African Overlander - Northbound

Day 1: Pretoria/Johannesburg

Today is an arrival day, so you may arrive at any time. The remainder of your day is free to enjoy at leisure before dinner, which is served at our lodge. This spacious lodge is located in a quiet rural area between Pretoria and Johannesburg. A transfer from Johannesburg International Airport need to be pre-booked and is strongly recommended. There is a pre-departure meeting tonight at 6pm.

Day 2-3: Tshipse Hot Springs – Great Zimbabwe Ruins

(Driving times: approx 4½ hours on Day 2 and 3½ hours on Day 3 ) We make an early start from Pretoria, usually around 8am, and drive due north towards the Zimbabwean border. It’s a long day, but when we arrive at Tshipse Hot Springs, we can spend the evening soaking ourselves in wonderful outdoor pools. The following day we continue our journey into Zimbabwe and to Masvingo, where we spend the afternoon exploring the the impressive archaeological site that gave the country its name. The ancient ruins of Great Zimbabwe dates back to the 11th century and was once the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa. For decades these ruins have awed archaeologists and historians alike and there is a good chance we will be similarly inspired on our visit here.

Day 4-5: Antelope Park - Gweru

(Driving time: approx 4½ hours) After the chance to watch the sunrise over the Great Zimbabwe Ruins we travel to Antelope Park, just outside Gweru in the Zimbabwe midlands. Here we are treated to a truly unique experience - and we really do mean unique. After all, where else in the world can you go for a walk with lions? Afterwards we have plenty of time to relax and take in ambience of the African bush, but there are also many other activities we can partake in. Optional activities available include the chance to ride elephants (on land and also in water), go game viewing on horseback, on foot or in a vehicle, or canoeing and fishing in a wonderfully scenic dam! Besides lion and elephant, other species of wildlife seen here include giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, tsessebe, waterbuck, blesbok, red hartebeest, impala, duiker, steenbuck and many more. There are also over 150 species of birds.

Day 6: Matobo National Park

(Driving time: approx 3 hours; game drive times variable) Bidding farewell to the Antelope Park we make our way to nearby Bulawayo, where we meet the local guides for our visit to Matobo National Park. The park is extremely scenic, as nature has sculpted huge granite boulders into some amazing shapes. These boulders house an astounding collection of bushman art, with thousands of paintings still visible. Matobo is also rich in wildlife, particularly bird life, and it is home to the world’s greatest concentration of nesting sites for black eagles. Rainbow lizards and rock dassies are common sights amid the jungle of boulders, whilst zebra and antelope graze at the foot of the hills. The park is also well known for its white rhino population and offers excellent opportunities to walk up close to these prehistoric-looking giants.

Day 7-8: Hwange National Park

(Driving time: approx 2½ hours; game drive times variable) Hwange is rightly acclaimed as Zimbabwe’s premier wildlife sanctuary. It covers a massive 14,650 square kilometres and is home to large breeding herds of elephant, Cape buffalo, most of the antelope species and many predators, such as lion. We enjoy a day of game viewing, exploring the park in open vehicles. At night we can hear nocturnal creatures chattering and grunting away around our campsite, which is located inside the park.

Day 9-10: Victoria Falls

(Driving time: approx 1½ hours) Nothing quite prepares you for the awesome power of Victoria Falls. At its peak it is estimated that five million cubic metres of water pass over the cataracts every minute - that’s a lot of water! We camp in Victoria Falls township on the Zimbabwean side of the border, and from here your tour leader can help you arrange any of the optional activities that are on offer. There is much to choose from, including whitewater rafting, paddling on canoe trails or bungy jumping. In addition there is also time to view the falls themselves, as well as explore the town. While in Victoria Falls only breakfast is included, but most of the optional full-day activities also include lunch. Victoria Falls town is well set-up with many restaurants and bars. As this is starting point of another Gecko's tour and some new travellers may be joining us for the remainder of our trip. there will be a mid-tour briefing at 6pm on the evening of Day 10.

