The Complete Trans African (north bound)

Itinerary

Day 1 Cape Town

Discover the stunning coastline of one of Africa's most appealing cities.

Days 2-3 Western Cape/Orange River

Pitch a tent by the banks of the Orange River and perhaps canoe along its scenic waters.

Day 4 Fish River Canyon

Marvel at the impressive Fish River Canyon - at over 500 m deep it truly is a spectacular sight.

Days 5-6 Sesriem/Sossusvlei

The world's highest sand dunes provide a breathtaking backdrop to a sunrise.

Days 7-8 Swakopmund

The perfect place for adrenaline junkies, colonial Swakopmund offers a range of adventure sport activities.

Days 9-10 Spitzkoppe

Delight in seals frolicking on the shores of Cape Cross and discover ancient paintings hidden among spectacular rock formations.

Days 11-12 Etosha National Park

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

Days 13-14 San Bushmen Camp/Rundu

Discover the fascinating culture of the San Bushmen during an overnight stay.

Days 15-16 Okavango Delta

Navigate the delta's meandering waterways in a traditional dugout canoe.

Day 17 Bagani Community Camp

Enjoy the many activities on offer in Bagani including boat trips, fishing and hiking.

Days 18-19 Chobe National Park

Cruise the Chobe River for a chance to spy everything from swimming elephants to sun-loving crocs.

Days 20-23 Livingstone/Victoria Falls

Be overwhelmed by the thunderous roar Victoria Falls.

Days 24-25 Lusaka/Chipata

Visit bustling Lusaka, then journey through Zambia's heartland to Malawi.

Day 26 Luwawa Forest Lodge

A community visit provides a fascinating insight into life in the Luwawa Forest, the largest man-made woodland in Africa.

Days 27-28 Lake Malawi

Relax on the shores of Lake Malawi or get active with one of the many optional water activities on offer.

Days 29-30 Chitimba/Iringa

Pitch a tent and relax in the scenic highlands of Tanzania.

Days 31-36 Zanzibar/Dar es Salaam

Be captivated by the exotic beauty of Zanzibar, a tropical island paradise.

Days 37-38 Usambara Mountains

Visit a community in the remote Usambara Mountains and experience the warm hospitality of the locals.

Day 39 Marangu

Take a walking tour of this village on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, home to the Chagga people.

Days 40-41 Mto Wa Mbu/Karatu

Discover the inspirational work being done at the Amani Children's Home and visit a local kindergarten.

Days 42-43 Serengeti National Park

Spot hoofed animals and fierce predators on a Serengeti safari, the quintessential African adventure.

Day 44 Ngorongoro Crater/Karatu

Glimpse some of Africa's legendary wildlife in an extinct volcanic crater.

Days 45-50 Nairobi

Take the time to discover Kenya's bustling capital.

Day 51 Lake Naivasha

Discover the amazing preservation work being done at Elsamere Conservation Centre or perhaps get close to some giraffes on a walking tour of a sanctuary dedicated to protecting these remarkable creatures.

Days 52-53 Lake Nakuru

Delight in the myriad animals that inhabit Lake Nakuru National Park.

Days 54-56 Samburu/Thomson Falls

Look out for the rare Grevy's zebra at Samburu National Reserve, home to a prolific array of animals.

Days 57-58 Marsabit/Moyale

Travel through the diverse landscapes of northern Kenya.

Days 59-60 Konso

Discover the rich culture of the Konso region.

Days 61-64 Omo Valley/Turmi

Meet the tribal peoples of the Omo Valley, an area seldom visited by tourists.

Days 65-67 Arba Minch

Glimpse crocs lazing on the shores of Lake Chamo.

Day 68 Shashemene

Visit the spiritual home of Rastafarianism.

Days 69-71 Bale Mountains

Trek into the wilderness and discover the spectacular scenery that has made the Bale Mountains legendary.

Day 72 Lake Abiata

Behold the vast flock of flamingos that grace the waters of Lake Abiata.

Days 73-74 Addis Ababa

Appreciate the unique blend of past and present that colours Addis Ababa.

Days 75-79 Bahir Dar

Cross a dramatic gorge before visiting the spectacular Blue Nile Falls.

Days 80-82 Lalibela

Admire the awe-inspiring mediaeval churches of Lalibela.

Days 83-85 Mekele

Explore the intriguing rock-hewn churches sculpted into the cliff faces at Tigray.

Days 86-87 Aksum

Be amazed by the massive granite obelisks at Aksum.

Days 88-90 Simien Mountains National Park

Venture into the spectacular scenery of the Simien Mountains.

Day 91-93 Gonder/Gedaref

Once the capital of Ethiopia, historic Gonder is known as for its castles and palaces.

Days 94-96 Khartoum

Witness the legendary whirling dervishes at Khartoum's colourful market.

Days 97-99 Khartoum/Meroe Sites

Marvel at the impressive temples and pyramids of the ancient Meroe sites.

Days 100-103 Nubian Desert/Wawa

Journey across the vast Nubian Desert taking in the ancient Kushite Temples.

Days 104-107 Wadi Halfa

Admire the spectacular desert landscape while crossing Lake Nasser aboard a local passenger ferry.

Days 108-110 Aswan

Revel in the excitement of Aswan's souq or watch a Nile sunset gliding on a felucca.

Days 111-113 Luxor

Be captivated by Luxor's ancient treasures including the famous tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

Days 114-116 Al-Kharga Oasis/Dakhla Oasis

Visit exotic Dakhla Oasis, a remarkable settlement with a history stretching back to Pharaonic times.

