Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Cape Town
You'll arrive in Cape Town and have several options for your first day. Walk up Table Mountain for hiking and views across the city, or skip the climb and take the rotating cable car instead. Long Street is where you'll find food, live music, and bars if you want to stay central. There's also a Cape Point Tour included if you'd rather get out to see where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. You're staying in dorm rooms at Never@home or somewhere similar, so you'll have shared bathrooms.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cape Point Tour
- Table Mountain hiking
Optional Activities
- Winelands tour
Landmarks Table Mountain Cape Point Long Street - Day 3
Cape Town to Olifants River
Today you head north from Cape Town through South Africa's wheat region, crossing the Piekenierskloof Pass as the landscape shifts to fruit farms along the Olifants River. By evening you'll reach Highlanders camp, which sits between wine farms where you can watch the stars from your tent. Facilities are shared here, and the views across the vineyards make it worth it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Piekenierskloof Pass Olifants River - Day 4
Namaqualand to Gariep River
You're traveling through Namaqualand now, and if it's spring, you'll see wildflower displays across the landscape. Stop in Springbok to grab supplies and snacks for the road. From there you continue into the Richtersveld desert, heading toward the Gariep River that marks the border between South Africa and Namibia. You'll camp on the South African side, so you're crossing into new territory but not officially into Namibia just yet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Namaqualand Springbok Richtersveld Gariep River - Day 5
Gariep River to Fish River Canyon
Cross the border into Namibia and head straight to Fish River Canyon. This canyon stretches 161 km long, reaches 27 km wide, and drops 550 meters down. You'll have time to walk along the eastern rim and take in multiple viewpoints. The scale of it really hits you when you're standing at the edge. You're camping at Canyon Roadhouse with shared facilities, and it's the kind of place where you'll chat with other travelers over dinner about what you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Fish River Canyon viewing
Landmarks Fish River Canyon 
- Day 6
Fish River Canyon to Sossusvlei
An early start gets you heading north into the Namib-Naukluft desert, one of the oldest deserts on Earth. You're basing yourself at Sesriem to experience how the desert changes throughout the day. Sossusvlei is your main destination here, surrounded by sand dunes that reach over 300 meters high. Tonight and tomorrow night you'll stay at Oasis Camp, which gives you flexibility to explore on your own schedule.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sossusvlei viewing
Landmarks Namib-Naukluft National Park Sossusvlei Sesriem 
- Day 7
Sossusvlei and Dune 45
Spend your morning climbing Dune 45, which takes a couple of hours if you take it slow. After that, shuttle vans take you 5 km deeper into the desert for a walk through to Sossusvlei itself. The dunes here are famous for sunrise and sunset photography, so timing matters. You'll have a full day to walk around the pale-colored pan and the red dunes surrounding it, and possibly see some wildlife like springbok moving between the dunes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Namib-Naukluft National Park exploration
- Dune 45 climb
- Sossusvlei walk
Landmarks Dune 45 Sossusvlei Sesriem Canyon - Day 8
Sesriem to Swakopmund
After breakfast you head northwest toward Walvis Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. You'll cross the Tropic of Capricorn, which marks where the sun's rays hit Earth most directly in the Southern Hemisphere. From there you follow the coast for 35 km to reach Swakopmund, Namibia's beach resort town. You're staying at Amanpuri Lodge for two nights in dorm rooms with shared bathrooms, so you'll have time to settle in and check out the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Walvis Bay Tropic of Capricorn Swakopmund - Day 9
Swakopmund
Swakopmund was founded by Germans in 1892, and you can still see that influence in the colonial architecture and the quality of the coffee shops and restaurants. Wander through the town and check out craft shops selling local Namibian work. The beaches here are long and fine, so you can walk along the promenade or swim if the water temperature appeals to you. There's a museum, aquarium, and galleries if you want to learn more about the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Sky diving
- Quad biking
- Sand boarding
- Scenic desert flights
- Dolphin cruises
- Fishing trips
- Golf
- Horse riding
Landmarks Swakopmund Beach Swakopmund Museum Swakopmund Aquarium - Day 10
Swakopmund to Brandberg
Leaving Swakopmund, you drive toward Spitzkoppe, a 1,728-meter rock formation that locals call the 'Matterhorn of Namibia.' It's an ancient sacred site for the San people, and you can explore the area and see San rock paintings if you're interested. The views alone make it worth the stop. From there you continue to Brandberg Rest Camp for the night, camping with shared facilities in a more remote part of Namibia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Spitzkoppe exploration
- San rock paintings viewing
Landmarks Spitzkoppe Brandberg 
- Day 11
Brandberg to Etosha National Park
