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Explore South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe on this exciting Cape Town to Victoria Falls Africa Overland Tour!
Travel from Cape Town into the Cederberg Mountains and Namaqualand before crossing the Orange River into Namibia. Visit the Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Swakopmund, Cape Cross Seal Colony and Twyfelfontein rock art sites and ancient petrified forest. Then embark on a wildlife safari in Etosha National Park and stay on the banks of the Kavango River before driving overland into Botswana.
Botswana safari highlights include exploring the Okavango Delta on a traditional mokoro trip, and game viewing in the Khwai River Area and Moremi National Park. Stop over in the surreal Makgadigadi Pans before we enjoy a game viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River before crossing into Zimbabwe to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls.
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.
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 our first overnight stop, in the scenic Golden Valley of the Olifant's River. This evening we enjoy warm South African hospitality and our first dinner together at our camp just outside of Citrusdal. After dinner, your guides will give you a full overland tour briefing.
Today our 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. These wide open spaces of the West Coast of South Africa are famous for indigenous wildflower blooms in spring (around August and September) each year. If you’re travelling in springtime, you may catch the spectacular multi-coloured flower show.
Later in the day, we reach the great Gariep (Orange) River, which forms the border between South Africa and Namibia. We will cross the river into Namibia, and after border formalities we proceed to our overnight camp on the riverbank.
This morning you have the option to join a canoe trip on the river. Originating from the highlands of Lesotho, the Orange River holds the title for being the longest river in South Africa, the lush riverbanks are a stunning juxtaposition against the desert terrains it flows past. Paddling along is a relaxing way to take in the rugged desert scenery and spot birds along the way. It is an easy paddle with only a few rapids.
After our morning at the Orange River, we are back on the vehicle headed to the Fish River Canyon, second largest canyon in the world. We make our way to our camp for the night, at the Ai-Ais Hot Springs close to the Canyon. You can take a soothing soak in the hot springs, swim in the pool, and relax at the bar.
On day four of our Africa Overland Tour, we get up early to visit the Fish River Canyon. This is the second largest canyon in the world, approximately 160 kilometers long and up to 27 kilometers wide, reaching depths over 500 meters. 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 our camp in 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 semi-arid landscapes revealing the sheer scale of Namibia's vast open spaces.
Believed to be the oldest desert in the world, the Namib Desert’s arid conditions have existed for over 50- million years. The desert stretches all the way through Namiba into Angola further north. What makes it unique is the cold misty winds blowing in from the icy Atlantic Ocean. Here, plants and animals, both large and small, have found fascinating ways to adapt to living in this harsh environment.
On day five of our Africa Overland Tour, we stay at a desert camp 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. 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 iconic 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 campsite. Tonight we soak up the stars and stillness at our desert camp after a full day of admiring the stark landscapes of the Namib Desert.
On day seven of our Africa Overland Tour, we head to the Atlantic Ocean coastline, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and pausing to take snapshots. We continue north to the coastal town of Swakopmund, known as the adventure capital of Namibia. Your guide helps you to select and book optional activities for the following day in and around Swakopmund.
For the next two nights of our budget camping safari, we stay in en-suite rooms at a comfortable lodge in Swakopmund.
The premier seaside destination in the country, Swakopmund has plenty to offer visitors, in addition to adventure activities.
This Namibian town is infused with German culture, given its colonial past and large resident German population. Walking around the charming African town you can see examples of German architecture and visit cafes selling German-style pastries and cuisine. Historical buildings include the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bahnhof (Railway Station), Woermannhaus, Hohenzollern Haus, Alte Gefängnis (Old Prison), and Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht (State House). Go to the museum, the aquarium, the jetty, and the lighthouse, strolling along the boardwalk next to the sea. Visit the local markets and take a township tour to meet some local people and gain insight into life in Swakopmund today.
For adrenalin seekers activities range from quad biking and sandboarding on the desert dunes to skydiving and scenic flights by plane, helicopter, or hot air balloon. Other exciting options include sea kayaking, dolphin and seal spotting boat cruises, whale watching, fishing trips, and a variety of 4x4 trails along the coast and into the desert.
Explore the selection of the many restaurants in Swakopmund which cater to all tases. Lunch and dinner are for your own expense.
After breakfast, we leave Swakopmund, headed north along the windswept Atlantic coastline. This is the legendary Skeleton Coast, a stark moody wilderness marked by shipwrecks and whale bones where the arid desert meets violent Atlantic swells.
