Cape to Victoria Falls Camping Tour - South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe
- South Africa
- Tour
You’ll have 19 magnificent days to explore, starting off with the bustling and sophisticated city of Cape Town, South Africa, nestled between mountains, beaches and Winelands, admire the sunset at Fish River Canyon, Namibia, journey over the Namib Desert with its splendid red dunes, go on safari in Etosha National Park and visit Windhoek one of the smallest and cleanest capital cities in the world.
Read moreYou’ll have 19 magnificent days to explore, starting off with the bustling and sophisticated city of Cape Town, South Africa, nestled between mountains, beaches and Winelands, admire the sunset at Fish River Canyon, Namibia, journey over the Namib Desert with its splendid red dunes, go on safari in Etosha National Park and visit Windhoek one of the smallest and cleanest capital cities in the world.
In Botswana, you can dance with the San (Bushmen), do a mokoro excursion in the Okavango Delta, discover wildlife in Chobe National Park, and soak up the incredible views of Victoria Falls.
You’ll have several nights of camping under the African sky and transport in an Adventure Overland Safari Truck (fitted with 20 luxury seats), which will ensure that you get an unforgettable camping and accommodated experience in Africa. With time to explore on your own and a marvellous choice of included and optional activities to do, you’ll experience the beauty and diversity of Southern & East Africa.
(On this tour you will have the option to go on a 1-day fly-in Mokoro Day Trip. Please note that this is an optional activity and it is not included in the tour price. Subject to availability and weather conditions.)
Explore the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town during the day and meet your group and your Tour Leader in the evening at 18:00 to get acquainted and review your trip details.
This morning you will leave behind the delights of Cape Town and depart on the first leg of your journey into the unknown. The first overnight stop will be on a small vineyard farm in the vicinity of the Cederberg Mountains. Here grapes are produced for the local cellars and you will have the opportunity to taste and buy some of the local wines in an optional wine tasting activity.
Travel north through the Northern Cape’s vast fields of wild flowers (in bloom between August and November) and visit our Africa4us Kids Project that we run in conjunction with the local orphanage and primary school at Kamieskroon Children’s Trust. After the visit, we continue north to reach the Namibian border by midday. Head to the Namibian side of the South Africa / Namibia border. End the day with a spectacular sunset viewed from a nearby hill.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up to a quiet morning while you watch the sun rise over the Gariep River, peacefully gliding along its way. You can have a slow morning and sleep in a bit or go on an optional canoe trip down the river. Later during the morning, you travel to the Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa. As the sun slips over the canyon's rim, experience an awe-inspiring sunset to end your day of exploration.
Today is an early departure and a long drive north to the Namib Desert. On the way to Sesriem, you pass the small towns of Bethanie and Helmeringhausen and farm settlements, but other than that it will mostly just be the wide-open Namibian landscape with spectacular scenery. Arriving in the late afternoon, you will visit the Sesriem Canyon. Admire the lofty red sand dunes in the distance that form a gateway into the Namib Desert, which means "vast place."
An early departure allows you to experience a beautiful desert sunrise over the dunes. Climb the majestic Dune 45 before continuing to the entrance of Sossusvlei, a seemingly endless expanse of sand dunes. Driving through the breathtakingly- beautiful landscape you experience the meaning of the name Namib – open space. See how narrow gorges lead up to high plateaus or end abruptly in steep rock faces as you proceed toward your campsite in the region known as the Naukluft.
Today we will travel to the coastal town of Swakopmund. There will be several photo-stop opportunities along the way as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn and drive through the surreal landscapes of the Kuiseb and Gaub passes.
Swakopmund’s variety of attractions and activities cater for all tastes and styles. Take a walk along the beach and dip your toes in the icy Atlantic Ocean or visit the Kristal Gallery which boasts the largest Quartz Crystal Cluster on display in the world, weighing in at 14,100 kilogrammes. Browse the many excellent bookshops and curio shops and spoil yourself with a unique gift from the area. If adrenalin and the outdoors thrills you, you can enjoy optional activities like quad biking, sand boarding, 4x4 safaris, skydiving (weather permitting) and more.
