Gondar<- ->Cape Town (EGW)

Cape Town 22 Nov 2012

Border Information: If joining in Cape Town, enter Cape Town at airport.

You can arrive at any time on day one, as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting tonight at 6pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. After the group meeting there is the option of joining the group for dinner.  We stay in a hotel situated in Cape Town's popular, lively and vibrant Kloof Street with a large variety of restaurants, coffee shops, cafe's and bars all within walking distance.

Hotel for the night: Saasveld Lodge

Citrusdal 23 Nov 2012

This morning you have time to relax in Cape Town. Later this day we travel approx. 290km to Citrusdal.  Tonight we stay in a well equipped camp site.

Noordoewer 24 Nov 2012

Border Information: Exit South Africa at Noordoewer, enter Namibia at Noordoewer

Today we pass through Namaqualand to arrive at the beautiful Orange River, the natural border between South Africa and Namibia. It takes about an hour to exit South Africa and enter Namibia. Later we head for our camp on the banks of this river approx. 540 km.

Fish River Canyon, Noordoewer 25 Nov 2012

This morning there is a chance for an optional canoe adventure on the beautiful Orange River before we head 160Kms further west into the desert lands of Namibia towards Fish River Canyon. There are remarkable photographic opportunities here, as we take in the sunset orange glows before heading to our campsite.

Sesriem & Soussusvlei, Namib Desert 26 Nov 2012

A driving day as we head 500Kms towards the fabled dunes of Namibia. The most famous part of the Namib Desert is its vast dune fields, the most spectacular of which are found near the Sesriem Canyon.

Sesriem & Soussusvlei 27 Nov 2012

Early morning climb to the top of the dunes for a dramatic sunrise view across a vast sea of sand and opportunity for a trip to Soussusvlei.  We then head off to our first bush camp of the trip in the desert approx. 240km

Swakopmund 28 Nov to 30 Nov 2012

From the desert, we continue on to the old German colonial town of Swakopmund for plenty of adventure activities on offer, the drive is approx. 320km. Our accommodation here is in bungalows that accomodate 6 people each.

Spitzkoppe, Cape Cross 01 Dec 2012

Experience the sight, sound and smell of thousands of olive-coloured seals on the shores of Cape Cross while travelling up the eerie Atlantic Coast on our journey to Sptitzkoppe approx. 240km.  Our bush camp has very limited facilities.

Etosha National Park 02 Dec 2012

Today we head to Etosha NP, one of the world's most pre-eminent wildlife areas with good chance to see the big five. We will stay in the park for a couple of days to give us plently of time for game drives.

Tonight we camp in Okaukuejo, a particularly spectacular camp as it overlooks a floodlit waterhole visited by many different species throughout the day and night.

Etosha National Park 03 Dec 2012

Today we game drive through the park and overnight in Namutoni another particularly spectacular camp as this also has a floodlit waterhole visited by many different species throughout the day and night

Grootfontein 04 Dec 2012

Today we head towards our campsite just outside of Grootfontein. On the way we will stop to replenish our food supply approx. 300 km.

Rundu, Grootfontein & Bushmanland 05 Dec 2012

This morning we visit the Bushmen village for our bushwalk.  We then head off to Rundu (approx. 290km) where we camp at a beautiful & tranquil spot on the banks of the Kavango River. 

Bagani 06 Dec 2012

Relax at Rundu in the morning before heading to our camp at Bagani in Namibia (approx 200km).  It is from this camp located in the Namibian Caprivi Strip that we organise our visit to the Okavango Delta in Botswana. 

Okavango Delta 07 Dec 2012

Border Information: Exit Namibia at Muhembo, enter Botswana at Muhembo.

We drive across the border into Botswana, approx. 320km, and join our transport for the journey into the Delta from Seronga. You will be in the middle of a wilderness area and on the first night out you will camp out on an island away from civilisation. The Delta is of the world's most fascinating ecosystems. We will explore it in our small dugout styled canoes, poled out into the reed beds of the Delta

Okavango Delta 08 Dec 2012

We continue our trip around the Delta and then return to Gao Island and head to the relative civilisation of Umvuvu Camp with its hot showers and small bar.

