South East African Odyssey - Overland Trip

Accommodation

We provide large 4 man dome-style tents for 2 persons with a foam mattress and pillow. On the island of Zanzibar you stay in ensuite rooms (2 persons sharing) while in Swakopmund (Namibia) you stay in 4 bed (2 seperate rooms) bungalows.

Kitty Notes

Local Payment - US$1460 - Local Payment covers all food (3 meals a day - (except Zanzibar) provided by our now legendary Kenyan Cook) and camping fees/accomodation for the whole tour including 3 nights on Zanzibar. This is payable to the tourleader at the start of the tour in US dollars only.

Itineraries

ITINERARY – From Johannesburg to Cape Town:

Day 1
Starting in Johannesburg we head straight for Mpumalanga, meaning the place of the rising sun\', region of South Africa. Here we take in a number of spectacular viewpoints and waterfalls before spending our first night at the old gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest. Camping

Day 2-3
Leaving Pilgrims Rest we take another scenic drive on our way to the Kruger National Park, calling in at Bourke’s Luck Potholes before entering the park. We continue on game driving as we head to our rest camp for the night. We spend the next two days game driving through the park heading for a different campsite each night. Camping

Day 4-8
Up early the next morning we game drive out of the park; crossing the border into Mozambique from the southern end of the Kruger Park. We head north for the warm and sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean. We spend the next 5 nights on the idyllic sandy beaches of Praia do Xai Xai and Praia do Tofo (Inhambane). A number of optional watersports are on offer at each beach, including diving, snorkeling, fishing or quad-biking.

Day 9
Leaving the coast we head south to the vibrant city of Maputo with its magical mix of the old and the new, European and African influences. We overnight in Maputo giving you the chance to sample the lively nightlife and great restaurants. Camping or Lodge.

Day 10-11
Up early the next morning we cross the border and enter the smallest country in the southern hemisphere - the Kingdom of Swaziland. Here we visit the capital Mbabane where, in the colourful markets, you can purchase some of the best quality carvings and crafts in Africa. We travel down through the Ezulweni valley to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, a hugely successful conservation project that has reintroduced many species of wildlife that became extinct in this area decades ago, back into Swaziland. Here we camp for two nights and you can enjoy pony trekking, mountain biking or follow self-guided walks. Camping.

Day 12-13
Crossing back into South Africa we next head for the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve covering an area of sweeping beaches, great fertile estuaries, mangrove forests and lakes. You can visit the Kosi Bay River mouth and snorkel in its crystal clear waters or watch the local fishermen gather their nets in the estuary. Between the months of November and February, it may be possible to glimpse giant leatherback turtles that come to these beaches to lay their eggs. Camping

Day 14-15
Up early the next morning we head off to the Umfolozi/Hluhluwe National Park and spend the remainder of the day game driving through the park in search of Lion, White and Black Rhino and other game species. Camping

Day 16-17
Continuing into KwaZulu Natal we enter the Drakensberg Mountains, which are known by the Zulu as the “barrier of spears”, and are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of their outstanding natural beauty. We head for the Sani Pass region of the mountain range. Spending two nights here affords you the chance to explore the area the next day. Explore the walking trails of the Sani Pass area, including waterfalls and rock paintings or join an organized tour that will take you up the Sani Pass to the border of Lesotho giving you magnificent views. Camping/Lodge

Day 18-19
Next morning we make our way to the Addo Game Reserve, famous for its elephant herds. Here we stay two nights camping in the reserve. Up early next morning we have the time to spend the day game driving in the reserve, allowing us time to sit and watch these wonderful animals interacting. Camping

Day 20-21
Leaving Addo we pass through Port Elizabeth and continue on into the Garden Route of South Africa. After a short stop to see the Storms River Viewpoint we spend the next two nights in the Tsitsikama National Park, camping right on the beautiful grassy but rocky shoreline. The next day you have the option of doing various activities including the highest bungi jump in Africa, walking or forest aerial cableway. Camping

Day 22
Continuing on towards Cape Town we pass through Knysna and our next stop is Hermanus, overnight in the town.

Day 23
Next morning you have time to explorer the town center or take a short walk along the coastal path before we leave and take the short drive into Cape Town arriving in the late afternoon.

Days 24 to 32 are spent in the Cape Town area at your leisure and own expense.

ITINERARY – From Cape Town to Nairobi.

Day 33
After a leisurely departure from Cape Town we head round Table Bay and stop off to buy fresh produce and view Table Mountain from Blaawberg (weather permitting) before heading North and spending our first night at a hot springs resort. CAMPING

Day 34-35
After a quick swim we head for Namibia crossing the border and camping the night on the Orange River. A canoe trip the following morning whets your appetite for the days to come. We then head for the Fish River Canyon and have a sundowner on the canyon\'s rim. CAMPING

Day 36-37
The next morning we travel to the dramatic red sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert. The two nights we spend here give you the opportunity to see the sun rise over the dunes, to walk up one of the many magnificent dunes and absorb the awe-inspiring landscape. Overnight Sesriem campsite. CAMPING

