An Epic 4×4 Overland Safari Tour: The Pyramids, the Greatest Wildlife Parks, Victoria Falls and More

Feel like an explorer on this once in a lifetime adventure traveling overland from Cairo to Cape Town overland. Experience the Pyramids, temples and ancient sites while cruising up the Nile in Egypt, and the unique historical churches and castles in Ethiopia. You’ll see the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) in the heart of safari country, and relax on the island of Zanzibar, overlooking spectacular Lake Malawi.

Rest above of the mighty Victoria Falls, hike up the highest free-standing sand dune in the world, hunt for diamonds in Namibia and finally relax in South Africa’s wine region sipping fine South African wine. You will be amazed over these 10 weeks at the diversity, contrasts, and cultures on this Cairo to Cape Town 4×4 self drive expedition.

Countries visited: Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

Mode of transport: International and internal flights (Egypt and Ethiopia: 2 weeks), 8 weeks guided self drive in Land Rover Defenders from Kenya to South Africa.
 

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY…

I never imagined I would enjoy myself as much as I did. I was rather skeptical driving a 20 year old land rover through Africa. But after seeing what everyone else was driving I realized I had a real young gem!!! I loved the driving, the people waving on the side of road, the women trying to sell us onions and bananas at the same time, the amazing wildlife in the parks it was all fantastic. 10 out of 10 AES. Keep up the great work.

Safari Tour Highlights

• Feel like a Pharaoh as we cruise up the Nile River and visit Egypt’s ancient sites
• Celebrate Ethiopia’s largely unknown fascinating history and myths as we discover Castles and Cathedrals
• Encounter a plethora of wildlife while 4WD driving through Africa’s premium wildlife parks
• Let Zanzibar steal your heart
• Discover Malawi the “warm heart of Africa”
• Seek out nocturnal wildlife in South Luangwa National Park while on a unique night game drive
• Enjoy watching Elephants frolicking in the cool waters of Chobe River in Botswana
• Uncover the historical riches of Namibia
• Achieve what many only dream of – travelling Cairo to Cape Town overland

Cairo to Cape Town Self Drive Safari Itinerary

(Click here for the full-length safari itinerary)

Week 1: Cairo, Pyramids and Ancient Sites

Luxor Temple in Egypt is most spectacular at night

Our epic adventure Cairo to Cape Town begins in the vibrant city of Cairo visiting the famous Egyptian museum and Pyramids during the day and sitting back to be dazzled by a sound and light show at the Sphinx at night. We board our flight to Aswan, where we visit Abu Simbel before boarding our cruise ship docked on the banks of the Nile River. We spend the coming days exploring historic sites around Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu and finally Luxor before disembarking our cruise boat and flying back to Cairo before continuing to Ethiopia.

Week 2: Addis Ababa, Lalibella and Gondar

Ethiopia is a country rich in history and culture, Queen of Sheeba and King Solomon ruled here; St George killed dragons in this mystical land of gorges and lakes. Starting in Addis we enjoy a city tour before flying to the unbelievable historic sites in Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela and Axum.

Gondar set high in the Ethiopian highlands is the home to the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Gheddi) a remarkable castle from the 16th and 17th Centuries

Dazzled by Ethiopia’s beauty and hospitality we regrettably depart for our next destination, Kenya, the heart and soul of safari country.

Week 3: Giraffe Sanctuary, Masai Mara National Reserve

We board our flight to Nairobi and upon arrival we meet our Land Rovers and begin the next leg of our unbelievable journey. We bid farewell to hotels and airports and say hello to Defenders and Oz tent camping equipment as we embark on a guided self drive 4WD adventure for the next 8 weeks from Kenya to South Africa! Our next leg on our Cairo to Cape Town overland.

Kenya is truly a remarkable country most famous for its game parks, stunning scenery and amazing hospitality. We spend a couple of days getting acquainted with our Land Rover Defenders while visiting David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and hand feeding endangered Rothschild giraffes. Leaving the city behind we head for the bush!

We spend the next few days seeking and photographing the Big 5 in the multi award winning Masai Mara National Reserve and seize the opportunity for a gentle walking safari amongst giraffe, eland, warthogs and flamingos near the shores of Lake Naivasha. We enjoy high tea at Elsamere, the home of Born Free.

Crossing the equator in Kenya from North to Southern hemisphere

Week 4: Lake Nakuru National Park, Amboseli National Park, Tanzanite

We look for Black and White Rhino in Lake Nakuru National Park and visit Kenana Knitters project in the sleepy village of Njoro before making our way through the Great Rift Valley to Amboseli National Park.

Driving across the border into Tanzania we arrive in Arusha (the best place in the world to buy Tanzanite) and step back in time in a Masai village where we meet the locals and learn about their unique lives as well as do a spot of shopping at the local souvenir market.

Week 5: Zanzibar, Livingstonia

We take a few days to kick back and relax on the island of Zanzibar enjoying Swahili cuisine, warm tropical water, vibrant markets and rich culture. We make our way in our Land Rover Defenders through Tanzania to Malawi.

