Highlights of Southern Africa image
Save 15% off, auto-applied, ends 2026-07-31
Operated by G Adventures

Highlights of Southern Africa

From
CAD 8,302
Duration
30 days
Countries
Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa
Activity
easy

The adventure

When you put the word “highlights” in the name of a trip, you better be confident that it lives up to the hype. This trip does. Across 30 epic days, you’ll go round-trip to Cape Town via Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia — a new spin on one of our most popular routes — taking comfortable touring vehicles as well as staying in a mix of hotels and campsites for a well-rounded experience. Wildlife sightings and cultural moments come standard here — everything from searching for the "big five" in national parks to enjoying meals with local families. You’ve got memories made for a lifetime.

At a glance

Duration
30 days
Route
Cape Town → Cape Town
Countries
Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa
Activity level
easy
Style
Beach & Islands, Culture & History, Food & Drink, Multi-Country / Grand Tour, National Parks & Wilderness, Trekking & Hiking, Wildlife & Safari
Group size
Ask
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome

Where you'll go

Highlights of Southern Africa image

Day by day

A group of hippos in a tranquil wetland setting, with one yawning widely.
Your journey through

Botswana, Zimbabwe & 2 more countries

Day 1Arrival dayArrivalThere are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Day 2Enjoy a full day in Cape Town…
Stunning landscape of Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain under a bright blue sky.Cape Town
Enjoy a full day in Cape Town with the option to visit Table Mountain, choose to explore Cape Point, or embark on a wine tour around Stellenbosch. In the evening, opt to join your group for meal at one of Cape Town's many great restaurants.
Map showing Cape Town
Day 3Take a short flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg
Stunning aerial view of Cape Town with the coastline, mountains, and blue sky.Cape Town
Take a short flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. In the afternoon, travel to Soweto for a bicycle tour and learn more about its important history and significant role in bringing the issues of segregation to the forefront.
Map showing Cape Town
Day 4Take the Panorama Route into the Kruger National…
Take the Panorama Route into the Kruger National Park area. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner and dance experience.
Day 5Enjoy a full day wildlife safari drive…
Enjoy a full day wildlife safari drive in the Kruger NP. Keep an eye out for Africa's famed "big five".
Day 6Head north to Timbavati Safari Lodge
Head north to Timbavati Safari Lodge, for a guided nature walk in search of the small 5. Listening, touching and sensing, can open your world to the real secrets of the African Lowveld.
Day 7Travel to the next location in Serowe
Travel to the next location in Serowe, crossing the border along the way between South Africa and Botswana. Upon arrival, take time to get settled at the lodge and relax before tomorrow's adventure.
Day 8Depart Serowe
Depart Serowe, Botswana for Matobo NP in Zimbabwe. Enjoy time later this afternoon to get settled at your accommodations.
Day 9Wake up early and opt to explore ancient…
Wake up early and opt to explore ancient cave paintings, hike the unique and stunning landscape, or hang out by the pool. In the afternoon, enjoy an included nature walk, with the opportunity to get up close and personal with the resident wildlife.
Day 10Travel to Hwange National Park for an opportunity…
Travel to Hwange National Park for an opportunity to spot more wildlife. Opt to enjoy an evening wildlife safari drive in a safari vehicle.
Day 11Spend a full day at leisure in Hwange…
Spend a full day at leisure in Hwange National Park. Enjoy the lodge or choose to embark on optional safari drives throughout the day.
Day 12Continue on to Victoria Falls and enjoy lunch…
A stunning view of a waterfall cascading surrounded by dense forest.Victoria Falls
Continue on to Victoria Falls and enjoy lunch at the G Adventurers–supported Lusumpuko Women's Club. Marvel at the spectacular falls from the Zimbabwean side, then enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore further.
Map showing Victoria Falls
Day 13Spend the day exploring your beautiful surroundingsVictoria FallsThe town of Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close (and wet from the spray) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, and for the more adventurous, bungee jump with Victoria Falls in view. Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Stunning view of Victoria Falls cascading with vibrant energy, surrounded by lush greenery.Victoria Falls
The town of Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close (and wet from the spray) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, and for the more adventurous, bungee jump with Victoria Falls in view. Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Map showing Victoria Falls
Day 14Cross the border into BotswanaDrive to the border and cross from Zimbabwe into Botswana. Continue to the Kasane area, outside the gates of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa. Opt to check out one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River.
Drive to the border and cross from Zimbabwe into Botswana. Continue to the Kasane area, outside the gates of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa. Opt to check out one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River.
Day 15Opt to rise early for sunrise and marvel…
Opt to rise early for sunrise and marvel at your surroundings as you set out on an optional safari drive in Chobe National Park. Travel to Nata and watch elephants drinking at the watering hole while you dip in the pool on the property, or grab a sundowner at the bar area.
Day 16Prepare for a 1-night/2-day journey into the deltaTravel to Maun, the biggest town in the Okavango Delta area, pick up any supplies needed, and prepare for the journey into the Okavango Delta.
A man prepares food in cauldrons over a fire in Gaborone, Botswana.Prepare for a 1
Travel to Maun, the biggest town in the Okavango Delta area, pick up any supplies needed, and prepare for the journey into the Okavango Delta.
Map showing Prepare for a 1
Day 17Enjoy wildlife walksThe excursion begins with a drive in customized safari vehicles for about 1-2 hrs to the "dock" to board a mokoro (canoe) that takes us deep into the delta. After a 1-2 hrs in the mokoro, arrive to the basic bush camp. In the evening, watch a traditional dance performance.
The excursion begins with a drive in customized safari vehicles for about 1-2 hrs to the "dock" to board a mokoro (canoe) that takes us deep into the delta. After a 1-2 hrs in the mokoro, arrive to the basic bush camp. In the evening, watch a traditional dance performance.
Day 18Hop into a mokoro with your friends…
