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Cairo to Cape Town Overview

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Discover Africa on an adventure from Cairo to Cape Town.

If you've ever wanted to 'do Africa', this is the definitive trip. In 119 action-packed days, cross the continent's entire length from Cairo to Cape Town - an epic adventure from north to south. Travel through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. You'll take in a dizzying array of natural wonders and cultural encounters, be humbled by the welcoming smiles of local villagers, wander vibrant modern cities and encounter iconic African animals in the wild. This overland trip provides the unique opportunity to experience the true essence of Africa from the ground level - a once-in-a-lifetime journey to remember. This challenging expedition demands a truly adventurous spirit, but is rewarding in return.

  • Camp on balmy beaches in Tanzania
  • Explore Ethiopia's castles and palaces in Gondar
  • Keep up with the frenetic pace of Kenya's capital Nairobi
  • Relax with Rastafarians in Shashemene
  • Ride a ferry through stunning landscapes to Sudan
  • Soak up the cosmopolitan vibe of South Africa's Cape Town
  • Visit Egypt's famous pyramids in Cairo
  • Visit Ethiopia's atmospheric capital Addis Ababa

Cairo to Cape Town Summary

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Days 1-2 Cairo

Explore the iconic Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza and the sprawling Saqqara cemetery with a local guide. There's also time to see precious, ancient treasures housed in the Egyptian Museum.

Days 3-4 Bahariya Oasis/White Desert

Set of from Cairo and into the Western Desert. Travel in the footsteps of thousands of years of travellers and see why so many people are touched by this part of the world. We explore Ptolemaic tombs, hot springs, palm groves and the remote Crystal Mountain. Camp under the stars at the Bahariya Oasis and in the White Desert.

Day 5 Dakhla Oasis

Journey to the rose-hued rocks, antiquities and greenery of the Dakhla Oasis. There is the opportunity to take an overnight camel trek into the desert to camp near hot springs.

Days 6-7 El Kharga Oasis

The outstanding Temple of Hebes is not the only beauty of this area. Palm tree lined streets, unspoilt springs and numerous antiquities are spoils of the area. Sleep under a million stars in this special part of Egypt.

Days 8-10 Luxor

The ancient Egyptian capital of Luxor houses spectacular temples and tombs. Ride a donkey to the remarkable Valley of the Kings and visit the Temples of Karnak with an Egyptologist.

Days 11-14 Aswan

Arrive in Aswan and unwind with a stroll along the Nile River or take a relaxing felucca cruise, followed by a sunset cocktail. See a giant, unfinished obelisk, haggle for souvenirs and treasures in the souq or take a trip to see the two magnificent temples of Abu Simbel.

Days 15-16 Wadi Halfa

Embark on an epic ferry adventure across Lake Nasser, an enormous man-made lake. Glimpse spectacular scenery en route to the port of Wadi Halfa at Sudan's northern tip.

Days 17-22 Nubian Desert

Travel into Sudan and follow a camel route through the rugged terrain of the Nubian Desert, passing oases, small Nile hamlets and ancient relics of past civilisations. In the evening, share a simple meal around the campfire and sleep under the stars as nomadic locals pass by.

Days 23-24 Meroe

Days 25-26 Khartoum

Brush up on some Arabic language skills with the friendly residents of Khartoum city, Sudan's busy capital. Relax in a chai house and recount memories of this remarkable North African tour.

Day 27 Gedaref

Days 28-30 Gonder

Day 31 Debark

Hike through rugged terrain passing eroded volcanic cores, raging rivers and jagged peaks of the Simien Mountains.

Days 32-34 Simien Mountains National Park

Trek through the dramatic scenery of the Simien National Park, one of Africa's major mountain ranges.

Day 35 Enda Selassie

Explore the ancient city of Aksum, peppered with obelisks and crumbling palaces.

Days 36-37 Aksum

Aksum is one of Ethiopia's oldest cities and home to ruins that are thought to be a palace of the Queen of Sheeba.

