Cairo to Cape Town
Trip Details
- Duration: 121 day(s)
- Visited Areas: Pacific Islands , Botswana , Egypt , Ethiopia , Kenya , Malawi , Namibia , South Africa , Tanzania , Zimbabwe , Mozambique , Sudan
If you've ever wanted to 'do Africa', this is the definitive trip. In 121 action-packed days, cross the continent's entire length from Cairo in the north to Cape Town at the southern tip, taking in a dizzying array of natural wonders and cultural encounters. Be humbled by the welcoming smiles of local villagers, wander vibrant modern cities and feast your eyes on iconic African animals in the wild. This challenging expedition demands a truly adventurous spirit, but is absolutely rewarding in return.
Itinerary
Days 1-2 Cairo
Admire Egyptian treasures and see the famous pyramids at Giza.
Days 8-10 Luxor
Ride a donkey to the Valley of the Kings and visit Karnak Temple.
Days 11-14 Aswan
Relax beside the Nile.
Days 15-16 Wadi Halfa
Cross enormous Lake Nasser by ferry to enter Sudan.
Days 58-61 Omo Valley
Visit remote villages and learn about the customs of local tribes.
Days 66-67 Samburu National Reserve
Witness Samburu dancing and learn about tribal life from the locals. Try to spot the Big Five in the reserve.
Day 71 Lake Naivasha
Camp by the shores of the lake.
Day 72-77 Nairobi
Get to know the busy streets of Kenya's capital.
Day 78 Mto Wa Mbu
Camp in a Tanzanian village.
Days 102-103 Chobe National Park
Enjoy a game drive and cruise through a Botswanan wildlife haven.
Days 105-106 Okavango Delta
Travel through this immense waterway by mokoro, a dugout canoe.
Days 110-111 Etosha National Park
Roam the park's dry plains and encounter zebras, impala and rhinos.
Day 118 Fish River Canyon
Marvel at a spectacular sunset over the canyon.
Days 119-120 Orange River/Western Cape
Perhaps canoe along the beautiful Orange River.
Day 121 Cape Town
The trip ends in captivating Cape Town.
Days 3-7 Western Desert Oasis Route
Travel through the Black and White deserts and see thriving oases.
Days 17-22 Nubian Desert
Follow a camel caravan route through rugged terrain and camp under the open sky.
Days 23-24 Meroe
Explore impressive Kushite temples and pyramids.
Days 25-27 Khartoum
Watch the euphoric Sufi Whirling Dervishes.
Days 28-30 Gedaref/Gonder
Visit the fascinating castles and palaces of Gonder in Ethiopia.
Days 31-34 Simien Mountains National Park
Hike through rugged terrain, passing eroded volcanic cores, raging rivers and jagged peaks.
Days 35-37 Aksum
Explore this city that is peppered with ancient obelisks, crumbling palaces and a web of underground tombs.
Days 38-39 Mekele
Wander through the cliff-face cave churches of Tigray.
Days 40-42 Lalibela
Peer into astounding rock-hewn churches.
Days 43-45 Bahir Dar
Walk around the Blue Nile Falls, then take a reed boat to isolated monasteries.
Day 46 Dejen
Spend the night in Dejen.
Days 47-49 Addis Ababa
Stop by the bustling capital.
Day 50 Lake Abiata-Shala National Park
Relax in hot springs surrounded by the twitter of birdlife.
Days 51-53 Bale Mountains National Park
Head out on game spotting expeditions.
Days 54-55 Shashemene
Learn about the Rastafarian lifestyle and philosophy.
Days 56-57 Arba Minch
Use free time to embark on a boat trip or visit a crocodile farm.
Days 62-63 Konso
Journey to Konso and peruse the local market.
Days 64-65 Moyale/Marsabit
Travel through deserts, mountains and bushland to reach Kenya.
Day 68 Mt Kenya
Spend the night in a lodge on the slopes of Mt Kenya.
Days 69-70 Lake Nakuru
Be impressed by a sea of pink flamingos.
Days 79-80 Ngorongoro Crater/Serengeti National Park
Explore a volcanic crater filled with wildlife and safari through the Serengeti.
Day 81 Mto Wa Mbu
Soak up the slow pace of village life.
Day 82 Marangu
Camp amid tropical gardens.
Day 83 Dar es Salaam
Enjoy the warm climate of Tanzania's coast.
Days 84-86 Zanzibar
Smell the spices and taste the flavours of Zanzibar.
Day 87 Dar es Salaam
Return to the mainland for more beachside camping.
Days 88-89 Iringa/Chitimba
Travel through highland towns to reach Malawi.
Days 90-91 Lake Malawi
Chill out on a peaceful beach.
Days 92-93 Lilongwe/Nyamapanda
Kick back in a coffee shop in Malawi's capital then cross into Zimbabwe.
Day 94 Harare
Explore galleries, museums and botanic gardens.
Day 95 Masvingo
See an ancient ruined city.
Days 96-97 Bulawayo
Search out rhinos in Matobo National Park.
Day 98 Hwange National Park
Search out elephants on a 4x4 safari.
Days 99-101 Victoria Falls
See torrents of white water cascade into a canyon.
Day 104 Bagani Community Camp
Enter Namibia and embark on boat rides, hikes or fishing trips.
Days 107-108 Bagani Community Camp/Rundu
Camp surrounded by lush vegetation.
Day 109 Grootfontein/San Bushmen
Meet the San Bushmen and try to pick up their distinct 'clicking language'.
Day 112 Spitzkoppe
Admire stunning geological formations and ancient rock paintings.
Days 113-115 Swakopmund
See seals basking on the shores of Cape Cross.
Days 116-117 Sesriem/River Camp
Scale some of the highest sand dunes on the earth.
