Northern Trails
Victoria Falls/Zambia/Malawi/Tanzania/Zanzibar/Kenya
21 Days Victoria Falls to Nairobi
(4 Nights Hotel and 16 Nights Camping)
2008 R 11,300 + LOCAL PAYMENT $780 + SGL SUPP. R 1,311
Other tours
by same operator
ITINERARY DAYS
1 Victoria Falls. Camping
2 Lusaka. Camping (BLD)
3 Bush camp Petauke. Camping (BLD)
4-5 South Luangwa National Park, 2 game drives into the park. Camping
(BL & BLD)
6-7 Lake Malawi, Senga Bay. Camping (BLD)
8 Lake Malawi, Chintheche. Camping (BL)
9 Lake Malawi, Chiweta. Camping (BLD)
10 Baobab Valley Iringa. Camping (BLD)
11 Dar Es Salaam. Camping (BL)
12-14 Zanzibar. Budget hotel (B)
15 Dar Es Salaam. Camping (BD)
16 Arusha. Camping (BLD)
17-19 Excursion into the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.
Camping (BLD)
20 Nairobi. Hotel (BL)
21 Tour Ends (B)
INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE:
Itinerary as specified, highlighted text is also included, fully equipped safari vehicle, services of tour leader and camp courier, all accommodation, all camping and catering equipment and National Park entrance fees. Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D) where specified. Meals not shown will be to the clients account. Occasionally breakfast and lunch may be combined into a brunch where necessary e.g. mornings with early game drives.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE:
International Airfares, travel and medical insurance, personal spending money, visas, passports, vaccinations, personal taxes (including departure and border taxes) all optional activities, unscheduled or optional national / game parks and other activities, gratuities, sleeping bag, restaurant meals and all other items of a personal nature. All drinks, even on days with full board basis.
Victoria Falls to Nairobi:
Our incredible 3 week journey of discovery starts at one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the awe inspiring Victoria Falls. At South Luangwa National Park we'll seek out some of Africa's big cats on an unforgettable evening game drive, before heading to Malawi known as the warm heart of Africa. We'll discover the fresh water jewel of Lake Malawi where you can simply relax on the shores or try your hand at a multitude of water sports.
Be enthralled by Africa's tribal people and wildlife unchallenged in their diversity. Explore the coastal reefs of exotic Zanzibar Island in the Indian Ocean, and make your way down through the plains of the Serengeti; and Africa's spectacular Rift Valley, with the wide open plains of east Africa stretched before you.
The ‘Northern Trails’ is an Adventurers delight!
PRE DEPARTURE INFORMATION:
Most clients arrive in Victoria Falls a few days prior to the official start day. This is to give them plenty of time to enjoy all that Victoria Falls has to offer. Your operator can organise any accommodation or activities you may require if you want to arrive early or stay on in Africa after your tour ends. Please contact us for assistance.
On Day 1, clients should meet at VICTORIA FALLS RESTCAMP, PARKWAY DRIVE, VICTORIA FALLS. Tel: (++263 13) 40509/11, at 18h30 pm, for the pre departure meeting. This will give you all a chance to meet your fellow travellers and get to know your guides. The meeting will cover all the aspects of the trip. Please bring with you to this meeting: your passport with relevant visa's and evidence of medical and personal insurance. Please also bring the Local Payment. This must be paid to the tour leader prior to departure and must be paid in US$ Cash. The local payment is required to cover a wide variety of our on-tour expenses, which can include National Park entrance fees, excursions and activities, certain fresh foods, vehicle tolls and entrance fees, as well as some accommodation costs whilst travelling throughout Africa. The local payment is that portion of the tour cost which must be paid in cash to the tour leader at the pre departure meeting.
If you have any questions regarding arrival prior to the tour or any other questions whatsoever, please contact your operator. If you are unable to attend the pre departure meeting, please let your operator know at least one week prior to your departure.
Other pre-tour accommodation is also available. Please contact your operator for assistance. All meals whilst in Victoria Falls will be to your own expense.
Meeting Point: Victoria Falls Rest Camp and Lodges (pool dining room)
Address: Parkway Drive, Victoria Falls
Contact Details: Tel: (++ 263 13) 40509/11
Fax: (++ 263 13) 43434
E-mail: campsite@africaonline.co.zw
Pre Dep. Meeting: 18h30 pm on Day 1
Tour Start Time: Approx. 10h00 on Day 2
Tour End Time: Tour ends in Nairobi on Day 21
Tour End point: Silver Springs Hotel, Nairobi
Address: Junction of Valley Road and Argwings,
Kodhek Road, Hurlingham, Nairobi
Contact Details Tel: (++ 254 20) 2722451-3
Fax: (++ 254 20) 2720545
Cell: (++ 254 72) 2204870
E-mail: silversprings@iconnect.co.ke
DAY 1 – Victoria Falls
Day at leisure to enjoy the many optional attractions and activities available in Victoria Falls. Pre departure meeting at Victoria Falls Rest Camp at 18h30. All meals will be for your own account.
CAMPING (Victoria Falls Rest Camp or similar) Parkway Drive, Victoria
Falls
Tel: (++ 263 13) 40509/11 Fax: (++ 263 13) 43434
E-mail: campsite@africaonline.co.zw
DAY 2 – Lusaka (600 km)
Our first day on the road! We depart early for the border crossing into Zambia, and the capital Lusaka. Our camp is on the outskirts of the city in a privately owned rest camp. Game can sometimes be seen grazing in the camp at Eureka. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
CAMPING (Eureka Camp or similar) Farm 4301, Kafue Rd, Lusaka
Tel: (++ 260 1) 278110 Fax: (++ 260 1) 272351
E-mail: eureka@zamnet.zm
DAY 3 – Bush camp (413 km)
We proceed through pristine African bush to our bush camp in a rural
village. This is a fantastic way to catch an authentic glimpse into rural
African life, as we literally camp inside the village. Cultural exchanges
abound and these camps are always a highlight. We choose our stops very
carefully in conjunction with the chiefs of each village, and your guides
will advise you
on some guidelines for responsible tourism. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
CAMPING (Bush camp) Wild bush/village camp en route to South Luangwa National Park.
