AFTours - overland Africa tours from North, West, Central, South and East of Africa

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TOUR ITINERARY :

Day 1 Botswana – Palapye
We depart Johannesburg heading north to Botswana to cross the border and spend our first night near at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a community based wildlife project, established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino. On arrival, you may have the chance to participate in an optional night game drive. Optional Activity: Night Game Drive
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Maun
This morning we go on a guided game drive through the Sanctuary before departing for Maun. Upon arrival in Maun, we will prepare for the Okavango Delta. In the late afternoon there is often time to visit a local Crocodile Farm. Optional Activity: Crocodile Farm.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3/4 Okavango Delta
During our time in the Delta we enjoy the best nature has to offer. We go on nature walks and if possible will explore the Delta by mokoro. The Delta is the world’s largest inland delta. The rivers leading to the Okavango Delta have no passage to the ocean and irrigate instead some 15,000 square km’s of Kalahari Desert. This is a truly spectacular and unforgettable experience where wild animals are not familiar with people. We travel into the Delta on a large 4x4 vehicle - in high water season boats will be used. We join up with some of the local people and set up our bush camp for the next 2 nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Gweta
We leave the Delta behind us and travel east to Planet Baobab, which is located halfway between Maun and Nata, near the Makgadikgadi Pans. You can explore the bush around our campsite and view some of the oldest Baobab trees in the area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Kasane - Chobe National Park
Today we head north to Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River. The afternoon is spent game viewing on a river cruise, into the renowned Chobe NP. This is an excellent opportunity to view some of Africa’s spectacular wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls
On arrival in Victoria Falls we have time to plan the next day’s adventure activities before we visit the spectacular Victoria Falls and experience the thundering of the mighty Zambezi as it drops over 100m in to the gorge below. Optional Activities: Chobe National Park Early Morning Game Drive, Zambezi Sunset Dinner Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Victoria Falls
After breakfast, most people will spend the day White Water Rafting, a not-to-be-missed experience of a lifetime! Vic Falls offers many exciting activities! Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive in Chobe, White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Walking with Lions, Elephant Excursion, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Lusaka
Leaving behind the natural wonder of Victoria Falls we begin our expedition. After Livingstone we journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka. You will notice the vegetation becoming sub-tropical and the roads a little rougher.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Chipata
Today is a long drive through lush country, crossing rivers en-route to Chipata, the gateway to the South Luangwa NP. Zambia is truly African and an adjustment from the more Western ways of Southern Africa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 South Luangwa National Park
Early in the morning we drive from Chipata to the border of the South Luangwa National Park where we spend the next two nights right on the banks of the Luangwa River. You can often see hippos and other animals from the camp bar. This afternoon we enjoy a sunset game drive in the South Luangwa NP.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 South Luangwa National Park
In the morning you have the opportunity to take another game drive. The park is known for its high concentration of leopards and hippos. After lunch we visit the community run tribal textile project and a local village. Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive and Game Walk.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Lilongwe
Today we visit the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, Malawi’s only sanctuary for rescued, orphaned and injured wild animals. The Centre is set in 180 hectares of beautiful woodland, Lilongwe’s only protected wilderness. .
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14/15 Kande Beach
This morning we have the opportunity to participate in a 2 hour city tour, before we take a scenic drive to Kande beach. We will spend the next 2 days enjoying the many optional activities available, such as horse riding and different water sports. We will go on a guided village walk in order to meet the local people and learn more about Malawian life. Optional Activities: 2 hour morning city tour in Lilongwe, Water Sports, Horse Riding, Craft Shopping etc.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16 Lake Malawi - Chitimba
We travel further north and spend our last day in Malawi at Chitimba beach. For those who have had enough of the beach, there is a short hike to the Manchawe Falls. Optional Activities: watersports, abseiling etc.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17 Tanzania –Iringa
Today we leave Malawi and enter Tanzania. We ascend out of the Great Rift Valley through some spectacular mountain passes, passing vast tea plantations in the highlands before arriving at our camp outside Iringa. This evening our dinner is in a local Masai Hut where we enjoy a traditional Tanzanian evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18 Mikumi
We leave Iringa today and head north to the Mikumi National Park. Mikumi is home to lion, zebra, wildebeest, impala, buffalo and elephant and today we have the opportunity to enjoy an optional afternoon game drive through the park. Optional Activities: Afternoon game drive in Mikumi NP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19 Dar es Salaam
Our journey today brings us out of the cool highland region to the humid Indian ocean coastal city of Dar es Salaam. Meaning ‘house of peace’ in Arabic, Dar es Salaam is the economic and trade capital of Tanzania, but inland Dodoma remains the official capital city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20/21/22 Zanzibar
A local ferry will take us from Dar es Salaam (where we leave the truck) to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. We spend the first night exploring the historical and unique architecture. There are also spice and seafood markets to be explored. The following day we take a transfer to the northern part of the island where we will spend our time relaxing on the beach. Optional Activities: Lunch & Dinner, Swimming with Dolphins, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling etc.
Meals: Breakfast x 3

