Cape Town to Namibia, Botswana & Kruger Overland Safari

Cape Town to Namibia, Botswana & Kruger Overland Safari

This affordable Southern Africa Camping Safari explores top wilderness areas, game parks, and travel destinations in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Starting in Cape Town, the journey includes visits to the Cape Flats, Cederberg, Namaqualand, and Gariep River. Experience Namibia’s Fish River Canyon, the world’s oldest desert, and the Namib. Visit seaside Swakopmund and see Bushman rock paintings in Spitzkoppe, before heading to Etosha National Park and the capital, Windhoek. Cross into Botswana for a Bushman walk and Okavango Delta camping. Explore Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls in Zambia, Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe, and the Greater Kruger Area in South Africa, culminating in an unforgettable game-viewing experience in Kruger National Park.

Tour Highlights:

• Cape Township Tour, Cederberg Mountains & Orange River – South Africa
• Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert & Sesriem Canyon – Namibia
• Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park & Windhoek – Namibia
• Kalahari Bushman Walk, Okavango Delta & Chobe National Park – Botswana
• Victoria Falls (Zambia) and Bulawayo & Matobo National Park (Zimbabwe)
• Limpopo, Greater Kruger & Kruger National Park – South Africa

Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg – South Africa

This budget camping safari starts in Cape Town, known as the “Mother City” of South Africa. After leaving the iconic Table Mountain behind, we travel to the Cape Flats for a township tour. Experience vibrant local culture, visit community projects, and learn about South Africa’s history. Continue north through the Western Cape, past winelands and fruit farms, with our first night camping in the northern part of the province, near Citrusdal and the Olifants River.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 260 km, 5-6 hours excluding stops

We recommend spending a few extra days in Cape Town, offering everything from outdoor adventures and wine tours to shopping and nightlife.

Day 2: Cederberg (South Africa) to Gariep (Orange) River – Namibia

Heading north, we cross into Namibia and set up camp on the Gariep River. With views of the river and the surrounding mountains, this campsite offers hot showers, flush toilets, and a bar. Enjoy a relaxing evening with the option to join a canoe safari the next morning, or simply unwind by the riverbank.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 400 km, 8-9 hours excluding stops/border crossing

Day 3: Gariep (Orange) River to Fish River Canyon – Namibia

Today, we visit the spectacular Fish River Canyon, one of Africa’s most stunning natural wonders. The canyon is 500 meters deep and stretches over 160 kilometers. Spend the afternoon exploring the canyon and capturing breathtaking views, particularly at “Hell’s Corner.” End the day camping under the stars in this awe-inspiring location.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 180 km, 4-5 hours excluding stops

Day 4: Fish River Canyon to Namib Desert – Namibia

Continue north into the Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world. We camp near Sesriem, offering a prime base for exploring Namib-Naukluft National Park. Tonight, relax under the stars while keeping an eye out for desert-adapted wildlife such as oryx.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 550 km, 11-12 hours excluding stops

Day 5: Namib-Naukluft National Park to Solitaire – Namibia

Explore the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei, including a climb up Dune 45 for panoramic views of the desert. After breakfast, take a walk through Dead Vlei and visit the stunning Sesriem Canyon before heading to the town of Solitaire for the night.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 200 km, 4-5 hours excluding stops

Days 6 – 7: Solitaire to Swakopmund – Namibia

Journey to the Atlantic coast and arrive in Swakopmund, Namibia’s premier seaside resort. This charming town, nestled between the desert and the ocean, offers a variety of adventure activities such as kayaking, quad biking, and skydiving. Explore the town, enjoy the beach, or choose from a range of optional excursions. Breakfast is included, and meals are flexible based on your activities.

• Accommodation: Dorm beds with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast x2
• Travel: 260 km, 5-6 hours excluding stops

Day 8: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe – Namibia

Departing from Swakopmund, our safari adventure takes us north into the Damaraland region of Namibia, heading towards Spitzkoppe, also known as the “Matterhorn of Namibia”. This remote area is filled with exposed granite formations, perfect for exploration, where we will discover ancient rock paintings of the Bushman tribes. The most impressive of these is the “Bushman Paradise”. The stunning rock formations reach up to 1728m above sea level, offering breathtaking views, especially at sunrise and sunset when the colors transform into intense reds.