Hop into a mokoro with your friends on the way back to Maun. Search for wildlife in the reeds along the river as you make your way back towards civilization. Zoom through the western part of Botswana to Ghanzi; the heart of the Kalahari. Catch a glimpse of how the Indigenous San Bushmen adapted to the Kalahari Desert on a bushman walk. They will teach you about wilderness survival skills in a place that seems uninhabitable. Then while the day comes to an end, enjoy the warm hospitality of the San Bushmen as the group will be staying at the G Adventures-supported Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp. The best part? You are making a difference in the lives of this community just by enjoying your time at camp. So sit back, allow yourself to become immersed in their history and culture, sit around the fire, and simply enjoy the moment.
Day 19Travel to Windhoek, the German-influenced capital city of NamibiaToday, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Day 20Visit the G Adventures supported Penduka Village Restaurant…
Visit the G Adventures supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, just outside of Windhoek, to pick up a tasty packed lunch, then continue up to Etosha National Park. Enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle, then opt to explore more on an open vehicle night drive.
Day 21Enjoy another wildlife safari drive in our touring…
Enjoy another wildlife safari drive in our touring vehicle and keep your eyes peeled for some of the famous wildlife.
Day 22Sit back and watch the stunning desert landscape…Watch the beautiful desert landscape go by en route to western Namibia. Spend two nights in the area exploring this historical town or trying some of the numerous activities available, such as sandboarding or a skydiving. Swakopmund has bizarre lunar landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, and prehistoric Welwitchia plants.
Watch the beautiful desert landscape go by en route to western Namibia. Spend two nights in the area exploring this historical town or trying some of the numerous activities available, such as sandboarding or a skydiving. Swakopmund has bizarre lunar landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, and prehistoric Welwitchia plants.
Day 23Spend a day exploring all the area has…
Spend a day exploring all the area has to offer. Optional activities include sandboarding, skydiving, and a township tour.
Day 24Travel into the beautiful Namib DesertGet a real feel for the Namib Desert as we spend hours crossing this empty region. En route, take a coffee break in Solitaire, a mystical village consisting of a filling station, a general dealer/coffee shop, and a small mechanical workshop. Drive through Walvis Bay, the only town on the Namibian coastline that boasts a deep sea harbor. Arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert.
Get a real feel for the Namib Desert as we spend hours crossing this empty region. En route, take a coffee break in Solitaire, a mystical village consisting of a filling station, a general dealer/coffee shop, and a small mechanical workshop. Drive through Walvis Bay, the only town on the Namibian coastline that boasts a deep sea harbor. Arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert.
Day 25Visit Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem CanyonEnjoy a visit to Sossusvlei, a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes, up to 300m (984 ft) high. Here, use some free time to enjoy the sand dunes on your own. Visit the Sesriem Canyon, a small canyon typical of the area.
Enjoy a visit to Sossusvlei, a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes, up to 300m (984 ft) high. Here, use some free time to enjoy the sand dunes on your own. Visit the Sesriem Canyon, a small canyon typical of the area.
Day 26Continue south through the Namib Desert to Keetmanshoop
Continue south through the Namib Desert to Keetmanshoop, enjoying dramatic Namibian landscapes along the way. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to the rare Quiver Tree Forest.
Day 27Early start and visit the geological formation: Giant's Playground
Early start and visit the geological formation: Giant's Playground. Drive South and later in the day visit the breathtaking Fish River Canyon. Then, continue on to the banks of the Orange River with time to swim or just relax. Enjoy the beautiful scenery in this part of the country.
Day 28Cross the border into South Africa and continue…We head towards the coast again and on to Lambert’s Bay, a picturesque town on the west coast of South Africa. Enjoy an included wine tasting at Lambert’s Bay. Learn how to analyze your palates, listen to your taste buds, and how to pair your food with the best wine raised in the foothills of the Cederburg Mountains. In the afternoon, opt to visit the well known Bird Island where you can find more than 25,000 blue-eyed gannets at certain times of the year. Penguins also gather on this island for breeding between August and October. Opt to stroll through this lovely town, visiting unique artisan shops and boutiques.
We head towards the coast again and on to Lambert’s Bay, a picturesque town on the west coast of South Africa. Enjoy an included wine tasting at Lambert’s Bay. Learn how to analyze your palates, listen to your taste buds, and how to pair your food with the best wine raised in the foothills of the Cederburg Mountains. In the afternoon, opt to visit the well known Bird Island where you can find more than 25,000 blue-eyed gannets at certain times of the year. Penguins also gather on this island for breeding between August and October. Opt to stroll through this lovely town, visiting unique artisan shops and boutiques.
Day 29Continue on the last stretch of the trip…Cape TownWhile travelling towards Cape Town, through Namaqualand, keep an eye out for fields of Namaqualand daisies (in season August and September). Cape Town has many different options should you book extra time to explore after the tour. Visit Table Mountain, explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope), or join a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch (45 min drive). Visit the old French Huguenot town of Franschoek and surroundings (1 hr drive). For the truly adventurous, try skydiving, abseiling, or even cage diving, for a close encounter with the great white sharks. Opt to wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens), or visit the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and numerous other small museums and theaters.
Stunning landscape of Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain under a bright blue sky.Cape Town
While travelling towards Cape Town, through Namaqualand, keep an eye out for fields of Namaqualand daisies (in season August and September). Cape Town has many different options should you book extra time to explore after the tour. Visit Table Mountain, explore Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope), or join a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch (45 min drive). Visit the old French Huguenot town of Franschoek and surroundings (1 hr drive). For the truly adventurous, try skydiving, abseiling, or even cage diving, for a close encounter with the great white sharks. Opt to wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa (Botanical Gardens and Parliament Gardens), or visit the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and numerous other small museums and theaters.
Map showing Cape Town
Day 30Departure dayDepartureWe highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully enjoy this city.
We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully enjoy this city.

