Welcome to Cape Town, South Africa.  On arrival you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel.    

Check in and spend your afternoon at leisure.

Voted as the best place in the world to visit by the prestigious New York Times, Cape Town is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa. This vibrant multicultural city is a healthy mix of city and suburban living, vibey day and night spots, outdoor recreational activities and relaxation. Two oceans with their beautiful white sand beaches embrace this nature-saturated city. Ride the revolving cable car to the sky on Table Mountain; shop at the V&A Waterfront, one of Africas premier shopping destinations; stand on the edge of the world at Cape Point or delve into South Africas past at Robben Island, the prison that once held one of the world’s greatest heroes, Nelson Mandela. The Mother City, the "Green City", the "Tavern of the Seas"...whatever name you give it, this is a bucket list destination to be experienced and enjoyed.

Overnight: Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town or similar

Includes: Breakfast

Excludes: All other meals and personal extras not specified, any services not specified

The opulent Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront offers you luxury accommodation in the heart of Cape Towns shopping mecca, the V&A Waterfront. Offering well-designed and immaculately appointed rooms with fabulous ocean views, the hotel also allows easy access to the citys business district as well as other attractions including Table Mountain and the prestigious beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton. The rim flow pool set on the edge of the property affords a spectacular swimming experience and the proximity of shops, restaurants, destinations and activities ensure a high-quality experience when staying here.

This morning, after breakfast you are met by a guide for a half day city and Table Mountain tour.

Includes: Table Mountain Tickets (weather permitting), Castle of Good Hope, Guide (English speaking), Vehicle (4 Hours)

Excludes: All extras not mentioned, any services not specified

Depart the hotel city for the Lower Cableway Station to board the revolving cable car for a 5-minute ride to the top of Table Mountain. 1036 meters above sea level, it affords bird’s-eye views of both city and Peninsula as you walk its summit (weather permitting).

On a clear day it is even possible to see Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on one side and Cape Point on the other.  Descend from the Upper Cableway station to your awaiting vehicle and then proceed around Table Bay to the Milnerton area (time permitting). From here we can see Table Mountain from the same perspective as the early settlers did when they sailed into Table Bay.

Return to the city via the old Cape Malay Quarter, for a walk through the Company Gardens, the fresh produce gardens for ships and locals from the mid-17th Century and today, home to the SA Museum, Cultural History Museum, Houses of Parliament, National Gallery and St George’s Cathedral. Stroll through the city to Greenmarket Square to browse African mementos at its bustling market stalls.  Drive to the Castle, the oldest building in South Africa with its collection of Old Cape paintings and take in the Grand Parade where Nelson Mandela addressed the nation on his release in 1990. Our drive to the city center takes us past famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India Company and City Hall, a baroque building and the Grand Parade. As we follow the city’s main thoroughfare, Adderley Street, we will see St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. We will pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter [also known as the Bo-Kaap] which means "Above Cape" because of its location up against the slopes of Table Mountain. 

In the early 18th century, thousands of slaves from Java, Ceylon and other Far Eastern regions were brought to Cape Town In the early 18th century; thousands of slaves from Java, Ceylon and other Far Eastern regions were brought to Cape Town. 

After slavery was abolished, their descendants, known as the Cape Malay’s, settled here.

The tour terminates at your hotel or the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Robben Island tour.

Please note: Please note that passports are required.

Please remember to have your tickets with you to gain access. Please ensure you report at least 45 minutes prior to boarding time with your ID/passports as a boarding form needs to be completed prior to boarding the ferry.

This intriguing excursion begins at the Clock Tower, also known as the Nelson Mandela Gateway, in the V&A Waterfront (which is walking distance from your hotel), where you need to gather at least a half an hour before the ferry is scheduled to depart for Robben Island. The Island was a training and defence station in World War 2, and has also served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment, which became world famous as the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years.

Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum which acts as a focal point of South African heritage. It runs educational programmes for schools and facilitates tourism development - a poignant reminder of the price paid for freedom. As your ferry arrives at the Island, you are joined by a local guide to give an account of the experience. You will also see the cell where Nelson Mandela spent a large part of his life.

