Cape Town to Nairobi Overland Truck Experience

42 Day Africa Overlanding Cape Town to Nairobi 8 African Countries!

Countries Visited

• South Africa
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Zimbabwe
• Malawi
• Tanzania
• Kenya

Highlights

• Sossusvlei Dunes
• Okavango Delta
• Victoria Falls
• Zanzibar Island
• Serengeti National Park

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 Namibias 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: Quad biking, 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 OVERLAND TRUCK TOUR 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 13 BOTSWANA – GHANZI

After an early start, we cross into Botswana and drive to Ghanzi. After setting up camp we meet with a local Bushman (San) community and experience some traditional tribal dancing. Optional activity: Bushman walk. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14 / 15 / 16 MAUN AND OKAVANGO DELTA

Another early day! Our journey takes us from Ghanzi towards Maun. We spend the night here and prepare for our two night bush-camping experience. Your guides will provide you with a briefing about the next few days activities and the community run tourism operation. From here we will enter the Delta using local transport. If the water level allows we will take a mokoro (traditional canoe) trip a well as a nature walk with the local people. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

When we arrive at Kasane we set up camp on the bank of the Chobe River. The afternoon is spent game viewing from a boat in the Chobe NP. This is an excellent opportunity to view Africas spectacular wildlife. You will have the chance to experience an early morning game drive the following day. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 19 ZIMBABWE, VICTORIA FALLS

On arrival in Victoria Falls we have time to plan the next day is adventure activities before we visit the spectacular Victoria Falls NP and experience the thundering of the mighty Zambezi. The popular optional sunset cruise includes dinner and drinks. Optional Activities: Chobe morning game drive, Zambezi Sunset Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch AFRICA OVERLAND TRUCK TOUR 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. Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Elephant Excursion, Dinner out. Meals: Breakfast

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 ZAMBIA, LUSAKA

Leaving behind the excitement of Victoria Falls we begin our expedition. The journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka takes us along an interesting route. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner AFRICA OVERLAND TRUCK TOUR DAY 23 CHIPATA We begin today with some shopping in Lusaka before heading northeast towards Chipata. This is an interesting area full of friendly locals. Meals: Breakfast, 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 / 25 SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Early in the morning we drive from Chipata to the border of the South Luangwa NP where we spend two nights on the riverbank. The next day we visit the community run tribal textile project and a local village. Later this afternoon we enjoy a guided sunset game drive in South Luangwa NP. On occasion, in the rainy season it is impossible or inadvisable to attempt to reach South Luangwa NP, if this happens an alternative itinerary will be chosen. Optional Activities: Guided Morning Game Walk in South Luangwa NP Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 26 LILIWONGWE

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

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

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

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 Activity: 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. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 DAY 33 / 34 / 35 ZANZIBAR

A local ferry will take us from Dar es Salaam (where we leave the truck) to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. We spend the first night in Stone Town where you will have time to explore the markets and unique architecture. The following day we take a transfer to the northern part of the Island where we will spend 2 days relaxing on the beach. Optional Activities: Meals, Spice Tours, Dolphin Tours, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling. Meals: Breakfast

Day 36 Lushoto

Today we leave Zanzibar and catch a ferry back to Dar es Salaam and return to our truck. We continue on to Lushoto, the major town and district centre, albeit small, in the Usambara Mountains, halfway between the coast and the parks. The popular pot plant Saintpaulia has its only wild occurrences in Tanzania, and particularly in the Usambara Mountains. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 37 Arusha

The city of Arusha is surrounded by some of Africa’s most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, the city is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro and The Arusha National Park. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 38/39/40 Serengeti and Ngorongoro Excursion

These 4 days are set aside for the 3-night camping excursion into the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. This area has one of the most densely inhabited large animal populations in Africa. On the first day from Arusha to Ngorongoro, there will be time for visiting the Oldupai gorge and museum.

The Serengeti excursion is in open topped 4×4 safari vehicles in order to tackle the challenging side roads in the parks. For those not going to the parks, take this chance to absorb some of the fascinating local culture. Optional Activities for those not doing the Serengeti Excursion: Various Serengeti & Ngorongoro Excursion packages, Lake Manyara game drives, day hiking & village tours and many more various day trips. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 41 Arusha

Today the group meets up again and we have the chance to exchange stories of the various adventures that we participated in over the past few days. In the afternoon we visit the local Masai Mara Museum and Snake Park in Arusha. Optional Activity: camel ride to local Masaai village. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 42 Kenya – Nairobi

After crossing the border into Kenya we continue to travel towards Nairobi and the end of our journey. Usually we end the tour with a group meal out at one of Nairobi’s excellent restaurants.  Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

TOUR ENDS

We will drop you off at The Meridian Court Hotel www.meridianhotelkenya.com. Should you wish to extend your tour for another night, kindly pre book this accommodation through your travel agent or Xtreme Gap Year .

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

Dates

This trip departs approximately twice a month and dates vary, please contact us for start dates.