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37 Day Cape Town to Zanzibar Budget Camping Tour

StartCape Town
EndDar es Salaam (Tanzania)
Duration: 37 Days
Style of Tour :
From
USD 5290.00AUD 8,015.15CAD 7,246.58EURO 4,853.21GBP 4,300.81ZAR 105,800.00

An action packed cultural and wildlife tour from Cape Town to the white sands of beautiful Zanzibar.  Travel through the Namibian desert, luscious Botswana's Okavango Delta and the tropical beaches of Zanzibar. Expect to see a vast range of different wildlife as the vegetation changes along the way. Game drives and bush walks makes this trip an unforgettable experience as you can expect to see herds of elephants roaming freely under the African sun. Trip to the majestic Victoria falls also included. This tour also runs in the opposite direction Zanzibar to Cape Town.

Trip ID:DTATCZ37
Accommodation on tour:Camping

Highlights

  • Cape Town
  • Cederberg Mountains
  • Orange River
  • Fish River Canyon
  • Namib Desert
  • Sesriem Canyon
  • Spitzkoppe
  • Etosha National Park
  • Okavango Delta
  • Chobe National Park Boat Cruise
  • Victoria Falls
  • South Luangwa National Park
  • Lake Malawi
  • Zanzibar

Below is the basic day to day brief,

The Full downloadable Itinerary is at the bottom of this window.

Please download the dossier should you want more detailed information on the route and tour.


Day 1: Cape Town 
Today is an arrivals day. You have the chance to explore the beauty of Cape Town in your own leisure.

Meals:  None


Day 2: Cape Town to Cedarberg Area
Today we leave the vibrant city of Cape Town and make our way to the Cedarberg area.

Meals:  Lunch, Dinner


Day 3: Cedarberg Area to the Gariep River
Today we travel through beautiful Namaqualand where we can see an array of stunning wildflowers in the spring months. We stop over in the little town of Springbok and then make our way through the desert to the Gariep river (Orange River). We camp in a lovely campsite on the bank of this river.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 4: Gariep River to Fish River Canyon (Namibia)
We head for Namibia and the Fish River Canyon. We drive on the eastern rim of the canyon and stop at several viewpoints where we can take in the awesome enormity of the Canyon.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activity: Visit to Fish River Canyon


Day 5: Fish River Canyon to Sesriem
This morning bright and early we make our way to the Namib Naukluft desert. Our base is at Sesriem and nearby is Sossusvlei with it’s awe-inspiring 300m dunes. Tonight we are just amazed to see the amount of almost magical glittering stars spread across the sky.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activity: Namib Naukluft 


Day 6: Sesriem
This morning we go into the Namib Naukluft National Park for an interesting tour. Later we climb Dune 45, something quite spectacular. We then take the desert shuttles and head for Sossusvlei for an informative walk.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activity: Climbing Dune 45, Namib Naukluft National Park, visit Sossusvlei


Day 7: Sesriem to Swakopmund
This morning after breakfast we head for the Atlantic Ocean and Walvis Bay. We travel over the Tropic of Capricorn and make our way to Swakopmund for a couple of nights of relaxation and some fun optional activities.

Meals:  Breakfast


Day 8: Swakopmund
Today we have time at our own leisure to enjoy the various optional activities on offer or just relax on the lovely beach and have a bite at one of the fantastic restaurants in the area.

Meals:  Breakfast
Optional Activities: sky diving, quad biking, sandboarding, scenic desert flights, dolphin cruises, fishing trips, golf, horse riding and more


Day 9: Swakopmund to Brandberg (UIS)
Today we leave Swakopmund and we take a trip to Spitzkoppe where we can see some fantastic examples of ancient San art rock paintings. We then head for Brandberg (Burning Mountains).

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activity: Visit to Spitzkoppe


Day 10: Brandberg to Etosha National Park area
Today we make our way on the road through Namibia to the area of Etosha National Park and it’s abundant wildlife.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 11: Etosha National Park
Today we go into Etosha National Park where we can see a variety of wild and birdlife. We travel the gravel roads for some spectacular game viewing. We have lunch and relax for a bit while it cools down and then take another drive to learn more about the southern area of the park. This evening we can swim in the camp’s pool, have a sundowner on the deck before we have supper in our camp just outside the park.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Game Drive


Day 12: Etosha National Park
Today we tour the park on search for game for the entirety of the day. Tonight we relax in the campsite and after dinner we can watch the animals going for a drink at the waterhole.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activity: Game drive in tour truck
Optional Activity: Night Drive


Day 13: Etosha National Park to Windhoek
This morning we have breakfast and enjoy a game drive as we exit the park. We travel through little rural towns and picturesque landscapes towards Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Later in the day we can explore the city in our own time or do some shopping for souvenirs.

