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YOU ARE HERE: Home > Tours > 36 Day African Encounter (Cape Town to Zanzibar)
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36 Day African Encounter (Cape Town to Zanzibar)
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Orange River
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Tour Duration: 36 days
Start: Cape Town
End: Dar Es Salaam
Beginning our safari in the shadow of Cape Town's Table Mountain, we travel through Namibia's dramatic desert and desolate coastline before journeying inland to the tranquil lagoons and waterways of the Okavango Delta. From there we take in the sight of the magnificent Victoria Falls, the picturesque Lake Malawi and end the trip with some relaxing days on Zanzibar's dazzling beaches. This is the perfect combination of diverse scenery, rewarding wildlife watching and downtime on the beach.
Tour Type: African Safari, Overland, Camping, Adventure, Guided
Regions covered:
Northern Cape, Western Cape, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namib Region, Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zanzibar Region, Victoria Falls Region, Okavango Delta Region, Cape Town & Surroundings, Northern Namibia, South Africa, Namibia
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| 36DAY AFRICAN ENCOUN CPT - DAR ES SALAAM | Double/Twin per person sharing | |
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Scheduled Tour - Departure Dates - Prices in USD(US$)
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Tour Details
Day 1:
Leaving Cape Town, we head north through the wine growing regions. We cross the Piketberg Pass into the rich fruit growing area of Citrusdal. Our first night is spent in a picturesque campsite surrounded by local wine farms. This afternoon we have the opportunity to sample some of the nectar of the gods or to explore the surrounding beautiful Cederberg Mountains.
(Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 2:
From the Cederberg we travel north through the region known as Namaqualand, well known for its prolific display of Namaqua wildflowers that occur each spring. After stopping for supplies in Springbok, we continue on through the desert area of the Richtersveld to the Orange River, the natural land border between South Africa and Namibia, where we camp at a beautiful campsite on the South African bank of the river.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 3:
This morning we have the option of a half-day canoe trip on the beautiful Orange River, affording us the opportunity of some bird watching or just a scenic and relaxing paddle. After lunch we cross into Namibia where, after a short drive, we reach the Fish River Canyon. At 161 km long, 27 km wide and about 550 m deep, it’s the second largest canyon in the world. The outer canyon was formed by
tectonic activity, while the erosion of the Fish River formed the inner canyon. A road follows the eastern rim, giving us access to several viewing points from where we can take in the spectacular vistas.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 4:
After a leisurely morning at the Fish River Canyon, we head north through Namibia’s farming area. We stop in Bethanie, a small, former missionary town, for supplies. We head to our overnight camp from where we have the opportunity to star gaze at the magnificent Milky Way.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 5:
Heading north we enter the Namib - Naukluft Park, considered to be one of the oldest deserts in the world, and a major tourist destination. Sesreim is a good place to experience the Namib and it's many moods. A short distance away is Sossusvlei, surrounded by a dramatic sea of sand dunes reputed to be the highest in the world. Magnificent views of the desert can be seen from the top of the dunes, some over 300m high. The afternoon will be spent exploring this amazing area. An optional and must do excursion is to walk in this area with the highly specialised local guides of Sossus on Foot. The guide will bring the amazing history, geology, flora, fauna and cultural legacy of the Bushman to you. Tonight we will view the sunset from the top of Dune 45 – a truly memorable experience.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 6:
After watching the sunrise across this beautiful area we leave the serenity of the dunes and head in a north-westerly direction to meet the Atlantic Ocean at Walvis Bay. Following the coast for some 35 km, we arrive at Namibia’s prime holiday resort - Swakopmund where we enjoy 3 nights of rest and relaxation. Accommodation will be in dormitories. Upgrades are possible, but depend on room availability.
(Brunch)
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Days 7 to 8:
Founded in 1892 during the German colonial rule, the distinct colonial character has been well preserved. Swakopmund has several excellent restaurants, bars, coffee shops as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian rural art. There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum, aquarium and galleries to visit.
