A 26-Day circuit, starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg, showcasing highlights of four Southern African countries on this affordable Africa Overland Tour of a lifetime, staying in comfortable lodges and safari lodges along the way.
Begin your journey from the picturesque city of Cape Town and head north through the stunning mountain and semi-desert landscapes of South Africa to the banks of the Orange River. Continue through breathtaking desert scenery of Namibia, from the expansive Fish River Canyon to the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei in the ancient Namib Desert. Spend time in Namibia’s coastal town of Swakopmund before heading to premium wildlife viewing in Etosha National Park. Follow the Kavango River into Botswana and explore the mighty Okavango Delta, navigating the delta waterways on a mokoro and enjoying a premium safari in Moremi Game Reserve. Then, venture into the Kalahari Desert to Botswana’s surreal Makgadigadi Pans and take a game viewing boat cruise in Chobe National Park. Cross into Zimbabwe to experience the majestic Victoria Falls and enjoy premium game viewing in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest park. Visit the rhinos of Matobo National Park with its unique landscape, and marvel at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. Finally, return to South Africa to where the mighty Sashe and Limpopo Rivers converge, forming the meeting point of three nations - South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe - before concluding your tour in Johannesburg.
During this trip, you are likely to come across activities that encourage tourists to participate in lion, elephant, or other wildlife interaction. This includes walking with lions, riding elephants, and any other tourist operation putting travelers in close contact with animals that would normally live wild and separate from human contact.
We absolutely do not encourage or endorse this type of wildlife interaction operation. For more information on why this is not good for Africa's wild animals, please see our detailed blog post on the subject.
__large.jpg "Overland Tour Vehicle")
Our Southern Africa Overland Tour leaves early from Cape Town, South Africa's 'Mother City.' As we head north, we pause to appreciate the breathtaking views of Table Mountain, iconic landmark, from across Table Bay. After capturing the famous Table Mountain on camera, we travel to the Cederberg Region known for its rugged hiking trails and indigenous rooibos plants. These endemic plants grow only on the mountain slopes and are used to make a popular, healthy tea known as ‘Red Bush’. Our first overnight guesthouse is in the scenic valley of the Olifant's River at the foot of the mountains. Enjoy warm South African hospitality and our first dinner together while your guides provide a comprehensive overland tour briefing.
Today sees our overland tour continue northward, through increasingly arid and sparsely populated landscapes. Our journey takes us through Namaqualand, a dry semi-desert area renowned for its stunning wildflower blooms in spring (around August and September).
Namaqualand serves as our introduction to the desert vistas that will accompany us in the days ahead. After a last stop for supplies in the town of Springbok, we reach the Gariep (Orange) River marking the border between South Africa and Namibia. As we cross into Namibia, we make our way to our beautiful overnight lodge situated on the banks of the former Orange River, now known as the Gariep River.
This morning is yours to unwind by the river. You may choose to embark on a leisurely optional canoe trip along the Gariep (Orange) River, allowing you to peacefully absorb the rugged, desert scenery and observe birds. The river offers an easy paddle with just a few gentle rapids. Following a relaxing morning, we are back on our overland tour vehicle heading north into Namibia, towards the magnificent Fish River Canyon. Our journey takes us to the nearby Ai-Ais Hot Springs, where we will spend the night close to the Canyon. Here, you can enjoy a soothing soak in the hot springs, take a swim in the pool, and unwind at the bar.
Day 4 of our Africa Overland Tour, we wake up early to visit the Fish River Canyon. We take a leisurely stroll along the rim of this enormous canyon, admiring the stunning views in the morning light. After capturing photos of the incredible sight and taking in the dramatic scenery, we head west to the town of Keetmanshoop where we will overnight.
In the afternoon, we visit the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground near Keetmanshoop. The forest, which is home to around 250 quiver trees, was declared a national monument in 1995 with some specimens between 200 and 300 years old, making it an important ecological site. Giants Playground nearby is a peculiar landscape scattered with unusual stacks of large dolerite boulders that are about 160 to 180 million years old.
Our Lodge Overland Tour has a long drive north today, into the heart of the ancient Namib Desert of Namibia. Our drive takes us through a variety of landscapes, including seemingly deserted plains, farmlands, and arid bush, revealing the vast open spaces that Namibia has to offer. Tonight, we stay at a desert lodge just outside the iconic Sossusvlei dunefields, where we can experience the vast star-studded skies and deep silences of the captivating Namib Desert.
