Day 1: Nairobi, Kenya to Arusha, TanzaniaWe collect you in Nairobi on Day One to head south to theTanzanian border passing through sweeping and often aridplains dotted with whistling thorn. We enter at Namanga whereyou are sure to be tempted by Maasai selling beaded jewelleryand wooden carvings. We are in Maasai lands here and thetraditional herdsmen can be seen throughout the region.

We have a Departure Meeting to have a departure meeting tofind out about life on the road overlanding on the truck, andparticularly also to prepare for the safari departure tomorrowmorning, and other options available for the next three days.

Distance: 278 kmsEst. Drive Time: +/- 7 hours (depending on the border andincluding a lunch stop)Meals: X1 Dinner

Days 2 - 4: Arusha camp

Optional safari into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater

Rising early on day two, most in the group choose to head onthis optional safari conducted in 4X4 landcruisers with pop uproofs. A balloon safari can also be arranged during this safari.

Across these two parks – the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater -wildlife viewing is regularly exceptional.

Two game drives are arranged during which we explore thestunning vast scenery of the Serengeti with its vast flatgrasslands studded with isolated kopjes where lion can often befound lazing in the sun. With a little luck cheetahs can be foundpacing the open grasslands and leopards can be located restingup in the buffalo thorns and sausage trees that line theSeronera River of the Serengeti.

There is an excellent chance to see other species too includingelephant, giraffe, hippo, wildebeest, zebra, antelope, ostrich,spotted hyena, bat-eared foxes, jackals and much more acrossthe 14,000 square kilometre park of the Serengeti. TheSerengeti is a continuation of the same ecosystem across whichthe spectacular wildebeest migration travels, the vast herdsmoving seasonally between here and Kenya’s Masai Mara. Toencounter one of the countless wildebeest herds particularly inbleating, snorting dust-kicking motion on the famous migrationmoving across “Siringet”, the “endless plains”, is an experienceof a lifetime.

For the evenings on safari we spend one night camping in themiddle of the Serengeti, with just the canvas of your tentbetween you and the vast plains that stretch out around us inall directions, and one night camped on the rim above theNgorongoro Crater. From there you will travel down into theCrater for the game drives early the following morning.

Ngorongoro is a perfectly intact volcanic caldera and the world’slargest extinct volcano. Descending on to the Crater floor wefind a garden of Eden. Rhino, hippo, lion, elephant, hyena,buffalo, zebra, impala, ostrich and flamingo are all regularly onview.

En route between the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro we canarrange to pay a visit to a Maasai boma and, time permitting,the Olduvai Gorge Museum. The museum records the work ofLouis Leakey who uncovered the traces of early man here. Thefinding of a 1.75 million year old Australopithecus jawbone in1959 was the first conclusive evidence that hominids hadexisted for over a million years and that they had evolved inAfrica.

During our stay depending on timing we stop over in localmarkets where Maasai display their ebony carvings, spears andbeadworks for those who wish to do some shopping.

For those that don’t head out on this set of safaris you can relaxin camp and spend time in Arusha which has busy markets, ashopping mall, coffee shops and internet. A camel safari can bearranged to visit a Maasai village as well as a visit to Shanga, asocial entreprise community based bead factory. You can visit inthe extensive Maasai Cultural Centre and Museum, and visit theSnake Park which has a large collection of reptiles as well as aMaasai display.

Back in Arusha we all enjoy a group barbecue to celebrate.

