Explore Southern Africa Budget Camping Safari

This affordable Southern Africa Camping Safari explores top wilderness areas, game parks and travel destinations in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia.

Starting with game viewing in South Africa's premier Kruger National Park and heading to Botswana's Chobe National Park before stopping at Victoria Falls on the Zambian side. Return to Botswana and take a Chobe River boat cruise and venture into the pristine Okavango Delta for traditional dugout canoeing and camping on a remote delta island. Travel into the Kalahari Desert and take a guided Bushman Walk.

Next this overland camping safari visits Namibia's capital city, Windhoek, continuing north to Etosha National Park. From Etosha its south along the coast to Swakopmund for adventure activities and some relaxation. Then this budget camping tour takes you into the world's oldest desert to the Namib-Naukluft Park to climb dunes at Sossusvlei and experience the deserts of Namibia.

Lastly the Explore Southern Africa Safari crosses back into South Africa, via the Orange River, journeying to the last stop - the beautiful city of Cape Town.

Tour Highlights:

• Game drives in the famous Kruger National Park
• Victoria Falls and Livingstone adventure activities
• Explore Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta
• Take a Kalahari Bushman Walk and see the Spitzkoppe area
• Visit Etosha National Park, Namibia's premier game park
• Swakopmund adventure activities and Fish River Canyon
• Windhoek, Namib Naukluft Park and Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
• South Africa's Orange River and Cape Flats Township Tour

DAY 1 – 2: Greater Kruger, Kruger National Park

On day one of this Southern Africa Budget Camping Safari we depart from the bustling city of Johannesburg, the economic powerhouse of Southern Africa, heading west into one of the most scenic parts of South Africa.

We travel through the Mpumalanga Province along the Panorama Route, with highlights including the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels. We descend from the beautiful escarpment with its spectacular views, heading for the world-renowned Kruger National Park.

We spend two nights camping within the Greater Kruger area, which covers over 24 000 sq km’s of South Africa. The Greater Kruger area was recently formed when fences between Kruger National Park and the private game reserves bordering the park were removed. The establishment of the Greater Kruger enables the diverse wildlife found in these wilderness areas to move freely between Kruger Park and its neighbouring game reserves.

Kruger is South Africa’s flagship game park and top travel destination, boasting an unrivalled diversity of plants and animals, ranging from the dwarf mongoose to Africa’s Big Five - elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo.

Our game drives in Kruger take us in search of the Big Five and a variety of other wildlife, such as giraffe, zebra, cheetah, hyena and various antelope species. With around 507 bird species, 147 mammal species and 114 reptiles game drives in Kruger Park offer excellent photographic opportunities. In addition to its abundance of wildlife, the untamed Kruger Park is also rich in archaeological and historical sites.

DAY 3 – 5: Polokwane, Nata, Kasane, Chobe National Park

We spend the next few days travelling north, crossing into Botswana’s sprawling grasslands. Our journey through Botswana takes us via Francistown and the small town of Nata, situated on the fringes of the expansive Magkadigkadi Pans. Continuing north we drive to Kasane, gateway to the game–rich Chobe National Park.

Chobe boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa and is famous for its large elephant population, estimated at around 40000 strong, Chobe Park is an excellent place for sighting elephants among other wildlife.

We take a relaxing Chobe River cruise in the afternoon – an excellent way to sight some of the diverse wild animals found along in the lush plains and forests along Chobe River. As the sun starts setting we keep an eye out for hippo, buffalo, elephant and even lion, as well as an abundance of birds, along the rivers edge.

DAY 6: Livingstone – Victoria Falls (Zambian side)

After exploring the wildlife haven of Chobe Park we cover the short distance between Kasane and our next stop at Livingstone, on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls.

Vic Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is considered the largest sheet of falling water in the world, at 1 708 m’s wide and 108m’s high.

During our time at Victoria Falls there are plenty of exciting activities to choose from, including white water rafting, scenic flights, bungee jumping, canoeing, game viewing, elephant back safaris, Zambezi River cruises and more.

