26-Day Southern Africa Lodge Overland Tour
Experience the ultimate Southern Africa safari with Adventure In The Wild Safaris on this affordable 26-day lodge overland tour. Travel from Cape Town to Johannesburg, exploring the best highlights of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. This immersive journey includes scenic landscapes, iconic deserts, thrilling wildlife safaris, and cultural encounters while staying in comfortable lodges and safari camps throughout.
Tour Highlights:
- Start in the vibrant city of Cape Town and journey through the Cederberg Mountains
- Marvel at Namibia’s Fish River Canyon, the red dunes of Sossusvlei, and wildlife in Etosha National Park
- Explore the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana
- Witness Victoria Falls and discover Zimbabwe’s top safari parks and heritage sites
- End your Southern Africa safari in Johannesburg, South Africa
Why Choose This Southern Africa Safari Tour?
This expertly crafted overland safari is perfect for those seeking an affordable yet immersive African lodge tour. Travel with professional guides and like-minded adventurers while experiencing the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Southern Africa.
Responsible Travel Commitment
Adventure In The Wild Safaris does not support or promote unethical wildlife interaction such as lion walking or elephant riding. We advocate for responsible and sustainable tourism to protect Africa’s incredible wildlife.
Itinerary Overview:
Day 1: Cape Town to Citrusdal – South Africa
Depart from Cape Town and enjoy views of Table Mountain before heading to the Cederberg Mountains. Overnight in a charming guesthouse by the Olifant’s River.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Cederberg to Orange River – Namibia
Travel through Namaqualand and cross into Namibia. Overnight at a riverside lodge on the Gariep River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Orange River to Fish River Canyon & Keetmanshoop – Namibia
Optional canoe trip on the river. Visit Fish River Canyon, then overnight in Keetmanshoop.
Included: Fish River Canyon
Optional: Canoe Trip
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Quiver Tree Forest & Giants Playground – Namibia
Explore ancient quiver trees and surreal rock formations. Continue into the Namib Desert for a lodge stay near Namib-Naukluft Park.
Included: Quiver Tree Forest & Giants Playground
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Namib Desert – Namibia
Relax and enjoy optional self-guided walks from the desert lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Sossusvlei & Deadvlei – Namibia
Climb Dune 45, explore Sossusvlei and Deadvlei by 4×4, and take in the desert beauty of Namib-Naukluft Park.
Included: Dune 45, 4×4 to Sossusvlei & Deadvlei
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Days 7-8: Swakopmund – Namibia
Guided desert walk and transfer to Swakopmund. Enjoy optional adventure activities like sandboarding, skydiving, or dolphin cruises.
Included: Guided desert walk, Tropic of Capricorn
Optional: Quad biking, Skydiving, Cruises
Meals: Day 7: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner / Day 8: Breakfast
Day 9: Khorixas – Namibia
Visit lichen fields, Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings, and the Petrified Forest. Overnight in the Khorixas region.
Included: Twyfelfontein, Petrified Forest, Lichen Fields
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Etosha National Park – Namibia
First game drive in Etosha, home to elephants, lions, and unique salt pans. Overnight at a park rest camp.
Included: Game Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Days 11-12: Etosha National Park – Namibia
Two full days of safari in Etosha National Park. Visit waterholes, enjoy guided game drives, and relax at floodlit camps.
Included: Full-day Game Drives
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)
Day 13: Etosha to Divundu – Namibia
Morning game drive then travel to the lush Kavango River. Overnight at a riverside lodge in Divundu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Divundu to Maun – Botswana
Early morning boat cruise on the Kavango River. Enter Botswana and head to Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Divundu to Maun – Botswana
We begin our day with a relaxing boat cruise on the Kavango River, offering a chance to spot crocodiles, hippos, and other riverine wildlife. This serene experience sets the tone as we transition into Botswana, the next leg of our Southern Africa Lodge Overland Tour. Our journey takes us to Maun, a frontier town known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Optional scenic flights over the Delta may be available, offering a bird’s-eye view of this remarkable inland wetland.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15 & 16: Okavango Delta – Botswana
We venture deep into the legendary Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for an immersive delta experience. Traveling by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), we glide through reed-lined channels and tranquil lagoons teeming with birdlife and wildlife. A local guide leads a nature walk, offering insights into the Delta’s ecosystem and wildlife behavior.
