Cape Town to Cairo: 40 days Cape Town to Cairo

Welcome to Cape Town, a jewel nestled at the southern tip of Africa, framed by the stunning Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. Your journey into wonder begins with a luxurious three-night Scenic Special Stay, perfectly located near the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Take an exciting ride up Table Mountain on a rotating gondola (seasonal), offering you unparalleled 360-degree views of Cape Town and its surrounding natural wonders. As you ascend, watch the cityscape expand below and the Atlantic Ocean stretch into the horizon. At the summit, breathe in the crisp mountain air of this World Heritage-listed site.

Choose from a range of activities to explore Cape Town today.

Scenic Freechoice:
Cape Winelands Tour: Get a taste of the South African wine industry on this half-day tour of the Western Cape. Visit two local vineyards for tastings and walk through historic Stellenbosch.

Harley Davidson™ Ride: Discover Cape Town’s coast on a two-hour scenic ride on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle (weather dependent).

Township Tour: Take a tour of Langa Township. Gain insights into life in this unique community by visiting local families and businesses and the Langa Dompass Museum.

Bo-Kaap Tour: Indulge in multicultural Bo-Kaap’s culinary delights on this immersive walking tour. Sample exotic cuisine at local eateries.

Set off on a scenic journey along Cape Town's Atlantic coast to the spectacular Cape Point, part of the Table Mountain National Park. This rugged peninsula offers panoramic ocean views and is a vital waypoint for sailors, often referred to as the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Visit the historic Cape of Good Hope, a legendary maritime landmark, before stopping at Boulders Beach, home to a charming colony of African penguins. Enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife that make this area a unique and memorable destination.

Fly to Hoedspruit and transfer to your luxurious lodge, nestled on the edge of the renowned Kruger National Park. Enjoy a three-night Scenic Special Stay, indulging in the lodge's exceptional amenities and breathtaking natural surroundings. Embark on your first safari this afternoon, venturing into the wild to spot Africa's iconic wildlife, including the Big Five. Thornybush offers a deeply immersive bush experience with expert guides, enhancing your chances of unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Scenic Sundowners
At the end of your afternoon game drive, enjoy one of the most enjoyable safari traditions: drinks at sunset.

Experience another day of unrestricted game drives in specially adapted Land Rovers, expertly designed for tracking Africa’s iconic ‘Big Five’: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes. These exhilarating safaris offer you the chance to observe these majestic animals up close in their natural habitat, guided by skilled rangers who provide insightful commentary on the behaviour and conservation of these key species.

Scenic Enrich
Dine al fresco under the vast, starlit African sky, accompanied by the ambient sounds of the surrounding wildlife. This intimate bush dinner offers a unique and unforgettable connection with nature, enhancing your safari adventure.

Venture deeper into the wild with both morning and evening game drives through Thornybush Game Reserve, increasing your chances of spotting Africa’s most iconic wildlife. For a different perspective, join an immersive walking safari with your expert ranger and explore the finer details of the bush — from delicate flora to the often-overlooked creatures that play a crucial role in this vibrant ecosystem.

Fly to Johannesburg and check into your hotel for your two-night stay. Known as the "City of Gold," Johannesburg is South Africa's largest city and a vibrant hub of art, culture, and history. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing at your hotel or enjoying its facilities. As a city that played a pivotal role in South Africa’s past and present, Johannesburg offers insight into both its dynamic arts scene and its complex history.

Johannesburg, often referred to as Jo'burg, pulses with energy, reflecting the rapid transformation from a gold-mining settlement to a modern metropolis. The city is a gateway to South Africa's northern regions and offers diverse cultural experiences, from trendy galleries and world-class theatres to hip cafes and iconic Mandela-related sites. Johannesburg's vibrant spirit is complemented by lush green spaces like the Johannesburg Botanical Garden and Emmarentia Dam, providing a tranquil retreat from the urban hustle.

Scenic Enrich
Explore Soweto, visit Nelson Mandela’s house, and walk the streets he once did. Discover the Apartheid Museum, which chronicles the rise and fall of apartheid and the history of 20th century South Africa.

Board your flight to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, renowned for its breathtaking curtain of falling water that stretches over a mile wide. Enjoy a luxurious two-night Scenic Special Stay at your colonial-style hotel, which offers splendid views of the gorges and mist from the falls.

Experience the awe-inspiring majesty of Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side, where panoramic views offer a true spectacle of this natural wonder's thunderous descent.

After soaking in the breathtaking scenery, savour an enchanting dinner experience that celebrates traditional flavours and rhythms.

