32 day Journey to the Cape. Johannesburg to Cape Town

Day 1: Johannesburg to Hazyview, South Africa

Your Africa backpacking tour departs from Johannesburg heading towards the Lowveld and the famous Kruger National Park, your camp for the next 2 nights.

Here guests can enjoy a refreshing swimming pool and a hot shower before your exciting day of game drives the following morning. Lunch and dinner is included.

Day 2: Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in the world. You spend the day on full game drives to see how many species you can find, including the Big Five. You will also have the option of a night game drive in the Park. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 3: Kruger National Park to Graskop, South Africa

Today you bid farewell to the Kruger Park on your way to Graskop. Here you will explore the beauty and magnificence of Mpumalanga, including the striking Blyde River Canyon and God's Window. For those in the mood to party, Graskop's nightlife is something to be enjoyed. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 4: Graskop to Messina, South Africa

Today you travel north toward Zimbabwe. This is your chance to relax, catch up on some reading, or just enjoy the scenery. You spend your last night in South Africa in Messina. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 5: Messina to Masivingo, Zimbabwe

Today you say goodbye to South Africa and enter Zimbabwe, a country rich in tradition, culture and beauty. You make your way to Masivingo, which lies in the outskirts of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

You will get the chance to explore this ancient wonderland before setting up camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 6: Masivingo to Gweru, Zimbabwe

After you explore this historic area, you continue your journey to Gweru, situated in the Zimbabwe Midlands. You make a stop at the Antelope Park where you can partake in a memorable experience - Walking with Lions.

In addition to the Lion, the Park is also home to an abundance of wildlife species, including Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest and 150 species of bird. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 7: Gweru - Antelope Park, Zimbabwe

Your day is spent at leisure, partaking in a variety of activities to entertain you. From walking with lions, Elephant riding, to swimming and fishing, guests are sure to be enthralled.

Days 8 & 9: Gweru to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe and offers a relaxing, laid back atmosphere. Here you will find a number of interesting places to visit, including the Natural History Museum, the National Arts Gallery and the Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

On day 9 you travel to Matobo National Park, one of the last strongholds of both Black and White Rhino, as well as a high concentration of Leopard and Black Eagle. Explore the numerous caves and rock paintings left by the ancient San people of this area.

You will spend time on game drives through the park, gaining insights into the geography, ecology and history of the area, followed by exploring Bulawayo and its many markets. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 10: Matobo National Park to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Today this Africa overland tour heads north to the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the world's natural wonders. Victoria Falls is one of the most unforgettable sights on your African safari and boasts many activities for guests to partake.

Enjoy scenic flights over the Falls, white water rafting down the Batoka Gorge, or exhilarating bungi jumping from the Zambezi Bridge. These activities are definitely not the faint hearted.

For the faint hearted, other optional activities included day trip into the Zambezi National Park, horse riding safaris, visits to the Crocodile Ranch, Snake Park, golf at Elephant Hills Hotel, the Falls Crafts Village and a Sunset Cruise. Breakfast and lunch is included.

Days 11 & 12: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

For the next 2 days, you spend your time at leisure, partaking in the many activities available in the Victoria Falls. Breakfast is included.

Days 13 and 14: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park, Botswana

This morning you depart Victoria Falls and cross the border of Zimbabwe to Botswana, where you will camp for the night. You spend the day exploring the area and relaxing on the banks of the majestic Chobe River. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

On day 14 you start your morning early for your game drive in the Chobe National Park. Chobe National Park is one of Botswana's premier game parks and is famous for its large concentration of Elephant around the Chobe River.

This afternoon you will have the option of a boat trip along the Chobe River. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 15: Chobe National Park to Maun, Botswana

Today the Africa Overland tour travels in a south westerly direction to Maun; your base camp before you start your optional excursions to the Okavango Delta. It is a long drive to Maun, with lunch along the roadside. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

The Okavango Delta is a huge expanse of water, home to an incredible variety of bird life and many other Southern Africa animals.

