4 Barnard St, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700

Call Craig: +27 82 091 7983 | Email: craig@southernafricantours.com

Call Bianca: +27 74 957 0355 | Email: bianca@southernafricantours.com

Fish River Canyon & Namibia Self-drive Safari

OVERVIEW

This self drive tour includes West Coast Fossil Park, Langebaan lagoon, Elands and Lamberts Bay (surfing and cray fishing), Cedarberg Mountains (rock formations & bushman paintings). Bushmanland, Augrabies Falls National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (abundant animal and bird life, especially the black-manned Kalahari Lion), Richtersveld NP, Orange River and the Fish River Canyon (2nd biggest in the world) All optional activities will be offered to you at our preferential rates.

Tour Summary

  • You’ll go to Namibia Namibia & South Africa South Africa
  • You’ll visit West Coast NP, Nieuwoudtville (Town), Augrabies Falls NP, Kgalagadi TP, |Ai-|Ais Richtersveld TP, Fish River Canyon (|Ai-|Ais Richtersveld TP), Orange River & Cederberg (Mountain Range)
  • This tour starts and ends in Cape Town

Activities & Transportation

  • Activities: game drives & evening/night game drives
  • Game drives: open-sided 4×4 vehicle & self-drive
  • Getting around: self-drive
  • Clients collect and return their self-drive vehicle at the airport



Namibia Map

Day 1

West Coast National Park, Eland’s Bay on the West Coast

This morning you will leave Cape Town heading northwards along the Atlantic coast to the west of the country to the West Coast National Park along the turquoise waters of the Langebaan Lagoon. In spring the dunes and wetlands explode into fields of wild flowers of many colours. The migratory bird and various species of animals can be seen all year round. Then to famous the West Coast Fossil Park which is known to paleontologists world wide.
The exceptionally well-preserved fossil fauna remains, bears, elephants, giant giraffe and lion that date to circa 5.2 million years, are displayed. Continuing along the coast from St Helena Bay to Eland’s Bay, the latter famous for surfing, cray fishing and archaeological discoveries, to a farm on the banks of Verloerenvlie, an important Ramsar Wetland.

Main Destination:

  • West Coast National Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

  • Eland’s Bay Hotel
  • Mid-range hotel located in or near Elands

Meals & Drinks:

  • Meals at own expense
  • Drinks not included

Day 2

Nieuwoudville, Wild flowers, Canyons & Waterfalls

After leaving Eland’s Bay you head to Lambert’s Bay, known for its diamond diving and crayfishing communities. Seafood barbecues are a tradition in summer. From the harbour we walk along the seawall that leads to Bird Island the world’s largest gannet colony. We head up the panoramic Vanrhyn’s pass to Nieuwoudtville in the Kouebokkeveld, the bulb capital of the world. Farm stay accommodation.

Main Destination:

  • Nieuwoudtville (South Africa)

Accommodation:

  • Papkuilsfontein
  • Mid-range guest house located in or near the park

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 3

Augrabies Falls National Park

Leaving Nieuwoudtville you drive through “Bushman Land”. You then drive through the “Tankwa Karoo National Park” towards the Augrabies Falls National Park. This waterfall is among the highest and most powerful in the world, the name is derived from the Khoi word meaning “place of great noise”. What makes it so unique is that it feels surreal to encounter such a wonder of nature in this harsh arid environment. Accommodation in a National Park chalet.

Main Destination:
Augrabies Falls National Park (South Africa)

  • Best Time to Visit
  • April to September (Not too hot)
  • High Season
  • Never ( Only busy during school holidays)
  • Best Weather
  • May to September (Less hot during the day)
  • Wildlife in Augrabies Falls NP
  • GiraffeCommon
  • ZebraOccasional
  • HyenaOccasional
  • LeopardVery Rare
  • White RhinoNone
  • Black RhinoNone

Accommodation:

  • Augrabies Falls National Park Rest Camp
  • Mid-range chalet located inside Augrabies Falls NP

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 4

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Kalahari desert

This morning you follow the Orange River, driving through Upington, founded in 1873, the gateway to the Kalahari. You arrive at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park which was created in 1999 by merging the Kalahari National Park in Botswana and the Gemsbok National Park. This is the first Transfrontier Park in Africa. On arrival in the early afternoon we will start our safari. A stunning sunset safari in a 4×4 with professional ranger.

