My partner and I are planning a 21-day self-drive trip from Victoria Falls to Cape Town, flying from Montreal to Victoria Falls and renting a 4x4. I’d love to hear members’ thoughts on our itinerary and its feasibility, along with your recommendations for must-see spots, essential parks, lodges, etc.
Our ideal is to start our stay at the falls and head south to South Africa, finishing in Cape Town by the sea for two days of relaxation before returning to Canada. We’re big on photography, not so much on cities, and we usually book accommodations where we can prepare our own dinner. Is this itinerary too ambitious? I’ve read a lot of travel journals and sometimes it seems very doable, other times completely the opposite...
Proposed itinerary:
17 October: Montreal-Livingstone, Zambia (Z)
18-19 Oct.: Victoria Falls, Z
20 Oct.: Kasane, Botswana (BO)
21-22 Oct.: Chobe Park, BO
23 Oct.: Francistown, BO
24 Oct.: Khama Rhino Sanctuary, BO
25 Oct.: Palapye, BO
26 Oct.: Polokwane, South Africa (SA)
27 Oct.: Phalaborwa, SA
28-29 Oct.: Kruger Park, SA
30 Oct.: Malelane Gate, SA
31 Oct.: Winburg, SA
1 November: Bloemfontein, SA
2 November: Beaufort West, SA
3-5 November: Cape Town, SA
Is it realistic? Yes, it is. But there’s a lot of road between your points of interest (at least 3,500 km), like Vic Falls, the iconic wildlife, and Cape Town.
Around Victoria Falls, between Hwange (Zimbabwe) and the northern parks in Botswana, you’ll see the same wildlife as in Kruger. You could do a big loop there, then take a flight to Cape Town and explore its surroundings.
Alternatively, if you really want to visit Kruger, you could then take a flight from Nelspruit or Johannesburg to Cape Town, saving you about twenty hours of driving.
Thanks Jean-Luc for taking the time to look over our plan and for the suggestions. Flying from Nelspruit to Cape Town does sound interesting. As for Zimbabwe, we were hoping to avoid adding another border crossing—it seems the crossings are quite long and expensive.
Hello,
Is it realistic? Yes, it is. But there’s a lot of road between your main points of interest (at least 3,500 km), like Vic Falls, the iconic wildlife, and Cape Town.
Around Victoria Falls, between Hwange (Zimbabwe) and the northern parks in Botswana, you’ll see the same wildlife as in Kruger. You could do a big loop there, then take a flight to Cape Town and explore the area.
Or, if you’re set on Kruger, you could then fly from Nelspruit or Johannesburg to Cape Town, saving yourselves about twenty hours of driving.
Having done the route from Kasane to South Africa several times, I can say it’s not the most exciting.
If you haven’t bought your flight tickets yet, it’d be better to fly into Victoria Falls and return from Joburg instead.
Victoria Falls 2 nights – Chobe 2 nights – a connecting stop like Nata 1 night – Tuli Block 1 night – crossing into South Africa – Mapungubwe 2 nights – Northern Kruger 2 nights – Blyde Canyon 1 night – Southern Kruger 2 nights – Swaziland 1 night – Santa Lucia (Indian Ocean) 3 nights – Ithala 2 nights – drive to Joburg 1 night
It’s kind of a mix between the start of this travel journal but in reverse and part of this one.
If you’re set on Cape Town: Victoria Falls 2 nights – Chobe 2 nights – a connecting stop like Nata 1 night – Tuli Block 1 night – crossing into South Africa – Mapungubwe 2 nights – Northern Kruger 2 nights – Blyde Canyon 1 night – Southern Kruger 2 nights – Swaziland 1 night – Santa Lucia (Indian Ocean) 3 nights – drive to Durban, then a domestic flight to Cape Town
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
Hello,
Just a very modest opinion after those from Ms. Atila and Mr. Voyajou, who know more than I do.
Personally, I find it’s way too many trips and too much driving.
Victoria Falls
It wasn’t love at first sight. I’d tried to step aside (without falling into the water), but still.
Chobe wasn’t a big highlight either.