Meals:  Breakfast & Lunch
Optional Activity: Dinner Joe's Beer house


Day 14: Windhoek to Ghanzi (Botswana)
Today we leave Windhoek bright and early and head for Botswana and Ghanzi, a little town in the center of the Kalahari Desert. There are a few optional activities to learn more about the San/Bushman culture and history of survival in the Kalahari.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activity: San/Bushman experience


Day 15: Ghanzi to Maun
We travel to Maun where our adventure starts as we make our way to the Okavango Delta. This evening we pack and get ready for our overnight excursion.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 16: Maun to Okavango Delta
This morning we wake up early and drive for two hours or so to the Mokoro Poler’s station. We have the chance to see a variety of traditional villages along the way. Some villages are only accessible by mokoro. We take a scenic trip along the waterways to reach our camp. There are some guided walks and mokoro trails accessible from the campsite.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activity: Overnight Delta Excursion


Day 17: Okavango Delta to Maun
We take a mokoro ride and then transfer to vehicles. Around lunchtime we arrive back in Maun. There is an option to take a scenic flight over the Delta (dependent on weather conditions and availability)

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 18: Maun to Nata Region
Today we leave this stunning area of Botswana and travel to the beautiful campsite Elephant Sands, where we can take an optional game drive or go on a bushwalk.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activities: Game Drive or Bushwalk


Day 19: Nata Region to Chobe National Park
Today we drive to the town of Kasane where our camp will be set up on the banks of the Chobe River. We can see animals such as elephant, hippo and a multitude of birdlife from the campsite as the sun goes down over the African skies.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 20: Chobe National Park
This morning we can either have a lovely lie in or we can go learn more about the town of Kasane then we depart for our Chobe National Park Overnight Mobile excursion. We spend the evening listening to the animal calls of the night while we marvel over our experiences so far.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activity: Chobe Overnight Mobile Excursions


Day 21: Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
We go back to camp and get on the truck and leave for the border of Zimbabwe. From there we travel to the majestic Victoria Falls. Our campsite is situated right in the middle of the action. There are a variety of restaurants, shops and booking agents in the area. We can choose to relax in the campsite or go see the falls which is only a short walk away.

Meals:  Brunch
Included Activity: Entrance to Victoria falls


Day 22 & 23: Victoria Falls
The following couple of days are enjoyed at our own leisure. There are a huge variety of optional excursions on offer.

Meals:  Breakfast on both days
Optional Activities: Bungee jumping, abseiling, flights in fixed wing, micro light and ultra-light aircraft, helicopter trips, white water rafting, floats


Day 24: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park, Botswana
Today we leave Victoria Falls and cross the border of Botswana. We make our way to the town of Kasane, placed on the banks of the abundant Chobe River. We have lunch and enjoy some leisurely time.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 25: Chobe National Park to Livingstone (Zambia)
Today as we reach our camp in Kasane we get on to the tour truck and drive to Livingstone. Later we have the chance to see the Falls from the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia or take a leisurely boat cruise on the majestic Zambezi River.

Meals:  Brunch & Dinner
Optional Activity: Sunset Boat Cruise


Day 26: Livingstone to Lusaka
This morning we are up early and travel through southern Zambia, passing villages and towns on the way to our campsite with it’s local wildlife that includes Eland, the largest of antelope.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 27 & 28: Eastern Zambia to South Luangwa National Park
The awe-inspiring park is right on the Luangwa River. We can see animals such as Giraffe, Buffalo, Elephants, Hippo and Crocodiles.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activity: South Luangwa National Park


Day 29 to 31: Chipata to Lake Malawi Beaches (Malawi)
We depart from Zambia and make our way to Malawi. We make a stop at Lilongwe. As we reach Lake Malawi we camp at the central lake and then also the northern region for the next three days. Here we can learn about the game of bao from the locals, explore the markets or relax on the stunning beaches of Malawi. We may see fishermen coming out to shore with their catch of the day or may even take a canoe ourselves to appreciate the beautiful scenery. There are some great optional excursions such as water sports, horseback rides or we may visit a local school or village.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 32: Lake Malawi to Iringa (Tanzania)
We depart from Malawi towards Tanzania and the Songwe border post. We then travel past the striking scenery of the Tukuya tea and banana plantations. When we reach Iringa, our campsite is famous for it’s Amarula Hot Chocolates and steamy showers.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 33: Iringa to Dar es Salaam
We rise early this morning and travel towards Dar es Salaam. We travel through the Mikumi National Park where we can see some wildlife along the way. Tonight we camp in the fantastic seaside campsite.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


Day 34: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
Today we take a ferry from Dar es Salaam to ‘Spice Island’ where we have the chance to stay for the following 3 nights. Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences and culture to the visitor.

Meals:  Breakfast
Included Activity: Spice Tour & Dhow Excursion, Zanzibar Excursion


Day 35 & 36: Zanzibar
As we now have some leisurely time, we can explore the Old Stone Town with it’s still evident Arabic influence, the interesting shops or the palaces of the Sultans. We can take a trip to a spice plantation with it’s fragrant spices or to the stunning beaches and giant tortoises of Prison Island.  We may like to go scuba diving or take a traditional Dhow and go fishing. There are a variety of restaurants selling delicious seafood.

Meals:  None


Day 37: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
This afternoon we leave Zanzibar and make our way back to Dar es Salaam. This is where our tour comes to an end.

Meals:  None


Please Download below link

Note: Itineraries do change, please speak to your consultant for the latest up to date itinerary for your travel period.

Tour video overview

Approx. tour cost in
USD 5290.00AUD 8,015.15CAD 7,246.58EURO 4,853.21GBP 4,300.81ZAR 105,800.00

2023 Tour Prices - Per person

USD$ 5,290 per person

  • Camping Adventure
  • Qualified tour guides
  • Specially adapted overland vehicles
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Activities and Highlights as per detailed itinerary
  • International flights
  • Airport departure taxes
  • Departure transfer
  • Visas
  • Meals unless otherwise stated
  • Travel insurance
  • Laundry
  • Personal items and tips
  • Sleeping bag & pillows
  • Bottled water
This tour has a duration of: 37 Days

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