After a most interesting time of gleaning 'behind the scenes' history, the ferry takes you back to the V&A Waterfront then walk to your hotel.

Spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town or similar

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel and meet your guide in the hotel lobby then depart on a private full day Peninsula Tour. 

Includes: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Vehicle (8 Hours), Entrance fees to Cape Point National Park, Entrance to Boulders Penguin Colony beach, Funicular, Chapmans Peak Drive (If open), Guide (English speaking), Lunch at Sea Forth (excluding drinks)

Excludes: Seal island boat ride in Hout Bay (weather & time permitting), All extras not mentioned, Any services not specified

Travel via Green Point and Sea Point to Maidens Cove and then on to Hout Bay where there is a short stop. After we continue on our journey via Chapman’s Peak to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. 

You will visit Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope by way of funicular. The views from this point are spectacular. 

After stop for lunch at Seaforth Restaurant - Set Menu E - Half Crayfish.

Seaforth Restaurant has possibly one of the best locations in the world, set on the white sands of Seaforth Beach and at the water’s edge, it has ocean and mountain views that will leave guests spellbound. Guests will also be able to see the quirky penguins waddling or swimming around. The layout includes communal seating, an enclosed deck area for the gunroom, and an outdoor deck area that is just meters above the water during high tide, making it the ideal location for a meal or the restaurants signature sundowner cocktail. The cuisine has a special focus on the delights of what the sea offers and there are a range of platters for all seafood tastes.

Starters

Summer Salad / Tomato base soup

Mains

False Bay Seafood Platter

Half Crayfish, Fresh Line Fish, Half Shell Mussels, Calamari Strips, Prawns and Scampi served with savoury rice and vegetables

Dessert

Malva Pudding served with Creme Anglaise / Chocolate Mousse

Tea / Coffee included

Afterwards we proceed to Boulders Beach to visit the Jackass Penguin Colony. 

Our return journey is via Simonstown, Fish Hoek and Muizenberg and on to the world-famous Kirstenbosch Gardens – one of the world’s greatest botanical gardens with over 5000 plant species in the gardens and hot houses.  Visitors have plenty to do and see here, including a large gift shop, restaurants, and walks in and around the garden. 

Continue to the hotel where your tour ends.

Overnight: Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel and you are met by your guide and driver for the Full Day Winelands Tour. 

Includes: Vehicle (8 Hours), Guide (English speaking), 3 Wine tastings, 1 Cellar tour, Lunch (Excluding drinks)

Excludes: All extras not mentioned, any services not specified

Our day starts with a visit to Paarl where you will be struck by the beauty of the Valley, the pristine blue sky, the rolling vineyards and the Pearl of Paarl set high above the valley. Paarl made headlines when President Mandela was released from the Victor Verster prison, on the outskirts of the town, to freedom and the start of the new South Africa. We enjoy a wine tasting and cellar tour at one of the local estates. From Paarl, we will continue north-west to the beautiful village of Franschoek, near the Drakenstein Mountains founded in 1688 by French immigrants fleeing the Huguenot religious persecution in Europe. 

A memorial in the town commemorates the arrival of these early settlers who helped develop the wines sought after by Napoleon, Bismarck and royalty such as Edward V11, the Prince of Wales. 

Afterenjoy lunch at local restaurant (drinks at own account).

After, we will head to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and the historic heart of the country's wine region. In 1679, Dutch East India Company governor Simon van der Stel recognized the fertility of this long valley on the banks of the Eerste River, as perfect for vineyards.  The rest is history, which has been carefully cultivated in this town.  A gracious blend of 18^th-century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings is evident on Dorp Street, where massive oaks still shade original water furrows. Next, we head to one of the well-known estates of the area for our final wine tasting.   Return to Cape Town in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.  You can try one of the many restaurants located in the Waterfront District and within easy walking distance of the hotel.

Overnight: Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast check out of the hotel and you will be transferred Cape Town Airport for your flight to Hoedspruit in the Northern Kruger National Park.

On arrival at Hoedspruit Airport a driver from Kapama Private Game Reserve will meet you and transfer (shared) you to the Camp and after you will check in and enjoy lunch. 

Kapama is a private game Reserve located on the border of the Kruger National Park.

