Itinerary
- Days 1 - 3
Nairobi to Masai Mara
Start heading north from Nairobi into the Rift Valley, where you'll see volcanic peaks and lakes stretching across the landscape. Once you reach Lake Naivasha, you can walk to Elsamere (Joy Adamson's former home), cycle through Hell's Gate National Park, or check out Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. Then it's on to the Masai Mara where morning and afternoon safaris are included, giving you chances to spot lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, cheetahs and rhinos.
Included Activities
- Morning and afternoon game drives in the Masai Mara
- Optional evening safari on arrival day (subject to timing)
Optional Activities
- Walk to Elsamere and film screening with cream teas
- Mountain bike hire and cycling through Hell's Gate National Park
- Hell's Gate National Park walk
- Crater Lake Game Sanctuary visit
- Evening safari in Masai Mara
Landmarks/POIs East African Rift Valley Lake Naivasha Elsamere Hell's Gate National Park Crater Lake Game Sanctuary Masai Mara National Reserve - Days 4 - 7
Masai Mara to Jinja
Leave the Masai Mara and head west toward Kakamega Rainforest, an old Central African forest where you'll find colobus monkeys, pottos, and lots of birds. A guided walk through the forest is part of the itinerary. Later you'll cross into Uganda and arrive at Jinja, where the Nile begins its 6,700km journey to the sea. You'll spend several days here with options for whitewater rafting, kayaking, quad biking, horse riding, or visiting local education projects.
Included Activities
- Guided walk in Kakamega Rainforest
Optional Activities
- Whitewater rafting
- Kayaking
- Quad biking
- Horse riding
- Visit to local education project
Landmarks/POIs Kakamega Rainforest Lake Victoria Jinja Source of the Nile River - Days 8 - 10
Jinja to Katunguru
This is a long driving day through swamps, forests and farming areas, passing through Ugandan towns. You'll stop at Mpigi to see how traditional musical instruments are made, and Kyazanga for fresh roasted meat and vegetables. The route crosses the Equator (photo stop). At Kalinzu Forest Reserve, optional chimpanzee trekking is available with permits arranged beforehand (12 permits daily). After the forest, you'll reach Katunguru near Queen Elizabeth National Park where village walks are optional, then take an included boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The next morning brings a game drive through Queen Elizabeth before heading to Lake Bunyonyi.
Included Activities
- Guided boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- Game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park
Optional Activities
- Chimpanzee trek in Kalinzu Forest (permits required, 12 per day)
- Forest nature walks in Kalinzu Forest (valley trail, waterfall path, river trail, Palm trail)
- Village walks around Katunguru to learn about local culture (Basongara, Bakonjo, Banyabindi)
Landmarks/POIs Kalinzu Forest Reserve Queen Elizabeth National Park Kazinga Channel Equator crossing point - Days 11 - 12
Lake Bunyonyi to Kigali
Spend the day at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park where roughly 700 mountain gorillas live. Gorilla trekking lets you spend about 50-60 minutes with one family, though the hike can range from 30 minutes to 5 hours depending on where they're located. You'll base near Kabale village with chances to trek for mountain gorillas and visit Lake Bunyonyi's pygmy villages. After forest activities, you'll cross into Rwanda heading to Kigali to visit the genocide memorial.
Optional Activities
- Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Visit to pygmy village on Lake Bunyonyi
Landmarks/POIs Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Lake Bunyonyi Kigali Genocide Memorial - Days 13 - 14
Kigali to Musanze
Leave Kigali and drive up into the hills toward Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. You can explore Musanze caves and hiking trails in the area, and see how local banana beer is produced. An optional guided trek to see golden monkeys is available if permits are arranged in advance.
Optional Activities
- Village tour through Musanze area
- Local Banana beer production viewing
- Guided trek to see Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park
Landmarks/POIs Musanze Caves Volcanoes National Park - Days 15 - 17
Musanze to Sipi Falls
Head back through Uganda toward Lake Mburo National Park, a compact safari area with varied landscapes and different wildlife. Optional night game drives run from around 6:30 to 7pm for 2-3 hours using spotlight torches to spot nocturnal animals, or you can do morning safaris instead. Later you'll reach Kampala, Uganda's capital, where you have a free evening to explore cafes and nightlife. Then drive north to Sipi Falls, where three waterfalls cascade from Mount Elgon, and optional abseiling is available on the highest waterfall.
