28 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 9 dinners

Eating is a big part of travelling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available in southern Africa. On this tour, we provide only a few meals for you and your group members, so as to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility in you choices. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though – while in the larger centres, your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip.

Your tour leader prepare the meals included in the Okavango Delta, arranging to purchase the foodstuffs before our bush camping excursion begins. Breakfasts will generally be cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Lunches will be light meals such as sandwiches and/or salads. All evening meals will be freshly-prepared hot meals, and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes.

For the included meals, vegetarian meal requests and other dietary requirements need to be specified prior to arrival.

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

1. TRANSPORTATION

This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, countries, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe air-conditioned touring vehicle for the long drives.

2. YELLOW FEVER: COUNTRY DETAIL

There is no risk of Yellow Fever transmission in Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. However, all of these countries require proof of vaccination under International Health Regulations to prevent importation of the virus. It is compulsory to show a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you are travelling to any of the above countries from a Yellow Fever endemic country, or have recently transited through one (12 hours or more in airport). Endemic countries include: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela.

We advise all travellers on Southern and East Africa itineraries to carry a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate regardless of their country of origin. Given the multi-country nature of these itineraries, travellers will cross borders into countries that require the certificate as a condition of entry from preceding destinations. A traveller entering the itinerary from a non-endemic country may not require the certificate to enter the first country, but will almost certainly require it by the time they cross into a subsequent one. Yellow Fever vaccinations must be administered at least 10 days prior to entry into the first country visited. Under WHO regulations (effective 11 July 2016), certificates are valid for the lifetime of the person vaccinated, there is no 10-year expiry on the certificate itself, though some border officials may be unaware of this. Travellers should carry their original International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (yellow card) at all times during the tour. Travellers without a valid certificate run the risk of being denied entry and will not be able to continue with the tour. Any additional travel expenses incurred will be at the traveller’s own account.

3. COMBO TRIP

Please note that this tour is a combination of several G Adventures tours. As such, your group CEO, fellow passengers, or vehicle may change between the individual tour sections.

4. EXTRAS

Looking to add to your experience? Check out our Extras! Specially designed for travellers with unique interests, Extras are optional add-ons to your G adventures trip that make your adventure more you-centric. Extras must be booked prior to departure, please see details in our optional activities field and ask your sales GCO or travel agent about booking.

5. Water-wise tips when visiting Cape Town:

– Bring a reusable water bottle, that you can fill with Cape Town’s tasty tap water.

– Reuse your towels in the hotel, for at least two days, before getting new ones.

– Keep your laundry until you have a full load to do, rather than just doing a handful of items.

– Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, or shaving.

– Keep your showers to two minutes or less, and don’t use the bath.

– Use hand sanitizer, instead of washing hands.

6. MONEY EXCHANGE

We strongly advise that you bring ZAR or USD from your home country or exchange money before the start of the tour, to avoid delays on tour. Please see the Money Exchange section for more details.

7. DRONES

The use of drones in national parks in Southern Africa is prohibited.

8. ACCOMMODATION NOTE

Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

9. PARTICIPATIVE CAMPING

An essential part of your trip is participation – from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing it away in the morning, to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up – it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your CEO will do all the meal planning, but we do ask the clients to help with the preparation and washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun! All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag, pillow, and towel) is supplied.

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) & driver throughout, local guides.

Hotel/Guesthouse

12 nights in comfortable twin rooms with en suite or shared facilities.

Lodge/Chalet

12 nights in standard rooms with en-suite or shared facilities.

Basic Camping (participative)

1 night is spent in pitched tents in the Delta with very basic facilities (no shower, dig-out toilet). Tents are twin.

Camping (participative)

4 nights are spent in pitched tents in Etosha National Park and Solitaire Area. Tents are twin with shared facilities.

Please note that due to the high demand for accommodation in the parks, sometimes we will arrange alternative accommodation outside of the park.

