AHNET Voyages Maurisun Adventure & Tours

Southern Africa Explorer

21 days (Cape Town)

Destinations visited: Namibia, South Africa, Cape Town, Zimbabwe, Botswana

Grading:

Adventure touring level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

from
USD$2,690

Book now

A classic overland journey through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe

The countries that lie at the southern end of the African continent evoke a strong spirit of the wild. From the seemingly empty and endless dunes of the Namibian desert, to the teeming animal life of the Okavango River, this itinerary traverses the greatest parks, reserves and landscapes that Africa’s south has to offer. From Cape Town we head north towards the arid wilderness of Namibia. We marvel at the enormity of the Fish River Canyon, explore the boundless Namib Desert and search for desert elephants in Etosha National Park. In Botswana we enjoy some of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences along the Okavango and Chobe Rivers. The magnificent Victoria Falls provides a backdrop to a multitude of adventurous options and is the end point of this fabulous journey through southern Africa.

Highlights

Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope
Augrabies Falls National Park
Game drives in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Fish River Canyon
Walking in the giant dunes of Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert
Visit of a traditional Himba village
Game drives in Etosha National Park
The Okavango River
Sunset cruise on the Chobe River
2 nights in Victoria Falls

Itinerary

Day 1 Cape Town and Peninsula

Set against iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town offers scenic, historic and cultural attractions. We depart from Breakwater Lodge at 08:00hrs for a peninsula tour. Driving along the Atlantic seaboard via Hout Bay and Chapmans Peak, we visit the Table Mountain National Park – Cape Point, returning along the Indian Ocean coastline back to our well situated Waterfront hotel. A morning or afternoon cable car ascent up Table Mountain is optional (weather dependent), at your own expense. Dinner can be enjoyed at the bustling Waterfront with its variety of cafes and restaurants. Overnight Breakwater Lodge Hotel (or similar). ** Please note: there is a group meeting at 18:00hrs the day BEFORE Day 1, held in the reception of the Breakwater Lodge in Cape Town. Please ask your Reservations Consultant if you would like to book an extra night here.

Day 2 Hantam Region

After breakfast we depart Cape Town travelling north and pass through the picturesque Namaqualand region with spectacular views from the Van Ryns Pass. We arrive in our campsite nestled on the foot of the Hantam Mountain range. During the months of August – October the landscape is transformed into an explosion of colour due to the numerous wild flowers of the region.

Day 3 Augrabies Falls National Park

Leaving the Little Karoo we head north to the Augrabies Falls National Park. We pass through a lush oasis area with an abundance of wine farms. Here the mighty Orange River plummets 56m into the gorge below. The local name for these majestic falls is ‘Aukoerebis’ or ‘place of great noise’. We spend the afternoon enjoying the falls from its many viewpoints.

Days 4-5 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

We head north into the Kalahari and the magnificent Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Covering over 3.6 million hectares this is one of the largest reserves in Africa. Due to sparse vegetation in the area excellent predator sightings are common including that of the famous black mane Lion. We enjoy morning & afternoon game drives in the Park.

Day 6 Fish River Canyon

Leaving the Kalahari region we head west and enter Namibia. After setting up camp enjoy a walk along the rim of the canyon and watch the changing colours of sunset over the canyon. Second only to the Grand Canyon in size, Fish River Canyon is a truly awe-inspiring work of Nature.

Days 7-8 Sesriem and Sossusvlei

Our journey takes us north through ever changing scenery to our camp located on the edge of the Namib Desert. We enjoy a sunset walk in the dunes surrounding our camp. The following morning is an early departure for Sossusvlei, stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colours of the world’s highest sand dunes. We undertake a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei - starkly beautiful in a harsh environment. In the afternoon we enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon

Day 9 To Swakopmund

Heading north we reach the coast at Walvis Bay and enjoy lunch while viewing the many flamingos feeding. We arrive in Swakopmund and spend the afternoon and following day exploring this German colonial town with it's tree-lined boulevard and shops and cafes or one of the numerous optional excursions (activities are arranged and paid for locally). Activities available include sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving, kayaking or scenic flights over the vast Namib. Accommodation in Guesthouse.

