Nairobi - Capetown 73 days/72 nights The itinerary is now extended by 2 days to include a visit to Matopos for a rhino trek, Hwange and Antelope Park 2011 Dates: Sun 18 Sep 2011 - Tue 29 Nov 2011 Thu 20 Oct 2011 - Sat 31 Dec 2011 (New Years Eve in CapeTown) Mon 14 Nov 2011 - Wed 25 Jan 2012 (Christmas on the houseboats on Lake Kariba and New Years in Victoria Falls) Wed 7 Dec 2011 - Fri 17 Feb 2012 (Christmas with the gorillas) 2012 Dates: Tue 24 Jan 2012 - Thu 5 Apr 2012 Tue 14 Feb 2012 - Thu 26 Apr 2012 Fri 30 Mar 2012 - Sun 10 Jun 2012 Thu 19 Apr 2012 - Sat 30 Jun 2012 Tue 22 May 2012 - Thu 2 Aug 2012

Overview:

The overland safari that does it all! Game drives across the world famous Masai Mara, a gorilla trek in the Virungas,the magic of Zanzibar's white beaches, the dunes of Namibia, the Serengeti, into Ngorongoro, across the pan of Etosha, mokoros deep into the Okavango, game cruise on the Chobe River and then the madness of white water rafting, bungee, gorge swings and walking with lions!!
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.

On our first morning we visit animal conservation projects in Nairbo, Kenya's capital. At the Giraffe Park we hand feed giraffe.
There is also the option to visit to Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage which introduces us to the work being done to
protect Africa’s elephants and other species. We also have our Departure Meeting today and enjoy a fun night out
together at one of Nairobi’s famous restaurants. To bed early though, as it is an early rise tomorrow.
Optional excursions: Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage, night out at Carnivores restaurant or similar.
Meals: (Dinner)

We are on the road to Kenya’s most famous game reserve, the Masai Mara, with extraordinary panoramic views across
the Great Rift Valley en route. Here, at the renowned stage of the wildebeest migration, we are introduced to the wilds of
Africa. These are our first game drives and 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.
Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Following our first camp in the bush, we head out to explore further in the Masai Mara, either on an early morning balloon
safari or a morning game drive. We can also visit a Maasai village before we leave the park by lunchtime. Tonight we
camp in the Maasai frontier town of Narok.

Optional excursion: Balloon safari.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Arriving at the lakeshore of Naivasha we take high tea at Elsamere, the home of Joy Adamson of ‘Born Free’ fame, and
enjoy the antics of the black and white colobus monkeys on the lawns of the conservation centre. By day, hippo wallow in
the lake and at night they come out to graze the lawns of our campsite.
Optional excursions: Elsamere for afternoon tea, hippo cruise.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

A cycling safari can be arranged in Hell’s Gate National Park where you can see evidence of past volcanic activity, as well
as a range of wildlife, including gazelle, impala, eland, and the fascinating and abundant bird and plant life of the region. The
Maasai Cultural Centre in the park also allows further insight into the Maasai people. An alternative option is to take a
guided walk to the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary.
Optional excursions: Cycling in Hell’s Gate National Park, guided walk to Green Crater Lake.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Our next highlight is Lake Nakuru National Park where we do afternoon game drives amongst acacia forests, grasslands
and candelabra euphorbia stands. There is a 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 over breakfast at Baboon
Cliffs you can enjoy the views across this very special place.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We do an early morning game drive before leaving the park at noon for the mountainous drive through the Nandi Hills to
Eldoret and Raj’s zany campsite.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We cross into Uganda and head for our camp by the White Nile at Jinja, just downstream from the source of the Nile.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

After several days on the road we enjoy a welcome break from travelling. Jinja is known as Uganda’s adventure capital.
Spend a day white water rafting or kayaking in the equatorial sunshine. Experience the thrill of the ‘Nile High’ Bungee.
There are also options to explore this lush tropical region on quad bikes, mountain bikes or on horseback. Many also enjoy
helping out in a local school, or take their time on a village walk.
Optional excursions: White water rafting, village walks, bungee jump, kayaking, boat trips, voluntary work in a local school,
quad biking, horse riding.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We drive to Uganda’s capital, Kampala, where we can shop, access banks and e-mail, before heading to Entebbe on the
shores of Lake Victoria.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Today a visit to the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary can be arranged, or check out Entebbe Botanical Gardens and
Wildlife Centre and relax by the Lake environs. Alternatively we travel through to trek chimps in the wild at Kyambura.

