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Cairo to Cape Town Overview

    • 142
    • XDOBC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $10,070
      CAD $10,130
      AUD $9,790
      EUR €7,845
      GBP £6,105
      NZD $12,550
      ZAR R78,290
      CHF FR9,085
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $6,000
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $16,070*
      CAD $15,956*
      AUD $15,532*
      EUR €12,033*
      GBP £9,765*
      NZD $19,750*
      ZAR R120,020*
      CHF FR13,831*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Explorer, Overland, Wildlife
    • Basix
Book
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

Trip Validity

  • 2013-01-01 - 2013-12-31

If you've ever wanted to 'do Africa', this is the definitive trip. In 142 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. Take in a dizzying array of natural wonders and cultural encounters, be humbled by the welcoming smiles of local villagers, wander through 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 an adventurous spirit, but offers countless rewards in return.

  • -Marvel at the Giant's Playground

Trip Map


Cairo to Cape Town Summary

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Days 1-2 Cairo

Explore the iconic Great Sphinx, the 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 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

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 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.

Days 26-27 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 28 Gedaref

Travel across the rolling African savanna to camp beneath the stars in Gedaref area.

Days 29-30 Gonder

Discover Gondar's castles, churches and palaces. The city is often referred to as 'Africa's Camelot'.

Day 31 Debark

Arrive at the gateway to the Simien Mountains, the town of Debark, and prepare for the trek ahead.

Days 32-34 Simien Mountains National Park

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

Day 35 Enda Selassie

Travel through the rugged countryside towards Aksum, stopping overnight in Enda Selassie.

Days 36-37 Aksum

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

Day 38 Mekele

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

Day 39 Woldiya

Venture further into the Ethiopian landscape and spend the night at a bush camp near 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 Ethiopia's bustling capital.

Day 50 Lake Abiyata

Head to the crystallised white shorelines of Lake Abiyata, home to vast flocks of flamingos that cover the water in a pink haze. Keep an eye out for fish eagles and a plethora of other birdlife who come to feed on the prolific algae the lake provides.

Days 51-53 Bale Mountains National Park

Drive high to the plateau of the Bale Mountains National Park in search of the Simien fox, perhaps explore the riding trails on horseback. Take time to traverse a varying landscape of exotic moorlands and thick forest, criss-crossed by fast-flowing streams.

Day 54 Wendo Genet

Descend from the mountain tops and relax in the luxurious hot springs of Wendo Genet. Let all your stresses wash away in the warm waters, situated in the centre of the panoramic beauty of Ethiopia's natural landscape.

Day 55 Awassa

Pay a visit to the Awassa Children's Project, which promotes sensible, culturally responsible relief work aimed at assisting children primarily orphaned by AIDS, as well as educating the population about the disease and its prevention. See how the members of the organisation work tirelessly to bring about better healthcare and a higher standard of life for their community.

Days 56-57 Arba Minch

Journey to Arba Minch, a town that boasts glorious views of the two Rift Valley lakes of Abaya and Chamo. Perhaps search for a bargain in the vibrant market or take a boat out on to the lake and glide passed 'crocodile market', where vast numbers of crocs congregate.

Days 58-60 Omo Valley Region

Travel into the Omo Valley to experience local markets full of local produce and handicrafts. Visit multiple completely unique tribes, each with their own histories and traditions.
View full itinerary

What's included in this trip

  • Start:

    Cairo, Egypt

  • Finish:

    Cape Town, South Africa

  • Group size:

    Min 4 , Max 21

  • Ages:

    Min 18

  • Meals:

    All meals when camping

  • Accommodation:

    Bungalow (1 nt), Bush camp (no facilities) (21 nts), Camp site (1 nt), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nts), Camping (with facilities) (75 nts), Hostel (3 nts), Hotel (31 nts), Lodge (4 nts), Overnight ferry (1 nt)

  • Transport:

    Ferry, Mokoro, Overland vehicle

  • Included activities:

    1/2 Day Lake Tana reed boat trip, 2 day canoe trip on the Lower Zambezi, Awassa Children's Project, Blue Nile Gorge, Cape Cross seal colony, Chimpanzee trekking, Dairy farm visit, Elsamere Conservation Centre, Entrance Blue Nile Falls, Fish River Canyon, Game drive, Game Drive, Lake Nakuru National Park, Game drives, 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, Guided walk, Kariandusi School Project Visit, Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Kigali - Genocide Memorial, Kushite temples and pyramids at Jebel Barkal, Launch trip, Masai Mara - Game drive, Mountain gorilla trek & permit, Ngorongoro Crater - Game drive, Painted Dog Conservation Centre, Samburu - Game Drive, Serengeti - Game drive, Simien Mountains trek (2 days), Tigray Rock-hewn Churches, Usambara Village Education Project visit, village walk & lunch, 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:

    4120kg pp per trip

  • Notes:

    1. Please note that in order to confirm your booking on this trip we will require a scanned copy of your passport at time of booking.
    2.This trip requires an additional non-refundable deposit ( AUD1000, USD1000, EUR800, NZD1250, GBP650, CAD1000, ZAR8000, CHF900 ) in order to secure a gorilla permit.
    3. 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.

  • Trip price from

    USD $10,070
    CAD $10,130
    AUD $9,790
    EUR €7,845
    GBP £6,105
    NZD $12,550
    ZAR R78,290
    CHF FR9,085
    Price information
  • +

    Kitty

    USD $6,000
    ‡ Price information

  • Total price from

    USD $16,070*
    CAD $15,956*
    AUD $15,532*
    EUR €12,033*
    GBP £9,765*
    NZD $19,750*
    ZAR R120,020*
    CHF FR13,831*
    *     Price information
  • * Refer to booking conditions
  • ‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

  • Per day from:

    USD $113
    CAD $112
    AUD $109
    EUR €84
    GBP £68
    NZD $139
    ZAR R845
    CHF FR97
Book

About Botswana , Egypt , Ethiopia , Kenya , Malawi , Namibia , Rwanda , South Africa , Sudan , Tanzania , Uganda , Zambia , Zimbabwe

    • 142
    • XDOBC
    • Trip Price tool tip
      USD $10,070
      CAD $10,130
      AUD $9,790
      EUR €7,845
      GBP £6,105
      NZD $12,550
      ZAR R78,290
      CHF FR9,085
    • Kitty tool tip
      USD $6,000
      ‡
    • Total price tool tip
      USD $16,070*
      CAD $15,956*
      AUD $15,532*
      EUR €12,033*
      GBP £9,765*
      NZD $19,750*
      ZAR R120,020*
      CHF FR13,831*
      *
    •  
       
       
       
       
    •  
       
       
       
       
    • Explorer, Overland, Wildlife
    • Basix
Book
‡ As our kitty is flexible the indicated amount is indicative only - please click here to view the kitty amount for your departure date.

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