Saturday. Nairobi - Masai Mara. Welcome to Nairobi! 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. On day 1 there will be a pre departure meeting at 17:00. West from Nairobi on day 2, we reach possibly Kenya’s most famous natural attraction - the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Kenyan section of the wildly beautiful Serengeti Plains teems with wildlife. The highlight of the Mara is no doubt the annual wildebeest migration, when literally millions of these beasts plus zebra and Thomson’s gazelle stray north from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania in search of lush grass on the savannah plains. Elephant, lion, cheetah, giraffe and a multitude of hooved herbivores also inhabit the reserve. A morning and evening game drive through the Mara gives us the chance to spot the Big Five. During our stay we can also opt to visit a local Masai tribe. Overnight - Nairobi (1), Masai Mara (2) (B:1, L:2, D:2)

Masai Mara - Kisumu - Kampala - Lake Bunyoni. Travelling north-west via Nakuru, we cross the Equator just after Kisumu and continue across the border into Uganda and the capital Kampala. From Kampala we drive to Lake Bunyoni, the deepest Crater Lake in Africa and home to a large and varied number of beautiful birds, which is the base from which the optional Gorilla trek takes place. Dependant on where trekking permits are available, we trek in the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or the Ruhengeri National Park in Rwanda.

Winding our way through arguably some of the most picturesque scenery in Africa, we head to the town of Kisoro where we spend the night (should we be trekking in Rwanda our overnight will be in Ruhengeri). The following morning, we are transferred to a ranger’s station where the trek commences. Your rangers will lead you through the cultivated lands and then into the dense rain forest and on to a gorilla family. To ensure the gorillas do not get too used to the presence of humans, the maximum time permitted to spend with them is 1 hour. Once our hour is up, we trek back out of the rain forest and transfer back to the Lake Bunyoni campsite. Overnight - Kisumu (1) , Kampala (1), Lake Bunyoni (3), Kisoro (1) (B:6, L:6, D:6)

Lake Bunyoni - Kampala - Jinja - Lake Nakuru - Lake Naivasha - Nairobi. A little time in the big smoke - Kampala, before we continue to Jinja. Here, we can opt to white-water raft at the River Nile’s source, visit Ngamba Chimp Sanctuary on Lake Victoria or relax and meet the locals. Crossing back into Kenya, we travel to the Great Rift Valley and visit Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha. Lake Nakuru National Park is home to a veritable array of wildlife. The park supports a population of black rhino, lion, leopard, zebra, antelope and giraffe not to mention millions of pink flamingos. The lake itself is a shallow soda lake. We enjoy a day of game driving here. The highest of the Rift Valley lakes, the freshwater Lake Naivasha is a sanctuary to bird life. From here, you can opt to visit Elsamere (home of Joy Adamson of ‘Born Free’ fame), Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or Hells Gate NP. Descending the Rift Valley, we continue to Nairobi, where we prepare for the next leg of our expedition. Overnight - Kampala (1), Jinja (1), Lake Nakuru (2), Lake Naivasha (1), Nairobi (1) (B:6, L:5, D:5)

Nairobi - Arusha - Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti (optional excursion). Leaving Nairobi, we cross the border into Tanzania. 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’! Overnight - Arusha (4) or optional: Karatu (1), Serengeti (1), Arusha (2) (B:3, L:3, D:3)

Arusha - Pangani - Dar es Salaam. Leaving Arusha 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 on day 35, 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! Days 35 to 37 are spent at your leisure giving you time to enjoy the many activities available. Overnight - Chipata (1), Lusaka (1), Livingstone (1), Victoria Falls (3) (B:6, L:3, D:3)

Victoria Falls - Chobe NP. On day 38 we cross the border of Zimbabwe into Botswana. The rest of the day is spent exploring the area and relaxing on the banks of the Chobe River. Tonight there is an option of the Chobe Park sleep-out - an overnight experience in Chobe NP (see optional activities). . Chobe is one of Botswana’s premier game parks, renowned for the large herds of elephant around the river. On day 39 an early morning start prepares us for our optional morning game drive in the Chobe National Park (for those not on the sleep out). In addition to the elephant population, Chobe supports a profusion of other wildlife. Later this afternoon there is a boat cruise along the Chobe River. Overnight - Chobe NP (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Chobe NP - Maun - Okavango Delta (optional) - Maun. On day 40 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.

Days 41 - 43 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. 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!

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 (4) OR optional Okavango Delta (2), Maun (2) (B:4, L:4, D:4)

Maun - Rundu - Etosha NP - Cheetah Park. Departing Maun we head in a north west direction along the Kavango River and enter Namibia in the Northern region. We spend the night at a spectacular campsite located right on the banks of the Kavango River complete with open air facilities and the occasional hippo grazing on the lawn! On day 45 we arrive at Etosha National Park in the late afternoon. Etosha is Namibia’s premier game reserve, covering over 20,000 square kilometres and with a large variety of animal and bird species. feature of the park is the floodlit water holes at both Namutoni and Okakuejo camps. The following morning enjoy a full day of game driving as we make our way across 150kms of the park from east to west.

Day 47, a short drive takes us to the Cheetah Park, where you will learn about the conservation of the cheetah population in Namibia and have a chance to meet the resident cheetahs, a photo opportunity not to be missed! Overnight - Rundu (1), Etosha NP (2), Cheetah Park (1) (B:4, L:4, D:4)

Swakopmund - Sesreim - Fish River Canyon. Leaving Swakopmund we head south and drive past Walvis Bay along the Atlantic Ocean en route to Sesreim. A short distance away is Sossusvlei, surrounded by a dramatic sea of sand dunes reputed to be the highest in the world. The afternoon will be spent exploring this amazing area. An optional and must do excursion is to walk in this area with the highly specialised local guides of Sossusvlei where you can see the famous Dune 45. On day 53 we drive south to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest in the world and reputed to be the most spectacular. Overnight - Sesreim (1), Fish River Canyon (1) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Cheetah Park - Spitzkoppe - Swakopmund. A day’s drive takes us to Spitzkoppe, the 1728m high rock formation. There is opportunity to explore the bushman paintings and surrounding area. Spend a night camping under the stars. On day 35 we head for Swakopmund which was founded in 1892 during the German colonial rule and the distinct colonial character has been well preserved. Swakopmund has several excellent restaurants, bars and beautiful beaches. We spend the next three day relaxing and enjoying free time. Overnight - Spitzkoppe (1), Swakopmund (3) (B:4, L:2, D:1)

Fish River Canyon - Orange River - Cederberg - Cape Town. We will continue our short drive south onto the Orange River, the natural land border between South Africa and Namibia. You have the option of a half-day canoe trip on the beautiful Orange River. The following day we drive through the beautiful wine growing regions of Namaqualand and Ceres. and spend the night at a campsite in the Cederberg area, where the neighbouring wine farm provides the opportunity for wine tasting. On day 56 we travel through the citrus growing region of Citrusdal and over the Piketberg pass, as we make our way to the picturesque city of Cape Town, the “Mother City” for our final night. Overnight - Orange River (1), Cederberg (1), Cape Town (1) (B:1, L:1, D:2)

Saturday (day 57), marks the end of our epic expedition. Cape Town