Cape to Kenya - 43 day tour

Saturday. Welcome to Cape Town, South Africa! Upon arrival at Cape Town airport you will be met and transferred to the Ashanti Lodge Backpackers in the Gardens area of Cape Town. Our first night's accommodation is in shared dormitories. Meet the rest of your group at 17:00 this evening where your tour leader will conduct a welcome meeting.
Overnight: Cape Town

Cape Town - Cederberg. Leaving Cape Town, we travel north to a picturesque campsite, surrounded by wine farms in the Cederburg Area. This afternoon we sample some of the nectar of the gods with included wine tasting after taking a short walk in the surrounding vineyards to explore the exquisite views of the Cederberg Mountains.
Overnight: Cederberg Area  |  Lunch, Dinner

Cederberg - Gariep River. Continuing north we pass by the mining town of Springbok in the Namaqualand area before arriving at the Gariep (Orange) River on the border with Namibia. We camp tonight on the South African side.
Overnight: Gariep River  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gariep River - Fish River Canyon (Namibia). Our morning begins with an included canoe trip on the Gariep River before we cross the border into Namibia and head for the world's second largest canyon - Fish River Canyon.
Overnight: Fish River Canyon  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fish River Canyon - Sesriem. We rise early today as we enter the famous Namib-Naukluft desert. Our base for the night is in Sesriem - a short distance from Sossusvlei - home to some of the world's tallest sand dunes.
Overnight: Sesriem  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we attempt to climb the impressive Dune 45 in time for sunsrise. Watching the colours change amongst the massive sand dunes is really a sight to behold. We will also take a desert walk in Sossusvlei and Deadvlei.
Overnight: Sesriem  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sesriem - Swakopmund. On day 7 we leave the desert and cross the famous Tropic of Capricorn with stops at the sign for the obligatory photos. Our final destination on day 7 is the colonial German town of Swakopmund where we spend the next 2 nights. There are lots of optional excursions payable locally in Swakopmund including sky diving, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic desert flights, dolphin cruises, fishing trips, golf, horse riding and more. An activity briefing will be held on arrival in Swakopmund.
Overnight: Swakopmund  |  Breakfast x 2

Swakopmund - Brandberg. We depart Swakopmund this morning stopping briefly at the famous rock formations of Spitzkoppe before continuing to our final destination of the day - Brandberg.
Overnight: Brandberg  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Brandberg - Etosha National Park area. We depart Brandberg for Etosha - Namibia's premier game park. We spend the whole day exploring the park in our truck on day 11 on the look out for resident animals which include 4 of the Big 5.
Overnight: Etosha National Park area  |  Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2

Today is another day of game viewing as we travel 150km across the park to the north where we camp for the night at Namutoni. Namutoni has a waterhole we can visit in the evening when the animals come down to drink.
Overnight: Etosha National Park  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Etosha - Windhoek - Ghanzi - Maun (Botswana). From Etosha, we have a night in the capital Windhoek before entering Botswana on day 14 where stop for the night in in Ghanzi in the middle of the Kalahari Desert - home to the famous San Bushmen.

On day 15 we head to Maun - our base for the Okavango Delta. Tonight we prepare our provisions and packs for our 1 night excursion. Your trip leader will brief you fully on what is needed, and what to expect prior to your trip to the Delta.
Overnight: Windhoek (1), Ghanzi (1) Maun (1)  |  Breakfast x 3, Lunch x 3, Dinner x 2

Maun - Okavango Delta. After an early rise we depart for the poling station where we meet our polers who will guide us in our mokoros (dug out canoes) effortlessly through the Delta to our bush camp.

Upon arrival we meet the local staff and have a brief introduction to the camp and will show you your dome tent with twin beds then time to relax in the tent with a cold drink or take a paddle in the Delta in a canoe. The activities at the camp include Mokoro trails and guided walking.
Overnight: Okavango Delta  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Okavango Delta - Maun. Departing the Delta by mokoro this morning we return to Maun where if conditions are right there is a chance to take a scenic flight over the Delta.
Overnight: Maun  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maun - Nata Region. Today we continue to drive through rural Botswana as we travel along roads frequented by cows and donkeys. Our campsite today is the lush Elephant Sands campsite where there may be opportunities to bush walk or game drive.
Overnight: Nata Region   |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nata Region - Chobe. Our destination today is the town of Kasane and a campsite on the banks of the River Chobe - the natural border between Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. On day 20 we head into Chobe National Park for our overnight excursion in the wilds of the Chobe National park.
Overnight: Kasane (1), Chobe (1)  |  Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2

Chobe - Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). We awake early in the national park and we continue to game drive as we leave. We return to Kasane to rejoin our truck and cross the border into Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls. Famous for its plethora of adrenaline activities - we have an activity briefing upon arrival.

