Cape Town to Victoria Falls - Hotel/Lodge
Experience Overview
Cape Town to Victoria Falls is one of the world’s great journeys. Starting in Cape Town, the most cosmopolitan city in South Africa, this trip travels through the spectacular desert landscape of Namibia, wildlife-rich game parks in Namibia and Botswana and finally to the mighty Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border. This is an adventure through the heart of the most dramatic scenery in southern Africa, with rich culture, diverse wildlife and the opportunity to take part in numerous activities along the way.
Profile
— Accommodation: 19 Classic nights (16 hotel/lodge, 3 guesthouse) — Camping and lodge departures available — Travel in a purpose-built overland truck — Some long drives on rough roads and early starts
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 19 Classic nights (16 hotel/lodge, 3 guesthouse) — Camping and lodge departures available — Travel in a purpose-built overland truck — Some long drives on rough roads and early starts
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
We run both camping and lodge/hotel departures for this trip, both following a similar itinerary.
Lodge/hotel departures offer an accommodated version of the camping trip, staying in a range of two- and three-star hotels, chalets and lodges. Breakfasts are eaten either at the lodge restaurant or are prepared by the local team, while lunches and dinners are typically prepared by the leaders and are enjoyed in a camp setting to capture the true open-air African experience. Some dinners are eaten in lodge/hotel restaurants too.
Transport for all departures is in a specially modified safari vehicle. All vehicles carry a reference library, fridge and/or icebox. Around 80 percent of Namibian roads are good gravel roads. However, the road conditions are completely dependent on how they are being maintained at the time and conditions can be poor on occasion. This can have an impact on journey times and comfort. Distances are long on some days, as this trip covers 3,100mi (5,000km), but take in an amazing variety of landscapes and wildlife. Game drives are completed in the vehicle we use throughout the tour (with the exception of optional game drives). Drive times stated are approximations and vary with road conditions and the number of stops.
Where we travel in South Africa is safe and the risk of crime is generally low. However, there are important steps that can be taken to minimise the risk of theft and these include leaving valuables in your hotel safe, at home, or concealed in the vehicle when not needed. Do not carry more cash than you need, as cards are widely accepted in South Africa. If using an ATM, do not do this alone and be mindful of your surroundings. It is not advisable to walk around after dark, particularly in Cape Town where you can easily and inexpensively take an Uber or ask your hotel to arrange a taxi.
There are a number of walks on this itinerary but most are short and on relatively easy terrain. The most challenging is the two hour walk to the White Lady rock paintings as the conditions can be hot and there are some boulders to navigate.
Legal note: All group members joining this tour are asked to sign an indemnity form at the start of the trip. This is a requirement of the South African Tourism Service Association, of which our local supplier is a member. As a client of Exodus Travels Ltd, your rights under the Package Travel Regulations (1992) are unaffected, and Exodus remains liable for the actions of our sub-contractors.
Group Description
The trip is guided by a tour leader and driver.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts and four lunches are included.
We suggest you allow about US$450 for meals not included in the itinerary. Most included meals are prepared by the crew (sometimes it is not easy to get fresh meat). The general standard of food is good and vegetarians are well catered for. Please notify us of specific dietary requirements.
The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. If you would rather have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we would encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption.
Transportation
The vehicle normally used for this trip is a specially modified safari truck. Seating is forward facing and the windows are large and easy to open. People are expected to move around to permit everyone a chance to have a window seat. There is plenty of legroom and packing space. All vehicles carry a reference library and icebox. The roads are generally excellent in South Africa with little traffic. Even the dirt roads are usually smooth and well maintained. Some of the areas we visit in Namibia are very remote and the roads are not always well maintained so it can be bumpy at times. There are four or five long driving days, but the scenery is breath-taking so this should not prove too much of a hardship. It can get cold on the truck in winter, so a warm, windproof jacket is recommended, though it is generally hot in summer.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Dock Rd &, Alfred St, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8012
Phone: +27 21 419 9450
Recommended arrival time: Aim to arrive around mid-afternoon
Airport: Cape Town Airport (CPT)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Flights via Johannesburg
If you are travelling on flights via Johannesburg, please note that you will need to collect your baggage in Johannesburg, even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Victoria Falls (and even if you are told you do not need to pick it up). After collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Victoria Falls (VFA) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
June, July and August, while clear and warm during the day, can be cold and even drop to below freezing at night. Between September and May, it is considerably warmer with the time between October and March being the hottest, getting up to the high 30Cs (around 100F) and sometimes above. However, it is always a dry heat and the temperature does drop at night. The wet season is between November and February, but this is not a bad time to go, as it generally does not rain for very long.
