Description

From the Southern tip of South Africa to the far East Coast of Africa, will see you travel through eight different countries so diverse, so different in terrain and custom. The varying hinterland and people will leave on indelible memory with you and an endless source of interest for your friends that were not able to join you and experience what you have. Extensive game viewing, leisurely enjoying the local scene, maybe a bit of diving in Zanzibar or poling through the Okavango Delta in a dugout canoe. The choice is yours!

* We offer discounts to ISIC card holders. Contact us for details.

Highlights

DAY 1: Cape Town to Cederberg Area (L / D)
Leaving Cape Town, we head around Table Bay and continue north through the wheat growing "bread basket" of South Africa. This afternoon we have the opportunity to sample some of the nectar of the gods after taking a short walk in the surrounding vineyards to explore the exquisite views of the Cederberg Mountains. Tonight we camp under a canvass of stars - the perfect way to begin our African adventure.

DAY 2: Cederberg Area to the Gariep River (B / L / D)
After stopping for supplies in the small mining town of Springbok, we continue on through the desert area of the Richtersveld to the Gariep River, the natural land border between South Africa and Namibia, where we camp at a beautiful campsite on the South African bank of the river.

DAY 3: Gariep River to Fish River Canyon (Namibia) (B / L / D)
This morning we have the option of a half-day canoe trip on the beautiful Gariep River, affording us the opportunity of some bird watching or just a scenic and relaxing paddle. After lunch we cross into Namibia where, after a short drive, we reach the Fish River Canyon. At 161 km long, 27 km wide and about 550 m deep, it's the second largest canyon in the world. The outer canyon was formed by tectonic activity, while the erosion of the Fish River formed the inner canyon. A road follows the eastern rim, giving us access to several viewing points from where we can take in the spectacular vistas.

DAY 4: Fish River Canyon to Sesriem (B / L / D)
An early start today, heading north we enter the area of the Namib-Naukluft desert, one of the oldest in the world. We base ourselves at Sesriem, a good place to experience the Namib and its many moods. A short distance away is Sossusvlei, surrounded by a dramatic sea of sand dunes reputed to be the highest in the world. Magnificent views of the desert can be seen from the top of the dunes, some over 300 m high. Make sure you look up at the stars tonight; the desert puts on a show like nowhere else in the world!

DAY 5: Sesriem to Solitaire (B / L / D)
This morning we enter the Namib-Naukluft National Park where we spend the morning exploring this amazing area. View the sunrise from the top of Dune 45 - a truly memorable experience.

DAY 6: Solitaire to Swakopmund (B)
This morning after breakfast we head off in a north-westerly direction to meet the Atlantic Ocean at Walvis Bay. Our drive takes us across the Tropic of Capricorn.

DAYS 7 & 8: Swakopmund (B on both days)
Founded by the Germans in 1892, their colonial influence is still evident today. Swakopmund has a selection of excellent coffee shops, restaurants & bars as well as many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian curios. There are fine beaches to walk along as well as a great museum, aquarium and galleries to visit.

DAY 9: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe (B / L / D)
Our departure from Swakopmund takes us to the "Matterhorn of Namibia" - Spitzkoppe.

DAY 10: Spitzkoppe to Cheetah Park (B / L / D)
Today's drive takes us further north through the Namibian countryside is to the Cheetah Park - a private farm dedicated to conserving Namibia's cheetah population.

DAY 11: Cheetah Park to the Etosha National Park (B / L / D)
After stopping briefly in Outjo to get stock up on supplies, we head to Etosha National Park. Covering 20 000 km2, Etosha is Namibia's premier nature and wildlife reserve.

DAY 12: Etosha National Park (B / L / D)
Today we make our way 150 km across the park, keeping a look out for the many different mammals, reptiles, birds and insects in the various regions.

DAY 13: Etosha National Park to Divundu (B / L / D)
From Etosha, we head in a north-easterly direction toward Namibia's Caprivi Strip, and the lush Kavango region of northern Namibia. We stop at the border town of Rundu for supplies before heading to our spectacular campsite located on the banks of the Kavango River - Watch the sun go down from the deck over the river, but keep a watch for the occasional hippo grazing on the lawn!

DAY 14: Divundu to Maun (Botswana) (B / L / D)
Following the Kavango River south, we enter Botswana and travel east along the course of the Okavango River to the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta and our destination, Maun. Maun is the starting point for travel into the Delta and it is from here that we set off to explore the Okavango Delta.

DAY 15: Maun to Okavango Delta (OPTIONAL) (B / L / D)
The Delta is a huge expanse of water, which has travelled from the Angolan highlands, spreading out to form the largest inland delta in the world. Studded with exotic islands, The Delta is renowned for its incredible variety of bird life and animals and is unique to Southern Africa.

