KENYA
Our overland trip starts in Nairobi. We travel north to camp near Mount Kenya. Here we have our predeparture meeting to find out the ins and outs of day to day life on our big Africa trip.

The next day we head into the wilds of tribal lands north of Nanyuki, to the world of the colourful Samburu. Here we also visit the wild and beautiful Samburu National Park where we can see elephant, as well gerenuk, reticulated giraffe and quite often leopard on our first game drives.

Alternatively we head to Lake Baringo, to visit the Ngempe fisher people and traditional Pokot and a stay over by the lake.

UGANDA
Into Uganda we cross the source of the White Nile at Jinja. A day can be spent whitewater rafting amidst lush tropical vegetation in the equatorial sunshine. There is time to help out in a local school if you wish, as well as for a village walk and to relax by the river. We stop at the capital, Kampala, before continuing west towards the densely forested Afromontane habitat of the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas are viewed in south west Uganda where it borders Rwanda or alternatively in the Parc Nacional de Volcans.

At altitudes of up to 3,500 ft, amidst dense vegetation and active volcanoes, a trek to the gorillas in the Virungas, whilst exhausting, is one of the high points of the trip. These magical animals are herbivores, spending most of their time eating, sleeping, grooming and playing. They live in family groups under the charge of an older dominant male, known as a silverback, who can weigh up to 350 lbs. Despite their great size, they are shy and gentle creatures in great danger of extinction.

Whilst we wait we often have the opportunity to play a game of football with the local kids, view traditional dancing or perhaps visit a local school. Hikes are also available to see the golden monkeys and Dian Fosseys grave.

Our next stop is Lake Bunyoni sitting in the mists clinging to the terraced Mfumbiro foothills. Here you can fish, canoe in dugouts and indulge in the local freshwater crays before we go in search of chimps and other primates at the lush Kibale Forest. Alternatively we visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria. In the months when we do not visit the Masai Mara we will visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game cruise. Time permitting we may camp by the beautiful Sipi Falls.

KENYA
On our return to Kenya, after a stay at an upcountry colonial homestead and a roaring log fire, our next highlight is Lake Nakuru National Park and the chance to see both black and white rhino, zebra, giraffe, lion, leopard and the lake pink with greater and lesser flamingo.

Reaching Lake Naivasha with its stunning bird life we pass by hippo in the lake crossing by boat to Crescent Island formed from the rim of an extinct volcano for guided game walks. Or for the more active there is the option to cycle amongst game in Hells Gate National Park to see more evidence of past volcanic activity, as well as the Masai Cultural Centre. Alternatively hike to Crater Lake.

Then on departures May to September we head to the Masai Mara for game drives in this world famous game park during the months when the migrating herds of zebra and wildebeest have usually arrived.

Reaching Nairobi, we splash out on a special night in a local restaurant before we head south.

TANZANIA
Across the border to Tanzania we now enter the world famous Serengeti National Park by land cruiser. We camp in this 14,000 square kilometre park which is home to hyena, lion, leopard and cheetah pursuing the vast herds of zebra, wildebeest and other antelope on their seasonal migrations. Descending 2,000 feet into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest extinct volcano, we can view rhino, hippo, lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo, zebra, impala, wildebeest, cheetah, monkey, ostrich and flamingo. The Masai, living on the Crater rim, still shun modern ways, continue to dye their hair with ochre and live on a diet of milk and blood obtained from their cattle. We can arrange a visit to a traditional Masai Boma (village). From the Crater we travel to the Meserani Snake Park, Arusha, via the village of Mto Wa Mbu, where Masai display their ebony carvings, spears and bead work. Time at Arusha also allows for a camel safari, walks and a group barbecue.

Dawn brings the possibility of views of Mount Kilimanjaro on our way to the bustling city of Dar Es Salaam. You can now have a break from truck life for four days on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar, the crew giving you a full briefing before you depart and all needed assistance with bookings.

ZANZIBAR ISLAND
Arriving by hydrofoil at Stone Town you will find a maze of narrow, winding streets, coral brick houses and bazaars to explore. There are crystal clear coral waters, in which to swim and snorkel and where the dolphins might join you. The diving is some of the best in Africa with many diving facilities along the coast. You can take a spice tour, visit the red colobos monkeys or Prison Island with its giant tortoise. For a little history, a visit to a former slave camp can be arranged. Alternatively you can happily spend a few days relaxing at the local beach cottages and enjoy the fresh seafood. Motor bikes and jeeps can be hired to tour the island. On your return to the mainland we transit through Mikumi National Park to Malawi.

