42 Day Nairobi to Victoria Falls Adventure Tour

Tour Details

Tour Style Camping
Length 42 days
Countries Visited Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Starts Nairobi
Ends Victoria Falls
Group Size Min 1 Max 22
Age Range 15+ Years and Older
Tour SKU CAE0142
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Why You'll Love this Tour

Explore the iconic vistas of East Africa for 42 days. There is no better place than Rwanda's steamy jungle to witness rare mountain gorillas, go on a thrilling safari through lush forest and open savanna, and conclude the trip with a visit to Victoria Falls. Discover Tanzania and Malawi through cultural exchanges, relax on Zanzibar's beaches, and track the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. This is an overland journey that combines local-guided excursions with free time for you to explore whatever it is that intrigues you.

Tour Price

Currency conversion estimated. Base currency is South African Rand (ZAR)


FROM

R157,195

+ Single Supplement 11565

Price Disclaimer: Tour is Priced at ZAR 157195 - ZAR 175655 (Price fluctuates based on seats available, confirm with your consultant). Currency fluctuations may occur


Next Year's Price

From: 168090

Dates Tour Length: 42 days


Currency estimated. Base currency is South African Rand (ZAR)


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Included

  • Meals - 39 breakfasts, 28 lunches, 34 dinners
  • Accommodation - Camping (with facilities) (32 nights), Hotel (3 night), Hotel with shared facilities (1 night), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Bungalow (2 nights)
  • 2 crew experienced
  • Transport - Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Ferry, Minibus
  • Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Lake Nakuru - Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
  • Kericho - Tea plantation visit
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
  • Irente - Lushoto hike
  • Irente - Local lunch
  • Mikumi National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Dawn Game Drive
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Evening Game Drive
  • South Luangwa - Jewellery workshop Project
  • Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
  • Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings

Excluded

  • International Flights
  • All optional activities
  • Sleeping bag and pillows
  • Personal taxes (including departure and border taxes)
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Visa fees
  • Tips
  • Personal spending money
  • Restaurant meals (other than those listed)
  • Laundry
  • Travel insurance (Get Adventure Travel Insurance)

Activities

Some of the activities you can take part in on this tour.

Included in the Tour Price

  • Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Lake Nakuru - Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Bwindi National Park - Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
  • Kericho - Tea plantation visit
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
  • Irente - Lushoto hike
  • Irente - Local lunch
  • Mikumi National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Dawn Game Drive
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Evening Game Drive
  • South Luangwa - Jewellery workshop Project
  • Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
  • Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings


Other Activities

Optional Activities available on this tour at your own expense 

  • Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD55
  • Kalinzu Forest - Chimp trek - USD70
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kazinga Channel boat cruise - USD30
  • Kisoro - Trek With Golden Monkeys Permit & Guide (from price) - USD100
  • Kisoro - Lake & Famstead Bicycle Tour - USD50
  • Kisoro - Rwanda Day Excursion - From - USD75
  • Kisoro - Batwa Village Visit - USD35
  • Kisoro - Coffee Farm Tour - USD35
  • Jinja - River Nile whitewater rafting (full day) - USD140
  • Jinja - Nile Boat Cruise - USD40
  • Jinja - Source of River Nile tour - USD45
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD500
  • Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD745
  • Stone Town Tour - Dharajani Market, Joseph's Cathederal, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market - USD20
  • Zanzibar - Prison Island Tour - USD25
  • Stone Town - Handicraft & Music Urban Adventure - USD50
  • Zanzibar - Spice tour - USD25
  • Zanzibar - Snorkelling - USD50
  • Zanzibar - Dhow Trip - USD35
  • Stone Town - Culinary Urban Adventure - USD29
  • Lake Malawi - Guided village walks - USD15
  • Lake Malawi - Pedalos - USD25
  • Lake Malawi - Canoe Hire - USD10
  • Lake Malawi - Bike Hire - USD25
  • South Luangwa National Park - Game Walk - USD50
  • Balawayo - Natural History Museum - USD10
  • Bulawayo - Railway Museum - USD5
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance - USD50
  • Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
  • Victoria Falls - Flying fox - USD50
  • Victoria Falls - Gorge swing - USD103
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
  • Victoria Falls - Rafting & river boarding (half day) - USD218
  • Victoria Falls - Village & township tour - USD61
  • Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (full day) - USD130
  • Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (half day) - USD130
Please note: if you would like participate in any additional activities please liaise with your tour consultant ahead of time.

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi, Kenya

If you arrive early, take advantage of the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Nairobi and attend the welcome meeting at 6 pm. There are a number of excellent bars and restaurants, as well as markets and shops selling essentials and handicrafts from the region. Attend a group dinner with your new travel companions after the welcome meeting.

Meals: There are no meals included on this day
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities: Nairobi – City Experience Urban Adventure – USD55
Please Note: We will be collecting insurance information and next of kin information during the welcome meeting. You should notify your travel agent or hotel reception if you are going to be late. For more information regarding the location of the meeting, please ask at reception or check the lobby.

Day 2: Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya

During the drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, you will be able to view spectacular views of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita. In approximately three to four hours, you will arrive at the camp in time for a short evening game drive along the lakeshore. There are numerous animal species to be seen in Lake Nakuru National Park, which is a small and compact area based around a lake. It is possible to take great photographs of rhinos at Lake Nakuru, along with the other members of the Big Five.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities)(1 night)
Included Activities: Lake Nakuru – Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Travel Time:  ± 4 hours
Please Note:
 It is important to note that your campsite tonight is located inside the park and offers flush toilets and showers. Upgrades to the accommodation and Wi-Fi are not available.

Day 3: Eldoret, Kenya

Get up early today for tea or coffee before heading back to the park for a morning game drive. Breakfast will be served at camp before we travel north to Eldoret, a town with a population of approximately 56,000. This town has a high altitude that makes it an ideal training ground for middle-distance and long-distance athletes, and is the home of some of Kenya’s most renowned runners. A traditional dinner will be served tonight at your campsite just outside of Eldoret.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Lake Nakuru – Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Travel Time: ± 6 hours
Pleas Note: A basic flush toilet and shower is available at the camp, upgrades available upon request. More information can be obtained by contacting your booking agent.

Day 4: Kampala, Uganda

Leaving Kenya today, you will cross the border into Uganda, traveling on to Kampala, the capital of the country (approximately 10 hours), though it could take longer depending on the border crossing). As one of the five countries that make up the East African Community, Uganda is a country with a population of over 30 million. Considering that it is a long travel day today, you may wish to consider staying at a hotel instead of setting up camp. Before you settle in for a good night’s sleep, enjoy a dinner prepared by your hotel after a long drive.

Today you will leave Kenya behind and cross the border into landlocked Uganda, travelling on to its capital city, Kampala. With a population of over 30 million, Uganda is a country of great cultural diversity and is one of the five countries that make up the East African Community. As today is a long travel day, take a break from setting up camp with a stay at a hotel. After your long drive enjoy a dinner prepared by the hotel before settling in for a good night rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel with shared facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 10 hours
Please Note: It is possible for your guide to arrange a free transfer to and from Kampala city if you would like to eat in town tonight.

Day 5: Kalinzu Forest, Kenya

Travel to Kalinzu Forest National Park today. Chimpanzees, black and white colobuses, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, blue and red duikers, bushbucks, waterbucks, enormous forest hogs, buffalo, and elephants are a few of its inhabitants. After you arrive, make yourself at home in your camp, stretch your legs, and go exploring with the other members of the group.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 9 hours
Please Note: The facilities at your camp tonight are basic and there are no upgrades available.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

This morning, you can choose to stay inside your tent and listen to the sounds of the jungle or go on the optional excursion of seeing the chimpanzees at Kalinzu jungle. Chimpanzees are more closely related to humans than any other living thing, and it’s fun to watch them play and quarrel in fruit trees. Make the quick journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park afterwards. After setting up camp, you can choose to go on a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel, which is home to a healthy population of hippos as well as pelicans, eagles, and other amazing birds.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Kalinzu Forest – Chimp trek – USD70, Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kazinga Channel boat cruise – USD30

Day 7: Kisoro, Uganda

Leave the Queen Elizabeth National Park today and drive to the southwest tip of Uganda (approximately seven hours). During this short game drive, you will have the opportunity to see elephants, buffalo, Ugandan kobs, and waterbucks. You will be based in Kisoro, which provides access to seven different gorilla groups located in Mgahinga, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Nshongi when you arrive at the corner of Uganda where the border touches Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Travel Time: ± 7 hours

Day 8: Gorilla Trek, Uganda

In Bwindi National Park, climb through rugged mountain terrain with a local ranger and gorilla trackers to encounter rare gorillas. Each habituated family can only be visited by eight people per day, and visits are strictly limited in order to prevent disturbances or the transmission of disease to the animals. The tracking of gorillas in a dense forest can often be difficult due to the wet, muddy conditions. It can also be quite strenuous and humid due to the terrain, but the sheer thrill of encountering habituated gorillas, dominated by a great silverback, outweighs the difficulties. It is essential that you are mentally and physically prepared for a walk of up to four hours – including uphill and downhill terrain. It is possible to get very close to mountain gorillas, which are placid and gentle, and watching their movements is like viewing an image of oneself in a mirror. The spectacle of the giant silverback surveying the scene while the smaller ones snooze in the trees or play like children will captivate you as you observe them eating, sleeping, grooming, and playing. During your visit with the gorillas, you will have the opportunity to spend one unforgettable hour with them.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Bwindi National Park – Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
Please Note: The trek will be guided by your guide and you will be given a walking stick and the option to hire a porter if you need assistance carrying your daypack. Porters cost 20 USD plus an optional tip. Besides making your trek easier, hiring a porter promotes gorilla conservation and tourism in local communities. There are some porters who have been poachers in the past who now recognize the value of gorilla conservation practices.