Day 38-39
After the tranquility of the desertscape, we increase the pace, heading for the old German town of Swakopmund where sand-boarding, quad-biking and tandem sky-diving feature among numerous activities on offer. Alternatively take a relaxing stroll around the shops and buildings, enjoying the colonial architecture of this seaside holiday town. BEDDED ACCOMODATION

Day 40
Leaving Swakopmund, we travel up the coast and visit the Cape Cross seal colony before heading inland. We spend the night at Brandberg (burning mountain), Namibia\'s highest peak, and take a short walk in the mountain foothills to see the well-known \"White Lady\" bushman rock painting. CAMPING

Day 41
Leaving the Brandberg behind us we next travel to a cheetah conservation project where you have the opportunity to interact with these very special mammals. CAMPING

Day 41-44
Next day we leave for Etosha, where we spend the next 3 nights. Here we game drive through the park, relax at the campsite pools and watch the \"nightlife\" at the floodlit waterholes. CAMPING

Day 45
Heading east from Etosha we make our way to the Caprivi Strip where we camp on the Kavango River. CAMPING

Day 46-48
We then cross the border into Botswana, making our way to the panhandle of the Okavango region. Transfer with 4x4 truck and motorboats. The Delta trip is a true wilderness where you are limited to taking only what will fit into your mokoro (dugout canoe) - an exceptional African adventure. CAMPING

Day 49
Leaving the Delta we head to Maun where you have the afternoon to relax or take an optional scenic flight over the Delta, affording you a different perspective on this unique inland waterway. CAMPING

Day 50-51
Leaving Maun we head north to the Chobe National Park and spend 2 nights camping on the banks of the Chobe River. Early the following morning we game drive into the park in search of the big five. In the evening we explore the river on a motorboat, where the sunset frames the wide variety of game and bird life. CAMPING

Day 52
Leaving Botswana behind we enter Zambia and a short drive brings us to the Victoria Falls. CAMPING

Day 53-54
Next morning we visit the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side and you have the opportunity to participate in any activities at your leisure.

Day 55-56
There is one day free between the two sections of tour for you to relax while your crew organises and greet the new people joining the next section.

Day 57
We then head through the heart of Zambia past Lusaka, camping on the banks of the Luangwa River. CAMPING

Day 58-59
Today we arrive at South Luangwa National Park. This is a less frequently visited game park and there is a better chance of seeing shy leopard here. We spend 2 nights here, camping on the banks of the Luangwa River, where visits by elephant and other wildlife are not uncommon. While here we do a morning and evening game drive in the hope of spotting the elusive leopard and other more common game. CAMPING

Day 60
Leaving this beautiful valley behind we exit Zambia heading for Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Spending the night in the capital you have time to do curio shopping at the local ebony market while your crew stock up on provisions for the following days on the shores of Lake Malawi. CAMPING

Day 61-63
For the next three days, soak up the sun, enjoy the water sports and explore the local culture. Participate in various watersports on offer on the Lake. Horse riding also available. Visit a local village and sample the local cuisine. CAMPING

Day 64
Today we head further north on the lake to Chatimba. Relax on this beautiful beach. CAMPING

Day 65
Up early the next morning we head north to Tanzania. Tonight we camp at a farmhouse in the highlands of Tanzania. CAMPING

Day 66
Another early departure takes us further into Tanzania. We also pass briefly through Mukumi National Park. We head for Dar-es-Salaam and spend the night at a campsite on the seashore. CAMPING

Day 67-59
The following 3 nights are spent on Zanzibar where you have the chance to explore this exotic spice island at your leisure. Discover the intricate streets of Stone Town and its people, take a spice tour or swim with dolphins at the southern tip of the island. BUNGALOW ACCOMMODATION

Day 70
Returning to the mainland, we camp near Dar again before departing for Arusha. CAMPING

Day 71
Heading north we have a long day passing through many African villages and, if the weather favours us, we may catch sight of snow-capped Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Passing Kilimanjaro we head for a campsite outside Arusha affording another great view of Mount Meru. CAMPING

Day 72-73
Next morning we head into Arusha town to do some curio shopping after which we head for the Ngorongoro crater, spending the night at a town near the crater rim. Up early next morning we use local operators for a day\'s excursion down into the crater in search of game including lion, hyena, rhino and elephant, returning to camp by late afternoon. CAMPING

Day 74
We return to Arusha the next morning, stopping along the way to visit a Masai village. The last night we camp again in the shadow of Mount Meru. CAMPING

Day 75
We spend the final day of our tour crossing the border into Kenya, heading for the capital Nairobi. TOUR ENDS ON ARRIVAL IN NAIROBI.

Not Included:
Optional Night drive in Kruger National Park.
Various watersports on Mozambique coast
Various activities in Swaziland
Various activities at Kosi Bay
Bungi Jumping, Forest aerial cableway on the Garden Route.
Tour of Sani Pass.
9 day in Cape Town
Activities at Victoria Falls (-from US$45)
Flight over Delta (~US$80)
Sand-boarding (~US$30-40)
Quad-biking (~US$90)
Optional scuba diving and water-sports on Lake Malawi Optional, spice tour, diving/snorkelling, dolphin trip and food/transport while on Zanzibar
Visas, travel insurance, vaccinations, flights, airport taxes, sleeping bag, items of a personal nature, curios and alcohol.