61 days – Wildlife Wanderer

Our safari starts with the option to visit to Sheldrick’s Orphanage to enjoy time with the elephant and rhino calves during the play and feeding sessions. The orphanage is especially famous for perfecting the husbandry techniques to keep vulnerable orphaned elephants alive.

We also visit the Giraffe Park where we hand feed giraffe in the beautiful grounds of the Giraffe Manor. We have our departure meeting today and over dinner on our first evening together we take time to get to know our fellow travellers. It is an early night tonight, as we start at dawn to head off on our first safari.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals: X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activity: The Giraffe Park

Optional excursion: Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage

Today the adventure truly begins. We have an early breakfast then set out for the bumpy and dusty road heading for the remote plateau of the Masai Mara.

En route we overnight at Loita Hills where we stay with the Maasai, East Africa’s most renowned ancient people who proudly retain so many of their traditional ways. We are welcomed with traditional songs and dance.

This afternoon we walk in the hills with Maasai warriors and learn about traditional life in the bush. We will also visit a women’s village and the local hot springs. In the evening we spend time with some of the warriors around the fire to find out more about their culture.

Distance: 261 kms
Est. Drive Time: 7 hours incl. stopping at the Rift Valley Viewpoint and for shopping
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Up early we have time for some “warrior training” this morning before we say goodbye to our Maasai hosts. We visit the local Maasai school, then are on the road to Kenya’s most famous game reserve, the Masai Mara.

Here, on the renowned stage of the wildebeest migration, we have our first game drives in small 4x4s with a local guide over the next days. We are on the watch for all the wildlife for which Africa is famous from elephant to lion, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, hippo, crocodile, gazelle and warthog.

Spending two nights in the park allows us a good amount of time to explore deep into the Mara. A morning balloon safari can also be arranged.

Distance, Day 3: 60 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 3: 2 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Afternoon game drives in the Masai Mara (x2), Morning game drives in the Masai Mara (x1)
Vehicle for game drives: 4×4 landcruiser with pop up roof

Optional excursion: Balloon Safari

This morning we have our last game drive in the Mara. We then leave the park by lunchtime to head for our next camp at Lake Naivasha.

Arriving at the Lake we can chill out with the black and white colobus monkeys and take high tea on the lawns at Elsamere, the home of Joy Adamson.

We camp near the lakeshore. The grunts of hippos punctuate the night. A cycling safari in Hells Gate National Park is a great opportunity to stretch your legs and get some exercise in the wilds of Africa amidst zebra, gazelle, eland and impala and the clear evidence of past volcanic activity. A visit to the Maasai Cultural Centre deep in the Park also gives further insight into the
Maasai people. Guided walks to the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary are an alternative for today, and a hippo cruise can also be arranged to really enjoy the wildlife of the lake.

Distance, Day 5: 258 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 5: 6 hours to Naivasha camp incl. lunch and shopping stop
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Morning game drive, Masai Mara
Vehicle for game drive: 4×4 landcruiser with pop up roof

Optional excursions: Balloon safari, Elsamere for afternoon tea, cycling in Hell’s Gate National Park, guided walk to Green Crater Lake, hippo cruise

Today we head further up country to camp near Nakuru National Park.

The following day is spent on game drives amongst acacia forests, grasslands and candelabra euphorbia stands in Nakuru, our next highlight. Here you have the chance to see both black and white rhino, zebra, giraffe, eland and, with a little luck,
lion and leopard. The soda lake can be pink with greater and lesser flamingo, and at Baboon Cliffs you can enjoy gorgeous views across the lake.

Distance, Day 7: 70 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 7: 3 hours incl. a stop for shopping
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Full days game drives in Nakuru National Park
Vehicle for game drives: 4×4 minivan with pop up roof

We visit Nakuru town in the morning for shopping before the mountainous drive through the Nandi Hills to Eldoret and Raj’s zany campsite.

