43 Day Victoria Falls to Masai Mara Tour (Camping)

Tour Details

Tour Style Camping Top Pick
Length 43 days
Countries Visited Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda
Starts Victoria Falls
Ends Nairobi
Group Size Min 1 Max 22
Age Range 15+ Years and Older
Tour SKU CAM0143
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Why You'll Love this Tour

Take a 43-day in-depth journey from Zimbabwe to Kenya to discover the best of East Africa. A journey filled with vibrant landscapes, local communities and the renowned African wildlife will take you from the cascading beauty of Victoria Falls to the fragrant delights of Zanzibar's spice plantations. Explore the natural wonders and colourful cultures of this amazing region while viewing elephants in Zimbabwe, lions in the Serengeti, and tracking gorillas in Uganda.

Tour Price

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


FROM

R161,360

+ Single Supplement 16165

Price Disclaimer: Tour is Priced at

ZAR 161360  (Price fluctuates are based on seats available. Confirm with your consultant)

. Currency fluctuations may occur


Next Year's Price

From: 165260

+ Single Supplement 20185

Dates Tour Length: 43 days


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


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03 Nov 2024 → 15 Dec 2024

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Included

  • Meals - 41 breakfasts, 27 lunches, 36 dinners
  • Accommodation - 13 Nights Camping (with facilities), 2 Nights Hotel, 2 Nights Bunglow, 4 Nights Camping (with basic facilities), 1 Night Hotel with shared facilities
  • 2 Experienced Crew
  • Transport - Overland Vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Ferry, Minibus
  • Victoria Falls - Visit to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust
  • Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings
  • Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
  • South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Afternoon Game Drive
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Dawn Game Drive
  • Mikumi National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Irente - Lushoto hike
  • Irente - Local lunch
  • Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek
  • Karatu - Home-Cooked Dinner
  • Karatu - Coffee Farm Tour
  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
  • Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
  • 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 4WD Safari

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

  • Victoria Falls - Visit to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust
  • Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings
  • Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
  • South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Afternoon Game Drive
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Dawn Game Drive
  • Mikumi National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Irente - Lushoto hike
  • Irente - Local lunch
  • Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek
  • Karatu - Home-Cooked Dinner
  • Karatu - Coffee Farm Tour
  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
  • Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
  • 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 4WD Safari


Other Activities

Optional Activities available on this tour at your own expense 

  • V
  • Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
  • 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 - Canoe trail wine route - USD55
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance - USD50
  • Bulawayo - Railway Museum - USD5
  • Balawayo - Natural History Museum - USD10
  • Harare - National Archives - USD3
  • Harare - National Botanical Gardens - USD5
  • Harare - National Gallery - USD10
  • South Luangwa National Park - Game Walk - USD50
  • Lake Malawi - Guided village walks - USD15
  • Lake Malawi - Bike Hire - USD25
  • Lake Malawi - Snorkelling - USD25
  • 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
  • Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD745
  • Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD55
  • Kalinzu Forest - Chimpanzee Trekking - USD205
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park - Kazinga Channel boat cruise - USD30
  • Kisoro - Golden Monkey Trekking - USD160
  • 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) - USD625
Please note: If you would like to participate in any additional activities please liaise with your tour consultant ahead of time.

Itinerary

Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Welcome to Zimbabwe. You will meet your tour leader and travel companions at a welcome meeting at 4:00pm. There are no activities planned until this important meeting, so you are welcome to arrive at any time. You will find your campground in the heart of Victoria Falls. A variety of activities will be available at a local activity center after this important meeting, and you can consider booking experiences for tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities:Canoe trail (USD185), Flying Fox (USD50), 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), Rafting & River Boarding Half Day (USD218), Village & Township Tour (USD61), Whitewater Rafting Full Day (USD130)
Please Note: Wi-fi and upgrades to accommodations are available. During the welcome meeting, insurance and next of kin information will be collected. Please inform your travel agent if you will be late. For more information about the meeting location, ask reception or look for a note. You may wish to arrive a day early if you are unable to arrange a flight that will have you arriving in time. Please let us know if you need additional accommodations (subject to availability).

