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Categorization
Level of fitness   Grading of accommodation

Dates and rates
Booking code: WKW
19.05.12 - 06.06.12	USD 3695
07.07.12 - 25.07.12	USD 3795
08.09.12 - 26.09.12	USD 3795

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South Africa, Namibia

Hiking tour through two countries - from Cape Town to Windhoek

See the south western part of the continent on foot. Travel on selected medium daily hikes from Table Mountain to Etosha National Park. – Individual and group travel

On this remarkable hiking tour real nature-lovers can closely get to know southern Africa. We will hike through the impressive, bizarre mountain world of the Cedar Mountains, canoe for half a day on the desert river, Orange, and hike in the Fish River Canyon – second biggest in the world. After going through the fascinatingly desolate Naukluft Mountains the tour takes us into the Namib Desert to Sossusvlei. The three one-day hikes in the Namib Desert are a unique experience with two nights sleeping on camp beds under the clear starry skies of the desert. After visiting the German influenced town of Swakopmund on the cold Atlantic, we will hike to the Spitzkoppe and the famous Phillips Cave and its Khoi San rock art. Finally, we will have a three day safari in the animal rich Etosha Pan before heading to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.

Itinerary:

Walking time in hrs; Hg = Height gain in feet

Day 1 Arrival in Cape Town and City Tour

You will be welcomed by your tour guide at Cape Town Airport. Transfer to guesthouse at the foot of the Table Mountain. Depending on arrival time, a walking tour of the city. Dinner at Africa Cafe. (Driving time: 0.5 hrs) (D)

Day 2 Hike along the Cape of Good Hope

Drive to Simonstown. Visit a penguin colony. Visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Table Mountain National Park. Hike to a shipwreck, as well as to Sirkelsvlei Lake through the dynamic coastline of Fynbos (3 hrs). Picnic on the coast. If we are lucky, we will see eland, bontebok, baboons and ostrich along the way. A one-hour hike leads from Cape of Good Hope to Cape Point. Return journey along the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Town. (Driving time: 2 hrs; Walking time: 4 hrs; Hg: +600 ft) (B)

Day 3 Hike on Table Mountain

Visit the famous botanical gardens Kirstenbosch. From here we go by foot directly to the highest point of Table Mountain (3260 ft). Equisetum (Horsetail), protea, erica’s and carnivorous sundews can all be seen. Wonderful views of Cape Town. Descent on the side of the Atlantic. (Driving time: 0.5 hrs; Walking time; 6 hrs; Hg: +3000 ft) (B)

Day 4 Stellenbosch, Wine lands and Cedarberg Mountains

Drive to Stellenbosch, the viticultural centre of South Africa. A round trip of the area. This is followed by lunch and wine tasting on a wine-growing estate. Drive in the wildness region of the Cedarberg Mountains, a unique hiking area. We will stay in large chalets on a farm by a river. A short hike brings us to a waterfall. (Driving time: 2.5 hrs; Walking time: 1 hr; Hg: +300 ft) (B, D)

Day 5 Hike to Wolfberg Arch

Today our aim is to hike to ‘Wolfberg Arch’, a massive freestanding arch. There is an adventurous or an easier route. Finally, we will visit well kept rock art of the Khoi San and the Staadsaal Cave, an impressive red sandstone formation. (Driving time: 2 hrs; Walking time; 7 hrs; Hg: +2700 ft) (B, D)

Day 6 Hike to Maltese cross

Our morning hike takes us to the ‘Maltese cross’, an impressive freestanding rock formation. Drive through the Namaqualand to Springbok. Between the beginning of August and mid-September the wild flowers are in bloom. Accommodation in a comfortable guesthouse. (Driving time: 4 hrs; Walking time; 3 hrs; Hg: +1350 ft) (B)

Day 7 Half-day canoe trip on the Gariep River

Short transfer to Namibia. 3 hour canoe trip on the still waters of the Gariep/Orange River. The contrast between the small green shoreline and the barren, towering rock face is impressive. With luck we will see rock hyrax. No paddle experience is required. Alternative: relax by the lodge’s pool. Drive in Gondwana Nature Reserve. A two night stay in a beautiful lodge. (Driving time: 3.5 hrs; Paddling time: 3 hrs; Hg: 0 ft) (B, D)

Day 8 Hiking in the Fish River Canyon

From the Hobas Viewpoint it is a descent into the second biggest canyon in the world. We look at the ancient geology from when the continent of Gondwana was formed, 450 million years ago. Midday break by the river. Finally we climb 1500 feet back to the lodge. (Driving time: 0.5 hrs; Walking time: 5 hrs; Hg: +1500 ft) (B, D)

