Kigali to Cape Town Overland Tours
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Price
£3335
+ Local Payment US$850
(local payment explained)
What's Included
• Lake Mburo National park• Boat cruise
• Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
• The Masai Mara - 2 days
• Masai village visit incl bushwalk
• Lake Nakuru National Park
• The Genocide Memorial in Kigali
• Hippo cruise
• Lake Naivasha
• Giraffe park Nairobi
• Elephant orphanage
• Bujagali
• Visit a local orphanage
• South Luangwa National Park
• Great Zimbabwe ruins
• Matopos National Park
• Chobe Game Cruise
• Etosha National Park
• Namib Naukluft National Park
• Lake Malawi
• Africat Carnivore care
• Cape Cross Seal Colony
• Sossusvlei Dunes
• Spitzkoppe or similar
• Fish River Canyon
• Brkfast & dinner whilst travelling on the truck
• Some pre-prepared barbecues
• Contribution to final group meal
• Camping whilst with travelling on the truck
• 3 nights lodge stay, Swakopmund
• 3 nights Ashanti Lodge, Cape Town
• Further 3 nights in local lodges
• Fully equipped expedition truck incl - fridge, gas, tents, sleep mats
• Services of Absolute Crew
• Ongoing advice
• All road tolls & taxes are paid
Countries Visited
Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa
Kigali to Cape Town Safari Overview
Commencing with a trek to view the mountain gorilla and with every opportunity to see the big five and more in game park after game park from Queen Elizabeth NP to the Masai Mara to the Serengeti to Etosha. On the way experience the cultures and stunning geography of East and Southern Africa - The Rift Valley, the vast savannah plains, Zanzibar's white beaches, Lake Malawi, Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta and the dunes of Namibia. With the opportunity for an adrenalin rush or two - sky dive, gorge swing and white water rafting on the Zambezi's grade 5 rapids!
Kigali to Cape Town Safari Add-ons
Itinerary
Day 1 - 5
RWANDA - UGANDA
Meet up in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, Musanze, Kisoro
Optionals: Visit to the Genocide memorial and museum, Banana beer making, basket making, visit to Dian Fossey’s grave, Lake Mutande, coffee tour, visit to Batwa (Pygmy) village
Days 6 - 10
UGANDA
Kabale, Kalinzu forest, Lake Mburo NP game drive and boat cruise, Equator stop, local craft markets, Kampala, Ziwa rhino sanctuary, rhino trek
Optionals: Mountain gorilla trek, golden monkeys trek, orphanage visit, Lake Mutande, coffee tour, visit to Batwa (Pygmy) village, chimpanzee trek
Days 11 - 13
UGANDA
Jinja, White Nile, Lake Bujagali.
Optionals: Whitewater rafting, village walk, bungee jumping, kayaking, visit a local school, quad biking, horse riding, sunset cruise on Lake Victoria.
Days 14 - 16
UGANDA - KENYA
Eldoret, Lake Nakuru National Park.
Days 17 -19
KENYA
Orphanage visit, Lake Naivasha, hippo cruise, Loita Hills Masai village
Optionals: Cycling safari in Hells Gate National Park, guided walk to Green Crater Lake, Elsamere for afternoon tea
Day 20 - 23
KENYA
Game drives Masai Mara, Nairobi, Sheldrick's elephant orphange, Giraffe Centre
Optional: Balloon safari, night out in a Nairobi restaurant
Days 24 - 27
TANZANIA
Travel across the Athi Plains through to Arusha at the foot of Mount Meru.
With evening celebratory barbecue for the final night on our return from the game parks.
Optionals: 3 day/2night Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Days 28 - 30
TANZANIA
Marangu at the foot of Kilimanjaro, Seafood barbecue at our camp by the Indian Ocean and preparations for the stay on Zanzibar Island.
Optionals: Kilimanjaro day hike, Marangu day tour
Days 31 - 34
TANZANIA
Free time for a 4 night stay on Zanzibar Island....