Distance: 260 kms
Est. Drive Time: 5 hours incl. lunch and shopping stop
incl. stops for lunch and shopping
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

We cross into Uganda and arrive into Jinja to camp for three nights to relax by the White Nile, just downstream from the Source of the Nile. Jinja is an adventure hub. We have a briefing to finalise our activities and find out about facilities available at this fun campsite including where to eat and the options to upgrade.

Distance: 160 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 10: +/- 7.5 hours (depending on the border) incl. stops for lunch and shopping
Meals: X1 Breakfast

After several days on the road we enjoy a welcome break from traveling.

Enjoy the many activities on offer whilst getting to know your fellow travellers. Hit grade 3 to 5 rapids white water rafting amidst lush tropical vegetation in the equatorial sunshine. Kayak, bungee jump, quad bike, swim, fish, horse ride and take a village walk. Many people enjoy volunteering at one of the community projects in the local villages.

This is a good chance as well to catch up on washing, and to relax and sample food available in small local restaurants or at the campsite restaurant.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals: None

Optional excursions: Whitewater rafting, bungee jump, kayaking, boat trips and cruises, incl. fishing trips, sups, voluntary work in a local school, quad biking, horse riding, mountain biking

Today we return to the bush leaving Jinja to travel to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda to see rhino.

There is the option in the afternoon to go for a rhino trek on foot with a trained ranger, or do an early morning boat trip in the gorgeous swamps of the park particularly to see the prehistoric-looking shoebill.

Distance: 225 kms
Est. Drive Time: 4 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activity: Entry to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Optional excursions: Rhino trek, boat ride

We drive to Uganda’s capital, Kampala. On our journey, roadside stalls sell fresh rotisserie meat such as ‘chix on sticks’. Reaching the capital we get to banks, e-mail and can do some shopping.

Distance: 170 kms
Est. Drive Time: 3 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

The next day we leave camp and head into the lush countryside of Uganda. Watch for the long horned Ankole cattle. On the way we stop at a local drum and craft market, and at the Equator there is time for a photo shoot.

We head on to a simple camp by the hillside tropical forest of Kalinzu on the edge of the Rift Valley and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Distance: 230 kms
Est. Drive Time: 8.5 hours incl. stops for lunch and photos at The Equator
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

The exciting option of an early morning chimpanzee trek is available this morning in lush forest to search for habituated chimpanzees. The park also has black and white colobus monkey and other monkey species.

The afternoon finds us on our next game drive transiting in Queen Elizabeth National Park before our cruise on the Kazinga Channel. On the game cruise you can sit back and enjoy the company of hippo from the safety of the cruise boat. There is also buffalo for company and the occasional Nile crocodile lying disarmingly motionless nearby, blending into the surroundings.

Watch kingfishers diving behind us to catch small fish disorientated by the slowly passing boat. There are also elephant, lion, hyena and leopard in the park.

Distance: 40 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 16: 1 hour
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activities: Game cruise on the Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Conducted in open cruise vessel
Slow transit afternoon drive, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Vehicle for transit drive: Overland truck

Optional Excursion: Chimpanzee trek in Kalinzu Forest

NB: For those wishing to visit Dian Fossey’s grave you travel late on day 17 to stay in a backpackers closer to the Rwandan gorilla park. The Dian Fossey trek then starts early day 18 of the tour. Please also let us know well ahead of time if you wish to gorilla trek in Rwanda, as distinct from Uganda.

This morning we head back into the park for an early morning game drive where we watch once more for special sightings. The park is a haven for around 600 species of bird. Ugandan Kob are found in the wetlands, famous for their beautiful horns. Like waterbuck, the kob tends to develop attachments to locations, returning to the same grazing and watering places.

Then we make our way to Kisoro, stopping over at Kabale where we stock up. We spend the next two nights at a very simple local guesthouse in the border town of Kisoro which is surrounded by the Virunga Mountains, the home of the endangered mountain gorilla. A visit to Lake Bunyoni can be arranged on the way to enjoy time on the lake.

