Overland Tour: Cape Town to Victoria Falls & Mozambique View Full Screen Itinerary

Leaving Cape Town you make your first stop at Table View and take photos of Table Mountain from across Table Bay. You will be heading north towards your stop for the first night, passing through the Cederberg Region. Upon arrival at your overnight stop, you will enjoy a wine tasting, sampling wines from the region. Tonight you will be treated to a traditional South African meal, followed by a full tour-briefing from your guides.

Today you travel through the Northern Cape and Namaqualand, stopping at the remote town of Springbok for any last requirements.

After crossing the Namibian border you check into the lovely chalets overlooking the river that forms the border between South Africa and Namibia

This morning there’s a chance to do an optional canoe trip down the Gariep River or to spend some time relaxing at the camp along the river. After lunch you travel north to the Fish River Canyon and take a scenic hike along the rim in order to gain some perspective as to just how large this natural phenomenon is. Later you return to Ai-Ais to check in to your accommodation and enjoy the hot springs.

The Namib-Naukluft NP is one of Namibia’s geographic gems and at 50,000km2, is one of the largest parks in Africa. There are massive sand dunes in the Sossusvlei desert area as well as the remarkable landscape. Your lodge is situated outside the park.

You have a full day in the Namib-Naukluft National Park that starts with a walk up Dune 45 for an amazing view and photo opportunity. Later you will have the opportunity to be transported into Sossusvlei. In the afternoon there is a short walk into Sesriem Canyon.

After a brief photo stop while crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, you will be joined by a local expert on a guided hike and learn more about the unique desert ecosystem and how the Bushmen survived in the harsh desert conditions. From there, you will travel onto Namibia’s Atlantic coast and the adventure capital, Swakopmund, you stop at the Walvis Bay lagoon en-route, where there are often flamingos to be seen. You will be briefed on the many optional activities available here and there is time to explore the town before dinner out at one of the local restaurants.

Today is your chance to experience the adrenalin filled atmosphere that Swakopmund offers. Taking a walk around Swakopmund’s shops and having a leisurely lunch is also a great way to spend your day if you are not participating in the many activities available on offer here.

Today you head inland towards Khorixas, stopping en-route at Spitzkoppe, where you will enjoy some time exploring the enormous granite monoliths with our guide. In the afternoon you will visit the Petrified Forest (might be done the following morning).

You visit a Himba community close to Kamanjab where you will have an opportunity to interact with the people who live there.

This is a working village and is only a representation of a larger group of nomadic pastoralists. The semi-nomadic Himba people are extremely susceptible to Western influence and have lost a large portion of their land to farmers, engineers, miners and many were displaced during the wars that raged in Angola. The dwindling number of pastoralists that still exist in their natural environment are protected as far as possible by creating a “buffer zone”. The working village is if you like, an “educational tribe”, where tourists who would like to get a better understanding of the way of the Himba, their lifestyle and their traditions, can do so without interfering with those still living in their natural environment.

Visiting the Himba tribe can be a controversial topic that gets discussed at the camp fire, however not so much if the reason for visiting this particular tribe is understood beforehand.  The income that this specific tribe generates from the visits goes towards the education of orphaned Himba children and assists the tribe in giving them a chance to learn about their own culture and heritage.  There is a market at the end of your visit, this is a way for the women to establish a small income, used for their own private expenses, it is up to you whether you would like to purchase anything or not.

Leaving the city sights behind, you travel into Namibia’s barren northern area. On the way you stop at a popular craft market where you can barter for handmade gifts to take home. You enter Etosha National Park and game drive through to our campsite for the night.

Etosha is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. The sparse grasslands allow great opportunities to see animals normally hidden in dense vegetation. You may even see some of the amazing animals crossing the road in front of your truck! You will go on various game drives and spend your evenings at the abundant waterholes for some excellent game photography.

After an early morning game drive you set off towards Windhoek, the Capital city of Namibia. On the way you stop at a popular craft market where you can barter for handmade gifts to take home.

Windhoek is not only the capital; it is also the cultural, social and economic centre of Namibia. On arrival in Windhoek your guide will take you on a short drive through Windhoek in our truck. Joe’s Beer House is an exciting dining experience for our optional dinner out.

After an early start, you say goodbye to Namibia and cross the Botswana border. Later you arrive at your lodge in Ghanzi and this evening you experience some traditional tribal dancing from the local San community.

Today you journey to the outback town of Maun. The afternoon is spent relaxing and preparing for our adventure into the Okavango Delta.

After breakfast, you board our plane, flying over the winding channels of the Delta.

A game drive to camp sees you arrive at your home for the next two nights. Upon arrival you settle in and prepare for our afternoon activity on the waterways of the Delta. Tonight you spend the evening around the campfire accompanied by the many sounds of the bush.

An early start sees you head off on the crystal clear waters of the Okavango. Water lily beds and palm islands make for the most scenic of experiences. You stop at an island for a nature walk where you have the possibility of seeing wildlife. After breakfast, you return to camp to relax before heading out your sunset activity.

