7 Day Cape Town to Namibia Safari (Camping Overland Tour)

Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg Mountains – South Africa

On the first morning of this Africa Overland Tour, we set off north from the city of Cape Town, fondly known as the 'Mother City' of South Africa by locals. Heading out of town, we pause at a convenient spot to look back and admire the perfect views of Table Mountain, Cape Town's most famous landmark, across the waters of Table Bay.

After taking some photos of iconic Table Mountain, we continue out of the city through the rural Western Cape towards the towering Cederberg Mountains. The area is known for its very distinctive rock formations, and for the rooibos plant, used to make the popular herbal tea known internationally as red bush tea. Rooibos grows wild on the mountain slopes and our overnight destination lies at the heart of the Rooibos industry in South Africa.

The first campsite on our Cape Town to Namibia Safari lies in the lush river valley of the Olifant's River, which flows beneath the mountains close to the town of Citrusdal. This evening we will be treated to a hearty South African traditional dinner together at camp, after which the safari guides will brief you on the overland tour ahead.

• Included Activity: Traditional Dinner
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Cederberg to Gariep (Orange) River – Namibia

Today our Africa Overland Tour journeys further north, into ever drier and more sparsely populated landscapes. The drive takes us through Namaqualand, an arid and dusty land of gentle hills and plains covered with sparse vegetation. The area is famous for the springtime miracle that occurs each year after the rains, when the fields burst out with colorful carpets of desert daisies.

We reach the far northern reaches of South Africa where the mighty Gariep (Orange) River forms the northern border of the country as it flows towards the Atlantic Ocean to the west. We make the border crossing into Namibia and then head for tonight’s campsite on the Namibian side the riverbank close to the border. Relax after your long drive and enjoy a cool drink in the restaurant overlooking the great Orange (Gariep) River.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Orange (Gariep) River to Ais-Ais Hot Springs – Namibia

Enjoy a relaxed morning by the river. You have the chance to join an optional canoe trip paddling down the river to enjoy the rock formations, river life and desert landscapes of the region.

After lunch, we climb back on our camping overland tour vehicle and head out into the Namibian desert. We make our way to the dramatic Fish River Canyon, second only to the Grand Canyon in the United States in terms of size, formed over 500 million years ago

We will camp at the Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort close to the Fish River Canyon. Here you can relax, take a soothing soak in the hot springs, swim in the pool, and relax at the bar. With the pollution-free skies, the Canyon area is a dream come true for stargazers. At night, the sky comes alive with a dazzling array of stars, galaxies, and planets.

• Included Activities: Ais-Ais Hot Springs
• Optional Activities: Half-day Orange River Canoe Trip
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Fish River Canyon, Quiver Tree Forest & Giants Playground – Namibia

On day 4 of our budget Africa Overland Tour, we get up early to visit the Fish River Canyon and appreciate the dramatic views by morning light. Take a stroll along the canyon rim and see the canyon floor some 550 meters (1,800 ft) below. There is a popular but strenuous 85-kilometer (52-mile) trek that follows the canyon floor and usually takes around 5 days to complete.

After capturing incredible photos of the dramatic scenery, we continue west through the desert landscapes to the village of Keetmanshoop. We visit the nearby Quiver Tree Forest made up of 250 spiky quiver trees, some over 200 years old, in a desert forest that was declared a national monument in 1995. Next, we head to a bizarre place close by, known as Giants Playground because it is strewn with unusual stacks of large round dolerite boulders that look as if they were stacked up by giants 180 million years ago.

We overnight at a comfortable campsite near the village.

• Included Activities: Fish River Canyon, Quiver Tree Forest & Giants Playground
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Keetmanshoop to the Namib Desert - Namibia

This morning we continue our long drive north, further into the ancient Namib Desert, from which Namibia got its name. While the desert landscapes are stark, they offer breathtaking views, amazing sights, and curious creatures that have adapted to living in the harsh desert conditions. The mists arising from the freezing Atlantic Ocean to the west provide a source of water that keeps the desert alive.

Day 5 of our Africa Overland Tour sees us stay at a desert campsite just outside the Namib-Naukluft National Park. We fall asleep to the awesome silence of the desert with the dramatic star-studded skies above.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Sossusvlei Dunes & Namib-Naukluft Park – Namibia

A full day of desert adventures awaits on day 6 of our Cape Town to Namibia Safari. Hop onto our safari vehicle and head into Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of Africa's largest national parks that incorporates a large slice of the world's oldest desert.

First is a stop at Dune 45, an iconic red sand dune that features in many a photo shoot. Here, you have the chance to climb the dune and enjoy the breathtaking views from the top, of the red dunes rolling off into the distance. Once you’re back down, enjoy a hearty breakfast before we are collected in a 4x4 safari vehicle to transfer to the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei portion of Namib-Naukluft National Park. This dry pan area fills up with water in wet seasons, but most of the time is a dry crusty pan with surreal scenes of skeletal dead trees silhouetted against the pale pan floors, surrounded by orange-hued dunes.

Tonight, we soak up the stars and stillness at our desert campsite after a full day of admiring the beautifully stark landscapes of the Namib Desert.

• Included Activity: Hike up Dune 45, 4x4 Transfer to Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Sesriem Canyon
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Namib to Swakopmund - Namibia

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. Learn about the special ways that plants, animals, and humans have adapted to living in this very harsh climate.

Then we climb back on the vehicle and continue our journey. We make a stop at our crossing of the Tropic of Capricorn line, stopping to take some fun photos of the group as we prepare to say farewell. From there our camping safari takes us to the coast, to the charming seaside town of Swakopmund, known as the adventure capital of Namibia.

Arriving in the charming town of Swakopmund our affordable South Africa & Namibia Camping Safari comes to an end. We recommend booking an extra night or two in Swakopmund in order to explore this charming seaside town with German colonial influences. There is a host of sightseeing and desert and ocean adventure activities on offer.

• Included Activity: Desert walk with a local guide
• Optional Activities: Quad biking, Sand boarding, Sky Diving, Scenic Flights and more
• Meals: Breakfast

Africa Overland Tour Note:

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.

More Cape Town to Namibia Safari Options

This Camping Overland Tour is also available as a Lodge Overland Tour - 7 Day Cape Town to Namibia Safari (Lodge Overland Tour) which follows the same itinerary and stays at comfortable lodges instead of camping. The same Africa Overland Tour is also available as a small group tour which travels in a luxury overland vehicle with 12 guests at most - 7 Day Small Group Cape Town to Namibia Safari.

For more details contact African Budget Safaris.