Prices from around $1655
**AFRICAN CONTRASTS**
7 Weeks Nairobi to Cape Town
Kenya – Tanzania – Malawi – Zambia – Zimbabwe – Botswana – South Africa
**What’s Included**
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: All meals while camping
Excursions: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater Reserve – Mikumi National Park (transit) – Lake Kariba House Boat – Rhino Walk – Chobe National Park – Okavango Delta – Etosha National Park – Namibia Desert – Sossusvlei – Fish River Canyon
Transport: Bukima Vehicle – Land rover – House boat – on foot
Staff: Tour Leader and Driver
**Day 1**
Leaving Nairobi we cross the border into Tanzania, we will see the Maasai people along the way, a tribe previously thought of as “noble savages” both feared and admired by the early colonials. This tribe is desperately clinging to their traditional ways, valuing their nomadic way of life, free of possessions, governed only by the change of seasons and wealth being measured by the number of wives and sons they have and cattle owned. They have for decades turned their back on the lure of western society, however much of their culture is no longer seen as appropriate by modern day living standards and more and more restrictions are being placed upon them. Once having roamed freely they are now confined to a relatively small area of their previous lands. Here we stay in Arusha, the gateway to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
**Day 2, 3 & 4**
We move on to what the Maasai call “siringet”, meaning endless plains or more commonly known to us as the Serengeti National Park. This park is home to over 2 million migratory animals. We drive across the vast plains in search of lion, cheetah, giraffe, elephant, etc. Leaving the Serengeti behind we drive past Olduvai Gorge, which was made famous by the Leakey’s in their quest for the origin of mankind. Fragments of a skull were unearthed in 1959 dated at 1.8 million years old and later in 1979 the Laetoli footprints were discovered dating back 3.5 million years. These findings made major world headline news as it showed evolution was centred in Africa and not Asia as most theories previously stated. We have now reached Ngorongoro Crater considered by many to be the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. Unique in the fact that it supports its own ecological systems in such a small area. The crater is no more than 20 km in diameter, but it boasts more than 30,000 head of game. We use Land Rovers to travel from the rim down, 700 metres, to the floor of the crater and view the wildlife. Dependent on the season the lime lake is carpeted with pink flamingos. You will also encounter other crater residents - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, zebra and gazelle to mention a few.
**Day 5**
We take a day off after our busy game viewing experience and stay near the dusty town of Arusha where you can try out your trading skills in the colourful ebony markets.
**Day 6 & 7**
A day’s drive south, passing beneath the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, is Dar es Salaam and the beckoning shores of the Indian Ocean. The East Coast of this vast continent is our set off point for a few days on Zanzibar Island. Dr Livingstone and others began their journeys through Africa here.
**Day 8, 9, 10 & 11**
Zanzibar was for many years the slave capital of Africa until the British abolished slavery in the late 1800’s. It is now a Spice Island and Mecca for people that love white sandy beaches, seafood and crystal clear waters. Many hours can be spent wandering around the narrow winding alleyways of the Old Stone Town. Spice Tours can be organised where you are taken into the countryside to see the plantations and sample the spices and tropical fruits, which the island is so famous for. Offshore is Changuu/Prison Island; boat trips can be arranged to go snorkelling or to see the giant tortoises. So much culture and beauty to discover, either on a guided tour or by hiring motorbikes or a jeep - map in hand and discovering it yourself. Great reef diving here too!
**Day 12 & 13**
After returning from Zanzibar, we drive south-west passes through largely untouched and rich countryside, featuring the stunning baobab - the upside down tree of African legend. We travel through a combination of interesting market towns, Mikumi National Park and varying scenery - barren plains, marshy swampland, forestry reserves and, of course, many rural villages dotted amongst the tea, coffee and banana plantations.
**Day 14, 15, 16, & 17**
The warm heart of Africa - Malawi beckons. We''ll make our way down the shoreline of Lake Malawi, beach hopping along the way. Malawians are a very proud people and the intricate ebony carvings they produce are of an excellent standard. Don''t miss out on the Malawi chairs. Seeing them carve out the wood, creating the story told by each chair makes them that much more special. They are also some of the friendliest people you will meet and a visit to some of the local villages is a must. One of our first major stops here is the secluded Kande Beach; the white sands stretch for miles along the lake edge and provide one of the best places for swimming in Africa. There is a professional PADI diving instructor for those interested in scuba diving - qualified or not. Or just take time out to snorkel around Kande Island with over 240 known species of tropical fish in warm clear waters - you won’t be disappointed! For those wanting to escape the beach there is the opportunity to go with a local guide through the village to the forest nearby, taking this opportunity to satisfy your curiosity about local traditions and culture. Before leaving the white sandy beaches we head to the capital – Lilongwe.
