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Best of Africa Overland
Price: From ZAR 31593 per person
- Start: Cape Town
- End: Nairobi
- Type: Camping
- Comfort:Standard
- Vehicle:Overland Truck
- Duration:56 days
DAY 1: Cederberg Mountains, South Africa- DAY 2: Orange River, South Africa
- DAY 3: Fish River Canyon, Namibia
- DAYS 4-5: Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
- DAYS 6-7: Swakopmund, Namibia
- DAY 8: Spitzkoppe, Namibia
- DAY 9: Kamanjab, Namibia
- DAYS 10-11: Etosha National Park, Namibia
- DAY 12: Windhoek, Namibia
- DAY 13: Ghanzi, Botswana
- DAY 14: Maun, Botswana
- DAYS 15-16: Okavango Delta, Botswana
- DAY 17: Gweta, Botswana
- DAY 18: Chobe National Park, Botswana
- DAYS 19-21: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
- DAY 22: Lusaka, Zambia
- DAY 23: Chipata, Zambia
- DAYS 24-25: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
- DAY 26: Lilongwe, Malawi
- DAYS 27-28: Kande Beach, Malawi
- DAY 29: Chitimba, Lake Malawi, Malawi
- DAY 30: Iringa, Tanzania
- DAY 31: Mikuni National Park, Tanzania
- DAY 32:Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- DAYS 33-35: Zanzibar, Tanzania
- DAY 36: Lushoto, Tanzania
- DAY 37: Karatu, Tanzania
- DAYS 38-40: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
- DAY 41: Arusha, Tanzania
- DAY 42: Nairobi, Kenya
- DAY 43: Masai Mara, Kenya
- DAY 44: Lake Naivasha, Kenya
- DAY 45: Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya
- DAYS 46-47: Kampala, Uganda
- DAY 48: Lake Bunyoni, Uganda
- DAYS 49-51: Buhoma, Uganda
- DAY 52: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
- DAYS 53-54: Jinja, Uganda
- DAY 55: Eldoret, Kenya
- DAY 56: Nairobi, Kenya
- Highlights: Cederberg Mountains
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Orange River
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Fish River Canyon
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Swakopmund
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals on day 6: Breakfast, Lunch
- Meals on day 7: Breakfast
- Highlights: Spitzkoppe
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Kamanjab
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Etosha National Park
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Windhoek
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Highlights: Ghanzi
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Maun
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Okavango Delta
- Accommodation: Bush Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Gweta
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Chobe River
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Victoria Falls
- Accommodation: Hostel
- Meals on day 19: Breakfast, Lunch
- Meals on day 20 & 21: Breakfast
- Highlights: Lusaka
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Chipata
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: South Luangwa National Park
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Lilongwe
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Kande Beach
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Chitimba Beach
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Iringa
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Mikuni National Park
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Dar es Salaam
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Zanzibar
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals: Breakfast
- Highlights: Lushoto
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Karatu
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Arusha
- Accommodation: Campnig
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Nairobi
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Highlights: Masai Mara National Reserve
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Lake Naivasha
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Lake Nakuru National Park
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Kampala
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals on day 46: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Meals on day 47: Breakfast, Lunch
- Highlights: Lake Bunyoni
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Bwindi National Park, mountain gorillas
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Jinja
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Eldoret
- Accommodation: Camping
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highlights: Nairobi
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- SEASONAL DATES: TOUR PRICE: LOCAL PAYMENT
- 01 January 2013 - 31 December 2013 ZAR 31593 ZAR 12050
Best of Africa Overland
Experience the ‘best’ southern and East Africa highlights on this ultimate 56-day overland camping adventure.
Fast Facts
Tour Summary
55 Nights
Meals: 55 Breakfasts 48 Lunches 44 Dinners
Day 1: Goodbye to the Mother City
Say goodbye to the Mother City as you take one last photo of Table Mountain from across the bay and continue north to the Cederberg Mountains. Along the way stop and partake in a guided walk of the area to learn about the !Kwa ttu people.
Day 2: Relax on the South African border
An early start has you heading north through the Namaqualand region, via the town of Springbok, for the Orange River. In the springtime this drive is extra special thanks to all the wildflowers that bloom along side of the highway. Your camp is situated right on the banks of the Orange River, and you can look across to Namibia.
Day 3: Explore the Orange River
Today you have the option of relaxing down by the Orange River, or you can explore the river in a half-day canoe excursion. The river is quite calm here, giving you the opportunity to view the scenery and the birds.
