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From Cape Town to Nairobi taking in the wild deserts and coastline of Namibia, the watery wilderness of the Okavango Delta, thundering Victoria Falls, Lake Malawi and the enchanting spice island of Zanzibar, wrapping up with big game encounters in South Luangwa, Serengeti, Lake Nakuru, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mountain gorilla trek. This tour offers the adventure of a lifetime!
This tour includes Gorilla and Chimp Trekking. This is paid at the time of booking - please see supplements for pricing.
Day 1. Cape Town to Cederberg Highlights. Township Tour Cape Town, South Africa.
We start our adventure with a trip into Cape Town's townships to see and experience the life that so many of South Africa's less privileged lead. From here it's off onto the open road up the West Coast to the small farming settlement of Trawal on the border of the Cederberg Mountain Range where our camp faces out onto the majestic mountains.Day 2. Cederberg to Orange River Highlights. Orange (Gariep) River, Namibia.
Continuing further up the West Coast we pass by a few small towns heading up into the drier northern Cape, crossing into Namibia where we spend the night on the banks of the Orange (Gariep)River.Day 3. Orange River to Fish River Canyon Highlights. Fish River Canyon, Namibia.
This morning we have the opportunity to get out onto the river in canoes and explore this strange looking Richtersveld area.Day 4. Fish River Canyon to Sesriem Area Highlights. Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia. Sesriem Canyon, Namibia. Tsaris Pass, Namibia.
We awaken to the sounds of the desert morning and hit the road travelling further north to the Namib Naukluft region. Enjoy a walk down the daunting Tsaris Pass along the way.Day 5. Sesriem to Sossus On Foot Camp, Khomas Region Highlights. Dune 45, Namib Naukluft National Park, Namibia. Sesriem Canyon, Namibia. Sossus On Foot Camp, Khomas Region, Namibia. Sossusvlei, Namibia.
Heading out with the sunrise we enter the Namib Naukluft National Park at Sesriem and head to the famous Dune 45. After climbing the dune for a better vantage point of the surrounding dune-sea, we continue on to Sossusvlei where after a short shuttle ride further in, we continue to the infamous Deadvlei with its gnarled trees and white pan base.Day 6. Sossus On Foot Camp, Khomas Region to Swakopmund Highlights. The Tropic of Capricorn.
Rising to the serenity of the desert, our journey takes us west down the inland plateau through the Kuiseb Canyon and onto the Atlantic Coastline.Day 7. Swakopmund Highlights. Swakopmund, Namibia.
Today you'll have free time to enjoy the town's museums, cafes or shops. Take a walk down the beach promenade or enjoy any of the delicious German delicacies from a local bakery.Day 8. Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe Highlights. Spitzkoppe, Namibia.
We bid our farewells to the quaint German town and head west for the unusual looking Spitzkoppe. These huge granite boulder-mountains appear on the horizon like sentinels watching over the surrounds - it's no wonder the San-bushmen of the region held them to be sacred.Day 9. Spitzkoppe to Etosha National Park
Journeying north, we head to the famed Etosha National Park where we will spend the next two nights in the park.Day 10. Etosha National Park Highlights. Etosha National Park, Namibia.
Today is dedicated to wildlife and we head out early to catch the animals while they're most active and out and about. We may spend the night either in the same camp, or split to two camps depending on the season.Day 11. Etosha National Park to Windhoek Highlights. Windhoek, Namibia.
Travelling back to civilization we head south through some of Namibia's towns and on to the Capital city - Windhoek.Day 12. Windhoek to Ghanzi, Botswana Highlights. Kalahari Bushman Walk, Botswana.
Taking leave of Namibia, we cross the border into Botswana and travel up to the northern border of the Central Kalahari and the town of Ghanzi.Day 13. Ghanzi to Maun Highlights. Maun, Botswana.
Travelling further into Botswana today's road takes us to Maun - the gateway to the Okavango Delta.Day 14. Maun to Okavango Delta Highlights. Okavango Delta, Botswana.