Days 16 & 17: Okavango Delta, Botswana

You will have the opportunity to partake in the optional 3 day/2 night excursion into the Okavango Delta. This excursion involves traveling north to the Mokoro poles station, where you will hire a mokoro (dug out canoe) and make your way through the winding waterways with the help of a local guide.

An afternoon game walk will introduce you to the smaller wonders of the Delta. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

On day 17 you get the chance to rest and relax, as well as partake in activities like game walks, mokoro cruises, swimming or even poling your own mokoro. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 18: Okavango Delta to Maun, Botswana

Today you will enjoy your final morning game walk in the Okavango Delta, before packing up and heading back to Maun. You arrive in the early afternoon, where you have the option of taking a scenic sunset flight over the Delta region. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 19: Maun to Rundu, Namibia

Today you depart Maun for Namibia in the Northern region. You restock on supplies in Rundu before reaching your campsite for the night.

Your campsite is located on the banks of the Kavango River, with open air facilities and possible sightings of Hippo grazing on the lawn. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Days 20 & 21: Rundu to Etosha National Park (Namutoni), Namibia

You arrive in Etosha National Park in the late afternoon today. This major reserve is home a large variety of animal and bird species. Your evening will be spent sitting on the viewing benches, watching the game at the floodlit waterhole. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

You enjoy another full day of game drives on day 21. You make your way across 150 kilometres of the park, viewing game and learning about the environment as you go along. Tonight you can again spend time on the deck viewing the animals at the waterhole. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 22: Etosha to Cheetah Park, Namibia

On day 22 of your backpacking tour, you take a short drive to the Cheetah Park, a private farm where you will learn about the conservation of the Cheetah population in Namibia. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 23: Cheetah Park to Spitzkoppe, Namibia

You drive for a day, finally arriving in Spitzkoppe, one of Namibia's most recognized landmarks. You can explore the ancient Bushman paintings in the surrounding areas. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Days 24, 25 & 26: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund, Namibia

Today you follow the Atlantic Coast to visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony. Cape Cross is the largest Cape Fur Seal breeding colony in South Africa and Namibia, and seals are present throughout the year. You arrive in Swakopmund late afternoon. Breakfast & Lunch Included.

On days 25 & 26, you explore more of Swakopmund, with its many restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and arts and crafts shops selling rural Namibian art. Swakopmund also boasts fine beaches, a wonderful museum, an aquarium and galleries.

Optional excursions include fishing trips, quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving, desert flights, water sports, golf and 4WD hire. Breakfast is included.

Day 27: Skwakopmund to Sesriem, Namibia

Today you leave Swakopmund and head for Sesriem, located close to Sossosvlei and surrounded by dramatic sand dunes. Your afternoon will be spent exploring the area, taking in the breathtaking views.

An optional excursion that is not to be missed is a walk in the area with highly specialised local guides of Sossus on Foot. Your guide will teach you about the history, geology, flora, fauna and cultural legacy of the Bushman of the area. Your evening is spent viewing the sunset from the top of Dune 45, a truly unforgettable experience. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 28: Sesriem to Helmringhausen Area, Namibia

Today you depart the Namib-Naukluft Park in search for your camp for the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 29: Helmringhausen Area to Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Today you drive to Hobos campsite then to the dramatic Fish River Canyon; the second largest canyon is the world. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Day 30: Fish River Canyon to Orange River, between Namibia and South Africa

Today you take a short drive south to the Orange River, the natural land border between Namibia and South Africa. You have the option of enjoying a half day canoe trip on the Orange River, the perfect opportunity to do some bird watching. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

Days 31 & 32: Orange River to Cape Town, South Africa

Today is a long days drive through the stunning wine growing region of Namaqualand and Ceres, heading towards the beautiful city of Cape Town. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.

On the morning of day 32 your backpacking tour will end. If you wish to partake in the many activities offered in and around Cape Town, it is recommended that you spend a few extra days post your tour. Accommodation can be arranged with your consultant at Siyabona Africa.

Optional Excursions: