You depart Cape Town heading north for the Cederberg mountain region. These sandstone and shale mountains are famous for their spectacular rock formations.

On this first afternoon you spend some time getting to know your fellow travellers and learning about tour life.

You travel north through Namaqualand and head for the Gariep River.

Namaqualand is big sky country and this vast semi-arid region comes alive in spring when millions of colourful wild flowers cover the countryside. The night is spent sitting around the campfire.

In the morning you have the opportunity to explore the Gariep River by canoe. Gariep is the Nama name for the Orange River, which flows through some of the richest succulent regions in the world.

Alternatively, spend your morning swimming, watching birds and investigating the interesting geographical features that are unique to the Richtersveld area. After lunch you travel north to the Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world.

Optional Activities: Orange River Half Day Canoe Adventure

After marveling at the impressive natural beauty of the mighty Fish River Canyon, you continue on into the remote Namibian hinterland.

You arrive at Sesriem Camp in the afternoon and have time to go for a walk in to the smaller Sesriem Canyon. Tonight is an excellent opportunity to sleep out under the stars, beside the fire, surrounded by the shifting dunes and desert silence.

Taking advantage of the cooler temperatures you depart at dawn and drive into the Namib-Naukluft National Park where you hike up Dune 45 to gain a different perspective of the desert.

After this you have the option of going on a guided walk with a local expert or hiking into Sossusvlei with some of your travel companions, a beautiful region of huge ochre-coloured sand dunes.

Optional Activities: Guided Walk with Local Expert

A dramatic drive through the arid Namib-Naukluft sees you arrive at Walvis Bay where, if you are fortunate, the resident flamingo flock can be seen.

Then it's on to the seaside resort town of Swakopmund. In the evening you have the option of enjoying a dinner at a local restaurant serving the catch of the day, or dining at the lodge (both at your own expense).

The next day is left totally open for you pursue your own interests. There are many exciting adventure activities to choose from or you may prefer to do some shopping in town, or head for the beach.

Optional Activities: Quadbiking, Sandboarding, sky Diving, Scenic Flights, Fishing

It's time to leave all the trappings of modern life behind you and drive inland to the mysterious Spitzkoppe. The Spitzkoppe consists of the core of an ancient volcano that had the outside layers eroded away and is a sacred site of the San people.

You camp in the wild for the night; the stars in Namibia are so bright you feel you can reach out and touch them.

Optional Activities: Guided hike with locals to view San rock art

Today you drive north towards Kamanjab where you will meet some of the local people of the area. You spend the night at a cheetah farm and have the option of seeing the cheetahs.

Tomorrow you will meet the Himba people, semi-nomadic pastoralists who are easily recognisable by their unique style of dress.

Their hair, clothes and jewellery all form an important part of their tradition and culture. Encountering a totally different way of life is a moving experience for many people.

Optional Activities: Visit to Cheetah Farm

An early rise sees you on your way to meet the local Himba people. After spending some time with them you head off to Etosha National Park, home to over 340 bird, 110 reptile and 100 mammal species including close to 3 000 elephant and one of the biggest populations of black rhino in Africa.

You spend your days on game drives, visiting the abundant waterholes which offer excellent opportunities for game photography. After your evening meal you can relax at the floodlit waterhole.

After an early morning game drive you set off for Rundu on the Kavango River. In the evening you can enjoy a sunset cruise on the Kavango River, the border separating Namibia and Angola.

The next day you visit the local Ovambo villages and one of the schools in the area.

There are a number of different optional activities to take part in including horse riding. Alternatively, a relaxing day by the river is always a popular choice.

Optional Activities: Kavango River Cruise, Traditional Dancing, Horse Riding.

Today's journey takes you from Rundu, through the Muhembo border, towards Shakawe. If time allows you will go to Mahango National Park, situated right on the border, for a game drive.

If you decide to join the Delta Excursion will leave the truck behind and enter the Okavango using local transport. Your guides will provide you with a briefing about the next few days' activities, the environment and the community run tourism operation.

If you remain behind, you will spend the next few days relaxing at camp.

The Okavango is the largest inland delta in the world. Its crystal clear waters and countless islands are home to an amazing variety of animals and the area is a birder's paradise.

During your time in the delta you will go on a guided nature walk and mokoro (traditional dug out canoe) rides with the local people.

Optional Activities: Okavango Delta Excursion

You leave the Okavango Delta behind you and cross back into Namibia. You travel through the Caprivi National Park en route to your next 'home' alongside the Zambezi River.

