Description

Travel to Africa and embark on a grand adventure across Africa's north-east from Cairo to Nairobi. Experience the marvels of ancient Egypt and Nubia, the Horn of Africa's deserts and mountains, and the rolling savanna and lush highlands of Kenya. Along the way, encounter friendly Nubian oasis dwellers, Sudanese market vendors, Ethiopian Rastafarians, Kenya's proud Samburu warriors and the rarely visited tribes of the Omo Valley. This is a memorable overland escapade through a very special part of the continent.

Highlights

• Travel to Egypt and marvel at the mighty pyramids.
• Take a donkey ride along the West Bank of the Nile.
• Travel across enormous Lake Nasser by ferry.
• Camp beneath a starry sky in the Nubian Desert.
• Be mesmerised by the famous Sufi Whirling Dervishes.
• Travel to Ethiopia.
• and visit Aksum to explore the crumbling ancient palaces .
• Learn about the Rasta lifestyle in Shashemene.
• Spot game in the Samburu National Reserve.
• See hippos wallowing on the shores of Lake Naivasha.

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Cairo

Explore the iconic Great Sphinx, the Pyramids of Giza and the sprawling Saqqara cemetery with a local guide. There's also time to see precious, ancient treasures housed in the Egyptian Museum.

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

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 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

Travel across the rolling African savanna to camp beneath the stars in Gedaref area.

Days 28-30 Gonder

Explore the city of Gonder, famous for its many castles and palaces. Enjoy a guided tour that gets beneath the surface of these impressive structures and delves into the history behind them.

Day 31 Debark

Arrive at the gateway to the Simien Mountains, the town of Debark, and prepare for the trek ahead.

Days 32-34 Simien Mountains National Park

Hike through rugged terrain passing eroded volcanic cores, raging rivers and the jagged peaks of the Simien Mountains.

Day 35 Enda Selassie

Travel through the rugged countryside towards Aksum, stopping overnight in Enda Selassie.

Days 36-37 Aksum

Explore the ancient city of Aksum, peppered with obelisks and crumbling palaces.

Day 38 Mekele

Wander through Mekele's cliff-face churches of Tigray.

Day 39 Woldiya

Venture further into the Ethiopian landscape and spend the night at a bush camp near Woldiya.

Days 40-42 Lalibela

Peer into Lalibela's astounding rock-hewn churches.

Days 43-45 Bahir Dar

Walk around the spectacular Blue Nile Falls, then board a reed boat bound for the lake's isolated monasteries.

Day 46 Dejen

Spend the night in Dejen.

Days 47-49 Addis Ababa

Finish the trip in Ethiopia's bustling capital, Addis Ababa.

Day 50 Lake Abiyata

Head to the crystallised white shorelines of Lake Abiyata, home to vast flocks of flamingos that cover the water in a pink haze. Keep an eye out for fish eagles and a plethora of other birdlife who come to feed on the prolific algae the lake provides.

Days 51-53 Bale Mountains National Park

Drive high to the plateau of the Bale Mountains National Park in search of the Simien fox, perhaps explore the riding trails on horseback. Take time to traverse a varying landscape of exotic moorlands and thick forest, criss-crossed by fast-flowing streams.

Day 54 Wendo Genet

Descend from the mountain tops and relax in the luxurious hot springs of Wendo Genet. Let all your stresses wash away in the warm waters, situated in the centre of the panoramic beauty of Ethiopia's natural landscape.

Day 55 Awassa

Pay a visit to the Awassa Children's Project, which promotes sensible, culturally responsible relief work aimed at assisting children primarily orphaned by AIDS, as well as educating the population about the disease and its prevention. See how the members of the organisation work tirelessly to bring about better healthcare and a higher standard of life for their community.

Days 56-57 Arba Minch

Journey to Arba Minch, a town that boasts glorious views of the two Rift Valley lakes of Abaya and Chamo. Perhaps search for a bargain in the vibrant market or take a boat out on to the lake and glide passed 'crocodile market', where vast numbers of crocs congregate.

Days 58-60 Omo Valley Region

Travel into the Omo Valley to experience local markets full of local produce and handicrafts. Visit multiple completely unique tribes, each with their own histories and traditions.

Days 61-62 Konso

Hugging the banks of the Sagan River, learn of the strong traditions of the Konso people. Tour the local dwellings and shop at the local market, sharing in a way of life passed down through generations.

Day 63 Moyale

Enter Northern Kenya and head straight for the market town of Moyale, where both Kenyan and Ethiopian products can be found in abundance amongst a friendly and pleasant atmosphere.

Day 64 Marsabit

Pass through a black lunar landscape on the way to Marsabit, which lies at the foot of an extinct volcano. Trek through the forests to reach Lake Paradise, a site with a well-deserved name, which is a popular hangout for elephants and buffaloes.

Days 65-66 Samburu National Reserve

Trek into the Samburu National Reserve, a pristine wilderness that is home to a fascinating mix of Kenya's nomadic tribes. Keep an eye out for giraffes, zebras and gerenuks in their natural habitat.

Days 67-68 Naro Moru

Travel to the foot of Mt Kenya and safari through the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to endangered black and white rhinos as well as several members of Africa's Big Five. Keep an eye out for the chimpanzees, this is the only area of Kenya with wild chimps.

Days 69-70 Nakuru National Park

Take a game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park, world-famous for its population of striking pink flamingos. Keep cameras at the ready to get some colourful shots of flocks of birdlife as well as a variety of Africa's better-known wildlife.

Day 71 Lake Naivasha

As one of the only freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha is able to support floating islands of papyrus reeds and is bordered by flat-topped acacias. Explore these lush green surroundings and discover a substantial population of hippos who frolic in the shallows.

Day 72 Nairobi

Pass by the stunningly dressed Masai tribes, who can often be seen tending to their herds, on the way to cosmopolitan Nairobi. Immerse yourself in the culture and make the most of premium restaurants and a lively bar scene.

Group Size

Maximum of 22 travellers per group

Accommodation

Bush camp (no facilities), Camp site, Camping (with basic facilities), Camping (with facilities), Hotel, Lodge, Overnight ferry

Transport

Ferry, Overland vehicle

Important notes

1. Please note that in order to confirm your booking on this trip we will require a scanned copy of your passport at time of booking. 2. Please note that this trip requires minimum numbers to depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.