Curated by: Allison Odendaal
18 Days in South Africa and Namibia
Experience the wonder of a self-drive through some of Africa's most incredible destinations with this self-drive tour from South Africa to Namibia. Who says you can't see it all? Spend 2.5 weeks self-driving your way across Southern Africa's western coastline, from the Cape Winelands and Namaqualand to Namibia's Fish River Canyon - the largest canyon in Africa. Sossusvlei and its dunes await followed by a return to civilisation in the coastal city of Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. The wild calls once again with the Damaraland and Etosha, before the adventure comes to a close in Windhoek.
For a countryside escape that doesn’t skimp on taste and luxury, head out of Cape Town for the nearby Cape Winelands. The terroir of these small towns and their surrounds have made them ideal for wine production, and many...
For a countryside escape that doesn’t skimp on taste and luxury, head out of Cape Town for the nearby Cape Winelands. The terroir of these small towns and their surrounds have made them ideal for wine production, and many of the region’s wineries boast a history over 300 years. The Constantia Wine Route is a 20-minute drive from Cape Town and home to the country’s oldest wine estate: Groot Constantia. Further afield you’ll find Franschhoek, a little village that has been dubbed the ‘food-and-wine capital’ of South Africa and boasts several top-notch restaurants and over 50 internationally-acclaimed wineries. The historic towns of Paarl and Stellenbosch are both...
Babylonstoren is a historic farm in the Cape Winelands that offers guests a back-to-nature experience without sacrificing luxury and comfort. All produce is sourced from the farm’s sprawling garden where guests can take long, relaxing walks – or even join in the planting and harvesting. The farm’s 16 Luxury Cottages, the Garden Spa and the Babel restaurant add that extra dash of elegance.
Elton John's favourite South Africa hideout, La Residence in Franschhoek, is a Tuscan-style farmhouse shot through with South Africa art, Victorian antiques, glam-rock objets d’art and pop-art colours. Accommodation consists of 11 individually designed Suites, each with its own colours and textures.
A stay at Mont Rochelle will have guests trading their city homes for an elegant country life on a wine estate. With sprawling vineyards and a history that is part of Franschhoek's very beginnings, Mont Rochelle promises pastoral refinement that will please the discerning traveller, palate and wine connoisseur.
The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest province but home to the smallest human population - instead proffering an abundance of wildlife that live in the vast spaces of its semi-desert landscape. The upper Karoo’s rocky...
The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest province but home to the smallest human population - instead proffering an abundance of wildlife that live in the vast spaces of its semi-desert landscape. The upper Karoo’s rocky plains wane into the dunes of the Kalahari and to the west, the cold Atlantic meets its stretch of coastline. The soil yields wildflowers, wildlife, and diamonds. Paddle the Orange River that cuts through the province. At times it is a powerful surging tide and then a slow stream. Camp on its banks and soak in the silence that encompasses the landscape. Further down the river, the mighty Augrabies Falls thunders into the eroded, granite gorge...
Naries Namakwa Retreat is situated between Springbok and Kleinzee, on the edge of the Spektakelberg. It is an ideal base from which to explore the greater Namaqualand Region – from the temperamental terrain of the Richtersveld and its hiking and river excursions to the colourful tapestry of Namaqualand’s wildflowers.
Agama Tented Camp is situated in the enchanting semi-desert and indigenous flora of Namaqualand in South Africa. With no cell phone reception and in an exquisite and unsurpassed setting, spend some one-on-one time with nature and discover the haunting beauty of Namaqualand. In the Flower Season explore carpeted fields with wildflowers in breath-taking hues.
"!Xaus" means "heart" in the Nama language, and speaks not only to the large heart-shaped saltpan dominating the view but to the passion with which the two bushmen communities run !Xaus Lodge. The eco-friendly lodge offers four-star accommodation, together with an intimacy with the Kalahari desert.
Shifts and changes in the earth’s crust some 500 million years ago resulted in severe water erosion and collapsing valleys that left plunging ravines and looming rock faces in its wake. This area is today known as the...
