HIGHLIGHTS:

 From the dynamic city of Cape Town, to the scorched deserts of Namibia and the wildlife sanctuaries of Botswana and Zimbabwe, this tour endeavours to show the highlights of the region. On a journey of contrasts, we will canoe the Orange River, climb giant sand dunes, game drive in some of Africa's best-known parks, and view the mighty Victoria Falls. We cover a great deal of distance on some remote and rough roads, and clients must be prepared for this, but the natural wonders that we encounter more than compensate for any discomfort for those who truly seek adventure.

DAY 1 - 2: CAPE TOWN
We all meet at the DRIFTERS CAPE TOWN INN at 13h00 to spend the afternoon exploring and visiting the sights. We have one-and-a-half days here, in which time we will hike Table Mountain, visit Cape Point, the Waterfront, Hout Bay, the Stellenbosch winelands and numerous other sights. Our exact program will be dependent on the weather. Overnight in our Inn on the beachfront for the two nights. (Lunches and both evening meals are for your own expense.) B                    

DAY 3: WEST COAST
We leave the Mother City behind us to travel north through the “Swartland” and then along the West Coast to Garies. In the early spring this usually barren area comes to life with the blooming of numerous desert adapted flower species.  We camp the night in the region of Springbok.  B D                    

DAY 4 - 5: ORANGE RIVER
Today we cross the border into Namibia, then travel the short distance to our base camp on the banks of the Orange River, from where we begin our canoe adventure. Once we have packed all of our gear into our two man canoes, we set off into the wilderness.  The Orange River creates an awesome spectacle, a green ribbon winding its way through the desert and towering mountains of the Richtersvelt National Park.  We will spend one night camping on the banks, under the desert skies, and will then return to our base camp and vehicle to camp the next night in relative comfort. B L D                    

DAY 6: FISH RIVER CANYON
Today we head directly to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest of its kind in the world. After visiting the view-points from where the energetic can hike to the canyon floor, we set up camp at Hobas. B L D           

DAY 7 - 8: NAMIB DESERT
Leaving the Canyon behind us, we continue north into the true Namib Desert, with its continually shifting barchan dunes and barren landscapes. The next two nights are spent at the DRIFTERS DESERT CAMP situated on our private game reserve. This camp is spectacularly situated against a rock outcrop between the stark mountains and the red dune-lands. During our stay here we will conduct guided walks and drives within the reserve. B L D                     

DAY 9: SOSSUSVLEI - SWAKOPMUND

After an early start, we travel directly to the dune fields of Sossusvlei, the last part of our journey to the dunes will be through the thick sand and for this we use an open 4 x 4 vehicle.  After climbing the dunes for the spectacular view from the summit, we transfer by 4 x 4 back to our vehicle, and continue on to the seaside town of Swakopmund where we will spend two nights at the DRIFTERS SWAKOPMUND INN.  Tonight we enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense) B L                      

DAY 10 - SWAKOPMUND
The DRIFTERS INN provides the ideal location for exploring the town of Swakopmund with its beaches, markets, curio shops and huge variety of adventure options that include quad biking, parasailing, horse riding, dune boarding, aircraft flips and many more.  The nightlife of Swakopmund is also worth experiencing. B L D   

DAY 11: SPITSKOP

Today we head north up the Skeleton Coast to the seal colony of Cape Cross  before venturing back inland to the impressive Spitskop where we camp wild amongst the boulders at the base of this massive rock outcrop.  B L D                    

DAY 12: PALMWAG

Continuing through the desert, we move on to visit the Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, whereafter we cross the mountains into the wilderness to camp in the Palmwag region. We hope to see the desert elephants on this day. B L D

DAY 13 - 14: ETOSHA
For an incredible wildlife experience, today we enter the Etosha National Park, and after setting up camp at Okaukuejo, enjoy an extensive afternoon game drive. We return to camp to spend the evening game viewing at the floodlit waterhole. Continuing through the reserve, we game drive to Fort Namutoni to camp the night. One night we dine at a camp restaurant (own expense). B L D

                       

DAY 15: CAPRIVI
Leaving the harsh desert landscapes behind us, we travel north to the lush Caprivi area. Tonight we will camp on the banks of the mighty Okavango River at Ngepi. B L D

  DAY 16: MAUN
Crossing into Botswana today, we travel through the Kalahari to the frontier town of Maun. Those that wish to may take an optional flight over the Okavango Delta this afternoon. Tonight we stay at the DRIFTERS MAUN CAMP. B L D

DAY 17: OKAVANGO DELTA
Transferring to a 4 x 4 vehicle, we travel the sandy tracks into the heart of the Okavango Delta where we will conduct a mekoro (dug out canoe) trip to our remote camp in search of the huge variety of animals that occur here.  Tonight we camp wild. B L D

DAY 18: NATA
After a short walk in this unspoiled wilderness we return to the DRIFTERS MAUN CAMP to freshen up before continuing through the Makgadikgadi salt pans to the oasis like the camp of Nata.  Camp the night.   B L D

DAY 19: KASANE - ISLAND CAMP
Travelling north through the Chobe forest reserves, we head for the border town of Kasane from where we will venture into the renowned Chobe National Park in search of the large concentrations of animals that this area is known for.  This afternoon we then enjoy a boat trip on the river to our Island camp situated in the middle of the mighty Chobe River. B L D

                    

DAY 20-21: VICTORIA FALLS
This morning we enjoy our boat transfer back to our vehicle, then cross the border and travel the short distance to the “adventure capital of Africa”, Victoria Falls.  We spend two nights here at the DRIFTERS VICTORIA FALLS INN, giving us ample time to explore the falls and to participate in the multitude of activities on offer, white water rafting, bunji jumping, aircraft flips etc.  (An evening’s meal and both lunches will be for your own expense.)  B D

DAY 22: BULAWAYO - MATOBO

Leaving the crowds of Victoria Falls, we travel south, to the wide streets of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city and then on to the Matobo where we camp the night in our bush camp situated amongst the precariously balancing boulders that this area is known for.   B L D

DAY 23: MACHETE

This morning we enjoy a tour into the National Park to view the sights and game.  We then continue south, crossing the border into South Africa and to our bushcamp situated on a private game reserve within the Limpopo valley.  B L D                  

DAY 24: JOHANNESBURG

This morning we conduct a short walk to view the magnificent bushman paintings surrounding our camp before making the journey to Johannesburg.  We arrive at the DRIFTERS JOHANNESBURG INN in the late afternoon.  B