From cosmopolitan Cape Town to the striking desert landscapes of Namibia and the great parks and wetlands of Botswana, you will experience a multitude of sights and experiences on this overland trip.
Be awed at the mighty Victoria Falls, live on a houseboat on Lake Kariba and snorkel in the clear waters of Lake Malawi.
Head north for Tanzania and experience idyllic beach living in Zanzibar before ending this epic overland adventure in Dar es Salaam.
- Day 1: Travel Through the Cape Winelands
- Itinerary
Leaving Cape Town, you head North through the wine growing regions and cross the Piketberg pass into the rich fruit growing area of Citrusdal.
You will make camp tonight in the area of Citrusdal or Clanwilliam, both towns being shadowed by the beautiful Cederberg Mountain range.
- Day 2: Cross Namaqualand to the Orange
- Itinerary
From the Ceres region you travel North through the region known as Namaqualand. This region is well known for its prolific display of Namaqua wildflowers that occurs each spring.
fter stopping for supplies in Springbok you will continue on to the Orange River, the natural land border between South Africa and Namibia. Tonight you will camp at a beautiful campsite on the South African bank of the river.
- Day 3: Canoe on the Orange River
- Itinerary
This morning you have the option of a half-day canoe trip on the beautiful Orange River. The canoe trip provides the opportunity for some bird watching, as well as a scenic and relaxing ride.
After lunch you cross into Namibia and have a short drive to Hobas campsite and the Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world at 161km long, up to 27km wide and about 550m deep.
- Day 4: Explore the Fish River Canyon
- Itinerary
After a leisurely morning at the Fish River Canyon you head North into the southern farming area of Namibia.
You will stop for supplies in the small, former missionary town of Bethanie. From there you will choose your camp for the evening - no matter where you camp around here it's an authentic wilderness experience.
- Day 5: Enter the Namib Naukluft National Park
- Itinerary
Heading North you enter the Namib Naukluft Park, considered to be one of the oldest deserts in the world, and a major tourist destination.
A short distance away is Sossusvlei, surrounded by a dramatic sea of sand dunes, reputed to be the highest in the world.
Tonight you will view the sunset from the top of Dune 45 - a truly memorable experience.
- Day 6: Arrive in Historical Swakopmund
- Itinerary
After watching the sunrise across this beautiful area you leave the serenity of the dunes and head in a north-easterly direction to meet the Atlantic Ocean at Walvis Bay.
Following the coast for some 35km, you arrive at Namibia's prime holiday resort, Swakopmund, where you will enjoy 3 nights of rest and relaxation. Accommodation will be in dormitories. Upgrades are available.
- Days 7-8: Find the Adventure in the Desert
- Itinerary
Founded in 1892 during the German colonial rule, the town's distinct colonial character has been well preserved.
Swakopmund has several excellent restaurants, bars, coffee shops as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian rural art.
Optional excursions include fishing trips, quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving, desert flights, water sports, golf and 4x4 hire.
- Day 9: Explore the Rocks of Spitzkoppe
- Itinerary
Your departure from Swakopmund will see you follow the Atlantic Coast North to visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony.
Of the 23 breeding colonies of Cape Fur Seals along the coast of South Africa and Namibia, Cape Cross is the largest. Seals are present throughout the year, and numbers fluctuate between 80 000 and 100 000 individuals, rising to around 200 000 during the breeding season.
A short drive takes you to Spitzkoppe, the 1728m high rock formation, one of Namibia's most recognised landmarks. There is opportunity to explore the bushman paintings and surrounding area.
- Day 10: Meet the Cats at Cheetah Park
- Itinerary
Today is a day's drive from the rock paintings to the Cheetah Park, a private farm where you will learn about the conservation of the cheetah population in Namibia, and have a chance to meet the resident cheetahs up at the house - a photo opportunity not to be missed!
- Day 11: Make Your Way to Etosha
- Itinerary
Arrive in Etosha National Park, and set up camp in Okaukeujo before heading out for an afternoon game drive.
Etosha is the major game reserve of Namibia, covering over 20 000 sq km, and home to a large variety of animal and bird species. The park is situated around the Etosha Pan, and has an extensive network of gravel roads that enable you to get to remote areas of the park.
A feature of the park is the floodlit waterholes at both Okaukuejo and Namutoni. Evenings can be spent sitting on the specially constructed viewing benches, watching the game as it comes in to drink.
- Day 12: Search for Etosha's Wildlife
- Day 13: Continue North into the Kavango
- Itinerary
Departing Etosha, you head in a north-easterly direction towards the lush Kavango region of northern Namibia.
You will stop at Rundu for supplies before reaching your nearby campsite. This campsite is spectacularly located right on the banks of the Kavango River, complete with 'open air' facilities, and the occasional hippo grazing on the lawn.
- Day 14: Cross the Border into Botswana
- Day 15: Explore the Okavango Delta
- Itinerary
Here you have the opportunity to take an optional, 3-day/ 2-night, drive-in mokoro excursion into the delta.
The delta is a huge expanse of water, which has travelled from the Angolan highlands, spreading out to form the largest inland delta in the world. It is renowned for its incredible variety of birdlife as well as many other animals unique to southern Africa.
This drive-in trip to the Okavango Delta takes you approximately 1-2hr North to the mokoro polers' station. From there you hire mokoros, local dug-out canoes, which are poled along the winding waterways by local guides.
- Day 16: Swim, Walk & Cruise the Waterways
- Itinerary
A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await.
