Tour Overview
Embark on the "Absolute Africa Overland Safari," an extraordinary journey through the heart of Africa, visiting nine diverse countries including Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa. This adventure offers a unique blend of wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and breathtaking landscapes. Witness the majestic "big five" in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, stand in awe before the towering sand dunes of Namibia, and feel the power of Victoria Falls. Travel by 4x4 safaris, traditional canoes, and overland vehicles, meeting mountain gorillas in Uganda's rainforests and exploring the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar. With highlights like the Masai Mara National Reserve and the Okavango Delta, this tour promises an unforgettable exploration of Africa's natural wonders and vibrant cultures. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: CURIOCITY Green Point Cape Town
Accommodation Name: CURIOCITY Green Point Cape Town
Arrive at any time.
Tonight, after a brief welcome meeting, attend an optional group dinner for your first night in Cape Town.
Get the most out of your time in Cape Town by pre-booking the South African Wine Tour and Tasting extra. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour as this activity has an early start time. Please note, due to the timings of this activity, there is a possibility you may miss the welcome meeting on day 1 of your tour - in this case, your CEO will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.
Additional Information: Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to make sure which visas you will need, if any.
Please also note that no visa can be obtained at the border to Namibia.
If you book any optional activities on day 1 please contact your sales agent to see if booking a pre-night is necessary to participate in the activity.
ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2: Cape Town/Cederberg
Location: Cape Town, !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Cederberg
Accommodation: Highlanders Campsite
Accommodation Name: Highlanders Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hit the road in the Lando and view the stunning Western Cape scenery on the way to the G Adventures-supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre. Learn about the history and culture of the ancient San people. Arrive to the campsite in the afternoon and enjoy free time in the area.Additional Information: The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre is closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day.FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Relax or get out and explore this beautiful part of South Africa.ACTIVITY: The San people of Southern Africa have historically faced centuries of political and cultural oppression. The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre provides tailor-made training for young San women and men of Southern Africa. Travellers learn about San culture and history at the interpretive museum. Visits help trainees gain experience with international clients while garnering support for the centre's efforts to preserve San culture and history.TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 3: Cederberg/Orange River
Location: Orange River
Accommodation: Fiddlers Creek Camping
Accommodation Name: Fiddlers Creek Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel north past large plantations of rooibos tea. Camp at the scenic Orange River and arrive at the site with enough time to enjoy a late afternoon swim in the river.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 4: Orange River/Fish River Canyon
Location: Fish River Canyon
Accommodation: Hobas Lodge - Campsite
Accommodation Name: Hobas Lodge - Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to Fish River Canyon today, the largest canyon in Africa. Hop out of the Lando to watch sunset over the canyon’s rim. Set up camp nearby and sit around the campfire.ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!ACTIVITY: Visit Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa and, arguably, the second largest in the world. Watch as a stunning sunset slips over the canyon's rim in the early evening. We will only have access to the rim, but the views are spectacular.
Day 5: Fish River Canyon/Namib Desert
Location: Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Sossusvlei
Accommodation: Sossus Oasis Camp
Accommodation Name: Sossus Oasis Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sit back in the Lando and travel north along long, bumpy roads to the Namib Desert. Arrive and set up camp in the late afternoon, and admire the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei seeming to rise up towards the sky in the middle of nowhere.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 6: Namib Desert
Location: Dune 45, Deadvlei, Sesriem Canyon, Solitaire
Accommodation: Sossus On Foot Bushman's Desert Camp
Accommodation Name: Sossus On Foot Bushman's Desert Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin the day at dawn and watch sunrise from atop the iconic Dune 45. Later, venture to the surreal Deadvlei for an optional excursion to this mesmerizing clay pan before slipping into the shadier areas of Sesriem Canyon to learn about its formation and ability to sustain wildlife with hidden pools.
Conclude your day with a scenic drive, if time allows, stopping at the quaint town of Solitaire, before settling in at the campsite. Here, you may opt for an evening activity: "Namib Desert Walk." This activity is an educational experience about bushmen's survival in the desert, the geology of sand dunes, and local wildlife, and ends with a beautiful desert sunset.
Additional Information: *Please note, while park fees for Dune 45 and Sesriem Canyon are included, the shuttle to Deadvlei is an additional cost.
ACTIVITY: Set off for a climb of the mighty Dune 45. Look out and view the surrounding desert displaying its amazing orange and yellow hues. Magic!
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
ACTIVITY: Enjoy a short stop at Sesriem Canyon, a small canyon typical of the area. The Tsauchab River flows through the canyon every five to ten years, and this creates the nearby salt and clay pan of Sossusvlei.
Day 7: Namib Desert/Swakopmund
Location: Namib Desert, Swakopmund
Accommodation: Amanpuri Backpackers
Accommodation Name: Amanpuri Backpackers
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Cross over the dry mountain passes and vast empty region of the Namib Desert en route to adrenaline capital; Swakopmund. The group will spend two nights here with plenty of time for the many optional activities in the area.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 8: Swakopmund
Location: Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast
Accommodation: Amanpuri Backpackers
Accommodation Name: Amanpuri Backpackers
Spend a free day in Swakopmund. Try activities like skydiving and sand boarding. For an even bigger adventure, hop on a scenic flight over the Skeleton Coast.
You can pre-book your sky dive on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Additional Information: Meals are not included while we are in Swakopmund in order to give our travellers the freedom to try out the many restaurants and bars in town.
FREE TIME: Enjoy a free day in Namibia's adventure capital.
Day 9: Swakopmund/Spitzkoppe
Location: Spitzkoppe
Accommodation: Spitzkoppe Rest Camp
Accommodation Name: Spitzkoppe Rest Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Jump in the Lando and travel toward the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe. Dubbed the Matterhorn of Namibia, this is the perfect place for epic outdoor adventures. Enjoy free time here upon arrival.
Explore on your own by foot, and be sure to check out the night sky—it's great for star-gazing!
