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.

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

Dominated by spectacular Table Mountain, Cape Town is a city that keeps on giving with its beautiful coastlines, world-class cuisine, excellent wineries and beautiful architecture.

Days 2-3 Western Cape/Orange River

Teeming with hot springs and a great place to camp and hike, Citrusdal is a sweet town set amongst the beautiful scenery of South Africa's Western Cape. Located on the north bank of the Orange River near the South African border, Noordoewer is a great place to see by canoe.

Day 4 Fish River Canyon

A truly spectacular sight to behold, especially at sunset, Fish River Canyon's orange-pink hues and momentous size are awe-inspiring.

Days 5-6 Sesriem/Bush Camp

With the Sesriem Canyon close by and the incredible Sossusvlei sand dunes at its doorstep, tiny Sesriem serves as a gateway to these Namibian wonders. Located in the arid landscape of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, our bush camp sits amongst the spectacular rocks and gravel plains of the Namib Desert.

Days 7-9 Swakopmund

Swakopmund sits on Namibia's Atlantic Coast, virtually surrounded by the Namib Desert, and has beautiful colonial architecture and a large array of adventure sports on offer.

Day 10 Spitzkoppe

With its 700 million-year-old granite peaks, prehistoric rock art and dramatic vistas, Spitzkoppe is another of Namibia's wondrous landscapes.

Days 11-12 Etosha National Park

With excellent game viewing and stunning landscapes, Etosha National Park was established in 1907 and is home to hundreds of animal, reptile and bird species.

Day 13 Grootfontein/San Bushmen

A big farming community famed for its proximity to the Hoba Meteorite, Grootfontein is a lovely town with shady streets and a number of historic buildings.

Days 14-15 Rundu/Bagani Community Camp

Located across the river from Angola, Rundu is a medium-sized town that is well-known for its wood carving and lively open market. Sitting on the banks of the Okavango River, Bagani is a Namibian border town with plenty of river-based activities to enjoy.

Days 16-17 Okavango Delta

Full of animals, islands and unforgettable scenery, the Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland delta and is best explored by mokoro (dugout canoe).

Day 18 Bagani Community Camp

Bagani is a small, friendly town with some good hiking trails along the river and plenty of places to just relax.

Days 19-20 Chobe National Park

With a diverse range of ecosystems, a humungous number of elephants and the largest concentration of game found in Africa, Chobe National Park is safari heaven.

Days 21-23 Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is a town on the Zimbabwean side of the falls, with spectacular views and a reputation as the adventure capital of Zimbabwe.

Day 24 Hwange National Park

Founded in 1928 and the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park has a wealth of beautiful landscapes and a tremendous selection of wildlife.

Days 25-26 Bulawayo

Also known as the 'City of Kings', Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second-largest city and still retains the parks, tree-lined streets and buildings of its colonial past.

Day 27 Masvingo

The oldest colonial settlement in Zimbabwe, Masvingo is the perfect base to explore the Great Zimbabwe Ruins - the national monument the country is named after.

Day 28 Harare

Harare, Zimbabwe's bustling capital, offers plenty to see and do: interesting museums and galleries, peaceful gardens and frenetic markets.

Days 29-30 Lusaka/Chipata

One of the fastest-developing cities in southern Africa, Lusaka is cosmopolitan but still retains a traditional African feel with its busy markets and friendly people. Located close to Zambia's border with Malawi, Chipata is a lively town known for its colourful market and the locals' love for bicycles.

Days 31-32 Lake Malawi

Home to a huge variety of freshwater fish and beautiful beaches, the expansive waters of Lake Malawi play a central role in the lives of many local Malawians.

Days 33-34 Chitimba/Iringa

Chitimba lies along the coast of Lake Malawi and has lovely beaches, friendly locals and a laidback atmosphere. Overlooking the Ruaha River, Iringa is a picturesque town with a relaxed vibe, some good places to eat and a wonderful crafts centre.

