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DAY 1: NAIROBI
We spend today in Kenya’s capital city, making the final preparations for our adventure. We have the option of visiting the Giraffe Manor in Langata (where we can feed the graceful Rothschild giraffes), the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant and Rhino Nursery (where we can view the feeding of orphaned elephant and rhino babies) or of spending a half day exploring Nairobi National Park. We can also spend the day wandering around the local city markets. |
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DAY 2: OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO MOMBASA
After packing up, we make our way to Nairobi’s train station where we board the overnight train bound for the coastal city of Mombasa. We’ll get a glimpse of the local villages and inhabitants in the evening and early morning and we’ll even have the chance of spotting some of Africa’s magnificent game grazing beside the railway. We also get to meet some of the locals who use this route to travel between Kenya’s 2 largest cities. As we near Mombasa, the landscape changes dramatically from the desert brush, to lush tropical palm trees and increases in heat and humidity. |
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DAYS 3 - 5: BEACHES OF MOMBASA
Mombasa is situated on the warm Indian Ocean and blessed with beautiful white sandy beaches. We spend two nights in bandas (traditional huts made of wood and covered in palm fronds) on a picturesque stretch of coast just north of Mombasa. Here we have the option of participating in a variety of activities like snorkelling, diving or a cruise on a traditional dhow. There is also the option of visiting the restored quarry at Haller Park. This park is home to a Crocodile Farm and Reptile Park as well as a group of hippos and Rothschild giraffes. Watch the hippos being fed or feed the giraffes yourself! Alternatively you can wander around the “Old Town” where the Arabic influence is clearly evident. |
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DAY 6: MOMBASA TO TANZANIA
Today we bid farewell to Kenya and its sunny beaches and head across the border to Tanzania. On the way to our next stop and if the weather permits, we may catch a glimpse of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.
DAY 7: ARUSHA
Situated at the base of Mount Meru, Arusha is best known as the safari capital of Tanzania. Today we’ll explore the local markets and visit the local Masai Cultural Museum to learn a little more about these amazing people. Those doing the optional excursion to the Serengeti/Ngorongoro area will prepare for their departure tomorrow.
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DAYS 8 - 10: OPTIONAL SERENGETI & NGORONGORO TRIP
You have the option to go on a 3 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater. The Serengeti (Masai for “endless plains”) is famous for its enormous concentration of game (especially the big cats) and for the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic crater. The area teems with game throughout the year as the lush crater floor is able to sustain its population making it unnecessary for them to join their Serengeti cousins on the annual migration. For more details on the optional excursion please see the go guide.
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. |
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DAY 11: DAR ES SALAAM
Leaving Arusha behind us, we head south towards Dar es Salaam. On the way we pass through the town of Moshi. Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions, and weather permitting; we may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain’s snowy summit. We pass through vast sisal plantations surrounded by The Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before reaching our traditional banda on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean. |
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DAYS 12 - 16: ZANZIBAR
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island,” where we spend the next 5 nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands.
Zanzibar offers you a wealth of experiences. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island is still famous for its spices and an optional excursion around a spice plantation can be organised. Other options include a trip to the beautiful beaches and giant tortoises of Prison Island, a full day scuba dive in Nungwe or a fishing trip in a traditional dhow. Mopeds are available for hire if you’d like to explore the more remote areas of the island. Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean.
PLEASE NOTE: Accommodation is not included whilst on Zanzibar, as it is our experience that passengers prefer to explore the island on their own. The Trip Leader joins you and can arrange your accommodation, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants. |
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DAY 17: MBEYA
Leaving Zanzibar, we return to the mainland where we board our overnight train bound for Mbeya. The route we follow is off the beaten track and we get to glimpse rural Tanzania. We travel through Morogoro at the base of the Uluguru Mountains before passing through the Selous Game Reserve where it’s possible to view a range of wildlife from our cabin. The train itself is fairly comfortable (by African standards) and affords us a great opportunity to meet the friendly local people. Some of our fellow passengers leave us on our return from Zanzibar. |
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DAY 18: GREAT RIFT VALLEY
On arrival in Mbeya we board local transport and head to the small town of Tikuyu on the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The locals in this area farm the slopes of the Mbeya and Poroto mountains producing bananas, coffee, tea and cocoa, which are bought into Mbeya town to be packaged and transported all over the world. Tonight we get a real taste of rural village life.
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DAYS 19 - 20: CHITIMBA (LAKE MALAWI)
Passing down the Rift Valley Escarpment, we head to the border post of Songwe where we enter the “warm heart of Africa,” Malawi. We make our way to Chitimba Beach Camp on the shores of tranquil Lake Malawi, where we’ll spend the next 2 nights. Malawi is a landlocked country with 20% of its total area made up of beautiful Lake Malawi. Malawi’s temperate climate allows for swimming in the clear blue fresh-water lake all year round. The various beachside campsites along Lake Malawi’s shores offer optional excursions including a variety of water sports.