One of the largest and most popular game reserves in Africa, the Kruger National Park is a bucket-list destination for those who love experiencing wildlife and adventure. Approximately the same size of Wales or Israel, the park is particularly special because of the easy access and opportunities it provides visitors. Its wide road network makes self-drive tours as well as guided tours equally appealing. Accommodation is varied and caters to both beer and champagne budgets. The headline act is of course the animals, with the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) taking centre stage. There is however a huge supporting cast of more than 135 mammals and 500 varieties of bird. The sheer size of the Kruger National Park ensures an ever-changing landscape. Each new habitat brings with it its own resident animals, making game-viewing a fun challenge and a quickly acquired skill.

After lunch, you have some free time to explore the camp or relax at the pool prior to your first game drive. 

In the late afternoon, depart on your first shared game drive. In Land Rovers, you will set off into the bush on an exciting safari accompanied by a professional game ranger.  At sunset, your rangers will stop off in the bush, where you will have a chance to soak up the amazing silence and watch the sun sink into the dusty horizon. Continue on with the game drive after dark, using a powerful spotlight to point out nocturnal wildlife.

The chances are excellent that you will encounter lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah and many other species of game in their natural habitat. The vehicles go off the road, when necessary, to afford you the best possible viewing. The safari continues on into the dark when spotlights are used to follow the game. As most of the predators are nocturnal, this is the best time for viewing especially as most hunting occurs at night. Return to the camp where you will have a chance to freshen up prior to having dinner in the dining room.

Overnight: Kapama Buffalo Tented Camp or similar

Includes: Local Drinks, All Meals, Bush Walks, Snacks, Return transfers from Eastgate Airport on scheduled flights only, Tea, 2 Safari Activities per day, Selected Beverages, Conservation Levy

Excludes: All items of a personal nature, Laundry, any services not specified.

Kapama Buffalo Camp is reminiscent of a traditional Africa safari camp from a bygone era and has seamlessly incorporated the luxury with the wild. You can look forward to close encounters with elephants, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard as well as a host of smaller, but no less exciting, game. The rooms, set in the upper reaches of riverine trees, are linked with the main lodge via wooden walkways and it is at the main lodge you will enjoy the taste of traditional African cooking, slowly stewing in solid pots over campfires, dip into the buffet offerings for breakfast and lunch and for dinner, savour meals around an open campfire in the boma. Daily activities include game tracking, day and night game drives, river boat cruises, skeet shooting and guided bush walks.      

Enjoy morning and afternoon shared game drives in the Kapama Reserve accompanied by our skilled ranger and tracker as they do their best to find the animals of South Africa for you to admire.

Expect a wakeup call at between 5:00am and 5:30am and gather for tea or coffee and rusks before heading out at first light. If you are lucky, the big cats will still be around after their night of hunting.

This is Big 5 country (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo) all of which are possible to see during a two-day safari in the Modi Game Reserve. There are also many other species to be seen, large and small, as well as fascinating plants and colorful birds. Stop halfway through the morning game drive for hot drinks and rusks from the Land rover snack box and return at around 9am for breakfast. During the rest of the day, you are likely to see wildlife like nyala antelope and vervet monkeys around the lodges.

At about 3.30pm everybody convenes for high tea, before departing with the same ranger/tracker team for the day's second African bush safari. Enjoy a sundowner drink along the way and get out of the vehicle to stretch your legs and watch the sun go down over the distant Drakensberg Mountains. As darkness descends it's time to return to the safety of the Land rover and let the tracker scan the Landscape with a spotlight picking out the glinting eyes of nocturnal animals.

Return to the lodge at around 7:00pm; where there is time to freshen up before dinner.

Overnight: Kapama Buffalo Tented Camp or similar    

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Enjoy a final morning shared game drive followed by breakfast. 

Check out of the Camp and you are transferred (shared) to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg.

On arrival at Johannesburg airport and after baggage collection, walk to the arrival area where our representative holding a paging board with your name on it awaits to transfer you to the hotel.