No contact details available – leave a message at Flatdogs Camp (Days 4 and 5).
DAYS 4 & 5 – Zambia - South Luangwa National Park (321 km)
Heading north we visit the awesome South Luangwa National Park notably
one of Africa's best kept secrets. With over 9000 sq. km of pristine wilderness,
South Luangwa is teeming with over 47 animal species - herds of buffalo,
elephant, zebra, hyena, jackal, 15 different antelope and the endemic Cookson's
wildebeest and Thornicroft's Giraffe. We will enjoy 2 included game
drives into the park – one will be approx.. a 4 hour drive starting
at 06h30 am and slightly later during winter. The second game drive will
on the evening of the same day – departure time will be approx. 16h00 pm.
Once it gets dark we will make use of a spotlight to track down nocturnal
species such as leopard and spotted genets. Return to camp at app. 20h00pm
where an
already prepared welcome dinner awaits. Flatdogs camp is well situated
on the banks of the Luangwa River – a good chance to view hippo and crocodile.
Breakfast and lunch on Day 4, Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Day 5. Dinner
on Day 4 will be for your own account.
CAMPING (Flatdogs Camp or similar)
Tel: (++ 260 62) 45015 Fax: (++ 260 62) 45025
E-mail: jess@flatdogscamp.com
DAYS 6 & 7 – Lake Malawi – Senga Bay (186 km)
We depart South Luangwa bound for Malawi - known as the warm heart of Africa. You will have a chance to interact with these wonderful rural people when we visit the lakeshore fishing villages. Lake Malawi is a stunning freshwater lake that stretches the whole length of Malawi and is the lifeline of the country. Home to over 350 species of fish and its fresh clear water and beaches are excellent for swimming and relaxing. Rural fishing villages line the shoreline and you are free to explore them, visiting small schools and markets. We travel up the lake, stopping at carefully selected camps. There will be ample time at Senga Bay to relax and explore and try the many optional lake activities such as sailing, snorkelling, windsurfing and water skiing. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
CAMPING (Steps Camp or similar)
Tel: (++ 265) 744022 Fax:(++ 265) 744483
DAY 8 – Lake Malawi, Chintheche (290 km)
Our journey continues up the lake to beautiful rural Chintheche, where
we camp close to the shoreline. There is the
possibility of doing an optional transfer by boat further north up
the lake to Nkhata bay or Kande beach, where scuba diving is available
as well as other water sports and activities. There is a bar and restaurant
available at the camp. Breakfast and lunch. Dinner will be for your own
account.
CAMPING (Chintheche Inn or similar)
Tel: (++ 265) 771393 Fax: (++ 265) 771297
E-mail: info@wilderness.malawi.net
DAY 9 – Lake Malawi, Chiweta (223 km)
We travel through the town of Mzuzu where we will stop if we need to stock up on our fresh food supplies. We then travel to our final stop on the lakeshore, a rustic camp set amongst Baobab trees. Behind the camp is the Livingstonia Plateau home to the mission that was built by the Scottish missionaries in 1894. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
CAMPING (Chiweta - no contact details available)
DAY 10 – Kisolanza Farm, Iringa (743 km)
Early morning departure for the border and cross into Tanzania. We proceed
through pristine and stunning bush as we head for our camp near Iringa.
Please note that we will be arriving late
at the campsite. Breakfast, lunch, dinner
CAMPING (Kisolanza Farm or similar)
Tel/Fax: (++ 255 61) 7022480
E-mail: kisolanza@cats-net.com
DAY 11 – Dar es Salaam (450 km)
We proceed to Dar es Salaam and set up our camp on the beach. You will
be briefed by your guides on the ferry trip to the fabulous Island of Zanzibar.
Breakfast and lunch. Dinner will be for
your own account.
CAMPING (Mikadi Beach Camp or similar)
Tel & Fax: (++ 255 22) 2820485
Cell: (++ 255) 744 370269 / 744 783692
E-mail: mikadibeach@yahoo.com
DAYS 12, 13 & 14 – Zanzibar Island
Early morning departure to the harbour where you will catch the ferry over to Zanzibar Island, accompanied by one of your tourguides. After the immigration and customs formalities have been taken care of we proceed to our hotel. The little Indian Ocean Island of Zanzibar is a cultural melting pot of African, Arabic and Indian cultures. It is renowned for its spice and (never to be forgotten) slave trade.
We have two full days to explore this island with its turquoise waters and beautiful palm fringed beaches. Perhaps take an optional boat trip to snorkel with the dolphins or catch a glimpse of the very rare Red Colubus monkey. Breakfast. All other meals will be for your own account.
HOTEL (Safari Lodge – no contact details available.)
Leave a message with Sunny Safaris Zanzibar (at the old Fort)
Tel/Fax: (++255 24) 2237281
Cell: (++255) 744 268475 / 748 786268
E-mail: info@sunnysafaris.com
DAY 15 – Dar es Salaam
We depart the hotel for the harbour and preceed through customs and
immigration, board our ferry and return to
our vehicle in Dar es Salaam. Breakfast and dinner. Lunch will be for
your own account.
CAMPING (Mikadi Beach Camp or similar)
Contact details as per Day 11
DAY 16 – Arusha (600 km)
Today is a travelling day, arriving in Arusha during the later part of the afternoon. Arusha is a fairly developed and large town, and known as the ‘safari capital of Tanzania’. You will be able to catch up with banks, communications, shopping as well as sample restaurants, bars and local markets. Upon arrival at our camp in Arusha we start preparations for your excursion into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
CAMPING (Meserani Snake Park for similar)
Tel: ++ (255 27) 2538282 Fax: ++ (255 27) 2538283
Cell: (++ 255 741) 510707
E-mail: snakepark@habari.tz
DAYS 17, 18 & 19 – Excursion to Serengeti NP and Ngorongoro Crater NP
The Serengeti National Park is world renowned for the great wildebeest migrations and never ending tragedies and joys that accompany them. We also visit the Ngorongoro National Park, the largest unbroken caldera in the world, it plays host to up to 25,000 larger mammals and 100 species of bird.
Day 17 will be an early start as we depart at 08h00 am from the camp
and head for Serengeti National Park. There will be game viewing en route,
and our overnight camp is at Seronera
Camp.
