KENYA

Days 1 - 7  

                  The Migration

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Arriving at Lake 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 park also allows further insight into Maasai culture. Alternatively we can visit the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. Take high tea at Elsamere, the home of Joy Adamson of 'Born Free' fame and enjoy the antics of the black and white colobus on the lawns of the Conservation Centre. Bird life including herons, darters and storks can be found around the lake margins. In the evening we watch the hippo come out on the lawns.

Lake Nakuru National Park is our next highlight, famous for its soda lake which particularly attracts greater and lesser flamingo, as well as pelican and other water bird. To see a myriad of flamingo rising off the lake like a pink cloud is breath taking. Game drives also allow us to view other wildlife such as giraffe, eland, waterbuck, zebra, cape buffalo, rhino and with a little luck, lion and leopard. From here we camp over at an upcountry colonial homestead nestled into the Mau Escarpment, famous for its chameleon population and where a roaring log fire usually awaits us.

UGANDA

Days 8 – 19

A mountain drive through the Nandi Hills brings us to Eldoret and Raj’s zany campsite, before crossing into Uganda and our camp beside the scenic Bujagali Falls and the White Nile at Jinja, just downstream from the Source of the Nile. There is time to head out on the river white water rafting in equatorial sunshine on rapids grade 3 to 5 amidst lush tropical vegetation. Alternatively  swim, fish, take a village walk or relax by the Falls. Quad biking and horse riding are also available as well as bungee and zip wire. There is also the option to volunteer for community project work at a local school.

We stop over in the capital, Kampala, for a night out and to arrange a visit to the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary on Lake Victoria. This 100 acre forested island provides a safe haven for the 32 orphaned chimpanzees that are now free to roam the island. Chimpanzee are the primate genetically most similar to humans, their behaviour being highly social and remarkably like ours at times. A visit at feeding time is always entertaining as the chimps fight it out for their favourite morsels.

We head on to Lake Bunyoni, sitting in the steep, terraced Mfumbiro Hills, and then further to the densely forested volcanic slopes of the Virungas, home to the 720 remaining mountain gorillas. Entering Rwanda we pause to reflect at the Genocide Museum in Kigale before heading on to Ruhengeri for our gorilla trek. We also take time to visit a children’s orphanage while in Rwanda.

The gorillas live in groups lead by a dominant male, the silverback. They spend their days foraging for food. Gorilla trekking is a once in a lifetime experience, allowing you to come face to face with a very close relative. Treks are organised ahead of time in Rwanda and/or Uganda.

TANZANIA

Days 20 – 25

Heading south into Tanzania, below Lake Victoria, our journey takes us off the beaten track so we get to see a little of “real Africa” away from the main tourist drag. This section of the trip is quite unpredictable. 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 to experience a true overland journey as we head to Arusha.

Once in Arusha we now hire customised land cruisers for game drives with a local guide in the world famous Serengeti National Park where we camp a night. This 14,000 square kilometre park is home to lion, leopard and cheetah. It is also the stage for ‘the Big Cats’ pursuit of the vast herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra on their seasonal migration.

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. We can also arrange a visit to a traditional Maasai Boma (village) here. The Maasai still shun modern ways, continue to dye their hair with ochre and live on a diet of milk and blood obtained from their cattle. From the Crater we travel to the Snake Park in Arusha, via the village of Mto Wa Mbu, and opportunities to shop for spears, bead work and ebony carvings. A barbecue awaits us on our return so we can relax and share stories of all we have seen during our stay in the parks.

Optional excursions: Serengeti National Park, Olduvai Gorge Museum, village walk.

The next morning we are up early travelling past Kilimanjaro heading to the bustling city of Dar Es Salaam. Parking up on the coast for the night we enjoy a seafood braai/barbecue, and listen to the waters of the Indian Ocean lapping nearby and the sea breeze in the coconut palms.  

The next morning we travel on the ferry over to the port of Stone Town, for four days on Zanzibar Island, the tour leader travelling with the group to provide assistance where needed.

We stay a day to explore Stone Town, enjoy the Food Markets and on a spice tour find out some of the history of the island

From here we head north to relax in the sun on the stretches of palm-lined white sand. The beach cottages at Kendwa are very popular and here we can enjoy fun beach bars, fresh seafood and a game of volley ball on the beach. Unwind with a massage in the sun and a sunset cruise at the end of the day. Diving and snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll amongst tropical corals is world class. Other highlights to be enjoyed on Zanzibar are visiting Prison Island with its giant tortoises, swimming with the dolphins and walks in Jozani Forest to view the red colobus monkey.

