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| Trip Length |
38 |
Trip Code |
AF - AES - 3 |
| Journey Starts |
Nairobi, Kenya |
Journey Ends |
Livingstone, Zambia |
| Max. Tour Group |
26 |
Age Range |
18 - 55+ |
| Min. Tour Group |
2 |
Physical Grading |
3 |
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Culture Shock |
3 |
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| Great Africa Overland Safari Itinerary |
ITINERARY: Great Africa Overland Safari
Day 1:
Our Great Africa Overland Safari begins in Nairobi, the buzzing Capital of Kenya. From Nairobi we drive to Lake Naivasha at the bottom of the famous Rift Valley for High Tea at Joy Adamson's House - Elsamere. Joy and George Adamson became famous for their unique work with lions, the most famous being 'Elsa'. The movie 'Born Free' was about Elsa's life. We enjoy High Tea overlooking Lake Naivasha while Colobus monkeys try to steal scones from our plates! We camp on the shores of Lake Naivasha. It is not unusual for hippos to come onto the shore and graze at night.
Day 2:
We have the option to start the day with a gentle walking safari around the Green Crater Lake. This is one of the very few game parks in Africa without predators making it safe to walk. A rare opportunity to get very close to giraffes, zebra, antelope, flamingos and warthogs to name a few.
Day 3 - 4:
Continuing our Great Africa Overland Safari through the Kenyan western highlands, this area is famous for producing Olympic running champions. Our Africa safari takes us way up along the top of the Rift Valley, stopping enroute to take photos of the biggest Valley in the World (6,000km long). We spend the night in Eldoret before crossing the border to Uganda and the welcoming Capital, Kampala.
Day 5:
The Great Africa Overland Safari takes us toward western Uganda, stopping enroute to enjoy freshly baked muffins and filter coffee at the Equator; through the Ugandan highlands to our night stop at Lake Bunyoni, an ancient crater lake. We arrive in good time to enjoy sundowners overlooking the lake and the Mgahinga Volcanoes from our wooden platform. This is Africa!
Day 6:
A short drive to the base of the Mgahinga Volcanoes, the border to Congo and Rwanda. This is where we trek Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat. We have the afternoon to make our final arrangements and prepare for the trek.
Day 7:
Few people in the world get this unique opportunity to trek endangered Mountain Gorillas. The day starts early in the morning with an extensive briefing about the Mountain Gorillas and trekking protocol. We then board our 4x4 vehicles and head up into the mountains to the Base Camp from here we continue on foot through the rainforest. We are accompanied with professional guides and trackers while we trek Mountain Gorillas. The trek can last between 1 hour and 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are at that time. We sit and observe the gorillas in their natural environment. Most people explain the experience as a mix of disbelief and excitement in watching one of our closest relatives in the wild. We return to our base, enjoy a locally prepared meal and chat about our day.
We return to Lake Bunyoni and time permitting we have the afternoon free to hire dugout canoes, go bird watching or visit a local pygmy settlement.
Day 8:
We leave the rich rainforest area home to Mountain Gorillas for Entebbe, the former Colonial capital of Uganda on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Day 9 - 11:
Jinja, the Adventure Capital of East Africa and an absolute must on any Africa overland safari. Jinja is situated at the source of the longest river in the World - the mighty Nile River. A perfect place to relax and enjoy a cold beer while overlooking the Nile. Jinja is a paradise for adrenalin junkies - white water rafting, quad-biking, bungee jumping and horse-riding.
There is also the option to spend the day with Soft Power Community Project, an opportunity to explore the real rural Africa. Opportunities to help paint schools, teach football to the kids, or simply spend the day exploring and learning from these remarkable kids.
We spend 3 nights in Jinja to ensure you have enough time to indulge in the activities you desire.
Day 12 - 13:
The Great Africa Overland Safari takes us back into Kenya and we have time for a relaxing game drive through Nakuru Game Park famous for white Rhino, leopard, and flamingoes. The park also has giraffe, warthogs, lions, buffalo, zebra, antelope, numerous bird species and baboons. The central point of the park is Lake Nakuru, littered with thousands of pink flamingoes - the perfect back drop for a group photo.
Day 14:
We arrive back in Nairobi in time to shower and pull our going out clothes out of our backpacks and get ready for a night of feasting and dancing at the world famous Carnivores Restaurant (followed by a mandatory visit to Carnivores Nightclub!). A must on al Africa overland safaris.
Day 15:
Continuing our Great Africa Overland Safari to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The baby elephants are allowed out to play every morning, an hour of entertainment watching the babies play in mud pools, kick a soccer ball around and slurp massive bottles of formula. This not a zoo but a place where orphaned elephants are bought and hand-reared before being re-educated and released back into the wild. It is possible to adopt a baby elephant or rhino - the perfect gift for animal lovers back home.
After lunch, how about hand feeding Rothschild giraffes at the Nairobi Giraffe Centre? Amazing photo opportunities from the custom built platform (eye level to the giraffes!). Rothschild Giraffes are rare in East Africa with only a few left in some of Kenya’s northern parks. The centre not only boasts friendly giraffes but also an extensive education centre.
No Africa overland tour would be complete without a meal at the world famous Carnivores Restaurant.
Day 16:
The Great Africa Overland Safari crosses into Tanzania passing the snow cap peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free standing mountain in Africa, as we drive through the Maasai plains of Tanzania. We arrive at Meserani in time to visit a traditional Maasai Village and Cultural Centre. We setup camp at Meserani Snake Park, famous for its reptiles and shooters!!!
