Family Trip – Johannesburg to Nairobi

INCLUDED  HIGHLIGHTS

Kruger National Park, Night Game Drive, Blyde River Canyon, Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Matobo National Park, Hwange National Park, Entrance to Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Chobe Overnight Excursion, South Luangwa National Park, Lake Malawi, Dar Es Salaam & Zanzibar Excursion, Spice Tour, Sunset Cruise, Serengeti

SOUTH AFRICA

DAY 1: Johannesburg 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:  Johannesburg  to  Nkambeni  Camp  (L/D)

We leave Johannesburg and head through the Panorama Route, with its breathtaking vistas, towards the Kruger National Park. We camp near the park for two nights

Kruger National Park is one of the largest parks in Africa; you should see the big 5 here. On the border of Mozambique. It’s great for day and night game drives, with lots of; elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo and still rhino.
Included  Activity: Kruger National Park – Night  Game  Drive

DAY 3:  Nkambeni  Camp  (B/L/D)

Kruger  National  Park. We spend the day looking for the game in the park. If you like, you can take an optional evening game drive.
Included  Activity: Game  Drives

DAY 4:  Nkambeni Camp to Polokwane (B/L/D)

We leave Nkambeni and go north to the Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window, a long deep canyon on the northern edge of the Drakensberg Mountains. We spend the night in Polokwane, capital of Limpopo. We set up our tents on the lush green grass of our campsite located outside of the city with a  swimming pool.
Optional Activity: Blyde River Canyon

DAY 5: Polokwane to Musina (B/L/D)

On to Tshipise and to nearby Musina, with its natural hot water springs resort with warm pools, walking trails and other activities here.  The town is beside the border of Zimbabwe; tomorrows destination.

ZIMBABWE

DAY 6:  Musina, South Africa to Masvingo, Zimbabwe (B/L/D)

Over the border to Zimbabwe, to the town of Masvingo, which is beside Great Zimbabwe Ruins. The finding of these monuments by European explores caused quite a consternation at the time, as they are the only area of old stone buildings or ruins in southern Africa, bar of those built on the coast by Arabs. It was supposed originally, that the ruins were even built by Phoenician’s, till it was worked out to the palaces of the ancestors of the local Shona tribe. Visit the ruins for great sunset view.
Included Activity: Great Zimbabwe Ruins

DAY 7: Masvingo to Bulawayo (B/L/D)

From Masvingo to Bulawayo; the big towns wide streets and old buildings reflecting its colonial past. It’s Zimbabwe’s second largest city, with wide streets to turn full span ox wagon around. The city also still retains much of its British Colonial character, evident by the many buildings maintained as heritage sites by the Bulawayo City Council.  Interesting places to visit are the; Natural History Museum, National Arts Gallery and arts and crafts centres.

DAY 8: Bulawayo  (B/L/D)

Here we visit Matobo National Park, (originally Rhodes Matopos). Just outside of Bulawayo town, it’s a series of granite hills; like islands surrounded by wooded valleys. The park has an unusual air about it with distant views combined with the closed valley. Many religious activities and rituals were held here in pre-colonial times. Cecil Rhodes is buried in a granite hill in the park is a place known as World View.
Included: Matobo National Park 

Day 9: Bulawayo to Hwange National Park (B/L/D)

To Hwange National Park. Hwange; loads of wildlife including thousands of elephants, Sable and Roan Antelope. We take a late afternoon game drive.

Day 10: Hwange National Park (B/L/D)

We have a day in  Hwange, game driving through the park.
Included: Game drive in Hwange National Park 

DAY 11: Hwange to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (B/L)

Leaving Bulawayo, we arrive in Victoria Fall in the morning. At the Falls there is plenty to do, with grade 5 rapids to raft over and the spectacular sight of the massive wall of water spilling over the falls, the mist rising 100’s of feet high into the air above. Our campsite is in the centre of town, within walking distance of the adventure booking agents, restaurants and shops.  A pleasant walk takes you to the entry point to view the falls, between Zimbabwe and Zambia.  Victoria Falls – Mosi-oa-Tunya – Smoke that Thunders. So named by Dr Livingstone on his explorations, is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.  At 1,700 metres wide and 100 metres high, it is the largest sheet of falling water in the world. After our adventure activities, relax at the camps swimming pool, and looking at the Falls.
Included: Entry to Victoria Falls

DAYS 12: Victoria Falls  (B)

Adventure activities abound – you can bungee jump, white water raft, and 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. Though the Falls themselves are the main attraction, you can walk in the rain forest along the cliff opposite for an excellent view.

