Travel from Johannesburg to Nairobi via Cape Town and Victoria Falls in extra comfort with innovative facilities for the inspired traveller including on-board digital camera download facility.
Explore the best of what Southern and East Africa has to offer in the way of wildlife, culture and landscape with a maximum of 16 person in our custom built full size expedition truck. With over a metre of legroom ateach seat sit back, relax and experience the wonders of the great African continent in this our ultimate 75 day tour with great facilities available for the inspired traveller.
We provide the services of an expert photographer and digital download facility on all our overland tours, a unique feature making us stand out from the others! One of our crew (normally the Tour Leader) is a full-qualified, semi-professional, photographer who will be available to give advice on photographic (and video) techniques; and will organise “workshops/tutorials” on photographic subjects and techniques (eg landscape, wildlife and bird photography, night shots, close-ups and portraits) to assist our guests to improve their photographic technique. We also provide a laptop computer with multi-card reader for those clients with digital cameras to enable you to download your memory cards and burn those special memories to CD or DVD while on tour.
Tour price includes all highlights (inclusive activities worth £1045), all ground transport except Zanzibar, all road tolls and vehicle taxes, camping and cooking equipment and services of 3 crew.
Local Payment - US$1460 - Local Payment covers all food (3 meals a day - (except Zanzibar) provided by our now legendary Kenyan Cook) and camping fees/accomodation for the whole tour including 3 nights on Zanzibar. This is payable to the tourleader at the start of the tour in US dollars only.
ITINERARY – From Johannesburg to Cape Town:
Day 1 Starting in Johannesburg we head straight for Mpumalanga, meaning the place of the rising sun', region of South Africa. Here we take in a number of spectacular viewpoints and waterfalls before spending our first night at the old gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest. CAMPING
Day 2-3 Leaving Pilgrims Rest we take another scenic drive on our way to the Kruger National Park, calling in at Bourke’s Luck Potholes before entering the park. We continue on game driving as we head to our rest camp for the night. We spend the next two days game driving through the park heading for a different campsite each night. CAMPING
Day 4-8 Up early the next morning we game drive out of the park; crossing the border into Mozambique from the southern end of the Kruger Park. We head north for the warm and sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean. We spend the next 5 nights on the idyllic sandy beaches of Praia do Xai Xai and Praia do Tofo (Inhambane). A number of optional watersports are on offer at each beach, including diving, snorkeling, fishing or quad-biking. CAMPING
Day 9 Leaving the coast we head south to the vibrant city of Maputo with its magical mix of the old and the new, European and African influences. We overnight in Maputo giving you the chance to sample the lively nightlife and great restaurants. CAMPING OR LODGE
Day 10-11 Up early the next morning we cross the border and enter the smallest country in the southern hemisphere - the Kingdom of Swaziland. Here we visit the capital Mbabane where, in the colourful markets, you can purchase some of the best quality carvings and crafts in Africa. We travel down through the Ezulweni valley to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, a hugely successful conservation project that has reintroduced many species of wildlife that became extinct in this area decades ago, back into Swaziland. Here we camp for two nights and you can enjoy pony trekking, mountain biking or follow self-guided walks. CAMPING
Day 12-13 Crossing back into South Africa we next head for the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve covering an area of sweeping beaches, great fertile estuaries, mangrove forests and lakes. You can visit the Kosi Bay River mouth and snorkel in its crystal clear waters or watch the local fishermen gather their nets in the estuary. Between the months of November and February, it may be possible to glimpse giant leatherback turtles that come to these beaches to lay their eggs. CAMPING
Day 14-15 Up early the next morning we head off to the Umfolozi/Hluhluwe National Park and spend the remainder of the day game driving through the park in search of Lion, White and Black Rhino and other game species. CAMPING
Day 16-17 Continuing into KwaZulu Natal we enter the Drakensberg Mountains, which are known by the Zulu as the “barrier of spears”, and are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of their outstanding natural beauty. We head for the Sani Pass region of the mountain range. Spending two nights here affords you the chance to explore the area the next day. Explore the walking trails of the Sani Pass area, including waterfalls and rock paintings or join an organized tour that will take you up the Sani Pass to the border of Lesotho giving you magnificent views. CAMPING OR LODGE
Day 18-19 Next morning we make our way to the Addo Game Reserve, famous for its elephant herds. Here we stay two nights camping in the reserve. Up early next morning we have the time to spend the day game driving in the reserve, allowing us time to sit and watch these wonderful animals interacting. CAMPING
Day 20-21 Leaving Addo we pass through Port Elizabeth and continue on into the Garden Route of South Africa. After a short stop to see the Storms River Viewpoint we spend the next two nights in the Tsitsikama National Park, camping right on the beautiful grassy but rocky shoreline. The next day you have the option of doing various activities including the highest bungi jump in Africa, walking or forest aerial cableway. CAMPING
Day 22 Continuing on towards Cape Town we pass through Knysna and our next stop is Hermanus, overnight in the town.
