25 days: adventurous overland participation camping safari travelling from Nairobi to Victoria Falls, visiting the highlights Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia.
Days 1-3 We meet at the hotel at 9am on the first day. We recommend you arrive in Nairobi at least the day before, however if you're there with a few days to spare there's lots to see and do around the city. Close to the hotel is the National Museum, there are markets in and around Nairobi or you can venture further afield to Karen Blixen's house, Langata Giraffe Centre or even Nairobi National Park for a first glimpse of African wildlife.
Leaving Nairobi we cross the Athi River Plains and the border to Tanzania and see Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the horizon in the distance. We spend the night near Arusha, which is nestled at the foot of Mount Meru. From here you can hire Land Rovers with a guide to take you to the Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is a collapsed, extinct volcano, thousands of years old and now supporting a wide range of animals. It's an excellent place for your first game drive as being a relatively small area it has a high concentration of animals.
This area is the home of the Masaai and we will certainly come across tribesmen and women selling their distinctive beaded jewellery or inviting you to take photographs, for a small fee.
Day 4 A day's drive from Arusha brings us to Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast.
Day 5 Over the centuries trade between Africa and Arabia has resulted in the blending of Arabs and Africans into a beautiful Swahili (coastal) culture with wooden sailing dhows crossing the ocean, coconut plantations and fishing villages with mosques on the beaches.
Days 6-10 From Dar es Salaam you can take the ferry to Zanzibar Island. Here is the old stone Capital of the Omani Sultanate, sandy beaches, spice tours, snorkelling, diving and trips to other nearby islands. Zanzibar is a fascinating place to visit and you can stay for 3 or 4 days to take it all in.
Days 11-12 South through Tanzania, our route takes us through Mikumi National Park where we may well see giraffe or elephant grazing along the roadside.
Days 13-18 Crossing the border into Malawi, we soon reach the shores of its huge lake. The campsites and small resorts along Lake Malawi offer sandy beaches, swimming and snorkelling, water-skiing or walking in the surrounding countryside. You will also find markets selling beautifully carved Malawi chairs, tables and other souvenirs.
Day 19 We cross the border into Zambia and head into the country along the Great North Road – sparsely settled country side with few people or villages for hundreds of miles.
Day 20 South Luangwa National Park is well worth the visit; recent trips have seen; wild dogs, leopards, lions, and buffalo. We camp beside the park; from where you can game drive into the park. The road up to the park is dirt and the park been part of vast swamp system, so from January up to March as the road can be flooded we can’t get in until the water recedes and the road’s rebuilt and graded.
Day 21 South Luangwa National Park.
Day 22 We leave the park and continue to head west.
Day 23 We reach Lusaka the capital of Zambia.
Day 24 Victoria Falls - the Zambezi River plunges 100 metres down a mile wide chasm, creating one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world. The local name for the falls is 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' which means 'the smoke that thunders' and you'll soon find out why. When the river is in full flow, the falling water causes a huge roar and sends a cloud of spray up to 500 metres into the air.
We stay in Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe above the falls where there is so much to see and do. Adventure activities abound - you can bungee jump, white water raft, and go game-viewing on horse back. More sedate excursions include canoeing, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the Falls and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi. Though the Falls themselves are the main attraction and you can walk through the rain forest along the cliff opposite for an excellent view. Here you can walk with lion cubs.
Day 25 - Victoria Falls The end of your trip.
We stay in Livinstone in Zambia above the Falls and there is so much to see and do. Adventure activities abound - you can bungee jump, white water raft, take a microlite flight above the falls, sky-dive and go game-viewing on horse back. More sedate excursions include canoeing, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the Falls and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi. Of course, the Victoria Falls themselves are the main attraction and you can walk through the rain forest opposite them for an excellent view.
We would advise you to make any onward travel arrangements for at least the day after the tour ends. Subject to availability, you can join our connecting tours to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
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We would advise you to make any onward travel arrangements for at least the day after the tour ends. Subject to availability, you can join our connecting tours to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Note: Africa is an unpredictable continent. We do not have a fixed itinerary so please treat the information given as a guideline only. Although our information is written in good faith at the time of printing, our route may vary at any time due to weather, politics or road conditions.
Price GB£ 525 plus Local Payment of £250.
International flights not included in price
Optional side trips: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater $US530; Ferry to Zanzibar £40 hotels Zanzibar (3 nights at £5 per night); Vic Falls rafting £65; Vic Falls flight £35; Sunset cruise £10. Prices can change and are approximate
Note: This Overland Safari is not suitable for under 18's
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