Cairo to Zanzibar

Welcome to Egypt, a country known for its incredible array of historical sites that regularly top bucket lists. We begin in Cairo, the sprawling capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa. Home to many famous Egyptian landmarks, visitors will find it to be a fascinating and often bewildering mixture of old and new.

We don't want you to miss out on a single moment of your small group tour. To ensure that you don't, we recommend you arrive at your hotel by 6:00pm.

Meet your fellow travellers tonight as we enjoy a group welcome dinner to kick off our incredible journey ahead.

Optional Excursion: Coptic Cairo - Discover the ancient sites & culture of Coptic Christians throughout Old Cairo. 3 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.

Optional Excursion: Islamic Cairo - Visit the Gayer Anderson Museum, Ibn Toulon Mosque & El Sultan Hassan Mosque. 3 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.

Optional Excursion: The Pyramids of Dahshur - Dahshur forms the southernmost area of the Memphis Necropolis & contains a number of pyramid complexes & monuments 3 hours – from $65pp US (cash only).

Our tour kicks off with a bang today! After breakfast, we begin at the oldest structures in existence and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the amazing Great Pyramids of Giza. We'll visit the nearby Great Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the head of a king, often referred to as the national symbol of Egypt.

Special Experience: Take in the incredible views of the Great Pyramids of Giza while enjoying a delicious lunch at the Giza Plateau

Venturing to the Giza Plateau for lunch, it’s time to indulge in the delicious Middle Eastern cuisine the city is renowned for, but the best bit? The view! This unique restaurant is unlike anywhere you’ve dined before. Offering panoramic views of the majestic pyramids surrounded by desert, the pictures you’ll take here are guaranteed to be incredible. Your travel time will be approximately 3 hours.

After lunch, we travel to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid, also known as the Pyramid of Djoser. Designed by Imhotep, the famous vizier of King Djoser, this was the first pyramid ever built.

Special Experience: Tour the historic Serapeum of Sakkara, the burial place of the Apis Bulls and home to centuries of cult activity.

The Serapeum of Sakkara was built by Ramses II between 1279 and 1213 BC as a dedication to the Greco-Egyptian God of Serapis.
Before this, the area had already been used for hundreds of years as a monument for the Apis Bulls, a sacred animal believed to be the god of fertility and the underworld by the ancient Egyptians.
When the site was rediscovered in 1850, they found the burial places of 64 Apis bulls and thousands of inscribed objects related to centuries of cult activity.
Discover the ancient burial chambers and crypts, and learn all about the rituals and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians who called this area home.

It's an early start this morning as we farewell Cairo and transfer to the airport for our flight to Luxor. Located on the east bank of the Nile River, the city surrounds two huge, surviving ancient temples. Once the site of the ancient city of Thebes, Luxor as a whole is often considered its own open-air museum.

We begin our sightseeing at the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes, a 3-kilometre-long road connecting Karnak Temple with Luxor Temple. Approximately 30 pharaohs contributed to Karnak Temple's structure over time, which explains its monumental size! Equal in grandeur, Luxor Temple is home to a 25-metre-tall pink granite obelisk, which was part of a matching pair until the 1830s when one was bestowed to France. It now stands in the centre of the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

We'll finish the morning with a visit to a local gallery to appreciate the ancient artform of papyrus craft, with an opportunity to purchase a lovely memento to take home.

It's then time to embark our Nile cruise ship, ready for our four-night stay along the most iconic river in Egypt. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board before an afternoon at leisure indulging in the ship's amenities or further exploring the sites of Luxor.

Your flight time will be approximately 1 hour.

Today involves approximately 3 hours of walking.

Optional Excursion: Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple at night. 1.5 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.

It's another early start for us this morning, leaving the ship after breakfast for a half day tour of the West Bank. Our first destination is the Valley of the Kings, a royal burial ground for many of Egypt's pharaohs, queens and other elites. Here, we'll discover King Tutankhamun's Tomb, arguably the most well-known of Egypt's pharaohs who reigned between 1332 and 1323 BC. Despite his celebrity, King Tut's tomb is actually smaller than other royal tombs of its era, likely because of his untimely death.

