Itinerary

Days 1 – 3 - Nairobi, Naivasha And Masai Mara
Departing Nairobi at 10.am, we head to Lake Naivasha. From here we head into the Masai Mara one of Africa’s premier game parks. The Masai Mara has large herds of plains game (Gazelle, Antelope, and Giraffe) which in turn attract large numbers of carnivores (lion, cheetah, hyena and the ever elusive leopard) In the Masai Mara we do two game drives, one evening drive and one early morning. Early morning and evenings are the best times, apart from night to see animals. In most national parks it is forbidden to drive at night so all game viewing is done as early and as late as possible to get the best conditions. Looking for game in a National Park is not always easy. This is one of the advantages of using a truck, which has superior height making it easier to see over the surrounding terrain. Game parks are places where the enthusiast tends to use a lot of film so it’s advisable to have some extra on hand.

Days 4 - 5 - Nairobi And Arusha
From the Masai Mara we pass back through Nairobi. We depart Nairobi and enter Tanzania and the town of Arusha. Our route to Arusha takes us through more Masai tribal lands and along the western slope of Mt Meru. On this route it is also possible to see Mt. Kilimanjaro. Be warned, Kilimanjaro is regularly covered by cloud.

Days 6 - 7 - Arusha And The Ngorongoro Crater
Arusha is situated on the southern slopes of Mt Meru and was originally a coffee town. Safaris have now taken over as the town’s big earner. In Arusha we transfer into smaller 4 wheel drive vehicles to transfer to Karatu, where we spend the night. 

Karatu is a small trading town on the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation area. The following morning we head into the Ngorongoro Crater National Park. We descend onto the Crater floor for an early morning game drive in one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world. At 19Kms across and 600m deep this is the 5th largest crater in the world. It is a world heritage site and boasts a unique ecosystem. The crater itself reflects a mini rift valley. It has a soda lake with flamingos, fresh water, open plains, and a forest area. There is a high concentration of animals here, and it is also a home to a small population of black rhino. We spend around 4½ hours game driving around the crater. We use smaller vehicles to visit the park, as the walls of the extinct volcano that form the crater are too steep to be negotiated by large vehicles. After the Game drive we head back to Arusha.

Days 8 - 9 - Arusha And Dar-Es-Salam
From Arusha our journey takes us to Dar es Salaam (a Swahili name meaning “haven of peace”) on the Indian Ocean. The trip will either be one big day on the truck or broken down into 2 shorter drives. Whichever way it is done we get another chance to see Kilimanjaro, and will also see a changing landscape en-route to the coast.

Days 10 -14 - Dar-Es-Salam And Zanzibar
We travel to Zanzibar by ferry from Dar es Salaam and this journey can take up to 3 or 4 hours. Conditions are usually smooth but beware the occasional day with rolling seas. 
Zanzibar is known as the Spice Island, which comes from the many different spices that were grown there by the original Omani settlers. A lot of spices are still grown on the island and make up a large part of the economy of the island. The island does have a more sordid past in that it was once a major slave trading port; and it is still possible to visit the site of the old slave trading markets. The town centre still shows a lot of its Arabic origins in its architecture. It’s fascinating to walk around the labyrinth of old buildings and walled streets. For the beach lovers you can go out of the town and spend some relaxing time on the isolated beaches. There are spice tours that take in all manners of exotic fruits and spices and you can sample many of the tastes and smells first hand. Just off the coast of the old town is Prison Island, where there is a population of giant land tortoises who are happy to share their stretch of beach.

We generally spend 3 to 4 days on the island. We recommend that you budget around U$250-300 for your stay on Zanzibar to cover food, transport around the island, drinks and souvenirs. Please note that this is a recommendation only as different passengers have widely differing spending patterns.

Days 15 - 16 - Southern Tanzania & Mikumi N.P
From Zanzibar we cross southern Tanzania into Malawi. The route takes us through the Mikumi National Park. This is not an excursion but the road actually passes right through the centre of the park, which is a bonus, and it is possible to see numbers of Giraffe, Antelope and Elephants. It is interesting to note that these Elephants are very small in stature, which is attributed to the decimation of their gene pool due to poaching.

Days 17 – 21 - Malawi And Lake Malawi Beaches

Malawi is a small country in central southern Africa and is dominated by water and mountainous regions. More than 30% of the country’s landmass comprises of Lake Malawi. On our trip through Malawi we visit a number of the small bays along the lakeshore. Snorkelling and diving are available or people can just swim and laze about on the beaches. There is also ample time to visit local villages and the local markets which abound with woodcarvings, the most famous of these being large carved chairs. These chairs have proved very popular with our clients over the years, only to decrease in popularity when the time comes to send such a large object home.

Days 22 - 23 - Lilongwe And Lusaka
This period is spent travelling from Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, to Livingstone, stopping off in Lusaka, Zambia, en-route. Livingstone is a small town on the Zambian side and not surprisingly was named after David Livingstone, the man who discovered Victoria Falls.

Days 24 – 28 - Livingstone And Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, known locally as ‘Mosi oa Tunya’, ‘the smoke that thunders’, is one of the world’s natural wonders, although they are neither the highest nor the widest. They do, however, create a visual spectacle as they cut a massive gorge in the earth and crash 111 metres to the river below. This gorge actually forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and the initial part of our stay we spend on the Zambian side. 