Spending Money
Allow the equivalent of US$15‐US$20 per day for drinks, souvenirs and incidentals.
Many optional activities are available, and a few of these are listed below. Please note, some of these activities involve an element of risk.
Optional excursions (prices are approximate and subject to change)
There are several optional activities along the way, such as ocean fishing, white-water rafting, boat rides and scenic flights but there’s plenty to occupy you if you don’t participate. These activities can be paid in local currency or card in South Africa and Namibia, and in local currency, US dollars or card in Botswana and card or US dollars in Zimbabwe.
Namibia
— Deadvlei: 200 Namibian dollars (US$10) — Flight over Sossusvlei: 5,780-15,000 Namibian dollars (US$310-US$805) depending on numbers — Ocean fishing: 2,000 Namibian dollars (US$110) — Township tour: 750 Namibian dollars (US$40) — Etosha late afternoon game drive: 650 Namibian dollars (US$35)
Victoria Falls (US dollars, rates are approximate)
— White-water rafting: US$132 — Sunset cruise: US$65 — Victoria Falls entry on Zimbabwean side: US$50
Please note that the Table Mountain cable car closes during winter for its annual maintenance. We advise checking their website for exact dates. The cable car at Table Mountain is approximately US$25. You can also pre‐purchase cable car tickets online – they are valid for seven days from the chosen date.: https://www.tablemountain.net/
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work, but we would still recommend for your leader and driver approximately US$5 per person per day.
Tipping is expected but not compulsory in all sub-Saharan countries visited on this trip. In most restaurants, an average of tipping 10 percent is common and service staff as well as local guides rely on tipping as part of their wages, but be sure to check. This tip is voluntary and can be declined if service was unsatisfactory.
Highlights
— Complete one of our great African expeditions, traversing four diverse nations in a small group — Kick off the adventure in Cape Town, sampling wine and visiting penguins — Marvel at the mountainous dunes of Sossusvlei in the early morning light — Safari in Etosha National Park, with two full days searching for elephants, lions and more — Cruise the wildlife-rich waterways of the Okavango River and Chobe National Park — Witness the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the Natural Wonders of the World
Trip Details
Product Code: 4300
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: n summer.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: AZVPA
Starts: Cape Town, Botswana
Finishes: Cape Town, Botswana
Duration: 20 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All breakfasts, four lunches — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughoutAccommodation
Lodges and guesthousesOn this Cape Town to Victoria Falls adventure, we spend 16 nights in hotels/lodges and three nights in a guesthouse. The accommodations we typically use are on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable places we stay on this trip. Brandberg: Brandberg White Lady Lodge (night 10) Our Brandberg stay, which is partially run by the local Damara community, is in the middle of nowhere. From the viewpoint, you will not see another property, just the ruggedly beautiful landscape of Damaraland and possibly some desert elephants in the distance. There’s also a dining area, well-stocked bar, lounge, and two swimming pools. Etosha National Park: Chalets in Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni (nights 11-13) In Etosha, we stay within the national park itself – a huge plus for any animal lover. The resorts we use are either Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni. Each has a restaurant, swimming pool and bar but the highlights are the flood-lit waterholes where wildlife regularly stops to drink and bathe. Worth knowing In Cape Town, groups might be accommodated in different but similar properties. Our accommodation in Fish River Canyon is basic but the best option in a very remote area. Due to the limited amount of accommodation within Etosha National Park, it may be necessary to sleep outside the park on some or all of the nights we are there. This will not impact the number of game drives we have within the park. Wifi is available about half the time but not always very reliable.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $7,375 ($369 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Cape Town, a culture-filled port city beautifully placed between mountain and sea. This afternoon, there may be the opportunity for an optional excursion up Table Mountain via cable car, if the weather is good. The views across the city on a clear day are incredible. If the weather is not good, we have a free afternoon with the opportunity to explore the buzzy V&A Waterfront. Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (or similar)
