56 Day Best of Africa - Cape Town to Nairobi Overland Tour
Itinerary
DAY 1: South Africa - Cedeberg Mountain Region
We depart Cape Town heading north into the Cederberg Mountain region. Cederberg is well known as one of the main Rooibos Tea growing areas in South Africa and is also home to beautiful wildflowers in October. On this first afternoon we spend some time learning about tour-life, the vehicle and equipment, and we set of on a guided walk through the surrounding mountain to see Bushmen paintings and learn about the local fauna and wildlife.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2: Namaqualand - Gariep/Orange River
Today we leave the Western Cape and travel north through Namaqualand, headed for the Gariep/Orange River. The group spends the night under the stars on the banks of the river around the campfire, getting to know one another. The Gariep/Orange River forms a natural border between South Africa and Namibia and is widely used for agricultural irrigation in this arid area.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: Namibia - Fish River Canyon
You can choose between a relaxing morning on the riverbank or the half-day canoe adventure on the river. After lunch we break camp and travel north to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest in the world. The Fish River is the longest river in Namibia at 650km in length; the canyon, situated along the lower reaches of this seasonal river, is 161 km in length and runs from Seeheim to Ai-Ais. In the afternoon we take a walk along the rim of the canyon and arrive at the main viewing point for sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Orange/Gariep River Half Day Canoe Adventure.
DAY 4: Namib-Naukluft National Park
From the Fish River Canyon we continue on into the remote Namibian hinterland. We arrive at camp in the afternoon and have time to go for a walk down into the smaller Sesriem Canyon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: Sossusvlei Dunes, Namib-Naukluft National Park
An early start as we take advantage of the cooler temperatures of dawn and drive into the Namib-Naukluft National Park, where we will hike up Dune 45 for sun rise, and gain a different perspective of the desert. After this you have breakfast, and then set off into the desert with a local expert, for a guided tour, to learn about all kinds of life in the sands.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 6 & 7: Swakopmund
A dramatic drive through the arid Namib-Naukluft, crossing mountain passes and the Tropic of Capricorn sees us arrive at Walvis Bay. We stop to view the flamingos, before we head towards the seaside resort town of Swakopmund. The next day is left free for each individual to pursue their own interests including many adventure activities.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (only dinner on day 7)
Optional Activities: Quad biking, Sand boarding, Sky Diving, Scenic Flights, Fishing etc.
DAY 8: Spitzkoppe
We leave all the trappings of modern life behind us and drive inland to the mysterious Spitzkoppe, a sacred site of the San people, where we have the chance to climb the boulders, rock formations and experience a guided hike in the area to view the sacred San rock art. Tonight we camp in the wild.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9: Himba Tribes
After some early morning exploration we head inland again and drive north towards Kamanjab, which is well known for its Himba tribes. The Himba are a pastoral people and predominantly breed cattle or goats. The Himba traditionally lead a nomadic life and are easily recognizable by their unique style of dress. Encountering a totally different way of living is very mind opening and a moving experience for many people.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 10 & 11: Etosha National Park
An early rise sees us on our way to Etosha National Park and some of the most unique game viewing experiences in Africa. We will go on various game drives, and spend our evenings visiting the abundant water holes for some excellent game photography.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12: Windhoek
After an early morning game drive we set off towards Windhoek in the center of Namibia. En-route we stop at a popular craft market. Windhoek is the capital of Namibia, and is located in a basin between the Khomas Highland, Auas and Eros Mountains. Whether due to pure luck or a brilliant stroke of Germanic planning, Windhoek is situated in almost the exact centre of Namibia. In the afternoon we'll take you on a short tour of the city.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Dinner out at Joe's Beer House
DAY 13: Botswana - Ghanzi
An early morning as we start off east towards the Buitepos border, were we then cross over into Botswana. Once at camp we'll get to meet with a local Bushmen community and see some traditional Tribal Dancing.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 14 to 16: Okavango Delta
