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A group of hikers walking along a sand dune ridge at sunset

Safari 20 days

Cape Town to Victoria Falls Safari: 20 Days

The Cape Town Victoria Falls Safari takes you across southern Africa in 20 days: from the rooibos mountains of the Cederberg over the red dunes of the Namib to the thunder of Victoria Falls.

4 countries 3 of the Big Five max. 20 guests from € 3,399
Dates and price

The Journey

Overland group trip through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe

The Cape Town Victoria Falls Safari is an overland journey through southern Africa. Your route starts in Cape Town, follows Namibia's desert coast to Botswana's Okavango Delta and continues to Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls. On this Namibia safari round trip you drive through the Cederberg mountains, stand on the rim of the Fish River Canyon and climb the dunes of Sossusvlei. In Etosha National Park you follow elephants and rhinos to the waterholes, before gliding through the channels of the delta in a mokoro. The journey from Cape Town to Victoria Falls ends on the Zambezi, where it plunges as a curtain of water into the Batoka Gorge.

Duration
20 days
Sleeping
Tent or lodge
Group
4 to 20 guests
Safari days
10 of 20
Demands
Moderate
4 countries
Botswana Namibia Zimbabwe South Africa
Victoria Falls at sunset, a wide curtain of water falling into the gorge with rising mist Table Mountain rising above Cape Town city under a clear blue sky Guides poling wooden canoes through a marsh with passengers at sunset A lion wading through shallow water at sunset with grass reflected around it Two zebras rearing and play fighting on a dry grass plain at sunset Cape Town to Victoria Falls Safari: 20 Days
Wildlife

Key Highlights of the Trip

What the itinerary names. Wild animals cannot be ordered, but the parks, the season and the hours at the water are chosen so the odds are good.

Big Five 3 of 5 on this route
  1. Lion Not on this route
  2. Leopard Not on this route
  3. Elephant Named in the itinerary
  4. Rhino Named in the itinerary
  5. Buffalo Named in the itinerary
Also along the way
  • Zebra
  • Hippo
  • Crocodile
  • Springbok
  • Antelope
01 Sossusvlei dunes
01
Sossusvlei dunes
Shortly after sunrise you climb Dune 45 and look out over a sea of red sand. The desert tour continues to the white clay pans of Deadvlei and through the narrow Sesriem Canyon.
02 Etosha National Park
02
Etosha National Park
Over two full days the truck takes you to the waterholes of the great Etosha Pan, close to elephants, zebras, springbok and the rare black rhino.
03 Okavango Delta by mokoro
03
Okavango Delta by mokoro
In a traditional dugout canoe you glide silently through the channels of the delta, past reed beds and elephants, followed by a full game-viewing day in Moremi Game Reserve.
04 Chobe by boat
04
Chobe by boat
In the afternoon you swap the truck for a boat: the Chobe River boat safari brings you up close to elephant herds and hippos gathering on the river in the golden light.
05 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
05
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
To finish, you cross the border into Zimbabwe, where the Zambezi plunges into the Batoka Gorge - known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders.
Adventure Tours

South Africa

The start of your Cape Town Victoria Falls Safari: from Cape Town through the Cederberg mountains and Namaqualand to the banks of the Orange River.

Days 1-2
Victoria Falls at sunset, a wide curtain of water falling into the gorge with rising mist
Cape Town - Into the Cederberg

Cape Town - Into the Cederberg

Your Cape Town Victoria Falls Safari begins at 08:00 in Cape Town, with a last look across Table Bay to Table Mountain. On the way north we stop at a padstal, one of the small farm stalls along the back roads, to try homemade baked goods. The Cederberg welcomes you with rugged mountains, orange farms and the rooibos bush, which grows only on these slopes. Over dinner you get to know the group and a taste of South African hospitality.

