Itinerary
- Day 1
Cape Town
You'll arrive in Cape Town and have the afternoon to check things out on your own. If your flight gets in early, consider walking through Newlands Forest, riding the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, or heading to the waterfront to get your bearings. At 6 pm, there's a welcome meeting with your group leader. Afterward, they'll point you toward the best dinner spots so you can grab a meal with everyone.
Optional Activities
- Walk in Newlands Forest
- Table Mountain Aerial Cableway ride
- Visit Cape Town Stadium at the waterfront
- Welcome dinner with group
Landmarks/POIs Table Mountain Cape Town Stadium Newlands Forest Cape Town Waterfront - Day 2
Cape Town to Western Cape
The drive takes you up the Western Cape toward a working farm where you'll spend the night. You'll pass through beautiful countryside on the way, and if there's time before settling in, you can explore nearby mountains and farms on foot. It's a good chance to stretch your legs and soak in the rural landscape.
Optional Activities
- Walk around nearby mountains and farms
- Day 3
Western Cape to Orange River
You're heading to the Orange River, South Africa's longest at 2200 km and the natural border with Namibia. The route passes through Namaqualand, which puts on a wildflower show from late July through mid-September. You'll learn how the river starts in the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho and travels all the way to the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay.
Landmarks/POIs Orange River Namaqualand Alexander Bay - Day 4
Orange River to Fish River Canyon
Start with an optional canoe trip on the Orange River if you're interested, floating at a relaxed pace to take in the surroundings. From there, you'll head west into Namibia's desert region toward Fish River Canyon, which is one of the world's largest canyons at 500 m deep and stretches over 160 km long. As the sun sets, watch the granite rocks shift colors in the changing light.
Optional Activities
- Canoe adventure on the Orange River
Landmarks/POIs Fish River Canyon - Day 5
Fish River Canyon to Namib Desert
This is a long travel day heading toward Namibia's famous dune fields. Stop along the way to pick up supplies at a market or shop for the next few days. When you arrive, get out and stretch, then spend some time taking in the desert views. Tonight you'll camp among vast dune fields near Sesriem Canyon, some of the highest in the world, so get to bed early for tomorrow's dawn adventure.
Optional Activities
- Stop at market or shop to stock supplies
Landmarks/POIs Namib Desert Sesriem Canyon - Day 6
Namib Desert Sunrise and Sossusvlei
Wake up before sunrise and hike to the top of the dunes for a dramatic sunrise view across endless sand. See how the colors change as the sun comes up, then have brunch with incredible scenery around you. After that, hop into a pickup truck to Sossusvlei, a unique salt and clay pan, and explore it at your own pace. You'll head back to your bush camp to rest in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Brunch (Brunch at the top of the dunes with sunrise views)
Included Activities
- Dawn hike to dune top for sunrise
- 4x4 trip to Sossusvlei
- Explore Sossusvlei at own pace
Landmarks/POIs Sossusvlei - Day 7
Namib Desert to Swakopmund
You're moving on to Swakopmund, a coastal town surrounded by massive dune fields on three sides and the Atlantic Ocean on the fourth. The town has an interesting German-Namibian character that makes it fun to walk around and explore. If history interests you, the Swakopmund Museum is the largest privately-run museum in Namibia with exhibits on zoology, geology, and technology.
Optional Activities
- Visit Swakopmund Museum
Landmarks/POIs Swakopmund Museum - Day 8
Swakopmund
Today is free to spend however you like in Swakopmund. Check out the Germanic architecture and browse shops for souvenirs, visit the lighthouse if you're into that sort of thing, or head to the museum. If you prefer being active, Swakopmund is known as Namibia's adventure sports capital, so there's plenty of outdoor options to try.
Optional Activities
- Explore Germanic architecture
- Souvenir shopping
- Visit lighthouse
- Visit Swakopmund Museum
- Outdoor adventure sports activities
Landmarks/POIs Swakopmund Lighthouse - Day 9
Swakopmund
Another free day in this seaside town. You can relax, swim, or just read on the beach if that sounds appealing. If you want to venture further out, the Okakambe Trails and Camel Farm are both about 12 km east of town. You could try a horse ride or camel ride to see the desert from a different perspective.
