Absolute Africa Overland Safari & Participation Camping

G Adventures · 55 days

3.8

3 Reviews

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Duration

55 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Demanding

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Sure, 55 days might sound like a lot of time, but this once-in-a-life time experience offers you the gift of time in some of the most epic landscapes in the world.

Highlights

Search for the "big five" in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
Stand before the largest sand dunes in the world and the powerful Victoria Falls
Travel on 4x4 safaris and by traditional canoe
Meet mountain gorillas in the Ugandan tropical rainforest
Discover the charm of Zanzibar’s island paradise

Trip Details

Duration

55 days

Transportation

Lando (overland adventure vehicle), mokoro, 4x4 safari vehicles, minibuses, ferry, walking.

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Cape Town, South Africa

Finishes

Nairobi, Kenya

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Classic

Physical Rating

Demanding

Itinerary

Day 1: Cape Town

Arrive at any time.

Tonight, after a brief welcome meeting, attend an optional group dinner for your first night in Cape Town.
Get the most out of your time in Cape Town by pre-booking the South African Wine Tour and Tasting extra. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour as this activity has an early start time. Please note, due to the timings of this activity, there is a possibility you may miss the welcome meeting on day 1 of your tour - in this case, your CEO will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.

Day 2: Cape Town/Cederberg

Hit the road in the Lando and view the stunning Western Cape scenery on the way to the G Adventures-supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre. Learn about the history and culture of the ancient San people. Arrive to the campsite in the afternoon and enjoy free time in the area.

Day 3: Cederberg/Orange River

Travel north past large plantations of rooibos tea. Camp at the scenic Orange River and arrive at the site with enough time to enjoy a late afternoon swim in the river.

Day 4: Orange River/Fish River Canyon

Travel to Fish River Canyon today, the largest canyon in Africa. Hop out of the Lando to watch sunset over the canyon's rim. Set up camp nearby and sit around the campfire.

Day 5: Fish River Canyon/Namib Desert

Sit back in the Lando and travel north along long, bumpy roads to the Namib Desert. Arrive and set up camp in the late afternoon, and admire the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei seeming to rise up towards the sky in the middle of nowhere.

Day 6: Namib Desert

Begin the day at dawn and watch sunrise from atop the iconic Dune 45. Later, venture to the surreal Deadvlei for an optional excursion to this mesmerizing clay pan before slipping into the shadier areas of Sesriem Canyon to learn about its formation and ability to sustain wildlife with hidden pools.
Conclude your day with a scenic drive, if time allows, stopping at the quaint town of Solitaire, before settling in at the campsite. Here, you may opt for an evening activity: "Namib Desert Walk." This activity is an educational experience about bushmen's survival in the desert, the geology of sand dunes, and local wildlife, and ends with a beautiful desert sunset.

Day 7: Namib Desert/Swakopmund

Cross over the dry mountain passes and vast empty region of the Namib Desert en route to adrenaline capital; Swakopmund. The group will spend two nights here with plenty of time for the many optional activities in the area.

Day 8: Swakopmund

Spend a free day in Swakopmund. Try activities like skydiving and sand boarding. For an even bigger adventure, hop on a scenic flight over the Skeleton Coast.
You can pre-book your sky dive on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.

Day 9: Swakopmund/Spitzkoppe

Jump in the Lando and travel toward the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe. Dubbed the Matterhorn of Namibia, this is the perfect place for epic outdoor adventures. Enjoy free time here upon arrival.
Explore on your own by foot, and be sure to check out the night sky—it's great for star-gazing!

Day 10: Spitzkoppe/Etosha National Park

Soak in the strangeness of this unique landscape before moving on to Etosha National Park for some prime wildlife viewing. Enjoy a safari drive in the park on the way to your camp.
After sunset, watch animals at the watering holes near the camping area, which is safe, being well lit with flood lights. Free time at night allows for the option of a night safari in an open vehicle.