Optional beach break: Optional free time to stay on Zanzibar Island from day 31, returning to the mainland on day 35
Talk with us as to the special arrangements we can make for your accommodation staying in beach cottages and the traditional capital, ancient Stone Town and other requirements on the Island including transfers and spice tours.
Other options to budget for include snorkelling and scuba diving on Zanzibar's untouched coral reefs, a visit to Prison Island famous for its giant tortoise population and to Jozani Forest to see the red colobus monkeys.
All accommodation and transfers with a spice tours on Zanzibar Island can be arranged ahead of time.
Days 35 - 40
TANZANIA - MALAWI
Drive from Dar es Salaam south, through Mikumi National Park, Lake Malawi beach resort, visit traditional fishing villages, Beach hop to second Malawi beach resort, visit traditional fishing villages, with a traditional meal and dancing, curio markets.
Optionals: Water sports, village visit, school visit.
Days 41 - 46
ZAMBIA - ZIMBABWE
South Luangwa National Park, Lusaka, The Zambezi Valley and a relaxing few days at Lake Kariba.
Optional: Extra game drive or game walk, South Luangwa National Park, A houseboat cruise on the Lake visiting Matusadona and including a game cruise and fishing.
Days 47 - 50
ZIMBABWE
Great Zimbabwe Ruins and Matopos National Park for rhino trek.
Optional: Extra game drives and a visit to rock paintings and Cecil Rhodes’ grave or a Ndebele Village.
Days 51 - 53
ZIMBABWE
Action packed days in Zimbabwe's adventure capital, Victoria Falls.
Optionals: Rainforest walk – Victoria Falls, Bungee jump, Gorge swing, flying fox, zip line, white water rafting, riverboard, canoe trips, sundowner cruise, 'Flight of the Angels' scenic flight and horse rides.
Days 54 - 59
BOTSWANA
Kasane, Maun. Chobe National Park game cruise
Optionals: Chobe National Park game drive, Okavango Delta guided mokoro safari, flight over the Delta
Days 60 - 68
NAMIBIA
Morning and afternoon game drives with entry and two nights camping in Etosha National Park, visit the Africat Foundation and Cape Cross Seal Colony, lodge stay or similar in Swakopmund.
Optionals: Hoba meteorite, walk with warrior bushmen, visit women’s village, Evening game drive, walk to see ancient rock paintings, quad biking, sandboarding, go-karts, sky diving, desert tours, township tour, seal and dolphin cruise, open sea fishing, horse riding.
Days 69 - 76
NAMIBIA - SOUTH AFRICA
Sossusvlei, Namib Naukluft National Park, Fish River Canyon, Ai Ais, camp by the Orange River, Ashanti Lodge, Cape Town.
Optionals: Guided walk on the dunes, canoeing, wine tour.
Please note safari itineraries are given as a guide only. A safari is a journey and true journeys in Africa unfold and are of an adventurous nature. The unexpected can arise, so do allow for this.
Feel free to give us a call about your safari plans. We look forward to your further enquiries.
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Budgeting Summary
Kigali to Cape Town Budget
The costs to consider when travelling overland are:
- Safari price £3335 and local payment $850 USD
- Optional excursions
- Personal spending money
- Visas
What's included
Your safari price and local payment covers:
Over six core game parks and other highlights including:
Lake Mburo National park game drive and boat cruise
Ziwa rhino sanctuary entry and rhino trek
Two days in the Masai Mara with game drives
A day in Lake Nakuru National Park with game drives
Genocide Memorial & Museum in Kigali
Hippo cruise
Lake Bujagali
Visit to Lake Naivasha
Giraffe park
Elephant Orphanage
Time with the children at a local orphanage
Mikumi National Park
South Luangwa with game drive
Rhino trek in Matopos National Park
Great Zimbabwe ruins
Etosha National Park with game drives
Namib Naukluft National Park
Africat Carnivore care
Cape Cross Seal Colony
Sossusvlei Dunes
Spitzkoppe rock formations or similar
Fish River Canyon
- 63 breakfasts and 60 dinners whilst travelling on the truck, including some local meals & pre-prepared barbecues, and a contribution to the final group meal.
