Excellent
Kruger, Falls, Delta & Cape (Accommodated)
ACCOMMODATED SAFARI: Embark on an overland adventure travelling from Pretoria to Cape Town in South Africa, through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. Discover the wildlife of Kruger, Chobe and Etosha on game drives and spot rhinos on a walking safari in Matobo National Park. Gaze at the spectacular Victoria Falls, explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta and climb dunes in the Namib Desert. Taking in the best of Southern Africa in 25 days.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour Overview
Duration
25 daysStarts
PretoriaEnds
Cape TownRange
OverlandingTour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour leaderGroup Size
Min 4 / Max 16Minimum age
18Departs
ThursdaysHotel Rating
Simple AccommodationCountries
Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, ZimbabweArrival Transfer
No - can be booked on requestDeparture Transfer
No - can be booked on requestMeals included
Breakfast: 24, Lunch: 19, Dinner: 19Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Pretoria
Day 1 - Pretoria
Pretoria - Hazyview. Departing South Africa's administrative capital of Pretoria aboard our overland truck, we head through the scenic Mpumalanga region to reach Kruger National Park. Fences in the area were removed several years ago to create the Greater Kruger ecosystem, one of Africa's best wild places. We'll enjoy Shangaan tribal dancing and singing tonight before we head into the park tomorrow.
Please note: Please arrive in Pretoria at least one night before your tour. There will be a pre-departure meeting at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure and the tour departs at 7am on day 1. Refer to the Joining Instructions for more information. We can book an airport transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport and Pretoria pre-tour accommodation upon request.
Day 2 - Kruger National Park
Day 2 - Kruger National Park
Today we'll head into Kruger National Park on safari, making use of specialized 4X4 vehicles and a resident local guide. Kruger is home to all of the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo) and is an African stronghold for the white rhino and the critically endangered black rhino. Our game drive lasts all day, with a break for lunch.
Returning to our hotel, you will have the option to head back out into the park at night, when creatures such as leopards become more active.
Day 3 - Kruger National Park
Day 3 - Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park - Tshipise. Leaving the Greater Kruger area aboard our overland truck, we head north through the South African countryside to Tshipise, in the Limpopo province.
Tonight's accommodation is in a picturesque resort next to a nature reserve, surrounded by thick woodland. There is free time to relax by the pool or in a nearby hot spring, and you may want to go and have a look at one of the biggest baobab trees in South Africa.
Day 4 - Bulawayo
Day 4 - Bulawayo
Tshipise - Bulawayo (Zimbabwe). We say farewell to South Africa today, crossing the border into Zimbabwe. Our destination is Bulawayo, a pleasant city with tree-lined avenues and lots of open spaces. We'll stop for supplies before arriving at our accommodation, and the rest of today is free to relax or head into the city and explore.
Day 5 - Matobo N.P.
Day 5 - Matobo N.P.
Located just outside Bulawayo is Matobo National Park, one of Zimbabwe's premier wildlife reserves. We'll be joined by a resident guide for our game drive and will also enjoy a walking safari into the park, which is home to the largest concentration of rhinos in Africa. Matobo also has a huge leopard population, and we'll keep our eyes peeled in the treetops for one of these elusive cats. Our tour ends at lunchtime and the rest of today is at leisure.
Alternatively, you can book an optional extension to today's tour. Head into the Matobo Hills to see some of the ancient Bushmen paintings in the area, and visit the grave of Cecil Rhodes, an important but controversial historical figure who ruled as Prime Minister of the colonial Cape Colony from 1890 - 1896. Rhodes grew up as a diamond magnate before entering politics. As Prime Minister of Britain's colony, he was a believer in Empire, and cruelly expropriated land from black Africans, as well as barring many non-white citizens from voting. His grave remains a controversial place in modern Zimbabwe today.
Days 6-7 - Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
Days 6-7 - Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
Bulawayo - Victoria Falls - Livingstone (Zambia). Leaving Bulawayo, we drive via the town of Victoria Falls before crossing the border into Zambia and arriving in Livingstone on day 6. Named after the explorer David Livingstone, this is our base for visiting the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, the world's largest sheet of falling water and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Known locally as 'Mosi Oa Tunya', the 'Smoke that Thunders', we will enjoy an included visit to see the falls.
