Accra to Cape Town (86 Days) Trans Africa

Accra to Cape Town (86 Days) Trans Africa

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86 Days From

$5549

$5374

Accra to Cape Town (86 Days) Trans Africa

86 Days Starting in Accra, Ghana and ending in Cape Town, South Africa

Visiting: Egypt, United Kingdom

Tour operator:

Oasis Overland

Tour code:

572

Specialist Group:

Singles Solo

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 10

Physical rating:

All Ages / Not applicable

Age range:

18-80

Special diets catered:

Please advise requests

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural, Wildlife Tours

Activities:

Boat/Cruise Excursion

From: $5549 $5374 Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$175

NB: Prices correct on 13-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on an 86-day adventure from Accra to Cape Town, traversing the heart of Africa through Egypt and the United Kingdom. This epic journey offers a unique blend of cultural immersion and thrilling experiences. Witness the vibrant Voodoo religion at a fetish market, explore the Ganvie Stilted Village by boat, and navigate through dense jungles and challenging terrains. Support wildlife conservation at the Drill Monkey and Chimpanzee rehabilitation center, and feel the pulse of bustling cities with lively nightlife. Conquer Mount Cameroon, enjoy game drives and floodlit water holes in Etosha National Park, and indulge in the adventure activities of Swakopmund. This tour promises an unforgettable exploration of Africa's diverse landscapes and cultures.

Highlights

  • Visit a fetish market to see the still thriving religion of Voodoo

  • Take a boat trip to Ganvie Stilted Village

  • Travel through some of the densest jungles and toughest terrains

  • Support the Drill Monkey and Chimpanzee rehabilitation centre

  • Experience the hectic cities with vibrant nightlife and bars

  • Climb the active volcano - Mount Cameroon

  • Game drive by day and relax at floodlit water holes by night in Etosha National Park

  • Enjoy many of the activities available in Namibia's adventure capital, Swakopmund

Itinerary

West Africa is a road less travelled and still a largely undiscovered area of Africa for tourism. Please understand that the first 9 weeks of your journey will be directly through this area of the continent and although we list our intended Itinerary below, please be aware that this is a rough guide and should be treated as such.

Oasis Overland has run a Trans Africa Expedition virtually every year since 1997, and during this time, not one Trans Africa trip has run an identical itinerary through West Africa as far as Namibia.

This is due to many reasons, including availability of visas, road conditions, embassy and border closures, political unrest, elections and instability, disease outbreaks, changing government travel advice and adverse weather conditions, just to name a few. We also hear about new, exciting places that may only now be possible to visit, and so try to include some new places on each trip for that reason too.

Please therefore consider the itinerary shown as a guide and expect there to be some changes during your trip. This is all part of the experience of travelling through West Africa and one that makes this expedition such an epic journey that only a select few are willing to undertake.

DAY 1-8: ACCRA TO LOME
We will spend several days on the beaches near Accra where you can indulge in great seafood, and cold drinks. We will need to obtain several visas in Accra before travelling to Togo.

DAY 9-29: LOME TO LIMBE
Travelling through Togo and Benin doesn't take long as they are only 50 miles wide. Voodoo is the main religion here, basing its beliefs in the power of the dead. You can visit an interesting fetish market, take a boat ride on lake Togo to Togoville, as well as sample good African restaurants in Lome the capital of Togo. We will be applying for some further visas for our onward travel to the capital.

In Benin you can take local canoes out to Ganvie village - built on bamboo stilts on Lake Nakoue. Next we enter Nigeria, Africa's most populous country with well over 100 million people. The pace of life here tends to be more hectic than we have become used to on our overland adventure, full of hustle and bustle.

Making our way east, our route will depend on whether we need to apply for any visas and which border crossing into Cameroon is open. Subject to our route, we may have the opportunity to visit a Drill Monkey and Chimpanzee rehabilitation centre, a project dedicated to rehabilitating and breeding drills, a primate closely related to baboons and mandrills, to be released back into the wild.

Moving through mountainous and lush jungle, we enter Cameroon. Again, depending on which route we can take, we will travel to the foothills of Mount Cameroon, to spend a few days camping near Limbe and 6 Mile Beach. From here you can choose to trek up Mount Cameroon, visit a chimpanzee orphanage or relax on the beach.

