THE GREAT TREK SAFARI
24 nights & 25 days Cape Town to Johannesburg

safari cost  ·  best season  ·  activities  ·  map of safari

Cape Town - Namaqualand - Fish River Canyon - Sesriem - Namib Desert - Swakopmund - Seal Colony - Twyfelfontein - Etosha - Windhoek - Okavango Delta - Moremi - Chobe River - Victoria Falls

THE HIGHLIGHTS: The Great Trek includes Table Mountain; the Cape of Good Hope; walking through the giant dunes of the Namib Desert; wild camping in the desert and reserves; game drives & night observation of the animals at waterholes in Etosha. 4x4 open vehicle in Moremi Wildlife Reserve; game viewing cruise on the Chobe River; 2 days in Victoria Falls and the Makgadikgadi salt pans.

ITINERARY: GT-CP TOUR CODE

DAY 1: CAPE TOWN
The “Mother City” lies in a spectacular setting between Table Mountain and Table Bay. The day is spent at leisure. Feel free to explore the bustling Waterfront. We meet our guide at the reception of the hotel for a briefing at +-18h00 (Dinner own arrangements). Breakwater Lodge (or similar). (Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis).

DAY 2: CAPE TOWN - TABLE MOUNTAIN, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE - NAMAQUALAND
We leave our hotel early on an excursion up Table Mountain (weather permitting) and to the Cape of Good Hope (weather permitting). In the early afternoon we take the road to Namaqualand and install our camp in the little town of Clanwilliam. (Breakfast and dinner).

DAY 3/4: ORANGE RIVER
Our campsite is situated on the banks of the Orange River, on the border between South Africa and Namibia. Here you have the option of a canoe excursion on the Orange River (optional extra). (All meals).

DAY 5: FISH RIVER CANYON
The Canyon is one of the most staggering sights in Africa (second in size to the Grand Canyon of America). We set up camp near the Canyon and explore the area in the late afternoon and early morning when the colours and shadows of the Canyon are at its best. (All meals).

DAY 6/7: SESRIEM/ SOSSUSVLEI - NAMIB DESERT
The Namib Desert is a great wilderness, a vast solitary place, harsh and utterly primeval, the oldest desert on earth. The gigantic 275m high red and grey dunes are the highest in the world. Sunset and sunrise are enjoyed during our walks in the dunes. (All meals).

DAY 8: SWAKOP VALLEY - WELWITSCHIA
The Welwitschia is an unusual pre-historic plant, a dwarf tree flourishing on the moisture of the Atlantic Coast. Its lifespan is estimated at more than 1,000 years. Our camp in the desert under the bright stars of the southern hemisphere will create a lasting impression. (All meals).

DAY 9: SWAKOPMUND
Swakopmund, with its German colonial atmosphere, is the principal resort of Namibia. This charming town is surrounded by the Namib Desert. Swakopmund bungalows (or similar). (Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis).

DAY 10: SEAL COLONY - CAPE CROSS - TWYFELFONTEIN
The large colony of Cape fur seals (about 50 000) at Cape Cross is a very impressive sight. Twyfelfontein "Fountain of Doubt" possibly has the most spectacular collection of rock paintings and engravings in Africa. Other attractions include the Petrified Forest, which has a large number of fossilised tree trunks, the Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes. (All meals).

DAY 11/12/13: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
This Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa. The pan itself is a vast shallow depression 139km by 50km. It is a ghostly white lake, dazzling with heat waves and mirages for most of the year. Thousands of wild animals such as blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion, elephant etc are attracted to the area. The birdlife is prolific with 326 recorded species. We relax around the swimming pool and enjoy early morning and afternoon game drives. (All meals).

DAY 14: POPA FALLS – CAPRIVI
The Caprivi is a pan-handle that reaches into central Africa from the north-eastern corner of Namibia. It shares rivers and borders with Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We camp on the banks of the Okavango River. (All meals).

DAY 15: MAUN
We travel along the pan-handle and arrive at the “gateway” to the Okavango Delta and Moremi, Maun. We relax around the campfire in the evening. (All meals).