After descending into his tomb where his mummified body lies, we'll enter other tombs to see examples of the elaborate and well-preserved hieroglyphic paintings. Carved deep into the limestone rock, each tomb has a similar pattern of three corridors, an antechamber and a sarcophagus chamber.

Next, we explore the Temple of Hatshepsut. Built for Queen Hatshepsut, she was one of only a few women to be given the title of pharaoh. We then visit the Colossi of Memnon, a historic landmark consisting of two massive statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

We then stop at a nearby alabaster workshop to learn how the locally quarried stone is carved and crafted, and if interested, can purchase a souvenir piece to take home.

Back on board the ship, we cruise onward to Edfu, travelling through the Esna Lock — an impressive engineering feat that helps control the flow of the Nile. The afternoon is at leisure before a welcome dinner on board.

Today involves approximately 4 hours of walking.

Optional Excursion: Hot Air Balloon Ride over the West Bank in the early morning. Includes transport from hotel. 1.5 hours – from $170pp US. Cash only.

Resting on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan lies Edfu. This Egyptian city is renowned for the Temple of Horus, dedicated to the Falcon God, the main attraction that we'll visit this morning. This beautiful temple is one of the best-preserved in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak Temple.

Immerse yourself in thousands of years of history as you walk through the Pylon, a monumental gateway that leads to a spectacular courtyard framed on three sides by 32 columns. We'll also have the opportunity to explore the Inner and Outer Hypostyle Halls, the Court of Offerings, the Vestibule and the Sanctuary.

Returning to the ship, we continue to the riverside Temple of Kom Ombo, a unique double temple dedicated to the gods of Sobek and Haroeris. Combining two temples into one, it is symmetrical in nature with twin entrances, two linked hypostyle halls and twin sanctuaries. As it is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, it is thought that it was once teeming with crocodiles! Today we visit a Crocodile Museum which features a collection of mummified crocodiles.

As we cruise to the port of Aswan this evening, enjoy a traditional Galabeya party on board.

A very early start this morning is rewarded with one of the most iconic sights in Egypt, as we cross the desert to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples of Abu Simbel. The temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC, as a monument to himself and his queen, Nefertari. The complex was then relocated in its entirety in the 1960s to higher ground to avoid it being submerged by the Nile River due to the construction of the High Aswan Dam. We will spend a few hours exploring the temples before returning to our Nile cruise ship in Aswan.

In the afternoon, we'll swap our ship for something a little more local — a traditional Felucca! The Nile has been home to these simple, wooden style sailboats for thousands of years. We'll observe life along the banks of the river as our boat leisurely bobs along, taking advantage of the gentle winds and currents.

Tonight, get ready for some hearty hospitality as we delight in a traditional Nubian Show on board. Observe traditional music, singers and dancers dressed in distinctive Nubian clothing, as we enjoy a glimpse into the unique culture of the Nubian people.

Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.

This morning, we disembark our Nile cruise ship in the Port of Aswan and bid farewell to the crew. The rest of the day will be spent exploring incredible Aswan, a historic city unlike anywhere else in Egypt.

On a half day tour, we visit the picturesque Philae Temple on Agilkia Island. Originally located on Philae Island, this temple is dedicated to Isis, the goddess of magic, who is said to have brought her husband Osiris back to life after he was killed by his own brother. Still in impeccable condition, it is remarkable to note that like Abu Simbel, this temple was also moved piece by piece to a new location to prevent flooding from the creation of the High Aswan Dam.

Following our history fix, we'll visit a local store which produces an assortment of aromatic perfumes and oils, along with ornate accessories, all available for purchase.

Special Experience: Navigate the waterways of the Nile to a Nubian village where we'll visit the local market and meet a Nubian family in their home.

The Nubian culture originated in what has now become modern day Sudan and southern Egypt. We’ll be welcomed in for an incredible afternoon with a local family to experience some of their distinct language, food and traditions firsthand. We’ll return to our hotel where the evening is at leisure. Today involves approximately 2 hours of walking.