Optional excursion: Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary or alternatively chimpanzee trek in Kyambura.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We drive west to Mbarara where we stop over at local craft markets, including those of the Royal Mpambira Drum Makers.
Roadside stalls sell fresh rotisserie meat such as ‘chix on sticks’, and at the Equator stop there is time for a photo shoot.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We continue west for the relatively short journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here a game cruise on the Kazinga
Channel allows us to sit back and enjoy the company of hippo from the safety of a 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.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We make our way to Lake Bunyoni/Kabale where we spend a night before travelling on to our gorilla camp.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

On entering Rwanda we make a brief stop in Kigale at the Genocide Memorial and Museum, before camping up in Ruhengeri
to prepare for our gorilla trek. We camp near the Parc National des Volcans, or alternatively near one of the Ugandan
gorilla parks. At altitudes of up to 3,500 feet gorilla trekking through dense vegetation on the volcanic slopes of the Virungas,
is one of the trips’ high points. The gorillas are magic to visit. Herbivores, who munch the day a way, 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.
Optional excursions: Genocide Memorial and Museum, mountain gorilla trek (either Parc National des Volcans
(Rwanda) or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda), golden monkey trek, visit to Dian Fossey’s grave, Batwa (Pygmy)
village visit, orphanage visit.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We now cross the border to enter Tanzania below Lake Victoria. Today we are travelling off the beaten track to see a little
of the ‘real Africa’ away from the main tourist drag. We stay in a small local hotel on our first night in Tanzania heading
towards Mwanza and the south end of Lake Victoria. We eat locally and there is time on our journey to mingle in the local
markets and kick a football with the local kids. From Mwanza we enter in on the western side of the Serengeti in the truck
via The Grumeti Reserve. The Serengeti is home to hyena, lion, leopard and cheetah, predators who closely follow the moves of the vast herds of zebra, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle who seasonally migrate between here and Kenya’s Masai Mara. We travel across the entire of the park doing our game drives from the truck as we travel across mile upon mile of sweeping plains. Night 23 we camp in the centre of this 14,000 sq km park at Seronera.
Optional excursion: Guided game walks in the Grumeti, evening game drives in the Grumeti.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Up early, we head out on morning game drives in the Serengeti National Park. Visits to a Maasai boma and Olduvai Gorge
Museum on leaving the park are also part of the day’s excursions. Our evening meal and overnight camp are above the
Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest extinct volcano.
Optional excursions: Balloon safari, Maasai boma, Olduvai Gorge Museum.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

After an early breakfast, we descend 2,000 feet into the Crater, where we can view rhino, hippo, lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo, zebra, impala, wildebeest, cheetah, monkey, ostrich and flamingo. The Maasai, living on the Crater rim, still shun
modern ways, continue to dye their hair with ochre and live on a diet of milk and blood obtained from their cattle. After our
morning game drives in the Crater and a picnic lunch we travel to Arusha, via the village of Mto Wa Mbu, where Maasai display
their ebony carvings, spears and beadwork. We enjoy a group barbecue to celebrate all we have seen in the Tanzanian parks.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Dawn brings the possibility of views of Kilimanjaro on our way to the bustling city of Dar es Salaam.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

You can now have a break from truck life for four days on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar. 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. 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.
Further details of arrangements for your optional time on Zanzibar Island: We make core arrangements well ahead of
time so we are assured our groups will be comfortable staying in popular beach cottages to the north of the island at Kendwa
and for a night in the capital, Stone Town. The tour leader travels over to the island with the group as well to ensure that
all runs smoothly. Other excursions available include a snorkelling trip to Prison Island famous for its giant tortoise, as
well as Mnemba Atoll, dolphin boat trips, a trek in Jozani forest to see the red colobus monkeys and fishing. Scuba diving can
be arranged from the dive centre near our beach cottages.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Today we travel back to Dar es Salaam for a last night by the Indian Ocean before continuing south and west towards Malawi.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