Bagani 09 Dec 2012

Border Information: Exit Botswana at Muhembo, enter Namibia at Muhembo.

Today we leave the Delta and re enter Namibia and drive to Bagani, approx. 150 km. A free day to relax or take part in activites at the campsite.

Kasane, Bagani 10 Dec 2012

Border Information: Exit Namibia at Ngoma, enter Botswana at Ngoma.

Bagani to Chobe National Park is quite a long drive, approx. 430km. We re-enter Botswana at Goma border, which is also the gateway to the park.  We stay on the outskirts of Chobe near the town of Kasane which will be our base for our visit to Chobe National Park.

Chobe National Park, Kasane 11 Dec 2012

Today is spent in Chobe NP which is principally renowned for its elephants. In the morning there is a game drive and the afternoon we take a cruise down the Chobe River.

Victoria Falls 12 Dec 2012

Border Information: Exit Botswana at Kazangula, enter Zimbabwe at Kazangula. 

Moving on from the Chobe, we cross the border into Zimbabwe. It's only a short drive to the town of Victoria Falls, approx 115km, located very close to the mighty Victoria Falls. We experience one of our journey's highlights- a visit to the magnificent Victoria Falls. The remainder of our time in Victoria Falls is free to allow you to participate in some of the many optional activities on offer.   Our campground is centrally located. It has ablution blocks, comprising showers and toilets.

Victoria Falls 13 Dec 2012

Border Information: If joining in Vic Falls, enter Zimbabwe at Vic Falls airport.

Group meeting at 18.00hrs.  Tonight we will stay in a well equipped campsite in the heart of Vic Falls.

Hotel for the night: Victoria Falls Rest Camp

Victoria Falls 14 Dec 2012

Today you make your way to the Victoria Falls National Park to visit to the falls themselves and the rest of the day is free for various activities and excursions to choose from both on the water, on land or high above it all. Choose from white water rafting, Helicopter flights, Bungi jumping etc.  Tonight we will stay at the same campsite.

Hwange National Park 15 Dec 2012

After breakfast we head towards Hwange National Park (190 km, approx 3-4 hours) stopping en route to visit the Painted Dog Conservation Group for an insight into the plight of the African Wild Dog.  We head off on an afternoon game drive in 4 x 4s within the park. Tonight we will camp in the National park.

Bulawayo 16 Dec 2012

Up early we once more embark on an early morning game drive withing the park before we travel 310kms to Bulawayo. In Bulawayo we stay in a campground with shared facilities, upgrades are available.

Bulawayo, Matobo National Park 17 Dec 2012

Up early the following morning we venture out for the day to explore the Matobo National Park, home to a large population of black and white rhinoceros. We have an incredible safari to track them on foot.

Masvingo 18 Dec 2012

A360kms drive today takes is to Masvingo the oldest colonial settlement in Zimbabwe and the perfect base to explore the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.  We will have the whole afternoon to explore the ruins. Our campground in Masvingo has shared facilities.

Harare 19 Dec 2012

Today we head to Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. Arriving in time for lunch we have the afternoon to explore the city on our own or relax at our campground.

Lusaka, Chipata 20 Dec to 21 Dec 2012

Border information: Exit Zimbabwe at Chirundu, Enter Zambia at Chirundu

We have two long days to cover with just over 1000kms to cover. Day 8 will see us crossing over to Zambia. Starting with a scenic drive to the border, we cover 450Kms, approx 8hrs today.

 We camp just outside Lusaka, The capital city of Zambia. The following day we continue to make our way through the heartland of Zambia towards the border with Malawi. We spend a final night in Zambia. Travel distance covered is 600Kms – approx 10hrs.

Kande 22 Dec 2012

Border information: Exit Zambia at Chipata, Enter Malawi at Mchinji

Today we travel to Lake Malawi where we base ourselves for the next couple of days.

Our campsite is right on the shore of Lake Malawi.

