Masai Mara to Cape Town: 43 Day Safari Tour (Accommodated)

Day 1. Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve Highlights. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Accommodation. Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Masai Mara.

We depart Nairobi, making our way across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in specialised small safari vehicles.

We spend the next two nights here and enjoy an afternoon game drive today, trying to spot the wildlife that live here.

3 images Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

3 images Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Masai Mara

Day 2. Maasai Mara National Reserve Accommodation. Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Masai Mara.

Today we enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in search for the animals inhabiting here including lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Wildebeest traverse its plains during their annual migration arriving around October - November.

3 images Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Masai Mara

Day 3. Maasai Mara to Nairobi Accommodation. Wildebeest Eco Camp, Nairobi.

Leaving the Mara today, we retrace our steps and make our way back to Nairobi where we spend the evening.

4 images Wildebeest Eco Camp, Nairobi

Day 4. Nairobi to Arusha, Tanzania Highlights. Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania. Accommodation. Meserani Snake Park.

Leaving Kenya today, we make the border crossing into Tanzania and the city of Arusha, situated mid-way on the famed Cairo to Cape Town trade route of old.

We spend the night here preparing for our excursion to Serengeti and Ngorongoro tomorrow.

3 images Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania

5 images Meserani Snake Park

Day 5. Arusha to Serengeti National Park Highlights. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Accommodation. Serengeti Camp.

Packed and ready, we transfer into smaller game park friendly vehicles for our 2 night and 3-day safari to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater - A National Geographic wonderland.

On arrival, we enter into the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area and traverse the crater's rim - pausing for a photo opportunity, then onto the Serengeti plains. This treeless area offers a great insight into the migration where over 2million hoofed animals start their migratory route to the Maasai Mara.

We game drive across the plains to our campsite deep inside the park itself.

3 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

2 images Serengeti Camp

Day 6. Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater Accommodation. Simba Camp, Ngorongoro Crater.

Rising with the sun, we head out again to explore the surrounds and seek out the animals we've not yet seen especially the early active risers like the lion, leopard and cheetahs.

After packing up, we head to our campsite on the Ngorongoro Crater rim where we can experience spectacular views from the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater at 2400 metres above sea level.

5 images Simba Camp, Ngorongoro Crater

Day 7. Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha Highlights. Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. Accommodation. Meserani Snake Park.

This morning we drive the steep slopes to the crater floor. Here we traverse the fertile lands of this 300 sq km area. keep your eyes peeled for the numerous species of antelope, elephants, wildebeest and even hippo's wallowing in the craters lakes.

This afternoon we make our way back to Arusha where we spend the evening.

3 images Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania

3 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

5 images Meserani Snake Park

Day 8. Arusha to Bagamoyo Highlights. Bagamoyo, Tanzania. Accommodation. Firefly Camp.

Departing Arusha this morning, we travel south via the town of Moshi where we may get to see the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro if the weather is clear.

Our first night on Indian Coast is at Bagamoyo. In the late 19th century Bagamoyo was one of the most important trading ports of the east-central coast of Africa, trading mainly in slaves and ivory.

3 images Bagamoyo, Tanzania

7 images Firefly Camp

Day 9. Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Accommodation. Kipepeo Beach Village, Dar es Salaam.

We make our way to the coast and the bustling port city of Dar es Salaam today.

Just south of the city, our camp located on a beach on the shores of the Indian Ocean, where we'll have the opportunity to cool off and enjoy a swim this afternoon, or a sun-downer cocktail this evening - preparing for our trip across to Zanzibar Island in the morning.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

5 images Kipepeo Beach Village, Dar es Salaam

Day 10. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Zanzibar, Tanzania. Accommodation. All Seasons Hotel, Zanzibar.

We take the ferry across the channel to tropical Zanzibar island today. Our first night is spent in Stone Town which is easily explored on foot - visiting mosques and palaces, wending through colourful courtyards and alleyways, we take in the Arabic influenced architecture, huge studded wooden doors and brightly painted buildings.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

3 images Zanzibar, Tanzania

3 images All Seasons Hotel, Zanzibar

Day 11-12. Zanzibar Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania. Accommodation. Sunset Bungalows Kendwa.

