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Experience Southern Africa in all its glory, from falls to dunes to wildlife and winelands
Join Peregrine on the Southern Africa journey – from Victoria Falls all the way down to Port Elizabeth. Discover not only that famous world wonder, the ‘Smoke That Thunders’, but also the great salt pans, sand dunes, grasslands, canyons, rivers, mountains, beaches, vineyards and wildlife that lie beyond. The waterholes of Chobe National Park in Botswana offer outstanding wildlife-viewing, while photographers and nature lovers alike will find a rare treat in the sand dunes and petrified forest of Namibia. However, it’s the verdant winelands and coastal scenery down south that have the final say on this comprehensive journey, adding a touch of class to an itinerary brimming with highlights and hidden surprises. Seasoned travellers in search of an all-encompassing Southern Africa odyssey need look no further.
- Start
- Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
- Finish
- Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Destinations
- Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe
- Style
- Peregrine
- Theme
- Wildlife
- Code
- PFUSC
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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The thundering Victoria Falls is one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders, a phenomenon of sight and sound. Then return to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, a feature stay on this trip, for views over their watering hole.
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Glide through the Okavango Delta in a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) and experience the ambience of this beautiful waterscape.
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Head out on an afternoon excursion to the Makgadikgadi Pans, looking out for meerkats and meandering elephants, and enjoy a sundowner in the shadow of an old baobab tree.
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Learn more about the Kalahari from the knowledgeable San people as they sing and dance with you by the campfire.
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Witness the wildlife in Etosha National Park on a full days Game Drive.
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The chance to see giraffe, kudu, impala, baboon, hippo, crocodile, warthog, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, spotted hyena, jackal, zebra, elephant, lion, cheetah and even the elusive leopard.
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Rise early and witness the colourful sunrise and a picnic breakfast from the edge of Fish River Canyon, the second largest chasm of its type in the world, before returning to Canyon Lodge, a feature stay on this trip.
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Step inside Faldela's Purple House in the Bo-Kaap region of Cape Town for an authentic home-cooked dinner. Taste some of the traditional dishes such as 'Bredie', 'Chilli Bites' and 'Koesisters'.
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Taste South Africa’s acclaimed wine heritage with a special Wine tasting in the Cape Winelands, where ducks form part of the workforce and hand-crafted wines are waiting to be sampled.
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Experience some of the world’s best whale watching without leaving dry land. Hermanus’ coastal walkways have the perfect spots to sit and watch the whales as they frolic in in the bay.
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Cruise out on to the emerald waters of the Knysna Lagoon and taste some of the freshest, most delicious local produce on an Oyster Tour
Is this trip right for you?
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Purpose-built overland vehicles are used for the duration of this trip. While these vehicles are not air-conditioned, all windows open to allow fresh air flow.
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Overlanding is the perfect journey for those travellers with an open mind and the spirit for adventure. However it may be quite different to any style of travel you have experienced before. Ask your agent for a copy of our Peregrine overlanding flyer for more information or head to https://www.peregrineadventures.com/en-au/africa-overland
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Road travel in Africa comes with a considerable amount of dust and it can get hot and windy, especially in Namibia. It wouldn't be an adventure without the elements, of course!
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There are a number of long travel days on this itinerary, which can be exacerbated by bumpy untarred African roads. Refer to the approximate travel times listed in brackets in the itinerary.
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You don't need to be a professional athlete to go on an overland safari, but you will need a good level of physical resilience and movement, especially for entering and exiting the vehicles. There's also a half-day canoe trip along the Orange River.
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Namibia summer (Nov-Mar) can be very hot and humid with maximum temperatures around 30-35°C and peaks of over 40°C in the desert.
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Botswana temperatures rise in the hot dry period of September and October before the rains hit and temperatures can get as high as 34-38°C.
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Botswana is a very seasonal destination. What you see and experience can differ quite dramatically depending on the time of year you visit. Please consider this before you choose your departure date. See the 'Climate and Seasonal' section for more details.
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This itinerary includes two nights on a houseboat in the Okavango Delta. Cabins are very small and basic with shared bathroom facilities. However, many people list this unique experience as a highlight and It's unlikely that you'll spend much time in your room.
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This trip includes a hike in Tsitsikamma National Park that will take approximately half a day. However, there is a shorter walk option along the boardwalk if you are concerned about your fitness.
