Kgalagadi Safari: Holidays to Kalahari Desert + Tours to Namaqualand & Bushmen
Kgalagadi safari holidays to Kalahari desert & tours to Namaqualand and the land of the Bushmen, offer a unique wildlife experience like no other.
David Attenborough brought the stunning red sands of the Kalahari desert into our homes with his famous TV documentaries about this huge ecosystem and its desert-adapted wildlife. It is home to the Bushmen people and unique desert adapted wildlife, including the black-maned Kalahari lion.
One of the largest conservation areas in the world, and one of the last remaining wilderness regions, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a visionary joint venture between South Africa and Botswana, straddling both countries and covering over 3.7 million hectares. Upington in South Africa's northwest province is the gateway for all Kgalagadi safari holidays, which work best when travelling with a private driver/guide or self driving.
Most holidays to the Kalahari desert include a visit to the thundering Augrabies Falls – the 6th largest in the world. You can also visit a Bushmen village. In August and September each year, Kalahari desert tours to Namaqualand offer another truly amazing natural spectacle, with astonishing wildflower displays.
Combine your ideas with our expertise and let us help you create a holiday of a lifetime. We offer a wide range of options at different price points, all of which can be tailor made to your needs.
We have been arranging Kgalagadi safari holidays to Kalahari Desert & tours to Namaqualand & Bushmen for over 20 years.
ALL OUR KGALAGADI SAFARI HOLIDAYS & KALAHARI DESERT TOURS TO NAMAQUALAND & BUSHMEN ARE FINANCIALLY PROTECTED wherever in the world you live.
More information on Kgalagadi safari holidays to Kalahari Desert & tours to Namaqualand & Bushmen:
Upington is the most convenient gateway for Kgalagadi safari holidays & Kalahari desert tours, as it is linked by daily flights from both Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a further 3-hours north by road, with accommodation in simple air-conditioned self-catering rest camps such as Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata Mata. There are a few smaller, tented camps but these require booking up to a year in advance, and one luxury Bushman-owned camp. A top-end luxury fly-in Kalahari desert safari is also available at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, which is in a class of its own.
On a Kgalagadi safari, wildlife viewing centres on the dry river beds searching for the enormous black-maned Kalahari lion, the region’s most famous inhabitant. The Kalahari desert is also renowned for the magnificent oryx with its long sharp horns, cute meerkats that emerge from their burrow at sunrise, prancing springbok, prickly porcupine, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, Cape fox, African wild cat and the aggressive honey badger.
You will see large herds of antelope such as eland and blue wildebeest and some of Africa’s most unusual animals, including many of the big cats (lion, cheetah and leopard) which are more easily seen in these wide open landscapes on holidays to the Kalahari desert, but the sparse vegetation does not support elephant, rhino or buffalo.
Birdlife is also surprisingly prolific in the region and a highlight of many Kgalagadi safari holidays, with over 260 recorded species, including 20 different raptors. In this land of far horizons, you can marvel at the gigantic nests of the sociable weaver birds set high in camel thorn trees and stop to examine the amazing succulent Kalahari desert plants which have adapted to survive in such harsh conditions.
The granite Augrabies Falls (meaning 'Place of Great Noise') are well worth including on holidays to the Kalahari, with accommodation in simple but comfortable air-conditioned chalets. Here the thundering Orange River dramatically crashes over the rim of a granite canyon, plunging 82 metres into the gorge below forming South Africa’s largest waterfall and the sixth largest in the world. Activities here include a sunset cruise, canoeing in the gentler rapids above the falls, abseiling down the cliffs and white water rafting in the turbulent gorge below.
Namaqualand is also within easy reach. From mid-August to mid-September each year, this landscape bursts into a spectacularly vivid display of wildflowers as far as the eye can see, although the exact timing depends on the rains.
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FEATURED HOLIDAY
South Africa: Kalahari + Namaqualand (self drive)
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$1,430
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
SCV12U
• Upington
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• Wildflowers (seasonal)
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• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
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• Augrabies Falls
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• Kalahari, South Africa
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• Bushmen
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• Desert Adapted Wildlife
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• Safari, Kalahari,
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• Kalahari Lions
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• Astronomy
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This selfdrive safari visits the Kalahari in South Africa, where the Bushmen live, staying in simple rest camps in the vast Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, shared with Botswana. See the majestic black-maned Kalahari lion, oryx, springbok & other desert-adapted wildlife. Then drive to Augrabies Falls, with its adventure activities, & Namaqualand with its wildflowers or explore Bushmanland. Optional Cape Town extension.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Cape Town + West Coast to Kalahari (self drive)
16 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,272
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
SCW16C
• Stellenbosch Winelands
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• West Coast National Park
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• Augrabies Falls
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• Holiday, South Africa
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• Wildflowers, Namaqualand
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• Table Mountain & Cape Point
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• Kalahari Safari
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• Whales in Hermanus
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• Kgalagadi National Park
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• Cape Town
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From mid-August to mid-September, on this self-drive holiday in South Africa you can travel up the West Coast from Cape Town to the Kalahari - after visiting Hermanus to see whales & enjoying wine tasting in Stellenbosch. Then drive to Springbok to view the spectacular wildflowers of Namaqualand, before finishing with a safari at a Bushman lodge in Kgalagadi (game drives included).
