Africa Overland Tours Cape Town South Africa gap year career break and mature volunteer projects overland trips

NAMIBIA SOUTH - 7 DAYS
CAPE TOWN TO SWAKOPMUND or SWAKOPMUND TO CAPE TOWN

From the majestic Table Mountain to Namibia's most popular seaside resort of Swakopmund, this trip travels north from Cape Town to Swakopmund taking in dunes, desolate coastline and the impressive Fish River Canyon. It also offers the opportunity for action and adrenaline in the Namib Desert, where activities such as skydiving, sand boarding or quad biking can be tried as well as the opportunity to climb the largest sand dunes in the world at Sossusvlei. This trip departs from Cape Town early on Sunday morning and anyone wishing to explore Cape Town should plan an earlier arrival. Accommodation can be arranged through Amanzi Travel.

This trip operates in both directions so also departs from Swakopmund, Namibia and travels south before ending in Cape Town. It also departs early on Sunday morning and anyone wishing to explore Swakopmund should plan an earlier arrival. Accommodation can be arranged through Amanzi Travel.

Location:

CAPE TOWN TO SWAKOPMUND or SWAKOPMUND TO CAPE TOWN

Dates:

Departs regularly

Fees:

£265 - 7 days
USD 180 - Local Payment

Payment:

£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure

Reference:

AT029

General Information

Please note: This tour operates in both directions

Start and Finish Points: Cape Town to Swakopmund or Swakopmund to Cape Town
Countries visted: South Africa and Namibia
Departure Point Cape Town: Ashanti Lodge & Travel Centre, 11 Hof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Check-in time: 8.45am (departure 9.30am)
Departure Point Swakopmund: Swakop Lodge, 42 Nathaniel Maxulili Drive, Swakopmund
Check in time: 8.45am (departure time to be advised at pre-departure meeting)
Pre-Departure Meeting: 5.00 pm the day before at the departure point

Itinerary

DAY 1: Cape Town to Cederberg Area (L / D)

The group will leave Cape Town and head north through the wine growing regions before crossing the Piketberg Pass into the rich fruit growing area of Citrusdal. The first night is spent in a picturesque campsite surrounded by local wine farms. This afternoon there is an opportunity to sample some of the nectar of the gods or to explore the surrounding beautiful Cederberg Mountains.

DAY 2: Cederberg Area to Orange River (B / L / D)

From Cederberg travel north through the region known as Namaqualand, well known for the prolific display of Namaqua wildflowers that occur each spring. After stopping for supplies in Springbok, the expedition continues on through the desert area of the Richtersveld to the Orange River, the natural land border between South Africa and Namibia, where camp at a beautiful campsite on the South African bank of the river is made.

DAY 3: Orange River to Fish River Canyon (Namibia) (B / L / D)

This morning there is the option of a half-day canoe trip on the beautiful Orange River, affording the opportunity for some bird watching or just a scenic and relaxing paddle. After lunch the group will cross into Namibia where, after a short drive, the Fish River Canyon is reached. At 161 km long, 27 km wide and about 550 m deep, it is the second largest canyon in the world. The outer canyon was formed by tectonic activity, while the erosion of the Fish River formed the inner canyon. A road follows the eastern rim, giving access to several viewing points from where the spectacular vistas can be absorbed.

DAY 4: Fish River Canyon to Helmringhausen Area (B / L / D)

After a leisurely morning at the Fish River Canyon, the expedition will head north through Namibia’s farming area, stopping in Bethanie, a small, former missionary town, for supplies, before heading to the overnight camp from where there is the opportunity to star gaze at the magnificent Milky Way.

DAY 5: Helmringhausen Area to Sesriem (B / L / D)

Heading north to-day to enter the Namib-Naukluft Park in one of the oldest deserts in the world. The base will be at Sesriem, a good place to experience the Namib and its many moods. A short distance away is Sossusvlei, surrounded by a dramatic sea of sand dunes reputed to be the highest in the world. Magnificent views of the desert can be seen from the top of the dunes, some over 300 m high and the afternoon will be spent exploring this amazing area. An optional (and must do) excursion is to walk around the area, learning about the amazing history, geology, flora and fauna from the specialised local guides of Sossus on Foot. They also give a glimpse into the cultural legacy of the San people. View the sunset from the top of Dune 45 - a truly memorable experience.

DAY 6: Sesriem to Swakopmund (Brunch)

After watching the sunrise across this beautiful area the group will leave the serenity of the dunes and head in a north-westerly direction to meet the Atlantic Ocean at Walvis Bay. Following the coast for some 35 km, the group will arrive at Namibia’s prime holiday resort. Accommodation will be in dormitories. Upgrades are possible, but depend on room availability.

DAY 7: Swakopmund (B)

Founded by the Germans in 1892, their colonial influence is still evident today. Swakopmund has a selection of excellent coffee shops, restaurants and bars as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian curios. There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum, aquarium and galleries to visit.

OPTIONAL excursions include sky diving, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic desert flights, dolphin cruises, fishing trips, golf, horse riding and more. An activity briefing will be held on arrival in Swakopmund. After breakfast, the group will part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!

Optional Excursions

South Africa:
Orange River - Canoeing (Minimum 4 people) - $27
Wine Tasting - $8

Namibia:
Sossusvlei Desert Walk 2 - 3 hours (minimum 8) - $30

Swakopmund:
Quad Biking - 1 hour/2 hours - $50/$85
Tandem Sky Dive (weather permitting) - $320
Sand Boarding Lie Down/Stand Up - $45/$60
Township Tour - $70
Horse Riding - 2 hours - $65
Fishing - $145
Dolphin Cruise - $75
Kayaking - $90
Paragliding (weather permitting) $135
Scenic Flight (various - weather permitting) - as per Operator
Hot Air Ballooning (weather permitting) - $420

All prices are in US dollars. For a comprehensive list of things to do before, during or after the trip, please email or call Amanzi Travel on 0117 904 1924. Please note - these prices are approximate and are subject to change, and where activities occur away from base, there may be an additional transfer cost.

Please note that this itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road and weather decisions. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries visited there may be a truck and crew change during the trip. Local payments are subject to change.

Support

Support and advice is available from the Trip Guides whilst on the expedition and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support.

Orientation

An information pack will be sent upon booking this expedition and our staff are always on hand to offer further advice and information via telephone and email before departure. An optional pre-departure meeting is provided the day before the trip begins, which is a great opportunity to meet your trip companions.

Accommodation and Meals

These are predominantly camping trips, and spacious 2-person tents with sewn in ground sheets and a separate fly sheet are provided. Most nights will be spent in organised campsites which usually have hot water showers and extra facilities such as a bar or swimming pool. Increasingly these places have simple roomed accommodation, so on occasion there may be the choice, at an extra cost, to upgrade to a bed if wished. Occasionally, when it is impossible to drive any further or when there is no local campsite available, it may be necessary to bush camp. The vehicles used are completely self-sufficient for this and camping out in the middle of the African bush can be a memorable experience. Some nights will be spent in dormitory accommodation.

The safari cook does all the cooking on your trip, although you may have to participate in the preparation of the meals on a rota basis. Meals and menus vary depending on what is available locally, but you can be ensured of three healthy square meals a day on the road. We purchase fresh fruit and vegetables from market stalls, which is supported by a bulk buy of goods bought prior to departure. In the towns and cities there is the optional alternative of sampling the local restaurants.

Getting There

International flights can easily be arranged into South Africa's Cape Town International Airport or into Windhoek. Make sure you arrive in plenty of time for this trip, to allow for flights delays, as the truck will leave early on the day of departure. There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport – for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel.
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you