Itinerary

Family Trip – Cape Town to Nairobi

In Cape Town there is lots to do before the trip

Cape Town, on the southern tip of the African continent is a beautiful city, with many cafes, pubs, clubs and markets. Try to spend a few days here before the trip starts; it might well become your favourite city.

Victoria and Albert Waterfront – a working harbour, where fishing boats offload their catch and oceangoing ship dock. With; kayaking, Two Oceans Aquarium, food and farmer street markets, cinemas, Super park with a gigantic triple story 450 square metre 3-dimensional maze;  Submarine Escape Rooms and a high line ropes course, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, OSSA sailing and power boat instruction for young people to learn how to run a boat, the giant observation Cape Wheel with 360 degree view of Cape Town, cycle hire, Tommy the Tugboat which cruises the harbour. Visit Robben Island the prison of Nelson Mandela, go and look at a shark close up while shark cage diving, take the cable car up table mountain, go whale watching, visit the Cape of Good Hope and a penguins colony.

SOUTH AFRICA

DAY 1: Cape Town Arrival Day (no meals)

The arrival day. Take advantage of your free airport pick/drop off to the departure hotel and dorm bed for the night. On the arrival day you can; just relax after your flight, or get a look at our departure city we depart before getting on the road next morning. No meals are included on the arrival day. In the evening we have a pre departure meeting at the departure hotel to prep you for the trip.

DAY 2: Cape Town to Cederberg (L/D)

We head to Citrusdal on the Cape’s wine routes for a wine tasting. We leave the farmland of the Western Cape and the Mediterranean climate, following the road north through mountain valleys and stony semi-desert. Further north to Cederberg, a dryland area, where  Rooibos or redbush tea is grown. In the afternoon we walk in the surrounding vineyards to see wine growing and take in the  views of the Cederberg Mountains
Optional Activity: Wine tasting

DAY 2: Cederberg, South Africa  to Orange River, Namibia (B/L/D)

We drive through mountain valleys and stony semi-desert, following the farmland north through less populated areas to Springbok in the Namaqualand area of the Northern Cape.  We camp on the South African bank of the Orange River, here we canoe on the river and relax by the pool to enjoying the spectacular view of the river.
Optional Activity: Canoeing on the Orange Rive

NAMIBIA

DAY 4: Orange River, South Africa to Fish River Canyon, Namibia (B/L/D)

After crossing the border into Namibia, it’s north to Fish River Canyon, an often dry cannon in a desert surrounds. Over a billion years old, it’s one of the largest canyons in the world, half a kilometre deep and up to 20 kilometres wide. You can trek along the rim to see the canyon from the viewpoints.
Included Activity: Fish River Canyon

DAY 5: Fish River Canyon to Sesriem (B/L/D)

To the Namib Desert and Namib Naukluft desert; one of the oldest in the world. We base ourselves at Sesriem, a good place to experience the starkness of the desert. Nearby is Sossusvlei and some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Great views of the desert can be seen from the top of these 300 metre high dunes. The sky is so clear and the area so distant from the light from towns, that the stars at night stand out like lights in the sky.
Included Activity: Namib Naukluft National Park

DAY 6: Sesriem (B/L/D)

At dawn into Namib-Naukluft National Park, to roam around the sands. We take some time to summit the famous Dune 45. We then take a desert bus another five kilometres into the desert to Sossusvlei; a river which ends in a marsh and a salt and clay pan, which is set below beautiful high red sand dunes. In this desert are the highest sand dunes in the world – up to 388 metres or 1,272 feet in the case of Dune Number 7 near Walvis Bay.
Included Activity: Climbing Dune 45 & Sossusvlei

DAY 7-8: Sesriem to Swakopmund (B)

We cross the Tropic of Capricorn towards the Atlantic Ocean, past Walvis Bay which is Namibia’s main port, to Swakopmund on the coast. It’s an old German colonial seaside resort, with lots to do plus German beer halls for dinner after.
Activities in Swakopmund – Horse riding or sand boarding on the dunes, deep sea fishing in the Atlantic, scenic flights over the coastline, skydiving, quad biking, dolphin cruises, fishing trips, golf.