Day 9: Gorilla Trek, Uganda

As you wait for, or have completed, your gorilla visit, your guide will provide you with suggestions on how to spend your free time. A rainforest hike is a great way to see monkeys, take a nature walk, or if you are up for the challenge, you can climb Mt Sabinyo, one of the five volcanoes in the Parc National des Volcans, or you may choose to go over the border to Rwanda to visit the genocide memorial, museum and Nyamirambo women’s center for a day trip. It is, however, imperative that you obtain a visa for Rwanda or East Africa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Kisoro – Trek With Golden Monkeys Permit & Guide (from price) – USD100, Kisoro – Lake & Famstead Bicycle Tour – USD50, Kisoro – Rwanda Day Excursion – From – USD75, Kisoro – Batwa Village Visit – USD35, Kisoro – Coffee Farm Tour – USD35
Please Note: Additional transportation costs of approximately USD 100 are required for optional activities that can be shared by 5 to 8 travelers.
You can pre-book the Golden Monkeys Trek, which will guarantee you a spot. You are welcome to wait and book the activity locally on the ground if you wish, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and spaces are limited. Depending on the number of travelers, the Rwanda day excursion price will vary. A van can accommodate up to seven passengers for a fee of $260 and a local guide will accompany the vehicle for a fee of $50. There are additional fees associated with entrance and tipping.

Day 10: Mbarara, Uganda

The gorillas’ lands are bid farewell as we return to Kampala, Uganda’s capital. We will stop at the pit-stop town of Mbarara for the night. To be honest, there is not much going on here, but it makes for an excellent opportunity to spend the afternoon and evening relaxing at the camp or even exploring the nearby town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 6 hours

Day 11: Jinja, Uganda

Your journey today will continue inland toward Jinja (approximately seven hours). Any visit to Uganda should include an excursion to the Jinja region, a riverside retreat at the source of the Nile as well as the adventure capital of the country. The evening will be spent camping at an attractive riverside site where you can enjoy a good night’s sleep in preparation for the adventures of tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 7 hours
Please Note:
In the camp tonight, there are showers, flush toilets, WiFi, and an ATM. If you are interested in upgrading (subject to availability), please contact your booking agent.

Day 12: Jinja, Uganda

A place for adventurers, adrenaline junkies and eco-tourists, Jinja is located at the source of the Nile as it leaves Lake Victoria. You will be able to take advantage of two days here at your own pace, and a variety of optional activities are available to you (at an additional cost). Try whitewater rafting or kayaking if you are feeling active. A boat cruise is also an option if you wish to visit the source of the Nile or if you wish to enjoy the river and quench your thirst.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Jinja – River Nile whitewater rafting (full day) – USD140, Jinja – Nile Boat Cruise – USD40, Jinja – Source of River Nile tour – USD45
Please Note: It is required that a minimum of 4 passengers take the boat cruise to the Source of the Nile.

Day 13: Kericho, Kenya

Leaving Uganda and returning to Kenya and Nairobi, stopping at the town of Kericho for the night (approximately nine hours, including border crossings). It is known for its vast tea estates and is located near the South-Western Mau National Reserve. Experience a tea plantation on arrival and try one or two delicious brews.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Kericho – Tea plantation visit
Travel Time: ± 9 hours
Please Note: Tonight’s camp is located on the grounds of a hotel and upgrades may be available (subject to availability). If you are interested in upgrading, please speak with your booking agent.

Day 14: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

We will drive approximately seven hours to the famous Masai Mara National Park this morning. On the way, stop at Loita Hills, a traditional Maasai settlement, and visit Tepesua Village. A traditional dance and song will be performed to welcome you by Maasai Warriors. Discover the remarkable and ancient culture of the Maasai during a fascinating talk with your Maasai hosts. You may wish to take a stroll through the community village that was developed for widows who had lost their cows due to drought and were unable to remarry. Through the Tepesua Widows Income Project, the village offers support, safety, and economic growth. Visitors and locals can purchase eco-friendly handbags and backpacks made by the women here. A visit to the Masai Mara will provide you with a quintessential African experience, with sparsely populated open plains, dramatic skies, and some of the world’s most iconic animals. An early evening 4×4 game drive with expert local drivers will provide you with a unique opportunity to view a variety of wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Masai Mara National Reserve – 4×4 Game Drive, Loita Hills – Maasai Village Visit
Travel Time: ± 7 hours

Day 15: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Join expert local driver guides for a daylong 4WD game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve. This diverse environment will provide you with the opportunity to explore and most likely see a variety of wildlife. The option to ride a balloon over the Mara at sunrise makes this an unforgettable experience. After pre-booking this activity, you will be picked up by your pilot before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing. Following that, you will glide through the morning skies, sometimes at tree height, which offers excellent photographic opportunities. It is possible to ascend, from which you can observe the enormity of the plains as well as the movements of the teeming herds as they wake up in the morning. A bush breakfast will be served following your landing before returning to your campsite.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Masai Mara National Reserve – Full Day 4×4 Game Drive
Optional Activities: Masai Mara National Reserve – Balloon ride (from price) – USD500
Please Note: It is a pre-booked service that will guarantee your participation in the balloon ride. It is your choice to wait and book this locally on the ground if you wish, however please keep in mind that this is a popular activity and space is limited. The morning half of the included game drive will be missed if you take part in this activity. If you would like to book a balloon ride, you should speak with your booking agent.

Day 16: Nairobi, Kenya

Return to Nairobi (approximately 5–6 hours) for a night in a hotel after leaving the open expanses of the African bush. Before reaching the Loita Hills, you will drive through a remote region inhabited by the traditional Maasai. It is here that the Maasai people continue to practice their traditional way of life. Take time to visit Tepesua Village, a village dedicated to promoting the health and education of Maasai women. There will be traditional songs and dances performed by Maasai warriors to welcome you. Take a walk to the community village after you meet your hosts and listen to a fascinating discussion about this ancient and fascinating culture.

Meals: There are no meals included on this day
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities: Nairobi – City Experience Urban Adventure – USD55
Please Note: Due to this being a combination trip, your group leader as well as the travellers in your group may change today. The next stage of your itinerary will be discussed at a welcome meeting along with the opportunity to meet the other travelers who will be joining you.

Day 17: Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania

Leave early for Mto wa Mbu in your overland truck (approximately 10 hours). You will be crossing the border from Kenya into Tanzania, so make sure you have your passport with you. It is likely that you will stop at an ATM during your travels as well as a market or shop to stock up on any supplies you may need over the next few days. Visit Mto wa Mbu, a delightful small village well off the tourist trail that offers a fascinating glimpse of small-town African life.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 10 hours
Please Note: You will be staying at a campsite tonight that has flush toilets, showers, and optional upgrades (based on availability).

Day 18: Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

You will be taken on an excursion into the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Crater after getting up early and packing your camping equipment and personal belongings into a six-person jeep. Explore this incredible, perfectly intact volcanic caldera for three to four hours during your safari in the crater. There will be opportunities to observe black rhinoceros, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. In addition to excellent game viewing all year round (there are some 30,000 animals living in the crater), the crater floor offers great photography opportunities. Next, we will visit the Serengeti plains, which are vast and open. It is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa – the land of the hoofed animals and fierce predators – when it is green after the rains, then brown and burnt during the dry season. While you drift off to sleep, listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals in the Serengeti.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with basic facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Ngorongoro Crater – 4×4 Game Drive, Serengeti National Park – 4×4 Game Drive
Please note: Tonight’s camp has limited running water and is basic in nature. There is no option for upgrading the accommodation or accessing Wi-Fi. The camp we maintain within the Serengeti National Park is not surrounded by a fence that separates it from the animals. Often, buffalo and hyenas approach the camp after sundown, which is quite a unique experience. Your leader will provide a detailed safety briefing upon arrival at the camp.

Day 19: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Start your day with a game drive at dawn. After enjoying a morning of wildlife watching, you will return to camp for brunch at about 11 am. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the shade, just like the animals, before heading out again as the day begins to cool. It is likely that you will return from this second game drive in time for dinner. The option of taking a balloon flight over the park is also available this morning – in place of some of the game drives scheduled for today. Pre-booked participants will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. Obtain some amazing photographs as you glide through the dawn after a safety briefing. There are times when you will ascend, giving you an overview of the vastness of the plains and the movements of the teeming herds in the early morning. Following landing, you will be treated to a five-star bush breakfast and then returned to camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with basic facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Serengeti National Park – 4×4 Game Drive
Optional Activities: Serengeti National Park – Balloon Ride (from price) – USD745
Please Note: Pre-booking the balloon ride will ensure that you have a seat. As a result of participating in this activity, you will miss the morning portion of the game drive that is included.