- 66 nights accommodation - 58 nights camping and 8 nights dorm accommodation in a lodge or similar incl. three nights in Swakopmund and the final three nights in Ashanti Lodge in Cape Town.
- A fully equipped and dieseled expedition truck/vehicle including all camping and cooking gear, a fridge, gas cooker, tents, sleep mats
- The services of a driver and safari leader
- The ongoing advice and back up from The Absolute team
- All road tolls and taxes are paid
Optional excursions
A recommended typical budget for your optional excursions that you might pay for once in Africa would be: US$900 - US$2200
Some clients spend more, some less. The above is a typical estimate selecting from the following main choices during this tour. Do re-check your budget looking at what might tempt you. A friendly reminder as well that the below list provides an approximate guide only for the most popular excursions currently available for this tour. Excursions are operated by local operators and authorities and their pricing is out of our control (July 24)
| PAID BEFORE DEPARTURE | |
| Mountain gorilla trekking permit, (not including transfers), from | ££690 |
| Zanzibar including return ferry, 4 nights B&B shared accommodation, transfers from Stone Town to the beach and return, and a Spice Tour | £295 |
| PAID IN AFRICA | |
| Chimpanzee trek | US$130 |
| White water rafting The White Nile | US$140 |
| Hells Gate National Park (half day) incl entry, bike hire, guide and transfers | US$55 |
| Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater game drives 3 days/2 nights, from | US$645 |
| Kilimanjaro base hike | US$125 |
| Scuba diving (single dive) off Kendwa | US$65 |
| Snorkelling (3 hours) off Kendwa | US$15 |
| Jozani Forest, half day excursion to see the red colobus monkeys incl entry and transfers, from | US$40 |
| Houseboats on Lake Kariba incl. Matusadona National Park (2 nights) | US$170 |
| Victoria Falls National Park - Entrance and Rainforest Walk to see Victoria Falls | US$50 |
| Bungee jump at Victoria Falls | US$160 |
| Combo deal, half day adrenaline (gorge swings, zip line, flying fox) | US$158 |
| Gorge Swing - (1 jump) | US$103 |
| White water rafting The Zambezi | US$120 |
| Helicopter flight over Victoria Falls (15 minutes) | US$150 |
| Sunset cruise on the Zambezi | US$55 |
| Chobe National Park (3 hour guided game cruise) | US$50 |
| Chobe National Park - combo game drive and game cruise | US$90 |
| Flights over the Delta, 1 hour (min 5 people) | US$150 |
| Okavango Delta guided mokoro safari (two nights) | US$228 |
| Tandem sky dive, Swakopmund | US$260 |
| Sandboarding (approx 5 hours) | US$50 |
| Quad biking 60km route (approx 2 hours) | US$46 |
| Township tour, (4 hours) | US$40 |
| Open sea fishing in the Atlantic waters (5 hours) | US$115 |
| Living desert tour (5 hours) | US$57 |
| Canoeing on the Orange River | US$30 |
| Wine tour from Cape Town | US$95 |
| ALSO TO CONSIDER DURING YOUR TOUR | |
| Balloon safari in the Masai Mara | £425 |
| Balloon safari in the Serengeti | £455 |
| TO CONSIDER AT THE END OF YOUR TOUR | |
| Special discounted offer: Add-On Garden Route Tour when booked with this tour | £1550 |
| Table Mountain, return cable car | US$27 |
| White Shark Cage Diving - day trip inc. transport | US$185 |
| Robben Island boat transfer & guided tour | US$40 |
Spending Money
You will need spending money to cover drinks, lunch and souvenirs and different small incidental costs whilst on tour such as cheap excursions costing under U$20 like the visit to the Maasai in the Serengeti.
