Overland tours from South Africa
[Contact rob@southafrica.to to book an overland tour from Johannesburg or hire a 4x4].
Overland tours of South Africa provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the length and breadth of a fascinating continent with a varied biodiversity, breathtaking landscape and rich cultural history. There are many tour operators providing tours to suit every traveller’s requirements, providing wonderful opportunities for experiencing the rich diversity of this unique country.
The Chimhavira Overland Safari concept came into being when its owner set out on an overland tour that ranged from sophisticated London to the beautiful Cape of Good Hope and everywhere in between. They offer a wide range of exciting tours and operate out of Johannesburg, South Africa to cover a broad selection of destinations. As a traveller on the go you could select a great one and a half day tour known as the Gauteng Day tour which incorporates a trip to the Premier mine, where the legendary Cullinan diamond, totalling a whopping 3,565 carats, was unearthed. You will go on to explore Pretoria, taking a tour of the Union buildings, the historic Voortrekker Monument and the Paul Kruger Museum.
Alternatively, you could opt to do the day and half Soweto tour, drinking in the vibrant atmosphere of South Africa’s largest township. For an interesting travel option you might enjoy a visit to the World Heritage Site of the Sterkfontein Caves, well-known for its location in the so-called Cradle of Humankind. You’ll be taken deep into the unique caves, down to visit the large underground lake for a memorable experience.
The De Wildt Cheetah tour is another interesting day trip option, offering you the opportunity to tour this unique conservation station located in the bushveld of the wild Magaliesberg. If you are up for a longer tour, why not venture on the Kruger National Park tour? During your first day on tour you will depart from Johannesburg to arrive via Land Rover at Numbi Gate, the entrance to the Kruger National Park. From there you will drive through the Park, spotting a wide variety of animals en-route to the rest camp of Pretoriuskop.
You’ll enjoy the unique experience of over-nighting in a rooftop tent set up on your Land Rover, to fall asleep to the sounds of the African wild. The next day will be spent enjoying the sights and making your way to Letaba Rest Camp. You will over-night on a small farm located in the heart of the bushveld. The final day will see you starting back from Letaba towards Johannesburg, drinking in the wild beauty of the African bush one last time before arriving back at your hotel in the afternoon.
Enjoy a six day tour of the Lesotho Mountains for an unforgettable safari. You will travel from Ladybrand, via Malealea to Johannesburg, drinking in the majestic beauty of these towering mountains and enjoying evenings in beautiful natural surroundings. For the fishing enthusiast there is the option to enjoy a 7-day trip, fishing for tiger, bass and yellow fish that will take you via Cullinan, Lydenburg, Maguga Dam, Pongolapoort Lake and then back to Johannesburg.
The 35-day tour of Southern Africa will take you via lesser travelled roads in a 4x4 to experience the beauty of the South African landscape. Your tour begins in the stunning Cedarberg area outside of Cape Town, taking you via Namaqualand to the Fish River Canyon. You will visit Helmeringshausen and then move on to explore Sesriem and the beautiful Sossusvlei area. You will go from there to Swakopmund and will then make the journey from there to the area known as Spitzkoppe. From there, Etosha beckons, with its wealth of wildlife and stark natural beauty.
Koukuas Ferien will intrigue you as you settle down for an evening at the Ngepi Camp and then cross the border over into Botswana to visit Maun. Maun is an area worthy of exploration and you will spend a full day here before departing for Nxai Pan and the Makgadikgadi Pans, then back to Nxai Pan and into Zimbabwe for your first glimpse of the stunning Victoria Falls.
On the nineteenth day of your journey you will arrive in old Bulawayo and from there will slowly make your way towards Matopos National Park. Marvel at the beautiful landscape and the wealth of birds and animals that populate the region as you travel to Gona-re-zhou where you will spend three days in a region where the three rivers have created many natural pools, ideal for bird watching and for spotting the local wildlife. You will likely spot some of the local large-tusked elephants during your stay here.
Leave from Chipinda Pools to journey towards Buzi Bridge to enjoy bush camping at its finest. You will delight in the beauty of the camp located at Vilanculos in the Bazaruto Archipelago, where you will spend two days savouring the golden beaches and azure waters of this beautiful coastline. Zavora Del Sol is another exotic location where you will simply marvel at the beauty of the unspoilt coastline of this Mozambique fishing destination.
