diverse desert on the planet. Within it’s granite mountains, dry riverbeds and sweeping plains 3 different desert systems meet and converge and after rainfall, the desert comes alive with a variety of colourful blooms.

A day of fascinating history, incredible wildlife and stunning natural scenery await us as we make our way to the coastal town of Luderitz today. Along the way, we’ll stop at the watering hole at Garub, hopefully we’ll be lucky enough to spot the wild horses as they come to drink.

Next, we explore the once prosperous diamond town of Kolmanskop. When diamonds were discovered in the area in the early 1900’s, the town of Kolmanskop rose from nothing out of the desert. The town was completely deserted by 1954 after a richer supply was found further south. Today it is a ghost town and slowly sinking back into the sand of the Namib desert, a photographers dream!

Reaching Luderitz, we’ll enjoy some free time after lunch and to roam the picturesque streets. Located in a rare bay along an otherwise inhospitable coastline, Luderitz was first discovered by the Portuguese in 1487 and then settled by the Germans in 1883 when Robert Luderitz suggested to the German government that it put the area under German protection. The town is now an eclectic mix of German colonial architecture and art nouveau styles.

We arrive back at our lodge in Klein-Aus Vista and the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. You may wish to explore one of the self guided hiking trails, or even test yourself on the advanced mountain bike tracks!

Today we leave Klein-Aus Vista behind as we make our way to Naute, where we visit the Naute Kristall Cellar and Distillery for a gin tasting.

Continuing our travels, we make our way to the stunning Fish River Canyon Viewpoint. The second largest canyon on earth, Fish River Canyon is spectacularly beautiful. Created millions of years ago during a shift in the earth’s crust, further water erosion has helped make it a natural phenomenon. Now is not the time to forget your camera!

The afternoon takes us via Ais Ais and to the border of South Africa where our lodge is located on the banks of the Orange River.

Flowing westwards from the Drakensberg Mountains towards the Atlantic Ocean, the Orange River is the longest river in southern Africa. Today we’ll have the opportunity to experience the river firsthand.

Travelling in 2-person fibreglass canoes we’ll explore a slow flowing section of the river and some class 1 rapids over the next few hours, while enjoying the beauty of our remote location and its abundant bird life.

Heading south today, we cross into South Africa, southernmost tip of the African continent. We have the chance to settle in on the coach and enjoy the ever changing scenery as we make our way to Clanwilliam.

Touted as one of the ten oldest towns in South Africa, Clanwilliam is a picturesque town nestled between the Cederberg Mountain ranges and the Olifants River and is well known for being the home of the delicious rooibos tea. It’s pretty streets are filled with history and the lovely old colonial buildings tell a wonderful tale of times past.

An exciting day ahead as we visit Cederberg National Park in the Western Cape and take a guided hike in the stunning mountain ranges.

The Sevilla Rock Art Trail is over the spectacular Pakhuis Pass. The 5km return hike winds along the Brandewyn River and includes nine fascinating rock art sites left behind by the San people. The trail is relatively easy to walk and takes 3-4 hours.

We stop at the Bloubergstrand Viewpoint, before arriving in Cape Town, a city completely different to anywhere else in Africa. Established in 1652 with the arrival of Dutch settlers, the city is surrounded by superb beaches and majestic mountains, including the incredible Table Mountain. Apart from Cape Town’s stunning natural features, the city is blessed with a laid-back ambience that meets with the approval of bohemians and holidaymakers alike. Cape Town is renowned for its great food and wine and has been named by some as the best food city in the world.

Upon arrival in Cape Town, we will enjoy rooftop drinks with views of Table Mountain, Signal Hill and the V&A Waterfront.

This morning we take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting), South Africa’s most iconic landmark. Table Mountain towers over the city and is the country’s most photographed attraction. It takes only 5 minutes to ascend by cable car and once atop, we’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the city, beaches and across Table Bay to Robben Island.

Afterwards, we’ll have some free time to explore the V&A Waterfront independently.

Today marks the end of our incredible adventure across Namibia and South Africa. We transfer to Cape Town airport to begin our journey home. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!