This trip begins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and travels south through Botswana and Namibia before ending in Cape Town, South Africa.
This trip departs from Victoria Falls on Sunday morning. Should you wish to explore Victoria Falls, an earlier arrival should be planned and accommodation can booked through us
DAY 1: Victoria Falls (NM) Today is spent relaxing or participating in a myriad of Optional Excursions. Named after the famous World Heritage site and Water Falls, the town of Victoria Falls is situated on the Zambezi River and surrounded by the Victoria Falls National Park. Our campsite is conveniently situated in the centre of town, and within walking distance of the adventure booking agents, restaurants and shops. A 20 minute walk down the main road takes you to the entry point to view the falls, which are situated between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), was named by David Livingstone on his explorations, and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1700 m wide and around 100 m high, this is the world's largest sheet of falling water and a memorable sight on any African Safari! After our adventure activities briefing (see price guide at the end of this document for options), the day is spent relaxing at the campsite’s swimming pool, viewing the Victoria Falls, or exploring the many sights and delights of this town! White water rafting in the Batoka Gorge is considered to be world class. Besides the excitement of the grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats", where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.
OPTIONAL Excursions include elephant back safaris, horseback safaris, walking with lions, a visit to the crocodile ranch, boat cruises and golf at The Elephant Hills Resort. Adrenalin junkies can bungee from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia or abseil down the Batoka Gorge - neither activity is for the faint hearted! All year round, flights in fixed wing, micro light and ultra light aircraft or helicopters provide an aerial perspective over this magnificent World Heritage Site. White water rafting on the Zambezi is world class. Beside the excitement of the Grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats," where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and the occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.
DAY 2: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park (Botswana) (B / L / D) After breakfast we cross the border into Botswana and head to Kasane where we have a chance to explore the town of Kasane. After lunch, once we are packed and prepared, we leave for our Chobe National Park Overnight Mobile excursion – an overnight experience in the wilds of the Chobe National park. Chobe is one of Botswana’s premier game parks, renowned for its large elephant herds. Spend the afternoon in search of wildlife while we game drive to our camp within the park where we spend the evening surrounded by the night-time noises of the local wildlife. Look out for the rare Sable and Roan Antelope on your game drive, with their majestic backward slanting horns, or try keep a count of the Lilac Breasted Roller’s that swoop by! After our night in the bush, we head out early to continue our search for wildlife, before packing up the camp and heading back to Kasane.
DAY 3: Chobe National Park (B / L / D) Once returning to camp, we have a bit of free time to relax and after lunch; we head off on a boat cruise along the Chobe River. The Chobe River forms a natural border between Botswana, Namibia and Zambia and is the main water source to the Chobe National Park. Elephant, hippo and many bird species can be viewed from the boat while we watch a glorious African sunset.
DAY 4: Chobe National Park to Maun (B / L / D) Heading out early, we cross the western end of the Chobe National Park area along the main route in a south-westerly direction to the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta and our destination, Maun. On our route, we have routine stops to at Botswana’s ‘meat’ borders – check points that were set up to protect its thriving beef export industry from the spread of disease. Maun is the starting point for travel into the Delta and it is from here that we set off to explore the Okavango Delta. Tonight we prepare our provisions and packs for our 2 night excursion. We suggest bringing along a smaller daypack on your trip which can be used to pack the supplies needed for this short excursion. Your trip leader will brief you fully on what is needed, and what to expect prior to your trip into the Delta.
DAY 5: Maun to Okavango Delta (OPTIONAL) (B / L / D) The Delta is a huge expanse of water, which has travelled from the Angolan highlands, spreading out to form the largest inland delta in the world. Studded with exotic islands, The Delta is renowned for its incredible variety of bird life and animals and is unique to Southern Africa.
Here we have the opportunity to take the optional 3 Day / 2 Night Drive in Mokoro Excursion into the Delta. After an early rise, we pack our expedition vehicle and from Maun we drive north for a couple of hours to reach the mokoro poler’s station. The Delta region is studded with many local villages where many families live in a traditional way. Some of the villages are very remote and can only be reached by the traditional mode of transport – the Mokoro. Mokoros are dugout canoes manoeuvred through the waterways by local guides who “pole” them through the reeds. At the Mokoro station, we meet our ‘polers’ and pack our supplies before heading out into the waterways. After a couple of hours along the waterways, our guides find us a place to camp, and later in the afternoon we set off on an afternoon game walk, allowing us to experience The Delta wilderness. The camp is situated in an open wilderness area with no ablution facilities.
