The Complete Trans African (south bound)

Itinerary

Day 1 Malaga

Welcome to Malaga, Spain's gateway to Africa.

Day 2 Chefchaouen

Wander the cobbled alleyways of this charming mountain town.

Days 3-5 Rabat

The dramatic 12th century Hassan tower dominates the skyline of this cosmopolitan city. Enjoy Atlantic views from the Kasbah des Oudaias or explore sights such as the impressive Mausoleum of Mohammed V.

Days 6-8 Volubilis/Fes

Admire the magnificent mosaics and striking columns of Roman Volubilis. Wander the meandering alleyways of Fes' medina, which has barely changed since medieval times.

Days 9-10 Merzouga

Soak up panoramic views en route to the massive Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Camp under desert stars, sharing a hearty feast with locals.

Days 11-12 Todra Gorge

Visit palm-shaded villages on the way to the breathtaking Todra Gorge. Dominating the surrounding landscape, the towering cliffs can be explored on foot or by donkey.

Day 13 Ait Benhaddou

The intricate clay architecture of this graceful kasbah has been a backdrop to countless Hollywood blockbusters.

Days 14-16 Marrakech

Wander the mosaic of souqs and admire the majestic Koutoubia Mosque. Delight in the colours and sounds of Marrakech's famous Djemaa el-Fna market square.

Days 17-18 Essaouira

Rejuvenate on Essaouira's sandy beaches.

Days 19-21 Western Sahara

Enjoy the tropical waters of the Atlantic or spend time ocean fishing.

Days 22-26 Northern Mauritania

Savour the sublime desert silence en route to Nouakchott, Mauritania's colourful capital.

Days 27-28 Chinguetti

Explore this remote medieval caravan city, then ride a camel across a dune sea.

Days 29-31 Terjit

The gentle streams and swaying date palms of this quintessential oasis are a beautiful contrast to the starkness of the desert. Discover the hospitality of our Bedouin friends on an overnight camel trek.

Days 32-34 Saint-Louis

France's first African settlement boasts graceful colonial architecture. Take a stroll though the town or perhaps visit an unusual cemetery nearby where graves are covered by fishing nets.

Days 35-36 Dakar

Explore the beaches, museums and marketplaces of Senegal's most vivacious city.

Days 37-38 Bush Camp

Absorb the striking Senegalese scenery.

Days 39-40 Niokolo-Koba National Park

Embark on game drives in this forested park. Perhaps spot hippos, lions, chimpanzees and Derby eland, the world's largest antelope.

Days 41-43 Northern Mali

Cross the remote sub-Sahara, an area rarely visited by tourists, soaking up the dramatic landscape and visiting isolated settlements.

Days 44-46 Bamako

Admire the stunning collections of masks, statues and textiles in Bamako's museums.

Days 47-49 Segou/Sevare

Revel in an evening of traditional drumming.

Days 50-51 Timbuktu

Explore this much mythologised caravan town on a guided tour.

Days 52-54 Niger River Cruise

Journey down the mighty Niger River on local pinasse boat, visiting villages and camping on the riverbanks.

Days 55-57 Dogon Trek

Trek to remote Dogon villages and discover the unique culture of these isolated people.

Days 58-59 Djenne

Watch tribespeople in colourful robes bartering in the local market. Marvel at the city's elegant mud mosque.

Days 60-61 Bobo-Dioulasso

Browse the vibrant market for local masks. Catch a glimpse of the enormous chicken-fed fish in the Dafra sacred fishpond.

Days 62-63 Ouagadougou

Dance the night away at some of the region's best night spots.

Days 64-66 Mole National Park

Enjoy some premiere safari viewing in one of West Africa's best parks.

Days 67-68 Kumasi

Haggle for bargains in the bustling Kejetia Market.

Day 69 Elmina

Lend a hand at the Sabre Charitable Trust, which runs educational and building projects in rural communities.

Days 70-71 Accra

The beaches in Ghana's capital will please the most discerning sun-worshipper.