Day 20: Serengeti National Park / Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania

Take an early morning game drive as you leave the Serengeti in your wake. Return to your overland vehicle and proceed to Mto wa Mbu. After camp has been set up, you will enjoy a guided walk around the local farming area, milling machine, and local homes before enjoying a traditional meal.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Serengeti National Park – 4×4 Game Drive, Mto Wa Mbu – Village walk & local dinner

Day 21: Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

It will take approximately 10 hours to travel to the Usambara Mountains. In Arusha, take a moment to stretch your legs, then jump back in the vehicle to take in the ever-changing scenery, read your favorite book, or get to know your fellow travelers better. In Lushoto, you will be based in an old German colony that is home to the Wasambaa people. At approximately 1400 meters, this highland town is situated. This evening, you will be camping within the grounds of one of the oldest hotels in Africa.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation:
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 10 hours

Day 22: Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Experience the beauty of the Usambara Mountains today – a beautiful, unspoilt area of Tanzania. There are fewer tourists in this part of the country than on the coast and in the north, so it is more fresh than the other parts of the country. Despite the beauty of the surrounding mountains and rainforests, the real jewels here are the people and villages of the region. A visit to a small local community will offer you an opportunity to experience some hospitality. It is a short walk from your base to the breathtaking viewpoint of Irente. For this trip, it is advisable to pack a day pack with water and snacks. Take a picnic lunch and visit a local cultural project based on an Irente farm on your way back.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Irente – Lushoto hike, Irente – Local lunch

Day 23: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

In order to reach Dar es Salaam, one must travel further south (380 km, approximately eight to nine hours) through the coastal town of Kipepeo Beach. Make the most of your time at Kipepeo’s beach camp – perhaps take a stroll along the shore after your arrival and setup.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 9 hours
Please Note: As tonight’s camp is held on the grounds of a hotel, accommodation upgrades may be available (subject to availability).

Day 24: Stone Town, Tanzania

Take a ferry to Zanzibar, Africa’s ‘Spice Island’. This island nation has a colourful history ranging from slave traders to Arabian sultans and fruit exporters. It boasts white-sand beaches, cobblestone alleyways, and fragrant bazaars. A sight of traditional dhows sailing along the coast evokes the atmosphere of the island centuries ago. It is best to visit Zanzibar’s old city, Stone Town, by foot, exploring the markets, shops, mosques, palaces and courtyards. Perhaps a drink from a bar overlooking the seafront would be a good idea when the sun is setting. In addition, seafood curries can be found at local restaurants. The night will be spent at a basic inn in Stone Town.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities: Stone Town Tour – Dharajani Market, Joseph’s Cathederal, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market – USD20, Zanzibar – Prison Island Tour – USD25, Stone Town – Handicraft & Music Urban Adventure – USD50
Please Note: It is possible that the composition of your group may change at this location since this is a combination trip. A group meeting will be held to discuss your itinerary’s next stage and to meet your new travel companions. We have a crossover of trips starting and ending in Zanzibar, so the Zanzibar portion of your itinerary may have more passengers than the maximum group size of 22.

Day 25: Zanzibar Northern Beaches, Tanzania

In the morning, after you have checked out of your Stone Town accommodation, consider booking a guided tour of the island’s spice plantations, where you will learn all about the history of the spice trade in this town. In addition to sampling some teas made with spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger, you will be able to smell and taste a variety of spices. Take a trip to the Northern Beaches, where white sands and sparkling blue waters await you – The Indian Ocean at its finest.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bungalow (1 night)
Optional Activities: Zanzibar – Spice tour – USD25
Please Note: If you choose not to book in on the optional Zanzibar spice tour this morning, you will be transported directly to the island’s Northern Beaches.

Day 26: Zanzibar Northern Beaches, Tanzania

Take advantage of the free time you have today to explore this beautiful archipelago. The possibilities for spending your day are many – perhaps you could ask your guide for recommendations. An excellent way to discover exotic fish is by snorkeling, or by taking a traditional dhow boat on the water. If you prefer, you may also enjoy a sumptuous lunch of grilled local seafood, or simply lounge in a hammock beneath a coconut tree.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bungalow (1 night)
Optional Activities: Zanzibar – Snorkelling – USD50, Zanzibar – Dhow Trip – USD35

Day 27: Stone Town, Tanzania

After spending one last morning sunning on the sand dunes in the north, head back to Stone Town for an afternoon and evening at leisure. Perhaps find out from your leader where you can have urojo, a distinctive and delectable street snack made from potatoes and noodles simmered in a mixture of flour, mango, tumeric, and other ingredients. Or maybe get a sugarcane drink and have a wander. Make the most of your leisure time while you can because you have a long day of driving ahead of you tomorrow!

Meals: No meals included on this day
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities: Stone Town – Handicraft & Music Urban Adventure – USD50, Stone Town – Culinary Urban Adventure – USD29
Please Note: Due to the nature of this trip, it is likely that the travellers in your group will change today.

Day 28: Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

It is recommended that you get up early in order to catch the ferry at 7:30 am to the mainland, and then head for Mikumi. Your first camp spot is approximately an eight-hour drive away, but you will have a great opportunity to see the renowned Tanzanian landscape along the way. The park is home to large plains dotted with baobab trees and tamarind trees, as well as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, and leopards. Upon arrival, your guide will show you the ropes (literally) and help you set up and get comfortable in your tent for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)

Day 29: Iringa, Tanzania

This morning, wake up early to embark on a 4×4 game drive into Mikumi National Park with local experts. Elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, wildebeests, and impalas inhabit this less-touristed park, which is home to impressive numbers of elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, zebras, buffalo, and warthogs – as well as predators if you are lucky. On the outskirts of Iringa, we will set up camp on the grounds of a farmhouse (approximately five hours away). The area is surrounded by natural bushland, making it an ideal location for birdwatchers. Spend some time stargazing before retiring for the night in this rural setting.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Mikumi National Park – 4×4 Game Drive
Travel Time: ± 5 hours
Please Note: You may upgrade your accommodation and Wi-Fi for tonight’s camp.

Day 30: Chitimba, Malawi

Upon entering Malawi, proceed to your campsite at Chitimba (approximately 10 to 12 hours). One of the most important features of Malawi, the ‘warm heart of Africa,’ is its lake, which covers nearly one fifth of the country and provides a livelihood for a large number of Malawians. A wide variety of occupations are carried out on Lake Malawi, including fishing, fish trading, canoe building, and net making. It is common to see fishermen in bwatos (dugout canoes made from hollowed out tree trunks) fishing on the still lake at dawn.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Please Note: Wi-fi and accommodations upgrades available tonight.

Day 31: Lake Malawi, Malawi

It will take approximately six hours to travel from Chitimba to Kande Beach on the shores of Lake Malawi. A shop or market will be available along the way for any supplies you may need. Take advantage of the lake’s more peaceful beaches for a relaxing escape from commercialism and crowds. You will be able to camp on the shores of Lake Malawi at Kande Beach.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Lake Malawi – Guided village walks – USD15
Travel Time: ± 6 hours
Please Note: It is again possible to upgrade your accommodation tonight (subject to availability). Despite this, there is no access to Wi-Fi.

Day 32: Lake Malawi, Malawi

Take advantage of your free time today and enjoy the idyllic surroundings. It is also a great opportunity to meet some Malawians, arguably some of the friendliest people in Africa, while chilling out on the lake’s sandy shores.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Lake Malawi – Pedalos – USD25, Lake Malawi – Canoe Hire – USD10, Lake Malawi – Bike Hire – USD25

Day 33: South Luangwa National Park, Tanzania

Upon entering Zambia, proceed to South Luangwa National Park (approximately 9–10 hours). During the journey, there will be border crossing formalities, as well as the opportunity to visit an ATM and stock up on goods at a shop or market. It is estimated that the concentration of wildlife around the Luangwa River and its lagoons is one of the highest in Africa. Watch out for colourful birds and elephant herds as you enjoy the beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 9 -10 hours
Please Note: A flush toilet, a shower, and wireless Internet access are available at your camp tonight. Upgrades are also offered (subject to availability).

Day 34: South Luangwa National Park, Tanzania

Early in the morning, you will enjoy an thrilling game drive in a 4×4 with a local guide, followed by lunch at the camp (since this is the hottest time of day). This afternoon, return to the park for another game drive

If you are interested in gaining a sense of daily life in the local community, an optional village walk might be a good option for you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities South Luangwa National Park – 4×4 Dawn Game Drive, South Luangwa National Park – 4×4 Evening Game Drive
Optional Activities: South Luangwa National Park – Game Walk – USD50
Please Note: There is not an option for a game walk to be available all year long since it is a seasonal activity.

Day 35: Petauke, Zambia

Following breakfast, visit a local craft workshop where craftswomen create jewellery inspired by the African bush using snare wire recovered from poaching traps. Visitors will be given a tour of their purpose-built workshop and have the opportunity to coil and hammer wire themselves. A donation is made for each sale made to anti-snare patrols dedicated to the preservation of the region. Following your visit, proceed further south to Petauke (approximately six hours).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: South Luangwa – Jewellery workshop Project
Please Note: In the camp tonight, there will be facilities, Wi-Fi, and upgrades to the accommodations (subject to availability).