DAY 16: Okavango Delta (B / L / D)
A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. Today we have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including swimming, game walks, mokoro cruises and even a chance to try our hands at poling our own mokoro! There is also ample time to relax and rest during the hotter hours of the day, so challenge your new friends to a game of cards, or chat with your guides about their culture and lifestyle, or simply lie back and enjoy the sounds of the surrounding wilderness...

DAY 17: Okavango Delta to Maun (B / L / D)
This morning affords us a final opportunity for a game walk before packing up and setting off back to Maun. After our Mokoro ride and vehicle transfer, we arrive back in the afternoon and have the chance to complete our picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional scenic flight over The Delta (dependent on weather conditions & availability).

DAY 18: Maun to Chobe National Park (B / L / D)
We travel east and then north to the town of Kasane where we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. The Chobe River forms a border between Botswana and Namibia and Zambia and is the main water source to the Chobe National Park. Elephant, hippo and many bird species can be viewed from the boat while we watch another glorious African sunset.

DAY 19: Chobe National Park (B / L / D)
This morning we have a chance to sleep in or explore the town of Kasane. After lunch, we take a boat cruise along the Chobe River. Once we return and are packed and prepared, we leave for our Chobe National Park Overnight Mobile excursion.

DAY 20: Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) (Brunch)
Once returning to camp, we get back on our truck and continue to the border of Zimbabwe. Once we've completed border formalities, we have a short drive to the nearby Victoria Falls.

DAYS 21 & 22: Victoria Falls (B on both days)
The next 2 days are spent relaxing or participating in a myriad of Optional Excursions.

Day 23: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park, Botswana (B / L / D)
We head out from Victoria Falls to the border crossing to Botswana. Once we've completed the border formalities, we continue to the town of Kasane, situated on the banks of the Chobe River. Here we have the opportunity again to take part in the Chobe Overnight Mobile Excursion. For those who'd prefer to stay behind at the campsite in Kasane, there is an option to do an early morning game drive on the morning of day 24 instead.

DAY 24: Chobe National Park to Livingstone (Zambia) (Brunch / D)
Once returning to the camp at Kasane, we get back on our truck and continue to the town of Livingstone. This afternoon we have the opportunity to view The Falls from the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia or partake in a sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River. Another fantastic photo opportunity!

DAY 25: Livingstone to Lusaka (B / L / D)
An early morning start sees us head north through southern Zambia to our campsite on the outskirts of Zambia's capital city, Lusaka. As we drive, we pass through a few of the villages and towns of Zambia along the way.

DAY 26: Lusaka to Chipata (B / L / D)
From Lusaka we head north east on the old "East Road" to a beautiful little campsite located just 10 km before the Zambia/Malawi border.

DAYS 27 to 30: Chipata to Lake Malawi Beaches (Malawi) (B / L / D)
Leaving Zambia we cross into Malawi, the "Warm Heart of Africa". We stop off in the capital, Lilongwe, a small city distinctively divided into the old town and the new administrative centre. Malawi is a landlocked country with 20% of its total area made up of beautiful Lake Malawi. We camp first at the central Lake, and then in the northern area over the next 4 days.

DAY 31: Lake Malawi to Iringa (Tanzania) (B / L / D)
After a relaxing 4 days, we leave Malawi, entering Tanzania through the border post at Songwe. Winding our way through the beauty of the Tukuyu tea and banana plantations, we head towards Iringa where we spend the night in the beautiful rustic "Farmhouse" campsite famous for its Amarula Hot Chocolates and its steamy showers!

DAY 32: Iringa to Dar es Salaam (B / L / D)
This morning we head off early and make our way to Dar es Salaam. We pass through the Mikumi National Park where it is possible to view a range of wildlife from the roadside, totally impervious to the passing traffic. Today's drive time is extended due to the heavier amount of traffic heading in to the city, but the sights and sounds of Dar's vibrant outer suburbs are sure to keep you entertained. Look out for the colourful shop-fronts with their sometimes humorous "catch phrases". On arrival in Dar es Salaam, we make our way to our lovely seaside campsite and prepare for our departure to Zanzibar the next morning.

DAY 33: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar (B)
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island, where we have the option to spend the next 3 nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands. New passengers may join us to replace those that'll leave us at the end of our excursion to Zanzibar.

PLEASE NOTE: Accommodation and Meals are for your own account whilst on Zanzibar, as it is our experience that passengers prefer to explore the island on their own, and in accordance with their own budget. The Trip Leader joins you and can arrange your accommodation, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants. There are also a wide variety of optional excursions on offer - please see the price guide on the end of this document for more details.

