You depart Nairobi and drive south, crossing the border into Tanzania at Namanga, and continue to Arusha. This is a pleasant town situated at the base of Mount Meru, and is the starting point for your optional excursion to the Ngorongoro Crater and/or the Serengeti.

You are taken in locally operated Land Rovers, which are specially adapted for safari use. Depending on which option you choose, you will be away from the Arusha campsite for either one or 2 nights.

If you take up the 2-night/3-day option you will depart Arusha in the morning with your vehicles and guides. The drive to the Serengeti National Park takes you through the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) and up into the Ngorongoro Reserve for a glimpse of the Ngorongoro Crater before descending down onto the plains of the Serengeti. The abundance of game in this area is truly astounding. The afternoon will be spent game viewing before setting up camp in the midst of the national park, probably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world. At night you fall asleep listening to the sounds of the wild.

After a full morning's game drive in the Serengeti you return to pack up camp and head back towards the Ngorongoro Crater. You travel up to rim of the crater and your campsite for the evening. We suggest you pack your winter woollies as it can get very cold during night.

For those taking the 1-night/2-day option, you are collected from Arusha in the afternoon and transferred to the town of Karatu for the evening. Tomorrow you join the rest of the group for your Ngorongoro game drive.

In the morning you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. With its 600m-high walls and 20km diameter, it is one of the natural wonders of the world. The views from the rim are spectacular, but the true size of this caldera is only appreciated from the floor itself. There is an abundance of wildlife and some say the crater floor offers the finest game viewing in Africa. It is home to nearly every species of African animal, and offers a chance to view an incredible concentration of East African mammals, such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lion, and plain's game. After spending the full morning in the crater you will return to the campsite near Arusha for another night. Both optional excursions will follow the same schedule today.

You leave Arusha and head towards the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Travelling through the town of Moshi, you cross the southern slopes of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. You may catch a glimpse of this magical mountain's snowy summit (weather dependant) which definitely calls for a photo stop! Continuing south you pass the Usambara Mountains through vast sisal plantations, and on towards Dar es Salaam.

Today is another long day's drive past beautiful lush scenery and palm trees. On arrival in Dar es Salaam, you set up camp for the nigh at a beach hotel/campsite that is situated to the north of the city. Spend the evening at leisure, relaxing and preparing for your morning departure to the island of Zanzibar.

A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes you to the "Spice Island", where you will spend 3 nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quests for new lands.

Please note: Our crew can organise accommodation for you whilst on Zanzibar, although from our experience our clients have preferred to explore the island independently. Therefore, accommodation and food is for your own account whilst on Zanzibar.

Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for you to enjoy. The quiet streets of the historical 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 tours around a spice plantation can be organized. Other options include a trip to the nearby Prison Island with its giant tortoises, and beautiful beaches. Or perhaps you would prefer hiring a motorbike and exploring 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 - giant lobsters being a popular specialty. Alternatively, joining the locals for dinner in the waterfront market is an experience not to be missed. The market stalls offer an unusual selection of fast food African style at a very reasonable price.

Leaving Zanzibar you take the ferry back to the mainland for an overnight stay in Dar es Salaam. There may be an opportunity to visit one of the craft markets offering an extensive range of exquisite ebony products (the price you pay depends on your bargaining skills), and where the goods are made on-site. It is possible to observe the carvers at work and understand the skill which has gone into making even the simplest trinket

Leaving Dar es Salaam you head for Iringa, passing through Mikumi National Park. It is often possible to view wildlife from the roadside, the animals quietly grazing, totally unaffected by humans and their vehicles. Tonight you camp at the Old Farmhouse, a beautiful rustic campsite in rural Tanzania. Try one of their signature Amarula Hot Chocolates, they're delicious!

In the morning you drive through the scenic tea plantations of Tikuku before exiting Tanzania. You enter Malawi, the 'Warm Heart of Africa', through the border post of Songwe, and head to Chitimba Beach campsite for the night.

The newly democratic Malawi is a landlocked country with 20% of its total area consisting of a beautiful fresh-water lake. The country's temperate climate allows for swimming in these clear blue waters all year round. You spend the next 4 days travelling the full length of the western side of the lake, stopping at various bays and inlets. This is the time for rest and relaxation in this scenic and friendly country. For the more energetic, Lake Malawi offers a variety of water sports from various beachside campsites. Alternatively you can wander along quieter shorelines where you can see the fishermen sorting their daily catch. Traditional methods are still used in their fishing techniques and you can appreciate their boating skills by trying to paddle in a dug-out canoe yourself.

Visit the nearby villages and schools and dine in the local village, haggle for a bargain at the local markets, learn the game of bao - or simply relax on the pristine white beaches.

You cross the border into Zambia, heading to a beautiful little campsite just 10km from the Zambia/Malawi border, where you stop for the night.

The landlocked country of Zambia is quickly crossed, stopping at the capital city of Lusaka for one night. Tonight's campsite is home to some local wildlife, and has excellent facilities.

This morning you pack up camp early and travel south for Lake Kariba. You head to the western waters of the lake and your base camp for the next 2 nights. Lake Kariba is one of the largest manmade lakes in the world and home to a wide variety of African game, birdlife and unique flora and fauna.

Here you have the option of a 2-night trip on a house boat. Alternatively, you can take part in the many activities at the campsite, such as fishing, canoeing, hiking, exploring the local village or just relaxing on the tranquil banks of Lake Kariba. The campsite also has a swimming pool where you can enjoy soaking up the sun.

House Boat option 2-nights/2-days:

You board the house boats at approximately 1pm, settle yourself in and enjoy lunch on board. You depart the harbour at around 2pm and sail out to the Maaze River. In the evening you can relax and marvel at one of the spectacular sunsets which Lake Kariba is famous for, followed by a night's peaceful sleep on the boat.