DAY 30-46: LIMBE TO CONGO
After chilling out on the beach, or if you were brave enough to tackle the mountain, we head inland to the capital city of Yaounde, where we may apply for a couple more visas. You can sample fresh bread and amazing pastries from the countless bakeries, admire the roadside fresh flower stalls, or stock up on some supermarket treats! Bursting with art galleries, museums and various markets, this is an ideal place to restock your snack store and prepare for the demands of central Africa.

When we depart city life, to travel south on the more rugged roads! We drive through lush jungle scenery, passing the occasional waterfall, before eventually reaching the lively market town of Ambam. Here we can replenish our food supplies before crossing the Ntem River into Gabon, a country that consists mostly of the tropical rain forest. Our next stop is the beautiful Lope National Park, home to a population of elephants, buffalo and the famous central Africa drill monkeys. After a safari through the savanna lands, we continue south along with dirt and mud roads toward the Republic of Congo. Along this leg of the Trans Africa overland trip, we may encounter some challenging road conditions and situations on the whole of the route. Teamwork will be needed if we are to tackle what may lay ahead - from clearing paths through waterlogged potholes the size of the truck to only travelling a couple of miles in a day over wet and unkempt mud roads. These are some of the best memories you will take away with you.

DAY 47-55: CONGO TO MITADI
One of the main highlights for most people who visit Congo is the friendliness of the people, particularly in the countryside. The open delight and welcome we receive while driving through these remote villages are touching. While the first section of roads is rough dirt, once we reach the sealed roads it's a fast run towards the town of Dolisie.
From Dolisie we will make our way west towards the ocean city of Pointe Noire. Two contrasting areas, the African quarter - where we see traffic jams, crowded streets and a bustling Grand Marche (market), the European Quarter quite the contrast with beachside bars and restaurants, noticeably oil is the source of the wealth. You will have time to explore the cities museums, railways and cathedrals or relax on the beaches. Departing Congo a transit through Cabinda, an exclave and province of Angola will bring us into the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire). Sandy tracks will eventually lead us into Muanda. Again tourists are foreign to this region and we attract attention everywhere we travel, dirt roads and potholes will direct us over the Congo River to the city of Mitadi and the gateway to Angola.
Note - we may skip the Democratic Republic of Congo and take a ferry from Cabinda directly to Soyo in Angola.

DAY 56-66: MITADI TO NAMIBIAN BORDER
Angola is still recovering from over two decades of civil war. As we travel south through the many small villages and communities - local people - especially children may never have seen a foreigner before. Military tanks litter the side of many roads in places. The country is slowly rebuilding its infrastructure and basic needs - with the capital of Luanda showing full sign of this slow progression. As Portuguese is the preferred language and hardly anyone we encounter will speak English - a lot of humorous improvisations with hands, face and voice are usually needed by all of us. After the southern town of Lubango and home to 'Christo Rei' a shrine overlooking the city as Christ the Redeemer looks over Rio, we head to the Namibian border for the next instalment of our Trans Africa overland adventure.

DAY 67-85: NAMIBIA TO CAPE TOWN
Crossing into Namibia and the region of the Owambo people - we pass through the country's second-largest town - Ondangwa. This town is one of the main suppliers of beer to Northern Namibia - hopefully, there will be enough left for us!

We continue towards Etosha National Park - recognised as one of the world's greatest wildlife viewing areas. The semi-desert is quite a contrast to the more fertile terrain we have been used to. Besides game drives, we can also game watch by night at one of the floodlit water holes where we may well spot Rhino, Elephant and Giraffe among a host of other wildlife. From Etosha, we visit a local Cheetah park before continuing to the Brandberg Mountains in Damaraland.

We then travel to the stunning Spitzkoppe Rock formations. Known as the Matterhorn of Namibia, the Spitzkoppe is part of the Erongo Mt range and was formed over 100 million years ago after the collapse of a gigantic volcano. The scenery is striking from every angle - even more, stunning as the granite massifs turn red at sunset.

The next stop is the world-famous Cape Cross Seal Colony, where the sight of thousands of these mammals, as well as their accompanying pungent odour, is remembered by all! The Cool Atlantic Ocean and the prominent Benguela current provide a perfect location for feeding and breeding for the Cape Fur Seal.