Day 11: Livingstone (Zambia)

We exit Botswana and take a short ferry ride across to the Zambian border, where we complete immigration formalities. Upon arrival in Livingstone we set up camp at our site located on the banks of the Upper Zambezi River. Here your tour leader can assist you in arranging some of the many optional activities that are available in the area. There is much to choose from, including whitewater rafting, elephant riding safaris and game drives. In addition there is also time to view the falls themselves and explore the craft markets, as well as the town of Livingstone. No trip to southern Africa is complete without a visit to Victoria Falls and nothing quite prepares you for the awesome power of this natural phenomenon. At its peak, it is estimated that 5 million cubic metres of water pass over the cataracts every minute! Your tour leader will be on hand to assist you in arranging any optional activities.

Day 12-13: Lusaka - Chipata

(Driving times: approx 7 hours on Day 12 and 8 hours plus on Day 13) We leave Livingstone and travel to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia). Lusaka actually replaced Livingstone as capital of the then-colony in 1935. It is a cosmopolitan city with a population of just over a million people. After our overnight stop here we continue to Chipata, a good place to stock up on our supplies before heading out into the wilderness. There is a supermarket here and also a few places to change money. There is also an impressive mosque in town (entry is restricted to Muslims) and a collection of shops and markets. A popular buy is 'chitenje', which is a colourful traditional cloth wraparound similar to a sarong.

Day 14-15: South Luangwa National Park

(Driving time: approx 4 hours; game drive times variable) Our next stop is one of the greatest wildlife reserves in Africa - South Luangwa National Park. Covering an area of 9050 square kilometres, it is home to an amazing concentration of wildlife. Its terrain includes dry shrublands, mopane forests and oxbow lakes, but the main feature is the Luangwa River. As we enter the park we cross the Luangwa River and will be immediately astounded by the incredible numbers of crocodiles and hippos. Our two nights here are spent camping at the Flat Dogs campsite and we enjoy two game drives (one morning and one evening) in open 4WD vehicles in search of wildlife. If we are very lucky, we may even see leopard. This park is off-the-beaten-track, so we are some of the privileged few as not many travellers get to explore this hidden 'gem'. One day that will change!

Day 16: Chipata

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) After our wildlife sojourn, we return to Chipata for an overnight stay. This is again a chance to replenish our supplies, change money, perhaps send some postcards and enjoy our last night in Zambia before continuing our overland journey the next day to nearby Malawi.

Day 17-18: Senga Bay (Lake Malawi)

(Driving times: approx 5 hours on Day 17 and 5 hours on Day 18) We leave Zambia and cross into Malawi, a hilly country with the picturesque Lake Malawi dominating its eastern flank. Previously known as Lake Nyasa, this lake is the southernmost part of the Great Rift Valley and is the third largest as well as the second deepest in Africa. It is also home to more species of fish than any other lake in the world. We stop for our first two nights in Senga Bay, a relaxing spot and a good place to partake in a range of optional watersports activities. There is also a large curio market here where we can test our bargaining skills (essential!) and buy some of the famous Malawi chairs and other wood carvings. A short walk out of town to Mpatsanjoka Dambo may enable us to see hippos as well as some of the numerous waterbirds.

Day 19-20: Chintheche (Lake Malawi)

(Driving time: approx 5 hours) Chintheche is situated in the northern half of Lake Malawi, about 40 kilometres south of Nkhata Bay. A windy road takes us there and on the way we can see rubber plantations and blue monkeys are often sighted on the side of the road. The town has a number of shops and there are many optional activities available here, including wind surfing, sailing, mountain biking and horse riding. We also visit a local village community and school during our time here to gain an insight into Malawian daily life.

Day 21: Iringa

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus) We leave Malawi and enter Tanzania before continuing to Iringa, where we camp at an old farmhouse, a beautiful rustic campsite in the southern highlands. This campsite was voted as having the best showers in all of Africa! The area is fertile and hilly and is known for its vast tea estates and banana plantations.

