Eight countries, 40 days, and one epic overland adventure that you will never forget. Start in Kenya and travel via Lando down towards Africa’s southerly tip. Along the way see some of the world’s highest sand dunes, float through the Okavango Delta in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), and meet the San people in the unforgivable environment of the Kalahari Desert. From wilderness to rural villages and lively cities, this camping adventure will bring you closer to the true Africa. What are you waiting for?
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Camping
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard Cafe, Mfuwe
Your G for Good Moment: Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp, Dekar
Your G for Good Moment: Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, Windhoek
Your G for Good Moment: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Yzerfontein
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Kande Beach Local Dinner, Kande Beach
Your Discover Moment: Victoria Falls. Entrances and wildlife safari drives in Serengeti and Etosha national parks and Ngorongoro Crater. Zanzibar excursion. Spice plantation tour. Okavango Delta overnight bush camping excursion. Waterberg Plateau visit. Entrance to Sossusvlei Dunes, Fish River Canyon, and Spitzkoppe. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Swim in the turquoise waters of Zanzibar, Look for the “big five” across Africa, Stand in the spray of Victoria Falls, Catch a sunset at the Fish River Canyon, Camp along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Meet Naro San people on the fringes of the Kalahari Desert, Explore cosmopolitan Cape Town
How large will the group be?
Max 22, avg 19.
What meals are included in this trip?
36 breakfasts, 32 lunches, 26 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Lando (overland adventure vehicle), 4x4 safari vehicles, minibuses, ferry, mokoro.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Simple hotels (4 nts, single or twin-share), participation camping (27 nts), permanent tented camp (1 nt), full-service camping (2 nts), hostel (2 nts, multi-share with up to 10 people), basic bush camping (2 nts), hostel (1 nt, multi-share with 3 people).
Itinerary
Nairobi
Arrive at any time.
Tonight after a brief welcome meeting, choose to get to know your group members with an optional group dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Nairobi/Arusha
Climb aboard the Lando and travel across the semi-arid lands of the Maasai people to Arusha, Tanzania and take in the views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.
Arusha/Serengeti National Park
Travel into the wild lands of the Serengeti on a safari drive. Ride past vast golden plains dotted with thorny acacia trees and animals galore. It’s here that the group will begin a 3-day, 2-night excursion into the park and Ngorongoro Crater.
Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro
Enjoy a final morning safari in the Serengeti while the sun rises and the animals come to life in this grassy savannah. Break down camp and travel onwards to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, famous for wildlife viewing. Set up camp in the late afternoon at a site near the crater rim and spend the rest of the day soaking in your surroundings.
Ngorongoro/Arusha
Today the group will venture down to the crater floor for a final safari in Ngorongoro. Search for animals amid the grasslands, swamps, acacia forests, and Lake Makat. Exit the crater in the late morning to begin the journey back to Arusha, and enjoy the scenery as you cruise along in the Lando.
Arusha/Bagamoyo
Begin the drive early and take in the varied landscapes along the way to the Indian Ocean. Today’s final stop will be in the town of Bagamoyo, recently named a World Heritage Site, it was once a very important trading port on the central coast of East Africa in the late 19th century. Upon arrival, you will have free time to wander around the narrow, unpaved streets on your own.
Bagamoyo/Zanzibar Beach Resort
Start the morning in Bagamoyo and then drive to Dar es Salaam to catch the ferry to Zanzibar. Few places are as entrancing and exotic as this Tanzanian archipelago. The group will spend a few days relaxing on its sandy shores.
Zanzibar Beach Resort
Spend a full free day exploring the cultural crossroads of Zanzibar. Choices for optional activities in the area include, snorkelling, a sailing trip, or plenty of beach time to sit in the sun.
Stone Town
Travel back to Stone Town today from our beach resort on the other side of the island. Visit a spice plantation on the way and then spend time wandering the historic alleyways of the oldest part of Zanzibar.
