36-Day Southern Africa Overland Tour: Cape Town to Johannesburg

Experience the ultimate adventure with Adventure In The Wild Safaris on this 36-day Southern Africa Overland Tour. Journey from Cape Town to Johannesburg, exploring iconic landscapes, vibrant cultures, and spectacular wildlife in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, eSwatini, and Mozambique.

Quick Itinerary Overview

This extensive Southern Africa Overland Tour takes you through the highlights of the region in comfort. Stay in well-selected lodges and safari accommodations as you travel from the scenic Cape Winelands to the Namib Desert, the wildlife-rich plains of Etosha and Chobe, the magical Okavango Delta, the thunderous Victoria Falls, tropical beaches of Mozambique, and the iconic Kruger National Park.

Responsible Travel

Adventure In The Wild Safaris does not promote or support wildlife interaction activities such as lion walks or elephant rides. We are committed to ethical tourism and the protection of Africa’s wild animals. Thank you for traveling responsibly.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg Mountains – South Africa

Depart from Cape Town with a stop at Table Bay for a stunning view of Table Mountain. Journey into the rugged Cederberg Mountains and settle in at a farm lodge near Citrusdal.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Citrusdal to Orange River – Namibia

Travel through Namaqualand to Springbok, then cross into Namibia. Relax at a riverside lodge on the Orange River under the stars.

Included: Seasonal Wildflowers (July–September)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Orange River to Fish River Canyon & Keetmanshoop – Namibia

Optional canoeing on the Orange River. Visit the second-largest canyon in the world, Fish River Canyon, then overnight in Keetmanshoop.

Included: Fish River Canyon
Optional: Canoeing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Keetmanshoop to Namib Desert via Quiver Tree Forest & Giants Playground – Namibia

Explore the ancient quiver trees and unique dolerite formations of Giants Playground before heading to a desert camp on the edge of Namib-Naukluft Park.

Included: Quiver Tree Forest, Giants Playground
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Namib Desert – Namibia

Enjoy a day of leisure surrounded by desert landscapes. Optional self-guided hikes available.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Namib-Naukluft Park & Sossusvlei Dunes – Namibia

Climb Dune 45 at sunrise and explore the surreal beauty of Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and Sesriem Canyon by 4×4. Return to your desert lodge for another night under the stars.

Included: Dune 45, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Sesriem Canyon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Days 7–8: Namib Desert to Swakopmund – Namibia

Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and reach Swakopmund. Enjoy a variety of optional activities including quad biking, sandboarding, and dolphin cruises.

Included: Tropic of Capricorn
Optional: Quad Biking, Skydiving, Dolphin Cruise, and more
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (Day 7), Breakfast (Day 8)

Day 9: Swakopmund to Brandberg – Namibia

Visit Wlotskabaken and learn about desert-adapted lichens. Hike through the Tsisab River bed to see ancient rock art at Brandberg.

Included: Wlotskabaken, Lichen Fields, Brandberg Hike
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Brandberg to Etosha National Park – Namibia

Drive northeast to Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s top safari destinations. Spend the next two days spotting wildlife around the massive salt pan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 & 12: Etosha National Park – Namibia

Spend two unforgettable days exploring Etosha National Park on this Southern Africa Lodge Safari with Adventure In The Wild Safaris. Etosha’s sparse vegetation provides excellent game viewing opportunities, and our elevated overland truck allows you to scan the vast plains in search of wildlife. We’ll visit a series of waterholes where elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, and other desert-adapted species gather. Etosha is also home to more than 340 bird species and several rare animals such as the Damara dik-dik and eland.

We overnight in comfortable chalets within two of the park’s scenic rest camps.

