Cape Town to Tanzania Overland Truck Experience

32 days of amazing adventure!

South Africa and East Africa contain some of the most incredible gap year destinations and activities. This once in a life time tour will take you to all of these places. Starting in a cosmopolitan Cape Town you will explore some incredible sites and have some unforgettable cultural interactions with various tribes along the way. Discovering a raging Victoria falls after emerging from the dry Namibian desert will take your breath away, so will diving into the crystal waters of lake Malawi. This will be nothing, compared to the blissful days you will spend on Zanzibar, one of the worlds most beautiful islands. Plenty jam packed into a 33 day itinerary with all of you food transport and many activities covered in the price, makes this trip a great value way to see a lot of Africa and have the trip of a lifetime.

Countries Visited

• South Africa
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Zambia
• Malawi
• Tanzania
• Kenya
• Uganda

Photos

Full Details

DAY 1 SOUTH AFRICA, CEDERBERG MOUNTAIN REGION:

After a short stop to view Table Mountain we drive north to the Cederberg region. In the afternoon (weather permitting) we go on a guided walk to see Bushmen paintings and learn about the native fauna and flora. Meals: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2 NAMAQUALAND & ORANGE/GARIEP RIVER

Today we travel to the Gariep/Orange River. We spend the night under the stars and sit at the campfire getting to know each another. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 NAMIBIA, ORANGE/GARIEP RIVER – FISH RIVER CANYON

You can choose between a morning on the riverbank or the half day canoe on the river. After lunch we travel north to the Fish River Canyon. Optional Activities: Orange/Gariep River Half Day Canoe Adventure. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 4 NAMIB-NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK

From the Fish River Canyon we continue into the remote hinterland. We arrive at camp in the afternoon and enjoy a short hike at Sesriem Canyon. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 SOSSUSVLEI DUNES – NAMIB-NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK

We wake before dawn so we can hike up Dune 45 and watch the sunrise. After breakfast we join a local expert on a guided tour explaining the desert ecosystem. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 / 7 SWAKOPMUND

Today we cross the Tropic of Capricorn (where we stop for a photo) on our way to Namibia’s Atlantic coast. In Swakopmund you will be briefed on the optional activities available here. Day 7 is free for you to explore the town or try one of the many adventure activities. Optional Activities: Quadbiking, Sandboarding, Sky Diving, Dolphin Cruise, Scenic Flights, Fishing etc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on day 7 only)

DAY 8 SPITZKOPPE

We leave all the trappings of modern life behind us and drive inland to the mysterious Spitzkoppe. Tonight we camp in the wild. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner AFRICA

DAY 9 HIMBA TRIBES

After some early morning exploration we continue inland and drive towards Kamanjab. The Himba are a pastoral people and predominantly breed cattle or goats, they are easily recognisable by their unique style of dress. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 / 11 ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Etosha NP is the venue for some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. We will go on various game drives, and spend our evenings at the abundant water holes for some excellent game photography. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12 WINDHOEK

After an early morning game drive we set off towards Windhoek in the centre of Namibia. On the way we stop at a popular craft market. In the afternoon we go on a short city tour. Optional Activities: Dinner out at Joes Beer House. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch AFRICA OVERLAND TRUCK TOUR DAY 13 BOTSWANA, GHANZI It is a scenic drive to the Buitepos border, where we cross into Botswana. Once at camp we will meet with a local Bushmen community and experience some traditional Tribal Dancing. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14

Our journey takes us from Ghanzi towards Maun. Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta and this afternoon we will prepare for this excursion, packing small 2-night bags. There may be an opportunity this afternoon to visit the local crocodile farm or take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. Optional Activities: Scenic Flight (time permitting). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15/16 MAUN – OKAVANKA DELTA

This morning we board the big 4×4 truck that will take us in to the Delta. In high-water season it is sometimes necessary to take a boat to the poling station where we meet up with the members of a local community who will be showing us their homeland. We spend 2 nights bush camping in the wilderness and, if the water level allows, we will take a mokoro (traditional canoe) trip through the waterways. We will also be going on some nature walks in the hope of seeing some wild animals in their natural habitat. Please note: If you have not purchased the Activity Package you will stay at the campsite in Maun for the following 2 nights.

Day 15 (Day 1 in Delta). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Activity package: 4 x 4 vehicle transfer into Okavango Delta, Mokoro ride and guided nature walk.
Day 16 (Day 2 in Delta). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Activity package: Guided Nature walk and mokoro rides

DAY 17 NATA

We leave the Delta behind us and travel east towards the town of Nata. The shady tree canopy surrounding the campsite is a hive of activity, with a bird feeding area and active water feature providing the bird watcher with the opportunity of viewing a variety of species from the comfort of the pool deck. The Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Francolin, Yellow Hornbill, Pied and Arrowmarked Babblers, Glossy Starling, Meyers Parrot and Paradise Whydah are just some of the species you may encounter during your stay at the lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 18 BOTSWANA – CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

