Days
15
Price from
Get the best of Namibia and a taste of South Africa
Flanked by ocean and desert, Namibia boasts both landscapes and wildlife of world-class diversity. Travelling down the coast from Windhoek, see how vast herds of herbivores make Etosha National Park one of the continent’s premier game-viewing destinations. The peaks, petrified forest, ancient rock paintings and Damara culture make Damaraland a fascinating insight into the history of humans and the earth, while the landscapes surrounding Swakopmund and Sossusvlei are simply some of the greatest desert scenery in the world. Climb to the top of Dune 45 and be rewarded with unreal views across wild terrain that is quickly becoming iconic. Nestle into unique accommodation among granite boulders, then take in the view across the second largest canyon in the world. Drift down the Orange River in a canoe, then cruise through the world of South African wine on a tasting experience at a wine farm in Trawal. Finish up in Cape Town, where stunning coastline, Table Mountain, and a home-cooked dinner in the colourful Bo-Kapp neighbourhood await. This two-week journey from Namibia into South Africa is one you’ll need your camera for.
- Start
- Windhoek, Namibia
- Finish
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Destinations
- Namibia, South Africa
- Style
- Peregrine
- Theme
- Overland, Wildlife
- Code
- PFCN
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 1 review
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Peregrine trips are now operated by Intrepid Travel
Why you'll love this trip
-
The unique landscape of Etosha National Park makes it one of the best animal-viewing destinations in the world, and you'll enjoy a full day of game drives here.
-
End the day in Damaraland by ascending the hill to a viewing platform for a sweeping vista of the Mopane woodland illuminated by the setting sun.
-
Enjoy a wine and cheese tasting experience on a working wine farm in the Olifants River Valley, with your host ‘Sparky’.
-
As eerie as they are fascinating, the sand dunes of the Sossusvlei can be seen in all their blazing beauty from the top of Dune 45.
-
Enjoy an adventurous yet relaxing canoe trip down the picturesque Orange River as the day melts into sunset.
-
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, our feature stay on this trip.
-
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'.
Is this trip right for you?
-
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. Be prepared for some dust, heat and wind.
-
This itinerary features some long travel days, which can be exacerbated by bumpy African roads. Please review the approximate durations of travel listed throughout the itinerary.
-
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/africa-overland
-
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.
-
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 activity along the Orange River on this trip
-
Namibia summer (November–March) can be very hot and humid with maximum temperatures around 30-35°C and peaks of over 40°C in the desert. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
Gallery
Itinerary
Your journey begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. Those arriving early can take a stroll around the town and visit some of its museums or perhaps take a township tour. Take in the German architecture evident in a number of buildings. The finest are the Tintenpalast (Ink Palace), the Christuskirche (church), the gymnasium and the Genossenschaftshaus.
Accommodation
- Hotel Thule or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
An airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel.
Travel to our lodge located just outside Etosha National Park (400 km; approximately 7–8 hours including stops). On arrival the afternoon will be free to relax at the Lodge. Maybe cool off in the pool, read a book, or enjoy a sundowner by the bar. Be sure to charge your camera tonight. Tomorrow we will have a full day in the Park. This is one of the world's premier game-viewing destinations; spotting animals in the park is relatively easy due to the man-made waterholes and the large, sparsely vegetated pans. The bushland surrounding the pans is difficult to see through, but there are enough clearings, pans and waterholes to allow for sightings. Namibia has protected its game reserves against poaching, so there are large herds of elephants, antelope and other herbivores.
Accommodation
- Toshari Lodge or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Rise early and enjoy a full day of game viewing in the truck. Keep a close eye on the landscape for black rhino, Hartmann's mountain zebra, black-faced impala, roan antelope and the tiny Damara dik-dik. The park is also home to some 340 bird species. Return to the lodge and reflect on the day's adventures with your fellow travellers over dinner.
Accommodation
- Toshari Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drives
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Enjoy a morning Game Drive in the Park then venture off the beaten track as you head into the heart of Damaraland (220 km; approximately 5 hours). Home to Namibia's highest peak, ancient rock paintings and petrified forests, the harshly beautiful and sparsely populated Damaraland region is a land of spectacular contrasts. Depending on the time of year, you might be lucky enough to see the desert elephants that roam the area.
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.
