Ultimate Journey Through Southern Africa

(20 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, Cape Town & environs, Sabi Sand Reserve, Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta

This incredible private tour explores the very best of Southern Africa, including cultural touring in Cape Town and the surrounding region and luxury safaris in the top scenic and game-viewing destinations in Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Begin with an overnight in Windhoek, the modern capital of Namibia. Continue to Sossusvlei, a desert region of dramatic red sand dunes in the middle of Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of the largest national parks in Africa. During scenic desert drives, see highlights such as Deadvlei, a dried lake bed with an eerie grove of dead trees surrounded by enormous sand dunes. If desired, hike up Big Daddy, the highest dune in the world, for breathtaking views over the ridges and valleys of the sprawling sand landscape. Other activities include looking for wildlife such as brown hyenas, springboks and gemsboks (oryx); walking nature trails to see interesting birds, reptiles and insects; quad biking; hiking; e-biking; seeing ancient rock art; night walks and stargazing.

Next, fly to the Skeleton Coast, a remote wilderness where towering sand dunes meet the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy an excursion along the coast, including one way by scenic flight, and see shipwrecks, the Mowe Bay seal colony and sandy beaches. Other activities include nature drives to look for hyenas, lions and elephants; scenic walks; learning about desert predators from wildlife researches; searching for birds unique to the area; sundowner cocktails in the sand dunes; and excursions to more remote areas of the camp’s concession.

Continue to Cape Town, South Africa, one of the world’s most beautiful cities. During private touring, explore the city’s stunning landscapes, vibrant neighborhoods, fascinating history, and excellent food and wine scene. Enjoy fast-track access for the cable car up iconic Table Mountain, and walk among native fynbos plants in beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Learn about Cape Town history in evocative places such as Bo-Kaap (the Cape Malay Quarter), the Company’s Garden and the Castle of Good Hope. Browse for locally made clothing, jewelry and other treasures in top handicrafts markets. Enjoy reservations at Cape Town’s best restaurants, find a snack in the Time Out Market food hall, stop at a farmers market or have afternoon tea at the atmospheric Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to the spectacular Cape Peninsula to see penguins at Boulders Beach, dramatic landscapes at Cape Point and along Chapman’s Peak Drive, and the area’s unique vegetation, which is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depending on your interests, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional options, such as an excursion to Robben Island, scenic helicopter flights, Jewish touring, a visit to a township, visits to the District Six Museum or the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, touring in the Constantia wine region or an excursion to the seaside town of Hermanus.

Next, fly to Sabi Sand Reserve, a private concession that borders Kruger National Park and is renowned for its diverse wildlife, and stay at one of the top luxury lodges in the region. During morning and afternoon game drives, look for the Big Five (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and Cape buffaloes), as well as hippos, giraffes and other animals and birds. During leisure time, perhaps indulge in spa treatments, lounge by the pool or browse the boutique for locally made crafts and artworks. Also enjoy three gourmet meals per day, accompanied by top South African wines. Walking safaris, a visit to a local community and other activities can also be arranged.

Continue to Victoria Falls, a spectacular waterfall on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Enjoy a private walking tour along the edge of Victoria Falls and a cruise on the Zambezi River. Also have lunch at The Lookout Cafe and enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, if desired. Upon request, a reservation for afternoon tea can be made at The Victoria Falls Hotel, an elegant, colonial-style hotel on manicured grounds with views of the falls gorge.

Conclude at a luxury safari camp in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, a vast wetlands system that supports a wide range of animals, including the Big Five (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and Cape buffaloes). Embark on exciting game drives in an open vehicle or motorboat at dawn and dusk, the prime feeding times for many animals. Look for charismatic animals and birds, such as elephants, crocodiles, hippos, warthogs, bee-eaters and rollers. Enjoy unique sundowner drinks in the middle of the bush, as well as seasonal journeys along the waterways bymokoro, the traditional flat-bottom boat of the region. When not enjoying a game drive or walking safari, relax on your private veranda with unforgettable views of the winding waterways and grasslands of the region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return to Maun, where you will be assisted to your flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town, where you will be met with connection assistance to your onward flight.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Windhoek, Namibia Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 2 Windhoek – Sossusvlei Private transfer to airport for scheduled light aircraft flight to Sossusvlei. Arrival transfer to luxury lodge for 3 nights. Afternoon lodge activity Day 3 Sossusvlei Morning and afternoon lodge activities Day 4 Sossusvlei Morning and afternoon lodge activities Day 5 Sossusvlei – Skeleton Coast Transfer to airstrip for scheduled charter flights to the Skeleton Coast, via Swakopmund, Doro Nawas and Desert Rhino Airstrip. Arrival transfer to luxury camp for 3 nights. Afternoon camp activity *Private charter flights can be booked for a supplement Day 6 Skeleton Coast Full-day private excursion along the Skeleton Coast, including picnic lunch and one way by scenic flight Day 7 Skeleton Coast Scheduled camp activities, such as interaction with wildlife researches, birding, nature walks or drives and day excursions to remote areas of the concession Day 8 Skeleton Coast – Windhoek – Cape Town, South Africa Transfer to airstrip for scheduled light aircraft flight to Windhoek to connect with flight to Cape Town. Airport assistance through immigration. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 9 Cape Town Full-day private city tour, including fast-track tickets for Table Mountain Day 10 Cape Town & Cape Peninsula Full-day private excursion: Boulders Beach penguin colony, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Chapmans Peak Drive Day 11 Cape Town – Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Sabi Sand Reserve Private airport transfer for commercial flight to KMI Airport (Nelspruit), connecting to light-aircraft flight to Sabi Sand Reserve airstrip. Transfer to luxury safari lodge for 3 nights Day 12 Sabi Sand Reserve Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris Day 13 Sabi Sand Reserve Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris Day 14 Sabi Sand Reserve – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Morning transfer to airstrip for light-aircraft flight to Kruger Airport for commercial flight to Victoria Falls. Private arrival transfer to luxury safari lodge for 3 nights Day 15 Victoria Falls Private walking tour of the falls and lunch at The Lookout Cafe. Sunset river cruise Day 16 Victoria Falls Morning and afternoon game drives Day 17 Victoria Falls – Kasane, Botswana – Okavango Delta Private transfer to airport for flight to Kasane to connect to scheduled light-aircraft flight to local airstrip. Arrival transfer to luxury camp for 3 nights. Afternoon game-viewing activity Day 18 Okavango Delta Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris Day 19 Okavango Delta Continue twice-daily game-viewing activities Day 20 Okavango Delta – Maun – Depart Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa Transfer to airstrip for scheduled light aircraft flight to Maun. Connection assistance to flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town. VIP connection assistance to onward flight

Hotels

Windhoek: The Olive Exclusive All-Suite Hotel Sossusvlei: Wilderness Little Kulala Skeleton Coast: Wilderness Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp Cape Town: One&Only Cape Town, Cape Grace or Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel Sabi Sand Reserve: Singita Boulders, Singita Ebony or Londolozi Victoria Falls: Victoria Falls River Lodge or Matetsi Victoria Falls Okavango Delta: Singita Elela, Mombo Camp, Kwetsani Camp, Vumbura Plains North or Duba Plains

Cost

Upon request