Day 2: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Take advantage of your free time to visit the magnificent Victoria Falls One of the Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world. A staggering curtain of water that cascades 108 metres into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 metres and the falls become an impressive raging torrent. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit this dream destination in the heart of Africa.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Victoria Falls Entrance (USD50)
Please Note: The Victoria Falls entrance fee is not included in the price of the trip, as it is mandatory for tour groups to have a local guide escort. We feel that seeing these waterfalls for the first time should be an uninterrupted sensory experience. Your leader will take you to a local activity centre where a range of activities will be on offer. We have not risk assessed all activities and only those listed in our trip notes are recommended. It is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been risk assessed or do not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities in our vehicles.

Day 3: Victoria Falls – Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Leave Victoria Falls and proceed via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, toward Bulawayo. You may find out more about human-animal conflict, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and the role trusts play in stopping poaching here. Meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife that is currently in their care may also be an opportunity. We now move on to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, which is referred to as the “City of Kings” by the locals and boasts impeccable colonial architecture along with an intriguing past.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Victoria Falls – Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Visit
Travel Time: ± 7 hours
Please Note: You will be billeted in a campground with shared restrooms and wi-fi in Bulawayo. There are upgrades available, based on availability.

Day 4: Bulawayo – Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

Prepare for tracking rhinos in Matobo National Park by getting up early. home to a sizeable population of foot-tracking black and white rhinoceroses. Keep an eye out for other wildlife, including warthogs, springhares, and leopards, as your knowledgeable guide leads you around the park. Along with learning about the native flora and trees—which include paperbark and wild pear—you’ll also see San art and intriguing rock formations. The Matopos region holds immense spiritual and cultural value for the indigenous population, and numerous locations inside the park continue to host significant rituals.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Matobo National Park – Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings
Optional Activities: Natural History Museum (USD10), Railway Museum (USD5)

Day 5: Bulawayo – Masvingo, Zimbabwe

Travel the brief distance by car to Masvingo (about 5 – 6 hours). The Great Zimbabwe Ruins are best explored from this colonial colony, which is the oldest in Zimbabwe. The destroyed city was initially built in the eleventh century and is currently recognized as a World Heritage Site. It is believed to be the previous royal residence of the ruler of Zimbabwe. After spending a few hours visiting this fascinating location, spend the evening at the camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Masvingo – Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
Please Note: Your campground in Masvingo has shared facilities. Wi-fi and upgraded accommodations are offered.

Day 6: Masvingo – Harare, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s capital city is hip and happening. This city is buzzing with shops, bars and a pumping nightlife. It’s time to hit the streets and explore all that Harare has to offer. Keen for some cultural immersion? Head to the National Gallery, the Harare Museum or the Botanical gardens.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Harare National Archives (USD3), Harare National Botanical Gardens (USD5), Harare National Gallery (USD10)
Travel Time: ± 5 – 6 hours
Please Note: There are upgrades available (subject to availability)

Day 7: Harare – Lusaka, Zambia

Experience rural Africa on your drive from Harare to Lusaka. Zambia’s capital gives you another chance to shop it up at one of the many markets. The expat scene is thriving in Lusaka, so there are many places to eat and drink and even a spa to relax in.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Please Note: Lusaka accommodation has shared facilities, and upgrades are available (subject to availability)

Day 8: Lusaka – Petauke, Zambia

Your journey to Petauke, a small Zambian town near the Luangwa River, will take you through green fields and traditional homesteads and villages. Stalls along the road sell woven baskets, local fruit and vegetable piled high and traditional foods. Cattle are given free access to the roads. Experience Africa as the locals do and get a real insight into the way they live.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 8 hours
Please Note: Camp has facilities, wi-fi and accommodation upgrades available (subject to availability).