Optional Activities
- Night game drive at Lake Mburo (6:30-7pm, 2-3 hours)
- Morning safari at Lake Mburo
- Abseiling at Sipi Falls
Landmarks/POIs Lake Mburo National Park Kampala Sipi Falls Mount Elgon - Days 18 - 20
Sipi Falls to Nairobi
Cross back into Kenya and travel to Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its population of nearly a million pink flamingos feeding along the soda lake's shoreline. The park also has black rhinos, hippos, lions, leopards, hyenas and giraffes. An included half-day game safari is part of the itinerary with options to add more activities. Then head back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon. If your trip ends here, you can catch a late evening flight.
Included Activities
- Half-day game safari in Lake Nakuru National Park
Optional Activities
- Additional activities at Lake Nakuru National Park
Landmarks/POIs Lake Nakuru National Park Nairobi - Day 21
Nairobi
Welcome to Nairobi. After getting introduced to the truck and all camping and kitchen equipment, head to the Langata Giraffe Centre to get close to Africa's tallest mammals. You have free time to visit Nairobi National Park, the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (where the tour sponsors one orphaned elephant), or the Karen Blixen museum set on her former 6,000 acre coffee farm.
Included Activities
- Giraffe Centre visit
Optional Activities
- Nairobi National Park visit
- David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage visit
- Karen Blixen museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Langata Giraffe Centre Nairobi National Park David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Karen Blixen Museum - Days 22 - 25
Nairobi to Arusha
Leave Nairobi early and drive south through hot savannah grasslands with acacia trees. Cross into Tanzania and arrive at Meserani Snake Park on the way to Arusha. Over the next 3 days, an optional add-on is available for safaris into Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater to see different varieties of wildlife. If you're not adding the safari, you can visit the Snake Park, local Masai villages to learn about their culture, or arrange day trips into the Serengeti or Ngorongoro (though these involve significant travel time).
Optional Activities
- Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater safari (Add-on)
- Meserani Snake Park visit
- Local Masai Village visit
- Day trip into Serengeti
- Day trip into Ngorongoro Crater
Landmarks/POIs Meserani Snake Park Serengeti National Park Ngorongoro Crater - Days 26 - 29
Arusha to Dar es Salaam
Leave Arusha passing through small towns and villages. On clear days you might see Mount Kilimanjaro's towering peak. Stop for a couple of nights in Marangu village where you can climb to Kilimanjaro base camp or walk through lush surroundings with coffee plantations, rivers, waterfalls, caves and a local blacksmith. From Marangu, drive to the coast and relax on an Indian Ocean beach at Bagamoyo before continuing to Dar es Salaam where the truck stays for 4 nights while the group heads to Zanzibar.
Optional Activities
- Climb to Kilimanjaro base camp
- Walk through Marangu surroundings including coffee plantations, rivers, waterfalls, caves
- Visit local blacksmith in Marangu
Landmarks/POIs Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Kilimanjaro base camp Bagamoyo Dar es Salaam - Days 30 - 33
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
Leave the truck and tents behind and take the ferry to Zanzibar for an included four-night stay. Visit the busy streets of Stone Town with its spice markets, old slave forts and dungeons. Spend 3 nights relaxing on Zanzibar's white beaches with many local options for arranging scuba diving, snorkelling, and dolphin boat trips.
Included Activities
- Ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
- 4 nights accommodation on Zanzibar
Optional Activities
- Stone Town exploration
- Spice market visit
- Slave fort and dungeon visits
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Dolphin boat trips
Landmarks/POIs Stone Town Zanzibar spice markets Zanzibar beaches - Days 34 - 39
Zanzibar to Lake Malawi
Begin traveling through Tanzania's interesting mountainous interior. After dealing with rough roads, pass through peaceful Mikumi National Park where you'll usually see elephants, giraffes, zebras and antelopes from the roadside. Continue through lush mountainous landscape into Malawi, a country dominated by its huge freshwater lake. Spend several days at relaxed campsites on Lake Malawi's shores where you can relax on sandy beaches, try scuba diving, snorkelling or windsurfing, visit local villages or schools, and see local artisans working with ebony and mahogany.
Included Activities
- Lake Malawi village walk
Optional Activities
- Mikumi National Park wildlife viewing
- Scuba diving on Lake Malawi
- Snorkelling
- Windsurfing
- Village visits
- Purchase of local ebony and mahogany furniture and carvings
Landmarks/POIs Mikumi National Park Lake Malawi - Days 40 - 44
Lake Malawi to Zimbabwe
Continue from Lake Malawi to Lilongwe where you can check out local markets. Leave Lilongwe to cross into Mozambique heading for Zimbabwe, following the Tete Corridor (historically known as the Gun Run during Mozambique's civil war but now safe). Spend a few days passing through Mozambique before entering Zimbabwe and traveling through the capital Harare. In this cosmopolitan city, see sights in and around the centre with markets ranging from craft markets to the busy local Mbare market, stroll through botanical gardens or enjoy the nightlife in one of many bars.