Stone Town/Baobab Valley
Leave paradise behind and travel further inland and back towards the mountains. Catch the ferry to Dar es Salaam and climb into the Lando again. Finish the day at the group campsite in the Baobab Valley under a sky of stars.
Baobab Valley/Iringa
After packing up camp the group will spend the majority of the day on the road in the Lando travelling to Iringa. Upon arrival enjoy a visit to a crafts centre that supports the local community.
Iringa/Chitimba
Cross the border and pass from Tanzania into Malawi. Finish the journey at Lake Malawi in Chitimba with gorgeous views of the mountains from the lake’s beach and view Tanzania from just across the water.
Chitimba/Kande Beach
Head to the picture-perfect Kande Beach today where you will have free time to get out on the lake, or hike along its shores.
Kande Beach
Take advantage of another day to enjoy this idyllic lakeside location. Wander the shore on foot, choose to snorkel and see the resident underwater life. Or take a leisurely swim before an optional village walk to nearby Tonga Village. Sit down for a traditional dinner at a local home.
Kande Beach/Chipata
Cross the border into Zambia today and travel in the Lando to Chipata, the capital of the Eastern Province.
Chipata/South Luangwa
Hit the road to South Luangwa National Park for some wildlife viewing. Along the way the group will have lunch and visit the Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard Café, a G Adventures—supported craft workshop. Then, there will be free time to choose an afternoon or night wildlife safari in the park. Please note that the South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive is an optional activity that is not included and will be an additional cost on tour should you choose to partake.
South Luangwa
Spend a full free day in the wildlife haven of South Luangwa National Park. Choose between a walking safari, a night drive, or a local village visit. Please note that the South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive and the South Luangwa Walking Safari are optional activities that are not included and will be an additional cost on tour should you choose to partake.
South Luangwa/Lusaka
Spend the day travelling across rough and bumpy roads to a private farm 29km (18 mi) outside the capital of Zambia. Marvel at the wildlife that wanders the property and opt to grab a cold drink at the camp’s bar, or relax by the pool.
Lusaka/Victoria Falls
Cross another border today between Zambia and Zimbabwe; home of the thundering Victoria Falls. Upon arrival choose to get close to one of the largest waterfalls in the world on an optional visit.
Victoria Falls
Spend a full free day on your own exploring the Victoria Falls area. Opt to try activities in the area like whitewater rafting, a scenic helicopter flight over the falls, or bungee jumping with the thundering falls in sight.
Victoria Falls
Spend a full free day getting to know Victoria Falls, home of one of the largest waterfalls in the world. For the more adventurous, we recommend white water rafting, a scenic helicopter flight over the falls, or bungee jumping. The choice is yours and there are plenty of options to choose from. Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close to the awesome Victoria Falls, opt to raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, or bungee jump (with Victoria Falls in sight).
Victoria Falls/Kasane
Travel across the border from Zimbabwe into Botswana. Opt to take a wildlife boat cruise along the fertile lands of the Chobe River. Spend time relaxing at camp with the group in a serene setting. You will stay over just outside of the park near the town of Kasane. This afternoon, take an optional afternoon sunset boat cruise along the Chobe River - it's your best opportunity to view hippos, crocodiles, and many elephants wallowing in the water.
You can pre-book the Chobe River Sunset Cruise on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Kasane/Nata
Wake up early today and opt for a wildlife safari drive in an open safari vehicle in Chobe National Park. Afterwards, travel south to Nata and reward yourself after the long journey with a group toast before camping under the stars and branches of ancient baobab trees.
Nata/Maun
Watch a beautiful sunrise this morning from your camp under the huge baobab trees. Hit the road in the Lando to Maun where the group will set up camp in a serene setting. Choose to prebook a scenic helicopter ride through the Delta during your free time in Maun.
