RWANDA

Days 1 – 3  

Arriving in Ruhengeri we spend the afternoon visiting in a local orphanage and preschool, as well as in the traditional markets and preparing for our gorilla trek the next day. The gorilla parks are islands of wilderness in densely populated farmland. The mountain gorilla population has been reduced to 720 individuals, all living in the region where we trek. Without the incentive of tourism it is hard to see this endangered species would still have a home. The land of a thousand hills as it is known is lush and beautiful but every acre is coveted for farming.  Our trek can last all day or just a few hours. Once found you will get to spend up to an hour with these delightful primates, as they continue on with their days routine deep in the thickly forested Virungas.

We spend the evening in a local restaurant enjoying the beats of traditional Rwandan drumming and dancing to celebrate our day with the gorillas.  

Optional excursions Days 1 – 3: Genocide museum, Mountain gorilla trek, Either Parc Nacional de Volcans (Rwanda) or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda), golden monkeys trek, visit to Dian Fossey’s grave, orphanage and preschool visit, Batwa village visit.

TANZANIA

Days 4 – 9  

Across the border to Tanzania, the once German colony formerly known as Tanganyika, we travel below Lake Victoria, through rural Tanzania, on our way to Arusha, the bustling “safari capital” of the country. Our journey takes us off the beaten track allowing us time to experience a little of true Africa, enjoy a game of local football and shopping in traditional stalls.

 

Entering the Serengeti National Park we are confronted by miles upon miles of sweeping plains, across the 14,000 square kilometre park. Home to lion, leopard and cheetah as well as the famous vast herds of wildebeest, gazelle, antelope and zebra on which they prey, we now have our chance for our first true game safari. Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest extinct volcano, is a park that also never disappoints. Travelling in customised land cruisers with a local guide we can find rhino, hippo, lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo, zebra, impala, wildebeest, cheetah, monkey, ostrich and flamingo. Across the two parks we then enjoy back to back game viewing camping for two evenings in the wild. A balloon safari can also be arranged during your time in the Serengeti.

 

Traditional Maasai tribesmen can also be found living throughout the region. They continue to dye their hair with ochre and live on a diet of milk and blood obtained from their cattle. We can arrange a visit to a traditional Boma (village) whilst here. Returning from the parks we have time to stop over at the Cultural Heritage Shop to browse for traditional curios - spears, beads and carvings, as well as for the now famous local jewel, Tanzanite. Time at Arusha also allows for a group barbecue, and the entertainment of traditional dancers before heading to Dar es Salaam and the Tanzanian coast.

                  The Migration

                                                 For more information including

                                                 migration times click here...

Optional excursions: Days 4 – 10: Serengeti National Park, Balloon safari, camel safari.

TANZANIA AND ZANZIBAR ISLAND

Days 10 – 16

As we head south wide panoramic vistas sweep before us. Kilimanjaro often can be seen. Arriving in the bustling city of Dar Es Salaam on the Indian Ocean Coast we relax with a seafood bbq, listening to the waters lapping nearby and the wind in the coconut palms.

 

Up early the following morning we are on the ferry to Zanzibar Island, the magical Unguja.

 

Zanzibar has a charm you won’t forget. It’s a magical place where we can stop for a few days after our travels. At sunset relax with a fruit cocktail at Africa House, and enjoy the fun of the night food market at Forodhani Gardens for your evening meal. Wander the maze of narrow, winding streets, coral brick houses, and enjoy shopping in the bazaars. A spice tour is arranged to introduce you to some of the island’s fascinating history. Swim with the turtles at Nungwi or snorkel off Prison Island or at Mnemba Atoll amongst corals and tropical fish, where we sometimes also see dolphin. Trek through Jozani Forest to view rare red colobos monkeys.

Staying in beach cottages by the coast we can relax in this true barefoot paradise to enjoy crystal clear warm turquoise waters lapping aganst the sandy white beaches, fun beach bars, bbqs of fresh seafood by the shore line, accompanied by the beat of bongo drums, and a game or two of beach volley ball. The Scuba Do dive centre can also assist with all your diving needs if you enjoy scuba diving.

 

Leaving the island we head back through the traffic of Dar to overnight before transiting west across Tanzania through Mikumi National Park. Travelling through Mukimo we often see giraffe and gazelle by the road side, before reaching Baobab Valley, and on to our camp at The Farmhouse to enjoy a traditional meal and the best chocolate brownies!

 

Optional excursions 10 to 16: Free time to travel over to Zanzibar island. Talk with us as to the special arrangements we can make for your accommodation and other arrangements on the Island staying in beach cottages and in the exotic capital, historic Stone Town, with a spice tour.  

