Africa Encompassed Northbound

All content by Intrepid

60 days (ex Cape Town)

Destinations visited: Malawi, Kenya, Nairobi, Namibia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zanzibar Archipelago, Uganda, South Africa, Cape Town, Zimbabwe, Botswana, World

Physical rating:
Culture shock rating:

Physical Ratings

The physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows:

Rating 1

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about doing anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

Rating 3

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Rating 4

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5

Intrepid’s highest physical rating. Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure with plenty of challenges and some extreme conditions. You will be required to be seriously fit for this trip as difficult activities are included.

Culture Shock Ratings

The culture shock rating considers the level of development in the location, the area's infrastructure and how easy it is to access services. It also takes into consideration how different the food and customs are and whether English is widely spoken. While generalisations are always tricky, here’s a summary of the ratings:

Rating 1

This is the least confronting of Intrepid's product range. English is the native language and the food, customs and access to services will be familiar to you.

Rating 2

You will probably have experienced food like this in restaurants back home and English is commonly spoken. Services are available most of the time but there may be some cultural differences.

Rating 3

Expect some culture shock. You will be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

Rating 4

The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.

Rating 5

You're really out there! You'll need to pay specific attention to health and hygiene. A large proportion of locals' living conditions are a world away from standards you are used to. You may have difficulty finding an English speaker and there is little or no access to services. Paying heed to local customs is essential.

from USD$4,860

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Description

Venture out and witness vast landscapes, natural wonders, towns rich in cultural traditions and modern cities humming with life on this epic tour of Africa. Get ready for 60 days of action, adventure and authentic experiences that will create lasting memories. Starting amid the cosmopolitan cafes and vineyards of Cape Town and finishing in the bustling streets and markets of Nairobi, travel through remote parts of the continent seeing immense canyons, verdant mountains, exotic beaches and simple villages along the way. Stop to witness the power of Victoria Falls, the sweeping beauty of the Serengeti and the awesome scale of the Ngorongoro Crater. Meet the San Bushmen, sample traditional food cooked by the Chagga people, enjoy a gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda and be warmed by the welcoming smiles of locals in Malawi. Camp on balmy beaches in Tanzania, trek through steamy rainforest in Rwanda and see cheeky chimps at play in Uganda. These are experiences to remember forever - this is Africa Encompassed. GUARANTEED GORILLA PERMIT PRICE UNTIL THE END OF 2012

Highlights

Behold the beauty of Cape Town.
Marvel at the immensity of Namibia's Fish River Canyon.
See the seal colonies of Cape Cross.
Witness the stark beauty of the rocky Spitzkoppe.
Meet the San Bushmen of Namibia.
Canoe down the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
Visit the mighty Victoria Falls.
Take a game drive through the incredible Ngorongoro Crater.
Relax beside shimmering Lake Malawi.
Travel on safari through the Serengeti plains in Tanzania.
Be a part of the lively atmosphere in Nairobi.
Track playful chimps in the Kibale Forest.
Cruise into a hippo haven on the Kazinga Channel.
Enjoy a gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda.
Experience peaceful wilderness in Lake Mburo National Park.

Itinerary

Day 1 Cape Town

Boasting vineyards, adventure activities, restaurants and attractions both in and around the city, Cape Town is a delight. It is also the perfect place to kick off the ultimate overland tour of Africa.

Days 2-3 Western Cape/Orange River

Spend a night on a farm then cross into Namibia to camp on the banks of the Orange River.

Day 4 Fish River Canyon

Travel to Fish River Canyon in time for a spectacular sunset over the surrounding region.

Days 5-6 Sesriem/Bush Camp

Climb to the top of one of the world's highest sand dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Wake early to witness sunrise over the golden dunes.

Days 7-9 Swakopmund

Enjoy adventure activities in Swakopmund, an oasis between the desert and the beach.

Day 10 Spitzkoppe

View thousands of seals basking on the shores of Cape Cross before gazing at the wonder of the rocky Spitzkoppe.

Days 11-12 Etosha National Park

From big carnivores to over 340 bird species, there's plenty to spot on this adventure into vast Etosha park, one of the largest national parks in Africa.

Day 13 Grootfontein/San Bushmen

Head out tracking and gathering with the San Bushmen, perhaps picking up a few words of their local 'clicking' language.

Days 14-15 Rundu/Bagani Community Camp

Travel onwards to Rundu before reaching the vast swamps of Bagani.

Days 16-17 Okavango Delta

Make tracks for the expansive Okavango Delta in Botswana. Explore the maze of reed beds and waterways onboard a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe.

Day 18 Bagani Community Camp

Relax in laidback Bagani and perhaps enjoy some of the optional activities, including boat tours, fishing and hiking.

Days 19-20 Chobe National Park

Try to spy swimming elephants, wallowing hippos or sun-loving crocs on a cruise along the Chobe River.

Days 21-23 Victoria Falls

Travel across to Zimbabwe and head to Victoria Falls. Admire the might of the thundering falls, a fitting finale to this epic African adventure.

