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Wilderbeest impala salt pan

Namibia to Cape Town Overland Camping Tour

Tour Length11 days
Priced from pps $1762 R33300 £1397 1633 A$2705 C$2388 NZ$2948 Full pricing info
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Summary of this Camping Overland Tour

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Book by 30/04/2024 for travel from 01/06/2024 onwards and Find out more

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  • Max. Group Size 16 Travellers
  • Traveller Age Range 18 and up
  • Departs from Windhoek, Namibia
  • Ends at Cape Town, South Africa
  • Accommodation Standard Camping
  • Transport Overland Vehicle
  • Wildlife Elephant, Lemurs, Leopards, Lions, Rhino & More
  •  See Departure Dates

Quick Itinerary Overview

Starting in Windhoek, this overland camping safari takes you game viewing in the vast Etosha National Park, one of Africa's finest wildlife havens. Then we travel through the dramatic and remote Damaraland Region in Namibia to visit the San Bushman rock paintings of Spitzkoppe.

Heading south our next safari stop is coastal Swakopmund for optional adventure activities, sightseeing and relaxation. From Swakopmund we travel into the world's oldest desert, the Namib, exploring the towering red-orange dunes and stark pans.

Next this Windhoek to Cape Town Camping Safari goes to the immense Fish River Canyon and then we camp overnight in the striking Orange River area, before passing through Namaqualand. Our last night is spent under starry skies in the scenic Cederberg Mountains of the Western Cape in South Africa.

Discover the vast open spaces and fascinating wildlife of Southern Africa on this diverse journey through breathtaking landscapes. 

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Itinerary for this Tour

Tour Highlights:

  • Game viewing in Etosha National Park
  • See Spitzkoppe & do adventure activities in Swakopmund
  • Explore the ancient Namib Desert
  • View the Fish River Canyon at Hell's Bend
  • Visit the Orange River, Cederberg Mountains & Cape Town in South Africa

DAY 1 – 2: Windhoek to Etosha National Park – Namibia

This overland camping safari through Namibia's deserts and the Cape of South Africa starts in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city.

Departing from Windhoek on day one, our journey takes us north to Etosha National Park. The "Great White Place", Etosha is dominated by a vast salt pan after which it is named. We enjoy a late afternoon game drive upon arrival and spend the entire next day game viewing. We stay at rest camps inside Etosha Park for the next two nights, camping near floodlit watering holes that offer exciting nocturnal game viewing.

The 20 000 km² Etosha Park is home to thousands of wild animals and is considered one of the most important game reserves in Southern Africa. This vast game park is inhabited by around 340 bird species and over 100 mammal species, notably the endangered black rhino and cheetah, as well as black-faced impala, tsessebe, roan antelope and gemsbok.

In the rainy season, shallow lakes form on the pan, with the watering holes supporting Etosha’s wildlife all year round.

  • Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
  • Breakfast (x 1), Lunch (x 2) & Dinner (x 2)
  • Travel: 420km (about 8.5 hours)

Note: We recommend that you arrive a few days before the Southern African Tour departs to give you some time to explore Windhoek. Located in the center of Namibia, Windhoek's colonial German influences can be seen the architecture of the city.

DAY 3: Etosha National Park to Spitzkoppe – Namibia

We leave Etosha National Park game viewing en route to look out for animals not seen on the previous days. Next, we make our way back south traveling through the eerie landscapes of the Kunene Region to Spitzkoppe. The Spitzkoppe area is scattered with exposed granite formations that we explore to see the ancient rock paintings of San Bushman tribes. The most impressive of these rock paintings is called “Bushman Paradise”.

The peculiar rock formations reach up to 1728m above sea level, offering spectacular views. Explore this dramatic area of Namibia on foot, soaking up its stillness. Witness the ever-changing colors of the rock formations, especially at sunrise and sunset, when they take on intense red-orange hues. Our Spitzkoppe Camp, located at the base of the rocky mountain, is owned and maintained by the local community. All proceeds from our stay go to the local community at Spitzkoppe.

  • Camping in twin shared tents with basic shared facilities
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Travel: 420km (about 6 hours)

DAY 4 – 5: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund – Namibia

Traveling through the rugged terrain of Damaraland in the Kunene Region of Namibia we leave the surreal landscapes of Spitzkoppe and make our way to the dramatic west coast.

We drive along some of the striking Atlantic coastline, known as the Skeleton Coast en route to Swakopmund, located between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean.

The charming town of Swakopmund is Namibia’s premier seaside resort, featuring palm-lined avenues and beach side promenades. Take a sightseeing stroll though the unique town, hosting old colonial German buildings and museums. Relax at one of the street-side cafes, visit art galleries, quaint shops and other attractions, or get your adrenaline pumping on one of the adventure activities. There are plenty of adventure activities to choose from at Swakopmund including kayaking, quad biking, sand boarding and skydiving as well as scenic flights and guided desert walks.

  • Dorm Room
  • Breakfast (x2)
  • Travel: 150km (about 3 hours)

Day 6: Swakopmund to Solitaire – Namibia

Leaving Swakopmund we drive south, stopping to take snapshots as we cross the Tropic of Capricorn. Our next overnight camp is near the smallest town in Namibia - Solitaire. Located in the Khomas Region, time slows down to a crawl in this remote place.

  • Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Travel: 260km (about 4.5 hours)

DAY 7: Solitaire to Sesriem & Namib Desert – Namibia

From Solitaire we continue our drive southwards heading into one of the oldest deserts in the world, the Namib Desert. We make our way to the Namib Naukluft Park, where we visit some of the world’s highest sand dunes, reaching up to 300m in the Sossusvlei area.