Today, our Southern Africa safari embarks on a full day of desert adventures. We board our overland vehicle before first light and venture into Namib-Naukluft National Park, that encompasses large areas of the Namib Desert, the world's oldest desert. Our first stop is Dune 45, where you have the opportunity to climb this iconic dune for breathtaking views over the sweeping red-orange dunefields in the beautiful light of early morning. After descending the dune, we enjoy a hearty breakfast before continuing deeper into the desert.
A 4x4 vehicle takes us to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei in the heart of Namib-Naukluft National Park. Here, we explore the dry pans on foot, taking in the dramatic scenes of skeletal trees on the pale pan floors, surrounded by vast orange-hued dunes. Tonight, we once again savor the stars and tranquility at our desert lodge after a full day immersed in the otherworldly landscapes of the Namib.
Day 7 of our Africa Overland Tour sees us start with a guided walk into the Namib Desert with a local expert. As we stroll through the seemingly barren desert landscapes, we learn about the rich variety of rare and unusual flora and fauna hidden in plain sight. Our knowledgeable guide shares detailed insights into the secrets of how the San (Bushmen) have thrived in this harsh environment.
Then it’s back into our overland vehicle headed to the Atlantic Ocean coastline, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and pausing to capture snapshots. Our journey continues north to the coastal town of Swakopmund, known as the adventure capital of Namibia, where we will stay in a centrally located hotel for two nights. Here, your time is free to explore the town's German-influenced architecture, local markets, and cultural experiences, or you may opt to select and book optional activities ranging from quad biking or sandboarding in the dunes, skydiving, scenic flights, or ocean safaris.
Our Southern Africa Lodge Overland Tour continues northward up the coast where warm desert sands meet the cool Atlantic Ocean waves. We pause at the picturesque seaside holiday town of Wlotskabaken to admire the quaint setting before visiting the nearby lichen fields to learn more about these fascinating colonies of organisms.
Next, we stop at the renowned Seal Colony at Cape Cross, home to over 200,000 Cape Fur Seals crowding the shoreline. Cape Cross is a historical landmark, marking the location where the first European explorer landed on Namibia's coast in 1486. (Please note that access to the Cape Cross Colony may be restricted at times.) Then our journey heads away from the coast, towards the rocky landscapes of the Khorixas area where we overnight.
Day 10 begins with an exploration of the fascinating Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings and an ancient Petrified Forest, guided by a local expert. The Khoi San people have a history spanning 6,000 years in this area and have left behind a collection of 2,500 rock paintings, one of Africa's largest arrays of rock petroglyphs. The Petrified Forest is a national monument featuring ancient fossilized prehistoric tree trunks that were swept down a river and preserved in alluvial sands on the desert floor.
We then head northeast towards the Etosha National Park, one of Africa's premier wildlife parks. Known for its expansive salt pans, savannah, and woodland, hosting an impressive selection of wildlife, Etosha translates to "great white area", referring to the enormous, dried salt pan at the park's center. We will spend the afternoon traversing the park on a game drive in our overland vehicle en-route to the rest camp where we will overnight.
We have two full days to explore Etosha National Park, with game drives traversing the open plains scattered with acacia woodlands and visiting waterholes around fringes of the Etosha Pan. Wildlife watching is often particularly rewarding at the watering holes, given the congregation of herbivores and predators drawn to the precious water sources. Etosha is known for its dramatic wildlife sightings, not only because of the stark landscapes but also due to the intense competition that unfolds in its harsh environment, especially at the waterholes. With some luck, we are likely to encounter lions, rhinos, and leopards. Chances of sighting elephants, zebras, giraffes, gemsbok, springbok, and other antelopes are excellent.
Our evenings are spent relaxing at the rest camps, reliving the wildlife adventures of the day. The rest camps in Etosha feature floodlit watering holes where you can watch wildlife at close range after dark.
On Day 13 of our Africa Overland Tour, we rise early for one last game drive through Etosha National Park. We then head northeast through rural Namibia to an area known as the panhandle, where the Okavango Swamps begin, before they flow into Botswana to form the legendary Okavango Delta. This northern portion of Namibia juts into neighbors Angola and Botswana along the course of the Kavango River. The lush green environment is a stark contrast to the dry and dusty Namibia we will be leaving behind. Our lodge for the night is situated on the banks of the Kavango River. Spend your last evening in Namibia watching the sun set over this beautiful scene, swapping stories of your adventure so far.