Distance, Day 2: 175 kms to the Conservation Area gateDistance, Day 4: 175 kms from the Conservation Area gateEst. Drive Time, Day 2: 3 to 4 hours Est. Drive Time, Day 4: 3 to 4 hours

Meals Day 2: X1 Breakfast, Meals Day 3: noneMeals Day 4: X1 Dinner

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Lake NakuruLake Naivasha

ZAMBIA

Harare

Mikumi

Lake Malawi

MALAWI

Blantyre

Kande Beach

MOZAMBIQUEBulawayo

Chobe

Victoria Falls

LilongweLusakaLake KaribaMatusadona

Hwange

South Luangwa

Lilongwe

Great ZimbabweZIMBABWE

ESWATINI

Equator

TANZANIA

DEMOCRATICREPUBLIC OF CONGO

UGANDA KENYA

Johannesburg

Zanzibar Islandferry

KilimanjaroLake Victoria

Lake Tanganika

The Virungas

BOTSWANA

Kampala

Mt Kenya

OkavangoDelta

Ghanzi

Nairobi

Nata

RWANDA

Maun

✈

Mountain Gorillas

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Makgadikgadi Pans Matopos

Dar Es Salaam

Kigali

Key THE ROUTE FERRY GAME PARK ADD ON Masai Mara Flight Maun to Johannesburg incl.

Serengeti Ngorongoro Crater

Tarangire Arusha TiwiFunzi Island

Mombasa

MasaiMara

Optional excursions for Days 2 to 4: Three day/two night safariwith game drives in both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater(incl. x2 dinners, x3 lunches, x2 breakfasts), Balloon safari,Maasai boma visit, Olduvai Gorge Museum (Please note a visitto Olduvai dependent on road conditions and time constraints.We also require advance notice prior to the tour departure toarrange a visit to Olduvai).

Days 5 – 6: Arusha to MaranguWe travel to Marangu today at the foot of Kilimanjaro, Africa’shighest mountain and the highest free-standing mountain in theworld.

Here we spend two nights and have the opportunity to explorethe region, including the option to take a day hike to MandaraHut, 2,700 kms from the base of the mountain. This is abeautiful walk through tropical forest and on clear days thereare nice views of both the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks of themountain.

Alternatively there is the chance to do a day tour of theMarangu area to visit the village to learn more of local life, tovisit a coffee plantation and a nearby waterfall.

Distance, Day 5: 120 kms Est. Drive Time, Day 5: +/- 3 hours Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursions: Kilimanjaro day hike, Marangu day tour.

Day 7: Marangu to Bagamoyo or Dar es SalaamWe continue our journey south, travelling through lushsurroundings and the stunning Usambara mountain range,before sleeping over at a coastal campsite either in Bagamoyoor in Dar es Salaam 70 kms further south. Bagamoyo itself wasone of the first landing points for the Arabian slavers.

We make final preparations for the optional excursion onZanzibar Island. The core arrangements for the visit to ZanzibarIsland are made well ahead of time so we are assured ourgroups are comfortable in the popular beach cottages to thenorth of the island at Kendwa and for a night in a local lodge inthe traditional capital.

The time is yours to relax and do as you please. The tour leadertravels over to the island with the group as well to ensure thatall runs smoothly.

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

Optional excursion: Note for those who want to get to Zanzibarearly there is the option of flying to Zanzibar today with an extranight at the beach, rather than staying on the truck for the driveto the coast. Note that this needs to be pre booked as early aspossible, contact us for prices and more information.

Days 8 – 11:

Optional visit to the Swahili island of Zanzibar

We now have the option to take the ferry to the exotic ‘SpiceIsland’ of Zanzibar for four nights.

Heading north to Kendwa we enjoy white sand beaches, andcan swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the IndianOcean. Fishing trips and cruises in traditional dhows can beorganized. Scuba diving and snorkeling can also be arrangedfrom the Dive Centre near our beach cottages to nearby reefs orfurther afield including to Mnemba Atoll.

There is a wide diversity of marine life off Zanzibar. The diving issome of the best in the world, with stunning coral gardens andmore than 350 fish species recorded. Sightings of dolphins andturtles are quite regular occurrences, while humpback whalesand whale sharks are occasionally spotted.

You can also explore Jozani Forest and see the red colobusmonkeys and Prison Island with its giant tortoise. Snorkelling isalso enjoyed off Prison Island.

