Southern Africa Southbound: Dunes, Deltas & Falls

Now's the time to explore Africa on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. Culture? Check. Epic scenery? In spades. Animals? You bet. This 21-day tour is the ultimate expedition into southwestern Africa. Experience wildlife safari drives, leave footprints on the world's highest sand dunes, wonder at the majesty of Victoria Falls, and canoe through wildlife-rich deltas. Our overland adventure vehicles (OAVs) are an adventurous and inexpensive way to see the highlights while wilderness camping gets you closer to the region’s wildlife. Drift off to sleep to the call of cranes and awake to the rustle of elephants grazing on nearby riverbanks. It's better than any meditation soundtrack you've ever heard.

Day 1 Victoria Falls
Arrive at any time.

Tonight, head out with your CEO and group to further explore together in Victoria Falls. Sip a drink at Shearwater Village after your welcome meeting. Sit back, relax, enjoy the rushing sound of the falls, down a beer, and get to know your fellow travel mates as the adventure begins.

Day 2 Victoria Falls
Get close and personal with one of the largest waterfalls in the world on this free day in Victoria Falls. Feel the strength of the water splashing your skin on the observation deck as you take in the sound of tons of water thundering over the edge of the falls in the distance and make your day as relaxing or hair-raising as you like.

For the adventurous we recommend going whitewater rafting, taking a scenic helicopter flight over the falls (epic selfies anyone?), or taking the plunge (literally) while bungee jumping with Victoria Falls in sight. (Oh man... just thinking of that makes our heads spin and our palms sweat!) Not looking to turn your hair gray today? Either way the choice is yours, but remember you’re here now so why not escape those comfort zones?

Day 3 Victoria Falls/Kasane
Buckle those seat belts and as the mist from the falls leaves the air cross the border from Zimbabwe into Botswana. Waste no time and choose to take a wildlife viewing boat cruise along the fertile lands of the Chobe River. Then relax and unwind at camp with your group, telling stories, singing songs, and just enjoying one another's company in this serene country.

Day 4 Kasane/Gweta
Rise early to the sounds of nature around you and opt for a wildlife safari drive in an open safari vehicle in Chobe National Park. Then, travel south with your group to Gweta. As you drive to your next destination have a look out the windows in the Lando at the surrounding grasslands. They are teeming with life and are home to many antelope. Keep your eyes focused as the world passes you by, and then reward yourself after this long journey with a group toast as you camp under the stars shining through the branches of ancient baobab trees.

Day 5 Gweta/Maun
Wake up to the image of the sun rising behind huge baobab trees and watch as the light turns the landscape varying shades of pinks, oranges, and reds. You can’t help but feel completely isolated from the rest of the world in the middle of nowhere... savour that moment. Then it’s time to hit the road to Maun where the adventures continue! Set up camp, unwind with your friends.

Day 6 Maun/Okavango Delta
Today is going to be busy, but fun! Travel to the Delta then dive right into some nature with a wildlife walk. The cool thing about being on foot is that you will get to learn about tracking the animals and gain insight into their movement patterns and behaviour more than if you were just in a vehicle.

Explore the Okavango delta in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) to do some birdwatching on the way to our basic bush camp for the evening. Set up camp, and simply unwind with a sundowner around the campfire. Cheers!

Day 7 Maun/Ghanzi
Kiss the shores of the Okavango Delta goodbye and hop into a mokoro with your friends on the way back to Maun. Search for wildlife in the reeds along the river as you make your way back towards civilization. Zoom through the western part of Botswana to Ghanzi; the heart of the Kalahari. Catch a glimpse of how the local San People adapted to the Kalahari Desert on an optional bushman walk. They will teach you about wilderness survival skills in a place that seems uninhabitable.

Day 8 Ghanzi/Windhoek
Stretch those legs, wave farewell to the San People, and hop in the Lando headed for Windhoek. Laugh, reflect, and listen to each other's stories as you cross the border into Namibia. Check another country off those travel lists and choose to grab a meal together in the evening.

Day 9 Windhoek/Waterberg Plateau
Hit the road in style in the Lando as the group travels to the G Adventures-supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, just outside of Windhoek. There you will pick up your tasty packed lunch before continuing on to Waterberg Plateau.

You’ll be itching to stretch those legs so hit the trails in this gorgeous national park searching for secret plunge pools and wildlife such as buffalo, and giraffe along the way. Or if you are looking to relax chill out by the pool of the group campsite.

Day 10 Waterberg Plateau/Etosha National Park
“Lions and elephants, and springboks… oh my!” Get ready to spot some wildlife as your group enjoys a short safari drive in Etosha National Park in the Lando as your head towards camp. Don’t worry even if you have had a taste of African wildlife before visiting Namibia you are still likely to become mesmerized here. So have those cameras at the ready because you never know when you might need to snap a photo!

Tonight, rest up for the day ahead, explore the campgrounds, write in your travel journal, or take a dip in the pool.

Day 11 Etosha National Park
It’s time to adventure in 3… 2… 1!