On Day 18 we do an early morning game drive in the Serengeti and after lunch head for the Ngorongoro National Park for overnight at Simba Camp.
On Day 19 we will do a morning tour of the Crater in 4x4 vehicles, and in the afternoon return to the Meserani Snake Park in Arusha for overnight camping. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The following information is taken from our history section in the dossier:
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Serengeti, which sprawls across 14,763 sq. km (5757 sq. mi), is Tanzania's
largest and most famous national park. The chief herbivore of Serengeti
is the wildebeest of which there are up to two million. The amazing annual
migration of wildebeest herds is one of the biggest attractions of the
Serengeti. It begins at the Serengeti National Park near the Kenyan border,
when huge
herds of wildebeests head for greener pastures in Kenya. Starting in
April each year, these animals migrate across the Serengeti's southern
plains accompanied by zebras, antelopes, gazelles, lions and tourists.
The park is also famous for its lions, which can be tracked due to the
fact that many have collars fitted with transmitters, as well as cheetah
and large herds of giraffe.
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
Being one of the largest calderas in the world, 20 km (12.4mi)-wide, 600m (1968 ft) tall, with a variety of animals and vegetation, Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania's most visited areas. The vegetation includes grasslands, swamps, forests, salt-pans and a freshwater lake and has been compared to Noah's Ark and the Garden of Eden.
You should have no trouble finding lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and
many of the plains herbivores such as wildebeest, Thomson's gazelle, zebra
and reedbuck, as well as thousands of flamingo wading in the shallows of
Lake Magadi, the soda lake on the floor of the crater. Within the steep
walls of the crater you will find considerable movement of animals and
you may
well come across local Masai tribes people, who have grazing rights
here, tending their cattle.
DAY 20 – Nairobi (200 km)
We proceed to the border and after the formalities cross over into Kenya and head straight to Nairobi where we end our fantastic adventure. Breakfast and lunch.
HOTEL (Silver Springs Hotel or similar) Valley Road Nairobi
Tel: (++ 254) 722451- 4/ 722451 / 722456
Fax: (++ 254) 720545 / 728061
Cell: (++ 254) 722 204870
E-mail: silversprings@iconnect.co.ke
DAY 21 – Nairobi – Tour Ends
Our tour ends after Breakfast.
Your operator can book airport transfers and additional accommodation
through our central reservations
office.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Victoria Falls
White Water Rafting USD95
Bungi Jump USD85
Jet Boat USD70
Elephant Back Safari USD100
Helicopter Flights USD85
South Luangwa
Game Drive USD30
Game Walk USD30
Lake Malawi
Windsurfing USD25 to 45
Sailing USD25 to 45
PADI Scuba Dive Center USD35 to 50
Snorkeling USD25
Fishing USD25
Water Skiing USD45
Local Village Tour USD11
Zanzibar
Prison Island Tour USD6 to 11
City Tour USD11
Spice Tour Half Day USD11 to 20
Swimming with the Dolphins USD25 to 30
Scuba Diving USD40 to 70 (per dive)
Motor Bike Hire USD35 + (per day)
Scooter Hire USD20 to 30 (per day)
All optional activity prices are printed in good faith and were correct at time of printing. Your operator cannot be held responsible for any price fluctuations.
PRE DEPARTURE PREPARATIONS
Northern Trails Tour:
INTRODUCTION
This pre- departure information has been designed to assist you in preparing for your trip. All the information contained herein is given in good faith and has been carefully compiled. It must be accepted that details will change from time to time.
BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS WITH YOUR OPERATOR
All clients are responsible for reading and understanding this pre departure information, and also reading and signing the standard booking terms and conditions. Your participation in this tour is based on these terms and conditions.
INSURANCE
COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL PASSENGERS! All travellers are required to take insurance to cover cancellation and curtailment, baggage loss or damage, medical expenses, emergency travel, repatriation and personal accident before leaving their country. It is the passenger's responsibility to ensure that they are fully insured.
Most travel insurance policies have a restriction on compensation for loss, damage or theft of single valuable items (e.g. cameras). Please check your policy carefully and if necessary insure valuable items separately, (e.g. under a home contents policy with overseas extension). Please take your insurance policy with you on safari. Please also note that travel insurance provided with credit card payment is usually inadequate for travel of this nature.
INDEMNITY
Passengers may be required to complete and sign an Indemnity Form prior to joining the safari.
PERSONAL SPENDING MONEY
You should budget at least 350 – 500 US$, to cover all the optional activities you might like to try, as well as your drinks and the restaurant meals, crafts and souvenirs.
There are no other hidden expenses on this tour.
VISAS AND PASSPORTS
All travellers will require a full passport, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid visas for all countries visited on your holiday, and / or sufficient blank pages for any visas and for entry/departure stamps. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your holiday. If you have more then one passport, we recommend that you use one passport only for the entire journey, this will save problems and potential delays at border crossings. Requirements differ depending on your nationality - check with the appropriate Embassies for details.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel. WildLife Adventures cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation. Please check the actual Requirements with the necessary Embassy.
Please also do not assume that any inaccuracies within your documentation will be detected or can be rectified - you must ensure, that your "paper-work" is in order.
There will be times during the trip, when your passport will be collected e.g.: by your tour leader, hotel reception staff, or police.
ACCOMMODATION
Whilst we have been specific about which camps, lodges or hotels we may use whilst on tour, please note that accommodation on tour could change from that stated in this dossier or in our brochures.
Your operator can book hotel accommodation before and after the tour ends on your behalf. Please contact us.
ROUTES AND ITINERARY
We make every effort to follow the intended route of the itinerary in our brochure, however changes sometimes need to be made due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. This may result in missed areas and activities, diversions, and variations on night stops. Occasional operational uncertainties make it impossible to run adventure trips exactly to the intended itinerary, so when booking a trip you must accept that itineraries may differ from that published.
The company will not be responsible for accommodation costs, or liable for any airfares or any other compensation to the client.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
All of our trips are designed so that you can choose according to your own particular budget, which excursions you wish to partake in. Any activity marked ‘optional’ will be to the client’s expense. Your tourguides are able to assist with information of all the options on offer. Your operator can book these excursions as an extra service to our clients.
