21 Day Victoria Falls to Cape Town Overland Adventure

Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

You are welcome to arrive at any time.

Tonight, you will have the opportunity to further explore Victoria Falls with your guide and group. After your welcome meeting, enjoy a drink at Shearwater Village. Take time to relax, listen to the rushing sound of the waterfalls, enjoy a beer, and get to know your fellow travelers as your journey begins.

Accommodation: Explorers Village Camping (or similar

Day 2: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

During this free day at Victoria Falls, you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the world’s largest waterfalls. Make your day as relaxing or as thrilling as you choose. Take in the sound of tons of water thundering over the edge of the falls in the distance as you enjoy the strength of the water splashing against your skin on the observation deck.

There are many activities you can do in the vicinity of Victoria Falls, including whitewater rafting, helicopter flights over the falls (epic selfies anyone? ), and bungee jumping. You don’t want to turn your hair gray today? (Oh my gosh… even just thinking about that makes our heads spin and our palms sweat!) Don’t want to turn your hair gray today? In either case, the choice is yours, but you are here right now, so why not try something new?

The Victoria Falls serves as a great base for exploring both the natural wonders of the area and taking part in some exciting activities. Get up close and personal with the spectacular Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, or bungee jump (again, with Victoria Falls visible).

Accommodation: Explorers Village Camping (or similar)
Optional Activities: Victoria Falls Whitewater Rafting 130 USD per person, Zambezi River Sunset Cruise, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride – 15min, Victoria Falls Visit 30 USD per person, Zambezi bungee Jump 160 USD per person

Day 3: Victoria Falls – Kasane, Botswana

We leave Victoria Falls and cross the boarder into 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 game drive through the Park (50USD), or better yet, an optional Chobe River Sunset Boat Cruise (50USD). Either way 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 NP 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 Safaris Camping (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Chobe River Sunset Cruise, Chobe National Park Safari Drive, Evening Photo Safari on Chobe River – 130 USD
Distance: 2 – 3 hours travelling time

Day 4: Kasane – Gweta, Botswana

We wake up early this morning and travel south 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. During rainy seasons, the pans fill up bringing life to the dormant aquatic life from the mud. The lush grasslands also boast with life and is home to an abundance of antelope attracting a variety of predators.

Accommodation: Planet Baobab (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 350 km (7 hours travelling time)

Day 5: Gweta – Maun, Botswana

As the sun rises behind massive baobab trees, varying shades of pinks, oranges, and reds tint the landscape. There is something magical about being completely isolated from the rest of the world in the middle of nowhere… take advantage of that moment. We will then travel to Maun where the adventure continues! Take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta for a bird’s-eye view of the fertile lands at your feet or set up camp, enjoy a drink with friends or take to the air and enjoy a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. Experience the rush of excitement as you soar through the sky in search of wildlife.

During checkout, you will have the option to add the Okavango Delta Flight extra or contact your travel agent.

Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta and enjoys the reputation of being the premier town of Botswana. It was initially founded in 1915 by the Batawana, with the name ‘Maun’ meaning ‘place of reeds’. Though officially still a village, Maun is the fifth biggest town in Botswana. It is a diverse combination of contemporary structures and traditional huts. Maun is renowned as the tourism capital of Botswana and the administrative hub of the Ngamiland district. The town has swiftly grown from a rural town, stretching along the Thamalakane River. However, it still manages to maintain a rural atmosphere and local tribesmen continue to lead their cattle to the town to sell.

Accommodation: Sedia Riverside Camping (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activity: Okavango Delta Flight – 120 USD
Distance: 5 hours travelling time

Day 6: Maun – Okavango Delta, Botswana

We pack and prepare for our one night/two day excursion into the Okavango Delta. We encourage all tavellers to bring along a 5 litre bottle of water to take on the excursion – This should be plenty water for both drinking and cleaning purposes.

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.

Accommodation: Okavango Delta Camping (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Mokoro Experience, Okavango Delta Excursion
Distance: 2 hours in the Mokoro, 1 hour in the safari vehicle

Day 7: Maun – Ghanzi, Botswana

As you make your way back to Maun, bid goodbye to the shores of the Okavango Delta and board a mokoro with your friends. As you make your way back towards civilization, you may be able to find wildlife in the reeds along the river. Take a scenic drive through Botswana’s western portion to Ghanzi, which is located in the heart of the Kalahari Desert. On an optional bushman walk, you will have the opportunity to learn how the local San People adapted to life in the Kalahari Desert. The instructors will teach you wilderness survival skills in an uninhabitable environment.

Accommodation: Thakadu Bush Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights: Mokoro Experience
Distance: 285 km (2 hours in the Mokoro, 1 hour in the safari vehicle, 4 – 5 hours in the overland vehicle)

Day 8: Ghanzi –  Windhoek, Botswana

You should stretch your legs, wave goodbye to the San people, and then board the overland vehicle for Windhoek. As you cross the border into Namibia, laugh, reflect, and listen to one another’s stories. Get a meal together in the evening and cross another country off your travel list.

Accommodation: Urban Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance:285 km  (8 – 9 hours travel time)

Day 9: Windhoek – Waterberg Plateau, 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, we 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: NWR Waterberg Campsite (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight:  Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop
Distance: 305 km (4 – 5 hours travelling time)

Day 10: Waterberg Plateau – 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. 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 750NAD.