**Day 18, 19 & 20**
We transit through the contrasting scenery of Zambia - through areas of thick bush, opening to savannah and the sparsely populated hilly north, stopping to replenish our supplies at the markets in Lusaka before arriving at Lake Kariba.
**Day 21, 22 & 23**
Here we board a houseboat for a 2-day, 3 night trip, which comes complete with dinghies for those who wish to try their hand at tiger fishing, or perhaps you would rather use it for viewing game closer to the shore. Magnificent sunsets, behind the dead Mopane trees are breathtaking, and sleeping in cabins or on the deck beneath one of the most amazing star-studded skies will be a memory that will remain with you long after your return home. Nearly thirty years ago the construction of a dam at the Kariba Township transformed the middle Zambezi River into the third largest man made lake in the world. The lake is abundant with vast numbers of hippopotami, crocodile, birds and many other species of wildlife, including elephant, come to its edge to drink.
**Day 24 & 25**
From Kariba we travel to Livingstone, the Zambian side of the famous Mosi-oa-tunya, ''The Smoke that Thunders'', the local name of Victoria Falls. The Zambezi River plunges headlong into a sheer-sided chasm, 100 metres deep, at a rate of 45 million litres per minute. The view moved Dr Livingstone to say, ''Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight''. Here we take the chance to go on a rhino walk in the Zambezi National Park, before the option of a sunset cruise on the upper Zambezi River.
**Day 26, 27 & 28**
Crossing the border in Zimbabwe we arrive at the Victoria Falls Township. Here we have the chance to take in some of the many adventure sports on offer. The best way to get the overall view of the falls is the ''Flight of Angels'', an aerial tour over the chasm by light aircraft, ultralite, micro light or helicopter. Local conditions permitting, we will have the opportunity for an exhilarating ride down the Zambezi rapids, white water rafting. Other optional activities include bungi jumping, canoeing, game walks/drives, elephant ride, jet boating, gorge swing or perhaps a visit to one of the local characters, a n’anga (fortune-teller). There are plenty of activities here to suit everyone. In addition to those listed as optional highlights, here are a few other things in and around Victoria Falls Township. Pushbikes and mopeds can be hired and ridden through game areas), there’s a crocodile farm, craft markets, even afternoon tea at the delightfully posh Victoria Falls Hotel or gambling at The Kingdom! But don’t forget to go and experience the amazing falls themselves.
**Day 29 & 30**
We drive 70km southwest and cross a land-border into Botswana. It is a huge country, about the size of France, but virtually dead flat and home to only one million people. Over the past fifty years it has gone from being an unwanted poor relation to the rest of the continent, to becoming one of Africa’s most wealthy and stable countries. Botswana is mostly desert but within those dry expanses are two jewels…huge deposits of diamonds and untouched wildlife areas which include Chobe National Park. We camp on the banks of the huge Chobe River and use Land cruisers to take us into the park for some leisurely game driving. Wildlife is plentiful in Chobe particularly elephant, lion, buffalo, plains game, hippo and crocodiles. The bird life, which can be seen and photographed on our boat cruise, is also excellent. Some birds commonly seen are egrets, kingfishers, herons and the raptor, whose lyrical whistle is so distinctive, the African Fish Eagle.
**Day 31**
Dry flat Botswana rolls out on either side of the road as we head into Maun, the wild-west town of the safari industry. This dusty town is a rapidly developing tourist centre where modern supermarkets and shopping malls have sprung up amongst the mud huts and chaos of a typical sprawling African village. Camping under enormous Rain trees at a secluded campsite, we prepare for three days of wilderness experience in the Okavango Delta.
**Day 32, 33 & 34**
The delta is essentially a depression in the Earth’s surface covered in desert sand, where a huge river pours in, fans out and eventually ceases to flow. A giant swamp has been created at this inland delta, which is scattered with palm trees, islands, papyrus-lined channels and a wealth of flora and fauna. We travel by traditional wooden dugout canoe and camp on an island taking time out to simply relax and enjoy being amongst nature. Photographers should take plenty of film. Bird life here is exceptional; there are literally hundreds of different species. Look out for the electric blue plumage of the lilac breasted roller, bright crimson of the carmine bee-eaters, the tiny jewel-like malachite kingfisher and the African jacana, who stalk about on the lily pads, as they feed on insects.
