Day 1: Kigali, Rwanda We meet up at Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel in Kigali early afternoon of day one where we will camp the night. Either on this first afternoon or the following morning, we will visit the Genocide Memorial. Here we spend time reflecting on the numerous displays that are an important reminder of the horrors of genocide. Your crew will also arrange a Predeparture Meeting. We eat out together in a local restaurant tonight and start to get to know our travelling companions. Distance: 0 Est Drive Time: 0 Meals: D (contribution to a restaurant meal in Kigali) Optional excursion: Genocide Memorial and Museum. Days 2 3: Kigali, Rwanda to Kisoro, Uganda After a night in the capital, we head out of the city to our gorilla camp, where we are based while trekking to see the mountain gorillas. On the way it is clear why Rwanda is known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, as we make our way through the mountainous terrain dotted with tea plantations. Arriving at our campsite, the crew will go over the next few days and for those who are gorilla trekking details as to the trek. There are only approximately 800 of these beautiful creatures left in the world, living in the Virungas mountain situated where Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo ajoin. Distance over two days: 157 km Est Drive Times over two days: 3 hours including border crossing Optional excursions: Mountain gorilla trek (either Parc National des Volcans (Rwanda) or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda), golden monkey trek, visit to Dian Fossey s grave, Batwa Trail, orphanage visit, nature walks. Days 4 5: Kisoro to Bunyoni Once we have finished gorilla trekking we travel to Lake Bunyoni, - the place of many birds. Our camp is set in the side of the hills surrounding the Lake and here we spend one or two nights camped by this deep lake to enjoy the peaceful surrounds. The Lake is home to the national bird of Uganda, the crested crane, as well as numerous other species including weaver birds. Otters also live in the lake. Chill out on the lake, hire a canoe to get out on the lake and visit the local village. Optional excursions: Canoeing, Batwa (Pygmy village). Day 6: Bunyoni to Mpanga Forest The next day we continue through to Mpanga Forest or Kampala, the capital. Watch out for the roadside fruit stalls selling beautifully displayed seasonal fruit, and the local Ankole cattle with their distinctive horns. Local vendors approach the truck selling much appreciated cold water and UGANDA KENYA Kampala Lake The Virungas Nakuru Masaka Hells Gate Mountain Gorillas Entebbe Mt Kenya Equator Ruhengeri Lake Victoria Nairobi RWANDA Grumeti Masai Mara Kilimanjaro DEMOCRATIC Kigali Serengeti Arusha REPUBLIC OF CONGO Ngorongoro Zanzibar Lake Tanganika Crater Island ferry TANZANIA Dar Es Salaam ANGOLA Mikumi Kande Beach South Luangwa Lake Malawi MALAWI ZAMBIA Lilongwe Lake Kariba Lusaka Blantyre Livingstone, Victoria Falls Matusadona Chobe Game Harare Etosha Ranch Cheetah Park NAMIBIA Hwange ZIMBABWE Skeleton Ghanzi Okavango Bulawayo Coast Windhoek Delta Matopos Swakopmund BOTSWANA MOZAMBIQUE Sossusvlei Namib Desert Johannesburg Fish River Canyon Orange River REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Durban Cape Town Stellenbosch Addo Gansbaai CAPE Jeffrey s Bay Key AGULHUS THE ROUTE GAME PARK FERRY BOLT ON Garden Route to Jo burg soft drinks as well as snacks like corn on the cob and skewer kebabs - Uganda s own fast food drive-thru. We also stop at drum makers along the way as well as the Equator! Take your picture or watch the effect that the Northern hemisphere, the Southern hemisphere and the Equator have on the water demonstration available here. Distance: 284 km Est. Drive time: 5 hours Meals B, D Days 7 8 Mpanga Forest to Jinja Today we head to Jinja, by Lake Victoria, at the source of the White Nile. Jinja is the adventure capital of East Africa. There is myriad of activities on offer here, from white water rafting on the Nile, to quad biking and horse riding, to volunteering in a local school so take your pick. Distance, Day 7: 209 km Est. Drive time, Day 7: 3.5 hours Meals X2 B, X1 D Optional excursions: Whitewater rafting, village walks, bungee jump, kayaking, boat trips, voluntary work in a local school, quad biking, and horse riding. Days 9 10: Jinja to Nakuru, Kenya We say goodbye to Uganda as we enter our third country, Kenya - and get ready for some great game activities. Our first campsite is near Nakuru National Park, where we go out for game drives in small vehicles. Nakuru is home to lion, leopard, giraffe, hippo, rhino, warthog, hyena and so much page 1
