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27-Nights Cape Town to Johannesburg Overland Safari & Participation Camping - Classic from $4,299
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1688039
Cape Town to Johannesburg Overland Safari & Participation Camping
Spend 28 days cruising through Africa in a Lando (overland adventure vehicle) visiting towering sand dunes, deep canyons carved through time, and Etosha, Kruger, and Matobo National Parks for some unforgettable wildlife safari drives. Listen to the thundering roar of Victoria Falls, enjoy traditional dinner and dance, and campouts under a blanket of stars. Think action, adventure, and amazing wildlife encounters in a super continent of diverse ecosystems waiting to welcome you with open arms.
Highlights
Meet the San people and see their daily way of life, Encounter the splendor of Fish River Canyon, Spot the “big five” in Kruger National Park, Discover the immense beauty of Victoria Falls from every angle
Accomodation
Camping in Africa is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get a first-hand experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. While camping, we stay at designated campsites in national parks and outside towns. Campsite facilities in southern Africa are generally good, but can be basic in certain places. There are generally small restaurants and/or bars, washing facilities and occasionally telephones available. The camps have flush toilets, and showers at some camps are outdoors, having simple reed enclosures for privacy. Additionally, warm water is available at most sites, but it is not guaranteed to always be warm when you take your shower; the warm water may be used up others who also use the camp. We usually set-up camp within close proximity to the toilet facilities, though occasionally to reach them you may to walk a short distance. All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied, including camp mattresses, which are warm and comfortable. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. They are good quality, durable, industry-standard 2-person safari canvas tents. Please note that most adults will not be able to fully stand up inside the tents, though most travellers find these more than adequate, as they have a base area of approximately 4 square meters. These tents are regularly treated with a waterproofing agent, but under certain rainy conditions, the tent fabric may become saturated to the point where seepage or leakage may occur. All tents have built-in mesh insect netting on the windows and doors. We travel with our own portable camp chairs with a comfortable back-rest, and we utilize our own cooking equipment to provide the group good quality camp meals. In camping within the national parks and conservation areas, some camp sites are enclosed for keeping the resident wildlife out. Other camps are open to the natural environment – care must be taken, especially at night, when a torch/flashlight is recommended when walking around the camp area. Your camping experience in the Okavango Delta is fondly called “bush camping”. This will be the most basic two nights of our trip, as there is no running water, no showers, nor toilets facilities. You will be truly camping in the wild, away from civilization and its comforts, and completely surrounded by nature – an unbelievable experience some in fact feel is the highlight of the trip. Despite the challenge that a few days “roughing it” may pose to some, the experience of being that close to nature, camping under the African stars, and seeing incredible wildlife at your tent door-step is not just gratifying but ultimately an experience of a lifetime. In Swakopmund, we stay in backpacker's (hostels) or small guest houses, which will give us a break from camping and to be better located than the campgrounds in the area. Here, the accommodation is based on several people sharing dormitory-style rooms, with possibly 6 to 8 people sharing a room. There will be a mix of private and shared bathroom facilities. Please be aware that where we use multi-share accommodations, rooming requests of any kind cannot be taken. Please note that due to the high demand for accommodation in the parks, sometimes we will arrange alternative accommodation outside of the park. For private accommodation please see tours in our Classic/Standard Travel Style.
Group Leader
On this tour, you will be accompanied by two Chief Experience Officers (CEOs). The Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) will be the group manager and leader, cook and driver. They will provide information on the places where we are travelling, offer suggestions for things to do and see, and introduce you to our local friends. They will take care of the small things so you can concentrate on enjoying your adventure. All of our CEOs in southern Africa are experienced group leaders, with a broad knowledge base of the region’s history, cultures, and wildlife. Most of our leaders in the region are from South Africa, though it may be possible that you’ll have a leader from another country in the southern African region. All of our overland adventure vehicle (OAV) drivers are experienced in the routes travelled, and highly skilled in dealing with different terrains. All of our cooks will organize and lead the meal preparation, and have experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups. We also use local guides for some included activities where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting.
