Zanzibar to Cape Town: 34 Day Adventure Tour (Camping)

Day 1. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Our journey kicks off with a fast ferry across to the spice island of Zanzibar. Our first night is in Stone Town. Head out the the markets or marvel at the many winding alleyways with the traders seated on door-steps along the way. There are many restaurants and cafes to choose from for meals while on the island - try the fresh seafood delights or savour the flavours of the fresh fruit the island is famous for.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Day 2. Stone Town to Kendwa Beach Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania.

Kendwa is home to some of the white sandy sun-kissed beaches that Zanzibar is famous for and this morning we transfer North from Stone Town to this resort.

Along the way, opt to join a Spice tour - a great insight into the local produce and history of the area.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

Day 3. Kendwa Beach

Enjoy the tranquil beaches and possibly take a dhow safari to snorkel and swim in the clear warm waters or possibly explore the local area. The day is free to do as much or as little as you like!

Day 4. Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Leaving the beautiful Zanzibari beaches behind this morning we travel down through the island to Stone Town. We catch the ferry this afternoon back to Dar es Salaam to our beachside camp for the night.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Day 5. Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park area Highlights. Mikumi National Park, Tanzania.

Our travelling day starts early as we negotiate the traffic to get out of the city and once out on the open road we travel through the beautiful countryside of Tanzania.

Our journey takes us through the Mikumi National Park where we may be lucky enough to spot some animals grazing alongside the road and on to our camp a short distance from the park.

If time allows, we may have the opportunity for a game drive in the park itself.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Day 6. Mikumi National Park to Iringa

Continuing on through Tanzania the route takes us up towards the Southern Highlands along with a pleasant fresh climate.

Our camp for the night is at a working organic farm which has been in the same family for over 70 years known for its cosy bar and fantastic chocolate brownies.

Day 7. Iringa to Chitimba Beach, Malawi Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi.

Travelling through the rolling hills dotted with tea plantations we gradually drop down towards the border with Malawi at the Songwe River. After completing the formalities our journey takes us on to the sparkling blue waters of Lake Malawi and our beach camp.

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

Day 8. Chitimba Beach Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi.

We have a day at leisure on the beach or we can enjoy the hike up the Livingstonia Plateau to the Manchewe Falls to take in some stunning views over the lake and have a refreshing swim in the pools.

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

Day 9. Chitimba Beach to Kande Beach

Continuing onwards through Malawi, our route takes us inland through the market town of Mzuzu where we have the chance to explore the colourful markets before continuing onwards through ordered rubber plantations along the lake shore to Kande Beach.

Day 10. Kande Beach Highlights. Kande Beach Activities, Malawi.

We have a relaxing day at leisure today on the beautiful beaches of Lake Malawi.

There are a wide variety of different activities available at Kande Beach either on or in the water, swimming, snorkelling or diving or possibly on land visiting the local village or horse riding in the forests and beaches.

3 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

Day 11. Kande Beach to Chipata, Zambia

Travelling from the beach and Lake Malawi, our journey takes us to the north of the capital city, Lilongwe before reaching the border with Zambia.

We patiently wait for border formalities to be completed before continuing onto the nearby town of Chipata with its colourful markets and mosques. Our camp is a short distance out of town.

Day 12. Chipata to Lusaka Highlights. Lusaka, Zambia.

Continuing onwards through Zambia passing numerous small villages we eventually reach the capital city, Lusaka and our camp a short distance out of the city on a peaceful farm.

Day 13. Lusaka to Livingstone Highlights. Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia.

After another day of travelling through Zambia we reach the town of Livingstone close to the mighty Victoria Falls. We visit the falls themselves and walk around the various pathways taking in this awe inspiring sight.

Our camp is just upstream from the falls themselves on the banks of the Zambezi and there are a wide range of different activities on offer in the area. Our team will be on hand to assist in ensuring we make the most of our time here.

3 images Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia

Day 14-16. Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia.

We have three days at leisure in the Livingstone area. Possibly enjoy a day white water rafting on the mighty Zambezi river shooting rapids with makes like 'The Devils Toilet Bowl' and 'Overland Truck Eater' or maybe take a more relaxed canoe safari on the upper stretches of the river.

3 images Livingstone Activities, Zambia

Day 17. Livingstone to Kasane, Botswana Highlights. Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana.

Travelling the sort distance to the Kazangula Ferry we cross the border into Botswana and on to the nearby Chobe National Park.

This afternoon we embark on a Fish Eagle Cruise on the Chobe River hoping to get some fantastic game viewing.

3 images Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana

Day 18. Chobe National Park to Nata Highlights. Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana. Chobe National Park, Botswana. Elephant Sands, Nata, Botswana.

We are up early this morning to enjoy a 4x4 game drive in Chobe National Park after cruising on the river we get a different perspective on the park.

We continue our journey through Botswana where we may even encounter more animals along the road before reaching our camp in Nata. Unfenced from the wildlife we are often lucky enough to have animals roaming through the camp, most notable herds of Elephants.

3 images Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana

3 images Chobe National Park, Botswana

3 images Elephant Sands, Nata, Botswana

Day 19. Nata to Maun Highlights. Maun, Botswana.

Continuing westwards through Botswana and the sands of the Kalahari we reach the town of Maun which is the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Stocking up on supplies in town before having the afternoon relaxing in the pleasant camp.

3 images Maun, Botswana

Day 20. Maun to Okavango Delta Highlights. Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Leaving our camp we depart on a 4x4 safari vehicle and then into traditional dugout canoes (mokoros) where we explore this vast inland delta with its labyrinth of channels and islands.

