Itinerary
- Days 1 - 3
Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara
Early morning departure from Nairobi heading north into the East African Rift Valley. You'll drive up a steep escarpment for your first views of the landscape, then continue to Lake Naivasha where you'll set up camp near the shore. The area sometimes has hippos feeding at night, so keep an eye out. From there you can visit Elsamere (Joy Adamson's house from Born Free) or rent mountain bikes to explore Hell's Gate National Park. After a few days, head to Masai Mara for game drives in the morning and afternoon, with optional evening safari if time allows.
Included Activities
- Morning game drive in Masai Mara
- Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara
- Visit to Lake Naivasha camp
Optional Activities
- Walk to Elsamere and watch film with cream teas
- Mountain bike hire and cycling through Hell's Gate National Park
- Walking through Hell's Gate National Park
- Visit Crater Lake Game Sanctuary
- 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
Jinja, Uganda
Leave Masai Mara and drive west to Kakamega Rainforest, a remaining piece of ancient rainforest. A guided walk takes you through to spot colobus monkeys, pottos, and various bird species. You'll cross into Uganda at the border, then continue to Jinja on Lake Victoria's edge. Spend the next few days in the area where the Nile River starts its 6,700km journey to the sea. Activities include whitewater rafting or kayaking if that interests you.
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 Jinja Lake Victoria Source of the Nile River - Days 8 - 10
Queen Elizabeth National Park - Lake Bunyonyi
Long drive west through swamps, forests and farmland, passing small towns and villages. Stop in Mpigi to see traditional musical instruments, then Kyazanga for fresh rotisserie meats and roasted plantain. You'll make a photo stop at the Equator before arriving at Kalinzu Forest Reserve. If you have permits (they require months of advance planning with only 12 issued daily), trek for chimpanzees. Otherwise explore forest walks to see waterfalls, birds and primates. After that, head to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you have a free morning for optional village walks, then take an included afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel spotting hippos, crocodiles and elephants. Finish with a morning game drive before heading to Lake Bunyonyi.
Included Activities
- Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park in truck
Optional Activities
- Chimpanzee trek in Kalinzu Forest (bookable as add-on; permits required)
- Forest walks in Kalinzu (valley trail, waterfall path, river trail, Palm trail)
- Village walks in Queen Elizabeth National Park area
- Waterfalls viewing
- Wildlife viewing walks
Landmarks/POIs Kalinzu Forest Reserve Queen Elizabeth National Park Kazinga Channel Lake Bunyonyi Equator - Days 11 - 12
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park - Kabale - Kigali
Full day at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to see Highland Mountain Gorillas. Trek in groups of 8 people, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours to find them. Once located, you'll spend about 50 to 60 minutes with one gorilla family. Base yourself near Kabale village with chances to visit Lake Bunyonyi and a pygmy village. Later, cross into Rwanda and head to Kigali to visit the genocide memorial.
Optional Activities
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (bookable as add-on; permits required)
- Visit to Lake Bunyonyi
- Visit to pygmy village
- Kigali genocide memorial visit
Landmarks/POIs Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Lake Bunyonyi Kigali - Days 13 - 14
Volcanoes National Park
Head from Kigali up into the hills to Musanze, the gateway town to Volcanoes National Park. Explore Musanze caves and several hiking trails in the area. There's an optional village tour to see how locals produce banana beer if you're interested. Trek to see the famous Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, though you'll need permits booked in advance to guarantee spots.
Optional Activities
- Visit to Musanze caves
- Hiking trails in Musanze area
- Village tour to see local banana beer production
- Golden Monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park (bookable as add-on; permits required)
Landmarks/POIs Musanze Musanze caves Volcanoes National Park - Days 15 - 17
Kampala - Sipi Falls
Drive back through Uganda toward Lake Mburo. This compact park offers different safari experiences from other Ugandan parks with varied landscapes and diverse wildlife. Optional night game drives start around 6:30-7pm for 2-3 hours, where you can spot leopards, bush babies, hippos and nocturnal animals using spotlight torches. Morning safari is also available if you prefer. After that, continue to Kampala, Uganda's capital, which is friendly and safe. The evening is free to explore local cafes and nightspots. Then head north to Sipi Falls with three waterfalls cascading from Mount Elgon, where abseiling is optional.
