Kenya to Vic Falls
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Overview
If you only take home one piece of African wisdom, let it be this: 'the buttocks are like a married couple. Though there is constant friction between them they will still love and live together.'
(Was African Wanderer)
Itinerary
Day 1 - Nairobi
Plenty to keep you entertained if you had an early flight. We suggest the Karen Blixen Museum (she's from that Meryl Streep movie your mum loves).
- Arrive at any time and get acquainted with Nairobi
- Perhaps take part in some optional activities, including visits to the Langate Giraffe Sanctuary, a Nairobi National Park safari walk, or the Nairobi National Museum
Day 2 - Mto Wa Mbu
Bring a fully charged iPod and pillow for your nanna-naps on the truck. Droolers beware, you will be exposed. Stop in Arusha for supplies before we head to the village of Mto Wa Mbu.
- Set off early and head for the border with Tanzania
- Spend some time in Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania
- Arrive at the campsite in the village of Mto Wa Mbu
- Perhaps grab a drink and some food in one of the many bars and restaurants
- Stroll around the colourful markets and shops
Day 3-4 - Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park
Get your first taste of African wildlife (not literally). Watch baboons go about their daily routines (lots of picking, scratching and plucking), while baby elephants play in a muddle of mud. It's not all about the big cats, you know.
- Descend to the floor of the famous Ngorongoro Crater in jeeps
- Spend between four and five hours exploring the area and spotting some of it's 30,000 species of animals
- Depart the crater in the afternoon and head for the gates of the Serengeti
- Set off on a safari into the open plains of the Serengeti - the quintessential image of Africa
- Perhaps embark on a sunrise balloon ride over the park
Day 5-6 - Mto Wa Mbu - Marangu
Mto Wa Mbu is swahili for 'river of mosquitoes', so keep your DEET close by. We'll camp on the grounds of Marangu Hotel, but if you need a break from the tent, why not treat yourself to a room and snore to your heart's content.
Day 5
- Travel back to Mto Wa Mbu and join the local community for a guided stroll around the farming areas
- Look around the town, visit the local market and perhaps indulge in a spot of shopping
Day 6
- Take the truck high onto the slopes of Kilimanjaro to the village of Marangu
- Camp in the grounds of the Marangu Hotel, a beautiful turn-of-the-century farmhouse set in 12 acres of tropical gardens
Day 7 - Dar es Salaam
It's a long drive today (up to 12 hours), but your camp is right near the beach and there's bound to be a Kili baridi sana (very cold beer) ready and waiting.
- A long day of travelling to Dar es Salaam
- Set up camp on a balmy beach outside of the city
Day 8-10 - Zanzibar
Ah, the joy of not having to set up your tent for a few days. Fun stuff: grab a latte at Zanzibar Coffee House, sip a sunset cocktail on the balcony of Africa House and practice getting gracefully out of a hammock.
- Catch a ferry to the 'Spice Island' of Zanzibar
- Drive to the spice plantations and take a guided tour
- Seize the opportunity to touch, smell and taste various spices such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger
- Explore the bazaars, shops, mosques, palaces, courtyards and myriad intricate alleyways of Stone Town
- Head to the northern beaches and enjoy white sand and sparkling blue sea - the Indian Ocean at its best
- Try snorkelling and diving, eat sumptuous seafood or simply relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree
Day 11-13 - Dar es Salaam - Iringa - Chitimba
Catch the ferry back to Dar for the night before another long drive to Iringa and Mikumi National Park. Then it's onto our third country - Malawi. Your passport should be looking pretty interesting by now.
Day 11
- Re-board the ferry and return to the beach outside Dar es Salaam
Days 12-13
- Travel through Mikumi National Park, home to large herds of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions and leopards
- Set up camp on the grounds of a farmhouse
- Enter Malawi, the 'warm heart' of Africa
- Set up camp on the northern shores of Lake Malawi
Day 14-15 - Lake Malawi
Apparently Lake Malawi is home to more species of fish than any other freshwater lake on earth. That's great, but we're more excited about the beaches, horse riding and a cold Chibuku beer.
- Travel from Chitimba to Kande Beach on the shores of Lake Malawi
- Enjoy a few days on the lake's more peaceful beaches
- Perhaps participate in the many optional water activities on offer such as guided village walks, horse riding and scuba diving
- Make sure you take the opportunity to meet some local Malawians, some of the friendliest people in Africa
Day 16-17 - Chipata - Lusaka
We've got about 1100 kilometres to cover in the space of two days. That's like Sydney to Melbourne with fewer fast food stops along the way. Make sure your snack and water supplies are fully stocked.
- Cover approximately 1100 km in two days
- Soak up some Malawian culture the many of coffee shops, bars and restaurants in Lilongwe
Day 18-19 - Harare - Masvingo
We're going to assume there's a bit of cabin fever setting in, so take some free time to zone out in a museum, hunt down a coffee, email your mum or just stare at the walls.
