21 Day Cape Town to Victoria Falls Adventure Under 39s (Camping)

Day 1 : Cape Town, South Africa

Upon your arrival in Cape Town, you will be transported to your hostel. You will spend your first night out together in Cape Town getting to know each other. The city boasts over three million residents and is the Western Cape’s capital. The nightlife on Long Street is a vibrant place to explore after a short welcome meeting or dinner out together. Following a pre-departure meeting with your group, you should ensure that you have all necessary visas for the trip. Get to know your fellow travelers as the adventure begins by putting on your dancing shoes.

Pre-book the South African Wine Tour and Tasting extra to make the most of your time in Cape Town. The local wines of this area are also superb so why not sample a few. You can visit a wine cooperative as an optional excursion allowing you the chance to learn about these wines while sipping your favourite overlooking the surrounding winelands. It is recommended that you book accommodation for an extra night prior to the tour, as this activity starts early in the morning. Due to the timing of this activity, it is possible that you may miss the welcome meeting on the first day of your tour. If this occurs, your guide will leave you a message outlining when and where you should meet on the second day.

Accommodation: CURIOCITY Green Point Cape Town – Dorm room or similar
Included Highlights: Welcome Meeting on Arrival Day
Optional Activities: Boulders Beach Visit ZAR 190 per person, Table Mountain Cable Car ZAR 420 per person, South African Wine Tour and Tasting, Two Oceans Aquarium ZAR 235 per person,  Table Mountain Hike 2100 ZAR per person

Day 2: Cape Town – Cederberg, South Africa

Today, we make our way out of the city and and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Western Cape as we travel to  !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre where you have the rare opportunity to interact with the young San women and men while learning about their fascinating history and cultural traditions. As the group arrives at your first campsite in the afternoon, you will have free time to relax and sip on some local wine, or enjoy the swimming pool overlooking the vineyards.

Accommodation: Highlands Campsite or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre
Optional Activities: Wine Tasting
Distance: ±300 km
Travel Time: ± 5 hours

Day 3: Cederberg – Orange River, South Africa

Journey further north, passing through vast rooibos tea plantations, to the scenic Orange River, your campsite for the night. Here, you can unwind, reflect on your travels, and enjoy a refreshing late afternoon swim in the river. For those seeking a bit more activity, an optional canoe excursion on the Orange River is available for booking. Otherwise, simply relax and soak in the tranquil atmosphere of this beautiful setting. Your only task today is to enjoy yourself!

Accommodation: Fiddlers Creek Rest Camp or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Canoeing on Orange River ZAR 400 per person
Distance: ±350 km
Travel Time: ± 7 hours

Day 4: Orange River – Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Today we cross the border into Namibia, so be sure to have your correct visa ready. We then travel through to the magnificent Fish River Canyon, the biggest in the continent and the second largest in the world. Take some time to explore the canyon rim and admire the dramatic sunset as it disappears behind the edge of the canyon. After snapping some amazing pics, we head back to camp for the rest of the evening. The Fish River stretches 650 kms in length, making it Namibia’s longest river. It’s source is located in the eastern Naukluft Mountains and runs southwest of Ai-Ais into the Oranje. The canyon itself is situated along the lower area of the Fish River, and is one of the most remarkable natural creations of Southern Africa. It runs 550 metres deep, 27 kilometres wide and is the oldest canyon in the world, formed around 500 million years back, with some of its bottom rocks aging up to about 2,600 million years. Cat fish can be found in the River and survive the arid seasons by digging into the mud and waiting for the water to return. The levels of the water are usually highest from February to April, and the highest known temperature at the Canyon’s floor is 58 degrees Celsius.

Accommodation: Hobas Lodge Campsite or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Fish River Canyon Sunset Visit
Distance: ±180 km
Travel Time: ± 5 hours

Day 5: Fish River Canyon – Namib Desert, Namibia

We travel further north today, passing the small and isolated towns of Bethanien and Helmeringhausen on the way to the Namib Desert. Namib’ comes from the Nama culture, with the name referring to a huge savannah located in the Desert. The region is extremely arid, receiving less than 100 millimetres of yearly rainfall. After a long day driving bumpy roads, we arrive at our destination in the late afternoon. Find yourself surrounded by the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei glimmering in the light of dusk as they form the gateway to the Namib Desert. This is a truly remote area, giving you a sense of being alone with nature.