Check into the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Johannesburg is a vast city where opposites collide to create an interesting city of contradictions and extraordinary charm. Situated within the province of Gauteng, Johannesburg is home to the world’s largest urban forest of approximately 10 million trees. The city is the economic powerhouse of South Africa, and as a result has some of the most high-end shops and restaurants in the country. This urban sophistication stands in stark contrast with the many local street vendors and informal African spaza shops. The city has a surprisingly diverse range of activities on offer: popular stops include the sobering Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Nelson Mandela Square, and Sandton City. Townships tours are recommended, as is the fast-growing creative hub of the city, the Maboneng Precinct (meaning 'place of light'), as an inspiring place for urban artists and boasts great restaurants and entertainment, art galleries and a neighbourhood celebrating art. Whether in the city for business or pleasure, there is plenty to see and do while there.

Overnight: Peech Boutique Hotel (The) or similar

Includes: Breakfast, Tourism Levy

Excludes: All other meals and personal extras not specified, any services not specified

The Peech Hotel is Johannesburgs eco-chic boutique hotel that is drenched in luxury and tranquil surrounds. The Hotel is in the midst of landscaped gardens that provide a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. This hotel has a bistro restaurant, a champagne bar and is contemporary in style and decoration. The restaurant and bar overlook the swimming pool and dining can be done indoors or alfresco in the African sun. The hotel has an intimate amount of rooms and is an exclusive option in the city of gold. From the Peech Hotel, you can easily access the city centre and the glitz and glamour of the shopping malls and noted points of cultural and historical interest.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then meet your guide in the hotel lobby. Depart on a private Maropeng Cradle of Humankind & Sterfontein Caves

Includes: Guide (English speaking), Vehicle, Entrance fees to Maropeng, Cradle of Humankind and Sterkfontein Caves

Excludes: All extras not mentioned, any services not specified

Experience the birthplace of life first-hand. The Cradle of Humankind is one of eight world heritage sites in South Africa. The first Hominid Fossil was discovered in 1924. Visit the Maropeng (meaning returning to the place of origin) Museum and witness how we evolved into the people we are today, discover some of the animal species that became extinct in the last century and see how humans are busy destroying the earth.

Our tour continues to the Sterkfontein Caves, one of the richest and most productive Paleo-anthropological sites in the world that forms part of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Amongst the most remarkable findings to have been made by numerous world-famous scientists within the Cradle of Humankind is the famous Mrs. Ples, the first complete Australopithecus skull to be discovered and more recently, Little Foot, a 4.17-million-year-old almost complete ape-man skeleton that was discovered in the same caves.

Return to the hotel.

Overnight: Peech Boutique Hotel (The) or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then meet your guide in the hotel lobby. Depart on a private half Day Soweto & Apartheid Museum

Includes: Hector Pieterson Museum, Entrance to Apartheid Museum, Entrance fees to Mandela House Museum, Entrance Fees to Hector Peterson Memorial, Guide (English speaking), Vehicle

Excludes: All extras not mentioned, any services not specified

Soweto is an urban area of the city of Johannesburg, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name, an English syllabic abbreviation for Southwestern Townships, refers to its origins as a Black township under South Africa's Apartheid government. The population has historically been overwhelmingly black and some of the watershed events in the struggle against Apartheid occurred in this township.

On this tour we will discover Soweto and the surrounding area, driving past a hostel in Diepkloof, the well-known Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Orlando Power Station, Mandela House Museum, Desmond Tutu's House, the Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum, a quick stop at a well-known restaurant, a shebeen, the Regina Mundi Church, Maponya Shopping Mall, Kliptown, Walter Sisulu Freedom Square and Aldorado Park. Afterwards we will head towards the Apartheid Museum. Once there you will have the opportunity to discover the history of the Apartheid era on your own.

Return to the hotel to spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Peech Boutique Hotel (The) or similar

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and you are transferred to O.R Tambo airport to check in then board your flight to Victoria Falls.