Overnight stays in our comfortable tented bush camp provide a real wilderness experience. This unforgettable part of our Southern Africa Lodge Overland Tour highlights the raw beauty of Botswana’s iconic delta.
Included Activities: Mokoro ride & Nature walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (both days)
Day 17: Okavango Delta to Maun – Botswana
We return to Maun by road, enjoying the changing landscapes of the delta fringe. Optional activities in the afternoon include a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta for incredible aerial photography. Tonight, we relax at our lodge and reflect on the serene beauty of the delta.
Optional Activity: Scenic flight over the Delta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 18: Maun to Makgadikgadi Pans – Botswana
Our Southern Africa Lodge Overland Tour heads east to the surreal Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, one of the world’s largest salt flats. We explore this vast expanse of glittering white salt and open sky. Depending on the season, you might witness large flocks of flamingos or zebra migrations. In the afternoon, we enjoy a short nature walk and marvel at the stark, lunar-like landscape.
Included Activity: Nature walk on the pans
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 19 & 20: Chobe National Park – Botswana
We journey north to Kasane, gateway to Chobe National Park, known for its large herds of elephants. On Day 19, we enjoy a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River, offering unique views of wildlife gathering at the riverbanks. Day 20 features a morning game drive through the park’s lush floodplains and woodlands. Chobe offers incredible photo opportunities, especially of elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife.
Included Activities: Chobe River boat cruise & Game drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (both days)
Day 21 & 22: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
We cross into Zimbabwe and travel to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (The Smoke That Thunders), the falls offer breathtaking views and thrilling optional activities like bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, and helicopter flights. Day 21 includes a guided visit to the falls. The next day is free to explore the town and choose from various adventure activities.
Included Activity: Victoria Falls National Park
Optional Activities: Whitewater rafting, Scenic flights, Bungee jumping, and more
Meals: Breakfast (both days)
Day 23: Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe
We continue to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest and most diverse game reserve. The park is home to over 100 species of mammals and 400 bird species. In the afternoon, we embark on a thrilling game drive in search of elephants, lions, wild dogs, and more. Our comfortable lodge is located in a private concession bordering the park.
Included Activity: Afternoon game drive in Hwange
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 24: Hwange to Matobo National Park – Zimbabwe
Our Southern Africa Lodge Overland Tour continues south to Matobo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic granite hills and ancient San rock art. We enjoy an afternoon game drive and rhino tracking experience with a professional guide. Matobo is one of the few places in Africa where you can still track rhinos on foot.
Included Activity: Rhino tracking in Matobo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 25: Great Zimbabwe Ruins – Zimbabwe
We travel east to visit the impressive Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the largest ancient stone structure south of the Sahara. These UNESCO-listed ruins date back to the 11th century and give insight into the powerful Kingdom of Zimbabwe. Our guided tour explores the Hill Complex, Great Enclosure, and Valley Ruins.
Included Activity: Guided tour of Great Zimbabwe
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 26: Return to Johannesburg – South Africa
On the final day of our Southern Africa Lodge Overland Tour with Adventure In The Wild Safaris, we travel south into Limpopo Province in South Africa, crossing the border where the Limpopo and Sashe Rivers meet. This tri-border region marks the point where South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe converge. Our tour ends in Johannesburg in the late afternoon, bringing an end to this unforgettable journey through Southern Africa’s most iconic landscapes and wildlife regions.
Meals: Breakfast
Important Travel Note – Responsible Wildlife Tourism
Adventure In The Wild Safaris is committed to ethical and responsible travel. We do not support or promote any wildlife interaction activities that place tourists in direct contact with captive animals such as lion cub petting or elephant riding. We encourage you to read our blog post on why responsible wildlife tourism is critical for Africa’s wild animals.