Day 22: Baobab Valley - Dar es Salaam

(Driving time: approx 8 hours) On our way towards the coast we stop at Baobab Valley, where we get to take photos of these unique trees which grow to more than 1000 years old! We then continue to Dar es Salaam, the former capital of Tanzania before the capital was officially moved to Dodoma in 1996. With over 2.5 million people, it is still the country's largest city and main administrative centre. We spend a night here - a chance to experience a large African city before catching the following morning's ferry to Zanzibar.

Day 23: Stone Town (Zanzibar)

(Ferry sailing: approx 1½ hours) We say goodbye to our overland vehicle for four days and catch a ferry for the 1½ hour crossing to the famous spice island of Zanzibar, where we spend our first night in the evocative and historic Stone Town. In Stone Town allow yourself time to wander through the many cobbled laneways, take in the architecture and appreciate the famous Zanzibar doors. The market is a sea of colour and noise and offers a great insight into the lives of the friendly local people. An optional Spice Tour starts with a brief tour of the historical sights in Stone Town, before visiting the Slave Museum, the ruins of the Sultan’s Palace and then travelling inland to the famous spice plantations. Here you learn about the many spices and fruits grown on the island, as well as their medicinal and culinary uses. A traditional lunch caps of this great half-day tour. Another great option in Stone Town is getting out to Prison Island. A local motorised dhow is hired and you are taken to the nearby Prison Island, where you enjoy excellent views back to Stone Town. On the island you can swim and snorkel (which you cannot do in Stone Town itself), as well as observe the giant tortoises that inhabit this island. Stone Town also offers great shopping and eating opportunities. Craft markets sprawl out of doorways and down alleyways. Wooden products, paintings and soapstone carvings are just some of the wares on sale. There are many little restaurants that are worth a try and the Night Market offers a great (and cheap) dining experience – the Zanzibari pizzas are quite unique and the banana and chocolate pizza is a real treat. With satellite links and air-conditioned internet cafes that stay open late into the night, there is no reason for not catching up with news from home via email.

Day 24-26: Nungwi (Zanzibar)

(Driving time: approx 1 hour) The next three days are spent on the idyllic north coast at the beachside village of Nungwi. This is located at the northern tip of the island and is a major place for construction of dhows (traditional Arabic sailing vessels). Here we also experience white sandy beaches and a warm tropical sea, making it a great place to chill out and relax. Our days in paradise are sure to prove a most welcomed break in the midst of our long overland adventure.

Day 27-28: Dar es Salaam - Pangani

(Ferry sailing: approx 1½ hours; driving time: approx 8 hours) We catch the afternoon ferry back to the mainland, where we are reunited with our truck. We then journey north to Pangani, a lovely Swahili town which was developed by Arab traders and has an ambience very similar to that of Zanzibar. The beaches are peaceful and virtually unspoilt; this is a great place to get our last taste of the coast before heading inland.

Day 29-30: Arusha - Mto Wa Mbu

(Driving time: approx 5 hours on Day 29 and 2 hours on Day 30) Arusha, also known as the Safari Capital of Tanzania, throbs with activity and you can expect to see several safaris heading off – or returning after a week in the bush. Here, we set up on the outskirts of the town. Our campsite is located at Meserani Snake Park & Masai Museum. The Snake Park is home to a variety of snakes common to east Africa, from the black mamba to the African python, as well as monitor lizards, tortoises and crocodiles. The adjoining Masai Museum centres around the culture, customs and dress of the Masai tribes. The Meserani project works closely with the local community, providing antidote treatment for snake bites and other basic health service, free of charge, to the local Masai communities. This afternoon we take a leisurely drive to the colourful and vibrant market town of Mto Wa Mbu. The town has a great curio market, as well as a fresh produce market. Alternatively you may choose to spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool at the campsite.