You spend the night relaxing next to the mighty Zambezi, part of Africa's 4th largest river system.

Your camp today is on the banks of the Chobe River. The afternoon is spent on an optional boat cruise into the renowned Chobe National Park, an excellent opportunity for viewing some African wildlife.

Optional Activities: Chobe Game Drive and/or Boat Cruise

Arriving early you have enough time for lunch followed by a visit to Victoria Falls - one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.

The popular optional sunset cruise on the Zambezi River includes dinner and drinks.

Optional Activities: Victoria Falls National Park, Zambezi Sunset Cruise

You can spend the day white water rafting in this, the Adrenaline Capital of Africa. If that doesn't appeal to you, Vic Falls offers many exciting alternatives including bungee jumping, elephant back safaris and tiger fishing, to name but a few.

The last evening here can be spent together as a group at a local restaurant, recounting your experiences and adventures.

Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Elephant Excursion.

Today is a long drive through Botswana to the border at Martinsdrift where you spend the night.

An early departure for another day on the road. It's a 750km drive to Johannesburg, an exciting cosmopolitan city and the financial hub of South Africa.

You depart Johannesburg and travel through scenic Mpumalanga until you reach the border to the Kingdom of Swaziland. Entering Swaziland you travel to the Malolotja Nature Reserve; an 18 000 hectare mountain wilderness.

There are a number of wonderful walks in the area, as well as some optional excursions accompanied by a local ranger.

Optional Activities: Hiking, Nature Walks.

Traditional thatch and stone houses scatter the hillsides around the Shewula Mountain Camp.

This community-run eco-tourism facility has been a great success and here you can experience aspects of the traditional Swazi lifestyle.

A fantastic option is to arrange a traditional Swazi meal and join in with the preparation.

Optional Activities: Traditional Dancing, Traditional Meal, Walks in Reserve

Today you leave Swaziland behind you and cross the border into Mozambique. As you travel north along the ocean, you can enjoy the beautiful vistas of the Mozambican coast.

In the late afternoon you arrive at your camp at Praia do Tofo where you can take your first swim in the warm Indian Ocean.

Praia do Tofo has a broad sandy beach, safe swimming, excellent surf and good scuba diving.

Optional Activities: Snorkelling, Fishing, Scuba Diving

A short drive up the coast takes you to Morrungulo, situated on an unspoilt natural bay amongst palm trees.

There are many optional activities here such as fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling. In between activities there is time to relax on the beautiful beach. You spend the night at Morrungulo.

Optional Activities: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Fishing

Today you depart Morrungulo and drive north to Vilanculos. There is an opportunity to cross to the islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago where you relax 'island style', snorkeling or soaking up the sun.

Should you decide not to go to the islands, then you can relax in Vilankulo with its beautiful beaches, lively night life and excellent restaurants.

If you want to do the optional Bazaruto Excursion, on the morning of the 2nd day you take a dhow to Benguerra Island. The dhow trip takes about 2 hours and if you're lucky you may see dolphins during the crossing.

Optional Activities: Bazaruto Excursion

Driving south past beautiful coconut plantations, you pass through the old European settlement of Inhambane, haunted by the memories of the slave trade along the coast.

In the afternoon you arrive at your campsite for the next 2 days which is perfectly positioned right on the beach. You have a full day to partake in the various optional activities here, including horse riding and quad biking.

Optional Activities: Scuba Diving, Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Snorkeling, Fishing, Boat Cruise.

From Inhambane you drive further south to Maputo, the bustling capital of Mozambique.

You arrive in Maputo, formerly known as Lourenzo Marques, in the afternoon so you have some time to explore and experience this truly African city.

Today you return to South Africa, to the world-famous Kruger National Park, where you have the chance to spot Africa's Big 5.

Apart from daily game drives, the park offers informative dawn game walks and night drives (accompanied by a highly skilled ranger).

The Kruger Park covers nearly 2 million hectares and is home to about 145 mammal species including elephant, rhino, hippo, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog and many antelope species.

Large carnivores found here include lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. Kruger is also a birder's paradise with a list of almost 500 bird species spotted.

Optional Activities: Night Drive and Dawn Game Walks

Sadly you leave Kruger behind, but you'll head onto the wonderful cheetah conservation centre - an educational and heart-warming experience.

You travel via the Panorama route visiting some spectacular rock formations on your last full day of the tour. Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes are sure to be some of your scenic highlights.

Today the trip ends with your return to Johannesburg.

You may wish to finish your memorable tour with dinner together in one of Johannesburg's many excellent restaurants.