Kenya to Cape Town
Serengeti safaris, Sossusvlei sand dunes and San village visits
Travel from Kenya to Cape Town through some of Africa’s most incredible sights on this jaw-dropping 48-day overland journey. Explore Kenya’s bustling capital, keep your eyes open for the Big Five in the vast savannas of the Serengeti, hike through lush mountain terrain and traverse sprawling desert plains in Namibia. Sample unique flavours, meet warm and welcoming local communities, relax beachside in Zanzibar, and prepare for an unforgettable southbound adventure through some of Africa's best.
- Start
- Nairobi, Kenya
- End
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Meals
- 43 breakfasts, 30 lunches, 36 dinners
- Transport
- Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Ferry, Minibus, Mokoro
- Accommodation
- Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Camping (with facilities) (36 nights), Hotel (3 night), Bunglow (2 night), Camping (without facilities) (1 night), Cabin (3 nights)
- Days
- 48
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 22
- Ages
- Min 15
- ThemeEvery trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
- Overland, Wildlife
- StyleBasix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders - Basix
- Physical ratingIndicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
Glide through the lily-filled waterways of the Okavango Delta on a mokoro (a small dugout canoe) and escape civilisation with an overnight stay at your island camp.
Be mesmerised by the staggering force and beauty of Victoria Falls, and experience firsthand why it’s known as the ‘smoke that thunders’ – a natural wonder that must be seen to be believed.
Chill out on the northern beaches of Zanzibar, enjoying the white sands and the sparkling blue of the Indian Ocean, and consider learning about the island's spice trade on a guided visit to the local plantations.
Listen to the songs and stories of Namibia’s San people, the oldest inhabitants of southern Africa, and gain an insight into their traditional customs and beliefs.
Discover the magic of South Luangwa National Park on a dawn and afternoon 4WD safari game drive. This park is a highly concentrated arena of noble African beasts and exotic wildflowers.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Itinerary
Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. If you arrive early, perhaps head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD55
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Petty theft is common in Nairobi. As a general rule, the safest place for your valuables is on your person in a neck wallet or money belt, though your hotel room may have a safe in which to store things. If you do decide to go exploring, make sure you get local advice on where it is and isn't safe to walk – particularly for later in the day. Be careful not to leave bags unattended on chairs or on the floor when in bars or restaurants. Without being paranoid, appearing vigilant is a great deterrence to would-be thieves. Also, make scans of important travel documents and email them to yourself – this will save you hours of time in paperwork if anything does happen.
Depart early for Mto wa Mbu in your overland truck. The trip includes a border crossing from Kenya into Tanzania, so be sure to have your passport handy. While you're on the road, there will be a stop at an ATM and a market or shop to stock up on any supplies you might need for the coming days. Arrive in Mto wa Mbu and acquaint yourself with this delightful small village – it's a fascinating snapshot of small-town African life, situated well off the tourist trail.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.
Your camp tonight has Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and optional upgrades (subject to availability). We recommend using local currency for any purchases or upgrades.
Get up early, put your camping and personal gear into a six-person jeep and head out for an excursion into the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy a safari in the crater, spending 3 to 4 hours exploring this incredible, perfectly intact volcanic caldera. Watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent game viewing all year round (some 30,000 animals live here) and the photo opportunities are unrivalled. Next, it's on to the wide-open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa – the home of thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Your campsite is within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
Tonight’s camp is basic with limited running water. No accommodation upgrades or wi-fi are available. Our camp within the Serengeti National Park does not have a fence to separate the camp from the animals. This is quite the experience as animals such as buffalo and hyenas often come close to camp after sundown. On arrival at the camp, your leader will give a detailed safety briefing on what is required to ensure the safety of the group.
You may notice some Maasai villages in the region of the Ngorongoro Crater offering a cultural experience. Intrepid recommends avoiding these villages, as they can impact negatively on the Maasai culture and travellers' perceptions of it by selling an artificial experience.
Awake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do, head out again as the day begins to cool. You'll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. There's also the option of a balloon ride over the park this morning – in place of some of today’s game drives. If you have pre-booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, getting some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, indulge in a five-star bush breakfast, then be returned to camp.
