Guide

Driver/guide included on this tour.

Meals

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being so we always strive to prepare healthy, wholesome and plentiful meals.We will be cooking a lot of meals from our own kitchen on the truck. When we are camping we usually eat breakfast and the evening meal from the truck. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare too. Lunches are at your own expense. When we are staying in hotels/guest houses/hostels (usually in cities but no hotels are to be expected on this tour) it is often impractical to cook on the truck so we do not provide any meals at these times.When it comes to shopping and cooking we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will shop for and prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once a week (depending on numbers).Fresh food is generally available daily so we try and eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do also cater for vegetarians but we cannot cater for fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater for individual likes and dislikes.Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice.All our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook groups food only. For personal food & drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.Included: 2 meals per day while camping

Others

Services of your expedition leader/driverUse of our own custom-built expedition vehicle and equipmentDiesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicleFerry tickets (when travelling as a group)An average of 2 meals a day while camping (usually breakfast and the evening meal)All accommodation costs (100% camping)National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicleLocal transportation costs (if required)

Transport

We will be travelling in a purpose-built Madventure overland vehicle 100% of the time on this expedition. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. The overland vehicle we use is a custom-built expedition truck which can accommodate up to 36 people although most of our expeditions travel with approximately 25 people.Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your all your gear safe.Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board.We spend a lot of nights around the campfire so we take along good axes and saws for the times when we have to replenish our wood supply.We usually carry 500 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, BBQ grate, etc.All our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook groups food only. For personal food & drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.Fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days.Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet & head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment when we stay at campsites.We carry solar showers and a toilet tent with us for those times when we are bush camping without amenities.We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we recommend you bring your own for general use.

Accommodation

You will spend 100% of your time on this expedition in your tent camping. There may be the occasional time when our only option is to stay in a local hotel, guest-house or hostel but this rarely happens.Quite often we will wild camp by ourselves out in the bush or in the desert and other times we will use designated campsites with amenities. The majority of our wild camp locations are usually very scenic and we always strive to find the perfect spot on the banks of a river, overlooking a canyon, behind a dune in the desert, etc. but sometimes we just have to camp wherever we can find a spot.From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry.On the rare occasion when we are not camping (this could happen if we are in a city and no campground is available) we always try to use decent, clean budget hotels, guest houses and hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get – good or bad. When staying in hotels/guest houses/hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of both sexes.In many of the places we stay at there are upgrade options available so should you prefer not to camp or you just want some time alone you can often rent yourself a private room at your own expense.

Not included:

Flights

No flights included or expected during this tour.

Others

Personal travel insurancePersonal spending money (£100 – £120 per week recommended)Visas & Letters of Invitation (approximately £400 depending on nationality)LunchesMeals while staying in hotels/guest houses/hostelsAccommodation upgradesEntrance fees to optional sites and parksAny optional activitiesAny flights (no flights expected)Tent, roll mat, sleeping bag & pillow

Insurance

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Madventure obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first.There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for a comprehensive reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, Telephone: +44 20 7938 1734, https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/madventure/. They are familiar with what we do so if you mention Madventure and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you.For people based in North America a company called Allianz offers good cover – Telephone: +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.comIf you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

