National Geographic Journeys: Southern Africa Highlights (DSTNG)
Countries Visited: Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Trip Style: Information Not available
Service Level: Upgraded
All the adventure you want, with a softer landing Handpicked, character-rich accommodations with upgraded amenities services Upgraded and private transport, including flights to maximize time More included meals, activities and transfers
Physical Demands Rating: 2 - There'll be some light walking and hiking. Suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Group Size: Max 16, avg 14.
Meals Included: 20 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 10 dinners
Accommodations: Not Availaible
Highlights
Take in dramatic landscapes of Namibias coastal deserts, discover the thunderous wonder of Victoria Falls, meet a researcher from the Carnivore Conservation Programme, enjoy a scenic drive along South Africas Panorama Route, stroll through magnficent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Description
Embark on three weeks of discovery amid some of sub-Saharan Africas most amazing attractions. Scan the landscapes of Kruger National Park for elephants and big cats, take in the otherworldly desertscapes of Namibia, and feel the power of Victoria Falls with all your senses. The wonders of Africa don't get much closer than this.
Trip Style: Information Not available
Service Level: Upgraded
Physical Demands Rating: 2 - There'll be some light walking and hiking. Suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Group Size: Max 16, avg 14.
Meals Included: 20 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 10 dinners
Accommodations: Not Availaible
Highlights
Take in dramatic landscapes of Namibias coastal deserts, discover the thunderous wonder of Victoria Falls, meet a researcher from the Carnivore Conservation Programme, enjoy a scenic drive along South Africas Panorama Route, stroll through magnficent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Description
Embark on three weeks of discovery amid some of sub-Saharan Africas most amazing attractions. Scan the landscapes of Kruger National Park for elephants and big cats, take in the otherworldly desertscapes of Namibia, and feel the power of Victoria Falls with all your senses. The wonders of Africa don't get much closer than this.
Call (888) 825-2779 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13270651
- Tour Operator
- G Adventures
- Duration
- 21 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Cape Town | Day 1 Cape Town Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting Transport: Arrival Airport Transfer (1.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 2 | Cape Town | Day 2 Cape Town (1B) Visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden with an expert guide on a tour exclusively designed for our groups - the garden has been named one of the top gardens in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine. Continue on to explore vibrant Cape Town and Cape Point, with a visit to the penguins at Boulders Beach. Included Activities: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Guided Tour Guided Cape Town Orientation Tour and Excursion to Cape Point Transport: Private Vehicle |
| Day 3 | Cape Town | Day 3 Cape Town (1B) There is something for everyone in Cape Town. Visit Table Mountain, walk the V&A Waterfront or embark on a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch. For the adventurous, opt to go skydiving, abseiling, or, if youre really brave, cage diving for a close encounter with a great white shark. Wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa. Check out the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and many other museums and theatres. Additional Notes: If you are interested in visiting Robben Island - you must book it directly with the museum on their website prior to travel: http://www.robben-island.org.za Due to high demand, it is common that this tour can be sold out over one month in advance. |
| Day 4 | Johannesburg | Day 4 Cape Town/Johannesburg (1B, 1D) Fly to Johannesburg and transfer to the hotel. Meet your CEO and enjoy a traditional South African "braai" (barbecue) welcome dinner in the evening. Transport: Plane (2.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 5 | Kruger National Park | Day 5 Johannesburg/Kruger National Park (1B, 1D) Enjoy a full day scenic drive along the famed Panorama Route with stops at Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes, and Gods Window. Continue to our tented camp located just outside Kruger National Park and this evening enjoy a delicious South African dinner on the deck or in the boma. Additional Notes: Today is a very long driving day; however, we will make many stops along the way at sites along the Panorama Route. Included Activities: Panorama Route Scenic Drive Transport: Private Vehicle (9.00-10.00 hours, 500km) |