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As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Victoria Falls - The Boma Dinner & Experience
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer (shared)
Meals Included
- Dinner
Special Information
You may notice businesses offering an optional 'Walk with the Lions' experience. We ask all our travellers to avoid this activity as it is contrary to our Responsible Travel policy. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many of our itineraries, we strive to only view animals in their natural habitats and to do so with the greatest level of respect. The lion walking industry directly contributes to the captive breeding and canned hunting of lions.Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Victoria Falls - Entrance & Visit
Optional Activities
- Victoria Falls - Gorge swing - USD103
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (12 mins) - USD165
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (25 mins) - USD299
- Victoria Falls - Sunset cruise on the Zambezi river - USD50
- Victoria Falls - Village & township tour - USD61
- Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (half day) - USD130
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Your leader will take you to a local activity centre where a range of activities will be on offer. We have not risk assessed all activities and only those listed in our trip notes are recommended. It is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been risk assessed or do not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities in our vehicles.Afterwards follow the Zambezi River to Botswana and make your way to Chobe National Park (100km approximately 2–3 hours, not including border formalities). You will arrive at your lodge at around midday. There you can relax by the pool or take an optional afternoon game drive in Chobe National Park. This can be arranged locally with your leader. You will spend the next two nights in a lodge located just outside Chobe National Park.
Accommodation
- Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Visit
Optional Activities
- Chobe National Park - 4x4 Game Drive - BWP295
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
If you choose to do the optional game drive or river cruise this afternoon there will be an additional 70 Pula fee to enter the National Park.Accommodation
- Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Chobe National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
- Chobe National Park - River Safari Cruise
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Extra layers of clothing are essential here for the early morning Game drive in an open vehicle.Accommodation
- Gweta Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Makgadikgadi Pans - Meerkat Pan Experience
- Makgadikgadi Pans - Sunset & Sundowner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Accommodation for this evening is in simple but comfortable rondavels equipped with ceiling fans, tea and coffee facilities, mosquito nets. These rooms have an outdoor enclosed shower & toilet.Accommodation
- Thamalakane River Lodge or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Okavango Delta - Plane Scenic Flight - From USD75 - USD390
- Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - From USD150 - USD450
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
The scenic flight prices are dependent on the number of passengers in the plane/helicopter.Accommodation
- Okavango Houseboat (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Okavango Delta - Houseboat River Cruise
- Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Cabins are very small and basic, but it is of course unlikely that you will be spending much time in them.Accommodation
- Okavango Houseboat (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Okavango Delta - Mokoro tours & game walks
- Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Dqae Qare San Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Central Kalahari - San Cultural Experience
- Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise
Optional Activities
- Central Kalahari - Bush Walk - BWP80
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
In the shorter days of winter unfortunately there may not be enough time to do the optional walk.Accommodation
- Hotel Thule or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
As this is a combination trip the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and meet your new fellow travelers.Accommodation
- Toshari Lodge or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Toshari Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drives
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Mopane Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drives
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Many of the roads we travel on today will be untarred and often corrogated. They are some of the worst on this itinerary so be prepared from some extra bumps.Accommodation
- Mopane Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Bushman Paintings
- Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Heritage Site
- Damaraland - Petrified Forest
- Damaraland - Living Museum of the Damara
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
We will be accompanied by local guides at both the Petrified forest and the Twyfelfontein sites. The guided walks take between 30-60mins and although not difficult there are some steep rocks and hills at the Twyfelfontein site. It can get hot at this time of day so be sure to have a hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water with you.On instances where we use an alternative lodge to Mopane Lodge, the included activities scheduled for today may occur a day earlier to minimise driving time.
Accommodation
- Swakopmund Sands Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
Your leader will take you to a local activity centre where a range of activities will be on offer. We have not risk assessed all activities and only those listed in our trip notes are recommended. If you are unsure please check with your leader.Please note that it is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been risk assessed or do not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities in our vehicles.
Accommodation
- Swakopmund Sands Hotel or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Swakopmund - Swakopmund Museum - USD2
- Swakopmund - Horse riding - USD65
- Swakopmund - Seal and dolphin cruise - USD60
- Swakopmund - Fishing trip - USD120
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- A Little Sossus Lodge or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- A Little Sossus Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sesriem - Sesriem Canyon
- Sesriem - Dune 45
- Sesriem - Sossusvlei Salt Pan
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
If you want to avoid a long walk in the sun you can opt to pay for a 4x4 transfer from the 2x2 car park out to the Dead Vlei.entrance point This will cost approx. 130NAD per person.Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Canyon Lodge or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Canyon Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Fish River Canyon - Sunrise and Picnic Breakfast
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Felixe Unite or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Orange River - Canoe trip
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Highlanders Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Trawal - Olifants Wine & Cheese Tasting
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Accommodation for tonight is best available in the region. However, the bar and swimming pool offer breath-taking views of the wine farms & mountains, rooms are simple, clean and comfortable.Accommodation
- The Commodore Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cape Town - Cape Malay Cooking Class
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Dinner this evening is served with juice or cordial. This is a muslim home and is therefore alcohol free.Accommodation
- The Commodore Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
As this is a combination trip the composition of your group and group leader may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and meet your new fellow travelers.Unfortunately the Table Mountain cable car, facilities and shops will be closed due to maintenance from 8th July 8 to 18th August 2019. Access to the top of Table Mountain will still be available by the steep hiking trail. If you wish to hike to the top of the mountain we recommend using a local guide. Your Leader or hotel reception will be able to assist with arrangements.
