Cairo To Cape Town

Description

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 to Cape Town - an epic adventure from north to south. Travel through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. You'll take in a dizzying array of natural wonders and cultural encounters, be humbled by the welcoming smiles of local villagers, wander vibrant modern cities and encounter iconic African animals in the wild. This overland trip provides a unique opportunity to experience the true essence of Africa from the ground level .This challenging expedition demands a truly adventurous spirit, but is rewarding in return.

Highlights

• Sample the spicy delights of Zanzibar.
• Keep up with the frenetic pace of Kenya's capital.
• Nairobi.
• Camp on balmy beaches in Tanzania.
• Soak up the cosmopolitan vibe of South Africa's Cape Town.
• Seek out elephant herds in Botswana.
• Relax with Rastafarians in Shashemene.
• Retrace the steps of Egypt's pharaohs through the Western Desert.
• Visit Egypt's famous Pyramids of Giza in Cairo.
• Ride a ferry through stunning landscapes to Sudan.
• Visit Ethiopia's atmospheric capital Addis Ababa.
• Explore Ethiopia's castles and palaces in Gondar.

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Cairo

Visit Egypt and the Pyramids of Giza.

Days 3-4 Alexandria

Head to Egypt's second largest city, the ancient port of Alexandria. As the ancient capital of Egypt's last royal dynasty, there is no shortage of history here to be explored. Perhaps check out the Roman Amphitheatre and Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa, and be sure to feast on some of Alexandria's renowned seafood.

Days 5-7 Bahariya Oasis/White Desert

Travel into Sudan and the Western Desert. Explore Ptolemaic tombs, hot springs, palm groves and the remote Crystal Mountain. Camp under the stars at the Bahariya Oasis and in the White Desert.

Days 8-9 Dakhla Oasis

Journey to the rose-hued rocks, antiquities and greenery of the Dakhla Oasis.

Day 10 El Kharga Oasis

Explore palm lined streets, unspoilt springs and the Temple of Hebes. Sleep under a million stars in this special part of Egypt.

Days 11-13 Luxor

The ancient Egyptian capital of Luxor houses spectacular temples and tombs. Ride a donkey to the remarkable Valley of the Kings and visit the Temples of Karnak with an Egyptologist.

Days 14-16 Aswan

Arrive in Aswan and unwind with a stroll along the Nile River or take a relaxing felucca cruise, followed by a sunset cocktail. See a giant, unfinished obelisk, haggle for souvenirs and treasures in the souq or take a trip to see the two magnificent temples of Abu Simbel.

Days 17-18 Lake Nasser/Wadi Halfa

Embark on an epic ferry adventure across Lake Nasser, an enormous man-made lake. Glimpse spectacular scenery en route to the port of Wadi Halfa at Sudan's northern tip.

Days 19-20 Nubian Desert

Travel into Sudan and follow a camel route through the rugged terrain of the Nubian Desert, passing oases, small Nile hamlets and ancient relics of past civilisations. In the evening, share a simple meal around the campfire and sleep under the stars as nomadic locals pass by.

Days 21-24 Atbara/Red Sea/Atbara

Explore a succession of temples - including the hilltop Temple of Amun - that dot the desert terrain. Continue to roam the remote dunes of Sudan, stopping at night to camp under the stars.

Day 25 Meroe

Admire the spectacular pyramids of Meroe, explore Naqa's Lion Temple and the palace of Musawwarat.

Day 26 Khartoum

Brush up on some Arabic language skills with the friendly residents of Khartoum city, Sudan's busy capital. Relax in a chai house and recount memories of this remarkable North African tour.

Day 27 Gedaref

Spend the night in Gedaref.

Days 28-30 Gonder

Visit Ethiopia's fascinating castles in Gondar.

Day 31 Debark

Stop off in Debark.

Days 32-34 Simien Mountains National Park

Hike Ethiopia's Simien Mountains, passing eroded volcanic cores and raging rivers.

Day 35 Enda Selassie

Take in views from Enda Selassie.

Days 36-37 Aksum

Visit Aksum, Ethiopia's city with a web of underground tombs.

Day 38 Mekele

Wander Mekele's cliff-face cave churches in the Tigray Region.

Day 39 Woldiya

Peruse the markets at Woldiya.

Days 40-42 Lalibela

Peer into Ethiopia's rock-hewn churches at Lalibela.

Day 43-45 Bahir Dar

See Ethiopia's Blue Nile Falls.