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
- Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD800
The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather wait and get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited. If you participate in this activity you will miss the morning half of the included game drive.
Rise with the sun and enjoy another game drive as you leave the Serengeti in your dust. Jump back into your overland vehicle and head for Mto wa Mbu. Once camp is set up, join the local community for a guided stroll around the farming areas, milling machine, and local homes and farmlands. After, we'll share a local dinner in town and if time permits you may have the oppertunity to watch how it's made with a local cooking demonstration.
After setting up camp, we'll take a guided stroll through the farming areas, milling machines, and local homes and farmlands, getting to know the local community and their way of life. Later, we'll enjoy a scrumptious local dinner in town. If time permits, you might even get to witness a local cooking demonstration and see how it's made.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
- Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
Prepare yourself for a long travel day heading for the Usambara Mountains. Stretch your legs during a brief supply stop in Arusha, then jump back in the vehicle and watch the ever-changing scenery, read your favourite book or get to really know your fellow travellers. Your base will be Lushoto – an old German colony and home to the Wasambaa people. This highland town sits at approximately 1400 metres and this evening you'll camp in the grounds of one of the oldest hotels in Africa.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.
Explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains today – a lovely unspoilt area of Tanzania. Unlike the coast and the north, very few tourists visit this part of the country, so it has a freshness that can be hard to find elsewhere. As beautiful as the surrounding mountains and rainforests are, however, the real jewels here are the local people and villages. You'll experience some hospitality on a visit to some of the small local communities. From your base, you will take a walk out to the gorgeous Irente viewpoint. It's best to pack some water and snacks in a day pack for this trip. On your way back, visit a local cultural project based at an Irente farm and enjoy a picnic lunch.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Irente - Lushoto hike
- Irente - Local lunch
Leaving the mountains behind, travel further south to the coastal town of Kipepeo Beach in Dar es Salaam. Your camp at Kipepeo is by the beach, so make the most of it – perhaps take a stroll along the shore after you arrive and settle in.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
Tonight’s camp is on the grounds of a hotel, so accommodation upgrades are usually possible (subject to availability).
Catch a ferry to Africa's 'Spice Island' of Zanzibar. Filled with pristine white-sand beaches, winding cobblestone alleyways and fragrant bazaars, Zanzibar has had a colourful history – everything from slave traders to Arabian sultans and fruit exporters. The sight of traditional dhows sailing along the coast evokes what the island must have been like in centuries ago. The old part of Zanzibar's main city is known as Stone Town, and the best way to see this is on foot, exploring the markets, shops, mosques, palaces and courtyards. Explore the many charms of Stone Town, the historic part of Zanzibar's main city, with a local guide. Taste the local delicacies and gain insight into daily local life living on Zanzibar.
When the sun is setting, why not grab a drink from a bar overlooking the seafront. A seafood curry at a local restaurant is also a great choice. You'll spend the night in Stone Town at a basic inn.
- Breakfast
- Stone Town Tour - Dharajani Market, Joseph's Cathederal, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market - USD20
- Zanzibar - Prison Island Tour - USD25
- Stone Town - Handicraft & Music Urban Adventure - USD50
Once checked out of your Stone Town accommodation, consider booking in to an optional guided tour of the island's spice plantations, learning all about the history of this town's spice trade. You will have the opportunity to smell and taste various spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger, plus sample some teas made with these spices too. After lunch, head to the Northern Beaches, where white sands and sparkling blue seas await. This is the Indian Ocean at its best.
- Bungalow (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Zanzibar - Spice tour - USD25
If you choose not to book in on the optional Zanzibar spice tour this morning, you will be transported directly to the island's Northern Beaches.
Enjoy free time in this beautiful archipelago today. There are many ways you can spend your day – perhaps talk to your leader for any recommendations they might have. Snorkelling in search of exotic fish is an excellent option, or you could take a traditional dhow boat on the water. You might also like to feast on a sumptuous lunch of grilled local seafood, or just relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree with a good book. It's totally up to you!
