Cape Town to Kenya

About this trip

Exactly what you do each day, where you sleep, and how it flows — written by us, from the real itinerary.

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   Day 1 · Cape TownCape Town

   

   You arrive in Cape Town for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you get in early, explore Newlands Forest, ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, or head to the waterfront and Cape Town Stadium. Your leader can point you towards dinner spots for a group meal.

2. 2
   Day 2Western Cape

   Travel up the Western Cape through sprawling countryside to a working farm where you'll stay tonight. If time allows, walk around the nearby mountains and farms to get a feel for everyday life in this remote part of South Africa.

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   Day 3 · NamaqualandOrange River

   Journey to the Orange River, the natural border between South Africa and Namibia, passing through Namaqualand. The 2,200-km river flows from the Drakensberg Mountain Range in Lesotho to the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay.

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   Day 4 · Orange RiverFish River Canyon

   

   Take an optional canoe trip down the Orange River this morning, then drive west into Namibia towards Fish River Canyon. This 500-metre-deep, 160-km-long canyon is one of the world's largest, offering spectacular photography as the granite rocks change colour at sunset.

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   Day 5 · SesriemSesriem

   Drive towards Namibia's famed dunes for a long travel day, stopping to stock up on supplies before reaching bush camp at Sesriem. You'll be positioned among the vast dune fields near Sesriem Canyon, the most spectacular in the Namib Desert. Get an early night before tomorrow's dawn hike.

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   Day 6 · SossusvleiSossusvlei

   

   Wake before dawn to climb the dunes and watch the sunrise across the sand. These are among the world's highest dunes. After brunch, ride a pickup truck to Sossusvlei, a salt and clay pan, to explore at your own pace before driving to bush camp in the desert.

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   Day 7 · SwakopmundSwakopmund

   Continue to Swakopmund, surrounded by the Namib Desert's dune fields and the Atlantic Ocean. The town has a distinctive German-Namibian atmosphere worth exploring on foot. The Swakopmund Museum, Namibia's largest privately run museum, houses zoology, geology and technology exhibitions.

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   Day 8 · SwakopmundSwakopmund

   You have a free day to explore Swakopmund's Germanic architecture and shop for souvenirs. Visit the lighthouse and museum for history and culture, or try outdoor activities—the town is Namibia's adventure-sports capital.

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   Day 9 · SwakopmundSwakopmund

   Another free day in Swakopmund to relax, read and swim. Alternatively, travel 12 km east to Okakambe Trails or the Camel Farm for horse or camel rides through the desert.

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    Day 10 · Cape CrossSpitzkoppe

    Travel to Spitzkoppe via Cape Cross, where you'll see thousands of olive-coloured seals on the Atlantic shore. Explore the wild lands around Spitzkoppe, Namibia's Matterhorn, with excellent hikes revealing ancient Bushmen rock art. Watch the sunset transform the landscape from your bush camp.

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    Day 11 · Etosha National ParkEtosha National Park

    

    Head to Etosha National Park, one of the world's premier wildlife viewing destinations where big carnivores, black rhino, Hartmann's mountain zebra and rare species roam freely. An optional evening game drive precedes your night at Okaukuejo Camp, overlooking a floodlit waterhole.

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    Day 12 · Etosha National ParkEtosha National Park

    Spend a full day game driving in Etosha. The constructed waterholes and large, sparsely vegetated pans make wildlife viewing relatively easy. Significant numbers of elephants, antelope and other herbivores live here, protected from poaching. Stay at Namutoni Camp tonight.

13. 13
    Day 13 · Etosha National ParkGrootfontein/San People

    Leave Etosha and travel to camp 50 km outside Grootfontein, which will be your base for visiting the San people tomorrow. Swim and relax with fellow travellers when you arrive.

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    Day 14 · GrootfonteinGrootfontein

    Take a 180-km round-trip to walk with the San people, listening to their stories and songs in their unique Khoisan 'clicking' language. The oldest ethnic group in southern Africa, only 2,000 of Namibia's 30,000 San still follow a traditional way of life in harmony with nature.

15. 15
    Day 15 · BaganiBagani

    Head to Bagani, a small friendly town where you'll camp for the night. Relax and watch the sunset over the Okavango River, where you may spot hippos grazing. This is the homestead of the local Mbukushu kings and their kingdom.

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    Day 16 · Okavango DeltaOkavango Delta

    

    Cross into Botswana and drive south along the Okavango Panhandle to Sepopa. Leave your vehicle behind and travel by boat into the delta to your island bush camp, passing birds, lily pads and hippos grunting in the peaceful waters.

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    Day 17 · Okavango DeltaOkavango Delta

    After breakfast, go out on a mokoro—a small dugout canoe poled by a local—through the meandering waterways with one other person. Take a short nature walk to learn about the area's history and spot bird species and occasionally elephants, then return by boat to Sepopa Camp.