Checked Baggage

The following important rules for checked baggage will be applied at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg:

1. Only regular-shaped bags will be allowed to be checked in. This means that the bags must have at least one flat surface to be accepted
2. Round or irregular-shaped bags will not be allowed
3. Bags with longs straps will not be allowed

These rules are implemented in order to prevent blockages and breakdowns in the baggage-handling system caused by bags that do not have any flat surfaces or that have long straps or grips. Passengers who try to check in bags that do not conform to these rules will have the option of having their baggage wrapped with one flat side at airport-approved baggage wrapping stations. (Any additional cost for this wrapping service will be for the passengers’ own account)

ZIMBABWE

On arrival and after clearing customs and immigration you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Canadian passport holders are required to have a visa to enter Zimbabwe. Please visit https://www.evisa.gov.zw/

Zimbabwe is a stunning destination for its raw beauty and world class safaris. A landlocked country in southern Africa known for its reserves and national parks, brimming with natural wonder.  Here, guests can enjoy deluxe accommodation and exquisite cuisines. The spectacular landscape of this African land shares the Victoria Falls and Zambezi River with its neighbour, Zambia. Visitors can enjoy the "Smoke that Thunders" Victoria Falls 108m waterfall in Batoka Gorge. On the river, there’s white-water rafting, great picnic spots and even bungee jumping. At the national parks on the river, visitors can see the majestic hippos and rhinos. Not to be outdone, the variety of birdlife in Zimbabwe is unparalleled and a bird-watchers paradise. From the luxurious lodges and hotels to well-constructed camp sites, visitors can enjoy an array of animal sighting, accommodation and fun-packed activities in these amazing national parks. For those who enjoy water related activities, Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made dam, offers a variety of activities from sunset cruises to water sports to fishing. Houseboat holidays are a popular choice on this beautiful lake and a special thrill is staying on the lake over full moons when the water is magical and it feels like heaven is touching earth.

Overnight: The Palm River Hotel or similar                      

Includes: Breakfast, Tourism Levy

Excludes: All other meals and personal extras not specified, any services not specified

The Palm River Hotel is a unique hotel offering unparalleled luxury without compromising a sense of home comfort; vast, unimpeded views which maintained shelter and privacy; the convenience of a central location preserved within a tranquil bubble of peace and quiet. The hotels location could not be more idyllic, situated as it is along the banks of the iconic Zambezi River, among towering indigenous trees and only 4 kilometres from our Natural World Wonder, Victoria Falls  so close, in fact, that on a clear, quiet day you can hear the thunder and see the spray of the mighty waterfall from your room.

To prepare for your tour to the Victoria Falls tomorrow….

You October need a raincoat and/or umbrella and waterproof shoes.

Pack some Ziploc bags to protect your camera from the falls spray.

It is recommended you leave your valuables at the hotel.

Pack some petty cash to buy some souvenirs.

After breakfast, you will be picked up for a guided (Shared) tour of the Victoria Falls, known as Mosi- oa- Tunya “The Smoke That Thunders on your own. There is a magic about the Falls manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk.

Includes: Transfers, Park Fees

Excludes: Gratuities, any services not specified

The Victoria Falls is 1708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute.

Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860's. You will return to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.  Later this afternoon you will be collected for your Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River, enjoy a cruise in the fading twilight hours, while sipping traditional cocktails and enjoying snacks. The Zambezi River is the 4th largest in Africa after the Nile, Zaire and Niger respectively. Its source is in Northwestern Zambia and flows approximately 2800km to its mouth in Mozambique into the warm Indian Ocean. 

Return to the hotel after the tour and rest.

Scheduled Zambezi Explorer Sunset Cruise Deck 1 & 2

The flagship Zambezi Explorer is a 140-seater boat and is the first of its kind on the Zimbabwe side of the falls. The vessel has two lower decks as well as the exclusive signature deck that seats 30 passengers. Facilities on the signature deck include a fully stocked bar, wheelchair, wheelchair toilet and Wi-Fi. It also houses a kitchen where fresh cooked food is prepared. The cruise rate includes canapes and beverages.

Return to your hotel after the cruise for an evening at leisure.

Overnight: The Palm River Hotel or similar                                  

Meals: Breakfast

Note: Bring your passport as you will be crossing in & out of Botswana.

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel then depart on a scheduled full day Chobe Trip.