Maun/Okavango Delta
Travel from Maun into the Delta to explore the landscape from an open 4x4 safari vehicle on the way to the basic bush camp. Do some birdwatching in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), then set out on a sunset nature walk. Return to camp and unwind around the campfire.
Maun/D'kar
Travel back through the Okavango Delta to Maun. Then, travel through the western part of Botswana to D'kar; the heart of the Kalahari. Set off on an optional bushman walk and see how the local San People adapted to life in the desert.
Later, enjoy the warm hospitality of the San Bushmen as the group will be staying at the G Adventures-supported Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp.
Ghanzi/Windhoek
Stretch those legs, wave farewell to the San People, and hop in the Lando headed for Windhoek. Laugh, reflect, and listen to each other's stories as you cross the border into Namibia. Check another country off those travel lists and choose to grab a meal together in the evening.
Windhoek/Waterberg Plateau
Climb aboard the Lando (overland adventure vehicle) and travel to the G Adventures-supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, located outside of Windhoek. Grab a tasty packed lunch here before heading to the Waterberg Plateau. Spend free time at the campsite simply enjoying the wild surroundings.
Waterberg Plateau/Etosha National Park
Enjoy a short group safari drive in Etosha National Park in the Lando en route to today’s camping spot. The remainder of the day includes free time to relax at camp and rest up for the next day’s adventure.
Etosha National Park
Embark on a full-day wildlife safari drive through Etosha National Park. Search for some of the animal species that call this place home. Because of the park’s size and large concentrations of animals within it almost feels like they come directly to you! Especially during the dry season (May through October).
Etosha National Park/Spitzkoppe
Today, travel south with the group to the rocky peaks of Spitzkoppe—the “Matterhorn” of Namibia. Upon arrival, spend free time exploring the area around camp. Hike up some of the nearby rocks and watch the sunset before gazing at a night sky full of stars. Explore on your own by foot, and be sure to check out the night sky—it's great for star-gazing!
Spitzkoppe/Swakopmund
Take in the wild landscape of Spitzkoppe before travelling to the coastal region of Namibia and the adrenaline capital of Swakopmund. Spend two nights here and enjoy plenty of time for daring optional activities in the area.
Swakopmund
Spend a full free day exploring on your own. From skydiving to sandboarding, there will be no problem finding activities to try. You can pre-book your sky dive on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Swakopmund/Namib Desert
Drive in the Lando to the oldest desert in the world and camp on the very edge. Upon arrival to camp there will be free time where you can choose to walk with a local expert to hear stories about the Namib Desert. Later, fall asleep under the stars.
Namib Desert
Explore the stunning rock formations of the Sesriem Canyon. Then choose to go further on the Sossuvlei Desert walk to visit a clay pan enclosed by the world’s largest sand dunes. Return to the campsite and enjoy dinner on the braai before a peaceful night's sleep in the desert.
Namib Desert/Fish River Canyon
Spend the day driving to the largest canyon in Africa known as Fish River Canyon. Along the way there will be opportunities to step outside of the Lando and stretch. The group will watch sunset over the canyon’s rim before sitting around a fire at camp.
Fish River Canyon/Orange River
The group will cross another border today on the journey into South Africa. Tonight, camp at the scenic Orange River. There will be free time to enjoy some of the activities in the area like a canoe excursion on the river.
Orange River/Cederberg
Board the Lando and drive further south past large plantations of rooibos tea as the group heads into the Cederberg Mountains. Camp here for the night where the options for your free time could be a wine tasting, a swim in the pool, or sitting around a campfire.
Cederberg/Cape Town
Travel to Cape Town today and stop along the way at the G Adventures-supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre where you will learn about the history and culture of the ancient San people. Tonight there will be free time in Cape Town to explore at your own pace.
Cape Town
Depart at any time.
If you aren't ready to go home just yet, talk with your CEO about extending your adventure and get to know more of South Africa or beyond. We highly recommend booking an extra night in Cape Town to explore all that this area has to offer.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
