African Wanderer - Northbound

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Livingstone (Zambia)

Today is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time. The remainder of your day is free for you to enjoy at leisure. Our accommodation is a campsite located on the banks of the Upper Zambezi River. There is a pre-departure meeting tonight at 6.00pm. No trip to southern Africa is complete without a visit to Victoria Falls and nothing quite prepares you for the awesome power of this natural phenomenon. At its peak, it is estimated that 5 million cubic metres of water pass over the cataracts every minute! If you are spending extra time in the Victoria Falls area before the tour starts, you may wish to partake in some of the many optional activities available. These include whitewater rafting (seasonal), bungee jumping and walking with lion cubs. Your tour guide will be on hand to assist you in arranging any optional activities.

Day 2-3: Lusaka - Chipata (Zambia)

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

(Driving times: approx 7 hours on Day 2 and 8 hours plus on Day 3) We leave Livingstone and travel to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia). Lusaka actually replaced Livingstone as capital of the then-colony in 1935. It is a cosmopolitan city with a population of just over a million people. After our overnight stop here we continue to Chipata, a good place to stock up on our supplies before heading out into the wilderness. There is a supermarket here and also a few places to change money. There is also an impressive mosque in town (entry is restricted to Muslims) and a collection of shops and markets. A popular buy is 'chitenje', which is a colourful traditional cloth wraparound similar to a sarong.

Day 4-5: South Luangwa National Park (Zambia)

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

(Driving time: approx 4 hours; game drive times variable) Our next stop is one of the greatest wildlife reserves in Africa - South Luangwa National Park. Covering an area of 9050 square kilometres, it is home to an amazing concentration of wildlife. Its terrain includes dry shrublands, mopane forests and oxbow lakes, but the main feature is the Luangwa River. As we enter the park we cross the Luangwa River and will be immediately astounded by the incredible numbers of crocodiles and hippos. Our two nights here are spent camping at the Flat Dogs campsite and we enjoy two game drives (one morning and one evening) in open 4WD vehicles in search of wildlife. If we are very, very lucky, we may even see leopard. This park is off-the-beaten-track, so we are some of the privileged few as not many travellers get to explore this hidden 'gem'. One day that will change!

Day 6: Lilongwe (Malawi)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 8 hours) After our wildlife sojourn we drive back to Chipata and continue to the border, where we cross into Malawi - a hilly country with the picturesque Lake Malawi dominating its eastern flank. Our first destination here is the capital, Lilongwe, for an overnight stay. This is again a chance to replenish our supplies, change money, perhaps send some postcards and enjoying a taste of African city life in our first night in a new country.

Day 7-9: Lake Malawi (Malawi)

Meals included: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

(Driving times: approx 5 hours) Previously known as Lake Nyasa, this lake is the southernmost part of the Great Rift Valley and is the third largest as well as the second deepest in Africa. It is also home to more species of fish than any other lake in the world. The lake is a relaxing spot to stop at and a good place to partake in a range of optional activities. There is also a large curio market here where we can test our bargaining skills (essential!) and buy some of the famous Malawi chairs and other wood carvings. In some places, we may also be able to see hippos as well as some of the numerous waterbirds. Our itinerary here is flexible and we may stop at more than one place along the lake, so please understand that the driving times mentioned may vary significantly.

Day 10: Iringa (Tanzania)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus) We leave Malawi and enter Tanzania - our first Swahili-speaking country - before continuing to Iringa, where we camp at an old farmhouse, a beautiful rustic campsite in the southern highlands. This campsite was voted as having the best showers in all of Africa! The area is fertile and hilly and is known for its vast tea estates and banana plantations.

Day 11: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 8 hours) We continue towards the coast and to Dar es Salaam, the former capital of Tanzania before it was officially moved to Dodoma in 1996. With over 2.5 million people, it is still the country's largest city and main administrative centre. We spend a night here at a lovely beachside camp just south of the city and welsome our first sighting of the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, before catching the following morning's ferry to Zanzibar.