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labelled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase (please avoid a hard-top case) or sports bag — 20kg is the maximum allowance, but we suggest 15kg — plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited. Porters are not often available, so be prepared to carry your own bags. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a warm jacket for early morning wildlife safari drives. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable. During the winter months (May to October), the temperatures can get quite cold in Namibia and Botswana. It is wise to bring plenty of layers for cool mornings and evenings.

Please be advised that if you plan to bring a drone with you, the use of drones in national parks in Southern Africa is prohibited.

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Explore on foot among granite kopjes and balancing rocks that define Matobo’s surreal scenery. A ranger explains the park’s unique ecology and the wildlife adapted to its sculpted hills and valleys.

Hear how these ancient stones shelter sacred places and stories of rock art, while you watch for klipspringer, raptors, and other residents that thrive amid the weather-worn domes.

Stand at the edge of Africa’s largest chasm, the Fish River Canyon, carved over millennia through arid plateaus. Gaze across terraces and buttes while the river’s distant bends glint below.

Hear how tectonics, erosion, and climate etched this river-carved amphitheatre, and feel the hush of rasping desert winds sweeping along the rim viewpoints.

Cross iconic gates to search for the Big Five on a full-day wildlife safari in one of Africa’s greatest reserves. Scan acacia-dotted savannahs and riverine thickets while your guide interprets tracks, bird calls, and seasonal movements.

Expect unhurried time at productive waterholes where elephant, giraffe, zebra, and antelope often gather, with predators never far behind. The sheer biodiversity makes every kilometre compelling.

Step out on foot with expert trackers to seek the Small Five—elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, buffalo weaver, antlion, and rhino beetle—while learning to read subtle signs of the bush.

Touch textured leaves, note medicinal uses of plants, and listen for birdsong that hints at movement nearby. This immersive walk re-calibrates your senses to the rhythms of the Lowveld ecosystem.

Wander among the aloe dichotoma of the Quiver Tree Forest, named for the San practice of hollowing branches into arrow quivers—an ingenious link between plant and people.

Nearby, clamber through Giant’s Playground, where dolerite boulders stack like toppled blocks. Guides explain the geology and point out rock hyrax and lizards thriving in this stark, sculptural landscape.

Pause on the West Coast to sample regional wines raised in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains. Compare cultivars guided by a local host who shares pairing tips and palate cues.

Sea air and sandstone soils shape distinctive flavours here; learn how microclimates and traditional methods craft bottles that capture the Atlantic-cooled terroir.

Gather for a cultural evening featuring a hearty local feast and a traditional dance performance. Dishes showcase regional ingredients and homestyle recipes that speak to life in the Lowveld.

Between courses, drumming and harmonies animate stories of community and identity. Feel the beat rise as performers invite you to join the rhythms and celebrate shared moments around the fire.

Walk rainforest paths to viewpoints facing Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya), where the Zambezi plunges in a thundering curtain of water. Spray drifts across the gorge, nourishing a ribbon of emerald forest.

From classic vantage points on the Zimbabwean side, your guide highlights geology, seasonal flow, and local lore as you pause for photos and reflection amid the roar and rainbows.

Sit down in Victoria Falls town for a farm-to-table Zimbabwean lunch hosted by members of the Lusumpuko Women’s Club. Expect home-style staples like sadza with hearty relishes, seasonal greens, and slow-cooked stews.

As you dine, hear about the cooperative’s social impact and culinary traditions, and witness a brief demonstration of how locals eat and share meals—a warm exchange that supports livelihoods.

Glide silently through reed-lined channels by mokoro canoe, scanning for kingfishers, jacanas, and a mosaic of delta wildlife. On islands, set out on a walking safari to read tracks, study plants, and connect with this pulsing wetland.

Sleep in a simple bush camp beneath star-streaked skies. Evenings often feature songs by local polers, a relaxed cultural moment that adds rhythm to the wilderness experience.

