TUESDAY
APR 13

ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN
Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport today, a TrailFinders’ representative will meet you and accompany you to your waiting vehicle for the transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure or stroll around the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

Overnight: Graeme Hotel

WEDNESDAY
APR 14

CAPE TOWN – CAPE PENINSULA TOUR (B,L)
This morning we visit the Cape Peninsula, an area of scenic beauty. This narrow finger of land with its many beautiful valleys, bays and beaches stretches into the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the warm waters of False Bay in the east. We travel along the Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay, continue through the leafy suburb of Constantia and visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Here we'll walk to the viewpoint of the meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. From Cape Point we travel to the naval town of Simonstown for lunch at Seaforth and then visit Boulders Beach to see the resident African Penguins. We return to Cape Town in the afternoon.

Overnight: Graeme Hotel

THURSDAY
APR 15

CAPE TOWN (B,D)
Today we spend most of the day exploring the city of Cape Town and visiting Table Mountain (weather permitting) and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Tonight's dinner is at the Gold Restaurant.

Overnight: Graeme Hotel

FRIDAY
APR 16

CAPE TOWN TO FRANSCHHOEK (B,D)
This morning, after breakfast we leave Cape Town and head out into wine country. We'll spend two days taking in the tranquility and beauty of the Cape Winelands including the quaint villages of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Here we'll experience the rich historical and cultural heritage and sample wines of merit at some well-known wineries.

Overnight: Franschhoek Protea Hotel

SATURDAY
APR 17

WINELANDS (B,L)
More of the same today. Among the wine tastings we'll travel to the French Quarter of Franschhoek, home to the French Huguenots, who first made wine in this area some 300 years ago. We'll also have the opportunity to visit the Afrikaans Taal Monument in Paarl at an appropriate time during the journey.

Overnight: Franschhoek Protea Hotel

SUNDAY
APR 18

GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – TIMBAVATI PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE (B,D)
Today we transfer back to Cape Town airport for a morning flight to Nelspruit. From there we'll transfer by road to the private game reserve of Umlani Bush Camp. The area is world-renowned for its concentration of wild animals including the "big five" - Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo.

Accommodation here is in traditional African reed and thatch huts with en-suite facilities and open-air showers. The atmosphere is enhanced by operating without electricity and instead using candlelight and oil lamps.

Upon arrival, we'll be off on our first game drive.

Evening dinner is served in the main dining room or around the boma.

Overnight: Umlani Bush Camp

MONDAY
APR 19

TIMBAVATI PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE (B,L,D)
More of the same today!

Breakfast is followed by an open-vehicle "big game" safari and at an appropriate time during the day, there will be an opportunity to take a "foot safari" with emphasis on the abundant bird, insect and plant life surrounding the camp.

Overnight: Umlani Bush Camp

TUESDAY
APR 20

MANYELETI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE (B,L,D)
In the morning we take a road transfer to our next stop, Mantobeni Camp, in the Manyaleti Game Reserve.

Mantobeni offers accommodation in a tented camp with private open-air en-suite bathrooms. Each tent has a deck which affords an unrestricted view of the forested river and its wildlife.

Here we'll once again enjoy two game drives each day.

Overnight: Honeyguide Mantobeni Camp

WEDNESDAY
APR 21

MANYELETI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE (B,L,D)
Today you can enjoy a full day of game drives or simply relax at the lodge and observe the abundance of birds and animals in the immediate surroundings. The animals are most active during the cooler times of the day – the morning and late afternoon, so our game drives will be at these times with a lunch break and some time to relax at midday. The exhilaration of spotting wildlife at close range is a truly an unforgettable experience!

Overnight: Honeyguide Mantobeni Camp

THURSDAY
APR 22

KRUGER TO WINDHOEK (B,D)
After breakfast today, we'll transfer to Hoedspruit Airport and fly to Windhoek, Namibia via Johannesburg. On arrival in Namibia we'll clear customs, meet our driver and guide and check into the Kalahari Sands Hotel.

Those doing the "South Africa only" trip will disembark in Johannesburg and transfer to their flight back to Canada.

Those choosing the "Namibia only" option will be met at the Windhoek airport upon arrival and transferred to the hotel.

Dinner at the hotel or at a suitable restaurant nearby.