• Included Activities: Game Drives
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

Day 13: Etosha to Divundu – Namibia

Start the day with a final morning game drive before heading northeast. As we approach the lush banks of the Kavango River, the scenery transitions from dry desert to verdant river landscapes. Tonight, we stay in a beautiful riverside lodge near the town of Divundu, providing a tranquil setting after a day of travel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14: Divundu to Maun – Botswana

Begin the morning with a relaxing boat cruise on the Kavango River, where hippos wallow and animals frequent the water’s edge. Then we journey across the Botswana border to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. We stay at a centrally located riverside lodge. An optional scenic flight over the Delta is available this evening to witness this watery wilderness from above.

• Included Activity: Morning Boat Cruise
• Optional Activity: Scenic Okavango Delta Flight
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15: Maun to Khwai River – Botswana (Okavango Delta)

This morning, opt for a scenic flight if you missed it yesterday. We transfer into 4×4 vehicles and journey to the heart of the Delta, staying in a rustic mobile tented camp in the Khwai River area. Enjoy a peaceful mokoro ride through the Delta’s reed-lined waterways with local guides, followed by a nature walk on one of the islands. Return at sunset as the golden light blankets the landscape.

• Included Activity: Sunset Mokoro Trip
• Optional Activity: Scenic Flight
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 16: Moremi Game Reserve – Botswana

Set off early for a full-day game drive through the Moremi Game Reserve, one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations. Moremi’s mix of grasslands, floodplains, and waterways is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, wild dogs, and countless bird species. This is a day packed with incredible sightings in a truly pristine wilderness.

• Included Activity: Full-Day Moremi Safari
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17: Khwai to Maun & Nata – Botswana

We retrace our steps from Khwai to Maun, where we rejoin our overland truck. The journey continues through the Kalahari Desert towards Nata, near the striking Makgadikgadi Pans. During the dry season, these vast salt pans offer hauntingly beautiful landscapes, while the wet season brings a variety of birdlife and migratory animals. Overnight at a lodge near Nata Pan.

• Included Activity: Makgadikgadi Pans Viewpoint
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 18: Nata to Kasane & Chobe National Park – Botswana

Travel northeast to Kasane, located on the edge of Chobe National Park. After lunch, enjoy a Chobe River boat cruise, one of the highlights of any Botswana safari. Watch elephants, buffalo, and antelope drink from the river while hippos and crocodiles glide through the waters — all against a backdrop of golden afternoon light.

• Included Activity: Boat Cruise in Chobe National Park
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 19 & 20: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Cross into Zimbabwe and explore the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, known locally as “The Smoke that Thunders”. Marvel at one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls from various viewpoints in Victoria Falls National Park. Optional adrenaline-filled activities include white-water rafting, bungee jumping, microlight and helicopter flights, or a tranquil sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Alternatively, enjoy village tours, shopping, and exploring the historic town.

• Optional Activities: Victoria Falls Entry, Zambezi Cruise, Bungee Jump, Helicopter Flights & more
• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (Day 19), Breakfast (Day 20)

Day 21: Victoria Falls to Francistown – Botswana

Return to Botswana and travel south to Francistown, Botswana’s second largest city. En route, we pass the Makgadikgadi Pans again. Our overnight stay is at a peaceful lodge just outside the city, where you can relax by the pool after a full day of travel.

• Meals: Breakfast

Day 22: Francistown to Johannesburg – South Africa

We journey into South Africa, traveling through bushveld and farmland as we make our way to Johannesburg, the vibrant economic heart of the country. Arrive in the city in the late afternoon and check in at a comfortable hotel for the night.

• Meals: No Meals

Day 23 & 24: Johannesburg to Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary – eSwatini

Today we leave Johannesburg for the lush hills of eSwatini. Switching from our overland truck to a small group minibus, we travel into the stunning Ezulwini Valley. For two nights, stay in the peaceful Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its relaxed ambiance and hiking trails. On Day 24, join a guided bush walk to learn about the local flora, fauna, and culture. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy optional activities like horse riding, mountain biking, or village tours.

• Included Activity: Guided Nature Walk
• Optional Activities: Horse Riding, Village Tour, Biking, and more
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (Day 23), Breakfast & Dinner (Day 24)