Ultimate African Overlander 2013 - 2014

Itinerary

Day 1 Nairobi, Kenya to Lake Nakuru NP.

As Lion King fans will tell you, the Swahili phrase 'hakuna matata' means ‘no worries’, and is an appropriate send-off as our trip departs from Kenya’s capital Nairobi. We head across the Great Rift Valley, a huge trench in the Earth’s surface caused by tectonic plates pulling apart, as we make for for Lake Nakuru National Park, a picturesque habitat on the floor of thevalley. Nakuru is renowned for its flamingos, but also contains good stocks of rhino, leopard, buffalo, warthog, baboon, antelope and lion. (L,D)

Days 2-3  Lake Nakuru NP to Kampala, Uganda.

We continue north through the highlands to Eldoret and the Ugandan frontier. Our first stop overnight in Uganda – described by Winston Churchill as the ‘Pearl of Africa’ – is the bustling capital, where you can maybe sample the local nightlife! (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

Day 4 Kampala (Queen Elizabeth National Park day trip).

We head to Queen Elizabeth National Park where we enjoy a game drive in search of Uganda’s natural wildlife, pausing to appreciate the gorgeous views of Lake Edward. (B,L,D) 

Day 5 Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi.

Today we can track chimpanzees in their natural habitat in the sanctuary at Kyambura Gorge, an amazing optional experience. Their structured social groups are quite different to the gentle gorillas we see later in the trip. Afterwards we continue to rural south-west Uganda and our camp beside Lake Bunyonyi. (B,L,D)

Days 6-9 Lake Bunyonyi Gorilla Trek to Kampala.

Here in this densely forested area we can enjoy one of the most magical experiences in Africa. Local guides lead us through the jungle into the hills on an optional trek to see a family of gorillas in the wild. We have a one-hour ‘audience’ with these endangered gentle giants, and you may be surprised at how close you can get and how human-like they are, particularly in the fascinating interaction between family members and the play activity of the younger gorillas. We may spend several days in the area to allow time for everyone to complete the demanding, rewarding and memorable trek. We then return to Kampala for a night. (4xB,4XL,4xD)

Days 10-12 Kampala to Jinja.

Days 13-14 Jinja to Nairobi, Kenya.

We pass through Rift Valley once again as we return to Kenya on our way to the capital Nairobi. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

Days 15-18 Nairobi to Maasai Mara.

After a day to relax in Nairobi, we travel to Kenya’s best known reserve, the Maasai Mara. The Mara’s rolling grasslands, broad horizons and abundant wildlife offer a vision of ‘classic’ Africa. The annual migration of wildebeest and zebra, between July and October, is particularly impressive. We return briefly to Nairobi. (3xB,3xL,3xD)

Day 19 Nairobi to Arusha, Tanzania.

We cross in to Tanzania and make for ‘safari town’ Arusha. During our time here we visit a local Maasai village, and also the Meserani Snake Park. (B,L,D)

Days 20-22 Aursha – Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater.

We switch to smaller 4x4 vehicles for an amazing optional three-day safari to Tanzania’s famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Appropriately the name Serengeti derives from the Maasai word Siringitu – ‘the place where the land moves on forever’! Here we game view by day and camp in the middle of the reserve at night, when the wildlife is free to roam past! We then make camp on the rim of the steep sided Ngorongoro Crater which offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities.

Days 23-24 Arusha – Pangani – Dar es Salaam.

We journey past Mt Kilimanjaro and the Pangani area en route to the Indian Ocean coast. Here we spend a night in Tanzania’s main port city, Dar es Salaam, which is the departure point for Zanzibar. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

Days 25-27 Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar.

We take the ferry to the ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar. Once an important spice trading centre and an infamous transit post for the slave trade, it’s now known as a relaxing paradise getaway. We have three nights to enjoy Zanzibar’s many treasures at our leisure. ‘Stone Town’ is the capital and entry point to the island, and many people choose to spend a night here to explore amongst the gorgeous Arabic architecture. For those preferring simply to relax, there are palm-fringed shores and warm blue ocean waters waiting to be enjoyed on the northern beaches! (3xB)

Days 28-30 Dar es Salaam to Lake Malawi, Malawi (via Iringa).

Leaving beautiful Zanzibar will be difficult as we return to ‘Dar’ for a night, but many more highlights await. We drive via Mikumi National Park and the Tanzanian highlands spending a night in Iringa. We then cross the border in to Malawi, the ‘warm heart of Africa’, making for the massive Lake Malawi that dominates the country. (3xB,2xL,3xD)

Days 31-33 Lake Malawi.

Lake Malawi is Africa’s third-largest lake and has over 500 species of fish (most of them endemic). We spend a few relaxing days camping along the shore of Lake Malawi’s clear waters. While we are here we have a great opportunity to learn about the lakeside culture of fishermen and traders. There are also water-sports and activities like horseback riding to try should you tire of the stunning beaches. (3xB,3xL,3xD)

Days 34-36 Lake Malawi to Lusaka, Zambia (via Lilongwe).

Today we leave the lake for Lilongwe. We have a night to enjoy in the Malawian capital before we cross the border into Zambia, where we make our way to the city of Lusaka. (3xB,3xL,3xD)

Day 37 Lusaka to Livingstone.

It’s time to get excited about our stop in Livingstone, Africa's adrenalin capital, and an access point to the peerless Victoria Falls. (B)     

Days 38-40 Livingstone (Victoria Falls).

Our base for the next few days is a riverside camp near Livingstone, close to the awesomely powerful Victoria Falls. What’s more, the area is Africa’s adventure capital – here we can try white water rafting, gorge-swinging, canoeing or even bungee jumping! We view the Victoria Falls from Mosi- Oa-Tunya (‘Smoke That Thunders’) National Park. The falls are also one of Africa’s greatest spectacles, and taking time to see them (particularly from the air) is an absolute must. (3xB)

Days 41-42 Livingstone to Chobe National Park, Botswana. 

From Livingstone we head to Botswana and the striking Chobe National Park. The park is renowned for its large herds of elephant, as well as lion, hippo and buffalo, and we will have our best chance of seeing some or all of these mighty beasts on a morning game drive. While here we take a ‘Fish Eagle’ cruise on the Chobe River to absorb the tranquillity of the area and hopefully spot some of the abundant birdlife, including feeding kingfishers, while the brilliant African sun slips below the horizon. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)