Day 46 Dejen

Spend the night in peaceful Dejen.

Days 47-49 Addis Ababa

Stop by Ethiopia's bustling capital.

Day 1 Addis Ababa

Begin your African adventure with some traditional cuisine and perhaps some local music as you get acquainted with the fun-loving culture. Why not arrive a little early and check out the Ethnological Museum, a fascinating glimpse into Ethiopia's tribal heritage.

Day 50 Lake Abiyata

Relax in hot springs.

Days 51-53 Bale Mountains National Park

Go on game spotting expeditions.

Day 54 Wendo Genet

Camp overnight at hot springs.

Day 55 Awassa

Visit the Children's Project at Awassa.

Days 56-57 Arba Minch

Embark on a boat trip or visit a crocodile farm.

Days 58-60 Omo Valley Region

Visit remote Ethiopian tribes in the Omo Valley.

Days 61-62 Konso

Peruse the local market at Konso.

Day 63 Moyale

Travel through a changing landscape to reach Kenya.

Day 64 Marsabit

Stay by the national park in Marsabit.

Days 65-66 Samburu National Reserve

Witness Samburu dancing and experience Kenyan tribal life. Try to spot the Big Five.

Days 67-68 Naro Moru

Spend the night near Mt Kenya.

Day 69-70 Nakuru National Park

See a sea of pink flamingos on Kenya's Lake Nakuru.

Day 71 Lake Naivasha

Camp by Lake Navaisha.

Day 72 Nairobi

Visit Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

Day 73 Mto Wa Mbu

Camp in a Tanzanian village.

Days 74-75 Ngorongoro Crater/Serengeti National Park

Explore Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater and safari through the Serengeti plains.

Day 76 Mto Wa Mbu

Soak up Tanzania's village life.

Day 77 Marangu

Camp amid tropical gardens.

Day 78 Dar es Salaam

Visit Tanzania's coast at Dar es Salaam.

Days 79-81 Zanzibar

Smell the spices of Tanzania's Zanzibar.

Day 82 Dar es Salaam

Return to Tanzania's Dar es Salaam.

Days 83-84 Iringa/Chitimba

Travel through highland towns to reach Malawi.

Days 85-86 Lake Malawi

Chill out at Lake Malawi.

Days 87-88 Lilongwe/Nyamapanda

Kick back in Malawi's capital, Lilongwe. before crossing into Zimbabwe.

Day 89 Harare

Explore cultural Harare.

Day 90 Masvingo

Visit Zimbabwe's ancient city of Masvingo.

Days 91-92 Bulawayo

Search out rhinos in Matobo National Park.

Day 93 Hwange National Park

Look for elephants on a 4x4 safari in Hwange National Park.

Days 94-96 Victoria Falls

See the torrents of Victoria Falls.

Days 23-24 Victoria Falls

Witness the tremendous power of Victoria Falls as torrents of water cascade into the canyon below. As this tour of Africa draws to an end, share a final dinner with new friends.

Days 97-98 Chobe National Park

Travel to Namibia and embark on boat rides, hikes or fishing trips.

Day 99 Bagani Community Camp

Travel into Namibia and choose to relax with a boat trip.

Days 100-101 Okavango Delta

Cross back into Botswana, and travel through waterways by mokoro.

Days 102-103 Bagani Community Camp/Rundu

Camp amid lush vegetation.

Day 104 Grootfontein/San Bushmen

Meet the San Bushmen of the Kalahari in Namibia.

Days 105-106 Etosha National Park

Explore Namibia's Etosha National Park.

Day 107 Spitzkoppe

Admire stunning geological formations.

Days 108-110 Swakopmund

See seals on the shores of Cape Cross.

Days 111-112 Sesriem/River Camp

Visit Sesriem, Namibia's home to some of the highest sand dunes on the Earth.

Day 113 Fish River Canyon

Marvel at Namibia's famous canyon.

Days 114-115 Orange River/Western Cape

Travel to South Africa's Orange River.

Day 116 Cape Town

The trip ends in South Africa's Cape Town.

Group Size

Maximum of 22 travellers per group

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (51 nts), Hotel (30 nts), Bush camp (no facilities) (15 nts), Camping (with basic facilities) (7 nts), Lodge (4 nts), Chalet (3 nts), Bungalow (2 nts), Camp site (1 nt), Overnight ferry (1 nt)

Transport

Overland vehicle, Ferry

Budget

Allow USD $1,050 for meals not included.