Drive through Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe from South Africa
There’s no way to see Southern Africa like driving yourself right through the quintessentially African landscape, and the Southern Africa Self-Drive Camping Tour gives you the ultimate in freedom when it comes to exploring Africa!
The Southern Africa Self-Drive Camping Tour lets you get behind the wheel with the help of your experienced guide, driving deep into the African savannah. Pitch tents at campsites along the Zambezi River, and awake to elephants strolling by in the morning. Stop by Victoria Falls and let the mist hit your face or jump into a helicopter to explore from above. Drive into some of the most renowned game reserves in Africa, including Moremi and Chobe. Swim in lazy rivers next to peaceful villages and get to know fellow adventures at hotel bars and campsites. Hike in the forest of Botswana or rip around on a quad in the bushland of Zimbabwe. Cruising through Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, the Southern Africa Self-Drive Camping Tour is a chance like no other to explore Africa with all the freedom four wheels provide.
Highlights of the Southern Africa Self-Drive Camping Tour
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Southern Africa Self-Drive Camping Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in South Africa
Welcome to Africa! You’ll arrive at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg and be greeted by your guide, who will drive you to your hotel in Pretoria for the rest of the day.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pretoria
Distance: 55km
Meals: None
Day 2 Travel to Limpopo
After breakfast, you’ll receive your rental vehicle(s) in the morning at the hotel. Then, it’s off to the shops for any needed supplies. From there, you’ll depart towards Limpopo. Limpopo is South Africa’s northernmost province, known for its quintessentially African vistas. You’ll call it a night near the Groblersbrug border post at a safari lodge.
Overnight Location: Safari Lodge in Limpopo
Distance: 415km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Limpopo to Francistown
After waking up in paradise, you’ll enter Botswana at the border post and head towards Francistown and the cozy campsite chalets where you’ll spend the night. Enjoy a day of incredible African scenery, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you cruise.
Overnight Location: Campsite in Francistown
Distance: 315km
Meals: None
Day 4 Francistown to Gweta
Today, you’ll head north towards Gweta. Gweta is the gateway to the Makgadikgadi Pans, where Stone Age inhabitants lived. You can enjoy star-studded African skies while sipping baobab milkshakes, relax at the campsite pool, spot zebra and wildebeest, and enjoy the village. You’ll be camping here for the next two nights.
Overnight Location: Camping in Gweta
Distance: 290km
Meals: None
Day 5 Game drive, village visit, and Baobab bush walk near Gweta
There is plenty to do in and around Gweta, and you have the choice between several activities to fill your day. There are game drives in the Ntwetwe Pan, an extremely unique landscape. You can also get up close and personal with Kalahari meerkats, visit the local village and learn about the local culture over a traditional lunch, or take a Baobab bush walk with a local guide. Depending on the season, you can also opt for a zebra and wildebeest migration tour or take a quad bike out over the plains.
Overnight Location: Camping in Gweta
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 6 Gweta to Maun
In the morning, it’s time to depart to Maun, the third-largest town in Botswana. Maun has great access to the Okavango Delta and nearby game reserves. You can actually take a helicopter tour over the delta if you like! You can also opt to stop into the Nhabe Museum, take a game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve, or take a spin on a 4x4.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Maun
Distance: 220km
Meals: None
Day 7 Choice of activities in Maun
Day 7 of your camping tour of Botswana and Zimbabwe is yours to plan. There are a few different activities you can enjoy in Maun, including game drives in Moremi, mokoro rides, or boat cruises to Chief’s Island. Enjoy!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Maun
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Maun to Divundu
Set off in the morning for Divundu, a small village that gives fantastic access to the Okavango River and nearby game reserves. Welcome to Namibia! After you pitch your tent, you can stop by the Mahango Game Park, go fishing, take a bird-watching boat ride, or explore nearby Popa Falls.
Overnight Location: Camping in Divundu
Distance: 430km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Choice of activities in Divundu
Today is yours to enjoy Divundu. Some of the local activities you can take part in include boat cruises, bushmen excursions, mokoro trips, delta tours, or relaxing by the river.
Overnight Location: Camping in Divundu
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 10 Divundu to Muchenje
In the morning, you’ll set off along the Caprivi Strip and back into Botswana. Enjoy the scenery as you make your way to Muchenje, a town on the Chobe riverfront, renowned for its diverse wildlife and game viewing opportunities. You’ll likely spot a few elephants and hippos while pitching your tent. There are several different ways to explore the area, so hop on a quad or boat and see what you can find!