Discover Botswana

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

Captivating sunset over a tranquil waterside in Nunga, Botswana, with silhouetted trees.
Stunning sunset over the wetlands in Maun, Botswana, highlighting a dramatic orange sky.
Captivating sunset over acacia silhouettes in Botswana wilderness.
Silhouette of an elephant by a riverbank during a vibrant orange sunset in the African wilderness.
A yawning hippopotamus in a serene water scene at sunset in Botswana.

Upcoming departures

Last Minute 15% off DSCC260810 · ends 2026-07-31 · auto-applied
DatesPrice / personAvailability
22 Jun 202621 Jul 2026CAD 11,069unknownBook my trip
29 Jun 202628 Jul 2026CAD 8,302On requestBook my trip
Operated by G Adventures

A TripFinder-trusted operator. We compare the trip and handle your booking with a real advisor — you travel under the operator's terms.

Book my trip →

More Africa adventures

Rwanda Gorilla Adult Jungle
Intrepid Travel
Deal

Gorillas to Vic Falls

Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe · 42 days · Moderate5.0(2)

fromCAD 8,904
Next: 20 Jun
Elephants getting a drink in Chobe National Park, Botswana.
Intrepid Travel
Deal

Zanzibar to Cape Town

Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe · 40 days · Easy4.9(29)

fromCAD 6,486
Next: 22 Jun
Nairobi to Cape Town Overland Safari & Participation Camping image
G Adventures
Save 15%

Nairobi to Cape Town Overland Safari & Participation Camping

Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia · 40 days · Moderate

fromCAD 6,719
Next: 29 Jun