Kande 23 Dec 2012

Free day at Kande beach on Lake Malawi for relaxation and activities like horse riding or visit to local tribal village. Overnight at same lakeside campsite

Chitimba 24 Dec 2012

Today we drive 235 km (approx 5-6 hours) and camp in Chitimba on the northern shores of Lake Malawi and only 120 km from the Tanzanian border. Here we overnight at a campsite with good facilities.

Iringa 25 Dec 2012

Border Information: Exit Malawi at Kaporo, enter Tanzania at Kaporo.

Long travel day as we enter Tanzania and its southern highlands.
We set up camp before the town of Iringa (530km, approx. 9-10 hours) on the grounds of a local farmhouse.

Dar Es Salaam, Mikumi 26 Dec 2012

Heading for Dar es Salaam on the coast we travel through Mikumi National Park. The journey today is 530kms. Once in Dar es Salaam, we set up camp on a balmy beach outside of the city.

Zanzibar 27 Dec 2012

This morning we travel to the Dar es Salaam port and catch a local ferry to Zanzibar. The ferry is quite comfortable with airline type seats. The journey time is around 90 minutes. When we reach Zanzibar we clear customs and immigration after which we will make our way to our hotel in Stone Town.

Zanzibar 28 Dec 2012

On our second day here we take in a guided Spice tour before heading to the northern beaches and enjoy white sand and sparkling blue sea. Our accommodation on these nights is in twin share rooms with ensuites.

Zanzibar 29 Dec 2012

There is plenty of time on the northern beaches to enjoy the Indian Ocean at its best. Try snorkeling or diving, eat sumptuous seafood, or simply relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree with a good book.

Dar Es Salaam 30 Dec 2012

Today we transfer back to the ferry (approx. 45 minutes) and return to our campsite by the beach outside Dar es Salaam arriving in the late afternoon.

Marangu 31 Dec 2012

We overland most of the day as we climb high onto the slopes of Kilimanjaro and to the village of Marangu, the journey is about 560km. We camp in the grounds of the very colonial Marangu hotel where upgrades may be available.

Mshiri Village, Arusha 01 Jan 2013

Early start to view Kilimanjaro & then walking tour of Mshiri Village.  After sampling a delicious local lunch on the tour we head to  our campsite on the outskirts of Arusha (120Km, 5Hrs) where we camp for the night.

Serengeti National Park 02 Jan 2013

Today we are up with the sun and after packing our camping and personal gear into 6 person jeeps we make an early start, heading out through the Ngorongoro Crater reserve and conservation area to our Campiste in the Serengeti National Park.

On a Dragoman trip you will bush camp within the Sergengeti park itself. The camps we stay at are very simple, although they do have showers and flush toilets, located in the middle of the plains, surrounded by the wildlife - falling asleep to the nocturnal noises of Serengeti is a truly unique experience. During your stay your leader will outline the basic safety rules and precautions that must be followed when camping in an unfenced location where wild animals are present.

Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park 03 Jan 2013

Full day game driving in the Serengeti NP before before heading back to the Serengeti camp site for our second night.

Ngorongoro Crater, Mto Wa Mbu 04 Jan 2013

Leaving the Serengeti very early this morning we visit the world famous Ngorongoro Crater.  We will descend into the crater on a fabulous game drive and picnic lunch before heading to our well equipped campsite in the village of Mto Wa Mbu where we will enjoy our last camp group  meal together.

Nairobi 05 Jan 2013

Border Information: If Joining in Nairobi, enter Kenya at Nairobi Airport.

Group meeting at 18:00hrs. Staying in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.

If you arrive early why not head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum (author of Out of Africa), or Bomas (displays of traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes in an outdoor village).

Hotel for the night: Kivi Milimani Hotel

Lake Naivasha 06 Jan 2013

This morning we depart for our camp on the shores of Lake Naivasha (140 km, approx 3-4 hours), one of the most beautiful of the Great Rift Valley bodies of water, to relax by the lakeside.

Our camp ground has showers and flush toilets.

