Grand Africa

Tour Itinerary 

Day 1:            Accommodation:

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.

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:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

Stopping for photos as we cross the equator, we continue southwest to Kabale town; gateway to the Mountain Gorilla Reserves.

Day 4:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

Looking for the Mountain Gorillas.

Day 7:            Accommodation:

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. It’s 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:            Accommodation:

Day 9:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

Jinja.

Day 12:            Accommodation:

Leaving Uganda, we head back into Kenya to Kericho town and its tea plantations.

Day 13:            Accommodation:

We spend the next two nights near Lake Nakuru.

Day 14:            Accommodation:

We spend visit 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:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

Day 17:            Accommodation:

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 18:            Accommodation:

Returning to Naivasha we camp beside the lake. 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 Joy’s life and take afternoon tea in the gardens.

Day 19:            Accommodation:

Lake Naivasha.

Day 20:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

We spend the day in Nairobi.

Day 22:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 25:            Accommodation:

Return to Arusha

Day 26:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

We arrive in Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast.

Day 28:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

Zanzibar Island – Nungwe beach resort on the north of the island has the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Day 31:            Accommodation:

Most people visit 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 32:            Accommodation:

Return to Dar es Salaam by ferry.

Day 33:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

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.

Days 35 - 36:            Accommodation:

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.

Days 37 - 39:            Accommodation:

Day 40:            Accommodation:

Leaving the beach we go inland to spend the night in the capital Lilongwe.

Day 41:            Accommodation:

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 to South Luangwa National Park.

Day 42:            Accommodation:

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 can’t get in until the water recedes and the road’s rebuilt and graded.

Day 43:            Accommodation:

We leave the park and continue to head west.

Day 44:            Accommodation:

We reach Lusaka the capital of Zambia.

Day 45:            Accommodation:

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 to 49:            Accommodation:

Victoria Falls.

Day 50:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

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:            Accommodation:

Up early and it’s off walking with the guide, a unique chance to see game on foot; elephants, herds of grazing zebra and pods of hippos.

Day 54:            Accommodation:

Try learning how to pole your mokoro, or try to catch a catfish; the guides make it look so easy. A last swim in the clear water before heading back to the truck and campsite for a shower and cold drinks. Time permitting you could take a scenic flight over the Delta from Maun.

Day 55:            Accommodation:

From the lush Delta we enter Namibia and spend the night on the Kavango River in the northwestern end on the Caprivi Strip at Ngepi.

Day 56:            Accommodation:

We head west and camp on route.

Day 57:            Accommodation:

Etosha Pan National Park. Thousands of years ago this vast saltpan was a lake, till Kunene River changed course and deprived the lake of water. Now the pan and surrounding bush support large numbers and a wide range of wildlife. We view game from the truck and spend the evenings by the floodlit water holes at the park's campsites. These water holes provide an excellent opportunity to observe animals that are hard to find during the day, particularly rhino and also smaller animals such as the genet. elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok, jackals, hyenas and meercats are also likely to be seen here.

Day 58:            Accommodation:

We leave Etosha and head to the cheetahs. From wild animals to tame ones, we spend a night at the Kamanjab Cheetah Farm where you can scratch the big cats behind the ears before watching them catch their evening meal.

Day 59:            Accommodation:

Namibia is a land of wide open spaces and we pass few inhabited areas as we drive towards the Atlantic We stop at Cape Cross where the first European explorers landed in the 15th century. It is now more famous for the Seal Reserve, a breeding ground for tens of thousands of cape fur seals. They occupy the beaches almost as far as the eye can see and you can watch them suckling their young, resting in the sun and fighting with their neighbours. We visit the White Lady 2,000 year old rock paintings at Brandberg Mountain at 8,000 feet the highest in Namibia.

Days 60 - 62:            Accommodation:

Swakopmund is an old German colonial seaside resort with plenty of things to do for the energetic and German beer halls for those after a more relaxing time. Horse-riding or sand boarding on the dunes, deep sea fishing in the Atlantic or scenic flights over the coastline - just a few of the things you can do here.

Day 63:            Accommodation:

We visit the Namib Naukluft Park in the Namibian Desert, famous for its massive thousand foot high sand dunes. It can be hard work climbing to the top but the view is worth all the effort as the dunes stretch before you into the distance and change colour in the setting sun. Nearby is the kilometer long Sesriem Canyon, which begins as a small deep cleft in the ground then widens till it opens out down on the plains.

Day 64:            Accommodation:

After overnighting in the desert we drive south to Fish River Canyon; 160km long and 550m deep; second in size only to the Grand Canyon. You can trek along the rim and from the viewpoints watch the setting sun.

Day 65:            Accommodation:

Our last stop in Namibia is the Orange River, which forms the border with South Africa. You can spend the afternoon canoeing on the river.

Day 66:            Accommodation:

Crossing the Orange River we arrive in South Africa. We drive through mountain valleys and stony semi-desert and follow the farmland south through the sparsely populated areas of the Western Cape to the Mediterranean climate citrus growing area of Citrusdal.

Days 67 - 68:            Accommodation:

Stellenbosch, the centre of one of the Cape's many wine routes. A wine tour with plenty of tasting makes for a great day out.

Days 69 - 70:            Accommodation:

Cape Town - a beautiful city, plenty of cafes, pubs, clubs and markets. Climb Table Mountain or take the cable car to the top for views of the city and visit Robben Island.