We set out early for a boat ride on the Kavango River, cruising in and out of pods of hippos and crocodiles while enjoying the wildlife on the riverbanks. Later, we journey onwards to the next country on our Africa Overland Tour - Botswana! We make our way through delta backroads, headed for Maun, a bustling frontier town that serves as the gateway to northern Botswana and the Okavango Delta at its heart.
The Delta is spectacular from above, and there may be time to take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (weather and time permitting) which is a perfect way to truly appreciate this remarkable natural spectacle.
Tomorrow, we head out on a two-day excursion into the heart of the delta in smaller 4x4 safari vehicles. We will need to pack a smaller bag due to space constraints.
Early risers may have another opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta for a spectacular aerial view. Later, you will be collected in the smaller safari vehicles for a drive to the floodplains of the Khwai River and the beautiful luxury tented camp where we spend the next two nights.
After settling in, we set off in the safari vehicles to a polers' station about an hour from the lodge where we meet local guides and board traditional-style mokoro boats (dug-out canoes) to glide along the reed-lined channels and tranquil lagoons dotted with lilypads. Relax as the serene scene of the delta unfolds. You will typically stop at a secluded island for a guided nature walk, encountering a rich variety of flora and fauna up close. As the sun begins to set, we are treated to an unforgettable experience as the light of the setting sun plays over the water
Day 16 begins with the sunrise, embarking on a day-long safari adventure in Moremi National Park, located in the heart of the Okavango Delta. The park's natural beauty features palm-fringed islands, open grasslands, waterways, lagoons, and papyrus swamps, all transformed by seasonal waters that support a diverse wildlife population. Moremi is also home to over 1,000 plant species, making it a vibrant hotspot for biodiversity.
During our drive, we hope to encounter the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros), as well as other species such as cheetah, giraffe, zebras, various antelope, a rich variety of birdlife, and the park is particularly renowned for its leopards and endangered wild dogs. As the day draws to a close, we will return to camp to the colors of the setting sun.
Our Overland Tour departs Khwai early, traversing the Okavango Delta for the final time as we reunite with the truck in Maun. From there, we head into the Kalahari Desert towards the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. These Pans were created by evaporation of a vast ancient lake, resulting in one of the largest salt flats in the world. This awe-inspiring landscape, a surreal expanse of white, undergoes a magical transformation into a lush, wildlife-rich oasis during the wet season.
This afternoon, after our arrival at our comfortable lodge in Nata, we embark on a guided drive to the Pans. During the wet season, Nata Pan serves a breeding ground for a variety of water birds, including pelicans and flamingos, depending on seasonal migratory patterns. During the rainy season, the pan receives inflow from the Nata River, and flocks of water birds, such as pelicans and flamingos, can be found here. Various antelope species, hyenas, zebras, baboons, and jackals are sometimes spotted.
Today, we leave the pans and make our way to Kasane, a lively town situated on the southern bank of the Chobe River, where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe almost meet. We should arrive in time for lunch and have ample time to settle into our beautiful riverside lodge.
Later, we head off a boat cruise along the Chobe River in Chobe National Park, providing us with an up-close view of various wild animals such as hippos, antelopes, buffalos, crocodiles, and renown numbers of elephants. Our boat-based game viewing offers excellent photographic opportunities for capturing the birds and wildlife attracted to the Chobe riverbanks.
Today, our Africa Overland Tour crosses into the fourth Southern African country on our tour, Zimbabwe! After completing border formalities, we head to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, Victoria Falls. Our accommodation for the next two nights is a lodge located in Victoria Falls village, which is convenient for visiting Victoria Falls.
It is an unforgettable experience to witness the world's largest sheet of falling water up close. The waterfall is known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means 'The Smoke that Thunders.' Standing before Victoria Falls, with mists rising off the waterfall and raining down on you, and the sound of the plummeting Zambezi River filling your ears, you will understand why.
Your time here is free to relax at the lodge, explore the markets and restaurants in town of Victoria Falls, or participate in a host of adventure activity offerings. The availability of activities will depend on the season and the water level in the Zambezi River and your guide can assist you in selecting and booking the plethora of options available. Popular adventure activities include white water rafting in the world class rapids below the falls, bungee jumping or gorge swinging into the gorge, aerial flips in helicopter, small plane or microlight flights, swimming in Devil’s Pool. You can also take a more sedate boat cruise above the falls, or book a safari drive in one of the nearby reserves.
