Compare London to Cairo Trans Africa by African Trails vs Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa & Egypt in 28 days - Essence of Africa - Superior by Exoticca

Week 1 - 4: Europe, Morocco

We start the trip at Gibraltar. Crossing the straits of Gibraltar to Morocco, we visit the coastal capital city of Rabat and visit Casablanca. Meknes, on the high plains, is of the many ancient walled cities with covered markets and a labyrinth of narrow winding streets. We visit the ancient Roman ruin of Volubilis, followed by Fes, Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains.

Week 5: Mauritania

We pass into the Sahara Desert and follow the Atlantic Coast - it is never forgotten; oases with cool water surrounded by palms, stretches of sand as big as a small country, old forts, camel trains following centuries-old trading routes, and a night sky undiluted by city lights. We go hundreds of miles off road, sometimes digging the truck out of the soft sands to get through.

Week 6 - 10: Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana

We enter the Sahel; the vast semi-arid desert that separates the Sahara from the forests of black Africa and crosses the Senegal River into Senegal. We reach St Louis on the coast and the capital Dakar great night clubs. Into Guinea; spectacular scenery, thick jungle, rugged mountains, green as far as they eye can see, except for the red dirt roads, winch ferry spanning the rivers. Trek to chimpanzees, where they live wild in the forest. Ivory Coast and the magnificent Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, modeled on St Peters Basilica in the Vatican. Followed by Abidjan with an impressive skyline of high-rise buildings, the ocean and a camp on the beach. In Ghana, we cross the jungle to the beaches of the Gold Coast and visit the slaving forts.

Week 11 - 13: Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon

Togo and Benin are only fifty miles wide. Here the religion is the African tradition of Voodoo. On Nakoue Lagoon you can take canoes to visit the fishing villages built high above the water on bamboo stilts. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with 100 million people. We visit Lagos, the commercial capital and largest city in West Africa and head on to Abuja the political capital, then time at Wikki Warm Springs to relax for a few days. Leaving the warm springs we head to Calabar, passing the outskirts of the Cross-River National Park.

Week 14: Cameroon

Entering Cameroon, we stay on the beach at Limbe. For those that are adventurous, you can climb West Africa's largest mountain, Mount Cameroon. From the coast, we visit the capital Yaounde.

Week 15 - 17: Gabon, Republic of Congo, Cabinda (Angola)

Leaving Yaounde, we cross into Gabon.

Week 18: We enter The Republic of Congo.

Driving through bamboo forest tunnels we make our way back to the coast reaching Point Noire. Here you can visit the Jane Goodall Chimp sanctuary, or relax on the beach. We enter Cabinda the oil-rich exclave of Angola with the Congo to the East and the Atlantic to the west; where you can watch the flames burning off from the offshore oil rigs.

Week 19: Angola only opened up to tourism in 2004, With the closure of the routes through Sudan, African Trails started going this way through one of the largest and least visited countries in Africa. The people are friendly and the views astounding. Driving along the red mud roads we reach the coast and the capital Luanda, it’s very Portuguese in its buildings and Brazilian in its beach attire with a line of beach bars and restaurants in the bay. We follow the coast passing lots of waterfalls on the way to Lubango town 2000 meters high on a plateau. It is home to the third of the great statues of Jesus; the others being in Rio and Lisbon.

Week 20: Namibia

Entering Namibia, we encounter a vast array of environments and cultures. Once occupied by Germany, Namibia produces a blend of German, African and Afrikaans influences. The Himba peoples of the North are most noted for their red ochre body paint and their traditional lifestyle.

From wild animals to tame ones, we spend a night at the Cheetah Farm where you can scratch the big cats behind the ears before watching them tuck into their evening meal. Heading for the Atlantic Ocean Coast, Swakopmund is an old German colonial seaside resort with plenty of things to do for the energetic and plenty of beer cellars for those after a more relaxing time. The energetic can go horse-riding or sand boarding on the dunes, deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic or scenic flights over the coastline. Heading inland, we enter the Namib Desert, famous for the 300m high sand dunes. We enjoy sunrise at the top of the most photographed dune, Dune 45 before taking a tour with local guides into the remote parts of Sossusvlei.

