Zanzibar & the Cape

Day 1: Zanzibar

Border Information: If joining at Zanzibar, you will most likely enter Tanzania from Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (IATA code: ZNZ).

There will be an informal meet-and-greet and orientation of Stone Town with our local Zanzibar guide at 6:00pm - please meet at the reception of the joining hotel at this time if you wish to take part in this orientation. Please note that you will not usually meet your regular Dragoman crew tonight, as they will be arriving in Dar es Salaam this evening and will travel to Zanzibar with members of their previous group tomorrow.

Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Zanzibar before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Zanzibar.

In Stone Town we will stay in a good local hotel.

Please note that the first 4 days of this section overlap with our "YND - Nairobi to Zanzibar" trip, so some of the group that come to Zanzibar will leave before we take the ferry to Dar es Salaam. This is because Zanzibar is part of both trips, so it means customers going all the way through do not follow our Zanzibar itinerary twice!

Day 2: Zanzibar

Today will be a free day to explore Stone Town, the atmospheric old town on the exotic and beautiful island of Zanzibar!

Your Dragoman crew will arrive on Zanzibar this afternoon, and there will be an important meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - there will then be the option going for sunset drinks at Africa House and heading out to the night markets for a local dinner.

Day 3-4: Zanzibar

On our second day on Zanzibar we will join our local guide for a very interesting and informative tour around the sights of Stone Town and learn about the history of the island. We will then head away from town and take in a tour of a spice plantation, enjoy a local lunch with our guide, then head to Nungwi beach at the very north of the island. Nungwi is the Indian Ocean at its best - bright white sand, sparkling blue sea outstanding seafood and a fantastic chilled atmosphere.

On our third day on Zanzibar, we will have free time to enjoy Nungwi beach and relax, or to try snorkeling, diving, or other beach activities, or maybe go further afield looking for Red Colobus monkeys in the Jozani Forest.

In Nungwi we will spend both nights in a good hotel right on the shore of the ocean.

Day 5: Dar Es Salaam

Today we will return to Stone Town and then take a ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, before travelling on the local commuter barge from the city centre to the suburb of Kigamboni. The ferry will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax at the campsite.

In Dar es Salaam we stay at a beautiful and well-equipped beach camp on the southern side of the bay across from the city.

Day 6: Iringa

We have a couple of big drives ahead of us to reach Malawi, starting with a journey out of Dar es Salaam and through the hills of the Mikumi National Park.

We will stay in a well-equipped campsite on a working ranch 52kms south of the town of Iringa.

Estimated Drive Time - 11-12 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).

Day 7: Chitimba

Border Information: Exit Tanzania at Songwe, enter Malawi at Songwe.

Today is another travel day as we cross the southern highlands of Tanzania and enter Malawi, arriving at the beaches of Chitimba on the northwestern shores of Lake Malawi.

In Chitimba we will stay in a beautiful campsite on the beach.

Estimated Drive Time - 11-12 hours

Day 8-9: Chitimba

This morning, depending on the preferences of the group, we may have to chance for a short village walk or a woodcarving lesson in Chitimba. We will then continue south along the coast of Lake Malawi to Kande beach, a beautiful spot on the lake shore.

Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.

On the following day we will have a free day on Kande beach to relax or to get involved in some of the optional activities available here - there are watersports on the lake, horse riding through the forests and on the beaches, and village walks to see a little bit of the life of the local Tonga people.

In Kande we will stay in a well-equipped campsite.

Day 10: Lilongwe

Today we will head to the Malawian capital of Lilongwe. Hopefully we will arrive by mid-afternoon so that we have the chance to explore the city, its markets and its shops.

In Lilongwe we will camp in a well-equipped campsite.

Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.

Day 11-12: South Luangwa National Park

Border Information: Exit Malawi at Mchinji, enter Zambia at Mchinji.

Today our journey continues across the Zambian border to the stunning South Luangwa National Park, where we will stay for 2 nights.

If we make good enough time on the drive to the campsite, then there may be opportunity for an optional extra game drive upon arrival tonight.

Estimated Drive Time - 7-8 hours.

On the following day we will have an included early morning game drive and an included evening game drive, both in open-sided safari vehicles.

South Luangwa National Park is a hidden gem on the safari circuit; it is rarely visited due to its remote setting, but has some incredible populations of wildlife and is one of the only parks in Southern Africa that is open for night driving with spotlights when many of the big game is at its most active.

In South Luangwa National Park we will stay in a well-equipped campsite.

Day 13: Luangwa River

Today we have a full day drive towards the Lower Zambezi area.

Tonight we will stay in a well-equipped campsite at the bridge over the River Luangwa.

Estimated Drive Time - 9-10 hours.

Day 14: Lower Zambezi Area

Today we drive to our well equipped campsite on the banks of the Lower Zambezi.