Day 36: Lusaka, Zambia

Drive approximately six hours south of Lusaka City to your camp. As soon as you arrive, stretch your legs and take a stroll through the town to discover what the town has to offer. It is a fast-developing city, but Lusaka retains an African feel, and the locals are friendly.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 6 hours
Please Note: There are facilities, a pool, and upgrades available at your camp tonight. This location does not offer wireless Internet access.

Day 37: Harare, Zimbabwe

Today, you will travel to Harare (approximately 8–9 hours). Upon reaching the Zimbabwean border, you will begin your journey. Once you have crossed the border, proceed to Harare. You will have the opportunity to explore the town, purchase necessary items at a market or shop, and use an ATM.

Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Please Note: You will not be able to access Wi-Fi at your camp tonight. There is the possibility of upgrading your accommodation (subject to availability). Due to the limited daylight hours in the winter months, it may be impossible to explore Harare.

Day 38: Great Zimbabwe Ruins / Masvingo, Zimbabwe

It will take approximately five to six hours to drive to Masvingo. In addition to being the oldest colonial settlement in Zimbabwe, this colonial settlement is the ideal place to explore the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. In the 11th century, a monarchy ruled from this ancient city, which has now been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore this intriguing site for a few hours before returning to camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,  Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Masvingo – Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
Travel Time: ± 5 – 6 hours
Please Note: During your stay at the campground in Masvingo, you will have access to shared facilities, including upgrades and wi-fi.

Day 39: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Approximately five to six hours will be required to travel to Bulawayo. Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, Bulawayo is known locally as the ‘City of Kings’. This building features some impeccable colonial architecture. Feel free to explore the town this afternoon during your free time. Perhaps you would enjoy browsing through some local markets or chatting with the locals. A visit to the Natural History Museum and National Art Gallery is also recommended.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Bulawayo – Natural History Museum – USD10, Bulawayo – Railway Museum – USD5
Travel Time: ± 5 – 6 hours
Please Note: During tonight’s stay, you will have access to shared facilities at a campground. Wi-Fi and upgrades are available

Day 40: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

You may want to consider getting up early and visiting Matobo National Park. There is a significant population of black and white rhinos in this area, which makes this optional activity a unique opportunity to experience these magnificent animals up close and personal. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to view other game species, such as klipspringers, leopards, warthogs, springhares, among others, while gaining an understanding of the local plant and tree species. In addition to its impressive wildlife park, this is also the site of the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia and of De Beers diamonds. There are many sites within the park where important ceremonies are still held, which further emphasizes the spiritual and cultural significance of the Matopos area to local San communities. Explore the local history and culture by taking a short hike to view San paintings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Matobo National Park – Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings

Day 41: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

After leaving Bulawayo, drive for six hours to Victoria Falls. An impressive sight, the falls which bear the area’s name are 1.6 kilometers wide and fall 108 metres into a narrow gorge below. A visit to the falls themselves is optional, but we highly recommend it. Groups who book ahead will be required to tour the site with a local guide, and we believe that viewing waterfalls should be an uninterrupted sensory experience. When it rains, the spray produced by this feat of nature can rise 400 metres and can often be seen from a distance of several kilometers. Mosi oa Tunya, or the ‘Smoke that Thunders’, is the local name for Victoria Falls. However, travelers should not be discouraged during the dry season. There will be a clear view of the falls and an opportunity to see the islets in the river below. There will be a variety of activities available at a local activity center under the direction of your leader.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities: Victoria Falls – Victoria Falls entrance – USD50
Please Note: We will be camping in Victoria Falls tonight. Upgrades and wireless Internet access are available.

Day 42: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Your tour comes to an end today.

Due to the fact that there are no activities scheduled for today, you are free to leave the camp at any time. Having said that, you may wish to try out some of the optional activities available here, so we suggest that any flights be scheduled for later in the day. Please let us know if you wish to spend more time in Victoria Falls. We will be happy to arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Meals: Breakfast
Optional Activities: Victoria Falls – Canoe trail (full day) – USD185, Victoria Falls – Flying fox – USD50, Victoria Falls – Gorge swing – USD103, Victoria Falls – Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins – Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) – USD150, Victoria Falls – Helicopter Flight (25 mins – Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) – USD284, Victoria Falls – Rafting & river boarding (half day) – USD218, Victoria Falls – Village & township tour – USD61, Victoria Falls – Whitewater rafting (full day) – USD130, Victoria Falls – Whitewater rafting (half day) – USD130

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.

Pre Departure

What are adventure tours?

If you’re a traveller that loves adventure, and you want to immerse yourself in African nature and heritage, our camping and exploration tours are what you need. You will see the beauty of the African landscape and enjoy the hospitality of local residents while travelling on our trips. You will also meet a fantastic group of people who go with you on your tour groups. If your fitness level is excellent, and you are attracted to trekking through dense forests to see mountain gorillas and travelling long distances with nothing to see but a never-ending landscape, then an adventure tour is for you.

What does a typical day look like?

Every day on an adventure tour will give you a new and exciting experience. You will learn fantastic things, like cooking scrumptious meals over a campfire and setting up camp if you don’t know how to do so already.

What you can expect from a camping or accommodated overland tour is an early morning wake up call. You’ll enjoy the breathtaking sights of an African sunrise while sipping on a warm cup of tea or coffee. You’ll have some breakfast before packing up the campsite or checking out of your accommodation if you’ve chosen the comfort traveller package. We’ll then hit the road as a tour group, where you can see the best of nature that Africa has to offer.

On short travel days, we usually arrive at the campsite in the afternoon to enjoy lunch and a planned afternoon activity, such as hiking or a guided nature walk. You can choose to either rest and have a relaxed afternoon or take part in the scheduled activity, which could be a nature walk or a hike. A fantastic aspect of short days is enjoying the sunset – a sight you will find quite memorable. As soon as evening comes, we sit around the campfire as a group to enjoy a hearty dinner and great conversation.

We do our best to arrive at a scheduled destination on time. However, delays can happen. These delays could be caused by wet weather conditions or slow travel as we navigate through tough terrain. Your safety is top of mind for us, so if we delay travel time, we do so to ensure the safety of everyone. Our overland safari vehicles are comfortable and spacious, with enough space for your luggage. All you need is a high level of stamina to power through the long and often bumpy drives from one location to the next.

What type of vehicles do we use?

We drive custom-built and self-sufficient overland trucks on our tours. They are spacious, being able to accommodate your luggage, and safe to navigate through rough and rugged terrain. Our vehicles have large glass windows and comfortable seats with ample leg room. When we need to drive through narrow terrain or on uneven roads, we use smaller 4×4 vehicles.

Distances and road conditions

We want you to enjoy the beautiful natural surrounds of Africa, with nothing but blue skies, warmth and a never-ending landscape while on vacation with us. We do this by covering long distances on our tours, often spending many hours on the road. You can expect a drive of between 350 kilometres and 650 kilometres a day. Bear in mind that we will be travelling mainly on gravel roads or fairly poor tar roads and these will ultimately define the pace.

More detail about our overland vehicles, 4×4 safari vehicles, ferries, minibuses, and mokoros

We have an array of safari vehicles to suit specific group sizes and tours. Our vehicles range from large overland tour trucks to 4×4 safari vehicles and minibuses.

We make sure to maintain our vehicles at our workshops regularly to minimise breakdowns on the road as a safety precaution. We aim to avoid breakdowns at all costs; however, the occasional breakdown can happen while en-route on a trip.

Our overland trucks do not have an air-conditioning system, but they have windows that you can open for fresh air. Each seat in the vehicle has a power socket with a UK/Kenyan 3-prong outlet to charge your electronic devices.

We spend long hours on the road, so when you book your tour, we’ll provide you with the approximate time and distance of the journeys we cover. This information will help you to choose a tour that you would be comfortable doing. Please bear in mind that wet conditions will increase the travel time.

Travelling on a group trip

We understand that group travel is exciting for some while daunting for others. You can be sure that you’ll enjoy an overland safari tour with travellers of different ages and nationalities. Think of it as expanding your social network to make it a memorable experience.

Please note that for privacy reasons, we cannot provide you with details of your group members before departure.

A group will have different personality types, preferences and needs, so please be mindful of navigating the social dynamics with respect and an open mind.

Please make sure that you arrive on time to start the itinerary of the day. Punctuality is respectful to your group members and the tour crew, and it ensures that the tour moves as scheduled.

We design our group trips for shared accommodation, which don’t involve a compulsory single supplement. Same-gendered single travellers will share accommodation, including twin rooms or multi-share dormitories. Accommodation on some of our group trips is booked on a shared mixed gender basis. If you are unsure, please ask your sales consultant for details of accommodation on your chosen tour.

Some trips allow you the option to get private accommodation by booking and paying a single supplement if it is available. The single supplement option only applies during the tour. We will reserve a single room for your pre-trip and post-trip accommodation.

What about children on tour?

The minimum accepted age on our overland tours is 18. We will consider travellers between the ages of 12 and 17 depending on the tour, time of travel and tour availability. Age limits for privately-arranged charter tours will also be assessed based type of tour you choose and the route.

