KENYA

Days 1 - 7

                  The Migration

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                                                      migration times click here...

We visit a Maasai village and then, leaving the park, head to the lake shore of Naivasha. A cycling safari can be arranged in Hells Gate National Park to view evidence of past volcanic activity, as well as gazelle, impala, eland, and the fascinating abundant bird and plant life of the region. The Maasai Cultural Centre in the centre also allows further insight into Maasai culture. Alternatively visit the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. Take high tea at Elsamere, the home of Joy Adamson of 'Born Free' fame, to also enjoy the antics of the black and white colobus on the lawns of the Conservation Centre. During the day hippo wallow in the lake and at night graze by the shores where we camp.

Our next highlight is Lake Nakuru National Park where amongst acacia forests, grasslands and candelebra euphorbia stands there is the chance to see both black and white rhino, zebra, giraffe, eland and with a little luck lion and leopard. The soda lake can be pink with greater and lesser flamingo, and having breakfast at Baboon Cliffs enjoy the views across this very special place. From here we travel through to stay at an upcountry colonial homestead where a roaring log fire awaits us.

Optional excursions: Carnivores night out or similar, Sheldricks Elephant Sanctuary, Giraffe Park, balloon safari, Hells Gate National Park, Crater Lake Sanctuary, Elsamere, hippo cruise.

UGANDA – RWANDA

A mountain drive through the Nandi Hills brings us to Eldoret and Raj’s zany campsite, before crossing into Uganda and our camp by the White Nile at Jinja, just downstream from the Source of the Nile. A day can be spent whitewater rafting amidst lush tropical vegetation in the equatorial sunshine. There is time to quad bike, help out in a local school, to take a village walk, and relax by the river. Arriving in the capital, Kampala, a visit to the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary can be arranged. We then drive west to Queen Elizabeth National Park, stopping over at local craft markets including those of the Royal Mpambira drum makers on the way. Roadside stalls sell fresh rotisserie meat such as “chix on sticks” and at the Equator stop it is time for a photo shoot. Entering our next game park, Queen Elizabeth the game cruise here on the Kazinga Channel allows us to sit back and enjoy the company of hippo from the safety of a boat as they frolic in the lake, with buffalo in close company and the occasional Nile crocodile lying disarmingly motionless nearby, blending into its surrounds. Watch Kingfisher birds diving behind the boat to catch small fish disorientated by the slowly passing boat. There are also elephants, lion, hyena and leopard in the park.

We are then on our way to Lake Bunyoni where we spend a night before heading in to Rwanda to camp near the Parc Nacional de Volcans, or alternatively near one of the Ugandan gorilla parks. At altitudes of up to 3,500 feet, amidst dense vegetation and active volcanoes, gorilla trekking, whilst exhausting, is one of the high points of the trip. These magical animals are herbivores, spending most of their time eating, sleeping, grooming and playing. They live in family groups under the charge of an older dominant male, known as a silverback, who can weigh up to 350 lbs. Despite their great size, they are shy and gentle creatures in great danger of extinction.

Whilst in Rwanda we will also pause to stop over in Kigale at the Genocide Memorial and Museum, and also take time to visit a children’s orphanage.

Optional excursions: White water rafting, kyaking, voluntary work in a local school, quad biking, horse riding, cycling, Chimpanzee Sanctuary, mountain gorilla trek.

Days 20 – 25

Across the border to Tanzania south below Lake Victoria we travel through to the town of Arusha. Our journey takes us off the beaten track so we get to see a little of ‘real Africa” away from the main tourist drag. Play a game of footie with the local kids, camp up in a local hotel and shop in local markets in small towns on route for a true overland journey.  

From Arusha we enter the world famous Serengeti National Park by land cruiser, to camp in this 14,000 square kilometre park which is home to hyena, lion, leopard and cheetah pursuing the vast herds of zebra, wildebeest and other antelope on their seasonal migrations. Descending 2,000 feet into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest extinct volcano, we can view rhino, hippo, lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo, zebra, impala, wildebeest, cheetah, monkey, ostrich and flamingo. The Masai, living on the Crater rim, still shun modern ways, continue to dye their hair with ochre and live on a diet of milk and blood obtained from their cattle. We can arrange a visit to a traditional Maasai Boma (village). From the Crater we travel to the Meserani Snake Park, Arusha, via the village of Mto Wa Mbu, where Maasai display their ebony carvings, spears and bead work. Time at Arusha also allows for  a village walk and group barbecue.