Another early day! Our journey takes us from Ghanzi towards Maun. We spend the night here in this gateway to the Okavango Delta preparing for our two night bush camping experience. Your guides will provide you with a briefing about the next few days' activities, the environment and the community run tourism operation. From here in the morning we start our Delta Excursion; we leave the truck behind and make our way by 4x4 to the Polers station. From here we will enter the Delta using local transport, mokoros (dugout canoes).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 17: Gweta
After our 4x4 transfer out, we leave the Delta behind us and travel east to Gweta, which is located halfway between Maun and Nata, right next to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park area was once a super lake almost 30 meters (100 feet) deep, over an area of 80,000 sq. km. When the climate changed 10,000 years ago Lake Makgadikgadi was well on the way to drying up. As the water evaporated, huge glistening salt-encrusted pans were left.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 18: Chobe National Park
Leaving Gweta we head towards Kasane, where we camp on the banks of the Chobe River. The afternoon is spent game viewing on a boat cruise, into the renowned Chobe National Park. This is an excellent opportunity to view some of Africa's spectacular wildlife. You also have the chance to experience an early morning game drive the next day.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 19: Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls
Arriving early in Zimbabwe, we have time to plan the next day's adventure activities before we head off to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls and experience the thundering sound of the mighty Zambezi. The popular optional sunset cruise includes dinner and drinks.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Chobe morning game drive, Zambezi Sunset Cruise
DAY 20: Victoria Falls
Most people will spend the day White Water Rafting, a not-to-be-missed experience of a lifetime! Vic Falls offers many exciting alternatives.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Elephant Excursion, Dinner out.
DAY 21: Zambia - Livingstone
We cross over the border bridge into Zambia and spend another day enjoying the activities on offer in Livingstone.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Zambezi White Water Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Elephant Back Safari, Zambezi sunset cruise.
DAYS 22 & 23: Lusaka & Chipata
Leaving behind the excitement of Vic Falls we depart on our expedition. The journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka takes us along an interesting route. We begin the following day with some shopping in Lusaka before heading northeast towards Chipata where we spend the night. This is an interesting area full of friendly locals.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 24 & 25: South Luangwa National Park
Early in the morning we drive from Chipata to the South Luangwa National Park where we spend two nights on the banks of the river. The second day is put aside for included activities such as a tribal textile project tour and village visit. Park fees are included with a guided sunset game drive. On occasion, in the rainy season it is impossible or inadvisable to attempt to reach South Luangwa NP, if this happens then an alternative itinerary will be chosen.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Guided Game Walk in South Luangwa National Park
DAY 26 & 27: Malawi - Luwawa Forest
Today we cross the Zambia-Malawi border after leaving South Luangwa National Park in the early morning. Heading north we enter the highlands of Malawi and spend the night at Luwawa Forest. There are some wonderful hikes in the area, which your guides will lead, as well as other great activities.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Fishing, Mountain Biking, Hiking.
DAYS 28 to 31: Central Lake Malawi and Northern Malawi
Lake Malawi used to be called Lake Nyasa and is the southernmost of the Great Rift Valley lakes. The lake is at an altitude of around 500 metres and has a tropical climate. We will spend the next couple of carefree days relaxing on the white sandy beaches. For the more adventurous there are endless leisure and water sport activities. Alternatively, soak up the atmosphere and relax in one of the most scenic and memorable holiday destinations in Africa! The evenings are spent beside (close to) the tranquil waters.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing, horse riding, craft shopping, hiking and more.
DAYS 32 & 33: Tanzania - Iringa - Dar es Salaam
Today we make the border crossing out of Malawi. Leaving the lake behind us, we head for our first night in Tanzania. As we ascend out of the Great Rift Valley through some spectacular mountain passes, we pass the vast tea plantations in the highlands to our camp outside Iringa. The next day we transit through Mikumi National Park to the historical port city of Dar es Salaam.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 34 to 36: Zanzibar
On this optional activity a transfer by ferry takes us to Zanzibar where we will spend the next few days exploring this fascinating island with its renowned architecture, beautiful beaches, colourful people and history. The excursion is at your own expense and costs can be adjusted depending on your preferred level of accommodation and activities. If you prefer not to go to Zanzibar, one of the guides will stay behind with you.
