Africa

Highlights of Southern Africa

30 Days. From AUD $8,474pp.
Small Guided Groups
Details

Overview

When you put the word “highlights” in the name of a trip, you better be confident that it lives up to the hype. This trip does. Across 30 epic days, you’ll go round-trip to Cape Town via Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia — a new spin on one of our most popular routes — taking comfortable touring vehicles as well as staying in a mix of hotels and campsites for a well-rounded experience. Wildlife sightings and cultural moments come standard here — everything from searching for the “big five” in national parks to enjoying meals with local families. You’ve got memories made for a lifetime.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Search for the "Big Five" across four countries
  • Take a nature walk in Matobo National Park
  • Explore giant sand dunes and Victoria Falls
  • Meet the San people of the Kalahari Desert

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Cape Town
  • Day 2: Cape Town
  • Day 3: Cape Town/Johannesburg
  • Day 4: Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area
  • Day 5: Kruger National Park
  • Day 6: Greater Kruger Area
  • Day 7: Greater Kruger Area/Louis Trichardt
  • Day 8: Louis Trichardt/Great Zimbabwe Monument Area
  • Day 9: Great Zimbabwe Monument Area/Matobo National Park
  • Day 10: Matobo National Park
  • Day 11: Matobo National Park/Hwange National Park
  • Day 12: Hwange National Park/Victoria Falls
  • Day 13: Victoria Falls
  • Day 14: Victoria Falls/Kasane
  • Day 15: Kasane/Nata
  • Day 16: Nata/Maun
  • Day 17: Okavango Delta
  • Day 18: Maun/Ghanzi
  • Day 19: Ghanzi/Windhoek
  • Day 20: Windhoek/Etosha National Park
  • Day 21: Etosha National Park
  • Day 22: Etosha National Park/Swakopmund
  • Day 23: Swakopmund
  • Day 24: Swakopmund/Namib Desert
  • Day 25: Namib Desert
  • Day 26: Namib Desert/Keetmanshoop
  • Day 27: Keetmanshoop/Orange River
  • Day 28: Orange River/Lambert's Bay
  • Day 29: Lambert's Bay/Cape Town
  • Day 30: Cape Town

Travelling with Eclipse

Peace of Mind
  • Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
  • 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
  • We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
  • No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
  • Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
  • Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
  • We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
  • Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
  • Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
  • Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
  • Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.

Day 1: Cape Town

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2: Cape Town

Enjoy a full day in Cape Town with the option to visit Table Mountain, choose to explore Cape Point, or embark on a wine tour around Stellenbosch. In the evening, opt to join your group for meal at one of Cape Town's many great restaurants.

Breakfast included.

Day 3: Cape Town/Johannesburg

Take a short flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. In the afternoon, travel to Soweto for a bicycle tour and learn more about its important history and significant role in bringing the issues of segregation to the forefront.

Breakfast included.

Day 4: Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area

Take the Panorama Route into the Kruger National Park area. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner and dance experience.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 5: Kruger National Park

Enjoy a full day wildlife safari drive in the Kruger NP. Keep an eye out for Africa's famed "big five".

Opt for a wildlife safari drive in an open safari vehicle.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 6: Greater Kruger Area

Head north to Timbavati Safari Lodge, for a guided nature walk in search of the small 5. Listening, touching and sensing, can open your world to the real secrets of the African Lowveld.

The lodge is nestled among glades of mature, exquisite indigenous trees, and is a paradise for nature lovers and bird watchers.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 7: Greater Kruger Area/Louis Trichardt

Opt for a morning safari drive, or soak up the atmosphere in the camp, before traveling to the next location, in the Louis Trichardt area. Free afternoon to relax by the pool, opt to walk/hike in the property, or learn about South Africa rich history of the Anglo Boer era.

Breakfast included.

Day 8: Louis Trichardt/Great Zimbabwe Monument Area

Get an earlier start and cross the border into Zimbabwe. Continue on to the Great Zimbabwe Monument.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 9: Great Zimbabwe Monument Area/Matobo National Park

Start the day with a visit to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Africa's most significant ruins site south of Cairo. Learn the history of the ruins and climb to the citadel for a view over the site. Continue on to Matobo National Park.

Breakfast included.

Day 10: Matobo National Park

Wake up early and opt to explore ancient cave paintings, hike the unique and stunning landscape, or hang out by the pool. In the afternoon, enjoy an included nature walk, with the opportunity to get up close and personal with the resident wildlife.

