Hightlights of Southern Africa

When you put the word “highlights” in the name of a trip, you better be confident that it lives up to the hype. This trip does visiting Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Across 30 epic days, you’ll go round-trip to Cape Town via Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia – a new spin on one of our most popular routes – taking local trains and comfortable buses as well as staying in a mix of hotels and campsites for a well-rounded experience.

Wildlife sightings and cultural moments come standard here – everything from searching for the Big Five in national parks to enjoying meals with local families – and once you add in a visit with the cheerful kids at the Planeterra-supported G Hope Africa preschool, you’ve got memories made for a lifetime.

Itinerary

Day 1 Cape Town
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Cape Town
Enjoy a full day in Cape Town with options to visit Robben Island, Table Mountain, exploring Cape Point or embarking on a wine tour around Stellenbosch. In the evening, experience an authentic meal in a local home in a nearby township.

Day 3 Shosholoza Meyl Train
Board the Shosholoza Meyl train at Cape Town station. Enjoy the day with your travel companions playing cards, meeting the locals and checking out the dining car. Drift to sleep to the rhythm of the train. Wake up and opt for a tasty breakfast on board.

Day 4 Johannesburg
Scheduled arrival into Johannesburg is noon. Meet the transfer and local guide and head for a visit to Soweto township. Enjoy a 3-hour bicycle tour around the area.

Days 5-6 Greater Kruger Area/Shalati village
Take the Panorama Route into the Kruger National Park area. Visit the Planeterra-supported G Hope Africa preschool before an afternoon game drive in Kruger NP (own vehicle). Keep an eye out for elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo—Africa's famed Big Five. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dance experience in Shalati.

Day 7 Kruger National Park
Start early for a long day driving straight up the middle of Kruger National Park. While transferring to the northern part of the park there will be ample opportunity to spot animals from the van.

Day 8 Great Zimbabwe National Monument area
Head for the Zimbabwe border and continue on to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument area. Journey through changing landscapes and enjoy the sunset over Lake Mutirikwe.

Days 9-10 Matobo National Park
Start the day with a visit to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Africa's most significant ruins site south of Cairo. Learn the history of the ruins and climb to the citadel for a view over the site. Continue on to Matobo National Park. On Day 10, enjoy an included rhino walk, with the opportunity to get up close and personal with this endangered species. In the afternoon, opt to explore ancient cave paintings, visit the grave of Rhodes, hike the unique and stunning landscape or hang out by the pool.

Day 11 Hwange National Park
Travel to Hwange National Park for one last opportunity to spot wildlife. Enjoy a game drive in the park in our touring vehicle.

Day 12 Hwange NP/Victoria Falls/Livingstone
Opt for more game viewing in the morning before continuing on to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Enjoy the spectacular falls before crossing the border to Livingstone, Zambia.

Day 13 Livingstone
Enjoy free time in Livingstone to experience all the Zambezi area has to offer. Opt for adrenaline activities, shopping for souvenirs in the town market or relax by the waterfront.

Day 14 Chobe Area
Drive to the Chobe Area in Botswana, including a ferry across the Zambezi. Try to spot the elephants, crocs and hippos this region is famous for with an optional river cruise or photo safari.

Day 15 Nata Area
Head to the Nata area for a sunset visit to the salt pans of Makgadikgadi in dry season. Watch the elephants drink from the camp's watering hole at night. Opt for a bushwalk or game drive.

Days 16-17 Okavango Delta/Maun
Prepare for a 1-night/2-day journey into the delta. Enjoy game walks and traditional mokoro excursions. Learn the ways of the bush from the local polers. Opt to take a scenic flight over the delta.

Days 18-19 Windhoek/Kalahari (Ghanzi)
Explore Windhoek and visit the Kalahari Desert. Learn fascinating survival skills by the local San Bushmen on an optional walk and choose to enjoy traditional bushmen dancing in the evening.

Days 20-21 Etosha National Park
Game drive in our own touring vehicle. Opt to go on open safari vehicle game drives in the evening or morning, when the animals are most active.

Days 22-23 Swakopmund
Drive to the historical town of Swakopmund. Optional activities here include sand boarding, a dolphin cruise, sky diving, quad biking and a Living Desert tour.

Days 24-25 Namib Desert
Travel into the Namib Desert, stopping at Walvis Bay on the way. Opt to climb up the breathtaking Dune 45. Visit to Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon.

Days 26-27 Fish River Canyon/Gariep (Orange) River
Travel south across Namibia to Fish River Canyon, the largest in Africa. Continue on to the banks of the Gariep River with time to swim or just relax. Enjoying the beautiful scenery in this part of the country.

Day 28 Lambert's Bay
Cross the border to South Africa and continue down the coast to Lambert's Bay, stopping along the way. Opt to visit Bird Island or stroll through this charming town.

Day 29 Cape Town
Continue on the last stretch of the trip to lovely Cape Town. Enjoy a wine tasting or opt to wander through the vibrant streets of this scenic city on the coast.

Day 30 Cape Town
Depart at any time. We highly recommend booking pre- or post-accommodation to fully enjoy this city.

Trip Specifics