Vic Falls to Kenya
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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 Northbound)
Itinerary
Day 1-2 - Vic Falls
Perhaps indulge in some luxury to see you through the next 24 days of 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.
- Arrive at the epic Victoria Falls
- Spend time visiting the falls, an experience for the ages
- Enjoy optional activities such as abseiling, jet boating, bungee jumping, river rafting and microlight and helicopter excursions
- Indulge in a final group dinner with new friends
Day 3 - 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 4-5 - 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.
- 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
- Rise early and venture out to explore the Matobo National Park, home to a large population of black and white rhinoceros
Day 6-7 - Masvingo - Harare
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 6
- Visit Masvingo - a great place from which to explore the Great Zimbabwe Ruins
- Spend the afternoon exploring the ruins
Day 7
- 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 8-9 - Lusaka - Chipata
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 10-11 - 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 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 12-14 - Chitimba - Iringa - Dar es Salaam
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 12-13
- Set up camp on the grounds of a farmhouse
Day 14
- Travel through Mikumi National Park, home to large herds of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions and leopards
Day 15-17 - 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 18 - 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 19-20 - Marangu - Mto Wa Mbu
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 19
- Take the truck high onto the slopes of Kilimanjaro to the village of Marangu
Day 20
- Rise early and be greeted with unforgettable views of Kilimanjaro
- Take a walking tour of Mshiri Village, the base for the Village Education Project, and witness the day-to-day life of the Chagga people
- Visit nearby waterfalls and stop to admire the view of the plains below
Day 21-22 - Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater
Get another 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 23 - Mto Wa Wbu
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 of Tanzania
- Spend some time in Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania
- Arrive at the campsite in the village of Mto Wa Mbu
Day 24 - Nairobi
Plenty to keep you entertained before your departing flight. We suggest Karen Blixen Museum (she's from that Meryl Streep movie your mum loves).
- The trip ends on arrival in 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
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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 safari and ferry.
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).
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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 13 Jun 2013 - 06 Jul 2013 7+ Request US $2,050On Sale Sale: US $1,538 US $1,335 US $2,873 Book Now 11 Jul 2013 - 03 Aug 2013 7+ Available US $2,145On Sale Sale: US $1,824 US $1,335 US $3,159 Book Now 08 Aug 2013 - 31 Aug 2013 7+ Available US $2,145 US $1,335 US $3,480 Book Now 22 Aug 2013 - 14 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $2,145 US $1,335 US $3,480 Book Now 05 Sep 2013 - 28 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $2,145 US $1,335 US $3,480 Book Now 10 Oct 2013 - 02 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $2,050 US $1,335 US $3,385 Book Now 21 Nov 2013 - 14 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $1,950 US $1,335 US $3,285 Book Now 19 Dec 2013 - 11 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $2,050 US $1,335 US $3,385 Book Now 02 Jan 2014 - 25 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $2,145 US $1,335 US $3,480 Book Now 09 Jan 2014 - 01 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $2,145 US $1,335 US $3,480 Book Now 23 Jan 2014 - 15 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $2,050 US $1,335 US $3,385 Book Now 06 Feb 2014 - 01 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,950 US $1,335 US $3,285 Book Now 06 Mar 2014 - 29 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,950 US $1,335 US $3,285 Book Now 20 Mar 2014 - 12 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,950 US $1,335 US $3,285 Book Now 03 Apr 2014 - 26 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $2,050 US $1,335 US $3,385 Book Now 17 Apr 2014 - 10 May 2014 7+ Available US $2,050 US $1,335 US $3,385 Book Now 24 Apr 2014 - 17 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,950 US $1,335 US $3,285 Book Now 08 May 2014 - 31 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,950 US $1,335 US $3,285 Book Now 22 May 2014 - 14 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,950 US $1,335 US $3,285 Book Now 19 Jun 2014 - 12 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $2,050 US $1,335 US $3,385 Book Now 03 Jul 2014 - 26 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $2,050 US $1,335 US $3,385 Book Now 17 Jul 2014 - 09 Aug 2014 7+ Available US $2,145 US $1,335 US $3,480 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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