Cape Town to Victoria Falls Budget Lodge Safari

From Cape Town to Victoria Falls this accommodated safari adventure explores Southern Africa taking you to top destinations in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.

In South Africa highlights include Cape Point Nature Reserve and the rugged Cedarberg Mountains from where this affordable safari crosses into Namibia heading to the Orange River and on to the Fish River Canyon.

Visit the Namib Desert walking among Sossusvlei's red dunes and in the Sesriem Canyon. Then stop in Swakopmund for optional adventure activities before visiting the dramatic Damaraland area and Twyfelfontein's san rock art.

Next this affordable African Lodge Safari travels to Etosha Park for game viewing drives in this game-rich park. Spend a night in Windhoek before crossing into Botswana and heading into the Kalahari Desert.

Explore the pristine Okavango Delta, where we spend 2 nights at a tented camp and experience the untamed wilderness on foot and by mokoro canoes. 

From the delta our budget lodge safari through Africa continues to the vast Makgadikgadi Pans and onwards to our final stop, the mighty Victoria Falls in Zambia!

Day 1: CAPE TOWN [guest house]

This Cape Town to Victoria Falls Lodge Safari departs from Cape Town at 8:00am, after a tour briefing.

We make our way to the Cape Point Nature Reserve visiting the African Penguin colony en route. After exploring the scenic Cape Point Reserve, home to numerous endangered plants and animals, we relax on Hout Bay beach.

Then it’s off to taste some of Cape Town’s culinary delights at a local restaurant in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (own expense).

• Includes: Entrance fees to Penguin colony & Cape Nature Point.
• Overnight: Guesthouse / hotel - twin rooms with en-suite facilities.
• Distance/time: Full day Cape Peninsular tour of 160km taking between 6 and 8 hours.

Day 2: CEDARBERG [chalet BLD]

Today our accommodated safari adventure travels into the mountainous Cedarberg region of the Western Cape, known for it’s beautiful rugged scenery and Bushman rock paintings.

The Cederberg is a dramatic rocky wilderness featuring giant sandstone boulders eroded by wind and rain into bizarre and interesting shapes. We spend the afternoon exploring the solitary and wild area on foot, returning to our chalets in the evening.

(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

• Includes: Entrance fees, and walking permit in the Cedarberg.
• Chalets – 2 twin bedrooms, with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms.
• Distance/time: 250km, ± 3½ hours, excluding sightseeing stops.

Day 3: GARIEP RIVER [tented lodge BLD]

Continuing north we drive through more arid regions of South Africa before crossing into Namibia.

Once in Namibia we settle in at our lodge on the Gariep River, formerly called the Orange River.

At the Gariep / Orange River you have some free time to swim and relax in this remote wilderness setting. Alternatively you can take an optional canoe adventure down the river (own expense), which forms the border between Namibia and the Orange River. 

• Overnight Tented Lodge: twin permanent tents with shared facilities, restaurant & bar.
• Distance/time: 500kms, ± 7 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.
• Optional Activities: Half-day canoe trip.

Day 4: FISH RIVER CANYON [lodge BLD]

Next this Southern African Lodge Safari heads further north to the impressive Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world.

In the late afternoon we watch the sun set over the edge of this vast canyon, admiring the stunning views.

• Includes: Entrance fees to Fish River Canyon, Hobas viewing point.
• Overnight: Chalets – twin rooms with en-suite facilities.
• Distance/time: 300kms, ± 4 hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.

Day 5 – 6: NAMIB DESERT [tented lodge BLD]

The Sossusvlei area of the Namib Desert is known for its towering red-orange sand dunes, some of the tallest dunes in the world. Entering the ancient Namib Desert we walk to Sossusvlei and explore the Sesriem Canyon with its ancient sedimentary layers.

At the end of the day we get to enjoy another dramatic African sunset over the barren sand dunes of the Namib.