MALAWI 'Africa's warm heart'.
Travelling the length of the lake, we make regular stops at the popular bays, the beaches providing excellent camping. We can fish with the locals, take village walks, and enjoy a wide variety of water sports including water skiing and scuba diving. Horse riding is also popular particularly the swim ride in which the horses take to the lake, as well as hikes in Malawi's beautiful surrounds. Local craftsmen sell African artifacts including traditional Malawi chairs. There is always a welcome from the villagers for a meal.

We stop over in Lilongwe on our way through to Zambia. On departures when Luangwa is out of season we will explore further off the beaten track to visit extra highlights in this beautiful country such as Vwaza Marsh or Luwawa Forest (season pending) or Nkhata or Senga Bay enabling us to get a true sense of rural Africa.

ZAMBIA
Entering Zambia we head for South Luangwa National Park on departures 24 May to 9th October to camp for two nights. Luangwa is a wildlife reserve of unspoilt natural beauty. Attracted by the Luangwa River with its ox bow lagoons the park has an abundant amount of game - up to 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird speces. We arrange night drives with spot lights as well as game drives during the day to ensure we get the most out of our stay.

Stopping in Lusaka, the modern capital of Zambia, gives us ample opportunity to catch up on communications and stock up on supplies. From here we travel to Lake Kariba to hire a houseboat to relax for a couple of nights. There is tiger fishing available from the boat and a variety of wildlife including elephant, hippo and crocs can be viewed during the cruise.

We now arrive at Victoria Falls 'Mosi-Oa-Tunya', 'the smoke that thunders.' Second only to their nearest rival in size, Niagara, over 5 million litres of water per second can flow over the Falls during the rainy season. Whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River, on probably the best rapids in the world, is a Must. Alternatively you can riverboard or just take a leisurely canoe trip. A 'Flight of the Angels' over the Falls offers a unique appreciation of one of nature's greatest wonders. Also, for the ultimate rush you can bunji jump from a bridge across the river or try a gorge swing. Head out on an elephant ride or rhino trek. Later, a sundowner cruise is the perfect way to complete the day watching hippo loll in the Zambezi as the sun sets.

BOTSWANA
Travelling into Botswana, Chobe National Park is our next stop. Giraffes browse the acacia trees and elephants lumber through a park rich with game. Via the Makgadikgadi Pans we come to Maun where you can take a three day safari into the Okavango Delta in a mokoro, the traditional dugout canoe of the Delta boatmen. We are poled through the tranquil, crystal clear waterways and beds of papyrus reeds, home to some of Africa's finest bird life and unusual flora and camp on small islands to take guided game walks.

NAMIBIA
We enter Namibia and travel through to the Hoba meteorite, the world's largest before arriving for a three night stay in 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 flamingoes. 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, visiting floodlit water holes at night. Leaving Etosha we visit a Cheetah Park, and then drive on to Twyfelfontein the following day to view the rock paintings. Driving a small section of one of the loneliest stretches of coastline in Africa, the Skeleton Coast, flanked by bone-bleaching desert, we arrive at Cape Cross Seal Colony, a breeding colony of 200,000 Cape fur seals. And then to Swakopmund, home to some of the finest open sea fishing in the world with the option of flights over the Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast. For the adrenaline junkie there's also quad biking, sandboarding and skydiving. The Namib Desert is a desert wonderland - Sossusvlei, Namib Naukluft National Park offering thousand foot sand dunes to explore. We travel on to the Fish River Canyon, reputedly the second largest in the world. Our last stop in Namibia is Ai-Ais hot springs, with its weird lunar landscapes where we relax in the thermal pools (temperatures permitting) before camping by the Orange River where we can canoe.

SOUTH AFRICA
Through the wine areas of Cape Province, we come to our journey's end at Ashanti Lodge, Cape Town. The Travel Shop 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.

Please note this safari will adjust to 71 days from 9th October 09. From this date we will regularly travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game cruise once in Uganda rather than visit Samburu or Lake Baringo. We will from this date also visit the big highlights in Kenya - the Mara, Nakuru, Naivasha and Hells Gate as well as Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Park during the first 7 days so we can avoid doubling back through Uganda into Kenya after the gorilla trek.

For more details check out the click through function to the microsite at the top of this page or from the home page, or feel free to call us 0208 742 0226 or email absaf@absoluteafrica.com.