- Bungalow (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Zanzibar - Snorkelling - USD50
- Zanzibar - Dhow Trip - USD35
To book optional activities, please contact Zanzibar Watersports, located at Kendwa Rocks Beach Resort. Zanzibar Watersports is the only provider we have risk assessed and recommend using. However, please keep in mind that we have not risk-assessed all their activities, and only those listed in our trip notes are recommended.
Zanzibar Watersports
Phone or WhatsApp: +255 622 474 444
Spend a final morning relaxing on the sandy northern beaches before returning to Stone Town for an afternoon and evening at leisure. Maybe ask you leader where to grab a urojo, a unique and delicious street treat made from potatoes and noodles stewed in a stock of tumeric, mango, flour and more. Or maybe grab a sugarcane juice and have a wander. You've got a long day of driving ahead tomorrow, so make the most of your free time while you can!
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Stone Town - Handicraft & Music Urban Adventure - USD50
- Stone Town - Culinary Urban Adventure - USD29
As this is a combination trip, the travellers in your group are likely to change today. There will be a welcome meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and to meet new travellers joining you.
Embrace an early start to catch a 7.30 am ferry to the mainland, then make tracks for Mikumi. It’s approximately an 8-hour drive to your first camp spot, but you’ll get a great look at all that renowned Tanzanian landscape on the way. Gaze out at vast plains dotted with baobab and tamarind trees and maybe catch a glimpse of some of the elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions and leopards that call the park home. Once you arrive at your camp spot, your leader will show you the ropes (literally) and help you set up and get comfortable for your night in the tent.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Wake up early this morning to head off on a 4WD game drive into Mikumi National Park with local expert guides. This less touristed park is home to impressive numbers of elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, wildebeest and impalas – and maybe even a predator or two if you're lucky! Afterwards, we'll drive to Iringa (approximately 5 hours) and set up camp on the grounds of a farmhouse on the outskirts of this pleasant settlement. The area is filled with natural bush land which can make it a bird watchers paradise. Make the most of this rural setting by doing some stargazing before you retire for the night.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Mikumi National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
For tonight’s camp, wi-fi and accommodation upgrades are available.
Enter Malawi and travel to your campsite at Chitimba (approximately 10–12 hours). Malawi, the ‘warm heart of Africa,’ is dominated by its lake, which covers almost a fifth of the country and provides a livelihood for many Malawian people. Fishermen, fish traders and canoe and net makers all ply their trade on Lake Malawi. A common sight is that of a fisherman in a bwato (a dugout canoe made from a hollowed tree trunk) fishing on the still lake at the break of day.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
For tonight, camp facilities, wi-fi and accommodation upgrades are available.
Travel from Chitimba to Kande Beach on the shore of Lake Malawi (approximately 6 hours). There will be a chance to stop at a shop or market for any supplies you might need along the way. Enjoy a relaxing getaway from the commercialism and crowds with a few days on the lake’s more peaceful beaches. Your campsite at Kande Beach is right on the shore of Lake Malawi.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Lake Malawi - Guided village walks - USD15
For tonight, accommodation upgrades are again possible (subject to availability). However, there is no wi-fi available.
Enjoy free time today and soak up your idyllic surrounds. As well as chilling out on the lake’s sandy shores, make sure you take the opportunity to meet some local Malawians – easily some of the friendliest people in Africa.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lake Malawi - Pedalos - USD25
- Lake Malawi - Canoe Hire - USD10
- Lake Malawi - Bike Hire - USD25
Journey through southern Malawi and enter Zambia, continuing to South Luangwa National Park (approximately 9–10 hours). There will be border crossing formalities on the way, and a chance to stock up on goods at a shop or market and visit an ATM. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River and its lagoons is some of the highest in Africa. Take in the beautiful scenery and the abundance of wildlife, watching out for colourful birds and herds of elephants.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your camp tonight has flush toilets, showers and wi-fi. Upgrades are also offered (subject to availability).
Rise early for an exhilarating morning game drive in a 4WD with a local guide, then head back to the camp for lunch (as this is the hottest part of the day).