We pack our gear onto the 4x4 transfer and head out past Maun and into the wilderness passing through the surrounding town's settlements. From here we reach the water's edge and are introduced to our Mokoro polers who will take us out onto the waterways and to our camp within the Delta.Day 15. Okavango Delta to Maun
Awakening to the sound of the African dawn, we head out on one last walk before packing up and gliding back along the waterways to the poler's station.Day 16. Maun to Nata Highlights. Elephant Sands, Nata, Botswana.
Botswana is blesses with a rich and diverse wildlife habitat and today we pass through the migratory path from the great Chobe National Park to the Central Kalahari. We'll stop off to see the odd looking baobab trees with their swollen trunks and scrawney branches and spend the night outside the small town of Nata. 1 images Elephant Sands, Nata, BotswanaDay 17. Nata to Kasane Highlights. Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana. Chobe National Park, Botswana.
Driving further north we may spot some elephant or antelope along the way. The National Parks are un-fenced allowing wildlife to follow their natural migration routes from north to south, and east to west.Day 18. Kasane to Livingstone Highlights. Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana. Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia.
Rising early we board our game viewing vehicle and head out into the Chobe National Park. By size, it is the third largest park in the country and is the most diverse; home to elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo and abundant birdlife. Keep an eye out for the rare sable or roan antelope with their curved horns and majestic stance.Day 19-20. Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia.
Our days in Livingstone are free to explore the town and the many activities available in and around the Zambezi.Day 21. Livingstone to Lusaka Highlights. Lusaka, Zambia.
Journeying north-east, we drive into the heart of Zambia and on to the Capital city Lusaka. Passing through the farming villages and rural settlements it's easy to see that Zambia has not had a thriving economy; however this is in the process of turning around with much new economic growth in the last years.Day 22. Lusaka to South Luangwa National Park
From the Capital we head further north to the South Luangwa National Park. Travelling along the Great East Road (the other being the Great North Road which links Cape Town to Cairo on the old trade routes), we pass through rural villages and cross the impressive Luangwa River bridge.Day 23. South Luangwa National Park Highlights. South Luangwa National Park.
Today we enjoy an open vehicle game drive with a local ranger along the river’s edge to see the abundance of animal and birdlife inhabiting the area. Your tour includes one guided game drive during our stay. Additional wildlife activities can be booked on arrival on day 22. 3 images South Luangwa National ParkDay 24. South Luangwa to Kande Beach, Malawi Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi.
Leaving the wilderness behind, we cross the border into Malawi and head on to the picturesque lake-side camp at Kande.Day 25. Kande Beach Highlights. Kande Beach Activities, Malawi.
Today is at leisure enjoying the chilled atmosphere at the Lake.Day 26. Kande Beach to Chitimba Beach Highlights. Chitimba Beach.
We take a scenic drive along the lakeside and through the town of Mzuzu where we stop off for supplies for the next days. The town is a hive of activity and has a great market place to explore with the everyday wares for the locals. With no lavish shopping malls in this part of the world - this is how local Malawians shop for any necessary items.Day 27. Chitimba Beach Highlights. Livingstonia Day Hike, Malawi.
Enjoy a hike up to the Livingstonia Mission (David Livingstone worked here for a time) or enjoy a village walk to see how the local school and clinic operate.Day 28. Chitimba Beach to Iringa, Tanzania
Bidding farewell to Malawi and it's glittering lake, we cross the border into Tanzania and make our way to the small farming town of Iringa in the Tanzanian highlands.Day 29. Iringa to Mikumi National Park area
Our journey heads east towards the Mikumi National Park. Here you will be stunned by the landscape of endless grassy plains dotted with Baobab trees. This park is the fourth largest in the country and hosts an array of wildlife including 4 out of the 'Big 5' - lion, Leopard, elephant and buffalo. Should time allow you can explore the park with an optional game drive in the afternoon. Soak the beauty in at the campsites swimming pool, enjoy the restaurant/bar and then marvel at the night time stars around an open fireplace.Day 30. Iringa to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Mikumi National Park, Tanzania.
This morning we enter the park gates, eyes peeled for the resident wildlife along the road's edge as we transit through.Day 31. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Departing our beach-side camp early, we head to the busy ferry-port and board our ferry to Zanzibar.Day 32-34. Zanzibar Island Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania.