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Relaxing on beach
- Visit Okakambe Trails
- Visit Camel Farm
- Horse ride
- Camel ride
Landmarks/POIs Okakambe Trails Camel Farm - Day 10
Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe
You're traveling to Spitzkoppe along the Atlantic Coast with a stop at Cape Cross to see thousands of olive-colored seals on the shores. The region around Spitzkoppe mountain, known as the Matterhorn of Namibia, has excellent hikes and walks through an area rich in plant life and ancient Bushmen rock art. At your bush camp, watch the sunset as the landscape displays oranges and reds across the horizon.
Included Activities
- Visit Cape Cross seal colony
Optional Activities
- Hikes and guided walks around Spitzkoppe
Landmarks/POIs Cape Cross Spitzkoppe - Day 11
Spitzkoppe to Etosha National Park
You're heading to Etosha National Park with stops for supplies, shopping, or ATMs as needed along the way. Etosha is one of the world's best places to see wildlife with all major carnivores and rare species like black rhino, Hartmann's mountain zebra, black-faced impala, and roan antelope. You'll stay at Okaukuejo Camp overlooking a floodlit waterhole where animals come day and night.
Included Activities
- Overland vehicle game drive in Etosha National Park
Optional Activities
- Evening game drive (subject to availability)
Landmarks/POIs Etosha National Park - Day 12
Etosha National Park
Spend the full day on a game drive through Etosha National Park. Game viewing is pretty straightforward thanks to constructed waterholes and large, open pans where animals gather. You'll watch for elephants, antelope, and other herbivores that are protected from poaching here. By evening, you'll head to Namutoni Camp to settle in for the night.
Included Activities
- Full-day game drive in Etosha National Park
Landmarks/POIs Etosha National Park - Day 13
Etosha to Grootfontein Area
After leaving Etosha, you'll drive about 50 km outside Grootfontein to your camp, which will be your base for visiting the San people tomorrow. Once you arrive, stretch your legs, relax with fellow travelers, and just take it easy for the evening.
- Day 14
San Bushman Cultural Experience
You're heading out on a 180 km round-trip to visit the San people. Walk alongside tribe members, listen to their stories and songs in their unique Khoisan 'clicking' language, and learn about the San, the oldest ethnic group in Namibia who've lived in southern Africa for an estimated 20,000 years. Around 30,000 San live in Namibia, but only about 2000 still follow a traditional lifestyle with deep knowledge of nature and ecology.
Included Activities
- San Bushman cultural experience and walking tour
- Day 15
Grootfontein to Bagani
You're heading to Bagani, a small and friendly town where you'll set up camp for the night. Relax and take in the atmosphere as you watch the sunset over the Okavango River. You might spot grunting hippos coming out of the water to graze. This area is the homestead of the local Mbukushu kings and their kingdom.
Landmarks/POIs Okavango River - Day 16
Bagani to Okavango Delta
You'll cross the border into Botswana and head south along the Okavango Panhandle to Sepopa. Leave your vehicle behind and take a boat journey into the delta to your island bush camp. Punt past birds and lily pads while listening to hippos grunting quietly in the water around you.
Included Activities
- Boat journey into Okavango Delta
- Mokoro safari in Okavango Delta
- Nature walk in Okavango Delta
Landmarks/POIs Okavango Delta Okavango Panhandle - Day 17
Okavango Delta
After breakfast, you're going out in mokoro, which are small dugout canoes that hold two people each and are poled by a local guide. Take a short nature walk with your guide to discover the beautiful surroundings, local history, and look out for bird species and occasionally elephants. Back at Sepopa Camp, you can enjoy hot showers, use the swimming pool, and grab drinks at the small bar.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mokoro safari in Okavango Delta
- Nature walk in Okavango Delta
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over the delta
Landmarks/POIs Okavango Delta - Day 18
Okavango Delta to Bagani
You'll leave the delta and return to Bagani by boat. When you arrive, there's an optional boat trip available, or you can opt for a sunset cruise if that appeals to you. Alternatively, just stay at camp, relax, and recharge after your time in the delta.
Optional Activities
- Optional boat trip
- Sunset cruise
- Day 19
Bagani to Chobe National Park
You're driving from Bagani to Chobe National Park, watching the rolling landscape pass by or playing road trip games with friends along the way. You'll cross into Botswana at the Goma border, the gateway to the park. If you're interested, there's an optional cruise down the Chobe River, which is one of the best ways to see hippos, elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife.
Optional Activities
- Chobe River cruise
Landmarks/POIs Chobe National Park Chobe River - Day 20
Chobe National Park
Get up early for a morning game drive through the park to get close to the wildlife. Look for lions, buffalo, and exotic birds. Botswana's first national park is famous for having a high concentration of elephants, and you might see herds or even watch them swimming in the Chobe River. The river also attracts buffalo, hippos, and crocodiles. In the afternoon, you can optionally take another boat cruise or go on an afternoon game drive.