We offer family departures on selected tours, and these are better suited for children aged 12 to 17. The age limit for gorilla trekking tours is 16.

General rules

For the safety of all travellers, we will not tolerate any form of violence (verbal or physical) or sexual harassment between or from travellers or involving our partners, crew or local residents.

We don’t tolerate the use or possession of illegal drugs on our trips. We encourage you to drink responsibly should you choose to consume alcohol during your trip. Please abide by local laws governing alcohol consumption.

We strictly forbid any sexual relations between members of our tour crew and travellers.

We do not tolerate the patronising of sex workers on our tours as this exploits vulnerable communities and undermines the development of sustainable tourism in Africa.

Please note that you agree to adhere to these rules if you travel with us. The tour leader has the right to remove any group member for non-adherence to any of these rules, with no right of refund.

Please let your tour leader know should you feel that any group member is misbehaving while on a trip. You can also contact our emergency number provided in the “problems and emergency contact” list.

Responsible travel

We believe that it is crucial to minimise the negative aspects of tourism on the local communities and environments that we visit. We always strive to highlight positive aspects and contribute in a meaningful way to the communities and habitats we interact with. Our website has more details on how you can be a responsible traveller.

Important touring tips

 Please take note of these essential touring tips:

  • The itinerary is subject to change as we go through the tour, please view the itinerary as a guide ONLY.
  • Each tour has a vibrant mix of people of different nationalities, heritage and age.
  • Please ensure that you carry light luggage as space in our trucks is limited.
  • We create the tours in a circular route, meaning that where one journey ends, another begins.
  • You won’t have high-end, 5-star luxuries on these tours – you will have an experience of living and working with basic necessities.
  • Most countries in Africa, including Kenya, Uganda and Botswana, have banned plastic bags. Please don’t pack these with your luggage to avoid receiving a fine from authorities.
  • If you are booking 45 days ahead of the departure date, we will need to confirm the availability of a gorilla permit.
  • We can only offer a single supplement if it is available. Please speak to your consultant if you have queries on booking single supplements.
  • The Table Mountain cable car in Cape Town, as well as the facilities and shops at the top of the mountain, will be closed from 8 July to 18 August 2019 for maintenance. If you would like to go to the top of the mountain, you can do so by hiking a steep trail with a local guide. If you’d like to arrange this hike, please chat with your tour leader or book at the hotel reception.

Cape Town water shortage

Cape Town has experienced water shortages due to a severe drought. The city’s municipality reduced the daily water quota to 50 litres. There is a sufficient amount of water for travellers’ essential daily needs, such as personal hygiene and using the toilet.

According to the city’s guidelines, shower times should be no longer than 2 minutes, and using baths is discouraged. Some hotels are using ocean water in their swimming pools, and restaurants have removed meals that require the use of lots of water during preparation from their menus.

Please consider the shortage when planning laundry days within your itinerary. We advise that you follow the water usage instructions of our local suppliers in the city.

DETAILS ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT ON A CAMPING OR ACCOMMODATED TOUR

Camping tours

If going on an African safari adventure to get the full experience of Mother Nature is high on your bucket list, you need to come on a journey with us to enjoy a night’s rest under the stars while listening to the sounds of nature. Don’t underestimate the strength and stamina that you’ll need for a camping safari – an excellent level of fitness will keep you going.

Our camping safaris are better suited for travellers who may prefer to travel in a younger group with an age range of between18 and 39. You can also choose to travel in a mixed group aged between 18 and 60. We’re more than happy to help you decide on the best tour to book.

During your tour, you will stay in sizeable two-person dome canvas tents which are spacious and can accommodate each person’s luggage. You can also opt to have a private tent, including the single supplement, which is valid on select camping tours.

Your tour leader will teach you how to put up and take down your tent if you’re unsure how to do so. All tents have a door and a window for ventilation. They also have a mosquito net covering and a fly-sheet for the rain. Most camping safaris include a sleeping mat, but please check with us to make sure of this inclusion. Items that you will need to bring include; a sleeping bag, pillow and towel.

The campsites are basic and comfortable, and you will be able to upgrade your accommodation at most of the places we cover if this option is available. Some campsites have flushing ablution and showering facilities, while others offer natural ablutions and makeshift showers. A temporary shower is usually a hosepipe that spurts out cold water. It’s also common for most ablution facilities to not offer toilet paper.

Each tour route is different, so the type and variety of accommodation will be dictated by the route. Some routes have a mixture of campsites and wild camps, while city and town routes have hotels. When we stay in cities and towns, we enjoy local cuisine at the surrounding establishments.

We occasionally stop for a night’s stay in the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite where rooms or cabins may be available. In this case, you could have a choice of camping or upgrading to a room, but please bear in mind that a room cannot be pre-booked. Rooms costs range from US$60 to US$120 per room per night for a twin room. The standards of these rooms vary, so we recommend that you view the room before purchasing the night’s accommodation. The day-by-day itinerary offers advice when upgrades may be possible. These upgrades are subject to availability. Please keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you’ll need to share these rooms with other travellers of the same sex.

Your tour crew will do most of the work, including driving, cooking and making sure that the trip runs as smooth as possible. We will require you to help with chores on the campsite. Chores will be assigned to group members based on a roster that you and your tour leader create. These chores include helping with food preparation, grocery shopping, washing the dishes, setting up the campsite and your tent, and cleaning out the truck.

Accommodated Tours

If you want to have extra comforts while experiencing the best of African wildlife, then an accommodated safari tour is for you. On these safaris, you can enjoy the surrounds of vast landscapes and the sights of wildlife roaming at your door-step.

We use a variety of accommodation located at each destination for these safaris, including hotels, lodges and permanent safari camps along with more basic accommodations such as bungalows, traditional huts or chalets .

If you’re travelling in pairs, we book a twin room for you. Single travellers get single rooms, including a single supplement. Most of the time in the Southern African region, we stay in one to three-star properties with en-suite bathrooms. Properties in this region are more established and comfortable. Eastern Africa accommodation has en-suite bathrooms and shared bathrooms. Properties in this region range from basic to reasonable and convenient. Overall, accommodation choices are limited because of the remote nature of our tours. This limitation means that you can expect an authentic outback experience.

What will you eat on safari?

Our safari tours will allow you to be creative with food shopping and preparation. You can also learn how to cook great tasting food over an open fire or on the gas stove supplied in the truck.

We stock our vehicles with dry goods at the start of each tour and buy fresh fruits and vegetables daily while on tour. Fresh produce might not always be available during the hot summer months. During this time, we become creative with what we have, like substituting potatoes for rice.

Each camping and accommodated tour includes meals as per the itinerary. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you have the opportunity to enjoy some local cuisine at available markets or restaurants. Tea is served along with coffee and fruit juice with meals, and you can buy alcohol, soft drinks and bottled water at the campsite bar or local stores we find en-route.

We cater for most dietary requirements, including allergies, vegetarian, and lactose intolerance. Other requirements such as gluten-free may be more challenging on remote routes in destinations where starch is a staple food. Please inform us about your specific dietary requirements so that we can advise.

We prepare our meals over an open campfire or on the overland vehicle’s gas stove. All cooking equipment is provided, including pots, pans, cutlery and crockery. We maintain excellent hygiene standards at all times during food preparation and when washing up kitchen equipment. Your tour cook will provide you with a separate washing basin filled with warm, soapy water so that you’re able to wash your hands before and after each meal.

For breakfast, you will enjoy some toast with spreads, cereal, or eggs, pancakes, and tea and coffee. Lunch consists of a sandwich with a healthy salad and assorted fillings, sometimes fruit. There are also opportunities to enjoy local cuisine while on a trip.

Dinner consists of a BBQ, rice dish or a pasta dish, or local cuisine from a market or restaurant.

Treated water that’s safe to drink is available on our overland trucks. We would prefer if you use this water over buying bottled water to minimise plastic waste. Your crew leader will use this treated water for cooking and providing drinks such as tea and coffee at meal times.

When you choose to book an overland trip, this includes your participation in a camping tour. On this tour, you and your group members will be assisting the crew leader with meal preparations. You will also help with grocery shopping. Your designated crew leader will come up with meal ideas and quantities needed for large groups. Your crew leader will draw up a duty roster so that everyone in the group rotates based on the different chores that need to be done. This chore rotation is mainly for groups with 5 to 6 people.

PREPARING FOR YOUR TOUR

Pre-tour accommodation

Please arrive a day before the start day of your tour to catch all the pre-departure meetings. We cover the essential information that you need to know about your trip. Please let us know beforehand of your pre-tour arrival so that we can make the best possible hotel reservation for you.

Packing for your tour

Packing for your tour depends on the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and seasonal times you are travelling. In general, we recommend that you pack as lightly as possible. Make sure that you can carry and lift your luggage, as well as walk with it for short distances.

We recommend that you carry your luggage in a backpack or an overnight bag that has a shoulder strap. These types of bags are convenient to carry. You’ll also need a smaller day bag to take things like a water bottle and your camera.

Each overland vehicle has a passenger safe where you can keep essential items such as money, passports, flight tickets, and credit cards. Your tour leader holds the keys for safekeeping, and they will advise of safety requirements that are in place concerning the safe.

Below are more helpful tips on what you need for your trip.

