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African Secrets
With
African Routes
Departing from
Nairobi
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Kenya
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Prices from around $934
**DAYS 1- 5: MOUNT KENYA / MARSABIT / MOYALE**
Departing Nairobi, we head north to Mount Kenya National Park, host to elephant, black rhino, leopard and Colobus monkey. Rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes make Mount Kenya one of the most impressive landscapes of East Africa. The Trans East African Highway, a gravel road, takes us through the Kaisut Desert to Marsabit National Reserve. We are accompanied by armed guards due to reports of banditry. Marsabit, a forested mountain rising spectacularly from the middle of a desert wilderness, is a green oasis with three beautiful crater lakes and an abundance of birdlife. We continue to Moyale, a bustling border town marking our entry into Ethiopia.
**DAYS 6 – 11: RIFT VALLEY LAKES / AWASH / ADDIS ABABA**
This country has a unique combination of historical, cultural and stunning natural attractions, eight of which are World Heritage Sites. We camp near Lake Shalla, the deepest of the Rift Valley Lakes. It’s exceptionally beautiful, with shores that give a scent of mystery with their hot sulphurous springs. In Awash National Park we camp above the falls at the river’s edge. The Awash River Gorge in the south of the park has some impressive waterfalls. Rafting may be possible*. We continue to Addis Ababa, where the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy are a museum exhibit. Explore the magnificent Menelek''s Palace and the Merkato, Africa’s largest outdoor market, where virtually every possible commodity is on sale. Try out your bargaining skills; there is a huge selection of Ethiopian arts and crafts.
**DAYS 12 – 14: LAKE TANA / GONDAR / SIMIEN MOUNTAINS**
>From Addis Ababa our drive climbs onto the plateau as we continue on to Debre Markos, where you can view the Blue Nile Gorge, an incredible one and a half kilometre deep canyon. Bahir Dar is the nearest town to Africa''s second largest waterfall. The Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tis Isat- ''smoke of fire'', are a dramatic spectacle. At Lake Tana, tankwa or reed-boat trips to view the magnificently preserved Island Monasteries of the thirteenth century are a popular option*. Gondar, described as the “Camelot of Africa”, is the impressive site of numerous medieval castle-like palaces and churches. It’s on our way to the Simien Mountain National Park where mule-trekking* is the best way to travel around the challenging terrain. The mountain scenery is dramatic: crags, pinnacles and flat-topped mountains,'' the chess pieces of the Gods'', towering over precipitous gorges.
**DAYS 15 – 17: AL GEDARIF / KHARTOUM**
We cross into Sudan where its hospitable people welcome us. The road to Al Gedarif, where we stop for supplies, is a challenging drive then we’re back on tar to Khartoum. Arriving at the Blue Nile Sailing Club, with its great views of where the Blue and White Niles join, we pitch tents in the grounds, keen for a shower and a few days rest. The ‘Melik’ which Lord Kitchener used to recapture Sudan sits in dry dock at the Club. On the other bank of the White Nile lies Omdurman. Its Souq is a genuine market area for local people and sells almost everything.
**DAYS 18 - 22: DONGOLA / RIVER NILE / WADI HALFA**
The going from Khartoum is tough. The soft sand is demanding for our driver and all passengers pitch in to keep the vehicle on the move. With one eye on the River Nile, which cuts a green strip through the endless Nubian Desert, we follow the desert tracks north. Our time spent desert camping in Sudan is a memorable experience.
We take the ferry crossing at Dongola and continue to Wadi Halfa. This stretch of the route is scenic, with attractively painted houses in the villages and temples on the opposite shore. The transit point of Wadi Halfa is at the southern end of Lake Nasser, one of the world''s largest artificial lakes.
**DAYS 23 – 28: LAKE NASSER / ASWAN / LUXOR / CAIRO**
Leaving the Overcoach behind, we cross Lake Nasser by ferry to Aswan. We pass the famous site of the incredible temples of Abu Simbel, rescued from the waters of the rising Nile by an engineering miracle in the 1960s. In Egypt, we make use of local transport. Hiring a felucca sailboat* is an excellent way to experience the sights.
In Luxor (Thebes) it’s possible to use a local guide* with donkeys, to explore the west bank of the Nile, site of the fascinating Valley of the Kings and Queens and Tutankhamoun’s burial chamber. The Luxor and Karnak Temples* are worth a visit and there are plenty of opportunities for souvenir shopping in the colourful bazaars.
We board the overnight train to Cairo, Africa’s largest city. Encountering the capital for the first time is quite an experience, it''s unlike any other place on earth. The Pyramids of Giza, guarded by the famous Sphinx, are surely one of the first sites you will want to visit*.
Our crossing of these four incredible countries comes to an end. However, there is so much to see in and around Cairo that we recommend you allow some extra time here.
* Optional, at own expense.
Not Included: + Kitty payment US$200A separate kitty payment, in addition to the tour price. This kitty is managed by the group. Please note this must be paid in cash – currency is US$ to the driver at the start of the tour. It covers expenses such as food and accommod
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| Tour Category:
Adventure tours
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| Fitness Required: Moderate |
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| Company :
African Routes
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| Days: 28 |
| Departs :
Nairobi
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| Budget Tours: Africa
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Kenya
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Nairobi
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