Nakuru National Park 07 Jan to 08 Jan 2013

We have the morning free to explore a little more before departing for our campsite near to Nakuru town (120 km, approx 2-3 hours).

The following day we head into Nakuru National Park for a game drive in Jeeps.

Naro Moru 09 Jan 2013

Leaving the park early this morning, we travel through fantastic scenery as we travel to the slopes of Mt Kenya, spending the night on the grounds of one of the many lodges that are dotted around the area.

We might choose to utilise one of our spare days here to explore nearby Sweet Water Game Sanctuary or take the opportunity to explore the lower slopes of Mt Kenya.

Samburu National Reserve, Samburu community village visit 10 Jan to 11 Jan 2013

We travel on to Samburu National Reserve (140 km, approx 4-5hours).

We'll take a game drive into the park and also visit a Samburu Village just outside the Samburu National Reserve

The camp is in the heart of the park. Facilities are drop toilets and cold showers.

Moyale, Marsabit 12 Jan to 13 Jan 2013

The following day we travel on to Marsabit (240 km, approx 6-7 hours). We will travel through the black lunar landscape and pass mountain greenery, spectacular craters, watercourses, bush country and termite mounds.

Due to security issues in this particular area we will be accompanied by a police escort.

The following day we cross the border in to Ethiopia and the border town of Moyale (265 km, approx 7-8 hours), where we set up camp.

Konso 14 Jan 2013

We have a full day of travel on towards Konzo (330 km, approx 7-8 hours) home to the local Konso people. We will have time to explore the local market and perhaps take a tour of some traditional houses.

Omo Valley Region 15 Jan to 17 Jan 2013

In the far south of the country lies the Omo Valley area. We drive down through this remote region (145 km, approx 5-6 hours) to the settlement of Turmi which is our launch point for the Omo Valley.  From here we will spend 3 nights and 4 days visiting a combination of markets and small tribal settlements in the surrounding region.

You should be aware we will be travelling through very remote areas where road and sanitary conditions will be rough.  We will staying in basic camp sites.

Arba Minch 18 Jan to 19 Jan 2013

The following day we drive to Arba Minch (110 km, approx 2-3 hours).

We spend time here to allow exploration of the area. Options include a five-hour boat trip into Lake Chamo National Park to the Crocodile Market.

For those who prefer a less strenuous day, you can hire bikes and ride around the local area, or perhaps visit the local government-run crocodile farm.

In Arba Minch for two nights we stay in a hotel.

Wendo Genet 20 Jan 2013

We head today to Wendo Genet located approx. 35Kms from the town of Awasa located on the shores of Lake Awasa.

Tonight we will camp in the grounds of the Hot Spring Hotel.
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Awassa 21 Jan 2013

Today we will head to Awassa to visit the Awassa Childrens Project which is an organisation dedicated to housing, feeding, educating, providing health care and AIDS Education to children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

After visiting the project we will stop in Awassa town for shopping and stay overnight in Awassa Town in a small local run pension.

Bale Mountains National Park 22 Jan to 24 Jan 2013

Leaving Wendo Genet we drive on towards the Bale Mountains National Park (280 km, approx. 10-11 hours).

We will drive high onto the plateau in search of the Simien fox and, time allowing, you may be able to hire horses and follow the riding trails.

In the Bale Mountains we stay in a lodge.

Lake Ziway, Tulu Gudo Island 25 Jan to 26 Jan 2013

North of the town of Shashemene is the beautiful Lake Ziway.

We will stay at Lake Ziway for 2 nights during which time we will take a boat tour across Lake Ziway to Tulu Gudo Island for a guided tour. 

During your time at Lake Ziway you will also have the option to become involved in the Stoves and Livelihoods community project whereby you can make a donation to the project.

Our 2 nights will be spent in a small local run hotel.

Addis Ababa 27 Jan 2013

We travel from Lake Abiyata to Addis Ababa (215 km, approx 5-6 hours).

Why not take the chance to head to one of the city's many restaurants for the chance to eat some local food and perhaps listen to some traditional music.

