Windhoek to Cape Town Road Trip Itinerary
Embark on a thrilling road trip from Windhoek to Cape Town and explore the beauty of Namibia and South Africa! With a distance of 2386 km, this 12-day road trip is best experienced from August to October when the weather is mild and the landscapes are breathtaking. Along the way, you’ll get to see some of the best sights the two countries have to offer, including Swakopmund, Seeheim, Lambert’s Bay, and various UNESCO Heritage Monuments. The roads are in good condition, so you can enjoy a safe and comfortable ride. Keep in mind that you will need to stop at the border crossing to get your documents checked.
This road trip is suitable for all drivers and can be done on a moderate budget. Get ready to create unforgettable memories and experience a high level of adventure!
12
number of days
2,243 km
route length
fair
budget
tourist
good for
on the left
traffic direction
fair
accident level
START
Windhoek
Distance 2,243 km
Driving time 32.6 h
Pace: fast
672.9 kWh
Airports
WDH
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Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, is an ideal starting point for a road trip from Windhoek to Cape Town. Situated in the central highlands, Windhoek is bordered by the Eros Mountains to the north and the Auas Mountains to the south. The city has a fascinating history, with German colonial influences still evident in its architecture.
The most interesting sights in Windhoek are the Christuskirche, a historic German Lutheran church; the Alte Feste, a 19th-century fortress overlooking the city; and the Tintenpalast, the seat of the Namibian government. There are also several museums in the city, including the National Museum of Namibia and the Namibia Craft Centre.
The closest international airport to Windhoek is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), located 45 kilometers east of the city. Car rentals are available at the airport, making it easy to start your road trip from Windhoek to Cape Town.
Windhoek is an excellent starting point for the Windhoek to Cape Town Road Trip. With its fascinating history, interesting sights, and convenient airport, Windhoek is the perfect place to begin your journey of exploration and discovery.
1
Windhoek
- Swakopmund
Distance 322 km
Driving time 5.8 h
Pace: modest
83.6 kWh
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Itinerary
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Are you ready for an exciting road trip from Windhoek to Swakopmund? This 321 km journey will take you less than 6 hours, so you can expect to have plenty of time to explore the attractions along the way.
Start your journey by visiting the Christuskirche, a beautiful Lutheran church located in the heart of Windhoek. Then, drive through the Khomas Hochland Mountains and admire the stunning views of the Namib Desert.
Your next stop should be the Okapuka Ranch, a game reserve located just outside Windhoek. Here, you can enjoy a game drive and spot some of the local wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, and antelopes.
Continue your journey and make a stop at the Spreetshoogte Pass, a scenic mountain pass with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. From here, you can also enjoy a view of the Namib Desert.
Your next stop should be the small town of Solitaire. Here, you can visit the local bakery and enjoy some of the best apple pie in the country.
Finally, you will arrive in Swakopmund, a coastal town located on the edge of the Namib Desert. Here, you can explore the local attractions such as the historical buildings, the beach, and the nearby desert.
For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip from Windhoek to Swakopmund!
Swakopmund - Namibia - Africa - Road Trip - commons.wikimedia.org
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2
Swakopmund
- Namib-Naukluft N.P.
- Sesriem
Distance 343 km
Driving time 5.0 h
Pace: fast
102.9 kWh
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Start your journey in Swakopmund, Namibia, and embark on an unforgettable 343 km road trip to Sesriem. Along the way, you will be mesmerized by the picturesque landscapes and get the chance to see some UNESCO Heritage sites. Make sure you take some time to admire the stunning views of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Be sure to take a few pictures of the Sossusvlei, the highest sand dunes in the world, and the Dead Vlei, a white clay pan with dead camel thorn trees. Don't forget to explore the Sesriem Canyon, a natural wonder of the area. The total drive time is fewer than 4 hours, so you can easily fit in all these attractions in one day. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your trip!
