Credit: Table Mountain, Cape Town

Land at Cape Town International airport and pick up your hire car to drive to your guest house in the Greenpoint suburb for the next three nights. The Jambo Guest House is a small and peaceful establishment, situated within easy walking distance of the Victoria & Albert waterfront and many restaurants and shops. Over the next three days, relax and enjoy this cosmopolitan city, visit the many museums, art galleries & markets or explore Robben Island and the beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens. A trip up to Table Mountain is a must. Breakfast included.

You have a short drive today through picturesque scenery to the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa's premier wine producing region. You will stay at Rusthuiz Guest House, located close to the centre of this beautiful old university town. Each of the rooms are individually decorated and have air conditioning and TV. The swimming pool provides an ideal place to relax, and restaurants & shops are within easy walking distance. From here you can organise wine tours to visit some of the many vineyards in the area. Breakfast included.

Today you have a long drive of approximately 500km through beautiful countryside to the small town of Springbok in the wildflower area of Namaqualand. This region is famous for the vast meadows of stunning wildflowers that are at their best during August-October. Annie's Place, where you will stay in Springbok, is a warm and friendly guest house with individually decorated rooms and beautiful gardens. This is the perfect place to rest for a night before continuing your journey north. Breakfast included.

Make your way across the border and into Namibia today. The scenery changes dramatically from the lush, green riverbanks of the Orange to the wide open vistas of the Namib Desert plains. Drive to the Fish River Canyon, a journey of around 5 hours.

This amazing landscape feature is the second largest canyon in the world and is a spectacular sight surrounded by the nearby, featureless gravel plains. Visit the viewpoints at Hobas and take a short walk along the Canyon edge to watch the spectacular sunset. Stay at Canon Roadhouse lodge, and take advantage of their excellent restaurant and bar this evening. Breakfast & dinner included.

Drive towards the coast today, taking the western road to Klein Aus Vista, a beautiful private farm area located in the Aus Mountains. You will stay for two nights in Eagle's Nest, a group of secluded stone chalets built further into the mountains. From here you can explore the local area on easy, self-guided walks or take a day trip to the coastal town of Luderitz .

Luderitz is a historic mining town offering rugged coastal scenery and the chance to view large numbers of birds from the coast, including penguins on Halifax Island which is accessible via a short boat trip. The ghost town of Kolmanskop is also worth a visit; abandoned when the diamond reserves became depleted, this bizarre collection of German colonial buildings is now being reclaimed by the desert sands. Dinner & breakfast included.

Set off this morning for the dunes of the Namib Desert, Sesriem and Sossusvlei. An early start will enable you to be at the National Park gates for sunrise from where you can drive the last 70km to Sossusvlei, a saucer shaped saltpan surrounded by towering dunes. Explore this ancient area, and perhaps take a walk to Dead Vlei, a bizarre collection of ancient camelthorn acacia trees, preserved by the desiccating desert air.

Continue your drive northwards after your Sossusvlei excursion, through mountain passes to Walvis Bay and on to Swakopmund. This town is a picturesque resort with many good seafood restaurants and shops as well as an interesting museum and aquarium. You will stay for two nights in Sea Breeze, a beautifully decorated and very friendly guest house situated right on the beach and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Breakfast included.

Drive from the coast to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, via Okahandja where there is an extensive craft market for last minute gifts. The drive should take 3.5 hours and you will spend tonight at Rivendell Guest House, located in a quiet suburb close to the city centre. Maybe spend the afternoon exploring the shops and restaurants of the city. Stay in a twin room with en-suite facilities. Breakfast included.

Transfer to the airport and drop off your hire vehicle before making your onward connection.