Cape Town to Victoria Falls - Hotel/Lodge
Cape Town to Victoria Falls - Hotel/Lodge
Cape Town to Victoria Falls - Hotel/Lodge
20 Days Starting in Cape Town and ending in Victoria Falls
Visiting: Cape Town, Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Sesriem, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Brandberg Mountain, Etosha National Park, Okavango River, Chobe River, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AZVPA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 14
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour 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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
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)
Day 2 : Visit Cape Peninsula; Afternoon Wine Tour
Location: Cape Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 3 : To Olifants River
Location: Cape Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 4 : To Orange River; Afternoon Optional Canoeing
Location: Orange River
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 5 : To Fish River Canyon; Afternoon Walk
Location: Fish River Canyon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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)
Day 6 : To Sesriem
Location: Sesriem
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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)
Day 7 : Full Day Exploring Sossusvlei
Location: Sossusvlei
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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)
Day 8 : To Swakopmund
Location: Swakopmund
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 9 : Free Day To Enjoy Optional Activities
Location: Swakopmund
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 10 : To Brandberg; Visit White Lady Paintings
Location: Brandberg Mountain
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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)
Day 11 : To Etosha National Park
Location: Etosha National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 12 - 13 : Two Days Of Game Viewing
Location: Etosha National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have two days to really enjoy this fabulous park with its mixed forest and grassland centred around a large saltpan. Etosha is home to a great variety and number of animals, which are easy to find as they congregate at different times around the waterholes. There are waterholes next to the excellent campsites, and it is not uncommon for us to spend all night watching a gala performance of animals: wildebeest, zebras, impalas, springbok, kudu, elephants, giraffes, lions and even rhinos are all common sights here. Take plenty of patience and you will be rewarded by one of the greatest game spectacles in southern Africa. Etosha is also a good place for birds, with plenty of waterbirds on the lakes and weaverbirds and hornbills in the trees. While in Etosha, we move our camps (between Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni) but the itinerary is kept flexible depending on where the animals are.
Accommodation: Etosha Park Chalets (or similar)
Day 14 : To Okavango River
Location: Okavango River
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 15 : Mokoro Ride On The Okavango
Location: Okavango River
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 16 : To Chobe River
Location: Chobe River
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 17 : Game Drive And Boat Ride In Chobe National Park
Location: Chobe National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 18 : To Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 19 : Free Day
Location: Victoria Falls
Meals Included: Breakfast
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)
Day 20 : End Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, four lunches
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All accommodation
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
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.
Accommodation
On 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.Â
Brandberg: Brandberg White Lady Lodge (night 10)Â
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.Â
Etosha National Park: Chalets in Okaukuejo, Halali or Namutoni (nights 11-13)Â
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.Â
Worth knowingÂ
In Cape Town, groups might be accommodated in different but similar properties.Â
Our accommodation in Fish River Canyon is basic but the best option in a very remote area.Â
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. Â
Wifi is available about half the time but not always very reliable.Â
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.