Here we have the option to do an evening river cruise on the Upper (above the falls) Zambezi River, which takes about 3 hrs with drinks included. On the Zimbabwe side there are a wide variety of optional activities, the most famous being white water rafting on the Lower Zambezi. This excursion takes a full day and has 14 plus rapids, none below grade 4 (rapids are graded from 1 to 6). Please note that at certain times of the year the rafting may be restricted or even closed due to high water levels (March – May). Bungy jumping is also an option for all those who wish to throw themselves 111 metres head first off a perfectly good bridge. Jet Boating, imported and improved on from New Zealand, is another option. Various flights are on offer including light fixed wing aircraft, helicopter, microlight and ultralight, all offering a wonderful viewing of the falls. As well as these there is horse riding, elephant riding and canoeing, not to mention a walk to the falls themselves. Videos and still photographs are available for purchase of most activities, and are a great reminder of your adrenaline filled visit to the mighty Victoria Falls and Zambezi River.  

The tour will end at 17.30pm on the last day of the tour. There are good connections from Victoria Falls or Livingstone airports to Johannesburg. 

Accommodation on Day 28 is NOT included.
NB Entrance (approximately 20 USD) to Mosi oa Tunya (Victoria Falls) National Park is not included in your tour price.

Included

Fully Escorted Tour
Tour Leader and Driver
All Activities, Sightseeing
Entrance Fees as Per Itinerary
All Meals whilst Camping
National Parks and Reserve Entrance Fees
Zanzibar Ferry
All Tolls and Taxes

Accommodation
Camping (23 Nights)
Hostel on Zanzibar (4 Nights)

Transport
Overland Truck
Safari Vehicle
Ferry
On foot

Excluded

All optional excursions, visas and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary.

Optional activities
Kenya
Masai Mara - Masai Dancing & Cultural Talk - $10
Masai Mara - Masai Village - $10
Masai Mara - Hot Air Ballooning - $425
Lake Naivasha - Crescent Island Boat - $35
Lake Naivasha - Horse Riding - $5
Hells Gate National Park - Entrance Fee - $35
Nairobi - David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Visit - $65
Nairobi - Langatta Giraffe Centre Entry - $15

Tanzania
Serengeti - Morning Hot Air Balloon - $500
Zanzibar - Spice Island Tour - $25
Zanzibar - Prison Island Snorkelling - $25
Zanzibar - Swimming with Dolphins - N/A
Zanzibar - Transport to North/East Beaches - $15
Zanzibar - Accomm costs on Zanzibar Approx - $35pp/pn
Zanzibar - Budget for Zanzibar option - $300pp

Malawi
Lake Malawi - Kande Beach Water Sports - from $25
Lake Malawi - Scuba Diving - Single Dive - from $35
Lake Malawi - Scuba Diving - PADI Course - from $170
Lake Malawi - Village Walk - $5
Lake Malawi - Horse Riding - $50

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe - Elephant Ride 30 Mins - $30
Zimbabwe - Sunset Cruise - $25
Zimbabwe - Horse Ride - $25
Victoria Falls - Rafting Full Day - $140
Victoria Falls - River Boarding Half Day - $125
Victoria Falls - Flight of Angels Helicopter Ride 30 mins - $220
Victoria Falls - Flight of Angels Fixed Wing - $80
Victoria Falls - Bungy Jumping - $130
Victoria Falls - Jet boating from - $100
Victoria Falls - Gorge Swing / Abseil - $115
Victoria Falls - Sky Dive (Tandem) - $305
Victoria Falls - Game Walks - $90
Victoria Falls - Lion Walk - $100
Victoria Falls - Canoe Safaris from - $85-110
Victoria Falls - Kayaking - $165
Victoria Falls - Interactive Drumming - $30
Victoria Falls - Elephant Ride - $100
Victoria Falls - Horse Riding - from $50-100

Mozambique
Mozambique - Scuba Diving Single Dive - $120
Mozambique - Quad Biking - $50
Mozambique - Deep Sea Fishing - $150
Mozambique - Horse Riding - $40

Departures

Starts: Nairobi - Finishes: Victoria Falls

Sun 15 Jan 12    -    Sat 11 Feb 12
Sun 29 Jan 12    -    Sat 25 Feb 12
Sun 19 Feb 12    -    Sat 17 Mar 12
Sun 11 Mar 12    -    Sat 07 Apr 12
Sun 08 Apr 12    -    Sat 05 May 12
Sun 22 Apr 12    -    Sat 19 May 12
Sun 06 May 12    -    Sat 02 Jun 12
Sun 27 May 12    -    Sat 23 Jun 12
Sun 17 Jun 12    -    Sat 14 Jul 12
Sun 15 Jul 12    -    Sat 11 Aug 12
Sun 29 Jul 12    -    Sat 25 Aug 12
Sun 12 Aug 12    -    Sat 08 Sep 12
Sun 02 Sep 12    -    Sat 29 Sep 12
Sun 23 Sep 12    -    Sat 20 Oct 12
Sun 14 Oct 12    -    Sat 10 Nov 12
Sun 21 Oct 12    -    Sat 17 Nov 12
Sun 11 Nov 12    -    Sat 08 Dec 12
Sun 09 Dec 12    -    Sat 05 Jan 13
Sun 30 Dec 12    -    Sat 26 Jan 13
2013
Sun 20 Jan 13    -    Sat 16 Feb 13
Sun 27 Jan 13    -    Sat 23 Feb 13
Sun 17 Feb 13    -    Sat 16 Mar 13
Sun 17 Mar 13    -    Sat 13 Apr 13
Sun 07 Apr 13    -    Sat 04 May 13
Sun 28 Apr 13    -    Sat 25 May 13
Sun 05 May 13    -    Sat 01 Jun 13
Sun 26 May 13    -    Sat 22 Jun 13
Sun 23 Jun 13    -    Sat 20 Jul 13

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