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AFRICA IN DEPTH
OVERLAND ADVENTURE
On this trip we
see the gorillas in either Uganda, Rwanda or D.R. Congo
We leave our
camp in Nairobi at 8 am on the first day of the trip. We recommend you arrive
in Nairobi at least the day before the trip departs; however if you're there
with a few days to spare there's lots to see and do around the city. In Nairobi
town is the National Museum and markets. Close to the camp are; Karen Blixen's
house, Langata Giraffe Centre and Nairobi National Park for a first glimpse of
African wildlife.
Day 1
Leaving Nairobi we stop at the Rift Valley scenic lookout its 8,000 feet high
and overlooks Mount Longonot and Lake Naivasha. We pass from the dramatic
landscape of the Rift Valley to the highlands and spend our first night near
Nakuru, where you can end your day sipping beer at Kembu Campsite.
Day 2
An early start, crossing the Ugandan border at Malaba or Busia.
The scenery changes to tropical rain forests and tea and sugar plantations. We
catch our first glimpse of Lake Victoria on route to Jinja or Kampala city, our
overnight stop.
Day 3
Stopping for photos as we cross the equator, we continue southwest to Kabale
town; gateway to the Mountain Gorilla Reserves. We spend this evening camped on
the shores of Lake Bunyonyi the deepest Crater Lake in Uganda.
Day 4
Climbing through lush terraced hills to Kisoro, there are panoramic views of the
Ugandan hills on every turn. From the road we have outlooks over three countries
- Uganda, Republic of Congo, Rwanda; and the Virunga Mountains - Mountains of
the Moon, the home of the rare mountain gorillas.
Day 5
As the groups going to the gorillas are small it takes a couple
of days for everyone to do the trek. Whilst others are searching for the great
apes, you can take in the local markets; walk to the nearby mountain lakes or go
to Magahinga National park for a day hike up a volcano or a guided nature trail.
Day 6
Looking for the Mountain Gorillas.
Day 7
We head back to Lake Bunyonyi meaning place of little birds.
It is known, not only for its water birds, but also for its fresh water crayfish
population. Its a great place to relax, or for the more energetic you can canoe
to one of the many islands dotting the lake, swim, or take in the scenery on
mountain bikes.
Day 8 We
return to Ugandas capital. Kampala is a modern bustling city.
Day 9
Jinja - Crossing the Owen Falls dam we arrive at Jinja on the
shores of Lake Victoria. Our campsite for the next few days above Bujagali Falls
is a welcome break from travelling; we have a lazy afternoon to put up our tents
on the grassy terraces overlooking the Nile River.
Day 10
Jinja - You can spend an action-filled day white water rafting down the Nile. As
well as grade 5 rapids this river has a lot of bird and wildlife to view while
drifting between the rapids. The rafting is rounded off with a sunset BBQ and
drinks, then back to camp to re-live it on video.
There is no shortage of other activities in Jinja; quad biking, bungee jump,
fish on Lake Victoria, take a guided village walk or give up a day of your
holiday to volunteer for the local community education project.
Day 11
On to Sipi Falls if time permits; on the edge of the Mt Elgon.
Day 12
Leaving Uganda, we head back into Kenya to El Dorat town.
Day 13
We spend the next two nights at Kembu Camp, a working farm. You
can visit the local weavers and school or take a tour of the farm.
Day 14
You take the side trip for the day to Lake Nakuru, viewing game in a park famous
for its soda lake surrounded by thousands, sometimes millions of pink flamingoes.
The park is home to over 400 species of bird, and we should spot leopard or
black and white rhino among the zebra, waterbuck, impala and giraffe.
Day 15 We
cross the floor of the Rift Valley to camp under the fever trees on the shore of
Lake Naivasha, with hippos grazing on the shore in the evening.
Day 16
Close by is Hell's Gate National Park where you can hire bikes to take you
around the park and see the herds of zebra, buffalo and antelope. You can also
wander in the predator free reserve amongst African game. There is spectacular
scenery here; red cliffs, grassy plains and rock towers made of hardened lava
and the remains of ancient volcanoes.
Also on the lake is Elsamere; once the home of Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion of
'Born Free' fame. Elsamere is now the centre of the Born Free Foundation and you
can find out more about their work, watch a video on Joys life and take
afternoon tea in the gardens.
Day 17 We
head south towards Narok on the way to Masai Mara.
Day 18
Masai Mara National Reserve, camping on the edge of the park.
The sweeping plains evoke a picture of East Africa that most people hold in
their minds and are rarely disappointed when confronted with the real thing.
Great game viewing is assured all year round. The Mara offers us everything,
amazing scenery and abundant wildlife including the big five.
Day 19
Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 20 We
return to Nairobi a chance to see and do around the city. In Nairobi town is the
National Museum and markets. Close to the camp are; Karen Blixen's house,
Langata Giraffe Centre or a day at the races or a round of golf.
Day 21 We
spend the day in Nairobi.
Day 22
We head south from Nairobi across the Masai plains and cross the
border at Namanga and cross into Tanzania, we arrive in Arusha late in the day.