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    Day 18 · BaganiBagani
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    Day 19 · BaganiChobe National Park

    
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    Day 20 · Chobe National ParkChobe National Park
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    Day 21 · Victoria FallsVictoria Falls

    
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    Day 22 · Victoria FallsVictoria Falls
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    Day 23 · Victoria FallsVictoria Falls
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    Day 24 · Lower Zambezi National ParkLower Zambezi National Park
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    Day 25 · Lower Zambezi National ParkLower Zambezi National Park
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    Day 26 · LusakaLusaka
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    Day 27 · PetaukePetauke
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    Day 28 · South Luangwa National ParkSouth Luangwa National Park
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    Day 29 · South Luangwa National ParkSouth Luangwa National Park
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    Day 30 · South Luangwa National ParkChipata
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    Day 31 · Lake MalawiLake Malawi
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    Day 32 · Lake MalawiLake Malawi
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    Day 33 · ChitimbaChitimba
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    Day 34Tukuyu
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    Day 35 · IringaIringa
36. 36
    Day 36 · Mikumi National ParkMikumi National Park
37. 37
    Day 37 · Dar es SalaamDar es Salaam (South Beach)
38. 38
    Day 38 · ZanzibarStone Town

    
39. 39
    Day 39 · StonetownZanzibar Northern Beaches
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    Day 40 · ZanzibarZanzibar Northern Beaches
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    Day 41 · ZanzibarBagamoyo
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    Day 42 · Usambara MountainsUsambara Mountains
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    Day 43 · Usambara MountainsUsambara Mountains
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    Day 44 · Usambara MountainsArusha
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    Day 45 · KaratuKaratu
46. 46
    Day 46 · Ngorongoro Conservation AreaNgorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park

    
47. 47
    Day 47 · Serengeti National ParkSerengeti National Park
48. 48
    Day 48 · Serengeti National ParkMto wa Mbu
49. 49
    Day 49 · NairobiNairobi

What's included

• Guide: On this trip you will be accompanied by three crew members - Group Leader, Cook and Driver who will usually be Kenyan. Your Group Leader’s role involves organizing the overall operation and smooth-running of the trip, managing trip logistics, coordinating the tipping kitty (where applicable) and will form work groups to take turns cooking, cleaning and shopping. (From time to time your leader may drive as well) Your Group Leader will work towards making the trip as safe and enjoyable as possible for all travellers. Intrepid trips are built around the co–operation and participation of all the group members under the supervision of the group leader. The group leader will show the group how to set up and use the equipment. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting, especially when tracking and identifying game - we think it's the best of both worlds. Regardless of the country of origin, our Group Leaders are chosen for their leadership skills and are wonderful ambassadors for our company and our beautiful continent and its people. Your Cook is responsible for the cooking and will help to coordinate the work groups for preparing the meals and washing up! Cooks are also responsible for organizing food shopping (they are always happy to have you on board) and most importantly, they make sure high hygiene standards are kept at all times while camping. Your Driver’s main responsibility is to get you to your destination safely; they are also responsible for the maintenance of the vehicles along the way. Everyone is expected to participate and carry their share of the workload/duties, making camp chores easier. The duties Rota system is adopted where all members share in general camp duties – cooking, shopping, washing up etc. If the whole group participates it will be quicker, easier, and more fun. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader and crew; however, situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.
• Meals: 46 breakfasts, 31 lunches, 37 dinners
• Activities: Fish River Canyon - Canyon Entry Sossusvlei - 4WD Tour Sesriem - Sunrise Sand Dune Visit Cape Cross Nature Reserve - Seal Colony View Point Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Safari Grootfontein - San Bushman Cultural Experience Okavango Delta - Boat Safari Okavango Delta - Mokoro Safari Okavango Delta - Nature Walk Chobe National Park - Dawn 4WD Safari Lower Zambezi National Park - Full Day Safari Lower Zambezi - Scenic Boat Cruise South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project South Luangwa National Park - Morning 4WD Safari Tukuyu - Tea Farm Visit Mikumi National Park - 4WD Safari Irente - Lushoto Hike Irente - Local Lunch Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek Karatu - Home-Cooked Dinner Karatu - Coffee Farm Tour Ngorongoro Crater - 4WD Safari Serengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari Mto Wa Mbu - Village Walk & Local Dinner
• Transport: Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. Your vehicle type may differ from those listed above. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air. Each seat will have access to a power socket to charge your devices. This outlet will use a UK/K: enyan 3 pronged outlet. There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you. African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it's certainly our aim to avoid them, it's important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times., South Africa has a law whereby the cross border transport agency does not allow foreign-registered vehicles to enter the country. We will be working with a local South African operator for the South African section of this tour who will be providing the services of an alternative vehicle* and driver vetted by Intrepid. Your Intrepid leader and cook will still accompany you on this section and your itinerary will remain unaffected. *The vehicle used on this section will be an overland vehicle similar in style to an Intrepid vehicle. However for smaller groups which don't require a large vehicle, smaller land cruiser style vehicles may be used. Overland Vehicle, 4WD Safari Vehicle, Ferry, Minibus, Mokoro
• Accommodation: Accommodation on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied. The type and variety of accommodation are determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different - on some, we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others, we also use hotels. In Africa, it's not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities, so we use hotel accommodations and eat out in local restaurants. There may be the occasional night stop when we stay on the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite, which may also have rooms/cabins available. In this case, there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room. Rooms cost approximately USD : 40-100 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards of these rooms vary greatly, and we recommend viewing the room before purchasing the night's accommodation. The day-by-day itinerary advises when upgrades may be possible (subject to availability). Keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you may have to share with other passengers or be split into same-sex rooms. Campsites do have facilities, but they usually aren't to the same standard you would find in Western countries. For example, the bathroom facilities can be very basic. Toilet paper is rarely provided, and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Wild camps have no facilities at all. At times, there may be spare tents in the vehicles. Unfortunately, these cannot be used without the purchase of a single supplement. This is to ensure the tents avoid wear and tear or are clean and ready for the customers arriving on the next section of the trip. Camping (with facilities) (35 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (5 night), Camping (without facilities) (1 night), Cabin (3 nights), Hotel (1 night)

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