Included Activities
- Dawn 4WD safari in Chobe National Park
Optional Activities
- Afternoon boat cruise
- Afternoon game drive
Landmarks/POIs Chobe National Park - Day 21
Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls
You're traveling to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe. You'll have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River, then set up camp. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, freshening up, and planning the next couple of days. Ask your leader for tips and advice about what to do in the area.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River)
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls Zambezi River - Day 22
Victoria Falls
Today is all about Victoria Falls, a thundering curtain of water approximately 1.5 km wide that drops 108 m into a narrow gorge. In the wet season, spray rises about 400 m and the falls become a raging torrent. In the dry season, views are clearer and you can see islets in the river. There's a welcome meeting at 4 pm, then you'll grab dinner with your group.
Optional Activities
- Explore Victoria Falls
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls - Day 23
Victoria Falls
Today is completely free to choose your own adventure. You could optionally take a helicopter flight for views from above, visit a local brewery for craft drinks, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, or simply rest up before tomorrow's journey into Zambia.
Optional Activities
- Helicopter flight over Victoria Falls
- Visit local breweries
- Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls - Day 24
Victoria Falls to Lusaka
You're traveling to Lusaka, crossing from Zimbabwe into Zambia. This is a long travel day, so bring a book or catch up on podcasts. When you arrive at your campsite on a private farm surrounded by natural bushland just outside the city, you can set up camp and explore. You might spot impala, giraffes, or zebras roaming around.
- Day 25
Lusaka to Lower Zambezi National Park
After breakfast, you're heading to Lower Zambezi National Park on the Zimbabwean border. This park is famous for its spectacular Zambezi River valley and abundant wildlife including fish eagles, buffalo, and elephants. You'll camp in the wildlife-rich Chiawa area, surrounded by native bush with animals roaming freely around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Lower Zambezi National Park - Day 26
Lower Zambezi National Park
You're spending a full day on safari through one of Zambia's best wildlife viewing areas. Lower Zambizi National Park sits along a wide floodplain dotted with acacias and towering trees, framed by thick miombo woodland to the north. Across the river lies Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park, and together they form one of Africa's most significant wilderness areas. Watch for elephants, leopards, lions, cheetahs, and birds.
Included Activities
- Full-day safari in Lower Zambezi National Park
Landmarks/POIs Lower Zambezi National Park Mana Pools National Park - Day 27
Lower Zambezi to Petauke
Wake early and start your journey to Petauke, a town in Zambia's Eastern Province. Watch the scenery shift from open plains to rural villages and bustling roadside markets, which gives you a glimpse into daily Zambian life. When you arrive at your camp, you'll enjoy a well-earned rest under the African night sky.
- Day 28
Petauke to South Luangwa National Park
After breakfast, you'll visit a workshop where local craftswomen transform recovered snare wire from poaching traps into African-inspired jewelry. Watch a demonstration, then try your hand at coiling or hammering the wire. Later, continue through the heartland toward South Luangwa National Park. If you're up for it, set out on a game walk or river trip to see scenery as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Anti-poaching jewellery workshop
Optional Activities
- Game walk at sunset
- River trip at sunset
Landmarks/POIs South Luangwa National Park - Day 29
South Luangwa National Park
After breakfast, head out on a 4WD safari with a local guide to spot iconic African wildlife including elephants, buffalo, leopards, Thornicroft's giraffes, and lions. Learn about the region's diverse landscapes and animals from your guide. Later, you'll head to your next camp near Chipata for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning 4WD safari in South Luangwa National Park
Landmarks/POIs South Luangwa National Park - Day 30
Chipata to Lake Malawi
You're crossing the border into Malawi and heading straight to your camp on the shores of Lake Malawi. The country is dominated by this massive lake, which covers almost a fifth of the country and provides income for fishermen, fish traders, and canoe and net makers. Your campsite sits right on the shore so you can relax on the beach after today's drive.
Landmarks/POIs Lake Malawi - Day 31
Lake Malawi
Today is free to soak up the lake's sandy shores. Take a refreshing swim, explore by bike, or join a guided snorkeling trip. Lake Malawi's high alkalinity creates an abundance of brightly colored fish and relatively few plants, giving you a tropical ocean-like snorkeling experience within a landlocked freshwater lake. Find a local restaurant for dinner and ask your leader for the best recommendations.
