A brief description of the Classic Safari Route

The Route

The adventure starts on Thursday 1st May in Cape Town.

The Cape Grace boutique Hotel is in the heart of Cape Town’s Water Front overlooked by the iconic Table Mountain, a perfect base to start the great Southern African exploration. On the first day we are having an early lunch in the Boschendal Wine Estate, in Franschhoek, before crossing the Karoo (always an interesting region) and on to Mosel Bay. We may be lucky and sight whales or sharks in the bay early the following morning.

We travel over the Karoo to Cradock where we stay in a street of 19th century Dutch-gabled cottages providing one of the most original and atmospheric hotels in the world – everyone raved about this fascinating spot last time, so it would be a crime to not revisit this unusual hotel where standards of service and attention to detail providing such a talking point on our last event.
On into Lesotho – across the roof of Africa; then to the Cathedral Peak Hotel, nestling in the foothills of the mighty Drakensberg mountains, (stunning scenery, it’s where the film Zulu was filmed), and on through the battle sites of the Zulu Wars and into the Kingdom of Swaziland.
From Swaziland we travel into the Kruger National Park and the fabled Sabi Sands Reserve. Here we will spend two nights with some of the extensive game-viewing in Africa. From the Kruger we move via Blyde River Canyon to The Agatha Coach House. This is the oldest and one of the best stopovers in Africa.
Onwards into Zimbabwe – this is a totally new dimension to our series of Classic Safari events - and the impressive site that constitute the ancient remains of Great Zimbabwe. On to the Victoria Falls and a full day to enjoy the ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya ‘the some that thunders’: as we are visiting just after the rainy season the Falls should be at their mightiest. For the more adventurous there is white water rafting and helicopter trips and for the very brave - bungee jumping. Staying under the thatched-roof of a splendid hotel on the south-side, we have the very best of the Victoria Falls by venturing into Zimbabwe.
After a days rest, we travel into Botswana through the Eastern Kalahari before flying into the Okavango Delta for what is considered one of the worlds greatest wildlife experiences.  A day off to explore the Delta followed by a quick plane trip and a day drive through the ‘Okavango Panhandle’ to Popa Falls in Namibia. We have booked a squadron of light planes, and organised safe garaging of our cars for this unbelievable trip that puts the social-side of rallying first!

After a days drive we reach Etosha National Park; another exhilarating wildlife experience and the best place in the world to see the much endangered Black Rhino. A day of exploring Etosha where great herds of elephant abound, and then on to the infamous Skeleton coast via some of the worlds oldest and most extensive rock paintings at Twyfelfontein...
Over the sand and salt roads that run down the Skeleton coast of Namibia (the world’s oldest desert), and into the old German colonial town of Swakopmund.  After a night in Swakopmund we continue onwards to Sesriem and the world’s most impressive and largest sand dunes before crossing the haunting beautiful Namib Naukluft Park where the light plays tunes on the contrasting grass desert and the stark mountains.
The following day we visit Fish River Canyon. Although 160kms long, up to 27kms at its widest and 600 metres at its deepest it may, or may not be, the World’s largest Canyon it is very impressive.  After days in the atmospheric Namibian deserts by complete contrast we will stop for the night in the old fishing port of Lambert Bay for some beautiful sea food.

The following day a triumphant return to Cape Town via the Cape of Good Hope; where the two oceans meet; and the delights of the Cape Grace Hotel prize presentation.