A super affordable and fun short Africa Overland Tour with comfortable lodge accommodation. This Cape Town to Namibia Safari takes you on a scenic journey overland from South Africa into Namibia.
From picturesque Cape Town in South Africa, we drive to the Cederberg Mountains and Namaqualand, before crossing into Namibia and visiting the Orange River. Then we travel further north to the Fish River Canyon for breathtaking views and a soak in the hot springs, before exploring the ancient Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground. Next, head into the ancient Namib Desert of Namibia to explore the highlights of the Namib-Naukluft National Park - the towering Sossusvlei Dunes, Deadvlei, and Sesriem Canyon. Lastly, take a guided desert walk and travel on to Swakopmund where this budget South Africa & Namibia Safari ends.
On the first morning of this Africa Overland Tour, we set off from the city of Cape Town, known as the 'Mother City' of South Africa. Heading north we pause to admire the views of Table Mountain, Cape Town's most famous landmark.
After taking some photos of the iconic Table Mountain, one of the natural wonders of the world, we drive to the Cederberg Region in our overland tour vehicle. The Cederberg Mountain area of the Western Cape is famous for its rugged hiking trails and citrus farms, as well as the indigenous rooibos plants grown here. The endemic rooibos plants only grow wild on the mountain slopes here and are used to make a hugely popular, healthy tea.
Arriving in the Cederberg Mountains we head to the first lodge on our Cape Town to Namibia Safari. Located in the scenic Golden Valley of the Olifant's River, our lodge is just outside of Citrusdal. This evening we enjoy warm South African hospitality and a traditional dinner together at the lodge. After dinner, your safari guides will give you a full brief on the overland tour ahead.
Today our Africa Overland Tour journeys further north, into ever-drier and more deserted landscapes. Our drive takes us overland via Namaqualand, an arid and sparsely-populated region of gentle hills and plains covered with low indigenous vegetation. This open area along the West Coast of South Africa is famous for its indigenous wildflower blooms in spring (around August and September). If it is springtime we may catch the spectacular multi-colored flower show.
Later in the day, we reach the Gariep River, which forms the border between South Africa and Namibia. Crossing into Namibia we proceed to our next overnight lodge on the banks of the former Orange River, now called the Gariep.
This morning you can set off along the Orange River in a canoe. Paddling along the river is a relaxing way to take in the rugged, desert scenery and spot birds. It is an easy paddle with only a few rapids.
After our morning at the Orange River, we drive up towards the Fish River Canyon in our overland tour vehicle. We make our way to the Ai-Ais Hot Springs and our overnight accommodation close to the Fish River Canyon. At our resort in Ai-Ais, you can take a soothing soak in the hot springs, swim in the pool, and relax at the bar.
On day four of our budget Africa Overland Tour, we get up early to visit the Fish River Canyon. We stroll along the rim of this massive canyon admiring the spectacular views in the glowing morning light. After capturing photos of the incredible canyon and soaking up the dramatic scenery we proceed west to Keetmanshoop.
This afternoon we visit the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground near Keetmanshoop. Some 250 quiver trees constitute this forest, declared a national monument in 1995. The quiver tree forest includes specimens between 200 and 300 years old making it an important ecological site. Giants playground is a bizarre landscape strewn with unusual stacks of large dolerite boulders about 160 to 180 million years old.
This morning we set off on our long drive north into the ancient Namib Desert of Namibia. Today's drive takes us through the changing landscapes of seemingly-deserted plains, farmlands, and deserts revealing the sheer scale of Namibia's vast open spaces. Tomorrow our Cape Town to Namibia Safari visits the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia’s most famous desert destination and natural treasure. The captivating Namib Desert is best known for the massive sand dunes of the Sossusvlei Dune area, with its iconic landscapes.
On day five of our Africa Overland Tour, we stay at a desert lodge just outside the national park, experiencing the vast star-studded skies and deep silences of the Namib Desert, punctuated by jackal calls and the barking of geckos.
A full day of desert adventures awaits on day six of our Cape Town to Namibia Safari. We hop onto our safari vehicle and mission into Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of Africa's largest national parks. The national park incorporates large swathes of the Namib Desert - the world's oldest desert.
First, we transfer to Dune 45 where you have the chance to climb up the iconic dune for amazing views over the stark desert and great photo opportunities. Back at the foot of the dune, we enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading deeper into the desert. We then take a 4x4 transfer to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Explore the dry pans on foot, absorbing the dramatic scenes of skeletal trees on the pale pan floors, surrounded by orange-hued dunes.
After surveying the sea of red-orange dunes we leave the Namib-Naukluft Park, stopping at Sesriem Canyon to see the ancient sedimentary rock layers of the narrow gorge before continuing back to the lodge. Tonight we soak up the stars and stillness at our desert lodge after a full day of admiring the stark landscapes of the Namib.
This morning we are joined by an expert local guide for a guided desert walk. Exploring on foot, this local guide will share their detailed knowledge of the ancient Namibian Desert area with us. We learn more about how the original San (bushmen) inhabitants of the area, survived in this inhospitable Namib Desert region.
Then we cross the Tropic of Capricorn, stopping to take some fun photos before continuing across the open desert plains. Reaching the Atlantic Coast we stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon to see the abundant birdlife found here. From there our lodge safari takes us to Swakopmund, the adventure capital of Namibia.
Arriving in the charming town of Swakopmund our affordable South Africa & Namibia Safari comes to an end. We recommend booking an extra night or two in Swakopmund in order to do some sightseeing and adventure activities here.
To get the most out of your overland tour, we recommend arriving the day before this Cape Town to Namibia Safari departs and only booking flights for the day after the safari ends. We can help arrange accommodation for before and after the safari on request.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
There is a minimum age limit of 8 years of age, for travellers on scheduled departures, however, children aged 8 and 9 years of age are accepted on a request basis only.
A maximum of 4 children, aged between 10 - 15 years will be allowed per scheduled tour departure date.
Should there already be 4 children confirmed on a tour, any further children requests will be dealt with on a request basis only.
Age restrictions may apply to certain items listed in the respective tour activities and it is important that you are aware of these restrictions prior to confirming children on tour.
Please contact African Budget Safaris for further information.
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