Tailor-made tours and safaris to Southern Africa

SAMPLE ITINERARY 3

Cape Town, the Namib Desert, Victoria Falls, Rovos Rail, and the Kruger Park

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Day 1

You arrive at Cape Town International Airport aboard British Airways flight BA59 at roughly 08h15. You will be met at the airport, and transferred to the Mount Nelson Hotel in the city of Cape Town; we hope to be able to organise an early check-in for you. EuropeCar will deliver a car to the hotel for you at a time to coincide more or less with your arrival.

We have booked a group D car for you (automatic transmission, air-conditioning, power steering, radio, 1.6 litre engine e.g. Toyota Corolla or Honda Ballade). You will have the car for 5 days, with unlimited mileage and 100% cover for collision damage and theft. The rate includes all levies and taxes, and they offer the option of free mobile phone rental.

Days 1 to 6

You will spend 5 nights in the Mount Nelson, in luxury rooms, on a bed and breakfast (B&B) basis. During this time, you will be able to explore the many great attractions of Cape Town and its immediate surrounds, as well as the nearby Cape Winelands. With your own vehicle you will have all the flexibility to plan your own schedule, and explore either independently or on guided tours, as you choose.

Day 6

You will be collected from the Mount Nelson this morning, and transferred to Cape Town airport in time to make your 07h00 flight to Windhoek (flight SW721, arriving in Windhoek at 08h20). Leave your car keys at reception, as the car will be collected from the hotel by EuropeCar. You will arrive in Windhoek at roughly 08h20, leaving you plenty of time to reach Wolwedans. At the airport you will be met and assisted with collecting your 4x4 vehicle from Avis; you will also have the opportunity to confirm directions and ask any questions that you might have on self-driving in Namibia. You will have the car for 6 days.

From Windhoek you will head first south and then west into the Namib Desert. We will provide you with maps and detailed directions a little closer to the time. It should take you roughly five to six hours to reach Wolwedans, along a very scenic route (the first half of the journey is along very good tar road, the second and more beautiful stretch of the journey will be on dust roads). You should arrive at Wolwedans Dunes Lodge in the NamibRand Nature Reserve by mid afternoon.

As a guideline, your daily schedule on safari might look something like this (this would apply more or less at all the camps and lodges on your itinerary):

6:00 Wake-up with light breakfast of tea, coffee and snacks

6:30 Morning game drive or walk

10:00/10:30 Brunch back at the lodge

Guests at leisure in the early afternoon

3:00 Tea

3:30 Afternoon game drive or walk

7:30 Return from drive

8:00 Dinner

Days 6 to 8

You will spend two nights at Wolwedans Dunes Lodge on a full-board basis (including all meals and activities, as well as park fees). This is a very beautiful camp in a spectacular part of the Namib Desert. You will spend your time exploring the desert with your professional guide, and relaxing in the amazing tranquility of the Namib.

Day 8

After your morning activity and brunch, you will take a leisurely drive northwards to Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp. This drive should take you no more than 90 minutes; it is a pretty drive through the NamibRand Reserve, along dust road all the way. You will spend one night at Sossusvlei, again on a full-board basis (all meals and activities, as well as park entry fee into the Namib Naukluft Park). This evening your activities will probably concentrate on the private reserve on which Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp is located.

Day 9

You will be up bright and early this morning to reach Sossusvlei by first light. You will spend all morning marvelling at the dunes and other-wordly landscape of Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and the dry Tsauchab River Bed. Your guide will explain the history, genesis, and geology of the towering dunes, as well as provide insight into the fascinating eco-systems of the Namib Desert. You will enjoy a very special brunch under a camelthorn tree in Sossusvlei.

If you would like to save time, it might be an idea to bring your own vehicle to Sesriem (the entrance into the Sossusvlei area; you could follow behind your guide from camp, and leave your vehicle at Sesriem). This way, you will not have to drive in a southerly direction back to camp again to fetch your vehicle, and will be able to head out northwards towards Swakopmund directly from Sesriem.

