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. After our morning drive, we head back across the plains and the lush Crater rim to Arusha. After a morning spent exploring Arusha and its vibrant craft markets, 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 20, 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 21 to 23 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 24 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 25 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 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.

Days 26-28 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 31 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.

On day 33 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)

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)

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 39 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)

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 42 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 43), marks the end of our epic expedition. Cape Town