Optional excursions include fishing trips, quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving, desert flights, water sports, golf and 4WD hire.
(Breakfast included on both days)
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Day 9:
Our departure from Swakopmund takes us to the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’ - Spitzkoppe. The 1728 m high rock formation, one of Namibia’s most recognised landmarks, is well known as an ancient San sacred site. Explore the surrounding area and its San rock paintings. Tonight we bush camp under the African stars.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 10:
Today’s drive is to the Cheetah Park - a private farm dedicated to conserving Namibia’s cheetah population. We get to meet the resident cheetahs, a photo opportunity not to be missed!
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 11:
After stopping briefly in Outjo to get supplies, we head to Etosha. Covering 20 000 km2, Etosha is Namibia’s premier nature reserve. Situated around the Etosha Pan with a large variety of animal and bird life, the extensive network of gravel roads affords us the opportunity of accessing even the most remote areas of the park. We spend the remainder of the day exploring the park’s southern area.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 12:
Today we make our way 150 km across the park, keeping a look out for Etosha’s large herds of desert antelope such as Springbok and the famed Oryx. After a full day of game viewing, we spend the evening relaxing at our camp.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 13:
From Etosha, we head in a north-easterly direction towards the lush Kavango region of northern Namibia. We stop at Rundu for supplies before heading to our spectacular campsite located on the banks of the Kavango River - complete with 'open air' facilities and the occasional hippo grazing on the lawn!
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 14:
Following the Kavango River, we enter Botswana and travel east along the course of the river to the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta and our destination, Maun. It is from here that we set off to explore the Okavango Delta.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 15:
The Delta is a huge expanse of water, which has travelled from the Angolan highlands, spreading out to form the largest inland Delta in the World.
Studded with exotic islands, the Delta is renowned for its incredible variety of bird life as well as many other animals unique to Southern Africa.
Here you have the opportunity to take the optional 3 day / 2 night excursions into the Delta. This is the drive in Mokoro excursion.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
This drive in trip to the Okavango Delta takes us approximately 1-2 hours north to the Mokoro polers station. From there we hire mokoros, the local dug out canoes, which are poled by local guides through the winding waterways. Your guides will select a place to set up camp. An afternoon game walk will allow you to experience the Delta wilderness.
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Day 16:
A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. Today you will have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including game walks, mokoro cruises, swimming and even a chance to try your hand at poling your own mokoro!
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 17:
A final opportunity for a morning game walk before packing up camp and setting off back to Maun. After arriving back in the early afternoon you have the opportunity to complete your picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional sunset scenic flight over the Delta region.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 18:
We travel east and then north to the town of Kasane where we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. The Chobe River forms a border between Botswana and Namibia and Zambia. Listen out for the
resident hippos! For the adventurous spirits, there is the option for the Chobe National Park Sleep-out – an overnight experience in the Chobe National park. Spend the afternoon in search of wildlife en-route to the set camp within the park where we spend the evening surrounded by the night-time noises of the local wildlife. In the morning we continue our exploration and after stopping off at the camp for lunch, we meet the rest of the group for the sunset boat cruise.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Diner)
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Day 19:
This morning you have the option to do an early-morning game drive into Chobe National Park. Chobe is one of Botswana’s premier game parks, renowned for the large herds of elephant around the Chobe River. After our game drive we return to camp for lunch. Late afternoon we take a boat cruise along the Chobe River. Elephant, hippo and many bird species can be viewed from the boat while we watch the renowned Chobe sunset.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 20:
Leaving Botswana we enter Zimbabwe and drive to the nearby Victoria Falls. Here in Africa’s adventure capital, we set up camp in the town’s centrally located campsite. Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders) is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and it’s not difficult to see why. At 1700 m wide and around 100 m high, this is the world's largest sheet of falling water and a memorable sight on any African Safari! The Falls can be viewed from the Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe - a fantastic photo opportunity. The afternoon is spent relaxing at the campsite’s swimming pool or exploring the many sights and delights of this town!