Day 23 In
Arusha you can take a side trip to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro
Crater. The trip is camping for two nights in the parks amidst the animals. If
you choose not to visit the park you can wander the markets in Arusha town.
Day 24
Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 25
Return to Arusha
Day 26 We
head towards the coast past Moshi town the capital city of the Chugga tribe.
Skirting the base of snowy Mount Kilimanjaro we camp on the way.
Day 27 We
arrive in Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast.
Day 28 .
Zanzibar Island - From Dar es Salaam you can take the ferry to Zanzibar Island.
Here is the old stone capital of the Omani Sultanate, sandy beaches, spice
tours, snorkelling, diving and trips to other nearby islands.
Day 29
Zanzibar is a fascinating place to visit and you can stay for 3
or 4 days to take it all in. Over a thousand years trade between Africa and
Arabia has resulted in the blending of Arabs and Africans into a beautiful
Swahili coastal culture with; wooden sailing dhows crossing the ocean, coconut
plantations and fishing villages with mosques on the beaches.
Day 30
Most people spend the first day in Zanzibar Town visiting Stone Town a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, the old slave market , the spice growing areas, Jozani
Forest with Red Colobus Monkeys and in the evening visit the seafood cafes and
have dinner on the wharf.
Day 31
Zanzibar Island Nungwe beach resort on the north of the island has the most
beautiful beaches in the world.
Day 32
Return to Dar es Salaam by ferry.
Day 33
South through Tanzania; our route takes us through Mikumi National Park where we
may well see giraffe or elephant grazing beside the road.
Day 34
The road from Dar es Salaam to Malawi is 850 kilometers long; through the
southern highlands passing Baobab Valley, Iringa and Mbeya to the border of
Malawi.
Day 35
Crossing the border into Malawi, we reach the shores of its huge
lake. We spend the night at Chitimba Beach Camp. The campsites and small resorts
along Lake Malawi offer sandy beaches, swimming and snorkelling, water-skiing,
horse riding or walking in the surrounding countryside. Markets sell carved
Malawi chairs, tables and wood carvings.
Day 36
.We head south along the beach to Kande Beach resort very
relaxed and just the sort of beach place you need in Africa.
Day 37
- Kande Beach.
Day 38
Kande Beach.
Day 39
Leaving the beach we go inland to spend the night in the capital
Lilongwe.
Day 40 We
cross the border into Zambia and head into the country along the Great North
Road sparsely settled country side with few people or villages for hundreds of
miles.
Day 41
South Luangwa National Park is well worth the visit; recent trips have seen;
wild dogs, leopards, lions, and buffalo. We camp beside the park; from where you
can game drive into the park. The road up to the park is dirt and the park been
part of vast swamp system, so from January up to March as the road can be
flooded we cant get in until the water recedes and the roads rebuilt and
graded.
Day 42
South Luangwa National Park.
Day 43 We
leave the park and continue to head west.
Day 44 We
reach Lusaka the capital of Zambia.
Day 45
Victoria Falls - the Zambezi River plunges 100 metres down a
mile wide chasm, creating one of the most incredible natural wonders of the
world. The local name for the falls is 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' which means 'the smoke
that thunders' and you'll soon find out why. When the river is in full flow, the
falling water causes a huge roar and sends a cloud of spray up to 500 metres
into the air.
We stay in Victoria Falls in Livingstone above the falls where there is so much
to see and do. Adventure activities abound - you can bungee jump, white water
raft, and go game-viewing on horse back. More sedate excursions include
canoeing, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the Falls and the sunset
cruise on the Zambezi. Though the Falls themselves are the main attraction and
you can walk through the rain forest along the cliff opposite for an excellent
view. Here you can walk with lion cubs.
Day 46-49
Victoria Falls.
Day 50 An
early start and a stunning drive through arid land. We cross the Zambezi River
by ferry into Botswana and the country becomes lush and forested as we approach
Chobe River; the river cruise with excellent game viewing is a must.
Day 51 We
travel along the edge of the Kalahari Desert to Maun a small town on the edge of
the Okavango Delta, the starting point for the Mokoro trip. A Mokoro is a
traditional dugout canoe and your transport into the Delta. As you glide through
the waterways, you will see a fantastic array of wetland wildlife, birds in
particular, and you will come across hippos in the water and elephants drinking
from the shore. You can go on a walking safari to look for giraffe, buffalo and
rare antelope the overnight stay is a great wilderness experience.
Day 52-53 -
In the Delta
Day 54
Return from the Delta to Maun.
Day 55
From the lush Delta we transfer you to Johannesburg.
Day 56
The last night of the trip is spent in Backpackers Ritz in the city of gold.
Africa is an unpredictable continent. We do not have a
fixed itinerary so please treat the information given as a guideline only.
Although our information is written in good faith at the time of printing, our
route may vary at any time due to weather, politics or road conditions
Important:
Before you travel please check your Tour Voucher and Arrival
Information for the latest joining instructions. This will be sent to you
upon receipt of final payment.
All itineraries are subject to
change without prior notice.
Prices
for - African
Overland Truck Adventures
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