Tour Overview
Cape Town, considered the most beautiful city in the world, enchants visitors with its charming harbor and awe-inspiring Table Mountain. This flat-topped peak that presides over the city can be summited either by foot or by the far less taxing cableway. A trip to the Cape Peninsula offers splendid swimming and wildlife viewing, and a tour of the lush Cape Winelands allows you to sample some of the world's finest wines, rivaling French and Italian vintages. In stark contrast, Namibia might seem one of Earth's most desolate places. With its ancient deserts, parched salt pans and a windblown shoreline littered with the weathered hulls of foundered ships, there would seem little potential for life and color - and little to interest the average traveler. But there is a startling beauty in its vistas - from the multihued dunes of the Namib Desert. And surprisingly, Namibia is home to an incredible variety of plants and animals that have adapted to the extreme climate. Its national parks and wildlife refuges are among the finest in Africa. Namibia is not usually listed among the top destinations in Africa, but it has a lot to offer those looking for an unusual destination off the beaten track. Although its terrain is harsh and demanding, it is actually one of the safer and more stable countries in Africa.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Cape Town, South AfricaArrive Cape Town International Airport. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our local representative who will present you with a welcome packet including necessary documentation. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and balance of day at leisure. Cape Town. The first thing everyone notices is beautiful Table Mountain, a flat-topped stone behemoth that rises above the town, dwarfing even the tallest skyscrapers in the business district. Since the end of apartheid, Cape Town has led South Africa in developing new attractions to appeal to visitors. Those efforts, along with a post-apartheid vitality, have made Cape Town an increasingly popular destination for travelers. Among its many attractions are the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (a shopping and entertainment complex), glorious sun-soaked, sandy beaches and a variety of trendy restaurants and nightclubs. Even more important are the city's history and culture, encapsulated in distinctive neighborhoods like the Bo-Kaap or on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. In fact, it's Cape Town's mix of nationalities and identities - African, European, Asian - make it one of the world's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities.
Four Rosmead Day 02: Cape Town
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day Cape Peninsula tour. In 1578 Sir Francis Drake described it as “The fairest cape in the whole circumference of the globe,” and it still is. The Peninsula can be divided into the Atlantic coast on the west (including the City of Cape Town) and the False Bay coast on the east. With nothing but water all around the peninsula, the weather can be a little unpredictable and the wind can whip itself up into a fury. Luckily when it is howling on one side it is normally quiet on the other, so you can always find a sheltered spot. See for yourself how this spectacular southern tip of Africa became known as the ‘Fairest Cape’. The tour begins with a drive past the pristine beaches of Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno – currently the hottest real estate in the world – to Hout Bay, a functioning harbor and heart of the local crayfish industry. Time permitting, a stop will be made in Hout Bay for a Seal Island cruise (own account). Then, it’s on to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and its scenic viewing point. The spectacular sea and mountain views are reason enough to make the 66km trip from Cape Town. Amid the rocky landscape – home to mountain zebra, eland and ostriches - blooms magnificent Cape flora. After a stop for lunch (own account), continue along the coastline to the beautiful Boulders Beach where you can get close to a colony of penguins. We drive through the naval port of Simon’s Town, the country’s third oldest European settlement. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Breakfast
Four Rosmead Day 03: Cape Town - Cape Winelands
Breakfast at the hotel. Escape to the beauty and tranquility of the Cape Winelands as you depart on a full-day tour. Whether it is its magnificent natural beauty, its rich cultural heritage or its world-renowned wines, the Cape Wine Region is synonymous with all the best that the Cape has to offer. Your full day excursion takes in the tranquility and beauty of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelnads. Experience the rich historical and cultural heritage of South Africa while sampling the wines of merit at these local well -known wine estates. You will take a drive through Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, founded in 1679 by the Dutch East India Company, and today is one of South Africa’s most attractive and best-preserved towns. Dorp Street has a number of carefully restored historic buildings, and the Stellenbosch Village Museum sheds light on the lifestyle of the inhabitants during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Breakfast
Four Rosmead Day 04: Cape Town - Windhoek, Namibia
Transfer to Cape Town International Airport for check in for your onward flight to Windhoek, Namibia. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Windhoek combines the modern city architectural style with that of the German Colonial era. A visit to Windhoek is not complete without an outing to Joe’s Beefhouse, a rustic but fabulous eatery offering great vibes, great Namibian food and plenty of beer and cheer (dinner on own account). Olive Grove Guesthouse is an up-market establishment situated close to the Windhoek city center in a quiet, peaceful area. Each room caters for the needs of the most discerning traveller with an emphasis on simplicity and elegance. There is a large veranda in front of every room, with tables and chairs for al fresco dining. The open-air lounge, spa bath, plunge pool and tranquil garden all invite the visitor to unwind and relax under Namibia’s open skies.
