Cape Town to Istanbul

Itinerary

Day 1 Cape Town

One of Africa's most appealing cities, modern Cape Town boasts stunning coastline.

Days 2-3 Western Cape/Orange River

Camp on scenic riverbanks.

Day 4 Fish River Canyon

Visit quiver tree forests en route to the breathtaking Fish River Canyon.

Days 5-6 Sesriem/Sossusvlei

Climb soaring sand dunes for an exquisite view of the surrounding landscape.

Days 7-8 Swakopmund

Spot frolicking seals then try adventure sports at this historic town.

Days 9-10 Spitzkoppe

Witness a breathtaking sunset over remarkable rock formations.

Days 11-12 Etosha National Park

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

Days 13-14 San Bushmen Camp/Rundu

Meet the San Bushmen, whose fascinating culture has lasted millennia.

Days 15-16 Okavango Delta

Navigate this watery wilderness by mokoro.

Day 17 Bagani Community Camp

Unwind with a range of optional activities.

Days 18-19 Chobe National Park

Cruise the Chobe River for a chance to spy some of the park's many species.

Days 20-23 Livingstone/Victoria Falls

Be humbled by the might of Victoria Falls.

Days 24-25 Lusaka/Chipata

Cross Zambia's Luangwa River.

Day 26 Luwawa Forest Lodge

A community visit provides a fascinating insight into life in the Luwawa Forest.

Days 27-28 Lake Malawi

Relax beside this vast shimmering lake. Take the opportunity to meet some local Malawians, renowned as some of the friendliest people in Africa.

Days 29-30 Chitimba/Iringa

Look out for local wildlife en route to Iringa.

Days 31-36 Dar es Salaam/Zanzibar/Dar es Salaam

Relish the fragrant aroma of Zanzibar's spice plantations. Relax on powdery beaches or wander exotic bazaars.

Days 37-38 Usambara Mountains

Soak up the idyllic scenery of the Usambara Mountains and visit a local cultural and ecological project.

Day 39 Marangu

Meet local schoolchildren and farmers.

Days 40-41 Mto Wa Mbu/Karatu

Taste Tanzanian village life.

Days 42-43 Serengeti National Park

Spot big game on a Serengeti safari, the quintessential African adventure.

Day 44 Ngorongoro Crater/Karatu

Home to a vast array of animals, Ngorongoro Crater provides plenty of opportunities to spot Africa's legendary wildlife.

Days 45-50 Nairobi

Enter Kenya's bustling capital and explore the city's many sights.

Day 51 Lake Naivasha

Visit a conservation centre and take the opportunity to walk around a giraffe sanctuary.

Days 52-53 Lake Nakuru

With its spectacular scenery and sea of pink flamingos, it's no surprise the Lake Nakuru is considered one of Kenya's best parks.

Days 54-56 Samburu/Thomson Falls

Seize the chance to spot the Big Five. Watch traditional dancing and learn about the tribal life and customs of the Samburu.

Days 57-58 Marsabit/Moyale

Traverse a surreal black lunar landscape.

Days 59-60 Konso

See wooden grave carvings and experience traditional village life.

Days 61-64 Omo Valley/Turmi

Visit remote settlements in the pristine Omo Valley.

Days 65-67 Arba Minch

Gigantic crocodiles congregate on the shores of Lake Chamo.

Day 68 Shashemene

Stop by a school at the spiritual home of Rastafarianism.

Days 69-71 Bale Mountains National Park

Ascend the park's plateau in search of the elusive Simien fox.

Day 72 Lake Abiyata

Soak in hot springs and camp among a flurry of lakeside birdlife.

Days 73-74 Addis Ababa

Explore the many sights of Ethiopia's bustling capital. A visit to the Ethnological Museum is a great way to uncover the country's tribal history.

Days 75-79 Bahir Dar

Gaze at Blue Nile Falls and descend into a dramatic gorge.

Days 80-82 Lalibela

These hillside medieval chapels are an astounding engineering feat.

Days 83-85 Mekele

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

Days 86-87 Aksum

Ethiopia's oldest city houses dramatic granite obelisks.

Days 88-90 Simien Mountains National Park

Delight in the breathtaking view from one of the park's panoramic precipices.

Day 91-93 Gonder/Gedaref

Gaze at the vibrant faces of 104 painted angels swarming a church ceiling.

Days 94-96 Khartoum

Watch whirling dervishes achieve religious euphoria.

Days 97-99 Khartoum/Meroe

Explore the spectacular Kushite temples at Meroe.

Days 100-103 Nubian Desert/Wawa

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

Days 104-107 Wadi Halfa

Admire the spectacular desert landscape on a ferry adventure across Lake Nasser, the enormous man-made lake created by the High Dam.

Days 108-110 Aswan

Soak up the relaxing atmosphere of Aswan's souq or relax beside the Nile.

Days 111-113 Luxor

Ride a donkey to the eerie Valley of the Kings.

Days 114-116 Dakhla Oasis

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

Days 117-118 Bahariyya Oasis/White Desert

Immerse yourself in hot springs and relax among palm groves. Visit the remarkable Crystal Mountain, a large rock made entirely of quartz crystal.

Days 119-124 Cairo

Be amazed by the priceless artefacts of Tutankhamun's tomb and the exotic Khan-al-Khalili bazaar. Gaze in awe at the legendary Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza and explore the sprawling Saqqara cemetery.

Day 125 St Katherine's

Located at the base of Mt Sinai, this ancient monastery is fabled to hold an offshoot of the biblical burning bush.

Days 126-127 Dahab

Rejuvenate in the beautiful waters of the Red Sea, perhaps taking the opportunity to try some snorkelling or scuba diving.

Day 128 Wadi Rum

Spend the night in a desert camp.

Days 129-130 Wadi Musa/Petra

Venture through a narrow chasm to the extraordinary lost city of Petra to admire the monumental buildings carved out of the sheer rock face.

Day 131 Mt Nebo

Float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea.

Day 132 Jerash

Marvel at the magnificent Bosra Amphitheatre and wander the colonnaded streets of ancient Jerash.

Days 133-135 Damascus

Sample local baklava from the city's charming bazaar.

Days 136-137 Palmyra

Savour the panoramic views of three countries from the imposing Krak des Chevaliers. Enjoy a guided tour of the extensive ruins of Palmyra including the Temple of the Bell.

Days 138-139 Aleppo

Revel in the atmosphere of the souq or visit the city's impressive citadel.

Days 140-141 Goreme

Be enchanted by remarkable underground cities and fairy chimneys carved out of soft volcanic rock.

Day 142 Termessos

Perched on a dramatic precipice, the extraordinary ruins of Termessos are breathtaking to behold.

Days 143-144 Olu Deniz/Fethiye

Pamper yourself on the stunning beaches or enjoy some optional water activities. Hike through beautiful hillsides and olive groves to the remarkable abandoned town of Karmylassos.

Days 145-146 Selcuk

Uncover history's secrets on a visit to the legendary city of Troy and the majestic ruins of Ephesus.

Day 147 Eceabat/Gallipoli

The stark memorial at Lone Pine is a moving testament to the fallen Anzacs.

Days 148-150 Istanbul

The only city in the world that straddles two continents, Istanbul is bursting with interesting sights to explore. Spend some time exporeing the mesmerising Blue Mosque or wander the massive Grand Bazaar.