Welcome to Cape Town! Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Serving as South Africa's legislative capital, this historic coastal city is celebrated globally for its striking topography, defined by the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain meeting two oceans. The remainder of the day is at leisure for us to explore this vibrant metropolis. We can relax at our accommodation or head out to visit the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a bustling historic harbour located at the heart of Cape Town that features a wide array of indoor shopping, dining and local entertainment options.

*Please note that through guide will not join you until Namibia. For the Cape Town portion, you will have local guides for the included tours.

Overnight: Pullman Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town (3 nights)
(Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, restaurant & bar)

This morning, we embark on a half-day scheduled city tour to explore Cape Town’s deep historical roots. We begin at the Company's Garden, a historic park originally established by the Dutch East India Company in the 1650s as a vital victualling station to grow fresh produce for passing ships. We continue to Greenmarket Square, the South African Museum and the colourful, photo-worthy Malay Quarter known as Bo-Kaap. This vibrant neighbourhood is highly significant as the historic hub of Cape Malay culture. Afterwards, our afternoon is free to continue exploring Cape Town’s many attractions on our own. (B)

An exciting day ahead as we explore the Cape Peninsula. Travelling along the Atlantic via Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, we stop at Maiden Cove look-out point before continuing to Hout Bay. Here, enjoy the opportunity to take a boat trip to Seal Island (seasonal and at additional cost). Our journey carries on over Chapman’s Peak Drive, widely considered one of the world’s most breathtaking marine drives, carved directly into the near-vertical rock face. We then enter the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and proceed to Cape Point. This protected area is highly significant as a vital component of the Cape Floral Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized globally for its extraordinary biodiversity and for nesting the smallest yet richest of the world's six floral kingdoms.

In the afternoon, we head to Simon’s Town, a historic coastal village featuring charming Victorian architecture and a prominent South African naval base. Here, we can choose to visit the famous penguin colony at beautiful Boulders Beach (entrance to Boulders Beach optional and at own account). (B)

After breakfast, we are transferred to the Cape Town International Airport, where we board our flight to Windhoek, Namibia (not included in the tour price – quoted separately). Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel in Windhoek. Situated on a high plateau in the geographic centre of the country, Windhoek serves as the political, economic and cultural heart of Namibia, where modern African development blends with prominent German colonial-era architecture. Afternoon free to relax or explore this lovely city. In the evening, we will meet our through guide and other group members at our accommodations at 6:00 PM for a pre-departure meeting.

Overnight: Avani Windhoek Hotel, Windhoek (1 night) (B)
(Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar)

Moving south, we travel toward Namib-Naukluft National Park*, home of the vast Namib Desert. An inspiration for the name of the nation itself, the Namib is recognized as the oldest desert on Earth, having persisted for at least 55 million years. This hyper-arid region is celebrated for its breathtaking, burnt-orange sand dunes, which are some of the highest and most visually striking shifting dunes found anywhere in the world.

Overnight: Agama Lodge, Sossusvlei (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Today we wake up early to visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. These dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 meters, are absolutely spectacular and provide a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake). We also stop to view the Sesriem Canyon, which was carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River. (B, L, D)

An interesting day as we drive through Namib Naukluft National Park on our way to Swakopmund. The Namib-Naukluft Desert is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world, and a drive to discover the flora and fauna is a must on any African safari vacation. The animals of this harsh landscape include oryx, springbok and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. En route, we make a stop at the small town of Walvis Bay, where we may spot a variety of birds, including flamingos in the lagoon. Later in the day, we arrive at Swakopmund, with time to soak up this town’s beauty and beaches.

Overnight: Hotel Pension A La Mer, Swakopmund (2 nights) (B, L)
(Luxury rooms with en suite bathrooms)

Our entire day is free to take part in some of the many optional activities, including a scenic flight over or 4 x 4 desert drive along the coast to see where towering sand dunes meet the ocean. Contact Bestway to pre-book. (B)

Leaving the coastline behind, we head inland to Etosha National Park, Namibia’s best-known highlight of the North. Our first night is spent at a lodge neighbouring the park, situated on an outcrop of dolomite rocks and overlooking a forest of mopane and white seringa trees. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the pool, or take a leisurely stroll through the natural bush gardens. Optional game drives are also available – contact Bestway to pre-book.

Overnight: Etosha Safari Lodge, Etosha National Park (1 night) (B, D)
(Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

After breakfast, enter Etosha via the Andersson gate. Declared a national park in 1907, Etosha is home to approximately 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and surprisingly, one species of fish. We enjoy our time in Etosha National Park with exciting game drives spotting leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, rhino and many different types of antelope. Elephants and lions are also particularly common. Our nights are spent at the floodlit water holes encountering the park’s varied animals as they come to drink.