Day 23 Next morning you have time to explorer the Hermanus town center or take a short walk along the coastal path before we leave and take the short drive into Cape Town arriving in the late afternoon.
Days 24 to 32 are spent in the Cape Town area at your leisure and own expense.
ITINERARY – From Cape Town to Nairobi.
Day 33 After a leisurely departure from Cape Town we head round Table Bay and stop off to buy fresh produce and view Table Mountain from Blaawberg (weather permitting) before heading North and spending the night at a hot springs resort. CAMPING
Day 34-35 After a quick swim we head for Namibia crossing the border and camping the night on the Orange River. A canoe trip the following morning whets your appetite for the days to come. We then head for the Fish River Canyon and have a sundowner on the canyon's rim. CAMPING
Day 36-37 The next morning we travel to the dramatic red sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert. The two nights we spend here give you the opportunity to see the sun rise over the dunes, to walk up one of the many magnificent dunes and absorb the awe-inspiring landscape. Overnight Sesriem campsite. CAMPING
Day 38-39 After the tranquility of the desertscape, we increase the pace, heading for the old German town of Swakopmund where sand-boarding, quad-biking and tandem sky-diving feature among numerous activities on offer. Alternatively take a relaxing stroll around the shops and buildings, enjoying the colonial architecture of this seaside holiday town. BEDDED ACCOMODATION
Day 40 Leaving Swakopmund, we travel up the coast and visit the Cape Cross seal colony before heading inland. We spend the night at Brandberg (burning mountain), Namibia's highest peak, and take a short walk in the mountain foothills to see the well-known "White Lady" bushman rock painting. CAMPING
Day 41 Leaving the Brandberg behind us we next travel to a cheetah conservation project where you have the opportunity to interact with these very special mammals. CAMPING
Day 41-44 Next day we leave for Etosha, where we spend the next 3 nights. Here we game drive through the park, relax at the campsite pools and watch the "nightlife" at the floodlit waterholes. CAMPING
Day 45 Heading east from Etosha we make our way to the Caprivi Strip where we camp on the Kavango River. CAMPING
Day 46-48 We then cross the border into Botswana, making our way to the panhandle of the Okavango region. Transfer with 4x4 truck and motorboats. The Delta trip is a true wilderness where you are limited to taking only what will fit into your mokoro (dugout canoe) - an exceptional African adventure. CAMPING
Day 49 Leaving the Delta we head to Maun where you have the afternoon to relax or take an optional scenic flight over the Delta, affording you a different perspective on this unique inland waterway. CAMPING
Day 50-51 Leaving Maun we head north to the Chobe National Park and spend 2 nights camping on the banks of the Chobe River. Early the following morning we game drive into the park in search of the big five. In the evening we explore the river on a motorboat, where the sunset frames the wide variety of game and bird life. CAMPING
Day 52 Leaving Botswana behind we enter Zambia and a short drive brings us to the Victoria Falls. CAMPING
Day 53-54 Next morning we visit the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side and you have the opportunity to participate in any activities at your leisure. CAMPING
Day 55-56 There is one day free between the two sections of tour for you to relax while your crew organises and greet the new passengers joining the next section. CAMPING
Day 57 We then head through the heart of Zambia past Lusaka, camping on the banks of the Luangwa River. CAMPING
Day 58-59 Today we arrive at South Luangwa National Park. This is a less frequently visited game park and there is a better chance of seeing shy leopard here. We spend 2 nights here, camping on the banks of the Luangwa River, where visits by elephant and other wildlife are not uncommon. While here we do a morning and evening game drive in the hope of spotting the elusive leopard and other more common game. CAMPING