Distance: 268 kms
Est. Drive Time: 9 hours incl. lunch stop
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activities: Morning game drive, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Vehicle for game drive: Overland truck

At altitudes of up to 3,500 feet, gorilla trekking through dense vegetation on the volcanic slopes of the Virungas is one of the trip’s high points. The gorillas are magic to visit. Herbivores, who munch the day away, when they are not playing or sleeping, they live in family groups under the charge of an older dominant male.

Known as the silverback, this adult male can weigh up to 350 lbs. Despite their size, the gorillas are shy, gentle and sensitive creatures, in great danger of extinction.

There are several other excursions on offer here as well apart from the trek. For another view of the forest head out to trek a troupe of golden monkeys in the lower reaches of the forest. The golden monkey is a sub species of the blue monkey and is named for its vibrant colouring. Alternatively a tour to an indigenous group of Batwa or Pygmy can also be organised in Kisoro, this group of local peoples sadly having being relocated away from their traditional life in the forest. Alternatively a Pygmy dance troupe are invited to our camp to entertain with some traditional drumming.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Optional excursions: Mountain gorilla trek Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda). Golden monkeys trek or orphanage visit. Batwa (Pygmy) village visit or coffee tour. Lake Mutande

Today we leave Uganda to enter Rwanda “the Land of a Thousand Hills”. Our next camp is involved in very simple community based projects including basket weaving and banana beer making.

Alternatively a cycle tour in the local area can be arranged.

Distance: 51 kms
Est. Drive Time: 3 hours (depending on the border)
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Optional excursions: Golden monkey trek, banana beer making, basket weaving, bike tour

Those wishing to head out on the steep trek to see Dian Fossey’s grave spend time today in the Rwandan forest. On the trek you can also see Digit’s grave – one of her favourite gorillas – and the Karisoke Reseach Centre. Dian is world famous for her research work and passionate commitment to the mountain gorillas’ survival.

If you are not trekking we head off early, making our way to the capital Kigali, a very European style city. For those trekking, a transfer is arranged for later in the day through to Kigali.

We spend the next two nights in Kigali, the modern capital of Rwanda. Rwanda is a country with a recent turbulent history, culminating in the 1994 genocide during which ethnic differences between Hutu and Tutsis exploded in an unparalleled level of hatred and bloody violence. We visit the Genocide Memorial this afternoon, a sobering reflection on the atrocities. We honour and reflect on this past during our visit. Some also take time to visit the Nyamata Church Memorial, or a Women’s Centre,
Hotel des Mille Collines (well known from the movie Hotel Rwanda), or wander in the local markets.

Distance: 115 kms
Est. Drive Time: 3 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursions: Trek to Dian Fossey’s grave, Visit to the Genocide museum and memorial, Nyamata Church Memorial.

We now cross the border to enter Tanzania below Lake Victoria.

Over three days travelling off the beaten track we see a little of the ‘real Africa’ away from the main tourist drag.

Arriving into the small town of Nyakanazi late afternoon we are right away from Western comforts checking into our simple local guesthouse here. This first night in Tanzania is the chance for a traditional rural African experience, and we receive a warm welcome from the village and owners of the guesthouse. We eat locally and there is usually time to mingle in the village markets and kick a football with the local kids.

The second night we camp on the south side of Lake Victoria at Mwanza, which we reached by ferry.

Distance over two days: 535 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 23: +/- 10.5 hours (depending on the border) incl. lunch stop
Est. Drive Time, Day 24: 9 hours incl. ferry journey, lunch and shopping stop
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Reaching Bunda we prepare for the next exciting part of the tour, our entry and drive across the world famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, ecosystems boasting the Big Five.

There is time this afternoon to stretch our legs on a hill walk near camp offering wonderful views.

We pass this morning through the Grumeti Reserve en route to Ikoma Gate. We enter The Serengeti in our overland truck by lunchtime, travelling slowly as we game drive across these famous grass plains.