Day 72 Kakum National Park

The spectacular treetop walkway provides extraordinary views of the rainforest.

Days 73-74 Ghanaian Coast

Relax under coconut palms or gain an insight into the region's colonial history with a visit to a coastal stone fort.

Days 75-77 Mt Klouto

Spot some of the park's butterfly species fluttering through the lush jungle on a guided safari.

Days 78-79 Agbodrafo

Investigate voodoo culture on a tour of local shrines. Admire the beautifully decorated German church at Togoville.

Days 80-81 Grand Popo

Relax on the beach or wander the nearby cultural centre. At night, it's possible to join locals to spot sea turtles climbing the beach.

Days 82-83 Cotonou

The stilted city of Ganvie is perched two metres above a lagoon. Visit this extraordinary city by dugout canoe and experience its inhabitants' unique way of life.

Days 84-85 Abomey

Admire tapestries depicting bloody battles in the palace of the Dahomey kings.

Days 86-88 Ibadan/Abuja/Jos

Gaze at the fertile countryside en route to the scenic Jos plateau.

Days 89-90 Yankari National Park

Immerse yourself in the rejuvenating waters of a hot spring. This remote reserve is the perfect place to spot prowling lions, springing antelope and elegant ostriches.

Days 91-95 Drill Ranch Monkey Sanctuary

Discover the important conservation work being done to protect chimpanzees and endangered drill monkeys.

Days 96-98 Cameroon Rainforest

Watch scenery of astounding variety unfold along rugged roads winding through rainforests, arid plains and soaring mountains.

Days 99-102 Limbe/Kribi Beach

Dramatic Mt Cameroon provides a postcard-perfect backdrop to the black volcanic sands of Limbe's beach.

Day 103 Douala

Take a stroll and admire the gracefully decayed colonial ambience of Douala.

Days 104-107 Douala/Cairo flight

Spend some time exploring Douala while awaiting a flight to Africa's largest city.

Days 108-109 Cairo

Gaze in awe at the majestic Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, then explore the eerie cemetery at Saqqara or the famous Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. A guided tour of the Egyptian Museum is a great way to discover more about Egypt's fascinating history.

Days 110-111 Bahariyya Oasis/White Desert

Laze in a palm grove and relax in the invigorating waters of a hot spring. Be mesmerised by the museum's golden mummies or visit the nearby Temple of Alexander.

Days 112-114 Dakhla Oasis

Stay amid lush gardens against a rose-tinted rock face.

Days 115-117 Luxor

Ride a donkey to the famous Valley of the Kings and admire the amazingly well-preserved paintings in the tombs of the Pharaohs.

Days 118-121 Aswan

Grab a bargain in Aswan's vibrant souq or visit an unfinished obelisk. Why not enjoy a felucca ride for unforgettable views of a Nile sunset.

Days 122-123 Wadi Halfa

Gaze at the spectacular desert landscape while crossing Lake Nasser.

Days 124-128 Nubian Desert/Wawa

Traverse rugged terrain, perhaps passing camels making their way along ancient trading routes.

Days 129-131 Meroe/Khartoum

Explore the spectacular Kushite ruins scattered across the sands.

Days 132-133 Khartoum

Brush up on your Arabic at the colourful markets or perhaps gain an insight into Sudan's turbulent history at the Khalifa Museum.

Days 134-137 Gedaref/Gonder

Visit Gonder's famous palace complex and delight in the vibrant painted angels smiling down from a church ceiling.

Days 138-140 Simien Mountains National Park

Trek through stunning scenery and enjoy panoramic views from a volcanic precipice.

Days 141-142 Aksum

Gaze in awe at dramatic granite obelisks. Explore the ruins of a palace fabled to belong to the Queen of Sheba.

Days 143-145 Mekele

Explore intriguing churches sculpted into cliff faces.

Days 146-148 Lalibela

These hillside medieval chapels are an astounding engineering feat.