Day 31: Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus; game drive times variable) Taking a break from our overland vehicle once more, and bidding farewell to our driver and cook for the next three days, we transfer into 4WD vehicles for our expedition into Ngorongoro Conservation Area / Serengeti National Park. Departing Mto Wa Mbu, we stop on the top of the Rift Valley escarpment for an incredible view out over Lake Manyara before continuing westward to our next destination. At the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the crater, which is a volcanic caldera some 20 kilometres wide that contains an abundance of wildlife and bird life. Ngorongoro is often referred to as a microcosm of Africa, with forest and grasslands, as well as freshwater and soda lakes. We transfer into Land Rovers and head down to the crater floor, where we spend the morning exploring this outstanding wildlife sanctuary. The crater is home to several black rhinos and, with luck, we may have the opportunity to seeing some of these highly endangered animal. (National park regulations stipulate that vehicles are only allowed a maximum of six hours in Ngorongoro Crater.) After an exciting visit to the crater we continue the great plains of the Serengeti. These massive grasslands seem to stretch as far as the eye can see, and even beyond! Over a million wildebeest roam through the park, along with a multitude of antelope species and significant populations of lion and cheetah. We spend two days exploring the plains on game drives as well as checking out the rocky outcrops, or ‘kopjes’, which are a favourite resting spot for the predators. We spend two nights camping inside the park - perfectly situated for the opportunity to hear the night time serenade of the African savannah. Please note that the campsites in Serengeti National Park are national park campsites and have no shower facilities. These are the only public campsites available and the facilities are basic in the extreme. There are no fences surrounding the campsites and wildlife is free to roam at leisure. The toilets are pit toilets and are not cleaned regularly. You will need to purchase bottled water at your own expense for this part of the tour. However the opportunity to camp in the middle of the Serengeti Plains is a real highlight and an experience that you are unlikely to forget.

Day 32: Serengeti National Park

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus - game drive times variable) Home to massive numbers of grazing animals and also various predators, Serengeti National Park provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. Today we will start around sunrise for a morning game drive and follow that up later on with an afternoon game drive, as the animals tend to be more active in the cooler hours of the day. We will usually return to camp during the hotter hours in the middle of the day, where we get to enjoy a hearty meal, relax and maybe take a siesta. Depending on wildlife movements and opportunities for sightings, our drive could sometimes be a continuous one that last all day and involves returning to camp in the late afternoon.

Day 33-34: Arusha - Nairobi

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus on both days) We enjoy an early morning game drive, before heading back to break down camp. We then traverse the southern part of Serengeti National Park, before heading back to our Arusha campsite where we are reunited with our overland vehicle, driver and cook. A last evening in Tanzania presents an opportunity to go check our some of the bars and pubs of Arusha. The Aussie-owned jazz bar called Stiggy’s is a particular treat!

Day 35: Nairobi

We spend a day in the cosmopolitan capital of Nairobi. Here we have free time to make optional visits to some of its fine attractions. The Karen Blixen Museum is located in the home of the Danish writer who wrote an autobiography was turned into an award-winning film, 'Out of Africa'. The Langata Giraffe Centre enables you to feed endangered Rothschild's Giraffe. The National Museum tells the Kenyan story. You may choose to eat at the hotel restaurant this evening or venture out to one of the many fine restaurants that Nairobi has to offer. The famous restaurant Carnivore is certainly a place of pilgrimage for all meat-lovers! (own expense).

Day 36-37: Masai Mara National Reserve

(Driving time: approx 7 hours; game drive times variable) Leaving Nairobi we travel down into the Great Rift Valley and the Masai Mara region, where we spend two nights and enjoy a full day's safari. As dusk falls we may see a variety of animals in the vicinity and listen to the sounds of the African night from our camp. We explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives and witness the wonderful procession of wildlife that inhabit this area. Wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are plentiful and, with luck, we may spot lion or cheetah keeping a casual eye on their movements. Elephant, giraffe and eland are also commonly sighted, along with plenty of bird life. Whilst in the region, we also have time to experience some of the Masai culture and you may choose to visit a local village, where you can experience the dancing and singing for which the Masai are renowned.

Day 38: Lake Naivasha

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) This morning we depart the Masai Mara and head to the nearby freshwater Lake Naivasha, where we set up camp on the banks of the lake. Tonight we can fall asleep to the sound of grunting hippos! This afternoon is at leisure to take in one of the optional activities of the area. You may choose to visit Elsamere, the former home of writer Joy Adamson of ‘Born Free’ fame, and learn about her life and work, before enjoying a sumptuous afternoon tea. Alternatively you can take a cycling tour into Hell's Gate National Park, to try game viewing on two wheels! Another great option is a nature walk in Crescent Island Sanctuary to see just how close you can get to the resident animals such as giraffe, zebra and wildebeest, on foot. Please note that these activities will be offered if time permits. Time may be reduced according to road conditions and hours of daylight (season).