Day 35 Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam lies by the Indian Ocean and is abuzz with busy streets, laidback restaurants, colourful markets, interesting architecture and lots of water-based activities.

Days 36-38 Zanzibar

Famed for its fragrant spices and infamous for its slave-trading history, Zanzibar mixes divine beaches, an atmospheric main town and Middle Eastern flair with an African beat.

Day 39 Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam roughly means 'haven of peace' and has a long history of trade with India, the Middle East and Germany, making it a fascinating blend of cultures.

Day 40 Marangu

Nestled at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro, Marangu is a small village surrounded by stunning vistas and lush forest.

Day 41 Mto Wa Mbu

Situated around halfway between Arusha and Ngorongoro, Mto Wa Mbu is a tiny town located near three rivers which is known for its curios and red-skinned bananas.

Days 42-43 Ngorongoro Crater/Serengeti National Park

Photographic opportunities abound in the Ngorongoro Crater, a massive volcanic caldera with so many animals, it's hard to know where to look first. Teeming with animals and home to the famous migration of the wildebeest, the Serengeti is a marvel with rolling plains, iconic acacia trees and mesmerising skies.

Day 44 Arusha

With Mt Meru looming in the background, Arusha has a host of good eateries, green spaces and a lively music scene to enjoy in between safaris.

Day 45 Nairobi

Once a swamp but now called the 'green city in the sun', Nairobi is a relatively multicultural city with a range of cuisines, museums and cultural centres to enjoy.

Day 46 Lake Nakuru

Often shrouded in a carpet of pink flamingos, beautiful Lake Nakuru - and the surrounding national park - is home to a great number of wildlife and bird species.

Days 47-48 Eldoret/Kampala

One of Kenya's fastest growing towns, Eldoret is famous for its cheeses - the local factory produces more than 30 different types. Once the heart of the Buganda Kingdom, Kampala is a fascinating place to explore on foot, particularly its many markets and craft shops.

Days 49-50 Kibale Forest National Park

The most accessible of Uganda's major rainforests, Kibale Forest National Park is home to the highest concentration of primates in the world, with twelve different species recorded.

Day 51 Queen Elizabeth National Park

Beautifully set between two lakes in the Great Rift Valley, Queen Elizabeth National Park plays host to a wide array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks.

Day 52 Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi - meaning 'place of many little birds' - has an amazing variety of waterbirds and some of the most picturesque scenery in Uganda.

Days 53-55 Gorilla Trek

The small Rwandan town of Ruhengeri is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the mountain gorilla.

Day 56 Lake Mburo

Home to hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, Lake Mburo National Park is also one of the best places to see the gigantic eland antelope.

Days 57-58 Jinja

Located at the source of the Nile, Jinja offers some of the world's best whitewater rafting and plenty of other exhilarating activities for adventurers and adrenaline junkies.

Days 59-60 Eldoret/Nairobi

An ideal training ground for middle and long distance athletes due to its high altitude, Eldoret is home to some of Kenya's most famous runners. Lively Nairobi is the gateway to some of Africa's best national parks and is nicknamed 'the safari capital of the world'.

Group Size

Maximum of 22 travellers per group

Accommodation

Bungalow, Camping (with basic facilities), Camping (with facilities), Chalet, Dormitory, Hotel

Transport

4x4 Safari Vehicle, Ferry, Mokoro, Overland vehicle

Important notes

1. This trip requires an additional non-refundable deposit ( AUD1000, USD900, EUR650, NZD1000, GBP500, CAD900, ZAR6500, CHF900 ) in order to secure a gorilla permit. We also require full passport details at time of booking. Please see trip notes (Important notes) for more details.2. This is a combination trip. Please see trip notes (Important notes) for more details.3. A single supplement is available on this trip.4. This trip finishes upon arrival in Nairobi on Day 60. Please do not book any flights until after 9pm this evening.