more so keep your eyes peeled and cameras at the ready. Lake Nakuru, in the middle of Nakuru National Park, is also home to greater and lesser flamingos, who colour the lake pink, a stunning view from the look out. Distance, Day 9: 423 km Est. Drive Time, Day 9: +/- 10 hours including border crossing Included wildlife activity: Morning and afternoon game drives, Nakuru National Park Days 11 12: Nakuru to Naivasha Our next camp in Kenya is on the shores of Lake Naivasha. We have a day to relax, go on a cruise to spot the hippo that live in and around Lake Naivasha and visit Elsemere for high tea. Hiring a bike to explore Hells Gate National Park is also popular. Hells Gate has a Maasai Centre based within the park as well as gorges and ravines well worth a look. Alternatively take a walk around the Green Crater Lake Sanctuary - both are great ways to stretch your legs! Distance, Day 11: 170 km Est. Drive Time, Day 11: 3 hours Optional excursions: Elsamere for high tea, cycling in Hell s Gate National Park, guided walk to Green Crater Lake. Days 13 14: Naivasha to Masai Mara On the months when the migration arrives any time from late June the vast herds can be regularly found on the grassy plains. They tend to stay on through to October. Regardless of the season though there is always plenty to see here with resident elephant, rhino, hippo, buffalo, eland, giraffe, warthog and crocodile, as well as an immense amount of birdlife. The Maasai people are found here as well as in Tanzania, and we have the chance to visit one of the villages in the region for an insight into their daily life, from their dancing and jumping, their houses and to maybe haggle for some of their beaded jewellery. Distance, Day 13: 258 km Est. Drive Time, Day 13: 5 hours Included wildlife activities: X1 Morning and X2 afternoon game drives Optional excursions: Balloon safari, Maasai village visit. Day 15: Masai Mara to Nairobi As we exit the Masai Mara around lunchtime, we rise early to make the most of our last morning of game drives. Travelling to Kenya s capital, Nairobi, we pass a lookout over the Rift Valley, stopping for more photos and last chance for souvenirs. Once we arrive in the city, we celebrate arriving in the capital with a meal out at one of Nairobi s restaurants. Distance: 300 km Est. Drive Time: 6 hours Meals: B,D (contribution to a restaurant meal in Nairobi) Included wildlife activity: Morning game drives Day 16: Nairobi, Kenya to Arusha, Tanzania Leaving Nairobi the drive south to Tanzania takes you through sweeping and often arid plains dotted with whistling thorn. We cross into Tanzania at Namanga where you are sure to be tempted by Maasai selling beaded jewellery and wooden carvings. Further on Mount Meru looms in the distance and on a lucky day snow-clad Kilimanjaro might come into view. At 5,895 metres it is Africa s highest mountain. Arusha is the gateway to the world famous Serengeti and other northern circuit game parks and this is our last chance to enjoy a safari in East Africa. There are different options into the Serengeti and/or the Ngorongoro Crater. Safaris into Tarangire and Lake Manyara may be available with advanced notice so you have a few different choices safaris from which to select over the next few days. Distance: 278 km Est. Drive Time: 6 7 hours Days 17-19: Arusha Three to four days are allocated to allow time for safari options. Most opt for a three day/two night safari into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater with a local guide in 4x4 s. The Ngorongoro Crater is a perfectly intact volcanic caldera and known as the Noah s ark of game reserves. During our game drives we might view the big 5, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as plains game peacefully grazing including zebra, gazelle, impala and wildebeest. Hippopotamus can usually be found lolling in the pools and Lake Magadi can be rimmed with the pink of greater and lesser flamingo. Our camps are near the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and in the central Serengeti. Arriving in the Serengeti we see the famous kopjes, small hills of rocks from where lions dozing in the sun nonchalantly oversee the surrounds, keeping an eye out for their next meal. Multicoloured agama lizards can also be seen basking in the sun and golden jackal tussle over