Day 9: Petauke – South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Following breakfast, travel to South Luangwa to meet local artisans who craft jewelry inspired by the African bush from snare wire recovered from poaching traps. You will be shown around the women’s purpose-built workshop as well as given the opportunity to coil or hammer the wire yourself. As part of every sale, a donation is made to anti-snare patrols dedicated to the conservation of the region. Then, take a two-hour drive through the heartland to South Luangwa National Park. In Africa, the Luangwa River and its lagoons are home to the highest concentration of animals. The area is known to be home to elephants, buffaloes, leopards, Thornicroft’s giraffes, and lions. The area is also home to approximately 400 species of birds. A great way to experience South Luangwa and its beautiful scenery is to take an optional river trip – ask your leader for more details.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities. (1 night)
Included Activities: South Luangwa – Jewellery Workshop Project
Travel Time: ± 6 hours
Please Note: Camp has basic facilities

Day 10: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Luangwa has one of the largest numbers of leopards in the. Rise early for an exhilarating morning game drive. Enjoy classic savannah scenery while keeping your eyes peeled for the parks wide ranging wildlife. Midday is the hottest part of the day here, so seek refuge from the sun and return to the camp for lunch, then head out on a village walk for a snapshot of daily life in the local community.

An optional night time game drive allows you to see all the nocturnal animals; the big cats; lion, leopard and cheetah hunting at night, as well as hyena. Hippos grunt as they come on land and bushbabies leap amongst the trees.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities:  South Luangwa National Park – 4×4 Afternoon Game Drive, South Luangwa National Park – 4×4 Dawn Game Drive
Optional Activities: South Luangwa National Park Game Walk (USD50)

Day 11 – 12: South Luangwa National Park – Kande Beach, Malawi

We continue straight to our camp near Lake Malawi once we cross the border into Malawi. There are almost five million people living in Malawi who rely on its lake for their livelihood. The lake is a haven for fish traders as well as canoe and net makers. Fishermen often fish in bwatos (duggout canoes made from hollowed tree trunks) on the still lake at dawn. You can relax and rest at Kande Beach since your campsite is right on the water.

Malawi is dominated by its lake, which covers almost a fifth of the country and provides a livelihood for many Malawian people. Standing at the edge of the glittering blue water it feels more like an ocean than an inland body of water. Beaches line its shores, the water is filled with brightly coloured fish and rocky islands offer tempting adventures further out. At night the boats of the fishermen twinkle becomingly, earning Lake Malawi the nickname the Lake of Stars. This is a magical place of calm and respite for the soul.

Take a refreshing dip in the beautiful Lake Malawi today and soak up the idyllic surroundings. In addition to enjoying the sandy shores of the lake, make sure you meet some Malawians – some of Africa’s friendliest people.

Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x2, Dinner x2
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (2 nights)
Optional Activities: Guided village walks (USD10), Bike Hire (USD25), Snorkelling (USD25)
Travel Time: ± 9 – 10 hours
Please Note: Camp at Kande Beach is right on the shore of the lake. Upgrades available but no wi-fi available.

Day 13: Kande Beach – Chitimba, Malawi

Imagine soft yellow sand beaches backed by the Livingstonia and Nyika mountains. The coastline dotted with banana palms and papaya trees. Chitimba has a tropical climate and a laid back atmosphere. Spend the day at the beach, go on a boat ride, try your hand at fishing or just grab a beer and chill with the locals.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 8 hours

Day 14: Chitimba – Iringa, Tanzania

Travel up the side of Lake Malawi marvelling at the incredible scenery. Lake views soon make way for villages with houses of mud and straw and the endless tea plantations. Today you cross into Tanzania and its southern highlands. Sit back, relax and watch as the countryside rolls by. Iringa is a small town with some fantastic views across the valley.

