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

Day 1. Cape Town, South Africa to Cederberg Area Highlights. Cape Town, South Africa. Cape Winelands, South Africa. Cederberg, South Africa.

Our journey begins in South Africa's Mother City, Cape Town, one of the world's most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities in the world. We start off visiting one of the townships on the Cape Flats to give us an insight into what life is like for a vast amount of the local population. Leaving the cape behind, we track north through various wine and citrus farming regions. This evening we have the option to sample some of South Africa's famous wine at a tasting.

3 images Cape Town, South Africa

3 images Cape Winelands, South Africa

3 images Cederberg, South Africa

Day 2. Cederberg Area to Gariep (Orange) River, Namibia Highlights. Orange (Gariep) River, Namibia.

The countryside turns semi-desert as we continue our journey northbound. However, during springtime we are lucky enough to see bright fields of colour with the spring flowers blooming. Our camp, situated on the banks of the Gariep (Orange) River Namibia side, affords us the opportunity to take a canoe out on the river or enjoy the scenic views from the bar area. Free from light pollution, the camp is an idyllic spot to star gaze and possibly witness a shooting star or two.

3 images Orange (Gariep) River, Namibia

Day 3. Gariep (Orange) River to Fish River Canyon Highlights. Fish River Canyon, Namibia.

It's only a relatively short journey today to the world famous Fish River Canyon.

Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa and the vistas it provides rival that of the Grand Canyon. Our night stop near the canyon allows us to explore some of the trails, shoot some amazing pictures or simply take in the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder.

3 images Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Day 4. Fish River Canyon to Sesriem Area Highlights. Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia.

Namibia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world and today we travel to the gateway to the Namib Naukluft National Park. The national park is home to both the world's oldest desert, along with some of the highest sand dunes.

3 images Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia

Day 5. Namib Naukluft National Park to Sossus On Foot Camp, Khomas Region Highlights. Dune 45, Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia. Sesriem Canyon, Namibia. Sossusvlei, Namibia.

We are up at dawn to enter Namib Naukluft National Park and trek up one of the towering dunes as the sun steadily rises, changing the colours of the sand as a sign of a new day. Trekking up the dunes can be tough, as some are over 300m tall, but the spectacular views are well worth the steep climb.

We continue on a shuttle ride further into the park and take a nature walk to Dead Vlei for some great photo opportunities before travelling via the Sesriem Canyon and Namibia's smallest town, Solitaire to our camp for the evening situated on a local farm.

3 images Dune 45, Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia

3 images Sesriem Canyon, Namibia

3 images Sossusvlei, Namibia

Day 6. Sossus On Foot Camp, Khomas Region to Swakopmund Highlights. Swakopmund, Namibia. The Tropic of Capricorn.

Crossing into the tropics this morning, we head out to Namibia's coast. Swakopmund is generally refreshingly cool thanks to the cold currents coming off the Atlantic Ocean and here we find a strong German influence having being founded as the main harbour for colonial German South West Africa.

Adventure activities abound in Swakopmund and we enjoy two nights enjoying this vibey coastal town.

3 images Swakopmund, Namibia

3 images The Tropic of Capricorn

Day 7. Swakopmund Highlights. Swakopmund, Namibia.

Quad biking, sand boarding, and sky diving are a few of the dare-devilish ways to discover the dunes. Our team in Swakop, as it's locally known, will take us through the options and make sure we make the most of the time here. One thing that surely shouldn't be missed is the amazing cafe culture!

3 images Swakopmund, Namibia

Day 8. Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe Highlights. Spitzkoppe, Namibia.

Turning inland and away from the cooling breezes off the Atlantic Ocean, our adventure takes us into Damaraland and the peculiar rock formations and bushman paintings in this spectacular area. This is a very special spot, especially at sunrise and sunset where the rocks seem to change colour in the low rays of the strong African sun.

Our camp for the night is a community-owned and run ensuring our visit benefits the local community.

3 images Spitzkoppe, Namibia

Day 9. Spitzkoppe to Etosha National Park

Onward north, we get to enjoy our first game experience on this adventure tour. Etosha National Park is dominated by the central salt pan and seasonally managed waterholes which support a wide range of animal and bird species.

