Vic Falls to Cape Town

Intrepid Travel · 22 days

4.5

20 Reviews

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Duration

22 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Experience the extremes of southern Africa’s landscapes on this trip that travels from the thunderous Victoria Falls to cosmopolitan Cape Town, travel down lush waterways in the enigmatic Okavango Delta, cruise past elephants and birds on the Chobe River, climb giant sand dunes in Namibia, camp to the sounds of Africa's wildlife and spot big cats, rhinos, zebras and antelopes on Etosha National Park's arid plains. Visit the people who make their homes here, from mokoro polers on the delta to the San people of Namibia.

Highlights

Glide through the lily pad-filled waterways of the Okavango Delta on a mokoro (a small dugout canoe) and escape civilisation with an overnight stay at your island camp.
Be mesmerised by the staggering force and beauty of Victoria Falls, and experience firsthand why it’s known as the ‘smoke that thunders’ – a natural wonder that must be seen to be believed.
Choose to take an optional cruise down the Chobe River for the opportunity to get up close (but not too personal) to cheetahs, crocodiles and the African elephant.
Listen to the songs and stories of Namibia’s San people, the oldest inhabitants of southern Africa, and gain an insight into their traditional customs and beliefs.
Enjoy a full-day game drive in Etosha National Park, home to a wide range of southern Africa's wildlife, including the endangered black rhino.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. Donations help employ a team of Community Guardians who collaborate with locals to find sustainable solutions to human-wildlife conflict and conservation in Southern Africa.

Trip Details

Duration

22 days

Transportation

Overland vehicle,4x4 Safari Vehicle,Mokoro

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Victoria Falls, Botswana

Finishes

Cape Town, Botswana

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Overland Expedition

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Victoria Falls

Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 4 pm where you'll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, there are many optional activities and sights to see around Victoria Falls. Tonight, maybe ask your leader for the best dinner recommendation and toast to a new adventure.

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Victoria Falls

Today you have the option of visiting the magnificent Victoria Falls. Spanning about a mile wide across and falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below, the spray from the falls can sometimes be seen from kilometres away. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by mist, and it's possible to see little islets in the river below. To fully understand the sheer force of this staggering curtain of water, it needs to be experienced in person. It's no wonder that the local name Mosi oa Tunya means the 'smoke that thunders'. Alternatively, your leader will be able to recommend a range of other activities that are available.

Optional Activities:

Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) (185 USD)
Victoria Falls - Flying fox (50 USD)
Victoria Falls - Gorge swing (103 USD)
Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) (150 USD)
Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) (284 USD)
Victoria Falls - Village & township tour (61 USD)
Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance (50 USD)

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Chobe National Park

This morning is free for you to continue enjoying all that Victoria Falls has to offer. Afterwards, travel to Chobe National Park in Botswana via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, one of The Intrepid Foundation’s projects. Here you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. Continue your journey to Botswana's first national park, which is famous for its high concentration of elephants, so keep an eye out! They can often be seen swimming in the Chobe River.

Included Activities:

Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Chobe National Park

Rise and shine for an early-morning game drive. Adventuring through the park, you will get the opportunity to get up close to the wildlife – with luck you will spot a variety of animals and any number of exotic birds. As well as the Chobe icon, the elephant, the river also attracts hippos and crocodiles – the latter like to sun themselves by the water's edge. Cheetahs also come down for a drink. The birdwatching is excellent here too – look out for eagles, kingfishers and marabou storks, among hundreds of other species. In the afternoon perhaps take an optional cruise down the Chobe River – one of the best ways to enjoy the park's animals.

Included Activities:

Chobe National Park - Dawn 4WD Safari

Optional Activities:

Chobe National Park - Boat Cruise (270 BWP)

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Bagani

Today you will enter Namibia, driving from Kasane to Ngoma Bridge, and on to your camp at Bagani. Enjoy the journey, watching the scenery change with towns, trees and skies rolling past you. Bagani is the homestead of the local Mbukushu kings. You will have the opportunity to stop at an ATM and a market or shop today.

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Okavango Delta

Cross the border into Botswana and travel south along the Okavango Panhandle to Sepopa. Leave the truck behind as you head deeper into the delta. A boat ride will take you to your mokoro team, where you’ll begin your exploration of the Okavango Delta. Each mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe) is expertly poled through the waterways by a local guide. As you glide past reeds and lily pads, the peaceful atmosphere may be interrupted by the grunt of a hippo. On your first night, camp on a secluded island, far from the reach of civilization.

