Victoria Falls to Cape Town Camping Safari

This comprehensive three week trip kicks off from Victoria Falls- one of the seven wonders of the world, and ends in the Mother City, Cape Town, one of Africa's top destinations offering wine farms and beautiful mountains.

We travel some diverse landscapes - each beautiful in its own right - including tranquil lagoons, arid deserts and unspoilt dunes, huge canyons and richly fertile winelands.

Highlights of the tour include a night camping wild in Chobe National Park under the stars, optional trip to the Okavango Delta in Botswana, game watching in Namibia's Etosha National Park and climbing giant sand dunes in Sossusvlei.

There are plenty of optional activities to choose from too, from white water rafting on the Zambezi River to quad-biking through the Namib Desert. This Victoria Falls to Cape Town Camping Safari has it all!

DAY 1: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls is the setting for the first day of this Victoria Falls to Cape Town Camping Safari and is spent either relaxing or making the most of all the adventure activities available at Victoria Falls.

Our safari campsite is conveniently situated in the centre of Victoria Falls town, within walking distance of the local restaurants, shops and booking agents for adventure activities. A 20 minute walk takes you to the entry point for viewing the spectacular Vic Falls, falling between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

After our adventure activities briefing, you are free to explore on your own. You can take a flight over Vic Falls in fixed wing planes, micro lights or helicopters, or you can view the Falls from the Victoria Falls National Park, which has plenty of viewing points.

Named after the famous World Heritage Site and Waterfall, the town of Victoria Falls is located along the Zambezi River. Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), was named by the explorer David Livingstone and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Victoria Falls is the world's largest sheet of falling water at 1700 m wide and about 100 m high. An awesome and memorable sight on any African Safari!

Optional Excursions include day trips into the Zambezi or Hwange National Parks; elephant back safaris, walking with lions and horseback safaris. Other optional outings include a visit to the crocodile ranch; boat cruises and golf at The Elephant Hills Resort nearby.  Serious adventure seekers can bungee jump over the roaring waters from the Victoria Falls Bridge running between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Adrenalin seekers can also brave an abseil down the Batoka Gorge. Scenic flights in micro light and ultra light or fixed wing aircraft or helicopters provide an eagle view of this World Heritage Site year-round. The Zambezi offers world-class white water rafting with a mix of Grade 5 rapids and the quiet stretches. The calm waters known as "floats" give you time to gaze at the surrounding cliffs and spot some wildlife on the banks of the Zambezi River.

DAY 2: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park – Botswana (B / L / D)

After breakfast we depart from Vic Falls crossing into Botswana and making our way to Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River. 

We prepare for our Chobe National Park Overnight Trip into the wilderness of Botswana, setting off after lunch.

Arriving in Chobe Park we spend the afternoon in search of African wildlife on a game drive to our bush camp inside this top Botswana Game Park.

We spend the evening listening to the night-time noises of the local wildlife in the surrounding bush. Look out for the rare Sable and Roan Antelope on your game drive, with their impressive backward slanting horns, or try keep a count of the Lilac Breasted Roller’s swooping by!

After our memorable night in the Chobe bush, we embark on a early morning game viewing drive in Chobe Park, before packing up the safari camp and driving back north to Kasane.

DAY 3: Chobe National Park – Botswana (B / L / D)

Back at the Kasane camp there is some free time to relax, followed by a relaxing boat cruise along Chobe River after lunch.

Listen out for the resident hippos enjoying the waters of Chobe River, the major water source in Chobe National Park. The Chobe River forms a natural border between Botswana and Namibia and Zambia. Chobe National Park is one of Botswana’s premier game parks, renowned for its large herds of elephant.

We can keep an eye out for the wildlife and wondeful birdlife while enjoying another spectacular sunset as only Africa can offer.

DAY 4: Chobe National Park to Maun – Botswana (B / L / D)

Today we head in south-westerly direction to the the town on Maun, gateway to the southern part of the Okavango Delta.

Tonight we prepare for our 2 night optional excursion into the untamed Delta of Botswana. We suggest that you bring a smaller daypack on your trip to use on this short excursion.

Your safari leader will brief you on what is needed, and what to expect on your trip into the Delta. In the morning we will set off from Maun on our journey into the Okavango Delta.

