›You are here

Home›Destinations›Africa›Ethiopia›Cairo to Cape Town Overview

Cairo to Cape Town Overview

    • 117
    • XXOBC
    • 4.61 out of 5
    • Contact us Discontinued trips tool tip
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland, Wildlife
    • Basix
Contact us

Discover Africa on an adventure from Cairo to Cape Town.

If you've ever wanted to 'do Africa', this is the definitive trip. In 121 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 a unique opportunity to experience the true essence of Africa from the ground level .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
  • Retrace the steps of Egypt's pharaohs through the Western Desert
  • Ride a ferry through stunning landscapes to Sudan
  • Sample the spicy delights of Zanzibar
  • Visit Egypt's famous Pyramids of Giza in Cairo

Trip Map


Cairo to Cape Town Summary

Add to Shortlist

Days 1-2 Cairo

Visit Egypt and the Pyramids of Giza.

Days 3-4 Alexandria

Head to Egypt's second largest city, the ancient port of Alexandria. As the ancient capital of Egypt's last royal dynasty, there is no shortage of history here to be explored. Perhaps check out the Roman Amphitheatre and Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa, and be sure to feast on some of Alexandria's renowned seafood.

Days 5-7 Bahariya Oasis/White Desert

Travel into Sudan and the Western Desert. 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.

Days 8-9 Dakhla Oasis

Journey to the rose-hued rocks, antiquities and greenery of the Dakhla Oasis.

Day 10 El Kharga Oasis

Explore palm lined streets, unspoilt springs and the Temple of Hebes. Sleep under a million stars in this special part of Egypt.

Days 11-13 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 14-16 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 17-18 Lake Nasser/Wadi Halfa

Camp under Sudan's open sky.

Days 19-20 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 21-24 Atbara/Red Sea/Atbara

Explore a succession of temples - including the hilltop Temple of Amun - that dot the desert terrain. Continue to roam the remote dunes of Sudan, stopping at night to camp under the stars.

Day 25 Meroe

Admire the spectacular pyramids of Meroe, explore Naqa's Lion Temple and the palace of Musawwarat.

Day 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

Spend the night in Gedaref.

Days 28-30 Gonder

Visit Ethiopia's fascinating castles in Gondar.

Day 31 Debark

Stop off in Debark.

Days 32-34 Simien Mountains National Park

Hike Ethiopia's Simien Mountains, passing eroded volcanic cores and raging rivers.

Day 35 Enda Selassie

Take in views from Enda Selassie.

Days 36-37 Aksum

Visit Aksum, Ethiopia's city with a web of underground tombs.

Day 38 Mekele

Wander Mekele's cliff-face cave churches in the Tigray Region.

Day 39 Woldiya

Peruse the markets at Woldiya.

Days 40-42 Lalibela

Peer into Ethiopia's rock-hewn churches at Lalibela.

Day 43-45 Bahir Dar

See Ethiopia's Blue Nile Falls.

Day 46 Dejen

Spend the night in peaceful Dejen.

Days 47-49 Addis Ababa

Stop by Ethiopia's bustling capital.

Day 1 Addis Ababa

Begin your African adventure with some traditional cuisine and perhaps some local music as you get acquainted with the fun-loving culture. Why not arrive a little early and check out the Ethnological Museum, a fascinating glimpse into Ethiopia's tribal heritage.

Day 50 Lake Abiyata

Relax in hot springs.

Days 51-53 Bale Mountains National Park

Go on game spotting expeditions.

Day 54 Wendo Genet

Camp overnight at hot springs.

Day 55 Awassa

Visit the Children’s Project at Awassa.

Days 56-57 Arba Minch

Embark on a boat trip or visit a crocodile farm.
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:

    70 breakfasts, 70 lunches, 70 dinners

  • Accommodation:

    Bungalow (2 nts), Bush camp (no facilities) (15 nts), Camp site (1 nt), Camping (with basic facilities) (7 nts), Camping (with facilities) (51 nts), Chalet (3 nts), Hotel (30 nts), Lodge (4 nts), Overnight ferry (1 nt)

  • Transport:

    4x4 Safari Vehicle, 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, Dairy farm visit, 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, 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

  • Carbon emissions offset:

    3366kg pp per trip

  • Notes:

    1. This is a combination trip. Please see trip notes (Important notes) for more details.
    2. Please note that this trip requires minimum numbers to depart, and may be cancelled up until 56 days prior to departure. The places showing on the dates and availability page are an indication only so please contact Intrepid to check if your preferred date will depart before making any final arrangements, such as booking non-changeable flights.
Contact us

About Botswana , Egypt , Ethiopia , Kenya , Malawi , Mozambique , Namibia , South Africa , Sudan , Tanzania , Zimbabwe

    • 117
    • XXOBC
    • 4.61 out of 5
    • Contact us Discontinued trips tool tip
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Overland, Wildlife
    • Basix
Contact us

Shortlist

No trips.
Travellers who experienced this trip have rated it…
4.61
/5
99% of travellers say they would travel with us again.
Trip Map

Recently Viewed

Clear list

intrepid meet up