Optional

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Madventure so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. South AfricaCable car to Table Mountain £15Abseil Table Mountain £60Cage diving with Great White sharks £150Robben Island guided tour £20Stellenbosch wine tour £40Stony Point penguins £5Bloukrans bungee jump £60Ushaka Marine World £12Moholoholo rehabilitation centre £10Panorama route entrance fees £10 LesothoBasotho pony trek £30Thaba Bosiu cultural village entrance £6 EswatiniSibebe rock climb £6 MozambiqueDiving in Bazaruto archipelago, per dive £35 ZimbabweBridal Veil Falls hike £10Great Zimbabwe ruins £15Walking with lions £70Lion night encounter £75Lion feeding £20Elephant interaction £10Matobo NP tour £70Zambezi rafting at Vic Falls £100Bungee, gorge swing & highwire day at Vic Falls £160Bungee jump off Victoria Falls £130Flight over Victoria Falls £120 Botswana2 day Okavango Delta Mokoro trip £120Okavango Delta scenic flight £80Chobe NP morning game drive £40Chobe NP sunset cruise £30 ZambiaVictoria Falls entrance fee £20Lake Kariba overnight houseboat trip £70South Luangwa NP walking tour £40 MalawiDiving, per dive £40Horse riding £20Village tour & dinner £5 TanzaniaZanzibar Island ferry return ticket £60Zanzibar accommodation, approx. per night £20Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater 3 day tour £600Maasai Village tour £5 RwandaGenocide memorial £10Gorilla trek in Virunga Mountains £1250 UgandaGorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest £620White-water rafting on Nile £100Source of the Nile sunset cruise £30 KenyaElsamere £10Hell’s Gate NP entrance fee & bicycle hire £35Giraffe centre £7Elephant orphanage £5

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Day 1 Day 1-21: South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1-21: South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini

Cape Town is our meeting point, one of the world’s most beautiful cities with its incredible location beneath Table Mountain. As we depart Cape Town on day 1 you may want to arrive here a few days before departure to allow yourself time to enjoy the area’s attractions such as the nearby penguin colonies, Robben Island, cage diving with sharks and brilliant V&A Waterfront. Not to be missed is a day trip around the Stellenbosch wineries, a must-do for any wine lovers. On our first day of this tour we head east along the Whale Route, a stunning drive, where we will be visiting the famous whale-watching area of Hermanus as well as the penguins at Stony Point before setting up camp at Cape Agulhas, Africa’s most southerly point. On the Garden Route we now arrive at the lagoon town of Knysna where we will base ourselves for a couple of days to explore the wonderful forests and beaches of this area. As we travel towards the Sunshine Coast we stop off at Bloukrans River Bridge, the world’s highest bungee jump at 216m, giving our adrenalin-junkies the chance to get their fix before continuing to the surfing mecca of Jeffrey’s bay. We now visit Addo Elephant National Park and get the opportunity to see the large herds of elephants, buffalo & kudu as well as lions, hyenas, black rhino and the largest remaining population of the flightless dung beetle. Heading inland we enter the mountain kingdom of Lesotho where you will have the chance to explore dinosaur footprints at Quthing, towering peaks at Malealea, dramatic waterfalls at Maletsunyane and historic cultural villages at Thaba Bosiu during our 4 day visit. Back in South Africa we spend a couple of nights in the beach resort town of Durban where you have the chance to visit Ushaka Marine World, one of the best oceanariums in the world. We continue our journey to the kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) where you will get to experience walking amongst wildlife such as giraffes, warthogs, kudu, zebra, hartebeest & impala during our visits to Nisela Lodge & Mlilwane Sanctuary. In Eswatini you also have the option to climb Sibebe Rock, the world’s largest granite dome. We re-enter South Africa and head straight into the incredible Kruger National Park where we spend 2 days in the southern section of the park searching for the big 5. This is one of the world’s best game viewing experiences! Our last couple of days in SA are spent in a beautiful area known as the Panorama Route where we visit sites such as the Maholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre, Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window & Pilgrims Rest. In the town of Nelspruit we have the opportunity to restock our supplies before heading to Mozambique.
Day 2 Day 22-30: Mozambique
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 22-30: Mozambique

With its flame-tree-lined streets, sidewalk cafes, pumping salsa bars and Mediterranean-style architecture, the capital Maputo is easily one of Africa’s most attractive cities and our first taste of this beautiful country. A little further north we reach the legendary white-sand-beaches of Tofo, a great stop with its azure waters, rolling breakers and party atmosphere. Our last stop is at the resort town of Vilankulo, the gateway to the beautiful Bazaruto archipelago, an area with pristine coral reefs and turquoise waters making for excellent sailing, snorkelling & diving.
Day 3 Day 31-37: Zimbabwe
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 31-37: Zimbabwe