We generally begin with a drive along the spectacular Chapman’s Peak drive (occasionally this drive is closed so we have to go around it) via Houtbay. Continuing to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, we have time to walk to the lighthouse and then along the boardwalk to the Cape of Good Hope. We then take a short visit to the Boulders Beach penguin colony and enjoy lunch. In the late afternoon, we visit a wine farm – the area surrounding Cape Town is renowned for its wine and we get a chance to sample some of the local produce. The order of activities in Cape Town is flexible as everything hinges around going up Table Mountain when the weather is best. Evening meals can be enjoyed at various beach restaurants – Cape Town is a paradise for food and drink lovers! Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (or similar)
We leave Cape Town and travel through farmlands of citrus, maize, cattle and sheep as we start the journey towards Namibia. Our first stop is in the fertile Olifants River Valley, providing a glimpse into the agricultural lifestyle of the Western Cape. Drive: About five hours Accommodation: Highlanders Lodge (or similar)
Today we drive to Orange River (five hours plus one-hour border crossing), where the southern border of Namibia meets South Africa. There is free time to relax this afternoon. Our accommodation for the night has a picturesque riverbank setting. Drive: 280mi (450km), six to seven hours Accommodation: Felix Unite Cabanas (or similar)
In the morning, we enjoy a canoe trip on the Orange River. It is not tough on the water and the trip gives us the chance to see the flora and fauna of the region as we drift by. We then take a three-hour drive to the second largest canyon on earth: Fish River Canyon. The views from the canyon rim are spectacular and there is time for a short walk along it in the afternoon. Accommodation: Seeheim Hotel (or similar)
We have a day’s travel along the edge of the Namib-Naukluft National Park to Sesriem, where we stay overnight outside the park. Drive: 341mi (550km), 7hr to 7hr 30min Accommodation: Taleni Desert Camp (or similar)
We leave our lodge early to spend the morning at the Sossusvlei dunes, one of the great sights of Africa. While we cannot enter the park until sunrise, the early morning light on the dunes is still a spectacular sight and worth getting up for. Those feeling energetic have the opportunity to climb Dune 45. We enjoy a picnic breakfast at the dunes and take a 1.2mi (2km) walk into the Hiddenvlei area (optional one-way shuttle transfer instead). If we’re lucky, we may see gemsbok, ostriches or black-backed jackals among the dunes, an irresistibly photogenic scene! In the afternoon, we visit Sesriem Canyon. Accommodation: Taleni Desert Camp (or similar)
We have a long, spectacular drive through Namib-Naukluft National Park to Swakopmund via Walvis Bay to see flamingos in their thousands (in season: summer). This national park, one of the largest in the world, is home to one of the driest and oldest deserts on earth. It contains some of the finest desert scenery in Africa with towering, jagged rock formations and incredible lunar landscapes. Drive: 185mi (300km), four to five hours Accommodation: Hotel A La Mer (or similar)
Swakopmund is the adventure sports capital of Namibia, and we have a full day here to enjoy the optional adventure activities on offer: go on a dolphin cruise or township tour or take a flight over the desert! Alternatively, explore the German-style town and visit some of the excellent cake shops. Accommodation: Hotel A La Mer (or similar)
We leave the Atlantic coast and head inland towards Brandberg, the highest mountain in Namibia. We enjoy a walk through Valley 45 for approximately two hours to the White Lady rock painting which, along with several other small paintings and engravings, are thought to have been left by indigenous San people at least 2,000 years ago. Drive: 155mi (250km), four hours Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady Lodge (or similar)
In the morning, we drive north to Etosha National Park where some of the best wildlife viewing in the world can be found. We should arrive at Etosha, which means the Great White Place of Dry Water, in time for a late afternoon game drive before arriving at our camp where there is a waterhole for game viewing at night. Drive: 250mi (400km), five to six hours Accommodation: Etosha Park Chalets (or similar)
We have a long drive through local villages to the Okavango River – the main watercourse supplying the Okavango Delta. Drive: 400mi (650km), eight hours Accommodation: Rainbow River Lodge (or similar)
We take a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) ride from our camp on the Okavango River. Please note, the river may be flooded in March/April and we may have to substitute our mokoros for a boat. The birdlife is prolific and, at certain times of the year, so is the game. Gliding through the waterways by mokoro is the ideal way to absorb the tranquillity of the place. We also have the option of a village tour to meet the local community. Accommodation: Rainbow River Lodge (or similar)
