9.4/10 based on 42 reviews

Cape Town – Victoria Falls self drive

A 28-day South Africa, Namibia & Botswana self drive 4×4 tour starting in Cape Town, South Africa, and ending at the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. A long ‘one way’ itinerary allows you to fully enjoy with limited travel distances. Three African countries will be visited so you will get a full African experience!

You are going to visit the beautiful countries of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana in this 4×4 self drive trip. A nice combination of wild and unspoiled nature in Namibia and South Africa the adventurous game parks in Botswana. At the end of this trip you’ll stay two nights in a hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. On the itinerary of this self drive are among others the sand dunes at Sossusvlei, Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park, Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta).

Advantages of self-drive 4×4 package trips

  • Inclusive support and professional advice safari trip
  • Inclusive GPS with Tracks4Africa software and all 4×4 waypoints and destinations for your trip
  • Inclusive CDW2 insurance with Zero Excess
  • A perfectly mapped route with optimal travel distances
  • SGR cover for pre-paid funds (incl. Sicherungsschein for Germany)

Looking for a shorter Victoria Falls selfdrive? Check out our 21-day Windhoek – Victoria Falls selfdrive: https://selfdrive4x4.com/en/self-drive-trips/windhoek-victoria-falls-21-days-en/.

Botswana 4x4 safari
Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

Itinerary

  • 1: Cape Town/Stellenbosch
  • 2: Cape Town/Stellenbosch
  • 3: Cape Town/Stellenbosch
  • 4: Cederberg Wilderness
  • 5: Cederberg Wilderness
  • 6: Namaqua National Park
  • 7: Namaqua National Park
  • 8: Oranjerivier
  • 9: Ai Ais/Fish River Canyon
  • 10: Aus
  • 11: Aus
  • 12: Sesriem
  • 13: Sossusvlei/Solitaire
  • 14: Swakopmund
  • 15: Spitzkoppe
  • 16: Twyfelfontein
  • 17: Etosha National Park (Okaukuejo)
  • 18: Etosha National Park (Halali)
  • 19: Etosha National Park (Namutoni)
  • 20: Rundu
  • 21: Okavango Panhandle (Ngepi)
  • 22: Okavango Panhandle (Ngepi)
  • 23: Kongola
  • 24: Chobe Riverfront (Ngoma Bridge)
  • 25: Kasane
  • 26 : Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
  • 27: Victoria Falls
  • 28: Return flight
house icon white 7 nights lodge or B&B
tipi tent icon white 20 nights camping
car icon white 26 days 4x4 car rental

Route & itinerary

28days
1

Day 1: Cape Town/Stellenbosch

The first day of your self drive. Upon arrival you will meet our partner of the car rental company for a transfer to the depot and for an extensive instruction and handling of formalities. The first three nights of the trip is planned in the vicinity of Cape Town, the Mother City. You will have enough time to acclimatize and get acquainted with the 4×4. You stay at Evergreen Lodge or a similar accommodation in Stellenbosch.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: 20 km.

2

Day 2: Cape Town/Stellenbosch

Second day in Cape Town and Stellenbosch and stay at Evergreen LodgeYou can use this day to aclimatize and prepair yourself for the coming roadtrip to Victoria Falls. Alternatively use this day to explore the vinyards around Stellenbosch or drive to the Cape Peninsula and Cape of Good Hope.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: resting day

3

Day 3: Cape Town/Stellenbosch

Third day in Cape Town and Stellenbosch and stay at Evergreen Lodge. Once more a full day to explore Cape Town, The Victoria & Albert Waterfront and for example climb Table Mountain!

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: resting day.

4

Day 4: Cederberg Wilderness

The first, real travelling day! You are heading North and the first destination Cederberg Wilderness. You stay at Cederberg Algeria Campsite. Depending on your departure time you will have time in the afternoon to go for examp on a hike.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 220 km.

5

Day 5: Cederberg Wilderness

Second night at Cederberg Algeria Campsite. A full day to explore the area. For example go hiking on one of the many trails available.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: resting day.

6

Day 6: Namaqua National Park

Next stop is Namaqua National Park. You stay at Groen Rivier Coastal Campsite.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 330 km.

7

Day 7: Namaqua National Park

Another night at Groen Rivier Coastal Campsite. Time to explore!

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: resting day.

8

Day 8: Oranjerivier

A long journey today. You will leave for Oranjerivier in mid South Africa. You stay at The Growcery Camp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 310 km.

9

Day 9: Ai Ais/Fish River Canyon

Today we are crossing the border with Namibia! You stay at Ai Ais Campsite.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 225 km.

