Saturday. Nairobi - Arusha. We’ll be there to collect you at Nairobi Airport. Your first night will be spent at our pre-expedition hotel in the centre of town. Journeying south via Namanga, we cross the border and head into neighbouring Tanzania. Home to some of Africa’s finest game reserves, we camp at the attractive safari frontier town of Arusha. The town is perfectly placed for optional activities such as a visit to two of Tanzania’s best game reserves - the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Overnight - Nairobi (1), Arusha (1) (L:1, D:1)

Arusha - Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti (optional excursion). Arusha is a pleasant town situated at the base of Mount Meru and is the starting point for the optional 3 day excursion to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti (see optional activities). For those not opting to visit the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park, the next days are spent at leisure enjoying the Meserani reptile park, Masai Cultural Museum and the surrounding villages and craft markets. Alternatively the town of Arusha is close by to explore.

The Optional Ngorongoro/Serengeti excursion takes us via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) that lies adjacent to the Lake Manyara National Park and up the Rift Valley Escarpment to the higher lying village of Karatu. campsite in Karatu. The following morning we depart early for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and head into the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino. After our game drive in the Crater,we head down the Crater rim and past the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ on our way to the Serengeti National Park. We cross the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight we camp in the bushveld surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness. In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident game. With some luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’! We return to Arusha on day 5. Overnight - Arusha (3) or optional: Karatu (1), Serengeti (1), Arusha (1) (B:3, L:3, D:3)

Arusha - Pangani - Dar es Salaam. On day 6 we head south towards Dar es Salaam. On the way weather permitting; we may catch a glimpse of this Mt Kilimanjaro’s snowy summit - a photo opportunity not to be missed! We pass through vast sisal plantations surrounded by The Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before reaching our lovely campsite nestled between these mountains, midway between Arusha and Dar es Salaam. The following day we continue on to our lovely seaside campsite in Dar es Salaam where we prepare for our departure to Zanzibar the next morning. Overnight - Pangani (1), Dar es Salaam (1) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar (optional). A ferry from Dar Es Salaam takes us to ‘Spice Island’, where we have the option to spend the next three nights.* Zanzibar is steeped in history and offers a wealth of experiences. Wander the streets of Stone Town, take an excursion around a spice plantation or simply laze on one of the pristine white sandy beaches, the choice is yours! Accommodation is not provided on Zanzibar, allowing you the freedom to choose where you spend your time on the island. Your trip leader can arrange accommodation for you locally should you wish.

* For those opting not to visit Zanzibar, the 3 days can be spent at leisure at the beach campsite or exploring Dar Es Salaam. Overnight - Zanzibar (B:1)

Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam - Iringa - Lake Malawi. Leaving Zanzibar, we travel via Dar es Salaam and Mikumi National Park, where it’s possible to view an array of wildlife impervious to humans and traffic, from the road, to Iringa where we camp at the Old Farmhouse, a beautiful and rustic campsite. We leave Tanzania and head into Malawi. Dominated by its huge lake occupying nearly 20% of it’s landmass, Malawi offers us pleasant respite from the heat. We cross the border post at Songwe and head to Chitimba Beach on the shores of the lake. Camping at Chitimba and/or Chintheche, we can enjoy lake side pleasures such as swimming, relaxing and optional aquatic activities such as snorkelling, canoeing and SCUBA diving. The local fishermen can be observed tending their daily catch and there are local schools and villages where you can visit the friendly Malawians. Don’t forget to buy a Malawi chair, hewn from a single sheet of rich African timber. A classic! Overnight - Dar es Salaam (1), Iringa (1), Lake Malawi (5) (B:6, L:6, D:7)

Lake Malawi - Chipata - Lusaka - Livingstone - Victoria Falls. Crossing into land-locked Zambia, we stay at a pleasant campsite near the border, then drive via the capital, Lusaka, where we spend the night. Continuing to Victoria Falls, we enjoy time to make the most of the adrenaline playground of Africa. There are optional activities aplenty here including Zambezi white water rafting, bungy jumping from 111m and flights over the Falls in a variety of airborne machines! More sedate pursuits such as golf, day trips to the local croc farm and horse riding safaris are also available. Overnight - Chipata (1), Lusaka (1), Livingstone (1), Victoria Falls (3) (B:6, L:3, D:3)

Victoria Falls - Chobe NP - Maun. Travelling east, we drive to neighbouring Botswana via Kasane. Bostwana has three of the world’s richest diamond mines and is one of the most stable countries in Africa. Interestingly, Kasane sits at the meeting point of four countries - Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe! It’s also the gateway to the 11,000 sq. km Chobe National Park. Chobe supports a vast, protected elephant population and is home to a rich variety of species such as lion, cheetah, hippo, zebra and antelope. We enjoy a boat cruise and can opt to embark upon a morning game drive. On day 25 we embark on the long drive to Maun, our base camp for the optional Okavango Delta excursion. The Delta is a huge expanse of water, which has travelled from the Angolan highlands, spreading out to form the largest inland Delta in the World. Studded with exotic islands, the Delta is renowned for its incredible variety of bird life as well as many other animals unique to Southern Africa. Overnight - Kasane (1), Maun (1) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Maun - Okavango Delta (optional) - Maun. Here you have the opportunity to take the optional three day/two night excursion into the Delta (see optional activities). . On this excursion we travel north to the Mokoro polers station. From there we hire mokoros, the local dug out canoes, which are poled by local guides through the winding waterways. An afternoon game walk will allow you to experience the Delta wilderness. On day 27, enjoy a day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences. You will have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including game walks, mokoro cruises, swimming and even a chance to try your hand at poling your own mokoro! There is a final opportunity for a morning game walk on day 28 before packing up camp and setting off back to Maun.

For those not opting to explore the Delta, you can stay at the campsite in Maun relaxing by the swimming pool or playing volleyball. Overnight - Maun (3) OR optional Okavango Delta (2), Maun (1) (B:3, L:3, D:3)

Maun - Francistown - Polokwane. Day 29 is a long day’s drive to Francistown.Francistown was originally a gold mining town, here we restock the truck. Crossing high and lowveld, we drive through the Northern Province of South Africa and overnight at a campsite, before nearing Kruger NP tomorrow. Overnight - Francistown (1), Polokwane (1) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Polokwane - Hazyview - Kruger NP. We head towards the very famous Kruger National Park, our camp for the next two nights is 8km from Kruger Parks Numbi Gate. Stretching virtually all the way along the border with Mozambique, it’s said that Kruger, established in 1898 has the greatest variety of wildlife in Africa.

On day 32 we explore the wonders of Kruger National Park. This is one of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. Covering an area of 21,497 sq km – 60km wide and over 350km long, this conservation area has more than 500 bird species, 114 reptile, 49 fish, 33 amphibians, 146 mammals and over 2300 plant species have been recorded. Today is spent in the park on a full day game drive to see how many of the species can be found. Tonight there is an option of a night drive in the park. Overnight - Hazyview (2) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Saturday. Kruger NP - Johannesburg. Packing up camp, we continue by road to Johannesburg. Our late afternoon arrival in the city marks the end of our expedition. (B)