Southern Trek

A day-by-day breakdown of what to expect and where you'll be staying.

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Day 1, Johannesburg to Hazyview

Johannesburg is where your tour will begin. Today is a travelling day so we have a early morning departure. We make our way to the outskirts of the renown Kruger National Park - home of the Big 5.

Day 2, Hazyview to Kruger National Park

Game Drives and animal spotting take up our day with the odd stop for lunch or a swim if the weather allows.

Day 3, Hazyview to Polokwane

Today we bid farewell to the Lowveld and set off on a scenic drive to Polokwane. Stops along the way offer the best scenery in South Africa, including the ever-striking Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window. With tons of great viewpoints of the Canyon, you’ll want to whip out your camera for brilliant photo opportunities. Polokwane, capital of Limpopo, is the largest metropolitan complex in the north and a major economic centre. Its proximity to the neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, as well as its convenient distance from the Kruger National Park and Magoebaskloof makes it a perfect gateway and good destination in itself. We set up our tents on the lush green grass of our campsite located outside of the city before enjoying a dip in the lovely swimming pool.

Day 4, Polokwane to Musina

Travelling north, today we journey towards Zimbabwe after a quick replenishing of our stocks. The long, relaxing drive gives opportunity to sit back and enjoy the ever changing scenery.  Tonight we’ll camp near to one of the hottest towns in South Africa, Musina, at the hot water spring resort – Tshipise. Situated between the rolling hills, the resort is well known for its natural hot water springs. Once we’ve set up camp, you’re free to enjoy the pools, walking trails or various other activities on offer here.

Day 5, Musina to Masvingo

We depart early this morning and cross the border into Zimbabwe. Once we have cleared customs we make our way to the historic town of Masvingo and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. You are free to explore these ancient walls at your leisure.

Day 6, Masvingo to Gweru

Today we journey to Gweru, and stop at The Antelope Park. Here there a variety of wildlife species, including giraffe, elephants and zebra. One of the highlights of this Park is 'Walking with the Lions' and there are plenty of other exciting activities to choose from too.

Day 7, Gweru

Spend the day at leisure or try one of the many activities that are available: try your hand at fishing, elephant riding, walk with lions, the list is endless - you can even swim with elephants, assuming it is warm enough to do so!

Day 8, Gweru to Bulawayo

A scenic drive takes us to Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe. It has a nice, laid back atmosphere and its unusually wide streets used to accommodate turning a full span of oxen. Many old British colonial buildings are still maintained as heritage sites and this tree-lined town has many interesting places to visit.

Day 9, Bulawayo

Here we visit the Matobo National Park which is renowned for its many leopards, black eagles and rhino. Many caves and rock paintings are evidence of the ancient San inhabitants in this area and Cecil Rhodes (after whom Rhodesia was named) was buried here at his own request.

Day 10, Bulawayo to Victoria Falls

Now we head north, making our way to one of the natural wonders of the world, the mighty Victoria Falls. Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders) will be a memorable finish to this trip and it's not difficult to see why. At 1700 m wide and approx 100 m high, this is the world's biggest sheet of falling water!

Day 11, Victoria Falls

Today you will have a chance to do a few of the optional activities on offer in this adventure paradise. The Falls can be seen from many viewing points in the Victoria Falls Park or from the Zambian side. You will have many photo opportunities. Bungee jumping enthusiasts can take the plunge from the Zambezi Bridge, which connects Zambia and Zimbabwe and the White water rafting is considered world class. Also, flights over the Vic Falls and the islands are available.

Day 12, Victoria Falls

Spend today walking around this little town with its BIG waterfall, rest by the pool, write your postcards, shop or chill out at a little cafe. If that sounds too relaxing then finish off the adventure activities you haven't tried yet!

Day 13, Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park

This morning we depart Victoria Falls. After a short drive cross the border of Zimbabwe into Botswana and arrive, in Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River. Prepare for a night under Botswana's star-filled skies on a Chobe National Park Sleepout.

Day 14, Chobe National Park

There is the option of a early morning game drive should you wish to spot some game as they come out for a drink in the cool, crisp morning. After lunch we jump on our boat for a cruise along the Chobe River, to spot some more of the world's largest mammals and some of the smallest bird species.

Day 15, Chobe National Park to Maun

Today, after an early morning start, we travel to Maun - the base camp for the Okavango Delta region. We pass by the stark and endless-looking Makgadikgadi Pans so keep an eye out for Elephant and Giraffe as well as birdlife.

Day 16, Maun to Okavango Delta

You have the opportunity to take a 3 day / 2 night excursion into the Delta. You travel in local transport and then in mokoros, the local dug out canoes, which are poled by local guides through the winding waterways. These local canoes are a perfect way to navigate this waterway wonder - the biggest inland Delta in the world. Your guides will select a place out in the bush to set up camp. An afternoon game walk will allow you to experience the Delta wilderness in all its glory.

Day 17, Okavango Delta

Early morning and late afternoon game walks give you time in the middle of the day to relax, chill out and enjoy your surroundings. Why don't you have a go at poling your own mokoro? It is not as easy as it looks!

Day 18, Okavango Delta to Maun

Today we return to Maun, however, you will have the chance for an early morning game walk before packing up camp. There is also the option of a scenic flight over the Delta in the afternoon - the best way to appreciate the expanse of waterways you have travelled through.

Day 19, Maun to Rundu

We head in a north west direction along the Kavango River and enter Namibia. We stock up on supplies in Rundu before reaching our campsite for the night on the banks of the Kavango River. Our campsite is complete with 'open air' facilities and the occasional wild hippo grazing on the lawn.