For the next three days, our Africa overland trip will be based in Swakopmund - Namibia's adventure gateway. You can choose between a variety of activities and excursions here: spend a day deep sea fishing for shark and other game fish or head out to the desert and try quad biking and dune sledging. You can also go horse riding or get a bird's eye view of the dramatic coastline - either by Sky diving from 10,000 feet or take a flight over the towering dunes in the area. In Swakopmund itself, you can walk along miles of deserted beaches, visit the museum or relax in a cafe.

A one day drive takes us to the Namib-Naukluft Park, a vast expanse of desert that contains some of the highest dunes in the world. At Sossusvlei, we stop and explore this spectacular area and red dunes. Continuing south we enter the semi-desert, and wide-open countryside of cattle ranching until we arrive at one of Africa's most sensational natural features, Fish River Canyon. We stop here for a couple of hours to take in the awesome scenery.

A couple of hours drive away we enter South Africa and across the Orange River - a rich source of diamonds. We travel south through the Cederberg Wilderness Area, an area of rugged valleys and peaks - before getting to our final destination on this African adventure; the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. Our accommodation here will be in a backpackers hostel.

DAY 86: CAPE TOWN
Your trip will finish after breakfast. There is plenty to do in and around Cape Town, from climbing up Table Mountain to abseiling down it, diving with sharks (either in ocean cages - or at the Two Oceans Aquarium), a tour to Robben Island or head out on the town to one of the many hot spots that Cape Town has to offer.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation is 100% camping.

  • Boat trip to Ganvie Stilt Village

    A boat trip to Ganvie Stilt Village is included.

  • Etosha National Park

    Entry to Etosha National Park is included.

  • Cape Cross Seal Colony

    Visit to Cape Cross Seal Colony is included.

  • Cheetah Park

    Visit to Cheetah Park is included.

  • Spitzkoppe Rock formations

    Visit to Spitzkoppe Rock formations is included.

  • Sossusvlei Sand Dunes

    Visit to Sossusvlei Sand Dunes is included.

  • Fish River Canyon

    Visit to Fish River Canyon is included.

  • Meals

    Approximately 65% of meals are included.

  • Transport

    All transport on Oasis Expedition Truck is included.

show more

What's Not Included

  • Local Payment

    Local Payment of USD 1060 (2023), USD1100 (2024) or USD 1250 (2025) payable at the start of the trip.

  • Visas

    Visas are not included.

  • Optional Excursions

    Optional excursions as listed in the Pre-Departure Information are not included.

  • Flights

    Flights are not included.

  • Airport Taxes & Transfers

    Airport taxes and transfers are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included.

  • Meals

    Approximately 35% of meals are not included.

  • Drinks

    Drinks are not included.

  • Tips

    Tips are not included.

More Info

Experience the varied cultures and bustling markets of West and Central Africa on this unforgettable expedition. Travel through some of the densest jungles, toughest terrains and some of the most challenging roads in the whole of Africa and end your journey in the adventure filled and bustling city of Cape Town. You will discover a continent most travellers only dream of seeing - whilst having the experience of a lifetime.

Mode of Transport

For most of your trip the Oasis expedition truck will be your new home - giving you a comfortable & secure base with which to experience your trip. We use purpose built truck's which have been converted especially for this expedition, which pass through all types of terrains from soft sand, mud, rock and potholed roads to tarseal. It is reassuring to know that these vehicles can handle the tough conditions that they are put through. The truck is equipped with all the equipment we may need en route, including a professionally compiled expedition Medical Kit, large water & fuel carrying capacities, an extensive range of spare parts and the kitchen sink, (well almost!) so all you need is your sleeping bag, a roll mat and your own personal gear! Seatbelts All Oasis Overland trucks are fitted with seatbelts. For your own safety and security we recommend that travellers wear these at all times whilst the vehicle is moving. Our overland trucks in Africa also have a ‘beach area’ which is a chill out zone to be used when the truck is not moving.

