Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town

Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town 75 Days

From $2249 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

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Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town
Grand Adventurer (75 Days) Nairobi to Cape Town

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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 75 Days
Comfort: 33.3333333333333%
Language: English
Rating: 0%
Style: Budget
Trip ID: 37003
Start Location: Nairobi Hill, Kenya
End Location: Cape Town, South Africa

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Primary Activities: Local Culture & Cuisine, Wildlife, Urban Exploration, Walking Tour, Trekking
Other Activities: Canoeing, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Mountain Biking, Horseback rides, Elephants, Helicopter Touring, Skydiving, Paragliding, Hot Air Ballooning, Bungee Jumping, Deserts, Waterfalls, Local Culture & Cuisine, Historical Sites, whitewater rafting, Sandboarding, Shark Diving, Swimming, sightseeing, wine tour, Sea Kayaking, national parks, quad bike, flight, boating, kayaking, diving, Gorilla Tracking, Camping, Walking Tour
Activity Level: Intermediate, Basic

Trek to see the mountain gorillas, swim with dolphins, walk with lions or, relax on sandy tropical beaches. Add in a few adrenaline activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting, gorge swings or quad biking along with stunning game parks such as the Serengeti, Etosha and Ngorongoro Crater will make this a trip to remember.

Countries Visited: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa

Notes:

Trips include local excursion add-ons, with separate payments.
Special offer Gorilla Permits available on March & April 2013 departures - contact us for more details!
Please note that our itineraries are not set in stone and can be subject to change.

Itinerary

Days 1 to 2: Arrive in Nairobi: After our pre departure meeting - our trip departs Nairobi and heads north into one of Africa's greatest natural features, the East African Rift Valley. Stretching from the Dead Sea in Jordan down to Mozambique in Southern Africa, our first view is from the top of a steep escarpment.

Overland trips through East Africa will allow you to experience some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, and the Rift Valley is a definite highlight. The valley floor seems to sweep on forever and is dotted with volcanic peaks, shimmering lakes and countless springs.

Our journey takes us into the heart of the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. We camp near the lake shore where Hippos sometimes feed at night! Here you can walk to Elsamere, the house of Joy Adamson - of Elsa the Lion and Born Free fame, and enjoy a film of her life - and cream teas! You can also hire mountain bikes and cycle or walk through Hells Gate National Park - the only game reserve in Kenya in which you are permitted to do so.

Or for a less active but equally enjoyable game viewing experience - visit the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. Both offer excellent scenery & opportunities to spot hyrax, abundant bird & plant life along with several types of gazelle, impala and eland.
Days 3 to 4: We then continue west and travel to Uganda: We then continue west and travel to Uganda. A mountainous drive with spectacular scenery through the Nandi Hills brings us to our next stop at Eldoret. From here we cross the Kenya - Uganda border, and continue to the capital Kampala.
Days 5 to 6: Spend the day visiting a local Chimpanzee Sanctuary and rehabilitation centre: Kampala has had a turbulent past, but these days it is a friendly and safe city. We have a free day to spend in local cafes and nightspots - where you can get to know the local people. There is also the opportunity to spend the day visiting a local Chimpanzee Sanctuary and rehabilitation centre on one of the islands on Lake Victoria.

The following day we have a long drive as we head west through swamps, patches of forest and fertile green countryside. As we travel through Uganda, we'll pass through a number of small towns and villages; Mpigi, where you will see roadside stalls manufacturing and selling traditional musical instruments; Kyazanga, where we can buy fresh rotisserie and roasted meat and vegetables, as well as roasted plantain bananas. We will also be able to make a photo stop where our route crosses the Equator.
Days 7 to 10: Visit the genocide memorial in Kigali: The Virunga range of volcanic mountains and the rainforests on these mountain slopes are home to several families of highland Mountain Gorillas. Getting up close to these amazing creatures is a truly a once in a lifetime experience and one of the highlights of the trip.

We will visit the gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda. If we view them from Uganda there is the opportunity to paddle out onto Lake Bunyoni in canoes and visit some of the nearby islands - or hire mountain bikes to visit nearby villages & schools. From Rwanda there will also be an opportunity to visit the genocide memorial in Kigali, which is a moving and humbling experience.
Days 11 to 15: We then return to Kampala and camp near Jinja: We then return to Kampala and camp near Jinja - Uganda's adventure playground. Here, on the edge of Lake Victoria, the Nile begins its 6700km journey to the sea. We spend the next few days at Bujagali Falls, just downstream from the source of the Nile.

This is a spectacular area, and with one kilometre of raging water below Bujagali Falls, a superb place to go whitewater rafting or kayaking. You can also organise quad biking , horse riding or a visit to a local school.
Days 16 to 19: A days drive brings us to Lake Nakuru National Park: Entering back into Kenya we travel through hills covered in tea plantations and rural scenery. A days drive brings us to Lake Nakuru National Park - home to a wide variety of wildlife including Black Rhino, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena and Giraffe. However, Nakuru is a soda lake and most famous for its pink inhabitants, a flock of almost a million Pink Flamingos which feed noisily along the shoreline.