Overnight: Kalahari Sands

FRIDAY
APR 23

DESERT EXPRESS (B,D)
Breakfast at leisure. In the late morning we transfer to the Windhoek Railway Station to board the Desert Express which departs Windhoek today at 12h00. Designed and built in Namibia, the Desert Express consists of nine coaches. There are 24 fully air-conditioned compartments in four sleeper coaches, each with its own en-suite facilities. Each compartment converts to a private lounge during the day. Guests can relax and mingle in the popular Spitzkoppe Lounge and can enjoy dinner and breakfast in the Welwitschia Restaurant.

Overnight: On board Desert Express

SATURDAY
APR 24

DESERT EXPRESS TO SWAKOPMUND (B)
The Spitzkoppe Lounge opens early morning for breakfast as the train continues its journey westward into the desert behind the dunes between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Along the way we’ll enjoy a one-hour stop and take a walk to the dunes of the Namib before proceeding on to Swakopmund. We’ll arrive at approximately 10h00 and will transfer to our hotel for check in.
Probably the most unique feature about Namibia is its wide-open spaces. Deserts stretch for miles to meet the most dramatic sunsets you can imagine. This country, with its strong German influence, has a magnificent coastline speckled with charming little towns, each rich in history. For those who wish, a short trip to Walvis Bay can be arranged or for the more adventurous, a dune buggy ride into the dunes.

Overnight: Hansa Hotel

SUNDAY
APR 25

SWAKOPMUND TO DAMARALAND (B,D)
After breakfast this morning we'll meet our local driver/guide and board our coach for the overland transfer to Damaraland. Traveling time today is over five hours and we'll cover about 350 Km.

Damaraland is one of the most scenic areas in Namibia. Prehistoric water courses with open plains and grassland, massive granite koppies and distant mountains create the Damaraland landscape. Game species include desert elephant, black rhino, ostrich and springbok. We arrive at our camp in time for a late lunch and the opportunity to relax in the unique surroundings.

We will stop for a light lunch in Uis (on your own) and after settling in to our unique accommodation at Mowani,  we'll visit the historic site of Twyfelfontein to view the Bushman engravings and paintings.

Sundowners will be on the ridge above the camp overlooking the impressive landscape and we'll watch the sunset from our high vantage point.

Overnight: Mowani Mountain Camp

MONDAY
APR 26

DAMARALAND TO WESTERN ETOSHA (B,L,D)
After breakfast we enjoy a game drive with the hope of seeing the desert elephants.
We then will carry on to our next destination just south of Etosha National Park.   Toshari Lodge has individual units set among the Mopani trees, with a sparkling pool and a well-stocked bar.

Game drives will be into Etosha Park.

Overnight: Toshari Lodge

TUESDAY
APR 27

WESTERN ETOSHA (B,L,D)
Today we will be back into the park for an early game drive.  We will take a packed lunch to allow us more time to stop at the various waterholes.

Here you'll find great concentrations of game, especially in the dry winter months.

A four-course dinner will be served in the wonderful dining area.  The sunsets and starry night will finish your day.

Overnight: Toshari Lodge

WEDNESDAY
APR 28

ETOSHA (B,L,D)
Today we will leave our lodge on the western side of the park and travel through the park to the eastern edge. There will be many stops along the way at various water holes depending on the availability of wildlife at each.

Mushara Lodge has spacious thatched chalets and a pool to relax by.  As they say, the lawns are kept well-manicured by the visiting local wildlife.

Overnight: Mushara Lodge

THURSDAY
APR 29

ETOSHA (B,L,D)
This morning we can enjoy an early game drive into the park and can return again for a second drive in the afternoon. For those who prefer to spend some time relaxing at the lodge, there will be time to enjoy the pool or do some bird watching since the lodge has a great variety of bird life.

Overnight: Mushara Lodge

FRIDAY
APR 30

ETOSHA – WINDHOEK (B,D)
After breakfast we will drive to Windhoek – a fairly long drive, but on paved roads. We'll stop for lunch along the way at a local village and will arrive into Windhoek in time for any last minute shopping before our farewell dinner.

Overnight: Kalahari Sands

SATURDAY
MAY 1

DEPART FOR HOME (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.

At an appropriate time today we will transfer to the airport for our return flight home.