Cape Town to Windhoek

AN AMAZING POINT TO POINT FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO NAMIBIA

Areas of Interest

A blend of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes, there’s nowhere quite like Cape Town, a singularly beautiful city crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park.

We suggest to spend at least three to four days in the area and go beyond visiting only this beautiful city. The first day is normally used to walk around the street, while in the afternoon, you will make your way to the summit of Table Mountain with a cable car. From Table Mountain, one of the 7 wonders of nature, spectacular views of the city, the Peninsula and Robben Island will leave you in awe. Nightlife in Cape Town is fantastic. You will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner at one of the various excellent restaurants in town.

The second day we suggest to Cape Peninsula experience the scenic beauty and natural landscapes of South Africa’s Cape Peninsula on this full-day tour from Cape Town. The drive is amazing and places like Hout Bay and the Seal Island Boat Cruise are unique experiences you cannot miss. Chapman’s Peak Drive is the most scenic drive in the world, with cliffs on one side and ocean on the other, with photographic stops made along the way. Today you will also visit the famous Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point and Boulders Penguin Colony, one of the most famous penguin colonies.

A visit to Cape Town can only complete with a visit to Cape Winelands. This is a 40 minutes drive from the city. The beautifully located towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are within easy reach of Cape Town and are some of the oldest towns in the country with a rich history and culture. If you want, we can organize for you a guided tour of these two towns and also visit 3 top wine estates for wine tasting before we make our way back to Cape Town.

Amazing scenery! The Augrabies Falls are a 145 m waterfall and is a magnificent sight to behold.

Aside from the beautiful scenery and breath-taking natural splendor of the Augrabies Falls, the game drive does not provide sighting of the abundant game but is still recommended as a way of getting a bigger overview of the reserve and its landscape. The walkways and viewpoints are occasionally damaged from water and visitors are advised to be cautious and not allow small children to run around too close to the edge.

You will find this park ideal to visit if you are planning to extend your holiday to South Africa with a prime location for wildlife viewing. It is the land of the extremes, with summer temperatures exceeding 105 F (40 C). Animals have adapted to these conditions, and the areas around the Auob River and the Nossob River Valley are very rich in wildlife.

Dune 45!

There is a reason why the dune is in the cover page of most of the books on Namibia. Dune 45 is a star dune in the Sossusvlei area of the Namib Desert in Namibia. Its name comes from the fact that it is at the 45th kilometre of the road that connects the Sesriem gate and Sossusvlei. Standing over 170 m, it is composed of 5-million-year-old sand that is detritus accumulated by the Orange River from the Kalahari Desert and then blown here. A paradise for photographers. The best sunrise you will ever experience.

The major parts of the Namib Naukluft Park are inaccessible for humans. Of the huge area of which 32,000 km² exist of dune fields only the area north of the Kuiseb River, the Naukluft Mountains and the Sossusvlei can be visited.

Close to Sossusvlei, Deadvlei is a clay pan characterized by dark, dead camel thorn trees contrasted against the white pan floor. The pan was formed when the Tsauchab River flooded and the abundance of water allowed camel thorn trees to grow. However, the climate changed and the sand dunes encroached on the pan, blocking the river from reaching the area. The trees are estimated to be approximately 900 years old, however they have not decomposed due to the dry climate.

Deadvlei is a paradise for photographers as the contrast between the pitch-black trees and bleached-white pans, and the rusty-red dunes and deep blue sky make for incredible images.

Worlds second biggest canyon!

The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon worldwide after the Grand Canyon in the USA. The Canyon forms part of the state-run Ais-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.

The Fish River is 800 kilometres long and thus the longest river of Namibia. It has its source in the eastern parts of the Naukluft Mountains. After about 200 km the river flows into the Hardap Dam which is the largest water reservoir of the country with a circumference of 30 km and a surface area of 28 km².

After being retained the Fish River does not carry water continuously, only during the rainy season the river might turns into a torrent. During the dry season sporadic pools supply water to many animals.

