Tour Code - UAAV39

Duration - 39 Days / 38 Nights

Country - Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa

Start Nairobi   Finish Livingstone

Price Euro €1795 ( Plus Local Payment )

Gorilla Permit  (Sep 04) US$365

This tour explores famous game reserves, mighty rivers, misty mountains, and golden beaches. Encounter wildlife from gorillas to the Big 5, and meet diverse cultures from the red-robed Masai to the warm-hearted Malawi people. From the source of the Nile to Kruger, from Zanzibar to Victoria Falls, this is the Ultimate African Adventure!

DAYS 1 - 14
From Nairobi we head west into the Great Rift Valley and spend the night in Lake Nakuru National Park. This park is well-known for its large population of rhino and wealth of birdlife especially the flamingos that gather in their thousands on the shores of the shallow soda lake. Beyond Nakuru we continue west through Eldoret before crossing into Uganda and the source of the Nile at Jinja. Here you can try white water rafting or quad-biking along the river banks or visiting the surrounding villages. From Kampala there is the opportunity for a boat excursion to the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary on Lake Victoria. We head to western Uganda in search of the gorillas. Guides lead you through the forests to view these gentle giants. Viewing a family of Gorillas in their natural habitat is one of Africa’s very special wildlife encounters. We return to Kenya and the bustling capital of Nairobi.

DAYS 15 - 23
From Nairobi visit Kenya’s best known game park, the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The park is renowned for its stocks of wildlife - Africa’s Big 5 - and for its scenery. We cross into Tanzania for a 3-day excursion to the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park and Olduvai Gorge by 4x4 vehicle. Game viewing opportunities are unsurpassed here and taken with Kenya’s Masai Mara you will have visited Africa greatest game reserves in the space of a few days. Our base for the Serengeti / Ngorongoro is Arusha, Tanzania’s ‘safari town’, nestling in the shadow of Mount Meru. Our camp is adjacent to a fascinating Snake Park and close to informative and friendly Masai villages.

DAYS 24 - 29
From Arusha you might get a glimpse of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro (if the weather is clear) en route to the palm-fringed port city of Dar es Salaam. An important and historic Indian Ocean port, Dar is best known today for its ferry connections to the exotic island of Zanzibar. Spend three days on the island exploring the romantic winding cobbled alleys, soaking up the Arabian atmosphere, and enjoying the fabulous beaches where the snorkelling and diving are excellent, as is the abundant fresh seafood. Returning to the mainland, visit the ebony carving market for curio shopping before driving southwest via Mikumi National Park towards Malawi.

DAYS 30 - 39
Malawi is a small friendly country dominated by the enormous Lake Malawi. There is an idyllic lakeshore with high escarpments and stunning deserted beaches. One popular stop is Kande Beach, a lakeside resort where you can swim, snorkel or scuba dive in the lake's clear sparkling freshwater. Alternatively go horse-riding along the beach and even take the horses swimming in the lake. Leaving Malawi, drive through rural Zambia to Livingstone, and enjoy the Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is one of Africa most exciting and enduring sights. There are various ways to view the Falls - helicopter, microlight or light aircraft, but for the more sedate the view from the lookout points in the surrounding national park is equally inspiring. In addition to the mighty Zambezi River, there is a range of adrenaline-pumping activities available. White water rafting, bungy jumping, gorge swinging, horseback riding, elephant back safaris to name but a few. Also enjoy a cruise on the broad upper reaches of the Zambezi with a ‘sundowner’ to watch the sunset over the African bush. We also take time to visit one of the local villages for an informative cultural experience. Those on the 39 day tour to Livingstone end here.

DAYS 40 - 46
From Livingstone we cross to neighbouring Botswana to Kasane and the Chobe National Park. We can take an afternoon game viewing cruise on which we hope to view elephant, hippo and birdlife of the area. We then move quickly south via Nata and Francistown to cross into South Africa to make our way to the Greater Kruger Area. We spend two nights in the area and hope to catch a last sight of Africa's diverse wildlife. Finally we travel through the Mpumalanga region to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest and most vibrant city, where the tour ends.

Travelling ‘overland’ is an adventurous and exciting way to see the sights, meet the cultures, and feel the soul and rhythm of Africa. In a self-sufficient vehicle, we carry everything with us including camping and cooking equipment and get off the beaten track to the real Africa. Travel with like-minded people in a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere and make life-long friends. Add this to special wildlife encounters, evocative landscapes, thrilling adventure activities, and nights camping out in the African bush, and you’ll have a memorable overland tour through Africa with Acacia...