Table Mountain rising above Cape Town city under a clear blue sky
Namaqualand - Camp on the Orange River

Namaqualand - Camp on the Orange River

Namaqualand gives you a first taste of the desert expanses of the days ahead. After a short supply stop in Springbok we drive to our camp on the banks of the Orange River (Gariep). Travelling between July and September, with a bit of luck you will see the wildflowers the region is famous for. This is where your Namibia Botswana round trip begins, soon taking us across the border into the Namib.

Namibia

The Namibia chapter runs from the Fish River Canyon via Sossusvlei and Swakopmund to the waterholes of Etosha and the Kavango River.

Days 3-13
Guides poling wooden canoes through a marsh with passengers at sunset
Fish River Canyon - Walk on the rim

Fish River Canyon - Walk on the rim

In the morning you can join an optional canoe trip on the Orange River, whose indigenous name Gariep simply means river. After lunch we head inland to the Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa. A gentle walk along the rim lets you stretch your legs before we overnight in Keetmanshoop.

A lion wading through shallow water at sunset with grass reflected around it
Quiver Tree Forest - Into the Namib

Quiver Tree Forest - Into the Namib

The morning belongs to the Quiver Tree Forest and the Giants Playground, where massive dolerite boulders are stacked into mazes. Then comes one of the long driving days of this Namibia safari: we head deeper into the Namib Desert, through grasslands in the east to the red dunes in the west. We spend two nights on the doorstep of the dune fields.

Two zebras rearing and play fighting on a dry grass plain at sunset
Sossusvlei - Dune 45 and Deadvlei

Sossusvlei - Dune 45 and Deadvlei

Early in the morning we drive into Namib-Naukluft National Park and climb the famous Dune 45 shortly after sunrise, while the desert changes colour. After breakfast a 4×4 transfer takes you to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei with their white clay pans, followed by Sesriem Canyon. This stage of the journey ends under the clear starry desert sky.

A large red sand dune rising above the Namib Desert with smaller dunes in the distance
Swakopmund - From desert to Atlantic

Swakopmund - From desert to Atlantic

On the last desert day you join a local expert on an excursion into the small world of the Namib (depending on the schedule, possibly the previous afternoon) and celebrate crossing the Tropic of Capricorn. Then it's on to the coast, where the lively town of Swakopmund welcomes you with adventures and a touch of civilisation. In the evening we eat out at a local restaurant.

Bare dead trees standing in a white clay pan with red dunes behind them
Swakopmund - Free day by the sea

Swakopmund - Free day by the sea

Today you explore Swakopmund at your own pace. For an adrenaline kick, book a quad tour, the dune drive to Sandwich Harbour or an excursion to Spitzkoppe; calmer options are the dolphin catamaran cruise or the Living Dunes tour. Add the German-influenced cafés and bakeries before we continue north.

Brandberg - The White Lady rock art

From Swakopmund we drive north to the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain. On a guided nature walk you see the White Lady, one of over 45,000 rock paintings in the area and around 2,000 years old. The roughly two-hour return hike crosses rough terrain along the mostly dry Tsisab River and takes place in the evening or early the next morning.

Etosha National Park - Arrival

With vast salt pans, savannah and woodland, Etosha is one of Africa's finest game parks. At 18,000 km² it is one of the largest in southern Africa. The name Etosha means great white place and refers to the dry pan at its centre. Your Etosha safari begins here, where wildlife gathers at the waterholes.

Etosha National Park - Around the pan

A full day in the park: no safari day is the same, and the anticipation of the next sighting keeps your eyes wide open. We follow the edges of the Etosha Pan in search of the park's abundant wildlife. If you like, you can book an optional full-day 4×4 safari in an open vehicle that goes deeper into the park.

Tour expert

Questions about the tour itinerary?

Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.

Etosha National Park - Afternoon drive

The morning is free to relax at camp. After lunch we board the truck for an afternoon game drive on the way to our next overnight camp. On this overland safari every driving day combines wildlife viewing with steady progress north.

Divundu - To the Kavango River

We leave Etosha behind and drive to the Kavango River, entering the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), one of the largest protected areas in the world, spanning five countries. Our overnight stop in Divundu takes you into a green, water-rich world in sharp contrast to the desert.