Set up camp on the grounds of a farmhouse situated on the outskirts of this pleasant settlement.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 11 hours

Day 15: Iringa – Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Mikumi National Park, situated at the foot of the thickly wooded Uluguru Mountains, is Tanzania’s fourth largest national park. The open flatlands of the Mkata Floodplain are impressive, albeit less well known than the Serengeti. With a local expert guide, we go on a 4×4 game drive in the afternoon. Tanzania’s migratory animals are here; wildebeest, zebra, and many types of herbivores gather in huge numbers, attracting predators. Lion perch on top of termite mounds contemplating their supper. The wide-open vistas are dotted with Baobabs, known as the upside-down tree for its unusual appearance. Spend the day exploring the park before returning to camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Mikumi National Park – 4×4 Game Drive
Travel Time: ± 5 hours

Day 16: Mikumi National Park – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s biggest port city, a frenetic, lively place that merges modern living with traditional customs. Kitenge clad mama’s greet dhow fishing boats each morning on the sandy beaches. At the same time the expats and city dwellers head home from trendy bars. It’s tropical climate tempered with cool sea breeze gives it a laid back charm less typical of Africa’s other cities.

Travel to Dar’s Kipepeo Beach, a white sand paradise on the edge of the Indian Ocean.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 7 hours
Please Note:  An upgrade at camp is usually possible (subject to availability)

Day 17: Dar es Salaam – Stone Town / Zanzibar, 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), 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 18 – 19: Stone Town – 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.

Take advantage of the free time you have the following day 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 x2
Accommodation: Bungalow (2 nights)
Optional Activities: Spice tour (USD25), Dhow Trip (USD35), Snorkelling (USD50)
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 20: Zanzibar Northern Beaches – Bagamoyo, Tanzania

Travel to the Old Town of Zanzibar, Stone Town today. We will be holding a welcome meeting at the hotel at 11:00 a.m. with your tour leader and other members of your group. Following this important meeting, take the ferry back to Dar es Salaam. Take the short drive to your camp at Bagamoyo, a lovely spot by the beach, by your overland vehicle (and meet your driver and cook).

Bagamoyo is an ancient port and trading town, its history evident in its faded buildings and crumbling ruins. It’s a place with bags of character so take a walk through the town and check out some of the local craft shops. Your accommodation is located right on the beach.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Stone Town – Handicraft & Music Urban Adventure (USD50), Stone Town – Culinary Urban Adventure (USD29)
Please note: The beach camp offers upgrades, however there is no wi-fi or hot water in the showers. It is likely that your trip leader and group members will change today due to this being a combination trip.

Day 21: Bagamoyo – Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

A trip to Bagamoyo’s historical slave trade markets is an optional excursion if you wake up early.

The Usambara Mountains define the term ‘off the beaten track. This unspoilt area of Tanzania attracts very few tourists. Million-year-old mountains are covered in dense virgin rainforest, crashing waterfalls and offer panoramic views. The forests are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The misty rain-swept mountains are completely different from anything you have seen so far.

Your base is the old German colony of Lushoto, in the grounds of one of the earliest hotels in Africa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 7 hours
Please Note: There are flush toilets and showers on the campsite, but there is rarely any wi-fi.

Day 22: Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains and experience this area’s gentle hospitality on a visit to some of its small communities. As beautiful as this place is, its real jewels are the local people and villages. From your base, you will take a walk out to the gorgeous Irente viewpoint. It’s best to pack some water and snacks in a day pack for this trip. On your way back, visit a local cultural project based at Irente farm and enjoy a picnic lunch.

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

Day 23: Usambara Mountains – Arusha, Tanzania

Today is a full day of travel as you board your truck once again and venture towards Tanzania’s national parks. Your destination is the sprawling gateway town of Arusha, dominated by the snow-clad peak of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. Arusha is an energetic city surrounded by coffee farms and filled with cafes, shops and restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 10 hours
Please Note: Camp is outside Arusha, has flush toilets and showers and a bar.

Day 24: Arusha – Karatu, Tanzania

You should proceed to Karatu, the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater, after breakfast. While hiking through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest, we will stop at Elephant Caves and Endoro waterfalls along the way. Elephant Caves are rich in calcium, which is why elephants came here to break off pieces of rock and eat their dust to obtain important minerals. After a few days of overland travel, this trek is an ideal opportunity to stretch your legs, accompanied by an expert local guide and an armed ranger. Your local guide will explain the ins and outs of this area here and point out interesting animal tracks and footprints as you hike through Ngorongoro rainforest. You will be able to view beautiful birdlife as you walk through the wild landscape.

