Northern Cape Explorer

Duration
12 Days
Price from
$4,473 pp.
Location
South Africa, Africa
Northern Cape South Africa

Trip Highlights

  • Explore Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
  • Stargazing in the Kalahari
  • Visit Augrabies Falls National Park

What's Included

  • Handpicked lodges & guesthouses
  • Guided game drives in Kgalagadi
  • Optional hiking & canoeing excursions

Out specialist says:

Explore the beautiful deserts, waterfalls and coastal villages of Northern South Africa.

A much under-visited yet beautiful part of South Africa, the Northern Cape is a wonderful spot for repeat visitors to the country who are looking to experience something a little different. Characterised by small farming towns, vast open deserts and surprisingly abundant wildlife, as well as the breathtaking Augbrabie Falls, the diversity of this area is incredible.

Ali, our MD, and a certified South Africa expert, says:
“There’s a kind of peace in the Kalahari that’s hard to describe — just heat, wind, stars, and the feeling that you’re a tiny part of something ancient.”

Your journey begins with a flight from Johannesburg to Upington, where your self-drive adventure kicks off. From here, it’s north into the heart of the Kalahari Desert — a vast and hauntingly beautiful wilderness that stretches into Botswana and Namibia. For the first three nights, you’ll be staying at Xaus Lodge, a remote outpost deep within the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This stark but soulful desert landscape, with its endless red dunes and wide skies, offers a sense of space and stillness that’s the perfect antidote to modern life.

Your time at Xaus Lodge offers the chance to connect deeply with the environment and the people who call it home. Local San guides will introduce you to their traditions, desert survival techniques, and the unique flora that thrives in these harsh conditions. Sundowners atop the dunes and some of the best stargazing you’ll ever experience make this a memorable start to your trip.

From the desert you’ll travel through small towns, vineyards and waterfalls, onto the wild landscapes of the Cederberg, and finally to the fresh sea air of the West Coast. Each stop brings a change of scenery and pace — from wildlife encounters and cultural visits to walks among wildflowers and seafood feasts by the ocean. This is a trip that captures the many faces of South Africa — surprising, soulful and unforgettable.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 In to the Kalahari

Staying at Xaus Lodge

Land in to Johannesburg this morning and connect on to a morning flight to Upington. There you will connect a rental car and proceed North, deep in to the Kalahari Desert where you will be spending the next 3 nights of your trip at Xaus Lodge. Found in the stark, beautiful Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which also stretches in to Botswana and Namibia, this wonderfully isolated lodge is an incredibly therapeutic place to start your trip.

Day 2 Exploring from Xaus Lodge

Xaus Lodge Swimming Pool

Xaus Lodge will offer you the chance to spend time with hugely experienced local guides, who will give you a fascinating insight in to the life of the San Bushmen who have lived deep in the deserts for centuries. They will also teach you about the surprisingly varied plant life of the area and how trees such as the Camelthorn survive, despite the almost complete absence of rainfall for most of the year. A sundowner drinks drive will allow you to stargaze from atop a sand dune once the sun has set – a magical experience not to be missed.

Day 3 The hunt for desert wildlife

Day 4 A Vineyard in the desert

Day 5 Exploring Kanoneiland

Day 6 The Place of Great Noise

Day 7 To Springbok

Day 8 Clanwilliam awaits

Day 9 Exploring the Cederberg

Day 10 On to the coast

Day 11 Some time in Langebaan

Day 12 The journey home begins

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When to go to South Africa

Find out the best time to visit South Africa with our month by month guide.

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  • Mixed
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  • Jun
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  • Aug
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January

January is the perfect time to visit the Cape — hot, dry and buzzing. Lounge on beaches or explore the Winelands and Garden Route in peak summer sun. Inland, it’s the wet season in Kruger, with bursts of heavy rain and vivid green landscapes. It's also the end of the birthing season, attracting predators and creating dramatic wildlife scenes.

February

The hottest month in Cape Town, February is ideal for alfresco lunches in the Winelands or scenic drives along the Garden Route. There are fewer tourists, perfect weather and excellent vineyard experiences. Safari regions remain hot, humid and wet, so it’s better to stick to the coast and cultural highlights at this time of year.

March

March brings settled, sunny days to Cape Town, the Winelands and Garden Route — ideal for laid-back trips and less crowded experiences. In Kruger, the lush landscape and newborn wildlife create brilliant photographic opportunities, with clear skies and dramatic colours. Rainfall eases across the country, making it a great time to combine regions.

April

April’s mild weather and lower visitor numbers make it one of the best months to explore. Cape Town is perfect for hiking Table Mountain or visiting Kirstenbosch Gardens. The Garden Route and Drakensberg are quiet and cool. In Kruger, rutting season begins — male antelope at their most impressive, sparking fierce, fascinating fights.

May

With summer crowds gone and crisp, dry days setting in, May is a peaceful time to travel. Safari viewing improves as vegetation thins in Kruger, and game becomes easier to spot. The Cape has a mix of sunny and rainy days, and the Winelands feel calm and welcoming after the peak season rush.

June

The start of winter brings cool, dry safari conditions — ideal for spotting wildlife clustered around shrinking water sources. Cape Town gets wetter, though days can still be bright. Whale watching begins along the Western Cape, while the Drakensberg is a dream for hikers enjoying fresh air and peaceful trails. Comrades Marathon adds sporting buzz to KwaZulu Natal.

July

July is peak whale watching around Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay, with whales close to shore to calve. It’s also the best time for safaris — cool, dry and clear. Kruger’s wildlife gathers at waterholes, and sightings are exceptional. Cape Town remains cool and drizzly, but it’s a quiet, rewarding time for active or cultural trips.

August

Spring starts to show as wildflowers carpet the West Coast and Namaqualand in vibrant colour — a true spectacle. Game viewing is still strong in Kruger, and whales continue to visit the Cape’s coastline. Temperatures begin rising after winter’s chill, and clear skies return, making this a great time to combine coast, culture and safari.

September

September is superb for combining experiences — wildlife viewing is excellent in Kruger and Madikwe, while whales are frequently seen along the southern coast. Spring flowers are still blooming, and warmer temperatures make outdoor exploration more inviting. In the Drakensberg, snow-capped peaks linger as trails begin to warm up for hiking.

October

October is one of the best all-round months to visit. Cape Town and the Winelands are warming up, with long sunny days and few crowds. Safari conditions remain strong in Kruger and KwaZulu Natal, and the beaches are heating up. Whether you want wildlife, wine or coastline, it’s hard to go wrong this month.

November

Cape Town soaks up the early summer sun, with calm days ideal for exploring. It’s the last chance to see southern right whales before they head off. Inland, the rains return to Kruger and KwaZulu Natal, but afternoon storms are spectacular and short-lived. Visitor numbers increase as the festive season nears — book early.

December

December buzzes with summer energy. The first two weeks are a sweet spot — great weather and fewer crowds. Later in the month, it’s peak holiday season across the country. In Kruger, landscapes burst into colour with flame lilies and baby animals. Book early for Christmas trips — this is one of the most popular times to visit.

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