Optional excursions: Serengeti National Park, balloon safari, Olduvai Gorge Museum, Village Walk.

Days 26 – 34

Dawn brings the possibility of views of Kilimanjaro on our way to the bustling city of Dar Es Salaam. You can now have a break from truck life for four days on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar, the crew giving you a full briefing before you depart and assistance with arrangements on the island. Core bookings are made well in advance to ensure availability in beach cottages as you require.

Arriving by hydrofoil at the capital, Stone Town, we find a maze of busy and narrow, winding streets of coral brick houses, and bazaars to explore. We organise a spice tour for some history of the island centred around the slave and spice trades. Visit the red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest and Prison Island with its giant tortoise. Swim and snorkel in the crystal clear coral waters. Scuba diving can be arranged from the Dive Centre near our beach cottages. Relax on the long white beaches and enjoy the fresh local seafood during our beach cottage stay.

On our return to the mainland we transit through Mikumi National Park, with frequent sightings of elephant, giraffe, zebra and antelope from the roadside. Travelling through Baobab Valley our journey takes us past the Ruaha River and into the mountains of the southern Rift Valley to arrive in Malawi, known as 'Africa's warm heart’.

Optional excursion: Arrangements on Zanzibar

Talk with us as to the special arrangements we can make for your accommodation and other arrangements on the Island staying in beach cottages and in the exotic capital, historic Stone Town.  

Other options to budget for include snorkelling excursions to Prison Island and Mnemba Atoll, dolphin boat trips, Jozani Forest visit to see the red colobus, scuba diving.

MALAWI

Days 34 – 39

Travelling south down the fresh water lake, we make regular stops at the popular bays, the beaches providing excellent locations for the relaxed and popular campsites where we stay. We can fish with the locals, take village walks, and enjoy a wide variety of water sports including snorkelling, wind surfing, water skiing and scuba diving. Horse riding is also popular particularly the swim ride in which the horses take to the lake. Hikes in Malawi's beautiful surrounds and to local villages can be arranged and there is always a welcome from the villagers for a local meal. Enjoy bartering with local craftsmen selling African artefacts including traditional Malawi chairs.

We stop over in Lilongwe on our way through to Zambia. On departures 18th October 08 through to 9 March 09 when Luangwa is out of season we can explore further off the beaten track to visit extra highlights in this beautiful country such as Vwaza Marsh, Luwawa Forest or Nkhata or Senga Bay.

Optional excursions: Water sports including snorkelling, wind surfing, water skiing and scuba diving, horse riding, village visits including traditional meal and dancing.  

ZAMBIA

Days 39 - 49

Entering Zambia we head for South Luangwa National Park to camp for two nights, road conditions and season pending. Luangwa is a wildlife reserve of unspoilt natural beauty. Attracted by the Luangwa River with its ox bow lagoons the park has an abundant amount of game - up to 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species. We arrange game drives including night drives with spot lights for the chance  to see nocturnal wildlife particularly leopard and genet.

Stopping in Lusaka, the modern capital of Zambia, gives us ample opportunity to catch up on communications and stock up on supplies. From here we travel to Lake Kariba to hire a houseboat to relax for a couple of nights and enjoy nature at its best. This is an outing always popular with the locals. Famous for its tiger fishing, throw a line in the Lake and enjoy the wildlife on view including elephant, hippo and crocs. Watch dawn break through the stark images of the driftwood trees, the calm silence broken by the haunting cry of a fish eagle.  

We now arrive at Victoria Falls 'Mosi-Oa-Tunya', 'the smoke that thunders.' Second only to their nearest rival in size, Niagara, over 5 million litres of water per second can flow over the Falls during the rainy season. The Falls is also the place for “Adventure Plus”. Grade 5 whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River’s rapids, probably the best rapids in the world, is a Must. Alternatively you can riverboard or take a jetboat ride. Also, for the ultimate rush bungee from The Bridge across

the river on one of the world’s highest commercial bungee jumps, or try the gorge swing and rap jumping activities. A 'Flight of the Angels' over the Falls offers a unique appreciation of one of nature's greatest wonders. Take a leisurely canoe

trip, a breakfast drift or wine tour canoe to journey down the river.