Next, visit Karatu village for a tour of the local coffee farm. You’ll witness the innovative farming methods used by the locals and learn how the crops such as coffee, beans, maize, bananas, soya, and pea are sustained. Get the chance to try a few different Tanzanian dishes tonight at a traditional dinner hosted by a Tanzanian family. A local guide will share educational stories about the local culture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Ngorongoro Forest – Elephant Cave Trek, Karatu – Home-Cooked Dinner, Karatu – Coffee Farm Tour

Day 25: Karato – Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Crater is a natural miracle of geographic splendour, the virtually inaccessible crater of an extinct volcano has formed its own ecosystem. Plantlife not seen elsewhere feeds large and small African animals in their thousands. The crater interior is a mixture of savannah, forest and swamp. Herds of zebra and antelope stroll the plains in huge numbers. The views both within the crater and from the rim are exceptional.

Enjoy a safari in the crater, spending between three and four hours exploring this incredible, perfectly intact volcanic crater. Look out for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent game viewing all year round (some 30,000 animals live here) and the photo opportunities here are unrivalled.

Next, it’s on to the wide open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa – the home of thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Your campsite is within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.

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: Our camp within the Serengeti National Park does not have a fence to separate the camp from the animals and is basic with limited running water and no upgrades or wi-fi available. This is quite the experience as animals such as buffalo and hyenas often come close to camp after sundown. On arrival at the camp your leader will give a detailed safety briefing on what is required to ensure the safety of the group.

Day 26: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti is most famed for its mass migration of animals towards the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Whatever time of year you arrive here you can expect to see animals in huge numbers. The Serengeti has one of the largest numbers of cats; leopards, lions and cheetahs in the world.

Dawn and dusk game drives are the order of the day, the cat’s come out when the sun fades. The females drive the hunt, seeing a lion kill is a rare experience but nowhere are you more likely to witness the survival of the fittest than in the Serengeti.

There’s also the option of a balloon ride over the park today (in place of the morning game drive). If you have pre-booked this activity (please see the ‘Important Notes’ section)

Book an optional sunrise balloon ride. There is no better way to view the Serengeti; the vast majesty of the plains, the sheer quantities of animals. You will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, your once in a lifetime balloon ride will begin. After landing, you are treated to a five-star bush breakfast, before returning 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 USD745)
Please Note: Camp is basic with limited running water and no upgrades or wi-fi available. The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather wait and get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited. If you participate in this activity, you will miss the morning half of the included game drive.

Day 27: Serengeti National Park – Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania

Rise with the sun and enjoy another game drive as you exit the Serengeti. Jump back into your overland vehicle and head for Mto Wa Mbu.

Mto Wa Mbu, deep in Tanzania near Lake Manyara, has a diverse gathering of tribes and tourist. In addition to learning how to prepare a Swahili dish, you will also enjoy a crafting session with local women. You will also learn about the farmer and artisan cooperative that operates at the local market. You are invited to enjoy your food creations for lunch.

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
Please Note: Camping at Mto wa Mbu has flush toilets, showers and upgrades available.

Day 28: Mto wa Mbu – Nairobi, Kenya

We make our way to Nairobi today. We will cross border from Tanzania into Kenya. At 6pm tonight, you’ll have another welcome meeting in Nairobi. Perhaps explore the National Museum of Kenya or the Karen Blixen Museum when you arrive, or explore the highly regarded Bomas of Kenya, an outdoor village featuring traditional homes from several Kenyan tribes.

Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city, the third largest in Africa. This former colonial outpost has boomed in recent years with a flurry of buildings being raised to accommodate the huge number of people that travel here looking for work. Fine dining restaurants, hip bars and international brand shops sit side by side with wildlife sanctuaries and parks that form an integral part of the modern city.

Meals: There are no meals included on this day.
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities: Nairobi City Experience Urban Adventure (USD55)
Please Note: As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your tour and meet your new fellow travellers. Nairobi is notorious for petty crime and recently arrived tourists can often be tempting targets. You’ll be taught a few precautions during the welcome meeting. A few top tips include seeking out local advice regarding where to walk, keeping valuables in a neck wallet or money belt or leaving them at your hotel, and not leaving items unattended on chairs or the floor. You should remain vigilant even if you are indoors, as thieves and pickpockets have been known to operate indoors as well. Although it is not necessary to be paranoid, appearing vigilant is a good way to deter potential thieves.

