One World Travel Centre

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Days 1 & 2 - Gariep River
Leave behind the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, take a long drive up the West Coast and cross over the border into Namibia. We have two nights to enjoy our camp on the banks of the Orange River. The next morning is spent exploring the river by canoe where the pace and mood are relaxed and unhurried.

Day 3 - Fish river Canyon
Fish River Canyon, second in size to the Grand Canyon, is our next destination. The edge is reached with a startling suddenness, where dramatic views open up before us. In the cooler months we also sample the mystical qualities of the hot springs at Ai-Ais.

Day 4 - Aus
We drive on to the remote desert settlement of Aus and pitch tents. At Kolmanskop, a guided walk takes us through the ghost town, where diamonds were so plentiful they could be picked up off the ground. We also visit Luderitz, a natural harbour where penguins and pelicans are a common sight.

Days 5 & 6 - Sesriem
Continue along the edge of the Namib-Naukluft Park, a barren desert landscape home to wild horses where the sand relentlessly drifts over the roads. We set up camp at Sesriem for two nights, under the Acacia trees. The next day we climb to the top of one of the dunes for an incredible view of Sossusvlei. In a landscape full of contrasts of light and shade there is a feeling of tranquility and an awesome sense of space. The photographic opportunities over the highest fixed sand dunes in the world are incredible.

Days 7 & 8 - Swakopmund
Travelling via Walvis Bay, where the lagoon is often full of flamingoes, our destination is Swakopmund. Explore this colonial town with its graceful art nouveau buildings. Our two night stop, in chalets near the sea, gives us a free day to enjoy the optional adventure activities. Quad biking, sand boarding and flights over the desert are popular choices.

Day 9 - Palmwag
The drive north along the Skeleton Coast is impressive. Following the rugged coastline along this lonely stretch of shore brings us to Cape Cross to see the colony of seals. We then head inland towards Palmwag, an area inhabited by the famous desert elephants.

Day 10 - Cheetah Farm
The scenery today is a landscape of strange rock formations. We visit a Cheetah Farm in the Kamanjab area, home to both tame and wild cheetahs. Viewing them at feeding time is an option.

Days 11 to 13 - Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park, a vast white dust bowl in the dry season, yet a shallow lake filled with thousands of flamingoes in the wet months. We camp for two nights at Okaukuejo, spending the evenings at the floodlit watering hole, often watching elephants, rhino and big cats coming to drink. Etosha offers excellent opportunities for wildlife photography. We visit Halali and also move camp to Namutoni.

Day 14 - Ngepi
Today is a long straight drive towards Rundu. We pass rural huts of the Owambo people. Our rest camp on the banks of the Okavango River is a welcome sight on a hot day.

Days 15 & 16 - Okavango Delta
Entering Botswana, we venture to the edge of the Okavango Delta. This fan-shaped oasis attracts an abundance of animal and bird life. With local guides we explore the maze of channels, lagoons and islands in dugout canoes, gliding silently past crocodile and hippo. A guided walk provides a chance for a close encounter with game. Bush camping on an island, makes for a true wilderness experience.

Day 17 - Katima Mulilo
Leaving the Delta behind our route pushes on through the Caprivi Strip to Katima Mulilo situated on the banks of the Upper Zambezi River.

Day 18 - Chobe Safari Lodge
Chobe National Park is one of the richest wildlife areas in Botswana. We take a boat cruise on the Chobe River, viewing game gathered on the riverbanks. Our camp at Chobe Safari Lodge provides a unique setting for the last night of our tour. Sitting together at the bar on the edge of the river, we marvel at the magnificent sunset in one of Africa’s great national parks.

Day 19 - Victoria Falls
A short drive takes us across the border into Zimbabwe. Our tour finishes in the town of Victoria Falls where you can view one of the natural wonders of the world.

Optional adventure activities include white water rafting, bungi jumping and elephant back riding.

Day 20 to 21 - Victoria Falls / Livingstone
Victoria Falls is a spectacular starting point where two days are set aside for the incredible optional activities on offer. Take the plunge with a bungi jump of 111m from the Zambezi Bridge, fly over the falls, raft the rapids or enjoy the stunning views on a sundowner cruise. Our journey begins as we cross the historic Livingstone Bridge, over the Zambezi Gorge, into Zambia.