When you witness the impressive spray rising from the Zambezi as it plummets over 100 m’s at Victoria Falls, you will understand why it is called the “Smoke that Thunders” or “Mosi oa Tunya”, as Vic Falls is called locally. When the Zambezi is flowing strongly the spray at Vic Falls can be seen from as far as 20 km’s away.

DAY 7: Livingstone and Victoria Falls

Today is free for you to explore Livingstone town, view Victoria Falls or participate in more adventure activities.

Relax beside the Zambezi River, keeping an eye out for hippos and crocodiles or take a day trip into Zimbabwe if you feel like exploring further. For Zimbabwe day trips the tour guide will be able to give you useful advice about visa requirements.

Our overnight camp in Livingstone features a reasonably priced restaurant overlooking the Zambezi River. During our stay in Livingstone breakfast is included in the tour price, allowing for flexibility with your other meals while you are on the move. A budget of between US$25 and $35 per day is recommended for your other meals.

DAY 8 – 9: Kasane and Chobe National Park

We depart from Livingstone after breakfast, taking the short drive to Chobe National Park in northern Botswana.

Botswana’s premier game park, Chobe National Park covers 10566 sq km’s of unspoiled wilderness in northwest Botswana. Chobe game park is also home to lion, zebra, buffalo and a variety of antelope species, as well as an abundance of birdlife, including the African fish-eagle.

We take a late afternoon Chobe River cruise looking out for hippo, elephant, buffalo and a variety of birds along the river’s edge. The following morning we embark on an early morning game drive in Chobe National Park in search of its diverse wildlife.

DAY 10 – 12: Maun, Okavango Delta

Today we head south, crossing the outskirts of the Kalahari Desert en route to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta.

The jewel in Botswana’s crown, the Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland delta, covering 1.6 million hectares of natural waterways and pristine wilderness. The delta, with its source in Angola, spreads out in an intricate web of channels on the flat plains of Botswana emptying into the desert.

We spend a night camping in the Okavango Delta, experiencing this unique wilderness area up close.

Knowledgeable and experienced guides will accompany you in this extensive wetland system “poling” you through the labyrinth of winding channels and lagoons in traditional dugout canoes, called mokoros. You will also have the opportunity to explore the delta on a thrilling bush walk. Exploring the narrow channels of the delta we look out for wildlife including hippo, crocodile and an array of birds amongst the giant lily pads and tall grasses of the reed-fringed islands.

Our overnight camp is set on one of the secluded islands in the middle of the watery Okavango Delta. At night you can hear the sounds of the African bush surrounding you for miles as you sleep under starry skies in this remote wilderness – the wildlife experience of a lifetime!

DAY 13 – 14: Ghanzi - Windhoek

On day 13 we leave the tranquil Okavango Delta and drive southwest along the edge of the Kalahari Desert.

Our next stop is at the town of Ghanzi, called the "The capital of the Kalahari". At Ghanzi, situated “in the middle of nowhere”, we explore the area’s arid landscapes on foot.

This vast and flat terrain is remarkable for its beautiful sunsets and open skies, a stargazer’s paradise at night. On our guided Bushman Walk we have the opportunity to learn a bit about the nomadic Bushmen tribes that were once the only inhabitants in this desolate area.

In the morning we continue travelling west crossing into Namibia, where we make our way to Windhoek. We stay in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city, for the night and get to enjoy some nightlife after our days spent out in the untamed wilderness areas of Southern Africa. Explore Windhoek, located in the center of Namibia, discovering its colonial German heritage and architecture.

DAY 15 - 19: Etosha National Park, Cape Cross Seal Colony & Swakopmund

Departing from Windhoek our journey takes us north to Etosha National Park, the "Great White Place" dominated by a vast saltpan. We stay in Etosha Park for the next two nights, camping near one of the park’s watering holes, all of which are floodlit at night offering exciting nocturnal game viewing.

