Itinerary | Nairobi to Cape Town

Nairobi to Cape Town

DAY 1: Nairobi Arrival Day (no meals)

Take advantage of your free airport pick/drop off to the departure hotel and dorm bed for the night. On the arrival day you can; just relax after your flight, or get a look at our departure city we depart before getting on the road next morning. No meals are included on the arrival day. In the evening we have a pre departure meeting at the departure hotel to prep you for the trip.

We leave Nairobi at 7am on the second day of the trip. We recommend you arrive in Nairobi the day before the trip departs. If you’re there with time to spare there’s lots to see and do around the city. In Nairobi town is the National Museum and markets. Also Karen Blixen’s house, Langata Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage and Nairobi National Park for the first glimpse of African wildlife.

DAY 2: Nairobi to Arusha, Tanzania (L/D)

We head south from Nairobi, through the Masai plains and cross the border at Namanga into Tanzania; arriving in Arusha late in the day. The country we pass through is sparsely inhabited grassland savannah, inhabited by the Masai. Tonight, we stay in a lovely campsite in Meserani, 20 km to the west of Arusha. Visit the Reptile Rescue Park and Masai Cultural Museum by the campsite, and an art gallery selling the strongly coloured Tinga Tinga paintings.

DAY 3: Arusha to Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater (B/L/D)

100 km to the west, we visit the Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater. We meet our Tanzanian guides with their locally operated 4WD vehicles adapted for safari use They allow excellent viewing through the opening roof hatches. The trip is camping, away for three days and two nights. One of these nights will be inside the park in the parks amidst the animals. If you choose not to visit the park you can wander the markets in Arusha town.

In our 4×4’s we cross the Rift Valley to Mtu wa Mbu (Mosquito River) and then up the Rift Valley Escarpment to spend the evening at a campsite.
Included Activity: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Excursion

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti  (B/L/D)

An early start to Ngorongoro Crater the largest unbroken caldera (collapsed volcano) in the world. Inside is open grassland and a lot of animals. After our game drive in the Crater, we head down the Crater rim and past the Cradle of Mankind, on our way to the Serengeti National Park. We cross the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight, we camp in the wild. with no fences between us and the animals – who live as they have for millennia.  

DAY 5: Serengeti National Park to Arusha (B/L/D)

In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the park. After our morning drive, we return via the  Crater rim to our safari truck near Arusha. Then drinks at the bar, to talk about the big 5.

DAY 6: Arusha towards Dar es Salaam (B/L/D)

We head towards the coast past Moshi town the capital city of the Chugga people. Skirting the base of snowy Mount Kilimanjaro we camp on the way to Dar es Salaam.

DAY 7: To the Indian Ocean Coast and Dar es Salaam (B/L/D)

We arrive in Dar to our campsite on the beach of the Indian Ocean. If you decide not to go to Zanzibar, the campsite at the beach is an ideal place to have a few lazy days.

DAY 8: Dar es Salaam and ferry to Zanzibar (B)

From Dar es Salaam we take the ferry to Zanzibar and the old stone capital of the Omani Sultanate. Sandy beaches, spice tours, snorkelling, diving and trips to other nearby islands. Zanzibar is a fascinating place to visit and to take it all in. Over a thousand years trade between Africa and Arabia has resulted in the blending of Arabs and Africans into a beautiful Swahili coastal culture with; wooden sailing dhows crossing the ocean, coconut plantations and fishing villages with mosques on the beaches. Nungwe beach resort on the north of the island has the most beautiful beaches.
Included Activity: Zanzibar Excursion, Spice Tour & Dhow Excursion

DAYS 9-10: Zanzibar (No Meals)

You get your own meals while in Zanzibar, as people like to experience here on their own or in small groups and in accordance with their own budget. Our tour leader joins you and will arrange your activities, while meals can be taken from a wide selection of restaurants to suit any budget. There are also a wide variety of optional excursions.

Stone Town in Zanzibar Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old slave market, the spice growing areas, Jozani Forest with Red Colobus Monkeys and in the evening the seafood cafes on the wharf side.

DAY 11: Zanzibar by ferry to Dar es Salaam (No Meals)

Return by ferry to Dar es Salaam on the mainland for another on our beach campsite; late afternoon, or early evening.
Included Activity: Zanzibar ferry to Dar

DAY 12: Dar es Salaam to Iringa  (B/L/D)

We head south through Tanzania; our route takes us through Mikumi National Park where we may well see giraffe or elephant grazing beside the road. The road from Mikumi National Park to Malawi takes us through the southern highlands, passing Baobab Valley to Iringa.

DAYS 13-15: Iringa to Lake Malawi, Malawi (B/L/D)

Crossing the border into Malawi, we reach the shores of its huge lake. We spend the night at Chitimba Beach Camp. The campsites and small resorts along Lake Malawi offer sandy beaches, swimming and snorkelling, water-skiing, horse riding or walking in the surrounding countryside. Markets sell carved Malawi chairs, tables and wood carvings

Kande Beach. We head south through the hills and drop down to the lake and Kande Beach resort. Very relaxed and just the sort of beach place you need in Africa.

DAY 16: Lake Malawi to Chipata, Zambia (B/L/D)

Leaving the beach we go inland to spend the night in the capital Lilongwe or camp on route to Zambia after crossing the border. In Zambia, we head along the Great North Road – a sparsely settled countryside with few people or villages for hundreds of miles.

DAY 17: Chipata to South Luangwa National Park (B/L/D)

South Luangwa National Park is well worth the visit. Recent trips have seen: – wild dogs, leopards, lions, and buffalo. We camp by the park and you can game drive into the park. Though the park is open all year, during the rains; which are normally from Jan and Feb to March, the road in can be flooded and the road slow to get to the park.
Included Activity: Game drives in South Luangwa National Park

DAY 18: Luangwa National Park to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital (B/L/D)

We leave the park and continue to head west. Passing through the beautiful Luangwa Valley we arrive at the fastest expanding capital city on the continent, Lusaka. At camping Eureka, you may have zebra or antelope grazing by your tents while you sleep.

DAY 19: Lusaka to Livingstone (B/L/D)

Victoria Falls – the Zambezi River plunges 100 metres down a mile wide chasm, creating one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world. The local name for the falls is ‘Mosi- oa-Tunya’ – ‘The smoke that thunders’ and you’ll soon find out why.
Optional Activity: Zambezi Sunset riverboat cruise

DAY 20: Livingstone,  Zimbabwe to Chobe Park, Botswana  (B/L/D)

After an early start and a stunning drive, we cross the Zambezi River on the Kazangula Ferry into Botswana. The country becomes lush and forested as we approach Chobe River. In Chobe National Park you can take an overnight game drive; a wild experience – excellent game viewing is a must.
Included Activity: Chobe National Park overnight game trip

DAY 21: Chobe National Park, Botswana to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (B)

After returning to camp we head to Zimbabwe and over the border to Victoria Falls. When the river is in full flow, the falling water causes a huge roar and sends a cloud of spray up to 500 metres into the air.
Included: Entrance to Victoria Falls

DAYS 22-23: Victoria Falls (B)

We stay beside Victoria Falls in Victoria Falls town, there is lots to see and do. Adventure activities abound – you can bungee jump, white water raft, and go game-viewing on horseback or walking with lions. More sedate excursions include canoeing, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the Falls and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi. Though the Falls themselves are the main attraction, you can walk in the rainforest along the cliff opposite for an excellent view.
Optional Activities – Bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge, abseil down the Gorge. Fly over the Falls. Whitewater raft down the Zambezi. You can float serenely down the river deep below the cliff topped gorge.

DAY 24: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Chobe, Botswana (B/L/D)

In the midmorning we leave Zimbabwe for Botswana and Kasane, where we have a chance to explore the town of Kasane. Wander around town for the day or have a break on the banks of the Chobe River.

DAY 25: Chobe National Park to Kasane (B/L/D)

Back in camp, you can have a break, after all the adventure. You can take an optional boat cruise on the Chobe River, or spend your time by the pool.

DAY 26: Kasane to Maun (B/L/D)

We travel along the edge of the Kalahari Desert to Maun a small town on the edge of the Okavango Delta, the starting point for the Delta trip.

DAY 27: Maun to Okavango Delta (B/L/D)

A Mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe and your transport into the Delta. As you glide through the waterways, you will see a fantastic array of wetland wildlife, birds in particular, and you will come across hippos in the water and elephants drinking on the shore. You can go on a walking safari to look for giraffe, buffalo and rare antelope – the overnight stay is a great wilderness experience.
Included Activity: Overnight Delta excursion

DAY 28: Okavango Delta to Maun (B/L/D)

Up early and it’s off walking with the guide, a unique chance to see game on foot; elephants, herds of grazing zebra and pods of hippos. Try learning how to pole your mokoro, or try to catch a catfish; the guides make it look so easy. A last swim in the clear delta water before heading back to the truck and campsite for a shower and cold drinks. Time permitting you can take a scenic flight over the Delta from Maun