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 past the Ruaha River and to our overnight campsite at Iringa for our last
night in Tanzania.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

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

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Travelling south down the freshwater lake shore, we make regular stops at the 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, windsurfing, water skiing 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 for a local meal. Enjoy bartering with local craftsmen selling African artefacts including traditional Malawi chairs.

Optional excursions: Water sports, including snorkelling, windsurfing, water skiing and scuba diving, horse riding,
village visits including traditional meal and dancing, Livingstonia hike.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We now travel via the capital of Malawi, Lilongwe, heading for South Luangwa National Park to camp for two nights,
depending on road conditions and the season. Alternatively we head to Lusaka and schedule a stay in Hwange National Park
after our houseboat visit. Luangwa is a wildlife reserve of unspoilt natural beauty and boasts an abundance of game. Up to 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species are attracted here by the Luangwa River with its oxbow lagoons. We arrange game drives including night drives with spotlights. This provides the chance to see nocturnal wildlife, particularly
leopard and genet.
Optional excursion: Evening game drive in South Luangwa National Park (depending on season)

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We travel west towards Lusaka the modern capital of Zambia, possibly stopping over at the Luangwa River bridge en route.
In Lusaka we have an opportunity to catch up on communications and stock up on supplies.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

From here we travel to Lake Kariba where we hire a houseboat to relax for a couple of nights and enjoy nature at its best.
This is an outing always popular with the locals. Famous for its tiger fishing, the Lake is a perfect spot to throw in a line
and enjoy the wildlife on view including elephant, hippo and crocs. Watch dawn break through the stark silhouettes of the
driftwood trees, the silence only broken by the haunting cry of a fish eagle.
Optional excursion: Houseboat cruise on Lake Kariba.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We leave the houseboats and continue west to Livingstone, the Zambian border town situated on the banks of the mighty
Victoria Falls, also known as ‘Mosi-Oa-Tunya’, ‘the smoke that thunders’. The Falls provide breathtaking views of sheer drops
and raging waters. Mists from the Falls rise metres into the air and have given rise to a lush tropical rainforest along the rim.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We stay a few days to absorb all that the area has to offer– from adrenalin-pumping activities, fun bars and restaurants, a
variety of markets, and sunset cruises gliding on placid waters. You may choose to go white water rafting in the gorge,
sky dive, bungee jump, gorge swing, abseil or take a flight over the Falls known as ‘The Flight of the Angels’. Take time
to wander the forest, exploring different views of the Falls. Horse riding, elephant riding, lion walks and interactive
drumming are also all on offer.

Optional excursions: White water rafting, river board, jet boat, bungee jump, gorge swing and rap jump, ‘Flight of the
Angels’, canoe trip, lion walks, elephant ride, horse riding, interactive drumming, sun downer cruise.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Travelling south into Botswana, Chobe National Park is our next stop where we take a gentle cruise down the river particularly
to view elephant on the shoreline, as well as much more of Africa’s wildlife. Giraffes browse the acacia trees and
elephants lumber through a park rich with game. There is time to explore further if you wish to go on a game drive.
Optional excursion: Chobe National Park – game drives and game cruise.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Leaving Chobe, we travel via the Makgadikgadi Pans to Maun.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We now have the option of a two- to three-day safari into the Okavango Delta in a mokoro, the traditional dugout canoe of
the Delta boatmen. We are poled through tranquil, crystal clear waterways and beds of papyrus reeds, home to some
of Africa’s finest bird life and unusual flora. There is 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.
Optional excursions: Okavango Delta mokoro safari, flights over the Delta, game drives in Moremi.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Entering Namibia, we cross a section of the Caprivi Strip and stop to see the Hoba meteorite, the world’s largest, before
driving into Etosha National Park to camp within Namibia’s most famous game park.