On the last day we spend time in the traditional capital, StoneTown. Take a spice tour to find out a little about the spice tradethat dominated the island’s history, as well as the slave trade.

As the sunsets on our final evening on Zanzibar watchtraditional dhows sail in the harbour, we can enjoy a night out inone of the small cafes or restaurants or in the evening markets.

Distance, Day 8: 60 kms Bagamoyo to Dar es SalaamEst. Drive Time, Day 8: Up to 2 hours Bagamoyo to Dar esSalaamMeals, Day 8: X1 Breakfast

Additional optional excursions whilst on Zanzibar: Stone TownCity tour, snorkelling, scuba diving, Mnemba Island, TurtleSanctuary visit, Prison Island with a visit to the Aldabra tortoise,Jozani Forest to view the red colobus monkeys.

Day 12: Zanzibar Island to MorogoroLeaving the island we head west to Morogoro where we stay thenight before continuing our journey.

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

Day 13: Morogoro to IringaWe now continue our journey west across Tanzania travellingthrough Mikumi National Park. Roadside sightings of elephant,giraffe and antelope are common on our drive through the park.We continue through Baobab Valley surrounded by the iconic‘upside down trees’ and past the Ruaha River to Iringa for ourlast night in Tanzania.

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

Days 14 - 17: Iringa to Kande, MalawiWe enter Malawi and travel south down the third largest lake inAfrica, Lake Malawi, created in the chasm provided by the RiftValley. Known as "the heart of Africa" you will be struck by thewarm welcome we receive. We are invited into local villages andschools affording a good opportunity to immerse yourself intotraditional village life.

The popular beaches are also great locations for the campswhere we stay set beside local fishing villages. We can fish, as well as try a variety of water sports, including snorkelling,canoeing and scuba diving. Try bartering with local craftsmenselling beautiful carvings including the traditional Malawi chairs,and enjoy sharing in a village meal during our stay.

Distance, Day 14: 498 kms Distance, Day 15 or 16: 235 kms Est. Drive Time, Day 14: 11 hours (depending on the border &incl. lunch stop) Est. Drive Time, Day 15 or 16: +/- 6 hours Incl. lunch andshopping stopMeals: X4 Breakfasts, X4 Dinners

Optionals excursions: Water sports, including snorkelling,canoeing, scuba diving and pedalo hire, horse riding, villagewalk, wood carving lesson.

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Days 18 – 19: Lake Malawi to South Luangwa NationalPark, ZambiaWe travel to Zambia today, heading for one of the country’streasures – South Luangwa National Park. Slightly off the beatentrack, Luangwa is a stunning national park with high populationsof game, including 60 different animal species and 400 differentbird species.

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

Distance: 600 kmsEst. Drive Time, Day 18: +/- 11 hours (depending on theborder) and incl. stops for shopping and lunchMeals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: X1 game drive in South LuangwaNational ParkVehicle for game drive: Open 4x4 safari vehicle

Optional excursions: Extra game drive or walk, South LuangwaNational Park.

Days 20 - 21: South Luangwa to LusakaWe now make our way towards the capital. Upon reachingLusaka on day 21, we have a chance to get to internet, thebank and also stock up on supplies in a large supermarket.

Distance over 2 days: 560 kms Est. Drive Time, Day 20: +/- 6 hoursincl. stop for lunch and shoppingEst. Drive Time, Day 21: +/- 6 hoursMeals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Days 22 – 23: Lusaka to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

Optional stay on the Lake Kariba houseboatsFrom Lusaka we travel to the Kariba border and cross intoZimbabwe. Arriving at Lake Kariba we hire a houseboat to setsail into Matusadona National Park. We can relax for a couple ofnights on the boat, whilst enjoying nature at its best. This is anouting always popular with the locals. Famous for its tigerfishing, the lake is a perfect spot to throw in a line as well asenjoy the wildlife on view including elephant, hippo and crocs.Watch dawn break through the stark silhouettes of the driftwoodtrees, the silence only broken by the haunting cry of a fisheagle. The boats have bedrooms, a jacuzzi and the houseboatcrew cook our meals, so this is a fun change from camping andlife on the road.