Following lunch, cross into Namibia and make the short drive to the Fish River Canyon. Wander around the rim admiring this impressive canyon, as your guide sets a delicious light meal while you watch the sunset.
Days 4-5: Watch the Sunrise from Dune 45
This morning you depart the Fish River Canyon and travel to the Namib-Naukluft National Park. You’ll set up camp near the area of Sesriem, in the afternoon take a short hike to the Sesriem Canyon. Tonight marvel at all the stars above as you sleep out in the Namib Desert.
After an early wake up, drive to Sossusvlei and the world’s highest sand dunes, to watch the sunrise from atop of Dune 45. Later, take a guided tour around the area learning about this unique desert ecosystem and how the bushmen adapted to the conditions.
Days 6-7: Skydiving Over Swakopmund
Stop at the Tropic of Capricorn for a photo as you drive north through the unique moon-like landscape of the Kusieb Valley and the Namib Desert to the Atlantic Coast. Take a moment in Walvis Bay to view the flamingos in the lagoon before continuing up the coast to Namibia’s playground, Swakopmund. This evening why not explore this quaint town, and visit one of the excellent restaurants for dinner (not included).
The next day will be yours to enjoy any of the optional activities on offer. Race around the sand dunes on a quad bike, slide down them on a sand board, or float above them on a tandem skydive. Other options include visiting the museum and aquarium in town, or simply wandering the streets to do some shopping, or to get a delicious coffee and pastry at a café.
Day 8: Camping at the Base of Spitzkoppe
Heading inland you leave the coast for awhile and drive through the rugged landscape to the Spitzkoppe Monolith. This enormous rock formation towers above a relatively flat area. The campsite for the night is at the base. In the afternoon, partake in a guided walk of this sacred San site.
Day 9: Meeting the Himba in Kamanjab
Continuing east travel towards Kamanjab and a chance to meet with a local Himba tribe. Stop at a local traditional village to learn about these pastoral people and how they make their living breeding goats and cattle.
Days 10-11: Game Viewing on the Etosha Pan
Today you enter Namibia’s premier game park – Etosha National Park – and begin your safari adventure as drive to your first camp. Etosha is an excellent game viewing location as the sparse grasslands offer you a much easier game spotting experience than the dense bush of other game parks. Keep your eyes open for the 4 of the Big 5, only the buffalo is missing.
In the evenings, share your time between the roaring fire at your campsite, and the camp’s water hole where the nocturnal animals will come for a drink.
Continue your exploration the next day of the Etosha Pan as you drive around searching for the wildlife you haven’t yet seen. Stop at the park’s other water holes for an opportunity to take some amazing photographs. This evening, why not head out with a NWR ranger on an optional night game drive to view the nocturnal animals in the natural habitat.
Day 12: Staying the Night in Windhoek
Following one final game drive, set off for the capital, Windhoek. Along the way, stop at a local craft market and buy some gifts for home. Once in Windhoek, explore the city on a small tour, before heading to Joe’s Beer House for some traditional barbeque (not included).
Day 13: Crossing into Botswana
Head out early for the Botswana border as you drive to the small town of Ghanzi. After pitching your tent, you’ll get the chance to meet with some local San bushman and experience some of their traditional dancing.
Day 14: Flying Over the Okavango Delta
From Ghanzi travel to the gateway of the Okavango Delta, Maun. This afternoon, if time permits, take the opportunity to fly over the world’s largest inland delta on an optional scenic flight. Return to the camp for the evening and prepare your daypack for your 2-night excursion into the Delta.
Days 15-16: Taking a Mokoro into the Delta
Board a large 4x4 truck and set off into the Delta and a mokoro station at the water’s edge. Transfer to these traditional dugout canoes as a member of the local community ‘poles’ you further into the Delta.
Once at your campsite, spend the next two days exploring this unique ecosystem for flora, fauna, and wildlife. Head out with your local guides on foot or by mokoro. In the evenings, sit back and relax by the fire as you listen to the sounds of the wild (or silence) around you.
Day 17: Walking Among the Baobab Trees
After a short bush walk, you break camp and make your way back to Maun and your overland truck. Hop into the overland truck, and drive east to the Planet Baobab for the night. The rest of the day will be yours to enjoy. You can explore the bush around the property viewing the region’s oldest Baobab trees, or swim and relax by the pool.
