Botanica
Wildflowers, Desert Plants, Wildlife and Coastal Scenes of Namibia & South Africa
Windhoek to Cape Town
Trip Highlights
Etosha National Park
See four of the ‘Big Five’ wildlife species during your time in Etosha National Park.
See Namibia’s Desert Flora
Climate-hardened Welwitschia plants, quiver trees and ancient Acacia trees populate Namibia’s desert region.
Kirstenbosch, South Africa
Wander the grounds of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, discovering its vast range of plant species.
Trip Inclusions
- Travel with a small group of 15-20 guests, escorted by an expert Botanical Guide
- Includes 18 nights’ accommodation in four- to five-star hotels (or best available), return private transfers from door to door, tipping and porterage, plus 45 meals and select beverages
- Relax aboard a comfortable coach with an experienced and informative Tour Manager
- All sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Marvel at the diverse flora and fauna of Waterberg Plateau and Etosha national parks
- Explore the arid landscapes of the Namib Desert and Deadvlei, adorned with the remnants of ancient Acacia erioloba trees
- View the wildflowers of Namaqualand and the endemic species of Namibia, including quiver trees and Welwitschia Mirabilis
- Visit the famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town and Babylonstoren Garden
Map & Itinerary
Trip Notes
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Fitness rating: High
- Group size: 10 to 20 guests
- Some excursions may require a high level of mobility and fitness. Some days may involve walking up to 6-8km a day
- Our experience of gardens, their flora, and other aspects of nature, is subject to weather conditions and seasonality, which may vary
- This itinerary includes a number of long travel days on substandard roads. Driving distances can be long in remote areas and some comfort stops will be rustic
Windhoek (Namibia)
Arrive in Windhoek today and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening and meet your fellow travellers.
Stay: Overnight: Windhoek, The Weinberg or similar
Daily :Waterberg Plateau National Park Dinosaurs and Petrified Sand Dunes
From Windhoek, head north to the Waterberg region. The Waterberg Plateau National Park is a fascinating geological site in northern Namibia. Named for the springs that emerge from the region’s foothills, the park abounds with rugged rock faces, 200-million-year-old dinosaur footprints, and petrified sand dunes. The park is also blessed with a plethora of plant and animal species, including leopards, rhinos, vultures, cheetahs, bush babies, ferns, various grasses and fig trees.
Stay: Overnight: Waterberg, Wilderness Lodge or similar
Daily :Etosha National Park Game Drive
After breakfast, we depart the Waterberg region and travel further north to the vast wildlife reserve of Etosha National Park. Etosha is home to more than 110 animal species, including elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes and zebras. It also features more than 300 distinct bird species. The park is well-known for its salt pan, which is so large it can be seen from space.
We spend the next two nights at Epacha Game Lodge & Spa, which boasts its own private game reserve. This afternoon, we enjoy a game drive in the park, where we have the chance to see some of the animals that call this reserve home.
Stay: Two Nights: Etosha National Park, Epacha Game Lodge & Spa or similar
Daily :Etosha National Park and Epacha Reserve Nature Walk
Enjoy a full day in Etosha National Park and take a guided nature walk at Epacha Reserve to see some of its botanical wonders, including mopane trees, which have distinctive butterfly shaped leaves.
Daily :Twyfelfontein Rock Art and Damaraland
Drive south, through the towns of Outjo and Khorixas, and on to the Damaraland Region. We spend time at Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to one of the largest and most important concentrations of rock art in Africa. The vegetation here has adapted to the region’s harsh climate and include the ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, whose leaves extend along the ground, and the spectacular, and poisonous, cactus-like Gifboom.
Stay: Two Nights: Damaraland, Mowani Mountain Camp or similar
Daily :Elephant Safari and Living Museum
Head out on an elephant safari today in open-air 4x4 vehicles. We drive along a dry riverbed in search of Namibia's desert-dwelling elephants, of which only about 600 remain. Later in the day, visit the Damara Living Museum to learn about, and experience, the traditional Damara way of life. This is a unique opportunity to witness firsthand traditions that are gradually dying out.
Daily :Uis, Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Lichen Fields and Swakopmund
After leaving Twyfelfontein, we drive via the remote village of Uis to Cape Cross Seal Reserve to see Namibia’s cape fur seals. We then continue along the Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund. Here, we stop at its lichen fields, which are now recognised as a vital, and largely protected, component of Namibia’s environment. It is estimated that some of these lichen fields are hundreds, or even thousands, of years old, having survived long periods of drought.
Stay: Two Nights: Swakopmund, Strand Hotel or similar
Daily :Swakopmund Sightseeing Tour
Take a tour of Swakopmund, a former German colonial town with a unique blend of African and European influences. Explore its seaside promenades, half-timbered homes, and wind-swept beaches. Visit the town's historic lighthouse and railway station, then enjoy some free time this afternoon.