| Day 6 | Kruger National Park | Day 6 Kruger National Park (1B) At over 19,000 sq km (7,500 sq mi), South Africa's Kruger National Park is one of the largest and most impressive animal reserves in the world. With 147 species, Kruger has more species of large mammals than any other park on the continent. Included Activities: Kruger National Park Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive - Half day Transport: Safari vehicle (3.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 7 | Karongwe Private Game Reserve | Day 7 Kruger National Park/Karongwe Private Game Reserve (1B, 1D) For the next two days, enjoy ranger-led morning and evening wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle in Karongwe Nature Reserve. Search for buffaloes, elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinos - Africas famed Big Five. With over 9,000 hectares (22,240 acres) of supreme African bushveld, Karongwe Private Game Reserve is home to many creatures, and our safari drives provide several opportunities for wildlife viewing. We use various accommodations within the reserve (the location is based on availability). During your time here, you will either stay in lodge rooms or very comfortable permanent tents (both of equal quality and with similar amenities). Additional Notes: Wildlife safari drives are conducted with qualified wildlife rangers and Shangaan trackers who will share their vast experience of the African bush. On some occasions, if space is unavailable, we may need to change accommodations or even use a different private reserve. In such a case, be assured we will choose other lodges or comfort camps (of equal quality) within the Greater Kruger area. Included Activities: Carnivore Conservation Experience Transport: Private Vehicle (3.00 hour(s), 150km) |
| Day 8 | Karongwe Private Game Reserve | Day 8 Karongwe Private Game Reserve (1B, 1L, 1D) Wake up before the sun (around 5am) and sip your morning coffee before heading out on a morning wildlife safari drive. Return to the lodge for brunch and some leisure time. Converse on the deck, walk the grounds and gardens, and enjoy high tea. Following tea, its time for a late afternoon safari drive. After spotting tons of wildlife, it's time to return to camp and freshen up before dinner. Included Activities: Karongwe Private Reserve Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive |
| Day 9 | Johannesburg | Day 9 Karongwe Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg (1B, 1D) After one last safari wildlife safari drive, head back to the city. In the evening, enjoy dinner at our local guest house. Included Activities: Karongwe Private Reserve Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive Transport: Private Vehicle (7.00 hour(s), 500km) |
| Day 10 | Windhoek | Day 10 Johannesburg/Windhoek (1B) Fly to Windhoek and transfer to the hotel. Free time to explore Windhoek in the afternoon and then meet your CEO and the rest of the group in the evening. Transport: Plane (2.00 hour(s)) |
| Day 11 | Sesriem | Day 11 Windhoek/Sesriem (1B, 1D) Enjoy postcard perfect desert scenery around Sesriem and Sossusvlei - vast desertscapes of reds and orange, stark camel thorn trees and towering dunes with dramatic curved ridges. Also keep an eye out for the surprising amount of wildlife that call this area home such as oryx, springbok, jackal, ground squirrel and hyena. Transport: Private Vehicle (5.00-6.00 hours, 340km) |
| Day 12 | Sesriem | Day 12 Sesriem (1B, 1D) Embark on a scenic excursion into the national park to explore the Namib Desert. Visit Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, clay pans covered in a crust of salt-rich sand surrounded by burnt orange and red towering dunes; considered one of the most stunning desert landscapes in Africa. After visit Sesriem Canyon, a natural gorge carved out by the Tsauchab River. Included Activities: Sesriem Canyon Visit Sossusvlei Dunes Visit Transport: Private Vehicle 4x4 |
| Day 13 | Swakopmund | Day 13 Sesriem/Swakopmund (1B, 1L) Continue through changing desert landscapes, keeping an eye out for sfree-roaming zebra, kudu, springbok and oryx. ssStop in the quirky town of Solitaire for a break before heading out into the countryside. Here we meet a local to this remote region who takes us on a drive and talks about the survival strategies of ancient and modern Bushmen who live in the area. We also search out the smaller animal life who manage to survive in these harsh conditions such as snakes, geckos, spiders and insects and learn how they have adapted to this arid region. After, continue to Swakopmund on the Atlantic coast. Included Activities: Living Desert Tour Transport: Private Vehicle (5.00-6.00 hours, 375km) |
