21 Day East African Explorer - Livingstone to Nairobi Overland Tour
Day 1: Livingstone
Our overland tour begins in Livingstone near the mighty Victoria Falls. We camp at the Waterfront campsite on the banks of the Zambezi River - one of Africa's largest rivers. The campsite reception has advice and information about the various optional activities available in the area - white water rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling, gorge swinging, canoeing, elephant and horse riding, scenic flights and river cruises. But don't forget a visit to the Victoria Falls themselves. At various times of year the spray can be seen from up to 20 or 30 kilometres distance, hence the local name Mosi au Tunya - the 'smoke that thunders'.
Days 2 to 9: Kafue River to Malawi
From Livingstone, we head north-east into Zambia and stop at the Kafue River to take a short journey by boat on the river to a community camp on the river banks. We spend the night here and have the opportunity to visit the neighbouring village and meet the local people who live here.
The following morning we continue our journey through Lusaka to Malawi - the 'warm heart' of Africa. We descend to Lake Malawi which covers almost a fifth of the country providing a source of livelihood for many of the Malawi people. Fishermen, fish traders, canoe and net makers all ply their trade, and a common sight is that of a fisherman in his bwato, (dugout canoe made from a hollowed out tree trunk) fishing on the still lake at the break of day.
We enjoy a few days on the beach and try some of the water-sports typically available, or else simply relax and enjoy the warm fresh waters of Lake Malawi. There is the opportunity to meet the local people, generally known as amongst the friendliest in Africa to gain an insight into their way of life.
Days 10 to 14: Dar es Salaam & Zanzibar
Leaving Malawi we climb into the hills and cross the border into Tanzania. We continue northeast towards the Indian Ocean coast and the port city of Dar es Salaam. On the way we take the road that runs straight through small Mikumi National Park and with luck, may spot forest elephant or giraffe feeding near the side of the road. 'Dar' is Tanzania's hub of commerce and industry - a hot, humid and bustling city. We set up camp at our campsite near the beach just outside of the city centre with time to browse one of the nearby curio markets best. Ebony wood carvings are a good buy in Dar - but be sure to bargain hard. This is also our 'leaping off' point for our excursion to Zanzibar.
Evocative and exotic, Zanzibar conjures up images of idyllic, sandy, palm fringed beaches, romantic winding cobbled alleys and lush tropical forests. You will find all of these and an intriguing past on the island. Zanzibar was once a major trading centre for spices and slaves as well as base for the great 19th century European explorers such as John Hanning Speke, Richard Burton and David Livingstone. Indeed the spice trade is centuries old: Zanzibaris have traded with the people of the Arabian peninsula for generations, plying the ocean in simple dhow sailboats relying on the annual trade winds for passage. The Arab influence is evident in the architecture and diverse street stall offerings of the capital, Stone Town. In fact it can be seen right along the East African coast with the Swahili language and culture displaying the mixing of Arab and African cultures over many centuries.
Our time on the island is not structured and your time is at leisure. Perhaps the best way to see Stone Town is on foot: explore the bazaars, shops, mosques, palaces, courtyards and myriad intricate alleyways of the old town. Spices are grown in plantations nearby and you can take day-tours to visit some and have your senses dazzled by the tastes and scents experienced. But if it's white sand, sparkling ocean and hot sun you prefer - head for the northern beaches and enjoy the Indian Ocean at its best. Try snorkelling and diving, indulge in some sumptuous seafood, or simply relax beneath a coconut palm with a cocktail and a good book.
After three nights we cross back by ferry to the African mainland and Dar es Salaam.
Days 15 to 17: River Camp & Arusha
We continue the journey northward and inland to the great game parks of East Africa. We may take a night beside the scenic Pangani River on the way north, and a little further on if the weather is clear we gain a view of the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak (at 5895m). We drive past the town of Moshi and eventually reach Arusha, a city situated exactly mid way between Cape Town and Cairo.
Arusha is Tanzania's 'safari capital' , a city of some 2 million inhabitants, a bustling melting pot of markets, vehicles and tribesmen, nestling in the shadow of the brooding Mt Meru (4556m). With time to explore town we head out to our camp just outside of the city on the edge of the Masai plains. Here there is the opportunity to take a walk or camel ride to one of the local Masai villages, to visit the very interesting Masai museum, and to visit the snake enclosure at the Meserani Snake Park. Wash the African dust down in the camp's popular 'bush' bar. More importantly, it is from here that we prepare for our two night/three day excursion to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Days 18 to 20: Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge & Ngorongoro Crater
Stopping to see the Olduvai Gorge, made famous by Drs Louis and Mary Leakey for their explorations into early man we descend onto the open plains and wide horizons of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry this is home to an enormous variety of grazing animals, predators, and birdlife. Flatter and larger than the Masai Mara the Serengeti is simply huge - indeed the name 'derives from the Masai word Siringitu - 'the place where the land moves on forever'. Game viewing here can be superb and camping out in an unfenced campsite where lion and hyena roam nearby is an unforgettable experience.
The following day we drive out of the plains and ascend the outer wall of the Ngorogoro Crater. We spend the night camping on the rim (you may need a jacket as it can be cold at night). At 326 square kilometres in area the Ngorongoro is Africa's largest intact caldera and is a World Heritage Site. If the view from the rim (2400 metres above sea level) is spectacular, the site from the Crater floor (some 600 metres below the rim) is equally enjoyable. All the major mammals are present, except giraffe (which cannot manage the steep slopes leading down one to the Crater floor). We descend the steep access road for a morning of excellent game driving in this dramatic location. After lunch we drive back up the access road for a final view over the Ngorongoro before we retrace our steps back to Arusha and our camp for the evening.
Day 21: Nairobi
After a last night at camp, we make our way across the Masai steppe to the Kenyan frontier at Namanga. Completing formalities we drive the last afternoon to Kenya's burgeoning capital, Nairobi, where our tour ends.
Notes:
For the sake of practicality, meals in the Livingstone/Victoria Falls area are restricted to breakfasts. This allows you to take on half day or full day activities (some of which include lunch) without having to be back with the group at mealtimes. The Waterfront camp has a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Zambezi River which offers a good selection of reasonably priced meals and snacks throughout the day (we suggest you allow US$25 to US$30 per day). Relax and enjoy these few days at your own leisure. The tour leaves the Livingstone area on Day 2 of the tour.
As we leave the truck on the mainland, when we go to Zanzibar food and accommodation is not included and free time is yours to enjoy the island's activities. Your tour leader will assist the group by booking suitable and well priced accommodation both in Stone Town and on the beach (budget approx US$30 to US$35 per night), unless you would like to book something independently in advance.
Optional excursions
- Livingstone Adventure Activities - US$ 50 to US$ 200
- Lake Malawi, Snorkelling - US$ 20
- Lake Malawi, Scuba Diving - US$ 40
- Lake Malawi, Horse Riding (half day) - US$ 45
- Zanzibar, Scuba Diving (Mnemba Island) - US$ 150
- Zanzibar, Snorkelling (day trip) - US$ 45
- Zanzibar, Spice Tour - US$ 25
- Zanzibar, Dolphin Excursion - US$ 40
- Serengeti, Balloon Ride - US$ 500
- Arusha, Camel Ride - US$ 30
(All prices are approximate and are subject to change)
