VAN LIFE IN AFRICA
Last year I was lucky enough to embark on a month long road trip in Africa, visiting South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. I already had a love for camping and road trips, but this trip cemented just how much I enjoy being out on the open-road and exploring the unknown. I would highly recommend visiting these incredible countries, and furthermore recommend hiring your own van and doing your a trip on your own time. Here I share some of the locations and campsites we visited from the trip of a lifetime!
SOUTH AFRICA
DAY ONE
There is so much to see of South Africa, and I will definitely be heading back to travel more of the stunning country. On this trip, I flew into Cape Town and was so impressed. Definitely spend some time exploring! See this stunning city from the sky by taking a hike up Table Mountain, explore the V&A waterfront, do some shopping, visit Hout Bay or Camps Bay, and head to a beach club for sunset drinks. Shimmy Beach Club is a great spot for a fancy night out! Never@Home hostel is a great hostel for backpackers due to its central location, pool and bar to chill at.
DAY ONE
Mountain Breeze campsite, South Africa
You will most likely pick up your vehicle from somewhere in Cape Town. I traveled in a 4x4, which came with a pop out tent, pop out fridge, and cooker. You definitely want a vehicle that can tackle uneven terrains - the driving on this trip got pretty hectic!
Our first drive was from Cape Town to Stellenbosch, along the stunning Chapmans peak scenic drive to Boulders Bay. At Boulders Bay you can do a stop and visit the famous penguins on the beach. Tip - do not touch them, or get near them [even for a selfie] - they might try and nip you!
Continue the drive into the winelands, and I recommend making stops at some of the world renowned vineyards like Stellenbosch Vineyards and Hidden Valley Wines. The scenery is beyond stunning, and the wine’s are not bad either! Our first camp site was Mountain Breeze - located within stunning tall trees.
DAY THREE
You will keep driving through Jonkershoek Nature Reserve taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Garden Route. Our second camp spot was called Wild Farm Back Packers - this place is definitely worth checking out purely for the incredible view of the ocean - enjoy your morning cuppa looking out to the sea!
DAY FOUR
There is lots to do in this area, including canoeing to waterfalls, hiking, and visiting Victoria Bay beach. After a day of fun, we drove on to Pletternberg Bay. Tonight’s camp spot was Kerubooms Lagoon - a stunning spot by a river.
Surfing at Jeffreys Bay
DAY FIVE
This morning you can drive to Bioukrans Bridge, where you can bungee jump if you dare! Then drive on to the infamous Jeffreys Bay. Visit the local cafes [Food Coffee Society is a good spot for a coffee and chill], surf shops, beach, and even rent a board and catch some waves. Head over to Jeffreys Bay Camp to set up camp for the night, right next to the beach.
DAY SIX
Keep driving north. Your next stop will be Kgalagadi Lodge - a stunning campsite, with restaurant, bar and pool, plus lodges if you fancy a night off the tent set up. This is a great spot to set up camp as it is close the park gates, meaning you can get there tomorrow morning nice and early [when you have more of a chance of seeing the animals as it is cooler].
DAY SEVEN
Enjoy a whole day of game driving through The Transfrontier park. We spotted giraffes, leopards, elephants, etc - it really is an amazing feeling driving your self through the wild and coming across animals in their own habitat. Remember - do not leave your car unless in a designated picnic/stop spot. We stayed at the Kgalagadi Lodge again that evening, as it was a long day in the park.
Our campsite on the Orange River overnight canoe trip
NAMIBIA
DAY EIGHT
Today we crossed the boarder to Namibia! Crossing the boarder can take time, so have all of your documents ready and organised. Once through, we drove to Fish River Canyon Viewpoint for stunning views. Keep driving to the Felix Unite Provenance Camp - a stunning campsite, with restaurant, bar, pool and day trips. You can sleep in your cars, rent tents in their gardens, or rent luxury rooms here.
DAY NINE
There is plenty to do at Felix Unite, including an overnight canoe trip down the Orange River. Although you will spend a lot of time canoeing - it is worth it! The river runs through a deep valley, leaving scenery which is stunning, and a stark contrast to the moon-like terrains of Namibia. Staff of Felix Unite will canoe with you, and bring all the food you need for your overnight stay. They will guide you down the river to your private beach where you will camp in your pop up tents. Enjoy a bbq dinner under the stars! 100% recommended.
DAY TEN
Today you will canoe back to Felix Unite Provenance Camp - soak up the scenery, and enjoy the glorious weather! Enjoy a hearty meal and an early night at the restaurant after two tiring but incredible days.
Morning views on the Orange River
Ranch Koiimasis, Namibia
DAY ELEVEN
Drive to Ranch Koiimasis - this was a beautiful campsite in the middle of the Namibian desert. You will be transported back to the Flintstones here, with the huge boulders and sand beneath your feet. Visit the ranch and ride the horses, or hike up the boulders - bring water, it gets hot! Tonight you should star gaze, there is no light pollution so you are in for a treat.