Our first stop in the Namib-Naukluft Park - the towering Dune 45. Climb to the top of this much-photographed dune to view the immense expanse of dunes fields. This is one of the largest game parks in Africa and Namibia’s largest conservation area, covering 50 000 sq km of dunes, plains, mountains and pans. Following a hearty breakfast, we drive further into the park to catch a shuttle and then walk to Dead Vlei. A walk amongst these tall, red-orange dunes provides ideal photo opportunities of Namibia's unspoilt natural beauty.

From the spectacular dunes and flat pans, we travel to Sesriem Canyon to walk in the narrow gorge and see layer-upon-layer of sedimentary rocks revealed through erosion over the ages. Tonight we camp under starry Namibian skies in the desert near Sesriem, watching for wildlife at the waterhole where oryx are often spotted.

  • Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Travel: 280km (about 4.5 hours)

DAY 8: Sesriem to Fish River Canyon - Namibia

Today we drive further south to the Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest in the world. This beautiful natural wonder is around 500m deep and over 160km in length. We explore this scenic area enjoying spectacular views over the sharp “Hell’s Bend” corner of the canyon.

  • Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Travel: 430km (about 6 hours)

DAY 9: Fish River Canyon to Orange River – Namibia

Continuing south we drive to the Orange River, officially named the Gariep River. With its source in Lesotho’s Drakensberg Mountains the Orange River, South Africa’s longest river, almost traverses the continent.

We camp on the Namibian banks of the Orange River on day nine of this Overland Camping Tour, enjoying a marvelous African sunset. Here you can hike to the viewpoint above the campsite, swim in the river and take an optional canoe trip on the Orange River.

The camp is remote but not too basic, with facilities including hot showers, flush toilets and grass covered camping sites. Unwind at the camp's bar and soak up the peaceful river setting under a blanket of bright stars.

  • Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Travel: 180km (about 3.5 hours)

DAY 10: Orange River to Cedeberg Mountains – South Africa

Leaving the banks of the Orange River we cross in South Africa this morning. Then we proceed south, journeying through changing landscapes into the Namaqualand region of South Africa. Namaqualand is best known for its prolific display of blooming wildflowers in spring, best seen between August and October.

We overnight at a picturesque campsite near the small town of Citrusdal and the Olifant's River in the fertile hills of the Western Cape province in South Africa. Admire the views of the majestic Cederberg Mountains and get the chance to sample some of the fine wines of the Western Cape.

  • Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Travel: 400km (about 8 hours)

DAY 11: Cederberg Region to Cape Town – South Africa

On our final day, we travel south passing through the rich fruit growing region of Citrusdal and admire the spectacular views as we meander down the Picketberg Pass towards Cape Town.

Lastly, we reach the beautiful city of Cape Town, our final stop on this Namibia to Cape Town Overland Tour.

  • Breakfast
  • Travel: 260km (about 4.5 hours)

We recommend that you arrange to spend a few days after the tour exploring the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town has something for everyone, from outdoor activities and wineland tours to world-class shopping and lively nightlife.

Optional Adventure Pass

This tour comes with a highly-recommended Adventure Pass, which is charged in addition to the tour price. We strongly recommend the Adventure Pass, as it includes major tour highlights and activities. The Adventure Pass can be pre-purchased when booking your tour, or at the start of your trip, payable in cash, directly to your tour guide.

Contact African Budget Safaris for a detailed and up-to-date itinerary description, showing exactly what is included in the Adventure Pass. See Full Pricing Info above for the Adventure Pass cost.

Tour Transport

Transport on this tour is in a 24-seater, custom-built safari truck. The self-contained truck is fitted with onboard tables, individual lockers (70-litre) and a freezer, as well as safety features. The safari truck also features plug sockets, a library and an i-pod jack.

Meals on this Tour

The group prepares the included meals in camp and help with preparation is invited. Most dietary requirements can be catered for on the road, upon request at the time of booking.

Game Park Visits

Some of our National Park visits and game viewing drives are conducted using local services, to ensure the best quality game driving and to comply with local authority rulings.

Using local African guides and service providers also adds to our safari experience and allows us to contribute to the local communities.

Optional Extras and Excursions

For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.

Namibia

  • Quad Biking 
  • Dolphin Cruises
  • Sandboarding
  • Deep Sea Fishing
  • Swakopmund Township Tour
  • Scenic Flights 
  • Tandem Skydiving 
  • Kayaking

South Africa

  • Orange River Canoeing Trip 
  • Wine Tasting 

Child Policy

This tour does not take children.

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+Where does the tour go to?
+Optional Activities & Day Trips
For confirmed pricing on these optional items, please drop us an enquiry

Namibia

  • Quad Biking 
  • Dolphin Cruises
  • Sandboarding
  • Deep Sea Fishing
  • Swakopmund Township Tour
  • Scenic Flights 
  • Tandem Skydiving 
  • Kayaking

South Africa

  • Orange River Canoeing Trip 
  • Wine Tasting 
+Included in the Tour Price
  • Fully equipped safari vehicle
  • Camping and cooking equipment
  • Transport, road tolls & vehicle taxes
  • Sleeping mattresses
  • Dome tents
  • Services of driver and tour leader
  • Meals as indicated
  • Tour highlights as per itinerary
+Not Included in the Tour Price
  • Visas and travel insurance
  • Flights and departure taxes
  • Airport transfers
  • Sleeping bag
  • Optional activities
  • Drinks and tips
  • Meals not on the itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature
+Departure Dates

Please note the departure date specials apply only to the camping tours.

Scheduled Tour Departures
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If you do not see departures listed for your dates, please do contact us for further info.

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