A river tour on a small boat… but there were big, noisy ones with drinking and loud music nearby.
The local rangers seemed less respectful.
I’d chosen Joburg - Livingstone.
After that, I’d definitely vote for Ms. Atila’s suggestions—if you make some choices.
Tough ones, because when someone puts Karoo NP in front of me, I say yes!
Direct flights to Cape Town from Hoedspruit or Skukuza aren’t that expensive (and you save kilometers).
In short, *potmoo* (there are ways to avoid driving and driving and driving).
PS:
Polokwane isn’t worth it, but Soutpansberg and Waterberg are! !
I imagine you’ve looked into the possibility of renting a vehicle in Livingstone and dropping it off in Cape Town. You’ll need to find a rental company that allows that. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but that’s where you should start.
If you’re heading to Cape Town from Victoria Falls, personally, I’d cross Botswana via Kasane, Chobe, Savuti, Moremi, Maun, Central Kalahari GR, Kgalagadi TP, Augrabies Falls, ..., Cape Town.
Plan to sleep in a rooftop tent on the 4x4.
That said, with only 20 days, you can’t afford to dawdle.
Once you’ve explored Chobe and/or Moremi, there’s no need to go to Kruger. You’ll have already seen all the animals (except rhinos, admittedly), but without the huge crowds of tourists that visit the South African parks and can kind of ruin the experience.
We were total newbies when it came to 4x4 driving when we set off on a big loop in Botswana, and everything went smoothly. ;-)
Mind you, we’d already done two trips in South Africa and one in Namibia. Plus, we went with two 4x4s.
As for Zimbabwe, we were looking to avoid adding another border, as the crossings seem rather long and expensive.
Does this mean you plan to go to Victoria Falls on the Zambian side and only pick up the car afterward in Botswana? Otherwise, you’ll already be in Zimbabwe.
Note that it’ll be the end of the dry season, so there’ll be more water on the Zimbabwean side.
After the falls, you could head down to Hwange and leave the country and the park to return to Botswana via the tiny and charming Pandamatenga border post.
The 'madman’s diagonal' suggested by Oldplatypus is tempting (no cities, just bush and more bush) and covers fewer kilometers than the detour via Kruger. It now seems possible to rent a 4x4 equipped for camping one-way between Kasane and Cape Town.
@Attila
Having done it several times, the road from Kasane to South Africa isn’t the most exciting.
That’s precisely because you’ve done it several times. But remember the first time—the donkey slalom, the road blocked by elephants... 😉
It's precisely because you've done it several times. But remember the first time—the obstacle course with the donkeys, the road blocked by elephants... 😉
Plus, it was in a Chico and there were ostrich nests between Nata and Kasane...
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
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Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Russia and Mongolia, starting from France.
Crossing the border at Poland/Belarus or Georgia/Russia—other borders seem either closed or complicated.
Tourist visas for 3 months with multiple entries.
Do you have any info on Russian companies that cover a 4x4 vehicle for 3 months, and what prices in rubles or euros you’ve paid?
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Regarding Russian SIM cards, a new system called "Gosuslugi" has been introduced. How long did it take you to get one, and what steps did you follow?
Hi,
we’re planning to visit a park again.
Could you point us toward the camps in Gonarezhou Park?
>We’re traveling completely self-sufficiently.
We love wildlife.
Thanks for any tips you can share!
JP
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Anne
Hi there,
I’m heading to Lesotho in a few days and I’m struggling to find info on the best route between Katse Dam and Sehlathebe National Park. There’s a fairly "direct" route from Thaba Tseka, but the roads seem rough, and we’re not exactly 4x4 pros. Anyone have any tips to share? Thanks!
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Mozambique in October and are looking for either a 4x4 or 4x2 rental in Maputo, or a driver transfer option to reach:
- Ponta Do Ouro
- Tofo
- Vilankulos
The idea is to be self-sufficient for sightseeing and stops while still being able to access certain lodges or beaches that require a 4x2.
Do you have any contacts, addresses, or ideas to share?
Thanks in advance,
Hello,
We're hitting the road again in 2027 to discover new countries and cultures.