Divundu - Kavango boat cruise

In the morning you glide along the Kavango River on a relaxed boat cruise, watching birds and perhaps hippos or crocodiles on the banks. In the afternoon you can join an optional game drive in Mahangu National Park, known for elephants, buffalo, antelope and even big cats.

Botswana

In Botswana the safari reaches the Okavango Delta - mokoro in Khwai, game drives in Moremi and a boat safari on the Chobe River.

Days 14-18

Maun - Gateway to the Okavango Delta

We cross the border into Botswana and drive to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. You spend the night here before the next adventure begins, with final preparations for the days in the delta and the game reserves.

Khwai - Mokoro in the delta

For two nights you leave the truck behind, so pack light. In Khwai a rustic mobile fly camp awaits, with Meru tents, two single beds, a bucket shower and a chemical toilet. Early risers can book an optional scenic flight over the delta, then smaller safari vehicles take you into the Khwai Conservation Area. In the afternoon your mokoro excursion sets off into the quiet channels (on another day, depending on the season).

Moremi Game Reserve - Full-day safari

Today is a full day of game viewing in Moremi Game Reserve, driving the 4×4 vehicles over bumpy tracks through the wilderness. Between wetlands, open water, grassland and savannah woodland you look for as many species as possible. In the evening we return to Khwai to compare the day's sightings.

Nata - Past the salt pans

At first light you break camp and set off in open 4×4 vehicles before meeting the truck again in Maun. The scenic drive from Maun to Nata passes Botswana's salt pans and shows wide landscapes and the country's cultural heritage. Keep your eyes open, as wildlife encounters are always possible before you reach Nata.

Kasane - Chobe boat cruise

From the Kalahari sands of Nata we travel to Kasane, arriving in time for lunch and a short siesta. In the afternoon your Chobe National Park boat cruise begins: from the water you get close to the many elephants that come down to the Chobe River in the afternoon, along with hippos and numerous water birds.

Zimbabwe

The finale of the Cape Town Victoria Falls Safari: Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, where the Zambezi plunges into the Batoka Gorge.

Days 19-20

Victoria Falls - Into Zimbabwe

If you like, start the day with an optional game drive in Chobe National Park. Then you cross the border into Zimbabwe and reach Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders, where the Zambezi drops into the Batoka Gorge. In the afternoon, optional adventures, craft markets and cafés await; in the evening you can join the group for an optional dinner at a restaurant.

Victoria Falls - Departure

Your Cape Town Victoria Falls Safari ends after breakfast. Victoria Falls offers plenty for the last day, such as a helicopter flight over the falls, a bungee jump or bridge swing, the historic bridge tour, a guided tour of the falls or a sunset boat cruise. The day is yours before your journey home.

Want a detailed description of all tour days?

Our expert will walk you through the full itinerary and answer all your questions.

Verified Reviews

What riders say about Safari in South Africa

5.0

3 reviews

Philipp B.

The 20-day Overland bus tour from Victoria Falls through Botswana and Namibia to Cape Town was clearly structured, and the group dynamics were crucial to the ex...

Translated from German · Show original

Die 20-tägige Overland-Bus-Tour von den Victoriafällen durch Botswana und Namibia nach Kapstadt war klar strukturiert und die Gruppendynamik war entscheidend für das Erlebnis. Mit maximal 20 Teilnehmern ermöglichte der Tourguide, während der Besuche im Chobe Nationalpark und Etosha Nationalpark, gezielte Interaktionen und individuelle Fragezeiten. Das Tempo der Reise war durch die Vielzahl an Aktivitäten, wie das Besteigen von Dune 45 im Sossusvlei, gut durchdacht, wodurch Langeweile vermieden wurde. Diese Erfahrungen haben meine Erwartungen hinsichtlich der Gruppenerlebnisse deutlich angepasst.

Guest

Tobias K.