The famous migration regularly passes this area year in, year out in search of fresh grazing anytime from late April through to August. And here as well the big cats – lion, leopard and cheetah pursue the vast migratory herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra.

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest national park. On our slow game drive through the park this afternoon we regularly have wonderful viewing including of the big cats and much other wildlife. Home to The Big Five, Serengeti is famous for the annual migration when more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek. Even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti is home to resident large herds of buffalo and elephant as well as giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle. Hippo pods can be found in the pools, and there is fabulous birdlife with
favourites such as ostrich and secretary birds. The park is as well famous for its “big cats” – lion, leopard and cheetah.

Distance, Day 25: 156 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 25: 3 – 4 hours incl. lunch stop
Distance to Ikoma Gate, Serengeti, Day 26: 160 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 26: 5 hours to Ikoma Gate incl. slow transit through Grumeti.
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Afternoon game drive, Serengeti National Park
Vehicle for game drive: Overland truck

Optional excursion: Hill walk

Up early this morning, we head out on morning game drives across the vast plains of this 14,000 sq. km National Park.

For the best vantage point of sunrise, a balloon safari can be arranged in advance to drift in silence over the immense Serengeti plains offering this panoramic landscape from an entirely different perspective. By lunchtime we enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gradually making our way to camp. On the way we pass Olduvai Gorge. The Museum can be visited depending on timing and road conditions en route.

Semi-nomadic Maasai tribespeople can be found as well throughout this region still living their traditional lifestyle around the Crater rim, shunning modern ways. They continue to dye their hair with ochre and live on a diet of milk and blood obtained from their cattle. They can be regularly seen herding their cattle dressed in their distinctive red check. Another visit to a Maasai boma is arranged time permitting.

Our landscape changes as our drive takes us above Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest extinct volcano. We have our evening meal. Our camp has sweeping views across the Crater, another camp in the wilds under African stars.

Distance: 161 kms
Est. Drive Time: 5 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activity: Morning game drive, Serengeti. Afternoon slow transit drive, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Vehicle for game drive: Overland truck

Optional excursions: Balloon safari, Maasai boma visit, Olduvai Gorge Museum depending on road conditions.

Please note if you wish to visit Olduvai Museum you must let the office know prior to the tour departure

The Ngorongoro Crater is just a small portion of the 8,288 square kilometer Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Crater is 20 kilometers across with walls 600 meter high – a perfectly intact volcanic caldera. After an early breakfast, we transfer over to 4 X 4 landcruisers with special pop up game viewing roofs.

From the lookout at the rim we can watch birds ride the thermals, and mists and clouds roll back to reveal a landscape of lakes and forests. Our land cruisers then take us down the steep winding tracks 2,000 feet onto the Crater floor. On a good day we might see ‘The Big Five’ including lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, as well as plains game including zebra, gazelle, impala, wildebeest and hippo. Flamingo can be seen on Lake Magadi depending on the season.

After our morning game drives in the Crater and a picnic lunch we travel to Arusha, usually with time to purchase traditional beads, carvings and special artwork at a market stall on the way. We enjoy a group barbecue together to celebrate all we have seen in the Tanzanian parks.

Distance: 195 kms
Est. Drive Time: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activity: Morning game drive, Ngorongoro Crater
Vehicle for game drive: 4×4 landcruiser with pop up roof

We spend the morning in Arusha to shop and explore the town. After lunch we travel to Marangu at the foot of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

The next day there is the option for a day hike in Kilimanjaro National Park to Mandara hut along the start of the Marangu route. This is a beautiful walk through tropical forest and on clear days there are exciting views of both the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks of the mountain.

Alternatively take a day tour of the Marangu area to visit the village to learn more of local life, to visit a coffee plantation and a nearby waterfall.