Head into the Kalahari with San guides to follow traditional tracking techniques, identify edible and medicinal plants, and hear how families once moved with the seasons.

As dusk falls, share a traditional dinner and stories around the fire. Rhythmic clapping and campfire dance in the click-rich Naro language illuminate cultural continuity and the community’s efforts to safeguard heritage.

Call at the Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop beside Avis Dam to collect a freshly prepared packed lunch and tour this women-led social enterprise.

See workshops where artisans craft embroidered textiles, beadwork, and hand-thrown pottery, and learn how fair employment and training empower women from Windhoek’s townships and rural communities.

Traverse grasslands and mopane scrub to the shimmering Etosha salt pan, pausing at productive waterholes where giraffe splay to drink and antelope gather warily. Guides introduce the park’s predator–prey dynamics and seasonal movements.

With over 100 mammal species, daylight hours can deliver steady sightings—watch for elephants, lions, and black-faced impala drawn to Okaukuejo-area waterholes along the desert’s pale rim.

Enter a realm of towering red dunes where the Tsauchab River ends. At sunrise, climb Dune 45 for a wave-like panorama before exploring the short, shaded depths of Sesriem Canyon.

Learn how wind and time sculpted this sand sea and why desert-adapted wildlife survives here. Those keen can later consider an optional walk to the photogenic clay pan of Deadvlei.

Travel north of Cape Town to the !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre to explore interpreted exhibits on Southern Africa’s First Peoples, their lifeways, and languages.

Guided by San trainees, learn how the centre helps preserve San heritage and fosters skills for future employment. Trails, storytelling, and artefacts reveal living culture beyond stereotypes.

Cross Table Bay by ferry to visit Robben Island, the UNESCO site where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 imprisoned years. Former inmates guide tours of the Maximum Security Prison, including Mandela’s cell.

This powerful encounter with South Africa’s struggle era is at additional cost and bookable on tour, though departures often sell out well in advance—pre-booking is strongly advised.

Ride the aerial cableway to the plateau to soak up views over Table Bay and the Twelve Apostles. Follow easy summit paths past fynbos and rocky outcrops to quiet lookouts.

This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; operations are weather-dependent. Clear conditions reward photographers with far-reaching panoramas across the Cape Peninsula.

Trace a cliff-hugging coastal road through fynbos reserves to Cape Point and the rugged promontory of the Cape of Good Hope. Walk windswept paths where two great ocean currents mingle offshore.

Expect sweeping headlands, crashing surf, and birdlife. This scenic excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with time for photo stops on dramatic Atlantic cliffs.

Venture into vine-lined valleys to sample regional wines at select estates, learning about terroir, grape varieties, and Cape blends. Stroll past white-washed Cape Dutch gables and oak-lined streets in historic Stellenbosch.

This curated tasting experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; tasting fees and expert notes help cultivate your palate for South Africa’s acclaimed vintages.

Enhance your Kruger experience with a sunrise or sunset game drive in a purpose-built open vehicle, offering elevated views and superb photography angles.

Guides use fresh tracks and calls to help you track big cats and other predators on the move. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to park regulations and availability.

Set out with a specialist guide on an open-vehicle safari across Hwange’s vlei and woodland habitats, renowned for large elephant herds and diverse plains game.

Expect wide horizons and rich birdlife. This game drive is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with the best light often arriving in the golden hours of early morning or late afternoon.

Lift off for a “Flight of Angels” to orbit the Victoria Falls, following the Zambezi River as it plunges into the Batoka Gorge. Aerial views reveal the full breadth of the cataracts and serpentine canyons.

This scenic flight is at additional cost and bookable on tour; weather-dependent operations ensure optimal visibility for photos and video.

Helmet up to tackle Grade IV–V rapids in the dramatic Batoka Gorge below the falls. Between surges, drift past black basalt cliffs and quiet pools alive with bird calls.

