The journey from Cairo to Cape Town stirs the imagination. The combination of immense historical sites, varied landscapes, abundant wildlife, and spectacular scenery mean this travel route is unlike any other. The idea of a pan-African travel route was first conceived in the nineteenth century when the British Empire commenced an ambitious plan to build a railway connecting the north and south of Africa. While that particular plan failed, many other plans to navigate the same route succeeded. These include well-known travel writers such as Ted Simon in his epic Jupiter’s Travels, plus Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor in Long Way Down. While you will need months rather than weeks to complete this epic journey, it is undoubtedly one that you won’t forget.
Egypt is, of course, best known for its incredible history and the treasures of ancient Egypt. The jewels in the crown of which are undoubtedly the pyramids in Cairo. Based in the western suburbs, the Pyramids and Sphinx are an unforgettable site. South of Cairo, the main attractions are based in Luxor and Aswan. Luxor is the home of the immense temples of Luxor and Karnak, probably the best preserved Egyptian ruins, alongside the Pyramids. It’s also home to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, the area where Pharaoh’s and notable figures were buried. These tombs are an incredible sight and must be seen to be believed. Several hours south of Luxor is Aswan, where you can arrange a visit to Abu Simbel. These two immense temples built by Ramesses II are simply breath taking. A more detailed overview of this route can be found in the Alexandria to Aswan travel guide.
Sudan is often overlooked despite its wonderful archaeological sites, which are dotted across the north of the country. As you work your way south through Sudan from the gateway of town of Wadi Haifa to Dongola and Karima, you’ll come across many of these beautiful sites. Perhaps the best and most atmospheric of all are the Pyramids of Meroe, which date back to 300 BC and are located miles from any civilization. As you progress southwards, you’ll also encounter fascinating market towns with some of the most hospitable people in Africa. As you make your way to the capital, Khartoum, you’ll experience a paradox of a city. Gleaming oil-funded skyscrapers stand aside crumbling clay and brick buildings. From Khartoum, you’ll head southeast towards the Ethiopian border and your next destination.
As you enter Ethiopia, you feel the temperature ease as you ascend into the hills. Your first stop in Ethiopia is Gondar, home to a mighty fortress, numerous coffee shops, and a brewery. The brewery, in particular, is a welcome relief after the zero alcohol approach of Sudan. As you progress through Ethiopia, you’ll visit Aksum, famous for its ancient obelisks and a church said to house the Ark of the Covenant. The market town of Mekele is also a popular stop en route with its rich history and wide boulevards. However, for many, the standout attraction in Ethiopia is the town of Lalibela with its rock-cut churches, which date back to the 12th century. As you continue south, you’ll come to the capital, Addis Ababa, and in due course, the Kenyan border.
Political and social upheaval means From Addis Ababa to Nairobi is one of the more torturous stretches of the route. Political and social upheaval means most move between the two capitals as quickly as possible. Furthermore, most of Kenya’s main attractions are in the southern half of the country. Chief among Kenya’s attractions is the world-famous Masai Mara National Park. Possibly the premier location for safari, this park is spectacular year round, but especially during the mass migrations from June to December. The sight of thousands upon thousands of wildebeest and zebras moving en masse makes this a highlight of any African trip. Elsewhere, the Amboseli National Park, close to the Tanzanian border, is also a highlight for those wanting to see elephants in their natural habitat. Kenya’s other standout attractions are its contrasting coastlines, with Lake Victoria to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east. The coastal town of Lamu gets our vote for the best coastal location to visit.
While this itinerary progresses directly into Tanzania, many choose to head west and visit Uganda and Rwanda. The chief attraction of this detour is the large population of Gorillas. Uganda and Rwanda are the only places in the world where you can safely see these animals in their natural surroundings, and this experience sits high on many people’s bucket lists.
Tanzania is a highlight for many on this travel route. Its natural beauty, welcoming people, and wildlife parks rival anywhere in Africa. Entering the country at the Isebania border crossing after you’ve taken a safari in the Masai Mara, you’re conveniently located at the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is another of Africa’s great wildlife parks and is well worth a visit. If you’d like to try something different, the Ngorongoro Crater is a spectacular volcanic crater teeming with wildlife. East of the Serengeti, it’s on the route to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, another ‘must do’ on this trip. Rising over 5,000 meters in height and towering over the plains, Mount Kilimanjaro is a challenging but hugely rewarding trek. If your budget and timetable can accommodate it, this is one experience not to be missed. The last incredible experience in Tanzania is the island of Zanzibar, and again, this very much relies on your timetable and budget. This beautiful island in the Indian Ocean has incredible beaches, great towns, and a fascinating history. If you can’t get to Zanzibar, there are plenty of good beach options along the Tanzanian east coast as an alternative.
Some travelers opt to skip Malawi and proceed to Zambia directly from Tanzania via Lake Tanganyika. However, for those who make the extra effort, Malawi certainly rewards them in spades. As you would expect, in this part of Africa, the wildlife is fantastic, although the ‘Big Five’ cannot always be seen. Liwonde National Park is the pick of the parks, although its location in the south of Malawi means a detour from the main route. However, the twin star attractions are the incredibly friendly locals and the spectacular Lake Malawi, which runs three-quarters of the country’s length. Areas such as Cape Maclear and Nkhata Bay are great places to stop and provide a tremendous laid-back environment for some rest and relaxation. The lake offers plenty of entertainment with beautiful beaches and activities such as diving, kayaking, and snorkeling all possible.
From Malawi, you’ll head west into Zambia, with the first destination being South Luangwa National Park. One of Africa’s premier parks, this matches any of the more famous parks in Kenya and Tanzania. It’s also a more cost-effective way of seeing the ‘Big Five’ than some of its better-known rivals. From here, you’ll head southwest to Livingstone and the astonishing Victoria Falls. Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the falls are spectacular and one of Africa’s leading natural wonders. The Zambezi River after the falls provides some world-class rafting, which, along with other high-octane activities, makes Livingstone the adventure capital of Africa.
From Zambia, you’ll be heading west into Namibia via the Caprivi strip. The first stop is Etosha National Park, and while you may be suffering safari burnout, this park provides something a little different. The arid desert setting offers a very different setting from other wildlife parks. From Etosha, the next stop is the town of Swakopmund, the gateway to the skeleton coast and other activities, such as dune surfing and whale watching. As you head south, you’ll stop at two of Namibia’s outstanding natural wonders, the dunes of Sossusvlei and Fish River Canyon. The former is home to the largest sand dunes in the world, while the latter is the second-largest canyon in the world. Both areas are outstanding areas of natural beauty and unique sights.
As you enter South Africa from Namibia, you’ll come across the mighty Orange River. Extending over 2200 km, the river rises in the Drakensberg mountains. Excellent rafting and kayaking can be done in the Vioolsdrif region, just over the border. From here, it’s a relatively quiet final leg to your ultimate destination, Cape Town. One of the world’s great cities, there is so much history, culture, and nightlife to enjoy in Cape Town. It also has possibly the most impressive setting of any city in the world. Dominated by Table Mountain, no visit to Cape Town is complete without a visit to the top. Cape Town is also an excellent location for day trips, with the vineyards of Stellenbosch and cage diving with Great White Sharks in Hermanus, the pick of the bunch.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our Cairo to Cape Town guide. Why not try some of our other guides for Africa or perhaps other intrepid travel destinations?
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