South Africa & Namibia

A self-launched version of the classic 11-day Cape Town-to-Windhoek overland route, covering the Cederberg Mountains, the Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei's Dune 45 and Deadvlei, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe and two days of game driving in Etosha. Instead of an overland truck with a guide, you build the same route with intercity buses, shared shuttles and a couple of multi-day legs by local minibus/shuttle — camping or staying in backpacker lodges along the way, with self-bookable activities (sandwich-harbour township tour, Orange River canoe trip, Swakopmund activities) picked up via GetYourGuide/Klook or directly with local operators. The Namibia leg needs a bit of planning (shuttles and a self-drive or shared-transfer day to Sossusvlei), but it's very doable solo and a fraction of the guided price.

Travel Crew

~£755

An independent, self-launched version of Acacia Adventure Holidays' 11-day Cape Town to Windhoek overland route — same destinations (Cape Flats, Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei/Deadvlei, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe, Etosha) done by intercity bus, shuttle and shared 4x4 transfers with budget guesthouses and hostels instead of an overland truck. Estimated at roughly £1,000–1,300 all-in per person excluding international flights and the Adventure Pass-style park fees, against an advertised group tour price of ~$2,055 USD (~£1,630). Note: this is a long-distance transfer-heavy route with big distances between stops; it's easiest to do a segment (e.g. Sossusvlei + Swakopmund, or Windhoek–Etosha loop) if you're tight on time.

Travel Crew

~£1,180