Today, your group will embark on a full-day wildlife safari drive in Etosha NP. It’s crazy the amount of animal species that occupy this smaller protected area (more than 100 different mammals call Etosha home). Try not to let your attention wander as you move further and further into the wild lands of Etosha. Play some eye-spy with your travel buddies and go crazy with those cameras because we can’t wait to see what you experience!

The coolest thing about this national park is that because of its size and the large amount of animals within it’s almost as if the wildlife comes directly to you; especially during the dry season (May through October) when the animals all gather around the waterholes creating some of the densest wildlife viewing opportunities in the world.

Day 12 Etosha National Park/Spitzkoppe
We get it you may not want to leave Etosha and the paradise you found there, but there’s still some pretty amazing things to see on this trip so let’s keep moving. Today, you will travel south with your group to enjoy the rocky peaks of Spitzkoppe.

What is Spitzkoppe you ask? Great question! It’s been dubbed the “Matterhorn” of Namibia, but basically if you are the type of person who loves epic climbing, hiking, camping, stargazing, sunrises, and sunsets then Spitzkoppe will have a very special place in your heart.

Once the Lando comes to a stop the day is yours to explore as you will. This mountaineering paradise will have you breaking out of your comfort zones in no time. Scramble up rock faces to get that perfect view, take selfies under the natural rock arch, get some artsy photos as the sun sets, and after cooking up some grub around the campfire get ready to see the milky way light up the night sky.

Day 13 Spitzkoppe/Swakopmund
Wake up and feel like you crash landed on Mars. Gaze in wonder at this wild landscape and let peace wash over you (trust us you’re going to need it) before the group travels through the coastal region of Namibia to the adrenaline capital of Swakopmund.

Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the mighty Namib desert this coastal city has strong German heritage which is reflected in the architecture around town. The group will spend two nights in Swakopmund so fear not you have time for all of the things you may want to try.

Day 14 Swakopmund
The day is yours! Grab some friends or set off alone and conquer this outdoor lovers paradise. From skydiving to sandboarding there’s no shortage of activities to try. Flip a coin to see which will be your fate or even better try them all (we have our eyes set on the Skeleton Coast scenic flight)!

Day 15 Swakopmund/Namib Desert
Bid farewell to lovely Swakopmund and zoom off in the Lando to the oldest desert in the world. Write, vlog, reflect, nap, and laugh together as the group travels further south to where you will be camping on the edge of the Namib Desert. Once there, set up camp, take in the vastness of your surroundings and choose to walk with a local expert who will tell you stories of the desert and its mysteries. Fall asleep under a blanket of stars and feel the eerie calm of this place.

Day 16 Namib Desert
Embrace the bizarreness of this environment by really taking the time to explore it. Wander through the stunning rock formations of the Sesriem Canyon and learn how it got its name. Visit the canyon early for mild temperatures and try to discover some of the pools of water that allow animals to survive in this harsh climate. Marvel at light bouncing off the canyon walls and let yourself feel small.

After this taste of exploration you will probably want to continue so choose to embark on the Sossuvlei Desert Walk to visit a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes and conquer climbing up the breathtaking (literally) Dune 45.

Return to your campsite and gather round for some dinner on the braai before falling asleep with the shadow of the mountains as your view in the distance.

Day 17 Namib Desert/Fish River Canyon
While the group has a lot of ground to cover today don’t let that daunt you. You have been so on the go lately you won’t mind the rest of a long drive (besides, by now you probably have loads to talk about with everyone).

The next stop is Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa, and arguably the second largest in the world. Hop off the Lando, do some stretches, take in the majestic beauty of the canyon, and together watch as the vibrant sunset slips over the canyon’s rim. Then it’s on to camp to enjoy each other's company on a night around the fire.

Day 18 Fish River Canyon/Orange River
It’s time to cross another country off those travel lists as the group heads into South Africa! You will be camping at the scenic Orange River for the night where you can kick back, relax, reflect on how epic this trip has been, and enjoy a late afternoon swim in the river.

If you are still in need of some activity choose to book a canoe excursion on the river. Other than that your job today is to enjoy yourself and have a relaxing time.

Day 19 Orange River/Cederberg
Yes, we know you could stay at the oasis of Orange River for much longer than one night, but this group has things to do and places to see so get a move on further south past large plantations of rooibos tea viewing the dramatic Western Cape scenery as you go.

You’ll be stopping for the night amidst the Cederberg mountains, where you can enjoy wine tasting, relaxing by the pool, and a camp fire.

Day 20 Cederberg/Cape Town
It’s the group's last travel day so have some fun! Watch as the Cederberg Mountains fade into the distance on the way to the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. Along the way you will be stopping at the G Adventures-supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre where you will learn about the history and culture of the ancient Sans people and be able to directly help this centre preserve that heritage.

Then enjoy the beautiful views of Table Mountain as you arrive into vibrant Cape Town. And hey a little party never hurt anyone so why not choose to head out for a final night of good times with your G travel family?

Day 21 Cape Town
Depart at any time.

But why would you want to right? If you aren't ready to go home just yet that's totally fine, simply talk with your CEO about extending your adventure and get to know more of South Africa or beyond!