Days 1-2 Victoria Falls

The journey begins in Zimbabwe's adventure capital. Experience the sheer wonder of the mighty Victoria Falls - they can be heard long before they are seen.

Day 24 Hwange National Park

Learn about the plight of the endangered African wild dog at the Painted Dog Conservation Group. Travel into Hwange National Park to look for elephants and other wildlife on exciting game drives.

Days 25-26 Bulawayo

Enjoy time relaxing in the city of Bulawayo then venture into the Matobo National Park, home to a large population of black and white rhinos. Take a walking safari to track these rare beasts on foot.

Day 27 Masvingo

Explore ancient ruins thought to have once been a palace for Zimbabwean royalty.

Day 28 Harare

Relax amid the gardens and galleries of Harare city.

Day 29-30 Blantyre/Lilongwe

Soak up Malawian culture in the capital Lilongwe. Relax in cafes and restaurants or wander through markets and shops.

Days 31-32 Lake Malawi

Kick back on the peaceful shores of Lake Malawi. Indulge in the many optional water activities on offer and be sure to take the opportunity to meet the locals - Malawians are some of the friendliest people in Africa.

Days 33-34 Chitimba/Iringa

Forge through the green highlands and pitch camp in the grounds of a local farmhouse. Travel back across the plains into Tanzania.

Day 35 Dar es Salaam

Visit Mikumi National Park spotting elephants, buffaloes and giraffes. Camp on a tropical beach outside Dar es Salaam.

Days 36-38 Zanzibar

Plunge into the sensuous delights of Tanzania's tropical playground, Zanzibar, exploring historic Stone Town, touring fragrant spice plantations and lounging under coconut palms beside the Indian Ocean.

Day 39 Dar es Salaam

Return to Dar es Salaam for more beach camping.

Day 40 Marangu

Spend a night amid acres of beautiful tropical gardens in Marangu.

Day 41 Mto Wa Mbu

Meet the Chagga people, sample traditional food and learn about the life of these crop-growers on a visit to the Mt Kilimanjaro village of Mshiri. Afterwards, head to Mto Wa Mbu for the night.

Days 42-43 Ngorongoro Crater/Serengeti National Park

Descend to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater to see an abundance of wildlife including lions, leopards, zebras and rhinos. Then head to the wilds of the Serengeti to embark on thrilling safari drives.

Day 44 Arusha

Peruse the craft market of Mto Wa Mbu and admire the colourful fabrics, crafts and wood carvings on offer. Spend the night in Arusha.

Day 45 Nairobi

Get ready for an animal-spotting adventure through Africa. If arriving early, Kenya's renowned National Museum is a popular place to visit in Nairobi.

Day 46 Lake Nakuru

Meet local children at the Saidia Children's Home Project. See a pink-feathered sea of flamingos and try to spot rhinos on a game drive through Nakuru park.

Days 47-48 Eldoret/Kampala

Cross the border into Uganda and camp near the city of Kampala.

Days 49-50 Kibale Forest National Park

This equatorial rainforest in Kibale Forest National Park is home to the highest concentration of primates in the world, the ideal place to go chimp spotting. Enjoy a walking safari and watch the resident chimpanzees squabbling and playing. Wander through the surrounding tea plantations to visit villages or simply kick back at camp in the grounds of an old colonial bungalow.

Day 51 Queen Elizabeth National Park

Set between the Edward and George lakes in the Great Rift Valley, the Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a wide array of wildlife. Embark on a safari tour to try to spot elephants, lions, buffaloes and antelopes. Cruise the Kazinga Channel where pelicans and eagles soar and hippos wallow.

Day 52 Lake Bunyonyi

Hire a traditional dugout canoe and glide across Lake Bunyonyi to enjoy the amazing scenery, which is some of the most picturesque in Uganda.

Days 53-55 Gorilla Trek

Make tracks across the border into Rwanda and set up camp at Ruhengeri, gateway to the gorilla trekking region. Accompanied by a local guide and trackers, hike through rugged terrain to come face-to-face with rare mountain gorillas - the sight of these gentle mountain giants is unforgettable. Head out on rainforest hikes to glimpse some of the forest's other inhabitants and pay a visit to the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial.

Day 56 Lake Mburo

Travel back into Uganda and on to Lake Mburo, home to the giant eland antelope. Discover plenty of other magnificent animals on walking safaris through this secluded park, which sits alongside Mburo.

Days 57-58 Jinja

Stop at the equator en route to the place thrillseekers flock to in Uganda. Jinja is both a scenic riverside retreat and the perfect place to try a few adventurous activities like whitewater rafting.

Days 59-60 Eldoret/Nairobi

Pass through Eldoret on the way back to the busy streets of Nairobi, where this epic African tour ends.

Group Size

Maximum of 22 travellers per group

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (43 nts), Camping (with basic facilities) (5 nts), Chalet (3 nts), Hotel (3 nts), Dormitory (3 nts), Bungalow (2 nts)

Transport

Overland vehicle, Ferry, 4x4 Safari Vehicle

Budget

Allow USD $650 for meals not included.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with Intrepid Travel on their site

from USD$4,860

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