We leave behind the excitement and awe of Victoria Falls as we travel south through Zimbabwe to the untamed wilderness of Hwange National Park. We spend two nights at a comfortable park rest camp.
On Day 22, we embark on a full-day game drive in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest national park, covers an area of 14,650 square kilometers (5,656 square miles) and is home to a rich tapestry of plants and wildlife, including over 100 mammal species and 400 bird species. During our drive, we hope to spot the iconic Big 5 of Africa - lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo, and elephant - as well as cheetah, hyena, zebra, and giraffe, among others. Hwange has one of the most substantial elephant populations in Africa, and the critically endangered African wild dogs thrive within its borders.
After breakfast, our Southern Africa Safari continues southeast towards Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe, and the Matopos Mountains beyond, with their iconic and otherworldly granite rock formations dotting the landscape in surreal shapes and balancing boulders. (Matobo is a local Ndebele word meaning “bald heads”!)
We spend the afternoon in Matobo National Park, a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site for its significant collection of ancient rock art, some dating back over 13,000 years. Matobo National Park also includes an intensive protection zone that is home to both Black and White Rhinoceros. The park is also known for its leopard sightings and is home to a range of antelope species, baboons, reptiles, rock hyraxes, and birds. Matobo also hosts one of the world's highest concentrations of black eagles in the world, and sightings of these magnificent birds are also a highlight.
We overnight at a comfortable hotel in nearby Bulawayo.
Day 24 sees our Overland Africa Tour travel to the town of Masvingo and the iconic Great Zimbabwe Ruins nearby. Once a regal palace and the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the Iron Age, Great Zimbabwe features walls that tower 11 meters (36 feet) high in places and are 5 meters (16 feet) thick. This afternoon, we have the opportunity to marvel at the intricate stonework and explore the heritage of this monument to early Zimbabwean civilization on a guided walking tour. We will also learn about the iconic bird depictions that adorn the Zimbabwean National Flag and their connection to Great Zimbabwe.
Tonight, we stay at a lovely lodge nearby offering stunning views over Lake Mutirikwi, Zimbabwe's largest inland lake.
Today, we leave the sites of Zimbabwe and cross the Limpopo River, which forms the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Once we complete the border formalities, we will travel through South Africa's scenic Limpopo Province to Mapesu Private Game Reserve. It borders the acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mapungubwe National Park. Witness where the mighty Sashe and Limpopo Rivers converge, forming a meeting point of three nations - South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. It is a birders hotspot, hosts fascinating ancient rock art sites, echoing the whispers of history held within the Mapungubwe region.
This morning, our Southern Africa Lodge Overland Tour follows the highway south to Johannesburg, ‘the city of gold’ and the economic powerhouse of Southern Africa. The drive will take several hours, and we will arrive in Johannesburg in the late afternoon. Our tour ends on arrival in Johannesburg.
We recommend booking your incoming and onward flights at least one day before and after this Southern Africa Lodge Overland Safari is scheduled. It is advisable to arrive the day before departure from Cape Town and fly out the day after the overland tour ends in Johannesburg to allow for delays and changes.
Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.
This Lodge Overland Tour is also available as a budget friendly Camping Overland Tour which follows the same itinerary and accommodation is camping at campsites instead of staying in lodges.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris
Travel from Cape Town to Kruger National Park on this Southern Africa Overland Tour (budget lodge safari) via Namibia, Botswana, and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
__small.jpg)
A Southern Africa Overland Tour of a lifetime from Cape Town to Kruger in South Africa via Namibia, Botswana, and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).
Camp around South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg, on this epic Southern Africa Overland Camping Tour.
A 25-day budget Southern Africa Camping Safari from Cape Town to Namibia, Botswana (Chobe Park & Okavango Delta), Victoria Falls & Kruger Park in South Africa.
Lodge Cape Town to Namibia Safari: Africa Overland Tour to Namaqualand, Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Etosha & Windhoek
The best Budget African Safari: an epic Africa Overland Tour of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya & Uganda.
__small.jpg)
Budget Cape Town to Victoria Falls Africa Overland Tour to Namibia (Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Etosha) & Botswana (Kalahari Desert, Okavango Delta, Chobe)
A great Cape Town to Namibia Safari (Lodge Africa Overland Tour) from South Africa to Swakopmund via Namaqualand, Orange River, Fish River Canyon & Namib Desert
The ultimate Overland Adventure Safari in Southern Africa: a small group tour from Cape Town to Johannesburg via Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, including a desert tour, delta tour and Victoria Falls.
Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.