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Thanks, and safe travels to those who are setting off!
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Hi,
For those who’ve driven on Iceland’s gravel roads in their own or a rented Duster, could you tell me what tires were fitted on the vehicle?
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Best,
Marc
Hi there,
I'm planning a 4x4 road trip from Darwin to Broome with a rooftop tent in July 2026.
I'd like to know if I need to book overnight stops in advance or if I can just wing it and stop wherever I feel like it?
Some evenings, we'd like to stop and make use of campsite facilities (restaurant, shop, showers, toilets).
What do you recommend?
Do I need a permit?
My rough itinerary looks like this:
Darwin - Kakadu
Kakadu - Nitmiluk
Nitmiluk - Kununurra
Kununurra - Purnululu
Purnululu - El Questro
El Questro - Mt Elizabeth - Bell Gorge - Broome
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From your experience, is it necessary or even essential to book campsites in advance, or do you always manage to find a spot to pitch your tent?
We’ll also have the option to sleep in the car without pitching the tent.
Does that give us the flexibility to stay outside a campsite for a night here and there?
Hi,
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Marrakech
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→ Draa Valley
→ Zagora
→ Erg Chegaga
→ Lake Iriki
→ Foum Zguid
→ Tata
→ Tafraoute
→ Aït Mansour
→ Tiznit
→ Mirleft
→ Taroudant
→ Back to Marrakech
Our goal:
Atlas Mountains + desert + dunes + plateaus + valleys + a bit of coastline.
We’ll cover about 1,700 km in total.
We’re planning:
Bivouacking in the Chegaga/Iriki area
Flexible for the rest (booking the day before or same day)
Sand gear: traction plates, compressor, tow strap, roof rack
Questions:
Is the Zagora → Chegaga → Iriki → Foum Zguid crossing in July doable on our own (single vehicle, no guide)?
Are there any truly technical or risky sections between Chegaga and Iriki?
Does the overall itinerary seem manageable in 13 days without rushing?
Any suggestions for great bivouac spots or particularly interesting stops along this route?
The points on the route are provisional overnight stops. Some spots will include two nights in the same area.
We’re used to off-road driving, but not yet in the Moroccan desert.
Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips! 😊
Good evening
I could use some advice 🙂
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Day 2: Mirabib to Swakopmund – visit Swakopmund, overnight in Swakopmund
Day 3: Sandwich Harbour – overnight in Swakopmund
Day 4: Kayaking with the seals + the living dunes – overnight in Swakopmund
Day 5: Moon Landscape, Henties Bay + Cape Cross – overnight at White Lady Lodge in Brandberg
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Hi everyone,
I’m starting to plan an itinerary for September 2027 focused on Zimbabwe and Zambia. I’d love to visit Gonarezhou National Park—I see there are two sectors: the Mwenezi Region in the south and the area around the Runde River in the north. Should I cover both sectors or just focus on the northern region?
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Have a great day, everyone.
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Just traveling, exploring, and living! !
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Hi there,
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Thanks!
Hi there,
My trip to South Africa is starting to take shape.
However, I'm struggling to figure out the route through Kruger Park. I can't seem to find the information I need about getting around.
Coming from the south, I plan to arrive on Day 1 in the early afternoon at Malelane or Crocodile Bridge.
Do some shopping in Malelane (or Crocodile Bridge main area) and stay overnight outside the park.
Leave on Day 2 at 5 AM for the park. Explore the southern part of the park.
Stay overnight around Skukuza or Lower Sabie. (We don’t want to stay in one of the park’s big camps. We’re looking for a lodge around 200 €.
Head out on Day 3 for a self-drive safari, maybe as far as Orpen.
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Best,
Patrick
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to explore the western part of Madagascar from May 1st to 5th, specifically to visit the Tsingy. I’ve heard different versions about the road conditions and access to the Tsingy during this time, so I’d love to hear from people who’ve actually made this trip during this time of year.
Have you traveled from Morondava → Tsingy between May 1st and 5th?
Was the journey doable and safe?
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Also, if you have any recommendations for reliable and experienced driver-guides, I’d love to hear them.
Thanks again!