Essentials to bring include:

  • A sleeping bag and a travel pillow: we recommend that you bring a 3 – 4 season sleeping bag as temperatures dip at night during the winter months in desert and mountainous regions. You can also hire sleeping bags with us. Please contact us 14 days before your departure if you wish to hire one.
  • Closed shoes: we go bushwalking during the trip, so we recommend that you pack comfortable and closed shoes, such as hiking boots. These shoes will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through bush and grasslands. They will also act as a protective barrier from the bites and stings of dangerous insects and animals found in this environment.
  • Lightweight and warm clothing: you’ll need a mixture of lightweight and warm clothing, as well as long shirts and trousers to help protect you against mosquitoes in malaria areas. Make sure that your clothes are easy to wash and dry, and instead opt for cotton clothing over nylon and other synthetics. Cotton clothing is a lot more comfortable to wear, especially in hot weather. Please do not bring ex-military or military-style clothing and equipment. You can pack jeans, but please bear in mind that they are tough to dry, and you should avoid wearing them when trekking.
  • A waterproof or windproof jacket: This is great to bring for wet days and early morning, or evening game activities when temperatures tend to be low.
  • You can also pack in a warm beanie for morning and evening game drives, as well as sun protection, including a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and towels for personal use.

Recommended items to bring include:

  • A waterproof toiletry bag: it will be useful to bring one that you will be able to hang on a nail on the back of a door.
  • A good quality, high-beam headlamp or torch: these are useful for when there is no power on the campsite, and you need to navigate your way around it. Our trucks carry lamps for meal times.
  • A personal medical kit: your tour leader will have an extensive medical kit, but we recommend that you bring a private medical kit with items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, antidiarrheal medication, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, insect repellent and bandaids or plasters.
  • A water bottle: we recommend a water bottle that has a capacity of 1.5 litres. Carrying a water bottle helps to decrease the amount of plastic from bottled water.
  • Tech equipment: you can bring a camera with a spare battery or power bank, as well as binoculars.

Optional items to pack include:

  • A sleep sheet: this will increase your level of comfort, especially if you are travelling during the hot months.
  • Thermarest: this you can bring should you want extra comfort in addition to the basic camping mattress provided.
  • Earplugs: this helps if you have a tent mate that snores.
  • A book to read, or a journal to write down your thoughts and experiences during long drives.
  • We would also recommend you bring a small bottle of biodegradable laundry soap if you’re planning on washing your clothes during the tour.

Luggage limit

We limit the weight of luggage to 20 kilograms due to the size of individual lockers available on our trucks. The size of these lockers are 26 inches long, 18 inches wide and 10 inches high.

Your main luggage will go into these lockers, which is why we recommend that you pack light in a backpack or an overnight bag. Your luggage shouldn’t be larger than the locker dimensions. You’ll be able to keep your day bags at your feet or on the overhead shelf. We also recommend that you bring a 20-30mm sized padlock to secure your locker. If you feel that the luggage limitation will be a challenge for you, please get in touch with your booking consultant.

Valuables

We advise that you keep flashy and expensive jewellery and other valuables at home to avoid unwanted attention and loss of these items. You can use your hotel safe and the safe on the overland truck to store your money and essential travel documents. You can also buy a money belt or pouch, which you can hide behind a jacket or jersey. We recommend that you have photocopies of all essential documents. Even though they’re not valid, a photocopy makes it much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.

Power

We have UK socket power outlets at each seat in our safari trucks. You can use these to charge your electronic devices while travelling. We recommend that you bring a power bank and multi-country power converters as you might need them for your electronic devices. Some campsites will have adequate electricity.

Conservative dress for women

Please note that women are expected to dress in a certain way in different locations across Africa according to the cultural customs of a specific country. In general, women travellers should opt for shorts or skirts that reach the knees and tops that cover the shoulders. If you are visiting a coastal area, it is advisable to cover up when you are off the beach.

Gorilla trek

You can expect conditions to be wet, muddy and uncomfortable most of the time when trekking through dense forests to see gorillas. You will need a pair of waterproof and robust hiking boots to prevent your feet from getting wet, and to prevent scratches from prickly foliage. We recommend that you bring protective gear for your hands, such as gardening gloves so that you will find it easier and less painful to grab onto trees and bushes when pulling yourself up the hillside. Please also pack pairs of long socks. You’ll be able to tuck your trousers into them to avoid any ants or insects getting to your ankles while we trek through forests.

Zambia dress code

Zambia has a specific dress code for both men and women that you will need to follow. Clothing items the country has listed as indecent include leggings, skirts and short that do not reach the knees, crop tops, sagging trousers, lace clothing, skinny jeans and tight-fitting dresses. If you are found wearing these clothing items, you could be fined a hefty fee or face arrest and deportation.

Plastic bag bans across Africa

Many countries across Africa have banned plastic bags. In Namibia, anyone found with a plastic bag when entering game parks is liable for a fine of N$500 or imprisonment. Botswana’s plastic ban makes the importing, trading and commercial use of plastic bags a criminal offence. The country makes exceptions for plastics that are essential for health and hygiene.

These two countries join many other African countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, who have banned the use of plastic bags. South Africa only imposed a levy on plastic bags in 2004 and not a ban. The countries enforcing this ban are conducting luggage searches for plastic at border posts, so please ensure that you do not pack plastic bags in your luggage. Instead pack waterproof reusable bags, which you can buy at camping stores before you leave for your tour.

Climate and seasonal information

In general, African has warm and pleasant weather conditions. However, temperatures do dip during the winter months, so it’s essential to bring a warm sleeping bag and warm clothes to cater to these low temperatures. Please check weather reports before travel.

Essential information on passport and vaccination requirements, and safety on the tour

Passport

In general, most countries expect your passport to have a minimum of six months’ validity when travelling. Your airline ticket and booking should have the same names listed on your passport. Your booking consultant will contact you as they will need your passport details to complete your reservation.

As a general rule of safety, ensure that you take a copy of the main passport pages and other essential documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends.

Visas

Obtaining a visa is your responsibility, so please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Please apply timeously for your visa to prevent any hiccups in your booking process. Should you need any help with further advice on visas, you’re more than welcome to contact your consultant.

South Africa

Many nationalities do not need to get a visa to visit South Africa as a tourist for up to three months. Please ensure that you check with the South African Department of Home Affairs for detailed and up-to-date visa requirements.

New Zealand passport holders

All visitors from New Zealand coming to South Africa need to obtain their visa at the South African High Commission located in Wellington or Auckland before departure. Travellers may need to apply for a visa in person. In cases where in-person applications are not possible, travellers can use Travcour NZ. If you need more information about the application process and all documents required for the visa application, please visit the South African Department of Home Affairs here. You can also request supporting documentation via your booking agent.

Entry requirements – passports

Please note that South Africa does not accept non-machine readable passports. You will need a machine-readable travel document (e-passport) if you’re planning to visit the country. Immigration officers will refuse for you to enter into the country if you’re unable to present an e-passport. If you are a traveller with a valid visa that is issued in a non-machine readable passport, immigration officers will handle this on a case-by-case basis, but you will still be liable for a fine.

Entry requirements – yellow fever certificate

All travellers of one year of age and above who arrive or are transiting through South Africa from a region or country infected by yellow fever, as per the list by the World Health Organization, need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Immigration officers will deny you entry into the country if you fail to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate issued at least ten days before arrival in the country. There is no option to receive a vaccination on arrival if you don’t have a valid vaccination certificate. This requirement is also applicable to travellers transiting through an infected country or region.

Entry requirements – travelling with children

When you travel with a child under the age of 18, you will need to produce an original unabridged birth certificate. The South African government put this regulation in place to protect children from being abducted, kidnapped and trafficked.

The country’s Department of Home Affairs has urged all parents to apply for unabridged certificates for their children. Immigration officers may need further documentation, including permission to travel, if only one parent is travelling with a child or children. These requirements are from the immigration regulation 6 (12)(a) for parents travelling with children. Please read more here.

Namibia

Most nationalities are not required to obtain a visa to enter Namibia as a tourist if travelling for a maximum period of 90 days. For up-to-date information on visa requirements, please contact the local consulate or embassy.

Zambia

Most nationalities require a Zambian visa, including those from the EU, U.S. and Australia. For other nationalities, Zambian visas are available at the point of entry. Please check with the Zambia embassy in your country for current visa requirements. You will need US$50 in cash if you plan on obtaining your visa on arrival. Please check with the Zambian Embassy for more information.

The Kaza visa

When travelling between Zambia and Zimbabwe, you will need to obtain a Kaza visa at the cost of US$50. It is valid for 30 days as long as you stay within Zimbabwe and Zambia. You can get it at land borders at Livingstone (Zimbabwe border) and Kazungula (Botswana border).

Botswana

Please check with the Botswana embassy in your country if your nationality requires a visa to enter the country. For travellers needing a visa to Botswana, application forms can be downloaded here.

Tourism development levy: effective 1 June 2017

You will need to pay a compulsory tourism development levy of US$30 when visiting Botswana. You’ll need to pay this levy, either by cash or credit card, at your first port of entry into the country. The tourism levy is valid for 30 days and can be used for multiple entries.

