CAMPING SAFARI: Journey from Windhoek to Cape Town on this 11-day overland camping safari. Take in the best wildlife and scenery in Etosha National Park on a full day game drive. See the rock formations and Bushman paintings at Spitzkoppe and unwind in the resort town of Swakopmund. Make a photo stop at the Tropic of Capricorn, climb the sand dunes of the Namib Desert and admire Fish River Canyon before crossing into South Africa. Journey through the Cederberg Mountains and winelands before arriving in Cape Town, where you can opt to extend your stay.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Windhoek to Etosha
Windhoek - Etosha National Park. Welcome to Namibia! We leave Windhoek early on day 1 and make our way to Etosha National Park, where we will be spending our first two nights. 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.
Our itinerary in Etosha is flexible depending on the conditions and the location of wildlife. We'll generally enjoy a short game drive on day 1 before spending our first night at a camp with a floodlit watering hole. Here you may be lucky enough to spot elephants, giraffe, hyenas and even lions.
Please note: The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 08:00 on Day 1 so please arrive in Windhoek the day before your tour. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book accommodation and transfers on request.
Overnight: Etosha National Park | Lunch, Dinner
Etosha National Park
Today 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 campsite, or perhaps a different one, depending on your tour leader's decision. Despite the dry and barren nature of the park, it supports a wide variety of mammal and bird species, and you are sure to have some amazing wildlife experiences.
Overnight: Etosha National Park | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Overnight: Spitzkoppe | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Swakopmund
Spitzkoppe - Swakopmund. On day 4 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, rather than camping.
The rest of day 4 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.
Overnight: Swakopmund | Breakfast x 2
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 campsite in the Khomas region.
Overnight: Namib Naukluft National Park | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 camp for the night, we also make a stop at Sesriem Canyon.
Overnight: Namib Naukluft National Park | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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'.
Overnight: Fish River Canyon | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 campsite is located on the Namibian side, and there is an optional canoe safari for those who want to see some of the surrounding scenery.
Overnight: Orange River | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cederberg & optional wine tasting
Orange River - Cederberg (South Africa). Crossing the border this morning we enter 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 campsite, there is optional wine tasting for those who wish to try some of the Cederberg region's fine wines.
Overnight: Cederberg | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 6 persons. Prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a tent / room. Solo travellers will be matched up and share a tent / room with another solo traveller of the same gender.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Okaukuejo Camp (campsite), Etosha National Park
The highlight of Okaukuejo Camp is probably the floodlit watering hole, where it is possible to see all manner of animals close up, including elephants, black rhino and antelope. There's also an onsite swimming pool, shop, bar and restaurant serving daily buffet breakfast and other meals. All of these facilities are available for campers to use. Camping pitches are spacious and there are shared bathroom facilities.
Spitzkoppe Community Rest Camp (campsite), Spitzkoppe
Staying in the shadow of the dramatic Spitzkoppe rock formations is a memorable experience, and at the Spitzkoppe Community Rest Camp you can enjoy this experience knowing that the proceeds from your stay go straight to supporting the local community. Although there is no electricity or Wi-Fi at this remote camp, guests can enjoy hot showers and there are shared bathroom facilities. There is a small onsite bar and restaurant, and braai BBQ facilities are also provided.
Amanpuri Travellers Lodge, Swakopmund
Amanpuri Travellers Lodge offers comfortable accommodation in the heart of Swakopmund, close to the resort town's beaches, restaurants and shops. The onsite restaurant serves a buffet breakfast, you can grab a coffee or a beer at the bar, and there's a communal courtyard for relaxation. Free Wi-Fi connection is available throughout the property. If travelling on one of our Accommodated tours then you will enjoy an ensuite room at Amanpuri, whereas travellers on our camping tours will stay in dorm accommodation with shared bathroom facilities.
Sossus on Foot (campsite), Namib Naukluft National Park
On the road to Swakopmund and located just outside the small town of Solitaire, Sossus on Foot (also known as Bushman's Camp) offers three large campsites with shared ablution facilities, including warm solar-heated showers. There is a small swimming pool for escaping the desert heat. A bar serves refreshing beers and there is a private watering hole for guests to watch the local wildlife. There is no Wi-Fi or electric hook-up, making this campsite the perfect place to disconnect from the world!
Sossus Oasis Overland Camp (campsite), Namib Naukluft National Park
Surrounded by desert and found at the edge of Namib-Naukluft National Park, the pitches at this campsite are shaded by camel thorn trees and facilities include power outlets, water, lighting and a BBQ area. There's an onsite pool and shared bathroom facilities including showers with wonderful desert views! The Sossus Oasis shop sells a range of drinks, ice wood and other amenities. The restaurant at nearby Sossusvlei Lodge also comes well recommended.
Canyon Roadhouse Campsite, Fish River Canyon
Guests at Canyon Roadhouse Campsite are welcome to make use of the adjacent lodge's facilities, including a restaurant, swimming pool and bar, located in the middle of a museum of old vehicles. The campsite is located near Fish River Canyon and next to a dry riverbed, with shared ablution facilities and a BBQ pit to enjoy.
Felix Unite campsite, Orange River
Overlooking the Orange River and boasting an outdoor pool, Felix Unite is a scenically located campsite with amenities including an onsite shop, restaurant and ATM. Wi-Fi is available in communal areas and there are barbecue facilities for guests to enjoy alongside the dramatic scenery.
Highlanders Campsite, Cederberg
Nestled among the wine farms at the foot of the Cederberg mountains, this campsite is a perfect stopover in the Namaqualand region. Highlanders is set on 3 levels, giving campers plenty of space between each of the 5 individual camp areas, and a 12-room ensuite lodge has recently been added to the site. Each camp has a 'braai' pit, sink unit & power. There are stunning mountain views from the solar-powered hot showers, and a locally-sourced wine bar by the scenic swimming pool.
At a Glance