FEATURED HOLIDAY
South Africa's Botanical Gardens + Namaqualand
16 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,392
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
SRTT16J
• Big Five Safari Holidays
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• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
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• South Africa Wildflower Tours
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• Johannesburg & Pretoria Gardens
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• Upington
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• Harold Porter Gardens
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• Namaqualand Wildflowers
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• Hermanus
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• Cape Town
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• Karoo National Park
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Explore the floral kingdom of South Africa on one of our tailor-made botanical & wildflower tours & holidays: part private tours & part self drive. In season (late July to mid Sep), start with a private tour to view the spectacular wildflowers of Namaqualand. Then fly to Cape Town to visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Harold Porter (fynbos) & Karoo National Park (succulents). Finally visit the botanical gardens in Johannesburg & Pretoria. A Big Five safari is also included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Kalahari) + Cape Town
10 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,508
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
SRQ10U
• Cape Point
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• Springbok & Oryx
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• Cape Town
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• Game Drives
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• Desert Adapted Wildlife
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• Stellenbosch Winelands
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• Table Mountain
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• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
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• South Africa Safari Holiday
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• Upington
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Visit a Bushman-owned game lodge in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa on this wonderful safari holiday that combines the desert-adapted wildlife of the Kalahari with beautiful Cape Town. Ascend Table Mountain, visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserves, Boulders Beach penguins & the Stellenbosch Winelands. All transfers, park fees & game drives included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Cape Town + Winelands + Karoo to Kalahari (self drive)
16 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,747
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
SCR16C
• Holidays Cape Town, South Africa
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• Tours SALT Telescope, Sutherland
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• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
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• Hermanus
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• Kalahari Safari
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• Matjiesfontein
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• Augrabies Falls
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• Astronomy Holidays, South Africa
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• Stellenbosch Winelands
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• Great Karoo
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If you are interested in astronomy and the stars of the southern skies, our self drive holidays to Cape Town & the Great Karoo in South Africa include Hermanus and the winelands of Stellenbosch, as well as tours to view the gigantic SALT telescope near Sutherland. Also enjoy a thrilling safari in the remote Kalahari, staying in a Bushman-owned lodge. All game drives included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Cape Town to Namibia (self drive)
21 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,585
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
SCP21C
• Bushman Paintings
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• Cederberg Mountains
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• Windhoek
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• Road Trip South Africa
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• Swakopmund
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• Luderitz & Namib Desert
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• Fish River Canyon
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• West Coast
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• Etosha National Park
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• Cape Town To Namibia Road Trip
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This epic Cape Town to Namibia road trip travels up the West Coast of South Africa via Langebaan, the Cederberg Mountains & Springbok to the mighty Fish River Canyon, before continuing via the Succulent Karoo & Luderitz to the sand dunes of the Namib Desert, Swakopmund, the Bushman Paintings at Twyfelfontein & the wildlife of Etosha National Park, ending in Windhoek.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
South Africa: Kalahari Safari (Private Guide) + KZN North Coast
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,589
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
SPQ12U
• Birding Tour
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• Upington, South Africa
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• Photo Safari
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• Augrabies Falls
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• Oryx, Springbok & Meerkats
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• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
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• Private Guide
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• Black Maned Lion
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• Durban Beaches
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• Kalahari Africa, Photo Safari
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Experience the semi-desert wildlife of the untamed Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (or Kalahari), a vast wilderness that spreads across 3 countries - South Africa, Botswana & Namibia. Stay at simple rest camps, with dinners around an open camp fire. Also visit Augrabies Falls. Ideal for a photo safari or birding tour accompanied by your own private guide. Then relax on the beach in Durban. All transfers, park fees & game drives included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Kalahari + Augrabies + Wildflowers - Private Guide
10 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,944
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
SPO10U
• Photography & Star Gazing
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• Bushmen
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• Private Tour, Kalahari
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• Black Maned Lion
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• Meerkats
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• Namaqualand Wildflowers
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• South Africa
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• Augrabies Falls
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• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
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• Oryx
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On this wonderful private tour you can explore amazing landscapes & photograph desert-adapted wildlife in the vast Kalahari in South Africa, travelling with your own driver/guide & staying in simple rest camps. We view the Augrabies Falls & seasonal Namaqualand wildflowers (mid Aug to mid-Sept). At other times of year we explore more of Bushmanland. English speaking guide, all park fees & game drives included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Cape Town + West Coast + Wildflowers to Kalahari