Day 39: Lake Naivasha - East Africa Mission Orphanage

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) This morning we have time for another optional activity in Lake Naivasha before lunch. We then travel to the town of Nakuru to stock up on supplies before reaching the East Africa Mission Orphanage, where we 'bush camp' on its farmland. There are only be basic facilities here (pit toilets and no showers), but the cause is certainly an exceptional one! This afternoon we will be able to meet the children and this evening we share dinner with them at the orphanage. They love to practice their English skills and also are excited to know more about the world - be warned they will have lots of questions for you over dinner! The East Africa Mission Orphanage looks after more than 100 children ranging in age from just a few days old to 15 years of age. The complete needs of the children, including full school education, are provided for by the orphanage. This orphanage is actually the result of the dream of one family, who arrived in Kenya in 1997 with nothing more than two suitcases each. It is a charitable institution, registered with the Kenyan Government for the purposes of caring for the thousands of homeless orphans, who would end up either dying a premature death through malnutrition, walking the streets in search of food or turning to prostitution as a means of survival. The orphanage is taking up the challenge to reach out to these children before they have to fend for themselves out in the streets. Gecko's is proud to help support the efforts of this family and their incredible orphanage, and is excited to be able to take clients right into the orphanage itself!

Day 40: Lake Nakuru National Park - East Africa Mission Orphanage

(Game drive times variable) This morning we travel to the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park for a full day of game driving. Lake Nakuru is particularly noted for its populations of white and black rhino, Cape buffalo and the elusive leopard. Many other animals abound here including the Masai giraffe, which is often sighted quite close to the many roads in the park. Lake Nakuru is one of several soda lakes in the Rift Valley. Rich in algae, it attracts large quantities of flamingos and at times the surface of the lake resembles a moving carpet of pink feathers. In the evening we return to our camp in the orphanage.

Day 41: East Africa Mission Orphanage School - Kericho

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) This morning we spend time with the children of the orphanage in their classrooms. We get to sit in on class with the children and join some of them in their lessons. The children are taught by paid, qualified local teachers, according to the curriculum of the Kenyan school system. However they also receive the additional benefit of having all their classes conducted in both English and Swahili, which assists them to learn English fluently. After packing up camp, we bid farewell to the children of the orphanage and head up to the western highlands, which is the agricultural heartland of Kenya. Vast tea plantations cover the region around Kericho and our campsite is located in the midst of an actual plantation. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to learn more about the tea industry in Kenya and how the crop is cultivated.

Day 42-43: Jinja - Nile River

(Driving time: approx 8 hours) A long drive of 350 kilometres takes us from the Kenyan Highlands to the Ugandan Riverina. Leaving Kericho we cross the equator into the northern hemisphere before passing through Kisumu and getting our first sighting of Lake Victoria. From there the road continues onto Busia border post - one of the busiest in east Africa. We then continue past lush banana and tea plantations before reaching Jinja, located at the point where Lake Victoria empties into the Victoria Nile, which merges with the Albert Nile to later become the White Nile River. John Hanning Speke proclaimed Jinja to be the source of the Nile in 1858, but this was disproved in 2004 and the true source of the Nile is now accepted to be a small stream in Nungwe, Rwanda. We spend two nights camped at Bujagali Falls, on the banks of the river. This is a spectacular spot, situated on a section with raging rapids, forested islands and an abundance of bird life. These falls have become east Africa's adventure centre and we can be enticed by optional activities such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, horse riding and quad biking.