Day 17 - 19:
The following morning we pack our bags and depart in small 4x4 vehicles on our overland tour to the worlds most documented and photographed game parks - the Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater. The Serengeti is the most famous game park in all of Africa, and after spending some time there you will know why. The Ngorogoro Crater has been compared to Noah’s Ark and the Garden of Eden, an incredible 20km wide volcanic crater littered with lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant, zebra, and wildebeest - just to name a few.
We spend 3 days in the wild savannah plains amongst the African Big 5 wildlife in two of the most famous game parks in Africa. Our days are spent game driving and photographing wildlife like: lion, leopard, wildebeest, rhino, warthog, cheetah, gazelle, zebra, giraffe, elephants, buffalo, hartebeest, reedbuck plus many more. If we are lucky we may also spot the African Little 5. As the sun goes down we make camp amongst the wildlife, eat a hearty meal and fall asleep listening to the sounds of Africa. Your reservation awaits you at the 1000000 star Hotel (the breath taking African skies).
Day 20:
Our Great Africa Overland Safari continues from Arusha to Dar Es Salaam, the day is long but we pass through some interesting villages along our way. We reach Dar Es Salaam early evening, we set up camp and enjoy a cold beer while a soft cool breeze comes from the Indian Ocean.
Day 21 - 24:
The truck remains in Dar Es Salaam while the group boards the ferry to spend 4 nights on the famous Spice Island of Zanzibar. The ferry arrives in Stone Town - a classic Arabic old city, with narrow cobble stoned streets, sweet smell of spices floats through the air, and the local mosque hums in the background. At sun-down the plaza changes form and as the sun disappears over the Indian Ocean, the Plaza comes alive with the smell of barbecuing fresh seafood, colorfully dressed women mix dough in preparation to make Zanzibar pizzas and the men stand around talking politics. For the true Zanzibar experience a visit and a meal in the plaza is an absolute must. A visit to Zanzibar would not be complete without taking one of the many spice tours on offer and a couple of days relaxing on the white sandy beaches and swimming in crystal clear waters. For those wanting to partake in aquatic activities Zanzibar will not disappoint - snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, sailing and windsurfing are all on offer.
Whilst on Zanzibar meals will not be supplied, this gives you the opportunity to try the many different styles of food available from fresh barbecued fish and seafood, famous Zanzibar pizzas through to traditional African dishes.
Day 25 - 27:
After a lazy morning we say goodbye to Zanzibar and return by ferry to Dar Es Salaam to be met by the overland truck. We have a final night in Dar Es Salaam before heading inland. Back on our Great Africa Overland Safari we pass through Mikumi National Park - if we are lucky we might spot some elephant, giraffe, zebra and various antelope. After Mikumi we enter the very scenic Baobab valley; we continue on our overland safari entering Malawi - most famous for its large fresh water lake.
Day 28 - 30:
We spend a few days exploring Lake Malawi shores. The campsites we stay are very basic and laid-back – summing up Malawi in general. Is saying that the people are warm and friendly and the pace a little slower; and no Africa overland tour would be complete without a few days to chill in Malawi. While in Malawi we have the option to scuba dive, go horse riding, wander into the village and watch the wood-carvers make Malawi chairs, animal carvings and game boards; for those wanting an authentic experience how about dinner with the village Chief and his family?
Day 31:
We continue our Africa overland tour as we bid farewell to Malawi and enter Zambia. Our first stop along the way is just after the small border town of Chipata.
Day 32 - 33:
Overlanding on some particularly bad roads we arrive at our "home" for the coming 2 nights - Flat Dogs Campsite; flat dog = crocodile in the local language. The campsite is situated on the banks of the Luangwa River - a natural fence separating the campsite from South Luangwa National Park. It is not unusual for Elephants to wander into camp at breakfast time to check-out the breakfast menu; be warned Kellogg’s Cornflakes are one of the favorite foods by the local Elephant population and they are not shy in helping themselves! The campsite has several platforms high in the tress – a perfect spot to lay out your mattress under a mosquito net and listen to the wild African sounds.
South Luangwa National Park is famous for its Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, hippos, crocodiles, hyena and aardvark. It is one of the few parks where night game drives as well as walking safaris are possible. A spectacular park situated in a spectacular part of Africa.
Day 34 - 35:
We depart South Luangwa and continue our Great Africa Overland Safari spending a night in Lusaka, the Capital of Zambia. Not a terribly exciting place but is an accurate representation of a true African city.
Day 36 - 38:
Long before the Great Africa Overland Safari approaches its final destination we can see the mist coming from the famous Victoria Falls in the distance. The mist becomes more pronounced as we arrive in the centre of Livingstone, Zambia. The Zambezi River with its Victoria Falls is a natural border line separating Zambia from Zimbabwe; the Falls leaves many speechless with her sheer size and power; 1 mile long and pumps an incredible 4.5 million cubic meters of water every second into the Zambezi Gorge.
Livingstone is the perfect base to enjoy the many activities on offer including a sunset cruise down the Zambezi; white water raft; abseil and gorge swing in the Zambezi Gorge, bungee jump 111m with Victoria Falls providing the perfect backdrop; take an afternoon stroll with Rhinos; or photograph the Falls from great heights in a micro light, helicopter or light aircraft – the options are endless.
Livingstone marks the perfect spot to end our Nairobi to Victoria Falls Overland Tour.
Important Note:
Africa Expedition Support safaris do not enter Zimbabwe due to the erratic supply of food, fuel and basic commodities; fuel shortages create havoc in transferring to Victoria Falls International airport (25kms from town). Livingstone has an International airport with flights to Europe and Southern Africa (Johannesburg with International connections), there are also regular and reliable bus services connecting Livingstone to Johannesburg, South Africa; Maun, Botswana; and Windhoek, Namibia. Please ensure when booking flights that they leave from Livingstone International Airport, Zambia.
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