Day 29: Nairobi – Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya

Take in spectacular views of the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha and Elementaita on the drive north-west to Lake Nakuru National Park, situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley.

Lake Nakuru National Park is a compact park which skirts Lake Nakuru. This great soda lake located on the floor of the Rift Valley is populated by millions of flamingoes. The lakeshore is densely wooded and filled with birdlife and a large number of rhinos.

Arrive in time for a short evening game drive along the shore of the lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Lake Nakuru – Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Travel Time: ± 3 – 4 hours
Please Note: You will be sleeping in a camp inside the park, which has flush toilets and showers. Upgraded accommodations and wi-fi are not available.

Day 30: Lake Nakuru National Park – Eldoret, Kenya

Enjoy a morning game drive at Lake Nakuru National Park before heading northwest towards Eldoret.

Eldoret is the 5th largest city in Kenya. Enjoy the cool climate of the highlands. This high altitude city is famed for its Olympic and marathon winning runners. If you are lucky you may see them pounding the trails. The Kerio valley in Eldoret is a 4000-metre deep valley filled with semi-tropical vegetation and plenty of big game. Spend the day exploring Eldoret and its surrounds.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Lake Nakuru – Morning Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Travel Time: ± 6 hours
Please Note: : The camp has basic flush toilets and showers, with upgrades available. Please speak to an agent for more information.

Day 31: Eldoret – Kampala, Uganda

Leaving Kenya behind, you will cross the border into Uganda, where you will travel on to Kampala, the capital of the country (approximately 10 hours, but border crossings could make it longer). As one of the five countries that comprise the East African Community, Uganda is a country of great cultural diversity that has a population exceeding 30 million.

The capital of Uganda is a city of two parts, its centre is a frenetic maelstrom of overladen matatus, streetside stalls and cows. Venture to its suburbs and you will find tree-lined streets, large houses and lush parks. Visit one of the largest markets in East Africa and don’t forget to haggle. Kampala is one of the safest cities in Africa.

Taking a break from setting up camp by staying at a hotel today will be helpful since it will be a long travel day. Upon your arrival at the hotel, enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by the hotel staff before retiring for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel with shared facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 10 hours
Please Note: Leader will be able to arrange a free transfer to and from Kampala city if you wish to eat in town tonight.

Day 32: Kampala – Kalinzu Forest, Uganda

Kalinzu National Forest is a dense thicket of forest famed for its chimpanzees. Over 300 chimps call this forest home, but they aren’t alone. Black and white colobus, baboon, red-tailed monkey, both blue and red duiker, bushbuck, waterbuck, giant forest hog, buffalo and event elephants live in this jungle. Not forgetting many species of moth and butterfly.

Set up your camp upon arrival and perhaps stretch your legs and explore your surroundings with your group.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Travel Time: ± 9 hours
Special information: There are no upgrades available at your camp tonight.

Day 33: Kalinzu Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Take the optional excursion of visiting the Chimpanzees of Kalinzu Forest this morning or enjoy the sounds of the forest from the comfort of your tent. Unlike any living creature, chimpanzees play and squabble in fruiting trees, more closely related to humans than anything else.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s top tourist destination. The Kazinga River cuts a lazy path through savannah and bush that is the foreground to the staggering Rwenzori Mountains. Volcanic craters watch over rolling hills and the Ishasha plains which shelter Uganda’s famous tree-climbing lions. All the big game are here in large numbers. Take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, filled with crocodiles and hippos, whilst its banks are visited by elephant and buffalo. The bird life along the river is exceptional, look out for pelicans and eagles.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Chimp Trek (USD70), Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise (USD30)

Day 34: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kisoro, Uganda

Your drive to Kisoro takes you through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Stay alert for the Ugandan kobs, the national animal of Uganda.