The Delta is a wilderness paradise and while exploring both on foot and in the mokoros we may be lucky enough to have some good game sightings.

Our camp on one of the islands provides a wilderness home for the night.

5 images Okavango Delta, Botswana

Day 21. Okavango Delta to Maun

After a morning game walk we retrace our steps back to the base in Maun. This afternoon we can either check out the town or take an optional flight over the delta and try spotting some game from the air!

Day 22. Maun, Botswana to Omaheke Region, Namibia Highlights. Kalahari Bushman Walk, Omaheke Region, Namibia.

Travelling on through the vastness of Botswana and the edges of the Kalahari Desert we cross into Namibia and make tracks to our camp for the night. Here we meet the San / Bushmen and learn about their culture and how they survive in this harsh and seemingly barren landscape.

3 images Kalahari Bushman Walk, Omaheke Region, Namibia

Day 23. Omaheke Region to Windhoek Highlights. Windhoek, Namibia.

First off we travel to Windhoek, the small capital city with its interesting Germanic colonial architecture. This evening we might enjoy visiting one of the well known German restaurants in the city.

Day 24. Windhoek to Etosha National Park

With a change of direction we head north towards the Etosha National Park and the vast salt pan that dominates the landscape. The shimmering white pan can apparently been seen from space.

There are a variety of waterholes in the park and we camp at one of these. Floodlit at night it allows us to head down to watch animals come in to drink under the cover of darkness.

Day 25. Etosha National Park Highlights. Etosha National Park, Namibia.

We enjoy a full day game driving in the park today hoping to catch sight of some of the animals that the park is so famous for including elephant, giraffe and possibly rhino. Etosha is classified as a desert National Park so keep an eye open for the prancing Springbok, and regal looking Oryx as you travel through the wild.

This evening we return to our camp by the waterhole to hopefully catch some more nocturnal sightings.

3 images Etosha National Park, Namibia

Day 26. Etosha National Park to Spitzkoppe Highlights. Spitzkoppe, Namibia.

Having travelled through the Etosha National Park our journey takes us south through the eerily beautiful Damaraland region of Namibia to Spitzkoppe and it's unique rock formations dotted with bushman paintings.

We stay in a community run camp at the foot of the rock formations.

3 images Spitzkoppe, Namibia

Day 27. Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund Highlights. Swakopmund, Namibia.

Heading for the west coast of the African continent and the cool waters of the South Atlantic we are heading for Swakopmund, a cool and refreshing seaside town, from where we can take part in a variety of different activities both in the nearby sand dunes and over them!

3 images Swakopmund, Namibia

Day 28. Swakopmund Highlights. Swakopmund, Namibia.

We have the day at leisure today to possibly enjoy quad biking, sand boarding or even a skydive! Alternatively, it could be simply enjoying some of the fantastic coffee shops in the town and enjoying a view of the tumultuous Atlantic ocean

3 images Swakopmund, Namibia

Day 29. Swakopmund to Sossus On Foot Camp, Khomas Region Highlights. The Tropic of Capricorn.

Leaving the coast behind, we turn inland over the Tropic of Capricorn, stopping for a photo opportunity en-route to our desert camp. It's here we admire the views over this vast desert and spend the night under canvas.

3 images The Tropic of Capricorn

Day 30. Sossus On Foot camp, Khomas Region to Sesriem area Highlights. Dune 45, Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia. Sesriem Canyon, Namibia. Sossusvlei, Namibia.

Up early this morning to enter the Namib Naukluft National Park. The rising sun causes the sands to appear as if they are changing colour and we are able to watch the desert come to life by climbing Dune 45. After the challenging climb we are rewarded by a hearty breakfast before taking a shuttle to Dead Vlei where we have a guided tour.

3 images Dune 45, Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia

3 images Sesriem Canyon, Namibia

3 images Sossusvlei, Namibia

Day 31. Sesriem area to Fish River Canyon Highlights. Fish River Canyon, Namibia.

Our journey continues southbound through the barren and rocky landscape dotted with strange looking quiver trees.

Reaching the Fish River Canyon, which, at over 160km long is the worlds second largest.

Our crew will take you to the best spots for some stunning photo opportunities

3 images Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Day 32. Fish River Canyon to Orange River Highlights. Orange (Gariep) River, Namibia.

Heading south, we travel through rocky terrain dotted with quiver trees and succulents native to the area and make our way to the Orange River bordering Namibia and South Africa. Our camp is located on the river bank on the Namibian side and here you will have the opportunity to take an option canoe, walk the magnificent rugged kloofs or relax by the water.

3 images Orange (Gariep) River, Namibia

Day 33. Orange River to Cederberg Area Highlights. Cederberg, South Africa.

Our penultimate day on the Acacia vehicle takes us from the Namibia side across the border to South Africa of the arid Northern Cape towards the fruit and citrus growing areas of the Western Cape. Travelling through this area in the spring months we will be rewarded by views over fields of wildflowers.

This afternoon we have the opportunity to taste some of South Africa's locally produced wine at our camp overlooking vineyards.

3 images Cederberg, South Africa

Day 34. Cederberg Area to Cape Town Highlights. Cape Town, South Africa.

Back onto the Acacia vehicle for the final leg of our adventure down to the 'Mother City' Cape Town. One of the world's most iconic cities dominated by Table Mountain towering over the city.

We recommend having a couple of extra days in Cape Town at the end of the journey to make the most of everything that is on offer here.