For those who’d prefer not to explore The Delta, spend the next 2 days at the lovely campsite relaxing by the swimming pool or challenging each other to a game of volleyball. There is also a crocodile farm nearby that has it’s feeding times open to campsite visitors. The driver and cook remain behind in Maun during the excursion.
DAY 6: Okavango Delta (B / L / D) A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. Today we have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including swimming, game walks, mokoro cruises and even a chance to try our hands at poling our own mokoro! There is also ample time to relax and rest during the hotter hours of the day, so challenge your new friends to a game of cards, or chat with your guides about their culture and lifestyle, or simply lie back and enjoy the sounds of the surrounding wilderness...
DAY 7: Okavango Delta to Maun (B / L / D) This morning affords us a final opportunity for a game walk before packing up and setting off back to Maun. After our Mokoro ride and vehicle transfer, we arrive back in the afternoon and have the chance to complete our picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional scenic flight over The Delta (dependent on weather conditions & availability).
DAY 8: Maun to Rundu (Namibia) (B / L / D) Following the Kavango River, we enter Northern Namibia. We stop at Rundu for supplies before heading to our spectacular campsite located on the banks of the Kavango River.
DAY 9: Rundu to Etosha National Park (B / L / D) From Rundu, we head to the Etosha National Park. Covering 20 000 km2, Etosha is Namibia’s premier nature and wildlife reserve. Situated around the Etosha Pan with a large variety of animal and bird life, the extensive network of gravel roads affords us the opportunity of accessing even the most remote areas of the park. After lunch, and once it has cooled off a bit, we spend the remainder of the day exploring the park’s northern area. Keep an eye out for the striking Oryx and Springbok as these are endemic to desert National Parks! After dinner why not head to the waterhole where you can sit and observe the animals may come to drink in the evenings.
DAY 10: Etosha National Park (B / L / D) Today we make our way 150 km across the park, keeping a look out for the many different mammals, reptiles, birds and insects in the various regions. As the vegetation types change, so does the animal and bird life that relies on it, and so different sections of the Park offer a variety of different game options. After a full day of game viewing, we exit the park through Anderson gate and head to our campsite just 10kms away; perhaps the chance for a quick dip in the pool before dinner, followed by a relaxing evening in this very interesting bar.
DAY 11: Etosha National Park to Cheetah Park (B / L / D) After stopping briefly in Outjo to get stock up on supplies, today’s drive is to the Cheetah Park - a private farm dedicated to conserving Namibia’s cheetah population. While Cheetah are endangered in Africa, Namibia has a high population of wild, free roaming cheetah who cause immense damage to some of the local farms by hunting their livestock. As such, there are many local farmers who have offered a sanctuary to those that have been trapped, or injured. We get to meet the resident cheetahs, a photo opportunity not to be missed!
DAY 12: Cheetah Park to Spitzkoppe (B / L / D) Our departure from the Cheetah Park takes us south to the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’ - Spitzkoppe. The 1728 m high rock formation, one of Namibia’s most recognised landmarks, is well known as an ancient San sacred site. The area we camp in is managed by the local community who offer local guides for guided walks to the San Rock Art at an additional cost. Explore the surrounding area and its San rock paintings or simply enjoy the magnificent views. Tonight we bush camp (no ablution facilities) under the African stars.
DAY 13: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund (B) Today we head for Swakopmund. Founded by the Germans in 1892, their colonial influence is still evident today. Swakopmund has a selection of excellent coffee shops, restaurants & bars as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian curios. There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum, aquarium and galleries to visit. Alternatively, the lovely beach and promenade make for a great relaxing walk – though bathing in the ocean waters may be somewhat chilly! Accommodation will be in dormitories for the next 3 nights, upgrades into private rooms are possible, but depend on availability and can be booked with your trip leader.
DAYS 14 & 15: Swakopmund (B on both days) The next 2 days are spent relaxing or participating in a myriad of Optional Excursions. Some of our fellow passengers may leave us in Swakop, to be replaced by new passengers joining us for the final leg of our trip.
Optional Excursions include sky diving, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic desert flights, dolphin cruises, fishing trips, golf, horse riding and more. An activity briefing will be held on arrival in Swakopmund (see price guide at the end of this document).