Other costs to note are those times we dont cover meals or accommodation on the tour, as well as tipping, extra transfers and upgrades.
Be aware during the trip tour there are busy times where we dont cover meals and/or accommodation as during these sections most people are away from camp doing their own thing on different excursions. It is then impractical to cover meals or accommodation.
The times to note on the Gorillas to Cape Town tour are when the truck parks up for a few days at specific activity locations - Zanzibar, Victoria Falls, Swakopmund and Cape Town - so please ensure you have enough money to cover meals during these times. And note as well spending money is needed to cover camping on the off-chance you chose to stay back on the overnight excursions. The overnight excursions on this tour are the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari (x2 nights), Zanzibar Island break (x4 nights), the houseboat (X2 nights) and the Okavango Delta mokoro safari (x2 nights).
Tipping is customary in Africa, so budget for gratuities if you wish for guides or drivers who provide good service such as on the houseboat tour. Again it is at your discretion, but your tour leader and driver will appreciate a tip to acknowledge their hard work during your tour.
For some excursions extra transport is needed to get to the start point such as to the gorillas, and lastly some campsites en route also have simple huts or chalets on site. If you feel like a break from camping and youd like an upgrade at some point it is well worth having a little bit of money budgeted accordingly.
The recommended spending money for Gorillas to Cape Town is: US$1530 - US$1845
Visa
Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 - 9 months after your trip finishes. Ensure also that you have enough pages in your passport for each country you visit. Up to 2 consecutive blank pages can be required when you enter South Africa at the end of your trip. As a guide then, for the Gorillas to Cape Town Safari you will need to have a minimum of 10 blank pages (sides).For this tour for most passport holders including British, Australian, Irish, South African, German, French, Dutch, Canadian and American, visas for Tanzania and Tanzania can be arranged in Africa en route.
For those passport holders that require a visa for Rwanda, you can purchase the East Africa Tourist visa at the airport and this will give you entry to Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.
For those passport holders that do not require a visa for Rwanda, you will need to apply for a Ugandan visa in advance and this can be done online. Irish nationals do not require a visa for Uganda.
If you do not have an East Africa Tourist visa, you will need to apply for an ETA to Kenya in advance online. This is instead of the former tourist visa.
Visas are not usually required for Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia or South Africa for most passport holders.
Visas bought on the ground can only be paid for in US dollars cash.
Below is an estimation of current visa requirements and their costs. If your passport is not detailed please don't hesitate to contact us for further details of your requirements.
Visas are not normally required for most passport holders for Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
Be aware that visa requirements can change without prior notice. This information is given as a guide only.
Budget for all visas US$80 - US$240 depending on nationality
| VISA CHART | Kenya | Rwanda | Uganda | Tanzania | Malawi | Zambia | Zimbabwe | Botswana | Namibia | South Africa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PASSPORT | ||||||||||
| Australian | $30 | - | $50 | $50 | - | - | $30 | - | - | - |
| New Zealand | $30 | - | $50 | $50 | - | - | $30 | - | - | - |
| South Africa | $30 | - | $50 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Canadian | $30 | - | $50 | $50 | - | - | $75 | - | - | - |
| American | - | $100 | - | $100 | - | - | $30 | - | - | - |
| British | $30 | - | $50 | $50 | - | - | $55 | - | - | - |
| German | - | $100 | - | $50 | - | - | $30 | - | - | - |
| Dutch | - | $100 | - | $50 | - | - | $30 | - | - | - |
| Irish | $30 | $30 | - | $100 | - | - | $55 | - | - | - |
Other exciting ADD-ONs
We recommend
Pre and post safari please click here.
Remember you then need to budget for flights, insurance, vaccination costs and any equipment you might need such as a sleeping bag.