Accommodation

Oasis uses roomy three-person tents but only for two people. They are specially made for us to meet the tougher conditions of an overland trip and have mosquito netting sewn into the door and windows. Tents are shared (between two people of the same sex from your group unless you are a couple). We spend some nights bush or desert camping and the rest of the time in campsites. Facilities and standards at campsites vary, some are well equipped and managed and some are very basic. At bush camps you will be living off the truck, so there will be no showers or en-suite facilities! At certain campsites there is the opportunity to upgrade to a private room at your own expense if you are missing your bed.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation will be provided during the tour?

    Accommodation will be 100% camping. Oasis uses roomy three-person tents but only for two people. These tents are specially made to meet the tougher conditions of an overland trip and have mosquito netting sewn into the door and windows. Tents are shared between two people of the same sex from your group unless you are a couple. Some nights will be spent bush or desert camping, while the rest will be in campsites. Facilities and standards at campsites vary, with some being well equipped and managed, and others being very basic. At bush camps, you will be living off the truck, so there will be no showers or en-suite facilities. At certain campsites, there is the opportunity to upgrade to a private room at your own expense if you are missing your bed.

  • What kind of transport will be used during the trip?

    For most of the trip, the Oasis expedition truck will be your new home, providing a comfortable and secure base to experience your journey. These purpose-built trucks are converted especially for this expedition and can handle all types of terrains, from soft sand, mud, rock, and potholed roads to tarseal. The truck is equipped with all the necessary equipment, including a professionally compiled expedition medical kit, large water and fuel carrying capacities, an extensive range of spare parts, and almost everything you might need, except for your sleeping bag, roll mat, and personal gear. All Oasis Overland trucks are fitted with seatbelts, and for your safety and security, it is recommended that travelers wear these at all times while the vehicle is moving. The trucks in Africa also have a 'beach area,' which is a chill-out zone to be used when the truck is not moving.

  • What activities are included in the tour?

    The tour includes a variety of activities such as a boat trip to Ganvie Stilt Village, game drives in Etosha National Park, visiting the Cape Cross Seal Colony, exploring the Cheetah Park, viewing the Spitzkoppe Rock formations, and visiting the Sossusvlei Sand Dunes and Fish River Canyon. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to climb the active volcano Mount Cameroon, support the Drill Monkey and Chimpanzee rehabilitation center, and enjoy many activities available in Namibia's adventure capital, Swakopmund.

  • What should I expect in terms of itinerary changes?

    The first 9 weeks of your journey will be through West Africa, a largely undiscovered area for tourism. The itinerary provided is a rough guide and should be treated as such. The itinerary may change due to various reasons, including availability of visas, road conditions, embassy and border closures, political unrest, elections and instability, disease outbreaks, changing government travel advice, and adverse weather conditions. Additionally, new and exciting places may become possible to visit, and the itinerary may be adjusted to include these. Expect some changes during your trip, as this is part of the experience of traveling through West Africa.

  • What meals are included in the tour?

    Approximately 65% of the meals are included in the tour. The remaining 35% of the meals are not included and will be at your own expense.

  • Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?

    Yes, there are additional costs not included in the tour price. These include a local payment of USD 1060 (2023), USD 1100 (2024), or USD 1250 (2025) payable at the start of the trip, visas, optional excursions as listed in the Pre-Departure Information, flights, airport taxes and transfers, travel insurance, approximately 35% of the meals, drinks, and tips.

  • What kind of terrain will we be traveling through?

    You will be traveling through some of the densest jungles and toughest terrains. The Oasis expedition truck is designed to handle all types of terrains, including soft sand, mud, rock, and potholed roads to tarseal. The journey will take you through mountainous and lush jungle areas, rugged roads, and semi-desert regions.

  • What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?

    During the tour, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife. In Etosha National Park, you may spot Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe, and other wildlife at the floodlit water holes. In Lope National Park, you may encounter elephants, buffalo, and the famous central Africa drill monkeys. Additionally, you will visit a Cheetah Park and the Cape Cross Seal Colony, where you can see thousands of Cape Fur Seals.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Yes, if you are travelling solo. On our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions, we will pair you up with a tent buddy of the same sex when we camp and the same goes for twin & shared rooms in hostels, so there is no need to go it alone! If you specifically would like to request your own single room whilst on the trip, this may be requested subject to availability and additional fee.

  • How many people do you take on your Trips?