Day 22 - Lusaka
The unspoiled nature of Zambia is perhaps its greatest asset, relatively free of tourists and rich in scenery and wildlife. We make for the capital Lusaka, energetic, crowded and colourful, and supplement our stores in the city’s bustling market.

Day 23 - South Luangwa National Park
Zambia is Africa as it used to be. Most of the country is off the beaten track and the state of the roads is poor. There is the option to visit South Luangwa National Park (access is seasonal due to the rains). In this park, which claims to have the best leopard sightings, night drives and game drives in open vehicles can be arranged.

Day 24 - Lilongwe
Heading eastwards brings us to Malawi. We stop in Lilongwe, the spacious capital of Malawi, stock up on supplies, make any phone calls and check out the markets.

Day 25 to 30 - Cape Maclear / Kande Beach / Chitimba Beach
Our first introduction to Lake Malawi is in the waters around Cape Maclear and Monkey Bay. Excellent visibility and a multitude of tropical fish make it a snorkeller’s paradise. Try some of the many optional water based activities or relax, watch fish eagles soar and enjoy the stunning beaches. Malawi is known as the “Warm heart of Africa”, which we soon discover in the friendly welcome we receive. Passing the many small villages, we travel the full length of the western side of the lake, stopping off at various bays and inlets, enjoying the stress-free pace Malawi offers. We have the option to join a family for a traditional meal at Kande Beach. The country is also renowned for its skilled craftsmen. The distinctive wooden chairs are a speciality of these carvers. Try your hand at bartering at the wood markets of Senga Bay before continuing to the numerous beach stops between Nkhotakota and Nkhata Bay. Heading north we pass below the breathtaking Livingstonia escarpment.

Day 31 - Iringa
Cross over the Tanzanian Border, wind through the tea plantations covering the rolling mountainous countryside and descend to the town of Mbeya, nestled among the surrounding hills. A driving day continues to our destination of Iringa.

Day 32 - Dar Es Salaam
We pass through Mikumi National Park, home to a range of wildlife. Elephant, giraffe or zebra often graze the roadsides and remain oblivious as we pass by. Continue through the spectacular Tanzanian countryside, including Morogoro at the foot of the Uluguru Mountain Range. Morogoro Market offers a true African experience, jostling among the locals and bartering for food in the traditional way. Our destination is the palm-lined port of Dar es Salaam, an exciting and energetic city, home to people of many different cultures. We take the opportunity to visit one of the finest craft markets in Africa. Bargain for an exquisite wooden piece or simply watch the carvers at work and marvel at the skill involved.

Day 33 to 35 - Zanzibar
Zanzibar, the Spice Island and home to Swahili culture - is a fascinating mixture of African and Arab languages and customs. Take the option to cross by ferry to the island and explore the narrow streets and Arab palaces. The Old Town with its unique architecture, bazaars and markets echoes the Arabian Nights. Visit the spice plantations and slave pits, a reminder of the darker side of the island’s history. Dive off the coral reef, soak up the sun on golden, palm-fringed beaches and visit the island’s fantastic seafood restaurants. Return to Dar es Salaam on the overnight ferry.

Day 36 to 39 - Arusha / Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater
Continuing our journey, we hope to catch a glimpse of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, generally shrouded in cloud but sometimes displaying the glistening snows of its summit. Arusha, in the shadow of Mount Meru (Kili’s smaller sister), is the starting point for optional excursions into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park. Arriving in the crater you have reached what many regard as the eighth wonder of the world. The incredible view from the rim offers a glimpse of the spectacle to follow. Home to nearly every species of African animal, Ngorongoro Crater has probably the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa. This is undoubtedly the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black maned males.

Day 40 - Kenya
We drive to the border and enter Kenya. Cross the open plains where Maasai, a proud people traditionally dressed in brilliant red cloth adorned with beadwork and metal jewellery, can be seen grazing their cattle. Our journey, which has taken us through five diverse countries, finishes in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.