Spend the morning visiting the surrounding sights such as Twyfelfontein Heritage Site and the Petrified Forest. Twyfelfontein has one of the largest concentrations of ancient rock engraving in southern Africa and is a fascinating insight into the past. The Petrified Forest looks back into nature’s history, where 280 million-year-old fossilised tree trunks lie. Continue on to the Living Museum of the Damara, which aims to reconstruct and preserve the 'lost culture’ of the Damara. Learn about this fascinating traditional culture that is, along with the Bushmen, the oldest nation in Namibia. Their original culture was a mixture of an archaic hunter-gatherer culture and herders of cattle, goats and sheep. Due to their loose social structures, the Damara struggle to defend themselves against colonisation – one of the reasons that the culture faced extinction. Return to the lodge around 2 pm, with the rest of the day free to relax by the pool, with a book or a nap.
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 30-60 mins 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.
Travel on through the Namib Desert today (330 km; approximately 6 hours with stops) to reach the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Take in the beautiful, diverse and colourful landscapes that stream past along the way; mountains, sand dunes, ocean waves and, shipwrecks. Your destination is the beachside town of Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. Upon arrival at Swakopmund, you will check into your hotel and have free time to enjoy this interesting township of German-Namibian atmosphere. The accommodation is within walking distance of the town, and you can enjoy a walk on the beach, or visit the open-air markets or local museum.
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 the Optional Activities 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.
With free time today, you may wish to take an optional trip north to Cape Cross, a breeding site for Cape fur seals. There can be in excess of 100,000 seals there at any given time, making for quite the spectacle. Quite a smell too, if the wind happens to change direction. Wander the coastline and attempt to document these beautiful creatures in a photo or two, and visit the large cross that lies nearby, left there by Diego Cao (the first European to arrive on Namibian soil in 1485). There are also a number of optional activities available here (at extra cost) for those who are interested.
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
Depart your coastal retreat in Swakopmund and head south today towards Sesriem (300 km; approximately 6 hours). Walvis Bay is the hibernation area for thousands of migratory birds, most notably flamingos. If in season you may take quick detour to see these elegant birds. Continue on past moon valley; an eerie rocky granite valley, and the Tropic of Capricorn. Stop by the small settlement of Solitaire before arriving at your lodge. Scattered with abandoned trucks, cars, petrol pumps and cacti, it's the only place between Walvis Bay and Sossusvlei to feature a petrol station, post office, general dealer, and bakery! The local Apple Pie has earned itself quite a reputation too.
Accommodation
- A Little Sossus Lodge or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Make an early-morning visit to Sossusvlei, which lies at the end of an ancient riverbed. This is a great opportunity for unsurpassed views of the surrounding area. Climbing to the top of Dune 45 will reward you with spectacular vistas of the surreal desert landscape. After breakfast, travel to Dead Vlei, a clay pan best known for the iconic postcard like images that many snap here. The pan is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world, 'Big Daddy' or 'Crazy Dune' average about 350 metres in height. In the afternoon you will visit Sesriem Gorge, a tranquil natural corridor that you can walk through and explore. Return to the lodge for the evening.
Accommodation
- A Little Sossus Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sesriem - Sesriem Canyon Visit
- Sesriem - Dune 45 Visit
- Sesriem - Sossusvlei & Deadvlei Salt Pan Visit
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 approximately NAD 130 per person.
Depart Sossusvlei early this morning and travel to Fish River Canyon (600 km; approximately 8-9 hours). Your accommodation for the next two nights is a gem hidden in this rugged environment. It's easy to see why the Canyon Lodge is a feature stay on this trip. A fusion of farmhouse flavour and natural splendour, walkways lead to 25 natural stone chalets nestled amongst granite boulders and perfectly landscaped gardens, making it really feel like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. After checking into the lodge you may like to cool off in the stunning pool, wrap up the day with a short excursion to our very own ‘local’ mountain, or simply have a drink and watch the sun go down.
Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Canyon Lodge or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Rise early and witness the colourful sunrise from the edge of Fish River Canyon. At 500 metres deep and over 160 km long, this gaping chasm is one of the largest canyons in the world, ranking close in size to Peru's Colca Canyon and the Grand Canyon in the USA. You will stop at various lookouts, which offer spectacular views and photographic opportunities. Keep an eye out for some of the birds that inhabit this area, including plovers, wagtails, hammerkops and herons. If you're lucky you might even catch a glimpse of a baboon or antelope. After capturing all the photos you like, make your way to the main viewpoint and sit down to enjoy picnic breakfast with an unforgettable view over the canyon. Return to the lodge and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. There are a number of optional activities that you might like to join: take a guided drive to the Fish River Canyon and be inspired by new perspective; meander along the 4x4 Wildebeest Drive watching plains animals; or celebrate sunset from a hillock, overlooking the spectacular scenery.