Day 12: Stone Town - Zanzibar (Tanzania)

Meals included: 1 breakfast

(Ferry sailing: approx 1½ hours) We say goodbye to our overland vehicle for four days and catch a ferry for the 1½ hour crossing to the famous spice island of Zanzibar, where we spend our first night in the evocative and historic Stone Town. In Stone Town allow yourself time to wander through the many cobbled laneways, take in the architecture and appreciate the famous Zanzibar doors. The market is a sea of colour and noise and offers a great insight into the lives of the friendly local people. An optional Spice Tour starts with a brief tour of the historical sights in Stone Town, before visiting the Slave Museum, the ruins of the Sultan's Palace and then travelling inland to the famous spice plantations. Here you learn about the many spices and fruits grown on the island, as well as their medicinal and culinary uses. A traditional lunch caps of this great half-day tour. Another great option in Stone Town is getting out to Prison Island. A local motorised dhow is hired and you are taken to the nearby Prison Island, where you enjoy excellent views back to Stone Town. Stone Town also offers great shopping and eating opportunities. Craft markets sprawl out of doorways and down alleyways. Wooden products, paintings and soapstone carvings are just some of the wares on sale. There are many little restaurants that are worth a try and the Night Market offers a great (and cheap) dining experience – the Zanzibari pizzas are quite unique and the banana and chocolate pizza is a real treat.

Day 13-14: Nungwi - Zanzibar (Tanzania)

Meals included: 2 breakfasts

(Driving time: approx 1 hour) The next two days are spent on the idyllic north coast at the beachside village of Nungwi. This is located at the northern tip of the island and is a major place for construction of dhows (traditional Arabic sailing vessels). Here we also experience white sandy beaches and a warm tropical sea, making it a great place to chill out and relax. Our days in paradise are sure to prove a most welcomed break in the midst of our long overland adventure.

Day 15: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Ferry sailing: approx 1½ hours) We catch the afternoon ferry back to the mainland, where we are reunited with our truck and have another day to experience city life. With its mix of African, Muslim and Indian influences, as well as busy markets and historic buildings, it is quite an interesting city to explore. This is also a great place to get our last taste of the coast before heading inland.

Day 16: Arusha (Tanzania)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 11 hours) From Dar es Salaam we travel past Mount Kilimanjaro which, on a clear day, may give us a splendid view of the snow-capped Uhuru peak. We cover a lot of ground today, through changing mountain and coastal scenery, as we make our way toward Arusha. Arusha, also known as the 'safari capital' of Tanzania, throbs with activity and you can expect to see several safaris heading off – or returning after a week in the bush. Our campsite is located at Meserani Snake Park and Masai Museum. The snake park is home to a variety of snakes common to east Africa, from the black mamba to the African python, as well as monitor lizards, tortoises and crocodiles. The adjoining Masai Museum centres on the culture, customs and dress of the Masai tribes. The Meserani Project works closely with the local community, providing antidote treatment for snake bites and other basic health service, free of charge, to the local Masai communities.

Day 17: School of St Jude - Mto Wa Mbu (Tanzania)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: 2 hours) In the morning we visit a very special school in Arusha. The School of St Jude was founded in 2002 by Gemma, a young Australian woman, for orphans and very poor children of Arusha. The school was founded on Gemma's belief that not only was a good and accessible education a right for all children in the world but without it, Africa's rate of development would continue to lag behind the rest of the world. Under the banner of 'Fighting Poverty through Education' the school provides a totally free education to over 90% of the pupils, including supplying transport, uniform, stationery, snacks, water and a hot meal. The opportunity for sponsorship at St Jude is given to the brighest and most ambitious children of extremely poor families, after a series of tests designed to measure potential and poverty levels. Whilst on a guided tour of the school we are given more information on how it operates and the success that it has achieved. We have time to visit children in class, before joining them for morning tea. We may hear some singing and see some of the children displaying special skills. This is a morning that is certain to touch our souls and fill us full of optimism. Leaving Arusha, we travel to our campsite at Mto Wa Mbu.