Entry requirements for Botswana – a yellow fever certificate

All travellers of one year of age and above who arrive or are transiting through Botswana from a region or country infected by yellow fever, as per the list by the World Health Organization, need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Immigration officers will deny you entry into the country if you fail to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate issued at least ten days before arrival in the country. There is no option to receive a vaccination on arrival if you don’t have a valid vaccination certificate. This requirement is also applicable to travellers transiting through an infected country or region.

Children travelling to Botswana

When you travel with a child under the age of 18, you will need to produce a certified copy of the child’s full unabridged birth certificate. Without it, officers will deny you entry into the country. The unabridged birth certificate should list the child’s details and the details of both parents. A short birth certificate, which only contains the child’s details, won’t be accepted.

If one parent only is travelling with the child, or the child is travelling with neither biological parents or is unaccompanied, you’ll need to provide an affidavit of the consent of the parent(s) as proof that the parents of the child permitted you to travel with them. Should you have questions about the documents you need to travel with children, please contact the Botswana embassy.

Zimbabwe

Most nationalities require a Zimbabwean visa, including those from the EU, U.S. and Australia. For other nationalities, Zimbabwean visas are available at the point of entry. You will need between US$30 and US$45 in cash if you’re planning to obtain your visa on arrival. Please visit the Zimbabwean embassy in your country for up-to-date information on visa requirements.

If you are a tourist from a country that requires a visa before arrival, you can get more information and apply for your visa here.

Kaza Visa

When travelling between Zambia and Zimbabwe, you will need to obtain a Kaza visa at the cost of US$50. It is valid for 30 days as long as you stay within Zimbabwe and Zambia. You can get it at land borders at Livingstone (Zimbabwe border) and Kazungula (Botswana border).

Malawi

If you are a tourist from the UK, U.S., Canada, the Schengen member states, Australia and New Zealand, you will have to pay US$75 upon arrival in Malawi to get a visa.

Some nationalities will need to get a visa before arrival at the nearest Malawi Diplomatic Mission. If you’re unable to get a visa before you arrive in Malawi, you can obtain one when you enter into the country if you have received prior authorisation in the form of a visa letter from the Malawi Immigration Department. Please contact permitcounter@gmail.com to apply for visa letters.

Tanzania

You can obtain a single entry tourist visa for US$50 in cash at these below main entry points in Tanzania if you fulfil all of the country’s immigration and health requirements. Due to new regulations, obtaining a visa on arrival is a lengthy process which requires you stand in 3 queues which may take up to 2 hours:

  • Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam
  • Abeid Amani Karume International Airport on Unguja Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport located in northern Tanzania
  • The Namanga border point between Tanzania and Kenya
  • Tunduma border point between Tanzania and Zambia

You can also obtain an e-visa 4 weeks before departure via Tanzania visa Application – note this application can take 2-3 weeks but this is the recommended process to ensure you have your visa before arrival. There are some nationalities who are expect from visas – please see the list and guidelines HERE.

Currently, you don’t need a multi-entry visa to enter Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. These three countries have an agreement to navigate entry from tourists. Should your tour require you to exit Kenya into Tanzania, you can re-enter Kenya on the same visa. However, if you will need to enter Tanzania twice after visiting a country that is not Kenya or Uganda, you may need to obtain two visas.

East Africa tourist visa

The East Africa tourist visa is a multiple-entry visa that is valid for 90 days. It allows for travel between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda with the same multiple-entry visa. The visa costs US$100 and is the best option for visitors travelling to all three of the listed countries.

If Kenya is your first country of arrival, you will receive the East Africa tourist visa at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on arrival. It is the only type of visa to obtain. You will need to complete the visa form and pay US$50 in cash for the East African visa. Please ensure that the immigration officers that process your visa provide you with all three visas.

If you are starting your trip in Rwanda, you can apply for your visa through the Rwanda Online Visa Application System. If you’re only visiting Kenya and Uganda and arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya to cross into Uganda by land, we advise that you apply for an e-visa for Kenya, and get your Ugandan visa on arrival. You will need to pay cash for your Ugandan visa.

Kenya only

You can get a visa either on arrival into Kenya or via e-visa Kenya before arrival. Single-entry visas (business or tourism) cost US$50, €40, or £30, and a transit visa, which is valid for three days, is US$20. You can only pay in cash for your visa if you’re obtaining it on arrival.

You can enter into Kenya multiple times for a period of 90 days with a single entry visa. This allowance is only valid if you don’t leave the East African region.

You can complete the four-step e-visa process through the immigration website here. You will need to submit an application form and passport-sized photo as part of the application process. The processing duration for e-visas is up to seven working days. You will need to present to immigration officers your printed e-visa upon entry to Kenya.

Please ensure that you have multiple copies of your e-visa to present at each border crossing.

Uganda

We advise that you get your Ugandan visa on arrival at a cost of US$50 in cash if you are arriving into Uganda by land. Alternatively, you can obtain an East Africa visa on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Unfortunately, there are no appropriate facilities at Ugandan land borders to process the e-visas.

When paying in cash, please have U.S. dollar bills that are in excellent condition, and that are dated 2006 and newer. These are the only bills that Ugandan immigration will accept.

If you are flying into Uganda, you can apply for your visa here. The application process requires you to upload a clear copy of your current passport, your yellow fever vaccination certificate and a passport photo. You can either pay for your e-visa online or when you arrive in Uganda. The amount you’ll need to pay is US$50. If you want to pay for your visa on arrival, you will receive a barcoded email notification that you can print to present to immigration officers. You’ll need to pay for your visa in cash.

Travel insurance

It is compulsory for you to have comprehensive adventure travel insurance on all overland tours. At a minimum level, we need you to be covered for medical expenses, including personal liability, emergency repatriation, curtailment, cancellation, and loss of luggage and personal effects.

Medical insurance is also compulsory for you to have when going on an overland tour. You won’t be allowed on a trip if you do not have it. Medical insurance is for your safety should anything happen while on tour, especially when in a remote location.

We will need your travel insurance details when booking your vacation. We will include these details on the traveller list. Please bear in mind that most travel insurance policies do not include cover for adrenaline sports and adventure activities. These activities include white-water rafting, skydiving and bungee jumping. We advise that you go through your policy to see for details on what it covers.

You will need to present your travel insurance documents and the insurer’s 24-hour emergency contact number to your tour leader, who will then allow you to join the travel group. Unfortunately, we cannot permit travellers who don’t have travel insurance to join any tours.

For travellers with credit card insurance, you will need to provide your group leader with the below details:

  • The name of the insurer or underwriter
  • The level of coverage
  • The policy number of the credit card insurance
  • The emergency contact number of the insurer

Your bank will provide you with these details.

Please note: some Namibian hospitals do not recognise some travel insurance policies, so please check with your insurer. Please seek alternative coverage if it is necessary.

WorldNomads Insurance offers adventure travel insurance and cancellation insurance. As we mentioned above, we recommend that you choose travel insurance that includes cancellation and curtailment insurance. The majority of tour departures are confirmed to depart, but in the unlikely event that we cancel a tour departure due to unforeseen circumstances, you would be protected.

Many credit card companies offer standard credit card insurance, so please check your insurance policy to see what it includes and excludes in its cover. If you opt to use your credit card insurance, you will need to contact your bank to get your policy details. Here are instructions on how to do so:

  • Contact your bank – they will ask you for your bank card number
  • Complete their account verification steps which they will give you on the call
  • Ask for the insurance company name and your policy number
  • Store the contact number that you dialled in your contact list

Money matters

Every traveller’s budget is different on a trip. We recommend that you bring a bit more money than you think you’ll need as a budget buffer. Please include amounts for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities, tipping and laundry in your budget.

Please also ensure that you’ve read your trip details thoroughly to make sure that you know what’s included and excluded in the trip price. Doing this should make budgeting a little easier.

The recommendations we’ve made for additional costs are in U.S. dollars, so to have a better idea of the expenses for your budget, we advise that you convert these amounts to your local currency.

Meals not included

Food is one of the most fantastic ways to learn about the heritage and culture of a new destination. We do encourage you to try the local cuisine of the different locations that we will be visiting during the tour. Doing this will give you a comprehensive cultural experience and an opportunity to mingle with local residents.

We give you a chance to enjoy local cuisine on the occasion that we don’t include lunch or dinner. Your tour leader will recommend food options, markets and restaurants where you can safely have local cuisine. You can budget between US$10 and US$15 per meal for lunch, and between US$12 and US$25 for main meal dinner options. Please note that these are indicative prices only.

Tipping

Giving gratuity is a great way to show your appreciation to service providers for their excellent service. It makes a significant difference to service providers in the local tourism industry, and it inspires a motivation on the part of service providers to keep a high quality of service. Tipping is optional, and should you choose to tip, the average amount is between US$7 and US$10 per person, per day.

We’ve put together this concise tipping guide using the feedback we’ve received from past travellers and our staff on the ground. This guide will help you with budgeting for tipping as you go on a tour:

  • Please consider tipping your tour crew members, including tour leaders, drivers and cooks if you feel that they provided you with outstanding service throughout your trip. It is not compulsory to give a tip, and the amount you choose to give is up to you. In general, a tip of US$3 or US$4 each staff member per day will be great. You can give each staff member their tip at the end of your tour.
  • Local guides: on occasion, a local tour guide will join the group to work with your tour leader. If you would like to tip the local tour guide, we suggest an amount of US$2 or US$3 per local guide, per day.
  • At restaurants: if your bill includes the 10% service fee, you won’t need to tip further. If the restaurant does not add the service fee to your bill, you can tip a minimum amount of 10% of your total bill.

