Victoria Falls - Nairobi 22 jours d'Overlanding

The day is spent relaxing or participating in a myriad of Optional Excursions.  AT 1700 metres wide and around 100 metres high, the Victoria Falls are one of the most memorable sights on this African safari, and entry to Victoria Falls National Park is included in your trip.  All year round, flights can be taken in fixed wing planes, micro lights or helicopters.  Back on the ground, the falls can be seen from the Victoria Falls National Park with its many viewing points or from the Zambian side.  All offer fantastic photographic opportunities. Tonight we will be staying at Shearwater Lodge (or similar).

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White water rafting in the Batoka Gorge is considered to be world class. Besides the excitement of the grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats", where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.

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Optional Activities: Trips into the Zambezi National Park; elephant back safaris, horseback safaris, a visit to the crocodile ranch, boat cruises and golf at The Elephant Hills Resort.  Adrenalin junkies can bungee from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia or abseil down the Batoka Gorge - neither activity is for the faint hearted!  All year round, flights in fixed wing, micro light and ultra light aircraft or helicopters provide an aerial perspective over this magnificent World Heritage Site.  White water rafting on the Zambezi is world class.  Beside the excitement of the Grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats," where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and the occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.

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An afternoon departure takes us across the span bridge to Zambia and our campsite for tonight

The Falls can be viewed from the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia - a fantastic photo opportunity.  Tonight, we camp at Eureka camp (or similar) with shared bathroom facilities.

We leave Lusaka and travel onto our next destination: Petauke. As we drive, we pass through a few of the villages and towns of Zambia along the way. Prosperous during the copper boom in the 60’s, Zambia was able to build infrastructure at the main mining and farming communities. After the fall of the copper industry, the country was left virtually bankrupt and existing infrastructure was left to fall to ruin. Due to foreign investment and a rise in the mining industry, Zambia is today once again starting to prosper. The difference is evident in the cities with the availability of foreign stores, banks and imported cars, while the villages and smaller towns are still to catch up.  We spend tonight camping at Chimwende Camp (or similar) with shared ablution facilities.

This breath-taking park is situated on the Luangwa River in the Eastern part of Zambia, and it is the southernmost of three national parks in this region. South Luangwa was founded in 1938 as a game reserve, 1972 was the year it was declared as a national park, and today it covers over 9000 kilometres squared. Animals such as Giraffe, buffalo and Elephants can be found in abundance. The Luangwa river is home to many a hippo and croc. Tonight we camp at Croc Valley Camp (or similar) with shared ablution facilities.

We cross into Malawi, the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’. Malawi is a landlocked country with 20% of its total area made up of beautiful Lake Malawi.  We camp first at the central Lake, and then in the northern area over the next 3 days.  These two nights we will be camping at Kande beach lodge (or similar) with shared ablution facilities.

Spend the days learning the game of bao from the locals, scour the markets for a bargain or simply relax on the pristine beaches.  Malawi’s temperate climate allows for swimming in the clear blue fresh-water lake all year round.  Explore the beautiful shore where you’ll happen upon the local fishermen sorting their catch.  Traditional fishing techniques are still practiced and to appreciate their boating skills, try to paddle a dugout canoe yourself!  At night, you’ll see the ‘fairy’ 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.  Tonight we camp at Chitimba Camp (or similar) with shared ablution facilites.

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TANZANIA

Tanzania’s natural environment and geographical features have made it one of the best tourist destinations in Africa. Being the biggest country in east Africa, Tanzania has heaps to offer her visitors, including 13 game reserves and national parks. Tanzania also forms part of the world’s largest animal’s movements, the great migration. Inland are the vast Serengeti National Park and the animal-packed Ngorongoro Conservation area, and thousands of people every year fulfil their lifetime achievement of climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest mountain in Africa. On the coast, Zanzibar is exotic, intriguing and steeped in the unique Swahili culture.

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From Lake Malawi we travel to Mbeya where we will camp at the Utengule Coffee Lodge (or similar) with shared ablution facilities.