Optional Excursion: Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple at night. 1.5 hours – from $65pp US. Cash only.

Waving farewell to vibrant Aswan, we'll transfer to the airport this morning for our flight back to Cairo, where we'll have the chance to explore the city.

First up, we'll visit the 12th century Saladin Citadel of Cairo, a monumental Islamic fortification built as a defence against the crusaders in 1176 AD. With our expert guide leading the way, we'll see many of its famous sights, including the Muhammad Ali Mosque (and no, this isn't dedicated to the famous boxer!). Built between 1832 and 1857 by Muhammad Ali Pasha, its position and towering minarets make it one of the most prominent mosques in the Cairo skyline.

Our final stop is the 14th century Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, a major souk in Cairo's Islamic District. Famous for its handmade crafts, it's also the perfect place to enjoy a traditional Arabic coffee. There are no fixed prices here, so make sure you practice your haggling skills!

We'll return to our hotel where the afternoon and evening is at leisure. You may wish to relax and take in the incredible Nile views from the hotel's pool, explore the nearby shopping mall or taste some of the local cuisine — the choice is yours!

Your flight time will be approximately 1.5 hours.

Today involves approximately 3 hours of walking.

We're in for an exciting morning as we take an excursion to the newly debuted Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Nestled at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza, the GEM is home to a breathtaking fusion of modern architecture and ancient heritage, housing over 100,000 ancient artefacts.

After being greeted by a 3,200-year-old, 83-ton statue of Ramses II in the GEM's main entrance, we'll spend the morning exploring the vast collection of exhibition halls, including its centrepiece, the King Tutankhamun galleries. Now home to Tutankhamun's legendary Gold Death Mask and more than 5,000 other artifacts, it brings together the boy king's treasures for the first time in history. Enjoy some free time to wander around the museum and grab a bite to eat.

We'll later make our way to downtown Cairo, before an early dinner at the hotel.

As the evening sets in, we bid farewell to Egypt as we fly to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on an overnight flight.

Your flight time will be approximately 5 hours.

The largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg, Kenya's vibrant capital has rapidly evolved from its humble beginnings. Less than 100 years ago, a river snaked through the empty wilderness where Nairobi now stands. Positioned close to the equator, the city experiences spring-like weather for most of the year — deliciously warm during the day and cool in the evenings. It's this climate that has earned it the nickname of the ‘Green City in the Sun', with streets awash with colour from tropical vegetation and vines.

Venturing out this afternoon, we'll visit the Giraffe Centre, an important conservation initiative created by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. Here, we'll come nose-to-nose with gentle giants whilst feeding them from an elevated platform.

After a delicious lunch at the Tamarind Brasserie, we'll enjoy a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum, the former residence of famous novelist Karen Blixen. The house contains many of her original pieces along with some exhibits donated by the makers of the film, ‘Out of Africa'.

Enjoy the evening at leisure to recharge after a long day.

Today we visit one of Kenya's great conservation projects, Daphne Sheldrick's animal orphanage at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. For over 25 years, Kenyan-born Daphne Sheldrick lived and worked alongside her husband David, during which time they raised and successfully rehabilitated many wild species. Daphne Sheldrick's involvement with wildlife has spanned a lifetime. She is now a recognised international authority on the rearing of wild creatures and is the first person to have perfected the milk formula and necessary husbandry for infant milk-dependent elephants and rhinos.

We later visit the Anselm Kitengela Hot Glass studio for a mesmerising glassblowing demonstration. Watch how expert Kenyan artisans twist and warp molten glass to create functional handmade objects from recycled materials. Enjoy some free time for lunch in this unique setting, with the opportunity to purchase some of the exquisite, brightly coloured masterpieces as a spectacular souvenir.

Take some time to relax at the hotel this afternoon before our group dinner at the picturesque Hemingways Eden Residence.