Breakfast included.

Day 11: Matobo National Park/Hwange National Park

Travel to Hwange National Park for an opportunity to spot more wildlife. Opt to enjoy an evening wildlife safari drive in a safari vehicle.

Breakfast included.

Day 12: Hwange National Park/Victoria Falls

Continue on to Victoria Falls and enjoy lunch at the G Adventurers–supported Lusumpuko Women's Club. Marvel at the spectacular falls from the Zimbabwean side, then enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore further.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 13: Victoria Falls

Spend the day exploring your beautiful surroundings. Opt to visit Victoria Falls, go whitewater rafting, or take a helicopter flight over the falls.

The town of Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close (and wet from the spray) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, and for the more adventurous, bungee jump with Victoria Falls in view.

Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.

Breakfast included.

Day 14: Victoria Falls/Kasane

Cross the border into Botswana, and stay in Kasane, just outside of Chobe NP. Try to spot the elephants, crocodiles, and hippos this region is famous for during an optional sundowner cruise.

Drive to the border and cross from Zimbabwe into Botswana. Continue to the Kasane area, outside the gates of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa.

Opt to check out one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River.

Breakfast included.

Day 15: Kasane/Nata

Opt to rise early for sunrise and marvel at your surroundings as you set out on an optional safari drive in Chobe National Park. Travel to Nata and watch elephants drinking at the watering hole while you dip in the pool on the property, or grab a sundowner at the bar area.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 16: Nata/Maun

Prepare for a 1-night/2-day journey into the delta.

Travel to Maun, the biggest town in the Okavango Delta area, pick up any supplies needed, and prepare for the journey into the Okavango Delta.

Breakfast included.

Day 17: Okavango Delta

Enjoy wildlife walks, traditional mokoro excursions, and birding. Learn the ways of the bush from the local polers.

The excursion begins with a drive in customized safari vehicles for about 1-2 hrs to the "dock" to board a mokoro (canoe) that takes us deep into the delta. After a 1-2 hrs in the mokoro, arrive to the basic bush camp.

In the evening, watch a traditional dance performance.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 18: Maun/Ghanzi

Hop into a mokoro with your friends on the way back to Maun. Search for wildlife in the reeds along the river as you make your way back towards civilization. Zoom through the western part of Botswana to Ghanzi; the heart of the Kalahari. Catch a glimpse of how the Indigenous San Bushmen adapted to the Kalahari Desert on a bushman walk. They will teach you about wilderness survival skills in a place that seems uninhabitable.

Then while the day comes to an end, enjoy the warm hospitality of the San Bushmen as the group will be staying at the supported Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp. The best part? You are making a difference in the lives of this community just by enjoying your time at camp. So sit back, allow yourself to become immersed in their history and culture, sit around the fire, and simply enjoy the moment.

Enjoy the sunrise in the delta before travelling back to Maun by mokoro. Travel along the northern portions of the Kalahari Desert throughout the day – this is a severely arid and barren landscape, though very beautiful.

Arrive in the late afternoon and camp in the Ghanzi area.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 19: Ghanzi/Windhoek

Travel to Windhoek, the German-influenced capital city of Namibia.

Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.

Breakfast included.

Day 20: Windhoek/Etosha National Park

Visit the supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, just outside of Windhoek, to pick up a tasty packed lunch, then continue up to Etosha National Park. Enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle, then opt to explore more on an open vehicle night drive.

Leave Windhoek and head north through the Namibian countryside to Etosha National Park and enjoy a wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle. Keep an eye out for lions, giraffes, elephants, and antelopes. After sunset, some animals may head to the watering holes near the campground.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 21: Etosha National Park

Enjoy another wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for some of the famous wildlife.

Dinner included.

Day 22: Etosha National Park/Swakopmund

Sit back and watch the stunning desert landscape go by enroute to western Namibia.

Watch the beautiful desert landscape go by en route to western Namibia.

Spend two nights in the area exploring this historical town or trying some of the numerous activities available, such as sandboarding or a skydiving.

Swakopmund has bizarre lunar landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, and prehistoric Welwitchia plants.

Breakfast included.

Day 23: Swakopmund

Spend a day exploring all the area has to offer. Optional activities include sandboarding, skydiving, and a township tour.

Breakfast included.

Day 24: Swakopmund/Namib Desert

Travel into the beautiful Namib Desert, stopping at Walvis Bay on the way.

Get a real feel for the Namib Desert as we spend hours crossing this empty region.