Ponta Malongane provides the opportunity of swimming with the dolphins or simply taking a relaxing swim at the beach. Ponto ‘d Ouro translates as Golden Point and it is here that you will visit the Mkuze Game Reserve to travel along some exciting 4x4 routes to view the likes of crocodiles, elephants, hippopotami and rhino’s. You will spend a full day in the game reserve, visiting a traditional Zulu village to soak up the atmosphere of village life.
From there you will depart to travel to Cape Vidal in St. Lucia where you can not only view the local wildlife, but can spend time snorkelling, swimming and exploring the sand dunes along the beach. Following the beautiful Indian Ocean coastline you will depart for Umhlanga Rocks where you will overnight in this quaint beach town which is situated north of the bustling harbour city of Durban.
On your final day you will return to the city where you will be transferred to the airport after saying farewell to the group, taking with you some amazing memories to look back upon over the coming years. Overlanding Africa Tours provides a host of budget options to the curious traveller who wants to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the African experience.
They offer camping tours, accommodated tours and tours for small groups or families who either want a short break or are planning on doing a trans African tour. Trips can range from less than a week to fourty weeks and any amount of time in between, depending on your travel requirements and there are many tours offered to suit your individual needs.
If you have a month to travel you could consider taking a 26 day tour from Cape Town Table Mountain to the Kruger National Park. On your first morning you will depart from Cape Town, making your way through the winelands of the Western Cape as you travel on to the Cedarberg mountain range where you will spend your first evening beneath the African sky. Wave goodbye to the Cedarberg as you travel on to the majestic banks of the Orange River, where you will spend the evening camping on its mighty shores.
Go on to explore the Fish River Canyon, the dune fields of Sesriem, the stark terrain of Sossusvlei, before heading towards Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. View the rock paintings at Spitzkoppe before journeying on to Kamanjab and the Etosha National Park for breathtaking views and glimpses of the local wildlife. Enjoy a chilled ale in a local pub in Windhoek before spending time in Ghanzi learning more about the local Bushman community there. Stop over in Maun as we head towards the Okavango Delta, another spot of idyllic beauty and majesty. Return to Maun the following day en-route to Gweta, Kasane and Victoria Falls. From here you will start the journey home, travelling via Palapye, Nata, Johannesburg and finally the Kruger National Park before the final leg of the journey back to Johannesburg.
This tour operator offers many such tours, with different options, from camping out under the stars to a more luxurious accommodated option for those who enjoy the little luxuries in life. Whichever of the tour operators you decide upon, you will be ensured of a memorable trip throughout South Africa, viewing the local cultures, the astonishing diversity of the bird and wildlife and the enchanting landscape.
This unique and wonderful conglomeration of cultures has created a delightfully hospitable country where you can experience the primal beauty of nature at its most wild and yet, within a short drive, can immerse yourself in the culture of a bustling city or harbour port. Visually stunning and offering a feast of delights for all five senses, an overland holiday in South Africa is sure to leave you delighted, surprised and wishing for a return to the sunny shores of this magical country.
Africa-in-Focus is an overland tour operator that provides a wide variety of photographic tours for travellers who want to explore the beauty of South Africa in comfort. The tour leaders for each excursion have specialist photographic knowledge to help travellers to make a memorable record of their entire trip. Travellers can enjoy trips that range from two to eight weeks in duration.
Why not elect to go on a twenty-one day tour from Cape Town to the Victoria Falls? Spend your first week exploring Cape Town, Citrusdal, the Orange River, the Fish River Canyon, the Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and the Brandberg. During your second week travel through Cheetah Park, the Etosha National Park, Caprivi, the Okavango Delta and Maun. Spend your final week traversing the Chobe National Park before arriving at Victoria Falls. You will enjoy three meals a day throughout the trip and fees include camping and accommodation for the entire tour.
There is also a twenty-one day tour that leaves from Victoria Falls to take you all the way to the far reaches of Nairobi. You will leave from Victoria Falls and continue on to South Luangwa National Park, moving on to Lilongwe during your first week, having the opportunity to drink in the sights and sounds of this beautiful countryside. During your second week on the tour you will visit the enchanting Lake Malawi beaches and then move on to exotic Dar-es-Salaam. During your third week you will enjoy three nights in intriguing Zanzibar, before moving on to Arusha and then going to explore the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater. Your journey will culminate in your arrival in Nairobi. If all three of the above-mentioned tours appeal to you, Africa-in-Focus offers them as a complete 43-day package deal.