DAY 13: Victoria Falls (B) 

We stay beside Victoria Falls in Victoria Falls town, there is a lot to see and do. Adventure activities abound – you can bungee jump, white water raft, and 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. Though the Falls themselves are the main attraction, you can walk in the rainforest along the cliff opposite for an excellent view.
Optional Activities – Bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge, abseil down the Gorge. Fly over the Falls. Whitewater raft down the Zambezi. You can float serenely down the river deep below the cliff topped gorge.

BOTSWANA

DAY 14: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park, Botswana (B/L/D)

Westwards, leaving  Zimbabwe to Botswana to Kasane and Chobe National Park. In Chobe National Park you can take an overnight game drive; a wild experience – excellent game viewing.
Included Activity: Chobe National Park overnight game trip

ZAMBIA

DAY 15: Chobe, Botswana to Livingstone, Zambia (B/D)

We cross the Zambezi River by ferry into Zambia to Livingstone where we arrive at Victoria Falls
Optional Activity: Sunset Boat Cruise

DAY 16: Livingstone to Lusaka (B/L/D)

We head north through sugar plantations to the capital Lusaka.

DAY 17: Lusaka to South Luangwa National Park (B/L/D)

Along the Great East Road to Chipata, a full day’s drive and South Luangwa National Park on the Luangwa River is well worth the visit. Recent trips have seen:- elephants, giraffe, wild dogs, leopards, lions, and buffalo. We camp just beside the park and we game drive into the park. 
Included Activity: South Luangwa National Park

MALAWI

DAY 18: South Luangwa to Chipata (B/L/D)

After game driving in South Luangwa Valley Park, we head back to Chipata and our camp before heading into Malawi.

DAYS 19-21: Chipata to Lake Malawi Beaches, Malawi (B/L/D)

We cross into Malawi with a stunning drive to Lake Malawi, past the lake shore to Kande Beach Resort. Kande Beach Resort A full day on the beach to do as little or as much as you want. Loads of things to do – scuba diving, horse riding, canoeing, sailing, snorkelling. A short drive up the lakeshore to Chitimba Beach, on the base of Livingstonia Escarpment. 

At night, you’ll see the lights of the fishermen out on the lake. The various beachside campsites along Lake Malawi’s shores offer many optional excursions including a variety of water sports, horseback rides and a visit to the local village and school.

TANZANIA

DAY 22: Lake Malawi to Iringa, Tanzania (B/L/D)

An early start in order to get to the border with Tanzania and head up to Iringa and the Farmhouse Campsite. 

DAY 23: 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 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 24: Dar es Salaam to Ferry to Zanzibar (B) 

From Dar es Salaam we take the ferry to Zanzibar and 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. 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. Nungwe beach resort on the north of the island has the most beautiful beaches.
Included Activity: Zanzibar Excursion, Spice Tour & Dhow Excursion

DAYS 25-26: 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 in accordance with their own budget. Our tour leader joins you and will arrange your activities, while meals can be taken from a wide selection of restaurants to suit any budget. There are also a wide variety of optional excursions.

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. 

DAY 27: Zanzibar by ferry to Dar es Salaam (No Meals)

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

Day 28: Dar Es Salaam towards Arusha (B/L/D)

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

DAY 29: 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. Tonight, we stay in a lovely campsite in Meserani, 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 coloured Tingatinga paintings.

DAY 30: 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 their 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 4×4’s we cross the Rift Valley to Mtu wa Mbu (Mosquito River) and then up the Rift Valley Escarpment to spend the evening at a campsite.
Included Activity: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Excursion

Day 31: Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti  (B/L/D)

An early start to Ngorongoro Crater the largest unbroken caldera (collapsed volcano) in the world. Inside is open grassland and a lot of animals. After our game drive in the Crater, we head down the Crater rim and past the Cradle of Mankind, on our way to the Serengeti National Park. We cross the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight we camp in the wild, with no fences between us and the animals, who live as they have for millennia.  

DAY 32: 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 to our safari truck near Arusha. Then drinks at the bar, to talk about the big 5. 

KENYA

DAY 33: 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 and our campsite on the outskirts of the city. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to visit the Langata Giraffe Centre and see the baby elephants at Sheldrick’s Elephant sanctuary, watch the orphaned baby elephants at feeding time.