Remember these optional extras are operated by third party local companies and not by your operator. Some activities are adventurous with accompanying risk. All activities are undertaken at your own risk.
HEALTH AND FIRST AID
Any one participating in an adventure safari must be in good health. Please see our terms and conditions for further information on this. Please note that your operator is not qualified to give you medical advice and you must contact your own doctor for information.
clients are advised to bring a simple personal first aid kit. Malaria prophylactics are essential and must be taken prior to the trip and throughout its duration.
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection vary from country to country. We recommend that you contact your doctor and gain the correct medical advice about vaccinations. We do recommend that you have Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Meningitis, and Hepatitis A and B.
All clients MUST have full medical and travel insurance cover before joining the tour. See booking terms and conditions for further information. Please inform your guide in confidence of any medical condition.
SECURITY
We do not advise that you bring highly valuable items with you on your trip. Use any hotel or lodge safes available. We suggest that at all other times you keep your money worn close to your body in a money belt or similar.
EXTRA EXPENSES
Sometimes political or civil unrest and other circumstances beyond the control of your operator will mean the group having to make alternative travel plans. We recommend that you bring emergency funds or have access to funds that you do not intend to use. Most insurance policies refund only after you have paid out.
BANKING AND CURRENCY
There are full banking facilities available in the major towns and cities
where one is able to change money and withdraw cash from your credit card.
We do advise that you do bring some cash or travellers cheques in USD in
small denominations to cover travel days where there are no banking facilities
and to cover optional activities charged in USD. Your tour guide will advise
at the pre departure meeting. The following currencies apply to this itinerary:
Zambian Kwacha ZKw; Malawi Kwacha Mwk; Tanzania Shilling Tzh;
Kenyan Shilling Kes.
1 USD = ZKw 4400.00
1 USD = Mwk 63.00
1 USD = Tzh 900.00
1 USD = Kes 80.00
WEATHER
The itinerary occupies much the same climatic zone. Summer rainfall from November to March – hot and humid days, winter dry months May to October means warm days and cold nights on the higher ground – not so cold near Lake Malawi or the Ocean.
LUGGAGE AND OTHER ITEMS
Space in the vehicle is limited and we request that you pay particular attention to the following guidelines.
We suggest your luggage is restricted to 15 kilos (so you can comfortably carry it).
We recommend that you utilise old or inexpensive luggage. Suitcases are NOT suitable. You may use a small/ medium sized rucksack, provided that it has no frame.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY EXCESS LUGGAGE OVER THE ABOVE SPECIFIED WEIGHT LIMIT WILL NOT BE LOADED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. EXCESS LUGGAGE WILL BE STORED AND ANY COSTS INCURRED WILL BE THE PASSENGERS RESPONSIBILITY.
IMPORTANT
Please take your sleeping bag and toiletries with you on board the plane (sleeping bags and toiletries are difficult to replace in Africa should they be lost on your flight over).
A CHECK LIST OF SUGGESTED ITEMS FOLLOWS BELOW:
1 sleeping bag & pillow. A warm sleeping bag is essential during the winter months (May-September). A small pillow, if required, may be packed in your sleeping bag or luggage. Some nights can be very cold.
1 day pack, to contain money, travel documents, water and camera equipment, etc. This will be allowed inside the safari vehicle.
1 waist pouch or money belt.
CLOTHING & PERSONAL EFFECTS (PLEASE TAKE THE MINIMUM)
Most people make the mistake of taking along too much clothing. Take along comfortable, casual and semi casual, "wash & wear" clothes. Bright colours and white are not suitable for game viewing. Please also avoid clothing resembling army uniform (i.e. army jackets, caps, and trousers).
This list below is purely a guideline:
1 pair of smart/casual trousers
3 pairs of shorts
7 shirts/T-shirts (any combination)
1 light cotton dress for the ladies
2 fleece / jersey for the cool evenings
1 wind-breaker / water proof jacket
1 warm jacket
1 pair of walking/running shoes
1 pair of sandals/ reef shoes (useful for showers)
Underwear and socks
1 swimming costume
1 sun hat
1 towel
IMPORTANT: Please dress appropriately when crossing borders (no bare feet, bare chests, no bikini tops, no sunglasses or hats), when visiting markets, villages, towns and when traveling in the vehicle.
1 litre water bottle (essential)
1 torch with batteries (essential)
toilet paper
bath soap
toothbrush/toothpaste
shampoo & hair conditioner
deodorant
comb/hair brush
razor & blades (preferable battery operated shaver)
Suntan lotion/sun-block
Lip balm
Hand cream & moisturising cream
Insect repellent
Tissues or disposable moist tissues (e.g. Wet Ones)
Washing powder
Plastic bags (to pack wet/dirty clothing)
Sunglasses
Spectacles (if worn) – some people have trouble with contact lenses
& dust
Pen for immigration formalities
Note book
PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT
We suggest that you take along the following:-
Plasters/band aids
Aspirins/paracetamol
Anti-diarrhoea pills (consult your pharmacist for advice)
Throat lozenges
Antiseptic cream
Anti-malaria tablets (refer to the MALARIA section)
Insect repellent (Jungle Formula)
Fungal infection powder
Rehydration powder
Eye drops
Sunscreen
Moisturiser
Any other medicines & toiletries you regularly use (e.g. tampons
or condoms)
BE FLEXIBLE!
Please note that the itinerary is flexible and will depend on local conditions. Traveling in Africa is sometimes unpredictable. By the very nature of traveling in remote areas there are unforeseen challenges to overcome and passengers must have a taste for adventure. Unforeseen circumstances due to problems with road conditions; weather, mechanical breakdown or accidents can delay and change the performance of the safari. Please be prepared for long drives on certain days. Please come prepared and pack a sense of humour!
Whilst we will make every effort to stick to the itinerary given please remember we are in Africa and things do not always run to plan! On rare occasions it may be necessary to make changes due to weather, health and security. These changes will be made in conjunction with the group but your Tour leaders decision will be final.