DAYS 34 & 35: Zanzibar
History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island is famous for its spices and an excursion around a spice plantation is always a fascinating experience. Other options include a trip to the beautiful beaches and giant tortoises of Prison Island, a full day scuba dive in Nungwe or a fishing trip in a traditional dhow. Mopeds are available for hire if you'd like to explore the more remote areas of the island. Zanzibar is a seafood lover's paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - crayfish being a popular speciality. Alternatively, mingle with the locals for dinner at the Forodhani Gardens seafront market, where delicious, inexpensive seafood is on offer.

DAY 36: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam (D)
Leaving Zanzibar in the afternoon, we return to the mainland and another night in Dar es Salaam. Arrival back to camp is usually in the late afternoon, or early evening.

DAY 37: Dar es Salaam to Arusha (B / L / D)
From Dar es Salaam we have a long day's drive through vast sisal plantations and African bushveld to Arusha. On the way, we pass The Pare and Usambara Mountain ranges before driving through the town of Moshi. Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions and weather permitting; we may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain's snowy summit - a photo opportunity not to be missed! Tonight we stay at a campsite in Meserani on the outskirts of Arusha, before heading out on our Optional Excursions to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater tomorrow.

DAYS 38 - 40: Arusha / Optional Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti Excursion (B / L / D)
Arusha is a pleasant town situated at the base of Mount Meru, and is the starting point for safaris into the Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This morning we have the opportunity to explore this thriving town while we stock up on provisions needed for our excursion. You may chose to wander the vibrant craft markets, stock up on supplies or perhaps catch up on the news back home at one of the small internet cafe available. Heading back to our base camp, Meserani Snake Park, those that are participating in the optional excursions to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park can start to prepare for their departure this afternoon. The excursion is offered by a local Tanzanian operator who conducts the trip into the Parks in 4WD vehicles (In peak season, there may be a minivan or bus transfer to Karatu), which are adapted for safari use.

The Optional Ngorongoro/Serengeti excursion takes us via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) that lies adjacent to the Lake Manyara National Park and up the Rift Valley Escarpment to the higher lying village of Karatu. Karatu offers magnificent views over the surrounding hills and has many well established wheat farms that add to the picturesque panoramas. We spend the evening at a pleasant campsite in Karatu. The following morning we depart early for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and head into the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa - including the elusive Black Rhino.

After our game drive in the Crater, we continue down the Crater rim and past the "Cradle of Mankind" on our way to the Serengeti National Park. We cross the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight we bush camp (no ablutions) in the wild surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness. In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident wildlife. With some luck, we may see some of Africa's "Big 5"!

DAY 41: Arusha to Nairobi (Kenya) (B / L / D)
We set off early this morning and make our way to the Tanzania/ Kenyan border and the small border town of Namanga. After completing the border formalities, we continue on our journey to the Capital City Nairobi and our campsite on the outskirts of the city.

DAY 42: Nairobi (B)
This morning at breakfast we exchange addresses and part ways having just experienced a trip of a life time!

Travel Types

• BackPacking Abroad
• Birdwatching
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Deep-Sea Fishing
• Eco Tours
• Environmental Studies
• Fishing
• Geology
• Hiking
• Kayaking (River)
• Nature Tours
• Overland Tours
• Paragliding
• Photography
• Rafting
• Safari
• Scuba
• Snorkeling
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Trekking
• Vacation Packages

Cost in US$:

USD 1,790 plus a local payment of USD 845

Program Fees Include:

* Fully equipped overland safari truck with all camping and cooking equipment (tents, chairs, cutlery & crockery)

* 3 crew members on all safaris, Trip Leader, Driver and Safari Cook.

* Meals as detailed in the trip dossier

* Game park entrance fees and excursions as outlined in the trip dossier

Please ask us for the optional excursion price list so you can budget prior to your trip departing.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Africa Travel Co's Mission Statement

Africa Travel Co is one of the continents leading operators for adventure overland travel and are completely African based. We operate a fleet of specially built safari vehicles, in ten eastern and southern African countries, and each year sees us introduce new and innovative itineraries. We started in 1990 and after 20 years of hard work, commitment and a professional approach, we now have operations and retail offices, backed by maintenance centers in Nairobi (Kenya), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), while our head office and main workshop are in Cape Town (South Africa). There is no other company that has this level of support in the overland safari industry. We believe that our success and growth has been due to the fact that 90% of the people who work with us as road crew, workshop and office staff are African. These are the people of Africa showing you their Africa.

Year Founded

1990