Namibia Lodge Safari with Garden Route

Arrive Windhoek and check into hotel. There is some free time today for sightseeing in the Namibian capital, with an opportunity to visit the National Museum or perhaps a half day Katatura Township tour. Stay: Safari Hotel (Comfortable)

Departing Windhoek we spend the day driving south-west into the Namib Desert, to the edge of the Namib-Naukluft National Park and our lodge near Sesriem. The Namib is the oldest desert on earth, distinguished as being home to some of the strangest flora and fauna on the continent. Stay: Hammerstein Lodge (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

Today we drive into the Namib-Naukluft National Park and travel down the Tsauchab Valley to Sossusvlei to watch the sun cast its shadows over the red dunes. Sossusvlei has some of the world's most spectacular sand dunes. The area itself is a vast depression or clay pan, towered over by sand dunes up to 300m high. In the early morning, the first rays of the sun light up the dunes with a deep orange glow - a photographer's delight. It is a wild, beautiful and romantic spot, with sparse vegetation edging a few water courses which flow in from the Tsauchab river. Here springbok and ostrich are often seen.

We'll also explore the cool passageways of the Sesriem Canyon on foot. The canyon is small but very picturesque - many plants grow in the shade and shelter offered by the canyon, and water pools attract several species of birds and animals. Sesriem means 'six thongs'; which refers to the six lengths of rawhide rope (from a wagon) needed to make a line long enough to lower from the rim of the gorge to the stream below, in order to haul up a bucket of water. Stay: Hammerstein Lodge (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

Travelling via Solitaire and through the Kuiseb Canyon, we then pass awe-inspiring landscapes as we head across the Namib gravel flats to Walvis Bay. Here a large spit forms a natural deep-sea harbour that attracted the first navigators in the late 1400's. The shallows, located where the spit joins the mainland, are home to a diverse collection of birds, the most spectacular being flamingos and pelicans that feed here seasonally. It's a short drive from here to the coastal town of Swakopmund. Stay: Prost Hotel (Comfortable) (B/L)

Swakopmund is one of the world's best examples of German colonial architecture, and served as the German's port into what was then, German South West Africa. Like any port town has a colourful past. Today, there may be time to visit the town's excellent museum, or visit a local township, participate in one of the numerous activities on offer, or just relax! This evening you have the chance to watch the sunset at the nearby coastal dune belt.

Please note: The running order of days 5, 6 and 7 is subject to change depending on accommodation locations. All listed highlights and activities will still be included and your Trip Leader will provide a detailed briefing to the group about the running order, driving distances and any necessary changes to what's described in the trip notes. Stay: Prost Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

Travelling north towards the Atlantic coast we visit the memorable Cape Cross Seal Colony where between 80,000 and 100,000 Cape fur seals bask in the sun or swim playfully in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The seals are natural indicators of fish stocks in the ocean. If the fish stocks are healthy, then the seal numbers are high. If the fish stocks are poor, then the seal numbers will be low. The seals are quite big, an average male weighing in at anything up to 187kg (501 lbs.). The females give birth to a single pup around late November to early December.

After our visit we head inland, towards the majestic Brandberg Mountain (2,573m and the highest point in Namibia) and stopping at the Brandberg White Lady Paintings. These famous San Bushman paintings can be found throughout the Brandberg Mountain area and are a spectacle to behold. To reach the rock paintings we will walk via mostly flat terrain between rock formations and it will take us approximately 1 hour to reach. Do remember to wear comfortable walking footwear and have a hat, suntan lotion and plenty of water with you today.

Please note: Depending on your accommodation location, the rock art seen will either be the Brandberg White Lady or Twyfelfontein rock art. Both of these sites are of important, cultural significance in Namibia and are examples of ancient Bushmen rock art. Your Trip Leader will advise on arrival about the running order and which rock art site will be visited. Stay: Uis White Lady Lodge (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

This morning we have the privilege to meet the Himba people and learn about their traditions and way of life. The Himba are the last semi-nomadic herders in Namibia and their simple lifestyle has remained unchanged for generations as these people have preferred their traditional life style to modernization.

