On foot and by canoe through western South Africa and Namibia

Adventure tours >> On foot and by canoe through western South Africa and Namibia (16/19 days) 6-15 guests

Highlights

Cedarberg Mountains: Scramble through Wolfberg Cracks onto Cedarberg plateau

Canoe trip on Oranje River: Four days without cell phone reception and money bags through remarkable desert landscapes

Fish River Canyon: Hike through Lion and Fish River Canyon

Namib Desert: Away from the tourist masses, on a secret path into Sossusvlei

Etosha National Park: Visit one of Africa’s most popular parks on many game drives

(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Day 1
You will be greeted by your tour guide at Cape Town International Airport or your city guesthouse/hotel. We drive to the Cedarberg Mountain range, approximately 280 km north of Cape Town. This is a unique hiking area covering some 100 kilometres of weird rock formations and a rich plant life, which includes rarities such as the snow protea. The first walk leads to a well-preserved San (Bushmen) paintings and to the “Staadssal”, a bizarre sandstone rock formation. We will be accommodated in comfortable chalets on a farm in the Cedarberg Mountains (2 hrs). (L, D)

Day 2
The next hike of the vacation takes us to the “Maltese Cross”. This is an impressive, freestanding, 10-metre-tall rock formation in the form of a cross. The area consists of a weirdly beautiful world of sandstone rock formations that have been eroded into a variety of strange shapes (6 hrs). (B, L, D)

Day 3
Today we go on a fairly strenuous hike to the “Wolfberg Arch”. This is an extraordinary upright arch of stone, and once reached, it offers stunning views over the southeast Cedarberg. On the way, we have to squeeze through tunnels, narrow cracks and crevices and cross over various bridges before reaching the plateau with its unique, eroded landscape of red rock formations (there is an easier route available). We return to our farm via one of the remaining pockets of cedar forest and later spend the afternoon relaxing on the banks of a crystal-clear river (7hrs). (B, L, D)

Day 4
We drive on to the north via the barren land of the Namaqualand. The wildflowers offer a spectacular display of colour after good rains in August and September. We reach the Orange River and are accommodated in a guesthouse in Kakamas. (B, D)

Day 5 - 8
This is where the real adventure begins! In 2-man canoes we venture down the Orange river and spend the next four days canoeing in stages of between 15 to 20 km meandering through beautiful desert landscape. The highlight being sleeping under the stars in tents and evening dinners along side our campfire. A true African experience! On day 8 we finish our canoe trip and visit the impressive Augrabies Falls. In the afternoon we can relax around the pool or take a walk in the Augrabies National park. (3 x B, L, D/ 1 x B, L)

Day 9
We travel to the famous Fish River Canyon in the afternoon, the second largest canyon in the world and one of the natural wonders of Africa. We spend the night in a cosy lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 10 & 11
Early in the morning we transfer to the departure point of our 2-day hiking adventure through this gigantic canyon. There is no pre-planned sleeping area and we choose a beautiful spot to spend the night under the stars (tents are available). An unforgettable experience! The night of Day 10 we spend again in the comfortable lodge. (2 x B, L, D)

Day 12
We travel away from the Fish River Canyon, going north into the Namib Desert. Africa’s largest conservation area. Cheetah, mountain zebra, kudu, oryx, ostrich and the elegant springbok live here. We spend the night in a beautifully situated guest farm bordering the Namib Naukluft Mountain. You will be able to enjoy a typical desert sunset with sundowners on an open Land rover. (B, D)

Day 13
At sunrise we venture into the spectacularly crested sand dunes at Sossusvlei, which are known as star, barchans and linear dunes. These dunes reach heights of up to 325 m above the Tsauchab River and shine a brilliant red in the morning. On a secret path we venture between them to Sossusvlei, away from all other tourists. An unforgettable experience of learning about the amazing interaction between plants and mammals of this desert area! The energetic adventurer may like to climb one of the higher dunes, which offer a fabulous view over the beautiful landscape of the Namib Desert. A detour will take us to the Sesriem Canyon, which offers welcoming shade in the warm desert climate. We return to the guest farm in the afternoon. (B, L, D)

Day 14
After breakfast we shuttle into the rocky desert of the Naukluft Mountains. We hike onto a plateau with excellent views and back to our starting point through a breathtaking gorge covered with aloes and fig trees (5-6 hrs.). With a bit of luck we can spot baboons, Kudu antelopes and mountain zebra. We overnight on a typical Namibian guest farm. (B, L, D)

Day 15
Today we drive back to Windhoek over the Spreetshoogte Pass, which offers a memorable last view over the Namib-Naukluft Park, the largest game park in Africa and the fourth largest in the world. A city tour of Windhoek by foot in the afternoon shows us the “Alte Feste” fort with an archaeological exhibition of paintings and engravings of the Bushmen. We are accommodated in a cosy guesthouse. For dinner Joe’s Beer house is highly recommended. (B) Guests who do not wish to continue to Etosha National park with us can fl y back from Windhoek on day 16.

Day 16
On the way to Etosha National park we pass the woodcarving market in Okahandja. With the exception of buffalo all the other “Big 4” are present in the Etosha National park. Cheetah, jackal, many giraffe and vast herd of various antelope and zebra also call it their home. We overnight in bungalows in a safari camp. (B)

Day 17
We are doing safaris the whole day in our vehicle and will pass numerous waterholes and view points into the endless saltpan. We are accommodated again in bungalows in a safari camp. (B)

Day 18
After doing a morning safari we leave the national park for Tsumeb and pass by Lake Otjikoto, where the German “Schutztruppe” disposed of its weapons after surrendering. Late afternoon we arrive back in Windhoek, where we are accommodated in a cosy guesthouse for the last night. (B)

Day 19
After breakfast there is time for shopping in the capital before we leave Windhoek for the airport, where this unique adventure trip ends (B)

Travel Information:
A normal bill of health is required for hiking and swimming. The overnight camping accommodation in the Fish River Canyon and along the Orange River has no shower or toilet facilities. You are required to join in the activities and display team spirit. Dry weather conditions prevail at the time of the tour, except in Cape Town. The days can be pleasantly warm with cold evenings, especially in the Namib Desert where temperatures will hover just above freezing point. Tour participants should keep this in mind and bring suitable clothing and sleeping bag.

Included:
qualified English-speaking tour guide
all accommodation in double rooms not always with own shower/toilet (2-3*), 6 nights in dome shaped tents
all meals as mentioned
all entrance fees
all transfers & travel in minibuses

Excluded:
flights to and from South Africa & Namibia
gratuity

Book this tour

If our fixed departure doesn't suit you, don't despair! Contact us for exclusive itineraries for small groups or individual travelers, we will be happy to put together a special tour for you.

Email: reservations@africanbikers.com | Phone: +27 21 465 2018 | Fax: +27 21 461 2349
Address: 35 Breda Street, Oranjezicht, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

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