Scenic Enrich
Visit a traditional Zimbabwean village for an authentic glimpse into the customs and daily life of local tribes, then connect with rescued elephants at a nearby sanctuary, where you'll learn their stories and the efforts behind their care and protection.

Scenic Sundowners
Be treated to a special sunset cruise on the Zambezi River and watch the teeming wildlife on the banks, just upstream from Victoria Falls, drink in hand.

Indulge in an outdoor dinner under the stars, accompanied by traditional dancing, providing a cultural immersion into the vibrant heritage of the region. Explore the surrounding rainforest, observe the abundant wildlife, and feel the power and spray of the majestic falls, a truly unforgettable spectacle.

Welcome to Chobe National Park. The park is the second largest in Botswana and is known for its superb game viewing all year round. It has one of the largest populations of game on the continent, including the highest concentration of elephants in Africa. This afternoon, embark on an unforgettable safari along the shores of the Chobe River. Enjoy a two-night stay at your game lodge, overlooking the river.

Start your day with another exhilarating safari through Chobe National Park, Botswana's first and most biologically diverse national park. During the dry season large herds of elephants, as well as vast herds of buffalo, congregate along the fertile flood plains of the Chobe River to drink, bathe and play. Lion, leopard, African wild dog, puku, red lechwe, sable, giraffe and roan antelope are often seen.

Today, return to Victoria Falls and choose to elevate your experience with the chance to view the majestic Victoria Falls from the sky, on an optional helicopter flight that showcases the full scale and beauty of this natural wonder (additional cost; book during the tour).

Fly to Nairobi, Kenya's bustling capital is known for its vibrant culture and striking contrasts. Enjoy a two-night stay at your hotel, ideally located to offer convenient access to the city's rich array of attractions.

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where you can meet and learn about rescued elephants. Following that, explore the renowned Giraffe Centre to get up close with these graceful creatures. Cap off your morning with a delightful lunch at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden.

Scenic Enrich
This evening, enjoy a rare opportunity to connect with local life over a home-cooked hosted dinner. In the welcoming setting of their private home, share stories, exchange cultures, and gain a personal perspective on daily life in Nairobi. It’s a heartfelt and memorable experience that adds richness and authenticity to your journey.

Depart Nairobi this morning and journey north to Lake Elementaita, pausing en route to admire sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley — a geological wonder and one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes. Settle in for a two-night stay, nestled within the Soysambu Conservancy and offering exceptional views of the lake and surrounding acacia woodlands.

This afternoon, personalise your experience with a choice of Scenic Freechoice activities.

Scenic Freechoice:
Guided Nature Walk: Discover the surrounding wildlife, geology and native plants. From the camp, walk through the sprawling Acacia thickets and to the lake shore.

African Cooking Demonstration Class: Join a team of chefs for an African cooking class. Learn about different recipes and traditions of East Africa in this interactive session.

Scenic Enrich
Visit the inspiring Mission in Action school and orphanage, established by a compassionate Australian family, where you'll meet the children and see firsthand how the centre offers them a safe home, quality education, and vital emotional support.

This afternoon, explore Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for being home to over 300 bird species and the endangered white rhino.

Arrive at the renowned Masai Mara Game Reserve, famous for its ‘Big Five’: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. This reserve is also home to the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains. Settle in for a luxurious three-night stay at your lodge.

Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight - Experience the breathtaking savannah at dawn from a hot air balloon. This unique experience offers panoramic views of the wildlife and landscape below, providing an unforgettable perspective of the Masai Mara. Marvel at the sight of the ‘Big Five’ and the Great Migration as you float serenely above the plains, capturing memories that will last a lifetime (additional expense, please book on tour).

Enjoy one more day on the lookout for the ‘Big Five’ in the Masai Mara: lions, savannah elephants, Cape buffaloes, leopards, and black rhinos. Marvel at the incredible wildlife and remarkable landscapes that make this reserve so unique.

Board your light aircraft for your flight to Migori, before crossing the border via land and then continuing via light aircraft to Tanzania. This afternoon, embark on a thrilling game drive in the world-famous Serengeti National Park, Tanzania's oldest park, spanning 14,763 km2. Enjoy a two-night Scenic Special Stay at your luxurious safari lodge, perfectly situated for exploring the park's abundant wildlife and stunning landscapes.

Spend the day exploring this vast park, immersing yourself in its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes. The rolling plains and grasslands are home to the black-maned lion, savannah elephant, and elusive leopard and cheetah.