Optional Activities
- Night game drive at Lake Mburo (approximately 6:30-7pm, 2-3 hours)
- Morning safari at Lake Mburo
- Explore Kampala's local cafes and nightspots
- Abseiling at Sipi Falls
Landmarks/POIs Lake Mburo National Park Kampala Sipi Falls Mount Elgon - Days 18 - 20
Nairobi
Cross back into Kenya and travel to Lake Nakuru National Park with Black Rhino, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena and Giraffe. The lake is a soda lake most famous for approximately one million pink flamingos feeding along the shoreline. Take an included half-day game safari with optional additional activities. Finally, head back to Nairobi, arriving late afternoon. If you have a late evening flight, you can depart this evening.
Included Activities
- Half-day game safari at 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. You'll get introduced to the truck and all camping and kitchen equipment to prepare for the journey. Visit the Langata Giraffe Centre to get up close to Africa's tallest mammal. Free time is available to explore Nairobi National Park, visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (the tour sponsors one of the orphaned elephants), or check out the Karen Blixen Museum within the Danish author's former 6,000-acre coffee farm.
Included Activities
- Orientation to truck and camping equipment
- Visit to Langata Giraffe Centre
Optional Activities
- Visit to Nairobi National Park
- Visit to David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
- Visit to Karen Blixen Museum
Landmarks/POIs Langata Giraffe Centre Nairobi National Park David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Karen Blixen Museum - Days 22 - 25
Arusha - Meserani Snake Park
Depart Nairobi early morning and head into hot savannah grasslands with acacia trees. Head south spotting zebra and giraffe, cross into Tanzania, and arrive at Meserani Snake Park on the route from Arusha to the Serengeti. Over the next 3 days, you can add an optional safari into Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Without the add-on, visit the Snake Park, explore a local Masai Village to learn about their culture, or arrange day trips into the parks (note these involve significant travel time).
Optional Activities
- Safari into Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater (bookable as add-on)
- Visit to Meserani Snake Park
- Local Masai Village visit to learn about culture and way of life
- Day trips into Serengeti National Park
- Day trips into Ngorongoro Crater
Landmarks/POIs Serengeti National Park Ngorongoro Crater Meserani Snake Park Arusha - Days 26 - 29
Bagamoyo - Dar es Salaam
Leave Arusha passing through small towns and villages. If weather is clear, you may see Mount Kilimanjaro's towering peak. Stop at Marangu village for a couple of nights with opportunity to climb to Kilimanjaro base camp or walk through lush surroundings with coffee plantations, rivers, waterfalls, caves and visit a local blacksmith. Then drive to the coast and Indian Ocean beach at Bagamoyo before continuing to Dar es Salaam where the truck will be based for 4 nights.
Optional Activities
- Climb to Kilimanjaro base camp
- Walk through Marangu's lush surroundings and coffee plantations
- Visit to waterfalls
- Cave exploration
- Visit to local blacksmith
Landmarks/POIs Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Bagamoyo Dar es Salaam - Days 30 - 33
Zanzibar
Leave the truck and tents this morning and take the ferry to Zanzibar for your included four-night stay on this island. Visit the bustling streets of Stone Town with its famous spice markets, old slave forts and dungeons. Spend three nights relaxing on Zanzibar's famous white beaches with many options to arrange scuba diving, snorkelling, and dolphin boat trips locally.
Included Activities
- Ferry transfer to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam
- 4 nights accommodation on Zanzibar
- Stone Town exploration
- Visit to spice markets
- Visit to old slave forts and dungeons
Optional Activities
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Dolphin boat trips
Landmarks/POIs Stone Town Zanzibar spice markets - Days 34 - 39
Malawi
Leave Zanzibar and begin the journey through Tanzania's mountainous hinterland. After some challenging roads, pass through peaceful Mikumi National Park spotting elephant, giraffe, zebra and antelope from the roadside. Continue through lush mountainous landscape and plantations, then enter Malawi with its huge freshwater lake. Spend several days at laid-back campsites on Lake Malawi's shores. Most people relax on sandy beaches or try scuba diving, snorkelling or windsurfing. Wander off to meet local hosts in nearby villages or schools and view artisans crafting furniture and carvings from ebony and mahogany.
Included Activities
- Passage through Mikumi National Park
Optional Activities
- Lake Malawi beach relaxation
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Windsurfing
- Village visits and local community interaction
- Local artisan workshops viewing
Landmarks/POIs Mikumi National Park Lake Malawi - Days 40 - 44
Mozambique - Zimbabwe - Harare
Continue from Lake Malawi to Lilongwe, Malawi's capital in the south where you can check out local markets. Leave Lilongwe crossing into Mozambique heading for Zimbabwe via the Tete Corridor (historically the Gun Run during civil war, but much safer now). Spend a few days passing through Mozambique then enter Zimbabwe via Harare. Enjoy the sights around the city centre including craft markets, the hectic Mbare market, botanical gardens, and nightlife in various bars.