A few hours drive brings us back to Nairobi where we will visit Langata Giraffe centre, you will also have the opportunity to visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where Oasis sponsor Kamboyo, an orphaned elephant.
Days 20 to 23: We depart Nairobi early morning: We depart Nairobi early morning and immediately find ourselves in hot savannah grasslands with acacia trees providing the only shade. Various game, usually zebra and giraffe can be seen as we head south and cross into Tanzania - where we camp on the outskirts of Arusha town.

Here you have the option to use a local African safari travel company to guide us through Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. After a morning of flamingo spotting on Lake Manyara, you'll head down into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater.

On the crater floor you will have the opportunity to view the abundant wildlife including Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, White Rhino, Buffalo, Hippo, Antelope, Crocodile and Pink Flamingos. From here you can also choose to go into the Serengeti for a day where vast herds of wildebeest roam the plains. For those who wish - there is an option to visit a local Maasai Village and learn about their culture and way of life.
Days 24 to 30: We may see the towering peak of Kilimanjaro: After leaving Arusha we pass a number of small towns and villages along the way and, if we are lucky, we may see the towering peak of Kilimanjaro. We will stop off at Marangu where you have the opportunity to climb to Kilimanjaro base camp, or take a walk through the lush surroundings passing through coffee plantations, rivers, waterfalls, caves and visiting a local blacksmith.

A days drive brings us to Dar Es Salaam where our truck is based for around 4 nights in a campsite on a beautiful Indian Ocean beach. From here most people take the ferry out to Zanzibar for the full four days and venture into the narrow bustling streets of Stone Town and its famous spice markets, old slave forts and dungeons. There is also time to relax on Zanzibar's famous white beaches, scuba dive or snorkel and swim with dolphins- before returning to Dar Es Salaam.
Days 31 to 33: We pass through the peaceful Mikumi National Park: After meeting the Zanzibar ferry we begin the journey through the interesting and mountainous hinterland of Tanzania. In the afternoon, after negotiating some appalling roads, we pass through the peaceful Mikumi National Park.

African safari travel is synonymous with wildlife, and in this national park we usually see Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra and Antelope from the roadside. Passing through lush mountainous landscape and plantations - we enter Malawi which is dominated by its huge fresh water lake.
Days 34 to 38: We spend 4 to 5 days at friendly laid back campsites: Camping in Malawi sums up the spirit of an Africa overland trip with Oasis. We spend 4 to 5 days at friendly laid back campsites where most people choose to relax on the sandy beaches or try their hand at scuba diving , snorkelling or windsurfing as we follow the lakeshore south. If you are more inclined to just relax - then there is no better place than on the shores of Lake Malawi.

This really is a warm friendly country - making it easy to wander off and meet up with your local hosts in one of the many villages or schools nearby. You can view first hand the talent of the local artisans and purchase some exquisite pieces of furniture and carvings out of ebony and mahogany.
Days 39 to 40: We continue on to the capital Lilongwe: From here we continue on to the capital Lilongwe in the south of the country where we you can post gifts home, play a round of golf or check out the local markets.
Days 41 to 47: We cross into Mozambique and head for Zimbabwe: After obtaining our Mozambique visa in Lilongwe, we cross into Mozambique and head for Zimbabwe to continue our African overland trip. We follow the infamous Tete Corridor which was well known in the days of Mozambique's long running civil war as the Gun Run.

Thankfully these days things are a lot different! We enter Zimbabwe and travel via the capital, Harare before we make our way to the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, where we will either visit Chimanimani National Park or Vumba Gardens, where you have the opportunity to take a hike through the mountain wilderness area, or hiking to the nearby bridal veil falls, or simply enjoying the stunning surroundings from this sleepy village whilst strolling through the village market.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins which was once the greatest medieval city in Sub Saharan Africa and where the name Zimbabwe is derived, literally meaning house of stone is where we stop next to view this ancient city.
Days 48 to 50: We drive across Mashonaland to Gweru: We drive across Mashonaland to Gweru, here we visit a privately run horse and game ranch where you can go game viewing on elephant and horseback or even take a walk with Lion Cubs! Its our destination for the next few days and always a highlight! Next we enter Matabeleland and the town of Bulawayo.
Days 51 to 52: A day to venture into Matobo National Park: You have the option of leaving the truck for a day to venture into Matobo National Park with a local safari company. You will have a unique chance to get out on foot to try and spot the elusive Black Rhino - amongst hordes of other game. There is also the opportunity to visit Cecil Rhodes' grave and Ancient Rock Paintings before travelling to one of the greatest adventure playgrounds of the world - Victoria Falls.
Days 53 to 54: A day trip over the Victoria Falls bridge: For some, Mosi oa Tunya - The Smoke That Thunders, is the highlight of their African safari. From the main road, in the bush 20kms away, a cloud of mist and spray can be seen against the blue sky. As you get closer , a low rumble like thunder can be heard.

When you arrive it is a surprise to discover the enormity of Victoria Falls. One mile wide and hurling over 5 million cubic metres of water a minute into the Zambezi Gorge this is the setting for the most adrenaline fuelled grade 5 white water rafting in the world.