After an overnight stay in the desert, we drive south to Fish River Canyon, at 85km long and 400m deep it's second in size only to the Grand Canyon. You can trek down to the bottom of the canyon and, from the viewpoints at the top, watch the setting or rise of the sun. There are seasonal hot springs in the south at Ai Ais. Our last stop in Namibia is the Orange River, which forms the border with South Africa.

Week 21: South Africa

Crossing the river we arrive in South Africa and travel south through Namaqualand, South Africa's prime farming areas. We drive through the mountain valleys of the Cederberg and stony semi-deserts before arriving in Stellenbosch, the center of one of the Cape's many wine routes. A wine tour with plenty of tasting makes for a great day out.

Cape Town It's a beautiful city, nestled at the foot of Table Mountain; plenty of cafes, pubs, clubs, markets and sights. You can climb the mountain or take the cable car to the top for some wonderful views of the city and the Cape Peninsula and visit Robben Island

Week 22-25: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana

Departing Cape Town we head north towards Namibia. Heading for the Atlantic Ocean Coast, we visit Africa's largest cape fur seal colony at Cape Cross. Swakopmund is an old German colonial seaside resort with plenty of things to do for the energetic and plenty of beer cellars for those after a more relaxing time. The energetic can go horse-riding or sand boarding on the dunes, deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic or scenic flights over the coastline. Next stop is Etosha Pan National Park. Thousands of years ago this vast saltpan was a lake until the Kunene River changed its course and deprived the lake of its water source. Now the pan and surrounding bush support large numbers and a wide range of wildlife. We spend a couple of day's game viewing from the truck during the day and spend the evenings around the floodlit water holes at the park's campsites. These water holes provide an excellent opportunity to observe animals that are hard to find during the day, particularly rhino and also smaller animals such as the genes. Elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok, jackals, hyenas and meerkats are also likely to be seen at Etosha.

Botswana and the Kalahari Desert. We travel along the edge of the Kalahari Desert to Maun. A small town on the edge of the Okavango Delta, and the starting point for the Mokoro trip. A Mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe and your transport into the Delta. As you glide through the waterways, you will see a fantastic array of wetland wildlife, birds in particular and you are also likely to come across hippos or elephants taking a drink from the shore. You can go on a walking safari to look for giraffe, buffalo and rare antelope such as the tsessebe. This overnight stay is a great wilderness experience.

We spend a night by the banks of the Chobe River, in Kasane. Here hippo, buffalo, and crocodiles share the river bank and occasionally pay us a visit through the night. Here you can take a sunset cruise on the river or take an afternoon game drive through the park, and see some of Africa's largest elephants and big cats.

Week 26-27: Zambia, Malawi

Entering Zambia, we reach the Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River plunges 100 meters down a mile wide chasm, creating one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world. The local name for the Falls is 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' which means 'the smoke that thunders' and you'll soon find out why. When the river is in full flow, the falling water causes a huge roar and sends a cloud of spray up to 500 meters into the air.

We stay near Livingstone beside the Zambezi and above Victoria Falls, for a few days, as there is so much to see and do. Adventure activities abound - you can bungee jump, white water raft, take a Microlite flight above the falls, sky-dive and go game viewing on horseback. More sedate excursions include canoeing, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the falls, and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi. Of course, the falls themselves are the main attraction and you can walk through the rain forest along the cliff opposite for an excellent view.

Crossing the border into Malawi, we soon reach the shores of its huge lake. The campsites and small resorts along Lake Malawi offer sandy beaches, swimming and snorkeling, water skiing and walking in the surrounding countryside. You will also find markets selling beautifully carved Malawi chairs, tables, and other souvenirs.