Days 149-152 Bahir Dar

Listen to the roar of Blue Nile Falls. Visit richly decorated island monasteries on local reed boats and descend into a dramatic gorge.

Days 153-156 Addis Ababa

Delve into tribal history at the fascinating Ethnological Museum or experience the chaotic bustle of the local market.

Day 157 Lake Abiata-Shala National Park

Camp among a flurry of lakeside birdlife.

Days 158-160 Bale Mountains National Park

Try to spot the elusive Simien fox in this alpine paradise.

Days 161-164 Shashemene/Arba Minch

Visit the surreal Rastafarian community of Shashemene. Perhaps enjoy a cruise up Lake Chamo and see the gigantic crocodiles that congregate on the shore.

Days 165-168 Omo Valley/Turmi

Meet tribal people in extraordinarily pristine countryside.

Day 169 Konso

See unique wooden grave carvings and experience traditional village life.

Days 170-172 Moyale/Marsabit

Traverse a surreal black lunar landscape.

Days 173-174 Samburu National Reserve

Watch traditional dancing and learn about the customs of the Samburu, a proud warrior tribe.

Days 175-177 Thompson Falls/Lake Nakuru

This gorgeous lake blushes pink with flamingos.

Day 178 Lake Naivasha

Walk with giraffes and zebras or take a guided hippo safari.

Day 179-184 Nairobi

Enter Kenya's bustling capital.

Day 185 Mto Wa Mbu

Taste Tanzanian village life.

Days 186-188 Serengeti National Park

Spot big game in the open plains of the Serengeti.

Day 189 Ngorongoro Crater

More incredible animal sightings await in this famously diverse region.

Day 190 Amani Home/Marangu

Witness the day-to-day life of the Chagga people and taste some local specialities on a village walking tour.

Days 191-192 Usambara Mountains

Absorb the serenity of idyllic mountain surrounds in remote Tanzania.

Day 193 Dar es Salaam

Pitch tents on a tropical beach.

Days 194-196 Zanzibar

Wander intricate alleyways and exotic bazaars. Explore enticing spice plantations and relax on powdery beaches.

Day 197 Dar es Salaam

Ferry back to the mainland and camp on a palm-fringed beach.

Days 198-199 Iringa/Chitimba

Spy elephants and giraffes en route to the southern Tanzanian highlands.

Days 200-201 Lake Malawi

Chill out besides this vast shimmering lake or enjoy some optional water activities.

Days 202-203 Luwawa Forest

Cycle, canoe, fish or ramble through tranquil mountain scenery.

Days 204-205 Chipata/Lusaka

Cross Zambia's Luangwa River.

Days 206-208 Livingstone/Victoria Falls

Thrill to the crashing, spray-clouded Victoria Falls.

Days 209-210 Chobe National Park

Cruise the Chobe River to glimpse some of the park's amazing array of animals.

Day 211 Bagani Community Camp

Unwind with a range of activities on offer.

Days 212-213 Okavango Delta

Navigate this watery wilderness by traditional dugout canoe.

Days 214-216 Rundu/San Bushmen Camp

Listen to traditional stories of the San Bushmen in their unique language and take part in their daily lives during an overnight stay.

Days 217-218 Etosha National Park

Enjoy game drives through this impressive park, home to a diverse array of animals.

Days 219-220 Spitzkoppe

Appreciate the harsh beauty of this remote landscape, where sunsets paint rock formations a breathtaking red.

Days 221-222 Swakopmund

Spot frolicking seals on the shores of Cape Cross and explore this delightful colonial town.

Days 223-224 Sesriem/Keetmanshoop

View a mesmerising sunrise over soaring dunes.

Day 225 Fish River Canyon

Survey this remarkable natural wonder.

Days 226-227 Orange River/Western Cape

Enjoy scenic views. Perhaps explore the river by canoe.

Day 228 Cape Town

The adventure ends in bustling Cape Town. Stay on and enjoy the host of adventure activities on offer.