DAY 5: Maun to the Okavango Delta – Botswana (B / L / D)

The Okavango Delta boasting remote islands, is famous for its incredibly rich variety of bird species and animals. This huge expanse of water is unique to Southern Africa being home to a plethora of bird life and animals and with its source in the Angolan highlands. The Delta runs down from the highlands spreading out over the plains.           

Day five presents the chance to take a 3-Day and 2 Night drive and Mokoro trip into the Okavango Delta. This optional excursion entails a drive from Maun up north for a couple of hours reaching the Mokoro polers' station. The dug out Mokoros are traditional canoes that local guides "pole" navigate through the reeds and waterways. The guides locate a suitable camp spot and in the afternoon we set off on a game walk to get a close-up experience of the wilderness that is the Delta.

The alternative to the optional excursion exploring the Delta is to laze by the swimming pool at the Maun campsite or play a fun game of volleyball. The nearby crocodile farm also admits visitors from the campsite to witness the spectacle of feeding times.

DAY 6: The Okavango Delta – Botswana (B / L / D)

On day six of this Budget African Safari we will be taking it easy. This day of rest is for relaxing and exploring the Okavango Delta, before we continue on our exciting safari adventures.

You can take a game walk, go swimming (water levels allowing), enjoy a Mokoro cruise and even try your hand at poling a mokoro on the waters. Or just sit back and soak up the sounds of nature and take a nap at camp.

DAY 7: Okavango Delta to Maun – Botswana (B / L / D)

Last chance to take a game walk in the unspoilt Delta bush before we head back to Maun. We reach Maun in the early afternoon in time for a fantastic optional scenic flight over the Delta at sunset.

DAY 8: Maun to Rundu – Namibia (B / L / D)

We follow the Kavango River and enter Namibia in the North.  After a quick top up on supplies in Rundu we settle into our lovely campsite. This open-air camp is set on the banks of the Kavango River with the occasional hippo chomping on the lawns.

DAY 9: Rundu to Etosha National Park – Namibia (B / L / D)

From Rundu, we head southwest towards Etosha National Park. Etosha covers around 20 000 km2, and is Namibia's premier game park.

The national park is set around the Etosha Pan teaming with a large variety of wild animals, insects and bird life. The extensive network of gravel roads enables visitors to access some of the most remote areas of the Etosha Park.

DAY 10: Etosha National Park – Namibia (B / L / D)

Witness one of Africa's greatest wonders, Etosha's herds of desert antelope, Springbok and Oryx, roaming the plains.

Crossing some 150 km of the Etosha Game Park, we see different types of vegetation as we drive, as well as the changing animal and bird life that these varying habitats support. 

Enjoy a full day of game viewing and take in the African bush scenes, before we leave Etosha National Park via the Anderson gate. We make our way to our safari campsite just 10kms away from Etosha, arriving in time for a refreshing dip in the pool before dinner. 

In the evening we relax and unwind at the camp, which has a very interesting bar.

DAY 11: Etosha National Park to Cheetah Park – Namibia (B / L / D)

Today we drive to the Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park where we meet the resident cheetahs and enjoy the wildlife photo opportunity of a lifetime. The Cheetah Park is a private farm for conserving the cheetah population of Namibia.

Namibia has a high population of wild, free roaming cheetahs even though cheetahs are endangered in Africa. A number of local farmers have offered a wildlife sanctuary for cheetahs that have been trapped, or injured in the area. 

DAY 12: Cheetah Park to Spitzkoppe – Namibia (B / L / D)

Next up on our safari itinerary is Spitzkoppe.

Leaving the Cheetah Park behind we find our way to the 'Matterhorn of Namibia'.  The Matterhorn is an impressive granite structure about 1728 m high.

This rock formation is one of the most famous landmarks in Namibia, famed as an ancient San sacred site. We have the option of exploring the surrounding area and admiring the striking views or visiting the famous San rock paintings with a local guide. 

The night is spent at our bush camp under the African skies, studded with stars.

DAY 13: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund – Namibia (B)

Swakopmund, on the coast of Namibia, is our next safari stop, where we spend 3 nights unwinding and having some fun.