Drive to Ngorongoro, with a fascinating stop at the historic Olduvai Gorge, renowned as the "Cradle of Mankind" for its rich archaeological discoveries, including early human fossils and ancient tools. Enjoy a two-night Scenic Special Stay at your safari lodge, perfectly situated for exploring the stunning Ngorongoro Crater and its abundant wildlife.

Scenic Enrich
Visit a traditional Maasai Manyatta village to experience the enduring spirit of this world-renowned community. Meet the Maasai people, gain insight into their way of life, and be captivated by their lively dances and masterful artistry.

Today, descend 610 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive volcanic caldera. This World Heritage-listed site is home to diverse landscapes, including lush forests, grasslands, and a soda lake. Explore the crater's abundant wildlife, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and an array of bird species, all thriving in this unique ecosystem.

Transfer to Kenya for an overnight stay at Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport or similar.

Bid farewell to Eastern Africa as you fly from Nairobi to Cairo on an overnight flight.

Your Egyptian journey starts with a three-night Scenic Special Stay at Marriott Mena House Hotel in Giza.

Relish in the luxury of the Marriott Mena House. Enjoy breathtaking views of the 4,500-year-old pyramids, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Scenic Sunset Drinks
Join your fellow guests to enjoy drinks and canapés as the sun sets over the magnificent Pyramids.

Witness the grandeur of the Pyramids, a cluster of towering monuments that are a marvel of ancient engineering, built over 4,500 years ago. They were once grand tombs for Pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. The Pyramids are all that remains of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World for their importance to and are now a World Heritage site. Stand before the enigmatic Sphinx, a 20-metre-high limestone statue of a mystical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion, that has guarded these necropolis grounds for millennia.

Later, discover the priceless antiquities on display in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The first of its kind in the Arab world, it covers the full breadth of Egyptian civilisation from prehistory to modern times with more than 50,000 artefacts. Its crown jewel is the Royal Mummies Hall, where 22 mummies are displayed using cutting-edge technology to go beneath the wrappings.

Fly to Luxor and check in to the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa or similar where you will enjoy a relaxed four-night stay. Begin your discovery with a visit to Luxor Temple, dedicated to the god Amun, which served as a site for royal coronations and rebirth rituals around 3,500 years ago. The site has been used for worship continuously for more than 3,000 years, with a Christian church and the 13th century Abu Haggag Mosque still inside. Admire The Avenue of Sphinxes, a grand 3 kilometre processional way lined with sphinxes that links Luxor Temple to Karnak Temple.

Enjoy a full day in Luxor to discover more of its treasures.

Scenic Freechoice:
Explore your way with one of these excursions:

Visit Esna: The town of Esna is rich in history, with monuments and structures dating from pharaonic Egypt through to the Ottoman era. See how everyday life has remained unchanged over the years, visit the Wakalat al-Geddawi caravanserai and taste some local delicacies at the Okra Women’s Kitchen.

Mummification and museums: Uncover ancient Egyptian embalming rituals at the Mummification Museum, where tools and equipment used in the process are on display. Then visit the Luxor Museum, home to artifacts revealing ancient Egyptian beliefs and lifestyles.

Travel north to Qena and visit the Dendera Temples, considered to be amongst the best-preserved sites in Egypt. The focal point of the complex is the 2,000-year-old Temple of Hathor, which honours the goddess Hathor who is associated with music, joy, dance and motherhood. Admire its opulent architecture, exquisite reliefs and the captivating Dendera Zodiac hanging from the outer hypostyle hall ceiling. The Temple of the Birth of Isis is dedicated to the goddess Isis and has reliefs showing scenes from her fabled birth and early years.

On return to Luxor, enjoy some time at leisure.

Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight: This unique experience offers panoramic views of the landscape below, providing an unforgettable perspective from a hot air balloon (additional cost, please book on tour)

Scenic Enrich
Antiquities lecture: This morning, Dr Bahaa Abdelgaber, Director of Luxor West Bank Antiquities, will inform and enlighten you with an engaging lecture on West Bank antiquities while you enjoy tea and feteer, a traditional Egyptian flaky pastry.

Later visit Deir el-Medina, the historic village of artisans and craftsmen who constructed and decorated the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. It is considered one of the most significant archaeological sites in Egypt, as it provides a wealth of information about the daily life of its former inhabitants.

This morning, board the luxurious Sanctuary Sun Boat III reserved exclusively for Scenic guests. Settle into your elegantly appointed cabin and relax as you begin your cruise on the Nile.