Tonight we will meet our guides who will take us on our two-day canoeing expedition on the Lower Zambezi on the following day - they will give us a full briefing about the canoeing trip on arrival.

Estimated Drive Time - 8-9 hours.

Day 15-16: Lower Zambezi Area

Today we head out on our 2-day/2-night canoeing trip on the Lower Zambezi river.

This is a fully participatory expedition - everyone will pair up, go out in 2-person canoes and paddle themselves, following the lead boat! Everyone also gets involved in setting up the camps and cooking. All of our gear will be carried in a supply canoe, and wild camps are erected on islands in the river along the way.

This is a fantastic way to see the river, the scenery and some of the wildlife in the area!

Day 17: Livingstone

After breakfast, we have an early morning transfer from our second island wild camp on a fast barge back to the truck, and then continue our journey to Livingstone, on the Zambian side of the world-famous Victoria Falls.

In Livingstone we will stay in a well equipped campsite.

Estimated Drive Time - 9-10 hours.

Day 18: Victoria Falls

Border Information: Exit Zambia at Victoria Falls, enter Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls.

Today we cross the border to Zimbabwe and to the world famous Victoria Falls, the largest waterfalls in Africa!

Upon arrival in Victoria Falls we will go for a briefing for possible optional adventure activities, then we will have an included visit to the main viewpoints over the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.

In Victoria Falls we will stay in a well equipped campsite.

Estimated Drive Time - 1-2 hours.

Day 19: Victoria Falls

Border Information: If joining the trip in Victoria Falls, you will most likely enter Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls Airport (IATA code: VFA).

There will be a group meeting at 10:00am at the Victoria Falls Rest Camp. Your leader will leave a note on the reception with the details of this important meeting - when you arrive you will easily spot the Dragoman truck as well (to the right-hand-side of the reception), where you'll be able to meet one of our crew.

This afternoon we will have an included visit to the main viewpoints over the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.

Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Victoria Falls before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Victoria Falls.

In Victoria Falls we will camp in a well equipped campsite. Our camping ground is centrally located on the Zambezi River only four kilometres from the Falls, the perfect place to use as a base for the vast array of adventure activities on offer in the area. Please note that no meals are included in Victoria Falls.

Day 20: Victoria Falls

Today is a free day to allow you to participate in some of the many optional activities on offer. There are various activities and excursions to choose from, including white water rafting and canoeing, horse riding, abseiling or gorge swinging!

Day 21: Chobe National Park

Border Information: exit Zimbabwe at Kazangula, enter Botswana at Kazangula.

Today our journey begins with a drive across the border into Botswana and the town of Kasane, the gateway to the beautiful Chobe National Park.

This afternoon we will visit the park by taking a boat trip down the Chobe river, seeing how many animals we can spot! The boat trip provides a fantastic opportunity to take some stunning wildlife photographs, getting extremely close to the animals without disturbing them.

In Kasane we will stay in a well equipped campsite in the grounds of a safari lodge.

Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).

Day 22: Hwange National Park

We have an early start today as we head towards Hwange National Park. We will take an included afternoon game drive in local safari trucks through Hwange National Park.

In Hwange National Park we will camp in the National Park.

Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours

Day 23: Bulawayo

This morning we will head out on an early morning game drive within Hwange National Park. In the afternoon we will travel to city of Bulawayo in the southeast of Zimbabwe.

In Bulawayo we will stay in a campground with shared facilities, where some upgrades are available.

Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.

Day 24: Bulawayo

Today we will have an included day trip to explore the Mataobo National Park, home to a large population of black and white rhinoceros. We have an incredible safari to track them on foot, and also have the chance to visit the grave of Cecil Rhodes and learn all about Zimbabwe's past.

Day 25: Makgadikgadi Pans

Border Information: Exit Zimbabwe at Plumtree, enter Botswana at Ramokgwebana.

Leaving Zimbabwe behind, we have a long drive day today into Botswana to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, home to one of the largest salt pans in the world.

At the Makgadikgadik Pans we will camp at a well equipped campsite.

Estimated Drive Time - 10-11 hours.

Day 26: Makgadikgadi Pans

Today we will have the time for optional excursions into the Makgadikgadi Pans to see the incredible scenery and go in search of meerkats!

Day 27: Shakawe

Today we have a big drive from our camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park to our base camp for the Okavango Delta experience.

Drive Distance - approx 580km / 9hrs

We will spend the night in a camp site with facilities.

Day 28-29: Okavango Delta

Today we will drive to the village of Sepupa (Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours), where we leave our vehicle and board boats out over to Mokoba island.