Any queries? Call our office on +44 (0) 208 742 0226, email us at absaf@absoluteafrica.com or skype us on skypeabsoluteafrica
Back to topDates
Kigali to Cape Town
| Start Kigali | Finish Cape Town | Price | Local Payment | Departure details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 5 Dec 2024 | Tue 18 Feb 2025 | £3335 | US$850 | 4+ Seats available | Book Now |
| Mon 20 Jan 2025 | Sat 5 Apr 2025 | £3335 | US$850 | 4+ Seats available | Book Now |
| Sat 21 Jun 2025 | Thu 4 Sep 2025 | £3335 | US$850 | 4+ Seats available | Book Now |
| Sun 27 Jul 2025 | Fri 10 Oct 2025 | £3335 | US$850 | 4+ Seats available | Book Now |
| Tue 26 Aug 2025 | Sun 9 Nov 2025 | £3335 | US$850 | 4+ Seats available | Book Now |
Before You Go
Kigali to Cape Town
Click on the link below to download the predeparture dossier for this overland trip "Gorillas to Cape Town" - to Cape Town.
Gorillas to Cape Town - pre departure packThe Gorillas to Cape Town Safari truly does what its namesake says - give you a 69 day extraordinary road trip from Rwanda to South Africa, with time to trek the endangered mountain gorillas, before heading further into Uganda and Kenya to then journey south to Cape Town with so many special highlights on the way.
We have put the Pre-Departure Booklet together from our 30 plus years of overlanding experience in Africa and we hope you will find this useful as you plan your trip.
There is information on how to arrange your flights, pre safari accommodation suggestions in Kigali, as well as options for when you finish your trip in Cape Town.
When considering plans for the end of your tour, we strongly recommend staying on for a few extra days to get the most out of all there is to see and do in and around Cape Town.
There are many special highlights included in the price of the Gorillas to Cape Town Safari - from the Masai Mara to Etosha National Park. There is also an abundance of exciting and varied optional activities from which you can choose as well. The booklet has further information on these including the Zanzibar Island stay, gorilla trekking, as well as adventure activities in Victoria Falls and the houseboat cruise on Lake Kariba.
Whatever your interests there will be plenty to busy yourself with! And of course let us know if you have any questions or need more information about all that is available to see and do on the route. Questions like what to bring for the visit in the local orphanage we support, where to shop for a piece of Tanzanite, how to upgrade to a deluxe boutique hotel on Zanzibar and special restaurants available en route - always feel free to ask.
You will receive a personal update about 10 days before departure which includes final confirmations of pretour transfers, accommodation and other details relating to your specific travel arrangements so you can check all is as you need.
Remember to periodically check back here as well as this information is regularly updated. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on the news area of this site and if you are not excited enough about heading to Africa already, join us on our Facebook page or on twitter, and keep up to date with our blogs of all that is happening on the road.
For many travellers an overland trip in Africa may well be totally different from other travel experiences you have had before. As you prepare for your trip whenever you have questions or if you have concerns please feel free to get in touch. We are more than happy to help.
Give us a call, or skype or email. We look forward to assisting with your plans for Africa.
Book your Kigali to Cape Town Safari
| Start Kigali | Finish Cape Town | Price | Local Payment | Departure details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book Now | Thu 5 Dec 2024 | Tue 18 Feb 2025 | £3335 | US$850 | 4+ Seats available |
| Book Now | Mon 20 Jan 2025 | Sat 5 Apr 2025 | £3335 | US$850 | 4+ Seats available |
| Book Now | Sat 21 Jun 2025 | Thu 4 Sep 2025 | £3335 | US$850 | 4+ Seats available |
| Book Now | Sun 27 Jul 2025 | Fri 10 Oct 2025 | £3335 | US$850 | 4+ Seats available |
| Book Now | Tue 26 Aug 2025 | Sun 9 Nov 2025 | £3335 | US$850 | 4+ Seats available |