a kill in the grasses. We spend the night camped within the Serengeti with the sounds of the African bush around us. It is quite an experience to be in a tent with just the canvas between you and any wildlife that is out there. Game viewing is often at it s best early in the day, so we rise early and head out to explore more. The seemingly endless grasslands of the Serengeti are the combined stage with the Masai Mara for the annual migration 1.5 million wildebeest and other game, such as zebra, Thomson s gazelle, impala and topi move on mass between the Mara, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti. This movement is driven by the rains and the endless search of the herds for water and good grazing and the big herds can often be seen across the plains. During the day we will also stop to visit a Maasai boma and the Olduvai Gorge Museum. We can also visit in the bustling village of Mto Wa Mbu with its extensive markets where we can wander and buy Maasai souvenirs. We are in Maasai lands here and the traditional herdsmen can be seen throughout the region. At the conclusion of our safaris we have a barbecue to celebrate so much wonderful game viewing in East Africa. Distance over 3 days: 0 Est Drive Times: 0 Meals, Day 17, B. Meals, Day 19: D page 2
Optional game drives: Choices of morning and afternoon game drives over three days in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater. Extra day of drives in Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Park may be available on request with advanced notice. Other options over this time include Maasai village visit, camel safari, Maasai Museum, The Snake Park, Olduvai Gorge Museum and ballooning (only available in conjunction with the three day/two night safari). Days 20 21: Arusha to Dar es Salaam Dawn sees us on the road south. As we travel our surrounds become increasingly lush. We arrive in Dar es Salaam where we park up by the coast to camp for the night listening to the waves of the Indian Ocean lapping nearby. Distance over 2 days: 665 km Est Drive Time, Day 20: 7 hours Est Drive Time, Day 21: 6.5 hours Days 22 25: Optional stay on Zanzibar Island We make final preparations this morning for our break from truck life to spend four days on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar. Arriving into the ancient port on the lunchtime ferry we check into our guesthouse in ancient Stone Town before exploring the old town with its narrow alleys, traditional Arab architecture and the local evening food markets. You can enjoy sun downers at Africa House whilst watching the traditional dhows sail in the harbour against the colours of sunset. A Spice Tour on the island allows you to test different spices and fruits as well as find out a little of the island s history. Est.Drive Time, 0 hours Meals: Day 22 - B Days 23-25 we enjoy different activities on the island as well as relax on the long white beaches during our stay at beach cottages to the north of the island. An hour away from Stone Town you can take a walk in the Jozani Forest, home of the red colobus monkeys or head south to swim with the dolphins off Kizimkazi Beach. There are also opportunities to visit Prison Island with its giant tortoise and to snorkel and scuba dive in the crystal clear coral waters of Mnemba Atoll. Further details as to arrangements for your optional time on Zanzibar Island: We make core arrangements well ahead of time so we are assured our groups are comfortable in popular beach cottages to the north of the island and for a night in the capital. The tour leader travels over to the island with the group to ensure that all runs smoothly. Other excursions available include snorkeling excursions to Prison Island famous for its giant tortoise, as well as Mnemba Atoll, dolphin boat trips, a trek in Jozani forest to see the red colobus monkeys and fishing. Scuba diving can be arranged from the Dive Centre near the beach cottages. Day 26: Zanzibar Island to Dar es Salaam Today we travel back to Dar es Salaam for a last night by the Indian Ocean before continuing southwest towards the warm heart of Africa, Malawi. Est.Drive Time, 0 hours Meals: D Day 27: Dar es Salaam to Iringa Leaving Dar es Salaam we travel west across Tanzania travelling through Mikumi National Park where roadside sightings of elephant, giraffe and antelope are common. We continue through Baobab Valley surrounded by the iconic upside down trees and past the Ruaha River to Iringa for our last night in Tanzania. Distance: 