Optional Activities
- Lilongwe local market visit
- Harare craft market visit
- Harare Mbare market visit
- Botanical gardens stroll
- Nightlife in Harare bars
Landmarks/POIs Lilongwe Tete Corridor Harare Mbare Market Harare Botanical Gardens - Days 45 - 47
Harare to Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Leave Harare through rural farmland and villages before climbing into Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands to visit Chimanimani. Here you have chances to hike through the mountain wilderness, go to Bridal Veil Falls, or enjoy the surroundings from this quiet village while checking out the village market. Next stop is Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the site of what was once the greatest medieval city in Sub Saharan Africa and the origin of the country's name, meaning 'house of stone'.
Optional Activities
- Mountain wilderness hike in Chimanimani
- Bridal Veil Falls hike
- Chimanimani village market stroll
- Great Zimbabwe Ruins exploration
Landmarks/POIs Chimanimani Bridal Veil Falls Great Zimbabwe Ruins - Days 48 - 51
Great Zimbabwe Ruins to Bulawayo
Drive across Mashonaland to Gweru to visit a privately run horse and game ranch where you can try game viewing on horseback. After a couple of nights here, move on into Matabeleland to the town of Bulawayo. An optional day trip into Matobo National Park with a local safari company lets you spot the elusive black rhino on foot, one of the few places in Africa where this is possible. Also see Cecil Rhodes' grave and ancient rock paintings.
Included Activities
- Private Game Ranch visit
Optional Activities
- Game viewing on horseback
- Matobo National Park safari to spot Black Rhino
- Cecil Rhodes' grave visit
- Ancient Rock Paintings viewing
Landmarks/POIs Gweru Bulawayo Matobo National Park - Days 52 - 54
Bulawayo to Victoria Falls
From Bulawayo, the crew may arrange an overnight train to Victoria Falls, offering basic conditions but memorable views of the landscape passing by. If the train isn't available (unreliable recently), travel by road arriving late afternoon. Victoria Falls, called 'Mosi oa Tunya - The Smoke That Thunders', is one mile wide and hurls 5 million cubic metres of water per minute into the Zambezi Gorge. The Gorge below offers grade 5 white water rafting. Less active visitors can do day trips to view falls from Zambia, Flight of Angels microlight or helicopter tours, afternoon tea at Victoria Falls Hotel, sunset boat cruises, or canoe trips. For adrenaline seekers there's the Gorge Swing, Abseil, or one of the world's highest commercial bungee jumps.
Optional Activities
- Day trip over Victoria Falls bridge to Zambia
- Flight of Angels microlight or helicopter tour
- Afternoon tea at Victoria Falls Hotel
- Sunset Boat Cruise
- Canoe trip
- Gorge Swing
- Abseil
- Bungee Jump
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls Zambezi Gorge Victoria Falls Hotel - Day 55
Victoria Falls
Free day in Victoria Falls to try all the activities available. Any travelers starting their trips in Victoria Falls will also join the group today.
Optional Activities
- All Victoria Falls activities as listed in previous days
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls - Days 56 - 60
Victoria Falls to Maun
Leave Victoria Falls and cross into Botswana to spend the night at Kasane on the outskirts of Chobe National Park, known for its elephants and abundant wildlife. An included afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River offers a less intrusive way to view game and see the Namibian frontier across the river. Optional game safaris into the park are also available. Head south into the Kalahari Basin with its dry plains, pass the Nata Bird Sanctuary and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (one of the world's largest salt flats), then reach Maun. From here venture into the Okavango Delta using canoes similar to traditional mokoro dug-outs guided by local polers. You can do game walks with rangers to see elephants, crocodiles and hippos, or book an optional hour-long scenic flight over the delta.
Included Activities
- Chobe National Park entrance and river cruise
Optional Activities
- Chobe National Park game safari
- Okavango Delta mokoro canoe trip
- Game walks with rangers in Okavango Delta
- Scenic flight over Okavango Delta (1 hour)
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls Chobe National Park Kasane Nata Bird Sanctuary Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Kalahari Basin Okavango Delta Maun - Days 61 - 63
Maun to Etosha National Park
Travel west into Namibia toward Etosha National Park, recognized as one of the world's greatest wildlife viewing areas. The semi-desert landscape contrasts with the more fertile terrain you've seen. Desert elephants are a famous highlight here. Night sky full of shooting stars and warm campfire glow makes for unforgettable camping. Besides game drives on the truck, night wildlife watching is available at floodlit water holes where you may spot rhinos, elephants and giraffes.