Sesriem - Namibia - Africa - Road Trip - Flickr
Sesriem - Namibia - Africa - Road Trip - Wikimedia Commons
Sesriem - Namibia - Africa - Road Trip - Wikipedia
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3
Sesriem
- Seeheim
Distance 416 km
Driving time 5.8 h
Pace: fast
124.7 kWh
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Itinerary
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Embark on an exciting road trip from Sesriem, Namibia to Seeheim, a drive of 559km that will take you fewer than 10 hours. On this journey, you will be able to explore the picturesque landscapes and attractions of the region. Start your trip in Sesriem, home to the famous Sesriem Canyon, a spectacular gorge carved out of the sandstone by the Tsauchab River. Take a guided tour of the canyon, or explore the area on your own and discover the hidden gems.
Continue your journey to the small town of Solitaire, where you can enjoy the peace and tranquility of a traditional Namibian village. Make sure to stop at the famous Apple Pie Bakery and try one of their delicious pies.
Your next stop is the village of Seeheim, located in the heart of the Namib Desert. Here you can explore the vast desert landscape, visit the local Himba village, and take a camel ride through the desert. Don't forget to take some time to admire the stunning night sky.
This is just one stage of a larger tour, and more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and hit the road!
Seeheim - Namibia - Africa - Road Trip - Travel News Namibia
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4
Seeheim
- Springbok
Distance 496 km
Driving time 6.9 h
Pace: fast
148.8 kWh
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Embark on an unforgettable journey from Seeheim, Namibia, and explore the wonders of the Fish River Canyon and Springbok. This 496 km long road trip, taking less than 9 hours to complete, will take you across the Namibia-South Africa border. Start your journey in Seeheim and enjoy the stunning views of the Fish River Canyon, the world’s second-largest canyon. Marvel at the vastness of the canyon, and don’t forget to take lots of pictures! End your journey in Springbok, a vibrant town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. Here you can explore the nearby Namaqualand, a world-renowned wildflower destination. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the ‘Itinerary’ of this stage.
Springbok - Namibia - Africa - Road Trip - Springbok
Springbok - Namibia - Africa - Road Trip - Wikipedia
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5
Springbok
- Lambert's Bay
Distance 400 km
Driving time 4.9 h
Pace: fast
120.1 kWh
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Are you ready for a great road trip from Springbok to Lambert's Bay? This 400 km journey is one of the most picturesque stages of a larger tour, and can be completed in less than 4 hours.
To make the most of your journey, start by visiting the Namaqualand National Botanical Garden in Springbok. Here you can explore the unique flora of the region and enjoy the tranquillity of the garden.
Continue your trip to the Goegap Nature Reserve, where you can spot a variety of wildlife, including the iconic gemsbok antelope.
Your next stop should be at the Diaz Cross Monument, a memorial to the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias.
As you continue your journey, make sure to make a stop at the charming town of Clanwilliam, where you can visit the Clanwilliam Dam and the Cederberg Wilderness Area.
Finally, you will reach the town of Lambert's Bay, where you can explore the local bird sanctuary and the picturesque beaches.
For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!
Lambert's Bay - Namibia - Africa - Road Trip - www.flickr.com
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6
Lambert's Bay
- Langebaan
Distance 132 km
Driving time 2.4 h
Pace: modest
34.4 kWh
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Are you ready for an amazing road trip from Lambert's Bay to Langebaan? This stage of your tour is only 133 km and can be completed in less than 2 hours. You will be amazed by the amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean, the white sand beaches, and the wildflowers.
Start your journey in Lambert's Bay and visit the Bird Island Nature Reserve, where you can observe a variety of bird species and enjoy the stunning views of the bay. Then, continue to the nearby Elands Bay Cave, where you can explore the ancient cave paintings and learn about the history of the area.
Continue your journey to the charming town of Langebaan. Here, you can explore the West Coast National Park, a protected area with a variety of wildlife and stunning landscapes. Don't forget to visit the Langebaan Lagoon, a beautiful natural lake where you can take a boat tour and enjoy the tranquility of the area.
For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!