Day 9 Quiver trees and the Giants Playground

Drive to Keetmanshoop. Visit and picnic in the quiver tree forest. Here, in the stony ground, grow an amazing number of these aloe trees. On a circular hiking route (1 hr) we will discover the Giants Playground. Drive through Mariental to Maltahoehe. Accommodation in a charming village hotel. (Driving time: 4.5 hrs; Walking time: 1 hr; Hg: +150 ft) (B, D)

Day 10 Hike in the Naukluft Mountains

Transfer to the rocky mountain landscape of the Naukluft Mountains. We hike on the plateau with beautiful views, through the gorge with its aloe and fig trees and back to our starting point. With luck, we can see baboons, kudu and mountain zebra. We will stay the night in a near-by lodge. (Driving time: 2 hrs; Walking time: 6 hrs; Hg: +1350 ft) (B, D)

Day 11 Hike between the highest dunes in the world

As the sun rises the sand dunes glow red. On hidden paths we will undertake an interesting hike. Drive to a guesthouse. The start of a unique experience: With a ranger, we will hike for 2.5 days in the oldest desert in the world. We will sleep on beds under the stars! We will enjoy our dinner on a table with a calming white tablecloth. Showers and toilets will be built for us in the desert. Vehicles will transport our main luggage; you only need to carry a daypack. In the afternoon a 1-hour hike to our first camp. (Driving time: 2 hrs; Walking time: 2 hrs; Hg: +600 ft) (B, D)

Day 12 Hike through the Namib Desert

There is always something new to discover in the secluded desert, whether that we edible plants, beetles or other insects, or even a gemsbok and ostrich. We will spend another night in a new camp under the stars. (6 hrs; Hg: +1200 ft) (B, L, D)

Day 13 Kuiseb Canyon and flamingos

After another 3-hour hike we reach the farmhouse again. Drive across the Tropic of Capricorn to Walvisbay. Stop at the plankton rich lagoon where both larger and lesser flamingos live. Over-night stay in a hotel in near-by Swakopmund. (Driving time: 4 hrs; Walking time: 3 hrs; Hg: +900 ft) (B)

Day 14 Colonial history and hike to Spitzkoppe

The morning can be spent how you wish. Afternoon drive to Namibia’s landmark, the Spitzkoppe. Hike to Bushman’s Paradise. You can see a lot of rock art from the Khoi San on one of the rock faces. Two-night stay on a farm. (Driving time: 2 hrs; Walking time: 2 hours; Hg: +600 ft) (B, D)

Day 15 Hike to caves and granite formations

On the 4-hour hike in the morning we will visit the Bull’s Party granite formations. The Elephant’s Head is a remarkable sight. Visit Phillip’s Cave and wonder at the famous white elephant rock painting. The afternoon can be spent how you wish. You can hike another 3 hours on the farm with its numerous animals or relax by the pool. In the evening we will enjoy the view of the Erongo plains with Sundowners. (Walking time 4 hrs; Hg: +900 ft) (B, D)

Day 16 Safari in Etosha National Park

A drive through the unique Etosha Pan. Here, with the exception of the buffalo, we can see the ‘Big 4’. We can see cheetah, jackals, giraffe, as well as large herds of common zebra and springbok. We will stay two nights in chalets on Okakuejo Camp. In the evening shy black rhinos often come to drink at the water hole. (Driving time: 3.5 hrs) (B)

Day 17 Safaris

Today we will spend the whole day on safari. (B)

Day 18 Transfer south

After another safari we drive through Okahandja to Windhoek. Our last night is spent in a guesthouse. (Driving time: 3.5 hrs) (B)

Day 19 Return journey

After breakfast there is a last chance to do some shopping in Windhoek. This unique hiking tour ends with the transfer to Hoseo Kutako International Airport. (Driving time: 45 min) (B)

For those who have another 3 days it is a great opportunity to make a 3-day extension to Victoria Falls as well as Chobe National Park, which has the most number of elephants of all Africa’s National Parks.

Services

Included in price:

• English speaking tour guide
• 16 nights in hotels, guesthouses and lodges with private bathroom, 2 nights on camping beds under the stars
• 18 x breakfast, 1 x lunch, 11 x dinner
• All travel and transfer in air conditioned minibus
• All entrance fees for sightseeing program
• South African travel guide

Not included:

• Flights from Europe to Cape Town and from Windhoek to Europe
• Tips
• Meals not mentioned above

Hints

Travel Information:
For the hikes on this trip you need to have a reasonable level of fitness and a firm footing. Only a daypack with provisions and water bottles will need to be carried. The camp beds have warm blankets and the evening is spent at the well-laid table. A toilet and shower is provided. During the given dates, apart from in Cape Town, it is the dry season. Daytime temperatures are up to a comfortable 82 °F, nights, especially in the Namib Desert, can fall to become very cold in the mid thirties.

This tour is also available as a private tour, with minimum of two participants.