Cape Town to Zanzibar

41 Days | Explore Africa on a wildlife-rich adventure through South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Tanzania

4.7 out of 5 based on 13 reviews submitted.
Overland
Wildlife
From
USD $5,207
View dates and book

Travel from the southern tip of South Africa to Tanzania’s famous Spice Island on this epic Overland journey through Africa. Starting in Cape Town, head through remote deserts, rolling savannas and lush mountains; cruise delta waterways by canoe, feel the spray of the massive Victoria Falls and meet locals in rural villages. Take 4WD safari drives through three national parks in search of elephants, lions and hippos, relax on pristine beaches and sample local cuisine on this all-encompassing African adventure.

Trip overview

Map of Cape Town To Zanzibar including Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, United Republic Of, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Start
Cape Town, South Africa
Finish
Zanzibar, Africa
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Destinations
Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 22
Trip code
UXOBC
This trip generates 18 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Track rhinos on foot in Matobo National Park, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna including warthogs, leopards, and klipsingers. Learn about the park's cultural significance and San rock paintings.
  • Enjoy a full-day game drive in Etosha National Park, home to a wide range of Southern Africa's wildlife, and glide through the waterways of the Okovango Delta on a mokoro (a small dugout canoe), escaping civilisation at with an overnight stay at an island camp.
  • The cascades and evaporating mist of Victoria Falls are a wondrous sight. Have the opportunity to see the falls from multiple angles, perhaps with a bird’s eye view in a helicopter!
  • Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to learn about the rehabilitation of wildlife from poaching and get the chance to meet some rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care.
  • Journey from the interior plains out to some idyllic Indian Ocean hotspots. Take a stroll along the shores in Dares Salaam and laze on the beaches in paradisiacal Zanzibar.

Is this trip right for you?
  • We use mokoros (small dugout canoes) to pass through the shallow waterways of the Okavango Delta to get to our campsite for the night.
  • We use our purpose-built overland vehicles for the duration of this trip. This multi-purpose truck allows for great game viewing with large sliding windows. As such the trucks do not have air-conditioning and conditions can be dusty and hot.
  • The overland vehicle is large enough to seat up to 22 passengers and carries all the camping equipment needed for the duration of this trip. Therefore the going can be slow over the long distances and often bumpy roads.
  • This is a participatory camping trip. You will be expected to set up and take down you own tent as well as assist with food preparation and cleaning.
  • As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Map of Cape Town To Zanzibar including Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, United Republic Of, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Inclusions

Meals

37 breakfasts, 22 lunches, 30 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Mokoro, Ferry, Minibus

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (31 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night), Camping (without facilities) (1 night), Cabin (3 nights), Hotel (2 night), Bunglow (2 night)