• Includes: Entrance fees to Sesriem Canyon and Naukluft National Park.
• Overnight: Tented lodge – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, restaurant, swimming pool & bar.
• Distance/time: 550kms, ± 7½ hours excluding sightseeing & lunch stops.

Day 7 – 8: SWAKOPMUND [guest house Bx2 Lx1]

Leaving the barren landscapes of the Namib we head to our next safari stop, the popular coastal town of Swakopmund.

You have a full day to go sightseeing in this charming African town with strong colonial influences or you can partake in some of the numerous adventure activities available in Swakopmund.

Activities include dune boarding and skydiving (own expense). There is also an optional half-day sea kayaking excursion to view seals, birds and sea life around the peninsula of Walvis Bay.

Enjoy dinner at one of Swakopmund’s many local restaurants in the evening (own expense).

• Overnight: Guest House – twin rooms with en-suite facilities & restaurant.
• Distance/time: 350kms, ± 5 hours excluding stops for sightseeing.
• Optional Activities: Sea Kayaking, Sand boarding, Skydiving, Ocean canoe safari, Scenic flights & many more.

Day 9 – 10: DAMARALAND [chalets BLD]

Continuing our southern African journey along the stark Atlantic coastline of Namibia we make our way north to the Cape Cross seal colony, one of the world’s largest Cape Fur Seal colonies.

Then we veer inland to Damaraland, an area of contrasting landscapes consisting of stark plains, petrified forests and ancient valleys scattered with rocky outcrops. Here you will see the towering peaks of the Brandberg Massive Mountains, Brandberg Mountain being Namibia's tallest mountain.

We visit Twyfelfontein in this remote wild area, also known as the Matterhorn of Namibia to see san rock engravings.

• Includes: Entrance fees to Cape Cross Seal colony, San Rock Art & Twyfelfontein rock engravings.
• Overnight: Chalets –  twin chalets with en-suite bathroom, swimming pool, restaurant & bar.
• Distance/time: 250km, ± 3½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing.

Day 11 – 12: ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK [guest lodge or tented camp BLD]

On day 11 of our African Lodge Safari adventure we travel to Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s finest game parks. Etosha is dominated by a flat saltpan that it is named after, Etosha, meaning “the great white place of dry water”.

Game-rich Etosha, located in the northwest corner of Namibia, is home to a variety of wildlife including more than 110 mammal species. The vast Etosha Park is known as a top safari destination for sighting endangered black rhino, the elusive cheetah and a rare black-faced impala species. Etosha hosts large herds of elephants and numerous plains game, such as zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, springbok, impala and eland among others. Lion, hyena and jackal are also found in Etosha Park, as well as around 340 bird species and over 100 reptile species.

Our game drives take us in search of Etosha’s diverse wildlife that congregate at waterholes scattered across the huge dry saltpan. We stay at a comfortable lodge just outside of Etosha Park.

• Includes: Etosha National Park entrance fees. 3 Hour morning & afternoon game drives.
• Overnight: Guest Lodge or tented camp – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar.
• Distance/time: 400kms, ± 5½ hours excluding stops for sightseeing.
• Optional Activities: Night game drive in Etosha National Park vehicles.

Day 13: WINDHOEK [guest house BL]

Today we leave the sprawling wilderness of Etosha Park making our way south to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city.

There is time to explore the charming city of Windhoek discovering its unique colonial German and African influences and architecture. In the evening we enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants in this friendly city (own expense).

• Overnight: Guesthouse – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar.
• Distance/time: 500kms, ± 7 hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch.

Please Note Shorter Tour Option:

The shorter 14-day Cape Town to Windhoek Lodge Tour option ends in Windhoek on the morning of day 14 after breakfast. See the full pricing details for the price of this shorter safari option.

Day 14: KALAHARI [san bushman huts BLD]

We depart from Windhoek driving east towards Botswana. After crossing into Botswana this safari through Africa travels into the heart of the Kalahari Desert where we stay in traditional grass huts overnight.