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
This trip calls for your limited participation in the camp and cooking duties. You will be required to put up and take down your own tent. However, your guides will supply all meals and camp duties on behalf of the group. If anyone is wishing to help at anytime, the guides are always happy for assistance!
ADVENTURE SAFARIS
These trips are for people who love life and want to embrace it with passion, who care about culture, people and wildlife. As this tour is a limited participation trip, it is very important that travellers have a positive attitude. Joining in is what turns a great trip into an unforgettable journey. With the right attitude we can guarantee that travellers will get the most out of their African experience.
ADVENTURE VEHICLES
The majority of our Adventure vehicles are custom built to suit the African terrain. Mainly Mercedes Benz 1617 vehicles, with large glass windows for game and scenery viewing, and when open give the feeling of being in an open vehicle. The interior is spacious with forward facing coach style seating. There is ample space inside the vehicle to store your daypack. The large enclosed storage area of the vehicle holds the camping gear and luggage, with separate sections for the food. The vehicle has a large water tank and a fully equipped field kitchen, with fold down tables and overhead tarpaulins in case of bad weather. There are two safes on board, one for passengers and one for vehicles documents. Long range fuel and water tanks keep us self sufficient.
CAMPS AND EQUIPMENT
For the most part we will be using formal campsites along the way with running water and basic facilities. In addition, you will have one nights bush camping where there are no facilities at all. We provide large dome tents, which are shared by two people and have built-in ground sheets and mosquito nets. Mattresses, camp chairs, tables and cooler boxes are also provided.
Hotels, lodges or chalets where used will be simple, clean basic travellers accommodation. In some cases ablution facilities may be sharing basis.
ROOMING ARRANGEMENTS
Do not be concerned about coming alone, many of our clients will. Accommodation is arranged on a twin share basis and your tour guide will allocate you a hotel / tent with another group member of the same sex. If you do not wish to share a Single occupancy supplement is available on most tours. Please ask for information when booking.
FOOD
The vehicle will be well stocked with staple foods at the beginning of the trip. We try to maintain as much variety throughout the expedition as possible, restocking from stores and markets along the way. Fruit and vegetables are fairly easy to obtain, although some may be more abundant than others. Whilst making no special provisions for vegetarians, we have found in the past that there is ample choice available. We cook on gas stoves as well as open fires, and you will be amazed what your guides can prepare on an open fire! All the catering equipment, crockery and cutlery is provided
ECOTOURISM
The ultimate objective of eco-tourism is for clients to have a pleasant and enriching experience of nature, and at the same time, cause the least possible disturbance to ecosystems. Your guides have strict environmental policies, which we endeavour to instil in all of our passengers; such as – Respect for people, fellow travellers and places we visit. A responsible approach to fauna and flora, effective waste management, and considerate behaviour in game reserves is expected.
FACILITIES
Facilities in the remote areas that you will be visiting are somewhat primitive and at times non existent. PLEASE COME PREPARED! At times we will stay in camps with facilities (e.g. hot and cold running water, showers, toilets, etc.). Participants are usually very quick to adapt themselves to the conditions of the safari. It's all part of the adventure!
MAPS & FIELD GUIDES
We recommend the following:
Michelin Map No 995 – Africa Central & South Madagascar
Robert's Birds of Southern Africa – Kenneth Newman
Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa – Chris & Tilde Stuart
Southern Africa Mammals – Robin Frandsen.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
We are guests in each country we visit and it is only good manners that we comply with their customs. All participants are required to obey the law and regulation of the countries visited and any passengers contravening such laws may be required to leave the tour immediately with no right to refund of the tour fare.
VISITING OF AFRICAN VILLAGES
As a form of respect and general courtesy towards local inhabitants and village dwellers, we do not encourage the complete invasion of their privacy and homes by tourists. There are certain villages that allow tourist visits at a minimal fee. Many tourists are happy to pay for this small charge for the opportunity of seeing the way in which local inhabitants live. If in doubt ask your tourguide for advice.
CONSERVATION
Most countries are members of CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Please do NOT purchase products made from ivory and skins. These may be confiscated by customs. Please be aware that the purchase of large wooden carvings places a strain on forest resources, and coral and shells are destructive to the reefs.
PROBLEMS ON TOURS
Please do not hesitate to discuss (in private) with the safari guide, any problem you may be experiencing on safari, in order that the leader can attempt to rectify the matter for you.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Please bring your own film, as sources can be expensive and unreliable in Africa. Please remember that taking photos of people can sometimes cause great offence and permission should be asked beforehand. In addition to this some African governments do not allow photos to be taken at any government, police or army post, borders, bridges or military roadblocks. If in doubt ask your guide.
A TYPICAL DAY
Generally clients will wake at 7:00 am on a traveling day and depart at approx. 8:00 am after breakfast. Some days where the traveling distance is greater, an earlier rise is to be expected. Lunch is supplied at a stopover decided by your guides and we generally get to camp in the late afternoon. Here we will set up camp and prepare dinner, which will be served at about 7:00 pm. Free days are at your leisure.
SPECIAL Requirements
Any client with any special Requirements, dietary or otherwise, should notify our Head Office in writing at least one week prior to departure. We will do our very best to accommodate you.
COMBINATIONS AND CONNECTING TOURS
If you are looking for an extended visit to Africa or would like to try more then one adventure, you can. Our trips are scheduled so that you can connect with other departing adventures.
We can also tailor make any other combination for you any where in Africa. Please contact us for full details.
A Brief History
VICTORIA FALLS
The Victoria Falls National Park was included on the World Heritage list in 1989.
The park comprises the left bank of the Zambezi River above Victoria Falls, the eastern half of the falls themselves, and a series of deep gorges below the falls. The falls are the most significant feature of the park, and when the Zambezi is in full flood (usually February or March) they form the largest curtain of falling water in the world. During these months, over 500 million litres or water per minute go over the falls, which are 1708m wide, and drop 99m at Rainbow Falls in Zambia. At low water in November flow can be reduced to around 10 million litres/minute, and the river is divided into a series of braided channels that descend in many separate falls.
