DAY BY DAY PROGRAM
WHEN SCHEDULING YOUR FLIGHTS…
This program is offered in conjunction with the Djoser, Netherlands office but must be booked through Djoser, in the United States. On this trip you will join Dutch & Belgium participants. So that all travelers in the group have the same point of reference, the days in the day-to-day descriptions below correspond with the program description for the Dutch travelers, taking into account their travel time from Amsterdam.
When you book your flight, please keep in mind to the estimated times of arrival and departure of the Dutch participants. You should plan to arrive prior to the Dutch travelers.
DJOSER MEANS “FREEDOM & CHOICE”
Our day-to-day program is not strictly regimented but is determined by collaboration between the guide and participants. The guide will organize and accompany many activities but will also make suggestions so that you can explore and dine, safely, on your own.
Cape Town
Day 1
Day 2 Cape Town (Land program begins)
Upon arrival in Cape Town you will have an afternoon to explore the city and find a number of historical locations. You will quickly recognize the Dutch influence in South Africa. The Grand Parade, the parade ground of the Dutch in the seventeenth century, is now an animated square with market booths that sell you snacks of the Cape-Malaysian cuisine. This is also where the big anti-apartheid demonstrations were held, and where Mandela addressed the crowd after his release from prison. Not far from Grand Parade are the “Compagniestuinen” (Gardens of the East Indies Company) and Castle “De Goede Hoop” (The Good Hope) which remain from the Dutch period. In the harbor you will find a choice of restaurants, jazz cafes and other places of entertainment, most of which are located in colorfully restored Victorian homes. From the old harbor, named Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, you may go by boat to “Robbeneiland,” (Robben Island) the island where Mandela was imprisoned for a long time. The well-known “Tafelberg” (Table Mountain), along with the lesser known “Duivelspiek” and “Leeuwekop,” define the appearance of Cape Town. From every direction you can see the enormously-steep rising mountainsides of the Tafelberg. Often a thin layer of mist or clouds covers the mountain like a tablecloth. The athletically-inclined among us may walk up and enjoy the beautiful views. If you want to take the easy way up, you may use the cable-lift.
Cape’s Peninsula, Cederberg
Day 3 Cape’s Peninsula
Day 4 Cape’s Peninsula, Cederberg
The next day we leave Cape Town and drive to the “Kaap De Goede Hoop” (Cape of Good Hope). On the way we visit some picturesque towns such as Houtbaai (Wood-Bay) and Simon’s Town. The latter is famous for the presence of a penguin colony. The Cape of Good Hope is a nature reserve with many animals and overgrowth, called “fynbos” (fine-bush), which is typical for this region. At the absolute south west point of Africa you can see both the Indian Ocean nd the Atlantic at the same time. Bring your binoculars, because at certain times of the year you may be able to watch whales near the shore here.
Early the next morning we will travel north. Once we arrive in Cederberg (Cedar Mountain) we will set up camp. This region is locally known as an extremely nice hiking area and is not yet very crowded. The region is also distinguished by its irregularly shaped sandstone rock formations as well as the cedars and the “rooibosthee” (red-bush tea). Here you may take long or short hikes.
Orange River, Fish River Canyon
Day 5 Cederberg – Orange River
Day 6 Orange River – Fish River Canyon
On the way to Oranjerivier (Orange River) the landscape becomes sparser as we approach bordering Namaqualand. Along the way we pass small ghost towns. The landscape turns somewhat greener when we arrive in the area of the wide Orange River that borders South Africa and Namibia. Various plants, such as cotton, are grown on the banks. In the afternoon we set up camp on the riverbanks and you will have time to explore the area. You may want to rent a canoe and paddle downstream. In the early morning hours we will cross the border to Namibia. Our destination is the second largest canyon of the world: the Fish River Canyon. For thousands of years, the Fish River has carved an impressive 17-mile wide gap. The canyon itself is 100 miles long. In the National Park of the same name we will camp in the shade north of the canyon, from which we will explore the area and its abundant wildlife.