498 km Est. Drive Time, +/- 8 hours including border crossing Day 28: Iringa to Chitimba, Malawi We enter Malawi and camp at Chitimba on the shores of Lake Malawi. Distance: 236 km Est. Drive Time, 4 hours Days 29 31: Lake Malawi Travelling further south, we camp at one more beach by the lake and visit fishing villages and markets. The lake is home to the brightly coloured and prolific mbuna cichlid fish and scuba diving or snorkelling here has been described as rather like a dive into a fish tank. Other water sports available include windsurfing, pedalos, sailing and canoeing. Malawi is a spectacularly beautiful country and horse riding and trekking can also be arranged. Malawi is known for its handcrafted curios, such as Malawi chairs and wooden giraffes. The Malawi markets are also the markets to raid for the latest in fashion attire if the group decides on an Absolute Bad Taste Party. Distance, Day 29: 236 km Est. Drive Time, Day 29 +/- 4 hours Meals: X3 B, X3 D Optional excursions: Village visits including a traditional meal and dancing, Livingstonia hike Water sports, including snorkeling, wind surfing, water skiing and scuba diving, horse riding. Days 32 33: Lake Malawi to Lusaka, Zambia Leaving the lake behind, we travel via Malawi s capital, Lilongwe, and on into Zambia. Our next destination is Lusaka, the capital. Here we can shop for supplies and get to the bank and an internet cafe. Distance over two days: 993 km Est. Drive Time, Day 32: 7 hours including border crossing Est. Drive Time, Day 33: 8-9 hours Optional excursion: Lilongwe Wildlife Centre riding. Days 34 37: Lusaka to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe From here we travel to Lake Kariba where we hire a houseboat for a couple of nights break from truck life. The man-made lake took 9 years to build, the dam wall being completed in 1959 when the plains began to flood; animals became stranded on submerging islands and the National Park launched a massive rescue exercise known as Operation Noah. Whilst cruising on the houseboat we can view elephant, buffalo, kudu, waterbuck and, if lucky, lion as they come down to drink by the water s edge. Sunsets over the lake create a rich backdrop of colour for the stark silhouettes of the fossilised leadwood trees remaining in the lake. We usually have a party one of the evenings we are on the lake. Distance, Day 34: 208 km Est. Drive Time, Day 34: 5 hours including border crossing Meals: X4 B, X4 D Optional excursion: Houseboat cruise on Lake Kariba. page 3
Days 38 40: Kariba to Gweru Our next stop is Antelope Park at Gweru. Here we camp up for three nights in this private game farm by a small idylic lake. Here you can walk with lion in the African bush, view the small cubs as well as head out on elephant rides. Game viewing on horseback, on foot or in a vehicle can be arranged, or enjoy a boat ride, and canoe and fish. Distance, Day 38: 504 km Est. Drive Time, Day 38: 7 hours Meals: X3 B, X3 D Optional excursions: Lion walks, cub feeding, cub viewing, elephant riding, canoeing, carriage rides and horse riding. Day 41: Gweru to Bulawayo Driving to Bulawayo early this morning we head out for game drives and rhino trek in Matopos National Park. The Matopos Hills have the largest concentration of raptors (birds of prey) in the world and black eagles can be seen soaring high over the dramatic ancient landscapes of granite boulder stacks. The park is also home to both the endangered black and white rhinoceros, now cloesly gaurded in an intensive conservation program, and the magnificiant sable antelope. We track rhino on foot with the professional guide, as well as look for other game. We also find out the different uses and medicinal value of the plant life in the park. Distance: 168 km Est. Drive Time: 2 hours Included wildlife activity: Morning game drive, Rhino trek Optional excursions: Extra game drives in Matopos National Park. Day 42: Bulawayo to Victoria Falls Today we travel through to the mighty Victoria Falls. The roaring torrents of water and the mists from the falls which rise meters into the air, gave rise to the local name Mosi-Oa- Tunya, the smoke that thunders. Distance, Day 42: 438 km Est. Drive Time, Day 42: 6 hours Meals: Day 42: B Days 43 45 Victoria Falls At the Falls there are a large number of different adrenalin activities on offer, such as the world famous whitewater rafting on the Zambezi, the bungee jump and the gorge swing. Horse and elephant rides are available. You can take a flight over