Meals included: Own arrangements
Optional Activities: Zanzibar Excursion: Ferry, Food, Accommodation, Spice Tours, Dolphin Tours, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling.
DAYS 37 & 38: Zanzibar / Dar es Salaam - Arusha
Today we leave Zanzibar and catch a late ferry (or flight) back to Dar es Salaam and return to our campsite. The evening can be spent reminiscing about our days on the island. The next day we take a long and scenic drive to Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania. If the weather is favourable and skies are clear we might see Mt Kilimanjaro. After arriving in Arusha, those who are going to explore the Serengeti National Park, prepare for their excursion.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (only dinner on day 37)
DAYS 39 & 40: Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater
There are many options available, ranging from a one-day trip to the Ngorongoro crater, to a three-day trip into the Serengeti. As this is for your own expense, we give you every opportunity to match the activity to your budget. For those not going to the parks, take this opportunity to absorb some of the fascinating local culture. One of the guides will remain with those that decide to stay in Arusha.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Excursion.
DAY 41: Arusha
Today we have the privilege of visiting a local Masai village. Getting together again after our various game viewing activities in the game parks, we spend our last night in this beautiful country exchanging 'big game' stories around the campfire.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 42: Kenya - Nairobi
After crossing the border into Kenya we continue to travel towards Nairobi where the afternoon can be spent relaxing or possibly visiting Nairobi's bustling markets.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Dinner at Carnivore Restaurant
DAY 43: Lake Naivasha National Park
The tour will leave the capital city of Kenya and travel north to Lake Naivasha where we spend the day at Hells Gate National Park that lies next to this shallow lake. Hell's Gate is named for the huge red-coloured cliffs that form the entrance to the geothermal interior. This is the only National Park where you can go hiking in and activities also include game and bird watching. The park entry fees are included in the tour and a popular optional activity is game viewing on bicycles. Another optional way to spend your afternoon is to take high-tea at Elsamere - the former home of Joy Adams, best known for her autobiographical novel Born Free.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: Cycle hire, high tea at Elsamere
DAY 44: Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara National Reserve is the Kenyan side of the Serengeti National Park (located in Tanzania). Today the tour will be entering this 2430 square kilometer area of spectacular game viewing to photograph some of Africa's most abundant wildlife. Best known for the annual migration of around 1.5 million wildebeest, the Masai Mara is also home to many other plains animals including lions. In addition to what we hope will be a successful day's game viewing, cultural interaction with Kenya's native Masaai people will round off your experience.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 45: Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru National Park
After some further game viewing in the Masai Mara the tour will travel towards central Kenya and the home of the greater and lesser flamingo - Lake Nakuru. Originally created as a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru was upgraded to National Park status in 1968. Although the shallow alkaline lake is most famous for the large flocks of flamingos that congregate to feed on the blue-green algae, the National Park is also home to a further 450 species of birds and over 50 species of mammals. White Rhino inhabit the transitional savanna area surrounding the lake and if you are lucky you will get some great pictures.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 46: Uganda - Kampala
The drive from Lake Nakuru and across the border into Uganda travels through Eldoret - founded by the Afrikaner people at mile 64 (on the wagon route from Londiani). Uganda is hailed as 'Africa's friendliest country' and on arrival it will soon become obvious how true this is. Kampala is the capital of Uganda and since 1986 the constantly improving economy and relative political stability have enhanced the attractiveness of Uganda as a tourism destination. When crossing the equator today there will be opportunity for photography.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 47: Kampala Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Although officially this day is set aside for everyone to explore Kampala most people use this day to take an optional day trip to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary of Ngamba Island. This non-profit eco-friendly project was set up in 1998 to care for the orphaned chimpanzees that are the sad result of the illegal bush-meat trade. Ngamba Island is situated 23 km from Entebbe (near Kampala) in Lake Victoria and is only accessible by boat. The Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) manages the project and as only one third of their operating costs are covered by visitors fees, all interested parties are encouraged to join 'Friends of the Sanctuary' if they choose to. Should the weather be unfavorable and the lake too rough for this excursion there are many other activities available in Kampala.