Continue reading ...

Day 10 Spitzkoppe

Leaving Swakopmund after lunch we set up camp among the boulders of the Spitzkoppe Mountains. The afternoon is free to explore the stunning surrounding area on foot. The spectacular setting of our remote bushcamp is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Days 11-12 Kaokoland & Himba Visit

We drive north through the Damaraland region with its vast and rugged terrain. Its mountain ranges are intercepted by wide gravel plains, which run into sandy, vegetated riverbeds and hot, dry valleys. We enter Kaokoland where we overnight. The following morning we visit the Himba tribe, a semi-nomadic tribe, living in scattered settlements throughout the region. They are characterised by their proud yet friendly stature and the women are noted for their unusual beauty, enhanced by intricate hairstyles and traditional dress. A few hours are spent learning more about these fascinating people. The afternoon is free to wander the town and experience the local people.

Days 13-14 Etosha National Park

We travel via Oshakati and enter the Eastern side of Etosha. Etosha National Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa. It is centred around a massive salt pan 50km wide and 130km long. Perennial springs and waterholes occur within the park allowing the predominantly desert environment to support an incredible diversity of wildlife such as blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion and elephant. Floodlit waterholes at Namutoni campsite attracts an abundance of animals throughout the evening, providing us with many amazing wildlife sightings. We also enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives, relaxing in the middle of the day when wildlife is least active. Overnight Namutoni Restcamp inside Etosha

Days 15-16 Okavango River

We enter the Caprivi Strip where camp is set up among lush vegetation overlooking the Okavango River. Enjoy sunset on the deck or a swim in the famous “river pool”. Many optional activities (own expense) are available for the following day including a mokoro canoe trip*, bird walks and boat cruises which can all be booked and paid for locally. *Please note that World Expeditions does not operate the optional mokoro trip on Okavango River and strongly advises against participation on this because of safety concerns, namely the proximity on the river to dangerous wildlife, particularly the hippopotamus. If you choose to undertake this with other local contractors, you do so against our advice and entirely at your own risk.

Days 17-18 Chobe River

Today we continue through the Caprivi Strip and cross from Namibia into Botswana. We travel through the Chobe National Park and set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. Chobe National Park is the second largest in Botswana and is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets, abundance of wildlife and myriad of birdlife. The following day we relax on a game viewing cruise on the Chobe River where we have opportunity to get close to riverine creatures such as crocodiles and hippos. A morning game drive in Chobe National Park is optional (own expense).

Day 19 Victoria Falls

Today we travel across the border into Zimbabwe to view Victoria Falls or "Mosi-oa-Tunya" (Smoke that Thunders), one of the most enthralling sights in Africa.This afternoon is at leisure to explore the Falls or take part in some of the many optional activities on offer in the adrenalin capital of Africa.

Day 20 In Victoria Falls

Today is free to browse the local markets, simply relax, visit the Falls another time or to experience some of the many optional activities including white water rafting, bungi jumping, microlighting/ airplane or helicopter flights over the Falls, rhino walks and elephant back safaris (all at own expense).

Day 21 Victoria Falls, trip concludes

Our tour ends today after breakfast.

Additional Information

Inclusions

21 breakfasts, 18 lunches, 17 dinners
National Park and permit fees
English speaking local guide and 2 camp assistants/cooks
All camping gear (including sleeping bag & pillow) spacious 2 person safari tents, 6cm thick foam mattress and comfortable safari folding chair
Group camping equipment, reference library and first aid box
Game drives and boat cruise per itinerary
Private vehicle transport in custom built vehicles designed for African conditions, with fridge, forward-facing high back seats and ample storage

Summary

21 day trip
18 nights fully serviced camping
2 nights hotel / guesthouse

Trip Main Activities

Wildlife Safari
Adventure Touring

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required include walking boots or shoes and a day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).

What You Carry

In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing (it can be very cold on early morning activities), a rainjacket, water bottle, camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site