You depart from the Boulevard Hotel, leaving the bustling city of Nairobi, and climbing the escarpment to your first viewpoint stop overlooking the Great African Rift Valley. You descend into the Rift valley, which for centuries has been home to the Masai Tribe whose people are regularly seen on the side of the road tending their flocks and herds. You arrive at your campsite, Acacia Camp, in the early evening in time to enjoy sunset on the Masai Mara.

Today you can enjoy game drives through the Mara, widely considered to be Africa's greatest wildlife reserve. This 'Garden of Eden' with its gently rolling grasslands and abundance of game is also home to Africa's 'Big 5'. Sitting around a campfire, watching the sunset and sharing stories of the day's sightings is the perfect way to round off a day's game viewing in the Mara.

Departing the Masai Mara early you pass through the 3rd largest town in Kenya, Nakuru, where you stop for the night to re-supply and shop. Nakuru is a cheerful agricultural town and the capital of the Rift Valley province.

Today you cross the border into Uganda and travel via the lakeside town of Jinja, the Source of the River Nile, to Kampala, Uganda's capital city and your 'home' for the night.

Uganda is a small country of striking physical beauty. Its landscapes vary from the fertile green areas around the northern shores of Lake Victoria to the snow-covered Ruwenzori Mountains in the west and semi-desert in the north. Political instability has haunted the country, but the current administration under President Museveni has devoted considerable effort and funds to regain Uganda's former glory.

You depart Kampala in the early morning and drive further into the depths of Uganda and your base in Kisoro. From Kisoro, depending on permits available and where the gorillas are located, you will head to either the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the DRC or at Ruhengeri in Rwanda.

It may be necessary to trek for quite a while through the dense forest vegetation (up to 5 hrs) in order to reach the family designated for your visit. As gorillas are sensitive to human diseases, the park authorities will not allow anyone they consider to be in poor health to visit the gorilla groups, and children under 15 years old are not allowed.

Due to the nature of gorillas and their habits, viewing cannot be guaranteed. The cost of tracking gorillas differs from park to park, ranging from US$275 to US$375 per 1-hour viewing. There is usually a park entry fee as well of approx US$15 and an additional cost for the local transport to and from your starting point - normally US$10 to US$15 per person. Your fees help to set up and finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares.

Please note that we are not in control of the price of gorilla permits and therefore cannot be held responsible for any increases in fees levied by the relevant authorities. National parks usually allow clients who fail to see any gorillas a 2nd chance the following day if time and availability allows, or they may refund your fee. Although this is the general situation, it is purely at their discretion and the respective National Parks authorities will not put it in writing, saying that you are paying to track the gorillas, not view them. Fortunately, we have a very high success rate of seeing these magnificent animals.

Please note: This is an optional excursion. Visas to the DRC and Rwanda can be obtained at the border.

A short drive through picturesque scenery takes you to Lake Bunyoni, the deepest crater lake in Africa and home to a large number of bird and fish species, as well as otters. You spend 2 nights at the lake.

After your energetic trekking you can enjoy a whole day at leisure, surrounded by the beauty of Lake Bunyoni. You may wish to go swimming, visit the local villages or just sit back, relax and appreciate the tranquil setting.

Today you cross the equator for the 2nd time on your return to the city of Kampala. Stop for a photo of you standing with a foot in each hemispheres. You spend another night in Kampala, with a chance to sample Uganda's nightlife!

Choose between white water rafting on the Nile River or visiting the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary. If you feel like a bit of adrenaline action, you will be collected from Kampala and transferred to Jinja for some of the best white water rafting in Africa. Alternatively, you can enjoy an excursion to Ngamba Chimp Sanctuary where you can assist in the feeding of orphaned chimpanzee, before your departure to Jinja.

Your overnight camp is right on the edge of the Nile River where there is an abundance of resident birdlife, and some truly amazing photo opportunities from right outside your tent.

Today is a full day's driving back towards Kenya. You cross the border before lunch and stop for supplies en route. Tonight you overnight again in the town of Nakuru.

You travel to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for the thousands of flamingoes that inhabit its shallow waters. The park is also a sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are frequently seen along with other African wildlife including buffalo, giraffe, waterbuck, various antelope, leopard and the occasional hippo. After entering the park in the morning, the rest of the day is spent on a game drive.

Moving further east, you drive to Lake Naivasha where you set up camp in peaceful surroundings on the lake's shore. The highest of the Rift Valley lakes, Naivasha lies at about 1880m and again is home to a multitude of birdlife, most notably the African Fish Eagle. The afternoon is spent at leisure and you have the opportunity (time permitting) to enjoy some optional excursions, such as a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park or Elsamere, the retirement home of Joy Adamson (of "Born Free" fame).

After breakfast you leave Naivasha and return to Nairobi, arriving in the early afternoon. The truck will stop at the Boulevard Hotel for those who are scheduled to leave the tour here or for others to join. You then continue to your campsite for the night.

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 sundowners 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.

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

Other optional activities include day trips into the Zambezi National Park, horse riding safaris, a visit to the Crocodile Ranch, handling snakes at the Snake Park, golf at the Elephant Hills Hotel, parachuting, and the Falls Craft Village.

The following 2 days are at your leisure, allowing you to partake in the many activities available at Victoria Falls, spend time admiring the falls themselves or simply 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 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 in 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.

Today is another long drive from Maun to Francistown, one of the oldest towns in Botswana. Francistown was originally a gold-mining centre and the site of southern Africa's first gold rush. Nowadays, the city is experiencing an economic boom and has expanded into a retail and wholesale shopping mecca. We stock up on supplies here for the next few days.

We leave Botswana and cross the border into South Africa. Your night is spent in the bustling city of Johannesburg also nicknamed Egoli (place of gold).

Departing Johannesburg you head towards the Lowveld Region and the world-famous Kruger National Park. Your camp for the next 2 nights is 8km from Kruger Park's Numbi Gate. The camp has a swimming pool and good hot showers so you can experience the African bush without giving up your creature comforts. In the evening you can relax around the campfire and look forward to the next day's game drive.

Today you explore the wonders of Kruger National Park. The park is the size of a small country, covering an area of 21,497 sq km. It has a huge variety and density of wildlife including more than 500 bird species, over 23000 plant species and is home to Africa's 'Big 5'. Your day is spent on a full-day game drive which is sure to be an unforgettable experience. At night there is the option of a night drive which is a unique opportunity to see the park's nocturnal wildlife in action.

After a campfire breakfast, you start your journey back to Johannesburg. Once again the drive takes you through beautiful ever-changing scenery before you return to the modern, exciting city of Jo'burg and the end of your safari.