You're driving further north through Namibian countryside toward Etosha National Park. Etosha is massive, covering 22,700 square kilometers with networks of gravel roads crisscrossing through it. You'll stay at Etosha Village for the next three nights, giving you multiple days to explore. Accommodations are in camp with shared facilities, and from here you're well positioned for game drives.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Etosha National Park access
Landmarks Etosha National Park Etosha Pan - Day 12
Etosha National Park South
Today you explore Etosha's southern area, keeping watch for oryx and springbok. These animals are built for the desert environment and you'll see them moving across the arid landscape. There are multiple game viewing opportunities as you drive through different parts of the park, so bring binoculars and your camera. The park is large enough that you won't feel crowded despite other tourists.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Etosha National Park game viewing
Landmarks Etosha National Park - Day 13
Etosha National Park
You're making your way across Etosha today, driving through regions where vegetation changes and so does the wildlife. Mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects vary depending on where the water and plants are. As you transition through different habitats, you'll notice different animal and bird species appearing. It's a good day to see the diversity of what the park supports, and patience often pays off with sightings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Etosha National Park game viewing
Landmarks Etosha National Park - Day 14
Etosha to Windhoek
After breakfast, you do a final game drive as you leave Etosha and head toward Windhoek. You'll pass through small rural towns and scenic landscapes on the drive south. Windhoek sits between hills and is Namibia's capital, though it's fairly small and manageable. You're staying at Avani Hotel in twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms, a step up in comfort. The afternoon is free, so you can visit the local museum, browse street markets, or just rest after several days of camping.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive on departure
Optional Activities
- Local museum visit
- Street side market haggling
- Shopping
Landmarks Windhoek - Day 15
Windhoek to Ghanzi
Early departure gets you leaving Namibia and crossing into Botswana. You're heading to Ghanzi, a town in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Camp at Tautona with shared facilities. If you're interested, there are optional activities to interact with San or Bushman communities and learn how they've survived in the Kalahari for generations, hunting and gathering from a harsh landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- San/Bushman cultural interaction activities
Landmarks Ghanzi Kalahari Desert 
- Day 16
Ghanzi to Maun
You travel to Maun, which is your gateway to the Okavango Delta. Before you head into the Delta, your trip leader gives you a full briefing on what to expect and what to bring. You're camping at Situnga for two nights, which gives you a stable base. Maun itself is fairly basic, but it's where everything related to the Delta starts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Maun Okavango Delta - Day 17
Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursion
The included excursion into the Okavango Delta starts with a drive north from Maun for a couple of hours. You'll meet local guides and polers at their station, then climb into traditional dugout canoes and pole through the waterways. You can reach remote villages accessible only by mokoro, where you'll see how people live traditionally in the Delta. By late afternoon you'll reach the heart of the Okavango, and it's a completely different world from the truck experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Okavango Delta mokoro excursion
Landmarks Okavango Delta - Day 18
Okavango Delta to Elephant Sands
You leave the Okavango and travel to Elephant Sands, a lush campsite with shared ablutions. The landscape shifts as you move through unpopulated areas where donkeys roam freely. When you arrive, there are optional activities like game drives or bush walks available. Your crew will explain what's possible and what the conditions are like that day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Game drive
- Bushwalk
Landmarks Elephant Sands 
- Day 19
Elephant Sands to Kasane
Heading north to Kasane, you'll set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River, which forms a border between Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia. It's the main water source for Chobe National Park, so wildlife congregates here. From camp you can watch elephants and hippos come down to drink, and there are plenty of birds. Listen for the hippos at night. You're staying at Thebe River Lodge with shared facilities and watching an African sunset from the riverside.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Kasane Chobe River Chobe National Park - Day 20
Kasane to Victoria Falls
After breakfast you continue to the Zimbabwe border. Once you clear border formalities, you drive to Victoria Falls. At 1,700 meters wide and 100 meters high, it's the world's largest sheet of falling water and one of the Seven Natural Wonders. Entry to Victoria Falls National Park is included. You're staying at Shearwater Lodge for four nights centrally located so you can walk to restaurants, adventure booking agents, and shops. After an activity briefing, the rest of your afternoon is free to explore or just watch the falls.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Victoria Falls National Park entry