**Day 35**
From here we head west and begin our exploration of Namibia. This country only gained independence from South Africa in 1990 and is still settling into self-rule and planning for a future, which looks very positive. It is a stable, peaceful nation with a population of 1.3 million. This is made up of an interesting mix of Germans (who also colonised Namibia), South Africans, San Bushmen, Herero, Ovambo, Nama and other tribal groups. San Bushmen are typically small in stature with weatherworn faces. They are believed to carry some of the oldest genetic material of all humans. Some Bushmen now sell traditional objects as souvenirs, such as arrows, ostrich shell gourds and spears. Herero women traditionally wear huge Victorian-style dresses and a distinctive headdress. This colourful mode of dress was adapted by the cattle-herding tribe from the clothes worn by the wives of early missionaries. Be sure to ask politely before you take a photograph!
**Day 36, 37 & 38**
Etosha National Park covers 23,000sq km of Mopane and Acacia woodland, centred by a huge saltpan stretching over 130km. The pan is completely void of any plant life and totally dries up in summer to become a cracked white flatland where animal footprints lead mysteriously off into dazzling mirages. Waterholes around the pan’s periphery and those under floodlights at the campsites support an array of game large and small. Etosha is a particularly good park in which to view lion and rhino.
**Day 39 & 40**
Onwards through the solitude of rocky desert we pass through the isolated townships of Outjo and Khorixas before reaching the paintings and engravings at Twyfelfontein. These stunning depictions of people and animals are the work of early Khoi and Bushmen. Some drawings are believed to be 5000 years old.
**Day 41, 42 and 43**
Further west again we reach the cool Atlantic Ocean and visit a well-populated seal colony at Cape Cross. We then skirt the coastline down to Swakopmund, a seaside resort set amongst sand dunes. Fishing here is open to beginners as well as experts and if you have never caught a fish before, now is the time to have a go. It’s not difficult! Sea salmon and small sharks are abundant and it is also interesting to observe the rich marine life and the coastal dune lands from your sea-going trawler. We take a day out in the dunes riding quad bikes and sand boarding (headfirst on plywood or standing up snowboard-style). There are some friendly pubs and restaurants as well as tasty treats to be found at the German pastry shops.
**Day 44 and 45**
Continuing south, we enter the Namib Desert in the early hours of the morning. The truck is parked and we take time out to climb the 300m high dunes and await the sunrise. The reddish dunes line a gravelled valley where only the hardiest of plant or animal survives. It is a strange and silent landscape but very captivating and inspirational for photographers.
**Day 46 and 47**
Avoiding the restricted diamond mining areas in the southern part of the Namib Desert, we move on to Fish River Canyon, second only in size to Colorado’s Grand Canyon. This massive fissure in the Earth’s crust has steep sides which narrow pathways wind to the bottom through rocks and crags. The river stops flowing in the scorching heat of summer, although large enough pools remain to sustain the fish population. Onto Orange River with the option of canoeing down this beautiful river, before we head onto South Africa.
**Day 48**
We get a feel for colonial times in South Africa, as we drive on to Stellenbosch which has many old Cape Dutch buildings, set among huge trees and elegant streets. It is the heart of the grape-growing region and we will be sure to sample some of the fine wine produce as we go.
**Day 49**
Meandering south through this beautiful countryside we arrive at the final destination of our journey, Cape Town. Wedged between steep-sided Table Mountain and the wide blue sea, Cape Town is probably one of the most attractively situated cities in the world. It is modern, relaxed and full of things to see and do. Whether you walk or ride in a cable car, the trip up 1000m High Table Mountain is well worth the stunning views from the top. The city also has a castle, museums, gardens, the waterfront and plenty of happening nightlife.
**IMPORTANT NOTE**
All Bukima Tours are flexible and we do our utmost to take you to the best places we possibly can. Our expeditions can sometimes be effected by local climatic conditions, politics or anything else unexpected so please treat this information as a guideline only. “Africa Wins Again” is a phrase which comes in handy to help someone see the big picture when the road gets washed away, they can’t get through on the phone/fax/e-mail or a baboon nicks their knickers off the tent fly etc, etc. When you come to Africa be prepared to take things as they come and above all don’t forget your sense of humour!
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Bukima Adventure Tavel
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Nairobi
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