Below the falls the river enters a narrow series of gorges, which represent locations successively occupied by the falls earlier in their history. Since the uplifting of the Makgadikgadi Pan area some two million years ago, the Zambezi River has been cutting through the basalt base rock, exploiting weak fissures, and forming a series of retreating gorges. Seven previous waterfalls occupied the seven gorges below the present falls, and Devil's Cataract in Zimbabwe is where the next cut back will form a new waterfall that will eventually leave the present falls lip high above the river in the gorge below.
VEGETATION
The predominant vegetation is mopane forest with small areas of teak and miombo woodland, and a narrow band of riverine forest along the Zambezi. The riverine 'rainforest' within the waterfall splash zone is of particular interest, a fragile ecosystem of discontinuous forest on sandy alluvium, dependent upon maintenance of abundant water and high humidity resulting from the spray plume. Tree species within this forest include Acacia, ebony, ivory palm, African olive, date palm, waterbroom and Cape and strangler figs
FAUNA
Several herds of elephant occur in Zambezi National Park, occasionally crossing to the islands and Zambian mainland during the dry season when water levels are low. There are small herds of buffalo and wildebeest, as well as zebra, warthog, giraffe and bush pig and schools of hippopotamus are frequent above the falls. Klipspringer can be seen in the gorges below the falls. Vervet monkey and chacma baboon are common. Lion and leopard are occasionally seen. Taita falcon (scarce but widespread in eastern and central Africa) breeds in the gorges, as do black stork, black eagle, peregrine falcon and augur buzzard. Victoria Falls forms a geographical barrier between the distinct fish faunas of the upper and middle Zambezi River. Thirty-nine species of fish have been recorded from the waters below the falls, including butter barbel, eastern bottlenose, chessa and nkupe, and eighty-four from the waters above the falls, including African mottled eel, tigerfish, Kafue pike and silver barbel.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Stone artefacts of Homo habilis from 3 million years ago have been found near the falls, as have stone tools indicating prolonged occupation of the area in the Middle Stone Age (50,000 years ago). Weapons, adornments and digging tools indicate the presence of hunter-gathering communities in the Late Stone Age (from 10,000 to 2,000 years ago), displaced about 2,000 years ago by farmers using iron tools, who kept livestock and lived in villages.
THE ZAMBEZI RIVER
The Zambezi River, Africa’s, fourth longest, 2,650 km (1,650 mi) long and draining an area of some 1,300,000 sq. km (some 502,000 sq. mi). It rises in north-western Zambia and flows in a double S curve southeast to the Indian Ocean. From its headwaters, about 1524 m (about 5000 ft) above sea level, it flows through eastern Angola, traverses western Zambia, and forms the border of north-eastern Botswana; it forms the boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and flowing through Lake Kariba, created by the hydroelectric Kariba Dam, it crosses central Mozambique (where it forms a lake behind the Cahora Bassa Dam) and empties into the Mozambique Channel through many mouths.
In its upper course, totaling about 800 km (about 500 mi), the Zambezi falls only about 180 m (about 600 ft). About 100 km (about 60 mi) below its confluence with the Kwando River, it forms the great cataract known as Victoria Falls (Mosi-Oa-Tunya), and for the next 72 km (45 mi) it rushes through a narrow gorge 122 m (400 ft) deep. It then enters its middle course and flows through hilly country for about 1300 km (about 800 mi) to Quebrabasa Rapids, the last great natural barrier to navigation, in Mozambique. In its lower course, it flows through a broad valley to the sea. Besides the Kwando River, the chief tributaries of the upper river are the Kabompo and the Lungwebungu. The Zambezi receives no important tributaries in its middle course; the chief affluent of the lower river is the Shire.
Despite such barriers as cataracts, rapids, and sandbars, the Zambezi is navigable for long distances. The navigable reaches of the river and its tributaries total 740 km (460 mi). The Scottish missionary David Livingstone was the first European to explore the Zambezi.
ZAMBIA
In 1840, David Livingstone, a 27 year old Scottish doctor and ordained minister, sailed from Britain to the Cape, to work as a medical evangelist with the London Missionary Society. He was to open central Africa to the gaze of British imperialists. Meanwhile, He started his activities at the L.M.S. station at Kuruman (in today's Northern Cape), but soon moved north to found his own mission at Kolobeng, near Gaberone, Botswana, where he stayed for a decade. Livingstone grew bored with conventional missionising and started going on longer and longer journeys of exploration, receiving help from a wealthy Englishman named William Cotton Oswell.
In 1851 Livingstone and Oswell crossed the Kalahari to visit Sebitwane, on the Upper Zambezi.
Livingstone thought it a sign of God's blessing that the Kololo language was similar to the Tswana he had become fluent in. But at Sebetwane’s he had his first sight of the slave trade - the Kololo nobles were wearing Manchester cloth obtained from the Portuguese in Angola in return for ivory and slaves.
He and Oswell, who was also a staunch abolitionist, concluded that the only way to stop the trade would be through a new type of mission where a combination of Christianity and Commerce would lead to Civilization: in fact a sort of Christian development programmes under which slaving would be replaced by ‘legitimate’ trade in for instance cotton, which grew in the area and for which there was a large market in Britain. Carefully selected Scottish settlers would manage the scheme.
Sebitwane, though scarcely interested in Christianity itself agreed that Livingstone could establish a mission in his country, if only because it might afford him protection against his enemy Mzilikazi of the Ndebele, whose warrior kingdom bordered his own.
Although Sebitwane died shortly after coming to this agreement, his successor, Sekeletu undertook to honour it, and Livingstone promised to establish the mission himself. All that remained was to find a suitable outlet to the sea.
The most economical passage for anticipated cotton (and ivory) exports might be through the Portuguese port of Luanda on the Atlantic and Livingstone decided to see if there was a feasible route from Barotseland (as the Kololo Kingdom is called) to there.
The journey was financed by Oswell and Sekeletu, and after an interlude at the Cape to get supplies, Livingstone set off from the Upper Zambezi in 1853. The return journey of over a year was a nightmare, the route totally unsuitable for the export trade.
Livingstone then convinced himself that the Zambezi could be ‘God’s Highway’ to the Indian Ocean. Again with the support from Sekeletu, Livingstone marched off eastwards down the river. He ‘discovered, and named after Queen Victoria ,the great Waterfall which the Kololo has already called Mosi oa Tunya (The Smoke that Thunders).