DAY 9: Swakopmund to Brandberg (B/L/D)

Namibia in Nama language means ‘vast open spaces’, and the country has a population of just 2.5 million people. We pass few inhabited areas as we drive towards Spitzkoppe; a group of massive granite peaks. The Spitzkoppe Mountains was the film location for ‘2001 A Space Odyssey’ Dawn of Man sequence. Here you can take a guided walk with the Bushman (now better known as San people) to their ancient rock art sites. The San are the original inhabitants of the region and are predominantly hunter gatherers.  Their rock art indicates they were living here for around 30,000 years before their lands were invaded by other peoples just 3,000 years ago. Over this time, just on this mountain alone, the San have made tens of thousands of rock paintings, which are scattered over a thousand rock shelters and caves.

Brandberg Mountain, or ‘fire mountain’, is a massive mountain outcrop rising above the gravel plains, it’s uninhabited and isolated and the tallest mountain in Namibia. Explore the surrounding area and its San rock paintings and enjoy the magnificent views.

DAY 10-12: Brandberg to Etosha Pan National Park (B/L/D)

Thousands of years ago Etosha park was a lake, then the Kunene River changed course and deprived the lake of water and it formed into a pan which is surrounded by bush, which supports lots of wildlife. We view game from the truck and spend the evenings by the floodlit water holes at the park’s campsites. These waterholes provide an excellent opportunity to observe animals which are hard to find during the day, particularly rhino and also smaller animals like genet. Elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok, jackals, hyenas and meercats all live here.
Included Activity: Game drives. Optional Activities: Night game drive

DAY 13: Etosha National Park to Windhoek (B/L)

To Windhoek, a rather small capital city with many places of historical interest. This afternoon is spent at your leisure with time to visit the local museum or haggling at the street side markets. There are also many shops for those in need of a bit of retail therapy. And if you like, have an evening out at a traditional German beer house.
Optional: Dinner at a traditional German Beer House

BOTSWANA

DAY 14: Windhoek, Namibia to Ghanzi, Botswana (B/L/D)

From Windhoek to Botswana and Ghanzi. Here you can go with the San to learn about their life and how they live. The San are known for their deep knowledge of their harsh land and their skills needed to survive in the desert. They are good hunters and have made beautiful rock art over thousands of years. Meeting with the San is both an uplifting and humbling experience. They are under great threat from modern civilization and visiting them is a way to help these people to be proud of their culture and to assist them in maintaining it.
Optional Activity: San cultural learning walk

DAY 15: Ghanzi to Maun (B/L/D)

Through the Kalahari Desert to Maun a small town on the edge of the Okavango Delta, the starting point for a Mokoro trip into the Delta.

DAY 16-17: Maun to Okavango Delta (B/L/D)

A Mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe and your transport into the Delta. As you glide through the waterways, you will see a fantastic array of wetland wildlife, birds in particular, and you will come across hippos in the water and elephants drinking on the shore. You can go on a walking safari to look for giraffe, buffalo and rare antelope. The overnight stay is a great wilderness experience.

Up early and it’s off walking with the guide to see game on foot; elephants, herds of grazing zebra and pods of hippos. Learn how to pole your mokoro, or try to catch a catfish; the guides make it look so easy. Swim in the clear delta water before heading back to the truck and campsite for a shower and cold drinks. Time permitting, you can take a scenic flight over the Delta from Mau.
Included Activity: Overnight Delta trip

DAY 18: Maun to Nata  (B/L/D)

We head to Elephant Sands. The drive will take you through sparsely populated country, where donkeys roam freely. Once we have arrived at our campsite you will have the option of a game drive or a bushwalk.
Optional Activity: Game Drive or Bush Walk

DAY 19: Nata to Kasane (B/L/D)

After an early start and a stunning drive to the town of Kasane and set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River, where elephant and hippo can be seen from the campsite.