Day 7 is free to enjoy optional activities such as rafting, canoeing, abseiling or scenic flights over the cascade. See the Trip Notes for more details.
Day 8 - Chobe River Cruise
Day 8 - Chobe River Cruise
Livingstone - Chobe National Park (Botswana). Say goodbye to Zambia as we cross into Botswana today and make the short journey to Kasane, gateway to Chobe National Park.
Botswana's premier game reserve is home to all of the Big Five as well as abundant bird life, including the rare African Fish Eagle. We'll enjoy a cruise on the Chobe River, hoping to see elephants, hippos, and crocodiles. And there is also an included game drive in specialized open safari vehicles, where we hope to spot more of Chobe's land-based residents.
Day 9 - Chobe National Park
Day 9 - Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park - Nata. This morning we enjoy another included game drive in Chobe National Park before packing up and heading to the Nata region of Botswana. We will likely still spot species such as buffalo as we drive through this sparsely populated region. Our accommodation tonight is unfenced, meaning local wildlife is free to wander through - our groups often enjoy some of their best wildlife experiences here.
Day 10 - Maun
Day 10 - Maun
Nata - Maun. Today sees us travelling to Maun, our base for exploring the famed Okavango Delta. If time allows, there is the opportunity for you to take a scenic flight over the delta - if we haven't got time today then this opportunity will be offered on day 30 instead.
Days 11-12 - The Okavango Delta
Days 11-12 - The Okavango Delta
Maun - Okavango Delta - Maun. On day 11 we enjoy our overnight excursion in specialized safari vehicles into the Okavango Delta. The delta is a natural wetland spread out over more than 1.6 million hectares, home to an incredible diversity of life. Reaching the mokoro polers station, we transfer to these traditional canoes and paddle along the waterways of the delta to our accommodation, which is located in the delta itself.
Day 12 sees us enjoying another mokoro ride back out of the delta before returning to Maun, where there is time for the optional scenic flight if we didn't have time for this on day 10.
Day 13 - Hello, Namibia
Day 13 - Hello, Namibia
Maun - Gobabis (Namibia). Boarding our overland truck, we travel to the Namibian border via Ghanzi, skirting the edge of the barren Kalahari Desert. Having crossed the border, we reach our chalets, and there is an included bush walk with the local San Bushmen, during which we can learn about the way of life for this ancient tribe and discover how they work with, rather than against nature - something we can all learn from! Please note this activity may take place on day 8 instead, depending on our arrival time.
Day 14 - Windhoek
Day 14 - Windhoek
Gobabis - Windhoek. Today we arrive in Namibia's charming capital. Windhoek is a tiny capital by global standards, with a population of just 470,000 people. It has lots of German architecture, a reminder of Namibia's early colonial past. Our accommodation is located on the edge of the city, and it is easy to head in to grab a bite to eat and have a wander around if you wish. We recommend a drink at Joe's Beerhouse, perhaps the most famous restaurant in Namibia. Please note that some group members may be starting their tour in Windhoek.
Days 15-16 - Etosha National Park
Days 15-16 - Etosha National Park
Windhoek - Etosha National Park. The next two days will be spent exploring Namibia's iconic Etosha National Park. This 20,000 square kilometre reserve is dominated by a salt pan, which floods seasonally but is also home to a select few watering holes all year round. Wildlife is easy to spot as the animals tend to gather around these scarce water sources.
We spend two nights in the park, and our itinerary is flexible depending on the conditions and the location of wildlife. We'll generally enjoy a short game drive on day 9 before spending our first night at a chalet with a floodlit watering hole. Here you may be lucky enough to spot elephants, giraffe, hyenas and even lions.
Day 10 is spent on a full day's game drive across the park, stopping whenever we see anything of interest. We will either return to our first accommodation, or perhaps a different one, depending on your tour leader's decision.