Day 10 is free and you can hike to the Livingstonia Mission in the Khondowe Plateau 900 m above the Lake Malawi. For the less energetic, there is the option to enjoy a tour into the local village with a visit to the local school. Others can spend the day learning the game of bao from the locals, scouring the markets for a bargain or simply relaxing on the pristine white beaches.
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DAYS 21 - 22: NKHATA BAY (LAKE MALAWI)
We head to Nkhata Bay via the inland town of Mzuzu. Nkhata Bay is a beautiful lakeside town straddling the lush mountains of Malawi’s Rift Valley. We can spend the days relaxing on the lake’s shores or visiting the local Chichewa market. We have the option of participating in various water sports or hiking in the surrounding hills. A visit to the local brewery or witchdoctor can also be arranged. |
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DAYS 23 - 24 ILALA FERRY
Today we board the MV Ilala to cross the ‘Lake of Stars.’ The next couple of days are spent calling in at various ports in Tanzania and Mozambique along the edge of Lake Malawi before reaching our destination in Cape Maclear. The ferry is used by the locals to reach the opposite side of the lake and this is a great opportunity to meet these warm hearted people. We spend the next couple of nights sleeping under the stars on the main deck.
Please note: Should the ferry be unavailable, we will follow the coastal road south via Salima Bay to Cape Maclear. |
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DAY 25: CAPE MACLEAR
Today we arrive at picturesque Cape Maclear, on Lake Malawi’s southern shores. After checking in to our multi share hostel, we visit the local market. Here, those visiting Domwe Island stock up on their supplies for the next 2 days they’ll spend on this tropical paradise.
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DAY 26 - 27: CAPE MACLEAR/DOMWE ISLAND
Domwe Island is the biggest uninhabited island in Lake Malawi. Separated from the mainland by the Ilala Gap, this gap occasionally dries up due to the fluctuations of the lake’s level enabling various mammals to cross from the mainland.
For those of us doing the 2 Night Domwe Island optional excursion, we transfer via boat to this beautiful island. Accommodation is in shared tents (2 persons). We spend the next two days just relaxing or exploring the island. Enjoy the myriad of optional activities - kayak around the island, snorkel and swim in the Lake’s warm waters or go scuba diving. Spend an afternoon hiking 400 m to the island’s highest point or just enjoy the sunshine on the pristine white beaches.
For those who’d prefer to spend the next 2 days relaxing in Cape Maclear, various activities are available. Hike up the mountain in Lake Malawi National Park, haggle with local vendors for a famous Malawi Chair or just relax on the beach. |
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DAY 28: CAPE MACLEAR
After reuniting with the rest of our group, we spend one more day relaxing on Lake Malawi’s shores, before heading to Zambia tomorrow.
DAY 29: ZAMBIA
Today we leave the “warm heart of Africa” and head towards Zambia. We cross the border and make our way to Chipata where we make the final preparations for our trip into the South Luangwa National Park. |
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DAYS 30 - 31: SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
At 9050 km2, twice the size of Wales, the South Luangwa National Park is famous for large concentration of wildlife. It is said that for every oxbow (U-shaped bend) in the Luangwa River, there is a leopard. Massive herds of elephant and buffalo are often seen. Our camp for the next two nights is on the edge of this magnificent park. Keep an eye open for the Crawshay zebra, Cookson wildebeest and Thornicroft giraffe - all species unique to this area! |
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DAY 32: KAWAZA VILLAGE
After spending 2 wonderful days enjoying Zambia’s wildlife, we return to Chipata via the Kawaza Village. This project was set up by the local community with the help of the Zambian Wildlife Authority and some of the tour operators in the Luangwa valley, to offer visitors a glimpse into Kunda Culture. The belief is that the best way to get to know the local people and their way of living is to take part in their daily life. We have the opportunity to visit the Chief’s Palace, visit the local health clinic or attend a class at the nearby school.
DAY 33: LUSAKA
Today we head to Zambia's bustling capital city - Lusaka. Why not check out the many cafe's and restaurants, maybe venture out to a club, or a roadside shebeen if you want to do like the locals! |
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DAY 34: VIC FALLS (ZIMBABWE)
Our last road journey sees us travelling south west, via Livingstone to Victoria Falls. Vic Falls or Mosioa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders) is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and it’s not difficult to see why. At 1700 m wide and around 100 m high, this is the world's largest sheet of falling water and a memorable sight on any African Safari!
There are plenty of exciting optional excursions here including elephant back safaris in the National Parks, bungee jumping, abseiling, micro lighting, and white water rafting down the Zambezi river, and you may wish to extend your stay in order to take advantage of all the fun on offer.
DAY 35: TRIP ENDS
We exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!
Please note: This tour requires a minimum of 6 people to run |
FREE MASAI MARA SAFARI & HWANGE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
When you book this trip, you are entitled to receive both a FREE 3 Day Masai Mara Safari the Sunday before your trip begins and a FREE 3 Day Hwange Community Experience the Monday after your trip ends. The Local Payments are still applicable for each trip. This fantastic offer must be taken up at the same time you book this trip. Click here for more details.
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