Windhoek to Cape Town Camping Safari

Starting in Windhoek, this budget camping safari takes you game viewing in the vast Etosha National Park before travelling through dramatic and remote regions of Namibia to visit the Bushman rock paintings of Spitzkoppe.

Heading south our next  safari stop is coastal Swakopmund for some optional adventure activities and relaxation. From Swakopmund this affordable Namibia and South Africa safari travels into the world's oldest desert, the Namib, visiting some of the world's tallest dunes at Sossusvlei.

Next this Windhoek to Cape Town Camping Safari goes to the immense Fish River Canyon, to look out over the second largest canyon in the world. The last leg of this Southern African adventure includes an overnight camping in the striking Orange River area, before continuing south into the scenic and fertile Western Cape of South Africa. Before reaching the final destination of the beautiful city of Cape Town this tour stops at the Cape Flats, to experience some of the vibrant local township culture.

Discover the vast open spaces, silence and open skies of Africa on this diverse journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Southern Africa!

Tour Highlights:

• See Windhoek's colonial German influenced architecture
• Go game viewing in Namibia's Etosha National Park
• Visit Spitzkoppe and try adventure activities in Swakopmund 
• Explore the Namib Naukluft Park and Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
• Look out over the immense Fish River Canyon at Hell's Bend
• Experience the Orange River and Cape Flats Township Tour

DAY 1 – 2: Windhoek to Etosha National Park – Namibia

This camping safari through Namibia's deserts and the Cape of South Africa starts in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city.

We recommend that you arrive a few days before the Southern African Tour departs to give you some time to explore Windhoek.

Located in the center of Namibia, Windhoek's colonial German influences can be seen the architecture of the city.

Departing from Windhoek on day one, our journey takes us north to Etosha National Park, the "Great White Place" dominated by a vast saltpan.

We stay in Etosh Park for the next two nights, camping near one of the game 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.

DAY 3 – 5: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund – Namibia

From Etosha we make our way back south travelling into the rugged Damaraland Region of Namibia. We drive through the eerie landscapes of the Spitzkoppe area, also called the "Matterhorn of Namibia" stopping to visit the ancient bushman rock paintings found in the exposed granite hills.

We continue south 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 6 – 8: 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 carry on driving 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 9 – 11: Orange River to 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 River, 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 desolate Orange River area we head south into the Northern Cape Province of South Africa making our way to the Western Cape Province.

The final leg of our trip takes us to Cape Town, a journey through changing landscapes, from open semi-arid deserts to green hills, winelands 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 giving visitors a glimpse into the daily lives of these South Africans.

From the Cape Flats it is off to Cape Town, our final safari stop.

We recommend that you arrange to spend a few days after the tour exploring 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 10
• Lunch (L) x 8
• Dinner (D) x 8

The group prepares the included 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.

Looking for other tours to Namibia? View all Namibia Budget Safaris