Other options to budget for include snorkeling excursions to Prison Island, famous for its giant tortoise as well as Mnemba Atoll, dolphin boat trips, Jozani Forest hike to see the red colobus monkeys, scuba diving.

MALAWI ‘Africa’s warm heart’

Days 17 – 22

Reaching Lake Malawi we make regular stops at the popular bays and enjoy a friendly welcome visiting in local villages. A traditional village meal can be arranged and time with a traditional healer. Fish with the locals, get out the football to play with the kids, visit in the nearby school, and as well enjoy a wide variety of water sports, including canoeing, water skiing and scuba diving, in the lake.  A day’s hike with a local guide into Livingstone Plateau reveals the beauty of the countryside, and bare back horse riding in the lake is always popular.

We also visit traditional markets, such as at Nkhata Bay, the local craftsmen being famous for their artifacts including traditional Malawi chairs and wooden giraffes. The truck is designed to carry all our purchases until we reach a suitable postal point later in Malawi or Zambia.  If the group decides to have an “Absolute Bad Taste Party”, the Malawi markets often at Mzuzu are the place to look for the perfect outfit. A pig spit by the lake is a great way to finish off our time by the lake. When road conditions permit we also spend time to camp in the wilds at Vwaza or Luwawa before reaching Lilongwe.

Optional excursions Days 17 – 22: Water sports, hospital visit, hiking, village meal and dancing, horse riding 

MALAWI – ZAMBIA

Days 23 – 29

From Malawi we travel via Lilongwe into Zambia.  Travelling over rugged bush roads, season pending, we reach our camp at South Luangwa National Park to enjoy a poike and a much needed “cool off” in the pool. Game drives here allows us to enjoy the famous elephant herds as well as the many other animals that are attracted by the Luangwa River and its oxbow lakes.   At the end of the day enjoy nature at its best relaxing with a sundowner on the deck overlooking the river, or on an evening game-drive witness the nocturnal activities of some of Africa’s more elusive and secretive animals such as leopard and the inquisitive genet.

After two nights in the Park we continue south west to Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. We stock up with supplies and get to the bank.

Arriving at Lake Kariba we now spend a couple of nights on a houseboat for some luxury away from our overland truck, a break from sleeping in tents and camp cooking. The boats have bedrooms and a kitchen as well as a bar and splash-pool. A chef is provided as well. Cruising the lake by day, elephants and antelope can be seen by the water’s edge and hippo and crocodile in the Lake. The boat also has its own motorised dinghy that can take us out fishing or for game rides, and guided walks can be arranged on one of the islands in the lake.  

 

At night the kapenta fishing boats’ lights twinkle across the lake. We usually have a “bad taste” party on one of the evenings, and perhaps a beach bonfire. The houseboats are a great time to enjoy nature at its best.

Optional excursions Days 23 – 29: South Luangwa evening game drives (season pending), houseboat cruise on Lake Kariba.

ZAMBIA

Days 30 – 33

Our next stop is the world famous Mosi-O-Tunya “The Smoke that Thunders” . . . . . the Victoria Falls.

There is an immense amount to do here from gorge swinging to micro lighting and bungee jumping, from white water rafting to canoe trips, rhino trekking, horse riding, or riding on an African elephant. The sunset cruise on the Zambezi is another highlight, as is the famous “walking with lions”.  Take your time while you are here to wander in the National Park to view the Falls, one of the wonders of the natural world. The Falls are made up of 5 separate falls stretching over a 1,688 metre width and plummeting 100 meters into the gorge, the Falls producing the largest sheet of falling water in the world. The spray typically rises to a height of over 400 metres (1,300 ft), and sometimes even twice as high, and is visible from up to 50 km (30 miles) away. At full moon, a "moonbow" can be seen in the spray instead of the usual daylight rainbow.

Optional excursions Days 30 – 33: South Luangwa evening game drives (season pending), houseboat cruise on Lake Kariba, whitewater rafting, riverboard, jetboat, bungee, gorge swing and rap jump, 'Flight of the Angels', canoe trip, lion walks, elephant ride, horse riding, interactive drumming, a sundowner cruise.

BOTSWANA

Travelling into Botswana, we reach Chobe National Park for our next experience in one of Africa’s famous game parks, the Chobe being another great river of southern Africa that flows into the Zambezi. An evening sunset cruise usually allows us to see a good number of elephant bathing and drinking in the river, whilst hippo and crocodile can be seen lying in the shallows. Giant monitor lizards patrol the banks, and fish eagle swoop over head. The park boasts up to 35,000 elephant but also has a great variety of other game - lion, cheetah, zebra, buffalo and numerous antelope species including roan and sable antelope.