Here we will meet our 'mokoro' team, who will take us out into the stunningly beautiful area of the Okavango. We'll board the mokoros (which are small dugout-style canoes) and get poled out into the reed beds of the delta. Each canoe takes two people and is poled through the meandering waterways. Reeds and lily pads line the streams, and birds startled by the mokoros rise out of the long grasses. Punting along, the peace may be shattered by the deep grunting of hippos.

We'll be camping out on an island in the middle of a wilderness area (at a permanent campsite with facilities). All food will be provided by our local hosts.

The next day we will explore the island on foot, and then take the mokoros out to a different island for more game walks, lunch, and then mokoro back to camp. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to swim in a safe area of the delta and have a try at poling the canoes ourselves! We will stay overnight at a houseboat.

Day 30: Grootfontein

Today we will have an early start and cross the border into Namibia, to the area north of the town of Grootfontein. This region is home to many of the San people, and we will visit a village community project here - we will go on a fascinating 'bushwalk', learning all about the survival skills, crafts and traditional life from our local San guides! After this, we will head to our campsite for the evening.

In Grootfontein we will stay in a well equipped campsite.

Estimated Drive Time - 8 hours.

Day 31-32: Etosha National Park

Today we head west to the stunning Etosha National Park.

Etosha is one of the world's most pre-eminent wildlife areas, and we have an excellent chance to spot some of Africa's most famous animals such as elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, leopard, oryx, impala, and rhino!

We will stay in the park for 2 days, giving us plenty of opportunity for game drives in our truck in search of the animals here.

In Etosha National Park we will stay in a mixture of the campsites of Namutoni, Halali or Okaukuejo according to availability, all of which are superbly located within the National Park, have excellent facilities and are situated next to watering holes where many animals come for a drink at night.

Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours each day.

Day 33: Spitzkoppe

Today we will drive south to the stunning mountains of Spitzkoppe. This remote region has breathtaking sunsets and sunrises as the colour of the landscape takes on remarkable oranges and reds.

In Spitzkoppe we will wild camp with very limited facilities.

Estimated Drive Time - 5-7 hours.

Day 34-35: Cape Cross

Today we will continue to the old German colonial town of Swakopmund, where we will have 2 nights to explore the town and enjoy some of the many optional adventure activities on offer.

We will also have an included visit to Cape Cross en route from Spitzkoppe, to experience the sight, sound and smell of thousands of olive-coloured seals on the shore.

In Swakopmund we will stay in group Cabins, near town.

Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.

Day 36: Sesriem & Soussusvlei

Today we will drive from Swakopmund to Sesriem, our base for exploring the spectacular Namib Desert. If time allows, en route we will have the option to take a short walking tour of the desert around Solitaire where we can learn all about the ecosystem of the desert - please note that our time available for this is dependent on the time of the sunset, as they close the gates to our Sesriem campsite at sunset.

In Sesriem we will camp at a well equipped campsite.

Estimated Drive Time - 9-10 hours.

Day 37: Bethanie

Today we have an early morning start to climb to the top of the famous Dune 45 for a dramatic and incredible sunrise view across a vast sea of sand. We will also have chance to explore the otherworldy landscape of the Dead Vlei. In the afternoon, we head south to our river camp near the small town of Bethanie.

At Bethanie we will camp at an eco-tourism campsite.

Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours (not including the Dune 45 excursion).

Day 38: Fish River Canyon

Today we head south to the dramatic scenery of the Fish River Canyon. Here we will have some time for exploration and taking in the beautiful sunset over the canyon.

At Fish River Canyon we will camp in a basic campsite.

Estimated Drive Time - 8 hours.

Day 39: Noordoewer

This morning we will drive to Noordoewer, next to the scenic banks of the Gariep (Orange) River - the natural border between Namibia and South Africa. If there is sufficient water in the river we may be able to take an optional canoeing tour on the Orange River.

NB: If we have arrived late the previous day, the Tour Leader may opt to spend more time at Fish River Canyon before driving to Noordoewer.

In Noordoewer we will stay in a well equipped campsite.

Estimated Drive Time - 3-5 hours.

Day 40: Citrusdal

Border Information: Exit Namibia at Noordoewer, enter South Africa at Noordoewer.

Today we cross the border into South Africa and head down the Western Cape to camp site near Citrusdal. In the evening we will have the option for some wine tasting!

We will stay in a well equipped campsite.

Estimated Drive Time - 8-9 hours.

Day 41: Cape Town

Our final day takes us down the Western Cape to the charming and beautiful city of Cape Town.

This evening you will have the opportunity to enjoy a final group meal to say goodbye to your fellow travellers.

In Cape Town we stay in a well located and busy Hostel.

Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.

Day 42:

Today marks the end of our fantastic adventure.

Border Information: If finishing in Cape Town, you will most likely exit South Africa at Cape Town International Airport (IATA code: CPT).

Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Dragoman Sales team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.