DAY TWELVE
Today we made our way to Sossus Oasis camp through the Namibia desert. These are long drives, but it’s the perfect time to soak up scenery like no other. You will also be driving on gravel roads, so engage that 4x4 drive!
DAY THIRTEEN
Start the morning with a sunrise hike to Dune 45, one of Namibia’s spectacular sand dunes. Stop for a spot of lunch, and pick up any necessitates for the second leg of the trip. You will be going deep into the wilderness, so make sure you are prepared! Then make your way Spitzkoppe campsite. The Spitzkoppe is nearly 700 million years old, and is a group of bald granite peaks located between Usakos and Swakopmund - so it is a haven for climbers, hikers and star gazers. Make sure you are here in time for sunset - the orange light is something I’ve never seen before, and really reminds you of the Lion King! This campsite doesn’t offer much, except a space and perhaps a hole in the ground [i.e. the toilet] so be prepared for some wild camping!
Spitzkoppe
DAY FOURTEEN
Wake up early and take in the stunning surroundings, before setting off on a drive down the famous ‘Skeleton coast’, known as this due to the hundreds of shipwrecks up the coastline. Head to Swakopmund, where there is plenty to do to get the adrenaline going! Try Camel riding, skydiving, ATV’s, sand boarding, hot air ballooning, paragliding, relaxing at the beach or drive on the beach, and up in the sand dunes! [Tip for driving on the sand: remember to drop your type pressure down to 20 psi!]. Head to Tiger Reef Camp to set up camp for the night. Here they have shower and laundry facilities.
DAY FIFTEEN
Tonight’s camp spot is Brandberg White Lady Lodge, and to get here you will drive up the west coast via the river beds. Look out for animals such as elephants - they love wandering through the dry river beds in herds. Fully expect to have elephants walk through your camp here - you are starting to camp more and more in the wild now.
DAY SIXTEEN
Your days now will be much more about driving into the wilderness and observing the incredible African the animals. Today your destination is Oppi Koppi Kamanjab rest place, where there is a big pool and bar to relax.
DAY SEVENTEEN
Today we did a big game park drive, so we were up at half 4 to get to the gate which opens at 7:30am! Etosha [meaning ‘great white place’ or ‘place of emptiness’] National Park in Namibia is one of the largest national parks in the world and is home to 114 mammal species, 110 reptile species, and over 340 bird species. After an incredible day of animal viewing, make your way to Onguma campsite. It is worth pointing out that you should not leave your group or walk off into the bush (especially at night time) as a lot of these animals are nocturnal and hunt at night. It is you and the animals out here in the wild, so respect them!
DAY EIGHTEEN
After a good sleep, you will be driving towards Ngepi Camp - a campsite next to Buffalo River [a river occupied with hippos!]. You can take a fishing trip, chill at the lodge, and soak up the breathtaking views and sounds of the hippos, and enjoy a Namibian beer in their bar!
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
BOTSWANA AND Zimbabwe
DAY NINETEEN
Today you will be crossing the border and heading into Botswana! Don’t forget your papers and ID, and once through head to the magnificent Senyati Safari Camp. This camp has a watering hole right opposite the restaurant, meaning you can enjoy a beer whilst being a few metres from a herd of elephants. They also have a viewing hole underground, so that you can get even closer to the animals without them realising you are there. It is truly unforgettable.
DAY TWENTY
From here I suggest going on the Victoria Falls day trip, organised by Senyati Safari Camp. Victoria Falls is magnificent. Walk around the falls [and be careful as you do, there are no barriers], admire the many rainbows, and you can even try your hand at bungee jumping. Tonight we stayed at Senyati again, having got back late from the day trip.
Day twenty one
Today we entered the Okavango Delta. Enjoy a stunning game drive taking in the sights of the free roaming wildlife. There are lots of campsites in the Okavango Delta - we stayed at Northgate Khwai. This is a small campsite, in the middle of the wilderness so be aware! And do not leave any food or food remains out - this will attract the animals into your campsite.
DAY twenty two
Our next camp spot was Xakanaza Campite, and this was one of my favourites spots of the trip - it is in the middle of wilderness, and we were greeting with elephants walking through our spot in the morning, monkeys, and more. It is truly unforgettable to be so immersed in the wild. This campsite also has a toilet block and showers. We stopped here for a few nights, and did some game drives plus a sunset river cruise - highly recommended! you might be able to spot a hippo too.
Day twenty three
This was towards the end of the trip for us - we made our way back to Namibia [via the border crossing] and stayed at an awesome hostel called Urban Campsite in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. This is a nice spot to enjoy at the end - book a room, relax in their bar and pool, and it’s nice and close to the airport.
I can’t tell you how incredible this trip was. Seeing the beauty of Africa, and the stark differences between each country, plus being so close to the animals in the wild was like no other feeling. Also, exploring all of this in your own little home, living the simple life, is my idea of an adventure! I hope it inspires you to book a trip to Africa and see all it’s beauty for yourself.
Watch the video of the trip below, shot and edited by the talented Beetle Campbell.
Photos by Beetle Campbell and Rob Berry.
