Day 1
Start Cape Town
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Accommodation
Waterfront Breakwater Lodge (or similar)
Looking for the ultimate safari adventure through Africa? This one doesn't just explore the gorgeous city of Cape Town and thundering might of Victoria Falls - it also takes a wild safari through iconic Kruger, before exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Botswana and Namibia, with heaps of included game drives, luxe lodges with swimming pools, opportunities for helicopter wildlife spotting and interactions with indigenous communities. This is the ultimate African adventure, unfiltered, and once you've made memories like these under African skies, your life will never be the same.
Locations Visited
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Okavango Delta, Maun, Etosha National Park, Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund
Countries Visited
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia
Travel Style
For 18 - 35 year olds
Accommodations
20 nights included
Age Requirements
Travel for 18-35 year olds
Day 1
Accommodation
Waterfront Breakwater Lodge (or similar)
Day 2
Our time in Cape Town is dedicated to sightseeing and today is no exception! We'll start at the very top with a cable car ride up Table Mountain, followed by a city tour of Cape Town’s key sights and historical attractions. After that, the rest of the day is yours. We recommend the V&A Waterfront (SA’s most visited attraction). You’ll also have the option to join our Township Tour & Amy Foundation Lunch, which gives you a locally guided insight into life during Apartheid. Tonight, you can get to know your new pals in the best way possible – an optional MasterChef-style cooking class with food, drinks and music.
Accommodation
Waterfront Breakwater Lodge (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Stroll around the scenic harbour and enjoy some Insta-worthy views, at South Africa's most-visited attraction.
Cable the Table! Take a scenic ride to the top of one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of Nature’ for 360° views of Cape Town.
Bo-Kaap. The City Centre. V&A Waterfront. This tour takes in all the historical sites & attractions of the Mother City.
Day 3
This is your day to take advantage of Cape Town’s myriad local excursions – after breakfast of course. Our fav is a scenic drive along the cliffs of Chapman's Peak and down to Cape Point – the South-Western tip of Africa. In the afternoon, we’ll stop off at Boulders Beach to admire a colony of adorable African penguins - with a chance to go kayaking with them too! What next? Well, you can't go wrong with wine tasting (and a view) to round off an incredible day touring the "fairest Cape in all the world." So, join us if you like!
Accommodation
Waterfront Breakwater Lodge (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 4
Rise and shine. Today, we have a (very early) flight to Johannesburg, the city of Gold, where our first port of call will be the Kruger National Park.
The Savannah is calling. We've got no time to waste! We'll hop straight onto our coach and begin our journey through South Africa's country side to Kruger.
Yup, it’s safari time! We arrive at the gates to Kruger National Park this afternoon with binoculars at the ready. Rolling through this wildlife haven (the size of a small country) for a sunset game drive as we make our way to our exclusive Contiki Safari Camp. Set on the banks of the Sabie River, in the middle of Kruger, this Special Stay has us camping in canvas tents (the kind with mattresses and linen). All dotted around a roaring bonfire, listening to lions off in the distance, and under the African stars. That's right, its not 5 star accommodation...its 5000 star camping.
Accommodation
Contiki Safari Camp, Lower Sabie (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Our Special Stay is located right inside one of Africa's most famous Wildlife Reserves (that's also within one of its most popular Main Camps - Lower Sabie!). The camp is perched on the banks of the incredible Sabie River with a shop, swimming pool and riverside restaurant, where you can to look out for wildlife coming down to drink. Our exclusive camp comprises of canvas dome tents with stretchers, mattresses, linen, towels and charging outlets. Plus, there's a communal firepit to sit around late into the night, gazing at the stars and listening to the calls of nocturnal animals.
We’ll head into Kruger National Park, one of the most famous wildlife parks in the whole of Africa, to witness wildlife in their natural habitat.
Day 5
Accommodation
Contiki Safari Camp, Lower Sabie (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 6
Accommodation
Sunrock Guesthouse (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 7
This morning we'll drive to the airport to catch our flight up to Victoria Falls.
We start off with the number one attraction around - the Falls themselves! Hike along the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders and the largest waterfall in the world. You might want to pack your raincoat, as during certain times of the year you can get drenched from the rising spray, giving the falls its local name: 'The smoke that thunders'. This afternoon, you'll have the option to jump, zipline or swing off the famous bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia over the Zambezi River. On the menu tonight is an optional buffet of African delicacies with a drum show!