This morning, we leave the city of Nairobi and begin our journey into the Kenyan countryside. Our sights are set on Aberdare National Park, a protected area in Kenya's central highlands known for its stunning moorlands and waterfalls.

Upon reaching the game reserve, we'll take a break for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club. Brimming with country charm, this picturesque homestead is nestled on the slopes of Mweiga Hill, offering 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape.

After lunch, we are transferred to our quirky ‘Ark' accommodation. As the name suggests, the building shares some resemblance with Noah's Ark and is a testament to the abundant wildlife in the area. Here, we'll enjoy the afternoon at leisure to gaze out over the floodlit waterhole and salt lick, watching the wildlife bask in this beautiful setting. For any avid photographers in the group, we suggest a visit to the bunker — the ideal vantage point for snapping the perfect shot of the wildlife which could be just metres away.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Emerging rested from our stay at the Ark, we continue to the Nanyuki Spinners and Weavers, a women's self-help group that produces beautiful, handcrafted items. We'll learn about the traditional techniques used in the craft of spinning, to make vibrant knitted and woven items from hand, with the opportunity to purchase some artistic souvenirs.

We continue to Shaba National Reserve, located by the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River in the northern part of Kenya. The river attracts an abundance of wildlife thanks to its shady trees, so the likelihood of seeing a diverse range of species here is even higher. We'll arrive at the park just in time for lunch at the lodge and take some time here to relax after our long drive.

As the afternoon sets in, it's time to embark on our first game drive in the reserve. Shaba's scenery is spectacular. Think waterholes and marshes, woods and grasslands, all with the imposing Shaba Hill Volcano looming in the distance.

As we make our way through the reserve, we'll be introduced to some of the unique animals home to the area, including the Reticulated Giraffe, the largest of the giraffe subspecies and the tallest land animal on the planet! We'll also be on the lookout for Grevy's Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Beisa Oryx, hippos and if we're lucky, perhaps some prowling lion prides.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

As the sun climbs over the horizon, we'll experience the beauty of Shaba's rugged plains on an early morning safari. The animals are often on the move in the cooler temperatures and soft light, making it one of the best times of the day to encounter some incredible wildlife. We'll continue our search for lions, buffalo, leopards and the famous 'Red Elephant of Samburu' — named for the iconic red dust that coats their hides.

We return to our lodge for breakfast and some downtime before taking another game drive this afternoon. After getting our wildlife fill for the day, we head to a local village.

Special Experience: Explore Samburu Unity Village, a women-only community, to learn about ‘a day in the life' of a Samburu woman and her children. Formed in 2011, the Unity Village is a refuge for women looking to escape oppression and other inequities. Today it serves as a safe place for women to raise their families, educate their children and thrive in an environment where they can work together. Our experience here is both magical and heartbreaking, and you will leave with the utmost respect for these resilient women who have managed to create a better life for themselves and their children.

Today, we leave Shaba behind us and continue our adventure, reaching Nyahururu in time for lunch. Here, we'll enjoy a lovely meal in the Panari Nyahururu resort.

We then arrive in Lake Naivaisha, the highest and one of the most beautiful lakes that form part of the Great Rift Valley. A popular spot for British flying boats of the 1930s, it was also the home of Joy Adamson, conservationist and the author of ‘Born Free'. We'll explore the area on an afternoon boat safari, searching for some of its famous residents including over 400 species of birds and numerous pods of wallowing hippos.

Returning from our adventure on the water, we'll then enjoy afternoon tea at the famous Elsamere Conservation Centre, located in Joy's former house. The museum contains a fascinating collection of her paintings and artefacts as well as memorabilia from the ‘Born Free' film, with photos documenting Joy and George Adamson's work.

We then return to our lodge for dinner.

Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

After an early breakfast, we depart for the epic savannahs of the Maasai Mara. Characterised by wide open plains and rolling grasslands, dotted with the occasional tree, the Maasai Mara flows into the Serengeti, making it one of the biggest reserves on earth.