They have become iconic for using a characteristic red paste made of butter, fat and red ochre that they apply to their body and which serves an aesthetic purpose in beautifying their body as well as protecting them from the scorching sun. We interact with these friendly and proud people before continuing our journey to the edge of Etosha National Park, arguably one of the finest national parks in Africa. Stay: Toshari Lodge (Comfortable) (B/L/D)

This morning we enter Etosha National park for an early morning game drive. Etosha is an immense, saline desert, covering over 12,400 square miles, and the habitat for 114 species of animals and 340 species of birds. It has been described as the best game reserve on the African continent. Our programme of game drives will depend entirely on the interests of the group, and is left as flexible as possible.

We should see elephant, rhino and hopefully lion. The terrain ranges from dense bush to large open plains where animals roam freely. We drive along the network of gravel roads that criss-cross the Park, visiting the various viewpoints and the permanent waterholes around which animals congregate. There is something enigmatic in the vast silent greywhite pan that covers the reserve. Stay: Halali Bungalows (Comfortable) (B/L)

We continue with game drives today. Numerous waterholes and underground springs attract large herds of animals including springbok, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe. At its very heart is the Etosha Pan, which geologists believe was formed some 12 million years ago from an inland lake about the size of Holland. Shrunk to its present dried-up size, it is now a gigantic depression in the ground - flat, saline and silvery, a mysterious place of mirages and dust-laden images. Stay: Halali Bungalows (Comfortable) (B/L)

We leave Etosha and travel via the Cheetah Conservation Foundation at Otjiwarongo to the Waterberg Plateau Park. The CCF is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and education on cheetahs and their eco-systems with an extensive visitor's centre which encourages visitors to learn more about these beautiful cats and the efforts being made to save them. Later we will continue to the Waterberg Plateau. The Waterberg is a sandstone mountain which rises over 200m from the surrounding plains and is Namibia's only mountain game park. There are various trails to walk along searching for the elusive Damara Dik-Dik and a good variety of birds. Stay: Waterberg Rest Camp Bungalows (Premium) (B/L)

This morning you could choose to explore some of the walking trails on offer or take an optional game drive in the national park. We will then head south and return to Windhoek. We have the chance to stop off en route in Okhandja and visit the local craft market. Stay: Safari Hotel (Comfortable) (B/L)

Today we will leave Windhoek and fly to Cape Town, the Mother City that is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and Twelve Apostles mountain range. Depending on the flight arrival time, you may choose to enjoy some free time with a bite to eat in the relaxed Kloof Street area alongside Capetonians or explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in the sunshine.

This evening, meet the rest of your group and your Trip Leader for the duration of the South Africa section. (B)

Our full day trip to Cape Peninsula will begin with a scenic drive via the white-sand beaches of Fish Hoek, stopping to explore the small but important naval base of Simon's Town. Later, we arrive at Cape of Good Hope, allegedly named due to the optimism once felt by arriving colonial sailors having successfully navigated the Cape and discovering a sea route to the East. We'll take an hour-long walk within the national park to Cape Point and the lighthouse, keeping an eye out for resident baboons, tortoises, otters and seabirds along the way. The trail is well marked, slightly rocky in places, and boasts diverse flora with many colourful flowers.

We'll return to Cape Town via Hout Bay, an attractive fishing port once bordered by dense forest, hence its name, which translates as 'Wood Bay'. Here, we have the option of taking a short boat trip out to Seal Island - home to 1,000 Cape fur seals and guarded by the impressive, towering Sentinel Mountain. Alternatively, explore on dry land to see Hout Bay's active tuna, snoek and crayfish industry and find out why the town prides itself on offering some of the best fish and chips in the world. (B)

Today is left free for you to explore under your own steam. Consider climbing Table Mountain, on foot or by cable car, for the breath taking views over the Apostles, the Atlantic and the city below. The walk up to the viewpoint takes between three to four hours and is accompanied by our Trip Leader.

Alternatively, an aerial cable car runs frequently to and from the summit, where a network of trails criss-cross the plateau and provide a variety of vantage points. Or you may prefer to take a trip to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, which claims to be the most beautiful garden in Africa and is devoted to conservation of the Cape's indigenous species. With prior booking, you can visit the infamous Robben Island, the former prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.