Day 11: Etosha National Park

Embark on a full-day wildlife safari drive in Etosha National Park. Search for more than 100 different mammals that call this park home. During the dry season (May through October) the animals all gather around the waterfalls creating some of the densest wildlife viewing in the world.

Day 12: Etosha National Park/Waterberg Plateau

Move on from Etosha today and travel further south to the Waterberg Plateau. Spend free time exploring the trails in this national park in search of more wildlife, or choose to relax at camp.

Day 13: Waterberg Plateau/Windhoek

Travel south through the Namibian countryside to Windhoek. Lunch will be had along the way at the G Adventures-supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop. There will be free time in Windhoek upon arrival.

Day 14: Windhoek/D'kar

Cross the border from Namibia into Botswana and travel east into the heart of the Kalahari to D'kar. Catch a glimpse of how the local San Bushmen adapted to this difficult landscape on an optional bushman walk.

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.

Day 15: D'kar/Maun

Climb in the Lando and continue towards Maun. In the afternoon, there will be free time to unwind before setting up camp with the group.
Choose to prebook a scenic helicopter ride through the Delta during your free time in Maun.

Day 16: Maun/Okavango Delta

Dive right into nature today for an overnight excursion in the Okavango Delta. Do some birdwatching and travel in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) to the basic bush camp. Set up camp and head out for a wildlife walk in the area. Gather around the campfire for a sundowner in the evening.

Day 17: Okavango Delta/Gweta

Set out on a morning safari walk before returning to Maun via the mokoro. Then, get back inside the Lando and travel to the ancient baobab trees of Gweta. There will be free time upon arrival.

Day 18: Gweta/Kasane

Venture north from Gweta to Kasane. There will be time for an optional river cruise through Chobe National Park before setting up camp under a sky full of stars.
Journey to the area of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa. You can pre-book the Chobe River Sunset Cruise on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.

Day 19: Kasane/Victoria Falls

Choose to go on an early safari drive in the morning before travelling with the group from Botswana across the border to Zimbabwe. Sit down for a traditional lunch at the G Adventurers-supported Lusumpuko Women's Club. Continue on to the town Victoria Falls, a great base to see the falls, and take part in some exciting activities.
Opt to prebook the Chobe National Park Safari Drive and head out early into the park before crossing the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe at the Kazungula border post.

Day 20: Victoria Falls

Spend a free day in Victoria Falls. For the adventurous, there are activities like whitewater rafting or a scenic helicopter flight over the falls. The choice is yours!
Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities.

Day 21: 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.

Day 22: Victoria Falls/Lusaka

Rise early and get on the road around 6am to cross the border from Zimbabwe into Zambia. Towards the end of the day, the group will arrive at a private farm about 29km (18 mi) outside of Zambia's capital and enjoy free time to relax and marvel at the wildlife on the property.

Day 23: Lusaka/South Luangwa

While today's travel day might be long, there will be plenty of time to socialize on the Lando as the group is driven across the Zambian countryside to the campsite along the banks of the Luangwa River. There will be free time to enjoy your surroundings upon arrival.

Day 24: South Luangwa

Spend a free day doing as you please in South Luangwa National Park. Choose a walking safari (it's seasonal), a night drive, or visit a nearby local village.

Day 25: South Luangwa/Chipata

Rise early and choose to head out on an optional morning safari drive. Bring your camera to try and photograph some of the resident wildlife. Stop for lunch and for a visit to the Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard, a G Adventures-supported craft workshop. Afterwards, continue travelling in the Lando to Chipata.

Day 26: Chipata/Kande Beach

Cross the border into Malawi today and travel to Lake Malawi affectionately known as, “Lake of Stars”. Spend four nights relaxing on the shores and during the day take beach walks, leisurely swims, and snorkel in this beautiful paradise.

Day 27: Kande Beach

Take advantage of a free day to explore Lake Malawi. In the evening the group will take part in a traditional dinner at a local home before camping under the stars.