Included Activities:

Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari

Accommodation:

Camping (without facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Okavango Delta

Continue exploring the delta today by mokoro and enjoy a short guided nature walk. Later, return to Sepopa Camp, where you can relax with hot showers, a swimming pool, and a small bar. For a different perspective, you have the option to take a scenic flight over the delta for an unforgettable aerial view.

Included Activities:

Okavango Delta - Nature walk
Okavango Delta - Mokoro Safari

Optional Activities:

Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight (280 USD)

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Bagani

Cross the border back into Namibia and return to Bagani to camp for the night. Various boat trips and guided hikes are possible from Bagani, so if you're feeling active, get out and make the most of it. Those who are feeling bold might even be able to challenge the local kids to a soccer match – don't expect to win though! Retire to your camp in the evening and enjoy this welcome break from the road.

Optional Activities:

Bagani - Sunset Cruise (25 USD)

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Grootfontein

Drive to your camp situated 50 km outside of Grootfontein. The town of Grootfontein, part of the Otavi Triangle, tends to get very green in the warmer months but dries out markedly in the winter. If it's springtime, you'll likely see jacarandas in bloom.

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Grootfontein/San people

Embark on a 180-km (112-mile) round-trip to visit the San people. The oldest inhabitants of southern Africa, the San, have lived in this region for at least 20,000 years. Listen to their stories and songs and learn how those who still adhere to a traditional way of life emphasise the importance of living in harmony with the environment.

Included Activities:

Grootfontein - San Bushman cultural experience

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Etosha National Park

Travel to Etosha National Park this morning. While Etosha National Park is home to a wide range of southern Africa's wildlife, including the big carnivores and five rare or endangered species: black rhino, Hartmann's mountain zebra, black-faced impala, roan antelope and the tiny Damara dik-dik. Game viewing in Etosha is relatively easy due to the man-made waterholes and the large, sparsely vegetated pans. The bushland surrounding the pans is difficult to see through, but there are enough clearings, pans and waterholes to usually allow for some sightings. Embark on an optional evening game drive here in the evening, then spend the night at Namutoni. Accommodation upgrades are on offer here.

Optional Activities:

Etosha National Park - Evening Game Drive (750 ZAR)

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Etosha National Park

Enjoy a full-day game drive in Etosha National Park. Namibia has protected its game reserves against poaching, which means significant numbers of elephants, antelope and other herbivores reside here. The park is also home to some 340 species of birds – keep an eye to the sky where you might spot a soaring eagle. Tonight, you will stay at the particularly spectacular Okaukuejo Camp. The camp overlooks a floodlit waterhole visited by many different species throughout the day and night. Upgrades are not available at this location tonight.

Optional Activities:

Etosha National Park - Evening Game Drive (750 ZAR)

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 13: Spitzkoppe

Travel to the mountain of Spitzkoppe today. The wild lands around this superb granite peak are some of Namibia's most stunning. The mountain itself is 700 million years old and 1987 m (6519 ft) high. Although you shouldn't try to climb to the top, the area is rich in plant life and with some bush paintings to be found. Be sure to look out for the sunset from your bush camp this evening – the landscape is known to take on dazzling hues of orange and red.

Optional Activities:

Spitzkoppe - San People rock painting guided walk (50 ZAR)

Accommodation:

Camping (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 14: Swakopmund

Continue to the town of Swakopmund. Be dazzled by the sight, sound and smell of thousands of olive-coloured seals on the shores of Cape Cross while you're travelling up the Atlantic Coast. You'll be able to stop along the way to access an ATM and market if you need some supplies.

Included Activities:

Cape Cross Nature Reserve - Cape Cross seal colony

Accommodation:

Chalet (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 15: Swakopmund

Surrounded by the massive dune fields of the Namib Desert on three sides and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, Swakopmund is an example of the German culture found in all major settlements in Namibia. With your free time, maybe wander the streets and explore at your own pace or ask your leader for recommendations on activities and dining options.

Optional Activities:

Swakopmund - Swakopmund Museum (2 USD)
Swakopmund - Seal and dolphin cruise (60 USD)
Swakopmund - Horse riding (65 USD)

Accommodation:

Chalet (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 16: Swakopmund

Today is another free day to enjoy this fun beachside town. If you're after a dose of history and culture, you can stop in at the lighthouse and visit the Swakopmund Museum. Active types and thrillseekers might like to take advantage of the many outdoor activities on offer – this town is the adventure sports mecca of Namibia.