Overnight Location: Camping in Muchenje
Distance: 400km
Meals: None
Day 11 Choice of activities in Muchenje
The day is yours to enjoy. You can take a game drive in Chobe National Park, enjoy a boat cruise on the river, or take your own vehicle for a spin around the area.
Overnight Location: Camping in Muchenje
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 12 Muchenje to Victoria Falls
You can’t visit Zimbabwe without seeing Victoria Falls. Pack up camp and depart for the border, making your way towards the town. Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Victoria Falls
Distance: 400km
Meals: None
Day 13 Victoria Falls
This day of your African camping adventure is all about Victoria Falls. There are many ways to enjoy this natural wonder of the world, but guided tours are a favourite. You can also take a guided tour of the township, enjoy a traditional village tour, or even hop in a helicopter to view the Falls from above!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Victoria Falls
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 14 Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park
In the morning, it’s off towards Hwange National Park. This is Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve and home to giraffe, lion, zebra, and 40,000 elephants. The landscape is fantastic, ranging from desert dunes to vast savannah. You can enjoy the afternoon on an open-vehicle game drive in the park.
Overnight Location: Camping in Hwange National Park
Distance: 400km
Meals: None
Day 15 Hwange National Park
Spend the day in the park, finding all the animals you can and enjoying the incredible scenery.
Overnight Location: Camping in Hwange National Park
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 16 Hwange National Park to Matobo Hills
In the morning, you’ll leave Hwange and head to the Matobo Hills area. This region hosts the Matobo National Park, an area with rich human history and magnificent flora and fauna. The landscape consists of massive red granite boulders dotted among forests, making it an excellent hiking destination. Once you arrive, set up camp and plan tomorrow’s day in the park.
Overnight Location: Camping in Matobo Hills
Distance: 330km
Meals: None
Day 17 Choice of activities in Matobo Hills
Spend the day enjoying Matobo Hills. You can take a game drive, a rhino walk, and go hiking. Have fun!
Overnight Location: Camping in Matobo Hills
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 18 Matobo Hills to Palapye
Depart for Botswana in the morning, where you’ll spend the night in Palapye. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you drive, and then take the time to enjoy the amenities of your hotel after a few nights of camping.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Palapye
Distance: 350km
Meals: None
Day 19 Palapye to Pretoria
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading into South Africa, eventually reaching Pretoria. You’ve got the rest of the day to enjoy Pretoria before bedtime.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pretoria
Distance: 490km
Meals: None
Day 20 Departure
In the morning, your rental car will be picked up from the hotel, and then you’ll be driven to the airport in Johannesburg. Safe travels home!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 55km
Meals: Breakfast
Southern Africa Self-Drive Camping Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour through Southern Africa is always run as a custom tour for your group only, therefore the price always depends on the number of people in your group, as well as the vehicle category chosen.
The Southern Africa Self-Drive Tour is available from January to October. The best time to visit the countries involved on this tour is in the dry season (June-October), as the rainy season could make overland travel more difficult. However, Victoria Falls tend to be in its full beauty right after the rainy season, between February and May.
Private Guided Southern Africa Self-Drive Camping Tour
Have your own private tour with just your group! Prices below are per person:
Group N vehicle (Toyota Fortuner 4x2 or similar):
- Guided Groups of 7-8: $3,575 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 9-10: $3,375 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 11-12: $3,025 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 13-14: $2,975 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 15-16: $2,750 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 17-18: $2,750 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 19-20: $2,625 USD per person
Group W vehicle (Toyota Hilux Double Cab or similar):
- Guided Groups of 7-8: $3,625 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 9-10: $3,425 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 11-12: $3,050 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 13-14: $3,025 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 15-16: $2,795 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 17-18: $2,750 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 19-20: $2,650 USD per person
Accommodation on the Southern Africa Self-Drive Camping Tour
This tour is based in campsites and 2, 3 & 4-star hotels. The hotels offer comfortable rooms that often have ensuite bathrooms and the campsites often offer basic facilities. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travellers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $450 USD to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travellers up where possible.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Court Classique Suite Hotel in Pretoria ★★★★
Court Classique is a clean, modern hotel with a great restaurant, outdoor pool, and helpful staff.