Week 28 - 29: Tanzania

Heading north through Tanzania, our route takes us through Mikumi National Park where we may well see a giraffe or pygmy elephants grazing along the roadside. At Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast, we can cross to Zanzibar Island. Here is the old stone capital of the Omani Sultanate and away from the town are stunning beaches, and World Heritage Listed buildings, forests, and ruins. You can take a spice tour of the island, go diving, swim with dolphins or visit remote islands by the traditional dhow boats. Heading inland we pass Africa's highest peak, that of Mt Kilimanjaro. From Arusha, we hire Landrovers to visit the Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti National Park, which has the heaviest concentration of plains game found all over East Africa.

Week 30: Kenya

From Tanzania we cross in Kenya the Athi Plains, passing gazelle, giraffe, and troops of baboons on our way to Nairobi. Leaving Nairobi we pass the dramatic landscape of the Rift Valley to the highlands of Kenya.

Week 31: Uganda

Crossing the border at Malaba we drive through rain forests and tea and sugar plantations to Uganda's capital, Kampala. Crossing the equator we camp on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest crater lake in Uganda. We climb through lush terraced hills to Kisoro, from here we trek the famed Mountain Gorillas or you could visit Mgahinga National Park for a day hike up a volcano or a guided nature trail. We meander back to Lake Bunyonyi to relax, canoe, mountain bike and swim.

In the modern bustling city of Kampala, you may wish to visit the National Museum, the Kasubi Tombs of the Buganda people. Crossing the Owen Falls Dam we arrive at Jinja on the shores of Lake Victoria. Spend an action-filled day white water rafting down the Nile, bungee jump, fish on Lake Victoria, take a guided village walk; or give up a day of your holiday to volunteer for the local community education project.

Week 32: Kenya

Returning to Kenya and Nakuru Town, the capital of the Rift Valley Province. You can visit Lake Nakuru, viewing the game in a park famous for its soda lake surrounded by thousands, sometimes millions of pink flamingoes. We move on to camp on the shores of Lake Naivasha where hippos come to graze in the evenings.

Close by is Hell's Gate National Park and Elsamere, once the home of Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion of 'Born Free' fame. From here we return to Nairobi with the chance to feast at the renowned Carnivores Game Restaurant.

Week 33: Kenya

We visit the base of Mount Kenya and continue north through the Northern Frontier District of Kenya, a restricted area; semi-arid with a spectacular diversity of people, wild game on the road side and a warm dry climate

Week 34-36: Ethiopia

We enter Ethiopia and we climb the mountains into the highlands and follow the Rift Valley Lakes to the capital; Addis Ababa. Take boats to visit Bahir Dar Monasteries on islands on Lake Tana the source of the Blue Nile, with hippos and crocs at the outflow of the river. Tissisat Falls is the source of the Blue Nile. We visit Gondar; a city of castles and churches. You can take a Landrover to visit the Simien Mountains where you can horse trek and see grazing Gelada Baboons.

Week 37: Sudan

We enter Sudan following the Blue Nile to Gedaref then Khartoum where the Blue & White Nile join; watch dervish dancing or even join in the Nubian wrestling - safer just to watch. We visit the Pharaonic Pyramids of Meroe in an un-spoilt seldom visited the desert. We drive across the Banda Desert sands through friendly villages on the Nile. From Wadi Halfa we take a ferry across Lake Nasser to Aswan in Egypt.

Week 38-39: Egypt - Cairo - Pyramids & Sphinx

In Aswan we visit the High Dam & Philae Island Temple. Luxor, we visit Karnack Temple the Colossi of Memnon and the Valley of the Kings with Tutankhamen's Tomb. We do a big day trip to the monuments on friendly happy donkeys. They tend to walk home alone after we arrive at the Valley of the Kings leaving us free to do the rest of the day on a bus. From Luxor, we travel to Cairo where we spent a few days to look at the; markets, the best mosques in the Middle East, a fortress citadel, great pyramids of Giza and the immense collections of the Cairo Museum.