Please note: From January to June this trip puts you in the Victoria Falls Waterfront Hotel, Zambia, with a riverside deck and bar that overlooks the spray of the thunderous falls. Travelling from July to December? Don't worry, you're not missing out: we'll put you up in the Shearwater Explorers Village, Zimbabwe, just 400m from the falls - with bohemian cafes, curios markets and swimming pools to explore. It's a win win, basically.
Accommodation
Shearwater Explorer's Village (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
See the epic waterfall of your Insta dreams. Take a stroll along the edge and see this ‘the smoke that thunders’ in all its glory.
Day 8
Today you have the choice to try white water rafting along the Zambezi river. There's also a locally guided village tour - if you wanna get to know the locals and experience their way of life. And then, end the evening with a magnificent sunset cruise including drinks (optional but highly recommended!).
Accommodation
Shearwater Explorer's Village (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 9
We start today on foot, to literally ‘walk on the wild side’ with an optional guided walking safari along the Zambezi’s National Park. This is a unique way to track wildlife on foot while learning about some of the smaller animals – plus plants and just generally anything we come across. Wanna go from foot mode to flight mode? Then you've got the option to take a helicopter ride above the thunderous waters below (the best way to see the falls in all their glory!). Then it’s across the border to Botswana for more of what we love. i.e. safaris! This time, it’s the world-famous Chobe National Park, known for its huge elephant population.
Tonight, you’ll truly experience the wilderness with a night out in the middle of the African bush. We have a private Contiki site just for us, with our own guides, cooks and a bonfire – all set under the stars. After dinner, you’ll get the chance to fall asleep to the sounds of Africa: a jackal calling in the distance, the loud whoop of a hyena, perhaps the roar of lions as they wake from a daytime slumber. Catch you later, city life!Accommodation
Contiki Safari Camp (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Ready for a night you'll never forget? Our Special Stay in Chobe is a serene camp that's surrounded by nature. You'll find dome tents with stretcher beds, linen and mattress pre-setup in our accommodation for the night. Plus, there's a dining tent and fire to sit around late into the night under millions of stars. Note: Camping in Chobe is only available from April to October, the rest of the year will be at a lodge accommodation outside the park.
Coast along the banks of the Chobe River in search of thirsty wildlife coming down to drink.
Day 10
This morning we'll wake up to watch the sunrise over the African bush with a light breakfast, before departing on a morning game drive to hopefully see some of the wildlife we may have heard the night before. We will arrive late morning to check into our new lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing around the pool and swapping stories from the night before. On our last evening together you can opt for a wildlife cruise on the Chobe river. Surrounded by pods of hippos, crocs basking on the banks and all forms of African animals coming down to drink, this is truly one African sunset you'll never forget followed by a buffet dinner tonight.
Accommodation
Kwalape Safari Lodge (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Be on the lookout for any wildlife we may have heard the night before!
Day 11
Accommodation
Gweta Lodge (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 12
Accommodation
Contiki Safari Camp (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
A night in Africa’s Eden? Yep. This is your true African escape, away from technology. It's gonna be just you, nature and the incredible sights, sounds and smells of the wilderness. Our campsite is located right next to the Khwai river where all forms of wildlife (great and small) come down to drink. So, keep your camera with you! Camp staff will set up your tents as well as cook all your meals on open fires. Your tents come with stretchers, mattresses, linen and towels. And the campsite also has a chill tent during the day for relaxing between Game Drives.
Our first taste of the Okavango Delta, as we head to our Contiki Safari Camp. Hopefully spotting some of the ‘Big Five’ on our way.
Day 13
Accommodation
Contiki Safari Camp (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Get up with the sun in search of the amazing wildlife in this garden of Eden.
Enjoy another taste of wildlife spotting this afternoon.
Enjoy a sunset trip along the waterways of the Khwai River, looking out for the incredible animals that live here.
Day 14
Another morning at the Delta (the struggle is real.) After coffee and breakfast at sunrise, it's time for another morning game drive – eyes peeled for elephants – as we make our way out of this wildlife paradise.
Check into the lodge, chill by the pool and then take to the skies in an optional Okavango Delta helicopter flight. Hover just meters above the waterways or fly high for stunning views of this unique inland delta and of course, don’t forget your binocs for some wildlife spotting from the air. If you've got a head for heights, you won't find views more spectacular than this anywhere in the world. Tonight, you’ll polish off your last night in Botswana with a night in the town. The Okavango Delta Brewery calls, offering a tour, tasting and dinner for you to enjoy.
