20 DAY CAPE TO VIC FALLS - African Overland Safari Tours

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The Scottish explorer, Sir James Alexander investigated Van Der Stel’s claims in 1852. He found several other copper outcrops
and started mining. Fortune hunters rushed to the area with many mining company collapsing due to transport difficulties. One
of the two that survived, at Okiep, was ranked as the richest copper mine in the world (Okiep is just north of Springbok).
The Orange River was named after The Dutch Royal family (Oranje). It’s now called the Gariep River. The ri ver runs for about
1200 km. The source is at the Gariep dam near Aliwal North in Eastern Cape. It flows into the sea at Oranjemund on the west
coast forming the border between RSA and Namibia and forms a natural boundary of various provinces in RSA.
DAY 3 ORANGE/GARIEP RIVER – FISH RIVER CANYON
In the morning we have the opportunity to experience the Gariep/Orange River by canoe, or spend some time relaxing. Af ter
lunch we travel north to visit the Ai -Ais Hot Springs and overnight close to the mighty Fish River Canyon.
Optional Activities: Half-Day Canoe Adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per room: Canyon Mountain Camp.
( www.gondwana-desert-collection.com/cmc.htm)
Facilities: Shared facilities, hot showers, drinkable water, small kiosk
Route: Gariep River to Fish River Canyon. ± 180 km
Travel Time: ± 3-4hrs
The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world. It is approx 161 km long, 27km wide at its widest point, and
550m deep. It is the oldest canyon in the world. The rocks at the bottom of the canyon are 2600 million years old. It was formed
in part by glacial movements, erosion and movement of tectonic plates. The plateaus are 220m from the base of the canyon.
There are catfish at the bottom that survive the dry season by burrowing into the mud until the water returns. It’s a very slow
moving and shallow river – more like a stream. Water is present in Feb/Mar/Apr. The highest recorded temperature at the base
was 58 degrees and it’s usually ten degrees hotter at the bottom than where you stand on the ridge.
DAY 4 FISH RIVER CANYON - KOKERBOOM FOREST
After an early breakfast we take a scenic walk along the rim of the Fish River Canyon. After visiting the canyon we travel further
inland to the Kalahari area of Namibia. On the way we will visit the Kokerboom (Quiver tree) Forest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per room: Auob Lodge. (www.nimibialodges.com)
Facilities: hot showers, drinkable water, and a swimming pool
Route: Fish River Canyon to Gochas. ±480 km
Travel time: ± 7-8 hrs
DAY 5 BUSHMAN COMMUNITY – NAMIB-NAUKLUFT PARK
This morning those who wish to spend some time with the !Kung tribe will have the chance to do so. Later we drive west
towards the massive dunes of Sossusvlei. Optional Activities: African Tribal interaction.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per room/Permanent Tent: Hammerstein Lodge. (www.hammerstein.com.na)
Facilities: Shared facilities, hot showers, drinkable water
Route: Mariental to Hammerstein. ±240 km
Travel time: ± 4-5hrs
The oldest and most unique desert in the world, t he central Namib stretches over 2000km along the coast from the Olifant’s
River in the south to San Nicolau in Southern Angola. Much of the desert is linear dunes, which are parallel to the sea and
stretch from the coast to the inland gravel plains. These dunes may se em lifeless, but support a complex ecosystem capable of
extracting moisture from the frequent fogs.
The desert was formed by a combination of activities. The Orange/Gariep River combined with the Fish River deposit a great
deal of silt into the ocean. Long shore currents push this silt northwards along the coast and onshore winds and wave action
deposit this silt on to the shoreline. Over the millions of years this belt of sand has pushed further inland and upwards forming
the Namib Desert. The sand is ve ry orange in some places because of the iron ore in the sand, which has simply rusted.
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