Drive through the Caprivi Strip and into Botswana to the Chobe National Park area in Kasane, home to huge numbers of elephants and hippos. Drive: 250mi (400km), 5hr 30min to 6hr, plus one-hour border crossing Accommodation: Kwalape Lodge (or similar)
Today we have an early morning game drive in Chobe National Park and an afternoon boat ride on the Chobe River where it is possible to view huge herds of elephants coming down to drink as well as many other types of game. For bird lovers, the river provides a home for the majestic African fish eagle and several species of brightly coloured bee-eaters. The area surrounding the Chobe River typically has the highest concentration of wildlife within the park as animals congregate here, particularly in the dry season (April to October). Accommodation: Kwalape Lodge (or similar)
We drive to Victoria Falls after a leisurely breakfast, a small town on the Zimbabwean side of the glorious Victoria Falls (entrance own expense US$50). The waterfall itself is majestic, the activities enthralling and the scenery of the Upper Zambezi beautiful. Drive: 62mi (100km), 1hr 30min to 2hr, plus a border crossing of one to two hours Accommodation: Shearwater Explorers Village (or similar)
Today you have a free day to enjoy the numerous activities on offer such as flights over the falls, white-water rafting, game viewing, or crossing into Zambia to see the falls from a different side (please note, you need a Zambian visa if you wish to see the falls from the other side). Accommodation: Shearwater Explorers Village (or similar)
The adventure ends in Victoria Falls. If you would like more time to explore this magnificent part of the world, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Juho Ranta-Aho - Traveled, October 2022
Well planned Trip, left room for improvements The trip was good but definitely not in Top 3 on my Exodus Trips. Despite what the Trip Notes and Exodus description might say about this trip it is actually all about Namibia with very brief drive throughs in South Africa and Botswana. So this trip is great for all those who want to see and experience Namibia as the vast majority of the trip is spent there. The itinerary for the trip was good but this time it really felt someone had decided to play the scrooge. Some of the hotels were clearly sub-standard. When you send people to a land tour at the time when it is almost 40 degrees outside and if you pay almost 5,000 pounds for the trip, you are entitled to expect working air-conditioning. Especially the Seeheim Hotel in Namibia was rubbish. Same applies to the vehicle used on this trip. Our truck broke down three times during the trip and again, no air-conditioning on the truck. If Exodus really wants to do this cheap and cheerful style, then by all means but based on my previous trips I expected more and this was disappointing. Some of the items on the Trip Notes did not materialise either, for example there was no vineyard visit in South Africa. So Exodus might check a bit better as to what to include in the Itinerary or Trip Notes. And it is a bit weird to finish the tour on Victoria Falls if you do not even include the visit / entrance in the falls. That is the main reason to go to that city in Zimbabwe. Having said that, there were plenty of good things on this trip as well and if Namibia is what you want to see, then this trip has it in abundance. Stunning country. Especially Fish River Canyon was very impressive, so was Etosha National Park. Swakopmund was great too! But do not go to this trip if it is Botswana, South Africa or Zimbabwe you want to see. There are better trips to see those countries than this one. At the end of the day, this trip is about Namibia, no matter what the Trip Notes or Exodus description might suggest. But we had a great gang on this trip and Jonathan and LeRoy did great job! Most Inspirational Moment Etosha National Park was great and probably my favourite part of the trip! We saw so much wildlife there. Fish River Canyon was also very impressive and I really liked the Orange River canoe trip. Thoughts on Group Leader Jonathan and LeRoy did the best they could in sometimes tough conditions. They worked hard and were fun to travel with. No bad thing to say about them. Really nice guys both of them. