31 Day South East Adventure 2013 - 2014

Itinerary

Days 1-3 Nairobi, Kenya to Maasai Mara.

Our trip starts in style as we depart Nairobi, cross the Great Rift Valley and enter Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s premier wildlife park. 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. (2xB,3xL,3xD)

Day 4 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 - but don't worry, it's quite safe! (B,L,D)

Days 5-7 Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha.

We switch to smaller 4x4 vehicles for an amazing optional 3-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. (3xB,3xL,3xD)

Days 8-9 Arusha to Dar es Salaam.

We journey past the snow-capped peak of Mt Kilimanjaro en-route to the Indian Ocean coast, stopping overnight in the Moshi / Pangani area en-route. We spend a night in Tanzania’s main port city, Dar es Salaam, our departure point for Zanzibar. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

Days 10-12 Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar.

We take the ferry to the ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar. Once an important trading centre and an infamous transit post for the slave trade, it’s now a relaxing paradise getaway. We have three nights to enjoy Zanzibar’s many treasures - ‘Stone Town’ is the fascinating capital, while there are palm-fringed shores and warm blue waters waiting to be enjoyed on the northern beaches!

Days 13-15 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 16-18 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 19-21 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 22 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 23-25 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 26-27 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)

Days 28-29 Chobe National Park to Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Leaving Chobe, we travel through Botswana passing through the small towns of Nata, Francistown and Palapye,  before we enter South Africa. Our destination is the famous wildlife region of Greater Kruger. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)

Days 30-31 Kruger National Park to Johannesburg.