Distance, Day 22: 208 kmsEst. Drive Time, Day 22: +/- 5 hours depending on the borderand incl. photo stop Lake Kariba dam wall. Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursion: Houseboat cruise on Lake Kariba.

Days 24 - 25: Lake Kariba to Great Zimbabwe RuinsWe drive via Chinoyi to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins - the remainsof the ancient capital of the Shona people which wasconstructed between the 11th – 15th century. There are threemain areas of ruins known as Dzimba dzamabwe (“stonehouses”) from which modern-day Zimbabwe gained its name.These were formed using the dry stone technique, completelywithout mortar. The term “Great” distinguishes these rockconstructs as different to smaller formations in the region andGreat Zimbabwe are known to be the largest and mostimpressive ruins south of the Sahara.

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Distance, Day 24: 249 kmsEst. Drive Time, Day 24: +/- 7 hoursDistance, Day 25: 440 kmsEst. Drive Time, Day 25: 9 hours incl. shopping and lunch stopsMeals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Day 26: Great Zimbabwe Ruins to BulawayoThis morning we have a guided tour of the ruins beforecontinuing our way to the city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s secondlargest city.

Distance: 307 kmsEst. Drive Time: 3 - 4 hoursMeals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included Activity: Visit to Great Zimbabwe Ruins with guided tour

Day 27: BulawayoHere we head out for game drive and walk in Matopos NationalPark.

This is a park of spectacular beauty, of immense balancinggranite boulders from which Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebelenation, is believed to have given the area its name which means'Bald Heads'.

Cecil Rhodes and several other leading early white settlers areburied amongst the rocky outcrops. There are also very specialSan Bushmen cave paintings found in the hills. The Park ishome to both the endangered black and white rhino, giraffe,hippo, leopard and has a wonderful amount of birdlife includingblack eagle. We trek to see rhino here with one of Zimbabwe’smost knowledgable and inspiring professional guides.

Distance: 0 kmsEst. Drive Time: 0 hoursMeals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activities: Game drive and rhino trek in MatoposNational Park.Vehicle for game drive: Open 4x4 safari vehicle

Optional excursions: Extra game drives in Matopos NationalPark, Afternoon visit to rock paintings and Cecil Rhodes’ graveor a Ndebele Village.

Day 28: Bulawayo to Victoria FallsToday we travel through to the mighty Victoria Falls, one of thenatural wonders of the world, created at the junction of thegreater and lower Zambezi. We stay by the Falls for three nights.

Distance: 438 kmsEst. Drive Time: +/- 8 hours incl. stop for lunchMeals: X1 Breakfast

Days 29 – 30: Victoria FallsIt is easy to see why the Falls are known locally as the ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’, ‘the smoke that thunders’, as the sound of the roaringtorrents of falling water can be heard throughout the smalltowns of Vic Falls and Livingstone. The mists from the Falls risemetres into the air and can be seen for miles around.

During our stay, take the walk in the national park through thelush tropical rainforest overlooking the Falls which allows you toexperience the wonder and awe of the mighty waterfalls,allowing often breathtaking views of sheer drops and ragingwaters.

There are also some fun activities on offer here as well. A ‘Flight of the Angels’, a flight over the Falls in a microlight orhelicopter makes for excitement plus.

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For thrill seekers too the world famous Zambezi whitewaterrafting, as well as the bungee jump or gorge swing are all onoffer. Otherwise canoeing and horse riding are popular. Manyenjoy wandering in the extensive curio markets, and high tea atthe Victoria Falls Hotel is always a treat.

We all usually meet up once or twice at night for a meal in localcheap eating places, and on one of our nights in the Falls anevening sunset cruise is arranged to drift down the Zambezi asthe sun sets whilst watching cavorting hippo in the river,crocodiles on the banks and monkeys in the trees.