This morning we transfer to the northern beaches of the island and the next couple of days are at your leisure to relax on the beach - snorkel or dive in the beautiful clear blue ocean, take a dhow boat trip, or just laze on the beach.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

5 images Sunset Bungalows Kendwa

Day 13. Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam Accommodation. Kipepeo Beach Village, Dar es Salaam.

We leave this tropical paradise today, making our way back to the African mainland where we spend the night at our beach camp in Dar es Salaam.

5 images Kipepeo Beach Village, Dar es Salaam

Day 14. Dar es Salaam to Mikumi Highlights. Mikumi National Park, Tanzania.

Departing the city, we make our way through Mikumi National Park where we may be able to spot giraffe or elephant on the side of the road on our way to our accommodation just outside of the park.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Day 15. Mikumi to Iringa Accommodation. Iringa Farmhouse.

Today we make our way through the Southern Highlands of Tanzania to our accommodation in Iringa. We stay at the Kisolanza Farm where the Ghaui family have lived for over 70 years - sharing their knowledge of Africa with visitors and providing a range of organic vegetable crops and meats to the local markets.

5 images Iringa Farmhouse

Day 16. Iringa to Chitimba Beach, Malawi Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi. Accommodation. Chitimba Camp, Lake Malawi.

We make our way to the Songwe border post today where we cross into Malawi and continue to Lake Malawi and Chitimba Beach where we spend the next two nights.

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

8 images Chitimba Camp, Lake Malawi

Day 17. Chitimba Beach Accommodation. Chitimba Camp, Lake Malawi.

Spend today relaxing on the beach or take on the full-day 11km hike to the Manchewe Falls where you can cool off in a natural pool at the top.

The surrounding hills are home to the Livingstonia Mission where David Livingstone worked from for a time while staying in Malawi. The views from here are simply magnificent and well worth the effort of the hike.

8 images Chitimba Camp, Lake Malawi

Day 18. Chitimba Beach to Kande Beach Accommodation. Kande Beach, Malawi.

Today we travel along the lake-shore to Kande Beach where we will spend the next two nights. We travel via Malawi's third largest town and the capital of the northern region, Mzuzu.

5 images Kande Beach, Malawi

Day 19. Kande Beach Highlights. Kande Beach Activities, Malawi. Lake Malawi, Malawi. Accommodation. Kande Beach, Malawi.

Maybe go on a guided village walk to meet some of the friendly locals, or spend your day diving, snorkelling, horse riding along the beach or just relaxing on the beach.

3 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

5 images Kande Beach, Malawi

Day 20. Kande Beach to Chipata, Zambia Accommodation. Mamarula Camp.

We depart the lake today and cross the border into Zambia making our way to the town of Chipata.

The town has colourful fruit and vegetable markets and an unexpected number of ornate mosques due to its large Indian community. If time allows, we will stop in Chipata before arriving to our campsite situated a short distance from the town centre.

4 images Mamarula Camp

Day 21. Chipata to Lusaka Highlights. Lusaka, Zambia. Accommodation. Eureka Camp, Lusaka.

We travel to Zambia's capital Lusaka today, taking the Great Eastern Road to Southern Africa's fastest growing city.

5 images Eureka Camp, Lusaka

Day 22. Lusaka to Livingstone Accommodation. The Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone.

Leaving Lusaka, we travel south to Livingstone on the banks of the Zambezi River. We make a visit to the Victoria Falls, one of the worlds most incredible waterfalls.

There are plenty of optional activities to enjoy in and around the Livingstone area over the next few days.

8 images The Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone

Day 23-25. Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia. Accommodation. The Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone.

The next three days are free for you to enjoy the optional activities available here - bungee jumping, abseiling, game walks, white water rafting, village tours, gorge swings, helicopter flights, fishing or canoeing, to name just a few.

3 images Livingstone Activities, Zambia

8 images The Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone

Day 26. Livingstone to Kasane, Botswana Highlights. Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana. Accommodation. Thebe River Lodge.