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,786
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
SPC12C
• Richtersveld
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• Paternoster
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• Cederberg Mountains
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• West Coast National Park
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• Cape Town
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• Kgalagadi Safari
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• Tour: Cape West Coast, South Africa
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• Whale Watching
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• Namaqualand Wildflowers
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• South Africa
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This privately guided tour travels up the rugged Cape West Coast in South Africa to view the seasonal Namaqualand wildflowers that bloom from mid-August to mid-September (although exact timing depends on the rains). Continue via the dramatic landscapes & night skies of the Richtersveld & southern Namibia to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. English speaking guide & all park fees included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
South Africa: Kalahari Safari (Tswalu ) + Mauritius
10 NIGHTS FROM:
$6,578
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
HRL10J
• Snorkelling & Diving
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• Star Gazing by Telescope
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• Kalahari Desert Adapted Wildlife
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• Luxury Flying Safari, South Africa
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• Tswalu Private Reserve
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• Catamaran Trips
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• Horse Riding
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• Meercats
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• Bushman Experience
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• Mauritius
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This top-end luxury flying safari in South Africa stays at Tswalu, the largest private game reserve in Africa & offers an exclusive wilderness experience in the vast Kalahari - home to the Bushman people. View desert adapted wildlife & enjoy a sleepout, night walks, horse riding & star gazing. Then fly to the tropical island of Mauritius. All Kalahari light aircraft flights, game drives, park fees & transfers included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
South Africa to Namibia, via Kalahari - Private Guide
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$7,176
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
SPL14U
• Etosha National Park
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• Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
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• Photo Safari
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• Kalahari
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• Africat
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• Private Tour Guide
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• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
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• South Africa and Namibia
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• Namib Desert
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• Bushmen Paintings
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On this South Africa and Namibia private tour, travel with your own driver guide on a photo safari through the Kalahari to Etosha. Starting from Upington, travel through Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, with its unique desert-adapted wildlife, to the sand dunes of the Namib, Swakopmund & Twyfelfontein's Bushman paintings, ending at Africat. English speaking guide, all transfers & park fees included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
South Africa: Cape Town + Luxury Kalahari Safari
8 NIGHTS FROM:
$8,134
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
SRP8C
• Black Maned Lion
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• Luxury Flying Safari
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• Cape Town South Africa
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• Meerkats
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• Bushman
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• Cape Point
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• Tswalu Reserve, Kalahari
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• Winelands
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• Star Gazing
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• Oryx
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This top-end luxury flying safari combines Cape Town in South Africa with the luxurious Tswalu private game reserve in the vast untamed Kalahari, with its amazing desert adapted wildlife. View meercat, oryx, hyena & black-maned lion, with activities including a sleepout, night walks, horse riding & star gazing through a telescope in this immense wilderness. All Kalahari flights, transfers & game drives included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Rovos Rail Train: South Africa to Namibia
15 NIGHTS FROM:
$10,169
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
9NYA15J
• Pretoria
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• Rovos Rail Holidays & Vacations
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• Kalahari
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• Namib Desert
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• Kimberley
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• Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
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• Fish River Canyon
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• Luxury Train: Namibia, South Africa
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• Flamingos
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• Etosha Safari
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This luxury train travels to Namibia from South Africa with Rovos Rail, journeying through Kimberley & the vast Kalahari to Fish River Canyon & Windhoek. Also fly to the sand dunes of the Namib & enjoy a safari in Etosha, before relaxing in Swakopmund. All activities included in Rovos Rail holidays & vacations. One departure per year (April/May) in each direction. Pullman, Deluxe or Royal cabin. Early booking essential.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Rovos Rail African Trilogy: South Africa + Swaziland + Namibia
19 NIGHTS FROM:
$11,725
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
9NYB19J
• Swaziland
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• Fish River Canyon
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• Rovos Rail Luxury Train
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• South Africa to Namibia
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• Kruger National Park
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• Walvis Bay & Swakopmund
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• African Triology
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• Hluhluwe Game Reserve
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• Etosha National Park
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• Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
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Enquire about this Rovos Rail luxury train - the South African Triology - that journeys from Pretoria to the Kruger National Park, Swaziland, Hluhluwe Game Reseve, Durban, the Drakensberg Mountains, Kimberley & Upington. It then continues to the mighty Fish River Canyon, the gigantic sand dunes of Sossusvlei & Etosha National Park in Namibia, before ending in Walvis Bay or Swakopmund. Two departures per year (Feb/Oct). Pullman & Deluxe cabins. Early booking essential.
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