Itinerary | Trip Details | Bookmark and Share
DAY 1 - 2 Livingstone/Victoria Falls, Zambia
This tour begins in Livingstone near the mighty Victoria Falls. We camp
at the Waterfront campsite on the banks of the Zambezi River; one of
Africa’s largest rivers. The campsite reception has advice and
information about the various optional activities available in the area -
white water rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling, gorge swinging,
canoeing, elephant and horse riding, scenic flights and river cruises – so
you can plan your time accordingly. Don’t forget a visit to Victoria Falls themselves. At various times of year the spray can be seen from up to 20 or 30 kilometers away, hence the local name Mosi au Tunya – the ‘smoke that thunders’.
DAY 3 - 9
Lusaka, Malawi
From Livingstone, we continue our journey through Lusaka to Malawi, the ‘warm heart’ of Africa. The forested mountains is our first stop before descending to Lake Malawi which covers almost a fifth of the country and provides a source of livelihood for many of the Malawi people. Fishermen, fish traders, canoe and net makers all ply their trade. A common sight is that of a fisherman in his bwato, (dugout canoe made
from a hollowed out tree trunk) fishing on the still lake at the break of day. Enjoy a few days on the wonderfully peaceful beaches where there is a full range of water sports on offer in the warm, clear and fresh waters of Lake Malawi. You can try horse-riding in the forests around Kande
Beach or even ride bareback and swim with horses in the lake. There is
the opportunity for a local village walk; a good time to meet some of the local people, generally known as among the friendliest in Africa, and to gain an insight into their way of life.
DAY 10 - 14
Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar
Leaving Malawi, we climb into the hills and cross the border into
Tanzania. We continue northeast towards the Indian Ocean coast and
the port city of Dar es Salaam. On the way we pass through the small
Mikumi National Park and, with luck, may spot forest elephant or giraffe feeding near the side of the road. “Dar” is Tanzania’s hub of commerce and industry; a hot, humid and bustling city. We set up camp at our campsite near the beach just outside of the city center with time to browse one of the nearby curio markets. Ebony wood carvings are a good buy in Dar, but be sure to bargain hard. This is also our leaping off point for our excursion to Zanzibar.
Zanzibar conjures up images of idyllic, sandy, coconut palm fringed beaches, romantic winding cobbled alleys and tropical forests. You will find all of these and an intriguing past on the island, as Zanzibar was once a trading center for spices and slaves and a base for 19th century explorers such as Speke, Burton and Livingstone. Time on the island is not structured, so your time is your own. Your tour leader can advise you on things to do. In Stone Town, explore the bazaars, shops, mosques, palaces and myriad of alleyways. Alternatively, you could take the popular Spice Tour to visit the island’s spice plantations. If it’s white sand and sparkling ocean you prefer, head for the northern beaches and enjoy the Indian Ocean at its best. Try snorkelling and diving, eat sumptuous seafood, or simply relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree with a cocktail and a good book. After three nights we cross back to the mainland by ferry for another night stop in Dar es Salaam.
DAY 15 - 17
River Camp, Arusha
After returning to the African mainland, we travel inland and north to the great game parks of East Africa. On the way, if the weather is clear, we can view the magnificent, snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro; Africa’s highest peak at 5895m. We may take a night beside the scenic Pangani River before arriving in Arusha, situated exactly mid way between Cape Town and Cairo. This city, Tanzania’s “safari capital” is a bustling melting pot of markets, vehicles and tribesmen. It is a city of some 2 million people nestling in the shadow of the brooding Mt. Meru (4556m). After exploring the curio markets, we head to our camp outside of Arusha on the edge of the Masai plains. Here there is the opportunity to take a walk or camel ride to a local Masai village, view some African snakes at the Snake Park, and enjoy Tanzanian hospitality at its best in the lively bush bar. It is from here that we prepare for our two night/three day excursion to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.
DAY 18 - 20
Serengeti National Park, Olduvai Gorge
Ngorongoro Crater, Nairobi
The open plains and wide horizons of the Serengeti, where thousands of hoofed animals feed, is perhaps one of the most evocative images of Africa. Indeed, the name Serengeti comes from the Masai word Siringitu, ‘the place where the land moves on forever’. If you are lucky enough to travel between the months of July and September, the sight of the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra to new pastures in the Mara region is something to behold and is one of the greatest movements of animals on earth. At any time of year, however, game viewing in the Serengeti is fabulous and camping out in an unfenced campsite where lion, elephant and hyena roam is an unforgettable experience. We also pass by the renowned Olduvai Gorge, where Louis and Mary Leakey made discoveries of early man.
The next night is spent camping on the rim of the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. At 326 sq km in area, this is Africa’s largest intact caldera known particularly for its staggering concentration of African animals. From the rim at 2400m, enjoy the sweeping view of the crater floor some 700m below. At dawn the following morning, we drive down the steep access road into the Crater for the morning game drive. With luck, we will see some, if not all, of the Big 5 (leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino) as well as the prolific birdlife of the area.
DAY 21
Nairobi
Nairobi
After returning to Arusha, we make our way across the Masai Steppe and cross the border into Kenya. Once formalities are complete, we drive the last afternoon drive to Kenya’s burgeoning capital, Nairobi, where our tour ends.