Return to the park for another Game Drive late this afternoon
Alternatively, an optional village walk is another good option, if you'd like a snapshot of daily life in the local community.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Dawn Game Drive
- South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Evening Game Drive
- South Luangwa National Park - Game Walk - USD50
The game walk listed as an optional activity today is seasonal and cannot be offered all year round.
After breakfast, pay a visit to a workshop where local craftswomen take snare wire recovered from poaching traps and transform it into jewellery inspired by the African bush. The women will show you around their purpose-built workshop and give you a chance to try coiling or hammering the wire yourself. For each sale made, a donation is given to anti snare patrols dedicated to the conservation of the region. After your visit, head further south to Petauke (approximately 6 hours).
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project
The camp tonight has facilities, wi-fi and accommodation upgrades (subject to availability).
Head for your camp just south of Lusaka City (approximately 6 hours). Arrive, stretch your legs and take a stroll to discover the town. Though it's fast developing, Lusaka retains a strong African feel, and the locals are usually up for a chat.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Your camp tonight has facilities, a pool and upgrades available. Wi-fi is not available at this location.
Travel to Harare today (approximately 8–9 hours). The first part of your journey takes you to the border with Zimbabwe. After crossing, continue to Harare. There will be a chance to explore the town, stock up on whatever you need at a market or shop and use an ATM.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
At your camp tonight, there is no wi-fi available. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).
In winter months it may not be possible to explore Harare due to the limited day light hours.
Drive to Masvingo (approximately 5–6 hours). This colonial settlement – the oldest in Zimbabwe – makes the perfect base for exploring the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. The ancient city, now a World Heritage site, was first constructed in the 11th century and is believed to have been the seat of power for a monarch. Spend a few hours exploring this intriguing site before heading off to camp.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
Your campground in Masvingo has shared facilities, with upgrades and wi-fi available.
Travel to Bulawayo (approximately 5–6 hours). Known locally as the 'City of Kings', Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second largest city. There is some impeccable colonial architecture to take in here. Enjoy free time this afternoon to explore town. You might like to browse some local markets or chat with the locals. The Natural History Museum and National Art Gallery are also worth checking out.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Balawayo - Natural History Museum - USD10
- Bulawayo - Railway Museum - USD5
Tonight you will stay in a campground with shared facilities. Upgrades and wi-fi are available.
Get ready for the experience of a lifetime – tracking rhinos on foot with an expert guide! Matobo National Park, known for its black and white rhinos, is also home to other wildlife like klipspringers, leopards, warthogs, and springhares. You'll learn all about these unique animals from your guide. You'll also gain insights into the local plants and trees, including wild pear and paperbark and discover San paintings and the fascinating rock formations.
Matobo National Park is an important site of spiritual and cultural significance for the local people, and there are many places in the park where important ceremonies still take place.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings
Depart Bulawayo and make the 6-hour drive towards Victoria Falls. Stretching 1.6 kilometres wide and falling 108 metres into a narrow gorge below, the falls for which the area is named are a sight to behold. Although a visit to the falls themselves is optional, it is highly recommended. The entrance fee to the falls is not included, as groups that book ahead are required to tour the site with a local guide, and we feel that seeing these waterfalls should be an uninterrupted sensory experience. In the wet season, the spray created from this feat of nature can rise 400 metres and can often be seen from kilometres away. It’s no wonder that the local name for Victoria Falls is Mosi oa Tunya, or the 'Smoke that Thunders'. Though dry season travellers should not despair! You’ll get an unobstructed view of the falls and the chance to see the islets in the river below. Your leader will take you to a local activity centre where a range of activities will be on offer.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance - USD50
Tonight's camp is located in the town of Victoria Falls. Upgrades and wi-fi are available.
Intrepid has not risk assessed all activities and only those listed in Optional Activities are recommended. It is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been assessed or do not adhere to our Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities. If you are interested in the Optional Helicopter flight (12 minutes or 25 minutes) we endorse Zambezi Helicopter co CAA Zimbabwe only.