Sesriem, Sossusvlei, Solitaire
Day 7 Fish River Canyon – Sesriem
Day 8 Sesriem - Sossusvlei - Solitaire
Day 9 Solitaire – Swakopmund
The further north we go, the more desolate the landscape becomes. We will begin to leave behind the paved roads. The end of today’s strenuous and dusty journey is the Sesriem campsite. It is possible to walk to the Sesriem Canyon, which lies only about 4 km from our campsite. Over the course of thousands of years, the Tschaub River has carved this gorge of about 1 km in length and 30 m in depth. In the winter months there is no water there, so you can descend safely into the gorge. During the rest of the year, you will find small streams or pools of water collected in the canyon, the result of occasional rains.
The following morning at sunrise we will drive to the impressive Sossusvlei, a huge dip on the edge of the Namib-Naukluft Park. This dip is surrounded by the world’s highest sand dunes. The view of this sea of sand is overwhelming, especially at night or in the early morning. It seems that the sand at your feet glows in the red light. It takes a lot of effort to climb the 650-feet high dunes, but the view of the surrealistic moonlike landscape is worth the trouble. You will have the opportunity to take a walk in this bizarre environment and to observe how hardy plants bravely withstand the trying circumstances of the desert. We will spend the night at the nearby Solitaire campsite.
Swakopmund
Day 9 Arrival in Swakopmund
Day 10 Swakopmund
Through the rugged nature of the Namib-Naukluft Park we drive to Swakopmund at the shore. Although the white inhabitants of Namibia consider this town a shore town, the seawater stays freezing cold. Strolling along the wide Arnold Shad Promenade you are more likely to see sea lions than swimmers. Swakopmund is a bizarre reminder of the German colonial period; German street names, German beer halls, and particularly the many inhabitants of German heritage give this town its special character. Here we will spend the night in a simple backpacker lodge. The former train station in the center of town is an example of the colonial architecture to be admired. In the evening you may eat in restaurants where the menu not only offers excellent game, but also “bratwurst” (German sausage). The next day you will have time to explore Swakopmund on your own or participate in optional activities such as quad biking through the sand dunes or the spectacular sand boarding.
Cape Cross and Twijfelfontijn
Day 11 Swakopmund – Cape Cross – Twijfelfontijn
Day 12 Brandberg – Twijfelfontijn
We will leave Swakopmund the next day by a straight road. North of the city are salt mines. Up to that point we will still see some traffic, but then we will leave civilization behind. We will drive along one of the most inhospitable shores of Africa: the Skeleton Coast. This 25-mile wide coastline forms a buffer between the Kaokoland and the Damara behind it and the sea. The landscape here is completely barren. The only landmarks are the milestones that mark the distance from Swakopmund. In this coastal region we will find gravel and sand fields with no more than an inch and a half of precipitation per year. We will stop at Cape Cross, where the Portuguese seaman Diego Cao was the first European to set foot on the Namibian coast. We will take a look at the cross that he placed here in honor of the Portuguese king Joao the First. Aside from its historical significance, Cape Cross is also known for its large colony of seals. More than 2,000 rock engravings by the Bushmen were found in the area of Twijfelfontijn. We will go there by foot with a local guide. Pictures of giraffes, elephants and other wildlife are silent proof of a time when this region was more fertile. We will also stop to see some geological curiosities such as the “Burned Mountain” and the “Organ Pipes.” At the organ pipes you will find pillars shaped by erosion in 150 million year-old volcanic rock. We will spend the night camping on a dry riverbank. With some luck you may be able to glance at one of the unusual desert elephants in this area.
Etosha National Park
Day 13 Etosha National Park
Day 14 Etosha National Park
Today’s goal is the famous Etosha National Park. Etosha is no doubt one of the best wild parks in southern Africa. For two days we will have game drives starting from well-equipped campgrounds. The name Etosha literally means “large white spot of dry water” and refers to the major part of the park, a vast, blinding saltpan. For only a few days a year you will find a small layer of water here, which attracts flamingoes and other water birds. Most of the larger wildlife stays in the neighboring grasslands and mopane bushes. Here we will find herds of zebras and gnus. It will be more of a challenge to track down a rare black rhinoceros or a black head impala. Near Okaukuejo you may station yourself at a watering hole that is lit in the night. From afar you will see herds of elephants approach to quench their thirst.