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for lots of early starts / wake-ups and long days in the truck. Take some good reading or iPad with you to keep yourself entertained during the long drives in the desert. Good walking shoes will take a long way on this trip. And don't take this trip if you are more interested in Botswana or Zimbabwe or South Africa than Namibia. The first mentioned countries will be swept through on this trip. Suggestions Mask Expeditions (who was Exodus sub-contractor on this trip) had really been cheapskate and provided the worst trucks I have seen on any of the Exodus trips. They just kept breaking down. You really need to put much more effort on the vehicles on this trip. That was the definite low point on this trip. if you plan a trip where you travel over 5,000 km, there will need to be a vehicle that can do that and with air conditioning at least when you have 40 degrees outside. Cape Town to Victoria Falls – Hotel/Lodge Reply from Exodus We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review, Juho, and particularly for sharing such positive feedback about our local team. On the other hand, we are genuinely sorry that you were disappointed with aspects of your accommodation. At the end of every season, our product managers and local managers review all feedback from clients and staff who have undertaken trips, to see where improvements can be made, and there is always scrutiny on Southern Africa as we send so many groups to this part of the world. While the majority of our clients who travelled on this tour in 2022 rated the accommodation as either “Good” or “Excellent” in our Holiday Evaluation Forms, which makes us confident that that the hotels, lodges and guesthouses used on this trip meet the 2/3* standards we expect, we have spoken to the management of the Seeheim Hotel about your comments to give them the opportunity to make changes. We have subsequently received much better feedback about this property, which, for context, is used for a one-night stopover and has a great location nearby Fish River Canyon, which means shorter driving times at the end of a busy day. We are further sorry to learn that you felt your vehicle was unsuitable and broke down several times, as I can appreciate this must have been extremely frustrating. We highlight in our trip literature that roads in Namibia are punishing on vehicles, and we are aware that surfaces have deteriorated in recent years, but it is unusual for so many breakdowns to occur on one trip. We have followed up with our local manager on the issues your group encountered and hope that future groups will have a smoother experience; we realise this cannot change things for you, however, and we remain apologetic for the disruption caused to your trip. John Penge, Product Manager
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2022
Paul Kelly - Traveled, October 2019
Cape Town to vic falls A great full on trip seeing loads of animals, meeting many different local people. Most Inspirational Moment Visiting townships and meeting locals, especially the children who were genuinely pleased to see us. Thoughts on Group Leader Very knowledgeable and caring, we were invited to a leaders home in a township for dinner, very good evening with singing and dancing. Advice for Potential Travellers Prepare for early starts, don’t pack non essentials, take $US and use atms.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/21/2019
Joanne McMullan - Traveled, September 2019
Cape Town to Victoria Falls Lodging Have just completed this epic journey and can honestly say it’s been one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever taken. It’s really more of an expedition than a holiday, but for that very reason delivers so much. We covered around 5600km in 3 weeks so that involves a lot of early starts and long days spent bumping about on dusty, rocky roads. The diversity of experience however makes it totally worthwhile – from the hustle and bustle of Cape Town to the red sands of Namibia and the quiet majesty of the Okavango Delta. Most Inspirational Moment For me, the most inspirational moment was when our guide Timon organised for us to have dinner with a local family in one of the townships in Swakopmund. I have never been made to feel so welcome by complete strangers in my entire life. The memory of the hospitality, good humour, excellent food and crazy dancing will stay with me to the end of my days. Thoughts on Group Leader Timon was absolutely superb, demonstrating great patience, empathy and outstanding leadership throughout. Some of my best memories are as a result of the nights we spent listening to his stories from years of experience in the tourism industry - all told with such energy and genuine enthusiasm. He was also an exceptional cook - anyone who can rustle up Chicken A La King from the back of a truck in the dust and heat in the middle of nowhere gets my seal of approval! A real asset to Exodus. Advice for Potential Travellers Please, please come with an open mind and prepare to step out of your comfort zone. You will stay in a variety of places - some very comfortable, some less so .... they’ll all be clean and safe. That’s all you need. Also, take the advice of your guide/s. They are all well trained and know the conditions/circumstances on the ground. You’ll get so much more out of the trip if you just go with the flow and let them lead the way. Suggestions Africa is a huge and diverse continent. There are sights and sounds you’ll never encounter at home, and some traditions and conditions that might make you uncomfortable. The landscape is incredible and the food is top quality, but for me it was the people who made my trip - from fellow travellers to our crew and the local people along the way. If you take the time to listen to their stories, your experience will be even richer. Oh, and finally, take more $$$ than the trip notes suggest - I think the amount recommended somewhat underestimates how expensive the countries visited actually are.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/20/2019