Optional Activities
- Swimming in the lake
- Bike exploration of surrounding area
- Guided snorkelling trip
Landmarks/POIs Lake Malawi - Day 32
Lake Malawi to Chitimba
You're driving to your camp in Chitimba, which sits along Lake Malawi's coast with lovely beaches, friendly locals, and a laid-back atmosphere. When you arrive, take a stroll to get to know the area. You'll see banana palms, papaya trees, and have views of the Livingstonia and Nyika mountains nearby.
Landmarks/POIs Lake Malawi - Day 33
Chitimba
This morning, you can take an optional walk in the nearby village to meet some local Malawians, known as some of Africa's friendliest people. Spend a free afternoon chilling on the lake's sandy shores. Take a dip in the water or try cycling to hilly villages. Cool off with an optional snorkeling trip with a local guide for that tropical ocean-like freshwater snorkeling experience.
Optional Activities
- Village walk to meet local Malawians
- Cycling to hilly villages
- Snorkelling trip with local guide
- Day 34
Chitimba to Mikumi National Park
You're driving to the edge of Mikumi National Park, Tanzania's fourth largest park situated at the foot of the thickly wooded Uluguru Mountains. Once you arrive, the rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace. Plan to join fellow travelers for dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with fellow travellers)
Landmarks/POIs Mikumi National Park Uluguru Mountains - Day 35
Mikumi National Park
You're exploring Mikumi National Park off the beaten track, moving through a landscape of baobab-studded plains and open savannahs. Join an expert guide on a 4WD safari where you'll see herds of buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, elephant, and zebra in Tanzania's fourth largest national park near Morogoro.
Included Activities
- 4WD safari in Mikumi National Park
Landmarks/POIs Mikumi National Park - Day 36
Mikumi to Kipepo Beach
You're making a scenic drive to Kipepo Beach on the white sandy shores on the south coast of Dar es Salaam. Set up camp and unwind with a stroll along the shore. Your camp sits on the grounds of a hotel right next to the beach, offering the perfect opportunity to relax and take a refreshing dip in the Indian Ocean.
Landmarks/POIs Kipepo Beach - Day 37
Dar es Salaam
Today is free to explore at your own pace. Enjoy the beach or head into Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city and cultural center. Start at Kivukoni Fish Market where fishing dhows unload fresh catch. In the city center, tea vendors wander the streets, shops sell samosas, and the mix of African, Arabic, Indian, and German architecture tells the story of the city's rich cultural blend.
Optional Activities
- Beach exploration
- Visit Kivukoni Fish Market
- Explore Dar es Salaam city centre
Landmarks/POIs Kivukoni Fish Market - Day 38
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
You'll catch a ferry to Zanzibar, Africa's famous 'Spice Island.' Discover Zanzibar City at your own pace by losing yourself in Stone Town's maze of cobblestone alleyways, admiring the mix of Arabic, African, and European architecture, or soaking up the bustling atmosphere of Darajani Bazaar. At 2 pm, there's a welcome meeting to meet new travelers, then you'll head out for dinner at a local restaurant.
Optional Activities
- Explore Stone Town
- Visit Darajani Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Stone Town Darajani Bazaar - Day 39
Zanzibar Spice Plantations and Northern Beaches
After checking out of Stone Town accommodation, you can optionally book a guided spice plantation tour to learn about the island's spice trade history. Smell and taste cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger, and sample spice teas. After lunch, head to the Northern Beaches with white sands and sparkling blue seas, which is the Indian Ocean at its best.
- Meals
- Lunch
Optional Activities
- Guided spice plantation tour
Landmarks/POIs Northern Beaches, Zanzibar - Day 40
Northern Beaches, Zanzibar
Ease into the day with gentle waves and soft ocean breezes. The full day is free to enjoy Zanzibar's coastline at your own pace. Take a refreshing swim, stretch out on the beach beneath the palms, or savor island life with a seafood dinner by the water. Today is all about slowing down and letting the rhythm of island life take over.
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Beach relaxation
- Seafood dinner by the water
Landmarks/POIs Northern Beaches, Zanzibar - Day 41
Northern Beaches to Stone Town
Check out this morning and make your way back to Stone Town, arriving at a centrally-located hotel around 11 am. No activities are planned for today, so you're free to leave whenever you like. If you want to stay on in Zanzibar at either the Northern Beaches resort or in Stone Town, additional accommodation can be arranged subject to availability.
Landmarks/POIs Stone Town
