Cape Town to Johannesburg via Victoria Falls Safari

Africa is a continent of diverse wildlife, landscapes, cultures and adventures.

This Exclusive Budget Safari combines the best of southern Africa's highlights as we travel from the dynamic city of Cape Town to Johannesburg via Victoria Falls.

• Hike up the famous Table Mountain in Cape Town
• Experience the scorched deserts and scenic sunsets of Namibia
• Explore Botswana's Okavango Delta and game-rich Chobe Park 
• Visit wildlife sanctuaries in Zimbabwe and witness Victoria Falls

Discover the magic of the different regions of Southern Africa on game drives in some of Africa's best-known parks, guided bush walks and by makoro in the Okavango Delta.

We cover great distances on some remote and rough roads and get to canoe on the Orange River, climb giant sand dunes in the Namib, and view the mighty, roaring waters of Victoria Falls.

This is a truly wild African Safari that takes in the best highlights in the countries we travel through - a once in a lifetime safari experience not to be missed!

DAY 1 - 2: CAPE TOWN – SOUTH AFRICA (B)

We meet at our Cape Town Lodge at 13h00 and spend the first afternoon on this Exclusive Budget Safari exploring the city and sightseeing.

The first day-and-a-half of our safari trip is spent in and around the beautiful city of Cape Town in South Africa, During this time you can hike up Table Mountain and visit Cape Point, the Waterfront, Hout Bay, the Stellenbosch Winelands and numerous other great attractions.

The exact program of our activities depends on the weather while we are staying in Cape Town. We spend two nights at our lodge on the beachfront. (Lunches and evening meals are for your own account).

DAY 3: WEST COAST – SOUTH AFRICA (B D)

Departing from Cape Town on day three, we stop at Blouberg Strand for a panoramic view of Table Mountain lying across the bay. Travelling north we pass through the Swartland area and continue along the West Coast into the Namaquland region of South Africa.

The Namaqualand comes alive with colourful wildflowers in the early spring, when the barren hills are transformed into a sea of blooms. We camp in this unique area for the night.

DAY 4 - 5: ORANGE RIVER – NAMIBIA (B L D)

We enter Namibia today, covering the short distance to our next safari camp. The base camp is located on the banks of the Orange / Gariep River, where our canoe adventure starts.

Before setting off on our Orange River canoe trip we pack up our gear into the two man canoes. The Orange River is South Africa's longest river, with its source in the Drakensberg Mountains of Lesotho. This river creates a natural border between South Africa and Namibia, forming a winding green belt through the mountains and desert terrain of Richtersvelt National Park.

Canoeing along the Orange River we enjoy this remote and striking wilderness setting. Tonight we camp on the peaceful riverbanks, under the starry desert skies. The following night we return to our base camp and safari vehicle to camp in relative comfort.

DAY 6: FISH RIVER CANYON to NAMIB – NAMIBIA (B L D)

Today we drive to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. Here we admire the breathtaking views from the rim of the Canyon, before travelling into the Namib Desert proper.

We set up our overnight Namib Desert safari camp in a Private Nature Reserve, situated inside the Namibrand Nature Reserve. This Namibian Nature Reserve is home to an array of wild animal and plant species adapted to the harsh desert conditions of the Namib. 

DAY 7: NAMIB DESERT – NAMIBIA (B L D)

The Namib Desert area of Namibia is known for its continually shifting sand dunes and barren landscapes. 

Wake up at our lovely safari camp, built against a rocky outcrop that is nestled between the stark desert mountains and rolling red sand dunes. Explore this interesting part of the world on guided walks and drives. You can even take a night drive in the nature reserve to spot the desert animals up close.

DAY 8: SOSSUSVLEI – NAMIBIA (B L)

Starting the day at an easy pace, we travel to the captivating Sossusvlei Dunes on day 8 of this magical African Budget Safari. The final stretch of our drive to the dunes of Sossusvlei will take us through thick sands, requiring a transfer to an open 4x4 vehicle.

Next we climb the impressive dunes for a fantastic view over the surrounding desert. Then we drive our safari vehicle on to our overnight camp in Solitaire, a quirky little trading post.

DAY 9: SOLITAIRE to SWAKOPMUND – NAMIBIA (B L)

On day nine we cross the Kuiseb Canyon and the Naukluft Park on our short drive to Swakopmund. The coastal town of Swakopmund is known as Namibia's Adventure Capital.

We spend the next two nights at our safari lodge in Swakopmund.

DAY 10: SWAKOPMUND – NAMIBIA (B L D)

The safari lodge is centrally located, making it an ideal base for exploring Swakopmund town and its attractions. Places of interest include the beaches, markets, curio shops and cafes.

Adventure activity options include quad biking, sky diving, horse riding, dune boarding, and many more. Swakopmund's nightlife is also worth sampling.

DAY 11: SPITSKOPPE – NAMIBIA (B L D)

Today we travel further north, making our way up the Skeleton Coast of Namibia to the Cape Cross Seal Colony. We then drive inland to the dramatic 'Matterhorn of Namibia', in the area of Spitzkoppe. 

Exposed granite boulders rise out of the flat, arid plains of Spitzkoppe creating a mesmerizing African landscape. Tonight we camp between the bald boulders scattered at the base of this looming rock outcrop.