Kathleen Ramsey - Traveled, April 2019
An exciting three-week trip This was a wonderful introduction to Southern Africa. Although there were some long days travelling, the constantly changing scenery in Namibia was a delight, and we gained an appreciation of the vastness and emptiness of the country. The bus was noisy but not uncomfortable, and with eleven members of the party, there was plenty of room for us to move around. We had a brief introduction to the Cape Town area, then travelled north firstly through farmland in South Africa, and then through the wonderful Namibian desert scenery before spending a few days observing the wild animals in Etosha (Namibia) and then in Chobe (Botswana). Victoria Falls made a spectacular end to our trip. Most Inspirational Moment My main reason for choosing this trip was to see the desert landscape in Namibia and visit Victoria Falls, both of which exceeded my expectations. The scenery in Sossusvlei and Deadvlei was spectacular. However, I was bowled over by the variety of wildlife we saw on game drives in Etosha, and very much enjoyed observing the interactions between animals at the waterholes. Thoughts on Group Leader Jonathan (our leader) and Molifi (our driver) made a good team. They were well-organised and despite being on duty virtually all the time, they were both unfailingly cheerful and helpful. They prepared some excellent lunches and suppers for us, and did their best to make sure that we got the most out of our African experience. Advice for Potential Travellers Unemployment is very high in Zimbabwe and most people are very poor; we left all our partly-used toiletries, dressings, basic medicines and even some clothing to be distributed by a local charity. Had we realised how short most people are of basic necessities, we would have made sure we had more with us to leave there. Zimbabwe is expensive and cash is not available from ATMs. The border crossing into Zimbabwe was frustrating, and we had to queue for well over two hours in the hot sun. Make sure you are adequately prepared for the wait (sunscreen, hats, drinks). Suggestions The optional visit to a village settlement in northern Namibia was sobering but worth experiencing. On our free day in Swakopmund, we booked on the morning Living Desert tour, which was worth doing, despite the early start. We chose to go over into Zambia on our free day in Victoria Falls, to see the cascades from the other side. It was well worth the effort, as you can get closer to the falls and can climb down to the river side at Boiling Pot, as well as visit the top of the falls. Taking or hiring a waterproof can limit the extent of the inevitable soaking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/25/2019
beverley wynne - Traveled, October 2018
Cape Town to Vic Falls We thoroughly enjoyed this adventure! Our driver guides Jonathan and Ante worked long hours driving us and cooking our food, they were humorous and informative keeping 16 of us in line. Our group was a great bunch which made the driving times (which are VERY LONG) quite fun. There is a lot of “Bushy Bushy” stops along the way. All the accommodations were great. The only complaint I would have is that the “:Stevie” bus was not Air Conditioned, it was a very HOT drive in the Namibian Desert with no AC. Also no one was told there would be an extra cost for the safari drives in Etosha Park which was $100.00 US each. I also feel the amounts of money in the Trip Notes is way off base, you will need a lot more than what is recommended. Most Inspirational Moment Chobe and Etosha Park Thoughts on Group Leader Both Jonathan and Ante were Fantastic Advice for Potential Travellers See above notes
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/23/2018
Sheena Rsentreter - Traveled, July 2018
An Amazing and Incredibly diverse Adventure This trip was the ultimate collection of culture, animals and sightseeing. From metropolitan Cape Town to the beauty and remoteness of Namibia’s deserts and sand dunes, the thrill of game drives and the beauty of Victoria falls, this trip has it all. Most Inspirational Moment Climbing Dune 45 in a sandstorm or feeling the rain of Victoria Falls covering you under a lunar rainbow were incredible highlights. Thoughts on Group Leader I've been on many group tours and Andrew and Ende have to be some of the best guides I've ever had. Inspiring, hard working and patient as well as able to overcome anything Africa and her bumpy roads had to throw at us. These two were excellent. Advice for Potential Travellers TIA. This is Africa. Be open to the fact that this country is incredibly different from where you might be from and enjoy every part of that experience. It's a completely different culture and world and embracing that gives you a one of a kind experience and memories that will last lifetime.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2018