In the afternoon we take a guided nature walk with a local San Bushmen, learning about these fascinating people and the ancient bush skills that they have developed to survive in this harsh terrain.

• Includes: Nature walk with local San bushman and translator.
• Overnight: Grass huts – very simple twin huts, with shared ablutions, swimming in old quarry.
• Distance/time: 550kms, ± 7½ hours excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch.

Day 15 – 17: OKAVANGO DELTA [tented lodge x1 BL] [tented camp x2 BLD]

Set off for Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta where we prepare for our delta trip and stay in permanent tents for the night. On day 16 we journey deep into the untamed wilderness of the Okavango Delta by Makoro (dugout canoe) poled by locals. The unforgettable Makoro ride brings us to our tented camp set on a remote island in the pristine delta. For the next 2 nights we stay in the wild delta experiencing the African bush at its best.

Our days in the Okavango Delta are spent enjoying bush walks, swimming in the waterways and spotting the abundant birdlife and various wild animals found in the delta.

The Okavango Delta is a truly wild African safari destination, considered one of the best wildlife areas in Africa. The Okavango system consists of a vast network of winding channels, secluded estuaries and islands making up the largest inland delta in the world.

• Includes: Entrance to Okavango Delta, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides.
• Overnight: Maun: twin permanent tents with shared facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar.
• 2 nights Okavango Delta: Tented Camp – basic facilities, with bucket showers
• Distance/time: 300km, ± 4½ hours (Kalahari – Maun) Okavango transfer in 4WD ± 3 hours each way.
• Optional Activities: Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD70-90 pp depending on number of people per aircraft)

Day 18: MAKGADIKGADI PANS [tented lodge or chalets BL]

From the watery labyrinth of the wild Okavango Delta our African Safari takes us to the barren Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the world’s largest saltpans. The vast open expanse of the dry salt flats was once an enormous lake in the Kalahari basin.

Makgadikgadi is an ideal place to experience open space with the wide open African skies and endless pans. We enjoy a spectacular sunset over the solitary flat pans.

The pans are however not always dry. Annual rains fill the pans with pools of water that attract thousands of water birds and herds of zebra, wildebeest and springbok.

• Includes: Entrance fees to Makgadikgadi Pans.
• Overnight: Tented Lodge – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar.
• Distance/time: 320km, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing + 2 hour 4WD transfer out of delta.

Day 19 – 21: ZAMBIA / VICTORIA FALLS [tented camp Bx3]

From Botswana we travel to Livingstone in Zambia, our final safari destination located at the famous Victoria Falls waterfall, the largest sheet of falling water in the world.

We visit the impressive Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, witnessing the “Smoke that Thunders” or Mosi-o-Tunya as the locals call it.

After admiring the spectacle of the Zambezi River plunging over 100 meters into the Gorge below we have the option of embarking on a relaxing sunset river cruise on the mighty Zambezi. Alternatively you can take the thrilling “flight of angels” over the Vic Falls (own expense).

Accommodation is at a leafy lodge in private chalets, fitted with twin single beds and en suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water, flush toilets and showers. Facilities at the peaceful lodge include a large swimming pool, restaurant, bar and central lounge area.

This Cape Town to Victoria Falls Budget Lodge Safari ends on the morning of day 21 in Zambia’s Livingstone town at Victoria Falls.

• Includes: Entrance fees to Vic Falls.
• Overnight: Safari Lodge – twin en-suite chalets at a comfortable lodge.
• Distance/time: 400km, ± 5 hours, excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing.
• Optional Activities: White water rafting, sunset cruises, elephant back safaris, scenic flights, bungee jumping & many more.

The 21-Day Cape Town to Victoria Falls Lodge Safari is also available as a shorter 14-Day Cape Town to Windhoek Lodge Safari at a cheaper tour price.

See Full Pricing or contact African Budget Safaris.

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