DAY 16/17: OKAVANGO AREA OF MOREMI WILDLIFE RESERVE
Moremi Wildlife Reserve, created in 1968 by the Tawana tribe, is considered by many travellers to be the finest game park in southern Africa. The reserve is situated in the northern corner of the Okavango Delta. It is a pure wilderness area of great beauty, with rich green vegetation, palm trees, teeming with birdlife and a vast population of wild animals. We spend our time exploring the reserve in our open 4x4 safari vehicle. (All meals).

DAY 18: MAUN
We return to Maun for an optional scenic flight (own expense) over the Okavango Delta. (All meals).

DAY 19/20: CHOBE RIVER - KASANE
Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery and magnificent sunsets. We camp on the banks of the Chobe River and spend the day relaxing around the swimming pool. We may see the herds of elephant drinking at the river during our afternoon cruise. (All meals).

DAY 21/22: VICTORIA FALLS/ LIVINGSTONE
The Victoria Falls is without doubt one of the greatest and most unforgettable scenic spectacles, where the waters of the Zambezi River tumble down in continuous thunder. The days are spent at leisure allowing time for the various optional excursions. (All meals excluding 1 dinner).

DAY 23: MAKGADIKGADI PANS
The pans are the remains of a gigantic ancient lake of 6 500 km² where the Okavango River used to flow. The sunset over the pans is unforgettable. (All meals).

DAY 24: MAKGADIKGADI PANS to MOLALA TAU
We cross the Limpopo River into South Africa and install our camp at Molala Tau (the resting-place of the lion). We enjoy the grassy campsite under the shade of acacia trees. (All meals).

DAY 25: JOHANNESBURG
We return to our hotel in Johannesburg at +-16h00. (Breakfast and lunch).

END OF SERVICES

The itinerary will depend on local conditions.

Participation Safari.
Accommodation: 22 nights camping, 2 nights hotel/ chalet in Cape Town and Swakopmund.
Meals: All meals when camping, except 1 dinner in Victoria Falls/ Livingstone. Breakfast only in Cape Town and Swakopmund.
Group Size: 8 - 16 participants.
Sleeping Bag Hire: €33 - must be booked in advance.
Transfers: Transfers in Cape Town and Johannesburg (+-€50 p/p) may be pre-booked.
Important: This safari is recommended for healthy, active participants looking for an adventurous holiday.

Possible optional excursions (booked locally):
• Canoeing on the Orange River.
• Quad-biking, sand-boarding and scenic flights in Swakopmund.
• White-water rafting, microlighting, bungi jumping and abseiling
at Victoria Falls/ Livingstone.

COST: **DISCOUNTED RATES**
The Safari Company offers special rates (from 5% - 10% off the published price) for the The Great Trek Safari. Please contact us for a detailed quote and set departure dates.

Included:
24 nights participating camping in exclusive sites in the reserves and national parks.
All meals when camping.
Park fees in Botswana.
The services of a professional guide.
Excluded:
International & regional airfare, airport taxes, drinks, visa costs, lunches and dinners in Victoria Falls/Livingstone, excursions/entrances in Victoria Falls/Livingstone, gratuities and personal expenses, comprehensive travel insurance.

ACTIVITIES ON THE GREAT TREK SAFARI:
- Table Mountain Excursion
- Walking the Dunes of the Namib Desert
- Game viewing in open sided 4x4 vehicles
- Camping in exclusive campsites
- Sight seeing
- Walking
- Boating on the Okavango Delta
- Game viewing cruise on the Chobe River

BEST SEASON:
Botswana offers great weather all year round. The best season for wildlife is between May and September. Bird watching is best from September to January. The scenery is the most spectacular during the summer months from September to January. January to April offers the opportunity to visit the Central Kalahari and Nxai Pan National Park (Green Season itinerary), due to the road conditions in Moremi and Chobe. Every season brings different attractions and highlights.


MAP:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Please read our terms and conditions for more information on how to book, travel insurance, cancellation fees, baggage and other important information.

The Great Trek Adventure Safari is a nature lovers dream as it visits unspoilt wildlife areas and places of incredible scenic beauty.


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