Day 23 Lushoto
Today we leave Zanzibar and catch a ferry back to Dar es Salaam and return to our truck. We continue on to Lushoto, the major town and district centre, albeit small, in the Usambara Mountains, halfway between the coast and the parks. The popular pot plant Saintpaulia has its only wild occurrences in Tanzania, and particularly in the Usambara Mts
Here you will have the chance to hike in the surrounding area, or just relax.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 24 Karatu
Today we take a scenic drive via Arusha to the picturesque town of Karatu. The area’s cool climate, verdant hills, and pleasing views made it popular with settlers and farmers. Vast and extensive fields covers the slopes of the volcano and the lands around Karatu town. Karatu is also a stone’s throw away from the world famous Serengeti & Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 25/26/27 Serengeti and Ngorongoro Excursion
These 3 days are set aside for the optional 3-night excursion into the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. This area has one of the most densely inhabited large animal populations in Africa. The excursion is in open topped 4x4 safari vehicles in order to tackle the challenging side roads in the parks. For those not going to the parks, take this chance to absorb some of the fascinating local culture. Optional Activities: Various Serengeti & Ngorongoro Excursion packages, Lake Manyara game drives, day hiking & village tours, volunteer at educational project and many more various day trips.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 28 Arusha
Today the group meets up again and we have the chance to exchange stories of the various adventures that we participated in over the past few days. In the afternoon we visit the local Masai Mara Museum and Snake Park in Arusha. Optional Activities: camel ride to local Masaai village.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 29 Kenya – Nairobi
After crossing the border into Kenya we continue to travel towards Nairobi. We can all go out for a group meal at one of Nairobi’s excellent restaurants. Optional Activities: Dinner out.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 30 Masai Mara National Reserve
We leave the capital and travel to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Today the tour enters this huge area of spectacular game viewing to photograph some of Africa’s most abundant wildlife. Famous for the annual migration of around 1.5 million wildebeest, the Masai Mara is also home to many other animals, including lions. Cultural interaction with Kenya’s native Masaai people completes our experience.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 31 Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha
We travel north to Lake Naivasha. One of the more popular optional activities in Hell’s Gate NP, is to go game viewing on a bicycle. Optional Activities: Cycle hire in Hell’s Gate NP, High Tea at Elsamere..
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 32 Nakuru National Park
We travel towards Lake Nakuru NP, a great place to spot flamingos. White Rhino also inhabit the transitional savannah area surrounding the lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 33 Uganda - Kampala
Leaving Lake Nakuru we drive to the Uganda border, and then stop for a photo at the equator. Later we arrive in Uganda’s capital and largest city, Kampala.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 34 Kampala / Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Although officially this day is set aside for everyone to explore Kampala, most people take an optional day trip to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary of Ngamba Island. This non-profit eco-friendly project was set up in 1998 to care for orphaned chimpanzees. Optional Activities: Ngamba Chimpanzee Excursion, Kampala Markets, Dinner Out.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 35 Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi is a small but attractive lake with steep sides and abundant birdlife. Ringed by mountains, the lake is best known for its dense Otter population and stunning scenery. We make use of this beautiful spot to relax the night before the final drive to the gorillas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 36/37/38 Gorillas
The mountain gorilla is extremely endangered and while exact numbers vary it is widely assumed that there are only around 650 left. Visiting the gorillas is a great way to support their future on earth as the money spent on permits is used for their protection. An extremely important part of the future conservation of the remaining gorillas rests in the community development work – as local communities change their attitudes towards wildlife and start to protect rather than poach, the future of the mountain gorilla is assured.

As permits granting permission to visit the gorillas are extremely limited we require flexibility in both the tour itinerary and where we actually visit them. The home of the mountain gorillas is completely at odds with man-made borders and so their range encompasses Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Whenever possible we choose to make use of the National Park in Uganda, but this depends on the availability of permits.
Should we not obtain permits to visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda then we will inform all passengers beforehand that the tour will travel to Rwanda or DRC.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Please note: Although there are 3-days allocated to Gorilla Trekking you will only spend one-day on the trek. The other days are there to provide a large enough window in which to obtain permits and to allow the entire group to trek if there are more than 6 of you on the tour.

Day 39 Queen Elizabeth National Park
Many game species are to be found in this wetland park including the (elsewhere elusive) giant forest hog, and the legendary tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha Sector. Optional Activities: Kasinga Channel Sunset Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 40/41 Jinja
The morning is spent on further game viewing and this afternoon we travel to Jinja. Jinja is Uganda’s second largest city and is famous as the point where the Nile (officially the Victoria Nile) flows out of Lake Victoria and begins the 6695 kilometre journey to Egypt and the Mediterranean. Optional Activities: White Water Rafting.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 42 Kenya - Eldoret
Returning to Kenya we visit Eldoret, the country’s 5th largest city. The Great Rift Valley is still the dominant geographical feature of this region and the altitude at Eldoret is 2100 metres above sea level.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 43 Nairobi
Returning to Nairobi, the largest city in the East Africa region, there’s an optional dinner, where we can swap stories and exchange contact details. Optional Activities: Meal out in Nairobi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

NB: The itinerary is flexible and can be changed without notice in order to accommodate the best possible viewing of the Gorillas. The Permit price to visit the Gorillas can also change without notice.

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