Day 20, Rundu to Etosha National Park

We arrive at Etosha National Park in the late afternoon. Etosha is Namibia's major nature reserve, covering over 22 000 square kilometres with a large variety of animal and bird species. The park is situated around the Etosha Pan, and has a network of gravel roads that enables us to get to far & remote areas of the park.

Day 21, Etosha National Park

We have a full day of game driving, making our way from east to west, across 150kms of the park. We relax this evening listening to the sounds of Africa. Floodlit waterholes allow us to get as close to the action as possible, and still be behind the fence!

Day 22, Etosha National Park to Cheetah Park

We have a short drive to the Cheetah Park. It is a private farm and you will learn about the conservation of the cheetah population in Namibia. You will also have a chance to meet the resident cheetah's up close!

Day 23, Cheetah Park to Spitzkoppe

After a full day's drive, we arrive at Spitzkoppe. The 1728m high rock formation is one of Namibia's landmarks. You will have a chance to view the bushman paintings and explore the surrounding area at your own speed.

Day 24, Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund

Today we head for Swakopmund, an old German colony founded in 1892. Rest in the excellent coffee shops, restaurants & bars, browse the craft shops selling Namibian curios or check out the museum, aquarium or art galleries. Otherwise take a quiet walk along the beach and get ready for some adrenaline pumping activities!

Day 25 to 26, Swakopmund

Spend the day relaxing or take up one of the many optional activities on offer in this desert town. Skydiving, quad biking, fishing trips, desert flights, golf, water sports, sand boarding and 4WD hire are just a few!

Day 27, Swakopmund to Sesriem

Today we head south, past Walvis Bay enroute to Sesriem. Close by and surrounded by a sea of sand dunes, is Sossusvlei. The top of the dunes, some over 300m high, offers fantastic views of the desert. We spend the afternoon exploring and can enjoy the glorious sunset from the top of a big dune should the weather permit.

Day 28, Sesriem to Fish River Canyon

After a stunning sunrise we leave the Namib - Naukluft Park area and head south to the Fish River Canyon. The second largest canyon in the world was forming by a mixture of both tectonic activity and water erosion. A road follows the canyon rim allowing us access to several viewing points from where we can take in the spectacular view.

Day 29, Fish River Canyon to Orange River - South Africa

Further south we cross over the Orange River, the natural land border of Namibia, and enter South Africa. Our gorgeous campsite rests on the bank of the river. An option this afternoon is to take a canoe trip on the peaceful Orange River and check out the bird life.

Day 30, Orange River - South Africa to Cedarberg

An early morning start sees us travelling south through Namaqualand - well known for its glorious Namaqua wildflowers flooding the fields with colour for miles and miles each spring. We stop for the night in 'Wine Country' and our lovely campsite is surrounded by local wine farms. The stunning scenery ranges from the towering Cederberg Mountains to the flat fields of maize on the plain.

Day 31, Cedarberg Mountains to Cape Town

After passing through the fruit growing area of Citrusdal we cross the Picketberg Pass and head into the Cape's main wine growing regions. On a clear day we will see Table Mountain from afar - assuming the 'Table Cloth' doesn't hamper our efforts - arriving in the 'Mother City' in the afternoon.

Day 32, Cape Town

Your tour ends this morning after breakfast. Make sure to spend a few extra days exploring this cosmopolitan city - the Mother City of South Africa.

Meals included in your tour cost

31 Breakfasts, 27 Lunches, 24 Dinners

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Highlights included in your tour cost

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There are 45 optional activities available on this trip.

Prices shown are approximate

• $60 Abseiling Table Mountain
• $60 Apartheid Museum Tour
• $75 Cape Point Day Trip
• $12 Cape Town City Tour
• $50 Cape Town City Walking Tour
• $60 Cape Town Township Tour
• $75 Cape Winelands Wine Tour
• $35 Chobe National Park Game Drive
• TBA Fishing on the Dam
• TBA Game Fishing
• $75 Game Ride by Horseback
• $110 Gweru Elephant Ride
• $30 Gweru Elephant Swim
• $18 Historical Cape Town on Foot Tour
• $95 Jet Boating on the Zambezi
• $45 Kruger National Park Night Drive
• $150 Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursion
• $80 Okavango Delta Scenic Flight
• $30 Orange River Canoeing
• $60 Paragliding
• $30 Robben Island
• $35 Sossusvlei Guided Walk
• $230 Sossusvlei Scenic Flight
• $85 Swakopmund Quadbiking
• $45 Swakopmund Sandboarding
• $320 Swakopmund Sky Diving
• $70 Swakopmund Township Tour
• $15 Table Mountain Cable Car
• $60 Two Oceans Aquarium Shark Diving
• $140 Victoria Falls Adrenaline Day
• $105 Victoria Falls Bungee Jump
• $110 Victoria Falls Elephant Ride
• $120 Victoria Falls Flight of Angels
• $115 Victoria Falls Helicopter Flight
• $70 Victoria Falls Horse Rides
• $120 Victoria Falls Microlight Flight
• $20 Victoria Falls National Park
• $115 Victoria Falls Rhino Walk
• $75 Victoria Falls Scenic Flight
• $55 Walk with the Lions - Gweru
• $110 White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River
• $65 Zambezi Gorge Swing
• $140 Zambezi River Rafting & Boarding Combo
• $50 Zambezi River Sunset Dinner Cruise
• TBA Zimbabwe Walking Safaris