However you choose to do it, you will leave from the Sossusvlei area in the early afternoon, and head north towards Swakopmund or Walvis Bay. From Sesriem, the journey is around 155km and should take you no more than 3 hours at a leisurely speed. You will reach Swakopmund/Walvis Bay by mid to late afternoon.

Days 9 to 11

You will spend two nights on a bed and breakfast basis at the Hansa Hotel in Swakopmund. During your stay you will have the opportunity of exploring the many highlights of Swakopmund and surrounds.

Day 11

Today you will depart from Swakopmund, and drive to Windhoek (an easy 220km drive on tar road). Unless you want to do any shopping, we suggest that you spend the morning and early afternoon in Swakopmund, and plan to arrive in Windhoek in the late afternoon. If you would like to shop, there are some very good craft markets in Windhoek, and a fabulous market specialising in wood carvings in Okahandja (just off the Swakopmund-Windhoek road). You will spend one night in Windhoek, at the charming Hotel Heinitzburg on a B&B basis. They have a wonderful restaurant at the hotel, so it will probably be easiest to stay in and eat, but we have left you with open options.

Day 12

This morning you will make the short drive to Windhoek International Airport, where you will drop off your 4x4 vehicle. You will then catch the 09h40 flight to Victoria Falls, arriving at around 13h25 (flight SW140). You will be collected at Victoria Falls airport and transferred to Matetsi Water Lodge (roughly 45 minutes away).

Days 12 to 15

You will spend 3 nights at Matetsi, on a full board basis (all meals and activities, as well as a complimentary laundry service). Matetsi offers a fabulous array of activities, involving the bush, and the Zambezi River, as well as having daily shuttles that will take you in to see the Victoria Falls. Furthermore, the rooms at Water Lodge are just so stunning, and the setting so idyllic, that you will also be able to spend hours just relaxing and absorbing the atmosphere.

Day 15

After your morning activities and a delicious brunch, you will be transferred to the Victoria Falls Hotel, where you will be met by your hosts from Rovos Rail, who will check you in and take care of your luggage. From here you will be transferred to Vic Falls airport, where you will board your historic flight to Pietersburg (departing at 15h30). After a short flight, you will board the train in Pietersburg, and embark on a wonderful two day train adventure.

Days 15 to 17

Rovos Rail will be your home for the next 2 nights. You will be staying in Deluxe Suites on a fully-inclusive basis (all meals, drinks, 24 hour full room service and bar facilities, taxes, and a game-drive in the Kruger National Park). Naturally, your time is your own, but there is an optional game-drive in the Kruger National Park on Sunday afternoon, setting out at around 15h00. The train departs Hoedspruit Station again at 18h00.

Day 17

The train arrives at its own private station (Capital Park) in Pretoria at around 15h30. You will be collected at Capital Park, and transferred to the magnificent Illyria House. You will spend one night at Illyria on a B&B basis. Dinner is exceptional at Illyria (they will prepare anything you want!), so we recommend that you eat in, but you have the flexibility to choose.

Day 18

This morning, your hosts from Illyria House will drive you to Johannesburg International Airport. You will catch the 10h30 flight to Skukuza in the Kruger National Park (flight SA1203, arriving at 11h40). From Skukuza, you will be collected and transferred to Singita Private Game Reserve.

Days 18 to 22

You will spend four unforgettable nights at Singita on an all-inclusive basis (including all meals and activities, local spirits and beers, house wines, and soft-drinks, as well as laundry). Singita is just the most perfect place to end what will be an unbelievable holiday. You will be staying in Ebony Lodge.

Day 22

After your morning activity and brunch, you will be collected at Singita and transferred to Skukuza airport. You will catch the last flight back to Johannesburg International Airport (SA 1202 departing Skukuza at 14h30, and arriving at 15h45). This will give you plenty of time to check in and relax before catching BA56 back to London at 20h15. At this point you will bid Africa farewell. Hopefully a piece of your heart will remain behind, and will keep you coming back to discover more about this most beautiful of all continents.

To find out more about this sample itinerary, or to start creating your own itinerary, call on 27-11-463-7889 or email us at info@Liyatshwa.com