- Victoria Falls viewing
Landmarks Victoria Falls Victoria Falls National Park Zambezi River 
- Days 21 - 23
Victoria Falls
These days are yours to relax or tackle optional activities if adventure appeals to you. Some passengers leave here and new ones join. If you want adrenaline, there's bungee jumping from the bridge, abseiling into Batoka Gorge, scenic flights, or white water rafting on the Zambezi with Grade 5 rapids. If you prefer quiet, there are peaceful river floats. Your crew can help book whatever you choose.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge
- Abseiling down Batoka Gorge
- Fixed-wing aircraft scenic flight
- Micro light aircraft scenic flight
- Ultra light aircraft scenic flight
- Helicopter scenic flight
- White water rafting on the Zambezi
Landmarks Victoria Falls Bridge Batoka Gorge Zambezi River - Day 24
Victoria Falls to Lusaka
You get back on the truck and head to Lusaka, Zambia's capital. It's a drive that takes most of the day, so you're traveling north toward a different country and a new landscape. You'll camp at Eureka camp with shared facilities. Lusaka is the biggest city you've been in for a while, though it doesn't have quite the developed feel of South African cities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Lusaka - Day 25
Lusaka to Chimwende
Early start heading north through southern Zambia, passing villages and towns along the way. Zambia's infrastructure was built up during the copper boom in the 1960s, but after the industry collapsed, the country struggled. It's recovering now with foreign investment and rising mining activity. You'll see modern stores and banks in cities, while smaller towns and villages are still catching up. Camp at Chimwende Camp with shared facilities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 26
South Luangwa National Park
You arrive at South Luangwa National Park, situated on the Luangwa River in eastern Zambia. The park was founded as a game reserve in 1938 and became a national park in 1972, covering over 9,000 square kilometers. Giraffe, buffalo, and elephants are common. The Luangwa River is home to hippos and crocodiles. You're camping at Croc Valley Camp with shared facilities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- South Luangwa National Park access
Landmarks South Luangwa National Park Luangwa River 
- Days 27 - 28
Malawi
You cross into Malawi, known as the 'Warm Heart of Africa,' a landlocked country where Lake Malawi covers about 20 percent of the total area. You're staying at Kande Beach Lodge with shared bathrooms for two nights, based in the central lake area. The lake is clean fresh water and you can swim year-round in the temperate climate.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Lake Malawi - Day 29
Lake Malawi
Spend your day learning bao, a traditional board game, from local people, or hunt through markets for bargains. The beaches are pristine, so you can relax or watch local fishermen sort their catch using methods passed down for generations. If you want, try paddling a dugout canoe yourself to see why it takes skill. At night you'll see lights from fishermen's boats out on the water. Camp at Chitimba Camp with shared bathrooms.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bao game lessons
- Market shopping
- Water sports
- Horseback rides
- Local village visit
- Local school visit
- Dugout canoe paddling
Landmarks Lake Malawi - Day 30
Malawi to Iringa
After three days relaxing, you leave Malawi and cross into Tanzania at the Songwe border post. The landscape winds through tea and banana plantations heading toward Iringa. You'll see terraced farms and workers in the fields. Camp at Utengule Coffee Lodge with shared facilities, staying in coffee plantation country.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Songwe Border Post Tukuyu Iringa - Day 31
Mbeya to Iringa
You're traveling from Mbeya to Iringa and camping at a rustic 'Farmhouse' campsite with shared facilities. This is a transit day through beautiful Tanzanian countryside. The route takes you through farming regions and small towns.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Mbeya Iringa - Day 32
Iringa to Mikumi National Park
An early morning departure gets you heading south passing through Mikumi National Park. Wildlife here barely reacts to vehicles, so you can see animals from the roadside totally impervious to traffic. Along the way watch for colorful shop-fronts with funny catch phrases painted on them. Camp at Tan-Swiss Lodge with shared facilities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mikumi National Park roadside wildlife viewing
Landmarks Mikumi National Park - Day 33
Mikumi to Dar es Salaam
You're heading toward the coast now, and tonight you're camping at Kipepeo Beach Village with en-suite bathroom facilities. This is a step up in amenities as you transition toward beach time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Dar es Salaam - Days 34 - 35
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
Take a ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, the 'Spice Island,' for three nights at Amaan Hotel in twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Stone Town has quiet streets with Arabic influence, Medina-like shops, and old sultans' palaces from the slave and ivory trade era. You can visit a spice plantation, see beautiful beaches, or visit Prison Island to see giant tortoises. Hire a moped to get around. Meals are on your own account here so you can eat where you choose. Fresh seafood is available at restaurants or at Forodhani Gardens seafront market.