Additional Information: Our basic bush camp will have long-drop toilets and no running water.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 10: Spitzkoppe/Etosha National Park
Location: Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park
Accommodation: Etosha NP Okaukuejo Restcamp
Accommodation Name: Etosha NP Okaukuejo Restcamp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Soak in the strangeness of this unique landscape before moving on to Etosha National Park for some prime wildlife viewing. Enjoy a safari drive in the park on the way to your camp.After sunset, watch animals at the watering holes near the camping area, which is safe, being well lit with flood lights. Free time at night allows for the option of a night safari in an open vehicle.ACTIVITY: Set off into the wilds of Etosha National Park in search of a wide variety of wildlife. More than 100 species of mammals call Etosha home, including lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, and hyenas. As for birds, the salt pan attracts pelicans, flamingos, and many other winged wonders. Bring your camera and go wild!TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 11: Etosha National Park
Location: Etosha National Park
Accommodation: Etosha NP Okaukuejo Restcamp
Accommodation Name: Etosha NP Okaukuejo Restcamp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Embark on a full-day wildlife safari drive in Etosha National Park. Search for more than 100 different mammals that call this park home. During the dry season (May through October) the animals all gather around the waterfalls creating some of the densest wildlife viewing in the world.
ACTIVITY: Set off into the wilds of Etosha National Park in search of a wide variety of wildlife. More than 100 species of mammals call Etosha home, including lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, and hyenas. As for birds, the salt pan attracts pelicans, flamingos, and many other winged wonders. Bring your camera and go wild!
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 12: Etosha National Park/Waterberg Plateau
Location: Etosha National Park, Waterberg Plateau
Accommodation: Waterberg Campsite
Accommodation Name: Waterberg Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Move on from Etosha today and travel further south to the Waterberg Plateau. Spend free time exploring the trails in this national park in search of more wildlife, or choose to relax at camp.FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Free time to relax, take a hike, or opt for another wildlife safari drive.TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 13: Waterberg Plateau/Windhoek
Location: Waterberg Plateau, Windhoek
Accommodation: Urban Camp
Accommodation Name: Urban Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel south through the Namibian countryside to Windhoek. Lunch will be had along the way at the G Adventures-supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop. There will be free time in Windhoek upon arrival.Additional Information: Please note that this is a combination tour. Some of group members may be departing the tour in Windhoek and some new group members may be joining. Enjoy an optional group dinner with both old and new travellers.ACTIVITY: Penduka works with women from the Katutura township, and surrounding rural communities, by helping them develop livelihoods through working in their handicraft workshops and cafe. Penduka trains and employs women disadvantaged through poverty, disability, ill-health, or lack of education, empowering them to develop skills in textiles, beading and pottery. Pick up a fresh-packed lunch at the cafe to help support the centre before touring the facilities and purchasing some of these crafts.TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 14: Windhoek/D'kar
Location: Windhoek, D'kar
Accommodation Name: Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross the border from Namibia into Botswana and travel east into the heart of the Kalahari to D’kar. Catch a glimpse of how the local San Bushmen adapted to this difficult landscape on an optional bushman walk.
Later, enjoy the warm hospitality of the San Bushmen as the group will be staying at the G Adventures-supported Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
ACTIVITY: Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the Naro San when you stay at Dqae Qare San Lodge & Camp tonight. This campsite and wildlife area is the only land-owned freehold by an Indigenous community in all of Southern Africa. The San are known throughout the continent for their warm hospitality, and tonight you have the opportunity to be immersed in their history and culture with a bush walk and dance around the campfire. Dqae Qare San Lodge provides much-needed employment for the nearby village of D'kar, and revenue from the lodge is invested in the nearby preschool, art program, museum, and community projects that bring clean water and other resources to the village. Everything for the lodge is community-sourced, including the labour, materials, artwork and ingredients for meals.
Day 15: D'kar/Maun
Location: Maun, Okavango Delta
Accommodation: Sedia Riverside Lodge
Accommodation Name: Sedia Riverside Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Climb in the Lando and continue towards Maun. In the afternoon, there will be free time to unwind before setting up camp with the group.
Additional Information: After arrival in Maun, pick up supplies to prepare for the one night/two day excursion into the Okavango Delta. We recommend each person brings a 5 litre bottle of water to take into the Delta; this should be sufficient for both drinking water and cleaning purposes.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 16: Maun/Okavango Delta
Location: Okavango Delta
Accommodation: Okavango Delta Camping
Accommodation Name: Okavango Delta Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dive right into nature today for an overnight excursion in the Okavango Delta. Do some birdwatching and travel in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) to the basic bush camp. Set up camp and head out for a wildlife walk in the area. Gather around the campfire for a sundowner in the evening.
Additional Information: Please note that there is no shower and only a dig-out bush toilet, as our camp is very basic and in the wild – but it is all worth it due to the incredible landscape and wildlife!
TRANSPORT: Climb into a traditional canoe for a closer view of the shoreline.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy wildlife walks and viewing, mokoro trips, and birdwatching in the pristine wilderness area of the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta. In the evening, count the shooting stars, sing with the locals, or simply unwind with a sundowner (cheers!) around the campfire.
TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.
Day 17: Okavango Delta/Gweta
Location: Okavango Delta, Gweta
Accommodation: Planet Baobab
Accommodation Name: Elephant Sands Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Set out on a morning safari walk before returning to Maun via the mokoro. Then, get back inside the Lando and travel to the ancient baobab trees of Gweta. There will be free time upon arrival.
TRANSPORT: Climb into a traditional canoe for a closer view of the shoreline.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.
Day 18: Gweta/Kasane
Location: Gweta, Kasane, Chobe National Park
Accommodation: Thebe River Safari Lodge Campsite
Accommodation Name: Thebe River Safari Lodge Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Venture north from Gweta to Kasane. There will be time for an optional river cruise through Chobe National Park before setting up camp under a sky full of stars.
Journey to the area of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa. You can pre-book the Chobe River Sunset Cruise on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Additional Information: If you have pre-booked the Chobe River Sunset Cruise, you will be cruising this evening.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 19: Kasane/Victoria Falls
Location: Kasane, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls
Accommodation: Explorers Village Camping
Accommodation Name: Explorers Village Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Choose to go on an early safari drive in the morning before travelling with the group from Botswana across the border to Zimbabwe. Sit down for a traditional lunch at the G Adventurers-supported Lusumpuko Women's Club. Continue on to the town Victoria Falls, a great base to see the falls, and take part in some exciting activities.
Opt to prebook the Chobe National Park Safari Drive and head out early into the park before crossing the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe at the Kazungula border post.
Additional Information: Your accommodation is in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and NOT Livingstone (Zambia). Please make sure you have the necessary visa.