Day 28: Kande Beach/Chitimba

Soak in another free day along Lake Malawi. From oceans and mountains to lakes and vast skies, you're seeing some of the best scenery in Africa. Travel north to Chitimba Beach and try to spot Tanzania from across the lake. Free time activities here include getting out on the lake or hiking along the shores in the picturesque landscape.

Day 29: Chitimba

During this final free day at Lake Malawi you can opt for activities further away like hiking to Livingstonia along the Nyika Plateau, or you can relax in the sand and listen to the lake lapping the shoreline.

Day 30: Chitimba/Iringa

Travel into Tanzania during the journey to Iringa. The Lando will climb out of the Great Rift Valley offering humbling views through some of the mountain passes and tea plantations in the highlands. Spend the ride journaling, reading, taking a nap, or chatting with other members of the group.

Day 31: Iringa/Dar es Salaam

Leave Iringa in the morning for Dar es Salaam. Cruise in the Lando through the Tanzanian countryside and watch as the blue waters of the Indian Ocean make their debut. The group will spend the night here before setting off to Zanzibar.

Day 32: Dar es Salaam/Zanzibar Beach Resort

Catch a ferry and travel to the island beaches of Zanzibar.

Day 33: Zanzibar Beach Resort

Spend a full free day in Zanzibar's alluring tropical setting. Choose from an array of optional activities in the area like snorkelling, sailing, or beach lounging.

Day 34: Stone Town

Travel back to Stone Town from the beach property on the other side of the island and set out on a guided tour of a local spice plantation before seeing the heart of Zanzibar for yourself.

Day 35: Stone Town/Bagamoyo

Take the ferry from Stone Town back to the mainland and drive north in the Lando to the coastal town of Bagamoyo. During a free evening walk the unpaved streets and get to know this recently named World Heritage Site.

Day 36: Bagamoyo/Arusha

Jump on the road in the Lando and cross varied landscapes all the way to Arusha. Keep an eye out for views of Mt Kilimanjaro on the way.
Arusha sits at the foot of rugged Mt Meru, Africa's fifth highest mountain.

Day 37: Arusha/Serengeti National Park

Today begins your 3-day and 2-night excursion into Serengeti National Park and the wildlife-dense Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 38: Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro

Enjoy a morning safari in the Serengeti and watch the wildlife come to life. Break down camp before travelling to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, famous for Africa's best wildlife viewing. Set up camp near the crater rim and enjoy your surroundings for the remainder of the day.

Day 39: Ngorongoro/Arusha

Venture down to the crater floor for a final wildlife experience in the area. In the late morning the group will travel back to Arusha and enjoy a free evening.

Day 40: Arusha/Nairobi

Hop in the Lando and hit the road to Kenya's capital; Nairobi. Cross through the semi-arid lands of the Maasai people en route and marvel at the epic views of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance as you swap stories with your road trip buddies!

Please note that this is a combination tour, and some of your fellow group members may be finishing their tour on this evening.
Depart Arusha in the morning and travel overland to Nairobi. Please note that this is a combination tour, and some of your fellow group members may be finishing their tour on this evening.

Day 41: Nairobi

Spend the day on your own in Nairobi, East Africa's most cosmopolitan city and Kenya's beating heart. From vibrant cultural life to excellent places to eat, plus buzzing nightlife there's plenty to see and do during your time here.

Day 42: Nairobi/Masai Mara

Travel through the Great Rift Valley on the way to the Maasai Mara Reserve. Embark on a late afternoon wildlife safari drive in one of Kenya's premier wildlife destinations.

Day 43: Masai Mara

Board the safari vehicle and travel into the Maasai Mara Reserve for some wildlife spotting. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure at the camp.

Day 44: Masai Mara/Lake Nakuru National Park

Depart the camp on your 4x4 safari vehicle and meet up with the Lando at G Adventures-supported Ubuntu Cafe for a delicious lunch. Later, enjoy an afternoon wildlife drive through the area.

Day 45: Lake Nakuru National Park/Eldoret

See more wildlife life on a morning safari drive around Lake Nakuru. Then, continue onwards in the Lando to Eldoret.

