Cape Town to the Serengeti: Deserts & Wilderness

This is a long overland journey running from Cape Town up through southern Africa to Kenya, covering eight countries over 40 days. It's built for travellers who want to see a real cross-section of the continent rather than one region in depth.

Expect camping most nights and a mix of desert, river and bush landscapes, with the group moving overland by truck between stops.

The route takes in some striking natural extremes, from towering sand dunes to the wetlands of the Okavango Delta, along with time spent with the San people in the Kalahari.

What you'll do

• See the towering dunes of the Namib Desert
• Paddle a traditional mokoro canoe through the Okavango Delta
• Spend time with the San People in the Kalahari Desert
• Overland by truck from Cape Town through to Kenya
• Camp out across multiple countries and landscapes

Day by day

• Activities: 1. Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes 2. This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, countries, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe customized safari truck for the long drives. 3. YELLOW FEVER: COUNTRY DETAIL There is no risk of Yellow Fever transmission in Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. However, all of these countries require proof of vaccination under International Health Regulations to prevent importation of the virus. It is compulsory to show a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you are travelling to any of the above countries from a Yellow Fever endemic country, or have recently transited through one (12 hours or more in airport). Endemic countries include: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela. We advise all travellers on Southern and East Africa itineraries to carry a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate regardless of their country of origin. Given the multi-country nature of these itineraries, travellers will cross borders into countries that require the certificate as a condition of entry from preceding destinations. A traveller entering the itinerary from a non-endemic country may not require the certificate to enter the first country, but will almost certainly require it by the time they cross into a subsequent one. Yellow Fever vaccinations must be administered at least 10 days prior to entry into the first country visited. Under WHO regulations (effective 11 July 2016), certificates are valid for the lifetime of the person vaccinated, there is no 10-year expiry on the certificate itself, though some border officials may be unaware of this. Travellers should carry their original International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (yellow card) at all times during the tour. Travellers without a valid certificate run the risk of being denied entry and will not be able to continue with the tour. Any additional travel expenses incurred will be at the traveller's own account. 4. RAMADAN According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between Feb 28th - Mar 29th 2025, and Feb 17th - Mar 19th 2026. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time. 5. An essential part of your safari is participation. The group is usually divided into small groups and given different tasks which change on a day to day basis, from kitchen duty group (helping in prepare meals and clean up afterwards), the packing group (sets up all tables and chairs outside) and the cleaning group (which cleans the truck by emptying the rubbish bin and brooming). it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your CEOs will do all the meal preparation, but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun! All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in insect nets. Mattresses are also available, which are approximately 4cm thick, warm and comfortable. 6. SLEEPING BAGS Please note that you will need to pack your own sleeping bag for this tour. 7. Your CEO aims to provide you with the best service possible during your tour. They will be joining you in the back of the truck for a maximum of approximately 50% during driving, to answer questions and provide more information about the areas that you visit. They will spend the remainder of the driving time in front with the driver to enable them to make bookings, do planning and to fulfil other organizational requirements of the tour. During wildlife safari drives, your CEO will ensure to accompany you in the passenger area of the truck. This is of course because they have a lot of knowledge to share with you during these exciting wildlife safari drives. Please do not hesitate to ask your CEO any questions. 8. Please note that on all our Overland adventure vehicle (OAV) safaris there is a maximum of 22 people per vehicle. 9. VISAS. Please read the Visa section very carefully. Visas are your own responsibility. Always double check with the embassies what each countries requirement are. 10. According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between May 5th and June 4th, 2019. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. In Zanzibar and other Muslim areas in Africa, it is important to note that there may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan. Generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-muslims throughout the day. It is important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan, particularly in Zanizbar. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time. 11. Water-wise tips when visiting Cape Town: Cape Town is currently experiencing one of the worst droughts it has seen in over 100 years, and while we want you to have the best time possible while there, here are some tips to help reduce your water usage: - Bring a reusable water bottle, that you can fill with Cape Town’s tasty tap water. - Reuse your towels in the hotel, for at least two days, before getting new ones. - Keep your laundry until you have a full load to do, rather than just doing a handful of items. - Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, or shaving. - Keep your showers to two minutes or less, and don’t use the bath. - Use hand sanitizer, instead of washing hands. 12. We strongly advise that you bring ZAR or USD from your home country or exchange money before the start of the tour, to avoid delays on tour. Please see the Money Exchange section for more details. 13. DRONES The use of drones in national parks in Southern Africa is prohibited.Cape Town - Sandboarding and San Cultural Explorer Day Tour (3630ZAR per person) - Sandboarding Half Day Tour - Atlantis Dunes (1400ZAR per person) - Hout Bay Kayaking Half Day Tour (1500ZAR per person) - Two Oceans Aquarium (235ZAR per person) - South African Wine Tour and Tasting - Cape Point Explorer Day Tour (1750ZAR per person) - Urban Explorer Day Tour (1900ZAR per person) - Overberg Explorer Day Tour (3450ZAR per person) - West Coast Explorer Day Tour (1950ZAR per person) Table Mountain - Table Mountain Cable Car (420ZAR per person) - Table Mountain Hike (2100ZAR per person) Cederberg - Wine Tasting Orange River - Paddling on Orange River (400ZAR per person) Namib Desert - Namib Desert Walk (350NAD per person) Sossusvlei - Deadvlei Visit (200NAD per person) Swakopmund - Sandboarding in the Namib Desert (700NAD per person) - Skeleton Coast Scenic Flight (4800NAD per person) - Swakopmund Skydiving - Mondesa Township Tour (750NAD per person) Etosha National Park - Etosha Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Night Drive (750NAD per person) Maun - Delta Doors-off Scenic Helicopter Flight Chobe National Park - Chobe River Sunset Cruise - Chobe National Park Safari Drive Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 15 Mins - Luxury Sunset Riversong Cruise (57USD per person) - Victoria Falls Visit (50USD per person) - Princess Laundry Service (20USD per person) - Victoria Falls Whitewater Rafting (120USD per person) - Zambezi Bungee Jump (168USD per person) - Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 25min (284USD per person) Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing over the Zambezi (168USD per person) - Zipline over the Zambezi (50USD per person) Mfuwe - South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive (50USD per person) - South Luangwa Walking Safari (65USD per person) Kande Beach - Snorkelling (25USD per person) - Village Walk (20USD per person) Jambiani - Swahili Cultural Tour (70-200USD per person) - Snorkelling (40USD per person) Kendwa - Safari Blue - Sailing Day Trip (60-100USD per person) Nungwi - Scuba Diving (130USD per person) Stone Town - Stone Town Walking Tour (15USD per person) - Zanzibar Express Northbound Serengeti National Park - Serengeti Balloon Safari
• Flights: International flights not included.
• Optional: Cape Town - South African Wine Tour and Tasting (1675ZAR per person) - Two Oceans Aquarium (220ZAR per person) Table Mountain - Table Mountain Cable Car (300-390ZAR per person) - Table Mountain Hike (720-1700ZAR per person) Simon's Town - Boulders Beach Visit (170ZAR per person) Cederberg - Wine Tasting (140ZAR per person) Orange River - Canoeing on Orange River (400ZAR per person) Namib Desert - Namib Desert Walk (320NAD per person) Swakopmund - Sandboarding in the Namib Desert (700NAD per person) - Swakopmund Guided Cultural Tour (550NAD per person) - Skeleton Coast Scenic Flight (4800NAD per person) - Swakopmund Skydiving - Ground Rush Adventures Etosha National Park - Etosha Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Night Drive (750NAD per person) - Etosha Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive (660NAD per person) Ghanzi - Walk with San People (80BWP per person) - Traditional San People Dancing (100-600BWP per group) Chobe National Park - Chobe River Sunset Cruise (47USD per person) - Chobe National Park Safari Drive Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Visit (50USD per person) - Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 12-13min (150USD per person) - Zambezi Bungee Jump (176USD per person) - Victoria Falls Whitewater Rafting (133USD per person) - Princess Laundry Service (10USD per person) - Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 25min (284USD per person) - Full Day Excursion to Chobe National Park (202USD per person) Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing over the Zambezi (176USD per person) - Zipline over the Zambezi (50USD per person) Mfuwe - South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive (50USD per person) - South Luangwa Walking Safari (60USD per person) Kande Beach - Snorkelling - Village Walk - Swimming Chitimba - Hike to Livingstonia (5USD per person) - Village Walk (10USD per person) Kendwa - Safari Blue - Sailing Day Trip (60-100USD per person) Jambiani - Swahili Cultural Tour (70-200USD per person) - Snorkelling (35-60USD per person) Nungwi - Scuba Diving (65USD per person) Stone Town - Stone Town Walking Tour (20-40USD per person) - Zanzibar Express Northbound Serengeti National Park - Serengeti Balloon Safari
• Insurance: Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with Cover Genius to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here ( https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance ).