23 Day Road Trip Itinerary in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana

An Amazing Road Trip in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

23 Day Road Trip Itinerary in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana

Map Itinerary Photos

Road Trip Highlights

South Africa

4x4

23 days

6600 km

  • Explore South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.
  • Get a taste of local flavors.
  • Walk around the Augrabies falls and the National park.
  • Experience and explore Swakopmund and Etosha.
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Road Trip Map

Road Trip Itinerary

Activities Kms Stay
Day 1 Stay at HoneyLocust Guest House in Colesberg. Have dinner at InniKraal and drinks at Horse & Mill Pub and Restaurant 626 HoneyLocust Guest House
Day 2 Drive to Upington a quick stop in Hanover to see the quaint town and church, then on to Prieska for a little lunch. We stayed in Upington, a place called Riva Resort. Spend a day visiting the wine farms. 600 Riva Resort
Day 3-4 We stayed just outside Augrabies - on Deberas Guest Farm 24km dirt road to get to the farm BUT totally worth it, Self-catering please make sure you take food with – it’s too far out of town to pop back for food. Spent the day walking around the Augrabies falls and the National park. 157 Deberas Guest Farm
Day 5-6 Boarder Crossing – Noordoewer (it can take some time to cross all depending on how many people are crossing. Enjoy the standing around and meeting other people in the queues. Headed straight to our next stop accommodation, Norotshama River Resort, (Fish River Canyon) again totally recommend this please beautiful location on the edge of the Orange river. Super chilled and relaxing under the trees. 446 Norotshama River Resort
Day 7 Norotshama to Luderitz – Quick Garage stop in Rosh Pinah a very interesting town then onwards to Aus where we found a great German Restaurant called the Bahnhof Hotel Aus, were we managed to get really good cheese cake and cold beers. In Luderitz, stayed at The Cormorant House, an absolute blissful spot. Right next to the ocean beautiful accommodation – NOTE: it would be a good idea to stay longer than one night. There was so much to do and see and we could not do any of it because we only stayed for one night. We had dinner at the Portuguese Fisherman Restaurant absolute must, great food and nice location – walking distance from our accommodation. 403 The Cormorant House
Day 8 Leaving Luderitz and heading to Kolmanskop before we head out to Soussusvlie. Kolmanskop is the ghost town near Luderitz – you need to book for the tours, which only operates till 13h00 (closed in the afternoons). It the most amazing place and a photographers paradise you could easily spend the day in this ghost town so give yourself enough time. The road to Soussusvlie is good but it’s a bit of a long trip, but so worth it when you pull into the accommodation called We Kebi, oh my word now this is a little piece of paradise, absolute treasure and beyond stunning with a very unique architecture, swimming pool and wide animals in the front yard defiantly and experience not to be missed. Again more than one night would have been more suitable. 424 We Kebi
Day 9 Soussusvlei to Swakopmund, long trip and the roads are a bit crazy when you get near Solitaire, Oh yes and you have to stop there, what an amazing little oasis. McGregor’s Bakery’s pies are beyond amazing and they are renowned for their apple crumble you could also stay there, they have accommodation that looks really comfortable. But we opted to drive directly to Swakopmund. We might have got a flat tire after Solitaire, once we entered the canyon but still the most spectacular drive. Just enjoyed the seaside town of Swakopmund and all its offerings. We stayed at the Beach Lodge Hotel, brilliant accommodation right on the beach. Swakopmund Fat Bike Tour (dessert tour) was phenomenal, Gelato from Ice & Spice Café is a must. Belgian Waffles from Waffle Haus is a must. Tigers Reef Beach Bar and Grill is one of our most favourite spots. Local, vibey, relaxed atmosphere, always busy and right on the beach. Swakopmund is one of our most favourite destinations, we were here last year as well. Loads to do in the town for everyone. Some of the other restaurants we also visited are, Alstadt Restaurant, Lighthouse restaurant. 401 Beach Lodge, Stint, Swakopmund, Namibia
Day 10-14 On the road again this time from Swakopmund to Etosha, Dolomite Camp in the west. It is in the very western part of Etosha and one of the newer camps but oh what and experience, this is a must do. The drive from Dolomite to Halali is a far, when driving in the game park but again so worth it we had so many sightings of Cheetah, Giraffe, Lion, Jackals etc. Worth the drive. 514 Dolomite Resort
Day 15-18 On to middle part of Etosha to Halali camp, also one of my favourite’s its very basic and the sightings around Halali is always amazing. 242 Halali camp
Day 19-20 Windhoek here we come, staying at Londiningi Guest House just up the road from Joe’s Beerhouse. This time we stayed two night and tried to experience a bit more of Windhoek. Joe’s for dinner the first night, Joe’s is an institution in Windhoek and you just have to go and see it for yourself. The Stellenbosch Wine Bar and Bistro the following evening, was a totally different experience with fantastic food and wine, I would defiantly recommend it. 501 Londiningi Guest House
Day 20 Winding down our trip and heading to Botswana Manuno Boarder Post. Again allow for delays and traffic here. We headed to Ghanzi district and stayed at a place called Tautona Lodge. A rustic, safari type place very pleasant and has all the amenities you may need. 531 Tautona Lodge
Day 21-22 From Ghanzi straight to Groot Marico in South Africa, this was a bit of a stretch, long drive, very straight road and not happening. We arrived at the South African boarder, Skilpadshek. A bit confusing with all the construction but managed to find our way. Arrived in Groot Marico and headed to the local pub called Wag ‘n Biekie Restaurant and Bar, super friendly service and good food, Rest for the night before we head home. 739 Angela's Guest House
Day 23 Leaving Groot Marico and heading back to Johannesburg to complete a 6 600km journey of amazing, food, people, scenery, accommodation, friendships, travel buddies for life, we had the best time ever and cannot wait to do another road trip. 200 Johannesburg

Photo Gallery

A man jumps on a sandboard in a desert.
Elephants and a gazelle in Etosha National Park.
Elephants cross the road near the Olifantsrus Namibia camping site in Etosha National Park.
Augrabies Falls in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
A man jumps on a sandboard in a desert.
Elephants and a gazelle in Etosha National Park.
Elephants cross the road near the Olifantsrus Namibia camping site in Etosha National Park.
Augrabies Falls in the Northern Cape, South Africa.

All images copyright Elli (unless indicated otherwise).

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