Special Experience: Take a Swahili cooking class in the heart of the Maasai Mara, including a visit to the herb and vegetable garden. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned chef or complete amateur, this cooking class gives you (and your taste buds) the chance to explore the flavours and textures of traditional Swahili food. We'll be led through the herb and vegetable garden before preparing some flavoursome dishes and enjoying our creations for lunch.

Before making our way to our tented camp in the heart of the Maasai Mara, we head out on a late afternoon game drive. Hailed as one of Africa's greatest wildlife reserves, huge herds of elephant, giraffe, eland, wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are commonly sighted here. With a bit of luck, we may also spot a lion or spotty cheetah as we roam.

Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

Although it's an early start this morning, we'll be rewarded with a breathtaking game drive to enjoy this beautiful landscape as the sun rises over the savannah. Many of the animals that call this area home are crepuscular, which means they are most active during the twilight hours. On our adventure this morning, our expert guide will help us to spot the wildlife as they engage in natural behaviours like foraging, grooming or finding the perfect spot for some sun.

We'll return to the comfort of the lodge for breakfast and lunch, with some time to relax in this picturesque setting. Then, as the day begins to wind down, we'll head out on one last safari before a special dinner to farewell the Maasai Mara.

Optional Excursion: Maasai Mara Balloon Safari – This morning, enjoy an amazing experience as you take a balloon ride over the Maasai Mara. This is probably one of the most scenic views you will ever experience as you depart at dawn and float, suspended in a basket beneath a canopy while viewing the sights of the mighty Maasai Mara and its wildlife. On landing, you'll be provided with a delicious bubbly-style bush breakfast. 3 hours – from $505pp US.

Today, we're kicking off the final stretch of our adventure, as we head to the airport for our flight to the exotic island of Zanzibar via Nairobi.

Well known for its white sandy beaches and warm turquoise water, Zanzibar is the perfect place to relax and simply soak up the sun. Scenic fishing villages are scattered throughout the beaches of this picturesque region, where the locals enjoy a simple, laid-back way of life.

Arriving on the island, we head to our beautiful beachside resort in Kiwengwa Beach. Located on the east coast of Zanzibar, the resort is home to impeccable white sand beaches, has over 30 acres of tropical gardens to explore, and a variety of leisure facilities to indulge in and lucky for us, the rest of the day is free to indulge in whichever amenities take your fancy, before joining the group for dinner.

Your flight time will be approximately 2.5 hours.

The day is yours to soak up the tropical charm of the ‘Spice Island'. Snag a sun lounger to relax and unwind in this tranquil setting, perhaps with a novel to bury into. Or why not explore more of this stunning island paradise at your own pace.

Your tour guide or the resort staff are well equipped to provide you with any suggestions if you're looking to get out and about. Popular activities here include visiting the beaches and reefs, caves and spice farms, or even joining a quad bike tour of the island.

Our eyes are set on historic Stone Town, Zanzibar's biggest city set on the opposite side of the island. A Swahili trading town, Stone Town has taken on influences from Arab, Indian and European cultures to cultivate its own unique way of life that we'll experience today. Fans of the band Queen may also know Stone Town as the childhood hometown of the band's charismatic lead singer, Freddie Mercury!

As we begin our exploration this morning, a city tour will acquaint us with a range of different sites, including the City Market, the Anglican Church of Christ, Africa House and Forodhani Park. We'll also visit the House of Wonders — the most significant structure on the seafront that was built in the 1880s as a ceremonial palace. Originally used as the headquarters and administrative centre during the colonial period, it was later converted into a school and a museum.

Lastly, we will explore the Sultan's Palace, the Old Museum and the Old Market where we can shop for various local fruits and spices. Tonight, we'll enjoy a farewell dinner at the 6 Degrees South restaurant, where the atmosphere is as vibrant as the cuisine! Indulge in fresh, flavoursome dishes as we reminisce on our favourite moments of the tour.

Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.

Today involves approximately 3 hours of walking in hot and humid conditions.

Today marks the end of our spectacular African adventure. We will enjoy our last day at leisure in paradise before transferring to the airport this evening. We hope you leave with a heart and camera roll full of fantastic memories!