I T I N E R A R Y OVERVIEW
Duration: 26 days
Starts: Dar es Salaam
Ends: Johannesburg
Countries: Zanzibar, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa
Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar (B)
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the 'Spice Island', where we will spend three nights on this legendary island. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands.
Days 2 & 3: 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 still famous for its spices, and tours around a spice plantation can be organised. Other options include a trip to the nearby Prison Island with its giant tortoises, and beautiful beaches to enjoy. Or perhaps you would enjoy the opportunity to hire a motorbike and 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 - giant lobsters being a popular speciality. Alternatively, joining the locals for dinner in the waterfront market is an experience not to be missed. The market stalls offer an unusual selection of fast food African style at a very reasonable cost.
Day 4: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam (D)
Leaving Zanzibar we take the ferry back to mainland for an overnight in Dar es Salaam. There may be an opportunity to visit one of the craft markets offering an extensive range of exquisite ebony products (where prices depend on your bargaining skills) and where the goods are made on-site. It is possible to observe the carvers at work and understand the skill, which has gone into making even the simplest trinket.
Day 5: Dar es Salaam to Iringa (BLD)
Leaving Dar es Salaam we head for Iringa and camp at the Old Farmhouse, a beautiful rustic campsite in rural Tanzania. Try one of the signature Amarula Hot chocolates!
Day 6 Iringa to Chitimba, Malawi (BLD)
The next morning we proceed through Mikumi National Park where it is possible to view a range of wildlife from the roadside, totally impervious to humans and their vehicles. We enter Malawi through the border post of Songwe and head to Chitimba Beach campsite in Malawi for the night.
The newly democratic Malawi is a landlocked country with 20% of its total area being the beautiful Lake Malawi. The country's temperate climate allows for swimming in these clear blue fresh-waters all the year round. We travel the full length of western side of lake, stopping off at various bays and inlets. This is the time for rest and relaxation. Lake Malawi offers a variety of water sports from various beachside campsites. Alternatively, you can go wandering along quieter shorelines where you can see the fishermen sorting their daily catch. Traditional methods are still used in their fishing techniques and you can appreciate their boating skills by trying to paddle in a dugout canoe yourself.
Day 7: Chitimba (BLD)
Today can be spent soaking up some of the local culture in the village or a chance to take the Livingstone Mission hike. This is a full day hike up the escarpment to the mission settlement of Livingstonia. Philip Bradt, one of Africa's foremost travel writers, rates this as the best view in Africa.
Days 8 to 10: Chitimba to Kande Beach (BLD)
We head south through the town of Mzuzu, where we will stop to stock up on some supplies, before arrive at Kande beach. Along this beautiful shoreline you can try a number of water sports, visit the nearby villages and schools as well as dine in the local village, haggle for a bargain at the local markets, learn the game of bao with some locals - or simply relax on the pristine white beaches.
Day 11: Kande Beach to Chipata (BLD)
We cross the border into Zambia, heading to a beautiful little campsite just 10kms before the Zambia/Malawi border, where we spend the night.
Day 12: Chipata to Lusaka (BLD)
The landlocked country of Zambia is quickly crossed, passing through the capital Lusaka for one night.
Day 13: Lusaka to Livingstone (BLD)
We reach the border town of Livingstone later afternoon, named again after David Livingstone, the first European to see Victoria Falls. A sunset cruise down the Zambezi will give you the opportunity to see crocodile, hippo, elephants and an abundance of bird life. This mighty river marks the border for Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Day 14: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (B)
Today we cross the border into the town of Victoria Falls. 1700 metres wide and around 100 metres high, Victoria Falls are one of the most memorable sights on your African safari. A couple of days are spent here to enable you to experience the sights and the many activities available. All year round, flights can be taken which give you a panoramic view of the Falls, Batoka Gorge and the islands above the Falls. Flights can be taken in fixed wing planes, micro lights or helicopters. Back on the ground, the Falls can be seen from the Victoria Falls Park. All offer fantastic photographic opportunities.
White water rafting in the Batoka Gorge is considered to be world class. Besides the excitement of the grade 5 rapids, there are the 'floats' where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.
Bungi jumping enthusiasts can take the plunge from the Zambezi Bridge, which connects Zambia and Zimbabwe. The leap into the Batoka Gorge is one of the latest activities at Victoria Falls and is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Other optional activities around Victoria Falls include day trips into the Zambezi National Park, horse riding safaris, a visit to the Crocodile Ranch, Snake Park, golf at the Elephant Hills Hotel, parachuting, the Falls Craft Village.
Days 15 & 16: Victoria Falls
The next few days are at your own leisure to explore the town of Victoria Falls and partake in the many activities available.
Day 17: Victoria Falls to Kasane (BLD)
This morning we depart Victoria Falls after breakfast and cross the border of Zimbabwe into Botswana. We set up camp for the night and prepare for our afternoon game drive in Chobe National Park. Chobe is one of Botswana's premier game parks, renowned for the large herds of elephant around the Chobe River.
Day 18: Kasane to Maun (BLD)
An early morning start sees us travelling in southwesterly direction to Maun, our base camp before we start our Optional Excursion into the Okavango Delta. Today is a long days drive with lunch on the roadside.
Day 19: Okavango Delta (BLD)
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 as well as many other animals unique to Southern Africa.
Here you have the opportunity to partake in the optional 3 day / 2 night excursions into the Delta. In this excursion we travel approximately 1-2 hours north to the Mokoro poler's station. From there we board Mokoro's, the local dug out canoes, which are poled by local guides through the winding waterways. Your guides will select a place to set up camp. An afternoon game walk will allow you to experience the Delta wilderness.
Day 20: Okavango Delta (BLD)
A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. Today you will have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including game walks, mokoro cruises, swimming and even a chance to try your hand at poling your own mokoro!
Day 21: Okavango Delta to Maun (BLD)
There is a final opportunity for a morning game walk before packing up camp and setting off back to Maun. After arriving back in the early afternoon you have the opportunity to complete your picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional sunset scenic flight over the Delta region.
Day 22: Maun to Francistown (BLD)
Today is a long days drive to Francistown. Francistown was originally a gold-mining centre, but now days the town has expanded into a retail and wholesale shopping mecca. We stock up with supplies for the next few days.
Day 23: Francistown to Johannesburg (BLD)
A night is spent in Johannesburg before we head for the lowerveld region and the famous Kruger National Park.
Day 24: Johannesburg to Hazyview (BLD)
Departing Johannesburg we head towards the Lowveld and the very famous Kruger National Park, our camp for the next two nights is 8km from Kruger Parks Numbi Gate. Spoilt with a swimming pool and good hot showers we spend the evening around the campfire anticipating our game drive tomorrow.
Day 25: Kruger National Park (BLD)
Kruger National Park is one of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. Covering an area of 21, 497 sq km - 60km wide and over 350km long, this conservation area has more than 500 bird species, 114 reptile, 49 fish, 33 amphibians, 146 mammals and over 23000 plant species have been recorded. Today is spent in the Park on a full day game drive to see how many of the species can be found. Tonight there is an option of a night drive in the park.
Day 26: Hazyview to Johannesburg (B)
After a delicious campfire breakfast we start our journey to Johannesburg, we drive once again through beautiful ever changing scenery before entering the bustling city where our trip will finish
This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road conditions, weather, political situations, and group decisions. Due to new tourism laws in some of the countries we operate in there may be a truck and crew change during the trip. All Rates & Local Payments are subject to change without prior notice.
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