Included Activities
- Ferry to Zanzibar
Optional Activities
- Spice plantation tour
- Prison Island beach visit
- Prison Island giant tortoise viewing
- Scuba diving in Nungwe
- Dhow fishing trip
- Moped rental for exploration
Landmarks Zanzibar Stone Town Prison Island Nungwe 
- Day 36
Zanzibar
Spend your day exploring Zanzibar, checking out whatever interests you most. In the afternoon you head back to the main town. You're staying at Swahili House in twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms, a different location from the night before.
Landmarks Zanzibar - Day 37
Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
Afternoon departure gets you back to the mainland and Dar es Salaam for another night. You'll arrive back at camp usually in late afternoon or early evening. Camp at Kipepeo Beach Village with shared facilities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Dar es Salaam - Day 38
Dar es Salaam to Morogoro
Leave early from Dar es Salaam and head inland toward the farmlands. This is a transit day to get you closer to Serengeti, so you're moving north through rural Tanzania. Camp at the Lawns Hotel with shared facilities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 39
Tanzania to Arusha
A long day's drive takes you from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, passing through sisal plantations and African bushveld. You'll see the Pare and Usambara Mountain ranges, then drive through Moshi, which is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions. Weather permitting, you might catch a glimpse of Kilimanjaro's snowy summit, a photo opportunity worth having your camera ready. Stay at the Outpost Hotel in twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Mount Kilimanjaro Pare Mountain Range Usambara Mountain Range Moshi Arusha - Days 40 - 41
Serengeti National Park
Depart early and transit through Ngorongoro Conservation Area into Serengeti National Park. You'll game drive through southern and central areas as you cross vast plains. Stay at Golden Safari in twin-share rooms with en-suite facilities for two nights, surrounded by African wilderness sounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area transit
- Serengeti National Park game drive
Landmarks Ngorongoro Conservation Area Serengeti National Park 
- Day 42
Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
Morning game drive explores the landscape searching for resident game, including possibly Africa's 'Big 5.' After the drive, you retrace your route back across the plains and along the lush Crater rim. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world with open savannahs, acacia forests, and both soda and fresh water lakes. It's a World Heritage Site known for excellent game viewing including the elusive black rhino. Spend your evening reflecting on the wildlife you've encountered. Camp at Kudu camp with shared facilities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning game drive
- Ngorongoro Crater exploration
Landmarks Ngorongoro Crater - Day 43
Ngorongoro to Nairobi
Early departure gets you heading to the Tanzania-Kenya border and the small border town of Namanga. After border formalities, you continue to Nairobi, Kenya's capital, where your trip ends. The rest of the day is free to visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to see orphaned baby elephants at feeding time, head to the Giraffe Centre in Langata, explore Nairobi National Park on a day trip, visit local curio markets, or dine at the famous Carnivores restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust visit
- Giraffe Centre visit
- Nairobi National Park day trip
- Local curio market shopping
- Carnivores restaurant dinner
Landmarks Namanga Border Nairobi David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Giraffe Centre Nairobi National Park 