Daily :Namib Desert, Kuiseb Canyon and Welwitschia Plains
Depart early this morning for the Welwitschia Plains, a protected area in the Namib Desert known for its Welwitschia plants. These plants are centuries-old and endemic to the Namib Desert. After visiting the Welwitschia Plains, we drive on to the Kuiseb Canyon, a dramatic gorge carved by the Kuiseb River. We then stop at the remote settlement of Solitaire, occupying a small corner of the Namib Desert. From here, we head to our lodge, situated within the Namib-Naukluft Park.
Stay: Two Nights: Namib-Naukluft National Park, Dead Valley Lodge or similar
Daily :Sossusvlei Dunes and Deadvlei
Explore the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib Desert and Deadvlei, whose surreal landscape comprises a clay pan that was formerly an oasis. The acacia trees that once thrived here were left to die when the river that fed them changed course. The dry climate prevented the trees from decomposing, so they remain as desiccated, blackened sentinels on the pan's cracked surface. Surrounded by the red-pink dunes of the Namib Desert, the spectacle of Deadvlei is a photographer's dream.
Daily :NamibRand Nature Reserve, Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park
We drive south today, through the NamibRand Nature Reserve to Helmeringhausen and then on to Aus. The small village of Aus is located in the Aus Mountains, above the plains of the Namib Desert. It is a great place from which to see the area's major attraction, the feral horses of the Namib Desert. We also learn about the Succulent Karoo plants which transform the desert into a sea of bright flowers after the winter rains. Visit the beautiful Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park, home to the most biodiverse desert in the world, during a sunset drive.
Stay: Two Nights: Klein-Aus Vista, Desert Horse Inn or similar
Daily :Lüderitz, Garub Wild Horses and Kolmanskop
Today, we travel to Lüderitz, a town located between the Atlantic Coast and the Namib Desert. This seaside town is a unique blend of 19th-century Bavaria and the Namib Desert. On the way, we stop at Garub, where we can see the wild horses of the Namib Desert. We also visit Kolmanskop, a ghost town that was once a thriving diamond mining town. Today, Kolmanskop is a haunting reminder of its past, and offers visitors a glimpse into a bygone era.
Daily :Fish River Canyon, Lithops and Quiver Trees
Today, we journey to Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. Along the way, we stop at a lodge for lunch and to see their collection of Lithops. These plants, commonly known as living stones or pebble plants, are endemic to the arid desert environments of Namibia. In the afternoon, we arrive at Canyon Lodge. As we explore the Canyon Village, we learn about the clusters of quiver trees that are found there. The quiver tree, also known as kokerboom, or tree Aloe, is one of Namibia's national plants and is widely regarded as being a symbol of the south. These extraordinary trees have been rapidly declining, but thanks to conservation efforts in the area, these beautiful trees are being preserved.
Stay: Overnight: Fish River Canyon, Canyon Lodge or similar
Daily :Springbok Wildflowers (South Africa)
Today, we leave Namibia and cross the border into South Africa. We spend the night in Springbok, the largest town in the Namaqualand region of the Northern Cape province. August is regarded as the best time to see the spring flowers after the winter rainfall. We look for the Namaqua daisy of white, yellow and orange colours, and Osteospermum, or African daisy, among many others. We may also see several bulbous plants, including the Babiana.
Stay: Overnight: Springbok, Springbok Inn or similar
Daily :Clanwilliam and the Cederberg Mountains
Travel to Clanwilliam, one of South Africa’s oldest towns. This picturesque town is nestled between the Cederberg Mountains and the Olifants River and is well-known for being the home of rooibos tea.
Stay: Two Nights: Clanwilliam, Clanwilliam Hotel or similar
Daily :Ramskop Nature Reserve Wildflowers and Rooibos Tea Tour
In the morning, visit the Ramskop Nature Reserve, which is home to more than 350 species of wildflower. The beautifully landscaped paths through the reserve offer stunning views of the Clanwilliam Dam and the Cederberg Mountains. In the afternoon, take a rooibos farm tour and learn about the cultivation and production of this unique tea. Enjoy a tasting of different rooibos teas and learn about their health benefits.
Daily :West Coast National Park
Today, we travel via the West Coast National Park for further wildflower viewing before arriving in Cape Town. The West Coast National Park is a popular destination for wildflower viewing, and is home to a variety of species, including Namaqua daisies, sporrie, iris and ice plants.
Stay: Two Nights: Cape Town, Victoria & Alfred Hotel or similar
Daily :Cape Town, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Babylonstoren Garden
Discover the highlights of Cape Town today, including the spectacular Table Mountain and the world-famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, the garden displays all the beauty and diversity of the region’s flora, including the national floral emblem, the King Protea. Later, visit the delightful town of Simondium, where we visit Babylonstoren Garden. The recently completed Fynbos garden here displays the natural flora of the south-west area of South Africa.
Daily :Cape Town
Your journey concludes after breakfast this morning, when you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Daily :Price & Availability
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August 2025 - August 2025
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Would not hesitate to recommend Botanica and we are already looking into our next adventure.
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