Langebaan - Namibia - Africa - Road Trip - commons.wikimedia.org
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7
Langebaan
- Cape Town
Distance 134 km
Driving time 1.8 h
Pace: fast
40.2 kWh
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Are you ready for an amazing road trip from Langebaan to Cape Town? This scenic 134km journey will take you less than two hours and you will be able to explore some of South Africa’s most interesting sites. The route is lined with UNESCO World Heritage sites, so be sure to keep an eye out for historical sites and picturesque landscapes. Along the way, you can also stop by the West Coast National Park, the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and the Vredenburg Waterfront. For a unique experience, you can also visit the Saldanha Bay Harbour, where you can take a boat ride to view the surrounding islands. You will also find many restaurants, cafes, and accommodation options to make your journey even more enjoyable. Don’t forget to check out the “Itinerary” for this stage for more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route. Get ready for an unforgettable road trip from Langebaan to Cape Town!
Cape Town - Namibia - Africa - Road Trip - Britannica
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Cape Town
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Cape Town is the ideal ending point to the “Windhoek to Cape Town Road Trip”. Located in the Republic of South Africa, the city offers an abundance of natural beauty and culture. The iconic Table Mountain towers over the city and provides amazing vistas of the ocean and the city below. There are a number of scenic routes to get to the mountain from the city proper, including the popular Chapman's Peak Drive. The city also has a number of beaches, from the famous Camps Bay beach to the more secluded beaches of the Cape Peninsula.
For those looking for a more cultural experience, the city has a number of attractions. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront offers a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as an aquarium, harbor cruises, and even a theater. Other attractions include the Castle of Good Hope, which is the oldest European building in South Africa, and the District Six Museum, which commemorates the forced removal of thousands of people from the area during the Apartheid era.
For those traveling by car, the N2 highway is the main route to Cape Town from Windhoek. The route is approximately 1,600 kilometers and passes through several towns, including Upington, Beaufort West, and Swellendam. The closest international airport is the Cape Town International Airport (CPT).
Cape Town is the perfect ending point for the “Windhoek to Cape Town Road Trip”. Its stunning scenery and wealth of cultural attractions make it a great destination for travelers of all kinds.
Windhoek to Cape Town Road Trip at a glance
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Start:
Windhoek
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End:
Cape Town
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Distance:
2,243 km
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Stay:
12 days
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Getting there:
Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH)
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When to drive:
January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December
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More info:
More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.
Before you set off
Embark on an epic 2,386-kilometer journey from Windhoek to Cape Town, traversing the diverse and picturesque terrains of Namibia and South Africa. This 12-day Road Trip is a blend of adventure, natural wonders, and cultural exploration, offering travelers an unforgettable experience.
Key Destinations and Top Sights:
- The route takes you through Swakopmund, where German colonial architecture meets the thrill of coastal activities such as sandboarding and dolphin cruises.
- In Seeheim, encounter a charming historical village that offers a step back in time, while Lambert’s Bay in South Africa is a sanctuary for bird enthusiasts and a haven for seafood connoisseurs.
- Along the way, you can visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape, which showcases the cultural adaptability in an arid environment, and Robben Island, the historic prison that once held Nelson Mandela.
Best Time to Go:
Travel between August and October to take advantage of the mild weather, which brings out the best in the region's landscapes and makes for pleasant driving conditions.
Potential Risks:
Be prepared for a border crossing by ensuring all travel documents are in order. Though the Roads are well-maintained, it's crucial to be vigilant of wildlife crossings, livestock on Roads, and potential weather-related hazards, especially in remote stretches.
Interesting Facts for Roadtrippers:
- This journey caters to drivers of all skill levels and can be accomplished on a moderate budget.
- Namibia is known for having one of the lowest population densities globally, which means you'll often find yourself amid vast, unspoiled nature.
- The Fish River Canyon in Namibia is the second largest canyon in the world, offering spectacular views for those willing to take a detour.
- In South Africa, the Cape Floral Kingdom near Cape Town is one of the world's six floral kingdoms, boasting an incredibly high diversity and density of plant species, many of which are found nowhere else on the planet.
A good choice for:
The Road Trip from Windhoek to Cape Town is not just about reaching a destination; it's about the rich tapestry of experiences along the way. From the awe-inspiring natural landscapes and wildlife of Namibia to the vibrant cultural heritage and scenic beauty of South Africa, this journey is certain to leave you with a plethora of remarkable memories.
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