8 Africa Overland Tour Routes You’ll Love: the best African overland tours, Cape Town to Serengeti

Taking an Africa Overland Tour promises to be a lot more than a run-of-the-mill vacation! It is a voyage of discovery and an adventure of a lifetime. If you want to get under the skin of the African continent and experience as much of it as you can, there really is no better way to do it than on African overland tours. 

So buckle up and brace yourself for an immersive adventure through the heart of this continent, where vibrant cities, untamed wilderness and cultural gems blend into an overland journey of unforgettable experiences. 

And what a range of unforgettable experiences! 

With African overland tours designed to suit every intrepid traveller, no matter how much time you have to explore and how big your budget is, you’ll be able to find one that works for you.

In this guide, we spotlight our top picks from the 8 most popular African overland tour routes through East Africa and Southern Africa that run from 6 days to just over 3 weeks. 

Ranging from overland camping tours, right through to those favoring tented camping and even lodge accommodation, whether you’re looking for something wonderfully wallet-friendly or a luxury lodge trip of a lifetime, we’ve got something to offer.

So join us as we guide you through these 8 incredible overland itineraries that offer unique blends of African wildlife encounters, cultural richness and, of course, some of this continent’s most breathtaking scenery!

#1 Cape Town to Windhoek Overland Tour

One of our favourite African overland tours, this 14-day route from Cape Town to Windhoek encompasses some of South Africa’s top highlights along with the best of Namibia’s striking beauty. 

Kicking off in the ever-captivating  ‘Mother City’, which sits in the shadow of the epic Table Mountain and is surrounded by the meeting of two oceans, Cape Town is the perfect place to start this Africa overland tour.

Almost unrivalled by other cities in its breathtaking location, rich cultural heritage and buzzing metropolitan urban scene, what you undoubtedly have in Cape Town is one of the best cities in the world… not that we’re biased! 

Cape Town, South Africa overland tour

After tearing yourself away, it's then on to South Africa's gorgeous wine region you’ll head for a few glasses of this country’s finest drops, straight from the vineyard. 

You’ll then continue north into the remote and unexplored beauty of Namibia. 

First gaze into the abyss of the mighty Fish River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world, before soaking in the surreal beauty of the ancient Namib Desert. 

Hike the enormous and iconic ochre dunes of Sossusvlei, explore the charming colonial town of Swakopmund and witness the wildlife spectacle at Etosha National Park - Namibia’s premier wildlife reserve - before ending this overland tour in Windhoek, Namibia's capital. 

Etosha lions, Namibia overland tour

All in all, this diverse 2-week Africa overland tour takes you from buzzing city life into the stark isolation of the desert, giving you a great feel for just how magical this southwest corner of Africa is.

#2 Cape Town to Victoria Falls Overland, via Namibia and Botswana 

If you like the sound of the Africa overland route above and you’re lucky enough to bag yourself an extra week’s vacation, then it pays to know you can also extend the route above into a three-week adventure.

Starting from beautiful Cape Town and taking you to the jaw-dropping sights of Victoria Falls, you’ll weave your way through the wonders of Namibia and Botswana en route. This overland tour route includes all South African and Namibian highlights included in the first itinerary, taking a similar route from Cape Town to Windhoek via wine lands, canyons and deserts.

Then, from Windhoek, this Africa overland tour journeys on into Botswana's lush green landscapes, which jump out in unbelievable contrast to Namibia's stark orange deserts. 

Okavango Delta elephants, botswana safari overland

In beautiful Botswana, highlights of these African overland tours include the Okavango Delta's unique waterways, where you’ll have the chance to glide through the delta's peaceful tributaries in a traditional mokoro canoe, fully immersing yourself in the tranquillity and unique geography here.

After this, you’ll head to Chobe National Park - one of those most abundant wildlife reserves on earth - to jump aboard sunrise game drives and mesmerizing sunset boat trips along the Chobe River. After all this, this epic journey culminates on an adrenaline high, visiting the thundering magnificence of Victoria Falls. 

If you’re looking to tick a lot of Southern Africa’s most majestic sights off in one overland trip, this Africa overland tour from Cape Town to Victoria Falls is hard to beat!

#3 Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, via Botswana Overland Tour

If you like the sound of the overland tour routes above, but Johannesburg is a more convenient starting point for you than Cape Town, then this 14-day Africa overland tour is the ideal option. 

Departing from one of South Africa's most bustling cities, you’ll then head into Botswana, exploring the watery wonders of the Okavango Delta, before heading to either Moremi Game Reserve or Chobe National Park (or perhaps both!) for world-class safari adventures. 

Then, as you travel onwards from Botswana into Zambia, the mighty Victoria Falls awaits!

Victoria falls safari overland

There are loads of activities at Victoria Falls, each with varying levels of adrenaline involved, and we recommend selecting just 1 or 2 to get the most from your experience. Be that a Victoria Falls guided walk right into the spray, a lofty helicopter ride above the falls or a swim in Devil’s Pool at the edge of the precipice, there are many ways to get up close to this incredible waterfall that it can be overwhelming, so choose wisely!

As with many of these African overland tours, we also have several trips offering this itinerary in reverse, starting at Victoria Falls and finishing in Johannesburg; if that suits you better, it’s an option too.

Either way, you can anticipate exceptional wildlife encounters, thrilling adrenaline activities and jaw-dropping landscapes on this Johannesburg to Victoria Falls African overland tour.

#4 Victoria Falls to Nairobi Overland, via Zambia, Malawi, Zanzibar, and Tanzania 

If you’re looking for that magical African combo of gleaming golden beaches and safari encounters that will take your breath away, while also ticking off a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Victoria Falls, then this Africa overland tour route has got everything you want! 