Entering Malawi it becomes apparent how relaxed and laid back Malawians truly are. Following the lake shore we divert to Livingstonia, a small settlement overlooking Lake Malawi, dedicated to Dr David Livingstone

Sharing the road on the way to game drive in Chobe National Park in Botswana. It is not uncommon to have to give way!

Week 6: Lake Malawi, South Luangwa National Park

We enjoy a couple of days on the lake’s edge swimming, snorkelling and sighting rare prehistoric fish or visiting the local village, local school and clinic. Bidding Malawi farewell we make our way toward Zambia where we day and night game drive in South Luangwa National Park

Week 7: Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park

Spending a few days in awe of the mighty Victoria Falls in Livingstone we continue our way south as we cross into Botswana and experience the beauty and charm of Chobe National Park before entering northern Namibia and discovering the wilds of the northern Okavango Delta.

Week 8: Etosha National Park, Twyfelfontein Rock Paintings

Namibia, our second to last country on our epic journey does not disappoint., visit the world’s largest meteorite, game drive through Etosha National Park wander through a 200 million year old Petrified Forest, gaze at ancient rock paintings at Twyfelfontein and drive down the treacherous Skeleton Coast to witness the biggest Cape Fur Seal colony in the World.

The perfect group photo opportunity as we cross the Tropic of Capricorn in Namibia on our Cairo to Cape expedition

Week 9: Swakopmund, Kolsmankop

Swakopmund is an enchanting coastal town reminiscent of colonial times, a welcome couple of days enjoying the cool ocean breeze before heading back into the desert to climb Dune 45 in Sesrium. We will explore the old diamond mining ghost town of Kolmanskop and be amazed how the Namibian wild horses survive in these harsh desert conditions.

Week 10: Fish River Canyon, Cape Town

Enjoying a picnic on the edge of Fish River Canyon we cross the border into South Africa, our final destination, on our guided 4WD Cairo to Cape Town overland adventure. We make our way to Cape Town and spend our final day together exploring wineries around Stellenbosch.

Dates and Prices

Cairo to Cape Town Overland

Cape to Cairo Overland

Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing 1 vehicle on twin share on our Cairo to Cape Town overland. The trips costs are split into 2 sections, Land Price and Local Payment.

Land Price: Is payable in full 90 days prior to departure. This is payable in United States Dollars (USD$).
Local Payment: Is payable on day 1 of your expedition directly to the crew. This is payable in post-dated 2009 USD$ Cash only.

Please note there is a bond of USD$1,500 per vehicle, this will be added to the invoice to be paid with the final payment. Once the vehicle and equipment has been inspected at the end of the expedition, and should there be no unreasonable damage, or claim from a third party the bond will be refunded.

Cairo to Cape Town Overland Safari Package includes:

• 4×4 overland Land Rover vehicle (max 2 people per vehicle or 2 adults and 2 children)
• Fuel, Road tolls, spare parts, international vehicle paperwork, ferries as per the itinerary
• Internal flights Egypt (Cairo-Aswan, Luxor-Cairo)
• Abu Simbel flight and tour
• Entrance fees, guided tours, cruise, most meals Egypt
• Transfers and accommodation Egypt
• International flight Cairo, Egypt to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• 

  Taking a well deserved drivers break on our Cairo to Cape guided self drive expedition

  Internal flights transfers, accommodation, guided tours, entry fees, some meals Ethiopia

• International flights Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Nairobi, Kenya
• Airport transfers, accommodation, Nairobi, Kenya
• Equipped 4×4 Land Rover Defender
• Fuel, road tolls, spare parts, international vehicle paperwork, ferries
• Camping equipment (Oz Tent, camp beds, director camping chairs)
• Lead vehicle equipped with spare parts, tools, kitchen and cooking equipment
• Experienced expedition crew (mechanic and tour leader/cook)
• Accommodation – 27 days accommodation, 45 days camping
• Maps and local information
• Spice tour, transfers, accommodation, Zanzibar
• National Park fees and permits: Fish River Canyon, Sesrium National Park, Etosha National Park, Mahango Game Reserve, Victoria Falls National Park, Amboseli National Park, Masai Mara National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park
• Guided tour Kolmanskop Diamond Ghost Town, Namibia
• Twyfelfontein guided tour, Namibia
• Petrified Forest guided tour, Namibia
• Boat safari Chobe River, Botswana
• Game drive Chobe National Park, Botswana
• Morning and evening game drives South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
• Masai village tour, Tanzania
• Kenana Knitting Project, Kenya
• Walking safari, Green Crater Lake, Kenya
• 

  We spotted these lionesses in the late afternoon hunting in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya while game viewing

  High Tea Elsamere, Naivasha, Kenya

• David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Kenya
• Nairobi Giraffe Centre, Kenya
• Most meals

Cairo to Cape Town Overland Safari Package excludes:

• International driving permit
• Meals while in hotels, lunches while in same campsite for more than 1 day
• Visas
• Sleeping bag
• Flights
• Personal comprehensive travel insurance
• Personal spending money
• Minor or adventure activities en-route (white water rafting, walking with lions, ballooning Masai Mara etc)
• Drinks and snacks

BOOK THIS SAFARI NOW!