En route, take a coffee break in Solitaire, a mystical village consisting of a filling station, a general dealer/coffee shop, and a small mechanical workshop. Drive through Walvis Bay, the only town on the Namibian coastline that boasts a deep sea harbor.

Arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert.

Breakfast included.

Day 25: Namib Desert

Visit Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon, and climb the towering Dune 45. Opt to visit Deadvlei.

Enjoy a visit to Sossusvlei, a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes, up to 300m (984 ft) high. Here, use some free time to enjoy the sand dunes on your own. Visit the Sesriem Canyon, a small canyon typical of the area.

Breakfast included.

Day 26: Namib Desert/Keetmanshoop

Continue south through the Namib Desert to Keetmanshoop, enjoying dramatic Namibian landscapes along the way. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to the rare Quiver Tree Forest.

Breakfast included.

Day 27: Keetmanshoop/Orange River

Early start and visit the geological formation: Giant's Playground. Drive South and later in the day visit the breathtaking Fish River Canyon. Then, continue on to the banks of the Orange River with time to swim or just relax. Enjoy the beautiful scenery in this part of the country.

Breakfast included.

Day 28: Orange River/Lambert's Bay

Cross the border into South Africa and continue down the coast to Lambert's Bay, stopping along the way for an included wine tasting. Then, opt to visit Bird Island or stroll through this charming town.

We head towards the coast again and on to Lambert’s Bay, a picturesque town on the west coast of South Africa.

Enjoy an included wine tasting at Lambert’s Bay. Learn how to analyze your palates, listen to your taste buds, and how to pair your food with the best wine raised in the foothills of the Cederburg Mountains.

In the afternoon, opt to visit the well known Bird Island where you can find more than 25,000 blue-eyed gannets at certain times of the year. Penguins also gather on this island for breeding between August and October.

Opt to stroll through this lovely town, visiting unique artisan shops and boutiques.

Breakfast included.

Day 29: Lambert's Bay/Cape Town

Continue on the last stretch of the trip to lovely Cape Town. Stop at the supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre along the way, then get ready to explore the vibrant streets of this scenic coastal city.

While travelling towards Cape Town, through Namaqualand, keep an eye out for fields of Namaqualand daisies (in season August and September).

Cape Town has many different options should you book extra time to explore after the tour.

Visit Table Mountain, explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope), or join a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch (45 min drive). Visit the old French Huguenot town of Franschoek and surroundings (1 hr drive). For the truly adventurous, try skydiving, abseiling, or even cage diving, for a close encounter with the great white sharks.

Opt to wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens), or visit the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and numerous other small museums and theaters.

Breakfast included.

Day 30: Cape Town

Depart at any time.

We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully enjoy this city.

Breakfast included.

DatesFromAdditional
23 Feb 2026 - 24 Mar 2026A$8474ppContact us
16 Mar 2026 - 14 Apr 2026A$9039ppContact us
23 Mar 2026 - 21 Apr 2026A$9039ppContact us
13 Apr 2026 - 12 May 2026A$9039ppContact us
27 Apr 2026 - 26 May 2026A$11299ppContact us
25 May 2026 - 23 Jun 2026A$11859ppContact us
01 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2026A$11859ppContact us
22 Jun 2026 - 21 Jul 2026A$11859ppContact us
29 Jun 2026 - 28 Jul 2026A$11859ppContact us
03 Aug 2026 - 01 Sep 2026A$12399ppContact us
10 Aug 2026 - 08 Sep 2026A$12399ppContact us
31 Aug 2026 - 29 Sep 2026A$12399ppContact us
14 Sep 2026 - 13 Oct 2026A$12399ppContact us
05 Oct 2026 - 03 Nov 2026A$11859ppContact us
12 Oct 2026 - 10 Nov 2026A$11859ppContact us
19 Oct 2026 - 17 Nov 2026A$11859ppContact us
26 Oct 2026 - 24 Nov 2026A$11859ppContact us
23 Nov 2026 - 22 Dec 2026A$11859ppContact us
21 Dec 2026 - 19 Jan 2027A$11299ppContact us
28 Dec 2026 - 26 Jan 2027A$11299ppContact us
25 Jan 2027 - 23 Feb 2027A$11299ppContact us
01 Feb 2027 - 02 Mar 2027A$11299ppContact us
01 Mar 2027 - 30 Mar 2027A$11299ppContact us
08 Mar 2027 - 06 Apr 2027A$11299ppContact us
03 May 2027 - 01 Jun 2027A$11859ppContact us
21 Jun 2027 - 20 Jul 2027A$11859ppContact us
19 Jul 2027 - 17 Aug 2027A$11859ppContact us
26 Jul 2027 - 24 Aug 2027A$11859ppContact us
16 Aug 2027 - 14 Sep 2027A$12399ppContact us
23 Aug 2027 - 21 Sep 2027A$12399ppContact us
30 Aug 2027 - 28 Sep 2027A$12399ppContact us
27 Sep 2027 - 26 Oct 2027A$12399ppContact us
11 Oct 2027 - 09 Nov 2027A$11859ppContact us
25 Oct 2027 - 23 Nov 2027A$11859ppContact us
08 Nov 2027 - 07 Dec 2027A$11859ppContact us
22 Nov 2027 - 21 Dec 2027A$11859ppContact us
06 Dec 2027 - 04 Jan 2028A$11299ppContact us

** Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.

** Single supplements may apply

Suggested Accommodation
CityAccommodation
Cape Town Inn On The Square or similar
Johannesburg Onomo Hotel Johannesburg Sandton or similar
Hazyview Lions Rock Rapids Lodge or similar
Mpumalanga Timbavati Safari Lodge or similar
Limpopo Lalapanzi Hotel & Conference Centre or similar
Great Zimbabwe Monument Clevers Lakeview Resort or similar
Matobo Hills Farmhouse Matopos or similar
Hwange National Park Hwange Safari Lodge or similar
Victoria Falls Explorer's Village or similar
Kasane Thebe River Safaris or similar
Nata Elephant Sands Lodge or similar
Maun Sedia Riverside Hotel or similar
Okavango Delta Okavango Delta Camping or similar
Ghanzi Palm Afrique Lodge or similar
Windhoek Auas City Hotel or similar
Etosha National Park NWR Etosha NP Okaukeujo Restcamp or similar
Swakopmund Hotel Deutsches Haus Swakopmund or similar
Namib Sossus Oasis Campsite or similar
Keetmanshoop Quiver Inn Guesthouse or similar
Orange River Norotshama River Resort or similar
Lambert's Bay Sir Lambert's Guest House or similar
Cape Town Cresta Grande Cape Town or similar

What's included?

  • Your G for Good Moment: Lusumpuko Women's Club Lunch, Victoria Falls
  • Your G for Good Moment: Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp, Dekar
  • Your G for Good Moment: Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, Windhoek
  • Your G for Good Moment: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Yzerfontein
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Discover Moment: Victoria Falls
  • Your Discover Moment: Swakopmund
  • Cape Town orientation walk
  • Soweto Township Bicycle Tour
  • Panorama Route drive with entrances
  • Kruger National Park wildlife safari drive in our vehicle (full-day)
  • Traditional dance experience
  • Nature walk at Timbavati Safari Lodge
  • Great Zimbabwe National Monument visit
  • Nature walk (Matobo National Park)
  • Victoria Falls visit
  • Okavango Delta excursion with entrances, wildlife walks, and traditional canoe trips
  • San/Bushmen walk
  • Traditional dinner (Kalahari)
  • Etosha National Park entrance with wildlife safari drives in our vehicle
  • Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon entrance
  • Wine tasting in Lambert's Bay
  • Fish River Canyon entrance
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Accommodations: Hotels (11 nts), lodge/chalet (11 nts), adventure tents (1 nt), guesthouse (1 nt), basic camping (1 nt), serviced camping (4 nts).
  • Meals: 28 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 9 dinners
  • Transportation: Plane, air-conditioned touring vehicle, safari vehicles, mokoro, walking.
  • Staff & experts: CEO (Chief Experience Officer) & driver throughout, local guides.

What's not?

  • Meals: Allow USD545-710 for meals not included.
  • Any items not mentioned as included.

Important notes and additional information

Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 18, avg 14

Price Assurance

At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.

Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.

Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.

Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!

Destination: Africa

From its endless deserts and burning sunsets, to its abundance of wildlife and diversity of culture, the African Safari has it all. There is nowhere else on the planet with such incredible natural beauty and rich traditions than Africa. Discover your own Africa with a tailored tour through some of the most dynamic and stunningly beautiful natural landscapes the world has to offer.

Downloadable travel guide

Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.

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Highlights of Southern Africa

30 Days. From AUD $8,474pp.