We leave Livingstone today and make the short river-crossing into Botswana and the town of Kasane.

The Chobe River is a major watering spot for large breeding herds of elephants, as well as families of giraffe, sable and buffalo and this afternoon we have a 'Fish Eagle' cruise along the - a great opportunity to see hippo and perhaps elephant or buffalo coming to the river to bathe and drink before sunset.

3 images Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana

7 images Thebe River Lodge

Day 27. Kasane to Nata Highlights. Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana. Elephant Sands, Nata, Botswana. Accommodation. Elephant Sands, Nata.

This morning we board an open vehicle and go on a game drive in Chobe National Park in search for resident wildlife we may have missed the day before.

After our game drive, we make our way south to our accommodation at Elephant Sands. An un-fenced area which permits wildlife to roam freely. Enjoy sundowners at the camp's bar with a view.

3 images Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana

3 images Elephant Sands, Nata, Botswana

6 images Elephant Sands, Nata

Day 28. Nata to Maun Highlights. Maun, Botswana. Accommodation. Delta Rain Sitatunga Camp, Maun.

Heading to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta today. Time permitting, there may be the opportunity to take a scenic flight over the Delta.

3 images Maun, Botswana

8 images Delta Rain Sitatunga Camp, Maun

Day 29. Okavango Delta Highlights. Okavango Delta, Botswana. Accommodation. Elephant Bush Camp, Okavango Delta.

Our overnight Okavango Delta excursion starts with a transfer by open 4x4 safari vehicles to the Polers Station deep into the delta itself. Here we meet our guides and polers and board our mokoros (dugout canoes). We traverse the winding waterways with giant lilly pads and swaying grasses to our camp for the night.

Just before dusk hits, we embark on a nature walk. Keep your eyes peeled for the resident wildlife seen - giraffes, elephants and numerous species of antelope and birds. We spend the rest of the evening under the African starry night with an open fire.

5 images Okavango Delta, Botswana

5 images Elephant Bush Camp, Okavango Delta

Day 30. Okavango Delta to Maun Accommodation. Delta Rain Sitatunga Camp, Maun.

Rising to the calmness and sounds of the wilderness around us, we take a slow morning's mokoro ride back to the polers stations. Bidding our 'farewells' to our polers and guides we board our transfer vehicle back to Maun and our camp.

If time allows, take an optional scenic flight over the Delta. The majestic views from the plain are so different from what you see on the ground.

8 images Delta Rain Sitatunga Camp, Maun

Day 31. Maun, Botswana to Omaheke Region, Namibia Highlights. Kalahari Bushman Walk, Omaheke Region, Namibia. Accommodation. Zelda's Guestfarm, Omaheke Region.

Departing Maun, we leave Botswana today, crossing the border into Namibia and to our camp for the evening. Here in this seemingly barren land, we join a guided tour with the Kalahari Bushman to learn on how they have survived in the desert for over 20,000 years.

3 images Kalahari Bushman Walk, Omaheke Region, Namibia

4 images Zelda's Guestfarm, Omaheke Region

Day 32. Omaheke Region to Windhoek, Namibia Highlights. Windhoek, Namibia. Accommodation. Urban Camp, Windhoek.

Our venture today takes us to the capital city Windhoek.

The city centre is characterised by a proliferation of German-style buildings, a lasting reminder of Namibia's early colonial history. Take the opportunity to enjoy a night out at one of the local restaurants or visit the famous 'Joe’s Beer House'.

6 images Urban Camp, Windhoek

Day 33. Windhoek to Etosha National Park Accommodation. Etosha National Park, Namibia.

Travelling north today, we make our way to Etosha National Park. On entry into the park, we game drive to toward our accommodation this evening.

Our camp is located near a flood-lit water hole, where we hope to see more wildlife coming to the water to drink before sunset, or to spot some of the nocturnal visitors later during the night - perhaps lion, hyena, jackal and aardvark (antbear).

5 images Etosha National Park, Namibia

Day 34. Etosha National Park Highlights. Etosha National Park, Namibia. Accommodation. Etosha National Park, Namibia.