Accommodation
- The Commodore Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Eendracht Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Stellenbosch - Vergenoegd Duck Parade & Wine Tasting
- Stellenbosch - Lanzerac Wine and Chocolate Tasting
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Misty Waves Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Betty's Bay - Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
- Betty's Bay - Penguin Colony
Optional Activities
- Hermanus - Abalone Tour and Tasting - ZAR300
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Misty Waves Hotel or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Hermanus - Whale Watching Catamaran Tour - ZAR880
- Hermanus - Grotto Beach Walk - Free
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hlangana Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Calitzdorp - Boplaas Port and Wine Tasting
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hlangana Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Oudtshoorn - Meerkat Experience
- Oudtshoorn - Cango Caves Guided Tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
The Meerkat tours commence only at sunrise are dependent on fair weather, since these little creatures will not venture outside their burrows on cold and rainy days.Accommodation
- Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Knysna Lagoon - Oyster Tasting Boat Cruise
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
Additional drinks, beverages and snack are not available on board the Oyster Tour. However passengers are welcome to purchase drinks from the bar at Quay Four Restaurant and bring them on board. Please remember your camera, sunscreen, sun hat and wind breaker (just in case!)Accommodation
- Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tsitsikamma National Park - Half Day Hike
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Kariega Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kariega Game Reserve - Afternoon 4x4 Game Drive
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Kariega Game Reserve - Morning 4x4 Game Drive
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
33 breakfasts, 17 lunches, 24 dinnersTransport
Custom-built overland vehicle, Houseboat, Mokoro, 4WD vehicle, Private vehicleAccommodation
Cabin (1 night), Farmstay (1 night), Hotel (9 nights), Houseboat (2 nights), Lodge (13 nights), Feature Stay Lodge (5 nights), Village Inn (2nights)Included Activities
- Victoria Falls - The Boma Dinner & Experience
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer (shared)
- Victoria Falls - Entrance & Visit
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Visit
- Chobe National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
- Chobe National Park - River Safari Cruise
- Makgadikgadi Pans - Meerkat Pan Experience
- Makgadikgadi Pans - Sunset & Sundowner
- Okavango Delta - Houseboat River Cruise
- Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise
- Okavango Delta - Mokoro tours & game walks
- Central Kalahari - San Cultural Experience
- Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drives
- Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Bushman Paintings
- Damaraland - Twyfelfontein Heritage Site
- Damaraland - Petrified Forest
- Damaraland - Living Museum of the Damara
- Sesriem - Sesriem Canyon
- Sesriem - Dune 45
- Sesriem - Sossusvlei Salt Pan
- Fish River Canyon - Sunrise and Picnic Breakfast
- Orange River - Canoe trip
- Trawal - Olifants Wine & Cheese Tasting
- Cape Town - Cape Malay Cooking Class
- Stellenbosch - Vergenoegd Duck Parade & Wine Tasting
- Stellenbosch - Lanzerac Wine and Chocolate Tasting
- Betty's Bay - Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
- Betty's Bay - Penguin Colony
- Calitzdorp - Boplaas Port and Wine Tasting
- Oudtshoorn - Meerkat Experience
- Oudtshoorn - Cango Caves Guided Tour
- Knysna Lagoon - Oyster Tasting Boat Cruise
- Tsitsikamma National Park - Half Day Hike
- Kariega Game Reserve - Afternoon 4x4 Game Drive
- Kariega Game Reserve - Morning 4x4 Game Drive
Dates & availability
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Important notes
1. An optional single supplement is available on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. Please Note: the single supplement does not apply to the nights spent on the Houseboat (2 nights) or at the San Lodge in Ghanzi.
2. It is important to know that the cabin sizes in the houseboat are smaller than a standard room. It would be best to pack a day pack for these two nights and leave any excess luggage with the truck. This will make it easier for you to get on and off the houseboat and to store a day pack as opposed to your backpack.There are no ensuite rooms on the houseboat, so the bathroom facilities will be shared.
3. The lodge used in Ghanzi support the local San D'Kar community and is owned and run by the San Bushmen people. This is a unique, cultural Kalahari experience and the standard of accommodation may be below what you would expect on a Peregrine trip - but the experience is well worth it.
4. This is a combination trip made up of 3 shorter trips. This means the composition of your group may change in Windhoek and Cape Town as some group members leave and new ones join you.
5. Days 24 and 25 in Cape Town will be unaccompanied.
6. This trip finishes on arrival in Port Elizabeth. Please do not book any flights prior to 5pm.
Unfortunately the Table Mountain cable car, facilities and shops will be closed due to maintenance from 8th July 8 to 18th August 2019. Access to the top of Table Mountain will still be available by the steep hiking trail. If you wish to hike to the top of the mountain we recommend using a local guide. Your Leader or hotel reception will be able to assist with arrangements.

Essential trip information
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