Accommodation: Sossus Oasis Campsite or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: ±560 km
Travel Time: ± 10 hours

Day 6: Namib Desert, Namibia

Embrace the stark beauty of the Namib Desert with an early start, witnessing a breathtaking sunrise from atop the iconic Dune 45. As the desert awakens in golden light, climb the dune for panoramic views before the day’s heat intensifies. An optional excursion to the otherworldly Deadvlei awaits, a photographer’s dreamscape of ancient camel thorn trees silhouetted against a stark white clay pan and towering dunes. After immersing yourself in the desert’s raw beauty, find respite in the cool depths of Sesriem Canyon. Explore this natural wonder in the afternoon, learning about its geological formation and discovering hidden pools that support life in this arid environment. If time permits, a scenic drive will take you to the charming town of Solitaire before arriving at your campsite. This evening, consider joining the optional “Namib Desert Walk,” an educational experience that delves into bushman survival techniques, the geology of the dunes, and local wildlife, culminating in a spectacular desert sunset.

Accommodation: Sossus On Foot Bushman’s Desert Camp or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Dune 45 visit, Sesriem Canyon Visit,
Optional Activities: Namib Desert Walk NAD 350 per person, Deadvlei Visit 200 NAD per person
Travel Time: ± 5 hours

Day 7: Namib Desert – Swakopmund, Namibia

Today gives you the opportunity to truly explore the Namib Desert as you spend hours traversing across this barren area and cross through a couple of arid mountain passes. Prior to your arrival in the adrenaline capital of Swakopmund, you will travel past Walvis Bay – the only town on the Namibian shoreline that contains a deep-sea harbour.

We spend two evenings in this region, where you will have time to explore the town drenched in history. Swakopmund is home to spectacular lunar landscapes, vibrant sunsets and strange prehistoric Welwitchia vegetation.

Accommodation: Amanpuri Backpackers or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance: ±300 km
Travel Time: ± 7 hours

Day 8: Swakopmund, Namibia

Embrace a day of adventure in this outdoor enthusiast’s paradise! Gather your friends or strike out solo to conquer the myriad activities on offer. From the adrenaline rush of skydiving to the thrill of sandboarding, the possibilities are endless. Let fate decide with a coin toss, or better yet, experience them all! (We’re particularly captivated by the Skeleton Coast scenic flight). Pre-book your skydiving experience conveniently on the checkout page, or through your guide.

Accommodation: Amanpuri Backpackers or similar
Meals: No meals will be provided today
Optional Activities: Sandboarding in the Namib Desert 700 NAD per person, Skeleton Coast Scenic Flight 4800 NAD per person, Skydiving in Swakopmund, Swakopmund Guided Cultural Tour 750 NAD per person

Day 9: Swakopmund –  Spitzkoppe, Namibia

In the morning we make our way north to the granite rocks of Spitzkoppe. You can explore on foot and spend the evening relaxing while looking up at the beautiful night’s sky! We will be roughing a bit in the bush tonight with long-drop toilets and no running water.

Accommodation: Spitzkoppe Rest Camp or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel Time: ± 4 hours

Day 10: Spitzkoppe – Etosha National Park, Namibia

As we enter the park, we embark on a game drive through Etosha’s massive arid pan in search of elephant, hippo, antelope herds and lions gathered around the waterholes. Be sure to look out for Himba, Herero and Damara people along the way. They will be selling local arts, we will make stops to learn more about their products. Once the sun has set, spend some time observing wildlife at the watering holes, located close to the secure camping space that is floodlit. Daytime game drive will be in the overland truck, with an optional open vehicle night game drives on offer with a naturalist guide at 750 NAD.