We spend two nights in Etosha, usually camping at one of the floodlit waterholes, which offers a truly unique experience watching the wild animals coming to drink in the cool of the night.

Day 10. Etosha National Park Highlights. Etosha National Park, Namibia.

Today we enjoy the many sights that are on offer in the park. Game driving in the Acacia safari vehicle allows us to peer over the other vehicles in the park and get some amazing wildlife shots. Before returning to camp, we enjoy a sun-downer by one of the floodlit waterholes to round off the wild and wonderful day.

3 images Etosha National Park, Namibia

Day 11. Etosha National Park to Windhoek Highlights. Windhoek, Namibia.

Turning south our journey takes us to Namibia's capital city, Windhoek. Like Swakopmund, there is a strong German influence and this is reflected in the architecture of the pleasant city. Why not take the opportunity to experience one of the local night spots?

Day 12. Windhoek to Omaheke Region Highlights. Kalahari Bushman Walk, Omaheke Region, Namibia.

Travelling eastbound through the Kalahari region our journey takes via Gobabis towards the Botswana border. We spend the night at a campsite in this seemingly barren region of the Bushman.

Here we have the opportunity to meet with these amazing people and learn more about the ancient tribal culture. It is also an eco-tourism venture that creates a sustainable environment to keep their culture alive.

3 images Kalahari Bushman Walk, Omaheke Region, Namibia

Day 13. Omaheke Region to Maun, Botswana Highlights. Maun, Botswana.

We continue onward and cross into Botswana. Our first night here is the town of Maun. Located on the banks of the Thamalakane River, Maun is a thriving tourist town and the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Depending on timing, there might be the opportunity this afternoon to take a scenic flight over the 'Delta' itself.

3 images Maun, Botswana

Day 14. Maun to Okavango Delta Highlights. Okavango Delta, Botswana.

First off we are onto a 4x4 open vehicle transfer to meet our local guides who will be accompanying us in the mokoros (dugout canoes) in the Delta.

The Okavango Delta is a river that never quite reaches the sea but spreads out into the sands of the Kalahari and forms a network of channels and islands. Here, we enjoy the afternoon in the wilderness hoping to spot some local wildlife.

5 images Okavango Delta, Botswana

Day 15. Okavango Delta to Maun

After spending a night in the wilds of the delta, we board our mokoros and head back to our camp in Maun. Again, this afternoon it is possible to arrange a flight over the UNESCO heritage site that is the delta or simply enjoy a relaxing day by the camp pool.

Day 16. Maun to Elephant Sands Highlights. Elephant Sands, Nata, Botswana.

Our journey continues today travelling between the famous Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans towards the small settlement of Nata. Iconic baobab trees dot the landscape en route to our camp, which is unfenced to allow animals to freely roam from one waterhole to another. Close wildlife encounters are expected during our stay!

3 images Elephant Sands, Nata, Botswana

Day 17. Elephant Sands to Kasane Highlights. Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana. Chobe National Park, Botswana.

Turning Northbound this morning we head for Kasane and the gateway to the Chobe National Park, home to elephant, buffalo, hippo and abundant birdlife. With the Chobe River forming the northern boundary, we take an afternoon fish eagle cruise along the river for some unique game viewing experiences.

3 images Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana

3 images Chobe National Park, Botswana

Day 18. Kasane to Livingstone, Zambia Highlights. Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana.

This morning we experience Chobe National Park on open 4x4 vehicle game drive with a specialised guide to get a different perspective of the park. Afterwards, we take a pontoon ferry across to Zambia and head to our camp just upstream from the world-renowned Victoria Falls.

3 images Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana

Day 19-20. Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia. Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia.

We have two free days in the adventure mecca that is Livingstone. We will visit the falls themselves and explore the labyrinth of paths around the twists and turns of the gorge.

There are plenty of activities on offer in the area including flights over the falls, bungee jumps and white water rafting to name but a few.

Our team at the camp will be able to assist in arranging activities to ensure that we make the most of the time available.

3 images Livingstone Activities, Zambia

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

Day 21. Livingsone to Lusaka Highlights. Lusaka, Zambia.

Today we are back on the road continuing our adventure towards the warm Indian Ocean. Travelling through the lush Zambian countryside we pass through small villages and communities before arriving at the capital city, Lusaka, which is our destination for the night.