    On most of our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions our vehicles can carry a maximum of 24 travellers, the average however is around 16-20 on any one trip. Our Small Group Adventures have a maximum of 18 people per Tour Leader, although again the average is around 10-14 people.

Reviews of this operator

Giles  

LIMA to RIO (87 days) Kingdoms & Carnivals

31-Jan-2020

Life changing, exhilarating, wonderful, at times tough and challenging.

Lucy Jenner (Google Reviewer)  

I can't recommend Oasis enough....

07-Nov-2022

I can't recommend Oasis enough. I have done two trips with them to Africa (Victoria Falls to Cape Town in 2013 and Nairobi to Vic Falls in 2017). The first trip was my first real travelling experience so I picked a shorter one but it just meant I had to go back for more a few years later because I loved it so much. The trips were well organised and went to amazing places with a good mix of structure and freedom, and it never felt like we were rushed even though a lot was packed into the time. The tour leader and driver looked after us well. I was lucky that the groups I was with were great too, because that can have such an impact.

Ivano Forte (Google Reviewer)  

We have been on 2...

31-Oct-2022

We have been on 2 trips with Oasis through Africa. Both trips were fantastic!! The whole experience from initial booking and lead up communication, to the trip itself, with the wonderfully knowledgeable, hard working, friendly and fun crew, to all the amazing places we visited, things we saw and adventures we had, it was all a truly amazing experience!! Highly recommend Oasis Overland.

Brenda  

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15-Dec-2019

At 78 years old it has been one of the highlights of my life! The crew were 1st class and the rest of the travellers really looked after me. Highlights were Bariloche and Patagonia

Keera Lambert (Google Reviewer)  

I did the Trans Africa...

28-Oct-2022

I did the Trans Africa with Oasis Overland in 2013/2014 and it was fantastic. The company dealt with issues that arose over the 10month trip quickly and competently. My best travel memories and experiences came from this trip, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

Roy Smith (Google Reviewer)  

I've been on 3 trips...

28-Oct-2022

I've been on 3 trips with Oasis, the Silk Road and 2 in Africa, about 33 weeks in total, and planning on another now that covid restrictions aren't preventing it. I find the trips are organized so that you get to see the highlights along those routes, and you're travelling with people a mix of nationality and age so a solo traveler like me isn't alone. These trips are great value, would not have had such a terrific range of experiences otherwise.

Laura  

NAIROBI to HARARE (41 days) Apes & Lakes

30-Jun-2020

Really loved this trip. The pre-trip information was great and Katie really went out of her way to help me. I though that camping for so long would start to get tiring but it really didn't plus there were plenty of opportunities to upgrade and some of the time this was very cheap. So many amazing things to see and do. Seeing the Gorillas in the wild was a highlight for me! Would highly recommend and hope to do another trip in the future.

Laurence Zerafa (Google Reviewer)  

If you like adventure travel,...

31-Oct-2022

If you like adventure travel, daily camping with the odd brick and mortar accommodation, moving daily from one place to another often off the beaten track, getting as close as possible to locals, in the company of like-minded fellow travelers, and at reasonable prices, then this is the travel company for you.

Michael Miranda (Google Reviewer)  

I highly recommend traveling with...

02-Feb-2023

I highly recommend traveling with Oasis Overland. I did a 75 day trip through Africa with them in 2017 and I had an amazing time. From Victoria Falls, the Serengeti, and Great Zimbabwe, I got to see so many once-in-a-lifetime places in a much shorter time period than I would have been able to navigate on my own. The guide and driver were great and I always felt like all situations were handled well as things came up (like there was coup in Zimbabwe while we were there). The bus was comfortable enough and it was very conducive to socializing with other travelers. The group I traveled with was a good mix of nationalities and ages so everyone could find people to hang out with. I think Oasis does a good job of providing a mix of planned activities and free time and offers a good selection of excursions in the places we stopped.

Dino  

CAPE TOWN to JOHANNESBURG (17 days) South Africa & Lesotho

19-Dec-2019

Awesome adventure, White water rafting, sleeping amidst elephants, game drives, adrenaline hits, great company what more could you ask for!

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Monday - Tuesday

Jan 13, 2025 - Apr 08, 2025
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