Group kitty for tipping

We’ve found that some groups prefer putting money together for tips to overcome challenges such as not having the correct amount of small change to pay a tip.

Your tour leader might suggest a group kitty for tipping, where all members of the tour group contribute an equal amount of money to pay for tips. They will keep a running record of all monies spent, except for restaurant tips. Group members can check the running record at any time, and any remaining amounts will be returned to group members at the end of the tour. Group members exclude tips for the tour crew from this group kitty.

Emergency funds

Emergency funds are essential for dealing with unforeseen circumstances that we can encounter while travelling, such as natural disasters or a medical emergency. Please add US$500 to your travel budget to cater for emergencies. When unexpected circumstances occur, we will need to implement immediate changes to our itineraries, and these changes might involve extra costs.

Credit cards, ATMs and money exchange

In general, tourist shops and some restaurants across Africa accept credit cards. The preferred cards are Visa and Mastercard. If you have American Express and Diners, we suggest that you opt for the preferred options to lessen your payment worries. Most of Africa is cash dominant, so we recommend that you carry cash, especially for making purchases at small restaurants and local markets. You can exchange foreign currency at exchange bureaus, which usually offer the best rates.

With the increased availability of ATMs in many major towns, cities and campsites, you can access money conveniently using debit or credit cards. Please check the withdrawal limits and international bank charges with your bank as these amounts vary from country to country.

Please remember to notify your bank about the countries you’ll be visiting before your departure. Banks may freeze cards which show sudden transactions in other countries as a safety measure against fraud.

Your tour leader will give you an estimate of the amount you’ll need while travelling on a multi-country tour. Please remember that you will need U.S. dollar bills that are in excellent condition, and that are dated 2006 and newer when you pay in cash. Most businesses and banks, especially in East Africa, may refuse any old or damaged notes.

Accessing cash in Zimbabwe

Please bear in mind that obtaining money in Zimbabwe is difficult due to the current cash crisis. We advise that you bring enough cash in U.S. dollars to support your stay while you’re in the country. If you have any queries about accessing cash in Zimbabwe, please chat with your consultant. Your tour leader will be able to assist while travelling.

Departure tax

Various countries, including Zimbabwe, require you to pay an airport departure tax when departing on an international flight. You can expect to pay between US$10 and US$60, depending on the departure time.

Personal health and vaccinations

You will need excellent fitness levels to deal with the strenuous nature of our overland tours. Great fitness levels will also help you to enjoy the planned activities. We urge you to assess your fitness level when reading the itinerary to make an informed choice about your ability to cope with our tours.

If any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without significant risk to themselves and other group members, the tour leader or local guide has the right to exclude them from part or all of a trip. If you are excluded from a part or all of the itinerary, please note that you will not be refunded. It is for this reason that we encourage you to access your fitness level when selecting a tour.

Please consult your doctor before departure for up-to-date medical travel information, including any necessary vaccinations and anti-malarial requirements. We encourage you to have a personal first aid kit that includes your specific medication.

Yellow fever

All travellers of one year of age and above need to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival at the airport or border crossing. If you don’t have one, immigration officers will deny you entry into the specific country. You might also need to present a valid vaccination certificate at the airport in your home country when you return from your vacation. Please make sure that you check all yellow fever requirements with a travel doctor.

Typhoid

Please ensure that your Typhoid vaccinations are up to date if you are travelling to Harare. Parts of the city have experienced a typhoid outbreak, with over 1,500 cases reported since 2011. Please seek advice from your travel doctor.

Tsetse Fly

While travelling on safari, please avoid wearing blue, black and other dark coloured clothing as they attract the tsetse fly. A bite from the tsetse fly can cause sleeping sickness, with the chronic form of the illness being trypanosomiasis. Symptoms of sleeping sickness include fever, abnormal behaviour, headaches and swollen lymph nodes.

Drinking water

In general, we encourage you not to drink local tap water as you might fall ill. Your body will react adversely to a different region’s water standards. Falling ill, even if it’s an upset stomach, will spoil a day or two of your vacation. Many lodges and hotels provide safe drinking water, while bottled water is another alternative. We recommend that you include rehydration salts, painkillers, motion sickness medication, and diarrhoea blockers in your private first aid kit.

Crew and guides

A tour crew, consisting of a tour leader, a cook and a driver, will accompany a group. Regardless of the country of origin, we choose our crew members for their leadership skills and excellent service delivery. They are fantastic ambassadors for our company and our beautiful continent and its people. We include experienced and new crew members in our team, so there may be occasions where you travel with a new crew member or one that is undergoing training.

Your tour leader manages trip logistics to ensure that the tour runs smoothly, safely and timeously. They help with setting up camp and drawing up the chore roster for the group. On some occasions, they may drive. They will be able to give you historical, environmental, cultural, religious and social insight into the various destinations covered during the tour. The local guide will have in-depth knowledge of these various aspects.

Tour cooks handle the preparation and cooking of meals during a tour. They make sure that high hygiene standards are kept at all times while camping. Grocery shopping and meal preparation times are fantastic for bonding together as a group. Your cook will enjoy a great conversation with you while sharing in the task of preparing meals.

Getting to the next location on the itinerary safely and timeously is the responsibility of the driver. They also ensure that our safari trucks undergo regular maintenance for roadworthiness.

Everyone is expected to participate and carry their share of camp duties. The duties Rota system ensures that all members share a load of general camp duties. This includes cooking, shopping, and washing up. If the whole group participates in doing chores, it will be quicker and more fun to get through all of them.

Safety on tour

We go to great lengths to make sure that our tours are as safe as possible. These include maintaining our vehicles to ensure maximum roadworthiness and checking local travel advisories for up-to-date safety information. With safety being a primary priority for us, group tour leaders have the authority to change or cancel any portion of the trip itinerary should safety concerns arise. Please make sure to cooperate with them and adhere to their advice.

Please ensure that you check your government’s latest travel information before departure. We urge you to verify that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers.

We advise that you keep valuable documents and money in a money pouch that you can hide in a jacket. Many of the hotels that we use have secure safety deposit boxes if you prefer to use them for storing your valuable documents. Getting a safety lock to secure your luggage is also a great safety precaution. Please remember to leave your expensive jewellery at home for safety reasons.

You will have some free time during your trip to explore a given location at your leisure. Should you choose to do an activity that isn’t part of the itinerary, please bear in mind that we are not liable for the safety standards of the activity and the standard of operators running them. Please use your discretion when selecting optional activities to do during your free time. You can ask your tour leader for advice on optional exploration activities to do – they will be more than happy to help.

Fire precautions

Not every accommodation facility that we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. We will advise on what to do should an emergency arise at the facilities on tour.

Balconies

Many accommodation facilities in Africa are basic. Expect to either have a facility with a small balcony or a facility that doesn’t have a balcony.

Details about traffic and driving

The different countries that we visit on our tours drive on different sides of the road. For example, Kenya and South Africa drive on the left, and Rwanda drives on the right. Before you cross the road, please remember to look left and right. Traffic may be busier than what you’re used to in your home country.

Seat belts

Please bear in mind that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country. Not all the transport we use provides seat belts.

Pick pocketing and personal safety

In order to safeguard as much as possible against pick pocketing, especially in touristy cities, please be cautious when walking at night. We encourage you to walk in groups and only on main, well-lit areas. Please also be careful when using public transport. Simple protection measures for your belongings include carrying your day pack on your front and only carry the things you’ll need for the day. It’s best to leave valuables stored in safety boxes in your hotel room or the overland truck.

Water safety

Waves and currents in the ocean, river or open water bodies can be unpredictable. Please be cautious when taking in any water activities, and please ensure that you can swim. If you want to partake in swimming activities, please ask for local advice before entering the water.

Unfenced campsites

Please note that we will be staying in unfenced camp sites located inside national parks on some trips. Here, you will experience nature in its most authentic form. We ask that you adhere to any advice given to you by our tour leaders and the park rangers. Their guidance will ensure your safety and that of the entire group.

Homosexuality in Tanzania

Please note that homosexuality is illegal in Tanzania, including Zanzibar.  In June 2017, the Tanzanian government announced that it was unlawful for LGBQTI rights advocates to operate in the country and that these actions will result in arrest and imprisonment. Public displays of homosexuality, such as hand-holding, could lead to arrest and up to 30 years’ imprisonment. If you are affected by this law, please see your country’s current travel advisory for further information.

Bilharzia

Bilharzia is caused by parasitic worms found in fresh water that has been contaminated by animal and human waste. Symptoms include a skin rash, vaginal bleeding, body aches, fatigue and blood in the stool. Please be mindful of shallow reedy waters in the vicinity of villages.

FROM

R157,195

+ Single Supplement 11565

Price Disclaimer: Tour is Priced ZAR 157195 - ZAR 175655 (Price fluctuates based on seats available, confirm with your consultant). Currency fluctuations may occur

Currency estimated. Base currency is South African Rand (ZAR)

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