Overnight: Namutoni Camp, Etosha National Park (2 nights) (B, D)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

After breakfast at our camp, we embark on another full day of game drives. Keep your eye out for four of the Big Five animals, or try to spot smaller species like the warthog, honey badger, or bat-eared fox. After enjoying a jaw-dropping sunset, a second night at one of Etosha’s famous watering holes provides perhaps the best opportunity in Africa to see one of the park’s black rhinoceros, a highly endangered animal. (B, D)

Our journey continues east as we drive along the Caprivi Strip to the town of Rundu. We visit the Mbunza Living Museum, which operates as both a traditional cultural school and a communal enterprise for the local Kavango people. This interactive site showcases the traditional lifestyle of the community, who sustainably support themselves through fishing, cattle herding and crop cultivation. We then make our way to our lodge on the banks of the Okavango River, arriving in the late afternoon. Take the rest of the afternoon to relax.

Overnight: Kaisosi River Lodge, Kavango River (1 night) (B, L, D)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Enjoy breakfast and some time in the morning for optional activities such as an early morning boat cruise. Later on, journey to our camp in the western Caprivi region. Continue to our lodge. In the late afternoon, enjoy a sunset cruise to Popa Falls.

Overnight: Nunda River Lodge, Caprivi (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Rooms with en suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Exciting game drives ahead as we drive to Mahangu, situated next to the Okavango River. Enjoy a morning game drive in the Greater Bwabwata National Park, which extends from the Kavango River in the west to the Kwando River in the east. The park is home to elephant, roan, kudu, buffalo and prolific birdlife. In the afternoon, we return to our lodge with the remainder of the day at leisure. (B, L, D)

Today, we leave Caprivi and journey on to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Our afternoon is at leisure to relax next to the pool, or perhaps, take part in an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (at additional cost, contact Bestway to pre-book).

Overnight: Thamalakane River Lodge, Maun (1 night) (B, L)
(Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

We join our local Botswana guides and are taken on a short drive to the mokoro station. From here, we will float in traditional dug-out canoes through the thick vegetation of the Okavango Delta, discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of exceptional global significance, recognized as the world's largest intact inland delta system that never reaches the sea. Its unique annual dry-season flooding transforms an arid stretch of the Kalahari Desert into a vital wetland sanctuary for massive elephant herds and endangered wildlife. After this spectacular excursion, we make our way to our camp, which is situated in the Greater Moremi region. Once settled into our camp, we will enjoy dinner and embark on a night game drive – a fantastic opportunity to spot some nocturnal animals that are more difficult to encounter during the day.

Overnight: Camelthorn Bush Camp, Greater Moremi (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Safari tents with en suite bathrooms, including flush toilets and heated bucket showers, plus limited solar power)

Today, we have the opportunity to spend the day on game drives. In our open 4x4 vehicle, we will explore the Moremi Game Reserve, spotting the variety of animals that frequent the region. The area is renowned for its large concentrations of mammals. Its exceptional location makes it a regular host to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dogs. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing is the end of the dry season or spring from August to November. During this season, in order for us to offer the best game viewing possible, extra driving may be required due to the animals migrating closer to the river. In the summer, birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, leave the bush territory behind and travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans. Once a large river fed lake, the pans are now saline and empty. In the afternoon, we visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary. Here we can enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa pan, which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans. (Please note a visit to the pans is subject to road conditions and water levels, as well as time constraints.)

Overnight: Nata Lodge, Nata (1 night) (B, D)
(Safari tents with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar &  restaurant)

We head north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana, covers 10,566 square kilometers. It has one of the greatest concentrations of elephants found anywhere in the world. Afternoon is at leisure to partake in a number of optional activities or relax by the pool.

Overnight: Chobe Marina Lodge, Chobe (2 nights) (B, D)
(Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Another incredible game-viewing day, this time at the Chobe National Park. Our morning game drive offers the potential to spot big game up close and encounter large predators. In the afternoon, we embark on a boat cruise along the Chobe River. This water safari offers a secure and unparalleled vantage point to watch massive concentrations of wildlife as they descend to the floodplains to drink, bathe, and interact. We remain on the water to view the spectacular African sunset over the riverbanks before returning to our lodge for dinner. (B, D)

Today after breakfast, we make our way across the border to Zimbabwe. We drive to Hwange National Park, where we spend the next two nights. Hwange National Park is renowned for hosting one of the grandest elephant populations on the planet, alongside vast herds of Cape buffalo and zebra, and a remarkably high concentration of giraffes. This diverse habitat also serves as a stronghold for large predators and endangered painted dogs, complemented by an abundance of varied birdlife. Upon our arrival, we’ll have the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Robins Camp, Hwange (2 nights) (B, L, D)
(Tented chalets with en-suite bathroom, swimming pool & bar area)

Following breakfast at our lodge, we set out for a day of exciting game experiences with the chance to see big game, predators and birds. Enjoy game drives in the morning and afternoon, when we savour the spectacular African sunset. (B, L, D)

An exciting day as we travel to Victoria Falls*, an essential African experience. Our guide will take us on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya, or “the smoke that thunders”. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, basking in the afterglow of the day. The rest of our time in Victoria Falls is at leisure. Feel free to take part in one of the many optional activities, including a helicopter tour of Victoria Falls, a dinner cruise, or a horse back safari.

Overnight: Ilala Lodge, Victoria Falls (1 night) (B)
(Rooms with en-suite bathroom, swimming pool bar & restaurant)

Our safari ends after breakfast, when we are transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for our departure flight. (B)