Included Activities
- Etosha National Park
Optional Activities
- Night game watching at floodlit water holes
Landmarks/POIs Etosha National Park - Days 64 - 65
Etosha National Park to Spitzkoppe
From Etosha drive to the Brandberg Mountains in Demaraland, a huge granite outcrop with the famous White Lady rock painting, an important piece of Damara and Bushman rock art. Aim to make a bush camp among the striking Spitzkoppe rock formations. Known as the Matterhorn of Namibia, Spitzkoppe is part of the Erongo mountain range and formed over 100 million years ago after a gigantic volcano collapsed. The scenery strikes from every angle, turning even more red at sunset.
Included Activities
- Spitzkoppe Rock formations
Optional Activities
- White Lady rock painting viewing
- Brandberg Mountains exploration
Landmarks/POIs Brandberg Mountains White Lady rock painting Spitzkoppe Erongo Mountains - Days 66 - 68
Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund
Next stop is Cape Cross Seal Colony where thousands of Cape Fur Seals gather, along with their strong odour that stays with you. The cool Atlantic Ocean and Benguela current provide perfect feeding and breeding conditions for these seals. Drive down the Skeleton Coast where desert sand dunes meet the sea and several shipwrecks are visible on the beaches. Spend two days based in Swakopmund, Namibia's adventure gateway. Choose from deep sea fishing for shark and other game fish, sea kayaking, quad biking, dune surfing or sledding in the desert, horse riding, or skydiving from 10,000 feet. Also scenic flights over towering sand dunes, walks along miles of deserted beaches, museum visits, or relax in cafes and bakeries.
Included Activities
- Cape Cross Seal Colony
Optional Activities
- Deep sea fishing
- Sea kayaking
- Quad biking
- Dune surfing and sledding
- Horse riding
- Skydiving from 10,000 feet
- Scenic flight over sand dunes
- Beach walks
- Museum visit
- Cafe and bakery visits
Landmarks/POIs Cape Cross Seal Colony Skeleton Coast Swakopmund - Days 69 - 71
Swakopmund to Fish River Canyon
One day drive to Namib-Naukluft Park, a vast desert with some of the highest sand dunes in the world. At Sossusvlei explore the red dunes, including the iconic Dune 45 which you climb before breakfast. Also visit Deadvlei where 800 year old black preserved trees stand out against orange sands and blue sky. Continue south into semi desert cattle ranching country until arriving at Fish River Canyon, one of Africa's most sensational natural features. Stop for a couple of hours to take in the scenery, then cross into South Africa and cross the Orange River, a rich source of diamonds.
Included Activities
- Sossusvlei Dunes and Dune 45
- Fish River Canyon
Optional Activities
- Deadvlei exploration
Landmarks/POIs Namib-Naukluft Park Sossusvlei Dune 45 Deadvlei Fish River Canyon Orange River - Days 72 - 74
Fish River Canyon to Stellenbosch
Travel south through the Cederburg Wilderness Area with rugged valleys and peaks before reaching the winelands and farms of Stellenbosch. Spend a night here and you can take a guided educational tour around some wineries in the region, tasting as you go.
Optional Activities
- Guided winery tour with tasting
Landmarks/POIs Cederburg Wilderness Area Stellenbosch - Day 75
Stellenbosch to Cape Town
Short drive from Stellenbosch into Cape Town, staying at a backpacker hostel. Plenty to do in and around Cape Town from climbing Table Mountain to abseiling down it, shark diving (ocean cages or Two Oceans Aquarium), tours to Robben Island, or head out on the town to one of many hot spots.
Optional Activities
- Table Mountain climb
- Abseiling down Table Mountain
- Shark diving in ocean cages
- Two Oceans Aquarium shark diving
- Robben Island tour
- Cape Town nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Table Mountain Cape Town Two Oceans Aquarium Robben Island - Days 76 - 77
Cape Town
Free days in Cape Town to enjoy the sights and do any optional tours or day trips.
Optional Activities
- All Cape Town activities as mentioned previously
Landmarks/POIs Cape Town - Days 78 - 80
Cape Town to Cape Agulhas
Leisurely drive along coastal roads to the Cape of Good Hope, a rocky headland at the southern end of the Cape peninsula. Walk up to the upper lighthouse or take a ride on the Flying Dutchman Funicular for views. Follow the coastline to overnight in Hermanus or Gansbaai with options for whale watching, shark cave diving, and Dyer Island Nature Reserve. Head to Cape Agulhas, the most southern tip of Africa and dividing line between the warm Indian Ocean and cooler Atlantic Ocean. Treacherous seas here have caused numerous shipwrecks; the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse built in 1848 is the second oldest working lighthouse in South Africa. From August to December, southern right and humpback whales may be spotted. Pass through Outeniqua Mountains to the Little Karoo to visit an ostrich farm and explore Cango Calcite Caves with their bizarre stalagmite and stalactite formations from over a million years of slow formation.