Livingstone died, his ambitions unfulfilled, at Chief Chitambo’s village near the southern shore of the Bangweulu Swamps in Zambia in 1873.
MALAWI
The horrors of Slavery in Africa: At the height of slavery in the mid 19th century, the Swahili Arabs together with other tribes are believed to have either killed or sold into slavery 80,000 to 100,000 Africans per year!
Those taken from Malawi and Zambia would be brought to one of the Arab trading centres such as Karonga or Salima where they would be sold to ‘wholesalers’. They were then crammed into dhows (traditional wooden sailing boats –you still see them today) and taken across Lake Malawi.
Once on the eastern bank they were marched across Mozambique to the east coast of Africa – usually chained or tied to poles of wood to prevent escape. Many others were forced to carry elephant tusks as ivory was a major commodity. Any slave too ill or weak to make the journey were abandoned and died of dehydration or were eaten by wild animals.
At the coast, the slaves were once more loaded back into dhows for the journey north to Zanzibar Island -Tanzania. They were packed tightly lying on top of one another in several layers in the hold of the boat. There was no food or water and conditions were terrible! Those who died (Many did, especially if crossings took long due to poor winds) could not be removed until the journey ended. Those who survived were sold once more in the large slave market in Zanzibar and then shipped to places such as India and Arabia.
Slavery had existed in Africa for many years, but as demand from outside Africa increased, the Swahili Arabs began to push into the interior to increase their supply.
Between 1842 and 1856 David Livingstone had been exploring in Africa and on his return to Britain spoke at meetings about the undiscovered interior of Africa and the horrors of the slave trade. He returned to Africa in 1858 and travelled to Malawi in September 1859 finally reaching Lake Malawi - which he named Lake Nyassa. Throughout his journey he came across major slave routes – one that passed through today's town of Mangochi Through the rest of the 1860’s missionaries came to Malawi to build missions. They suffered terribly from malaria and conflict with the local people.
LIVINGSTONES LAST JOURNEY
In 1866 Livingstone made his final expedition to Lake Malawi. During this time he was abandoned by several African followers he had recruited who claimed that he had been killed! Meanwhile Livingstone was in the area now called Northern Zambia only intending to be gone for a few months – but was not seen or heard of for over 2 years! Livingstone was found by Henry Stanley on the banks of Lake Tanganyika in 1871 where he uttered the famous words" Dr. Livingstone I presume" Stanley was unable to persuade Livingstone to go with him and Livingstone finally died at the village of Chitambo in Zambia in 1873.
Modern day Malawi is still very rural and poor. The people are fantastically friendly which is why it is known as the warm heart of Africa - and it is a land of mountains, plateaus and an enormous lake. Essentially a rural subsistence life, thousands of Malawians lively hoods are derived from the lake and fishing related activities. In big and small markets throughout Malawi shining silver piles of dried fish "usipa" are sold. Closer to the lake fresh fish is available. ‘Chambo’ is the most delicious!
Children receive wonderful names: Happiness, Brightness, Love, Gift, Rejoice or Last (which is quite common!) – also look out for the quirky names of establishments – some of our favourites being Top Hits bottle store, Mind your own business Restaurant and The Hang Over clinic! Malawi does not have a large volume of tourists, and this provides a good part of its charm.
MALAWI · LAKE MALAWI MARINE PARK
Lake Malawi National Park was only designated a National Park in 1980 was established at the southern end of the Lake to protect the unique diversity of tropical fish living there, some not found anywhere else on earth. The National Park is the most important freshwater fish sanctuary in Africa and it was the first park in the world to give protection to the marine life of a tropical deep water Rift Valley Lake.
The Nankhumba Peninsula, forms the centrepiece of a miniature archipelago of twelve islands, and encompasses Cape Maclear, where scuba diving and snorkelling are popular activities. The underwater game viewing experience matches anything that the land has to offer. The natural habitats has resulted in an extraordinary concentration of different species of plants, animals and birds, quite asides from the hundreds of species of fish that can be found in the region, the most famous of which is the Mbuna Chichlids.
A land of plains, lakes and mountains with a narrow, low-lying coastal belt, Tanzania is East Africa's largest country and also one of the most diverse. Tanzania is home for more than 100 different ethnic groups, mostly of Bantu origin, each with its own language and customs.
Tanzania has one of the largest, wildest animal populations in the world. Wildebeest, monkey, antelope, lion, cheetah, crocodile, gazelle, and flamingo - you name them. Blessed with some of the world's largest game reserves, the country also has one of the highest concentrations of elephant, buffalo, hippo, hunting dog and chimpanzee.
Its spectacular topography includes The Great Rift Valley, Mt Kilimanjaro and famous parks such as the Serengeti and the wonderful crater of Ngorongoro.
Offshore are idyllic islands with beautiful palm-fringed beaches and turquoise seas that wash pristine coral reefs. The archaeological treasures of Tanzania include hominid fossils, which is more than 300 million years old. Tanzanian music and dance dominates much of East Africa. Strong in rhythm and renowned for hard-hitting lyrics, the country's Swahili based sounds are kept very much alive by a thriving dance-band scene. Nyama choma (barbecued meat) has taken over in a big way, especially in restaurants with attached bars. But on the coast and in Zanzibar and Pemba islands, there's a decent range of traditional Swahili dishes based on seafood.
Recorded history begins around 1800, when the Masai warrior tribes were migrating from Kenya to Tanzania. It wasn't until the middle of the 18th century that Arab traders and slaves dared venture into Masai territory in the country's wild interior. European explorers began arriving in earnest in the mid-19th century, the most famous being Stanley and Livingstone. The famous phrase 'Dr Livingstone, I presume', stems from the duo's meeting at Ujiji on Lake Tanganyika. Tanganyika won independence in 1961 with Julius Nyerere as the country's first president.
Nyerere, whose secret ingredient was radical socialism, gained widespread respect and is seen as one of the most influential leaders Africa has had. Zanzibar was stuck for another two years, after which the mainland forged a union comprising Zanzibar and the nearby island of Pemba. Thus Tanzania was born.