DAY 16: Swakopmund to Sesriem (B / L / D) Leaving Swakopmund, we head south to the industrial Walvis Bay before turning inland and toward the desert. Continuing our journey, we enter the Namib-Naukluft Park in one of the oldest deserts in the world. We base ourselves at Sesriem, a great place to experience the Namib and its many moods. A short distance away is Sossusvlei, surrounded by a dramatic sea of sand dunes reputed to be the highest in the world. Magnificent views of the desert can be seen from the top of the dunes, some over 300 m high. We spend the afternoon exploring this amazing area. An optional guided excursion is available to walk around the area, learning about the amazing history, geology, flora and fauna from the specialised local guides. View the sunset from the top of Dune 45 - a truly memorable experience.
DAY 17: Sesriem to Fish River Canyon (B / L / D) Heading out early, we see the sunrise over this beautiful area and we leave the serenity of the dunes to head south to the Fish River Canyon. At 161 km long, 27 km wide and about 550 m deep, it’s the second largest canyon in the world. The outer canyon was formed by tectonic activity, while the erosion of the Fish River formed the inner canyon. A road follows the eastern rim, giving us access to several viewing points from where we can take in the spectacular vistas.
DAY 18: Fish River Canyon to Gariep River (South Africa) (B / L / D) This morning we continue south, where, after a short drive, we reach the Gariep River - the natural land border between Namibia and South Africa. We camp at a beautiful campsite on the South African bank of the river. This afternoon we have the option of a half-day canoe trip on the beautiful Gariep River, affording us the opportunity of some bird watching or just a scenic and relaxing paddle. Tonight there’s a chance for some fun at the awesome camp bar overlooking the river!
DAY 19: Orange River to Cederberg (B / L / D) An early morning start see us travel south through the Richtersveld and the mining town of Springbok, before reaching the region known as Namaqualand, well known for its prolific display of Namaqua wildflowers that occur each spring. We spend tonight in a picturesque campsite surrounded by local wine farms and have the opportunity to sample some of the nectar of the gods or to explore the surrounding beautiful Cederberg Mountains. Tonight is our last night under the stars!
DAY 20: Cederberg to Cape Town (B) We leave the scenic Cederberg area and travel south towards Cape Town. We travel through the rich fruit growing area of Citrusdal before crossing the Piketberg Pass to the Cape’s wine growing regions. Our first sighting of the Mother’s City Table Mountain across Table Bay means we’ve reached our final destination. Tonight’s accommodation is in dormitories in one of Cape Town’s best loved hostels.
DAY 21: Cape Town (NM) This morning we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!
There are a wide range of activities available in Cape Town and the surrounding areas, including day trips, short tours and longer tours travelling up the picturesque coast of South Africa. We suggest you extend your stay by a few days to participate in some of the exciting activities available here. Post tour accommodation can be booked directly through us
Price GB £ 495 plus Local Payment US$ 560
Optional Excursions Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip. - these prices are approximate and are subject to change - where activities occur away from your base, there may be an additional transfer cost.
Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls - Bungee Jump US$ 135 Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls – White Water Rafting on the Zambezi US$ 130 Botswana, Maun - Scenic Flight over the Okavango Delta US$ 85 Botswana, Maun - 3 Day / 2 Night Drive-In/Mokoro Okavango Delta Excursion US$ 160 Namibia, Swakopmund – Quad Bike US$ 80 Namibia, Swakopmund - Sky Diving US$ 350 Namibia, Sesriem - Sossusvlei Guided Walk US$ 35 South Africa, Orange River - Half Day Canoeing US$ 50 **Please note that all accommodation & activities in Victoria Falls must be paid for in US$ cash (GBP & ZAR also accepted at a lower rate).
Please Note: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.
Your arrival transfer and pre-trip accommodation in a dorm bed is included in your trip price. Should you choose not to make use of these, or in the event that we are not updated with your arrival details, no refund will be paid for services not used.
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This trip: 21 day Victoria Falls to Cape Town Overland
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
Absolutely AMAZING is a good way to describe the vacation.
The trip from Vic Falls down to Cape Town was incredible. The guide, chef, and driver were all very friendly and fun.
The service from the operator started far earlier than my holiday. All my questions prior to the trip (even from my original enquiry) were answered in great detail and so quickly.
The places we visited and people I met along the way all made this holiday one I will never forget. This was my first overland trip and I will certainly do another one.
Thanks again for an amazing holiday in Africa (my first and definitely not my last)!!
2
Client:
Fernando Chaves - from Brazil
Trip:
This trip: 21 day Victoria Falls to Cape Town Overland
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
We had a great experience, starting from excellent pre-trip assistance and information, to a lovely trip in a comfortable and safe truck, with an amazing crew and an interesting itinerary.
