42 Day Nairobi to Cape Town Overland Tour
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arusha, Tanzania
Today we depart the bustling capital of Kenya and cross the border into Tanzania. This afternoon we make our preparations for the optional excursion to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 2 & 3: Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater
These 2 days are set aside for the optional 2-night excursion into the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. This area has one of the most densely inhabited large animal populations in Africa. The excursion is in open topped 4x4 safari vehicles in order to tackle the challenging side roads in the parks. For those not going to the parks, take this chance to absorb some of the fascinating local culture.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Excursion.
DAY 4: Arusha
Today those that went into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro will return to Arusha where there will be time to share stories of the wonderful African animals seen in the park. In the afternoon we visit the local Masai Mara Museum and Snake Park.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: Dar es Salaam
Today we take a long, yet scenic drive south towards one of Africa's largest ports, Dar es Salaam. Meaning 'house of peace' in Arabic, Dar es Salaam is the economic and trade capital of Tanzania, but inland Dodoma remains the official capital city.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 6 to 8: Zanzibar
A local ferry will take us from Dar es Salaam (where we leave the truck) to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. We spend the first night exploring the historical and unique architecture. There are also spice and seafood markets to be explored. The following day we take a transfer to the northern part of the island where we will spend 2 days relaxing on the beach.
Meals included: Breakfast x 3
Optional Activities: Swimming with Dolphins, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling etc.
DAY 9: Dar es Salaam
Today we leave Zanzibar and catch a late ferry back to Dar es Salaam and return to our truck and campsite.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: Iringa
Today leave the humid Indian Ocean coastline and travel inland and up to Iringa in the highland tea growing area. This evening our dinner is in a local Masai Hut where we enjoy a traditional Tanzanian evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 11 & 12: Northern Lake Malawi
Leaving Tanzania we decend though scenic mountain passes to our lakeshore camp at Chitimba. Lake Malawi is a beautiful destination and for those wanting more variety there is an overnight hike to the Livingstonia Mission Station in the highland area. This working mission was set up by Scottish Presbyterian followers of David Livingstone in 1894 and is 900m above the lake. There is also a shorter hike to the Manchawe Falls.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Hike to Livingstonia Mission, watersports, abseiling etc.
DAYS 13 & 14: Kande Beach
We take a short scenic drive to Kande beach where there are many optional activities available such as horse riding and different water sports. On our second day here we have an included guided village walk in order to meet the local people and learn more about Malawian life.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Water Sports, Horse Riding, Craft Shopping etc.
DAYS 15 & 16: Lake Malawi National Park
Passing through Lilongwe we travel further south to Monkey Bay in the Lake Malawi National Park. This area has been designated a World Heritage site and the protected area has an abundance of aquatic life in clear, warm water. Snorkelling and scuba diving are both excellent here, but there are many other water activities, such as kayaking, to enjoy.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 17: South Luangwa National Park
Early in the morning we drive from Malawi and cross in to Zambia and continue to the South Luangwa National Park where we spend the next two nights right on the banks of the Luangwa River. You can often see hippos and other animals from the camp bar. This afternoon we enjoy an included sunset game drive in the South Luangwa NP.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities:
DAY 18: South Luangwa National Park
In the morning you have the opportunity to take another game drive, the park is known for its high concentration of leopards and hippos. After lunch we visit the community run tribal textile project and a local village.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive and Game Walk.
DAY 19: Chipata
We leave South Luangwa and have a relatively short drive through to Chipata where we will relax in the afternoon. Zambia is truly Africa, the roads become rougher, but its lush, sub-tropical vegetation compensates the traveller.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 20: Lusaka
The journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka takes us along an interesting route. On week days there may be the opportunity to visit one of the interesting local markets of the Zambian capital city.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 21 to 23: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
We drive from Lusaka, across the Zimbabwean border into Victoria Falls. On arrival in Victoria Falls we have time to plan the next day's adventure activities.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch included on day 21
Optional Activities: Chobe morning game drive, Sunset Cruise, Dinner out, White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Elephant Excursion, Walking with Lions, Horse Riding and much more ...