Distance, Day 29: 120 km
Est. Drive Time, Day 29: 3 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursions: Kilimanjaro day hike, Marangu day tour

The next morning we head south on the full days drive towards Dar es Salaam. We park up close by the Indian Ocean coast and enjoy a seafood barbecue.

For those who want to get to Zanzibar early there is alternatively the option of flying to Zanzibar today to have an extra night at the beach.

For those that stay on the truck final preparations are made this evening for our break from truck life to spend four days on the exotic Swahili spice island of Zanzibar.

The core arrangements for the visit to Zanzibar Island are made well ahead of time so we are assured our groups are comfortable in the popular beach cottages to the north of the island at Kendwa and for a night in a local lodge in the traditional capital.

We retire tonight lulled to sleep by the sound of the waters lapping nearby and the breeze in the coconut palms.

Distance: 485 kms to Bagamoyo (or 545 if to Dar)
Est. Drive Time: 9 to 10 hours incl. lunch stop (11 to 12 if to Dar es Salaam)
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Optional excursion: For those who want to get to Zanzibar early there is the option of flying to Zanzibar today with an extra night at the beach. Note that this needs to be pre booked as early as possible. Contact us for prices and more information

Day 32 we leave camp for the ferry port in Dar es Salaam to take the ferry to Zanzibar. The tour leader travels over to the island with the group to ensure that all runs smoothly during our stay.

Swim and snorkel in the crystal clear, coral waters, relax on the long white beaches and enjoy the fresh local seafood during our beach cottage stay. Scuba diving can be arranged from the dive centre near the beach cottages, as well as fishing trips. Otherwise book a snorkelling trip to Prison Island famous for its giant Aldabra tortoise, or to Mnemba Atoll, or visit the turtle sanctuary or trek in Jozani Forest to see the red colobus monkeys and enjoy the the mangrove walkway of the Forest.

On the last day of our stay, explore the ancient capital of Stone Town, with its maze of winding streets, coral brick houses and bazaars. A spice tour provides some history of the island centred on the slave and spice trades.

Distance, Day 32: 60 kms Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam
Est. Drive Time, Day 32: Up to 2 hours Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam
Meals, Day 32: X1 Breakfast

Optional excursions: City tour, snorkeling, scuba diving, Mnemba Island, Turtle Sanctuary visit, Prison Island with a visit to the Aldabra tortoise, Jozani Forest to view the red colobus monkeys

Leaving the island we head west to Morogoro where we stay the night before continuing our journey.

Distance: 194 kms
Est. Drive Time: 6 hours
Meals: X1 Dinner

We pass through Mikumi National Park, with frequent sightings of elephant, giraffe, zebra and antelope from the roadside. Travelling through Baobab Valley our journey takes us passed the Ruaha River and to our overnight campsite at Iringa for our last night in Tanzania.

Distance: 310 kms
Est. Drive Time: 9 hours incl. lunch stop
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Journeying through the mountains of the southern Rift Valley, we arrive in Malawi, known as ‘Africa’s warm heart’.

Travelling south beside the freshwater lake, we stop off at special bays. The beaches provide excellent locations for the relaxed and popular campsites where we stay. We can fish with the locals, take village walks, and enjoy a wide variety of water sports including snorkelling, canoeing, pedalo hire and scuba diving.

Horse riding is also popular – particularly the swim ride in which you can ride bareback in the lake. Hikes can be arranged in Malawi’s beautiful countryside and to local villages, where there is always a welcome from the villagers with a local meal. Enjoy bartering with local craftsmen selling African artefacts including traditional Malawi chairs.

Distance, Day 38: 498 kms
Distance, Day 39 or 40: 235 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 38: 11 hours (depending on the border)
Est. Drive Time, Day 39 or 40: +/- 5 hours incl. stop for shopping
Meals: X4 Breakfasts, X4 Dinners

Optional excursions: Water sports, including snorkelling, canoeing, scuba diving and pedalo hire, horse riding, village walk, wood carving lesson.