We stop in at the coastal holiday town of Wlotskabaken for some seaside views before we venture to the lichen fields for an enlightening exploration, learning more about these intriguing organism colonies. We then pay a visit to Cape Cross Seal Colony, home to the world's largest breeding colony of Cape fur seals. Numbers rise to a staggering 210,000 seals during the breeding season in November and December. . (Note that there may be times when access to the Cape Cross Colony is restricted, and we may not be able to visit the seals.)
After exploring the Skeleton Coast, we travel inland towards our next overnight camp at Khorixas, renowned for its close proximity to ancient rock formations and prehistoric sites that the area is known for.
This morning we step far back in time to explore the rocky desert landscape of Twyfelfontein nearby. It is an awe inspiring rugged valley of fascinating rock formations and rock art made by stone-age hunter-gatherers who inhabited the area 6000 years ago. Nearby we visit the remains of an ancient forest – the area is scattered with rocks that, when you look closer, are actually petrified trees about 280 million years old!
From here we continue north to our first wildlife safari destination - Etosha National Park. We will spend three days exploring Etosha, Namibia's leading game park and one of Africa's finest. On arrival we enjoy an afternoon game drive for a first introduction to this beautiful park. It is home to an amazing abundance of large mammals, birds, and other creatures.
The next two days are spent in Etosha National Park, heading out on game drives to explore the open plains scattered with acacia woodlands, visiting waterholes and the dusty fringes of the Etosha Pan. This salt pan was once a massive inland lake, but today the flat expanse is almost entirely dry, except for the shallow waters that sometimes collect during rainy seasons. When shallow pools form in the pans it attracts large flocks of birds. Then short grasses sprout, attracting grazing herbivores.
At the watering holes, wildlife watching is often particularly rewarding, 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, even all together at a watering hole.
Our evenings are spent relaxing at the rest camps in Etosha National Park, 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 are up early again for a last drive through Etosha National Park. We then head east through rural Namibia, towards the Caprivi Strip and the Namibian border.
The Caprivi Strip is a curious strip of land which juts into neighbours Angola and Botswana. It lies in the flood plains of the Okavango River and its lush green environment is a stark contrast to the dry and dust of the Namibia we will be leaving behind. This area is known as the panhandle. It is where the Okavango Swamps begin, before they flow into Botswana to form the legendary Okavango Delta.
We spend the night camping on the banks of the river. Enjoy your last evening in Namibia watching the sun setting over this beautiful scene swapping stories of your adventure so far.
We start the day early with a morning boat excursion on the Kavango River, weaving through clusters of hippos and crocodiles while relishing the sight of wildlife along the riverbanks.
Following this, we gear up for the next leg of our Africa Overland Tour - Botswana! Our path leads us through the verdant Caprivi Strip, teeming with wildlife. Be on the lookout for elephants, antelopes, and a variety of birds. Upon crossing the border into Botswana, you'll navigate across the expansive landscapes of the Okavango Delta, making your way to our stopover for the night: Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta.
You may have time to take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (weather and time permitting).
Tour Note:
Tomorrow we travel to the Khwai River Area of the Okavango Delta, leaving the safari truck behind in Maun. You will need to pack a smaller overnight bag for this 2-night camping trip into the delta due to luggage restrictions on the smaller game-viewing vehicles used. Please pack light and only take the essentials. We recommend packing tonight as our short stop in Maun tomorrow allows little time for re-packing.
Today, you are collected in smaller 4x4 safari vehicles to drive northeast to the Khwai River Area of Okavango Delta, which shares unfenced borders with Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. This area is known for its excellent game viewing throughout the year. We will camp here in the Delta floodplains for the next two nights.
This afternoon we set off in the safari vehicle, heading to a polers' station about an hour from our camp. We meet our local guides and board the traditional-style mekoros (dug-out canoes). The Okavango Delta is one of the wildest places in Africa, host to an abundance of unique and rare wildlife, birds, and plants. Gliding along the reed-lined channels and tranquil lagoons dotted with lilypads is the ideal way to experience the tranquil Okavango Delta environment. Sit back and relax as your guide stands in the back of your mokoro and moves the vessel along gently with a long pole.