A morning game drive ends with your arrival at the airstrip where you bid farewell to the Delta. A scenic flight gives us your last view of this breathtaking water wonderland and the animals that inhabit it. You meet up with your truck in Maun and head to Nata where the afternoon is spent exploring the enormous and world renowned Makgadikgadi salt pans.

After continuing north to Kasane, you enjoy a sunset river cruise on the Chobe River (in the National Park) where animals such as hippos, buffalo and elephants are plentiful.

On arrival in Victoria Falls you have time to plan the next day’s adventure activities before you visit the spectacular Victoria Falls and experience the thundering of the mighty Zambezi as it drops over 100m into the gorge below.

Most people will spend the day White Water Rafting, a not-to-be-missed experience of a lifetime! Victoria Falls offers many exciting activities and today you will have the day free to participate in the activities on offer.

An early departure from Victoria Falls, we drive south through Botswana to Palapye, or the border post at Martinsdrift, where we will spend the night at a lively campsite.

Today we cross the border into South Africa and after a long, yet scenic drive we will arrive in Johannesburg. South Africa’s city of gold has much to offer and should not be underestimated as a travel destination. Belvedere Estate offers travellers a wonderful opportunity to spend the last evening in South Africa, enjoying a traditional braai, served by the Estate. This is an optional meal which you can book via your guide.

Leaving Johannesburg we travel through the lush Mpumalanga province, towards the Greater Kruger National Park area.  En route, we will be stopping in the town of Dullstroom, famous not only for fly-fishing but also Harries Pancakes, serving over 35 types of pancakes, both sweet and savoury.  You won’t find a better pancake in South Africa and we will stop here for lunch for you to savour these delicious treats.  This afternoon we will enter the Greater Kruger area.

Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.

Today you will have the opportunity to participate in a full day 4×4, open safari vehicle game drive through the park. 

Today we will explore the natural wonders found along the famous Panorama Route, known as one of South Africa’s most scenic drives. The Panorama route consists of Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon including God’s Window and Three Rondavels. This evening you will have one last opportunity to participate in an optional evening game drive.

We wake up early and enjoy our final game drive as we make our way out of the Kruger National Park and onto Swaziland. At over 30000 hectares Hlane is Swaziland’s largest protected area. Originally the private hunting area of the Swazi Royal family the area is now held in a trust and managed by Big Game Parks.

The Hlane Umphakatsi (chief village) is an authentic, living homestead and this morning you will have the opportunity to be experience the way of life, culture and traditions of the Swazi nation.  The Swazi people have a rich cultural heritage that is transmitted by mouth from one generation to the next.  This afternoon you will have the afternoon free to enjoy the many optional activities available in Hlane.

Maputo, previously known as Lourenco Marques before independence is the capital & largest city of Mozambique. Often described as Africa’s Latin city, Maputo is truly an African capital like no other. Upon arrival in Maputo, our guide will take us on a short drive through the city. Tonight we will stay in this vibrant city and will enjoy a meal out together.

Departing early, we say farewell to Maputo and travel further north through coconut plantations to the old Portuguese settlement of Inhambane. This coastal region is very relaxing and boasts incredible beaches. We spend the next three nights in our accommodation right at the beach.

As we will be spending tonight in Inhambane, you have the entire day at your leisure, to participate in one of many activities available here and to explore the area. In the afternoon, your guide will drive you to Tofo, where you can explore the local market and this quaint seaside village.

Reported to be home to the largest juvenile whale shark population in the world, Praia do Tofo is amongst the best spots in the world where you are able to participate in an ocean safari, where you will have the opportunity to snorkel with these gentle giants of the sea. Apart from the whale sharks, you may also encounter manter rays and dolphins during your ocean safari. Take advantage of your day at leisure by joining in on an optional ocean safari.

We will enjoy a short tour of Inhambane, before heading north to the town of Vilanculos. Bazaruto Island is Mozambique’s premier destination and it’s not hard to understand why. A protected area, the sea-life here is spectacular and snorkeling at one of the reefs is one of the best ways to enjoy it. We will arrive in Vilanculos in the late afternoon and after settling into our accommodation, will be briefed on our Bazaruto excursion the following day.

The Bazaruto is one of Southern Africa’s largest marine parks and we will spend the day exploring the area where you will have the opportunity to snorkel, swim and explore the island. We depart from Vilanculos in the morning and will head to 2 Mile Reef for some snorkelling followed by lunch on one of the islands.

The town of Xai Xai lies just north of Maputo, situated on the banks of the Limpopo river. It is a bustling town with markets, shops, restaurants and bars. We will spend our final night in Mozambique in this seaside village, preparing for our journey back into South Africa.

Today we bid farewell to Mozambique and re-enter South Africa, making our way to Marloth Park, a wildlife sanctuary situated on the southern boundary of the Kruger NP.  As the Crocodile River forms the boundary between Marloth Park and the Kruger Park, you may be lucky enough to spot elephants occasionally playing in the river.

Our final day of our tour starts off with a morning game drive before we head back to the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg. Your tour ends upon arrival in Johannesburg at Belvedere Estate.