From the Atlantic coastline of Cape Town to the thundering waters of Victoria Falls, the journey across Southern Africa is one of remarkable contrasts. Along the way, vast desert landscapes give way to wildlife rich national parks, ancient rock formations, waterways and traditional communities.

With more than 30 years of experience operating safaris in Southern Africa, Sunway Safaris takes travellers on this 21 day Cape to Vic Falls Grand Explorer through four countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. This guided small group safari brings together some of the region’s most memorable destinations, offering an opportunity to experience the extraordinary diversity of Southern Africa in one continuous overland journey.

Watch the video itinerary below to follow the route from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.

Starting in Cape Town, South Africa

The journey begins in Cape Town, one of the most picturesque cities in the world, set beneath the iconic Table Mountain.

Our Cape Peninsula excursion takes in Hout Bay, the spectacular coastal scenery of Cape Point Nature Reserve and the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. There is also time to enjoy the atmosphere and restaurants of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront before heading north into the Western Cape.

Leaving the city behind, we travel into the Cederberg, a wilderness of dramatic sandstone formations, rugged mountains and ancient landscapes. A walk through this remarkable region offers a first taste of the natural diversity that lies ahead..

Crossing into Namibia: The Gariep River and Fish River Canyon

Crossing the border into Namibia, the scenery becomes increasingly arid and expansive. Our first stop is along the Gariep River, Namibia’s southern border with South Africa, where the peaceful river setting provides a welcome contrast to the open landscapes.

Continuing north, we visit Fish River Canyon, one of Namibia’s most impressive natural landmarks. With its enormous scale, rugged cliffs and winding riverbed, the canyon is a spectacular sight.

The day also takes us to the Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop. These unusual indigenous trees, set against the rocky landscape, make for particularly striking photographs, especially in the late afternoon light.

Sossusvlei and Sesriem: Exploring the Namib Desert

No journey through Namibia would be complete without experiencing the Namib Desert.

We spend two nights exploring the area around Sossusvlei and Sesriem, where enormous orange sand dunes rise above the desert floor. The changing light throughout the day brings out different shades of red and orange, creating one of the most recognisable landscapes in Southern Africa.

Our exploration includes a walk into Sossusvlei and a visit to Sesriem Canyon, where thousands of years of erosion have carved a deep passage through the desert landscape.

This is a highlight for photographers and nature lovers alike, offering an opportunity to experience the scale and beauty of one of the world’s oldest deserts.

Swakopmund: Namibia’s Coastal Adventure Town

From the desert, we travel west to Swakopmund, a coastal town with a distinctive atmosphere and architecture reflecting its colonial history.

Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert, Swakopmund offers a completely different experience from the landscapes we have encountered so far.

There is free time to explore the town, enjoy its restaurants and cafes or take part in some of the optional adventure activities available in the area. Dune boarding, sea kayaking, scenic flights and quad biking are among the possibilities.

Damaraland: Desert Landscapes and Ancient Rock Art

Heading north, we enter Damaraland, a region of vast open plains, dry riverbeds and impressive mountain formations.

Along the way, we visit Cape Cross, home to a large colony of Cape fur seals. Further inland, we explore the region’s remarkable natural and cultural heritage, including ancient San rock art.

Damaraland is a place where the relationship between people, wildlife and the environment becomes particularly apparent, offering a fascinating insight into Namibia beyond its famous desert landscapes.

Windhoek: Namibia’s Capital City

Our journey continues to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, where African and European influences meet.

The city offers a change of pace after days spent exploring remote landscapes and national parks. There is time to experience the local atmosphere, explore the town and enjoy a restaurant meal before continuing east towards Botswana.

Botswana: The Kalahari and the Okavango Delta

Crossing into Botswana, we travel through the Kalahari region, a landscape of open savannah, dry grasslands and scattered trees.

Here, we have the opportunity to join a walk with local San people, learning about traditional bush skills and their intimate knowledge of the natural environment.

From the Kalahari, the landscape changes as we approach the Okavango Delta.

The Okavango Delta: Exploring Botswana’s Water Wilderness

The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most extraordinary natural environments. Unlike most major river systems, the Okavango flows inland, spreading its waters across the sands of the Kalahari to create a remarkable network of lagoons, channels and islands.

Sunway Safaris includes two nights in the western Okavango Delta floodplains, allowing travellers time to experience this remarkable ecosystem through guided activities.

Our activities include a traditional mokoro excursion through the waterways, a guided game walk and time to appreciate the exceptional birdlife and natural surroundings.

The mokoro experience offers a particularly special perspective of the Delta, allowing us to move quietly through its waterways and experience this unique wilderness from the water.

We then continue to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, with the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight for a bird’s eye view of this remarkable ecosystem.

Makgadikgadi Pans: An Expansive Salt Pan Landscape

From Maun, we travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest salt pan systems in the world.

These immense open expanses are particularly striking for their sense of scale and isolation. During the dry season, the pans can appear as endless white plains stretching towards the horizon. Following good rains, the landscape changes dramatically, attracting waterbirds and large herds of wildlife.

It is another example of the incredible variety of landscapes encountered on this journey through Botswana.

Chobe National Park: Elephants and the Chobe River

Our next destination is Chobe National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and exceptional wildlife viewing.

We explore the park on a morning game drive before spending time along the Chobe River on a river cruise.

The river attracts an abundance of wildlife, particularly during the dry season, when elephants, buffalo and other animals gather along its banks. Viewing wildlife from the water provides a different perspective from a traditional game drive and is one of the highlights of a visit to Chobe.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: The Grand Finale

The final destination of our journey is Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Known locally as Mosi oa Tunya, meaning ‘The Smoke That Thunders’, Victoria Falls is one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. The mighty Zambezi River plunges over a dramatic basalt gorge, creating an immense curtain of water and a cloud of spray that can be seen from a considerable distance.

We visit the falls and have time to appreciate their sheer scale and power. For those looking for additional adventure, optional activities include white water rafting, scenic helicopter flights and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River.

After 21 days travelling through four countries, Victoria Falls provides a memorable conclusion to an extraordinary Southern African adventure.

Experience the Cape to Victoria Falls Grand Explorer with Sunway Safaris

The Cape to Vic Falls Grand Explorer brings together the landscapes, wildlife and cultural experiences that make Southern Africa such a rewarding destination.

Operated by Sunway Safaris, this 21 day small group Accommodated Adventure has a maximum of 12 travellers and includes 20 nights in a combination of guest houses, hotels, chalets and lodges. Our experienced tour leaders accompany travellers throughout the journey in our custom built safari vehicles.

Since 1994, Sunway Safaris has been operating guided small group safaris across Southern Africa, developing the local knowledge and operational experience that goes into planning and delivering these journeys.

From the Cape Peninsula and the deserts of Namibia to the waterways of the Okavango Delta and the wildlife of Chobe, the Cape to Vic Falls Grand Explorer offers an opportunity to discover four countries and some of Africa’s most remarkable destinations in one journey.

Interested in travelling from Cape Town to Victoria Falls?

Explore the full Cape to Vic Falls Grand Explorer itinerary for detailed route information, inclusions, accommodation and departure dates.

Discover more guided small group wildlife safaris with Sunway Safaris, your Southern African safari operator since 1994.

Written by John de Jager, Sunway Safaris

Frequently Asked Questions: Cape Town to Victoria Falls Safari