The 20 000 sq km Etosha Park is home to thousands of wild animals and is considered one of the most important game reserves in Southern Africa.

This vast game park is inhabited by around 340 bird species and over 100 mammal species, notably the endangered cheetah and black rhino, as well as black-faced impala, tsessebe, roan antelope and gemsbok. In the rainy season shallow lakes form on the pan, with the watering holes supporting Etosha’s wildlife all year-round.

Next we make our way back south travelling through the eerie landscapes of the Spitzkoppe area, also called the "Matterhorn of Namibia". We drive along some of the striking Atlantic coastline, known as the Skeleton Coast en route to Swakopmund, located between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean.

The quaint colonial town of Swakopmund is Namibia’s premier seaside resort, featuring palm-lined avenues and beachside promenades.

Take a sightseeing stroll though the unique town and relax at one of the street-side cafes or get your adrenaline pumping on one of the adventure activities. There are plenty of adventure activities to choose from at Swakopmund including kayaking, quad biking, sand boarding and skydiving as well as scenic flights and guided desert walks.

DAY 20 – 22: Namib Naukluft Park and Fish River Canyon

From Swakopmund we continue our drive southwards heading into one of the oldest deserts in the world, the Namib. We make our way to the Namib Naukluft Park, one of the largest game parks in Africa and Namibia’s largest conservation area, covering 50 000 sq km of dunes, plains and estuarine terrain.

In the Namid Naukluft Park we visit some of the world’s highest sand dunes, reaching up to 300m, at Sossusvlei. The towering orange-red dunes at Sossusvlei are ideal for photographic opportunities, especially for sunrise or sunset desert landscape shots from the dune tops. From the spectacular dunes and flat pans we travel deeper into the park to the Sesriem Canyon area where we explore the valleys and saltpans on foot.

We continue south to the Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest in the world. This beautiful natural wonder is around 500m deep and over 160km in length. We explore this scenic area enjoying spectacular views over the sharp “Hell’s Bend” corner of the canyon.

DAY 23 – 25: Gariep River and Cape Town

We cross into South Africa leaving the unforgettable deserts and vast game parks of Namibia behind.

Continuing south we drive to the Orange River, also known as the Gariep, camping in this dramatic setting overnight. With its source in Lesotho’s Drakensberg Mountains the Orange River, South Africa’s longest river, almost traverses the continent.

Leaving the striking Orange River area we proceed south into the Western Cape province of South Africa. The final leg of our trip takes us to Cape Town, a journey through changing landscapes, from semi-arid deserts to green hills and pastures.

Before reaching Cape Town we stop at the Cape Flats, to experience some of the vibrant local township culture. Visit community projects and meet some of the local people in South Africa’s dynamic informal settlement areas. This exciting township tour offers insight into the turbulent history and current state of the country, as well as the daily lives of these South Africans.

From the Cape Flats it is off to Cape Town, our final stop on this amazing Southern Africa Budget Camping Safari. We recommend that you arrange to spend a few post-tour days in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town.

One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town has something for everyone, from outdoor activities and wineland tours to world-class shopping and a lively nightlife.

Tour Transport

Transport on this tour is in a 24-seater, custom-built safari truck. The self-contained truck is fitted with onboard tables, individual lockers (70-litre) and a freezer, as well as safety features. The safari truck also features plug sockets, a library and an i-pod jack.

Meals on this Tour

The following meals are included: 

• Breakfast (B) x 24
• Lunch (L) x 19
• Dinner (D) x 19

The group prepares these meals in camp and help with preparation is invited. Most dietary requirements can be catered for on the road, upon request at the time of booking.

Game Park Visits

Some of our National Park visits and game viewing drives are conducted using local services, to ensure the best quality game driving and to comply with local authority rulings. Using local African guides and service providers also adds to our safari experience and allows us to contribute to the local communities. These local services are included in the Local Payment of the tour.