Accommodation: NWR Etosha National Park Okaukuejo Restcamp or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Etosha National Park Wildlife Safari Drive in the Overland truck
Optional Activities: Etosha National Park Open Vehicle Wildlife Night Safari – 750 NAD per person
Distance: ±435 km
Travel Time: ± 8 hours

Day 11: Etosha National Park, Namibia

Prepare for an unforgettable full-day wildlife safari in Etosha National Park! You’ll be amazed by the sheer diversity of animal species that inhabit this relatively small protected area—over 100 different mammals call Etosha home. Stay alert and keep your eyes peeled as you venture deeper into Etosha’s wild heart. Engage in some friendly competition with your travel buddies, playing “I Spy” and capturing incredible photos of your encounters – we can’t wait to see what you discover! What makes Etosha truly special is its size and abundant wildlife. Especially during the dry season (May through October), the animals congregate around the waterholes, creating some of the world’s most concentrated wildlife viewing opportunities. It’s as if the wildlife comes to you, offering unparalleled chances to witness nature’s wonders up close.

Accommodation: NWR Etosha NP Okaukeujo Restcamp or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Etosha National Park Wildlife Safari Drive in the Overland truck

Day 12: Etosha National Park – Waterberg Plateau, Namibia

We head south and make our way to the Waterberg Plateau. Here you have the afternoon to spend at your leisure. The Waterberg Plateau offers scenic hiking trails so feel free to spend the afternoon hiking, alternatively spend your afternoon unwinding next by the pool.

Accommodation: Waterberg Campsite or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: ± 300 km
Travel Time: ± 5 hours

Day 13: Waterberg Plateau – Windhoek, Namibia

We stop for lunch at Penduka Village Restaurant and Shop, just outside Windhoek, where you can stretch you legs and enjoy refreshments. After lunch at the restaurant, we make our way to Windhoek via the Namibian countryside. Windhoek is Namibia’s capital city, with a population of around 230,000 and an altitude of 1,654 metres. During WW1, Windhoek was taken over by South African troops and was converted into a British dominion. Until Namibia’s independence in 1990, Windhoek was known as the capital of Southwest Africa. As this is a combo tour, new travellers may be joining the group

Accommodation: Urban Camp or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlight: Penduka Village Restaurant and Shop
Distance: ±305 km
Travel Time: ± 4 – 5 hours

Day 14: Windhoek – D’kar, Botswana

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the San Bushmen through an optional guided walk, gaining insights into their ancient traditions and remarkable resilience. Experience the warmth of local hospitality at the Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp, contributing to the community’s well-being with your stay. Unwind under the starry African sky, sharing stories and laughter with fellow travelers as you create lasting memories.

Accommodation: Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp
Optional Activities: Walk with San People 150 BWP per person
Distance: ± 565 km
Travel Time: ± 9 hours

Day 15: D’kar – Maun, Botswana

Bid farewell to the Kalahari sands and journey by your overland vehicle to Maun, arriving around lunchtime. The afternoon offers two enticing options. Embrace some leisure time at camp, catching up on your journal, capturing photos, and simply relaxing amidst the beautiful surroundings. Or, for a truly unforgettable experience, take to the skies with a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. From this bird’s-eye view, witness the Delta’s fertile landscapes unfold beneath you, spotting wildlife as you soar through the air, experiencing an exhilarating rush. As evening approaches, set up camp and unwind with your fellow travelers. As darkness blankets the landscape, lie back in your sleeping bag and search for shooting stars, marveling at the vast African night sky. Set camp in the evening, relax with your friends, and as the night falls over your sleeping bag, search for shooting stars.

Accommodation: Sedia Riverside Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Okavango Delta Flight
Distance: ± 280 km
Travel Time: ± 5 hours

Day 16: Maun – Okavango Delta, Botswana

Today we embark on our thrilling adventure into the Delta as we travel in safari vehicles. We then board our mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) that carry us into the depths of the Delta. A few hours later we arrive at our bush camp for lunch and set up our tents. In the afternoon we will set off on a guided walk to spot wildlife in the bush while in the evening we will be joined by the locals for some singing and dancing around the campfire. Our basic camp has a bush toilet with no shower, but you are surrounded by the beauty of nature so it is well worth it. The water rushing into the delta is extremely pure, mostly because of the lack of agriculture and industry along the Okavango River. It runs through the sand aquifers of the various delta islands and evaporates, leaving massive amounts of salt remaining. The Okavango Delta experiences seasonal flooding, which starts every mid-summer in the north and six months later in the south. During the peal floods, the islands of the Delta can completely hidden beneath the water, making an appearance again at the end of the season.