There are departures at 9am, 11am and 1pm. A Robben Island visit and Table Mountain hike can be completed in the same day. If you'd like to do both, we recommend the 9am departure for Robben Island. For information on how to book this, please see the optional activities section or visit www.robben-island.org.za. Your Trip Leader will be able to give further local advice and recommendations on the optional activities.

Late this afternoon, we'll leave Cape Town and head to the scenic winelands of Stellenbosch where you can relax with a sundowner on the terrace. Our hotel has a restaurant and there are a small selection of eateries just a short walk away. Please note: Table Mountain's cableway is closed for two weeks at the end of July for maintenance. Stay: Stellenbosch Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

Stellenbosch is world famous for its wine and today is a perfect opportunity to visit one or two vineyards for a tasting. Many are set within spectacular gardens and farmland, and offer the opportunity to have lunch and a stroll. A guided tour of Stellenbosch Town is also an option and a great way to learn about the many cultures that have come together to make Stellenbosch what it is today. One of the oldest of the colonial settlements, this charming town is made up of wide, oak lined streets and white washed, Cape Dutch architecture.

There are many cafes, bars and delis to choose from for lunch and most pride themselves on using local produce. Or a more active option is to visit Jonkershoek Nature Reserve for a 2.5 hour walking excursion. Easy, scenic walking trails run through an important conservation area of indigenous forest, home to over 1,100 plant species, as well as a number of reptile and mammal species including the elusive leopard. Stay: Stellenbosch Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

This morning will be an earlier start as we make our way to Hermanus. A 90 minute drive takes us to the Betty's Bay area where we will have an included visit to Stony Point Nature Reserve. This reserve sits on the site of a historic whaling station and has a quiet, undiscovered feel, offering excellent penguin viewing without the crowds. The boardwalks can be followed over the craggy outcrops to see the resident seabirds up close without disturbing them.

Although humans are not allowed to wander beyond the boardwalks, it does not always stop the penguins joining the trail and setting a slow walking pace! After a lunch break at Betty's Bay, we'll continue to our apartment-style accommodation in central Hermanus. This afternoon will be free to explore the coastal town. From July to November, Hermanus offers some of the world's best shore- based whale watching, with good opportunity to spot southern right, Bryde's and humpback whales.

Although there is a good chance of seeing the whales from the water's edge in town, you may prefer to follow the coastal path to a better vantage point or join a boat trip excursion for a closer view. At other times of year, you may choose to spend the day exploring the galleries and museums in Hermanus, which are easy to discover on foot. Or if you developed a taste for South African wine while in Stellenbosch, then Hemel-en-Aarde wine valley (Heaven and Earth Valley) is just a stone's throw away, and offers a selection of wineries with views over the town and coast below.

This evening will be at your leisure. There is a variety of traditional South African and seafood restaurants lining the streets. Stay: Windsor Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

We'll stand on the southernmost point of the African continent this morning and see where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean in a white crash of waves. Now marked by a stone plaque, the 'Cape of Storms' was once a point of grave danger to European navigators and to the site of various evidential shipwrecks. We'll have some free time to explore here and get some lunch.

We'll continue towards Swellendam this afternoon, leaving the main road to follow a gravel track to our river camp, where rustic, wooden a-frame huts line the banks of the Breede River. This accommodation offers a real break from reality and a chance to enjoy the surrounding nature. You can chat with the friendly team - many of which come from the nearby town - at the bar or around this evening's camp fire for an insight into their life on the Western Cape. Or find a relaxing spot along the riverbank to enjoy the peace and quiet. This evening a traditional, bush-style dinner will be served before a campfire under the starry sky (weather-depen Stay: Round the Bend Lodge (Comfortable) (B/D)

This morning, if weather allows, there will be an option to try your hand at rafting along the Breede River in two-person inflatable rafts. The grade changes according to the water levels but generally rafting does not exceed grade two and all abilities are welcome. Alternatively, enjoy a coffee by the water's edge or a take a walk around the surrounding countryside of the Western Cape. There'll be time for lunch in the historic town of Swellendam.