Activities
  • Fish River Canyon - Canyon entrance
  • Sossusvlei - 4x4 Tour
  • Sesriem - Sand dunes visit
  • Cape Cross Nature Reserve - Cape Cross seal colony
  • Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Grootfontein - San Bushman cultural experience
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
  • Okavango Delta - Boat Safari
  • Okavango Delta - Nature Walk
  • Okavango Delta – Mokoro Safari
  • Okavango Delta - Nature walk
  • Chobe National Park - Dawn 4WD Safari
  • Victoria Falls - Visit to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust
  • Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings
  • Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
  • South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Afternoon Game Drive
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Dawn Game Drive
  • Mikumi National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
Add on activities
  • Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike - ZAR1600
  • Cape Town - Table Mountain Aerial Cable - ZAR380
  • Cape Town - Robben Island tour - ZAR550
  • Cape Town - Best of the Cape Combo Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula and SUP Tour - Full Day - ZAR2100
  • Cape Town - Robben Island Ferry & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR1800
  • Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Full Day - ZAR1800
  • Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Half Day - ZAR1350
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - Cape Malay Cooking Tour - Half Day - ZAR1200
  • Cape Town - Township Experience - Half Day - ZAR965
  • Cape Town - City and Waterfront Tour - Half Day - ZAR1100
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Kirstenbosch Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - District Six & Bo-Kapp Cultural Tour - Half Day - ZAR965
  • Klawer - Winery visit & tasting - ZAR140
  • Orange River - Canoe trip - NAD550
  • Swakopmund - Swakopmund Museum - USD2
  • Swakopmund - Sea kayaking - USD85
  • Swakopmund - Seal and dolphin cruise - USD60
  • Swakopmund - Horse riding - USD65
  • Swakopmund – Living Desert Tour - USD60
  • Swakopmund – Township Tour - USD45
  • Spitzkoppe - San People rock painting guided walk - ZAR50
  • Etosha National Park - Evening Game Drive - ZAR750
  • Bagani - Sunset Cruise - USD25
  • Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - USD280
  • Chobe National Park - Boat Cruise - BWP270
  • Chobe National Park - 4WD Safari - BWP580
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance - USD50
  • Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
  • Victoria Falls - Rafting & river boarding (half day) - USD218
  • Victoria Falls - Village & township tour - USD61
  • Victoria Falls - Canoe trail wine route - USD55
  • Bulawayo - Railway Museum - USD5
  • Balawayo - Natural History Museum - USD10
  • Harare - National Archives - USD3
  • Harare - National Botanical Gardens - USD5
  • Harare - National Gallery - USD10
  • South Luangwa National Park - Game Walk - USD50
  • Lake Malawi - Guided village walks - USD15
  • Lake Malawi - Bike Hire - USD25
  • Lake Malawi - Snorkelling - USD25
  • Stone Town Tour - Dharajani Market, Joseph's Cathederal, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market - USD20
  • Zanzibar - Prison Island Tour - USD25
  • Stone Town - Handicraft & Music Urban Adventure - USD50
  • Zanzibar - Spice tour - USD25
  • Zanzibar - Snorkelling - USD50
  • Zanzibar - Dhow Trip - USD35

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 7,8,9 (Chalet) and Days 17 (Camping) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip is a combination of UXOF, YXON and YXOS of our most popular itineraries. As such the make up of your group and your leader may change on Days 22 and 38.
3. The Zanzibar portion of your itinerary may have a few more passengers than the maximum group size of 22 as we have a crossover of trips starting and finishing in Zanzibar.
4. This trip starts in Cape Town on Day 1 at 6pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Cape Town.
This trip finishes upon arrival in Stone Town on Day 41. Please do not book any flights until after 2 pm this afternoon.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 13 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Caroline · Traveled February 2024
42 days across Africa became an endurance due to the elderly vehicle that at 2014 is way past it's best. That alone spoilt the trip. Too many hours on the road with early starts and late finishes made many days as wasted day for culuture or seeing and meeting locals.
Review submitted 26 Mar 2024

Hannah · Traveled August 2023
This was an amazing trip and I would highly recommend it. There are some very early mornings and long driving days but the sights and animals you see are worth it.
Review submitted 15 Sep 2023

Andrea · Traveled June 2023
An epic overlanding trip through southern Africa with stunning scenery, numerous game drives, and many opportunities to experience local culture. A must-do trip!!
Review submitted 03 Aug 2023

Gregory · Traveled June 2023
If you looking for a real adventure this is it. The crew on ground were incredibly good and helpful. The trip between Victoria falls and Zanzibar has some really long drives but that’s part of the adventure. Our leader Laban, Chef Henry and Patrick the driver made our holiday incredibly memorable. We enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.
Review submitted 03 Aug 2023

Mona · Traveled June 2023
The Intrepid group from Cape Town to Zanzibar was the best experience I’ve ever had in a group tour!! The guide, chef and driver made sure we had a safe, enjoyable and rich experience as we travelled through Africa! I highly recommend this tour if you are looking for adventure and a rich cultural experience in a safe and responsible way!
Review submitted 10 Aug 2023
Cape Town to Zanzibar
From
USD $5,207