Accommodation: Okavango Delta Camping or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Mokoro Experience, Okavango Delta Excursion

Day 17: Okavango Delta – Gweta, Botswana

Admire one final sunrise as you take part in a wildlife walk in the Delta before returning back to Maun. Take the trip back in your mokoro, followed by the safari drive before arriving around lunchtime. We hop back on the overland truck and head to Gweta where we are treated to the unique experience of camping beneath beautiful old Baobab trees. The town of Gweta is located between the bigger towns of Nata and Maun, on the Makgadikgadi Pan’s rim. On arrival at our campsite, you can take a walk around and relish a nice shower or swim in the pool after a night in the bush.

Accommodation: Elephant Sands Camp or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Mokoro Experience (2 hours)
Distance: ± 240 km
Travel Time: ± 5 hours

Day 18: Gweta – Kasane, Botswana

We make our way to Chobe National Park, home to the biggest population of elephants in Southern Africa. In the afternoon, feel free to embark on an optional Chobe River Sunset Boat Cruise. Relish the incredible wildlife inland or along the river’s banks. Chobe National Park is one of the world’s last remaining large wilderness regions. In terms of size, the Chobe National Park is the third biggest reserve in the country, sporting the most diverse and fantastic fauna and flora. The reserve has the biggest elephant population in the continent with the majority forming part of the largest surviving elephant concentrations in the world.

Accommodation: Thebe River Safari Lodge Campsite or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Chobe River Sunset Cruise
Distance: ± 420 km
Travel Time: ± 6 hours

Day 19: Kasane – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Consider an early morning safari drive in Chobe, then buckle your seat belts as we cross the border today and venture into Zimbabwe at the Kazangula border post to see the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. Please ensure you have the correct visa ready at the border. The Zambezi River has eroded a passage over time which has deepened into an exit gorge forming Victoria Falls. On arrival we sit down to enjoy a traditional meal courtesy of the Lusumpuko Women’s Club. Enjoy a farm-to-table style meal with local seasonal produce while supporting the local community. Enhance your adventure by pre-booking the Chobe National Park Safari Drive. Embark on an early morning game drive within the park before crossing the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe at the Kazungula border post. Continue onward to Victoria Falls town, the perfect base for exploring the magnificent falls and participating in a variety of thrilling activities. Explore Victoria Falls, a great base from which to see the falls, as well as participate in some exciting activities.

Accommodation: Explorers Village Camping or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlight: Lusumpuko Women’s Club Lunch
Optional Activities: Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride – 15 Mins 150 USD per person, Zambezi River Sunset Cruise 57 USD per person, Chobe National Park Safari Drive, Victoria Falls Visit 50 USD per person

Day 20: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

You can spend another day viewing Victoria Falls or take part in the optional activities. Go Whitewater Rafting on the raging rapids of the Zambezi for some thrilling excitement as you navigate your way through grade 5 rapids. Lunch and transfers are included in this activity cost.

Please note: The river conditions will vary depending on the time of the year. High water season is from February to July and low water season is from August to January. Also note the heavy rains of March and April may result in a closed season for rafting. You will depart in the morning and spend the full day navigating your way through the canyon, you will also need to partake in a 45 min hike down and again back up the Batoka Gorge so be prepared with appropriate footwear.

Another popular and exciting activity is bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls bridge, or take a 15 min Helicopter flip to see Victoria Falls in all its beauty from above as the river makes its way to the gorge and plummets to the depths below. You will hopefully also be able to spot giraffes and elephants in the surrounding area. In the evening you can go on a sunset cruise to toast the end of the day.

Accommodation: Explorers Village Camping or similar
Optional Activities: Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride – 15 Mins 150 USD per person, Zambezi River Sunset Cruise 57 USD per person, Princess Laundry Service 20 USD per person, Victoria Falls Visit 50 USD, Zambezi Bungee Jump 168 USD, Victoria Falls Whitewater Rafting 120 USD per person

Day 21: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Your tour comes to an end today. For those wanting to continue the adventure, talk to your guide if you are not ready to leave yet and would like to extend your adventure and explore more of Zimbabwe.

Meals: Breakfast

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.