You may notice businesses offering an 'Walk with the Lions' experience. We ask all Intrepid travellers to avoid this activity as it is contrary to our Responsible Travel policy. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many of our itineraries, we strive to only view animals in their natural habitats and with the greatest level of respect. This industry directly contributes to the captive breeding and canned hunting of lions.
Today is a free day to enjoy the many activities on offer. If you are interested in the optional helicopter flight (12 minutes or 25 minutes) we endorse the following operator only: Zambezi Helicopter co CAA Zimbabwe. Your local leader can help you arrange this, so feel free to ask them or find out more information at the activity centre.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
Today you have the option of visiting the magnificent Victoria Falls. Spanning about a mile wide across and falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below, the spray from the falls can sometimes be seen from kilometres away. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and it's possible to see little islets in the river below. To fully understand the sheer force of this staggering curtain of water, it needs to be experienced in person. It's no wonder that the local name Mosi oa Tunya means the 'smoke that thunders'. Alternatively, your leader will be able to recommend a range of other activities that are available.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
- Victoria Falls - Flying fox - USD50
- Victoria Falls - Gorge swing - USD103
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
- Victoria Falls - Village & township tour - USD61
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance - USD50
The Victoria Falls entrance fee is not included, as it’s mandatory for tour groups with pre-purchased tickets to have a local escort. We feel that seeing these waterfalls for the first time should be an uninterrupted experience.
This morning is free for you to continue enjoying all that Victoria Falls has to offer. Afterwards, travel to Chobe National Park in Botswana via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, one of The Intrepid Foundation’s projects. Here you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. Continue your journey to Botswana's first national park, which is famous for its high concentration of elephants, so keep an eye out! They can often be seen swimming in the Chobe River.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Your camp, located outside of the park, has flush toilets, showers, wi-fi, ATMs and optional upgrades. Speak to an Intrepid booking agent before your trip or your leader on the day for information about upgrades (subject to availability).
Rise and shine for an early-morning game drive. Adventuring through the park, you will get the opportunity to get up close to the wildlife – with luck you will spot a variety of animals and any number of exotic birds. As well as the Chobe icon, the elephant, the river also attracts hippos and crocodiles – the latter like to sun themselves by the water's edge. Cheetahs also come down for a drink. The birdwatching is excellent here too – look out for eagles, kingfishers and marabou storks, among hundreds of other species. In the afternoon perhaps take an optional cruise down the Chobe River – one of the best ways to enjoy the park's animals.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Chobe National Park - Dawn 4WD Safari
- Chobe National Park - Boat Cruise - BWP270
Today you will enter Namibia, driving from Kasane to Ngoma Bridge, and on to your camp at Bagani. Bagani is a small, friendly town with some good hiking trails along the river. There are also plenty of nice spots in which you can simply relax and soak up the ambience. This area is the homestead of the local Mbukushu kings. You will have the opportunity to stop at an ATM and a market or shop today. Your camp has flush toilets, showers and wi-fi. Upgrades are also available (subject to availability).
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
Your camp has flush toilets, showers and wi-fi. Upgrades are also available (subject to availability).
Drive across the border into Botswana and head south along the Okavango Panhandle (the narrowest part of the delta) to Seronga. Here you'll leave your vehicle and join your transport for the journey into the delta. Take a boat across the swamps to Gao Island to meet your mokoro team and start exploring the Okavango Delta with them. Each mokoro (small dugout canoe) takes two people and is poled along through the waterways by a local tribesman. Reeds and lily pads line the streams, and birds startled by the mokoros rise out of the long grasses. Punting along, you'll hear hippos occasionally piercing the peaceful atmosphere with their grunts. On the first night here, you'll camp on an island well away from civilisation.