Day 18: Game Spotting on the Chobe River
This morning your journey takes you to Kasane, near the Chobe National Park. In the early evening, embark on a sunset cruise up the Chobe River to spot the animals – elephants, giraffes, and hippos - that come down to the river for a swim or drink.
Days 19-21: Getting a Rush in Victoria Falls
This morning you have the option to take a morning game drive (own expense) in the elephant-rich Chobe National Park before making the drive to the Zimbabwe border. After the border formalities, continue on to the adventure capital, Victoria Falls.
The following two days are yours to explore this fantastic town and partaking in the optional activities available. Visit the mighty, natural wonder Victoria Falls, bungee jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge, go white water rafting on the Zambezi, or visit the lion rehabilitation centre and walk among the resident big cats.
In the evenings, you can experience the excellent culinary dishes of the town’s restaurants before enjoying a nice cool drink to finish off an exciting day.
Day 22: Traveling to Lusaka
Your journey continues into Zambia as you drive to the capital, Lusaka. Notice how the vegetation becomes sub-tropical and the roads a bit rougher. Today will be a longer travel day than you’re used to.
Day 23: Preparing for South Luangwa National Park
Today is another long travel day as you travel along lush countryside, and rivers on your way to Chipata. A truly African country, Zambia will take some getting used to after the western style of life in southern Africa.
Days 24-25: Game Viewing in South Luangwa National Park
Leaving Chipata, travel to the border of the South Luangwa National Park, and set up camp on the banks of the Luangwa River for two nights. Keep an eye out for hippos that wander along the bank of the river. Later, enjoy a sunset game drive into the park.
The next morning take another game drive (own expense) in to this gem of a game park, known for its large numbers of leopards and hippos. Returning to camp for lunch. Visit a community run textile project and their local village in the afternoon.
Day 26: Visit the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre
Set out this morning for Malawi and the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre in the capital, Lilongwe. The Centre is situated on a large section of woodlands, and is the country’s only sanctuary for rescued wild animals.
Days 27-28: Horse Back Riding in Kande Beach
Drive up the west coast of the lake to the renowned Kande Beach for two days. There are several optional activities available such as horse back riding and other water sports. The next day, take a guided tour of a local village to meet with its residents and learn about the Malawian way of life.
Day 29: Abseiling in Chitimba Beach
Continuing north along this 600 km fresh water lake, you reach your final campsite in Malawi, Chitimba Beach. Relax on the beach or continue to explore the lake by kayak, on horse-back, or for a difference, do some abseiling.
Day 30: Dining in Maasai Hut Near Iringa
Today you enter Tanzania and climb out of the Rift Valley into the highlands around Iringa. Passing tea and banana plantations, stop at a lovely campsite just outside of the town of Iringa. Dinner this evening will be in a local Maasai Hut, with other traditional festivities.
Day 31: Driving through Mikumi National Park
Continue driving north through the Tanzanian highlands to the Mikumi National Park. This stunning smaller park is home to lion, wildebeest, buffalo, and elephant. Embark in the afternoon on an optional game drive to explore the park.
Day 32: Rejuvenating in Dar es Salaam
Leaving the cooler highland region, you travel down to the humid climates of the Indian Ocean and the large Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam. If time permits after you’ve set up camp, head into Dar es Salaam and explore the economic hub of Tanzania.
Days 33-35: Wandering The Streets of Stone Town
Board the local ferry to the idyllic, island paradise of Zanzibar. Starting in Stone Town, spend your first night experiencing this fascinating city and all its history and culture. Wander the narrow streets stopping at the local shops to buy some treasures, and in a cafe for a spiced drink.
The next day, transfer to the north where you can spend a few days relaxing on the white sandy beaches, and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Book a few optional activities such as a spice tour, or a snorkeling/diving excursion to some spectacular coral reefs.
Day 36: Taking the Ferry from Zanzibar
Say ‘goodbye’ to the Spice Island as you catch the ferry back to the mainland, and drive north through the lush forests of the coast to the Usambara Mountains. Set up camp tonight near the town of Lushoto in the rolling hills of the Usambara Mountains.
Day 37: Scenic Drive to Karatu
This morning you begin a long but scenic drive to Karatu via Arusha, and its authentic craft markets. Stop as you pass through Moshi, if it’s a clear day, and take a photo of the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro and its snowy summit. Spend the evening preparing your overnight bag for your optional 2-night safari excursion.