Kisoro’s proximity to the Mufumbiro Mountains makes it the perfect stop off point for seeing mountain gorillas. One of the most beautiful areas of Uganda, Kisoro has mountain scenery, the placid lake Mutanda, patchwork hillsides and bright bustling markets. It’s a delightful destination that offers many outdoor activities from volcano climbing to canoeing on the lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Travel Time: ± 7 hours
Please Note: Flush toilets and showers, upgrades available

Day 35: Kisoro – Gorilla Trek, Uganda

Seeing the Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a bucket list goal that few achieve. These gentle gorilla families are one of only a few on earth that live within Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. At Bwindi, you can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, who are placid and gentle. Be mesmerized as you watch them eat, sleep, groom and play – the giant silverback surveying the scene as the smaller one’s laze in the trees or play like children. Your visit with the gorillas will last one unforgettable hour.

Your 3 – 4 hour hike takes you into the primeval forest. Great stands of bamboo and dense hardwood trees give the forest its name. Your hike will take you high into the volcanic mountains where the gorillas live. You may well see forest elephants, buffalo and many species of monkey and mountain antelope.

No more than eight people per day can visit any one family and visits are strictly controlled to minimise the possibility of disturbance or transmission of disease to the animals. Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is tough so come prepared.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Bwindi National Park – Mountain Gorilla Permit & Trek
Please Note: Camp at Kisoro – flush toilets, showers, upgrades are available. Walking sticks will be provided, and porters will assist you on the trek by carrying your day packs. In addition to the 20USD fee, a tip can also be added to the bill if you hire a porter. As well as making your trek easier, hiring a porter promotes gorilla conservation and tourism in the local communities. A few porters are ex-poachers who now realize how important it is to conserve gorillas.

Day 36: Kisoro, Uganda

Spend your free day in the area around Kisoro. Travel into the rainforest to see monkeys, go on a nature walk to learn about vegetation and animals in the area, or hike up Mt Sabinyo – one of five volcanoes located in the Parc National des Volcans.

You could visit the Batwa an indigenous community found throughout Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC or take a trip to Lake Mutanda. The day is yours to explore or rest as you wish.

Your leader will suggest ways in which you can spend your free time in the area around Kisoro while you are waiting for, or have completed, your gorilla visit. More rainforest hikes are available where you can observe monkeys, enjoy nature walks, or join a challenging hike atop Mt Sabinyo – one of five volcanoes located in the Parc National des Volcans – or maybe a day trip to Rwanda to visit the genocide memorial, art gallery, and Nyamirambo women’s center. The only requirement is that you possess a Rwandan or East African visa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Optional Activities: Trek With Golden Monkeys Permit & Guide (from USD100), Lake & Farmstead Bicycle Tour (USD50), Kisoro – Rwanda Day Excursion (from USD75), Batwa Village Visit (USD35), Coffee Farm Tour (USD35)
Please note: Transport costs for optional activities amount to approximately USD100 and can be shared between 5 to 8 travelers. Pre-booking is required for the Golden Monkeys Trek in order to guarantee your place. This is a popular activity and places are limited. You are welcome to wait and try to get a better price by booking this locally on the ground. Rwanda day excursions are priced according to the number of participants. The cost of the van will be USD260 for up to 7 passengers and the cost of the local guide will be USD50 per vehicle. Tipping and entrance fees are additional expenses.

Day 37: Kisoro – Mbarara, Uganda

Say farewell to the lands of the Gorilla as we turn back towards the capital, Kampala.

Mbarara is known as the land of milk and honey. A well used stop off on the way through Uganda, it’s an oasis in an area of stunning beauty. This urban centre is surrounded by four national parks. Your stop at Mbarara will give you the chance to stock up on supplies and spend some downtime at the camp.

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

Day 38 – 39: Mbarara – Jinja, Uganda

Jinja is one of the highlights of any visit to Uganda, a riverside retreat at the source of the Nile. An old town full of colonial buildings and wide leafy streets. The Nile River runs through the town, placid in places before turning into rapids that have gained fame globally. Spend the night at a scenic riverside campsite and prepare for tomorrow’s adventures by taking a good night’s rest.