Accommodation
- Feature Stay at Canyon Lodge or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Fish River Canyon - Sunrise and Picnic Breakfast
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Farewell Fish River Canyon and head on to Orange River, just a short 2.5-3 hour drive away (approximately 200 km). You should reach your destination on the banks of the river by lunchtime. The Orange River is the longest stream in South Africa, running from high up in the Drakensberg mountain range and down into the Atlantic Ocean. This stream is significant for its role in transporting diamonds, which in turn leaves the deposits that are found along the Namibian coastline. Set off this afternoon on a 3-kilometre canoe journey down the Orange River. The canoe trip will be done in two-person canoes with a local guide. It is a slow paced, easy trip, and you should be travelling simply down stream for most or all of the trip.
Accommodation
- Norotshama River Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Orange River - Canoe trip
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Leaving Namibia behind, you will cross the border and travel into South Africa (approximately 7 hours). The approximately 450-kilometre drive will be south of the Orange River to a wine farm in Trawal. You will arrive in the late afternoon or early evening (depending on border crossing formalities). Highlanders is a working wine farm nestled among the farmland of the Olifants River area, sitting at the foot of the Cedarberg mountain range. The farm uses water from the oldest irrigation scheme in South Africa and delivers its grapes to Klawer Cellars, a local cooperative wine cellar. Dutch settlers planted the first vineyards in the area in the late 1600s. However, the vineyards only flourished after the canal was built from Clanwilliam Dam during World War II, and have since won prizes both locally and internationally. This evening you’ll enjoy a unique wine tasting, taking in seven of the regions finest wines with your experienced and knowledgeable host ‘Sparky’.
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 and mountains, rooms are simple, clean and comfortable.
Continue on to the South African capital, Cape Town (300 km; approximately 5 hours). With its stunning coastline, dramatic surrounding mountains and modern cityscape, Cape Town is one of Africa's most appealing cities and a great place to end the trip. The rest of the day until the evening is at your leisure. The infamous Robben Island (Nelson Mandela’s prison for 18 years), vineyards, the V&A Waterfront, adventure activities and plenty of good restaurants and cafes are all at your doorstep. If time permits, you can take the cable car up to Table Mountain. This evening you’ll enjoy a memorable dinner with the group in the Bo-Kapp region of Cape Town. Known for its brightly coloured houses and situated at the foot of Signal Hill, Bo-Kaap is the spiritual home of the Cape’s Muslim community. Bo-Kaap has a fascinating history. Many of the residents are descendants of slaves from Malaysia, Indonesia and various African countries, who were imported to the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch during the 16th and 17th centuries. The slaves were (often mistakenly) known as “Cape Malays”, and the term has stuck, with Bo-Kaap known today as the Cape Malay Quarter. Get an insight into this history when you step inside the ‘purple house’ of Faldela and her family. Learn how to make samosas, before sitting down to an authentic home-cooked dinner. Taste some of the traditional dishes such as ‘Bredie’, ‘Chilli Bites’ and ‘Koesisters’. Learn about why the houses are painted in bright colours and how the community supports each other from your story-telling host.
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.
You journey through Namibia and South Africa comes to an end today. There are no activities planned for the final day and this trip finishes after breakfast. There’s plenty to see and do in Cape Town and extending your stay is recommended. Please speak to your booking agent about additional post tour accommodation.
Optional Activities
- Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike - ZAR720
- Cape Town - Table Mountain Aerial Cable - ZAR250
- Cape Town - Robben Island tour - ZAR260
- Cape Town - Harbour cruise - ZAR200
- Cape Town - Salt River Street Art Urban Adventure - USD59
- Cape Town - Taste of Woodstock Urban Adventure - USD72
- Cape Town - False Bay by train and lunch Urban Adventure - USD59
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
14 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinnersTransport
4WD vehicle, Custom-built overland vehicle, On foot, Private vehicle, MokoroAccommodation
Cabin (1 night), Farmstay (1 night), Hotel (4 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Feature Stay Lodge (1 night)Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- 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 Visit
- Sesriem - Dune 45 Visit
- Sesriem - Sossusvlei & Deadvlei Salt Pan Visit
- Fish River Canyon - Sunrise and Picnic Breakfast
- Orange River - Canoe trip
- Trawal - Olifants Wine & Cheese Tasting
- Cape Town - Cape Malay Cooking Class
Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information