There is a wide range of optional activities to make your experience in Tanzania absolutely unforgettable. Some great floating is to be had in hot-air balloons over the Serengeti. And swimming with dolphins is all the rage on the island of Zanzibar. Snorkeling and scuba diving is equally popular around the world-class coral reefs off nearby Pemba and Mafia islands.
DAR ES SALAAM
Tanzania's premier city, started off as a small fishing village and developed into a port and trading centre in the mid-19th century, which was named Dar es Salaam, meaning Haven of Peace. Now it's a teeming metropolis of 1.5 million people where Arab dhows mingle with huge ocean-going vessels. A few of the highlights are the many markets, especially the colourful Kariakoo Market, craft shops and one can enjoy the bustling harbour, vending stalls, vibrant street life and traditional dances whilst strolling through the streets of central Dar es Salaam. Dar's National Museum is next to the Botanical Gardens in the city centre, which features important archaeological collections, especially the fossil discoveries of Zinjanthropus (Nutcracker Man), and the sordid history of the Zanzibar slave trade. Dar es Salaam is a warm and salty place with a heady cultural mix and it is a living breathing village of authentic dwellings from various parts of Tanzania.
ZANZIBAR
‘Some places whisper, some shout, and some prattle…like small talk. Zanzibar sings. Zanzibar is the stuff of grand opera; it's a score from the wildest imagination, composed from a rich melody of aromatic spices…But the tale of Zanzibar is also written in blood and rooted in historical reality.’
Getaway Magazine (1999)
Trading under the name Spice Island, this paradise off Tanzania's north coast has lured travellers for centuries. At the end of the 15th century the first European arrivals reached Zanzibar, looking for a trade route to India, and established a trading station. During the period of the 17th century, Zanzibar became a major slaving centre, but an agreement abolishing slavery was signed by sultan Khalifa on 13 September 1889.
Zanzibar consists of two large islands, Unguja (Zanzibar Island) and Pemba, as well as several smaller ones off the coast of East Africa. Both islands were originally coral reefs that became exposed and formed the main rock type, which is a coralline limestone known as ‘coral rag’. The old Stone Town of Zanzibar is one of the most fascinating places on the east coast. It's a chaotic cluster of winding streets lined with whitewashed coral-rag houses. There are endless little shops, bazaars, mosques, courtyards and fortresses, two former sultans' palaces, two huge cathedrals and a lot more to explore. Dotted around the island are historical sites such as the ruined Maruhhubi Palace, built in 1882 by Sultan Barghash to house his harem. Another significant site worth visiting is the Mangapwani Slave Cave. There's also Jozani Forest, 24 km (15mi) south-east of Zanzibar town, a sanctuary for the rare red colobus monkey and the Zanzibar duiker (small antelope).
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Serengeti, which sprawls across 14,763 sq. km (5757 sq. mi), is Tanzania's largest and most famous national park. The chief herbivore of Serengeti is the wildebeest of which there are up to two million. The amazing annual migration of wildebeest herds is one of the biggest attractions of the Serengeti. It begins at the Serengeti National Park near the Kenyan border, when huge herds of wildebeests head for greener pastures in Kenya. Starting in April each year, these animals migrate across the Serengeti's southern plains accompanied by zebras, antelopes, gazelles, lions and tourists. The park is also famous for its lions, which can be tracked due to the fact that many have collars fitted with transmitters, as well as cheetah and large herds of giraffe.
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
Being one of the largest calderas in the world, 20 km (12.4mi)-wide, 600m (1968 ft) tall, with a variety of animals and vegetation, Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania's most visited areas. The vegetation includes grasslands, swamps, forests, salt pans and a freshwater lake and has been compared to Noah's Ark and the Garden of Eden.
You will have no trouble finding lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and many of the plains herbivores such as wildebeest, Thomson's gazelle, zebra and reedbuck, as well as thousands of flamingo wading in the shallows of Lake Magadi, the soda lake on the floor of the crater. Within the steep walls of the crater you will find considerable movement of animals and you may well come across local Masai tribes people, who have grazing rights here, tending their cattle.
KENYA
NAIROBI
Nairobi could easily be described as the largest, youngest, most modern, fastest growing and highest (1 700m) city in East Africa. Nairobi is also known as "City in the sun" and "City of flowers", just to mention a few. Nairobi, less than a century old, has real claims to Western Style sophistication but it lacks a convincing heart. Nairobi is as compelling a place as any and displays enormous vitality and buzz. It's hard to imagine a city with a more fascinating variety of people. On any downtown pavement you can see a complete cross-section of Kenyans, plus every variety of tourist.
Worthwhile destinations lie all around, with the first and closest
target Nairobi National Park. Lake Naivasha to the west and Lake Magadi to the
south are two utterly different Rift Valley lakes, each just a few hours away
from the capital. The National Archives are housed in the striking old Bank
of India building amounting to a museum/art gallery in the heart of the city.
It houses a collection of paintings, a photographic exhibition of the struggle
for Independence as well as a delightfully jumbled collection of African ethnographia,
which includes musical instruments, masks, weapons and domestic artefacts. Now
privately run, Nairobi's Railway Museum is a natural draw for rail fans and
of more than passing interest for anyone else. The National Museum is probably
the city's prime sightseeing attraction with an extensive ornithological collection
as well as a Gallery of Contemporary East African Art where principally Kenyan,
Tanzanian and Ugandan artists display their work and wares. Nairobi is the best
place in East Africa to buy handicrafts, with the widest selection and the best
facilities for posting the stuff home. There are dozens of shops to browse through,
with very reasonable prices when purchasing traditional fabrics and clothes,
traditional masks, beads, and lots more. The Masai Market where anything from
twenty to fifty Masai women display their wares, is a hot recommendation if
you are after Masai traditional and tourist gear. For the few days that most
people spend in Nairobi – it's a stimulating city.
2008 Departure Dates
Tour only departs 19th May 2008
| departs | returns |
| 11-Aug-08 | 31-Aug-08 |
| 1-Sep-08 | 21-Sep-08 |
| 22-Sep-08 | 12-Oct-08 |
| 13-Oct-08 | 2-Nov-08 |
| 3-Nov-08 | 23-Nov-08 |
| 24-Nov-08 | 14-Dec-08 |