Includes: Park Fees, Transfers, Lunch

Excludes: Any services not specified

This tour departs daily to Chobe National Park in Botswana. Guests are transferred to the Kazungula border post where their Botswana guide will meet them. From here, they proceed straight to the Chobe River where they will spend the morning game viewing. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. The morning cruise ends around 12:30 and clients are then taken to the Chobe Safari Lodge on the banks of the river for lunch. After lunch guests board safari vehicles for an afternoon game drive in the Chobe National Park with the opportunity to observe an abundance of wildlife.

Thereafter guests are taken back to the border and arrive back in Victoria Falls at approximately 18:30.

Overnight: The Palm River Hotel or similar                                  

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Check out of the hotel after breakfast and you will be transferred to the Victoria Falls Airport for your flight to Windhoek, Namibia.

Canadian passport holders are required to have a visa to enter Namibia. The visa can be ourchased on arrival. Please visit https://visitnamibia.com.na/visa-information/

NAMIBIA

On arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, clear customs and immigration then after baggage collection, walk to the arrival hall where our representative holding a paging board with your name on it awaits to transfer you to Windhoek Luxury Suites.  Check in and your evening is at leisure.

Enroute to the hotel, our representative will discuss the Tour, road transfer times and any additional questions you may have.

The name Namibia comes from the Namib Desert, meaning "vast place" which is apt given the sweeping landscapes of this beautiful country just north of South Africa. Stretching from the Skeleton Coast, through the Namib Desert, across The Great Escarpment and the Kalahari Desert, Namibia is a special place of vastness and wonder that allows the visitor to catch their breath from the busyness of life. The expansive nature of the country contains a multitude of wildlife and vistas. The immense scenery brings a sense of awe and humility and visitors can explore the impressive array of wonders through guided and self-drive tours. Some favourite activities include quad-biking across the coastal and desert dunes, sundowners while watching the sun set over the desert, or safaris at one of the world-famous Namibian resorts. Along the wild coastline are expansive beaches to be strolled or ridden, whether by horse or quad-bike. This is the ideal place where the soul can be replenished and the heart can find adventure.

Overnight: Windhoek Luxury Suites or similar

Meals: Breakfast

With its lush green gardens and lavish designer rooms, Windhoek Luxury Suites offers luxury and tranquillity in the heart of the Namibian capital. Styled with luxurious amenities and exquisitely decorated, the comfortable rooms open to a beautifully maintained private garden. The wood-decked pool area is great for relaxing and soaking up the Namibian sun, while a refreshing dip in the pool is essential for those hot summer months. In Windhoek, Namibia s capital, you will discover a city where old and modern combine to create an architectural juxtaposition. Charming buildings such as the white, crenelated Old Fortress (1892), or the old administrative building, the Ink Palace, built in 1913, still recall the German colonial era, while glazed high-rises and postmodern buildings glowing in pastel shades point the way to the future. Perhaps the most iconic of all of the sights around Windhoek is the Christuskirche, built in 1910 and designed by the famous architect Redecker in neo Romanesque style with Gothic elements on the tower. The city developed around the church which practically marks the centre of the capital. It stands almost like a guardsman overlooking the city below as traffic swirls around it.

Check out of the hotel after an early breakfast and you will be picked up and road transferred from the Hotel at 06:30 o'clock to the Windhoek Truck Port where you will continue on the GO2 Traveller Transfer. The Go2 Traveller Transfer will depart at 07:00 o'clock.

The 5-hour (345km) route from Windhoek to Sesriem follows the main road southwards to Rehoboth before turning onto the gravel. It heads in a south-westerly direction to Sesriem, gateway to the famed dunes of Sossusvlei, skirting the impressive Naukluft Mountains. Namib Desert Lodge is 60km to the north where you’ll find some of the most spectacular scenery the Namib has to offer.

Soon after leaving the Windhoek Truck Port, you will notice the White Marble Obelisk to the left of the road in the mountains. This is Heroes’ Acre, a war memorial built to honour Namibia’s freedom fighters, is an unmistakable landmark with its towering marble obelisk that comes into view soon after the police checkpoint. It was built after Namibia gained its independence in 1990 to honour all those who lost their lives fighting for freedom.

As the road from Windhoek meanders through the mountains, you will pass through the ‘Window Bridge’, which perfectly frames the landscape, into the valley below. The hills are tawny-coloured in the dry mid-year months and vivid green after summer rainfall.