Enjoy free time on Zanzibar and transfer to the northern beaches from Stone Town.Day 35. Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
We take the ferry back to the mainland and arrive to camp in the afternoon leaving time for some last minute swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, or to sit back and watch the water roll in onto the sandy tropical beach.Day 36. Dar es Salaam to Marangu Highlights. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Marangu, Moshi Area, Tanzania.
Journeying north today, we pass through a number of smaller villages on our way to Kilimanjaro and our camp at its base, Marangu. Along the way, if weather conditions permit - we may catch a glimpse of the towering giant at 5895m high. The tallest mountain in Africa, and tallest free-standing mountain in the world, attracts climbers from around the globe to see if they can make it to the 'roof of Africa'. 6 images Kilimanjaro, TanzaniaDay 37. Marangu to Arusha Highlights. Maasai Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania. Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania.
We pass through the town of Moshi on our way to the safari capital, Arusha. The half-way point on the Cape to Cairo trade route, Arusha is home to a bustling tourist trade owing to its location en-route to Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Parks.Day 38. Arusha to Serengeti National Park Highlights. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Packing our gear onto our safari vehicles, the resident guides take us out onto our Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari.Day 39. Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater
Waking early, we head out in the morning to seek out the active predators and their prey. Once we've returned to camp and packed up, we head back across the plains and on to our camp on the rim of the Crater.Day 40. Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha Highlights. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
We're up early again to take advantage of the cooler hours to game drive and head down the steep crater walls to its base in search of wildlife.Day 41. Arusha to Nairobi
Today we cross into Kenya and on to the bustling Capital city, Nairobi. Known as the 'garden city', Nairobi is growing as a hub of commerce and industry in East Africa.Day 42. Nairobi
Explore the city with its many sights, museums and attractions or head out to the elephant orphange or giraffe centre for a different wildlife experience.Day 43. Nairobi to Nakuru Highlights. Great Rift Valley. Lake Nakuru, Kenya.
Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind, we travel via the Great Rift Valley viewpoint to see how this geographic phenomenon is visible on the Kenyan landscape. From here it's on to the Lake Nakuru National Park where we enjoy a game drive with a resident guide.Day 44. Nakuru to Eldoret
Travelling further through Kenya we head to the border town of Eldoret - Kenya's 5th largest city.Day 45. Eldoret to Kampala, Uganda Highlights. Kampala, Uganda.
Crossing the border into Uganda there's much to see with the busy boda-boda taxis and foot traffic with livestock and kids passing by.Day 46. Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park Highlights. Equator.
Heading out into the mountainous western Uganda, we cross over the equator and continue through to our camp nearby the Queen Elizabeth National Park.Day 47. Queen Elizabeth National Park Highlights. Chimpanzee Trek, Kyambura Gorge, Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.
Today you'll head out to explore the forest in search of the resident Chimpanzees (permit holders only).Day 48. Queen Elizabeth National Park to Lake Bunyonyi
After our chimpanzee experience we continue south to the volcanic mountains and the vast Lake Bunyonyi. Surrounded by the terraced farms on the slopes of the mountains, the Lake is one of the deepest in Africa and home to an abundance of birdlife.Day 49-50. Lake Bunyonyi Highlights. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda. Mountain gorillas.
We spend two days at the lake to enable those who are trekking the Mountain Gorillas the time to trek (permit holders only).Day 51. Lake Bunyoni to Kampala
After our trekking adventures and tranquil relaxation at the lake, we journey back up to Kampala.Day 52. Kampala to Jinja
Nestled on the banks of the Nile, Jinja is just a short distance from Kampala and is our base for the next days activities.Day 53-54. Jinja Highlights. Jinja, Uganda.