For an updated dossier and information on visas, vaccinations, spending money, optional excursions and other useful information please contact us.

Of all the trips we run this is the most likely to have a change of route due to local conditions and visa requirements.

Africa is an unpredictable continent. We do not have a fixed itinerary so please treat the information given as a guideline only. Although our information is written in good faith at the time of printing, our route may vary at any time due to weather, politics or road conditions.

Day 1: US - Night on board

It's time to discover the essence of Africa on an unforgettable journey throughout this diverse continent. Arrive at your US departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.* Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Nairobi

Touch down and transfer to your hotel in Nairobi. The capital of Kenya, Nairobi is the jumping-off point for safaris into Kenya's most captivating wildlife reserves. Overnight stay in Nairobi.

Day 3: Nairobi - Amboseli National Park

Breakfast at the hotel and depart to Amboseli National Park, arriving in time for lunch at the Lodge. In the afternoon take an exciting photo safari tour. The park is known for its large elephant herds and views of immense Mount Kilimanjaro, across the border in Tanzania. Dinner and overnight stay in Amboseli.

Day 4: Amboseli National Park - Nairobi

Seize the day with a captivating morning safari as the sun slowly rises over the savannah. After breakfast at the lodge, return to Nairobi. Arrive and enjoy a free day to discover the sights of the capital at your own pace. Maybe take a look at The Nairobi National Museum for a taste of Kenya’s heritage. Additionally, you will find wonderful dining facilities, a beautiful botanical garden, and eclectic shopping facilities. Dinner at Carnivore Restaurant and overnight stay in Nairobi.

Day 5: Nairobi - Aberdares

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off to Aberdares today and enjoy lunch at Aberdare Country Club. The park contains a wide range of landscapes - from the mountain peaks that rise to 13,000 ft above sea level, to their deep, V-shaped valleys intersected by streams, rivers, and waterfalls. Moorland, bamboo forests and rainforests are found at lower altitudes. In the afternoon transfer to the lodge for a night of game viewing. Dinner and overnight stay in Aberdares.

Day 6: Aberdares - Lake Nakuru

Breakfast at the lodge. Today, discover the amazing birdlife and unforgettable landscapes of Lake Nakuru National Park, stopping to visit Thompson Falls in Nyahururu along the way. Arrive at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon enjoy a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, located in the Great Rift Valley and home to huge flocks of flamingos. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge in Lake Nakuru.

Day 7: Lake Nakuru - Masaai Mara

Breakfast at the lodge. Set off to the famous Maasai Mara Natural Reserve, named after the unique Maasai tribe that inhabits the area and the Mara River that crosses it. Every year, it plays witness to the great migration, considered the eighth wonder of the natural world. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge and, in the afternoon, head out for your first game drive in the iconic Maasai Mara Reserve to discover the varied wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay in the Maasai Mara.

Day 8: Maasai Mara

Today, enjoy either a full day on safari with a picnic lunch, or split your game drives into the morning and evening for a chance to see the immense size and diversity of this beautiful reserve and the changing landscapes as the sun rises and falls. We also recommend an optional Hot Air Balloon Safari.* All meals at the camp and overnight stay. * If you chose the Balloon Safari, you won't do the morning game drive. * Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari: Experience the majesty of the Maasai Mara from the sky on a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon safari. Ascend at dawn and experience the most unforgettable sunrise imaginable as the savannah and its wildlife spring to life in the soft morning light. Please note: The optional Hot Air Balloon Safari is dependent on weather conditions at the destination and will be confirmed the day before. If the activity cannot go ahead, it will be refunded when you return from your trip.

Day 9: Maasai Mara - Nairobi - Victoria Falls

Breakfast at the camp.* Return to Nairobi and transfer to the airport ready to check-in for a flight to Victoria Falls. Named after Queen Victoria of England by the explorer David Livingstone, these impressive waterfalls are just one of the gifts that nature has given to southern Africa. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Get comfortable at the hotel and perhaps explore the surroundings at your leisure. We recommend an optional Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River, an unforgettable way to spend your first night in Zimbabwe.** Overnight stay in Victoria Falls. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast. ** Optional Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River: Transfer to the jetty for a Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River. Includes drinks and snacks on board.