During your mokoro cruise, you typically stop at a secluded island for a guided nature walk, encountering a rich variety of flora and fauna up close. On the bush walk, your guide tells you more about the plants, birds, and creatures of the delta, showing you the small miracles and fascinating details of the delta. On our adventure in the delta, we are likely to come across numerous small creatures - insects, reptiles, birds and mammals, and perhaps even large animals including elephants, giraffe, zebra, and antelopes such as kudu, red lechwe, tsessebe, and impala. The Okavango Delta is also home to crocodiles, geckos, tortoises, chameleons, and a variety of other reptiles, along with an incredible diversity of plants and insects. The delta is a birding paradise with more than 450 bird species recorded here, amongst them several rare and endangered species.
We rise with the sun to set out on a day-long safari adventure in Moremi National Park in the heart of Okavango Delta today. The natural beauty of Moremi is captivating, with palm-fringed islands and open grasslands surrounded by meandering waterways, lagoons, and papyrus swamps. The seasonal waters transform the delta, supporting its prolific wildlife population. The park boasts over 1,000 plant species, making it a vibrant hotspot for biodiversity. Hippos and crocodiles wallow in the waters. On our drive we hope to spot the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros) as well as numerous other species including cheetah, giraffe, zebras, many types of antelope, and a rich variety of birdlife. The park is particularly famous for its leopards and endangered wild dogs. Part of the game drive experience is listening to the sounds of the wilderness. Guides often stop and turn off the vehicle's engine to allow you to hear the calls of birds, the rustling of leaves, or the distant roars or trumpets of larger animals.
As daylight fades and the sky is tinted with shades of pink and orange by the setting sun, we'll return to camp and gather around a warm, crackling campfire.
Today we leave the Khwai River Area, passing through the Okavango Delta for the last time as we drive to Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.
The fascinating Makgadikgadi Pans were formed by the evaporation of a large ancient lake that once covered much of northern Botswana, leaving behind one of the world’s largest salt flats spanning over 16,000 square kilometers (1.6 million hectares). It is an awe-inspiring landscape in a sea of white, that magically transforms into a lush, wildlife-rich oasis during the wet season.
We camp among the fringe of palm trees on the edge of Sua Pan, whose name means salt in the language of the indigenous San people. The pan usually becomes a seasonal lake, filling up with waters from the seasonal Nata River during the rains, before slowly evaporating. The saline waters that remain are popular with flamingos who visit each season to breed. The trees are home to many birds – over 160 species have been recorded in the area. We take an afternoon drive to explore this fascinating place
We leave the pans and the Kalahari landscapes, headed for Kasane, a vibrant town on the south bank of the Chobe River where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe almost intersect. This afternoon we embark on a boat cruise along the Chobe River. From the water, we get up close to plenty of wild animals such as hippos, antelopes, buffalos, crocodiles, and elephants. Our boat-based game viewing provides excellent photographic opportunities for capturing the birds and wildlife attracted to the Chobe River in Chobe National Park.
We then spend a night camping at a riverside lodge with a swimming pool, internet, and bar. Enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Chobe River.
Today we cross into the final African country on our Africa Overland Tour - Zimbabwe! Our last stop: the world-famous Victoria Falls.
Our camp is located in Victoria Falls town, convenient for visiting the natural wonder of Victoria Falls waterfall to admire the world's largest sheet of falling water up close. This is Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates as 'The Smoke that Thunders'. Standing before Vic Falls the mists rising off the waterfall rain down on you and the pounding of the Zambezi River plummeting 108 meters down fills your ears. Visiting Victoria Falls is an inspiring and unforgettable experience so don't miss out!
This afternoon you are free to unwind at our camp, explore the town of Victoria Falls, or jump into an adventure activity. Your guide can help you to select and book activities at Vic Falls, with a plethora of options available. Top favorite activities at Vic Falls include; white water rafting, bungee jumping, helicopter, small plane or microlight flights, and gorge swinging.
After all the excitement, take a stroll around town. Browse the markets and shop for last-minute souvenirs before dining out at one of the many restaurants on offer at Victoria Falls (own expense).
Our Africa Overland Tour comes to a close this morning after breakfast at the safari camp in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Spend the day participating in adventure activities and exploring the old colonial town on your own. There are so many exciting activities on offer here that we recommend spending an extra night or two at Vic Falls after your tour.
More Cape Town to Victoria Falls Overland Tour Options
This Cape Town to Victoria Falls Africa Overland Tour is also available as a Small Group Tour (max 12 guests) traveling by luxury 4x4 overland truck, with lodge accommodation. The same Africa Overland Tour is also available as an accommodated overland tour (lodge safari). For more details, contact African Budget Safaris.
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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