Buffalo Thorn Safari Lodge in Limpopo ★★★★
This lodge offers simple rooms with air conditioning, pool access, and a fantastic location.
Woodlands Stop-Over in Francistown ★★★
Woodlands Stop Over is a self-catering lodge that offers extra-long beds, kitchenettes, and pool facilities.
Planet Baobab Campsite in Gweta
This fun campsite has a poolside bar, quirky decor, and laundry service.
Sedia Riverside Hotel in Maun ★★★
This hotel offers cozy rooms with air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms, and pool access.
Ngepi Bush Campsite in Divundu
This campsite offers laundry service, swimming access in the river, and a nearby restaurant.
Muchenje Campsite and Cottages in Chobe area ★★★
Muchenje Campsite and Cottages offers campsites with great facilities as well as cozy cottages with air conditioning and free internet access.
Shearwater Explorers Village in Victoria Falls ★★★
Shearwater has clean, comfortable rooms with access to a great pool, dry cleaning, and free high-speed internet.
Hwange National Park Rest Camp in Hwange National Park
This secluded camp is in tune with nature, the staff is knowledgeable about the area, and the sites are well taken care of.
Matobo Farmhouse in Matopos ★★★★
This farmhouse is taken care of by attentive staff, and the rooms are comfortable, peaceful, and have ensuite bathrooms.
Cresta Botsalo Hotel in Palapye ★★★
Cresta Botsalo Hotel has well-equipped rooms, a gym, cable TV, and a nice pool.
Court Classique Suite Hotel in Pretoria ★★★★
Court Classique is a clean, modern hotel with a great restaurant, outdoor pool, and helpful staff.
What’s Included in the Southern Africa Self-Drive Camping Tour?
Meals
4 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 19 nights is included.
Transportation during the Tour
Personal and luggage transfer to and from the airport is included.
Also Included
- English-speaking guide
- Rental vehicle(s)
- General camping equipment
- Game drives, boat cruises, and other non-optional excursions
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Fuel
- Travel to and from Johannesburg
- Meals, drinks, and snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Visas if required
- Personal equipment (including personal equipment for camping)
- Entrance fees to parks, gardens, and conservation sites
Optional Extras
- Additional activities and excursions
- Single room supplements
- Solo traveller supplements
- Any additional nights before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Africa Self-Drive Camping Tour
Highline Tours and Travel is a tour operator that explores exotic destinations: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, East Africa, Mozambique, to name a few. They offer phenomenal safari, activity and adventure, and romantic getaway tours that will undoubtedly leave a vivid, lasting memory.
The tour guides for Highline Tours and Travel have a magical way of elevating tours from lovely to personable and memorable. They believe in creating a dynamic, encouraging, and fun environment.
Highline Tours and Travel’s vision is to provide the best holiday possible for all clients in hopes that they will become ambassadors for the stunning African continent.
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Machiel Breedt has spent the last five years guiding tourists in South Africa. He enjoys introducing participants to his country’s vast, diverse scenery, from the animals of Kruger National Park in the North to St Lucia and the beautiful coastline, to the Drakensberg mountains and the Wine of the Cape.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to do and why?
- A: Probably touring from Cape Town to Vic Falls via Namibia and Botswana. It is pure Africa. The vibe of Cape Town and surrounds, to the vastness of the Namibian deserts and plains, to the breath-taking nature and wildlife of Botswana, to the amazing Victoria Falls.
- Q: What is your most unforgettable moment when guiding?
- A: I have 2 moments that I will never forget. The first one is a couple of years ago I had a group doing a 16-day tour from Johannesburg to Cape Town and on that tour was two sisters who got separated at a very young age and didn’t see each other again for about 50 years. One day they walked past each other in a supermarket and recognised one another. One of the local radio stations heard about the story and sponsored them a vacation to enjoy together, and I had the honour of having them on my tour and showing them our beautiful country.
- The second is the time that we were on safari in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and we saw a pack of about 20 lions devouring the carcass of an elephant.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that tourists must try on a visit to your country and why?
- A: It would most definitely be biltong and Amarula. Biltong is meat that is dried with a variety of spices, and it’s just too delicious for words. Amarula is a cream liqueur that is made from the fruits of the Marula tree and just goes down so nice after a long and hot African summer day.