Accommodation
Island Safari Lodge (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
It’s our last drive in the Delta! And our last chance to see any wildlife that eluded us on previous jaunts.
Day 15
Accommodation
Town Lodge, Windhoek (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 16
After breakfast, we'll hit the road together to admire the beautiful countryside. Namibia's main attractions are spaced far apart so expect some long drives with jaw-dropping views along the way. Beautiful desert scenery, as well as historical and cultural stops on the route - we promise the drives won't be a bore. Our first stop will be for lunch near the Nauklauft Mountain Range on a vineyard, in the middle of the desert. Wine tasting anyone?
This evening, we arrive at our accommodation near one of Namibia's most iconic attractions: Sossusvlei, a huge salt and clay pan framed by enormous dunes (some of the highest in the world). We'll check in to our lodge and then get ready for a morning’s exploration with a big ol’ buffet dinner.
Accommodation
Soft Adventure Camp (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 17
We're up early today – let’s get exploring the desert before it’s too hot! We start out at the Namib-Naukluft National Park, keeping our eyes open for Oryx and other desert-dwelling wildlife. Soon we'll jump off the vehicles and take a mesmerising walk into the sand dunes (barefoot of course) with cameras ready for 360 degrees views. Wandering along Big Daddy sand dune and down into Deadvlei, admiring the views, you’ll finally realise where your desktop background images come from.
We'll hit the long road again, admiring more scenery on our way to the coastal town of Swakopmund. After checking into our hotel take yourself for a sunset stroll and enjoy some of the local delicacies here.
Accommodation
Prost Hotel (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Explore Sossusvlei, snap shots of Deadvlei and wander around Big Daddy sand dune
Day 18
Welcome to Swakopmund, AKA adventurer's paradise as we explore the ocean and the surrounding desert. Wanna catch glimpses of dolphins, whales and seals (and other fascinating marine life)? Then join us for a morning seal kayaking experience at Pelican point. This afternoon, you have free time to explore this quaint German Town as you please. So, go for a beer in a Brauhaus, grab lunch on the pier, or even better - head to the dunes for a dose of adventure. And if you're more about those chill vibes, you'll love the tour of Mondesa Township this evening, where you'll meet the locals and feast on a home-made dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Accommodation
Prost Hotel (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Day 19
Today we head back inland for our Namibian safari destination of choice – Etosha. Before we arrive, we’ll stop off in the Erongo Mountains to visit the San Bushmen of Omandumba. Here, we’ll learn some of their language and be wowed at their skills and crafts as they educate us on how to survive and thrive in harsh desert conditions.
Then we're headed to our accommodation near Etosha (a pan so large it can be seen from space!). But it's the natural waterholes lining the edge that interests the wildlife, and that's why it interests us. Enjoy sundowners at the lodge while the excitement builds for tomorrow's game drive.
Accommodation
Ijaba Lodge (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Experience life in an African bushman village, as the local people give you a snapshot of their desert lifestyle.
Day 20
We're up early for our first Namibian game drive in Etosha! From big cats to desert-savvy antelope, the wildlife viewing experience here is like nowhere else on Earth. At midday we'll head back to the lodge for lunch and siesta by the pool. Tonight, on our last night together, we’ll treat ourselves to one last buffet dinner.
Accommodation
Ijaba Lodge (or similar)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 21
After breakfast, we drive back down to Windhoek to catch the afternoon flights back home, saying goodbye to new friends but cherishing our lifelong memories.
Please Note: Do not book flights that depart before 14:30pm on the last day of the trip.
Meals
Breakfast
Title
A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
As the name suggests, a Special Stay ain't your ordinary accommodation - it's much more than that. Think of it as an experience in its own right. On this trip, you'll be able to camp under the stars (all while being surrounded by wildlife) at your Special Stay.
Nope, you're all good! All equipment (tents, sleeping bags, etc) will be provided for you.
You don't have to. Your road crew will set up camp, cook meals, and clean up afterwards - but you're always welcome to help!
You'll have access to proper bathrooms with real toilets, hot showers and everything you need - just shared with the crew.
Trip Notes:
Terms & Conditions: