Cape Town to Kenya 2013 - 2014

Days 1-3 Cape Town, South Africa to Fish River Canyon, Namibia (via Orange River).

Our trip begins in stunning Cape Town, bordered by the Atlantic and overlooked by Table Mountain. We start with an included cultural township tour, before travelling north through the fertile Western Cape to the banks of the Gariep (Orange) River. Crossing into Namibia, our first stop is at the remarkable Fish River Canyon, a gargantuan gorge. Over 160km long and 500m deep in places, It rivals the Grand Canyon for size and breath-taking views. (2xB,3xL,3xD)

Day 4 Fish River Canyon to Namib Naukluft Park.

Next we head north to the desert landscapes of Namib Naukluft Park, home to the highest sand dunes on the planet – some of which rise up to 300m and offer a great challenge to climb up and watch as the sun rises over the vast sea of sand. (B,L,D)

Days 5-6 Namib Naukluft Park to Swakopmund.

Next up is Swakopmund, a lively coastal resort sandwiched between desert and ocean. Here we can relax in the fine cafés or enjoy the adventure activities on offer, from deep-sea fishing to skydiving and sand-boarding down the many dunes. (B)(B)

Day 7 Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe.

Turning inland, we enter Damaraland and travel to the eerie Spitzkoppe, a series of dramatic granite peaks bursting forth from the plains and where ancient Bushmen paintings are still visible on the rocks. (B,L,D)

Days 8-10 Spitzkoppe to Etosha National Park (via Cheetah Park) .

We move on and enjoy a night at Cheetah Park before reaching Etosha National Park. We usually make camp near a floodlit waterhole where the night time visitors may include elephant, giraffe, zebra, and perhaps even lion and hyena. (3xB,3xL,3xD)

Day 11 Etosha National Park to Windhoek.

Our final stop in Namibia is the pleasant Windhoek. There is a distinct German influence in Namibia’s pleasant capital, and it’s a fine place to sink a beer at a local tavern! (B,L)

Days 12-13 Windhoek to Okavango Delta, Botswana (via Ghanzi).

We head eastwards to beautiful Botswana, skirting the northern reaches of the Kalahari Desert. Here in Ghanzi we join local Bushmen for a desert walk to learn how these ancient people live in this (seemingly) barren terrain. We then drive to Maun – gateway to the Okavango Delta. (B,L,D)

Days 14-15 Okavango Delta.

In the unspoilt and unique natural wetland habitat of Okavango Delta we the myriad waterways and swaying grasses on foot and by dugout canoe (mokoro), in addition to camping in the wild for a unique wilderness experience, we also enjoy a memorable night’s camping on the river islands. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

Days 16-18 Okavango Delta to Livingstone, Zambia.

We continue towards the northern corner of Botswana, stopping at Elephant Sands en-route to Chobe National Park. The park is home to some of the largest elephant populations anywhere in Africa as well as lion and abundant birdlife. We hope to see these on an early morning game drive, whilst an afternoon ‘Fish Eagle’ Cruise sees us search for elephant and hippo before watching the brilliant African sun slip below the horizon. (3xB,2xL,2xD)

Days 19-21 Livingstone (Victoria Falls).

Our base for the next few days is a riverside camp near Livingstone, close to the awesomely powerful Victoria Falls. What’s more, the area is Africa’s adventure capital – here we can try white water rafting, gorge-swinging, canoeing or even bungee jumping! We view the Victoria Falls from Mosi- Oa-Tunya (‘Smoke That Thunders’) National Park. The falls are also one of Africa’s greatest spectacles, and taking time to see them (particularly from the air) is an absolute must. (3xB)

Days 22-23 Livingstone to Lusaka, Malawi.

From Livingstone we drive north, pausing at the Kafue River to take a cruise and pay a cultural visit to a local village, before moving on to the capital Lusaka. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

Days 24-26 Lusaka to Lake Malawi (via Lilongwe).

We move on to welcoming Malawi, the ‘warm heart of Africa’ and check out Lilongwe en-route to the lake that dominates this country, enormous Lake Malawi. (3xB,3xL,3xD)

Days 27-28 Lake Malawi.

Lake Malawi is Africa’s third-largest lake and has over 500 species of fish (most of them endemic). We spend a few relaxing days camping along the shore of Lake Malawi’s clear waters. While we are here we have a great opportunity to learn about the lakeside culture of fishermen and traders. There are also water-sports and activities like horseback riding to try should you tire of the stunning beaches. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

Days 29-30 Lake Malawi to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (via Iringa).

Days 31-34 Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar.

We take the ferry to the ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar. Once an important trading centre and an infamous transit post for the slave trade, it’s now a relaxing paradise getaway. We have four nights to enjoy Zanzibar’s many treasures - ‘Stone Town’ is the fascinating capital, while there are palm-fringed shores and warm blue waters waiting to be enjoyed on the northern beaches! (4xB)

Days 35-37 Dar es Salaam to Arusha.

Leaving beautiful Zanzibar will be difficult as we return to ‘Dar’ for a night, before travelling north, where we may just glimpse the snowy peak of majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro. On the way we stop overnight in the Moshi / Pangani area. Our destination is Tanzania’s safari hub, Arusha, where we can shop for knick-knacks in local markets, visit the Meserani Snake Park, and meet the residents of a Maasai village. (3xB,2xL,3xD)

Days 38-40 Aursha – Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater.

We switch to smaller 4x4 vehicles for an amazing optional 3-day safari to Tanzania’s famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Appropriately the name Serengeti derives from the Maasai word Siringitu – ‘the place where the land moves on forever’! Here we game view by day and camp in the middle of the reserve at night, when the wildlife is free to roam past! We then make camp on the rim of the steep sided Ngorongoro Crater which offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities. For those not wanting to do the Serengeti optional safari, we will spend the time in Arusha. (3xB,3xL,3xD)

Days 41 Arusha to Nairobi, Kenya. 

On our final day we head in to Kenya, where we say a fond farewell to each other in the capital, Nairobi. (B,L)