| Day 14 | Swakopmund | Day 14 Swakopmund (1B, 1D) Explore the towns unique mix of German and African culture and opt to visit curio shops, the museum and restaurants. Optional activities include sandboarding, quad biking, or if youre feeling brave, skydiving. Included Activities: Mondesa Township Walk |
| Day 15 | Twyfelfontein | Day 15 Swakopmund/Twyfelfontein (1B, 1D) Continue on to Twyfelfontein where we visit the ancient petroglyphs which were named Namibias first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is thought to hold the largest concentrations of Bushman engravings in Africa, with over 2500 figures, ranging from 2000-5000 years old. Included Activities: Prehistoric Rock Engravings Guided Tour Transport: Private Vehicle (5.00-6.00 hours, 350km) |
| Day 16 | Etosha National Park | Day 16 Twyfelfontein/Etosha National Park (1B) After the vast desert, Etosha National Park, offers a contrast of wide open grasslands, a massive pan that covers 4731kmý and tall camel thorn trees intermixed with Mopani trees. Combined with the vast amount of natural waterholes with this diverse vegetation, wildlife flock to the park. Some of the largest elephants in Africa can be found in areas of thicker vegetation, as well as leopard and the critically endangered black rhino. Lions, giraffe, ostrich and heard animals the grasslands, while birders will love the salt pans which attract flamingos in the rainy season. More than 340 bird species have been counted in Etosha National Park including the European bee-eater, the kori bustard and numerous migratory birds. Additional Notes: Etosha is a very popular park with limited accommodation. While we aim to secure lodging inside the park, on some departures we will stay at lodges adjacent to the park (the park is unfenced allowing the animals to roam freely throughout the area) which still provides access to all safari activities and wildlife. Included Activities: Visit Petrified Forest national monument Etosha Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive Transport: Private Vehicle (4.50-5.50 hours, 350km) |
| Day 17 | Etosha National Park | Day 17 Etosha National Park (1B) Early this morning, embark on a sunrise wildlife safari drive in an open vehicle with a local guide through the park. There is abundant wildlife that congregate around the waterholes, so keep your cameras at the ready for elephants, lions, endangered black rhinos, and even leopards. The remainder of the day is free to relax at our lodge, take a swim or join our CEO for a drive. Our lodge is perfectly situated, so sit back with a sundowner, and enjoy the sunset over the park. This afternoon or evening, opt to take another open vehicle safari drive. Included Activities: Etosha Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive |
| Day 18 | Windhoek | Day 18 Etosha National Park/Windhoek (1B, 1L) After breakfast, visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a global field research and education facility founded by Dr. Laurie Marker whose research has been supported by National Geographic. Tour the facility to learn about the important research, conservation, and community outreach work they do as one of the world's leading organizations dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild. Meet with a researcher for a lecture to learn about the various projects in the works, then enjoy a cheetah drive to view some of these amazing creatures up close. After, enjoy lunch on the veranda overlooking the magnificent Waterberg Plateau. Continue on to Windhoek for our final evening. Included Activities: Cheetah Conservation Experience Transport: Private Vehicle (4.50-5.50 hours, 415km) |
| Day 19 | Victoria Falls | Day 19 Windhoek/Victoria Falls (1B, 1D) 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. Included Activities: Zimbabwean Family Dinner Transport: Plane (3.50 hour(s)) |
| Day 20 | Victoria Falls | Day 20 Victoria Falls (1B) Enjoy a morning tour of the beautiful Victoria Falls, then the rest of the day is free to explore the area. Take part in a river safari, cultural tours, whitewater rafting, canoeing, or a helicopter ride over the falls. Opt to take a day trip to the wildlife haven of Chobe National Park. Additional Notes: If you have an activity planned for this morning, we will reschedule your Falls tour for this afternoon, or tomorrow morning. Included Activities: Victoria Falls Guided Tour |
| Day 21 | Victoria Falls | Day 21 Victoria Falls (1B) Depart at any time. Included Activities: Departure Day (Activities) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
Local Flights: The flight between Cape Town / Johannesburg / Windhoek / Victoria falls is included.It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