Shifts and changes in the earth’s crust some 500 million years ago resulted in severe water erosion and collapsing valleys that left plunging ravines and looming rock faces in its wake. This area is today known as the Fish River Canyon, one of Namibia’s (many) crowning glories and the 2nd largest canyon in the world. Stretching across 160km in length, 27km in width and depths sometimes reaching 550m, the nature of the canyon varies depending on what time of year you visit. An arid expansive riverbed in the dry season morphs into a rushing rainy-season torrent – both equally stunning contrasts. The canyon (and the country at large) is a mecca...
One of four lodges located in Gondwana Canyon Park, Canyon Lodge is a fusion of farmhouse flavour and natural splendour. The lodge offers unique chalets built into granite outcrops, excellent on-site facilities and the splendour of the Fish River Canyon – and all the area has to offer on your doorstep.
Sink into the stories of the Nama people, stretch your legs on trails through craggy hills and dive into the depths of the ancient Fish River Canyon. Canyon Village is authentic in its mirroring of the southern Namibian landscape, and its stone and thatch will entice with earthy appeal.
Fish River Lodge is perched on the very edge of the Fish River Canyon, within the Canyon Nature Park, showcasing unrivalled views of the dramatic canyon. Make your descent into the deep ravine and see a 500-million-year-old story written in the rough limestone, fine shales and shiny quartzite.
Encompassing part of the Namib Desert, the Naukluft mountain range and the marine sanctuary of Sandwich Harbour, the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia covers an area of almost 50 000km² and is the largest game...
Encompassing part of the Namib Desert, the Naukluft mountain range and the marine sanctuary of Sandwich Harbour, the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia covers an area of almost 50 000km² and is the largest game park in Africa and fourth largest in the world. Hike jagged gorges; put your motor skills and your vehicle to the test on multiple 4x4 trails; take your lens and capture ancient and curious plants on the Welwitschia Trail or skid down undulating sand dunes at the beach. Witness the wildlife influx after the summer rains, go birdwatching at Sandwich Harbour or simply recline on the earth and marvel at the glittering Namibian night sky above. The...
The Klein Aus Vista Eagle’s Nest Chalets are for those who like to travel on their own steam and are looking for revitalisation in the parched splendour of the desert. A splendid stop to discover what the Pro-Namib is all about, this family run lodge is a welcome point on any journey through Namibia.
Ramparts and an old WWI Hudson motorcar riddled with bullet holes from a shootout still stands at Klein-Aus Vista Desert Horse Inn -evidence of the ancient battlegrounds of this south-western Namibian region. The accommodation is handsome in style and selection and the wild horses, dunes and forests provide endless delight.
Bahnhof Hotel Aus is brimming with wild and wonderful, with history and hospitality. The fresh, elegant rooms provide the perfect base for exploring the Namibian town of Aus, the Prisoner-of-War Camp, the wild horses, and unforgettable sunset trips into the dunes. Enjoy discussions with travellers and locals around the lounge and sundeck.
The Namib Desert has often been hailed as the oldest in the world. Its inception began some 50 – 80 million years ago while it has remained unchanged for the last 2 million. Sprawled across an area of 81 000km², the relentless...
The Namib Desert has often been hailed as the oldest in the world. Its inception began some 50 – 80 million years ago while it has remained unchanged for the last 2 million. Sprawled across an area of 81 000km², the relentless expanse of the desert is home to countless undulating dunes and stretches for an impressive 2 000km from the Olifants River in South Africa to the Carunjamba River in Angola, encompassing Namibia’s entire coastline in between. The desert’s bizarre ecosystem made up of contrasting landscapes such as dunes, coast, rivers and plains all support a superbly diverse ecosystem. Humans have called the Namib Desert home since the early stone...
The stark and barren beauty of the Namib Desert will astonish even the most seasoned traveller. The Desert Homestead Outpost, adjacent to the Namib Sand Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers uninterrupted views of the wilderness and unique ways to explore it – including horseback and hotair balloon.
Kulala Desert Lodge is set within Namibia’s untamed landscape of boundless open plains, frozen burnt-orange dunes and rugged mountains. The lodge gives guests direct access to the Namib-Naukluft National Park and Sossusvlei’s clay pan. Discover the fascinating fauna and flora stubborn enough to survive the hyper-arid region and soar above in a hot air balloon.