Optional Activities
- Local markets exploration in Lilongwe
- Harare craft markets
- Mbare market visit
- Botanical gardens
- Harare nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Lilongwe Tete Harare - Days 45 - 47
Chimanimani - Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Leave Harare passing through rural farmland and villages before climbing into Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands to visit Chimanimani. Hike through the mountain wilderness, trek to nearby Bridal Veil Falls, or simply stroll through the village market and enjoy the surroundings. Next stop is the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, site of what was once the greatest medieval city in Sub-Saharan Africa and origin of Zimbabwe's name, literally meaning 'house of stone'.
Optional Activities
- Hiking through Chimanimani mountain wilderness
- Hike to Bridal Veil Falls
- Village market exploration
- Visit to Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Landmarks/POIs Chimanimani Bridal Veil Falls Great Zimbabwe Ruins - Days 48 - 51
Gweru - Bulawayo - Matabeleland
Drive across Mashonaland to Gweru where you'll visit a privately run horse and game ranch. Various options include game viewing on horseback. After a couple of enjoyable nights here, move on to Matabeleland and the town of Bulawayo. Optional day trip into Matobo National Park with a local safari company offering unique foot safaris to spot Black Rhino among other game. Also visit Cecil Rhodes' grave and Ancient Rock Paintings.
Optional Activities
- Game viewing on horseback at private ranch
- Day trip to Matobo National Park
- Black Rhino foot safari
- Visit to Cecil Rhodes' grave
- Ancient Rock Paintings viewing
Landmarks/POIs Gweru Bulawayo Matobo National Park Cecil Rhodes' grave - Days 52 - 54
Victoria Falls
From Bulawayo, the preferred journey is via overnight train to Victoria Falls, though service has been unreliable in recent years and may not be included (crew will confirm closer to departure). If available, expect basic conditions but watching the world pass by is memorable. Otherwise drive from Bulawayo arriving late afternoon at Victoria Falls, Mosi oa Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders). This one-mile-wide waterfall hurls 5 million cubic metres of water per minute into the Zambezi Gorge. Less water sometimes means less spray blocking the view. The gorge below offers world-class grade 5 whitewater rafting. Other options include day trips from Zambia, helicopter or microlight flights, afternoon tea at Victoria Falls Hotel, sunset boat cruises, canoe trips, or activities like bungee jumps, gorge swings and abseils.
Included Activities
- Overnight sleeper train from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls (if available)
Optional Activities
- Drive from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls
- Day trip to Victoria Falls from Zambia
- Flight of Angels - helicopter or microlight scenic flight
- Afternoon tea at Victoria Falls Hotel
- Sunset boat cruise
- Canoe trip
- Gorge swing
- Abseiling
- White water rafting (grade 5)
- Bungee jump
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls Zambezi Gorge Victoria Falls Hotel - Day 55
Victoria Falls
Enjoy a second free day in Victoria Falls to pursue any activities you missed or prefer relaxation. Travellers starting their trips in Victoria Falls will also join the group today.
Optional Activities
- Day trip to Victoria Falls from Zambia
- Flight of Angels - helicopter or microlight scenic flight
- Afternoon tea at Victoria Falls Hotel
- Sunset boat cruise
- Canoe trip
- Gorge swing
- Abseiling
- White water rafting
- Bungee jump
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls - Days 56 - 60
Kasane - Chobe National Park - Kalahari - Maun - Okavango Delta
Leave Victoria Falls crossing into Botswana and spend the night at Kasane on the outskirts of Chobe National Park, famous for its abundant elephants and wildlife. Take an included afternoon boat cruise on Chobe River for less intrusive wildlife viewing plus views of the Namibian frontier. Optional game safari available. Head south into the Kalahari Basin through dry, desolate plains, passing Nata Bird Sanctuary and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (one of the world's largest salt flats). Arrive in Maun with opportunity to venture into the Okavango Delta using traditional canoes navigated by local guides. Spot wildlife or view the delta from above on optional scenic flight.