Day 44: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary - Entebbe

(Driving time: approx 1 hour) We leave the Nile River and retrace our path to Lake Victoria before circling part way around the lake to Entebbe. At Entebbe we travel by boat to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria, where we visit a chimpanzee sanctuary. Covered by rainforest, this island is home to 39 orphaned chimpanzees and here we have the opportunity to observe these cheeky primates close to their natural habitat. We suggest you arrange a packed lunch from your hotel the night before, as only drinks and dry snacks only are available on the island. Remember to bring a hat, sunscreen and swimming gear. After leaving Ngamba Island we head on to our campground at Entebbe.

Day 45-46: Queen Elizabeth National Park

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus; game drive times variable) From Entebbe we journey on to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a stunning reserve that covers almost 2000 square kilometres and includes an array of habitats. On arrival we embark on an afternoon game drive in search of some of the 100 different types of mammals and over 600 different species of birds that have been identified in the park. This national park certainly has one of the highest biodiversity ratings in the world! We spend two nights camped in the Mweya area, located on the edge of the Kazinga Channel. The following morning is spent game driving, whilst our afternoon is set aside for enjoying a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel. Whilst rhino, giraffe, zebra and impala are not encountered here, the other main species are all present along with some rare ones such as Ugandan kob, sitatunga, giant forest hog and topi. The afternoon's boat trip on the Kazinga Channel is a highlight for all, but especially so for birdwatchers. Many species can be sighted including the bizarre looking shoebill (or whale-headed) stork, which stands over one metre in height! The Kazinga Channel is said to contain the world's largest concentration of hippoptamuses, but interestingly not many crocodiles!

Day 47: Ruhengeri

(Driving time: approx 7 hours) This morning we leave Queen Elizabeth National Park for the long drive to Rwanda. Our drive to Kabale reveal glimpses of rural Ugandan life and we are sure to be greeted by many 'waves' from the children on the roadsides along the way. The drive from Kabale to Kisoro is only 80 kilometers, but takes about three hours as we have to negotiate two mountain passes. From Kisoro we reach the border and cross into Rwanda, the 'Land of 10,000 Hills’. After completing immigration formalities we enter a new world, switching to driving on the right hand side of the road and hearing French being spoken, as it is the predominant language in Rwanda. Travelling to our campsite we catch glimpses of the endless mountain ranges and enjoy breathtaking views, which the country is renowned for. We spend the next two nights on the outskirts of Ruhengeri.

Day 48: Gorilla Trek - Parc National des Volcans

This morning we check in at the headquarters of the Parc National des Volcans for our gorilla trek. The Parc National des Volcans cover an area where a chain of volcanoes link to form a natural border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bamboo and rainforest covers the slopes of the park, providing the perfect sanctuary for the endangered mountain gorillas. After a brief safety talk we set off with our guide in search of these magnificent apes. Our guide is fluent in English and will pass on information to us that will ensure we understand more about the gorillas and how they live. The gorilla families may either be close or further afield and they may also be on the move, whilst we are trekking. Be prepared for what can be a long and tough climb in damp and humid conditions, and our guides may have to use their machetes to cut paths for us to pass through. We are likely to get within metres of the family we are tracking and will be able to spend an hour observing these magnificent primates. Please note that gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases and you should advise your guide if you are suffering from a cold or anything similar. It would be irresponsible to risk the health of even one of the last 700 remaining mountain gorillas that are still living in their natural habitat. Returning to base we travel back to our campsite, where we have the chance to relive the events of the day over a well-earned meal.

Day 49: Kigali

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) Leaving Ruhengeri we begin our two hour drive through verdant, rolling hills of Rwanda as we travel south-east to the capital, Kigali. Our final activity is a visit to the Genocide Memorial, recently opened in 2004 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide. Whilst this disaster occurred as a result of a complex series of factors, it can only be seen as an absolute tragedy to Rwanda and its people. Time spent at this memorial will be an emotionally moving and important way to understand the sheer courage and resilience of people of this beautiful, tiny nation. Our tour comes to an end after our visit to the memorial. Please note that accommodation for tonight is not included, but can be booked separately If you are flying out of Kigali today, you should not book your flight to depart prior to 1.45pm. It is also vital to re confirm any flights out of Rwanda. These schedules change regularly and often by more than a few hours. These must be checked to save any problems with your departure. Transfers to Kigali Airport are also available at additional cost.

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