Travel through the vast expanse of Northern Namibia to the Etosha National Park, one of Southern Africa’s most loved wildlife sanctuaries. Head out for a game drive in search of elephant, antelope and lion around various watering holes. Etosha is home to more than 100 species of mammals including the endangered black rhino. It is a birdwatcher’s paradise with species such as the famous Kori Bustard, ostrich, several vultures, and eagle species and after heavy rains, you might even find water birds such as flamingos and pelicans.
Enjoy a full day’s game drive in your air-conditioned Premium Overland Safari Vehicle. Gather memories of unique sightings that you will not likely experience again. Watch how ghostly grey-white elephants bathe themselves in the white dust of the area or zoom in on the magnificent sight of giraffes etched against a wide and open horizon.
Travel to Windhoek, Namibia's capital. Spend the last few hours of the day exploring Windhoek and its strong German influence. You will have the option to celebrate tonight at one of Windhoek’s famous restaurants.
Depart Windhoek early for a long drive through the eastern part of Namibia, crossing the border into Botswana and travelling into the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Ghanzi is the area where San (Bushmen) live who still have the knowledge of an ancient lifestyle and who are eager to welcome visitors into their almost forgotten world. In the evening, you can enjoy an optional ancient dance ritual performed around a campfire by the San and if the night is clear, enjoy the sparkling, starry skies for which Ghanzi is famous.
Enjoy an optional morning walk with the San (Bushmen) as they display their survival skills that have been passed on from generation to generation before departing Ghanzi. Arrive in Maun, Botswana's fifth largest town, after lunchtime. Once you arrive in Maun you will have the option to get a spectacular birds-eye view of the Okavango Delta from above in a small fixed wing aircraft (weather permitting). Looking down on the Delta from the aircraft, you will get a fair idea of the magnitude of this massive mix of land and water with its intricate system of channels and islands. You might also see families of elephant, giraffe, and herds of buffalo or even hippos from the air. If you skip the flight, you'll have the chance to kick back and relax at your accommodation.
To ensure the best Delta experience for our clients we have implemented two different styles or means of exploring this unique eco system. Due to the changing water levels in the Delta and dry seasons we will either explore the Delta on a Mokoro(boat) or on a 4x4 open vehicle game drive.
Set out for Elephant Sands, which is close to the Botswanan village of Nata. Elephant Sands is famous for its watering hole, voted as one of the top ten watering holes in Africa. At this watering hole, you can expect to see animals such as wild dogs, different antelope species and of course elephants that walk through the campsite searching for fresh water. This will probably be the closest you will get to these wild animals on foot.
Continue to the small town of Kasane, which is adjacent to the Chobe National Park & Chobe River. Relish the views during your included afternoon sunset boat cruise. Take your own sundowner with you as you look for wildlife on the banks of the Chobe River. Game such as elephant, buffalo, kudu, bushbuck, hippo, giraffe and sable are commonly seen along the river edge, and it's a birdwatcher’s paradise during the summer months. (You have an opportunity to go on an optional Photo Safari at your own expense, however, you would forfeit the included afternoon sunset boat cruise).
Cross into Zimbabwe and enjoy a short drive to the magnificent Victoria Falls and its charming little town. This is your home base for the next two nights. The Victoria Falls is not the widest or highest falls but is regarded as the world's biggest. It produces a breath-taking curtain of falling water as it drops into the gorge below. See why it is considered among one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Today you will have time to do some of the action-filled activities that the area offers. Bungee jump or gorge swing off the Victoria Falls Bridge that links Zambia and Zimbabwe and have a different view of the Victoria Falls at the same time. This bridge is constructed to carry railway, road, and foot traffic. For an adrenaline-filled activity closer to the Zambezi River, choose a half day or full day white water rafting adventure. Many of our groups opt to book their final evening together aboard a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River with game-viewing, beautiful scenery, and an open bar. Book a day or two extra in Victoria Falls to make the most of your stay.
Our last goodbye, a healthy breakfast and the end of another incredible tour.
Our Serviced Camping travellers are required to bring their own sleeping bag and pillow. For our Serviced Camping PLUS travellers, we will supply a sleeping bag and pillow. All passengers are required to bring their own towels.