This three-week odyssey kicks off with the wonder of Victoria Falls, before immersing you in the untamed beauty of South Luangwa National Park in Zambia - one of Africa’s top undiscovered safari destinations. Though lesser known, this national park holds an esteemed reputation as one of the continent’s finest destinations for spotting leopards (it boasts the world's densest naturally occurring population of them!) so if this is on your list, don’t miss South Luangwa!

South Luangwa leopard, Zambia safari

After this safari excitement, take a few days to relax on the beautiful shores of idyllic Lake Malawi, before exploring southern Tanzania. 

Then it's a ferry hop over to Zanzibar Island for another slice of tropical paradise on the ‘Spice Island’. 

The grand finale of this Africa overland tour from Victoria Falls to Nairobi is more safari splendour in Ngorongoro Crater and the world-famous Serengeti National Park, where Africa's iconic Big 5 animals roam free across the vast plains.

#5 Johannesburg to Cape Town Overland, via Eswatini and Lesotho

One of the most jam-packed African overland tours, this route allows you to get under the skin of Southern Africa, exploring many of this incredible region’s most naturally beautiful areas. 

Begin your adventure in Johannesburg, heading first into Kruger National Park - this country's most famous Big 5 safari destination - it’s a game-spotting heaven! From there, it's then not far to the Panorama Route, where you can marvel at the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and gasp at God's Window lookout - on a clear day here, you can see all the way to the distant Mozambique mountains!

Panorama Route, South Africa overland tours

From here, you’ll venture into the ancient land of Eswatini - the small, landlocked kingdom formerly known as Swaziland. Renowned for its unique and rich cultural heritage, you can enjoy bountiful wildlife, rolling hills, dense forests, expansive plains, and unique cultures here. Then it’s on to delve into the captivating kingdom of Lesotho, known for its spectacular mountainous terrain. With rugged peaks, deep valleys and picturesque villages, Lesotho offers breathtaking scenery for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers, amidst a unique cultural heritage. Pony trekking or hiking through the mountains are the best ways to see these incredible scenes and should not be missed!

For the last stretch, it's back into South Africa, travelling overland through the Karoo and Garden Route to complete your epic journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

#6 Mozambique, Kruger National Park and Eswatini Overland Tour

This 14-day Africa overland tour weaves together safari, beaches and mountains, into a harmonious balance of wilderness and tropical bliss… what more could you want?!

Starting and concluding in the vibrant hub of Johannesburg, you can take advantage of frequent international flights that arrive here, meaning access is easy.

This overland trip then promises a thrilling adventure, melding Eswatini's wilderness, Mozambique's tropical beaches and Kruger National Park’s legendary safari experiences. 

Kruger safari overland, South Africa

Roam Eswatini's Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, sail to Magaruque Island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, snorkel with whale sharks in Tofo and culminate your journey with unparalleled game viewing in Kruger National Park.

If you’re looking for the ultimate balance of nature, adventure and tropical chill time by the ocean, the African overland tours that combine Eswatini, Mozambique and Kruger are made for you!

#7 Nairobi to Dar es Salaam Overland, via the Serengeti and Zanzibar 

This route seamlessly combines the best of Tanzania’s safari adventures and beachside beauty in a short 10-day Tanzania and Zanzibar Africa overland tour.

Start in Kenya’s capital, before traversing the border into Tanzania to visit the legendary Serengeti National Park. Then, witness the wonders of nearby Ngorongoro Crater, before setting off for the coastal allure of Zanzibar Island. Bask in the sun on this island’s white sand beaches, dive (literally!) into a huge range of adventure activities, or explore the history-rich streets of Stone Town - the choice is yours!

Zanzibar beaches vacation, Tanzania

This affordable Africa overland tour seamlessly blends Tanzania's top wildlife destinations with the idyllic charm of Zanzibar Island, creating a perfectly formed African adventure in the amazing east of the continent. There are lots of similar African overland tours, that combine Tanzania and Zanzibar with other destinations like the 13-day Masai Mara, Serengeti and Zanzibar tour from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam.

#8 Garden Route Overland Tour from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town 

South Africa’s Garden Route is widely agreed to be one of the country’s most dazzling regions. Hugging the southern coastline, this area is bursting with diverse beauty - from indigenous forests to mesmerizing mountain ranges, which give way to dramatic coastal cliffs, gorgeous beaches and panoramic ocean vistas. 

Take in the best this area has to offer, in one easy trip, care of this short but action-packed Africa overland tour, which can be completed in a week or less. 

Forest hike in the stunning Tsitsikamma National Park, where you can also take a treetop canopy tour through the incredible Outeniqua Yellowwood trees (thought to be a whopping 700 years old!), before kayaking down Storms River and crossing the epic suspension bridge!

Garden route overland tours

Then, heading inland, you can explore the ancient limestone Cango Caves, visit the famous Cape Whale Coast and see a colony of endangered African Penguins at Stony Point Nature Reserve. 

Ending in the vibrant city of Cape Town - itself full of adventure - this Garden Route to Cape Town overland tour route offers a perfect mix of stunning beaches, top national parks and incredible landscapes in one short trip, with the ideal city finale!

As with most of these routes, we run overland tours that use budget-friendly camping accommodations perfect for young travellers and budget-conscious adventurers! Or, if you’d like a little more comfort, we also offer overland tour options that use lodge accommodation, still at unbeatable value. 

Options for African Overland Tours

Lots of these African overland tours (covering various routes) are also available as small group tours, private tours, family safaris and tours specifically for senior travellers; so whatever your travel style and budget, we have flexible overland tour options for your needs. 

African overland tours, Namibia

So there are 8 of our favourite African overland tours, each one offering its own unique angle on this incredible continent!

No matter which overland route captures your imagination, connect with our African travel experts to customize the perfect itinerary for your dream African adventure today.