With two days at your own pace, you can choose from a number of optional activities (at extra cost) if you so desire. Get active by rafting or kayaking on whitewater. You may also choose to take a boat cruise to the source of the Nile or to enjoy the river while quenching your thirst.

Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x1, Dinner x2
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (2 night)
Optional Activities: Whitewater rafting (USD140), Nile Boat Cruise (USD40), Source of River Nile Tour (USD45)
Travel Time: ± 7 hours
Please note: Tonight’s camp has showers, flush toilets, wi-fi and ATM access. Upgrades are possible (subject to availability). The Source of the Nile boat cruise requires a minimum of 4 travellers.

Day 40: Jinja – Kericho, Kenya

As we leave Uganda, we start our journey back to Kenya and Nairobi, and we travel to the lush green fields of Kericho. Kericho sits at the edge of South – Western Mau National Reserve and is known for its vast tea estates. Everywhere you look is the bright green of tea fields; lush crops with only stands of evergreen trees to break them up. Kericho is a placid town with a temperate climate and a relaxed vibe. Enjoy a delicious cup of tea at a tea plantation when you arrive.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included Activities: Kericho – Tea Plantation Visit
Travel Time: ± 9 hours
Please Note: This evening’s camp is on the grounds of a hotel, and upgrades are available (subject to availability).

Day 41: Kericho – Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Take a drive to Masai Mara National Park this morning. We will visit the Tepesua Village, home of the traditional Maasai people, while we are in Loita Hills. Maasai Warriors will greet you with traditional songs and dances. Discover the fascinating Maasai culture in a fascinating talk with your Maasai hosts. Walk through the community village where widows who lost their cows due to drought and could not remarry were housed. In addition to offering support and safety, Tepesua Widows Income Project offers economic growth. Visiting travelers and locals can buy eco-friendly handbags and backpacks made by the women here.

You’ll also visit the Masai Mara, home to some of the world’s most iconic animals, plus sparse open plains and majestic skies. On a 4×4 game drive with expert local guides, you can explore this diverse environment and see a wide 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 42: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Take the entire day to venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve on a 4×4 game drive.

An optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. If you have pre-booked this activity (see the ‘Important Notes’ section) you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. Then you will glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and of the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, you’ll be treated to a bush breakfast, then return to your campsite.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (1 night)
Included activities: Masai Mara – Full Day 4×4 Game Drive
Optional Activities: Masai Mara National Reserve – Balloon Ride (from USD500)
Please Note: The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather book locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited. If you participate in this activity, you will miss the morning half of the included game drive.

Day 43: Masai Mara National Reserve – Nairobi, Kenya

Say goodbye to the open expanses of the African bush and return to the bustling metropolis of Nairobi. On arrival in Nairobi, you’ll be dropped at your finishing point hotel, where your tour will finish.

No accommodation is provided for tonight, but we are able to book you additional accommodation in Nairobi. Please ask at the time of booking. If you are staying on a bit longer then perhaps book the Nairobi by Night Urban Adventure to have a final night with your new friends. Please speak to your travel consultant should you wish to extend your stay in Nairobi.

Meals: Breakfast
Travel Time: ± 4 – 5 hours
Please Note: Please don’t book any international flights until after 10pm this evening.

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.

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 between 18 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.

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.

Homosexuality in Uganda

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda. This is a sensitive and controversial topic, and it’s important to approach it with understanding.

  • The Law: The Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2013 criminalized same-sex acts, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to life sentences in some cases. While parts of the law were struck down by the Ugandan Constitutional Court in 2014 on procedural grounds, the core aspects remain in place.

  • Impact: This legislation has created a climate of fear and discrimination for LGBTQ+ people in Uganda. Many face harassment, violence, and social exclusion.

  • International Response: The international community has widely condemned the Anti-Homosexuality Act, with some countries imposing sanctions or travel restrictions.

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

R161,360

+ Single Supplement 16165

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ZAR 161360  (Price fluctuates are based on seats available. Confirm with your consultant)

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