Main Destination:

  • Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (South Africa)
  • Best Time to Visit
  • March to May (The riverbeds attract animals)
  • High Season
  • Never (The park never gets very crowded)
  • Best Weather
  • May to Seotember (Less hot during the day)
  • Wildlife in Kgalagadi TP
  • LionCommon
  • CheetahCommon
  • WildebeestCommon
  • HyenaCommon
  • LeopardOccasional
  • GiraffeRare

Accommodation:

  • Mata Mata Rest Camp
  • Mid-range chalet located inside Kgalagadi TP

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 5

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Early morning departure to see the the big cats, leopards, cheetahs including the unique black maned lions. Admire the Oryx which are the pride of the Kalahari Desert. Various antelope and other species are seen in this amazing National Park. Breakfast in the desert. You spend the rest of the day self drive safariing in the Kalahari desert. An optional 4 x 4 sunset safari with professional guide.

Main Destination:

  • Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (South Africa)

Accommodation:

  • Mata Mata Rest Camp
  • Mid-range chalet located inside Kgalagadi TP

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 6

Ai Ais camp & hot springs

Early morning game drive before leaving for Namibia. From the Namibian border you drive through salt marshes, vast desert plains and arid mountains. Lunch. By mid afternoon you arrive at our Ai Ais, which means “boiling” in Nama. This oasis forms the southern part of the Fish River Canyon. The rest of the day yourelax and enjoy a swim in the hot springs of Ai Ais known to have healing properties for rheumatism and skin problems.

Main Destination:

  • Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (South Africa)
  • Best Time to Visit
  • August to September (Spring flowers)
  • High Season
  • July to November (The park is rarely crowded)
  • Best Weather
  • May to September (Less hot during the day)
  • Wildlife in |Ai-|Ais Richtersveld TP
  • ZebraOccasional
  • LeopardVery Rare
  • HyenaRare
  • White RhinoNone
  • Black RhinoNone
  • LionNone

Accommodation:

  • Ai Ais Resort
  • Mid-range lodge located inside |Ai-|Ais Richtersveld TP

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 7

The Fish River Canyon

Today you spend time exploring the largest canyon in Africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 100 miles (160 km) long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 meters deep. The Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia. It cuts deep into the plateau which is today dry, stony and sparsely covered with hardy drought-resistant plants. The river flows intermittently, usually flooding in late summer; the rest of the year it becomes a chain of long narrow pools. At the lower end of the Fish River Canyon, the hot springs resort of Ai-Ais is situated. Public view points are near Hobas, a camp site 70 km north of Ai-Ais. This part of the canyon is part of the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The other 90 km of this canyon are privately owned.

Main Destination:

  • Fish River Canyon (|Ai-|Ais Richtersveld TP, Namibia)

Accommodation:

  • Ai Ais Resort
  • Mid-range lodge located inside |Ai-|Ais Richtersveld TP

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 8

The mighty Orange River in the Richtersveld (world heritage park)

You head through the southern Richtersveld Park onto the Orange river. The Richtersveld is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for it’s cultural heritage and botanical diversity. This afternoon you can spend canoeing lazily down the mighty Orange River. The scenery along the river is just out of this world.

Main Destination:

  • Orange River (South Africa)
Accommodation:
  • Provenance Camp
  • Mid-range chalet located in or near Orange River

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 9

Namaqualand to the Cederberg Wilderness area

This morning after a paddle or a hike along the Orange river you leave and head South to our next exciting destination. You pass the towns of Springbok and Karies which are in the heart of the Namaqualand. In August/September (early spring) this arid region explodes with fields of multi colored flowers, a phenomena not to be missed. You visit the historical town of Clanwilliam, home to the Rooibos tea. We visit the Co-op for a tea tasting. In the late afternoon we arrive at our Wilderness lodge with enough time for a walk, swim or just relaxing beside the pool.

Main Destination:

  • Cederberg Wilderness Area (South Africa)

Accommodation:

  • Clanwilliam Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located in or near Cederberg

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 10

Cederberg, Bushman paintings & spectacular Rock formations

After breakfast, you hike into the beautiful Cederberg mountains and visit the caves and the magnificent cave paintings left by the “Bushmen”. Some of the best African rock art is found here! Your last stop will be at Boubergstrand and enjoy a postcard view of the city of Cape Town and the famous Table Mountain. Arrival in Cape Town late afternoon. All optional activities will be offered to you at our preferential rates, discounted at around 20%. They include: Helicopter flips, Hot air ballooning, Shark cage diving, Whale cruises and more.

Main Destination:

  • Cederberg Wilderness Area (South Africa)

Accommodation:

  • No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included