Cross to the West Bank and be astounded by the well-preserved, colourful hieroglyphics adorning the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Visit the mudbrick home of British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter, which has been restored to look as it would have when he lived here in the 1920s. Adjacent is a replica of Tutankhamun’s tomb, providing a tantalising glimpse into the boy king’s opulence and mystique. Later, see the impressive monument to Queen Hatshepsut.

Scenic Enrich
The tomb of Seti I is one of the longest, deepest and most beautifully adorned tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Enjoy a private visit to be immersed in its ancient mysteries.

Cruise south along the Nile, following the course of the ancient pharaohs’ processions. Tiny villages and majestic temples line the banks of the river, set against the backdrop of the endless desert.

This afternoon, cruise to Kom Ombo Temple, perched high on the Nile’s East Bank and dedicated to Sobek, the Crocodile God. It is famous for its unique symmetrical design, with two identical temples mirroring each other along a central line. A memorable night awaits on board with a lively and colourful Galabeya party with Egyptian delicacies, music and dancing.

Fly to Abu Simbel, on the southern edge of Egypt close to the Sudanese border, to visit one of the country’s most magnificent monuments. Explore the enormous World Heritage-listed temples of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. First built in the 13th century BC, they had to be completely disassembled in the 1960s and moved 65 metres higher to protect them from the rising waters of the Aswan Dam. The entrance is guarded by four 20-metre-tall seated pharaohs carved directly into the cliff face.

Later, fly back to Aswan to continue your Nile River cruise on board Sanctuary Sun Boat III.

Discover the Philae Temple, an island temple complex that is often called the Pearl of the Nile. It dates back to the Ptolemaic era, around 350BC, but was also relocated to a different island in the 1960s during construction of the Aswan Dam. A leisurely afternoon awaits as you enjoy a cruise on a felucca, a traditional wooden boat with a single sail. Slow down and soak in the beauty of the riverside scenery as you glide gently along the calm waters.

This evening’s entertainment will delight with the colours of the whirling dervishes on board. Join the Captain and crew for a farewell Gala Dinner.

Disembark your cruise in Aswan and fly to bustling Cairo for a three-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence or similar. Spend the afternoon discovering the spectacular collection at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Opened in 2025, it is considered the largest archaeological museum in the world and houses more than 100,000 artefacts covering seven millennia of history. Marvel at the full collection of items recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun, including his golden mask, throne and chariots. Gaze in wonder at the Solar Boat, a restored cedar wood barge dating back to 2500BC found buried near the Great Pyramid of Khufu.

Your exploration of Cairo starts with one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The Citadel of Saladin is a medieval Islamic fortress that was the seat of the Egyptian government for nearly 700 years from the 13th century. Wander through this fascinating historic site and take in the stunning views of the city.

Scenic Enrich
Al-Qalam social enterprise: Al-Qalam is a community project in the heart of historic Cairo, dedicated to teaching and spreading Arabic calligraphy and Islamic decoration. It also serves as a meeting point for local creators and artists. Be fascinated by this ancient art in a calligraphy workshop.

After lunch, discover medieval Islamic architecture and art on a stroll along El Moez Street at your own leisure. This street acts as an open-air museum in the centre of vibrant Cairo. Visit Gamaleya, a fair-trade workshop and school for traditional crafts is housed in a restored heritage building. With many traditional crafts having disappeared, it focuses on celebrating and preserving Egypt's rich cultural heritage.

Spend your final day in Cairo exploring the city’s unique districts.

Scenic Freechoice:
Explore Cairo today your way with one of these excursions:

Coptic Cairo tour: Visit the heart of Egypt’s Christian community. See the incredible collection on the Coptic Museum and the beautiful Hanging Church, built over the ruins of Old Cairo’s Roman fort.

Roda Island: Explore Roda Island on the Nile River, home to one of the last nilometres, an ancient stone structure used to measure the height of the river. Tour the opulent Menial Palace Museum and Garden, built between 1899 and 1929 in the Ottoman style.

Museum of Islamic Arts and Bayt Yakan: Take a captivating journey through centuries of creativity and devotion at the exquisite Museum of Islamic Arts. Later step inside Bayt Yakan a historic 17th century mansion saved from demolition. The faithful renovations took over 12 years.

This afternoon, Cairo is yours to explore. Perhaps enjoy an aperitif by the pool, overlooking the Nile River.

This evening, join your expert Tour Director and fellow guests for a farewell dinner, indulging in a 3-course meal at one of the hotel’s exquisite restaurants.

Your journey concludes this morning. Say a final farewell as you transfer to Cairo airport leaving with memories of your unforgettable journey to the heart of Egypt.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.