DAY 24: Chobe National Park
After breakfast we visit the spectacular Victoria Falls National Park, the entrance fee is included in your local payment. We allow approximately 2 hours here so you can visit all the view-points and photo opportunities. When we arrive at Kasane we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. The afternoon is spent game viewing with an optional game drive followed by an included scenic boat cruise in Chobe National Park.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Chobe NP game drive
DAY 25: Maun
An early start and our journey takes us to Maun. We spend the night here and prepare for our 2-night bush-camping experience. Your guides will provide you with a briefing about the next few days' activities and the community run tourism operation.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Scenic Flight over Okavango Delta
DAY 26: Okavango Delta
After breakfast we board our local 4x4 truck transport for the 2 hour trip into the Okavango Delta, where we meet with our local guides and polers for our mokoro (traditional canoe) trip to our remote bush camp. In the afternoon there is a nature walk with a local guide which gives a great chance to view wildlife on foot. Tonight is spent swapping stories around the camp fire and enjoying the serenity of the Delta.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 27: Okavango Delta
There is normally an early morning nature walk with your local guides, splitting up into small groups so there is a better chance of seeing the wildlife. This is followed by breakfast and a relaxed day around the camp site. Often there is the chance to swim in the clear water. Test your skills as a mokoro poler, it's not as easy as the locals make it look! In the afternoon we take another nature walk or perhaps a mokoro trip along the river.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 28: Okavango Delta to Maun
Another early morning walk before breakfast, then it's time to board our mokoro canoe for the trip back to the truck (depending on the water levels). Then we say good bye to our local guides and journey back to the Maun campsite for lunch and a relaxing afternoon. Do not be alarmed if we are joined at camp by a local dairy cow later in the evening as they sometimes roam through the back of the camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 29: Ghanzi, Botswana
Another early start and we drive to Ghanzi. Once at camp we will meet with a local Bushmen community and experience some traditional Tribal Dancing. There are also some traditional bushman huts that you have the opportunity to stay in for a nominal fee.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Guided Walk-Hunting Gathering/Village, Trance Dance
DAY 30: Windhoek, Namibia
Today is a long driving day to the Namibian border and on to Windhoek in the centre of Namibia arriving in the early evening. Tonight there is an optional dinner out in town at Joe's Beer House.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Dinner out at a local restaurant.
DAYS 31 & 32:
Leaving the city sights behind, we travel north into Namibia's barren northern area. We enter Etosha National Park and game drive through to the Okaukejo campsite. On the 2nd day, more breathtaking game viewing and a night at the Halali camp. Etosha National Park is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. We will go on various game drives, and spend our evenings at the water holes for some excellent game photography.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 33: Himba Tribes
Leaving Etosha we drive towards Kamanjab. The Himba are a pastoral people and predominantly breed cattle or goats. They are easily recognisable by their unique style of dress. Today you have the chance to visit the Himba camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 34: Spitzkoppe
From culture to creation we travel to the mysterious Spitzkoppe, known as Namibia's Matterhorn. A huge rocky outcrop where we set up camp in the wild, beneath the mountain. This afternoon there is an included walk to the unique rock formations.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 35: Swakopmund
Today we travel to Namibia's Atlantic coast and Swakopmund, Namibia's adventure capital. You will be briefed on the optional activities available here. At night there is an optional dinner at a local restaurant where you can try different types of local dishes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Quadbiking, Sandboarding, Sky Diving, Dolphin Cruise, Scenic Flights, Fishing, Dinner etc.
DAY 36: Swakopmund
Today is your chance to experience the adrenalin filled atmosphere that Swakopmund offers. Most activities include a pick up and drop off service to/from your hostel. You can also take time to go to the internet or wander through the shopping streets.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 37: Sesriem
After the adventure and adrenaline rush of Swakopmund, we drive south into the mysterious Namib Desert. We arrive at camp in the afternoon and go on a short hike at Sesriem Canyon. Tonight we enjoy dinner around the campfire, do a little star gazing and listen to the calls of the Jackals and barking geckos.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 38: Sossusvlei Dunes
Today is our earliest start as we wake before dawn for one of the highlights of the trip, hiking up Dune 45 to watch the sun rise. After breakfast we join a local expert on a guided tour of the desert ecosystem and explanation of desert conditions.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 39: Fish River Canyon
Today we travel south to the Fish River Canyon where we hike along the edge of the canyon and see the amazing sunset. (It is possible that you may see the sunrise at the canyon next morning instead due to the road conditions or time of year.)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 40: Gariep (Orange) River
We leave early on our last day in Namibia travelling south to the border with South Africa at the Gariep / Orange River. Our campsite lies on the banks of the Orange River on the South African side. In the afternoon there is an optional canoeing activity on the River or you can just chill out at the campsite and go for a swim.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Gariep /Orange River canoeing
DAY 41: Citrusdal
Today is a long drive through the Northern Cape to the fruit producing area in the Cederberg mountains of South Africa. After setting up camp we go on a guided walk (weather permitting) to see Bushmen paintings and learn about the native fauna, flora and interesting creatures that inhabit the area.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 42: Cape Town
Our final day on tour, we head to the mother city, Cape Town. Travelling along the coast road we stop at Table View for a magnificent view of Table Mountain from the other side of the bay. Our tour ends in Greenmarket Square.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
