Victoria Falls to Cape Town Safari

Leaving from one of the seven wonders of the world, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the journey to Cape Town begins.

You head straight for premier game viewing in Chobe Park where you arrive in time for a sunset cruise. Traversing through the Caprivi to the Okavango to explore in a Mokoro (tradiotional dugout canoe).

Next stop is Etosha, Namibia with its magnificent pan area filled with hundreds of different mammal species. Whilst in Namibia, meet the Himba people, famous for the pastoral way of life. Continue further south through the sand dunes, participate in adventure activities in Swakopmund, visit the Fish River Canyon and spend a day relaxing on the banks of the Orange River.

Crossing into South Africa the Victoria Falls to Cape Town Safari heads through Namaqualand's flowers and the picturesque mountains of the Cedarberg. Finally arrive in South Africa's mother city, Cape Town!

Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Arrival in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. We can arrange airport transfers on request.

This afternoon is spent at your leisure for optional activities offered (own expense).

Meet your safari group and tour guide in the evening.

Day 2: Victoria Falls for Chobe National Park, Botswana BLD

Early this morning we explore the Victoria Falls on a guided tour.

A mid morning departure takes you from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe onto Botswana.

The afternoon is spent on a sunset cruise game viewing in a wildlife-rich part of Africa’s unspoilt wilderness, Chobe National Park.

Chobe has an abundance of game whose distinctive calls can be heard throughout the night.

Chobe Park, the second largest national park in Botswana, covers 10,566 km² and has one of the greatest concentrations of elephant found in Africa.

Distance: 110 km Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: Safari Lodge

Day 3: Eastern Caprivi, Namibia BLD

Leaving Botswana, we drive through Chobe National Park before crossing over into Namibia and driving through the Caprivi Strip to our camp on the banks of the Kwando River.

In the afternoon you will go on a game drive to the famous Mudumo National Park. In contrast to the rest of Namibia, the area is lush with riverine forest, marshes, dense savannah and mopane woodland.

Distance: 260 km Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: At a picnic spot en route.

Days 4 & 5: Caprivi to Okavango Delta, Botswana BLD, BLD

We leave our camp on the Caprivi for Etsha 13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta of Botswana.

The next day is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes). We stop at a secluded island to take a 1½ hour guided walk hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck or other wildlife and birds living in this watery paradise.

The Okavango Delta is a well-preserved gem of Africa with a vast oasis of crystal clear lakes, lagoons and palm-fringed islands.

Day 4
Distance: 325 km  Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: Picnic stop en route

Days 6 & 7: Okavango Delta to Kavango River, Namibia BL, BL

Leaving Botswana we make our way into Namibia and head along the Caprivi Strip to Rundu and onto our overnight camp, which is on the bank of the Kavango River overlooking Angola.

A sunset cruise, horse riding, traditional dancing in the evening as well as visiting a local village are optional or you can just put your feet up and relax on the banks of the river as the sunsets.

Relax by the pool with a sundowner listening to the sounds of nature at the end of the day.

Distance: 350 km Departure: 07h00
Lunch Stop: A picnic spot along the route

Days 8, 9 & 10: Etosha National Park, Namibia BLD, BLD, BLD

The following morning we head off to Etosha National Park.

We fill the next 3 days with game drives and spend our evenings game viewing at Etosha's floodlit waterholes.

Etosha is home to the Big Five of Africa, as well as cheetah, giraffe, zebra and the numerous types of antelope.

In the mornings we have the opportunity to take game drives at sunrise. At all three camps, Namutoni, Okaukuejo and Halali you can take a swim in the swimming pool. As the sun sets and late into the night the group can watch animals drink at the floodlit waterholes at camp.

Distance: 362 km Departure: 08h00
Lunch stop: A picnic spot along the route

Day 11: Kamanjab – Himba Experience, Namibia BLD

We leave the wild animals behind at Etosha Park and move onto the spectacular scenery of Twyfelfontein.

On our way we visit the small German town of Outjo where we relax for a coffee break.

Our final destination for the day will be Kamanjab. Depending on the time of arrival we go and explore a traditional Himba village in the afternoon or the next morning.

This will be a journey of culture exchange and learning and understanding of our last traditional tribe in Namibia, the Ova-Himba.

Distance: 270 km Departure: 07h00
Lunch Stop: Picnic spot en route

Day 12: Petrified Forest & Brandberg, Namibia BLD

The Petrified Forest is next on the Victoria Falls to Cape Town Safari itinerary. Here we see trees estimated to be 250 million years old.

Next we stop at Twyfelfontein where we walk to visit the ancient bushman’s artwork carved and painted into the surrounding Mountains. Twyfelfontein was the first World Heritage site named in Namibia, in 2007.

After doing this walk we head to our camp at the foot of the Brandberg Mountains. This afternoon or the following morning we take a walk to the “White Lady” one of the most famous rock paintings in the Brandberg area.  The walk to the site offers spectacular views over the plains of Damaraland.

Distance: 310 km Departure: 07h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en route

Day 13: Cape Cross Seal Colony & Swakopmund, Namibia BL

Today we move westwards across the flat desert plains to reach the cold Atlantic coastline.