10

Day 10: Aus

Long drive today! You are travelling to Aus. You stay at Desert Horse Campsite in Klein Aus Vista.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 340 km.

11

Day 11: Aus

Second day at Desert Horse Campsite in Klein Aus Vista.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: resting day.

12

Day 12: Sesriem

You can start early today for the trip to Sesriem and the Namib Desert (Namib Naukluft Park). EYu arrive at Sesriem campsite in the afternoon.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 380 km.

13

Day 13: Sossusvlei/Solitaire

A full day to visit the sand dunes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. It is advisable to start early in the morning, so that you are at the dunes in time for the sunrise. A breathtaking spectacle with red and orange colors and deep shadows. The journey up and down to the dunes is about 120 km. You spend the night at the foot of the Spreets Hoogte pass. This is about a 110 km drive from Sesriem. You will stay at the special Camp Gecko.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 230km

14

Day 14: Swakopmund

After the sand dunes and Sesriem your self drive trip now continues and the next destination is Swakopmund on the Atlantic coast, using the well known Solitaire and Kuisib Canyon. Accommodation is Desert Breeze bed & breakfast with a unique view. In Swakopmund, you can enjoy your dinner in a restaurant.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: 270 km.

15

Day 15: Spitzkoppe

After breakfast at the B&B you have time to explore Swakopmund and do some shopping if needed. Then drive to the next destination of this self drive trip, the jagged rocks and characteristic Spitzkoppe. You stay at Spitzkoppe Restcamp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 160 km.

16

Day 16: Twyfelfontein

A nice ride today on the road to Twyfelfontein through a unique landscape and beautiful route in Damaraland. You can visit Organ Pipes and Petrified forest. You stay at Mowani Camp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 235 km.

17

Day 17: Etosha National Park (Okaukuejo)

Today we are going to Etosha National Park. In total you spend three nights in three different rest camps in this huge wildlife park. Etosha shows you all kinds of wildlife including elephants, rhinos and lions. The floodlit waterholes at the rest camps are highly recommended. You can easily walk from the camp. You stay at Okaukuejo Restcamp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 340 km.

 

18

Day 18: Etosha National Park (Halali)

A second day in Etosha National Park. You can choose to make an early morning game drive and then return to Okaukeujo or to break up directly the entire camp and start the game drive towards Halali. When you choose a short morning game drive around the Okaukuejo camp you can have brunch first and then break up the camp after returning. Destination for today is Halali Restcamp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 70 km.

19

Day 19: Etosha National Park (Namutoni)

The third day of your stay in Etosha National Park. Today again an extensive game drive towards Namutoni. And today you can choose between a walk around the camp or directly break up the camp and continue the self drive trip to Namutoni Restcamp. It will also depend on how long you keep watching at the floodlit waterhole in Halali, this waterhole gives you a chance of seeing many special animals. It is not uncommon hyenas, lions and even to spot a leopard at this place.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 110 km.

 

20

Day 20: Rundu

In the morning you still have time for a game drive from the Namutoni camp. Then break up the camp and leave behind the Etosha National Park. Along the way you can make a stop at the Hoba meteorite and you could do some shopping in the city (Grootfontein). Roy’s Camp features a gourmet restaurant. You stay at n’Kwazi Lodge.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: 450 km.

21

Day 21: Okavango Panhandle (Ngepi)

The trip to Ngepi Camp located on the Okavango River in the “pan handle” of the Okavango Delta is a simple but long ride of 425 km. Along the way you will pass several villages and souvenir stalls where locals sell all kinds of goods.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 425 km.

22

Day 22: Okavango Panhandle (Ngepi)

A full (rest) day at Ngepi Camp. It is possible to relax or to do an activity. Ngepi Camp offers various trips, often on the waters of the Okavango Delta. The Mekoro trip and the sunset cruise are popular activities here.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: resting day.

23

Day 23: Kongola

Today, you travel to Kongola. Camp Kwando is just inside Namibia, but the border of Botswana is around the corner.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 250 km.

24

Day 24: Chobe Riverfront (Ngoma Bridge)

Today we approach Botswana a little bit more. Chobe River Camp is the next destination, with a beautiful view over the Chobe river.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 210 km.

25

Day 25: Kasane

Next stop: Botswana! Kasane at the Chobe River is your next destination, you can walk along the Chobe river side to the east. Along the way you will have a good chance to spot various animals. Elephants are regularly seen at the various waterholes. During the day you will arrive at the Senyati Safari Camp. It is here to enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 100 km.