Meals included: Breakfast only
Optional Activities: Ngamba Chimpanzee Excursion, Kampala Markets
DAY 48: Kampala and Lake Bunyoni
Lake Bunyoni is a small but attractive lake with steep sides and abundant birdlife. Ringed by mountains, Lake Bunyoni is best known for its dense otter population and beautiful scenery. On this tour we make use of this beautiful spot to relax and spend the night before the final drive to the Gorilla's.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 49 to 51: Gorillas
The Gorilla is one of our closest living relatives with over 95% similarity in our DNA. The Mountain Gorilla is extremely endangered and while exact numbers vary it is widely assumed that there are only 650 left. Visiting the Gorilla's is a great way to support their future on earth as the money spent on permits is used for their protection. An extremely important part of the future conservation of the remaining Gorilla's rests in the community development work - as local communities change their attitudes towards wildlife and start to protect rather than poach the future of the Mountain Gorilla's is assured. As permits granting permission to visit the gorillas are extremely limited we require flexibility in both the tour itinerary and where we actually visit them. The home of the Mountain Gorillas is completely at odds with man-made borders and so their range encompasses Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo).
Whenever possible we choose to make use of the National Parks in Uganda, but this depends on the availability of permits and any one of the following National Parks could be used: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda), Mgahinga National Park (Uganda), Volcano National Park (Rwanda) and Virunga National Park (DRC). The forest area that the Mountain Gorilla inhabits is split between two sections. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park forms 330 square kilometers of forest area in Uganda. The Virunga Volcano region is located on the border between DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. The Virunga Volcano region is home to the other three National Parks - Mgahinga, Volcano and Virunga and is approximately another 300 square kilometers in size. The Gorillas themselves are split into two divided populations.
Should we not obtain permits to visit the Mountain Gorillas in either Bwindi or Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda then we will inform all passengers beforehand that the tour will travel to Rwanda or DRC. Visas for all nationalities are available on the DRC and Rwandan borders.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 53: Queen Elizabeth National Park & Kampala
This afternoon we return to Kampala where there is opportunity to dine out at one of Kampala's many restaurants. There is a variety of different fare on offer and your guide will provide you with a choice of options. The next day the tour will leave early for Jinja - home to some of the best White Water Rafting in the world. As we need to pre book this activity our guide needs to know by the time we arrive in Kampala if you wish to participate in this optional adventure activity.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Meal out in Kampala
DAY 54: Jinja
Jinja is Uganda's second largest city and is famous as the point where the Nile (officially the Victoria Nile) flows out of Lake Victoria and begins the 6695 kilometre journey to Egypt and the Mediterranean. Many people feel quite moved - knowing that the river in front of you nourished the Egyptian empires thousands of years ago and continues to sustain people to this day. The longest river in the world, the Nile goes by many names as it makes its way though Uganda, Sudan and Egypt. The correct identification of Lake Victoria as the source of the Nile was made by John Hanning Speke who was part of the 1856-1858 expedition led by Richard Francis Burton.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Soft Power Education Project
DAY 55: Kenya - Eldoret
The tour returns to Kenya today and this time we spend a night in the town of Eldoret. Eldoret is the 5th largest city in Kenya and is currently the fastest growing. Moi University (named for Daniel Arap Moi, President of Kenya from 1978 to 2002) is located here and almost 11 500 students are educated every year. The Great Rift Valley is still the dominant geographical feature of this region with the altitude at Eldoret being 2100 metres above sea level.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 56: Nairobi & End of Tour
As this is the last evening together the group may choose to dine together at Nairobi's famous Carnivore Restaurant where vegetarians are catered for, but not encouraged ...
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities: Meal out in Nairobi
Please note: The itinerary is flexible and can be changed without notice in order to accommodate the best possible viewing of the Gorillas. The Permit prices to view the Gorillas can also change without notice.