 

The following day we travel past the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans on our way to Maun.

It is from here we organise our mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta, a wonderland of lush waterways where staying, amidst unspoilt wilderness, we can gain a sense of the remoteness and beauty of the African bush. With a total change of pace we can enjoy the soothing sensation of meandering silently through the maze of waterways in traditional canoes, take guided game walks and camp for one or two nights listening to the sounds of the bush. Here we may spot buffalo, hippo, crocodile, antelope, giraffe, elephant and lion as well as much bird life such as kingfishers, ducks, marabou storks, sacred and glossy ibis, herons and egrets. A cruise at sunset in this beautiful environment is something always to be remembered. The polers sing to us at night traditional African songs. Game drives in the completely wild and unspoilt Moremi Reserve can also be organised as well as flights over the Delta.

Optional excursions Days 34 – 39:  Chobe National Park game drive and cruise, Okavango Delta mokoro safari, flight over the Delta, game drives in Moremi Wildlife Reserve.

NAMIBIA

Days 40 – 49

Leaving Maun we head to the border of the mysterious “nothingness land” – Namibia – to drive through to the Hoba meteorite, the world's largest and then onto Etosha National Park. The local Owambo people call it "the place of dry water." The Pan's blinding white surface covers an area the size of Switzerland and in summer violent squalls transform it into a vast shallow lake, providing a breeding ground for thousands of flamingo. A vast array of animals exists around the Pan, including elephant, lion, gemsbok, zebra, black rhino, giraffe, cheetah and leopard.  We camp within the park and take early morning and late afternoon game drives until the park gates close. At night we can sit at the floodlit water holes sipping hot chocolate, to be rewarded as well with some fabulous game viewing as animals arrive to drink. The campsites also have pools which bring welcome relief to the heat in this barren region.

 

Leaving Etosha we visit a Cheetah Park where we can get up close and personal with tame cheetah as well as view wild cats that come in for feeding. Breaking camp the following morning we stop over with a local traditional Himba tribe before heading on to Twyfelfontein or Spitzkoppe to view bushmen engravings and to camp under the African stars. Stretch your legs exploring in the wilds of Namibia. The scenery is spectacular and this is a great chance to stretch your legs.

We drive a small section of one of the loneliest stretches of coastline in Africa, the Skeleton Coast, flanked by bone-bleaching desert, arriving at Cape Cross, and the Seal Colony, a breeding colony of 200,000 Cape fur seals.

 

Arriving in Swakopmund, Namibia’s second biggest town, we reach another adventure capital. For the adrenalin junkie there's quad biking, sand-boarding, tandem skydiving, go carting, desert flights and hot air ballooning. Horse riding is also available and open sea fishing. Dolphin cruises are popular and a tour in the local township.

 

A popular seaside resort, full of German colonial architecture, Swakopmund allows us another place to relax after our time in the wild. We book into a lodge to allow another welcome rest from camping, and enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants washed down by a cold German beer.

 

Nearby though the Namib Desert beckons, a desert wonderland  offering thousand foot sand dunes to explore. Here we take a fascinating guided walk with a local guide at Sesriem, the gate way to the famous Sossusvlei, then hike for an evening walk as the sunsets on Dune 45.

Optional excursions Days 40-49: Twyfelfontein rock engravings, seal colony, quad-biking, sand-boarding, skydiving, parasailing, go-karting, ballooning, desert flights, open sea fishing, town ship tour, dolphin cruise, guided walk on the dunes.

NAMIBIA – SOUTH AFRICA

Days 50 – 55

Fish River Canyon, reputedly the second largest in the world is a breathtaking sight and the sunsets over the canyon gorgeous. From here we stop in at Ai-Ais Hot Springs, with its weird lunar landscape, to relax in thermal pools before enjoying some time by the Orange River to laze around in canoes on the frontier with South Africa.

 

Through the wine areas of Cape Province, we arrive into historic Stellenbosch for a two night stay to enjoy some wine tasting. Then into Ashanti Lodge, Cape Town, and our journey’s end, enjoying a final meal out in Long Street. The Travel Shop at Ashanti can assist you with all you may now wish to do - including the Garden Route, white shark diving, winery visits, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, excellent surfing and so much more. We have our last meal together against the extraordinary backdrop of the 1,000 metre high Table Mountain.

Optional excursions Days 50 – 55: Orange River canoeing, wine tour. 

Any queries? Call our office on +44 (0) 208 742 0226, email us at

absaf@absoluteafrica.com or skype us on skypeabsoluteafrica