Optional Activities:

Swakopmund - Seal and dolphin cruise (60 USD)
Swakopmund - Swakopmund Museum (2 USD)

Accommodation:

Chalet (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 17: Sesriem

Drive to Sesriem, your base for exploring the incredible Namib Desert region. The most famous part of the Namib Desert is its vast dune fields, the most spectacular of which are found near the Sesriem Canyon. This canyon was formed when the Tsauchab River carved a gorge 30 metres into the gravel deposits about 15 million years ago. Now, the river flows out to the dune fields that stretch for hundreds of miles up the coast and dries up in a clay pan at Sossusvlei. The dunes – the highest in the world – are stunning, with magnificent flaming tones created by the brightly coloured sands.

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 18: Sossusvlei/Konkiep River

Wake up before dawn and scramble to the top of the dunes for a dramatic sunrise view across a vast sea of sand. The colour changes are simply incredible and provide a spectacular setting for your brunch. Afterwards you will jump in the back of a pickup truck for a trip to Sossusvlei, the incredible salt and clay pan just nearby. Enjoy some time to explore this incredible and mysterious desert oddity. Later, continue to your camp past the small town of Bethanie. Your camp has basic facilities, with showers, flush toilets, wi-fi and optional upgrades.

Included Activities:

Sossusvlei - 4x4 Tour
Sesriem - Sand dunes visit

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 19: Fish River Canyon

Check out the town of Bethanie before heading further south into the vast desert lands of Namibia towards Fish River Canyon. At 500 m deep and over 160 km long, Fish River Canyon is one of the very largest canyons in the world. During the dry season, the riverbed tends to dry out completely, leaving only a few puddles. In the wet season, after the summer rains, the river can turn into a spectacular raging torrent. At any time of year there are remarkable photographic opportunities here as you watch the colour of the granite rocks change as the sun goes down.

Included Activities:

Fish River Canyon - Canyon entrance

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 20: Orange River

Departing Fish River Canyon, travel to Noordoewer in southern Namibia. Pitch your tent on the scenic banks of the Gariep (Orange) River, which stretches 2200 kilometres (1367 miles) – the longest river in Lesotho. The river’s source is high up in the Drakensberg mountain range, and it flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay in South Africa. The Orange River is responsible for transporting diamonds and creating the deposits that can be found along the Namibian coast.

Optional Activities:

Orange River - Canoe trip (550 NAD)

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 21: Western Cape

Depart your camp first thing in the morning and head to Klawer, a town named after the Afrikaans word for a wild clover blooming after rainfall. The surrounding countryside is beautiful, and if there's time, you’ll have the opportunity to explore some of it. Perhaps take a delightful walk around the nearby mountains and farms before settling in for a relaxing evening.

Optional Activities:

Klawer - Winery visit & tasting (140 ZAR)

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 22: Cape Town

Head to Cape Town this morning, where your trip will come to an end. With its stunning coastline, modern cityscape, nearby mountains and a plethora of vineyards within reach, this is one of Africa's most exciting cities. There's no accommodation provided for tonight, but this can be arranged – please enquire at the time of booking this trip.

Optional Activities:

Cape Town - Harbour cruise (200 ZAR)
Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike (1600 ZAR)
Cape Town - Table Mountain Aerial Cable (380 ZAR)
Cape Town - Robben Island tour (550 ZAR)
Cape Town - Best of the Cape Combo Tour - Full Day (2000 ZAR)
Cape Town - Cape Peninsula and SUP Tour - Full Day (2100 ZAR)
Cape Town - Robben Island Ferry & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day (1800 ZAR)
Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Full Day (1800 ZAR)
Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Half Day (1350 ZAR)
Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day (2000 ZAR)
Cape Town - Township Experience - Half Day (965 ZAR)
Cape Town - City and Waterfront Tour - Half Day (1100 ZAR)
Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Kirstenbosch Tour - Full Day (2000 ZAR)
Cape Town - District Six & Bo-Kapp Cultural Tour - Half Day (965 ZAR)

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $4975

AUD $4,229

(Tour only)

Offer ends 18 Sep, 2025 Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 22 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 26 Sep 2025

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

4.0

Tracy

Traveled, February 2024

03/17/2024

A breathtakingly amazing trip to wonderful countries. Camping amongst wildlife In outstanding scenery. I can’t recommend it enough

4.0

Emer

Traveled, February 2024

03/17/2024

This has been an amazing trip. It was very different to what I had been expecting as I had not vitany African countries before. There were single travelers on the trip and I would recommend it to singletons and couples alike as a safe interesting way to see new places

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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