Accommodation: Etosha National Park Okaukuejo Restcamp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Etosha National Park Wildlife Safari Drive in the Overland truck
Optional Activity: Etosha National Park Open Vehicle Wildlife Night Safari – 750 NAD
Distance: 300 km (4 – 5 hours travelling time)

Day 11: Etosha National Park, Namibia

Today is a full day of driving in the park in search of wildlife such as lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, and hyenas. There is again the option of joining in on an Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive (660NAD) with a naturalist guide who will take you in search of wildlife at dusk and into the early evening to view the nocturnal wildlife.

Accommodation: Etosha NP Okaukuejo Restcamp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Etosha National Park Wildlife Safari Drive in the Overland truck
Optional Activity: Etosha National Park Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive – 660 NAD

Day12 : Etosha National Park – Spitzkoppe, Namibia

In the morning we make our way south 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 Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 435 km (7 – 8 hours travelling time)

Day 13: Spitzkoppe – Swakopmund, Namibia

Leaving Spitzkoppe we travel through the coastal region on our way to Swakopmund – the adrenaline capital. 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: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance: 425 km (7 – 8 hours travelling time)

Day 14: Swakopmund, Namibia

Today is free for you to explore Swakopmund and it’s many activities on offer:

• Sandboarding in the Namib Desert 700NAD per person – Grab a board and sail down the dunes for an adrenaline kick of note
• Skydiving in Swakopmund – Take a plummet into the skies of Namibia with your trusted and skilled instructor
• Swakopmund Guided Cultural Tour 550NAD per person – Enjoy a historical guided tour of the back streets of Swakopmund and visit the home of a local ethic Herero woman. Sip on local brews at a ‘shebeen’ (pub).
• Skeleton Coast Scenic Flight 4800NAD per person – Get a bird’s eye view of the ship wrecks, Damaraland and the unusual Spitzkoppe rock formations

Accommodation: Amanpuri Backpackers (or similar)
Meals: No meals will be provided today, offering you the chance to sample the local cuisine.

Day 15: Swakopmund – Namib Desert, Namibia

A long day of travelling awaits as we make our way to our camp on the edge of the Namib Desert, arriving in the afternoon. This is a truly remote area, giving you a sense of being alone with nature. You have the option of a desert walk with a local expert and learn about the desert and its mysteries.

Accommodation: Namib Desert Camp Boesman (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 300 km (7 hours travelling time)

Day 16: Namib Desert, Namibia

This morning we explore Sesriem Canyon before continuing onto the desert dunes where we climb the famous Dune 45. 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.

We will be visiting Sossusvlei today which is a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes and surrounding ancient dead trees. The Tsauchab River flows through the Sesriem Canyon every 5 – 10 years, thereby creating the nearby salt and clay pan of Sossusvlei. You can take an optional guided walk around the dunes or explore the area on your own.

Upon returning to your campsite, gather around the braai for a meal before retiring for the night with a view of the mountain shadows in the distance

Accommodation: Sossus Oasis Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Sesriem Canyon Visit and Dune 45 climb
Optional Activities: Sossusvlei Desert Walk – 180 NAD, Namib Desert Walk – 320 NAD
Distance: 5 hours travelling time

Day 17: Namib Desert – Fish River Canyon, Namibia

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.

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.

Accommodation: Hobas Campsite (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Fish River Canyon Sunset Visit
Distance: 560 km (9 – 10 hours travelling time)

Day 18: Fish River Canyon – Orange River, South Africa

Making our way south, we cross the border into South Africa travelling to the banks of the Orange River where we will set up camp.

Following camp setup, we indulge in some early evening swimming, unwinding and maybe even some river canoeing (optional). Or just sit by the banks and watch the water wind it’s way to some heavy rapids.

Accommodation: Fiddlers Creek Rest Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Canoeing on Orange River – 400 ZAR, Swimming
Distance: 180 km (5 hours travelling time)

Day 19: Orange River – Cederberg, South Africa

Witness the large plantations of natural rooibos tea and marvel at the beautiful Western Cape scenery. We travel south to our camp on a local farm in the Cederberg Mountain area. Here, we visit a local vineyard, do some wine tasting and spend time exploring the camp surrounds in this stunning area of South Africa. There is also a swimming pool at the campsite where you can chill out.

Accommodation: Highlands Campsite (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Wine tasting – 140 ZAR
Distance: 390 km (6 – 7 hours travelling time)

Day 20: Cederberg – Cape Town, South Africa

Before making our way to the cosmopolitan Cape Town, we visit !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.

Upon our early afternoon arrival in Cape Town, enjoy the majestic views of Table Mountain and opt to go on a final night out with the group.

Please note: We highly recommend booking an extra night or two in Cape Town before your flight home in order to fully explore this vibrant city.

Accommodation: Never at Home (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlight: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre
Distance: 300 km (5 hours travelling time)

Day 21: Cape Town, South Africa

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today however, we encourage you to spend an extra night in Cape Town to experience everything that the beautiful city has to offer.

Meals: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Wine tour and tasting – 1295 ZAR, Table Mountain Cable Car 300 – 380 ZAR, Table Mountain Hike – 720– 1700 ZAR, Two Oceans Aquarium – 220 ZAR, Cape Point and Boulders Beach Tour – 1100 ZAR, Tandem Paragliding – 1500 ZAR, Table Mountain Abseiling – 1350 ZAR, Sandboarding in the Atlantis Dunes – 900 ZAR.

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.