Day 10: Victoria Falls

Breakfast at the hotel. Today visit the Zimbabwe side of the awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site of Victoria Falls. Described locally as 'The Smoke That Thunders', Victoria Falls sits at the southern end of the Zambezi River, between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Spend some time admiring the power of the falls and visit different vantage points to discover the sheer scale of this natural wonder. During the afternoon we recommend an optional Flight of the Angels Helicopter Experience * or the optional Guided Tour of the Falls from Zambia and Zimbabwe sides.** Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Victoria Falls. * Optional Flight of the Angels Helicopter Experience (13 Minutes): To put the Victoria Falls into a true perspective, they must really be seen from the air. The sheer size and grandeur of the spectacle become all the more clearer from above. The huge Zambezi River flowing slowly south as the water spreads across the full width of a great rent in the earth before crashing over the lip in a burst of spray and then squeezing into a narrow, foaming, blast of water rushing down the zigzag funnel of the gorges. ** Optional Guided Tour of the Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe): A guided tour of the falls enables you to delve into the local customs and traditions while gaining insight into how such an exquisite creation came to be. An aura of excitement envelopes everyone who lays eyes on this incredible spectacle and guided tours are conducted from both Zambia and Zimbabwe sides.

Day 11: Victoria Falls

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure or take our optional safari and river cruise in the Chobe National Park in Botswana, a must for nature lovers! Overnight stay in Victoria Falls. * Optional Full-Day Excursion to the Chobe National Park: Embark on a safari game drive in the Chobe National Park, known for its large herds of elephants and wandering prides of lions. Cruise along the Chobe River, and spot the local game before enjoying lunch at a safari lodge. Take in the spectacular landscapes and wildlife before returning to Zimbabwe for an overnight stay. You will need to take your passport and Botswana visa with you on this trip to cross the border. Please note: If you choose this optional excursion you will need to obtain a double-entry visa-on-arrival at Victoria Falls airport when you first arrive. Cost approx $50-70.

Day 12: Victoria Falls - Johannesburg

Breakfast at the hotel.* At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Johannesburg. Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure exploring the city and its diverse and vibrant neighborhoods. Tuck into the vibrant food scene and pop-up eateries. The city is a real cultural hub and it a great place to catch live music performances and indulge in trendy bars and restaurants. Overnight stay in Johannesburg. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast. Why not make the most of your time in South Africa by adding one of our optional excursion packages. Choose between our Gastronomic or Adventure packages in the next step of the booking process! Our Gastronomic Package includes two meals at excellent restaurants in Cape Town plus a Bo-Kapp Cooking Tour and Cape Winelands Excursion. Our Adventure Package includes a Full-Day Kruger Game Drive, an exciting Shark Cage Diving Experience and an Atlantis Dunes Quad Biking Excursion. Please note: you can only choose one of the optional excursion packages (Adventure or Gastronomic).

Day 13: Johannesburg - Mpumalanga - Kruger

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time transfer by road to Mpumalanga. You're headed for Kruger, home to some of the most iconic wildlife in South Africa. Along the way, see some of the most iconic sights of the Panorama Route such as Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels (entrance fees not included). You'll fall in love with the natural beauty of South Africa's landscapes!* Arrive and transfer to the hotel to check-in. Dinner and overnight stay in Kruger. * Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.

Day 14: Kruger National Park

Begin the day early with a morning safari in the southern area of South Africa's most famous game reserve with breakfast on the go. The game viewing area is known as the 'Southern Circle' and is renowned for its rhinos and lions. Later in the day, enjoy an afternoon game drive to discover the amazing diversity of animals in one of the world's largest game reserves. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, warm and rainproof jackets, sunhat and protection and cameras to capture the beautiful wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay in the Kruger Region.

Day 15: Kruger National Park

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore the beautiful natural landscapes of Kruger and the White River. We recommend an optional day trip to Kruger National Park to experience more of its wildlife-rich eco-systems.* Dinner and overnight stay in the Kruger Region. * Optional Kruger National Park Day Trip: Set off to the wilds of Kruger for your chance to spot the famous Big Five. Enjoy a slow drive through the national park, home to elephants, buffalos, giraffes, impalas, zebras and, of course, lions. An unforgettable day in the wilds of Southern Africa. Packed lunch included.

Day 16: Kruger - Johannesburg - Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by road back to Johannesburg, stopping to see the exterior of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the official headquarters of the South African government.* Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Cape Town. Touch down in South Africa's 'Mother City', known for its towering Table Mountain, cosmopolitan culture and fabulous beaches. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the neighbourhoods and sights of Cape Town. Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.

Day 17: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy the hop on hop off tour ticket in Cape Town. South Africa's capital combines cosmopolitanism, culture, architecture, and the best of nature. With the hop-on and hop-off ticket, you will be able to do over 30 stops to enjoy some of the most remarkable attractions of the 'Mother City'. Take the Cableway and go up to Table Mountain where you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of Africa's landscapes.* Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Cape Town. * Please note: the Table Mountain Cableway in Cape Town will be closed for maintenance from the 25th of July until the 28th of August 2022. If your trip coincides with these dates, you will enjoy an included Sunset Cruise instead and your included Hop-On Hop-Off bus tickets will still enable you to visit the lower station of the cableway if you wish.

Day 18: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional Cape Winelands excursion, especially if you're a wine lover as this region is known for its award-winning whites and reds.* Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Optional Full-Day Wine Route Excursion with Wine Tasting: Set off into the lush Winelands outside of Cape Town and visit the wine producers in Stellenbosch for delicious wine tasting and a cellar tour.

Day 19: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional excursion to the Cape Peninsula, a paradise of natural beauty, vineyards and coastal seal and penguin colonies!* Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Optional Full-Day Cape Peninsula Excursion: Enjoy the delights of the Cape Peninsula including Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and the amazing Twelve Apostles. Pass through Noordhoek and see the local ostriches before visiting the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Fall in love with the Penguin Colony and Boulder's Beach and see Simons Town and Muizenberg Beach.

Day 20: Cape Town - Johannesburg

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Johannesburg. Arrive back in vibrant Johannesburg and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Explore the historic neighborhood of Soweto to visit the Apartheid Museum or immerse yourself in the city's vibrant street-food scene. Overnight stay in Johannesburg.

Day 21: Johannesburg - Night on board

Breakfast at the hotel.* The last leg of your epic African adventure begins today as you transfer to the airport to board a flight to Cairo. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast.

Day 22: Cairo

Touch down in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. Once you've settled in, the remainder of the day is free at your leisure to get to know the sights and sounds of Cairo, in the shadow of the Great Pyramids! Go shopping at the local souk or sample the national cuisine. Overnight stay in Cairo.

Day 23: Cairo

Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know the Egyptian capital today with a tour of Cairo's most emblematic sights. Begin at the Giza plateau, home of the three Great Pyramids, built over 4,500 years ago and one of the original Seven Wonders of the World! Explore the pyramids and learn about their fascinating history as you walk in the footsteps of the pharaohs. Continue to the Great Sphinx to unearth more secrets of Ancient Egypt. The remainder of the day is free to explore Cairo at your leisure. We recommend an optional Pyramids Sound and Light Show.* Overnight stay in Cairo. * Optional Pyramids Sound and Light Show: Experience the iconic Great Pyramids at night, as they are lit with dancing lasers and visuals, accompanied by atmospheric music. The perfect way to kick-start your Egyptian adventure! Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip! Important: The order of the optional excursions may vary depending on your departure day. Optional excursions can only be reserved at the time of booking or up to four days after booking.