Our Spitzkoppe Camp is situated at the base of the mountain, owned and maintained by the local community, and all proceeds from our stay support their future.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with basic shared facilities (no shower, pit latrine)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 150 km, 3-4 hours excluding stops

Days 9 – 10: Spitzkoppe to Etosha National Park – Namibia

Our next destination is Etosha National Park, the “Great White Place”, dominated by a vast salt pan. We will stay inside the park for the next two nights, camping near one of the floodlit watering holes for exciting nocturnal game viewing. Here, we will encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, and sometimes lions and hyenas.

Etosha Park spans 20,000 km² and is home to thousands of animals, including endangered species such as cheetahs and black rhinos. The park is a vital haven for over 100 mammal species and 340 bird species.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 420 km, 8-9 hours excluding stops (day 9), 250 km, full day with game drives (day 10)

Day 11: Etosha National Park to Windhoek – Namibia

We drive south to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, where you can enjoy the nightlife after a safari in the wild. Windhoek, located in the heart of Namibia, offers a blend of colonial German heritage and modern-day culture.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
• Travel: 420 km, 8-9 hours excluding stops

Day 12: Windhoek to Grobabis – Namibia

Departing from Windhoek, we travel east to Grobabis, a town in the Omaheke Region. Here, we meet the San/Bushman people and embark on a guided bush walk, learning about their ancient way of life. This ecotourism venture contributes to the sustainability of the San/Bushman community.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 310 km, 6-7 hours excluding stops

Day 13: Grobabis (Namibia) to Maun – Botswana

In the morning, we head to Maun, a lively town known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world. The delta spans 1.6 million hectares of pristine wilderness.

If time allows, enjoy an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta for stunning aerial views of this natural wonder.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 520 km, 10-12 hours excluding stops

Day 14: Maun to Okavango Delta – Botswana

We leave Maun and journey to a mokoro station to explore the delta by mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe). Accompanied by local guides, we will navigate the labyrinth of channels, observing hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife along the way.

Our camp in the Okavango Delta offers en-suite facilities and provides an immersive experience in this wetland wilderness.

• Accommodation: Twin shared pre-erected tents with en suite facilities (basic bucket shower & toilet)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 50 km, 1-2 hours excluding stops

Day 15: Okavango Delta to Maun – Botswana

After a morning in the delta, we return to Maun by mokoro and road transfer, arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to relax or enjoy an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 50 km, 1-2 hours excluding stops

Day 16: Maun to Elephant Sands, Nata – Botswana

Leaving Maun, we head towards Nata, where we visit the baobab trees of Botswana. At Elephant Sands, our unfenced camp offers thrilling opportunities to observe elephants and other wildlife up close.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 380 km, 8-9 hours excluding stops

Day 17: Nata to Kasane & Chobe – Botswana

Our journey continues to Kasane, the gateway to Chobe National Park, famous for its high elephant population. Here, we take a boat cruise along the Chobe River, spotting wildlife and birdlife as the sun sets.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 270 km, 5-6 hours excluding stops

Days 18 – 19: Chobe to Livingstone & Victoria Falls – Zambia

We cross into Zambia to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls, known as the “Smoke that Thunders”. Explore Livingstone or engage in various adventure activities like white-water rafting or bungee jumping.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast x2
• Travel: 80 km, 2-3 hours excluding stops (day 18)

Day 20: Livingstone to Matobo National Park – Zimbabwe

After crossing into Zimbabwe, we head to Matobo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the largest concentration of rhinos in Africa.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: 460 km, excluding stops/border crossing

Day 21: Matobo National Park – Zimbabwe

Enjoy a game drive and a guided nature walk in Matobo National Park, spotting rhinos, giraffes, and a variety of birds. Optional visits to ancient San paintings and the gravesite of Cecil Rhodes are also available.

• Accommodation: Camping in twin shared tents with shared facilities
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Travel: Half-day game drive

Day 22: Matobo National Park to Tshipise – South Africa

We continue south across the border into South Africa, stopping in Tshipise, where we camp next to the Honnet Nature Reserve.