As we follow the Skeleton Coast on our way to Swakopmund we visit Africa’s largest seal colony at Cape Cross where zoom lenses and binoculars will definitely not be needed.

We arrive in the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, where you will have the opportunity to try a few of the many optional activities that are offered over the next two days.

Alternatively just soak up the atmosphere of this quaint German town and enjoy its beauty and beaches.

Distance: 330 km Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: Cape Cross Seal Colony picnic site

Day 14: Swakopmund, Namibia B

We have the opportunity to explore this quaint German town by day and night.

There are a number of activities to enjoy here: sand boarding, quad biking, skydiving and even fishing. You may even dare to brave the icy sea.

Day 15 & 16: Namib Naukluft National Park & Sossusvlei, Namibia BLD, BL

Today is spent driving through the Namib Naukluft National Park on our way to Sossusvlei. 

The Namib-Naukluft Desert is an ancient land with an ageless spirit. It is home to some of the rarest plant and animal species in the world; sightings of this flora and fauna on a Namibian safari are a must.

The animals of this harsh landscape include the Oryx, springbok and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. One can also see the Welwitschia mirabilis which is an odd-looking desert shrub and one of these ‘shrubs’ is a large, protected specimen estimated at over 1 500 years old.  

This evening we embark on a wild cat walk at the lodge.

The next morning we need to wake up early to visit the world’s highest sand dunes at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. At sunrise and sunset these dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 m, are absolutely spectacular and provide for a fantastic photo opportunity. With luck, there may even be water in the vlei (lake). 

We also stop to view the Sesriem Canyon, which was carved millions of years ago by the Tsauchab River.

Distance: 332 km Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: Poolside picnic at Sesriem Camp

Day 17: Fish River Canyon, Namibia BL

After a long drive we arrive at the Fish River Canyon and our accommodation near the second largest canyon in the world.

Later in the evening we take in another magnificent African sunset with the magnificent views and scenery along the edge of the Canyon.

Distance: 435 km Departure: 07h00
Lunch Stop: Picnic site along route to Hobas

Day 18: The Orange River, Namibia BLD

We leave the Fish River Canyon in the morning for our camp on the banks of the Orange River, which forms the South African – Namibian boundary.

We stop at Ai-Ais, where thermal water rich in sulphates and fluorides and with a temperature of approx. 60°C gushes forth from the springs. In the Nama language, "Ai-Ais" means "burning water".

At the Orange River you can relax in the water that has supplied the region with its famous diamonds.

Distance: 141 km Departure: 09h00
Lunch Stop: Picnic site en route to the Orange River

Day 19: Canoeing on the Orange River, Namibia BLD

The only traveling today is done in a canoe on the Orange River. Put your feet up and relax as the currents take you downstream – mind the rapids though!

Distance: 20 km (on the river)
Lunch Stop: Banks of the Orange River

Day 20: West Coast of South Africa and the Namaqualand Flowers, South Africa BLD

We cross the border into South Africa and make our way down the coast.

If you are traveling in spring you will see the spectacular carpets of wildflowers of the famous Namaqualand region.

Before you know it we reach the scenic Cedarberg Mountains, where we’ll spend our last night.

Distance: 511km Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: Picnic en route

Day 21: Cedarberg Mountains & Cape Town, South Africa BL

A day drive through the mountains takes us to our final destination, Cape Town.

We stop at the beach on the Atlantic Ocean to view Table Mountain across the Bay.

Distance: 250 km Departure: 10h00
Lunch Stop: Bloubergstrand (West Coast) with a magnificent view of Table Mountain

Day 22: End of Tour B

The Victoria Falls to Cape Town Safari ends after breakfast this morning.

Airport transfers can be arranged on request.

OPTIONAL EXTRA DAYS: 23 and 24

Day 23: Cape Point Tour

The day is spent exploring the Cape Peninsula. Visiting Hout Bay on the Atlantic coast before heading off to Cape Point for lunch. In the afternoon we head back via the Penguin colony on the Indian Ocean and then end off the day having sundowners overlooking Cape Town.
Departure: 08h45 Return: 17h00

Day 24: Cape Wine Tour

We visit the winelands of Stellenbosch, tasting wines from the different wineries. Lunch is excluded.
Departure: 08h45 Return: 17h00

Tour Upgrade Option:

This tour can be upgraded to either a Camping and Accommodated Victoria Falls to Cape Town Safari combination or a Fully Accommodated Victoria Falls to Cape Town Safari version. See full pricing for details or contact African Budget Safaris.

Tour Accommodation:

Camping safari:

Stay in designated campsites inside National Parks, on riverbanks, or other places of interest.

All campsites have shared ablution facilities with showers, flush toilets and running water (unless otherwise specified in the itinerary). We stay at less crowded campsites taking you to secluded spots, often supported by the local community.

Accommodation is in spacious 3-person dome tents, sharing two people per tent, with 5 cm thick sleeping mattresses.

Fully accommodated safari:

Stay in mid-range lodge accommodation in National Parks, on riverbanks, or in other places of interest.

Tour accommodation will be in a mix of standard lodges, chalets and tented camps, mostly with private bathrooms (shower and toilet), and some with shared ablutions. Some of the lodges feature swimming pools and/or bar areas.

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