- Camping (without facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Continue your trip around the delta and then return to Gao Island before heading to the relative civilisation of Umvuvu Camp. This camp usually has hot showers, and there's a small bar at which you can relax and perhaps enjoy a refreshing sundowner. Today there is an option to take a nature walk with your guide. This is a great chance to discover the beautiful natural surrounds, gain some insight into the history of the local area and look out for animals such as giraffe, zebra and elephants.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Okavango Delta - Nature Walk
Cross the border back into Namibia and return to Bagani to camp for the night. Various boat trips and guided hikes are possible from Bagani, so if you're feeling active, get out and make the most of it. Those who are feeling bold might even be able to challenge the local kids to a soccer match – don't expect to win though! Retire to your camp in the evening and enjoy this welcome break from the road.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Bagani - Sunset Cruise - USD25
Drive to your camp situated 50 km outside of Grootfontein. The town of Grootfontein, part of the Otavi Triangle, tends to get very green in the warmer months but dries out markedly in the winter. If it's springtime, you'll likely see jacarandas in bloom.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
There is the possibility of an accommodation upgrade here, but wi-fi will not be available. Speak to an Intrepid booking agent or your leader for more information.
Embark on a 180-km (112-mile) round-trip to visit the San people. The oldest inhabitants of southern Africa, the San, have lived in this region for at least 20,000 years. Listen to their stories and songs and learn how those who still adhere to a traditional way of life emphasise the importance of living in harmony with the environment.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Grootfontein - San Bushman cultural experience
Travel to Etosha National Park this morning. While Etosha National Park is home to a wide range of southern Africa's wildlife, including the big carnivores and five rare or endangered species: black rhino, Hartmann's mountain zebra, black-faced impala, roan antelope and the tiny Damara dik-dik. Game viewing in Etosha is relatively easy due to the man-made waterholes and the large, sparsely vegetated pans. The bushland surrounding the pans is difficult to see through, but there are enough clearings, pans and waterholes to usually allow for some sightings. Embark on an optional evening game drive here in the evening, then spend the night at Namutoni. Accommodation upgrades are on offer here.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Etosha National Park - Evening Game Drive - ZAR750
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Enjoy a full-day game drive in Etosha National Park. Namibia has protected its game reserves against poaching, which means significant numbers of elephants, antelope and other herbivores reside here. The park is also home to some 340 species of birds – keep an eye to the sky where you might spot a soaring eagle. Tonight, you will stay at the particularly spectacular Okaukuejo Camp. The camp overlooks a floodlit waterhole visited by many different species throughout the day and night. Upgrades are not available at this location tonight.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Etosha National Park - Evening Game Drive - ZAR750
Travel to the mountain of Spitzkoppe or the 'Matterhorn of Namibia' today. The wild lands around this superb granite peak are some of Namibia's most stunning. The mountain itself is 700 million years old and 1987 m (6519 ft) high. Although you shouldn't try to climb to the top, there are some excellent hikes to do in the area, rich in plant life and with some bush paintings to be found. The Spitzkoppe is known for its stunning beauty and the thousands of ancient Bushmen rock art paintings that are still viewable. Be sure to look out for the sunset from your bush camp this evening – the landscape is known to take on dazzling hues of orange and red.
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Spitzkoppe - San People rock painting guided walk - ZAR50
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
Continue to the town of Swakopmund. Be dazzled by the sight, sound and smell of thousands of olive-coloured seals on the shores of Cape Cross while you're travelling up the eerie Atlantic Coast. You'll be able to stop along the way to access an ATM and market if you need some supplies.
- Chalet (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Cape Cross Nature Reserve - Cape Cross seal colony
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Your accommodation for these nights is a simple, cosy lodge. Wi-fi is not available at this location.
Surrounded by the massive dune fields of the Namib Desert on three sides, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, Swakopmund is an example of the extraordinary German culture that's found in all major settlements in Namibia. It's worth wandering around town to admire the beauty of the Germanic architecture and take advantage of some excellent souvenir shopping.
- Chalet (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Swakopmund - Swakopmund Museum - USD2
- Swakopmund - Seal and dolphin cruise - USD60
- Swakopmund - Horse riding - USD65
Today is another free day to enjoy this fun beachside town. If you're after a dose of history and culture, you can stop in at the lighthouse and visit the Swakopmund Museum. Active types and thrillseekers might like to take advantage of the many outdoor activities on offer – this town is the adventure sports mecca of Namibia.