We travel to Chobe and this afternoon we enjoy a sunset river cruise as the animals are best spotted from the Chobe River. Elephants, Hippo, Crocodiles, Eland and many other creatures reside in Chobe so keep your cameras ready. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Activity package: Sunset Boat Cruise in the Chobe NP

DAY 19 ZIMBABWE – VICTORIA FALLS

On arrival in Victoria Falls town, we have time to plan the next day’s adventure activities before we visit the spectacular Victoria Falls and experience the thundering of the mighty Zambezi. An optional dinner out is a friendly way to end your tour with all the new friends you’ve made along the way. Optional Activities: Chobe morning game drive, Zambezi Sunset Cruise. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Activity package: Entrance to Victoria Falls National Park

Day 20/21 Victoria Falls

Most people will spend the day White Water Rafting, a not-to-be-missed experience of a lifetime! Vic Falls offers many exciting alternatives such as a walk with lions or a bungee jump from the bridge that joins Zimbabwe with Zambia. Optional Activities: Full day white water rafting, Flight over the falls, Full day low/high water river boarding, sunset cruise, bungee jump (solo), morning/afternoon lion or elephant encounter. Meals: Breakfast

Day 22 Lusaka

Leaving behind the natural wonder of Victoria Falls we continue our expedition. After Livingstone we journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka. You will notice the vegetation becoming sub-tropical and the roads a little rougher. Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 23 Chipata

Today is a long drive through lush country, crossing rivers en-route to Chipata, the gateway to the South Luangwa NP. Zambia is truly African and an adjustment from the more Western ways of Southern Africa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 24 South Luangwa National Park

Early in the morning we drive from Chipata to the border of the South Luangwa National Park where we spend the next two nights right on the banks of the Luangwa River. You can often see hippos and other animals from the camp bar. This afternoon we enjoy a sunset game drive in the South Luangwa NP. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Activity package: Sunset Game Drive in South Luangwa NP

Day 25 South Luangwa National Park

In the morning you have the opportunity to take another game drive. The park is known for its high concentration of leopards and hippos. After lunch we visit the community run tribal textile project and a local village. Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive, Game Walk inside park. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Activity package: Village and textile visit

Day 26 Lilongwe

Today we depart the South Luangwa National Park and head towards the bustling city of Lilongwe. En route, we will stop at a local market to experience the culture and way of live of the Malawian people. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Included Highlights: Visit a local market

Day 27/28 Kande Beach

This morning we have the opportunity to participate in a 2 hour city tour, before we take a scenic drive to Kande beach. We will spend the next 2 days enjoying the many optional activities available, such as horse riding and different water sports. We will go on a guided village walk in order to meet the local people and learn more about Malawian life. Optional Activities: Lilongwe city tour, Scuba diving, snorkeling etc. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Activity Package: Guided village tour

Day 29 Lake Malawi – Chitimba

We travel further north and spend our last day in Malawi at Chitimba beach. Set on a golden sandy beach amongst banana palms and papaya trees, our accommodation for the night is surrounded by the famous Livingstonia and Nyika mountains. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 30 Tanzania – Iringa

Today we leave Malawi and enter Tanzania. We ascend out of the Great Rift Valley through some spectacular mountain passes, passing vast tea plantations in the highlands before arriving at our camp outside Iringa. This evening our dinner is in a local Masai restaurant where we enjoy a traditional Tanzanian evening. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Included Highlights: Dinner in a local Maasai restaurant

Day 31 Mikumi

We leave Iringa today and head north to the Mikumi National Park. Mikumi is home to lion, zebra, wildebeest, impala, buffalo and elephant. Here we have the opportunity to enjoy an optional afternoon game drive through the park. Optional Activities: Afternoon game drive in Mikumi NP. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 32 Dar es Salaam

Our journey today brings us out of the cool highland region to the humid Indian ocean coastal city of Dar es Salaam. Meaning ‘house of peace’ in Arabic, Dar es Salaam is the economic and trade capital of Tanzania, but inland Dodoma remains the official capital city. Your tour ends upon arrival in Dar es Salaam. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Option to add on extra nights on zanzibar. Costs about 50 GBP per single room including breakfast.

Accommodation

On our camping tours you will be staying in two-man dome tents. We supply a mattress and you supply your own sleeping bag. The accommodated tours stay in traditional huts, permanent tented camps and hostel-style rooms.

Food and Meals

Included are three hearty meals a day, (unless otherwise specified). Vegetarians are easily catered for and they’re always impressed by our varied menu. Our guides can produce miracles on a camp-stove. Special dietary requirements can be catered for, but only by special request. In East Africa it is more difficult to cater to certain requirements.

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

Price

End your trip with a few days on the beach? Zanzibar trip 3 days, per person 375 GBP extra

Dates

This trip starts in Cape Town on set departure dates 2 or 3 times a month (please contact us for details or request trip notes). The trip finishes in Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. An optional 3 day activity pack for Zanzibar can be added to the booking on request.