20 Day Cape Town to Victoria Falls Overland (Camping)

Days 1 – 2: Cape Town, South Africa

Today we gather at 13h00 at the AHA’s Harbour Bridge Hotel located at the Cape Town Harbour Waterfront before we set off on an exploration of this colourful city. We have a day and a half here, so our time will be spent participating in activities such as trekking up the iconic Table Mountain, visiting Cape Point, the V&A Waterfront, Hout Bay, the famous Stellenbosch winelands and other various attractions. Our exact itinerary will be weather-dependent. We spend two evenings at a lovely lodge situated on the beachfront.

Meals: Breakfast x1
Accommodation: AHA’s Harbour Bridge Hotel or similar
Included Highlights: Cape Point National Park, Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain Hike, Hout Bay, Waterfront
Distance: Day 1 (+/- 20 km), Day 2 (+/- 200 km)

Day 3: Cape Town – Springbok, South Africa

Departing from the ‘Mother City’ and following a visit to Bloubergstrand for one final view of the majestic Table Mountain from across the bay, we journey northward through the ‘Swartland’ and along the West Coast making our way into Namaqualand. In the beginning of Spring, this normally desolate area comes to life with the blossoming of countless desert-adapted flower species.

Enjoy the contrast of scenery on our journey today. From vast open spaces to dramatic rock formations in the Cederberg. Our journey is long to our accommodation in Springbok.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Springbok Inn Hotel or similar
Distance: +/- 570 km

Days 4 – 5: Springbok – Orange River – Fish River Canyon, Namibia

We make our way across the border and into Namibia today, then journey a brief distance to our base camp situated on the Orange Riverbank from where we start our canoe expedition. After our gear has been packed into our two-man canoes, we head off into the wild. The Orange River forms an incredible sight – a green ribbon snaking its way through the desert and enormous mountains of the Richtersveld National Park. After we enjoy a canoe trip down the Orange River, we return to our base and spend the evening on the banks of the Orange River stargazing with hardly any light pollution.

The following day we depart for the Fish River Canyon. The 2nd largest canyon in the world. Marvel at this spectacular vista while walking along the rim of the canyon, before heading back to our camp for the night. Tonight is perfect to view the stars as there are hardly any light pollution in this area.

Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x2, Dinner x2
Accommodation: Felix Unite Camp (Day 4), Hobas Camp (day 5), (2-person dome tent both nights)
Included Highlights: Orange River Canoe Experience, Fish River Canyon
Distance: Day 4 (+/- 247 km), Day 5 (+/- 170 km)

Day 6: Fish River Canyon – Namib Desert, Namibia

Today, we embark on a scenic journey deep into the Namib, our destination for the next two nights: the Greenfire Desert Lodge. Nestled within a 7000-hectare private reserve in the NamibRand, the camp is cradled against a rocky outcrop, surrounded by dramatic mountains and crimson dunes. The reserve provides a secluded and exclusive desert experience, breathtaking vistas, and the opportunity to explore the thriving desert ecosystem, teeming with plants and animals uniquely adapted to the harsh conditions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Greenfire Desert Camp (2-person dome tent)
Distance: +/- 430 km

Day 7: Namib Desert, Namibia

Our camp is located on a private Nature Reserve situated within the NamibRand Nature Reserve and is home to a variety of desert-adapted animals and plant life. The camp is incredibly constructed against a rock outcrop between the giant mountains and red dune-fields. During our time spent here, we will embark on guided treks and drives, including a night drive that takes place through the reserve, granting us permission to view animals up close.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Greenfire Desert Camp (2-person dome tent)
Included Highlights: Morning Desert Walk, Afternoon Desert Drive / Night Drive
Distance: +/- 20 km (Desert Drive)

Day 8: Namib Desert – Sossusvlei – Solitaire Region, Namibia

We have a leisurely start today, journeying straight to the Sossusvlei dune-fields. The final part of our travels to the dunes will be through heavy sand, for which we make use of an open 4×4 vehicle. Once we have made our way to the dune summits for magnificent views, we head back to our vehicle and carry on to the unusual trading post of Solitaire where we reside for the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sussus on Foot Bushman’s Camp (2-person dome tent)
Included Highlights: Dune Climbing, Deadvlei, 4×4 Transfer to Sossusvlei
Distance: +/- 180 km

Day 9: Solitaire Region – Swakopmund, Namibia

We have a brief distance to travel, crossing the Kuiseb Canyon and the Naukluft Park toward the seaside town of Swakopmund where we spend two evenings. You have a full day to explore this historical town that was built in 1892 so there is plenty of rich culture and interesting anecdotes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Amanpuri Lodge or similar
Highlights: Kuiseb Canyon
Distance: +/- 260 km