Days 38-40: Game Driving in the Serengeti
Transfer to 4x4 safari vehicles and start your drive to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Two of the best known game parks in East Africa, the two parks have some of the most densely populated areas for wildlife in Africa. You’ll spend the next two days exploring them for Africa’s Big 5 and other variety of animals.
Those not going on the excursion, take this opportunity to experience the town of Karatu and explore the local culture in the area.
Day 41: Visiting a Maasai Museum in Arusha
Today you’ll return from your safari excursion and drive to Arusha after reuniting with those passengers who didn’t go to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Visit the local Maasai Museum and Snake Park in the afternoon, before exchanging stories of each other’s different adventure over dinner.
Day 42: Having Dinner in Nairobi
Traveling north, you cross into Kenya and continue to the vibrant East Africa city of Nairobi. Once in Nairobi, head out to dinner (own expense) as a group to one of the many excellent restaurants in the city.
Day 43: Witnessing the Annual Migration in the Mara
Driving through the Rift Valley, you reach the famous Masai Mara National Reserve and spend the rest of the day exploring this spectacular game park for wildlife. Most known for the annual migration, the Mara is also home to several other animals including many big cats.
Day 44: Biking through Hell’s Gate National Park
Continue to explore the Masai Mara, this morning, on another game drive before heading north towards Hell’s Gate National Park, via Lake Naivasha, for the night. In the afternoon, head out on an optional game viewing experience on a bike, or go for high tea at the Elsamere.
Day 45: Seeing Pink in Lake Nakuru National Park
Say goodbye to Lake Naivasha and drive towards the Lake Nakuru National Park. Explore this fascinating park, which is well-known for the vast number of flamingos that flock to its soda lake but is also home to the black and white rhino, tree climbing lions, and hippos.
Days 46-47: Visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
This morning you head west, crossing the Equator, to the Ugandan border. After the border formalities, continue to the capital of Uganda, Kampala. Take the evening to explore this energetic city and its night life.
Your second day in Kampala is free for you to explore. Why not head to the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary for an optional tour of this non-profit project. Established in 1998, it was created to help care for orphaned chimpanzees.
Day 48: Driving to Lake Bunyoni
Today is a bit of a long travel day as you head from Kampala to the tranquil lake of Lake Bunyoni. This small lake is the deepest Crater Lake in Africa and has an abundance of wildlife nearby for you to investigate.
Days 49-51: Trekking with the Mountain Gorillas
Over the next few days, you get the chance of a lifetime to trek with the endangered mountain gorillas of Uganda (or if permits are not available, potentially in Rwanda or the DRC). Note that a few days have been allocated for gorilla trekking however you will only be trekking one day. The other days are to provide time to the rest of group as only a limited number of permits are available each day.
On the days you aren’t trekking you can simply relax at the campsite, go bird watching, or visit a local village and learn about the Ugandan way of life.
Day 52: Watching a Sunset in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Traveling north, make your way to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the north-western part of the country. This afternoon explore this wonderful wetland park for the many unique game species, such as the giant forest hog and tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha Sector, that inhabit the park. In the evening, take a cruise on the Kasinga Channel to watch another spectacular African sunset.
Days 53-54: Quad Biking in Jinja
In the morning, take some time to continue exploring the park for wildlife before heading towards Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria and the city of Jinja. Spend the evening discovering Uganda’s second largest city.
The next day is yours to enjoy the optional activities on hand. You can go rafting on the source of the Egyptian Nile, explore the region on quad bikes, or for a more community-oriented activity, you could volunteer at the Soft Power Education project.
Day 55: Crossing Back into Kenya
Cross back into Kenya and travel to Eldoret for the night as you make your way back to Nairobi. Situated in the Great Rift Valley, Eldoret sits at an elevation of 2,100 m. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy and explore this Kenyan town.
Day 56: Ending Your Tour in Nairobi
This morning, continue the final leg of your journey as you travel back to Nairobi. Your tour ends officially once you arrive in East Africa’s largest city. You may though choose to have one final dinner with your fellow travelers at your own expense.
Pricing is meant as a guide only. All prices are subject to availability, change/increase without notice and seasonabilty. Most of the overland tours are priced on a per person basis, but options and rates vary from supplier to supplier. Please note that many overland tours charge a local payment rate, which is paid directly to your trip leader upon the day of departure - this is an addition to the trip price. We have included the local payment rates for your benefit only. Contact us via Enquiry Form for an accurate, market-best rate.
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