Swakopmund is Namibia's prime holiday resort offering a fine selection of coffee shops, bars and restaurants to keep visitors entertained. Swakopmund has some fine beaches for taking a pleasant stroll if you have had your fill of shopping and sightseeing. There is a lovely museum, an aquarium and various galleries to visit, as well as craft shops selling Namibian curios.

The town of Swakopmund has a distinct colonial flavour to it, speaking of its history of being founded in 1892 by the Germans. The Swakopmund accommodation consists of dormitories, but you can upgrade if there is room available.

DAYS 14 & 15: Swakopmund – Namibia (B x 2)

We will spend the next two days of this Victoria Falls to Cape Town Camping Safari chiling out or partaking in the large range of Optional Excursions on offer in and around Swakopmund.

At this stage there might be a change in fellow passangers with some leaving us and some joining us for the next leg of the African Camping Safari.

Optional activities or excursions include the following: sky diving, horse riding, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic flights over the desert, cruises with the dolphins, fishing trips, golf, and others. On arrival in Swakopmund an activity briefing will be held.

DAY 16: Swakopmund to Sesriem – Namibia (B / L / D)

Leaving Swakopmund, we head south towards the coastal town of Walvis Bay. 

Continuing our journey, we enter the Namib Desert's Namib-Naukluft Park. Once in the Namib, one of the world's oldest deserts, we set up camp at Sesriem.

From here we can truly experience the many moods of the Namib Desert. Sossusvlei lies nearby amongst what are considered some of the highest sand dunes in the world. From the dune tops, some being over 300 m high, we soak up the magnificent views of the dramatic desert terrain. 

The afternoon is spent exploring the mesmerising desert area of Namibia and taking an optional walk with specialised guides of Sossus on Foot. The walking excursion is highly recommended for those interested in learning about the fascinating local geology, history, flora and fauna.

This day of natural and cultural riches is rounded off with a beautiful sunset from Dune 45.

DAY 17: Sesriem to Fish River Canyon – Namibia (B / L / D)

After watching the sunrise over Sesriem we leave the tranquility of the Namib dunes and head south to the Fish River Canyon. 

Namibia's Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world. The outer sides of this canyon were formed by tectonic activity and the Fish River has over time eroded the landscape shaping the inner canyon. The Fish River Canyon measures 161 km in length, is 27 km across and approximately 550 m deep.

We follow the road that runs along the eastern rim of the canyon, meeting several vantage points from that offer spectacular views over the river and the surrounding bush.

DAY 18: Fish River Canyon to Orange River – South Africa (B / L / D)

We wake up early and keep heading in a southerly direction to the Orange River, a short drive away. The Gariep or Orange River is the natural land border between Namibia and South Africa.

We will set up camp at a great little campsite on the South African side of the border. If you feel up to it you can go on a half-day canoe trip on the beautiful Orange River. It's a relaxing and scenic paddle with some great birdlife.

DAY 19: Orange River to Cederberg – South Africa (B / L / D)

We leave early this morning and travel through an area known as the Richtersveld before reaching the pretty South African area of Namaqualand.

This Area is well known for its wonderful display of Namaqua wildflowers that occur September - October. Our campsite for the night is located between beautiful wine farms. We willl have the chance to do some wine tasting or explore the Cederberg Mountain range before retiring for our final night of camping under the African skies!

DAY 20: Cederberg to Cape Town – South Africa (B)

We say goodbye to the lovely Cederberg area and continue south to what has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town. 

En route to Cape Town we travel through the fruit growing region of Citrusdal before crossing the Piketberg Pass and on to the Cape's famous wine growing regions. Our final destination is revealed as Table Mountain emerges, this iconic landmark dominates the city of Cape Town.

Tonight's accommodation is in dormitories at a well-loved Backpackers' Hostel in Cape Town.

DAY 21: Cape Town – South Africa

In the morning our Victoria Falls to Cape Town Camping Safari of a lifetime comes to an end in Cape Town!

Please Note:

This Budget African Safari starts in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and travels south through Botswana and Namibia before ending in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Budget Camping Safari departs from Victoria Falls on Sunday mornings. Should you wish to explore Victoria Falls, an earlier arrival is recommended. Accommodation can be booked through African Budget Safaris. 

This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions.

All prices & Local Payments are subject to change. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the safari trip.