As another interesting alternative, you could choose to do the Nairobi to Victoria Falls tour in 27 days. This tour offers you the opportunity, during your first week on the tour to visit Lake Nakuru and to see the wild and beautiful Serengeti before heading out to Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha and Dar-es-Salaam. Zanzibar will be your first destination during your second week, followed by a tour to the Tanzanian Highlands and a stop over at Lake Malawi. In week three you will move on to explore the Lake Malawi beaches and can indulge in the pleasures of the Tea Plantation Tour. Lilongwe beckons during your fourth and final week on the tour, with an unforgettable trip to Lilongwe and the South Luangwa National Park before making the final journey to Victoria Falls.
You could choose to do the Southern Cross tour from Victoria Falls to Cape Town, which offers a variety of interesting destinations. You will depart from Victoria Falls and travel to the Chobe National Park, ending your first week by making the trip to Maun. During your second week you shall explore the natural treasures of the Okavango Delta, then go on to Caprivi and the Etosha National Park. During your third week you will enjoy the delights of Cheetah Park, Himba, Twyfelfontein, Brandberg and the stark beauty of Swakopmund. Your last week will begin with the tour heading for Sossusvlei, before moving onto the Fish River Canyon. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Orange River before a trip to Springbok. Meander down to Citrusdal and complete your journey to Cape Town as you arrive in the shadow of iconic Table Mountain.
A 55-day tour is also an option, with the route encompassing a tour from Nairobi to Victoria Falls and then on to Cape Town. There is also the option of a 14-day trip from Nairobi to Nairobi. Enjoy exploring the terrain between Nairobi and Arusha before making a memorable visit to the Ngorongoro Crater. Marvel at the beauty of the Serengeti and drink in the sights at Lake Victoria before starting your second week with a visit to Nakuru and Naivasha. Savour the vistas found at the Masai Mara National Reserve before embarking on a leisurely return to Nairobi.
Last but not least, there is a 14-day tour from Nairobi to Kigali. Start off the first week of the journey by travelling to Nakuru National Park and then move on to Eldoret and Jinja. Your second week begins with a tour to Kampala/Entebbe - Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Reserve and then moves on to Lake Bunyoni, Ruhengeri - Gorilla Trek and ends in Kigali. All tours offer three meals a day and include accommodation and camping fees.
Nomad Africa Adventure Tours offer camping and accommodated tours and a new range of exciting diving tours. These include adventures to Kruger National Park, Sodwana Bay, Diving the Aliwal Shoals, Diving at Protea Banks and include flights from Durban to Cape Town, Hermanus for the optional Great White Shark Cage Dive and Whale Watching.
This tour operator offers a wide selection of tours around Southern Africa. Travellers can enjoy a classic Big 5 tour at the Kruger National Park for four days. Travellers can experience the magic of the Masai Mara or can opt to spend time photographing the stunning Serengeti. The Garden Route is an ever popular choice, encompassing a tour to the Tsitsikamma National Park and a guided tour of the legendary Cango Caves.
Travel to Port Elizabeth and then on to Tsitsikamma National Park, which is home to the highest bung jump in the world! Enjoy a treetop canopy tour before moving onto the Knysna region, home of the Knysna lagoon and the majestic seahorse. Enjoy a trip through the Outeniqua Mountains as you travel towards Oudtshoorn, home to the Cango Caves and the world’s largest bird, the Ostrich. Take a tour of the 4km cave system before heading off to visit a local Ostrich farm to learn more about these fascinating birds.
From there you will journey to the lush region of the Western Cape to explore the Stellenbosch Wine Route. Visitors can visit Spier Wine farm for wine tasting and to marvel at the power and majesty of the Cheetah’s to be found at the Cheetah Breeding Project on the estate. After this wonderful experience you will be taken to the legendary Green Market Square in Cape Town, which is the final destination that signals the end of a most memorable tour.
There are a broad variety of packages available to suit all tastes, from accommodation to camping style tours, with a fleet of over fourty trucks at your disposal, with a staff of over 130 dedicated individuals who are there to ensure that you enjoy your tour to the fullest.
Overland Africa Tours offers you spectacular tours that range from the Drakensberg Mountains of KwaZulu Natal to as far a-field as the Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape, the Orange River, Tsitsikamma, the Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and everywhere in between! There are fantastic bungee jumping opportunities for the adventurous at heart or you can simply enjoy a hiking tour through some of the most beautiful countryside that South Africa has to offer.