26

Day 26 : Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

In the morning you return the car to the rental company. Then traveling on to Zimbabwe by transfer. Around noon you arrive at your hotel in Victoria Falls. You stay at Bayete Guest Lodge.

Accommodation: Hotel. Travel distance: 80 km.

27

Day 27: Victoria Falls

Second day at Bayete Guest Lodge. A full day to relax at the hotel, enjoy an excursion such as rafting on the Zambezi and of course to see the Victoria Falls!

Accommodation: Hotel. Travel distance: resting day.

28

Day 28: Return flight

The last day of the trip. During the morning you there will be a transfer to the airport from the hotel for the return flight home.

Your custom self drive 4×4 itinerary

All our self drive trips can be adjusted to your personal requirements. Staying somewhere for a day longer or adding another destination is not a problem.
Ask us about the possibilities and we are happy to help you!

Your 4x4 rental car

The default car is a Toyota Hilux 4×4 double cab 2.4 Diesel.

The Toyota Hilux double cab is the most perfect 4×4 rental car for a self-drive safari in Africa.

It has much space and comfort, and has sleeping places in the roof tent. This Toyota Hilux Double Cab 4×4 has a separate boot where you can safely store your travel bags, together with all the camping equipment for your self-drive journey in Southern Africa.

Available for both 2 and 4 people, the Hilux is the best choice. For travels with 5 people (two adults and three children) the Hilux double cab can also be used.

If you’re with just two people, the back seat is especially useful for photo bags, day packs and supplies.

It is possible to upgrade car at extra costs.

Check here all our 4×4 rental cars.

Rates

Prices per person for various dates in 2024 and 2025. The Cape Town to Victoria Falls Drive trip is available for 2 to 4 people per car. The default car is a Toyota Hilux 4×4 double cab 2.4 Diesel. The price for 5 people or more can for example be requested and depends on the local possibilities and space in the preferred car. 4×4 cars (Land Cruiser or 4×4 camper) other than the default 4×4 car are available upon request.

5 January - 19 March, (2024)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 2.890,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.350,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 1.980,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 476,- per trip.

20 March - 30 June, (2024)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 2.990,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.430,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 2.060,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 476,- per trip.

1 July - 10 November, (2024)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 3.650,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.890,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 2.390,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 476,- per trip.

11 November - 4 January, (2025)

  • 2 people Rate per person € 2.990,-
  • 3 people Rate per person € 2.430,-
  • 4 people Rate per person € 2.060,-

Optional CDW (Zero Excess) insurance incl. tires and glass € 476,- per trip.

Included

Toyota Hilux 4x4 Double Cab with complete camping & safari equipment
All accommodation during the journey
Two drivers
GPS & Tracks4Africa software
Advise by experienced self drive specialists
Airport transfers
Support

Not included

International Flights
Entry Fees
Fuel
Food & Drinks
Upgrades to fixed (luxury) accommodations
Upgrade to Toyota Landcruiser or Hilux 3.0 (automatic) or Toyota Fortuner (automatic)
Zero Excess insurance

Highlights

10 / 10

Skillful people

It was a really good experience and they are skillful to plan and give quick response with answers.

Good knowledge of Africa and the countries there. What to visit and they plan the trip so it suits the customer.
Quick response when you have questions.

Christer Jonson

10 / 10

Adequate hulp

Selfdrive4x4.com biedt adequate en deskundige hulp bij zowel het plannen van het reisschema, het regelen van autohuur en het daarbij horende papierwerk (verzekeringen, transfers) en het vastleggen van de camping- en lodge-locaties.

Anonymous

10 / 10

Perfect organization

Selfdrive4x4.com offers the perfect organization of the trip for selfdrivers.

Strengths

Very easy handling, good communication.

Franziska

10 / 10

Perfect

Perfect, I would recommend it to everybody to work together with it.

Strengths

Friendly people – very fast in answering questions – high knowlede about the things you need at your destination and for a 4×4 driving holiday – easy to comunicate with.

Improvements or suggestions

Right know for my use it was perfect. Especially since I am not next door, and just worked together via internet and phone.

 

Niedereder Raimund

10 / 10

We would recommend Selfdrive4x4.com to our friends

We booked a last minute 17 day self drive trip through Namibia with this company and everything was just perfect. Contact with the company was very pleasant and they kept us posted with updates about the progress of our trip. Gps, maps, book and 12V equipment was sent to our home as soon as our trip was confirmed.

Price wise it was a great deal and everything in Namibia (car and layovers) were to our satisfaction. We would definitely book again with this company and we would recommend it to our friends.

Reinier