(Brunch)
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Days 21 to 22:
The next 2 days are spent relaxing or participating in a myriad of Optional Excursions. Some of our fellow passengers will leave us in Vic Falls, to be replaced by new passengers joining us for the next leg of our trek.
Optional Excursions include trips into the Zambezi or Hwange National Parks, elephant back safaris, horse back safaris, a visit to the crocodile ranch, boat cruises and golf at The Elephant Hills Resort. Adrenalin junkies can bungee from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia or abseil
down the Batoka Gorge - neither activity is for the faint hearted! All year round, flights in fixed wing, micro light and ultra light aircraft or helicopters provide an aerial perspective over this magnificent World Heritage Site. White water rafting on the Zambezi is world class. Beside the excitement of the Grade 5
rapids, there are the 'floats' where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and the occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.
(Breakfast on both days)
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Day 23:
We leave Zimbabwe and cross the Victoria Falls Bridge and the Zambezi River, entering into Zambia at the town of Livingstone. We have the opportunity to view The Falls from the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia. Another fantastic photo opportunity. The day affords us the opportunity to participate in the activities available in Zambia we weren’t able to do on the Zimbabwean side of the Falls. Tonight we have the option of enjoying a sunset dinner cruise on the mighty Zambezi.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 24:
An early morning start sees us head north through southern Zambia to our campsite on the outskirts of Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka. The campsite is home to some local wildlife including the largest antelope – Eland.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 25:
From Lusaka we head north east to a beautiful little campsite just 10 km before the Zambia/Malawi border. Here we spend the night before heading into Malawi.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Days 26 to 30:
Leaving Zambia we cross into Malawi, the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’. We stop off in the capital, Lilongwe, a small city distinctively divided into the old town and the new administrative centre. Malawi is a landlocked country with 20% of its total area made up of beautiful Lake Malawi. We travel the full length of the western side of the lake, stopping off at various bays and inlets over the next 5 days.
Spend the days learning the game of bao from the locals, scour the markets for a bargain or simply relax on the pristine beaches. Malawi’s temperate climate allows for swimming in the clear blue fresh-water lake all year round. Explore the beautiful shore where you’ll happen upon the local fishermen sorting their catch. Traditional fishing techniques are still practiced and to appreciate their boating skills, try to paddle a dug out canoe yourself! The various beachside campsites along Lake Malawi’s shores offer many optional Excursions including a variety of water sports, horse back rides and a visit to the local village and school.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 31:
After a relaxing 5 days, we leave Malawi, entering Tanzania through the border post at Songwe. Taking in the beauty of the Tukuyu tea and banana plantations, we head towards Iringa where we spend the night in the beautiful rustic ‘Farmhouse’ campsite famous for its Amarula Hot Chocolates and its steamy showers!
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 32:
The next morning we make our way to Dar es Salaam. We pass through the Mikumi National Park where it is possible to view a range of wildlife from the roadside, totally impervious to the passing traffic. On arrival in Dar es Salaam, we make our way to our lovely seaside campsite and prepare for our departure to Zanzibar the next morning.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
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Day 33:
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the 'Spice Island', where we will spend three nights on this legendary island. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands.
(Breakfast)
Please note: Our crew can organise accommodation for you whilst on Zanzibar, although from our experience our clients have felt the need to explore the island on their own. Therefore accommodation and food is for client’s own account whilst on Zanzibar.
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Days 34 to 35:
History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island is still famous for its spices, and tours around a spice plantation can be organised. Other options include a trip to the nearby Prison Island with its giant tortoises, and beautiful beaches to enjoy. Or perhaps you would enjoy the opportunity to hire a motorbike and explore the more remote areas of the island.
Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - giant lobsters being a popular speciality. Alternatively, joining the locals for dinner in the waterfront market is an experience not to be missed. The market stalls offer an unusual selection of fast food African style at a very reasonable cost.
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Day 36:
Leaving Zanzibar we take the ferry back to mainland of Dar es Salaam were this safari finishes.
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