- Chalet (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Swakopmund - Seal and dolphin cruise - USD60
- Swakopmund - Horse riding - USD65
- Swakopmund - Swakopmund Museum - USD2
Drive to Sesriem, your base for exploring the incredible Namib Desert region. The most famous part of the Namib Desert is its vast dune fields, the most spectacular of which are found near the Sesriem Canyon. This canyon was formed when the Tsauchab River carved a gorge 30 metres into the gravel deposits about 15 million years ago. Now, the river flows out to the dune fields that stretch for hundreds of miles up the coast and dries up in a clay pan at Sossusvlei. The dunes – the highest in the world – are stunning, with magnificent flaming tones created by the brightly coloured sands.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
Wake up before dawn and scramble to the top of the dunes for a dramatic sunrise view across a vast sea of sand. The colour changes are simply incredible and provide a spectacular setting for your brunch. Afterwards you will jump in the back of a pickup truck for a trip to Sossusvlei, the incredible salt and clay pan just nearby. Enjoy some time to explore this incredible and mysterious desert oddity. Later, continue to your camp past the small town of Bethanie. Your camp has basic facilities, with showers, flush toilets, wi-fi and optional upgrades.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Sossusvlei - 4x4 Tour
- Sesriem - Sand dunes visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
Your camp has basic facilities, with showers, flush toilets, wi-fi and optional upgrades. Speak to an Intrepid booking agent or your leader during the trip for more information.
Check out the town of Bethanie before heading further south into the vast desert lands of Namibia towards Fish River Canyon. At 500 m deep and over 160 km long, Fish River Canyon is one of the very largest canyons in the world. During the dry season, the riverbed tends to dry out completely, leaving only a few puddles. In the wet season, after the summer rains, the river can turn into a spectacular raging torrent. At any time of year there are remarkable photographic opportunities here as you watch the colour of the granite rocks change as the sun goes down.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Fish River Canyon - Canyon entrance
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Note that upgrades and wi-fi are not available at your camp tonight.
Departing Fish River Canyon, travel to Noordoewer in southern Namibia. Pitch your tent on the scenic banks of the Gariep (Orange) River, which stretches 2200 kilometres (1367 miles) – the longest river in Lesotho. The river’s source is high up in the Drakensberg mountain range, and it flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay in South Africa. The Orange River is responsible for transporting diamonds and creating the deposits that can be found along the Namibian coast.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Orange River - Canoe trip - NAD550
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Upgrades are possible tonight (subject to availability), though there is no wi-fi available. Speak to an Intrepid booking agent or your leader during the trip for more information.
Depart your camp first thing in the morning and head to Klawer, a town named after the Afrikaans word for a wild clover blooming after rainfall. The surrounding countryside is beautiful, and if there's time, you’ll have the opportunity to explore some of it. Perhaps take a delightful walk around the nearby mountains and farms before settling in for a relaxing evening.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Klawer - Winery visit & tasting - ZAR140
Head to Cape Town this morning, where your trip will come to an end. With its stunning coastline, modern cityscape, nearby mountains and a plethora of vineyards within reach, this is one of Africa's most exciting cities. There's no accommodation provided for tonight, but this can be arranged – please enquire at the time of booking this trip.
- Breakfast
- Cape Town - Harbour cruise - ZAR200
- Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike - ZAR1600
- Cape Town - Table Mountain Aerial Cable - ZAR380
- Cape Town - Robben Island tour - ZAR550
- Cape Town - Best of the Cape Combo Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
- Cape Town - Cape Peninsula and SUP Tour - Full Day - ZAR2100
- Cape Town - Robben Island Ferry & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR1800
- Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Full Day - ZAR1800
- Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Half Day - ZAR1350
- Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
- Cape Town - Cape Malay Cooking Tour - Half Day - ZAR1200
- Cape Town - Township Experience - Half Day - ZAR965
- Cape Town - City and Waterfront Tour - Half Day - ZAR1100
- Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Kirstenbosch Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
- Cape Town - District Six & Bo-Kapp Cultural Tour - Half Day - ZAR965
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
It's important not to book any outgoing international flights for earlier than 7 pm to allow for possible delays.