Day 60 Leaving this beautiful valley behind we exit Zambia heading for Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Spending the night in the capital you have time to do curio shopping at the local ebony market while your crew stock up on provisions for the following days on the shores of Lake Malawi. CAMPING
Day 61-63 For the next three days, soak up the sun, enjoy the water sports and explore the local culture. Participate in various watersports on offer on the Lake. Horse riding also available. Visit a local village and sample the local cuisine. CAMPING
Day 64 Driving north up the lake we leave Malawi and enter Tanzania, spending the night near a small town call Tukuyu and visit a local Tea plantation which is a local community project. CAMPING
Day 65 Up early the next morning we head north to Tanzania. Tonight we camp at a farmhouse in the highlands of Tanzania. CAMPING
Day 66 Another early departure takes us further into Tanzania. We also pass briefly through Mukumi National Park. We head for Dar-es-Salaam and spend the night at a campsite on the seashore. CAMPING
Day 67-59 The following 3 nights are spent on Zanzibar where you have the chance to explore this exotic spice island at your leisure. Discover the intricate streets of Stone Town and its people, take a spice tour or swim with dolphins at the southern tip of the island. BUNGALOW ACCOMMODATION
Day 70 Returning to the mainland, we camp near Dar again before departing for Arusha. CAMPING
Day 71 Heading north we have a long day passing through many African villages and, if the weather favours us, we may catch sight of snow-capped Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Passing Kilimanjaro we head for a campsite outside Arusha affording another great view of Mount Meru. CAMPING
Day 72-73 Next morning we head into Arusha town to do some curio shopping after which we head for the Ngorongoro crater, spending the night at a town near the crater rim. Up early next morning we use local operators for a day's excursion down into the crater in search of game including lion, hyena, rhino and elephant, returning to camp by late afternoon. CAMPING
Day 74 We return to Arusha the next morning, stopping along the way to visit a Masai village. The last night we camp again in the shadow of Mount Meru. CAMPING
Day 75 We spend the final day of our tour crossing the border into Kenya, heading for the capital Nairobi. TOUR ENDS ON ARRIVAL IN NAIROBI.
Included highlights: Blyde River canyon Kruger National Park Entry and game drive Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Relax on the idyllic beaches of Mozambiques’s Indian Ocean: Paria do Bilene, Praia do Xai Xai and Praia do Tofo (Inhambane) Maputo Kosi Bay Nature Reserve Umfolozi/Hluhuwe National Park Entry and game drive Drakensberg Mountains - Sani Pass Addo Game Reserve Entry and game drive Tsitsikama National Park Entry Hermanus Orange River Canoeing Fish River Canyon Entry Sossusvlei dunefield 3 hour guided desert walk Namib Desert Park Entry Cape Cross Seal Colony Brandberg and White Lady walk Etosha National Park Entry and game drives 3 night/4 day Okavango Delta excursion Chobe National Park entry and morning game drive and afternoon river cruise Zambezi Sunset cruise Victoria Falls National Park Entry South Luangwa National Park Entry and morning game drive and afternoon/night drive Malawi Beaches Zanzibar ferry Masai tribal village Ngorongoro Crater National Park Entry and all day 4x4 game drive
Not Included: Optional Night drive in Kruger National Park. Various watersports on Mozambique coast Various activities in Swaziland Various activities at Kosi Bay Bungi Jumping, Forest aerial cableway on the Garden Route. Tour of Sani Pass. 9 day in Cape Town Activities at Victoria Falls (-from US$45) Flight over Delta (~US$80) Sand-boarding (~US$30-40) Quad-biking (~US$90) Optional scuba diving and water-sports on Lake Malawi Optional, spice tour, diving/snorkelling, dolphin trip and food/transport while on Zanzibar Visas, travel insurance, vaccinations, flights, airport taxes, sleeping bag, items of a personal nature, curios and alcohol.