The Fish River Canyon commences at Seeheim, at the lower course of the River. The Canyon is 161 km long, 27 km wide and up to 550m deep. The Fish River Canyon ends at Ai Ais and the river then flows into the Orange River, the border to South Africa

It is important to know that during the summer month the Canyon hike is closed due to the heat. The Fish River Hiking Trail can be conducted during the months April – September and can be completed within 4 to 5 days, depending on fitness. It covers a length of 85 km and the descent into the Canyon is only allowed for hikers doing the trail. Day-visitors are not allowed to climb into the Canyon.



Itinerary

  • Day 1, 2 & 3 – Arrive Cape Town – Fire & Ice Hotel

One of our Team members will be waiting for you at the airport for your transfer to Fire & Ice Hotel. Arrival at the Cape Town International Airport. After having cleared customs, you proceed to the arrival hall and proceed to the car rental kiosk to collect your rental vehicle. After collection, proceed to your hotel where the remainder of the day is set aside for leisure. The following two days are spent exploring the vibrant city and its surroundings. Possible tours/activities: Cape Town City Tour – Explore the town by means of a city tour on a hop-on hop-off double-decker bus. The ideal place to start this tour is at the Tow Oceans Aquarium in the center of the V&A Waterfront. A Winelands tour whilst in Cape Town is a must and can be pre-booked through our offices. Visit the V&A waterfront, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve Sea Point and don’t forget a visit to the top of Table Mountain!

Service: Bed & Breakfast

 

  • Day 4 – Rolbos Guest House – Citrusdal & Calvinia

Departing Cape Town in the morning, proceed through the Cedarberg Mountain Range to Citrusdal, where most of South Africa’s citrus fruits are grown and where the famous ‘rooibos tea’ is produced. Your journey continues via Clanwilliam through breathtaking mountain scenery to Calvinia, where you will spend your first night. Very worthwhile is a visit to the Calvinia Agricultural Museum, where the history of the settlement area is documented. Your guest house is situated within the town and offers you personal service and a friendly atmosphere.

Service: Bed & Breakfast

Driving time: 4h

 

  • Day 5 & 6 – Kalahari Getaway Lodge – Augrabies Falls

After breakfast, you depart Calvinia and travel via the Hantam and Rebunie Mountains towards the Augrabies Falls. The entire route takes you through the magical scenery of the Northern Cape and offers you marvelous photographic opportunities. Your accommodation for the night is situated in the town of Kakamas, famous for its hospitality and history. Relax in the tranquil surrounding of your lodge and get spoilt with the renowned variety of meats from the carvery restaurant in the evening. After breakfast, you travel the short distance to the Augrabies Falls. With vast quantities of turbulent water plunging down from a height of 65 meters, the Augrabies Falls forms the 6th largest waterfall in the world and the largest in South Africa. This usually placid river churns through a narrow gorge just above the falls before cascading into a pool 92 meters across and 130 meters deep. Legend has it that this frothing cauldron of black water guards a fortune in alluvial diamonds. The thundering cascade of water led the original Hottentot residents to believe that evil spirits were active here, and so they named the waterfall Ankoerebis, “place of big noises”. Apart from the falls, you have several attractive hiking trails in the Augrabies Park leading to Arrow Point (1 hour), to the Potholes (1 hour) and to the Moon Rock (1 hour).

Service: Full Board

Driving time: 4h

 

  • Day 7 & 8 Twee Rivieren Rest Camp/Campsite – Kgalagadi

Twee Rivieren Restcamp is a welcome place to come home to after a day of rewarding game-viewing. Twee Rivieren is the largest rest camp in the huge Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Occupying an impressive position on the dry Nossob river bed, the camp is particularly well noted for its seasonal migrations of desert herbivores, such as blue wildebeest and red hartebeest, as well as the ever-trailing predators, yielding exciting hunts and game viewing from the camp.