Day 17 - Spitzkoppe
Day 17 - Spitzkoppe
Etosha National Park - Spitzkoppe. Leaving Etosha, we head into the Damaraland region and our destination - Spitzkoppe. At this mountain peak, you can see incredibly well-preserved bushmen paintings and spectacular rock formations reaching 1800 metres above sea level. As the sun moves across the sky, the rocks change colour, a sight that is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. We'll be staying at a campsite at the base of the mountain, so you can enjoy this sunset with a refreshing drink.
Days 18-19 - Swakopmund
Days 18-19 - Swakopmund
Spitzkoppe - Swakopmund. On day 18 we drive to Swakopmund, a German colonial town located on Namibia's famous Skeleton Coast. We'll be staying in simple dormitory accommodation in Swakopmund.
The rest of day 18 and the following day are free for you to explore Swakopmund as you see fit. Wander around the town and indulge in the relaxed cafe culture and German colonial architecture. There are also lots of optional activities available including quad-biking, sand boarding, skydiving, and dolphin-watching cruises. See the Trip Notes for further details.
Day 20 - Tropic of Capricorn
Day 20 - Tropic of Capricorn
Swakopmund - Namib-Naukluft National Park. Heading south, we journey through Namib-Naukluft National Park, which protects large swathes of the Namib Desert. We'll stop for a photo at the Tropic of Capricorn before arriving at our desert lodge in the Khomas region.
Day 21 - Dune 45, Deadvlei & Sesriem
Day 21 - Dune 45, Deadvlei & Sesriem
This morning we head back into Namib-Naukluft National Park, arriving at the desert's most famous landmark - Dune 45. This towering sand dune is more than 300 metres high - you are welcome to try to climb the dune if you are up to it!
Journeying deeper into the park, we arrive at Deadvlei, a white clay pan surrounded by the rolling golden dunes and home to eerie petrified trees. You'll want to remember your camera as the area changes colour with the movement of the sun across the sky. En route to our accommodation for the night, we also make a stop at Sesriem Canyon.
Day 22 - Fish River Canyon
Day 22 - Fish River Canyon
Namib-Naukluft National Park - Fish River Canyon. If you thought Sesriem Canyon was impressive, you're in for a treat today! It's a long drive south through desert scenery to reach Fish River Canyon, second only in size to the Grand Canyon in the USA. More than 500 metres deep and scarring the land for 160km, it's a jaw-dropping sight to behold. We'll stop at a couple of viewpoints and visit the canyon's famously sharp bend, known as 'Hell's Corner'.
Day 23 - The Orange River
Day 23 - The Orange River
Fish River Canyon - Orange River. Travelling south we reach the Orange River, also known as the Gariep. For much of its length, the Orange River marks the border between Namibia and South Africa. Our accommodation is located on the Namibian side, and there is an optional canoe safari for those who want to see some of the surrounding scenery.
Day 24 - Cederberg & optional wine tasting
Day 24 - Cederberg & optional wine tasting
Orange River - Cederberg (South Africa). Crossing the border this morning we enter the seventh and final country of our adventure: South Africa. Driving south through the Namaqualand region, we will be treated to the sight of beautiful wildflowers if travelling in spring (August - September). Arriving at our riverside lodge , there is optional wine tasting for those who wish to try some of the Cederberg region's fine wines.
Day 25 - Cape Town
Day 25 - Cape Town
Cederberg - Cape Town. Today we complete our journey to Cape Town, South Africa's 'Mother City', where our tour comes to an end.
Home to Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, and some of the world's most spectacular scenery, we strongly recommend booking post-tour accommodation to further explore this iconic city. We can arrange this accommodation for you.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Pre Tour Accommodation Pretoria, Court Classique, en suite room
Double
Twin
Single
Post Tour Accommodation Cape Town, Ashanti Lodge Guesthouse, en suite room
Double
Twin
Single
Pre Tour Accommodation Cape Town, Ashanti Lodge Guesthouse, en suite room
Double
Twin
Single
Additional Excursions
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
Johannesburg Airport private transfer (per vehicle)
$95
per passengerAdd on: Cape Town Airport Shuttle Transfer
$35
per passengerHotels
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departures are guaranteed to operate when there are 6 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are applicable to solo travellers, who will share a room with another traveller of the same sex. All accommodation is on a twin share basis.
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