The group dynamics during the 20-day tour from Victoria Falls through Botswana and Namibia to Cape Town were clearly structured. The pace corresponded to the ad...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Gruppendynamik während der 20-tägigen Tour von den Victoriafällen durch Botswana und Namibia bis nach Kapstadt war klar strukturiert. Das Tempo entsprach dem fortgeschrittenen Schwierigkeitsgrad und ermöglichte intensivere Begegnungen in Wildparks wie Chobe und Etosha.

Guest

Rainer L.

The South Africa Adventure Tour from Victoria Falls to Cape Town included a well-thought-out technical preparation. The use of a 4x4 Overland truck in the varie...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Abenteuer Südafrika Tour von den Victoriafällen bis nach Kapstadt beinhaltete eine gut durchdachte technische Vorbereitung. Die Nutzung eines 4x4 Overlandtrucks in der abwechslungsreichen Landschaft Namibias und Botswana war effektiv, besonders bei der Durchquerung der Nata Salzpfannen und den Herausforderungen im Etosha Nationalpark. Die Tourguides waren informiert und unterstützten bei der Umsetzung der täglichen Aktivitäten, wie beim Besteigen der Dune 45 im Sossusvlei und den Safaris im Chobe Nationalpark.

Guest
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Offroad adventure

PRICE

from

€ 3,399 / person

Price Options

Explorer (Camping Expedition) € 3,299
Classic (Hotel trip) € 4,899

Additional Options

Single tent surcharge (Explorer) € 299
Single room surcharge (Classic), mandatory for solo travelers € 599

Trip includes

  • Meals as per the itinerary, freshly prepared and served at the truck - 19 breakfasts, 17 lunches, 15 dinners
  • Overland truck with 20 seats, a club area, USB charging ports and lockers
  • Open 4×4 safari vehicles in the Khwai area and in Moremi Game Reserve
  • Accommodation as per the itinerary (Explorer: camping, Classic: permanent tents, lodges and guesthouses)
  • 2 experienced crew members (trip led in English)
  • Filtered drinking water
  • Highlights marked in the itinerary, including a boat trip on the Kavango, a mokoro excursion, a game-viewing day in Moremi and a boat safari on the Chobe
  • National park entrance fees

FAQS

  • Where and when does the trip start?
    The meeting point is at 08:00 at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Woodstock, Cape Town (31 Brickfield Rd, Salt River). The trip ends on day 20 after breakfast in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
  • What is the difference between Explorer and Classic?
    The route and programme are identical. With Explorer you sleep in a tent at campsites, with Classic in permanent tents, lodges, guesthouses and hotels. In Khwai, both versions spend two nights in a rustic mobile fly camp with Meru tents.
  • In which language is the trip guided?
    The trip is led in English by a crew of two. On selected dates, a German-speaking translator also joins the trip - just ask us which dates those are.
  • How does the single supplement work?
    With Explorer, the single supplement is optional and gets you a tent of your own. With Classic, it is mandatory for solo travellers. There are at most four single supplements per departure, more only on request.
  • What optional activities are there?
    Activities you can book in advance include a canoe trip on the Orange River (day 3), quad tours, a catamaran cruise, the Living Dunes tour, Sandwich Harbour or Spitzkoppe in Swakopmund (day 7), a full-day 4×4 safari in Etosha (day 10), a game drive in Mahangu National Park (day 13), a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (day 15), a game drive in Chobe National Park (day 19), as well as a helicopter flight, bungee jump, sunset cruise or guided tour at Victoria Falls (day 20).
  • Can I bring a hard-shell suitcase?
    No. On this camping safari through Namibia and Botswana you travel in a truck with limited storage space, so only soft travel bags are allowed. For the two nights in Khwai you pack only light luggage anyway, and the rest stays in the truck.
OVERCROSS note on itinerary
The above travel description is a non-binding online proposal and does not represent a binding travel itinerary. We expressly reserve the right to make changes to the route, schedule, and accommodations (§ 651d BGB in conjunction with Art. 250 EGBGB). The terms and conditions of OVERCROSS apply.
Terms and Conditions of OVERCROSS

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