Today we have a full day of game driving in Etosha. The reserve is over 20,000 sq km in size and home to around 114 mammal- and 340 bird species, giving us a good opportunity to explore this park and spot some of its wildlife.

3 images Etosha National Park, Namibia

5 images Etosha National Park, Namibia

Day 35. Etosha National Park to Spitzkoppe Highlights. Spitzkoppe, Namibia. Accommodation. Spitzkoppe Community Camp.

Game driving out of Etosha today, we make our way to the Damaraland Region and Spitzkoppe. We explore the peculiar rock formations and ancient bushman paintings in this untamed, ruggedly beautiful area.

3 images Spitzkoppe, Namibia

6 images Spitzkoppe Community Camp

Day 36. Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund Highlights. Swakopmund, Namibia. Accommodation. Amanpuri Lodge, Swakopmund.

Today we travel to the Atlantic coast and the coastal town of Swakopmund. We spend two nights here allowing us to take part in the many optional activities available here.

3 images Swakopmund, Namibia

6 images Amanpuri Lodge, Swakopmund

Day 37. Swakopmund Highlights. Swakopmund, Namibia. Accommodation. Amanpuri Lodge, Swakopmund.

Time at leisure to take on some as many or as few of the optional actives in and around Swakopmund as you please.

Maybe try your hand at sand-boarding, quad biking, sky diving, deep sea fishing, scenic flights or a township tour?

Alternatively visit the quaint cafés, quirky restaurants, museums, galleries, promenade boardwalk, or simply relax - the choice is yours.

3 images Swakopmund, Namibia

6 images Amanpuri Lodge, Swakopmund

Day 38. Swakopmund to Sossus On Foot Camp, Khomas Region Highlights. The Tropic of Capricorn. Accommodation. Sossus On Foot Camp, Khomas Region.

Leaving the coast today, we cross the Topic of Capricorn and continue to our desert camp - set in the midst of the Khomas region.

Our accommodation for the night is under canvas and in a tranquil setting with great views of the desert landscape.

3 images The Tropic of Capricorn

5 images Sossus On Foot Camp, Khomas Region

Day 39. Sossus On Foot Camp, Khomas Region to Sesriem Area Highlights. Dune 45, Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia. Sesriem Canyon, Namibia. Sossusvlei, Namibia. Accommodation. Sossus Oasis Overland Camp.

This morning we wake early and enter the Namib Nauklift National Park. We trek to the top of Dune 45 before catching a shuttle ride for a guided tour of Dead Vlei. After our time in the desert, we make our way to our accommodation nestled between the Nubib and Tsaris mountains.

3 images Dune 45, Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia

3 images Sesriem Canyon, Namibia

3 images Sossusvlei, Namibia

3 images Sossus Oasis Overland Camp

Day 40. Sesriem Area to Fish River Canyon Highlights. Fish River Canyon, Namibia. Accommodation. Canon Roadhouse, Fish River Canyon.

We travel to Fish River Canyon today one of Africa's natural wonders. The canyon is 160km long and around 500m deep making it one of the worlds largest.

There are plenty of opportunities for keen photographers as we spend time around this area and visit the canyon’s infamous sharp river bend, known as ‘Hell’s Corner.

3 images Fish River Canyon, Namibia

5 images Canon Roadhouse, Fish River Canyon

Day 41. Fish River Canyon to Orange River, South Africa Highlights. Orange (Gariep) River, Namibia. Accommodation. Felix Unite.

We depart Fish River Canyon and head south through rugged desert terrain to the Orange (Gariep) River bordering Namibia and South Africa. Our accommodation for the evening is situated on the banks of the Namibian side - overlooking scenic landscapes of the river and the Richter's veld. Maybe swim, take an optional canoe safari, or simply relax with a sun-downer.

3 images Orange (Gariep) River, Namibia

4 images Felix Unite

Day 42. Orange River to Cederberg Area Highlights. Cederberg, South Africa. Accommodation. Highlanders Camp, Cederberg.

Leaving the Orange River today we cross the border into South Africa and travel through Namaqualand to our accommodation near the Olifants River. Here you will have the opportunity to sample some wines of the region.