DAY 20: Chobe National Park (B/L/D)

We visit Chobe National Park at Kasane  town; sandwiched between the Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibian borders. In the park you can take an overnight game drive; a wild experience – excellent game viewing is a must. With large herds of elephants and Cape buffalo, all coming to eat and drink along the Chobe Riverfront, especially  in the dry months. Lions, antelopes and hippos inhabit live in the surrounding forests and shallow lakes in the Linyanti Marsh. The seasonal flooding grasslands at Savuti Marsh have worldclass bird watching
Included Activity: Chobe National Park overnight game trip

ZIMBABWE

DAY 21: Chobe to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (B)

After returning to camp, we head to Zimbabwe and over the border to Victoria Falls. When the river is in full flow, the falling water causes a huge roar and sends a cloud of spray up to 500 metres into the air.
Included Activity: Entrance to Victoria Falls

DAYS 22-23: Victoria Falls (B)

We stay close to the Falls in Victoria Falls town. The Falls themselves are the main attraction, beside which you can walk in the rainforest above the cliffs opposite for an excellent view.

Adventure activities abound

 Bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge, abseil down the Gorge, fly over the Falls, Whitewater raft down the Zambezi, float down the river deep below the cliff topped gorge. go game-viewing on horseback or walking with lions. More sedate excursions include canoeing, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the Falls and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi.

BOTSWANA

DAY 24: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park, Botswana (B/L/D)

In the midmorning we leave Zimbabwe for Botswana and Kasane, where we have a chance to explore the town of Kasane. Wander around town for the day or have a break on the banks of the Chobe River.

ZAMBIA

DAY 25: Chobe, Botswana to Livingstone, Zambia (B/D)

We cross the Zambezi River by ferry into Zambia to Livingstone, where we arrive at Victoria Falls northern side. Zambia is named after the Zambezi or Grand River, which runs along its western and southern borders. The view of the Falls from the Zambian side is considered better than from Zimbabwe.
Optional Activity: Sundown Boat Cruise

DAY 26: Livingstone to Lusaka (B/L/D)

We head north through sugar plantations to the capital Lusaka.

DAY 27-28: Lusaka to South Luangwa National Park (B/L/D)

East along the Great West Road to Chipata, a full day’s drive to South Luangwa National Park on the Luangwa River, it’s well worth the visit. Game in this park is concentrated along the meandering Luangwa River and its lagoons, which teem with hippo and crocodile. Recent trips have also seen; elephants, giraffe, wild dogs, leopards, lions and buffalo. We camp just beside the park and we game drive into the park. There are great photo opportunities here, especially when herds of elephants, up to one hundred in number, come to the river’s edge to drink and play. The elephants are in the habit of wandering through the campsite at will.
Included Activity: South Luangwa National Park

MALAWI

DAYS 29-31: Chipata to Lake Malawi Beaches, Malawi (B/L/D)

We cross into Malawi with a stunning drive to Lake Malawi. At night, you’ll see the lights of the fishermen out on the lake. There are a number of beachside campsites along Lake Malawi’s shores.

At Kande Beach Resort there are lots of activities

 We have a full day on the beach to do as little or as much as you want, with lots of water sports activities available at the beach. Canoes, pedalos and catamarans can be hired by the hour. Snorkelling trips arranged and there are windsurfers and boat trips available. A dive school offers a fully professional scuba diving service with the emphasis on enjoyment, safe diving practices.  A short drive up the lakeshore to Chitimba Beach, on the base of Livingstonia Escarpment, the edge of the Rift Valley.

TANZANIA

DAY 32: Lake Malawi to Iringa, Tanzania (B/L/D)

An early start to the border with Tanzania and head on to Iringa and the Farmhouse Campsite. It’s a working farm where you’re free to take a good look around and buy any of the fresh produce.

DAY 33: Iringa to the Indian Ocean Coast and Dar es Salaam (B/L/D)

The highway takes us through Mikumi National Park, famous for its pygmy elephants, and buffalo; sometimes beside the main road. The day ends at either Mikumi or Dar es Salaam on a beach with the Indian Ocean lapping the shore.

DAY 34: Dar es Salaam to Ferry to Zanzibar (B)

From Dar es Salaam we take the ferry to Zanzibar. Over a thousand years trade between Africa and Arabia has resulted in the blending of Arabs and Africans into a beautiful Swahili coastal culture with; wooden sailing dhows crossing the ocean, coconut plantations and fishing villages with mosques on the beaches. Stone Town is the old stone capital of the Omani Sultanate. Sandy beaches, spice tours, snorkelling, diving and trips to other nearby islands. Zanzibar is a fascinating place to visit and to take it all in. Nungwe beach resort on the north of the island has the most beautiful beaches.
Included Activity: Zanzibar Excursion, Spice Tour & Sailing in a Dhow

DAYS 35-36: Zanzibar (No Meals)

You get your own meals while in Zanzibar, as people like to experience here on their own, or in small groups and within their own budget. Our tour leader joins you and will arrange your activities, while you can choose from the many restaurants to eat in.

