Kgalagadi wildlife country
Spend time in the vast Kgalagadi landscape, known for red dunes, dry riverbeds, open skies and memorable wildlife viewing.
Guided Kalahari bus journey
8-Day Kalahari Discovery Bus Tour
A hosted 8-day, 7-night bus journey through the Northern Cape, Kgalagadi and Augrabies region, with dedicated departures from Cape Town International and OR Tambo International.
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Two departure cities
- Guided bus tour
- Lodge stays
Tour overview
Kgalagadi wildlife, Augrabies Falls and the red landscapes between.
This hosted bus tour connects the Kalahari's red-dune landscapes, Kgalagadi wildlife country, Molopo and Augrabies Falls in one carefully planned eight-day journey.
Guests can join from Cape Town International or OR Tambo International. The direction and overnight sequence vary by departure, while both programmes include seven nights of accommodation and the core Kalahari and Augrabies experiences.
Why this journey stands apart
Desert landscapes, wildlife and the stories between.
A route shaped around places, meals and landscapes that deserve more than a quick stop.
Augrabies Falls
Experience the dramatic Orange River gorge and waterfall landscape at Augrabies Falls National Park.
Two convenient departure cities
Choose the programme departing from Cape Town International Airport or OR Tambo International Airport.
Hosted Mercedes Sprinter journey
Travel together in a smaller bus format with the route, accommodation and daily programme organised by the Why Not Africa team.
What's included
The journey, hosted from start to finish.
Your tour inclusionsReview the inclusions below and the confirmed itinerary for your departure, including its accommodation, meals and scheduled experiences.
Hosted bus travel
- Mercedes Sprinter transport along the confirmed route
- A qualified Why Not Africa guide
- Airport-based departure and return arrangements
Seven nights of accommodation
- Kgalagadi lodge stays
- Molopo and country lodge accommodation
- Augrabies Falls lodge accommodation
- Protea Hotel stopover
- Okiep or Red Sands according to departure
Planned daily programme
- Kgalagadi and Kalahari touring
- Augrabies Falls visit
- Northern Cape stopovers and scenic routes
Departure-specific arrangements
- Cape Town International programme
- OR Tambo International programme
- Final route and meeting details supplied before departure
Accommodation and meals
A comfortable place to land each evening.
Seven nights are arranged across the route. The exact order differs between the Cape Town and OR Tambo departures.
- Cape Town routeOkiep and Augrabies Falls LodgeNorthern Cape
- Both routesTwo Kgalagadi nightsKgalagadi region
- Both routesMolopo and Country LodgeKalahari region
- Final stopoverProtea HotelDeparture-specific route
- OR Tambo routeRed SandsOpening night
Day by day
Kalahari Discovery bus itinerary
Open each day to see the route, key experiences and overnight stay.
Day 1Cape Town to Okiep / OR Tambo to Red SandsOkiep or Red Sands
Meet the group at the selected airport and begin the hosted journey. The first overnight depends on whether you join the Cape Town or OR Tambo departure.
Day 2Okiep to Augrabies / Red Sands to KgalagadiAugrabies Falls Lodge or Kgalagadi
Continue into the Northern Cape and Kalahari. The Cape Town group reaches Augrabies, while the OR Tambo group begins its Kgalagadi stay.
Day 3Augrabies to Kgalagadi / Kgalagadi explorationKgalagadi
Enter or explore Kgalagadi wildlife country, with its red dunes, open landscapes and desert wildlife.
Day 4Kgalagadi exploration / Kgalagadi to MolopoKgalagadi or Molopo
Enjoy the second Kgalagadi stage or continue toward Molopo according to the selected departure programme.
Day 5Kgalagadi to Molopo / Molopo to Country LodgeMolopo or Country Lodge
Travel through the broader Kalahari landscape to the next lodge stop.
Day 6Molopo to Country Lodge / Country Lodge to AugrabiesCountry Lodge or Augrabies Falls Lodge
Continue the hosted route through the Northern Cape, with accommodation determined by the departure direction.
Day 7Country Lodge to Protea Hotel / Augrabies to Protea HotelProtea Hotel
Complete the final touring stage and settle into the last hotel overnight.
Day 8Return to Cape Town or OR TamboTour concludes
Return to the selected departure city. Final arrival and transfer details are confirmed before travel.
Dates and availability
Choose your departure city.
Choose your departure below to see current availability and book your place.
15 Aug 2027 to 22 Aug 2027
R 27 995 per person sharing
Open · 18 spaces available
Departure: Cape Town International Airport
29 Aug 2027 to 05 Sept 2027
R 27 995 per person sharing
Open · 20 spaces available
Departure: OR Tambo International Airport
Booking with confidence
Know what happens next.
Ask about dates, room arrangements, inclusions or mobility needs before confirming. The team will help you understand the journey and prepare properly.
- 01Choose Cape Town or OR Tambo
- 02Select your available departure
- 03Confirm sharing or single accommodation
- 04Receive the final programme and meeting details
- 05Meet the group at the selected airport
Guest feedback
Real reviews from Why Not Africa travellers.
Read verified Google feedback about the routes, organisation, hosting and people behind the journey.
Before you travel
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own vehicle?
No. Guests travel together in a Mercedes Sprinter bus.
Why is the price shown per person sharing?
The base rate assumes two guests sharing a room. Solo guests may share by arrangement or select a single room and pay the single supplement.
What is the single supplement?
The 2027 single supplement is R3,500.
Where do the tours depart?
One departure starts from Cape Town International Airport and one from OR Tambo International Airport.
Is there an international fee?
Yes. International bookings automatically include a 20% international fee during quoting and booking.
Is the itinerary identical in both directions?
Both departures cover the core Kgalagadi and Augrabies journey, but the overnight order differs according to the departure city.
Your next step
Experience the Kalahari without needing your own 4x4.
Choose your departure city, confirm your room arrangement and join a hosted eight-day bus journey through Kgalagadi and Augrabies.