Day 22. Lusaka to Petauke

Driving through beautiful countryside and small villages, we cross the Luangwa River and reach our accommodation for the night, 5km from Petauke.

Day 23. Petauke to South Luangwa National Park

Onward through Zambia we leave the tar road behind, we journey to the renowned South Luangwa National Park. The seasonality of this park makes it a dynamic and interesting visit year-round. On arrival, we set up our camp and can either spend the rest of the day relaxing around the pool or possibly take an optional excursion into one of the villages or a walking safari in the park.

Day 24. South Luangwa National Park to Chipata Highlights. South Luangwa National Park.

We meet our local ranger who will take us on a morning game drive in an open vehicle to spot some of the wildlife in this park.

Amongst South Luangwa's many herbivores, three stand out as being endemic to the area. The beautiful Thornicroft's giraffe, Cookson's wildebeest and the Crawshay's zebra.

Following our game drive we make our way to Chipata for the night.

3 images South Luangwa National Park

Day 25. Chipata to Kande Beach, Malawi

Today we journey across the Zambian border into Malawi. Travelling to the north of Malawi's capital city Lilongwe, we are accompanied by the smiles and waves of the friendly local population in the 'Warm Heart of Africa,'' to our pleasant beach camp. Our camp rests on the shores of the lake which takes up the majority of the country's area, Lake Malawi.

Day 26. Kande Beach Highlights. Kande Beach Activities, Malawi.

Kande Beach on the central lake shore is an idyllic spot to kick back, chill out, and enjoy the cool, fresh water. There are a wide variety of different optional activities available, which include meandering through the local village, snorkelling or hiring a pedalo. The choice is yours.

3 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

Day 27. Kande Beach to Chitimba Beach Highlights. Chitimba Beach.

Tracking north along the sparkling waters of Lake Malawi, our journey takes us through the lush and ordered rubber plantations to the regional capital of Mzuzu. We briefly stop to stock up on supplies and explore the colourful and eclectic markets before heading back down towards the lake shore. Chitimba Beach will be our home for the next night, which sits beautifully at the foot of the Livingstone Plateau.

3 images Chitimba Beach

Day 28. Chitimba Beach to Iringa, Tanzania

Crossing another border today we leave the sandy beaches of Lake Malawi and continue northwards into southern Tanzania. Climbing steadily up the route takes us through neat tea plantations clinging onto the hillsides and offering stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

Our camp for the night is on an organic working farm in the Southern Highlands with a nice cosy bar, great for those chilly evenings.

Day 29. Iringa to Mikumi National Park area Highlights. Mikumi National Park, Tanzania.

Today, we head further east to the Mikumi National Park area and set up camp at a locally run lodge just outside the park gates.

This afternoon is yours at leisure. Relax by the pool and bar area or join an afternoon optional game drive inside the park itself. Tanzania's 4th largest National park, Mikumi offers a variety of animals to view including elephants, buffalo, Lion, leopard and over 400 species of birds.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Day 30. Mikumi to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Travelling east, we make our way to the hot and humid bustling city of Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast. Our route takes us through Mikumi National Park and we may be lucky enough to see elephant and giraffe grazing along the side of the road. After working through the busy traffic we reach our camp for the night on a palm fringed Indian Ocean beach with the sounds of the waves lapping on the shore.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Day 31. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Packing what we need for the next few days, we take the fast ferry this morning across to Zanzibar's port Stone Town. Here we spend our first night on the exotic 'Spice Island.' Wander the alleyways and bazaars, grab some bargains or indulge in some fresh food at one of the markets.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Day 32-34. Zanzibar Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania. Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Today we work our way up the island and possibly stop off for a historic slave and interesting spice tour along the way to learn about the varied history of this exotic paradise.

We have three nights relaxing on the idyllic northern beaches with the opportunity to chill out to the tunes coming from a nearby beach bar or possibly explore the local area, either on foot or out to sea on a traditional dhow.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

3 images Zanzibar, Tanzania

Day 35. Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam

Rounding off our time, both in Zanzibar and on safari, we have time to reflect on the kilometres travelled and the sights we have seen as we travel back to the mainland via the fast ferry from Stone Town.

On arrival back in Dar es Salaam, the tour must come to an end.