Zanzibar activities & optional excursions

 Prison Island, snorkelling trip, diving, snorkelling & fishing trips and spice tours. Stone Town in Zanzibar Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old slave market, the spice growing areas, Jozani Forest with Red Colobus Monkeys and in the evening the seafood cafes on the wharf side. It’s an experience of another, much older world.

DAY 37: Zanzibar by ferry to Dar es Salaam (No Meals)

Return by ferry to Dar es Salaam on the mainland late in the day for another day on the beach campsite.
Included Activity: Zanzibar ferry to Dar

Day 38: Dar Es Salaam towards Arusha (B/L/D)

We travel north towards Arusha and camp on route, on the Pangani River. Skirting the base of snowy Mount Kilimanjaro towards Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital.

DAY 39: to Arusha, Tanzania (B/L/D)

We arriving in Arusha late in the day. The country we pass through is sparsely inhabited grassland savannah, inhabited by the Masai and other peoples. Tonight, we at Meserani campsite, 20 km to the west of Arusha. Visit the Reptile Rescue Park and Masai Cultural Museum by the campsite, and an art gallery selling the strongly stylised and coloured Tingatinga paintings. They are not costly and do look good at home, framed on your wall.

Meserani Camp activities

Camel Rides -Take a camel ride towards the Monduli Mountains, and visit a local Masai boma. A camel ride leaves from the gate at Meserani Snake Park for two hours to the village, to talk with the local Masai and learn about the Masai culture.
Education Centre – where the local Masai have the opportunity to learn how to read and write and further their education.
Masai Cultural Museum – Take a personal guided tour of the Masai museum with a real Masai warrior. He will walk you through, and explain their traditions, from how they build their mud bomas to male initiation rites.
Orphanage  – The Snake Park has taken under its wing four orphans. The park heard that the children aged between 6 – 13 were living on their own, and have provided a home and school for them.
The Snakes – The park is home to over 50 snakes from Eastern and Southern Africa; Black Mamba to the Black and Red Spitting Cobras and the African Python. Other reptiles at the park include Monitor Lizards, Tortoises, Crocodiles, and a few species of birds that have been orphaned or injured and would not survive if returned to the wild.

DAY 40: Arusha to Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater (B/L/D)

100 km to the west we visit the Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater. We meet our Tanzanian guides with their locally operated 4WD vehicles adapted for safari use. They allow excellent viewing through its pop up roof. The trip is camping, away for three days and two nights. One of these nights will be inside the park in the parks amidst the animals. If you choose not to visit the park you can wander the markets in Arusha town.

In our safari cars we cross the Rift Valley, passing through Mosquito River; then a steep climb up the Rift Valley Escarpment to the safari town where we spend the evening at a campsite.
Included Activity: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater trip

Day 41: Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti  (B/L/D)

An early start to Ngorongoro Crater, the largest open volcanic crater in the world. It’s so large there are old German farms on the crater floor, left over from when Tanzania was a German colony. There are lots of animals grazing on the rich grass pasture. From the Crater, we pass the Olduvai Gorge to Serengeti National Park, which means in Masai ‘Endless Plains’. We game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. We sleep in tents in the wild, near the animals, who live as they have for millennia. 

DAY 42: Serengeti National Park to Arusha (B/L/D)

 In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the park. After our morning drive, we return via the Crater rim, back to our safari truck near Arusha.

KENYA

DAY 43: Arusha, Tanzania to Nairobi, Kenya (B)

From Arusha, we head north across Masai country to Namanga; the border of Kenya, and across the plains to Nairobi. The rest of the day is yours at leisure. You can visit the Langata Giraffe Centre and then go see the baby elephants at Sheldrick’s Elephant sanctuary, to watch the orphaned baby elephants at feeding time. They take their milk from giant baby bottles and after their milk, they play in the mud. So beautiful.