DAY 29: Maun to Ghanzi (B/L/D)

From the lush Delta, we pass through the arid Namibian landscape to our evening’s bush camp. Fingers crossed for a classic sunset in Botswana at Ghanzi. Here you can go with the San Bushmen to learn about their life and how they live in this harsh land
Optional Activity: Bushman Experience

Day 30: Ghanzi to Windhoek, Namibia (B/L)

 Today’s drive will take us through small rural towns and scenic landscapes. Nestled between the hills, Windhoek is a rather small capital city but has many places of historical interest. This afternoon is spent at your leisure with time to visit the local museum or haggling at the street side markets. There are also many shops for those in need of a bit of retail therapy. And if you like take a meal out at a beer house, German style.
Optional: Dinner at a beer house

DAY 31-33: Windhoek to Etosha National Park (B/L/D)

Heading north to Etosha Pan National Park. Thousands of years ago this vast saltpan was a lake, till Kunene River changed course and deprived the lake of water. The pan and surrounding bush support large numbers and a wide range of wildlife. We view the game from the truck and spend the evenings by the floodlit water holes at the park’s campsites. These waterholes provide an excellent opportunity to observe animals that are hard to find during the day, particularly rhino and also smaller animals such as the genet. Elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok, jackals, hyenas and meercats are also likely to be seen here.
Optional Activity: Night game drives Etosha National Park
Included Activity: Game drives through Etosha National Park

Day 34: Etosha to Brandberg Mountain (B/L/D)

We leave Etosha and head to Brandberg Mountain [fire mountain]a massive mountain outcrop rising above the gravel plains, uninhabited and isolated with the tallest mountain in Namibia.

DAY 35-36: Brandberg Mountain to Spitzkoppe and Swakopmund on the sea (B)

Namibia is a land of wide open spaces and we pass few inhabited areas as we drive towards Spitzkoppe; a group of granite peaks Swakopmund is an old German colonial seaside resort with plenty to do for the energetic and German beer halls for those after a more relaxing time. Horse-riding, quad biking or sand boarding on the dunes, deep sea fishing in the Atlantic, jump out of a plane or take a scenic flight over the coastline are just a few of the things you can do here.
Included Activity: Spitzkoppe
Optional Activities: Skydiving, quad biking, sand boarding, scenic desert flights, dolphin cruises, fishing trips, golf, horse riding etc.

Day 37-38 Swakopmund to Sesriem (B/L/D)

Leaving Swakopmund, we head south to the industrial port Walvis Bay, before turning inland and toward the desert. Continuing our journey, we enter the Namib-Naukluft Park in one of the oldest deserts in the world. We base ourselves at Sesriem, a great place to experience the Namib and its many moods.

Namib-Naukluft National Park, Dune 45 & Sossusvlei. An early start into Namib-Naukluft National Park, we take a morning roaming around the sands. We take some time to summit the famous Dune 45. We then take a desert shuttle a further 5kms into the desert where you can take a walk to Sossusvlei; a river which ends is a salt and clay pan, surrounded by high red dunes.
Included Activity: Visit to Sossusvlei & Dune 45

DAY 39: Sesriem to Fish River Canyon (B/L/D)

After overnighting in the desert we drive south to Fish River Canyon; 160km long and half a kilometre deep; second in length only to the Grand Canyon. You can trek along the rim and look into the canyon from the various viewpoints.
Included Activity: Visit to Fish River Canyon

DAY 40: Fish River Canyon to Orange River, South Africa (B/L/D)

We Cross into South Africa over the Orange River. Take a canoe trip down the river or relax by the pool enjoying the spectacular view.
Optional Activity: Canoe the Orange River

DAY 41: Orange River to Cederberg  (B/L/D)

We drive through mountain valleys and stony semi-desert following the farmland south through the sparsely populated areas of the Western Cape. Cederberg growing area of the centre of one of the Cape’s many wine routes.
Optional Activity: Wine tasting

DAY 42: Cederberg to Cape Town (B)

Continuing south through to the fruit growing area of Citrusdal; we cross the mountains to Cape Town – a beautiful city, plenty of cafes, pubs, clubs and markets. Tonight’s accommodation is in dormitories in one of Cape Town’s hostels.

DAY 43: Cape Town (No Meals)

This morning is the end of our tour. While in Cape Town; go and climb Table Mountain or take the cable car to the top for views of the city and visit Robben Island