Day 18: Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus; game drive times variable) Taking a break from our overland vehicle once more, and bidding farewell to our driver and cook for the next three days, we transfer into 4WD vehicles for our expedition into Ngorongoro Conservation Area / Serengeti National Park. Departing Mto Wa Mbu, we stop on the top of the Rift Valley escarpment for an incredible view out over Lake Manyara before continuing westward to our next destination. At the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the crater, which is a volcanic caldera some 20 kilometres wide that contains an abundance of wildlife and bird life. Ngorongoro is often referred to as a microcosm of Africa, with forest and grasslands, as well as freshwater and soda lakes. We transfer into Land Rovers and head down to the crater floor, where we spend the morning exploring this outstanding wildlife sanctuary. The crater is home to several black rhinos and, with luck, we may have the opportunity to seeing some of these highly endangered animal. (National park regulations stipulate that vehicles are only allowed a maximum of six hours in Ngorongoro Crater.) After an exciting visit to the crater we continue the great plains of the Serengeti. These massive grasslands seem to stretch as far as the eye can see, and even beyond! Over a million wildebeest roam through the park, along with a multitude of antelope species and significant populations of lion and cheetah. We spend two days exploring the plains on game drives as well as checking out the rocky outcrops, or 'kopjes', which are a favourite resting spot for the predators. We spend two nights camping inside the park - perfectly situated for the opportunity to hear the night time serenade of the African savannah. Please note that the campsites in Serengeti National Park are run by the national park administration and are the only public campsites available. You will need to purchase bottled water at your own expense for this part of the tour. The facilities are quite basic, but the opportunity to camp in the middle of the Serengeti Plains is a real highlight and an experience that you are unlikely to forget.

Day 19: Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Game drive times variable) Home to massive numbers of grazing animals and also various predators, Serengeti National Park provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. Today we will start around sunrise for a morning game drive and follow that up later on with an afternoon game drive, as the animals tend to be more active in the cooler hours of the day. We will usually return to camp during the hotter hours in the middle of the day, where we get to enjoy a hearty meal, relax and maybe take a siesta. Depending on wildlife movements and opportunities for sightings, our drive could sometimes be a continuous one that last all day and involves returning to camp in the late afternoon.

Day 20-21: Arusha (Tanzania) - Nairobi (Kenya)

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus on both days) We enjoy an early morning game drive, before heading back to break down camp. We then traverse the southern part of Serengeti National Park, before heading back to our Arusha campsite where we are reunited with our overland vehicle, driver and cook. A last evening in Tanzania presents an opportunity to go check our some of the bars and pubs of Arusha. Crossing the border at Namanga, we make our way into Kenya and on to its busy capital - Nairobi. Our tour finishes upon arrival at our downtown hotel in Nairobi in the early evening. Flights out of Nairobi tonight should not be booked before 9.00pm. Transfers to Nairobi Airport and/or post-tour accommodation is available at an additional cost.

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Your Trip

About Gecko's

Sharing the adventure is all part of the fun. Our groups are large enough to remove the hassles of go-it-alone travel, yet small enough for you to enjoy the benefits and freedom of independent travel. The average tour has nine people, with a maximum of sixteen. The exception is Africa which has a maximum of 24 and an average of 17. On group trips you travel with a highly-trained local tour leader, who was raised in the region and can show you a side of their homeland that other travellers miss out on. We include the 'must see' sights, and on many trips we venture off the beaten track for some unforgettably unique and unusual experiences.