The South Africa Overland Explorer is an 18 day tour that starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town and is done by overland truck, taking the traveller to the Kruger National Park via the visually evocative Panorama Route in Mpumalanga. You will visit Dullstroom and make your way via Robbers Pass en-route to Pilgrim’s Rest, an early gold mining town in the region. You will see such ecological sites as Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the formation known as the 3 Rondavels, which towers over the Blyde River Canyon.
Overnight at the Balule Nature Reserve on your way across the escarpment en-route to the Kruger National Park where you will enjoy a meal prepared over an open fire as a wonderful close to the days touring. You will have the opportunity to camp out in the wild, viewing the majestic Big 5 on a 3-hour morning guided game walk with an experienced tracker. Enjoy brunch and a relaxing swim before heading out for an exhilarating game drive out under the stars, culminating in an evening bush braai, South African style barbeque.
The next day will see you heading towards the sleepy town of Hazyview along the Bushbuck Ridge to spend the night in a stilted log cabin located along the banks of the Sabie River, surrounded by beautiful subtropical forest. See the spectacular bird life at the relaxed location of the local bird hide or take leisurely walks through the forest, culminating in a late afternoon swim.
Head off to explore the Kruger National Park in the morning via truck, catching glimpses of elephants, leopards, lions, rhinoceros and buffalo before enjoying a delicious lunch at the rest camp. Explore Swaziland, the ancestral home of the great warrior Shaka Zulu, bypassing the sugar cane fields and shopping to your hearts content at the local markets.
Camp in a rustic site located on the World Heritage Site of St. Lucia in a beautiful sand forest located on an exclusive private game reserve, enjoying game walks and game drives in open vehicles, drinking in the surrounding landscape and experiencing, first hand, the rich cultural of the Zulu people. You will be transported to the Dolphin Coast where you can soak up the sun, meander along the beautiful beaches and end the day with a traditional fish braai at the local Inn. The next day you will travel to the coastal city of Durban for a tour of Ushaka Marine World, the Golden Mile and the charming traditional market.
Return to the Barrier of Spears, the mountain range known as the majestic Drakensberg where you will transfer to a 4x4 vehicle for a trip up to the mountainside Inn for a two-night stay in their cosy log cabins. Here you can indulge in hiking or pony trekking to gain an intimate knowledge of this National Heritage Site. Next you will transfer via 4x4 across Oliviershoek Pass, enjoying views of the Sterkfontein Dam’s azure waters before you move on to the Golden Gate National Park.
Marvel at the unique sandstone cliffs that tower over this unique landscape with its wealth of diverse fauna and flora. You will go on to luncheon at Clarens, an arty little enclave of art galleries and curio shops before you head on towards the working dairy farm just outside of Ladybrand where you will stop for the night.
With the coming of the dawn the far reaches of the Great Karoo beckon to the adventurous traveller. Travel via gravel road to the remote farming village of Nieu Bethesda, where you will spend two glorious nights in a quaint stone cottage located on a traditional farmstead in the stunning Sneeuberg Mountains. Spend your time relaxing or exploring the surrounding landscape and its rich variety of wildlife.
In the morning you will head off to the old town of Graaff-Reinet, home to several points of interest, including museums and some rather unique architectural structures. Traverse the Outeniqua Mountains to leave behind the stark beauty of the interior for the lush greenery of the spectacular coastal Garden Route. Luxuriate in the knowledge that you will spend three nights in an idyllic log cabin in the lush heart of a virgin forest, with every chance that you might catch a glimpse of the elusive and beautiful Knysna Loerie as you explore the famed Otter Trail.
The truly adventurous traveller could consider the excitement and exhilaration of the 216-metre high bungee jump, the world’s highest or there are numerous sea kayaking trips on offer in the local region. Paddle across the Knysna Lagoon and with any luck you might spot a dolphin or even a whale! You’ll depart Knysna in the afternoon to head out to the De Hoop Nature Reserve with its golden sand dunes and interesting biodiversity.
From there you will travel along the coastal Whale Route and will pass the Hottentots Holland Mountains to arrive in Cape Town’s Sea Point beachfront area. You have two days in which to explore the Waterfront, Hout Bay, Cape Point and the famed Mother City of Cape Town, even electing to hike up Table Mountain itself for a fitting end to a memorable 18-day trip.
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