A tree-filled expanse lines the road as you enter the town of Rehoboth. The town, 87km from Windhoek, is predominantly the home of the Rehoboth Basters, a proud group of people originating from the Cape of Good Hope, descendants of Dutch colonists and indigenous Khoisan women. They moved north, crossing the Orange/Gariep River and settling in Rehoboth in 1871.

South of Rehoboth, the route veers off onto the gravel towards Sesriem and continues in a south-westerly direction past the small settlements of Kobos, Klein Aub and Lepel and soon you will travel via the picturesque Remhoogte Pass to finally reach the spectacular scenery of Namib Desert Lodge.

Arrival at Namib Desert Lodge:

A short transfer will take you from Namib Desert Lodge to The Desert Grace Lodge. After your check-in you can enjoy a lunch (on own account) followed by a few hours at leisure.

Ca. 2 hours before sunset the Sundowner Dune Drive will start at reception. Duration of the tour is 2-3 hours.

Sundowner Dune Drive: Discover the fossilised dunes, the red dunes above the plateau and the many other wonders of the Namib Desert on this drive around Gondwana Namib Park. Refreshments and a light snack included. After the Sundowner Dune Drive, return to the lodge and enjoy dinner.

Overnight: The Desert Grace Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

The Desert Grace oozes 50s charm and with graceful spaces and a subdued elegance. The lodge has 24 spacious bungalows, all with their own plunge pool. The One Night in Namibia bar is a perfect setting whether for a sundowner or a nightcap. The restaurant serves delectable dishes with vegetables from the lodges own harvest. Complimentary wi-fi and secure parking complete the package.

An early start to the day awaits.

Much of the day is spent climbing the highest sand dunes in the world. Big Daddy offers a strenuous climb, but the view along the crest is completely worth it. Upon descent, the whispering sands of the Namib lead to the ancient camelthorn trees of Dead Vlei – one of the most photographed areas in Sossusvlei.

Excursion: Guided half-day excursion to Sossusvlei, including entrance fees to the National Park, brunch, and refreshments. Duration of the tour is 5-6 hours.

Be sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, comfortable closed walking shoes & your camera.

Exploration continues into the rugged Sesriem Canyon before returning to the lodge for the evening, but the day is not yet done.

After returning from the tour, you'll have a few hours at leisure, before dinner is ready.

Overnight: The Desert Grace Lodge or similar

Meals: Brunch & Dinner

Check out of the lodge and enjoy a short transfer back to Namib Desert Lodge.

The 5-hour (345km) route from Sesriem to Windhoek follows the road northwards to Rehoboth and from there onwards to Windhoek. Driving through the desert before skirting the impressive Naukluft Mountains, you’ll find some of the most spectacular scenery that Namibia has to offer.

It is 30km to Solitaire. On your way off the Namib Desert Lodge property, you will see the impressive backdrop of fossilised dunes one last time. They were formed when the sand compacted into sandstone in the more humid climate that existed between ten and twenty million years ago.

The route continues in a north-easterly direction via the picturesque Remhoogte Pass and past the small settlements of Lepel, Klein Aub and Kobos.

As the road to Windhoek meanders through the mountains, the hills are tawny-coloured in the dry mid-year months and vivid green after summer rainfall. The drive through the mountains is a last farewell before reaching your destination in Namibia’s capital city.

Keep your eyes to the right, shortly before reaching Windhoek, you will notice the White Marble Obelisk to the right of the road in the mountains. This is Heroes’ Acre, a war memorial built to honour Namibia’s freedom fighters, is an unmistakable landmark with its towering marble obelisk that comes into view. It was built after Namibia gained its independence in 1990 to honour all those who lost their lives fighting for freedom.

Arrival at Windhoek Truck Port: 6:00pm.   Road transfer back to the Windhoek Luxury Suites. Check in and overnight.

Overnight:Windhoek Luxury Suites or similarMeals: Breakfast

Road transfer from the Hotel in Windhoek to the Hosea Kutako International Airport in time for your check in process for your flight home.

We hope you’ve had a wonderful and unforgettable stay in Southern Africa!