The next 2 days are spent relaxing or participating in a myriad of Optional Excursions. Some of our fellow passengers will leave us in Vic Falls, to be replaced by new passengers joining us for the next leg of our trip.

Optional excursions include horseback safaris, a visit to the crocodile ranch, boat cruises and golf at The Elephant Hills Resort. Adrenalin junkies can bungee from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia or abseil down the Batoka Gorge - neither activity is for the faint hearted! Flights in fixed wing, micro light and ultra light aircraft or helicopters provide an aerial perspective over this magnificent World Heritage Site. White water rafting on the Zambezi is world class. Beside the excitement of the Grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats," where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and the occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.
Overnight: Victoria Falls  |  Breakfast x 3

Victoria Falls - Kasane (Botswana) - Livingstone (Zambia). Leaving Vic Falls on this morning we cross back into Botswana and back to the town of Kasane, situated on the banks of the Chobe River.

The following morning, we get back on our truck and continue to the town of Livingstone in Zambia. This afternoon we have the opportunity to view Victoria Falls from the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia or partake in a sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River. Another fantastic photo opportunity!
Overnight: Chobe NP (1), Livingstone (1)  |  Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 1, Dinner x 2

Livingstone - Lusaka Area - South Luangwa. We continue through Zambia today as we head near to the capital Lusaka. On day 27 we visit South Luangwa National Park where we camp for the night and take included game drives.
Overnight: Lusaka Area (1), South Luangwa NP (2)  |  Breakfast x 3, Lunch x 3, Dinner x 3

South Luangwa - Lake Malawi (Malawi). Crossing into Malawi, known as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’. We make a brief stop in the capital, Lilongwe before arriving at our camp on the lake.

Malawi’s temperate climate allows for swimming in the clear blue fresh-water lake all year round. You can also explore the beautiful shore where you’ll happen upon the local fishermen sorting their catch. The various beachside campsites along Lake Malawi’s shores offer many optional excursions including water sports, horseback rides and visits to a local village.
Overnight: Lake Malawi  |  Breakfast x 3, Lunch x 3, Dinner x 3

Lake Malawi - Iringa (Tanzania). Today we enter Tanzania through the border post at Songwe. Our campsite this evening is at Iringa at a beautiful rustic ‘Farmhouse’ campsite famous for its Amarula Hot Chocolates and its steamy showers!
Overnight: Iringa  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Iringa - Dar es Salaam. Continuing north we continue to Dar Es Salaam through Mikumi National Park. We camp tonight by the beach and prepare for our trip to the Spice Island of Zanzibar tomorrow.
Overnight: Dar es Salaam  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. Today we take the ferry over to Zanzibar for 3 nights on this tropical paradise. Our first night is in the port city of Stone Town and we spend two further nights up on the northern beaches. Whilst on Zanzibar we also enjoy an informative Spice Tour and sunset cruise on a traditional dhow boat.
Overnight: Zanzibar   |  Breakfast x 3

Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam - Pangani - Arusha. We depart Zanzibar this afternoon and return to Dar Es Salaam. On day 38 we continue north and stop for the night in Pengani before continuing our journey the next day for Arusha - our base for our trip out to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Overnight: Dar es Salaam (1), Pangani (1), Arusha (1)  |  Breakfast x 3, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 3

Arusha - Serengeti & Ngorongoro. On day 40 we depart Arusha and embark on our 3 day/2 night included Serengeti and Ngorongoro excursion. We'll game drive in both areas and camp in the wild. On day 42 we head back across the plains and the Crater rim to return to Arusha and exchange exciting wildlife stories.
Overnight: Karatu (1) Serengeti (1) Arusha (1)  |  Breakfast x 3, Lunch x 3, Dinner x 3