This high-adrenaline experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; seasonal water levels determine which rapids run. Professional guides lead safety briefings and river navigation.

Cast off in the golden hour to watch sunset over the Zambezi, scanning for hippos snorting, crocodiles basking, and elephants along the reed-fringed banks.

Drinks and snacks complement a tranquil evening afloat. This leisurely cruise is at additional cost and bookable on tour, a serene counterpoint to the falls’ thunder.

Board a boat in Kasane to cruise the Chobe River as herds of elephants and buffalo descend to drink. Birdlife crowds overhanging trees while hippos surface in the channels.

This classic wildlife perspective is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with golden-hour photography and reflections across the water.

Enter Chobe’s riverfront to seek lions, sable antelope, and vast elephant herds on a guided game drive through teak and mopane woodlands.

This open-vehicle safari is at additional cost and bookable on tour. Morning departures catch predators on the move; late-day drives linger at sun-lit floodplains where wildlife congregates.

Head into the Namib for a lesson in dune dynamics and carve down slipfaces on a sandboard or lie-down toboggan, guided for technique and safety.

Expect exhilarating runs, soft landings, and sweeping views of sea and sand. This adventure is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with equipment and instruction provided.

Strap in with a licensed instructor for a tandem jump over the coast where desert meets Atlantic. Freefall gives way to a serene canopy glide with dunes and surf unfurling below.

This adrenaline rush is at additional cost and bookable on tour; weather-dependent with full safety briefing and gear included. Bird’s-eye horizons reward the bold.

Meet residents on a guided township tour that visits community projects, informal markets, and local eateries. Conversations illuminate daily life beyond the beachfront facades.

This cultural experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, offering context on migration, language, and identity while you browse crafts and sample home-style flavours.

Join a local guide to cross apricot dunes to Deadvlei’s white clay pan, where skeletal camelthorn trees stand against towering sand walls—a surreal photographer’s dream.

This add-on is at additional cost and bookable on tour, complementing your included Sossusvlei visit with deeper insights into desert ecology and dune formation.

Walk the causeway to watch thousands of blue-eyed Cape gannets nesting on a protected outcrop, with gulls and cormorants swirling overhead.

Observation hides offer close viewing and interpretation. This coastal wildlife experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with seasonal spectacles peaking when breeding colonies swell.

Clip in and step off the historic Victoria Falls Bridge for a plunge toward the Zambezi with the gorge rising to meet you—an icon of adventure since 1905.

This high-adrenaline leap is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to weather and operator protocols. Spectators can cheer from the bridge’s steel arch above the river.

Begin your journey by gathering to meet your CEO and fellow travellers. Get an overview of the route, safety tips, and how daily life on tour works while you share first impressions and questions.

Use this time to plan optional adventures you’re excited about and hear local insights that bring Southern Africa’s cultures and landscapes into focus. This orientation typically occurs early in the tour.

Explore the historic heart of the Mother City on foot and join a guided orientation walk through landmarks near the city centre. Stroll past the shady avenues of the Company’s Garden and the market stalls of Greenmarket Square, with the Table Mountain skyline framing the scene.

Hear stories of Cape Town’s colonial beginnings, contemporary culture, and neighbourhood character—useful bearings for your own explorations during your time in the city.

Pedal alongside a local guide to cycle through Soweto, encountering street art, shebeens, and everyday life in South Africa’s most storied township. Visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial and roll down Vilakazi Street, once home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.

Absorb the powerful history of resistance and resilience while pausing to sample local flavours and hear the music and voices that shape modern Soweto.

Journey along Mpumalanga’s famed ridge on a guided drive to the Blyde River Canyon, the swirling potholes of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the far-reaching vistas of God’s Window. Pause for photos where the misty escarpment drops to the lowveld.

Learn how rivers carved this dramatic landscape and why gold rush history and indigenous lore cling to the forested slopes and red sandstone cliffs.