20-Day Cape Town to Victoria Falls Africa Overland Tour
Embark on the ultimate Africa Overland Tour, traveling from Cape Town in South Africa to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. This 20-day adventure takes you through the dramatic Cederberg Mountains, Namibia’s deserts and national parks, Botswana’s pristine Okavango Delta, and ends with a spectacular finish at the mighty Victoria Falls. Enjoy diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and thrilling wildlife encounters on one of the best overland tours in Africa.
Quick Itinerary Overview
This Cape Town to Victoria Falls Africa Overland Tour covers top destinations in Southern Africa. Highlights include:
- South Africa: Cape Town, Cederberg Mountains, Namaqualand
- Namibia: Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast, Brandberg, Etosha National Park
- Botswana: Makgadikgadi Pans, Okavango Delta, Khwai River, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe River
- Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg, South Africa
Begin your Africa Overland Tour by departing Cape Town. Admire views of Table Mountain before traveling north to the rugged Cederberg Mountains. Spend the night in a guesthouse near Citrusdal and enjoy a welcome dinner and tour briefing.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Cederberg to Namaqualand & Orange River, Namibia
Drive through Namaqualand, famous for its seasonal wildflowers, en route to the Gariep (Orange) River. Cross the border into Namibia and settle into your riverside lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Orange River to Keetmanshoop, Namibia
Enjoy optional canoeing on the Orange River, then travel to the majestic Fish River Canyon before heading to Keetmanshoop for an overnight stay.
Included: Fish River Canyon
Optional: Canoeing on the Orange River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Keetmanshoop to Namib Desert
Visit the Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground, then continue your Africa Overland Tour to the heart of the Namib Desert. Overnight at a lodge with pool and bar facilities.
Included: Quiver Tree Forest, Giants Playground
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Namib Desert Rest Day
Relax and enjoy the desert setting or explore with self-guided walks.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Sossusvlei, Deadvlei & Sesriem Canyon
Climb Dune 45, explore Sossusvlei and Deadvlei by 4×4, and visit Sesriem Canyon. Return to your lodge for a night under the stars.
Included: Dune 45, Sossusvlei & Deadvlei, Sesriem Canyon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Namib Desert to Swakopmund
Take a guided desert walk to learn about the ancient San survival techniques. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and arrive in Swakopmund for seaside adventures.
Included: Desert Walk, Tropic of Capricorn, Dinner at Local Restaurant
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Swakopmund Free Day
Enjoy optional adventure activities such as quad biking, sandboarding, or dolphin cruises, or explore German-influenced culture and architecture in this charming town.
Optional: Sandboarding, Skydiving, Boat Cruises
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Swakopmund to Brandberg
Travel along the Skeleton Coast, visit Wlotskabaken and Lichen Fields, then hike to see the ancient rock art in the Brandberg Mountains.
Included: Skeleton Coast stops, Brandberg Hike, Rock Art
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Brandberg to Etosha National Park
Enter the world-famous Etosha National Park and enjoy your first game drive, spotting Africa’s iconic wildlife in a dramatic salt pan setting.
Included: Afternoon Game Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11–12: Etosha National Park Safari
Spend two full days on game drives in Etosha, tracking lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, and more. Evening visits to floodlit waterholes offer unique wildlife viewing experiences.
Included: Full-Day Game Drives
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Etosha National Park to Kavango River – Namibia
After a final game drive in Etosha National Park, our Africa Overland Tour leaves the arid plains behind as we head east to the lush Kavango Region. Our journey takes us through rural Namibian villages and scenic woodlands until we reach our riverside lodge on the banks of the Kavango River. This river marks the border between Namibia and Angola, and its fertile floodplains are teeming with life. Spend the afternoon relaxing, bird watching, or enjoying the river view at our tranquil lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Kavango River to Okavango Delta – Botswana
We cross into Botswana and travel to the edge of the world-renowned Okavango Delta. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest inland deltas in the world and a jewel of the Botswana safari circuit. We switch to mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) for an authentic and serene journey through the narrow waterways. Glide silently past water lilies and reeds, spotting birds and wildlife. Our local polers and guides lead us to our remote tented bush camp, where we spend the night under the stars.
Included Activity: Mokoro trip and bush camping in the Okavango Delta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15: Okavango Delta to Maun – Botswana
We enjoy a peaceful nature walk in the Okavango Delta in the morning, guided by locals who will help us interpret animal tracks and signs. After returning to our dugout canoes, we glide back to the poling station before rejoining our Africa Overland Tour vehicle and heading to Maun, the gateway town to the Delta. Optional scenic flights over the Okavango Delta are available for a breathtaking aerial view of this unique ecosystem.
Optional Activity: Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 16: Maun to Khwai River Area – Botswana
We venture deeper into the wildlife-rich wilderness areas of northern Botswana today. Driving via Moremi Game Reserve, we head into the Khwai River Area—renowned for its abundant wildlife and predator sightings. This region borders the Okavango Delta and shares its exceptional biodiversity. We enjoy our first game drive in this prime safari destination, keeping an eye out for elephants, lions, leopards, and wild dogs.
Included Activity: Game drive in the Khwai River Area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 17: Khwai River to Chobe National Park – Botswana
Early this morning, we embark on another exciting game drive in the Khwai area. Then we travel to the legendary Chobe National Park. Known for its large elephant herds, Chobe offers fantastic safari experiences. This afternoon, we embark on a Chobe River cruise—one of the highlights of this Africa Overland Tour. Watch elephants wade into the water, crocodiles bask on the banks, and hippos wallow in the shallows as the sun sets over the river.
Included Activity: Morning game drive & Chobe River sunset cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 18: Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
We cross the border into Zimbabwe and drive to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – Victoria Falls. Locally known as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” or “The Smoke That Thunders,” Victoria Falls is an awe-inspiring sight. After arriving in the town of Victoria Falls, you’ll have time to explore the vibrant local markets or book one of the many optional adventure activities available here, including bungee jumping, white-water rafting, or a scenic helicopter flight over the falls.
Included Activity: Entry to Victoria Falls National Park
Optional Activities: Bungee jumping, helicopter flights, white-water rafting
Meals: Breakfast
Day 19: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
This is a free day to enjoy the adventure capital of Africa. Take part in adrenaline-pumping excursions, explore the rainforest trails around the falls, or simply relax and soak up the vibe of this lively town. Victoria Falls offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, thrilling experiences, and local culture—an unforgettable stop on our Africa Overland Tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 20: Victoria Falls – End of Africa Overland Tour
Our epic 20-day Africa Overland Tour comes to an end after breakfast today. If you wish to extend your adventure, post-tour accommodation and activities can be arranged. Your guide can assist with airport transfers or provide recommendations for onward travel. Depart Victoria Falls with incredible memories of diverse landscapes, wildlife encounters, and cultural experiences across southern Africa.
Meals: Breakfast