Explore the Namib Desert and the raw beauty of Sossuvlei while staying at Little Kulala, the star property of the Kulala Wilderness Reserve. Luxurious thatched-roof cottages, exciting game drives, quad bike tours, hot air balloon rides, and unforgettable stargazing – few desert retreats measure up to the majesty of Little Kulala.
Swakopmund is the seaside darling of Namibia and has also garnered a reputation as the “adventure capital” of the country. Visitors will be charmed by the temperate climate, old-world German architecture, swaying...
Swakopmund is the seaside darling of Namibia and has also garnered a reputation as the “adventure capital” of the country. Visitors will be charmed by the temperate climate, old-world German architecture, swaying palm trees that line the streets, exciting adventures on offer and the seaside promenade allowing endless opportunity to amble along the glorious coastline. Swakopmund didn’t get its adrenaline junkie reputation for nothing: daredevils can get their fix by sky-diving, quad-biking, sand-boarding and angling off the shore or otherwise enjoying ‘living desert’ tours or languid catamaran cruises promising a chance to get...
Behold a peace and quietude like none other as you look out at the rhythmic red dunes that roll on ceaselessly from your private sundeck. Desert Breeze Lodge sits on the edge of the world’s oldest desert and beckons the adventurous traveller to engage in the merrymaking of the dunes and the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre has managed to maintain a balance between charming, old-world tradition and the pleasures of modern-day entertainment. The restored 1901 Station Building offers guests the ideal holiday destination with a seemingly endless amount of activities for the adrenaline junkie and leisure seeker alike.
The Stiltz is a unique accommodation option in the coastal town of Swakopmund – close enough to the town centre and seaside to stroll and access a host of activities, but ideally positioned on the Swakop River mouth to be closer to nature and blessed with beautiful views, too.
Damaraland occupies an area between the Skeleton Coast in the west and Etosha National Park in the East. Likely one of the most fascinating attractions in the area, the Petrified forest near the town of Khorixas offers visitors...
Damaraland occupies an area between the Skeleton Coast in the west and Etosha National Park in the East. Likely one of the most fascinating attractions in the area, the Petrified forest near the town of Khorixas offers visitors a chance to get close to large tree trunks that have ‘turned to stone over time’. This area boasts several other unique highlights that can’t be missed and is perfectly located to act as a stopover. Highlights in the region include: tracking wild rhino; hiking up the Brandberg Mountain to view the famous “White Lady” Bushman painting; visiting the rocky outcrop of Twyfelfontein with its plethora of Bushman...
A labyrinth of pathways and fresh fragrances from the flowers of Damara Mopane Lodge will enhance the senses in more ways than one. The beautiful garden chalets are situated near several Namibian historical highlights, and the woodland views are sure to keep you enthralled for hours on end.
With its surreal geological formations, rare succulents and rock art, Damaraland is one of Namibia’s most intriguing destinations – and Damaraland Camp is the best place to experience this region. Go in search of the desert-adapted elephant and even the endangered black rhino if you want to get the most out of Damaraland.
This part of Damaraland, Namibia, is simply waiting to be discovered and Mowani Mountain Camp makes the ideal vantage point from which to do so. With a plethora of activities and sights on offer and a luxury camp absorbed into the mountainside to enjoy it all from, this is a necessity on any Namibian itinerary.
With its origins in the Bantu language, Etosha translates to “great white place” referencing the near 5 000km² mirage-inducing pan that calls the 22 750km² Etosha National Park home. Considered one of...
With its origins in the Bantu language, Etosha translates to “great white place” referencing the near 5 000km² mirage-inducing pan that calls the 22 750km² Etosha National Park home. Considered one of the largest national parks on the globe and home to over 114 mammal and 340 bird species, this wildlife haven is one of the most easily accessible and adored places to visit in southern Africa. Once upon a time, the Etosha pan was an ancient inland sea that over past millennia has dried up. Although no longer an ocean, the summer rains bring forth a layer of algae across the pan’s surface which entices flocks of flamingos and countless...
With only three Luxury Villas accommodating a maximum of six people, Little Ongava offers guests unrivalled privacy and seclusion. Set in the Ongava Private Game Reserve, bordering the Etosha National Park, the lodge encompasses spectacular views of the vast African savannah plains from its hilltop throne. Experience up-close encounters with wildlife on game drives and rhino tracking on foot.