Day 18
- Enjoy a 60km scenic drive
- Enjoy a free afternoon in Harare to explore the city on your own or relax at the campground
- Perhaps head to the National Gallery, the museum, the botanical gardens or simply wander the city centre and explore the shops and markets
Day 19
- Visit Masvingo - a great place from which to explore the Great Zimbabwe Ruins
- Spend the afternoon exploring the ruins
Day 20-21 - Bulawayo
There's always a rugby or soccer match on at one of the local pubs, so pull up a chair and get to know the locals (pick your side wisely). See rhinos and elephants on a game drive in Matobo National Park.
Day 20
- Travel to the 'City of Kings', Bulawayo - Zimbabwe's second largest city
- Spend a free afternoon exploring the city
- Enjoy plenty of time to browse local markets, chat with a local or perhaps find a game of football or rugby to watch
Day 21
- Rise early and venture out to explore the Matobo National Park, home to a large population of black and white rhinoceros
Day 22 - Hwange National Park
Once the royal hunting grounds of the the Ndebele warrior king, Hwange is now home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa (up to 110,000 in peak season). That's a lot of trunks.
- Head to Hwange National Park and explore the park in open 4x4 vehicles
- Stay within the park at one of its campgrounds
Day 23-24 - Victoria Falls
You've earned a bit of luxury after all that travelling. For some, this means high tea at Victoria Falls Hotel. For others, it's a plate of crocodile Caesar salad. Taste kind of like chicken.
Set off on another game drive in the before heading to Victoria Falls
- Stop en route to visit the Painted Dog Conservation Group for an insight into the plight of the African wild dog
- Visit the epic Victoria Falls
- Enjoy optional activities such as abseiling, jet boating, bungee jumping and river rafting
- Indulge in a final group dinner with new friends
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What to Know
What's Included
An experienced driver, safari guide and camp cook whilst on safari; park fees; camping equipment; transport in custom-built safari vehicle, 4WD vehicles during game drives and ferry.
Not Included
- International flights, kitty payment, arrival and departure transfers, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre-tour or post-tour accommodation, all other meals, drinks, sleeping bag, pillow, all optional additional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature, laundry and flights (unless specified).
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price Kitty Payment Total Price 02 Jun 2013 - 25 Jun 2013 7 Request US $2,115On Sale Sale: US $1,587 US $1,360 US $2,947 Book Now 16 Jun 2013 - 09 Jul 2013 6 Request US $2,115 US $1,360 US $3,475 Book Now 30 Jun 2013 - 23 Jul 2013 2 Request US $2,115On Sale Sale: US $1,587 US $1,360 US $2,947 Book Now 14 Jul 2013 - 06 Aug 2013 7+ Available US $2,220 US $1,360 US $3,580 Book Now 21 Jul 2013 - 13 Aug 2013 7+ Available US $2,220 US $1,360 US $3,580 Book Now 04 Aug 2013 - 27 Aug 2013 7 Available US $2,220 US $1,360 US $3,580 Book Now 18 Aug 2013 - 10 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $2,220 US $1,360 US $3,580 Book Now 15 Sep 2013 - 08 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $2,220 US $1,360 US $3,580 Book Now 29 Sep 2013 - 22 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $2,220 US $1,360 US $3,580 Book Now 13 Oct 2013 - 05 Nov 2013 5 Available US $2,115 US $1,360 US $3,475 Book Now 27 Oct 2013 - 19 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $2,115 US $1,360 US $3,475 Book Now 03 Nov 2013 - 26 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $2,020 US $1,360 US $3,380 Book Now 17 Nov 2013 - 10 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $2,020 US $1,360 US $3,380 Book Now 01 Dec 2013 - 24 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $2,020 US $1,360 US $3,380 Book Now 29 Dec 2013 - 21 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $2,220 US $1,360 US $3,580 Book Now 12 Jan 2014 - 04 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $2,220 US $1,360 US $3,580 Book Now 26 Jan 2014 - 18 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $2,120 US $1,360 US $3,480 Book Now 09 Feb 2014 - 04 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $2,020 US $1,360 US $3,380 Book Now 16 Feb 2014 - 11 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $2,020 US $1,360 US $3,380 Book Now 02 Mar 2014 - 25 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $2,020 US $1,360 US $3,380 Book Now 16 Mar 2014 - 08 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $2,020 US $1,360 US $3,380 Book Now 13 Apr 2014 - 06 May 2014 7+ Available US $2,120 US $1,360 US $3,480 Book Now 27 Apr 2014 - 20 May 2014 7+ Available US $2,020 US $1,360 US $3,380 Book Now 11 May 2014 - 03 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $2,020 US $1,360 US $3,380 Book Now 25 May 2014 - 17 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $2,120 US $1,360 US $3,480 Book Now 01 Jun 2014 - 24 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $2,120 US $1,360 US $3,480 Book Now 15 Jun 2014 - 08 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $2,120 US $1,360 US $3,480 Book Now 29 Jun 2014 - 22 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $2,120 US $1,360 US $3,480 Book Now 27 Jul 2014 - 19 Aug 2014 7+ Available US $2,220 US $1,360 US $3,580 Book Now Kitty payment is required in cash. It needs to be paid before the end of your trip, in the local stated above. It is generally paid on Day 1, and covers most on-ground expenses. Kitty payments calculated using exchange rates valid on 1 Jan 2012.
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