Breakfast
Olive Grove Guesthouse Day 05: Windhoek - Sossusvlei
Meet your bush pilot at the Windhoek International Airport for late morning flight by light aircraft to Sossusvlei, one of Namibia’s top destinations. Sossusvlei with its monumental dunes, up to 325m when measured from the base. These star-shaped dunes area sought after topic for artists and photographers. Formed by strong multi-directional winds, they are their hightest and most spectacular where the west-flowing Tsauchab River empties itself into the vlei. The warm tints of the sand, ranging from apricot to orange, red and maroon, , contract vividly with the dazzling white surfaces of the large deflatonary clay pans at their bases.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Le Mirage Desert Lodge & Spa Day 06: Sossusvlei
Partake in the activities offered by the lodge. Sunrise is the best time to view Sossusvlei, with its strong colors, constantly changing, allowing for wonderful photographic opportunities. Later climb to the top of the dunes to see the magnificent views.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Le Mirage Desert Lodge & Spa Day 07: Sossusvlei - Swakopmund
After breakfast depart by light aircraft and fly over Sossusvlei to gain a different perspective of the area from the air on your onward journey to Swakopmund. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring this quaint seaside town. Swakopmund’s famous coffee shop, Café Anton, serves traditional German confections, including black forest cream cake, Florentines and the ever-popular bee sting, all baked on the premises and a must for all visitors to Swakopmund.
Breakfast
Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Center Day 08: Swakopmund
This morning depart from Walvis Bay for a wonderful boat trip with frequent sightings of dolphins, seals, and sometimes penguins or whales. Cruise includes oysters, snacks and sparkling wine. Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast
Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Center Day 09: Swakopmund - Windhoek - Depart
After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to Swakopmund Airport for your return flight (cost not included) to Cape Town for your onward departure.
Breakfast
Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Center
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK (2NTS/3DAYS) Day 09: Swakopmund - Etosha National Park
After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to Swakopmund Airport for your flight to Ongava Concession in Etosha where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Etosha , known as ‘the place of dry water’ offers a truly unique wildlife experience. Ongava Tented Camp is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve. Ongava is the ideal place from which to base your activities when visiting Etosha. Meals are either served in the main dining area under thatch with a view over the water hole - or on the dining deck under the stars. In the afternoon and evening you have the opportunity to enjoy walks, game-hides and night drives within the private Ongava Reserve, activities not possible within Etosha. Lion, Leopard, Elephant, White Rhino and Black Rhino as well as all the plains game can be seen here. Tracking Rhino on foot is one of Ongava's highlights. This fternoon game viewing activity in Ongava. Optional night game drive in Ongava Reserve is available.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ongava Tented Camp Day 10: Etosha National Park - Ongava Private Game Reserve
Today spend the day partaking in the activities of the camp. Explore the waterholes along this enormous saltpan. Etosha is one of Africa’s major wildlife sanctuaries, covering an area of approximately 22,270 km. Animals observed in the park include the spotted and brown hyena, the ‘Big Five’, black-faced impala, cheetah, various antelope and 325 species of birds.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ongava Tented Camp Day 11: Etosha - Windhoek - Depart
After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to airport for your return flight to Windhoek airport to connect to your onward departure to Johannesburg or Cape Town.
Breakfast