We spend a couple of days on the banks of the Nile enjoying the various optional activities on offer.Day 55. Jinja to Eldoret, Kenya
Retracing our steps across the border and back into Kenya, we spend our last night together at our camp at Eldoret.Day 56. Eldoret to Nairobi
Crossing the equator one final time, we head back up the Rift Valley escarpment and on to Nairobi where our adventure comes to an end.Please note: As from 1st May 2018, we will change our accommodation from Ashanti Lodge in Greenpoint to Ashanti Lodge in Gardens. Please check your tour voucher to confirm that your tour starting and ending point is correct before departing. Situated at the foot of Table Mountain and in walking distances to the city centre, Ashanti Lodge Backpackers in Gardens is your gateway to Cape Town. This gorgeous Victorian Mansion offers backpacker dormitories to single, double and twin rooms with shared bathroom facilities. Chill next to the stunning pool, join the party in the legendary Kumasi Café/Bar with its cool cocktails, tasty food and fabulous mountain views or go explore the city's highlights close by.
* Suggested pre and post tour accommodation can be booked together with your tour. Please enquire at the time of booking.
Suggested Post-Tour Accommodation. Hotel Boulevard, NairobiConveniently located on Nairobi's Harry Thuku Road and set in manicured gardens, this hotel offers a peaceful oasis in the centre of town. Walking distance to shops and craft markets. Rooms – single, twin, double en suite rooms with balcony and satellite TV. Facilities – restaurant, bar, swimming pool, internet, laundry. Transfers are available from the Airport by pre-arrangement
* Suggested pre and post tour accommodation can be booked together with your tour. Please enquire at the time of booking.
Additional Info
PRE TOUR ACCOMMODATION:
This tour departs Cape Town early on day 1; we strongly recommend therefore that you plan to arrive the day before departure to overcome any jet-lag and to acclimatise to Africa. We would be happy to book pre-tour accommodation for you – please call or email us (or speak to your agent) with your arrival details and accommodation requirements. However please book early to avoid disappointment and the risk of having to find more expensive (or less convenient) lodgings.
If time allows, we also suggest planning a night or two extra (after your tour) to make the most of this part of Africa. Accommodation is usually available locally on arrival but you can also pre book this with Acacia. There is a variety of activities and excursions in the Nairobi area you can arrange locally or with your Tour Leader.
ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS:
These are optional activities that are booked during your holiday and paid directly to the provider while on tour. These options offer a variety of experiences and allow you the freedom to decide what activities you would like to do.
GORILLA & CHIMPANZEE TREK:
Depending on the availability of the chimpanzee and gorilla permits the tour itinerary may vary in day to day running order which is based on the brochure itinerary. From time to time we may have to trek on different days. If at any chance our Gorilla trek should be in another neighbouring country, e.g. Rwanda (instead of Uganda) this may entail extra visa fees although we shall endeavour to advise you before departure of any significant changes to the tour itinerary. Please take the above itinerary as a guideline only. This applies to day 48 – 50 of this tour.
ACCOMMODATION:
We use 2-person dome tents with fly sheets, sewn-in groundsheets, zip-up insect screens and foam mattresses. We mainly use campsites, which usually have reasonable wash and shower facilities, electricity points and sometimes even a small shop, bar or swimming pool. In the Okavango Delta on day 14 we use twin share pre-erected tents with basic en-suite facilities. In the Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater there are basic facilities. On Zanzibar we use basic tourist class local hotels.
TRANSPORT:
24-seater, self-contained, custom-built safari truck with on-board tables, plug sockets, freezer, water tank, library, i-pod jack, safety features and 70-litre individual lockers, mokoro (dugout canoe), river boat, 4x4 safari vehicle and fast ferry.
GAME PARK VISITS:
In order to maximise the quality of game driving and to comply with local authority rulings, some of our National Park visits and game viewing is carried out using services provided by local African ground handlers. As well as enhancing our experience using local guides and smaller vehicles it also allows us to contribute at a ‘grassroots’ level to local economies from which local people benefit.
TOUR STYLE:
This is a participation tour and your help will be needed in assisting with the various day to day duties, such as shopping, cooking and keeping the truck tidy (usually on a rota basis). But don’t worry it’s not all hard work and it’s a great way to meet the local people and get to know your fellow travellers. Your contribution benefits the success of the tour - most people find the greater their involvement, the greater their enjoyment of the whole trip.
Meals
55 Breakfasts, 43 Lunches, 43 Dinners
Accommodation
49 nights camping in 2 person dome tents, 2 nights dorm, 1 night pre-erected tent with en suite facilities, 4 nights tourist class hotel