Service: Rooftop tent and self-catering or Chalet

Driving time: 4h

 

  • Day 9 – Canyon Lodge – Fish River Canyon

Having enjoyed breakfast, travel out of the park in a southerly direction to reach the Namibian border at Rietfontein. Having checked through the border post, you first travel via the red sand of the Kalahari and then over endless rocky plains interspersed with majestic mountain ranges to your next lodge, situated in close vicinity of the Fish River Canyon. Your charming chalets are nestled between huge granite rocks and afford you an unforgettable view onto the untouched plains of the Nama Karoo, a half desert covering the southern and central parts of Namibia. In the late afternoon, you have the option of taking a scenic walk up a granite hill to enjoy the sundowner with a cold drink in hand before returning to your lodge for dinner.

Service: Self-catering

Driving time: 5h

 

  • Day 10 – Klein Aus Vista – Fish River Canyon

After breakfast, travel the short distance to the Fish River Canyon, set in a harsh, rocky plain dotted with drought-resistant plants. With a length of 170 kilometers and an average depth of 550meters, the canyon represents the second largest canyon on earth after the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Take a scenic walk along the rim of the canyon to explore the area and to experience the play of shadows within the canyon as the morning progresses. After the visit, you travel further west to the edge of the Namibian escarpment and the Succulent Karoo. Your lodge awards you a magnificent view onto the desert plains, which unfold in a carpet of flowers and an explosion of bright colors after the winter rains. It is one of the 20 most important biomes in the world and counts as the most species diverse desert on earth. It is also the home of the world-renowned wild horses of the Namib Desert which you can visit in the afternoon.

Service: Self-catering

Driving time: 3h

 

  • Day 11 & 12 – Kanaan Desert Lodge – Southern Namib

Before continuing into the southern Namib Desert, we recommend an early morning excursion to Kolmanskuppe, a Ghost Town established after the first diamonds were discovered here in 1908. In the 1950s, no more diamonds were found, and the town was left in the relentless hands of the Namib Desert. Traveling north, your next stop is situated in solitude desert landscape along the foot of the stunning Tiras Mountains and the scenic D707 route. Your lodge is situated on 33 000 hectares of unspoiled nature, contrasting landscapes that are never-ending, with rippled sand dunes glowing in the magical light of sunrise and sunset, mountain vistas perfectly framing breathtaking views, rocky outcrops studded with quiver trees and awe-inspiring savannah and desert vistas. The lodge focuses not just on the rehabilitation of the land but also to conserve and protect the wildlife of this fragile environment.

Service: Full Board

Driving time: 4h

 

  • Day 13 & 14 – The Elegant Desert Lodge – Sossusvlei

This morning you travel via endless plains and along striking mountain ranges into the Namib Desert, the oldest desert on earth. Your lodge is situated close to Sesriem, the gate to two of Namibia’s most celebrated attractions: Sossusvlei, with some of the highest sand dunes on earth, and Sesriem Canyon. Both are molded and shaped by the brute force of the Tsauchab, a non-perennial river that meanders through this majestic ocean of sand with its ever-changing colors. At your lodge, you have a wide variety of activities on offer, some of which include scenic nature drives, sundowner drives or quad bike rides over the private nature reserve. Alternatively, relax on the large verandah of the lodge with a view onto a frequented waterhole. The best time to experience the Sossusvlei area is at sunrise when the light paints the dunes and desert palette into deep red, apricot and purple – this part of the day is also the most forgiving, as you are not exposed to the hot afternoon sun when clambering one of the mighty dunes. From Sossusvlei visit Dead Vlei, a surreal white clay pan surrounded by monumental dunes and dotted with age-old camelthorn trees. Traveling back, visit the Sesriem Canyon, an 18 million-year-old gorge eroded into the conglomerate floor. Having returned to your lodge, cool off in the sparkling pool or take a refreshing drink in the bar overlooking the waterhole.