Sue Royal - Traveled, November 2017
An amazing overland adventure This trip lived up to our expectations and we thoroughly enjoyed it! The lodges and hotels were all very different and on the whole of a good standard. Beds were clean and comfortable. The journey is over 5000km in total, therefore includes long days, often over bumpy unmetalled roads. Included activities were varied and enjoyable. Some early starts but these were all for good reasons! Most Inspirational Moment Climbing dune 45 at Soussosviel in the early morning followed by an al fresco breakfast Thoughts on Group Leader Cesar was a genial and friendly leader who looked after us well. He helped us along the way, especially by facilitating the border crossings. His communication skills were good. Advice for Potential Travellers Think carefully about the distances involved. This is a classic overland trip and 5000km is what you sign up for. Check up on currencies for each country before you go. At present S Africa rand is readily accepted in Namibia. Take plenty of US dollars for Zimbabwe. It is an expensive country. Be prepared for regular early starts.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2017
Janet Dalby - Traveled, April 2017
Cape Town to Victoria Falls - Lodge This was a fantastic trip. It involved a lot of driving through the virtually uninhabited desert of Namibia, along mainly unpaved ‘corrugated’ roads which provided a great deal of ‘African massage’. Potential travelers should be prepared for this experience but the desert scenery is ever changing as are the colors. You certainly gain a very real appreciation for the size of the country. For me the first memorable activity was canoeing on the Orange River – so peaceful with amazing scenery! Fish River Canyon was also impressive. My only real complaint is that the Trip Notes mentioned that on Day 7 we would ‘watch the early morning light creep over the dunes’ at Sossusvlei. This proved to be impossible for two reasons – one is that the park gates do not open until 7:30 am (the sun rises at about 6 am) so it would be necessary to stay inside the park overnight, the second is that we had to drive about one hour passed the park to our lodgings, so adding two hours to our already considerable drive. We ended up climbing Dune 45 in the heat of the mid-day sun. Still an incredible (and very memorably hot) experience but definitely not what we had been lead to believe. Etosha National Park exceeded all expectations – especially at the water hole at Halali where we saw two families of elephants, rhinoceros and a leopard! Also a couple of honey badgers. Of course on safari we saw impala, zebra, giraffe, kudu, oryx, ostrich and many, many birds. Okavango Panhandle overwhelmed us with hippos. Chobe National Park also provided great safaris, hippos and many, many male elephants feeding at a reed bed in the middle of the Chobe River at sunset. Not to mention more birds. We were upgraded to a 5 star hotel in Victoria Falls and the Falls definitely lived up to their reputation. Most Inspirational Moment The wildlife in general, the Halali water hole and the elephants in the middle of the Chobe River in particular. Also the Sossusvlei Dunes. We stayed at some really remote lodges in the middle of the desert. Thoughts on Group Leader Nyasha and Sam were great leaders. It seemed they never stopped working - they shared the driving and the cooking and clean up duties, loaded and unloaded the luggage, fixed a flat tire and dealt with a vehicle that was swallowing oil at an alarming rate and had to be exchanged for another mid-trip, as well as dealing with our sometimes high maintenance fellow travelers. They seemed to have encyclopedic knowledge of the flora and fauna They always managed to be cheerful and patient with positive outlooks. Advice for Potential Travellers If you are looking for a real African experience and have a spirit of adventure then this trip is for you. If you need to be pampered and enjoy lot of luxuries then perhaps you should pay more and choose another trip! If you decide to go, I would recommend you take the south to north option as the trip just gets better and better every day. Suggestions I feel there should have been at least one more leader/driver/cook. I have no idea how Nyasha and Sam managed to hold it all together and they would never have been permitted to put in such long hours driving in the western world. There was a maintenance problem with this bus - I know this is a fact of life but it would have been good if the exchange of vehicles could have been made easier for everyone concerned.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2017
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