Days 117-118 Bahariyya Oasis/White Desert

Enjoy the hot springs of Bahariyya Oasis before taking the option of exploring the numerous sites of antiquity nearby.

Days 119-120 Cairo

Discover the priceless treasures of the Egyptian Museum, including the magnificent artefacts from Tutankhamen's tomb.

Days 121-126 Cairo/Douala flight

Explore the sights of Cairo before flying to Douala for the next leg of the adventure.

Day 127 Douala

Absorb the relaxed atmosphere of Cameroon's capital.

Days 128-132 Limbe/Kribi Beach

Idle on the white sands of Kribi's unspoilt beach.

Days 133-137 Drill Ranch Monkey Sanctuary

Learn about the inspiring conservation work performed at the Drill Ranch Monkey Sanctuary.

Days 138-140 Yankari National Park

Immerse yourself in the waters of the Wikki Warm Spring or spot some of the park's bountiful game.

Days 141-143 Jos/Abuja/Ibadan

Drive through the fertile interior of Nigeria. Soak up the scenery or perhaps visit the interesting Jos Museum Complex.

Days 144-145 Abomey

Admire the amazing wealth of the Dahomey kingdom with a visit to Abomey's beautifully restored palace.

Days 146-147 Ganvie/Cotonou

Stay overnight in Ganvie, a remarkable settlement of bamboo huts in the middle of Lake Nokoue.

Days 148-150 Grand Popo

Unwind on the glorious beach at Grand Popo or join an optional night walk with locals to observe native sea turtles.

Days 151-152 Agbodrafo

Soak up Agbodrafo's idyllic atmosphere or get active with optional water activities.

Days 153-154 Mt Klouto

Enjoy a guided walk through Mt Klouto's scenic wilderness, home to over 500 species of butterflies.

Days 155-157 Ghanaian Coast

Rejuvenate at Big Millie's Backyard, a popular spot to unwind and soak up the magnificent scenery.

Day 158 Kakum National Park

Unleash your inner Tarzan with a stroll along the vertiginous canopy walkway at Kakum National Park.

Days 159-160 Accra

Chill out on one of the coast's beautiful beaches or explore Accra's busy nightlife.

Day 161 Elmina

Support local communities by working with the Sabre Charitable Trust, an organisation committed to improving the standard of basic education.

Days 162-163 Kumasi

The ancient capital of the Ashanti Empire, Kumasi boasts a colourful market that is a pleasure to explore.

Days 164-165 Mole National Park

Enjoy a guided walking safari of one of West Africa's best parks.

Days 166-169 Bush Camp/Ouagadougou

Discover the lively rhythms of West African music by visiting one of Ouagadougou's renowned bars.

Days 170-171 Bobo-Dioulasso

Browse Bobo-Dioulasso's vibrant market and perhaps pick up one of the area's unique masks.

Days 172-173 Djenne

See Djenne's famous mosque, the largest mud-built structure in the world.

Days 174-175 Sevare

Revel in an evening of traditional drumming.

Days 176-177 Timbuktu

Visit legendary Timbuktu, perhaps enjoying a camel trek to a nearby Tuareg encampment.

Days 178-180 Niger River Cruise

Journey down the Niger River on local motorised pinasse boats - a truly unforgettable experience.

Days 181-184 Dogon Village Trek

Gain an insight into the unique culture of the Dogon people on a memorable two-night trek.

Days 185-187 Bamako

Check out some local musicians play at one of Bamako's lively clubs.

Days 188-189 Northern Mali

Travel through the dramatic sub-Sahara, an area rarely visited by tourists, stopping in various towns and settlements en route.

Days 190-191 Niokolo-Koba National Park

Enjoy game drives to see some of the park's many species.

Days 192-194 Bush Camp

Cross the dramatic landscape of Senegal.

Days 195-196 Dakar

Cosmopolitan Dakar has plenty to offer - explore the city's many museums and markets or visit the beautiful Ile de Goree.

Days 197-198 Saint-Louis

Admire the lovely colonial buildings of Africa's first French settlement.

Days 199-202 Terjit

Take a camel trek across the sands and spend the night in a traditional Bedouin tent.

Days 203-204 Chinguetti

Uncover one of the desert's greatest secrets with a visit to Chinguetti, an ancient settlement hidden among the dunes.

Days 205-209 Northern Mauritania

Be hypnotized by the kaleidoscopic colours of Nouakchott's fish market.

Days 210-212 Western Sahara

Rejuvenate besides the crystal waters of the Atlantic with an option for some ocean fishing.

Days 213-214 Essaouira

Stroll the winding streets of Essaouira's atmospheric medina.

Days 215-217 Marrakech

Tantalise the senses with a visit to Marrakech's enchanting main square, home to acrobats, musicians and snake charmers.

Day 218 Ait Benhaddou

The wonderfully preserved kasbah of Ait Benhaddou has been the backdrop to countless Hollywood movies.

Days 219-220 Todra Gorge

Rising dramatically for the desert floor, the towering cliff faces of Todra Gorge are a truly breathtaking sight.

Day 221 Merzouga

Marvel at the stunning Erg Chebbi dunes before enjoying a memorable night at a Saharan camp.

Days 222-224 Volubilis/Fes

Descend into the labyrinthine alleyways of Fes' ancient medina and stroll the ruins of the Roman city of Volubilis.

Days 225-227 Rabat

Uncover Rabat's rich history with a visit to the unfinished yet majestic 12th century Hassan tower.

Day 228 Chefchaouen

One of Morocco's most charming towns, Chefchaouen's striking blue and white buildings are a favourite with travellers.

Days 229-230 Malaga

End this African adventure in popular Malaga, the gateway between Europe and Morocco.