Travel along east Africa visiting the diverse cultures and wildlife of each country. Some highlights include Zambezi River, Lake Malawi, Serengeti, Zanzibar and Ngorongoro Crater.
Game drives
Bush walks
Luangwa Valley National Park
Snorkelling
Serengeti National Park
Zanzibar
Canoeing
Lake Malawi
Ngorongoro Crater
The ultimate experience for the young and really adventurous is an overland camping Safari through Africa. With adventure around every corner, and sometimes being so remote, that the nearest town could be some 300 kilometres away. A great deal of participation and flexibility is expected from all passengers on this trip, without which the tour cannot be a success. Group size usually numbers between 6 and 17 clients.
Start: Johannesburg Scheduled flights: Johannesburg International Airport
Day 1 Leaving Johannesburg early, you begin your trek north. Stopping en-route to do some last minute shopping, you head for the rustic bush camp set in a private game reserve in the Limpopo Valley. Arrive early and familiarise yourself with the vehicle and equipment, before camping the night. Enjoy a traditional "braai" (barbecue). Dinner only included.
Day 2 After a morning game walk, you travel the short distance to the border where you complete formalities and then travel directly to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. The afternoon is spent exploring this massive complex, and delving into the mysteries surrounding their origin. Tonight enjoy a night of relative comfort, and a catered meal (own expense). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 Matobo National Park, Bulawayo A short drive today, you pass through the wide streets of Bulawayo, and on to your camp nestled amongst the precariously balancing boulders of Matobo. This afternoon enjoy an open vehicle drive into the Matobo National Park where you will track rhino and other animals on foot. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 4 Hwange National Park This morning stretch your legs with a climb on one of the "koppies" surrounding the camp before packing up and moving on to Hwange. This afternoon enjoy an extensive open vehicle drive in search of the animals for which Hwange is so well known. Drift off to sleep to the sounds of the wild at your bush camp in the Hwange area. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 5 & 6 Victoria Falls Leaving the bush-camp, you head for the amazing spectacle of Victoria Falls, and the surrounding tourist village. You spend two days at the Drifters Victoria Falls Inn. There are numerous activities to pursue here, such as bungi-jumping, white-water rafting and aircrafts flips (all for own expense). Clients will have leisure time to explore the town. One evening meal will be at a local restaurant (own expense). The other will be a "braai" with traditional dancers at the pool. Breakfast, lunch and 1 dinner included.
Day 7 Kafue National Park After an early start, view the falls whilst crossing the historic Livingstone Bridge over the Zambezi Gorge into Zambia. Cross southern Zambia to the Kafue River where camp is set up. Relax by the pool and enjoy a hot shower. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - 10 Zambezi River After a river safety and procedure briefing, begin the canoeing adventure. Guests often say that the time spent on the canoeing adventure is the highlight of the tour with excellent bird and game viewing opportunities. Hippo and other big game may be encountered at close range. This section does involve a certain amount of effort and at night camp wild on islands. End the paddle at the Chongwe river and camp here on the last night. The following day, go on a short game walk before being transferred back to Kafue camp by boat, for a hot shower and a catered meal (own expense). Camp the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 Luangwa district Lusaka Continue north via the capital city, Lusaka, where you stock up on provisions, before moving along the Great East Road to your the camp in the Luangwa district. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - 13 South Luangwa National Park Travel onto the banks of the Luangwa River where you camp for two nights just outside the Luangwa National Park. Enter the southern park for some spectacular game viewing with excellent opportunities for Leopard sightings. Camp both nights. (Optional night drive - own expense). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - 15 Lake Malawi Enter Malawi today. After replenishing stocks and spending time in curio shops in Lilongwe, continue down to the lake. Camp two nights literally on the beach. The days are spent simply relaxing and soaking up the sun, or for the more energetic, the crystal-clear waters offer excellent snorkelling and lovely beach walks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 Lake Malawi Following the winding road along the lakeshore, you continue north and again camp the night on the beach and enjoy Lake Malawi, one of Africa's jewels. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 Entering Tanzania, you begin the journey across this vast country. Tonight you will camp in the remote village of Mikumi.
Day 18 Dar Es Salaam Arrive in Dar Es Salaam, the historic port of Tanzania, around noon. Spend some time in this bustling city before moving to the North Coast where you'll camp the night on the beach. Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.
Day 19 - 22 Zanzibar This morning, head directly to the harbour where you embark on a ferry ride across to the spice island, Zanzibar. Exploring the island thoroughly, you spend time at the remote villages and sandy beaches of the north, enjoying the mystique and history of the Stone Town. Visit the slave pits and participate in a spice tour, the food and fruit market is not to be missed. Sample the local cuisine one night (own expense). Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 23 Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam Leaving the island behind, you board the ferry for your journey back to the mainland. Camp the night north of Dar es Salaam at a small resort. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 24 - 25 Arusha Moving inland head for Arusha where you spend two nights camping in this bustling town. Enjoy a full day of shopping and exploring the numerous markets etc. At this stage it is possible to view Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa, providing the clouds oblige. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 26 - 28 Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater Travelling from Arusha to Serengeti you are bound to witness the impressive Masai herdsmen, herding their cattle amongst the game. Most of the day is a game drive with exceptional game viewing potential. Arrive at the Seronera camp in the late afternoon to camp the night. Rising early, continue game viewing for the entire day, before exiting the park and making for Simba Camp to camp the night on the lip of the Ngorongoro crater. Descend into the crater on the steep dirt track cut into the crater wall. The diverse habitats of lake, swamp, grassland, and acacia forests bring with them an equal diversity of game, with everything one can imagine, from Flamingo to Elephant and the ever-present Masai herdsmen. You finally exit the crater after lunch to return to Arusha for the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 29 Nairobi After a final (hopeful) glimpse of Kilimanjaro, head due north to enter Kenya and to travel directly to Nairobi. Overnight in a simple hotel with an evening farewell meal (own expense). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 30 Nairobi After breakfast, bid farewell to fellow travellers and depart on separate ways. Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities White Water Rafting Bungi Jumping Night Drive Scuba Diving
Rate includes All transport, accommodation, scheduled entry and park fees, canoeing safari, ferry ride, group equipment, a professional guide, breakfasts, most lunches and all evening meals when not scheduled in a restaurant, coffee and tea.
Rate excludes Alcohol and soft drinks, curios, tips, visas, airport taxes, transfers, other optional excursions, restaurant meals and harbour taxes.
Note: The same itinerary in reverse is available every third Wednesday. Please enquire with a consultant if you prefer to do the trip this way.
Group size Minimum: 3 Maximum: 17
Guestbook
Words cannot describe what a wonderful time I had. The trip with Drifters exceeded all my expectations. Our guide was wonderful and was really set on showing us the best time imaginable. I would not hesitate to use both ecoAfrica and Drifters again. I would recommend these organizations to anyone planning a trip to Africa.
Kirsten Courtney (USA), Drifters 30 day Johannesburg – Nairobi Safari, June 2006