Included Activities
- Boat cruise on Chobe River
Optional Activities
- Game safari at Chobe National Park
- Mokoro canoe trip in Okavango Delta
- Game walks in Okavango Delta
- Scenic flight over Okavango Delta
Landmarks/POIs Chobe National Park Chobe River Nata Bird Sanctuary Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Maun Okavango Delta - Days 61 - 63
Etosha National Park
Travel west entering Namibia and continue toward Etosha National Park, recognised as one of the world's greatest wildlife viewing areas. The semi-desert landscape contrasts with more fertile terrain you've experienced, and desert elephants that make their home here are a famous highlight. Night sky filled with shooting stars and warm campfire glow make for unforgettable camping. Besides game drives on the truck, you can game watch by night at floodlit water holes spotting rhino, elephant, giraffe and other wildlife.
Included Activities
- Game viewing in Etosha National Park via truck
Optional Activities
- Night game watching at floodlit water holes
Landmarks/POIs Etosha National Park - Days 64 - 65
Spitzkoppe Rock Formations
Drive from Etosha to the Brandberg Mountains in Demaraland, a huge granite outcrop and home to the famous White Lady rock painting, an important piece of Damara and Bushman rock art. Continue to a bush camp amidst striking Spitzkoppe Rock formations. Known as the Matterhorn of Namibia, Spitzkoppe is part of the Erongo Mountain range and was formed over 100 million years ago after a gigantic volcano collapsed. The scenery strikes you from every angle, even more striking as granite massifs turn red at sunset.
Optional Activities
- Visit to Brandberg Mountains
- White Lady rock painting viewing
- Spitzkoppe Rock formations exploration
Landmarks/POIs Brandberg Mountains White Lady rock painting Spitzkoppe - Days 66 - 68
Skeleton Coast - Swakopmund
Next stop is Cape Cross Seal Colony where thousands of Cape Fur Seals live (along with their pungent odour). The cool Atlantic Ocean and Benguela current provide perfect feeding and breeding conditions. Drive down the Skeleton Coast where desert sand dunes meet the sea and several shipwrecks line the beaches. Base yourself for two days in Swakopmund, Namibia's adventure gateway. Choose from deep sea fishing, sea kayaking, quad biking, dune surfing and sledding, horse riding, or aerial adventures like skydiving from 10,000 feet or scenic flights. In town, walk deserted beaches, visit the museum or relax in cafes and bakeries.
Optional Activities
- Cape Cross Seal Colony visit
- Deep sea fishing
- Sea kayaking
- Quad biking
- Dune surfing and sledding
- Horse riding
- Skydiving from 10,000 feet
- Scenic flight over coastline
- Beach walks
- Museum visit
- Cafe and bakery visits
Landmarks/POIs Cape Cross Seal Colony Skeleton Coast Swakopmund - Days 69 - 71
Sossusvlei - Deadvlei - Fish River Canyon - South Africa
One day's drive takes you to Namib-Naukluft Park, a vast expanse of desert containing some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Stop at Sossusvlei exploring spectacular red dunes, climb Dune 45 before breakfast, and visit Deadvlei with 800-year-old black preserved trees contrasting against orange sands and blue sky. Continue south through semi-desert cattle ranching countryside to Fish River Canyon, one of Africa's most sensational natural features. Spend a couple of hours taking in the scenery before crossing into South Africa and the Orange River, a rich source of diamonds.
Included Activities
- Sossusvlei Dunes exploration
- Dune 45 climb
Optional Activities
- Deadvlei visit
Landmarks/POIs Namib-Naukluft Park Sossusvlei Dune 45 Deadvlei Fish River Canyon Orange River - Days 72 - 74
Stellenbosch
Travel south through the Cederburg Wilderness Area with its rugged valleys and peaks before reaching the winelands and farms of Stellenbosch. Spend a night here and enjoy a guided tour around some of the region's wineries with tastings included, an educational and enjoyable experience.
Included Activities
- Guided winery tour with tastings in Stellenbosch region
Landmarks/POIs Cederburg Wilderness Area Stellenbosch - Day 75
Cape Town
Short drive from Stellenbosch to Cape Town where you'll stay in a backpacker hostel. Plenty to do including climbing Table Mountain or abseiling down it, diving with sharks (ocean cages or at Two Oceans Aquarium), touring Robben Island, or heading out on the town to one of Cape Town's many hot spots.
Optional Activities
- Table Mountain climb
- Table Mountain abseiling descent
- Shark diving in ocean cages
- Two Oceans Aquarium shark diving
- Robben Island tour
- Cape Town nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Table Mountain Two Oceans Aquarium Robben Island - Day 76
Cape Town
Your trip finishes after breakfast. Plan your flight departure at any time, or stay longer in Cape Town to explore more of this incredible city's attractions.
Optional Activities
- Extended Cape Town exploration
Landmarks/POIs Cape Town