At Ongava Tented Camp you can experience the magic of Etosha from the comfort of the camp. The camp's eight tents overlook an active waterhole that attracts many of the reserve’s mammals to its banks. Game drives and rhino-tracking walks through both the Etosha and Ongava game reserves are also offered.
Etosha Safari Lodge is an excellent point from which to explore the south-central part of Etosha National Park. With self-drive or guided safari options on offer, feel free to discover at your own pace. The lodge provides a welcome reprieve with refreshing pools, a relaxing deck perfect for sundowners and a great restaurant to start your day.
Windhoek is the only proclaimed city in Namibia and acts as the administrative and legislative centre and a gateway to the country. Chances are, those visiting Namibia will begin and end their journey in Windhoek. Apart from...
Windhoek is the only proclaimed city in Namibia and acts as the administrative and legislative centre and a gateway to the country. Chances are, those visiting Namibia will begin and end their journey in Windhoek. Apart from being the capital city, it is home to an array of tourist attractions and a vast plethora of accommodation options. Windhoek is home to a melting pot of cultures and travellers can expect to see Herero, Owambo, Damara, Kavango, Buster, Nama, San, Afrikaans, and German citizens bustling about this unique city made up of typically German architecture and African and German street names. Although the city cannot compete with some of Namibia’s...
Hilton Windhoek simply has all boxes ticked. Enjoy a range of dining options, spa treatments, a swimming pool, views from the rooftop Skybar and pool and, of course, the comfort of a spacious and elegant room. Whether passing through, in Windhoek on business, or unwinding in the capital, the Hilton Windhoek has you taken care of.
An ideal haven at the beginning or end of a long journey, Olive Grove Guesthouse epitomises tranquillity with its calming ambience and understated luxury. With a sublime dining experience, a wellness room offering various relaxing treatments and its proximity to Windhoek, this is the place to unwind after a day of business or pleasure.
Contemporary and convenient, The Olive Exclusive All Suite Hotel is an opportunity to spoil oneself when connecting or saying farewell to your desert adventure. With an award winning restaurant, premium wine collection and 7 plush suites amidst an olive grove, indulgence is at your fingertips.
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Let's start planningThrough our volume and direct relationships, we will ensure that you never pay more than you should. We’re so confident that if you manage to somehow find the same holiday for less, we'll beat it.
We’ve slept in the beds, tasted the food, met the people and seen the wildlife. Then we went back and did it all again, just to be sure. We’ll keep on going back to ensure that what we recommend is perfect for you. We pride ourselves on being the authority on African travel.
We want only the best for the place we call home, and that’s why are devoted to conservation and community upliftment. Join us, and leave your legacy in Africa.
We are a Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) affiliated and bonded company, completing the circle of a one-stop travel shop to Africa. We are also members of African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA), which is Europe’s largest trade association promoting Africa.
For five years running we’ve been awarded the title of Africa’s Leading Safari Company by the World Travel Awards, the Oscars of the travel industry. Ladies and gentlemen, you're dealing with the King of this Jungle!
We are the only tour operator in Africa to provide complimentary financial protection. This means that should anything go wrong you can rest assured that we have you covered. It’s included in each booking and is completely free of charge.
We have direct relationships with over 1,500 suppliers across Africa. Based in spectacular Cape Town, we’re on the ground which allows us to cut out agents and the middlemen, delivering you the best pricing possible.
Our itineraries are like the spots on a leopard’s coat - each one is different. We’ll tailor-make your trip to suit your individual needs rather than simply asking you to choose. Through this we create your dream trip.
Through our volume and direct relationships, we will ensure that you never pay more than you should. We’re so confident that if you manage to somehow find the same holiday for less, we'll beat it.
We’ve slept in the beds, tasted the food, met the people and seen the wildlife. Then we went back and did it all again, just to be sure. We’ll keep on going back to ensure that what we recommend is perfect for you. We pride ourselves on being the authority on African travel.
We want only the best for the place we call home, and that’s why are devoted to conservation and community upliftment. Join us, and leave your legacy in Africa.