Group Size Notes
Max 22, avg 18.
Meals Included
24 breakfasts, 23 lunches, 17 dinners
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Yzerfontein
Your G for Good Moment: Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, Windhoek
Your G for Good Moment: Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp, Dekar
Your G for Good Moment: Lusumpuko Women's Club Lunch, Victoria Falls
Your Welcome Mome
27 nights from $4,299 per person
G Adventures: Cape Town to Johannesburg Overland Safari & Participation Camping
Day 1: Cape Town
Arrive at any time. Tonight, after a brief welcome meeting, attend an optional group dinner for your first night in Cape Town.
Get the most out of your time in Cape Town by pre-booking the South African Wine Tour and Tasting extra. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour as this activity has an early start time. Please note, due to the timings of this activity, there is a possibility you may miss the welcome meeting on day 1 of your tour - in this case, your CEO will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.
Day 2: Cape Town/Cederberg
Hit the road in the Lando and view the stunning Western Cape scenery on the way to the G Adventures-supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre. Learn about the history and culture of the ancient San people. Arrive to the campsite in the afternoon and enjoy free time in the area.
Day 3: Cederberg/Orange River
Travel north past large plantations of rooibos tea. Camp at the scenic Orange River and arrive at the site with enough time to enjoy a late afternoon swim in the river.
Day 4: Orange River/Fish River Canyon
Travel to Fish River Canyon today, the largest canyon in Africa. Hop out of the Lando to watch sunset over the canyon’s rim. Set up camp nearby and sit around the campfire.
Day 5: Fish River Canyon/Namib Desert
Sit back in the Lando and travel north along long, bumpy roads to the Namib Desert. Arrive and set up camp in the late afternoon, and admire the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei seeming to rise up towards the sky in the middle of nowhere.
Day 6: Namib Desert
Begin the day at dawn and watch sunrise from atop the iconic Dune 45. Later, venture to the surreal Deadvlei for an optional excursion to this mesmerizing clay pan before slipping into the shadier areas of Sesriem Canyon to learn about its formation and ability to sustain wildlife with hidden pools.
Conclude your day with a scenic drive, if time allows, stopping at the quaint town of Solitaire, before settling in at the campsite. Here, you may opt for an evening activity: "Namib Desert Walk." This activity is an educational experience about bushmen's survival in the desert, the geology of sand dunes, and local wildlife, and ends with a beautiful desert sunset.
Day 7: Namib Desert/Swakopmund
Cross over the dry mountain passes and vast empty region of the Namib Desert en route to adrenaline capital; Swakopmund. The group will spend two nights here with plenty of time for the many optional activities in the area.
Day 8: Swakopmund
Spend a free day in Swakopmund. Try activities like skydiving and sand boarding. For an even bigger adventure, hop on a scenic flight over the Skeleton Coast.
You can pre-book your sky dive on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Day 9: Swakopmund/Spitzkoppe
Jump in the Lando and travel toward the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe. Dubbed the Matterhorn of Namibia, this is the perfect place for epic outdoor adventures. Enjoy free time here upon arrival.
Explore on your own by foot, and be sure to check out the night sky—it's great for star-gazing!
Day 10: Spitzkoppe/Etosha National Park
Soak in the strangeness of this unique landscape before moving on to Etosha National Park for some prime wildlife viewing. Enjoy a safari drive in the park on the way to your camp.
After sunset, watch animals at the watering holes near the camping area, which is safe, being well lit with flood lights. Free time at night allows for the option of a night safari in an open vehicle.
Day 11: Etosha National Park
Embark on a wildlife safari drive in Etosha National Park. Search for more than 100 different mammals that call this park home. During the dry season (May through October) the animals all gather around the waterfalls creating some of the densest wildlife viewing in the world.
Day 12: Etosha National Park/Waterberg Plateau
Move on from Etosha today and travel further south to the Waterberg Plateau. Spend free time exploring the trails in this national park in search of more wildlife, or choose to relax at camp.