Optional excursion: Hoba meteorite.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

The local Owambo people call Etosha ‘the place of dry water’. The blinding white surface of the salt pan desert covers an
area the size of Switzerland and in summer, violent squalls transform it into a vast shallow lake, providing a breeding
ground for thousands of flamingos. A vast array of animals live around the Pan, including elephant, lion, gemsbok, zebra,
black rhino, giraffe, cheetah and leopard. We take an early morning game drive, to make the most of our two night stay in the park. An optional evening drive is also available, following the regular afternoon game drives. Visiting the floodlit water holes at night is also a special treat in this park.
Optional excursion: Evening game drive, Etosha National Park.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Leaving Etosha we travel via Outjo to visit a cheetah park, for some close-up photos with this endangered cat.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Today we head into Damaraland to spend time with the local semi-nomadic, pastoral Himba group, who herd sheep, goats
and cattle and maintain traditional beliefs in ancestor worship and sacred fire rituals. We stretch our legs on a guided walk
and can view ancient Bushman rock paintings in thisextraordinary landscape. For an evening under the stars, we
regularly camp out in the wild tonight. Depending on road conditions, we drive a small section of one of the loneliest stretch of coastline in Africa, the Skeleton Coast, flanked by bone-bleaching desert. We arrive at Cape Cross seal colony, a breeding colony of 200,000 Cape fur seals. On to Swakopmund, home to some of the finest opensea fishing in the world, where we check in to a lodge to give us a break from life on the truck and camping.
Optional excursion: A guided walk including viewings of rock engravings, Bushman visit

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

From Swakopmund we have options of flights over the Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast. For the adrenalin junkie
there’s quad biking, sand boarding and skydiving. Go-karting is popular as are the township tours, horse riding and of
course fishing.
Optional excursions: Quad biking, sand boarding, skydiving, go-karting, open-sea fishing, township tours, horse riding,
balloons and flights over the Desert.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Sossusvlei, within the Namib Naukluft National Park, offers thousand-foot sand dunes to explore. Take a guided tour here
to find out more about the formation of the dunes and the creatures that live in this harsh environment.
Optional excursion: Guided walk on the Dunes.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We travel on to the Fish River Canyon, reputedly the second largest canyon in the world, and time permitting we stop for a
soak in Ai-Ais’ hot springs, set in a weird lunar landscape. This region is a spectacular setting for our last night in Namibia.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Today we cross into South Africa – the last country we visit on our safari. We camp near the Orange River that marks the
border between Namibia and South Africa and enjoy a relaxed canoe ride.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

We travel south down the west coast of South Africa into the wine areas of Cape Province for a two-night stay in the historic
town of Stellenbosch. Here we have the opportunity to taste the region’s finest produce on a wine tour.

Optional Excursion: Wine Tour

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)

Our final day’s travel is from Stellenbosch to Ashanti Lodge, in Cape Town, our journey’s end. We have our last meal together
against the extraordinary backdrop of the 1,000-metre high Table Mountain. Cape Town is a wonderful place to relax with
plenty of attractions, shopping and cocktail bars. If you want to head further afield with us in South Africa with us, continue on our Garden Route Add-On safari. This follows on from our arrival in Cape Town departing three days later. It takes in highlights along the coastline, including Gainsbaai for a white shark dive, the beaches of Jeffrey’s Bay, the Bloukrans bungee, Addo Elephant Park, finishing in Johannesburg, ‘the City of Gold”. The Travel Shop at Ashanti can also assist you with bookings
in Cape Town including a visit to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve or exploring further including pony trekking in
Lesotho, hikes in the Drakensberg Mountains, a safari in Kruger National Park, and travelling through to the KwaZulu-
Natal coast for some excellent surfing.

Special note: This itinerary extends by two days from the 17th July 2011 to allow time to visit Matopos for a rhino trek,
Hwange and Antelope Park. From this date we will not visit South Luangwa.

Meals: (Breakfasts/Dinners)