Note that this trip combines with other tours, and some tours will be finishing in Victoria Falls, while others will be continuing on.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
ACTIVITY: Some nationalities do require a visa for Zimbabwe, and many visas are available for purchase right at the border. See our visa section for further information.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
ACTIVITY: Start your visit to Victoria Falls off on the right foot by sitting down to a traditional, Zimbabwean meal, cooked by the Lusumpuko Women’s Club, a group of women from a nearby township. A demonstration by the ladies will show you exactly how Zimbabweans traditionally eat their food, and you’ll be served a farm-to-table meal made with traditional, local, in-season ingredients. This meal provides much-needed income to the cooperatives’ 20 members – changing their lives and families in the process.
Day 20: Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Accommodation: Explorers Village Camping
Accommodation Name: Explorers Village Camping
Spend a free day in Victoria Falls. For the adventurous, there are activities like whitewater rafting or a scenic helicopter flight over the falls. The choice is yours!
Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities.
Additional Information: Want to do more with your tour? Pre-book any two of the following activities: Zambezi Whitewater Rafting, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride, or the Zambezi River Sunset Cruise.
Any optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival in Victoria Falls.
FREE TIME: FULL DAY Get out and explore the many things on offer in the Victoria Falls area.
Day 21: Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Accommodation: Explorers Village Camping
Accommodation Name: Explorers Village Camping
Spend a full free day on your own exploring the Victoria Falls area. Opt to try activities in the area like whitewater rafting, a scenic helicopter flight over the falls, or bungee jumping with the thundering falls in sight.
Additional Information: Want to do more with your tour? Pre-book any two of the following activities: Zambezi Whitewater Rafting, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride, or the Zambezi River Sunset Cruise. You can pre-book on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.
Any optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival in Victoria Falls.
FREE TIME: FULL DAY Get out and explore.
Day 22: Victoria Falls/Lusaka
Location: Victoria Falls, Lusaka
Accommodation: Eureka Camping Park
Accommodation Name: Eureka Camping Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early and get on the road around 6am to cross the border from Zimbabwe into Zambia. Towards the end of the day, the group will arrive at a private farm about 29km (18 mi) outside of Zambia’s capital and enjoy free time to relax and marvel at the wildlife on the property.
Additional Information: This is an overnight stop in between two long driving days, so we will not have time to explore Lusaka.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Day 23: Lusaka/South Luangwa
Location: Lusaka, South Luangwa
Accommodation: Wildlife Camp
Accommodation Name: Wildlife Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
While today’s travel day might be long, there will be plenty of time to socialize on the Lando as the group is driven across the Zambian countryside to the campsite along the banks of the Luangwa River. There will be free time to enjoy your surroundings upon arrival.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 24: South Luangwa
Location: South Luangwa National Park
Accommodation: Wildlife Camp
Accommodation Name: Wildlife Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend a free day doing as you please in South Luangwa National Park. Choose a walking safari (it’s seasonal), a night drive, or visit a nearby local village.
FREE TIME: FULL DAY Do as much or as little as you'd like during a free day.
Day 25: South Luangwa/Chipata
Location: South Luangwa National Park, Chipata
Accommodation: Mamarulas Camp
Accommodation Name: Mamarulas Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early and choose to head out on an optional morning safari drive. Bring your camera to try and photograph some of the resident wildlife. Stop for lunch and for a visit to the Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard, a G Adventures-supported craft workshop. Afterwards, continue travelling in the Lando to Chipata.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
ACTIVITY: Take a lunch stop at Tribal Textiles, a community workshop and business that employs and empowers over 100 locals from the area. Most of the unique textiles made at this workshop give back in some way either to education in the community or to various organizations working to conserve the wildlife of South Luangwa National Park. Regular employment at this socially conscious business also keeps poaching of wildlife at bay. After a quick tour to learn about these efforts, you’ll sit down for lunch at The Courtyard Café, run by local chef, Dorica, and her team.
Day 26: Chipata/Kande Beach
Location: Chipata, Lake Malawi
Accommodation: Kande Beach Resort
Accommodation Name: Kande Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross the border into Malawi today and travel to Lake Malawi affectionately known as, “Lake of Stars”. Spend four nights relaxing on the shores and during the day take beach walks, leisurely swims, and snorkel in this beautiful paradise.
Additional Information: Please note that conservative dress is recommended. Shoulders and knees should be covered in public, but inside of camp boundaries, it is ok to wear beach clothes.
ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 27: Kande Beach
Location: Lake Malawi
Accommodation: Kande Beach Resort
Accommodation Name: Kande Beach Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take advantage of a free day to explore Lake Malawi. In the evening the group will take part in a traditional dinner at a local home before camping under the stars.
FREE TIME: Kick back and relax on Lake Malawi after a few long travel days.
ACTIVITY: EVENING After a day on the beach of Lake Malawi, take a short walk into the Kande Beach village for traditional dinner in a local home.
Day 28: Kande Beach/Chitimba
Location: Lake Malawi, Chitimba Beach
Accommodation: Chitimba Camp
Accommodation Name: Chitimba Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Soak in another free day along Lake Malawi. From oceans and mountains to lakes and vast skies, you’re seeing some of the best scenery in Africa. Travel north to Chitimba Beach and try to spot Tanzania from across the lake. Free time activities here include getting out on the lake or hiking along the shores in the picturesque landscape.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Settle in and enjoy a free afternoon at northern Lake Malawi.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 29: Chitimba
Location: Lake Malawi, Nyika Plateau
Accommodation: Chitimba Camp
Accommodation Name: Chitimba Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
During this final free day at Lake Malawi you can opt for activities further away like hiking to Livingstonia along the Nyika Plateau, or you can relax in the sand and listen to the lake lapping the shoreline.
FREE TIME: FULL DAY Do as much or as little as you'd like on your final day on Lake Malawi.
Day 30: Chitimba/Iringa
Location: Iringa
Accommodation: Kisolanza Farm
Accommodation Name: The Old Farm House - Kisolanza
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel into Tanzania during the journey to Iringa. The Lando will climb out of the Great Rift Valley offering humbling views through some of the mountain passes and tea plantations in the highlands. Spend the ride journaling, reading, taking a nap, or chatting with other members of the group.
ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 31: Iringa/Dar es Salaam
Location: Iringa, Dar es Salaam
Accommodation: Mikadi Beach Camp
Accommodation Name: Mikadi Beach Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave Iringa in the morning for Dar es Salaam. Cruise in the Lando through the Tanzanian countryside and watch as the blue waters of the Indian Ocean make their debut. The group will spend the night here before setting off to Zanzibar.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 32: Dar es Salaam/Zanzibar Beach Resort
Location: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar
Accommodation: Fun Beach Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fun Beach Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Catch a ferry and travel to the island beaches of Zanzibar.
Additional Information: Zanzibar is a Muslim society. Immodestly dressed women or men in shorts will get harassed and cause great offence in Stone Town. At the beach, customs are a little more relaxed, but our travellers are encouraged to be respectful of the island's culture and still cover up when walking around. Never try to take a photograph without asking permission.
TRANSPORT: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 33: Zanzibar Beach Resort
Location: Zanzibar
Accommodation: Fun Beach Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fun Beach Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend a full free day in Zanzibar’s alluring tropical setting. Choose from an array of optional activities in the area like snorkelling, sailing, or beach lounging.
FREE TIME: Do as much or as little as you'd like on this island slice of paradise.
Day 34: Stone Town
Location: Stone Town
Accommodation: Spice Palace Hotel
Accommodation Name: Spice Palace Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel back to Stone Town from the beach property on the other side of the island and set out on a guided tour of a local spice plantation before seeing the heart of Zanzibar for yourself.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
ACTIVITY: No visit to Zanzibar would be complete without a visit to the spice plantations. Your senses will be aroused as you will receive a detailed description on the assortment of spices (black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, breadfruit, jackfruit, vanilla, lemon grass) and their various uses. It was the spice plantations that brought the beginnings of Zanzibar’s infamous slave trade that dates back to the 1840’s.
FREE TIME: Spend a final afternoon wandering the streets of Stone Town.
Day 35: Stone Town/Bagamoyo
Location: Stone Town, Bagamoyo
Accommodation: Firefly Bagamoyo Campsite
Accommodation Name: Firefly Bagamoyo Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take the ferry from Stone Town back to the mainland and drive north in the Lando to the coastal town of Bagamoyo. During a free evening walk the unpaved streets and get to know this recently named World Heritage Site.
Additional Information: If you have booked the Zanzibar Express, you will stay in Stone Town when the group heads for the ferry. You have a free day in Stone Town for shopping, relaxing or seeing the sights. (Ask your CEO if you want to book any tours) Tomorrow you fly to Arusha to meet the group. Included: transfers, flight, one night Stone Town (Spice Palace, or similar). Only breakfast included.
TRANSPORT: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 36: Bagamoyo/Arusha
Location: Bagamoyo, Mt Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Mt Meru
Accommodation: Meserani Snake Park
Accommodation Name: Meserani Snake Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Jump on the road in the Lando and cross varied landscapes all the way to Arusha. Keep an eye out for views of Mt Kilimanjaro on the way.
Arusha sits at the foot of rugged Mt Meru, Africa's fifth highest mountain.
Additional Information: Use the afternoon to prepare a small day-pack for the three-day excursion to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Take something warm for the night on the crater rim and enough insect repellant, sunscreen, and water. Bedding is provided, but you can take your sleeping bag along to make sure you're warm enough at night.
Zanzibar Express; transfer this morning from your Stone Town hotel to the airport for the flight to Arusha. Arrive in Arusha and transfer to the camp to meet back up with the group. Only breakfast and dinner included.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 37: Arusha/Serengeti National Park
Location: Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation: Seronera Campsite
Accommodation Name: Seronera Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today begins your 3-day and 2-night excursion into Serengeti National Park and the wildlife-dense Ngorongoro Crater.
Additional Information: Changing to specialized 4x4 7-seater safari vehicles, we are met by experienced safari driver/guides, who will ensure us wonderful wildlife encounters. Our safari vehicles each have sliding windows and a large pop-up roof, perfect for wildlife viewing. They are smaller than the Lando and will allow us to maneuver easily through the wildlife areas. As the vehicles are smaller than the Lando, our group will split up among several vehicles.
TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.
ACTIVITY: This is the reason you came to Africa. Charge your camera, grab your binoculars, and set out on safari. Your eagle-eyed driver will keep an eye out for wildlife – buffaloes, elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras, and more. Tanzania’s Serengeti tends to be less crowded than some of Kenya’s reserves, so enjoy the scenery, the vast expanse of the grasslands, the play of light and shadow, and the up-close look at wild Africa.
Day 38: Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro
Location: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Accommodation: Simba Campsite
Accommodation Name: Simba Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a morning safari in the Serengeti and watch the wildlife come to life. Break down camp before travelling to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, famous for Africa’s best wildlife viewing. Set up camp near the crater rim and enjoy your surroundings for the remainder of the day.
Additional Information: Please note: if you have pre-booked the Serengeti Balloon Safari, today's likely the day for this activity! Your CEO will give you final confirmation when it will take place, as it is subject to change. You will miss the included morning wildlife safari drive with the group, but you will have a much better view from above! If you have not yet pre-booked, add it to your checkout page, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Due to the high-altitude location of our camp, temperatures can drop at night. We recommend bringing extra layers to wear during the evening and following morning.
ACTIVITY: This is the reason you came to Africa. Charge your camera, grab your binoculars, and set out on safari. Your eagle-eyed driver will keep an eye out for wildlife – buffaloes, elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras, and more. Tanzania’s Serengeti tends to be less crowded than some of Kenya’s reserves, so enjoy the scenery, the vast expanse of the grasslands, the play of light and shadow, and the up-close look at wild Africa.
TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.
Day 39: Ngorongoro/Arusha
Location: Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha
Accommodation: Meserani Snake Park
Accommodation Name: Meserani Snake Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Venture down to the crater floor for a final wildlife experience in the area. In the late morning the group will travel back to Arusha and enjoy a free evening.
TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.
ACTIVITY: MORNING Set the alarm and prepare for an early start to see the wonders of the Ngorongoro Crater. Here you’ll see Maasai herdsmen in the morning mist. Your driver/guide will take you down into the crater and to all the best spots to view wildlife. Spot zebra, gazelles, buffaloes, and warthogs. The swamp and forest are home to hippos, rhinos, elephants, baboons, and monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled and camera ready to capture a pride of lions or a lone leopard walking along the crater floor.