The next day you can relax the entire day on the deck and enjoy the onboard Jacuzzi. These house boats are truly one of the most relaxing ways to spend a few days on the lake. If you're feeling a bit more active, in the early morning you can enjoy a fishing/game cruise on tender boats, or you have the option of a game walk on the island in the Maaze area. This gives you the opportunity to see plains game and many different species of birdlife. After lunch you head to Maaze Island where you do a tour of the Crocodile Farm. Dinner is prepared on the boat while you sit back and enjoy your sundowner over the lake.

Today you cross the border into the town of Victoria Falls. 1700 meters wide and around 100 meters high, the falls is sure to be one of the most memorable sights on your African safari. You have a couple of days to experience not only the sights, but also the many activities available in this, the adrenaline capital of Africa. All year round, flights can be taken, in planes, micro lights or helicopters, which give you a panoramic view of the Falls, Batoka Gorge and the islands above the Falls. Back on the ground, the Falls can be seen from the Victoria Falls Park. All these options offer fantastic photographic opportunities.

Bungee jumping enthusiasts can take the plunge from the Zambezi Bridge, which connects Zambia and Zimbabwe. The leap into the Batoka Gorge is certainly not for the fainthearted. White water rafting in the Batoka Gorge is considered to be world class. Besides the excitement of the grade 5 rapids, there are "floats" where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.

Other optional activities around Victoria Falls include day trips into the Zambezi National Park, horse riding safaris, visiting the Crocodile Ranch and Snake Park, golf at Elephant Hills Hotel, parachuting, the Falls Craft Village and the Sunset Cruise

The following 2 days are at your leisure, allowing you to partake in the many activities available, or just relax around the pool at your campsite.

Following breakfast you depart Victoria Falls and cross the border into Botswana. After setting up camp for the night you go on an afternoon game drive in Chobe National Park. Chobe is one of Botswana's premier game parks, renowned for the large herds of elephant around the Chobe River.

Today you have an early start with morning game drive in Chobe National Park. You return to camp for lunch and in the afternoon there is the option of a boat trip along the Chobe River, or you can simply relax on the river banks and watch the renowned Chobe sunset from your campsite.

Today you travel in a south-westerly direction to Maun, your base camp for the optional excursion into the Okavango Delta. Today is spent on the road, stopping for lunch at the roadside.

The Okavango is a huge expanse of water which, after travelling down from the Angolan highlands, spreads out to form the largest inland delta in the world. Studded with exotic islands, the Okavango Delta is renowned for its incredible variety of birdlife, as well as many other animals unique to Southern Africa.

If you choose to take the optional 3-day/2-night drive-in, mokoro excursion into the delta, you drive approx 1-2 hours north to the mokoro polers station. From there you hire mokoros, the local dug-out canoes, which are poled by local guides through the winding waterways. Your knowledgeable guides select a place to set up camp for the night. An afternoon game walk allows you to experience more of the fascinating delta wilderness and its diverse ecosystems.

Today you have the opportunity to partake in a number of delta activities including game walks, mokoro cruises, swimming and even a chance to try your hand at poling a dug-out yourself!

You have time for a final morning game walk before packing up camp and setting off back to Maun. You arrive back in the early afternoon you have the chance to complete your picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional spectacular sunset flight over the delta region.

Departing Maun you head in a south westerly direction along the Kavango River and cross over into the northern region of Namibia. You stock up on your supplies in Rundu before reaching your 'home' for the night. The fantastic campsite is located right on the banks of the Kavango River, complete with "open air" facilities and the occasional hippo grazing peacefully on the lawn.

You arrive at Etosha National Park in the late afternoon. Etosha is Namibia's premiere nature reserve, covering over 20 000 square kms with an impressive variety of animal and bird species. The park is situated around Etosha Pan, and has an extensive network of gravel roads that enable vehicles to reach even the more remote areas. A feature of this park is the floodlit waterholes at both Namutoni and Okakuejo. Your evenings can be spent sitting on the specially constructed viewing benches watching the game as it comes in to drink.

Another full day of game drives as you make your way across 150 km of the park from east to west. Tonight you have another opportunity to spend at leisure around the fantastic floodlit waterholes.

A short drive takes you to Cheetah Park, a private farm where you will learn about the conservation of the cheetah population in Namibia. You also have the chance to meet the resident cheetahs living on the property - a photo opportunity not to be missed!

A day's drive takes you to Spitzkoppe, the 1,728m high rock formation which is one of Namibia's most recognized landmarks. You can go for walks in this stunning landscape, explore the bizarre rock formations or view the bushman paintings. Your night is spent camping under a star-filled sky.

Today you follow the Atlantic Coast south to the Cape Cross Seal Colony. Of the 23 breeding colonies of Cape Fur Seals along the coast of South Africa and Namibia, Cape Cross is the largest. You can see seals througout the year, although their numbers fluctuate from 80 000 to around 200 000 during the breeding season. It was here that the Portuguese navigator, Diego Cao, erected a stone cross in 1846, becoming the first European to set foot on the coast of Namibia. You arrive in Swakopmund later the afternoon.

The town of Swakopmund, founded in 1892 during German rule, still maintains its distinct colonial character. Swakopmund has several excellent restaurants, bars and coffee shops, as well as galleries and many arts and crafts shops selling Namibian rural art. There are beautiful beaches to walk along or you can visit the interesting museum or the aquarium.

Optional excursions include fishing trips, quad biking, sand boarding, sky diving, desert flights, water sports, golf and 4x4 hire. Accommodation is in dormitories with upgrades available.

Today you drive to Windhoek, where your African adventure comes to an end.