21 Days Northern Cape & Kalahari

Route
21 Days Northern Cape & Kalahari Route Map
Highlights

  • Take a journey to South Africa’s biggest and most remote province.
  • Immerse yourself in the semi-desert landscape of the Karoo.
  • Get blown away by spectacular views of the Namaqualand wildflowers.
  • Take on an adventurous 4×4 route in the rugged Richtersveld.
  • Admire the impressive Augrabies Falls.
  • Stay in a laid-back seaside village on the West Coast.
  • Enjoy some of the finest stargazing in Southern Africa.

Arrive Johannesburg

Pick up your car rental at Johannesburg airport early morning to start the drive to Mokala National Park. It is also possible to fly to Bloemfontein (just 70 km from Mokala) to start your self-drive tour from there. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged at an additional cost.

Mokala National Park

Located near the city of Kimberley, Mokala is one of the newest additions to South African National Parks. Mokala is nestled among koppieveld (hills), but also boasts expansive sandy plains dominated by open grassland and ‘’mokala’’or camel thorn trees in Tswana. The reserve is home to over 50 species of mammals including rare species such as the White Rhino, Black Rhino, Tsessebe and Roan antelope.

Lilydale Rest Camp (Day 1 & 2)

2 Nights En-suite Chalet, Self-catering – 630 km

Lilydale Rest Camp is situated on the Riet River, offering 12 self-catering units overlooking the river. Stunning sunsets and starry skies make for an unforgettable visit. Lilydale is said to have some of the best fly-fishing spots in the area. A guided rock art drive and fly-fishing are some of the interesting activities offered by the Park. Your mid-range thatched roof chalet has an outside patio and a kitchenette.

Activity Included: Guided Sunset Drive

Lilydale Rest Camp
Lilydale Rest Camp
Karoo National Park

Karoo National Park is a wildlife reserve in the Great Karoo, a semi-desert natural region of South Africa. The sparse vegetation makes it easier to spot animals, and large herbivores such as Zebra, Eland, Kudu, Springbok and the smaller Klipspringer are all regularly seen. Breathtaking landscapes, exciting 4×4 routes and mountain bike trails are just some of the lovely features this Park has to offer.

Karoo Main Rest Camp (Day 3 & 4)

2 Nights En-suite Cottage, Bed & Breakfast – 460 km

Karoo Main Rest Camp has a restaurant and a shop selling basic commodities. Outdoor activities include hiking, game viewing, scenic drives and several 4×4 eco trails. Your mid-range Cape-Dutch style cottage has a open-plan kitchen and a lounge, and is serviced daily.

Karoo National Park
Karoo National Park

Elandsbaai (Day 5 & 6)

2 Nights En-suite Cottage, Self-catering – 560 km

The quaint fishing village of Elandsbaai is one of those gems that have managed to escape the rush of development. The area is especially known for great surfing, dolphin and whale watching, birdwatching and has remarkable caves with historic rock paintings. Your mid-range accommodation is a beautifully restored historic farmhouse where you can sit back and enjoy the outback of the West Coast.

Elandsbaai
Elandsbaai

Hondeklipbaai (Day 7)

1 Night En-suite Cottage, Self-catering – 320 km

On Day 7 you will follow the coast up to Hondeklipbaai, stopping at the picturesque Lambert’s Bay on the way. Hondeklipbaai is a peaceful and rustic village – pretty much everything you would expect from a small West Coast village. Enjoy authentic Namaqua cuisine and stunning views of orange and yellow wildflowers during flower season. Your mid-range self-catering cottage is authentic, well-equipped and walking distance from the beach, restaurants and a bar.

Hondeklipbaai
Hondeklipbaai
Namaqua National Park

Experience the quiet magic of Namaqua National Park featuring starry skies and a landscape covered in wildflowers. During August and September, the dusty Namaqualand valleys are transformed into a flower paradise attracting travellers from all over the world.

Skilpad Rest Camp (Day 8 & 9)

2 Nights En-suite Chalet, Self-catering – 75 km

With no restaurant, shop or filling station, visitors can truly enjoy the simplicity and quietness this unique Rest Camp has to offer. During Flower season, the Skilpad and Korhaan walking trails offer great views of the spectacular display. Other activities include exciting 4×4 routes and birdwatching. There are only four chalets at Skilpad Rest Camp. Your mid-range chalet has an open plan living room/kitchen area, and an indoor and outdoor fireplace.

Skilpad Rest Camp
Skilpad Rest Camp
Ai-Ai/Richtersveld Transfortier Park

The Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfortier Park is a unique mountain desert wilderness and lunar landscape with desert flora, impressive gorges and a staggering assortment of plantlife found nowhere else on earth. Challenging 4×4 routes, river rafting and fly fishing are some of activities offered.

Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp (Day 10, 11 & 12)

3 Nights En-suite Chalet, Self-catering – 295 km

Sendelingsdrift is a newly built rest camp which consists of 10 chalets. Some of the highlights include the flowering season (between June and October), guided hiking trails and fantastic 4×4 routes. Sedan vehicles are not permitted in the park. Your mid-range rest camp chalet has a front porch with views over the Gariep (Orange River) and a kitchenette with fridge and two-plate electric stove.

Richtersveld
Richtersveld
Augrabies Falls National Park

Augrabies Falls National Park was established in 1966 and is located around the Augrabies Falls, about 120 km west of Upington. Visitors flock to this National Park to see these spectacular falls which are known to be amongst the highest in the world! The Khoi people called it “Aukoerebis”, or place of Great Noise.

Augrabies Falls (Day 13 & 14)

2 Nights En-suite Chalet, Self-catering – 630 km

Surrounded by beautiful nature and wild animals roaming freely around the park, this is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy nature and your surroundings. Your mid-range chalet consists of a spacious open plan unit with all the comforts you may need in a bush setting.

Augrabies
Augrabies

Upington (Day 15)

1 Night En-suite Standard Room, Bed & Breakfast – 130 km

Upington is situated on the banks of the mighty Orange River and the perfect stopover en route to the Kgalagadi. It is rich in culture and history and is best known for its export-quality grapes, raisins and wines, which are cultivated on the rich flood plains of the Orange River. Your mid-range accommodation is a beautiful guest house situated on the banks of the Orange River.

Upington
Upington
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is where the red dunes and scrub fade into infinity and herds of Gemsbok, Springbok, Eland and Blue Wildebeest follow the seasons, where imposing camel thorn trees provide shade for huge black-mane lions and vantage points for leopard and many raptors.

Nossob Rest Camp (Day 16, 17 & 18)

3 Nights En-suite Chalet, Self-catering – 410 km

Nossob Rest Camp is situated within the dry riverbed of the Nossob. The camp is surrounded by tree savannah and is famous for spectacular predator sightings. Your mid-range accommodation consists of a spacious chalet with all the conveniences of home. Sit back and enjoy the vast scenery and wild animals around you.

Nossob
Nossob

Witsand Nature Reserve (Day 19)

1 Night En-suite Family Chalet, Self-catering – 580 km

Flowing white dunes are cradled by contrasting red Kalahari sand. This is the home of the famous Roaring Sands (Brulsand) of the Kalahari and over 150 bird species. Your luxury family self-catering chalet is spacious and comfortable. This unit is perfectly located and surrounded by kilometers of beautiful white sand and vast open spaces, a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a braai (barbeque).

Witsand
Witsand

Kimberly (Day 20)

1 Night En-suite Standard Room, Bed & Breakfast – 275 km

Kimberly is most famous for the Big Hole. This giant 215-metre deep crater serves as a reminder of the diamond rush of the 1870’s. Your mid-range accommodation is a beautiful guest house with lush green gardens. It is centrally located and walking distance to Kimberly’s historical monuments and attractions.

Kimberly
Kimberly

Depart Johannesburg (Day 21)

After breakfast the following morning you will return to Johannesburg airport (approx. 500 km) to drop off your car rental and depart for your next destination. <em>***Please note that this tour can also be planned to start in Johannesburg and end in Cape Town, or to start and end in Cape Town. </em>

For fully guided and catered tours, please visit Fleet Foot Safaris, our sister company’s website.

What’s Included

  • Car Rental: Standard Cover 4×4 Rental for 21 days with unlimited kilometers, GPS and one-way drop-off fee.
  • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade).
  • Meals and drinks as specified in the day-by-day section.
  • All activities (Unless labeled as optional).
  • Park Entrance and Conservation Fees for Mokala, Karoo, Namaqua and Augrabies National Parks and Ai-Ai/Richtersveld and Kgalagadi Transfortier Parks (For non-residents).
  • A personalized self-drive Tour Package including accommodation and activity vouchers, map books and a detailed itinerary with GPS coordinates, directions, local tips and area information.
  • All Taxes/VAT.

What’s not Included

  • Domestic and international flights. (Can be arranged at an additional cost).
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour.
  • Tips
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees.
  • Visas to be arranged by the client at their own cost.
  • Community/bed levy’s and fees.
  • Optional activities: List to be supplied, can be booked with us in advance.

Special Conditions

  • This is a tour example only, and the actual tour price will vary based on the number of travellers, travel period and accommodation availability. Please email us for a quote.
  • A single supplement applies for single travellers.
  • Should a particular accommodation type not be available, we will offer an alternative of the same standard.
  • Please note that if Park Fees are not mentioned with inclusions above, the Park Fees are payable by the traveller on arrival.
  • This tour can be tailor-made to suit your specific needs.