We enter Zimbabwe in the rarely visited Eastern Highlands, an area of outstanding natural beauty with forested mountains, lush valleys and rushing rivers where we have a day to trek into the mountains to visit the Bridal Veil Falls & an Eland sanctuary. We continue on to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, once the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa. The ancient site provides evidence that this was home to a very advanced society. In Gweru we visit Antelope Park where you have the opportunity to meet elephants, join lions on an evening hunt and even take a morning walk with lion cubs! In Bulawayo we visit the gravesite of Cecil John Rhodes before spending an afternoon in Matobo NP, home of balancing boulders, ancient rock art and the rare black rhino.
Day 4 Day 38-51: Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 38-51: Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe

Our first stop in Botswana is at the world’s largest inland river delta, Okavango, where you will have the option to take a trip on a mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) through the vast waterways of the delta in search of crocodiles, hippos & elephants that make this park so special. Namibia’s Caprivi Strip is a wild area well off the tourist trail where we have a few days to explore the regions abundant wildlife. Back in Botswana we visit Chobe National Park where you have the opportunity to take a sunset cruise with a front row seat to one of Africa’s finest wildlife settings. With herds of elephants crossing rivers using their trunks as snorkels, pods of hippos wallowing in the pools & the rare puku munching on the wetland grass this is a memory that will stay with you forever. Crossing back into Zimbabwe the highlight of the country is surely the incredible Victoria Falls where we will spend a few days allowing you time to explore the falls and take part in the adventure activities that abound including grade 5 rafting on the Zambezi River, abseiling, bungee jumping and gorge swinging.
Day 5 Day 52-59: Zambia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 52-59: Zambia

After a visit to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls we head towards Lake Kariba, one of the world’s largest artificial dams, where upon arrival in Siavonga you have the option to overnight in a houseboat with a great view over the hippos & crocs that inhabit the lake. Tiger fishing is also a popular sport here. The South Luangwa National park is our next stop, an area of majestic beauty with a high concentration of animals along the banks of the Luangwa River where our camp is perfectly set up for wildlife viewing. Those wishing to venture deeper into the park have the option to join the famous ‘walking safari’ in search of lions, leopards, buffalo and whatever else may cross your path!
Day 6 Day 60-64: Malawi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 60-64: Malawi

Our first stop here is in Malawi’s chaotic capital Lilongwe where you will get the chance to explore the sprawling city’s modern malls & sample the local fare. Following Lake Malawi north we reach Nkhata Bay and camp on the lakeshore to enjoy the natural beauty of one of Africa’s friendliest nations. Boat trips to the beautiful islands are a popular outing and for those who want to learn how to dive this is a cheap place to do it. The lake is also home to colourful tropical fish that are found nowhere else in the world. A little further along the lakeshore we camp on the golden sands of Chitimba Beach from where you also have the option of doing a short trip into the mountains to visit Livingstonia, a quaint colonial town built by Scottish missionaries in 1894.
Day 7 Day 65-79: Tanzania
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 65-79: Tanzania

Our first stop here is at Lake Ngozi, Africa’s 2nd largest crater lake, where you will have the option to take a short hike up to the caldera for stunning views of the emerald-green lake. Passing through the Mikumi NP area you have the chance to see zebra, giraffe & elephant crossing the main roads before we arrive at Dar es Salaam and base ourselves on a beach close to town while we apply for a couple of visas. While we wait you will have the option to visit Zanzibar, a beautiful island where you can discover the slave-trading history in the winding alleys of Stone Town and relax on the palm-fringed beaches of this idyllic paradise. On our journey to Arusha we pass close by Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, where weather permitting you will get a good view of this immense mountain. From our base at Arusha’s Snake Park you now have the option to visit 2 of Africa’s most iconic wildlife areas, Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater, where you are likely to see the big 5 along with cheetahs, wild dogs & flamingos. From here you will also have the option to visit a Maasai village to get an insight into their traditional way of life. We now travel west breaking new ground as we head towards Tanzania’s recently opened border with Burundi.
Day 8 Day 80-86: Burundi & Rwanda
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 80-86: Burundi & Rwanda