Day 46: Eldoret/Kampala

Cross the border into Uganda and travel to Kampala, the country's capital. The group will arrive there in the late afternoon.

Day 47: Kampala/Lake Bunyonyi

Cross over the equator today in the Lando en route from Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi. The name Bunyonyi means ‘place of many little birds' and the lake's winding shores encircle 29 islands surrounded by steep terraced hillsides. Upon arrival enjoy free time to get to know your surroundings and opt to swim in the calm waters.

Day 48: Gorilla Trek

Spend the day on a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Hike deep into the jungle through volcano forests alongside a park ranger in search of these mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Please be ready for a challenge as the treks can vary in length and difficulty.

Note: Ugandan authorities are fiercely protective of this natural treasure, and currently permit only a maximum of eight people, per day, to visit a given gorilla family. The group will be split into different sub-groups for the trek, and depending on the number of travellers, different sub-groups may do their trek on different days.

Day 49: Lake Bunyonyi

Explore Lake Bunyonyi with a full day of free time. There are many optional activities to choose from like, swimming, hiking, canoeing, bird watching, or taking a motorboat tour of the lake. In the evening, relax together with the whole group at the lodge.

Please keep in mind that some members of the group will do the gorilla trek on this day and have the free day in Lake Bunyonyi the day before.

Day 50: Lake Bunyonyi/Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Drive through the Ugandan countryside on the journey to Kalinzu Forest Reserve, which is further north in the country. The reserve is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park and offers a great variety of landscapes to view wildlife. Spend the afternoon at your leisure here.

Day 51: Kalinzu Forest Reserve/Lake Mburo National Park

Rise early this morning for an included chimpanzee tracking excursion within the lush Kalinzu Forest Reserve with a ranger. Later, the group will visit a tea plantation before arriving at Lake Mburo. Then, you can choose to book an afternoon boat cruise, or get to know the local area on foot.

Day 52: Lake Mburo National Park/Jinja

Today the group will travel back across the equator to Uganda, which happens to be one of the few countries where it's possible to cross over this boundary on land. Along the way, make a stop for lunch at the G Adventures-supported AidChild Equation Café & Gallery. Arrive to Jinja in the evening.

Day 53: Jinja

The entire day is free for you to explore Jinja on your own or with members of the group. There are plenty of outdoor and adventure activities to choose from like rafting and mountain biking.
Pre-book your rafting adrenaline rush on the checkout page to include the Jinja River Rafting optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Day 54: Jinja/Eldoret

Catch up on some rest during this travel day between Uganda and Kenya. The group will arrive to the camp site near Eldoret in the evening and spend the night under the stars.

Day 55: Eldoret/Nairobi

Enjoy the ride as the group travels in the Lando through the Kenyan countryside to Nairobi. The tour will end upon arrival.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $14,699

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 55 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Demanding

Sure, 55 days might sound like a lot of time, but this once-in-a-life time experience offers you the gift of time in some of the most epic landscapes in the world.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 01 Mar 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

3.5

Andrea

Traveled, June 2024

08/06/2024

This tour itinerary was very inclusive and provided many great experiences However the accommodation for Etosha was misleading as the accommodation is noted as Hotel accommodation but actually involves camping in a tent. We did not carry camping gear as we believed we had 2 days of camping in namibia and one night in the delta and had to purchase blankets This requires amendment on the tour radar website. We also did the Masai Mara tour which is incorrectly described as 5 days in the detailed itinerary and had to cut short one day as we had to booked to return home on the 5 th when the tour ended on the 6th day. Would appreciate a response from tour radar

4.5

Elisabeth

Traveled, May 2024

07/25/2024

This tour was exceptional! We got to see and experience so much! Cape Town was great we opted for the wine tour and that was fantastic! Kruger was great but I enjoyed the rhino trekking much more! Victoria falls book the extra day and do the helicopter and Zambezi dinner cruise luxury version! Francisca was our guide and she was exceptional, she helped us learn and fall in love with South Africa and Zimbabwe!

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

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