Day 38 Mekele

Wander through Mekele's cliff-face churches of Tigray.

Day 39 Woldiya

Travel to the hillside market town of Woldiya.

Days 40-42 Lalibela

Peer into Lalibela's astounding rock-hewn churches.

Days 43-45 Bahir Dar

Walk around the spectacular Blue Nile Falls, then board a reed boat bound for the lake's isolated monasteries.

Day 46 Dejen

Spend the night in Dejen.

Days 47-49 Addis Ababa

Stop by the bustling capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.

Day 50 Lake Abiyata

Admire Ethiopia's flocks of flamingos, relax in hot springs and camp overnight in stunning scenery.

Days 51-53 Bale Mountains National Park

Head out on wildlife-spotting expeditions in the Bale Mountains.

Day 54 Wendo Genet

Learn about the Rasta lifestyle and philosophy at a Rastafarian community school and museum.

Day 54 Awassa

Visit the inspiring Awassa Childrens Project in the lakeside town of Awassa. Camp at Wendo Genet and test out their famed hot springs.

Days 56-57 Arba Minch

Use free time to cycle around Ethiopia's scenic landscapes, embark on a boat trip or visit a crocodile farm.

Days 58-60 Omo Valley

Visit the remote villages and markets of the Omo Valley and learn about the customs of local tribes.

Days 61-62 Konso

Journey to Konso and perhaps take a tour of some traditional houses.

Day 63 Moyale

Travel through a surreal black lunar landscape into northern Kenya.
View full itinerary

What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Cairo, Egypt

  • Finish:

    Cape Town, South Africa

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 22

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    No meals included

  • Accommodation:

    Bungalow (2 nts), Bush camp (no facilities) (16 nts), Camp site (1 nt), Camping (with basic facilities) (7 nts), Camping (with facilities) (53 nts), Chalet (3 nts), Hotel (31 nts), Lodge (1 nt), Overnight ferry (1 nt)

  • Transport:

    Ferry, Overland vehicle

  • Included activities:

    1/2 Day Lake Tana reed boat trip, Awassa Children's Project, Blue Nile Gorge, Cape Cross seal colony, Chobe - Boat Cruise, Chobe - Dawn game drive, Elsamere Conservation Centre, Entrance Blue Nile Falls, Fish River Canyon, Game Drive, Lake Nakuru National Park, Game drives, Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Guided tour of Aksum, Guided tour of Gonder, Guided tour of Karnak Temple, Guided tour of rock churches, monastery & visit to local school at Lalibela, Guided tour of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Guided trip to Meroe Pyramids, Naqa Temple and Musawwarat Temples, Guided visit of Lake Abiyata, Guided visit to the Giza Pyramids, Guided visit to Valley of the Kings and other West Bank ruins, Hwange National Park, Kushite temples and pyramids at Jebel Barkal, Matopos National Park - Guided walking safari, Mto Wa Mbu - Village Walk & market Visit, Ngorongoro Crater - Game drive, Okavango Delta - Mokoro trips & bushwalks, Quiver Tree Forest walk, Samburu - Game Drive, San Bushman cultural experience, Serengeti - Game drive, Sesriem - Sand dunes visit, Simien Mountains trek (2 days), Tigray Rock-hewn Churches, Visit to Samburu tribal community and cultural project, Visit to Temple of Edfu, Visit to Temple of Sulb, Visit Victoria Falls, Visits to Crystal Mountain and Black Desert, Zanzibar Spice tour

  • Notes:

    This is a combination trip. Please see trip notes (Important notes) for more details.
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About Botswana , Egypt , Ethiopia , Kenya , Malawi , Mozambique , Namibia , South Africa , Sudan , Tanzania , Zimbabwe

    • 119
    • XXOBC
    • 4.61 out of 5
    • Contact us Discontinued trips tool tip
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland, Wildlife
    • Basix
Contact us

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