Day 40: Arusha/Nairobi
Location: Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Nairobi
Accommodation: The Heron Portico
Accommodation Name: The Heron Portico Hotel Nairobi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Hop in the Lando and hit the road to Kenya's capital; Nairobi. Cross through the semi-arid lands of the Maasai people en route and marvel at the epic views of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance as you swap stories with your road trip buddies!
Please note that this is a combination tour, and some of your fellow group members may be finishing their tour on this evening.
Depart Arusha in the morning and travel overland to Nairobi. Please note that this is a combination tour, and some of your fellow group members may be finishing their tour on this evening.
ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 41: Nairobi
Location: Nairobi
Accommodation: The Heron Portico
Accommodation Name: The Heron Portico Hotel Nairobi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the day on your own in Nairobi, East Africa’s most cosmopolitan city and Kenya’s beating heart. From vibrant cultural life to excellent places to eat, plus buzzing nightlife there’s plenty to see and do during your time here.
FREE TIME: Get out and explore.
Day 42: Nairobi/Masai Mara
Location: Nairobi, Great Rift Valley, Masai Mara
Accommodation: Kenia Campsite
Accommodation Name: Kenia Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel through the Great Rift Valley on the way to the Maasai Mara Reserve. Embark on a late afternoon wildlife safari drive in one of Kenya’s premier wildlife destinations.
TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.
ACTIVITY: AFTERNOON Maasai Mara is one of the world’s top safari destinations, known for its abundance of big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as the two million wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles and zebra that migrate annually across the vast grasslands in search of water. Set off on safari with our driver/guide and keep your eyes and ears peeled for movement and memories. Watch elephants and giraffe grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.
Day 43: Masai Mara
Location: Masai Mara
Accommodation: Kenia Campsite
Accommodation Name: Kenia Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Board the safari vehicle and travel into the Maasai Mara Reserve for some wildlife spotting. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure at the camp.
Additional Information: Please note: if you have pre-booked the Maasai Mara Balloon Safari, today's likely the day for this activity! Your CEO will give you final confirmation when it will take place, as it is subject to change. You will miss the included morning wildlife safari drive with the group, but you will have a much better view from above!
TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.
ACTIVITY: FULL DAY Maasai Mara is one of the world’s top safari destinations, known for its abundance of big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as the two million wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles and zebra that migrate annually across the vast grasslands in search of water. Set off on safari with our driver/guide and keep your eyes and ears peeled for movement and memories. Watch elephants and giraffe grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.
Day 44: Masai Mara/Lake Nakuru National Park
Location: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park
Accommodation: Nderit Campsite
Accommodation Name: Nderit Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart the camp on your 4x4 safari vehicle and meet up with the Lando at G Adventures-supported Ubuntu Cafe for a delicious lunch. Later, enjoy an afternoon wildlife drive through the area.ACTIVITY: Search for, buffalo, impalas, hyenas, and even lions and leopards on the wildlife safari drive in this renowned national park. Head to the shores of Lake Nakuru to see pelicans and cormorants. The park is also rich in other bird life, including grebes, white winged black terns, stilts, avocets, and ducks.TRANSPORT: Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!ACTIVITY: On this trip, you'll experience the warmth of Ubuntu Cafe, where every meal you enjoy contributes to a circle of empowerment and supports the creation of impactful souvenirs you'll treasure forever. Your visit also extends support to Ubuntu School, championing the rights and education of children with special needs through therapeutic and vocational training programs.
Day 45: Lake Nakuru National Park/Eldoret
Location: Lake Nakuru National Park, Eldoret
Accommodation: Greenwoods Resort and Campsite
Accommodation Name: Greenwoods Resort and Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
See more wildlife life on a morning safari drive around Lake Nakuru. Then, continue onwards in the Lando to Eldoret.ACTIVITY: Search for, buffalo, impalas, hyenas, and even lions and leopards on the wildlife safari drive in this renowned national park. Head to the shores of Lake Nakuru to see pelicans and cormorants. The park is also rich in other bird life, including grebes, white winged black terns, stilts, avocets, and ducks.TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 46: Eldoret/Kampala
Location: Kampala
Accommodation: Red Chilli Hideaway
Accommodation Name: Red Chilli Hideaway
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross the border into Uganda and travel to Kampala, the country’s capital. The group will arrive there in the late afternoon.
ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 47: Kampala/Lake Bunyonyi
Location: Kampala, Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Accommodation Name: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross over the equator today in the Lando en route from Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi. The name Bunyonyi means ‘place of many little birds’ and the lake’s winding shores encircle 29 islands surrounded by steep terraced hillsides. Upon arrival enjoy free time to get to know your surroundings and opt to swim in the calm waters.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 48: Gorilla Trek
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Accommodation Name: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day on a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Hike deep into the jungle through volcano forests alongside a park ranger in search of these mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Please be ready for a challenge as the treks can vary in length and difficulty.
Note: Ugandan authorities are fiercely protective of this natural treasure, and currently permit only a maximum of eight people, per day, to visit a given gorilla family. The group will be split into different sub-groups for the trek, and depending on the number of travellers, different sub-groups may do their trek on different days.
Additional Information: Depending on the date of our permits, it's possible that the gorilla trek will take place on the second full day in Lake Bunyonyi.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four areas; Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija. Depending on permit availability your group could be tracking gorillas from different areas of the park, it is all still part of Bwindi.
ACTIVITY: Take an unforgettable guided trek (1-6 hrs) deep into volcano forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a wildlife encounter of a lifetime, and meet a family of mountain gorillas. One of Africa's major highlights, a close encounter with these amazing animals is simply breathtaking.
Get prepared before heading out: bring plenty of water and waterproof clothing (it can rain on only a few minutes’ notice), and be sure to bring protective bags for cameras and film. Dress in layers with long sleeves and long pants to protect against stinging nettles found in the forests. The trek’s often chilly, at first, until you start trekking.
Note: Ugandan authorities are fiercely protective of this natural treasure, and currently permit only a maximum of eight people, per day, to visit a given gorilla family. The group will be split into different sub-groups for the trek, and depending on the number of travellers, different sub-groups may do their trek on different days.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four areas; Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. Depending on permit availability your group could be tracking gorillas from different areas of the park, it is all still part of Bwindi.
Day 49: Lake Bunyonyi
Location: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Accommodation Name: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore Lake Bunyonyi with a full day of free time. There are many optional activities to choose from like, swimming, hiking, canoeing, bird watching, or taking a motorboat tour of the lake. In the evening, relax together with the whole group at the lodge.