DAY 12: BRANDBERG – NAMIBIA (B L D)

Our journey continues through the open deserts of Namibia, towards Twyfelfontein. Here we visit some Bushman rock engravings before traversing the mountains and driving into the Palmwag region.

We camp the secluded wilderness area of the Brandberg Mountain for the night, and keep an eye out for Namibia's rare desert elephants.

DAY 13 - 14: ETOSHA PARK – NAMIBIA (B L D)

Next we are in for a wildlife treat in Namibia's premier Etosha National Park.

Arriving in Etosha we set up camp at Okaukuejo Rest Camp and embark on an extensive afternoon game drive in this rugged game park.

Returning from our rewarding game drive we spend the evening at our camp, enjoying some more game viewing at the floodlit waterhole. The following day we continue our Etosha Wildlife Adventure, taking a game viewing drive to Fort Namutoni where we camp overnight.

On one of our nights in Etosha Park we will dine at a camp restaurant (own account).

DAY 15: CAPRIVI – NAMIBIA (B L D)

Heading north we leave the stark desert terrain of Etosha behind us, making our way into the lush Caprivi Strip area of Namibia. Tonight we camp on the banks of the powerful Okavango River at Ngepi.

DAY 16: OKAVANGO DELTA – BOTSWANA (B L D)

The nearby Pan Handle is our next safari stop, from where we venture into the heart of the Okavango Delta by motor-boat. 

We head further into the watery Delta to our remote bush camp, by Mekoro - a traditional dugout canoe used as local transport.

Exploring the Okavango Delta, Botswana's crowning Jewel, we encounter a wide variety of untamed wildlife roaming freely. The winding delta channels, placid estuaries and secluded islands of this wetland system create a widlife haven that offers an unforgettable wildlife adventure.

Our night in the magical Delta is spent camping wild on an island tucked away in the bush. Experience truly wild Africa, falling asleep to the sounds of unspoilt nature.

DAY 17: MAUN – BOTSWANA (B L D)

On day 17 of our Exclusive African Budget Safari we head into the Delta wilderness to explore some more. Then we take a mekoro and boat ride back to the safari vehicle and travel through the Kalahari Desert to Maun.

Arriving at the overnight safari camp in the afternoon there is time to relax and lounge at the swimming pool.

DAY 18: NATA – BOTSWANA (B L D)

Taking it easy this morning , we enjoy some leisure time before setting off through the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to our oasis-like camp at Nata.

DAY 19: CHOBE - VICTORIA FALLS – ZIMBABWE (B L D)

We drive to Kasane via Chobe forest reserves today. From Kasane town, the base for safaris to Chobe Park, we will head into the game-rich Chobe National Park.

In Chobe Park we embark on game drives in search of the high concentration of wildlife that the game park is renowned for.

This afternoon we cross into Zimbabwe driving to the nearby town of Victoria Falls. We stay in comfort at our private Victoria Falls Lodge for the next few nights. On one of our nights in Victoria Falls we enjoy a braai (barbecue) and a traditional dance performance around the lodge pool.

DAY 20: VICTORIA FALLS – ZIMBABWE (B)

Wake up in the "Adventure Capital of Africa" - Victoria Falls.

A full day here allows plenty of time to explore the mighty Vic Falls and participate in some of the numerous activities on offer. Activities include white water rafting, bungi jumping, aircraft flips,  and more. (One evening meal and both lunches will be for your own account).

DAY 21: HWANGE PARK – ZIMBABWE (B L D)

Today it is back to the wilderness of Africa!

We drive to nearby Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's top conservation area.

Explore Hwange Park on an extensive open vehicle game drive/walk and camp inside the wilderness area. The remote safari camp overlooks an active waterhole teeming with game.

DAY 22: BULAWAYO & MATOBO – ZIMBABWE (B L D)

Next we journey south to Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe.

From Bulawayo we head into the Matobo Hills area, steeped in history and culture. In the afternoon we travel into the Matobo National Park to look for wild animals.

We also get to track rhino through the bush on foot in this game park. Tonight's camp is set amongst the precariously looking boulders characterizing this wilderness area.

DAY 23: MACHETE – SOUTH AFRICA (B L D)

Day 23 of our Cape to Johannesburg Safari sees us travelling futher south, back into South Africa. We drive to our bushcamp located in the Limpopo valley, on a private game reserve.

DAY 24: JOHANNESBURG – SOUTH AFRICA (B)

On the final morning of our Cape to Johannesburg via Vic Falls Safari we set off on a short walk to take a look at some of the excellent bushman paintings found near our overnight camp.

Then it's on to the last stop on our journey - Johannesburg city. Arriving at our Johannesburg lodge in the late afternoon, our magical African Safari through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe comes to an end.

Important Information:

Should it be necessary to avoid Zimbabwe for whatever reason, we will simply deviate to  Botswana for this portion of the tour.
This tour covers vast distance and is not for the faint-hearted.
A valid passport is required.
Seasonal Malaria precautions are advised and are locally obtainable.
All countries on this tour accept the Rand.
During winter the temperature can drop very low at night, clients should be prepared for this.