Our first stop in Burundi is the beating heart of the nation, the Gishora Drum Sanctuary. Here the local drummers put on a display of specific rhythms mixed with combat-style dance, a true Burundian experience not to be missed! We continue to the capital Bujumbura on the shores of Lake Tanganyika from where you can explore the quirky museums, beautiful beaches and languid villages dotted around the lake. An optional boat trip through the Rusizi National Park is often a highlight of our stay here where you can see crocodiles, hippos and numerous bird species. From Bujumbura you also have the option to take a day trip to visit the southernmost source of the Nile River, a bumpy trip through the mountains of Burundi. From Burundi we cross into Rwanda, heading straight for the attractive capital Kigali where we have the opportunity to visit the Memorial Centre, a sombre reminder of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. A short drive away we reach the sleepy town of Musanze from where you can visit the Karisoke Exhibit, a small museum explaining the conservation efforts of Dian Fossey who studied and protected the gorillas in the nearby Virunga massif. From here you also have the option to trek to Dian Fossey’s gravesite where she and a few of her beloved gorillas are buried. Along the way you have a good chance of encountering gorillas and golden monkeys, all for a much smaller fee than a dedicated gorilla trek. For those who want a guaranteed gorilla experience you can arrange a trek into the beautiful rainforest covered slopes of the Volcanoes NP where you will get to spend an hour with these gentle giants in the Virunga mountains, a truly moving experience! Please note that gorilla trekking in Uganda is much cheaper so most people choose to do it there and opt to do the Dian Fossey gravesite hike here instead.
Day 9 Day 87-93: Uganda
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 87-93: Uganda

Our first stop in Uganda is at the magical Lake Bunyoni where it is possible to take a sunset cruise amongst the lakes 29 islands. From here you also have the option to go gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and spend an hour with these amazing creatures. Crossing over the equator we head for the relaxed capital Kampala where you have a day to explore the Hindu Temple & Uganda Museum as well as enjoy the great restaurants and wonderful nightlife the city has to offer. Our final stop in Uganda is at Jinja, the source of the Nile River, where we base ourselves near the Bujagali Falls giving you the opportunity to raft the grade 5 White Nile, go fishing for Nile perch and take a sunset booze cruise.
Day 10 Day 94-100: Kenya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 94-100: Kenya

Our first destination in Kenya is perfectly timed for us to witness one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles – the annual Masai Mara migration. Here you will see huge herds of wildebeest & zebra waiting to cross the Mara River in search of greener pastures. Once they start crossing the river becomes chaotic with thousands of desperate animals swimming for their lives, crocodiles feasting on any stragglers and predators waiting on the opposite river bank. You will not forget this experience! We continue to Lake Naivasha where you have the opportunity to visit Elsamere, the home of the late Joy Adamson of Born Free fame. Close by you also have the option to cycle or walk unguided through Hell’s Gate National Park, a unique experience especially considering buffalo & leopards inhabit the park! Our tour ends in the bustling capital Nairobi where we camp in a quiet neighbourhood just outside the city centre. Popular day outings include the local giraffe centre and elephant orphanage. The modern shopping malls are a pleasant retreat after a hard day’s sightseeing and Carnivore Restaurant is a must-do for any meat-lovers.

10 days tour

Cape Town To Nairobi Group Overland Tour

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Cape Town To Nairobi Group Overland Tour

Day 1-21: South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini

Day 22-30: Mozambique

Day 31-37: Zimbabwe

Day 38-51: Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe

Day 52-59: Zambia

Day 60-64: Malawi

Day 65-79: Tanzania

Day 80-86: Burundi & Rwanda

Day 87-93: Uganda

Day 94-100: Kenya

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