Please keep in mind that some members of the group will do the gorilla trek on this day and have the free day in Lake Bunyonyi the day before.
FREE TIME: FULL DAY Get out and do as much or as little as you'd like around Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 50: Lake Bunyonyi/Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Location: Lake Bunyonyi, Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Accommodation: Craters Campsite
Accommodation Name: Craters Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive through the Ugandan countryside on the journey to Kalinzu Forest Reserve, which is further north in the country. The reserve is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park and offers a great variety of landscapes to view wildlife. Spend the afternoon at your leisure here.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 51: Kalinzu Forest Reserve/Lake Mburo National Park
Location: Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation: Leopard Rest Camp
Accommodation Name: Leopard Rest Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early this morning for an included chimpanzee tracking excursion within the lush Kalinzu Forest Reserve with a ranger. Later, the group will visit a tea plantation before arriving at Lake Mburo. Then, you can choose to book an afternoon boat cruise, or get to know the local area on foot.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy a chimpanzee tracking excursion through the scenic Kalinzu Forest Reserve. Trek along the ridges and valleys of the Rift Valley escarpment to visit chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Follow forest trails, which offer amazing views over the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward, the Kazinga Channel, and the Congo. The Kalinzu Forest Reserve is steeped in mystery and rich with local legends. Learn about the folklore and uses of the forest from a local guide.
ACTIVITY: Walk through a tea plantation with a local guide. View multiple varietals of tea, and learn about the process of growing tea plants from the harvesting stage to what goes into making the best cup of tea.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 52: Lake Mburo National Park/Jinja
Location: Lake Mburo National Park, Equator, Jinja
Accommodation: Nile River Explorers River Camp
Accommodation Name: Nile River Explorers River Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today the group will travel back across the equator to Uganda, which happens to be one of the few countries where it’s possible to cross over this boundary on land. Along the way, make a stop for lunch at the G Adventures-supported AidChild Equation Café & Gallery. Arrive to Jinja in the evening.
ACTIVITY: Make a stop at AidChild’s Equation Café and Gallery, located at the equator. Surrounded by paintings and other crafts made by local artists, you'll enjoy a meal made with traditional Ugandan ingredients, with a modern twist. Your lunch here directly supports AidChild, a non-profit that provides support, medical care and education to children and youth living with HIV in Uganda.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 53: Jinja
Location: Jinja
Accommodation: Nile River Explorers River Camp
Accommodation Name: Nile River Explorers River Camp
The entire day is free for you to explore Jinja on your own or with members of the group. There are plenty of outdoor and adventure activities to choose from like rafting and mountain biking.
Pre-book your rafting adrenaline rush on the checkout page to include the Jinja River Rafting optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
FREE TIME: FULL DAY Get out and enjoy the adrenaline capital of Uganda.
Day 54: Jinja/Eldoret
Location: Jinja, Eldoret
Accommodation: Greenwoods Resort and Campsite
Accommodation Name: Greenwoods Resort and Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Catch up on some rest during this travel day between Uganda and Kenya. The group will arrive to the camp site near Eldoret in the evening and spend the night under the stars.
Additional Information: This is an overnight stop in between two long driving days.
ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Day 55: Eldoret/Nairobi
Location: Eldoret, Nairobi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy the ride as the group travels in the Lando through the Kenyan countryside to Nairobi. The tour will end upon arrival.
TRANSPORT: Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
What's Included
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Accommodation
Participation camping (39 nts), simple hotels (5 nts, single or twin-share), permanent tented camp (3 nts), hostels (3 nts, multi-share with 3-4 people), full-service camping (2 nts), basic bush camping (2 nts). -
G for Good Moments
Visits to !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, Lusumpuko Women's Club Lunch, Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard Cafe, Café Ubuntu Farm-to-Table Lunch, and AidChild Cafe & Gallery.
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Welcome Moment
Meet Your CEO and Group.
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Discover Moments
Discover Victoria Falls and Jinja.
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Local Living Moment
Kande Beach Local Dinner.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance to Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei Dunes, and Spitzkoppe.
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Wildlife Safari Drives
Entrances and wildlife safari drives in Etosha, Serengeti National Parks, and Masai Mara National Reserve.
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Waterberg Plateau Visit
Visit to Waterberg Plateau.
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Okavango Delta Excursion
Overnight bush camping excursion in Okavango Delta.
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Ngorongoro Crater Visit
Visit to Ngorongoro Crater.
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Zanzibar Excursion
Excursion to Zanzibar.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as skydiving, sand boarding, scenic flights, and rafting are not included.
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Meals in Swakopmund
Meals are not included while in Swakopmund to allow freedom to try local restaurants and bars.
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Bottled Drinking Water
All bottled drinking water while on safari will be at your own expense.
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Visas
Necessary visas for the tour are not included and must be obtained by the traveler.
Accommodation
Experience a variety of accommodations including participation camping for 39 nights, simple hotels for 5 nights, permanent tented camps for 3 nights, hostels for 3 nights, full-service camping for 2 nights, and basic bush camping for 2 nights.
Transport
Lando (overland adventure vehicle), mokoro, 4x4 safari vehicles, minibuses, ferry, walking.
Meals Included
50 breakfasts, 44 lunches, 37 dinners
Group Size
Max 22, avg 18.
Solo Travellers
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price. ...more ...less
Meals
As mentioned above, most of the meals on this tour are included in the tour price. When a meal is not included, this is because there are often many options available - we would like to give you the opportunity to explore a bit and test the local cuisine yourself. In these cases, your CEO will be able to suggest some good local restaurants or options for you to choose from.
All included meals will be prepared from fresh local produce. The majority of the shopping for foodstuffs will be done before the trip departs, and fresh goods, such as meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, will be bought en route during the trip from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally consist of breads and cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Many lunches will be provided en-route and will be light meals such as sandwiches and/or salads. All evening meals will be freshly-prepared hot meals, and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes.
Your CEOs will do all the meal preparation and lead the way here, but will prepare a duty schedule for ensuring a fair, rotating participation from you and your group members in the meal preparation and dish washing duties.
Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements need to be specified prior to arrival. Please note all bottled drinking water while on safari will be at your own expense.