We say good bye to East Africa’s stretches of white beaches and world famous game parks for the drive south west through Tanzania to Malawi. It is a varied two days drive with much scenery change as we travel into the mountains through the southern section of the Rift Valley. Being at altitude, the cool mountain air can be a welcome relief after the temperatures of the Coast.

 

On the way the main road travels a strip of 60 kilometres through Mikumi National Park, with no tolls or entrance fees to pay, and where we regularly see game. Common sightings include elephant, buffalo, lion, giraffe, zebra, gazelle and impala. We then reach the area known as Baobab Valley with its monumental and ancient baobab trees dominating the scenery as well as the Great Ruaha River. On route we stop over at a farm for a traditional meal.

Optional excursions: Zanzibar Island. Talk with us about the special arrangements we can make for your stay on the island in beach cottages and in the historic capital, Stone Town.  

Other optionals on The Island: a snorkelling excursion to Prison Island and to Mnemba Atoll, dolphin boat trip, Jozani Forest visit to see the red colobus monkeys, scuba diving.

MALAWI

Days 33 – 39

Arriving in Malawi, known for its friendliness as the “warm heart of Africa”, we travel south down the fresh water lake, staying at the relaxed and popular campsites on the lakeside. Here we can hike in Malawi’s beautiful surrounds and take village walks. There is always a welcome from the villagers for a local meal. We can head out to fish with the locals. A wide variety of water sports including snorkelling, wind surfing, water skiing and scuba diving can be enjoyed. Horse riding is also popular particularly the swim ride, for the chance to ride bareback in the lake. Another highlight of our time in Malawi is the souvenir shopping. Malawian carvers are some of the best in the world and we’ll have ample opportunity to buy the famous “Chief’s Chair”, or other carvings such as three legged tables, giraffes and beautiful intricate chess boards.

 

When Luangwa is out of season we might explore further off the beaten track to visit highlights in this beautiful country such as Vwaza Marsh, Luwawa Forest or Nkhata or Senga Bay. Reaching Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, we catch up on banking, post home our souvenirs and experience shopping in a supermarket again!

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

ZAMBIA

Entering Zambia we head for South Luangwa National Park to camp for two nights, road conditions and season pending usually from April to September departures. Luangwa is a 9,050 square metre national park, centred around the Luangwa River. Elephants are hard to miss along the river banks with some herds numbering up to 70 animals. Thornicraft's giraffe, with their white legs and faces, and Crawshay's zebra, are both endemic to the park and easily spotted. Herds of buffalo can be seen, and with a little luck several prides of lions. The density of leopards is among the highest in the world. Spotting these nocturnal creatures can be tricky and we head out on evening game drives specifically aiming to see these special cats. All sorts of antelopes abound including impala, sitatunga, and the puku which is rarely seen outside Zambia, as well as waterbuck and bushbucks. South Luangwa is also a dream come true for birdwatchers, with over 400 species recorded.

From here we head to Lusaka, the modern capital of Zambia to stock up for our houseboat stay.  The houseboat allows us two nights away from camping and truck life while we relax on beautiful Lake Kariba, sleeping in beds, chilling in the splash pool, watching game by the waters edge, fishing from the tender boat and with our meals being prepared for us by the houseboat staff.

And then to Livingstone for our stay by The Victoria Falls, Mosi Oa Tunya – “the smoke that thunders” with its numerous and varied adventure activities - white-water rafting and jet boating down the Zambezi, bungee jumping off the bridge, abseiling and gorge swinging, a “Flight of the Angels” over the Falls, horse riding, rhino trekking, canoeing on the upper Zambezi, game viewing and a sunset cruise. The lion walks here are a major attraction. You can also spend a day wandering through the national park to view the Falls, the rainforest walk taking you right to the edge of the First Gorge and along its length for a good drenching!  Five separate water falls along a width of 1,688 metres make up Victoria Falls and in flood season 545 million litres of water a minute crash down the 100 metre height. “Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight” exclaimed Dr David Livingstone when he first saw them, overwhelmed at the spectacle. It is the perfect spot to finish your safari.

Optional excursions: Houseboat on lake Kariba, whitewater rafting, riverboarding, jet boating, bungee, gorge swing and rap jump, 'Flight of the Angels', canoeing, lion walks, elephant riding, horse riding, a sundowner cruise, interactive drumming.

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