We travel to Zambia today, heading for one of the country’s treasures – South Luangwa National Park. Slightly off the beaten track, Luangwa is a stunning national park with high populations of game, including 60 different animal species and 400 different bird species.

On our full day in the park, we have time to relax by the pool and enjoy the wonderful African bush surrounds, with the chance for a game drive or walk in the morning and also in the evening. The evening drive gives you the chance to see some of Africa’s nocturnal and more elusive animals such as the leopard and genet.

Distance: 600 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 42: +/- 11 hours (depending on the border) and incl. stops for shopping and lunch
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: X1 game drive in South Luangwa National Park
Vehicle for game drive: Open 4×4 safari vehicle

Optional excursions: Extra game drive or walk, South Luangwa National Park

We now make our way towards Lusaka the modern capital of Zambia. Here we catch up on communications and stock up on supplies.

Distance over two days: 560 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 44: +/- 6 hours incl. stop for lunch and shopping
Est. Drive Time, Day 45: +/- 6 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional stay on Lake Kariba houseboats

From Lusaka we travel to the Kariba border and cross into Zimbabwe.

Arriving at the Lake we hire a houseboat to cruise for a couple of nights break from truck life and to spend time in Matusadona National Park.

Kariba is a setting of awe-inspiring beauty. Whilst cruising, we can view elephant, cape buffalo, kudu, waterbuck and, if we’re really lucky, lion as they come down to drink at the water’s edge. The lake is also home to crocodile, hippo and a rich bird population. As the day draws to a close, fossilized leadwood trees stand as stark sentinels against a backdrop of magnificent gold-red colours as the sun sets and reflects in the lake. The houseboat stay often proves to be a photographer’s dream.

If you enjoy fishing try throwing a line in the Lake which is famous for tiger fish. There are also tender boats we can take out for fishing and to get up close to game at the water’s edge. The boats have bedrooms so we can enjoy sleeping in a bed again as well and our meals are prepared by the houseboat crew. There is a splash pool or jacuzzi and we usually have a party as well on one of the evenings we are on the Lake.

For those who want to stay back you can relax at the campsite.

Distance, Day 46: 208 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 46: 4 – 5 hours depending on the border and incl. photo stop at Lake Kariba dam wall
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursion: Houseboat cruise on Lake Kariba

We travel via Chinoyi to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins – the remains of the ancient capital of the Shona people which was constructed between the 11th – 15th century. There are three main areas of ruins known as Dzimba dzamabwe (“stone houses”) from which modern-day Zimbabwe gained its name. These were formed using the dry stone technique, completely without mortar. The term “Great” distinguishes these rock constructs as different to smaller formations in the region and Great Zimbabwe are known to be the largest collection and most impressive ruins south of the Sahara.

Distance, Day 48: 249 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 48: +/- 6 hours incl. shopping stop
Distance, Day 49: 440 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 49: 9 hours incl. shopping and lunch stops
Meals: x2 Breakfasts, x2 Dinners

This morning we have a guided tour of the ruins before continuing on our way to the city of Bulawayo.

Arriving into Zimbabwe’s second largest city, we organize our safari into Matopos National Park.

The Matopo Hills and National Park are situated nearby, a dramatic ancient landscape of granite boulders that has been sculpted out through millions of years of weathering resulting in “whaleback” domes and castle like formations of balancing rocks. The Hills are regarded as a sacred place of ancient spiritual significance and have served as a shrine and refuge. The park is home to both black and white rhino, as well as leopard, giraffe, zebra and jackal and has a large number of raptors.

We head out with local professional guides on foot to trek the endangered black and white rhino in this beautiful park. For many this is one of the most thrilling highlights of the trip.

Distance, Day 50: 307 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 50: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included activities: Visit to Great Zimbabwe with guided tour,
Game drive and rhino trek, Matopos National Park
Vehicle for game drive: Open 4×4 safari vehicle

Optional excursions: Extra game drives in Matopos National Park, Afternoon visit to rock paintings and Cecil Rhodes’ grave or a Ndebele Village.

