Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
Highlights -
Stunning landscapes, especially around the Namib desert/Sossusvlei, Brandberg area and Walvis Bay/Swakopmund.
Wildlife viewing was excellent - plenty of time to view and observe and search both mammals and birds throughout the trip. You will get some amazing photos and memories!
A knowledgeable guide who sorted everything that needed doing and had a great understanding of the wildlife/country.
A couple of the lodges were above expectations (NB the app stated that there might be changes and there were).
Things that surprised me:
One of the lodges was disappointing but we were only there for one night (Brandberg White Lady Lodge - no proper AC and nowhere to charge anything plus very basic room and the food was also below par).
There wasn't much time to decompress and just enjoy the areas without being on the move - ideally this should be a 14 or 15 day trip with Toshari or Makuti and Swapokmund stays being extended by a further day.
Water is not provided at many of the lodges or at the inclusive meals so you end up buying plastic bottles of water (more costly than a beer!) that you then can't keep chilled as the rooms often did not have a fridge.
One of the recommended excursions in Walvis Bay was a waste of time and very expensive. The Shifting Sands excursion to Sandwich Harbour was vastly more costly (x3) than the Desert Discovery trip (both 3 hours) and yet covered much the same but at a much lower standard. The Desert Discovery Trip had much better guides, much more to see and a far superior dune driving experience. The Sandwich Harbour trip just gave the "dunes meeting the sea" and a fraction of the elements covered in the other trip but for the time/cost and drive it would have been better to have stayed in Walvis Bay and appreciate all the birdlife and coast there. Avoid that if offered.
What I needed on the trip:
The following items were really useful:
A sarong - to sit on a very hot seat or use as a sunshield in various locations; a water bottle flask that kept my water chilled all day;
A broad brimmed hat - in summer a baseball cap did not cut it at Sossusvlei;
Binoculars - even a basic pair;
A power bank for your phone as some days you are on the road for 12 hours and with all the photos you'll need an extra power source.;
A usb adaptor for your phone charger as a few lodges had these in the socket spaces;
Washing powder as you may end up hand washing a lot;
A basic set of general medications..... you never know!
Additionally I would recommend going at least one day earlier so you have time to take in a township and Windhoek tour. The on-cost of the hotel was minimal (arranged directly) but it meant we had no stress of being late and we had a chance to acclimatise, plus had a good look around prior to meeting the rest of the group and the guide. The Mercure has full access to the sister Movenpick which has a great pool area, other restaurants and spa/gym for use by all residents.
If you fly through Germany and direct on to Windhoek, you travel overnight and arrive morning time giving you a whole afternoon plus a whole day before you meet the group at 6pm. Plus your return flight is early evening so you get the departure day too if you extend your room at the Mercure. Well worth it!
Overall a truly great and varied trip even if you have done safaris before.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Sesriem
Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Sesriem, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Uis, Etosha National Park
11% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Great trip with good mixture of activities and wildlife. The weather was perfect for an August trip - warm during day, cooler at night, and fortunately only 10 minutes of rain in 2 weeks. Well looked after by our guide Bianca. Food was very good value. Expect some flexibility in the itinerary - we couldn’t sea kayak due to choppy sea but alternative hike was great. Highlights were climbing Table Mountain (2-3h strenuous hike), surfing lesson, optional Whale Watching boat trip, Addo Elephant National Park and optional Schotia Private Game Reserve drive on the morning of departure.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Hut, Lodge, Camping
Age Range
7-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Tsits
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Tsitsikamma Forest, Addo Elephant National Park, Robben Island, Breede River, Cango Caves, Plettenberg Bay, Robberg Nature Reserve
Embark on a 12-day self-drive adventure through South Africa, one of the world’s most diverse and exhilarating destinations. Starting in the vibrant city of Johannesburg, journey to the wild heart of the African safari at Kapama Private Game Reserve. Experience thrilling game drives to spot the Big Five, enjoy a playful meerkat encounter, greet penguins on Boulders Beach, and tour an ostrich farm. Marvel at the country’s stunning coastline, breathtaking views, and explore the continent’s southwestern tip. Delight in South Africa’s flavors on a culinary walk in Stellenbosch. This unforgettable journey promises to awaken your senses and satisfy your curiosity about this incredible country.
Embark on a 12-day adventure through South Africa, one of the world’s most diverse and exhilarating destinations. Starting in the vibrant city of Johannesburg, journey to the wild heart of the African safari at Kapama Private Game Reserve. Experience thrilling game drives to spot the Big Five, enjoy a playful meerkat encounter, greet penguins on Boulders Beach, and tour an ostrich farm. Marvel at the country’s stunning coastline, breathtaking views, and explore the continent’s southwestern tip. Delight in South Africa’s flavors on a culinary walk in Stellenbosch. This unforgettable journey promises to awaken your senses and satisfy your curiosity about this incredible country.
Begin your 12-day South Africa adventure with a city tour of Cape Town, exploring iconic sights. Head to the scenic Cape Winelands in Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek, sampling renowned wines and local delicacies. Journey along the Garden Route for stunning coastal views at Cape Agulhas and visit an ostrich farm and the spectacular Cango Caves, where you’ll discover ancient limestone formations. Continue to Knysna with its dramatic sandstone cliffs, then to Plettenberg Bay for visits to the Birds of Eden sanctuary and Monkeyland, both home to diverse and unique wildlife. Adventure awaits in Tsitsikamma National Park with its lush forests, coastal views, and thrilling suspension bridges. Stop by Cape St. Francis for beachside relaxation before concluding in Port Elizabeth, where you can unwind or further explore the vibrant attractions of this friendly city. This itinerary offers an exciting blend of culture, nature, and unforgettable experiences in South Africa's most picturesque regions.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Lodge
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
english, french, german
Destinations
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Cape
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Cape St Francis, Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Join our 12-day South Africa adventure starting with the iconic sights of Cape Town. Head to the scenic Cape Winelands in Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek, sampling renowned wines and local delicacies. Journey along the Garden Route for stunning coastal views at Cape Agulhas and visit an ostrich farm and the spectacular Cango Caves, where you’ll discover ancient limestone formations. Continue to Knysna with its dramatic sandstone cliffs, then to Plettenberg Bay for visits to the Birds of Eden sanctuary and Monkeyland, both home to diverse and unique wildlife. Adventure awaits in Tsitsikamma National Park with its lush forests, coastal views, and thrilling suspension bridges. Conclude this unforgettable adventure with an immersive safari experience at the private, family-owned Kariega Game Reserve, where you'll encounter lions, elephants, rhinos, and a host of other incredible wildlife in their natural habitat.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
english, french, german
Destinations
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Herma
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, Knysna
15% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