Day 10: Swakopmund, Namibia

Our lodging provides the perfect location for some exploration of Swakopmund. Here you will come across many beaches, markets, curio stores and a massive range of optional adventure activities, including quad biking, sky diving, horse riding, dune boarding and many more! Make an effort to try out the nightlife in Swakopmund, as well as a delicious dinner out at one of the local restaurants (own expense).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Amanpuri Lodge or similar
Optional Activities: Sky Diving, Quad Biking, Desert Tours, Dune Boarding, Ocean adventure, Seal, dolphin & whale watching, Fishing

Day 11: Swakopmund – Spitzkoppe, Namibia

We travel north up the Skeleton Coast today, to the seal colony of Cape Cross before making our way back inland. We journey through the desert to see the large granite peaks at Spitzkoppe, after which we set up camp and spend the evening at the base of the mountain.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (2-person dome tent)
Included Highlights: Cape Cross Seal Colony, Spitzkoppe
Distance: +/- 280 km

Days 12 – 13: Spitzkoppe – Etosha, Namibia

Today we make our way into the beautiful Etosha National Park for a magnificent wildlife game-viewing experience. We set up camp and then embark on a thrilling midday game drive. We head back to camp to spend the night observing game at the floodlit waterhole. We then continue through the reserve, game driving to the other side of the park to camp for the evening.

Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x2, Dinner x2
Accommodation: Etosha Camping (2-person dome tent)
Included Highlights: Game Drives
Optional Activities: Night Game Drive
Distance: Day 12 (+/- 410 km), Day 13 (+/- 130 km)

Day 14: Etosha – Caprivi, Namibia

Departing from the severe desert environment, we make our way north to the lush region of Caprivi. This evening will be spent camping on the magnificent Okavango Riverbanks. The camp tonight is situated on the banks of the Okavango River, before it disperses itself into the Okavango Delta. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the banks of the river.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ngepi Camp or similar (2-person dome tent)
Included Highlights: Short morning game drive while we exit the park
Distance: +/- 640 km

Days 15 – 16: Caprivi – Okavango Delta, Botswana

Today we cross the border into Botswana to make our way to the Okavango Delta. The Delta is created as water from the highlands of Angola that gush out over the flat Kalahari Desert sands, forming a lush green paradise for bird and wildlife.

We enjoy our time here exploring the area where local guides educate us about the animals and plants that call the Delta home. We will also have time to learn about the local’s way of life in this wilderness.

Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x2, Dinner x2
Accommodation: Twin-bedded tented units (Sleeping bag required) – On occasion tours might camp wild in dome tents on islands in the delta
Included Highlights: Guided Game Walk, Mokoro Trip, Sunset Boat Trip
Distance: +/- 100 km

Day 17: Okavango Delta – Maun, Botswana

Today we embark on a mokoro and boat transfer across the Panhandle that returns us to our vehicle. We then journey to Maun where we will stop for some fresh supplies. We unwind for the afternoon near the swimming pool and share stories of our wild adventure in the Okavango Delta.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Drifters Maun Camp (twin-bedded tented units)
Distance: +/- 354 km

Day 18: Maun – Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

This morning, we enjoy lazing by the swimming pool. We suggest joining the local village walk where you learn more about the daily life of the locals. Afterward, we set off east to the enormous Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The area may look stark, but there is plenty of birdlife and other animals that have made the desert their home. We travel to a remote area and enjoy the serenity of the area. We make our way to our accommodation for the evening after exploring this magnificent area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Elephant Sands Lodge (2-person dome tent)
Included Highlights: Village Walk, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Distance: +/- 320 km

Day 19: Makgadikgadi Pans – Chobe – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Travelling north we head to the world-famous Chobe National Park, home to large amounts of elephants that gather at the Chobe riverbanks. An exciting game viewing boat cruise is organized for you within the park. We then cross the border for the highlight of the trip – Victoria Falls.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Shearwater Explorers Village or similar
Included Highlights: Chobe National Park Boat Cruise
Distance: +/- 320 km

Day 20: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

We are awoken in the early morning to explore Victoria Falls, the ‘Adventure Capital of Africa’. The tour ends after breakfast. There are a variety of activities available here, including white water rafting, bungee jumping from an astounding height of 111 metres, helicopter flights and more. Note that this tour continues and finish in Johannesburg, South Africa. Should you wish to continue onwards to finish in Johannesburg, then please speak to your consultant.

Meals: Breakfast
Included Highlights: Victoria Falls Entry Fee
Optional Activities: Scenic Helicopter Flight over the Falls, White Water Rafting, Bungee Jumping and more

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.