Africa Overland Safari

Africa Safari Tour Highlights:

• South Africa: Cape Town, Table Mountain & the Cape of Good Hope, the scenic Namaqualand region, Augrabies Falls National Park
• Namibia: The Kalahari Desert in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, UNESCO World Heritage listed Fish River Canyon, walking the giant dunes of Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert, Swakopmund, game drives in Etosha National Park
• Botswana: Game walks, mokoros ride & boat trips in the Okavango Delta, The Okavango River, game drive & sunset game viewing cruise on the Chobe River
• Zimbabwe: Majestic Victoria Falls

This sample itinerary travels from Cape Town to Victoria Falls (Northbound), some dates are the reverse direction from Victoria Falls to Cape Town (Southbound).

Please note: This tour is recommended for healthy, active participants looking for an adventurous holiday.

Days 1-2: Arrive Cape Town, South Africa

Welcome to Cape Town.  Your first day is at leisure until you meet your group at 6pm at your hotel. The next day you will leave early for a full day Cape Peninsula tour, driving along the Atlantic seaboard via Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak to visit Table Mountain National Park – Cape Point, and returning along the Indian Ocean coastline. Another highlight to your visit is riding the cable car up Table Mountain for incredible panoramic views of the coast and region (weather dependent).

Day 3: Cape Town to Namaqualand

Leave Cape Town and travel through the picturesque Namaqualand region. You will overnight at the foot of the Van Ryns Pass. During the months of August – October the landscape is transformed into an explosion of colour due to the numerous wild flowers of the region. You will also have the opportunity to sample the local wines during a wine tasting at the guesthouse (additional expense). Approximate distance travelled: 270km

Day 4: Little Karoo to Augrabies Falls National Park and Kakamas

Leaving the Little Karoo, travel north to Augrabies Falls National Park. Pass through a lush oasis area with an abundance of wine farms. Here the mighty Orange River plummets 56m into the gorge below. The local name for these majestic falls is ‘Aukoerebis’ or ‘place of great noise’. Spend the afternoon enjoying the falls from its many viewpoints. Approximate distance travelled: 480km

Days 5-6: Kakamas (South Africa) to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana)

Today head north into the Kalahari and the magnificent Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Covering over 3.6 million hectares, this is one of the largest reserves in Africa. Due to sparse vegetation, this area is excellent for sighting predators including the famous black mane Lion. Here you will enjoy morning and afternoon game drives inside the park. Approximate distance travelled: 350km

Day 7: Kalahari (Botswana) to Fish River Canyon (Namibia)

Leave the Kalahari region and head west and enter Namibia arriving at our lodge located in a beautiful scenic location. Afternoon or early the next morning you visit UNESCO world heritage site Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest and in the world after the Grand Canyon. This gigantic ravine is up to 27km wide and has depths of up to 5oom and is part of Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. Approximate distance travelled: 470km

Days 8-9: Fish River Canyon to Sesriem (Namibia)

Journey north through the changing scenery to your accommodation on the edge of the Namib Desert. The following morning depart early morning for Sossusvlei, stopping in the dune belt to witness the changing colours of the world’s highest sand dunes. Take a 5km walk to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon. Approximate distance travelled: 520km

Day 10: Sesriem to Swakopmund (Namibia)

Travel to the coast at Walvis Bay and enjoy lunch while viewing the flamingos feeding. You will arrive in Swakopmund to spend the afternoon and following morning exploring this German colonial town.  Here you may choose an optional excursion (additional expense) such as dolphin cruises or scenic sightseeing flights over the vast Namib Desert. Approximate distance travelled: 380km

Day 11: Swakopmund to Damaraland (Namibia)

Today you will drive inland through the Damaraland region with its vast and rugged terrain. The mountain ranges are intercepted by wide gravel plains, which run into sandy, vegetated riverbeds and hot, dry valleys. Your lodge is located on top of a mountain with spectacular views of the surrounding area. Spend the late afternoon at your leisure taking in the incredible setting.  Approximate distance travelled: 380km

Days 12-13: Damaraland to Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Today you travel to Etosha National Park, one of the key game reserves and sanctuaries in Africa with thousands of wild animals that inhabit this land such as Zebra, Cheetah, Blue Wildebeest, Springbok, Kudu, Giraffe, Leopard, Lion and Elephant. On day 13, switch to open 4×4 vehicles for another game drive. Approximate distance travelled: 220km

Day 14: Etosha to Okavango River, Rundu (Namibia)

Depart Etosha and enter the Caprivi Strip area to spend the night amongst the lush bush vegetation overlooking the Okavango River and Angola. Here you have the option to take an afternoon boat cruise on the river (additional expense). Approximate distance travelled: 415km

Days 15-16: Rundu (Namibia) to Okavango Delta (Botswana)

Continuing into the Caprivi Strip, you will cross the border to Botswana today and travel to your next lodge located on the edge of the Okavango Delta. The next day, travel by mokoro & boat excursions in the back channels of the Nxamasire area of the Okavango Delta. You can also do game walks on the smaller islands in the area (subject to water levels of the delta).

Days 17-18: Caprivi Strip to Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Travel through the Caprivi Strip in Namibia and cross the border back into Botswana via the Chobe National Park.  You will spend the night on the banks of the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and incredible abundance of wildlife and birdlife.

On Day 18, you will enjoy a morning game drive followed by a sunset game-viewing cruise on the Chobe River. Approximate distance travelled: 540km

Day 19: Chobe (Botswana) to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Cross the Zimbabwean border to Victoria Falls, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “the smoke that thunders” today.  This is one of the most spectacular sights in Africa and the largest sheet of falling water in the world. It is also one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

You have the afternoon and next morning at your leisure to browse the local markets or choose an optional excursion (additional expense) in the adrenalin capital of Africa.  Approximate distance travelled: 90km

Day 20: Depart Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Your Africa overland adventure finishes today.

Weather & Wildlife – When to Visit:

The seasons in Africa provide totally different experiences in terms of weather and wildlife viewing, see below to give you an idea of what to expect on this journey.

Here is a sample of some of the other Africa vacations we offer, we can also tailor a trip for you:

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Best of South Africa, Swaziland & Lesotho – 20 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Wild Uganda – 11 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Botswana & Zimbabwe – 10 Day Small Group Safari Tour

South Africa Garden Route – 8 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Wild Tanzania – 7 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Luxury South Africa Safari – 7 Day Vacation Package

Madagascar Beaches & Lemurs – 8 Day Vacation Package