Prices from around $1007
LAKES AND GAME PARKS
4 Weeks Nairobi to Victoria Falls
Kenya – Tanzania – Malawi – Zambia – Zimbabwe
What’s Included
Accommodation: CampingMeals: All meals while camping
Excursions: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater Reserve – Mikumi National Park (transit) – Lake Kariba House Boat – Rhino Walk Transport: Bukima Vehicle – Land rover – House boat – on foot
Staff: Tour Leader and Driver
**Day 1:** Crossing 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. An early morning Balloon ride is a great way to see this massive area. 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 - with 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.
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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| Tour Category:
Adventure tours
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Bukima Adventure Tavel
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| Days: 0 |
| Departs :
Nairobi
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