Today you will have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities, including game walks, mokoro cruises, swimming and even a chance to try your hand at poling your own mokoro!
- Day 17: Fly Over the Okavango
- Day 18: Camp on the Banks of the Chobe River
- Day 19: Look for Ellies in Chobe
- Itinerary
This morning you depart on an early-morning game drive into Chobe National Park. Chobe is one of Botswana's premier game parks, renowned for the large herds of elephant around the Chobe River.
After your game drive you return to camp for lunch. There is opportunity, for those who wish, to partake in a boat cruise along the Chobe River in the afternoon (optional), or you can relax on the banks of the Chobe River and watch the renowned Chobe sunset from your campsite.
- Day 20: Arrive at Thundering Victoria Falls
- Days 21-22: Get Your Adrenalin Pumping
- Itinerary
The next 2 days are at your own leisure to partake in activities or relax at the campsite swimming pool.
All year round, flights can be taken in fixed wing aircrafts, micro lights, ultra lights or helicopters. On the ground, the falls can be seen from the Victoria Falls National Park's many viewing points, or from the Zambian side. Each offers fantastic photographic opportunities.
The other optional activities around Victoria Falls include trips into the Zambezi or Hwange National Parks, horse riding, a visit to the crocodile ranch, golf at Elephant Hills Hotel, parachuting, elephant safaris, the Falls craft village and the sunset cruise.
- Days 23-24: Depart for Lake Kariba
- Itinerary
This morning you will pack up camp and depart Victoria Falls. Exiting Zimbabwe, you cross the Victoria Falls Bridge and the Zambezi River to enter into Zambia at the town of Livingstone.
You head to the western waters of Lake Kariba, your base camp for the next 2 nights. The lake is one of the largest manmade lakes in the world, boasting a wide variety of African game, birdlife and unique flora and fauna.
Here you have the option to take a 2-night trip on the house boats on Lake Kariba. For those of you who do not want to partake in the house boats, there are many activities you can do at the campsite, such as fishing, canoeing, hiking, exploring the local village or just relaxing on the tranquil banks of Lake Kariba.
The campsite also has a swimming pool where you can enjoy soaking up the sun.
- Day 25: Travel to the Capital of Zambia, Lusaka
- Day 26: Camp on the Malawi Border
- Days 27-30: Spend Sunny Days at the Lake
- Itinerary
Leaving Zambia you cross the border into Malawi, the 'Warm Heart of Africa'. You visit the capital, Lilongwe, and travel the full length of the western side of the lake, stopping off at various bays and inlets.
The next four days is the time for rest and relaxation. Lake Malawi offers a variety of water sports from various beachside campsites.
- Day 31: Journey into Southern Tanzania
- Itinerary
You depart Malawi via Karonga and enter Tanzania through the border post of Songwe. Continue your journey through the Tanzanian countryside, and take in the beauty of the Tukuyu tea plantations and banana plantations.
Just before Iringa is the Old Farmhouse, a beautiful rustic campsite in rural Tanzania, where you spend the night. Try one of the signature Amarula hot chocolates.
- Day 32: Proceed to Busy Dar es Salaam
- Itinerary
The next morning you proceed to Dar es Salaam, passing through Mikumi National Park where it is possible to view a range of wildlife from the roadside, totally impervious to humans and their vehicles.
On arrival in Dar es Salaam, you spend the night at a beach hotel/campsite that is situated to the North of the city, and prepare for your departure to Zanzibar the next morning.
- Day 33: Take the Ferry to Zanzibar
- Itinerary
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes you to the 'Spice Island', where you will spend 3 nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quests for new lands.
Please note: We can organise accommodation for you whilst on Zanzibar, although from our experience our clients have preferred to explore the island on their own. Therefore, accommodation and food is for your own account whilst on Zanzibar.
- Days 34-35: Explore Exotic Zanzibar
- Itinerary
Zanzibar is still famous for its spices, and tours around a spice plantation can be organised. Other options include a trip to the nearby Prison Island with its giant tortoises, and beautiful beaches.
Zanzibar is a seafood lover's paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - giant lobsters being a popular specialty.
Alternatively, joining the locals for dinner in the waterfront market is an experience not to be missed. The market stalls offer an unusual selection of fast food, African style at a very reasonable cost.
- Day 36: End Your Adventure in Dar es Salaam
All pricing is meant as a guide only, to assist you in planning your African holiday. Prices are subject to change as flight prices, seasonal date bands and special offers may vary. Please contact us for a more specific quote tailor-made to suit your exact requirements.
| Starting at |
Cape Town |
end in |
Dar es Salaam |
| |
| From |
To |
PPS |
SS |
| 9 Dec 2007 |
18 Jul 2010 |
|
- |
| |
| Local Payment |
USD 735 †† |
†† Please note that the local payment is over and above the tour cost and is to be paid in cash in the currency stated on your departure. Please ask your safari expert for further details.
* Single supplements do vary and are affected by a number of factors. In some cases we have chosen not to show them - this does not mean they do not apply.
** Family packages are based on 2 adults sharing. Children's rates are discounted depending on their ages but are not displayed.
Extra tour notes.
Please note that this trip departs Cape Town on a Sunday, early morning.
Should you wish to spend extra time there, an earlier arrival should be planned and additional accommodation booked through your Africa Safari Expert.
- Pre-Departure Meeting: Held at departure point at 5pm the day before your departure.
- Departure Point: Cape Town, Lions Head Lodge, 319 Main Road Sea Point.
- Check In Time: 8:45am
- Departure Time: 9:30am