Lion walks with lion cubs is a huge highlight enjoyed during our stay here at the Falls, and there is the option to elephant ride or rhino trek as well. Horse riding and interactive drumming are also available. A sundowner cruise is the perfect way to complete the day watching hippo loll in the Zambezi as the sun sets.

Optional excursions: Houseboat cruise on Lake Kariba, whitewater rafting, riverboard, jetboat, bungee, gorge swing and rap jump, 'Flight of the Angels', canoe trip, lion walks, elephant ride, horse riding, interactive drumming, a sundowner cruise.

Days 50 - 55

Travelling into Botswana, Chobe National Park is our next stop where we take a gentle cruise down the river particularly to view elephant by the shore line, as well as much more of Africa’s wildlife. Giraffes browse the acacia trees and elephants lumber through a park rich with game. There is time to explore further if you wish on a game drive. Via the Makgadikgadi Pans we come to Maun for the option of two to three day safaris into the Okavango Delta in a mokoro, the traditional dugout canoe of the Delta boatsmen. We are poled through the tranquil, crystal clear waterways and beds of papyrus reeds, home to some of Africa's finest bird life and unusual flora, with the chance to also see elephant, hippo, crocodile and the special sitatunga and lechwe. We camp on small islands to take guided game walks during our stay. A sunset mokoro is a very special treat.

Optional excursions: Chobe National Park – game drives and game cruise, Okavango Delta mokoro safari, flights over the Okavango Delta.

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Days 56 - 60

We enter Namibia travelling through to the Hoba meteorite, the world's largest before arriving for a two night stay in Etosha National Park. The local Owambo people call it 'the place of dry water.' The Pan's blinding white surface covers an area the size of Switzerland and in summer violent squalls transform it into a vast shallow lake, providing a breeding ground for thousands of flamingoes. A vast array of animals exists around the Pan, including elephant, lion, gemsbok, zebra, black rhino, giraffe, cheetah and leopard. We camp within the park taking early morning, late afternoon and evening game drives. Visiting at the floodlit water holes at night is also a special treat in this park.  

Leaving Etosha we visit a Cheetah Park, for some close up photos with this endangered cat, before driving the following day in to Damaraland to spend time with a local semi nomadic pastoral Himba group, who herd sheep, goats and cattle and still maintain traditional beliefs in ancestor worship and sacred fire rituals. From here we head to Brandberg Mountain, Namibia’s highest, as well as to Twyfelfontein to view rock paintings, camping this evening under the stars in the wild.

Days 61 - 67

Driving a small section of one of the loneliest stretches of coastline in Africa, the Skeleton Coast, flanked by bone-bleaching desert, we arrive at Cape Cross Seal Colony, a breeding colony of 200,000 Cape fur seals. And then to Swakopmund, home to some of the finest open sea fishing in the world with the option of flights over the Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast. For the adrenaline junkie there's quad biking, sandboarding and skydiving. Gokarting is popular as are the township tours and horse riding. We book into a Lodge during our stay here to give us a four night break from life on the truck and camping paid from the kitty.

The Namib Desert is a desert wonderland - Sossusvlei, Namib Naukluft National Park offering thousand foot sand dunes to explore. Take  guided tour here to find out more about the formation of and creatures that live in this harsh environment. We travel on to the Fish River Canyon, reputedly the second largest in the world. Time permitting we stop for a soak in Ai-Ai’s hot springs, with its weird lunar landscapes, before camping by the Orange River where we can enjoy a canoe ride.

Optional excursions: Hoba Meteorite, rock engravings, Seal Colony, quad biking, sandboarding, skydiving, go-karting, township tours, horse riding, balloons and flights over the Desert, a guided walk on the Dunes.

SOUTH AFRICA

Days 68 - 71

Into the wine areas of Cape Province, we stop over in the historic town of Stellenbosh for a wine tour, before reaching our journey's end at Ashanti Lodge, Cape Town. Cape Town is a wonderful place to relax with plenty of attractions, shopping and cocktail bars. The Travel Shop at Ashanti can assist you with all you wish to do – including white shark diving, a visit to Robben Island where Mandela was held during the apartheid era and a visit to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. If you want to head further afield travel the Garden Route, pony trek in Lesotho, hike in the Drakensfield or through to the KwaZulu-Natal coast for some excellent surfing and so much more.

We have our last meal together against the extraordinary backdrop of the 1,000 metre high Table Mountain.

Optional excursion: Wine tour

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