This town is small by most standards but is one of the oldest districts in South Africa. Rich in colonial history as an old trading post, the town has well-preserved examples of Cape Dutch architecture. Later this afternoon we'll make our way to Oudtshoorn, where we will be staying in a family-run property close to the centre of town. Depending on our arrival time you can use the pool and all rooms have outdoor seating to make the most of the afternoon sun. This evening is free to walk into town for dinner or perhaps have a barbeque in one of the outdoor eating areas. Stay: Kleinplaas Resort (Comfortable) (B)

We start today by exploring the huge limestone caverns of the Cango Caves. These caves are an underground network of extraordinary structures, millions of years old. The combination of dripping rainwater and limestone has led to the creation of ancient stalactites, stalagmites and mighty rock columns. Allegedly, a local European farmer first discovered the caves late in the 18th century; however, there is research that proves the caves to have been used by man as far back as the Early Stone Age.

Later this morning, we'll leave Oudtshoorn and make our way to the coastal town of Knysna. Here, we'll visit Knysna Heads Viewpoint, where two limestone cliffs emerge from the sea side by side, protecting a peaceful lagoon that runs inland from the sea. The lagoon is popular with tourists and local residents alike and is home to fishermen, water sports enthusiasts and many birds, including herons, kingfishers, African fish eagles and Knysna warblers.

We'll have time to enjoy lunch on the waterfront this afternoon and wander around the quaint, little town before we depart on our final journey of the day to Plettenberg Bay. Our accommodation for the next two nights is a white-washed, seaside resort, set just a five-minute walk down to the unspoilt Keurbooms Beach. Stay: The Dunes Resort (Comfortable) (B)

Today we'll take a short drive to Robberg Nature Reserve where our Trip Leader will lead a walk along the trails. The hiking here is moderate - it's uneven under foot in places and can be slippery so good walking shoes are advised, but rewards are abundant: brilliant bird viewing, sweeping coastal views and the possibility to spot dolphins and seals playing in the waters below.

From July to December, there's also the chance to see southern right whales that come into the calmer and warmer waters to calve and nurse their young. After working up an appetite, we'll stop for a well-deserved lunch in Plettenberg Bay. After lunch, the afternoon is free with the option to relax on the beach, shop for souvenirs or join a whale-watching or kayaking excursion. We'll return to our accommodation in the late afternoon, when there'll be some free to time to relax before dinner - eat in the hotel restaurant, or choose a water-front eatery in Plettenberg Bay, and enjoy local wine alongside fresh seafood. Stay: The Dunes Resort (Comfortable) (B)

This morning we leave on a short journey to Tsitsikamma National Park about 45 minutes away. Another hotspot for seasonal whale watching, the national park covers both land and sea, protecting important forest and marine areas and offering stunning coastal views. We'll be staying in the Storms River region where there are numerous well-marked walking trails for varying abilities, as well as the opportunity to explore suspended canopy walkways and zipwires, or to try river kayaking.

Tonight we'll be staying in simple chalets set amongst the trees just minutes from the sea front. Try fresh seafood in the restaurant or cook up a traditional braai for dinner at one of the communal barbeque areas by the water. Stay: Storms River Rest Camp (Comfortable) (B)

We leave the Tsitsikamma area this morning for another of South Africa's national parks, stopping for breakfast on the way. Home to more than 600 elephants as well as lion, hyena and Cape buffalo, Addo Elephant National Park is our last national park of the trip. On arrival we'll swap into one of the park's safari trucks - perfect for the terrain and for capturing great wildlife shots - for a two-hour game drive with a park guide. Warthog are abundant here, along with various species of antelope, zebra and of course elephant.

After our game drive we make our way to our accommodation which is in the nearby town of Addo. Depending on timings today, your Tour Leader may change the open safari vehicle game drive to tomorrow morning instead. Stay: Addo Homestead (Comfortable) (B/D)

Early risers have the opportunity to book a sunrise game drive with a park guide this morning. Heading out into the bush as the sun slowly peeks over the horizon is a thrilling experience that justifies the early start. The bush is cooler at this time of day, and bathed in majestic lighting - there's increased chance of seeing hyena and cats on the hunt for breakfast, and fewer cars.

The after breakfast we make our way to Port Elizabeth Airport where the trip ends at around 13.00. (B)