Service: Full Board

Driving time: 4h

 

  • Day 15 – Windhoek

After a relaxed breakfast, travel up the Khomas plateau to Windhoek, where you return your rental vehicle and where the tour ends. endless

 

Extensions

The game reserve is located north of Durban in the world-famous KwaZulu-Natal, right in the heart of Zululand. The ideal destination for the self-drive safari, with plenty of choices of accommodations. This is the oldest reserve in South Africa. It is a Big Five reserve, and at the same time, large packs of wild dogs are often seen. The Park covers more than 96,000 hectares and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora. Hluhluwe Umfolozi Reserve is characterized by hilly topography and the northern section of the game reserve is noted for its wide variety of both birdlife and wildlife. iMfolozi Game Reserve is situated in the southern section of the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park is world renowned for its White Rhino conservation and the Centenary Capture Centre is setting exceptional standards for animal capture and sustainable utilization in Africa.

A truly original extension to a classic safari in South Africa, and a Unesco World Heritage site. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is one of the outstanding natural wetland and coastal sites of Africa, covering an area of 239,566 hectares. The wetland park is a huge protected area along the coast of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province.

The park’s centerpiece is the vast Lake St. Lucia, home to large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, pelicans, and flamingos. Elephants, giraffes, and leopards inhabit the grasslands and forests of the nearby Western Shores and Charters Creek areas. To the north, Sodwana Bay is known for its colorful coral reefs., it includes a wide range of pristine marine, coastal, wetland, estuarine, and terrestrial environments which are scenically beautiful and basically unmodified by people. These include coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive reed and papyrus wetlands, providing critical habitat for a wide range of species from Africa’s seas, wetlands, and savannas.

Cape Vidal offers the best of two worlds – it is situated on the exquisite Zululand coast with all its amazingly rich marine life, and it provides direct access to the Eastern Shores Nature Reserve with its populations of elephant, rhino, buffalo, crocodile, hippo and reedbuck to name but a few.

The beach and off-shore areas at Cape Vidal fall within the St Lucia Marine Reserve which is visited seasonally by humpback whales during their migrations, as well as loggerhead and leatherback sea-turtles that come to the beaches north of Cape Vidal from November to February to nest. Other marine “big game” includes the huge whale shark, marlin, sailfish and dolphin.

A large park, it is the fourth largest in South Africa, with its 55 000 hectares, and it is completely malaria-free.

Pilanesberg lies between the transition zone of the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as “Bushveld”. Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birdlife and vegetation occur because of this transition zone.

Springbok, brown hyaena, the red eyed bulbul, and camel thorn trees usually found in arid areas are found cohabitating with moist-area-limited impala, black eyed bulbul and Cape chestnut trees.

The Pilanesberg is famous for the geology, and many professionals are traveling in the area to study the Pilanesberg National Park Alkaline Ring Complex, an area formed by volcanic eruptions some 1200 million years ago, and a unique and wide range of habitats for game animals. Wildlife is abundant, and the carrying capacity of the park is outstanding. As well as the ‘Big Five’ you will find the nocturnal brown hyena, cheetah, hippo, crocodile and even sable in the Pilanesberg National Park.

We are still in KwaZulu Natal Province, the Drakensberg creates a natural border between Lesotho and KwaZulu Natal. In the local language, they are simply known as ‘the dragon mountain’ or Drakensberg. It is the highest mountain range in the country, reaching an impressive 3 482 meters above sea level.

Within the Drakensberg of KwaZulu Natal lies the 243 000 hectares mountain region that is also a Unesco World Heritage site. The area is perfect for an active holiday: hiking is fantastic, as well as horse trails, white water rafting, abseiling, and more.

For the offroad enthusiasts, the place to be is the Sani Pass, undoubtedly one of the most spectacular and scenic mountains passes in the whole of Africa. The Sani Pass lies between South Africa and its small landlocked neighbor, Lesotho. As the only road that crosses the summit of the Drakensberg mountain, the pass attracts adventurous travelers from across the world who wish to traverse the breathtaking natural scenery this precarious mountain has to offer — a must-do for any adventurous bucket list!

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