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Mode of Transport
Travel across Africa using a mix of transport modes including a Lando (overland adventure vehicle), mokoro, 4x4 safari vehicles, minibuses, ferry, and walking.
Important Notes
1. In the instance that you are a parent or guardian traveling with a minor under the age of 18 and you do not share the same gender as the minor child, you will accommodated together in a private room instead of the multi share option
2. Please note that this trip is a combination of multiple G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and/or particular vehicles operating your tour may change between tour segments. You may also expect some group members to join or leave the tour in Windhoek, Victoria Falls, Zanzibar,Nairobi and Kampala.
3. For most parts it is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, countries, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe customized safari truck for the long drives. However, visitors to Uganda should be in excellent physical condition, without any heart problems and prepared to spend strenuous days in humid rain forests, steep terrain and high altitude trekking for chimpanzee and gorillas, as well as other primates. As it is very dark in the jungle; only high speed film (ISO 400 or higher) will give good results. Those preferring to remain at base camp in Bwindi may do so, however, there is no price reduction
4. YELLOW FEVER
According to the WHO and CDC, there is no risk of yellow fever in Botswana. It is compulsory to show a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you are travelling to Botswana from a Yellow Fever endemic country, or have recently travelled to a Yellow Fever endemic country (with entry stamps in your passport), including the following countries (but not limited to): Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Zambia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.
**We advise all travelers to Botswana who are coming from one of the above countries, or who have visited them in the last 10 years, to be prepared with a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate or letter from your doctor with proof of vaccination. Yellow Fever inoculations need to be administered at least 10 days prior to your entry into the country. Border officials in Botswana have been strictly enforcing these requirements. Travelers without the correct documentation run the risk of being denied entry, and will not be able to continue with the tour. (Any additional travel expenses will be on your own account.) **
5. RAMADAN
According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between Feb 28th - Mar 29th 2025, and Feb 17th - Mar 19th 2026. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time.
6. An essential part of your safari is participation. The group is usually divided into small groups and given different tasks which change on a day to day basis, from kitchen duty group (helping in prepare meals and clean up afterwards), the packing group (sets up all tables and chairs outside) and the cleaning group (which cleans the truck by emptying the rubbish bin and brooming). it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your CEOs will do all the meal preparation, but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun! All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in insect nets. Mattresses are also available, which are approximately 4cm thick, warm and comfortable.
7. Sleeping bags cannot be rented on any of our Africa overland or safari trips
8. G Adventures can never guarantee the sighting of wildlife, especially when it comes to mountain gorillas. However, the mountain gorilla trek is organized to ensure success. Before heading into the jungle, our local guides receive coordinates from trackers on the whereabouts of the gorillas, and the trackers stay with the gorillas until the group arrives.
Please note that if you are unwell with anything contagious, even a common cold, you may be denied any of the treks to ensure the safety of the gorillas and chimps. This is a national park regulation, and trekking permits will not be refunded if you are denied entrance due to illness.
9. Water-wise tips when visiting Cape Town:
- Bring a reusable water bottle, that you can fill with Cape Town’s tasty tap water.
- Reuse your towels in the hotel, for at least two days, before getting new ones.
- Keep your laundry until you have a full load to do, rather than just doing a handful of items.
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, or shaving.
- Keep your showers to two minutes or less, and don’t use the bath.
- Use hand sanitizer, instead of washing hands.
10. MONEY EXCHANGE
We strongly advise that you bring ZAR or USD from your home country or exchange money before the start of the tour, to avoid delays on tour. Please see the Money Exchange section for more details.
11. DRONES
The use of drones in national parks in Southern Africa is prohibited.
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Group Leader
On this journey, you will be accompanied on your trip by 2 crew members - a Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and a driver. (Nairobi to Nairobi); or you will be accompanied by two Chief Experience Officers (Cape Town to Nairobi).
The Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will be the group manager and leader. He/she organizes the trip, and will be there to assist you when needed. He/she will take care of the small things so you can concentrate on enjoying your adventure. All of our CEOs in southern and East Africa are experienced group leaders, with a broad knowledge base of the region’s history, cultures, and wildlife. Your leader will be from either southern or East Africa depending on which part of the tour you are on. He/she will be joining you in the back of the truck for a maximum of approximately 50% during driving, to answer questions and provide more information about the areas that you visit. Your CEO will spend the remainder of the driving time in front with the driver to enable them to make bookings, do planning and to fulfil other organizational requirements of the tour. During wildlife safari drives, your CEO will ensure to accompany you in the passenger area of the truck. This is of course because they have a lot of knowledge to share with you during these exciting wildlife safari drives. Please do not hesitate to ask your CEO any questions.
All of our overland adventure vehicle (OAV) drivers are experienced in the routes travelled, and highly skilled in dealing with different terrains. All of our cooks will organize and lead the meal preparation, and have experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups.
In Uganda, during the actual gorilla trek we use an experienced and certified local mountain guide, expert gorilla trackers, and armed guards to accompany you for your safety.
In the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater to round out the team, along with your CEO, you will be accompanied by a local safari crew consisting of an expert driver/guide and camp cook. Your driver/guide is skilled and experienced driver and a certified safari guide, and is an integral part of the team. As well, your cook will prepare the camp meals to add some further local flavour to the trip.
We also use local guides for some included activities where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting.
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About Accommodation
Camping in Africa is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get a first-hand experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. While camping, we stay at designated campsites in national parks and outside towns. Campsite facilities in southern Africa are generally good, but can be basic in certain places. There are generally small restaurants and/or bars, flush toilets, showers (generally outdoors, some with simple reed enclosures), washing facilities and telephones available. Additionally, warm water is available at most sites, but it is not guaranteed to always be warm when you take your shower; the warm water may be used up by others who also use the camp. We usually set-up camp within close proximity to the toilet facilities, though occasionally to reach them you may have to walk a short distance.
They are good quality, durable, industry-standard 2-person safari canvas tents. Please note that most adults will not be able to fully stand up inside the tents, though most travelers find these more than adequate, as they have a base area of approximately 4 square meters. These tents are regularly treated with a waterproofing agent, but under certain rainy conditions, the tent fabric may become saturated to the point where seepage or leakage may occur. All tents have built-in mesh insect netting on the windows and doors.
We travel with our own portable camp chairs with a comfortable back-rest, and we utilize our own cooking equipment to provide the group good quality camp meals.