From Mbeya we travel to Iringa where we spend the night camping in the beautiful rustic ‘Farmhouse’ campsite (or similar) with shared ablution facilities.

This morning we head off early passing through the Mikumi National Park where it is possible to view a range of wildlife from the roadside, totally impervious to the passing traffic. Look out for the colourful shop-fronts with their sometimes humorous ‘catch phrases’.  Tonight we camp at Tan-swiss Lodge (or similar) with shared ablution facilities.

Tonight we will camp at Kipepeo Beach Village (or similar) with shared ablution facilites.

A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island,” where we spend the next 3 nights.  Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands. 

History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor.  Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade.  The island is famous for its spices and an excursion around a spice plantation is always a fascinating experience.  Other options include a trip to the beautiful beaches and giant tortoises of Prison Island, a full day scuba dive in Nungwe or a fishing trip in a traditional dhow.  Mopeds are available for hire if you’d like to explore the more remote areas of the island. These two nights we stay in twin-share rooms at Amaan Hotel (or similar) with en-suite bathroom facilities.

PLEASE NOTE:  Meals are for your own account whilst on Zanzibar, as it is our experience that passengers prefer to explore the island on their own, and in accordance with their own budget.  The Trip Leader joins you and will arrange your activities, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants. Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise.  Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - crayfish being a popular speciality.  Alternatively, mingle with the locals for dinner at the Forodhani Gardens seafront market, where delicious, inexpensive seafood is on offer. There are also a wide variety of optional excursions on offer.

Today we travel back to the main town & tonight we stay in twin-share rooms at Swahili House (or similar) with en-suite bathroom facilities.

Leaving Zanzibar in the afternoon, we return to the mainland and another night in Dar es Salaam. Arrival back to camp is usually in the late afternoon, or early evening.  Tonight we will again be camping at Kipepeo Beach village (or similar) with shared ablution facilities.

This morning we leave early and leave the hustle and bustle of this major Tanzanian city, and head towards the farmlands of this beautiful country. Today is used as a transit day to get us closer to Serengeti. We will be camping tonight at the Lawns Hotel (or similar) with shared ablution facilities.

On the way, we pass The Pare and Usambara Mountain ranges before driving through the town of Moshi.  Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions and weather permitting; we may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain’s snowy summit - a photo opportunity not to be missed!  Tonight, we stay in twin-share rooms at the Outpost Hotel with en-suite bathroom facilities (or similar), before heading out on our excursions to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater tomorrow. 

This morning we depart early and transit through the Ngorongoro Conservation area and on into the Serengeti National Park. We cross the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight, we stay in twin-share rooms at the Golden Safari with en-suite bathroom facilities (or similar). 

In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident game. With some luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’! Following our morning drive, we retrace our journey back across the plains and along the lush Crater rim. 

The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken, unflooded caldera in the world. Comprising of open savannahs, acacia forests and both soda and fresh water lakes, the Ngorongoro Crater is truly a miniature ‘Garden of Eden’. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino.

Back in Karatu we spend the evening musing over our thrilling wildlife experience, where campers camp at Kudu Camp (or similar) with shared ablution facilities.

KENYA

Upon entering this beautiful east African country, you may be greeted with the words of “jambo” (hello) or “hakuna matata” (no problem) by the friendly locals. With a population of nearly 42 million and land area of more than 580 000 sq km Kenya is home to an abundance of animals and colourful tribes people, making it the perfect getaway for a once in a lifetime safari. 

We set off early this morning and make our way to the Tanzania/ Kenyan border and the small border town of Namanga.  After completing the border formalities, our trips ends in Nairobi.

The rest of the day is yours at leisure to enjoy some of the many options available in this bustling city; visit The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where you can view the orphaned baby Elephants at feeding time, or head to the Giraffe Centre in Langata, if you haven’t had your fill of game viewing, then Nairobi National Park offers some great day trips or if you haven’t quite got all those souvenirs you wanted, take a “Matatu” to the local curio markets close by the campsite.  This evening why not try the fair on offer at the famous Carnivores restaurant.