When you put the word “highlights” in the name of a trip, you better be confident that it lives up to the hype. This trip does. Across 30 epic days, you’ll go round-trip to Cape Town via Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia — a new spin on one of our most popular routes — taking comfortable touring vehicles as well as staying in a mix of hotels and campsites for a well-rounded experience. Wildlife sightings and cultural moments come standard here — everything from searching for the "big five" in national parks to enjoying meals with local families. You’ve got memories made for a lifetime.
Day 1: Cape TownArrive at any time.
Day 2: Cape TownEnjoy a full day in Cape Town with the option to visit Table Mountain, choose to explore Cape Point, or embark on a wine tour around Stellenbosch. In the evening, opt to join your group for meal at one of Cape Town's many great restaurants.
Day 3: Cape Town/JohannesburgTake a short flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. In the afternoon, travel to Soweto for a bicycle tour and learn more about its important history and significant role in bringing the issues of segregation to the forefront.
Day 4: Johannesburg/Greater Kruger AreaTake the Panorama Route into the Kruger National Park area. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner and dance experience.
Day 5: Kruger National ParkEnjoy a full day wildlife safari drive in the Kruger NP. Keep an eye out for Africa's famed "big five".
Day 6: Greater Kruger AreaHead north to Timbavati Safari Lodge, for a guided nature walk in search of the small 5. Listening, touching and sensing, can open your world to the real secrets of the African Lowveld.
Day 7: Greater Kruger Area/Louis TrichardtOpt for a morning safari drive, or soak up the atmosphere in the camp, before traveling to the next location, in the Louis Trichardt area. Free afternoon to relax by the pool, opt to walk/hike in the property, or learn about South Africa rich history of the Anglo Boer era.
Day 8: Louis Trichardt/Great Zimbabwe Monument AreaGet an earlier start and cross the border into Zimbabwe. Continue on to the Great Zimbabwe Monument.
Day 9: Great Zimbabwe Monument Area/Matobo National ParkStart the day with a visit to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Africa's most significant ruins site south of Cairo. Learn the history of the ruins and climb to the citadel for a view over the site. Continue on to Matobo National Park.
Day 10: Matobo National ParkWake up early and opt to explore ancient cave paintings, hike the unique and stunning landscape, or hang out by the pool. In the afternoon, enjoy an included nature walk, with the opportunity to get up close and personal with the resident wildlife.
Day 11: Matobo National Park/Hwange National ParkTravel to Hwange National Park for an opportunity to spot more wildlife. Opt to enjoy an evening wildlife safari drive in a safari vehicle.
Day 12: Hwange National Park/Victoria FallsContinue on to Victoria Falls and enjoy lunch at the G Adventurers–supported Lusumpuko Women's Club. Marvel at the spectacular falls from the Zimbabwean side, then enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore further.
Day 13: Victoria FallsSpend the day exploring your beautiful surroundings. Opt to visit Victoria Falls, go whitewater rafting, or take a helicopter flight over the falls.
Day 14: Victoria Falls/KasaneCross the border into Botswana, and stay in Kasane, just outside of Chobe NP. Try to spot the elephants, crocodiles, and hippos this region is famous for during an optional sundowner cruise.
Day 15: Kasane/NataOpt to rise early for sunrise and marvel at your surroundings as you set out on a safari drive in Chobe National Park. Travel to Nata and watch for elephants drinking from the camp's watering hole at night.
Day 16: Nata/MaunPrepare for a 1-night/2-day journey into the delta.
Day 17: Okavango DeltaEnjoy wildlife walks, traditional mokoro excursions, and birding. Learn the ways of the bush from the local polers.
Day 18: Maun/GhanziHop into a mokoro with your friends on the way back to Maun. Search for wildlife in the reeds along the river as you make your way back towards civilization. Zoom through the western part of Botswana to Ghanzi; the heart of the Kalahari. Catch a glimpse of how the Indigenous San Bushmen adapted to the Kalahari Desert on a bushman walk. They will teach you about wilderness survival skills in a place that seems uninhabitable.
Day 19: Ghanzi/WindhoekTravel to Windhoek, the German-influenced capital city of Namibia.
Day 20: Windhoek/Etosha National ParkVisit the G Adventures supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, just outside of Windhoek, to pick up a tasty packed lunch, then continue up to Etosha National Park. Enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle, then opt to explore more on an open vehicle night drive.
Day 21: Etosha National ParkEnjoy another wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for some of the famous wildlife.
Day 22: Etosha National Park/SwakopmundSit back and watch the stunning desert landscape go by enroute to western Namibia.
Day 23: SwakopmundSpend a day exploring all the area has to offer. Optional activities include sandboarding, skydiving, and a township tour.
Day 24: Swakopmund/Namib DesertTravel into the beautiful Namib Desert, stopping at Walvis Bay on the way.
Day 25: Namib DesertVisit Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon, and climb the towering Dune 45. Opt to visit Deadvlei.
Day 26: Namib Desert/KeetmanshoopContinue south through the Namib Desert to Keetmanshoop, enjoying dramatic Namibian landscapes along the way. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to the rare Quiver Tree Forest.
Day 27: Keetmanshoop/Orange RiverEarly start and visit the geological formation: Giant's Playground. Drive South and later in the day visit the breathtaking Fish River Canyon. Then, continue on to the banks of the Orange River with time to swim or just relax. Enjoy the beautiful scenery in this part of the country.
Day 28: Orange River/Lambert's BayCross the border into South Africa and continue down the coast to Lambert's Bay, stopping along the way for an included wine tasting. Then, opt to visit Bird Island or stroll through this charming town.
Day 29: Lambert's Bay/Cape TownContinue on the last stretch of the trip to lovely Cape Town. Stop at the G Adventures supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre along the way, then get ready to explore the vibrant streets of this scenic coastal city.
Day 30: Cape TownDepart at any time.