Day 24: Cairo - Luxor

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Luxor On arrival, transfer to the port to board your Nile Cruise Boat, your home for the next four nights. Get settled in your cabin and enjoy lunch and the views of the river Nile. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Karnak, a huge complex of decayed temples, columns and other buildings. On the way back to the ship, stop at the impressive Temple of Luxor, dedicated to Amun-Ra, Mut and Khonu and built by Amenophis III and Ramses II. Back on the ship, enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 25: Luxor - Edfu

Full-board on board. Begin the day with a visit to the legendary Valley of the Kings, the burial site of the pharaohs between the 18th and 20th ancient Egyptian dynasties and the famous site of the tomb of Tutankhamun. After exploring the valley, head to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set on large terraces beneath the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. Continue to the Colossi of Memnon, two imposing stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, before returning to the ship as it navigates towards Edfu. Overnight on board. Please note: The excursion to the Valley of the Kings includes visits to three tombs. Entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamun is not included but, if you are interested in visiting, you can buy a ticket to see this tomb at the site during your visit.

Day 26: Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan

Full-board on board. Disembark the ship in Edfu and take a buggy ride to the magnificent Temple of Horus, the famous, falcon-headed Egyptian god. Explore the atmospheric temple ruins as you trace the footsteps of the pharaohs. Return to the ship and continue sailing south to Kom Ombo. Upon arrival explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek and see the amazing Nilometer, used to measure the rising and falling levels of the Nile, an important life source in Egypt. Return to the ship and relax onboard as you continue towards Aswan. Overnight on board.

Day 27: Aswan

Full-board on board. This morning, we recommend an optional visit to the amazing temples of Abu Simbel.* Today, enjoy a tour of Aswan to uncover the sights of this fascinating city. Explore the famous granite quarry, where the building blocks of many of ancient Egypt's monuments were produced and visit both the old and new Aswan Dams, monumental engineering works built in the 19th and 20th centuries respectively to control the flooding on the banks of the Nile. End the day with a peaceful ride in a felucca, a typical fishing boat, on the river Nile. Overnight on board. * Optional Excursion to Abu Simbel: Visit these amazing temples, carved on the western cliff of the desert by Ramses II in the Xl century BC. See the iconic 20-metre high statues, dedicated to the god Amon Ra, and the Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Please note: If you take the optional excursion to Abu Simbel, you will depart from the ship at approximately 3 a.m. to make the most of the coolest and quietest part of the day. This way, you can fully experience Abu Simbel without the crowds and avoid sightseeing in high temperatures. Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip! Important: The order of the optional excursions may vary depending on your departure day. Optional excursions can only be reserved at the time of booking or up to four days after booking.

Day 28: Aswan - Cairo

Breakfast on board. At the indicated time, disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for a short flight to Cairo. Arrive in the capital and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure to get to know Cairo. While away the day visiting the amazing Egyptian Museum, where it's worth spending some time to really get the most out of its unbeatable exhibitions or go shopping in the busy city souks to bag a bargain. We recommend an optional excursion to the Saladin Citadel.* Overnight stay in Cairo. * Optional Excursion to Saladin Citadel: Visit the Alabaster Mosque and medieval fortification of Saladin Citadel, perched atop a hill in central Cairo and dating back to the 12th-century. Learn about the importance of the site to Egypt's Islamic heritage before walking through the Coptic Neighborhood, home to various churches. Alternatively, for a full experience of Egypt, you can choose one of our optional excursion packages to add 3/4 optional excursions to your trip! Important: The order of the optional excursions may vary depending on your departure day. Optional excursions can only be reserved at the time of booking or up to four days after booking.

Day 29: Cairo - US

Breakfast at the hotel.* Sadly, it's time to bring your unforgettable African adventure to a close. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US.** Arrive in the US and end your trip, filled with treasured memories of your magical journey through Africa! * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** If your return flight departs in the evening, your arrival in the US will be the following day and the total duration of your trip will be 30 days.