In Addis Ababa we stay in a hotel.

Addis Ababa 28 Jan 2013

Border Information: If Joining in Addis enter Ethiopia at Addis Airport.

There will be a group meeting at 18.00hrs.

We stay for 2 nights in a comfortable hotel with good facilities in Addis Ababa.

Hotel for the night: Hotel Taitu

Addis Ababa 29 Jan 2013

Why not take the chance to head to one of the city's many restaurants for the chance to eat some local food and perhaps listen to some traditional music.

Dejen 30 Jan 2013

We spend a night in Dejen (260 km, approx 7-8 hours), visiting the Blue Nile Gorge en route.

We cross the dramatic Blue Nile Gorge which is 1 km deep, taking a couple of hours to drive down to the bottom, cross the river and drive back up the other side.

Bahir Dar 31 Jan to 02 Feb 2013

Travel on to Bahir Dar (270 km, approx. 6-7 hours), where we have a 3 night stay. Located on the shores of Lake Tana and only a few hundred metres from the source of the mighty Blue Nile, this is a fascinating place.

In Bahir Dar we stay in a hotel.

Lalibela 03 Feb to 05 Feb 2013

Full day journey of 310 km to the medieval town of Lalibela where we stay for 3 nights in a Local, friendly hotel.

We walk with a local guide who is able to unlock the fascinating history of both the churches and Lalibela itself.

In Lalibela we stay in a basic hotel.

Woldiya 06 Feb 2013

Leaving the town behind we travel around 170 km (approx 7-8 hours) before bushcamping for the night.

Mekele 07 Feb 2013

From our bush camp it is a full day's journey to Mekele (266 km, approx 8-9 hours).

Mekele is the base for exploring the intriguing rock-hewn churches of Tigray. Sculpted into cliff faces or pre-existing caves, there are at least 120 churches with many of the churches located in clusters; the most famous being Gheralta, Takatisfi, Tembien and Atsbi.

Axum 08 Feb to 09 Feb 2013

It is a full day's journey from Mekele to Axum (300 km, approx 8-9 hours).

Once in Axum (Aksum), we take a guided city tour which will take in the main sights of this fascinating town, the site of Ethiopia's oldest city.

In Axum (Aksum) we stay in a basic hotel.

Enda Selassie 10 Feb 2013

Leaving Axum behind we travel toward Debark (255 km, approx 13 hours). it a very long travel day to Debark. Whilst the distance is not to far the roads in this part of Ethiopia are rough. We may choose to break the journey and stop over in Sellassie for the night if the roads are particularly bad.

Debark 11 Feb 2013

Once in Debark we set to arranging our trek into the mountains. The process can take quiet some time as we arrange permits, campsites and scouts and guides.

Simien Mountains National Park, Debark 12 Feb to 14 Feb 2013

We will trek for the next two days, the route we take and time we trek each day will be decided by you as a group, it is also possible to spilt in to two groups if need be. The adventurous may choose to hire mules to trek even further in search of klipspringer, Walia ibex or the gelada baboon and perhaps if you are lucky a glimpse of an endangered Simien fox. This park is very impressive, with huge volcanic cores jutting up from the plateau to from high altitude plains where only grasses, junipers and giant lobelias grow. There are some fabulous views to be enjoyed. 

In the Simien Mountains we stay for two nights at a campsite. 

The following day we will return to Debark for the night.

Gondar 15 Feb 2013

Leaving the mountains behind, we travel on to Gonder (100 km, approx 4 -5 hours).

We spend two nights in Gonder at a small pension.

Gondar 16 Feb 2013

Today take our tour of Gonder where we gain a fascinating insight into ancient times.

Gondar 17 Feb 2013

Border Information: If finishing in Gonder, exit Ethiopia at Gonder Airport.

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Gonder.

For passengers continuing their journey on to Khartoum your night stop will not be in Gonder.  Instead today you will have a drive day of approx 400kms crossing the border into Sudan to the Gedaref area where tonight we will aim to Bush camp.