Day 13: Waterberg Plateau/Windhoek
Travel south through the Namibian countryside to Windhoek. Lunch will be had along the way at the G Adventures-supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop. There will be free time in Windhoek upon arrival.
Day 14: Windhoek/D'kar
Cross the border from Namibia into Botswana and travel east into the heart of the Kalahari to D’kar. Catch a glimpse of how the local San Bushmen adapted to this difficult landscape on an optional bushman walk. Later, enjoy the warm hospitality of the San Bushmen as the group will be staying at the G Adventures-supported Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp.
Day 15: D'kar/Maun
Climb in the Lando and continue towards Maun. In the afternoon, there will be free time to unwind before setting up camp with the group.
Choose to prebook a scenic helicopter ride through the Delta during your free time in Maun.
Day 16: Maun/Okavango Delta
Dive right into nature today for an overnight excursion in the Okavango Delta. Hop in a 4x4 and ride to your basic bush camp, then do some birdwatching in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe and head out for a wildlife walk in the area. Gather around the campfire for a sundowner in the evening.
Day 17: Okavango Delta/Nata
Set out on a morning safari walk before returning to Maun. Then, get back inside the Lando and travel to the ancient baobab trees of Nata. There will be free time upon arrival.
Day 18: Nata/Kasane
Venture north from Nata to Kasane. There will be time for an optional river cruise through Chobe National Park before setting up camp under a sky full of stars.
Journey to the area of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa. You can pre-book the Chobe River Sunset Cruise on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Day 19: Kasane/Victoria Falls
Choose to go on an early safari drive in the morning before travelling with the group from Botswana across the border to Zimbabwe. Sit down for a traditional lunch at the G Adventurers-supported Lusumpuko Women's Club. Continue on to the town Victoria Falls, a great base to see the falls, and take part in some exciting activities.
Opt to prebook the Chobe National Park Safari Drive and head out early into the park before crossing the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe at the Kazungula border post.
Day 20: Victoria Falls
Spend a free day in Victoria Falls. For the adventurous, there are activities like whitewater rafting or a scenic helicopter flight over the falls. The choice is yours!
Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities.
Day 21: Victoria Falls
Spend a full free day on your own exploring the Victoria Falls area. Opt to try activities in the area like whitewater rafting, a scenic helicopter flight over the falls, or bungee jumping with the thundering falls in sight.
Day 22: Victoria Falls/Matobo National Park
Begin the day early with Victoria Falls thundering in the distance. Then, climb into the Lando and enjoy the scenery along the way to Matobo National Park. It will be a full travel day.
Day 23: Matobo National Park
Set off in an open wildlife safari through Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe. Visit a Khoisan cave with historic paintings, learn about edible plants, and wildlife conservation efforts.
Day 24: Matobo National Park/Tshipise
Spend most of the day travelling in the Lando before crossing the border into South Africa. In the evening, relax at the campsite and opt to enjoy the mineral pool located nearby.
Day 25: Tshipise/Kruger National Park
Spend the full day on a wildlife safari drive within the 5 million acres of Kruger National Park. Search for the “big five” and travel through the vast savannah stopping at prime viewing areas like Hippo Pool, the Kruger Tablets, and the Red Rocks.
Day 26: Kruger National Park/Greater Kruger Area
Spend another day on a safari drive through Kruger National Park. Please note there is also the option to embark on the safari in a 4x4 vehicle instead. Later, sit down for a traditional dinner with the group and take part in some local dancing.
Day 27: Greater Kruger Area/Johannesburg
Spend the day in the Lando enjoying the scenery en route to Johannesburg, which is also South Africa’s largest city. There will be some free time in the evening to find a place for dinner on your own.
Day 28: Johannesburg
Depart at any time.If you aren't ready to go home just yet, simply talk with your CEO about extending your adventure and get to know more of South Africa or beyond!
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
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.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.
Ford's Travel
10738 W. Bell Road
Sun City, AZ 85351
USA
(623) 933-8256
(844) 827-3721