Distance: 0 kms Est. Drive Time: 0 hoursMeals: None

Optional excursions: Whitewater rafting, riverboard, bungeejump, gorge swing, flying fox and zip line, ‘Flight of Angels’,canoe trip, horse riding, a sundowner cruise.

Days 31 - 32: Victoria Falls to Kasane, BotswanaLeaving the Falls we camp up at a safari lodge beside ChobeNational Park, where we stay for two nights giving us a full dayto take a game drive and a game cruise. Chobe National Park isfamous for its large population of elephant, which roam acrossthe park and spend their days ‘mucking around’ in and by thewaterfront to our delight as we take a cruise on the River. Thecruise also usually enables us to see hippo and more. The parkis a bird watchers paradise, but it also has lion, leopard,cheetah, zebra, wild dog and numerous antelope species. Acruise and game drive allows us the very best chance for ourlast glimpse of Africa’s wonderful wildlife.

Distance: 87 kmsEst. Drive Time: 3 hours (depending on the border)Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursion: Chobe National Park – game drives andgame cruise.

Day 33: Kasane to MaunWe now take a scenic drive to Maun, taking us via theMakgadikgadi Pans.

Distance: 666 kmsEst. Drive Time: 9 hours incl. lunch stopMeals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Days 34 – 36: Maun

The option of a mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta

From Maun we organise our mokoro safari into the OkavangoDelta.

The Delta is an ecosystem of lush wetlands, placid lagoons andwater-lily filled channels created by the arrival of waters that fellas rain on the mountains of Angola months prior. Here on amokoro safari we gain a sense of the remoteness and beauty ofthe African bush. We meander precariously and silently throughthe maze of waterways in the traditional canoes and camp fortwo nights in the wilderness. This can be a wonderfulopportunity to get up close to Africa’s wild animals. During ourstay we take guided game walks with professional guides. Wemight spot buffalo, hippo, crocodile, antelope, warthog, baboon,wildebeest, elephant and lion. Bird life is prolific includingkingfishers, ducks, marabou storks, sacred and glossy ibis,herons and egrets. The incessant chatter of birds can make anafternoon nap quite problematic during our bush camp!

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

Optional excursions: Okavango Delta mokoro safari including X2 breakfasts and X2 dinners, flights over the Delta.

Day 37: Maun to JohannesburgToday you will be transferred to the nearby airport for your flightto Johannesburg, ‘the city of gold’ and our journey’s end at theRitz Backpackers of Johannesburg. The Ritz is situated in anhistoric mansion set in spacious gardens in a centrally locatedsafe and secure suburb, close to restaurants, shopping malls,markets and other amenities. Accommodation in a dorm for thislast night is included. Transfers can be arranged to the airportthe following day on request.

The Ritz can assist you with bookings in Johannesburg includingvisiting Soweto and Sun City. The Apartheid Museum is alsohighly recommended. Talk with them also if you wish to explorefurther including pony trekking in Lesotho, hikes in theDrakensburg Mountains, traveling through to the KwaZulu-Natalcoast for some excellent surfing or safaris into KwaZulu NationalPark.

If you want to head further afield in South Africa with us, have alook at our Add-On Garden Route Safari, starting in Cape Town.This visits highlights along the coastline, including Gansbaai fora white shark dive, the beaches of Jeffrey’s Bay, the Bloukransbungee, Addo Elephant Park, as well as Lesotho and theDrakensburg, finishing back in Johannesburg.

Distance: 0 kmsEst. Flight Time: 1 hourMeals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Please note safari itineraries are given as a guide only. A safari is a journey and true journeys in Africa unfold andare of an adventurous nature. The unexpected can arise, sodo allow for this. Feel free to give us a call about your safariplans. We look forward to your further enquiries.

www.absoluteafrica.com email absaf@absoluteafrica.com phone + 44 (0) 208 742 0226

Updated 08/10/19