We travel through to Victoria Falls on the banks of the Zambezi River at the point where the river plunges over the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world.

Distance: 438 km
Est. Drive Time: +/- 7 hours incl. a stop for lunch
Meals: X1 Breakfast

The Victoria Falls are the largest waterfalls in the world. They were named after Queen Victoria by David Livingstone, but their indigenous name Mosi Oa Tunya –” the smoke that thunders” – rings very tune, the sound of the water falling being heard far from the actual river itself. Whilst here spend time in the National Park overlooking the Falls, and for some astonishing views of the Falls take a ‘Flight of the Angels’ over the Falls in a microlight or helicopter.

There are also many other activities on offer here. The world famous Zambezi whitewater rafting on grade 5 rapids live up to their adrenalin pumping reputation. There is also bungee jumping and the gorge swing – rap jump activities, jet boating, horse riding as well as canoeing.

We usually meet up at night for meals in local cheap eating places, and one evening arrange a sunset cruise on the Zambezi – a perfect way to end a day drifting down the Zambezi past hippo and elephant as the sun sets.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals: None

Optional excursions: Rainforest walk – Victoria Falls, whitewater rafting, riverboard, bungee jump, gorge swing, flying fox and zip line, ‘Flight of Angels’, canoe trip, horse riding, a sundowner cruise

From the Falls we leave to camp at a safari lodge beside Chobe National Park, our next stop for two nights.

Here everyone usually chooses to enjoy the gentle cruise down the river particularly to view Chobe’s famous elephant herds who can regularly be seen ‘mucking around’ in and by the waterfront to our delight as we cruise down the river.

Game drives are also arranged to explore deeper into the park in small safari vehicles with a local guide. The park also has strong lion prides, and game drives regularly provide viewing of giraffe, lechwe, kudu, impala herds, buffalo, wonderful bird life and much more.

Distance, Day 55: 87 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 55: 3 hours (depending on the border)
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursions: Chobe National Park – game drives and game cruise

Leaving Chobe, we travel via the Makgadikgadi Pans to Maun, set on the edge of the Kalahari Desert.

Distance: 666 kms
Est. Drive Time: 9 hours incl. stop for lunch
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

From Maun we organise our mokoro safari into the Okavango Delta with trained local guides.

The mokoro is the traditional dugout canoe of the Delta boatsmen, and on this safari we are poled through the tranquil, crystal-clear waterways of lilies and beds of papyrus reeds. This lush wetland is home to some of Africa’s finest bird life and unusual flora, and there is also a chance to see elephant, hippo, crocodile and the special sitatunga and lechwe. We camp on small islands to take guided game walks during our stay. A sunset mokoro ride is a very special treat.

After our mokoro safari we have one last night in Maun.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals: X3 Breakfasts, X3 Dinners

Optional excursions: Okavango Delta mokoro (traditional canoe) safari including X2 breakfasts and X2 dinners. Flights over the Delta

Today you will be transferred to the nearby airport for your flight to Johannesburg, ‘the city of gold’ and our journey’s end at Backpackers Connection in Johannesburg.

Backpackers Connection is located on a large property 8km from the airport terminal, safely tucked away on the outskirts of the city centre, close to restaurants, pubs, markets, shopping malls and other amenities.

Accommodation in a dorm for this last night is included. Transfers can be arranged to the airport the following day on request.

Backpackers Connect can also assist you with bookings in Johannesburg including visiting Soweto and Sun City. The Apartheid Museum is also highly recommended.

If you want to head further afield in South Africa with us, please ask us for options, there are plenty!

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Flight Time: 1 hour
Meals: X1 Breakfast

Please note safari itineraries are given as a guide only. A safari is a journey and true journeys in Africa unfold and are of an adventurous nature. The unexpected can arise, so do allow for this. Feel free to give us a call about your overland safari. We look forward to talking with you about your travel plans.