Inclusions and activities
43 breakfasts, 30 lunches, 36 dinners
Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Ferry, Minibus, Mokoro
Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Camping (with facilities) (36 nights), Hotel (3 night), Bunglow (2 night), Camping (without facilities) (1 night), Cabin (3 nights)
- Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
- Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
- Irente - Lushoto hike
- Irente - Local lunch
- Mikumi National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
- South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Dawn Game Drive
- South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Evening Game Drive
- South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project
- Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
- Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
- Chobe National Park - Dawn 4WD Safari
- Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
- Okavango Delta - Nature Walk
- Grootfontein - San Bushman cultural experience
- Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Cape Cross Nature Reserve - Cape Cross seal colony
- Sossusvlei - 4x4 Tour
- Sesriem - Sand dunes visit
- Fish River Canyon - Canyon entrance
- Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD55
- Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD800
- Stone Town Tour - Dharajani Market, Joseph's Cathederal, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market - USD20
- Zanzibar - Prison Island Tour - USD25
- Stone Town - Handicraft & Music Urban Adventure - USD50
- Zanzibar - Spice tour - USD25
- Zanzibar - Snorkelling - USD50
- Zanzibar - Dhow Trip - USD35
- Stone Town - Culinary Urban Adventure - USD29
- Lake Malawi - Guided village walks - USD15
- Lake Malawi - Pedalos - USD25
- Lake Malawi - Canoe Hire - USD10
- Lake Malawi - Bike Hire - USD25
- South Luangwa National Park - Game Walk - USD50
- Balawayo - Natural History Museum - USD10
- Bulawayo - Railway Museum - USD5
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance - USD50
- Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
- Victoria Falls - Flying fox - USD50
- Victoria Falls - Gorge swing - USD103
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
- Victoria Falls - Village & township tour - USD61
- Chobe National Park - Boat Cruise - BWP270
- Bagani - Sunset Cruise - USD25
- Etosha National Park - Evening Game Drive - ZAR750
- Spitzkoppe - San People rock painting guided walk - ZAR50
- Swakopmund - Swakopmund Museum - USD2
- Swakopmund - Seal and dolphin cruise - USD60
- Swakopmund - Horse riding - USD65
- Orange River - Canoe trip - NAD550
- Klawer - Winery visit & tasting - ZAR140
- Cape Town - Harbour cruise - ZAR200
- Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike - ZAR1600
- Cape Town - Table Mountain Aerial Cable - ZAR380
- Cape Town - Robben Island tour - ZAR550
- Cape Town - Best of the Cape Combo Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
- Cape Town - Cape Peninsula and SUP Tour - Full Day - ZAR2100
- Cape Town - Robben Island Ferry & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR1800
- Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Full Day - ZAR1800
- Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Half Day - ZAR1350
- Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
- Cape Town - Cape Malay Cooking Tour - Half Day - ZAR1200
- Cape Town - Township Experience - Half Day - ZAR965
- Cape Town - City and Waterfront Tour - Half Day - ZAR1100
- Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Kirstenbosch Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
- Cape Town - District Six & Bo-Kapp Cultural Tour - Half Day - ZAR965
Is this trip right for you?
- This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent, occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the Big Five. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/africa/overland
- Camp in the Serengeti National Park itself without fences between you and the animals. Your leader will brief you on the safety measures the group will need to take for the two nights spent in the park.
- As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
- We use mokoros (small dugout canoes) to pass through the shallow waterways of the Okavango Delta to get to our campsite for the night.
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 33 (Camping) and Days 40,41,42 (Chalet) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Serengeti National Park is possible on this itinerary. Please see the itinerary above for full details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited and we recommend you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.
3. This trip is a combination of YXOF, YXON, YXOP and YXOR of our most popular itineraries. As such the make up of your group and your leader may change on Days 9,12 and 27.
4. The Zanzibar portion of your itinerary may have a few more passengers than the maximum group size of 22 as we have a crossover of trips starting and finishing in Zanzibar.
5. This trip starts in Nairobi on Day 1 at 6pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Nairobi.
This trip finishes upon arrival in Cape Town on Day 48. Please do not book any flights until after 7 pm this evening.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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