Included Activities
- Cape of Good Hope
- Cango Calcite Caves
- Ostrich farm
Optional Activities
- Upper lighthouse walk at Cape of Good Hope
- Flying Dutchman Funicular ride
- Whale watching
- Shark Cave Diving
- Dyer Island Nature Reserve visit
Landmarks/POIs Cape of Good Hope Hermanus Gansbaai Cape Agulhas Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Outeniqua Mountains Little Karoo Cango Calcite Caves - Days 81 - 84
Cango Caves to Addo Elephant National Park
Spend two days winding along South Africa's famous Garden Route through the popular resort of Knysna on a tranquil lagoon protected by two enormous cliffs called 'the heads'. Visit Tsitsikamma Forest to hike along the coast and view crashing waves at Storms River mouth, and maybe spot dolphins and whales. Optional excursions include mountain biking, black water tubing, and the bungee jump at Bloakrans Bridge, the highest jump in the world at 216 metres. Continue along the coast with beach stops in summer months (October to March), then head inland to Addo Elephant National Park recently extended to include coastline and now home to the big 7 (lion, rhino, elephant, leopard, buffalo, whale and shark). See the many elephants the park is known for, the most southerly population in Africa.
Included Activities
- Addo Elephant National Park and game drive
Optional Activities
- Knysna resort visit
- Tsitsikamma Forest hike
- Mountain biking
- Black water tubing
- Bloakrans Bridge Bungee Jump (216 metres)
- Beach stops (October-March)
Landmarks/POIs Garden Route Knysna Tsitsikamma Forest Storms River Bloakrans Bridge Addo Elephant National Park - Days 85 - 87
Addo Elephant National Park to Lesotho
Drive to the beautiful, rugged and remote Wild Coast to the quaint seaside village of Cintsa. Situated on the banks of the Cintsa River and estuary surrounded by lush indigenous forest and thicket with good bird life. Free day to enjoy unspoiled white sandy beaches, canoe up the river, hike in the area, horse riding and more. Make your way toward the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, overnighting on route.
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation
- Canoe ride up Cintsa River
- Hiking
- Horse riding
Landmarks/POIs Wild Coast Cintsa Cintsa River - Days 88 - 90
Lesotho
Welcome to Lesotho, often called 'the kingdom in the sky', completely surrounded by South Africa and covered by mountains from 1000m to 3000m high. The scenery is tremendous with crisp fresh mountain air. You'll see Lesotho's horsemen dressed in blankets and gumboots trotting around hillsides. Spend a couple of nights at Malealea Lodge, Lesotho's most known countryside retreat tucked high in the mountains. Find isolated waterfalls, cool rock pools for swimming, and peaceful hikes. Great place to try pony trekking, one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery on a sure footed Lesotho pony. Drive through Lesotho's lowlands visiting Thabo Bosiu or Mount Moorosi with a local guide (time and weather permitting), the mountain stronghold of Chief Moshoeshoe, founder of the Basotho nation. Continue through Lesotho's tiny capital Maseru and re-enter South Africa.
Optional Activities
- Pony trekking
- Waterfall visits
- Rock pool swimming
- Hiking
- Thabo Bosiu or Mt. Moorosi guided visit
Landmarks/POIs Malealea Lodge Thabo Bosiu Mt. Moorosi Maseru - Days 91 - 94
Royal Natal National Park to Johannesburg
The Royal Natal National Park on the edge of the Drakensburg Mountains has an impressive natural amphitheatre of massive rock walls. The Tugela River plunges over the edge dropping around 800m through five falls. Over 130km of walking trails around the park, many are easy half day strolls through grassland dotted with yellowwood forest and proteas against the amphitheatre backdrop. Head north through small towns and villages through Afrikaner heartland toward Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city. Built from the gold rush, it's grown into one of the world's wealthiest cities. Arrive on the penultimate evening at a laid-back backpackers in a Johannesburg suburb where you can relax by the pool. The trip finishes the following morning.
Optional Activities
- Walking trails in Royal Natal National Park
Landmarks/POIs Royal Natal National Park Drakensburg Mountains Tugela River Johannesburg