the falls in an ultratight or microlight on a flight of the Angels. Time can be spent in the national park overlooking the falls. We usually meet up at night for meals in local cheap eating places. One of our nights at The Falls is spent together on an evening sunset cruise drifting down the Zambezi as the sun sets. Wildlife such as hippo and crocodiles can be seen in and by the water, and monkeys play in the trees by the river. Optional excursions: Whitewater rafting, riverboard, jet boat, bungee jump, gorge swing and rap jump, Flight of the Angels, canoe trip, elephant ride, horse ride, interactive drumming, a sundowner cruise. Days 46: Victoria Falls to Kasane, Botswana Today we enter Botswana and visit Chobe National Park, where we can take a game drive and a game cruise. Chobe is famous for its elephant population - it is known as the world s elephant capital! There are tens of thousands of them here in this park, however that is far from all there is to see. It has strong lion prides, and game drives regulary provide viewing of giraffe, lechwe, kudu, impala herds, buffalo, and much more. Distance: 87 km Est. Drive Time: 2 hours including border crossing Optional excursions: Chobe National Park game drives and game cruise. Days 47: Kasane to Maun We leave Chobe and travel past the Makgadikgadi Pans on our way to Maun, set on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. Distance: 666 km Est. Drive Time: 9 hours Day 48 50: Maun - Optional Mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta From Maun we organise our mokoro safari into the Okavango Delta, The Delta is an ecosystem of lush wetlands, placid lagoons and water-lily filled channels created by the arrival of waters that fell as rain on the mountains of Angoloa months prior. Here on a makoro safari we gain a sense of the remoteness and beauty of the African bush. We meander percariously and silently through the maze of waterways in the traditional canoes and camp for two nights in the wilderness. This can be a wonderful opportunity to get up close to Africa s wild animals. During our stay we take guided game walks with professional guides. We might spot buffalo, hippo, crocodile, antelope, warthog, baboon, wildebeest, elephant and lion. Bird life is profilic including kingfishers, ducks, marabou storks, sacred and glossy ibis, herons and egrets. The incessant chatter of birds can make an afternoon nap quite problematic during our bush camp! Est. Drive Time: 0 Meals: X3 B, X3 D Optional excursions: Okavango Delta mokoro safari, flights over the Delta, Moremi Game Reserve. Days 51 52: Maun to Grootfontein, Namibia We travel to Tsodillo Hills, the highest point in Botswana and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided walks can be arranged to see the ancient rock paintings on the rock formations, still an important spiritual site for the San Bushman. Crossing the border the next day at the Caprivi Strip, we head to our first campsite in Namibia, via the border town of Rundu, where we stock up for our trip in Etosha National Park. Distance over 2 days: 674 km Est Drive Time, Day 51: 5 hours Est Drive Time, Day 52: +/- 8 hours including border crossing Optional excursion: Hoba meteorite. Days 53 54: Etosha National Park Etosha National Park centres around the vast Etosha Pan, an extensive flat depression of 5,000 square metres of shimmering mirages and in the language of the local Owambo tribe Etosha means place of dry water. The park is home to the big five - lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino. Optional evening game drives and the floodlit water holes at Okaukuejo and Halali are highlights of this park. page 4
Distance, Day 53: 166 km Est Drive Time, Day 53: 2 hours Game drives: X2 Afternoon game drives. X1 Morning game drive Optional excursion: Evening game drives. Days 55: Etosha National Park to Cheetah Sanctuary, Otjititongwe Leaving Etosha we travel via Outjo to visit a Cheetah Park where we can get up close and personal to these endangered cats. Namibia has the largest population of free roaming cheetah in the world - 95% are found on cattle and game farms and so face a regular conflict of interest with the farming community. Our visit to the Cheetah Park also allows us some fabulous photo opportunities. Distance: 182 km Est. Drive Time: 2.5 hours Included wildlife activities: Morning game drive, visit to Cheetah Sanctuary Days 56 57: Otjititongwe to Swakopmund As we head south we stop over to explore bushman rock paintings at