Rundu
Day 15 Etosha National Park – Rundu
Day 16 Rundu – Maun
From Etosha we will drive by Grootfontijn to Rundu. Further north we leave the dry desert behind to reach the rich Caprivi region. On the way we will pass several Owambo villages. In the Rundu area we will get our first view of the Okavango River. The town itself is not very big. We will set up camp on the peaceful banks. In the afternoon you may take an optional boat trip on the river and set foot on Angolan soil. Rundu is an excellent location to purchase woodcarvings or neat utensils from the San, the Bushmen. The next morning we will hit the road for Botswana.
Okavango Delta
Day 17 Okavango Delta
Day 18 Okavango Delta
Day 19 Okavango Delta – Maun / Gweta
Maun is the starting point for our visit to the Okavango Delta. Maun is a fast growing city. Gas stations and banks were built rapidly along the thruway. Here we will go to a supermarket and buy groceries for our stay in the delta. The Okavango Delta is what’s left of the obstructed Okavango River swallowed by the heat of the Kalahari Desert. We will explore this unique area of natural beauty from canoes made of hollow tree trunks. These so called “mokoros” offer excellent access to this maze of waterways. Locally hired fishermen will do the paddling. Skillfully they guide you through the streams overgrown with lilies and papyrus and point out the many hippos. Along the way we make stops at little islands to look for wildlife such as elephants, buffalos or the shy red lechwe. We overnight on houseboats for two nights. The Okavango is also a true bird paradise and you are sure to hear the intruding call of the many ospreys. We will spend the night camping on one of the islands and enjoy the beautiful sunset. You will not sleep on the ground! Beds are provided and for the three nights in the Delta our meals will be prepared. On the way back you may visit Maun for the afternoon or participate in an optional excursion and fly over the delta. From Cape Town it will take a few hours to drive to a campsite under eight stately baobab trees near the town of Gweta. Here you may get acquainted with a rural village in Botswana where modern daily life goes hand in hand with centuries of old African traditions. If you are coming from the Victoria Falls you will spend the night at a campground in Maun.
Chobe National Park
Day 20 Maun / Gweta – Chobe
Day 21 Chobe – Victoria Falls (Zambia)
A straight paved road leads us to the crossroads near Nata, where we turn north toward Chobe National Park. This park is especially known for the famous nature films that were made here commissioned by the National Geographic Society. Namely the film “Eternal Enemies”, a story about the infinite battle between lions and hyenas, enjoys international fame. The park has extremely varied wildlife and is best known for the enormous elephant population. Specifically in fall and winter many elephants stay near the Chobe River. Upon arrival at Chobe National Park we will make a beautiful boat tour on the river, which allows you to observe and photograph the wildlife on the banks. It will take an hour to drive from Chobe National Park to the border town of Kazungula. A ferry will take us across the Zambezi to enter the neighboring country of Zambia. This border region is swarming with elephants judging by the many brown spots on the road.
Victoria Falls
Day 22 Chobe - Victoria Falls (Zambia)
Day 23 Livingstone
The rising fine mist from the impressive Victoria Falls is already visible from our quarters at the Zambezi. Here we spend the night in tents on beds. That afternoon you will already be able to literally follow in the footsteps of David Livingstone and take a look at the largest falls of the African continent. The noise of the falling water is ear shattering. The falls are locally named Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders,” for a good reason. You may choose for a dip in the Zambezi and go rafting, or, if that is too wild for you, you may take a canoe. To get yet another impression of the falls, you may want to take a flight around on the “Flight of the Angels”. If you want to fly on your own, you may do so as well! You may try the world’s second highest bungee jump off the Zambezi Bridge! The land program ends in Livingstone, Zambia.
The Dutch participants will board a flight from Livingstone to Johannesburg. When you book your flights, you should also arrange for the flight from Livingstone to Johannesburg as it is not inluded in the cost of the land program.