There is something here for everyone to end off this Kenya to Zimbabwe safari: A day trip over the Victoria Falls bridge to view the falls from Zambia, Flight of Angels - a great way to get a birds eye view of the falls in a light aircraft or helicopter, Sunset Boat Cruises or a more sedate Canoe trip, to the adrenaline packed Gorge Swing, Abseil or a chance to experience one of the highest commercial Bungee Jumps in the world - a perfect way to end your African experience.
Days 55 to 58: Spending the night on the outskirts of the Chobe National Park: Our overland trip continues from Zimbabwe into Botswana, spending the night on the outskirts of the Chobe National Park - famous for its hordes of Elephants, as well as an abundance of other wildlife. You will have a chance to spend the afternoon on the Chobe River - a less intrusive way to view game and wildlife - as well as the Namibian frontier across the river.

We then head south into the Kalahari Basin - known for its dry, desolate and expansive freedom. You will have an opportunity to leave the truck for a few days to venture into the Okavango Delta. Local poler guides will navigate the extensive waterways using canoes similar to their traditional Mokoro's (dug out canoes).This is a great experience - and the best way to have a chance of seeing the elusive wildlife of this unique desert oasis.

You will have a number of opportunities to go on game walks with rangers - giving you the chance to see elephant, crocodile and hippo up close and personal. The Okavango Delta is one of the world's largest inland waterways and its calming serenity will leave those who experience it feeling supremely relaxed. There is also the opportunity to experience the heights of African adventure travel too: see the delta from the air during an hour-long flight.
Days 59 to 61: We enter Namibia and continue toward Etosha National Park: Travelling west we enter Namibia and continue toward Etosha National Park - recognised as one of the worlds greatest wildlife viewing areas. The semi desert is quite a contrast to the more fertile terrain we have been used to. The night sky ablaze with shooting stars and the warm glow of our campfire makes for unforgettable camping experiences.

Besides game drives we can also game watch by night at one of the floodlit water holes where we may well spot Rhino, Elephant and Giraffe among a host of other wildlife. From Etosha we visit a local Cheetah park and get up close to these amazing and endangered creatures, before continuing on to the Brandberg Mountains in Demaraland.
Days 62 to 67: Travel to the stunning Spitzkoppe Rock formations: We then travel to the stunning Spitzkoppe Rock formations. Known as the Matterhorn of Namibia - the Spitzkoppe is part of the Erongo Mt range and was formed over 100 million years ago after the collapse of a gigantic volcano. The scenery is striking from every angle - even more stunning as the granite massifs turn red at sunset.

Next stop is the world famous Cape Cross Seal Colony, where the sight of thousands of these mammals, as well as their accompanying pungent odour is remembered by all! The Cool Atlantic Ocean and the prominent Benguela current provide a perfect location for feeding and breeding for the Cape Fur Seal. For the next three days, our Africa overland trip will be based in Swakopmund - Namibia's adventure gateway.

You can choose between a variety of activities and excursions here: spend a day deep sea fishing for shark and other game fish or head out to the desert and try quad biking and dune sledding. You can also go horse riding or get a birds eye view of the dramatic coastline - either by Sky diving from 10,000 feet or take a flight over the towering sand dunes in the area. In Swakopmund itself you can walk along miles of deserted beaches, visit the museum or relax in a cafe.
Days 68 to 72: A one day drive takes us to the Namib-Naukluft Park: A one day drive takes us to the Namib-Naukluft Park, a vast expanse of desert which contains some of the highest sand dunes in the world. At Sossusvlei we stop and explore the area and the dunes.

Continuing south we enter the semi-desert, and wide-open countryside of cattle ranching until we arrive at one of Africa's most sensational natural features, Fish River Canyon. We stop here for a couple of hours to take in the awesome scenery.
Days 73 to 75: Final Destination: A couple of hours drive away we enter South Africa and cross the Orange River - a rich source of diamonds. We travel south through the Cederburg Wilderness Area, an area of rugged valleys and peaks - before getting to our final destination on this African adventure; the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. Our accommodation here will be in a backpackers lodge.

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Naivasha
Bujagali Falls
Giraffe Centre
Marangu - the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro
Mikumi Game Park
Chimanimani Nat. Park or Vumba Gardens
Private Game Ranch
Chobe National Park (entrance & river cruise)
Etosha National Park
Cheetah Park
Namib Naukluft Park
Cape Cross Seal Colony
Spitzkoppe Rock formations
Sossusvlei Dunes
Fish River Canyon
All transport on Oasis Expedition Truck
Accommodation fees (approx 90% camping & 10% simple hostels/hotels)
Camping and Cooking gear
Min. of 2 meals per day (on average)
Services of Oasis Crew

Trip Excludes

Visas $175 - $300 (depending on nationality most can be obtained en route)
Meals taken while staying in hotels/hostels (i.e. C. Town, Swakopmund)
Optional Excursions as listed in the pre-departure information
Airport Taxes and Transfers
Travel Insurance
Flights
Drinks
Tips

Trip ID#: 37003

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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