Twyfelfontein or other nearby locations in rugged Damaraland. We then travel through some of the most scenic regions of the tour the lower section of the Skeleton Coast that is often shrouded in mist. Adjoining this is Kaokoland, home to the semi-nomadic pastoral Himba tribe. We come to Cape Cross Seal Reserve, one of 16 breeding colonies for Cape Fur seals and our next stop before heading to the wilds at Spitzkoppe to camp under the stars amidst imposing granite rock formations. Our next night we arrive into the seaside resort town of Swakopmund, nestled between the desert and the sea. Distance over 2 days: 624 km Est. Drive Time, Day 56: 8 hours Est. Drive Time, Day 57: 3 hours including Seal Colony Meals: X2 B, X1 D Included wildlife activity: Visit to Seal Colony Optional excursion: A guided walk including viewing of rock engravings, Himba village visit. Days 58 60 Swakopmund Swakopmund is the place for action and adventure sports - quad-biking, sandboarding, go-karting, horse riding, fishing and tandem sky diving. There are flights over the Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast. A township tour provides insight into day to day local life. Est. Drive Time: 0 Meals: 0 Optional excursions: Quad-biking, sandboarding, skydiving, go-karting, open-sea fishing, township tours, horse riding, balloons and flights over the desert. Day 61: Swakopmund to Sesriem We drive through to Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft National Park. We are now in the vast arid regions of southern Namibia. Take a guided tour here to find out more about the formation of, and creatures that live in, this harsh environment. Sunset provides some spectacular photographs. As the colours reflect off the 1,000 foot dunes around us, we watch the day end in this unforgettable setting. We camp in the shade of the camel thorn trees. Distance: 230 km Est. Drive Time: 5 hours Optional excursion: Guided walk on the Dunes. Day 62: Sesreim to Fish River Canyon Fish River Canyon is our next highlight. It is the second largest canyon in the world, created by the rushing waters of the Fish River. Weather and time permitting we stop at Ai Ais and enjoy a soak in the hot springs in the lower reaches of the Canyon. Distance: 508 km Est. Drive Time: 8.5 hours Day 63: Fish River Canyon to Orange River Crossing the border at Noordoewer we enter South Africa and stop over by the Orange River, which is fed by the Fish River. Here we can canoe or raft through some of the most rugged terrain in Southern Africa. Distance: 179 km Est. Drive Time: 3 hours Optional excursion: Canoeing on the Orange River. Days 64 66: Orange River to Stellenbosch, South Africa We travel down the South African west coast and into the wine lands of the Cape Province. We spend two nights in the historic town of Stellenbosch, where we can enjoy a wine tour and the other culinary delights of this culturally rich area. Distance over two days: 678 km Est. Drive Time, Day 64: 4.5 hours including border crossing Est. Drive Time, Day 65: 6 hours Meals: X2 B, D Optional excursion: Wine tour. Day 67: Stellenbosch to Cape Town Our last day s drive is from Stellenbosch into Cape Town. We have our last meal together and spend the night in the comfort of the Ashanti Lodge, which is nestled at the base of Table Mountain. Cape Town is a wonderful place to relax with plenty of attractions, shopping and cocktail bars. The Travel Shop at Ashanti can assist you with all you wish to do including white shark diving, a visit to Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned during the apartheid era and a visit to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. If you want to explore further consider pony trekking in Lesotho, hikes in the Drakensberg Mountains, a safari in Kruger National Park, and travelling through to the KwaZulu-Natal coast for some excellent surfing. page 5
And if you want to head further afield in South Africa with us, continue on our Garden Route Add-On safari. This follows on from our arrival in Cape Town and takes in highlights along the coastline, before finishing in Johannesburg, the City of Gold. Distance: 53 km Est. Drive Time: 1 hour Meals: D (contribution to the final restaurant meal) Please note safari itineraries are given as a guide only. A safari is a journey and true journeys in Africa unfold and are of an adventurous nature, the unexpected can arise, so do allow for this. www.absoluteafrica.com email absaf@absoluteafrica.com phone + 44 (0) 208 742 0226 page 6