Nuts and Bolts

An experienced driver, safari guide and camp cook whilst on safari; park fees; all camping equipment; transport in custom-built safari vehicle, 4WD vehicles during safari, ferry and on foot.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Transport

• 4WD vehicle
• Custom-built safari vehicle
• Ferry
• On foot
• Open 4WD vehicles

Accommodation

• 17 nights Camping
• 3 nights Hotel

Meals

• 20 breakfasts
• 16 lunches
• 16 dinners

Equipment Included

• camping equipment
• sleeping mat

Not Included

International flights, local 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).

Optional Extras

• Livingstone - Elephant back safari
  US$160
• Livingstone - Entry to the falls
  US$30
• Livingstone - Guided tour of Falls
  from US$45 (Includes transfers and entrance fee to the falls)
• Livingstone - Lion Cub Interaction
  from US$90
• Livingstone - River boarding
  US$160
• Livingstone - Steam Train
  US$160
• Masai Mara Balloon Safari
  please contact us for price
• Nairobi - Half Day Tour
  US$65
• Ngorongoro - Masai village and cultural walk
  US$20
• Serengeti Balloon Safari
  

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Local Payment

Visas and Permits

Kenya

Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Kenya. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. Kenya visas are easily obtained at the airport or border crossing at a cost of US$50 for most nationalities based on single entry. For some nationalities a single entry Kenya visa allows the person to enter Kenya more than once provided travel is only between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda within a 30-day period.

Malawi

Visas for Malawi are not required for citizens of Commonwealth countries, the USA and most European nations (except Switzerland). Visas are limited to 30 days although extensions are easy to obtain.

Tanzania

Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Tanzania. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. Care must be taken to ensure that your visa does not expire before your proposed date of entry to Tanzania (visas are usually valid for three months from the date of issue). It is recommended that visas should be obtained before departure. A visa fee of US$50 is charged to most foreign nationals. A visa fee of US$100 is charged for US citizens.

Zambia

Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently do require a visa for Zambia. A visa can be purchased at the airport or on the border on arrival. The visa must be paid in cash in USD. If you are entering Zambia more than once it is suggested that you request a multiple entry visa. The cost for a single entry visa is US$50 and a double entry visa is US$80. A multiple entry visa must be obtained prior to arrival. A day visa is US$20. If obtaining the visa on arrival, please check that you have been given enough days to cover your stay in Zambia. If you overstay the dates on your visa, then you will be charged an additional US$250 per person, per day. Please ensure you have US dollars cash and that the notes are series 2001 or later in issue.

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Important Information

An experienced driver, guide and camp cook accompany us on this safari. Local site guides join us in South Luangwa National Park and Ngorongoro Crater/Serengeti National Park.

We travel in a custom-built safari vehicle that can take a maximum of 24 clients. There are large opening windows, providing unrestricted game viewing and photographic opportunities, and on-board we have useful reference books about the flora and fauna that you may encounter during your safari.

The large dome tents are spacious and quick to erect with the sides covered in mosquito netting and foam mattresses provided to enable you to sleep in comfort. A comfortable folding chair is also supplied for each passenger. In addition, all communal camping equipment is carried on board together with on-board cool boxes. You need to bring your own sleeping bag and it is also recommended that you bring a pillow or purchase one locally for added comfort.

Please note there are no laundry services available whilst camping, but sometimes when we stay at a campsite for at least two consecutive nights, there may be the opportunity to do some hand-washing.

A special feature of the safari is that in addition to our safari guide and professional driver we have a camp cook who plans, budgets and prepares all included meals.

Road Conditions and Infrastructure in Africa
Roads in Africa are often in very poor condition, which makes it hard on vehicles. Our vehicles are serviced regularly and are generally in good condition, but breakdowns can and do happen. The infrastructure in Africa is not always what we are used to and travelling on their roads can sometimes be very bumpy experiences. The travelling times indicated in our Trip Notes is just a rough guide and is dependent on various factors that may be outside our control, such as road conditions, weather and time spent at borders.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please ensure that you have the most up-to-date information for your trip. We recommend that you check the trip notes for your tour around one month before departure. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

14 February 2012

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