Please note that all visa's must be obtained by the passengers themselves before the day of departure.
Day 1 South Africa – Cederberg Mountain Region
Leaving behind Cape Town, there’s one last photo stop at Table View for a spectacular panorama of the city and Table Mountain. On the way we enjoy a wine tasting at one of Cape Town’s organic wine farms, Org de Rac. Heading further north into the mountainous Cederberg region, we arrive at our accommodation and your guides will give you a full briefing on the tour, truck and equipment.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 Namibia - Gariep/Orange River
Today we travel through the Northern Cape and Namaqualand, stopping at the remote town of Springbok for any last requirements. After crossing the Namibian border we check in to the lovely chalets overlooking the river that forms the border between South Africa and Namibia. Although officially renamed the Gariep River it is still generally known by the pervious name; Orange River, after the Dutch House of Orange.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Gariep/Orange River – Ai-Ais
This morning there’s the chance to paddle canoes down the Orange River or spend time relaxing. After lunch we travel north to the Ai-Ais Hot Springs and stay overnight close to the Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world.
Optional Activities: Half-Day Canoe Adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Fish River Canyon - Kokerboom Forest
We take a scenic early morning walk along the edge of the Fish River Canyon, where photo opportunities are plentiful. Travelling into the Kalahari area of Namibia we visit the amazing Kokerboom Forest, renowned for the large concentration of Quiver Trees.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Bushman Community – Namib-Naukluft Park
The Namib National Park is one of Namibia’s geographic gems. There are massive sand dunes in the Sossusvlei desert area as well as a remarkable landscape. After a morning optional Tribal interaction with the original San people we travel to the Namib and stay the night just outside the park.
Optional Activities: African Tribal interaction.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Namib-Naukluft National Park
We have a full day in the Namib-Nakluft NP that starts by being transported in to Sossusvlei, where we are joined by a local expert guide. Exploring on foot, this local guide will share their detailed knowledge of the unique desert ecosystem with us. Later we transfer to Dune 45 where you have the chance to hike up the dune for an amazing view and photo opportunity. In the afternoon there’s a short walk into the Sesriem Canyon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7/8 Swakopmund
Today we cross the Tropic of Capricorn on our way from the desert to the Atlantic coast. Our first stop is Walvis Bay where we may see some flamingos, depending on the season. Then it’s onto Swakopmund, the adventure capital of Namibia, where you will be briefed on the many optional activities available for the next day. Take a quad bike over the dunes, try sand boarding, sky diving or maybe a cruise to see dolphin?. In the evening you can enjoy some excellent seafood at a local restaurant as well as the vibrant local nightlife.
Optional Activities: Dinner, Quad biking, Sand boarding, Sky Diving, Scenic Flights etc.
Meals: Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 1, Dinner x 1
Day 9 Himba Tribe
Heading inland, we drive north towards Kamanjab where we meet with the local people from this area. The Himba are a pastoral people and predominantly breed cattle or goats. Encountering a totally different way of life can be a moving experience for many people.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10/11 Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is home to thousands of elephants, giraffes, zebras plus cheetahs, lions, rhinos and hyenas. The open plains allow spectacular viewing from your truck while on game drives. Our quality bungalow accommodation is inside the park at Okaukuejo and Halali which both boast floodlit night water holes where the animals come regularly to drink.
Optional Activities: Night Drive with NWR Game Ranger
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 Windhoek
Enroute to Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, we stop at a craft market where you can buy authentic African carvings and paintings. On arrival in Windhoek we take a short driving tour around the city, and there’s some free time to explore the centre before checking into our centrally located hotel. Tonight you have the chance to try game meat and enjoy a night out at one of Windhoeks excellent restaurants or German-style pubs.
Optional Activities: Dinner out
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13 Botswana - Ghanzi
We say goodbye to Namibia and journey through the Botswana border. Namibian dollars cannot be used in Botswana so there will also be a chance to exchange left over money. Later we arrive at our lodge in Ghanzi, and this evening we experience some traditional tribal dancing from the San community.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14/15/16 Maun – Okavango Delta
Maun is well known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta. The Okavango River has no outlet to the sea, so it empties into the sands of the Kalahari Desert, irrigating some 15,000 square km’s. We spend one night in Maun and prepare for this excursion. Small planes transport us over this amazing area to Gunn’s Camp for the next 2 nights. Animals are often spotted from the lodge, but we also take a nature walk and, if the water level allows, a mokoro (traditional canoe) trip. The animals in the Delta are not as familiar with people so the game viewing is totally wild, as are the hippos in the river!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 Gweta
A second scenic air-transfer will return us to Maun and the truck. This afternoon we drive to Gweta where our evening accommodation is set amongst the majestic Baobab trees that are indigenous to this area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 Chobe National Park
After continuing north to Kasane, we take a sunset river cruise on the Chobe River where animals such as hippos, buffalo and elephant are plentiful and best viewed from the water. The Chobe NP is Botswana’s second largest National Park and well known for its large population of migratory Elephants. Our accommodation is near to the park entrance.
Optional Activities : Chobe Game Drive (next morning)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19 Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls
An early morning optional game drive, then we cross into Zimbabwe where we have a short briefing on all the activities available here. Then we enter the much anticipated Victoria Falls NP where we will experience the might of the great Zambezi River. This is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Optional Activities: Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Dinner in local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 20/21 Victoria Falls
These 2 days are shared between relaxing and getting mundane things like laundry out of the way and taking part in some of the amazing adventure activities on offer here. The Zambezi White Water Rafting still boasts the most grade-5 white water to be commercially tackled and this is a serious must-do activity for most people. If braving the white water, or bungy, is not for you then the lion walk or elephant encounter are both amazing options, it’s a totally different experience to meet one of these creatures up close!
Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Bungy Jump, Elephant Excursion, Walking with Lions, Horse Riding, Micro-light, Flight of the Angels, Skydiving etc.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 22 Zambia - Lusaka
There is an early morning transfer from Victoria Falls, across the border and in to Zambia. We journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka where we see locals going about their daily business. You will notice the vegetation becoming sub-tropical and the roads a little rougher.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 23 Chipata
Today is a long drive through lush country, crossing rivers enroute to Chipata, the gateway to the South Luangwa National Park. Zambia is truly African and an adjustment from the more western ways of Southern Africa. There are many rural villages and farming communities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 24/25 South Luangwa National Park
Early in the morning we drive from Chipata to the border of the South Luangwa NP where we spend two nights at our campsite right on the bank of the Luangwa River. You can often see Hippo and other animals from the campsite bar. The park is known for its high concentration of leopards and hippos. The next day we visit the community run tribal textile project and a local village. Later this afternoon we enjoy a guided afternoon game drive. On occasion, in the rainy season it is impossible or inadvisable to attempt to reach South Luangwa NP, if this happens an alternative itinerary will be chosen. Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive and Game Walk in South Luangwa NP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 26/27 Malawi - Luwawa Forest
We depart from South Luangwa early and cross the border in to Malawi where we begin climbing in to the mountains that border the Malawian shores of Lake Malawi. In these higher areas there is a lot of commercial forestry and the cooler climate can be a very pleasant change from the more humid temperatures below. Luwawa Forest camp are winners of the 2008 'Community Development Work and Sustainable Tourism Award’. Take a hike to the viewpoint to see the Lake form above, or rent a Mountain Bike for some exciting riding.
Optional Activities – Mountain Biking, Abseiling, Rock Climbing, Fishing, Canoeing Sailing…
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 28/29 Central Lake Malawi
The road down the mountain from Luwawa to the lake shore is scenic and quite exciting. We take a break from travelling with a couple of relaxing days at Kande Beach Village on Lake Malawi. There is lovely white sand and lots of water sport and leisure activities available. We will also visit a local village for some cultural interaction here.
Optional Activities: Scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing, horse riding, craft shopping, hiking and more.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 30/31 Northern Lake Malawi
Leaving Kande Beach we travel north to Chitimba, a small village by the lake with more white sandy beaches. Livingstonia Mission is at the top of the nearby mountains. You can hike up to the village, but be warned, this is not a relaxing stroll… there is a beautiful waterfall and interesting permaculture project on the way and it is possible to spend the night up there. Alternatively spend another 2 relaxing days on the beach.
Optional Activities: Hike to Livingstonia Mission, Abseiling, Water sports etc.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 32 Tanzania – Iringa
Today we leave Malawi and enter Tanzania. We ascend out of the Great Rift Valley through some spectacular mountain passes, passing vast tea plantations in the highlands before arriving at our camp outside Iringa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 33 Dar Es Salaam
Today we transit through Mikumi National Park, the 4th largest National Park in Tanzania, to the historical port city of Dar es Salaam, gateway to Zanzibar. The city is one of the oldest settled cities in East Africa and, although not the capital, is the chief commercial centre of Tanzania.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 34/35/36 Zanzibar
A local ferry will take us from Dar Es Salaam (where we leave the truck) to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. We spend the first night exploring the historical and unique architecture. There are also spice and seafood markets and the island is known for its endangered red colobus monkeys, adopted as the flagship species for conservation in Zanzibar. The following day we take a transfer to the northern part of the Island where we will spend 2 days relaxing on the beach.
Optional Activities: Lunch & Dinner, Swimming with Dolphins, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling.
Meals: Breakfast x3
Day 37 Dar Es Salaam
Today we leave Zanzibar and catch a late ferry back to Dar Es Salaam and return to our truck and campsite. The evening can be spent reminiscing about our days on the island.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 38 Arusha
Today we take a long and scenic drive to Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania and known for its authentic craft markets. On a clear day it’s possible to see Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru. After arriving in Arusha, those who are going to explore the Serengeti National Park, prepare for their excursion.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 39/40 Serengeti/Ngorongoro
Today we have the opportunity to go on a three-day trip into the Serengeti. This area has one of the most densely inhabited large animal populations in Africa. We game drive in the Serengeti NP and the amazing Ngorongoro Crater. In October and April the area is known for the circular migration of millions of herbivores travelling in pursuit of the seasonal rains. For those not going to the parks, take this chance to absorb some of the fascinating local culture.
Optional Activities: Serengeti/Ngorongoro Excursion.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 41 Arusha
Today those that went in to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro will return to Arusha where there will be time sit together and share stories of the wonderful African animals seen in the park. The Serengeti is always an unforgettable experience and one that will be shared time and time again.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 42 Kenya – Nairobi
After crossing the border into Kenya we continue to travel towards Nairobi and the end of our journey. Although our tour has ended most groups like to spend this final evening at local game restaurant.
Optional Activities: Dinner at Carnivore Restaurant
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Length: 42 days, 41 nights
Meals: B x 32, L x 35, D x 34
Start Point: Cape Town
End Point: Nairobi
Accommodation: Twin Share Tents
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