Wild or Bush Camping
Your camping experience in the Okavango Delta (2 nights) is fondly called “bush camping”, as we camp wild on remote islands, away from civilization and its comforts, and completely surrounded by nature – an unbelievable experience some in fact feel is the highlight of the trip. Wild/bush camps have no facilities - these will be the most basic two nights of our trip, as there is no running water, no showers, nor toilets facilities - we will take our own water and all equipment. Wild camping can be very enjoyable, however please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. Toilets will be of the "dig and bury" variety, and we will provide "bucket in a tree" style showers (with canvas screen for privacy). Wild camping is the ultimate African bush experience as we camp right in among the wildlife, so there is a possibility of elephant and other wildlife coming very close to camp. Your safari guides will have your safety as a priority, so please ensure that you obey all their bush camping instructions.
Guesthouse/Lodge/Bugalows
2 nights in in Swakopmund, we stay in backpacker's (hostels) or small guest houses, which will give us a break from camping and to be better located than the campgrounds in the area. Here, the accommodation is based on several people sharing dormitory-style rooms, with possibly 6 to 8 people sharing a room. Although we will try, we cannot guarantee to be able to divide the group into different dormitories based on gender lines. As such, males and females may have to share the same sleeping quarters for these nights. The bathrooms and showers are private, but may also be shared between both males and females.
3 nights on Zanzibar Island we will stay in bungalows. Basic rooms, twin and multi sharing rooms with shared ablutions.
In camping within the national parks and conservation areas, some camp sites are enclosed for keeping the resident wildlife out. Other camps are open to the natural environment – care must be taken, especially at night, when a torch/flashlight is recommended when walking around the camp area.
The campsite in Serengeti National Park is extremely basic, with no electricity, simple bathing facilities (no showers), and squat toilets. While camping at the Ngorongoro Crater rim, there is very limited electricity, occasionally warm showers, and both seated and squat flushing toilets.
Despite the challenge that a few days “roughing it” may pose to some, the experience of being that close to nature, camping under the African stars, and seeing incredible wildlife at your tent door-step is not just gratifying but ultimately an experience of a lifetime.s, and seeing incredible wildlife at your tent door-step is not just gratifying but ultimately an experience of a lifetime.
In Zanzibar, we stay in standard, twin-share accommodation in Stone Town and on the beach. Please note that our Zanzibar Beach Resort location is subject to change due to availability.
Please note that due to the high demand for accommodation in the parks, sometimes we will arrange alternative accommodation outside of the park.
Please be note that where we use multi-share accommodations, rooming requests of any kind cannot be taken. For private accommodation please see tours in our Classic/Standard Travel Style.
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What to Take
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labeled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, or sports bag, maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited. Porters are not often available, so be prepared to carry your own bags. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a warm jacket for early morning wildlife safari drives. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable.
For our camping style tours you will need to provide your own sleeping bag, small pillow and sleeping sheet (if you would like). We provide the tent and the sleeping pads.
On this trip you may experience all four seasons. We suggest you take something warm eg tracksuit, fleece or pullover for the mountainous areas i.e. Bwindi or Virungas. It is at a higher altitude and will therefore be cooler in the evenings - a jersey, anorak/wind jacket and tracksuit pants would be suggested.
It will also be necessary to take some wet weather gear as it does rain in the mountainous areas of Uganda and Rwanda on a regular basis. We suggest lightweight rain gear for the walk to see the gorillas.
While gorilla trekking you will need a comfortable, hard wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots. Conditions are generally very muddy/slippery. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous. It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long pants to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants. (Tracksuit pants often get caught on bushes, thorns, etc and jeans can get very heavy when wet). Gloves are also highly recommended – just cheap gardening gloves will do. Tuck your long pants into your socks/boots to avoid biting insects. Also take a water bottle, and a day pack for camera gear and to carry your jacket if it’s too warm.
Your clothes will in all likelihood get very muddy and may not recover to their original state - therefore take old clothing for the gorilla trekking. Hard wearing clothes, no bright colours, no army camouflage clothing should be worn. Greens, khaki and similar neutral clothes are recommended.
Please be advised that if you plan to bring a drone with you, the use of drones in national parks in Southern Africa is prohibited.
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Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip. ...more ...less
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the Absolute Africa Overland Safari?
The tour uses a variety of transportation methods including a Lando (overland adventure vehicle), mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), 4x4 safari vehicles, minibuses, and ferries. Walking is also part of the experience.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
Accommodation includes participation camping for 39 nights, simple hotels for 5 nights, permanent tented camps for 3 nights, hostels for 3 nights, full-service camping for 2 nights, and basic bush camping for 2 nights.
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Are there any cultural experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes visits to cultural sites such as the !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, and the Lusumpuko Women's Club. There is also a guided tour of a spice plantation in Zanzibar.
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What wildlife experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes wildlife safari drives in Etosha, Serengeti National Parks, and Masai Mara National Reserve. There is also a guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and a chimpanzee tracking excursion in Kalinzu Forest Reserve.
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What should I bring for the gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?
For the gorilla trek, it is recommended to bring a comfortable, hard-wearing pair of walking shoes or boots, a long sleeve cotton shirt, lightweight long pants, gloves, a water bottle, and a day pack for camera gear. It's advisable to wear neutral colors and avoid bright colors or army camouflage clothing. ...more ...less
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Is there any special preparation needed for the Okavango Delta excursion?
Yes, it is recommended to bring a 5-liter bottle of water for the one night/two day excursion into the Okavango Delta. The camp is very basic with no shower and only a dig-out bush toilet.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 50 breakfasts, 44 lunches, and 37 dinners. Meals are prepared from fresh local produce, and the group participates in meal preparation and dishwashing duties.
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Are there any optional activities not included in the tour price?
Yes, optional activities such as skydiving, sandboarding, scenic flights, and rafting are not included in the tour price.
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What is the group size for the tour?
The maximum group size for the tour is 22, with an average of 18 participants.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
G Adventures was established in 1990
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Most of our trips do not have a single supplement. This means that the accommodation is on a twin share basis and, if travelling on your own, you will be sharing a room with another G Adventures traveller of the same sex. Some tours have an optional single supplement. An optional service that may be available is called "My Own Room". This service allows solo travellers to request their own room.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It's extremely difficult if not impossible to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary, please consult us before you book.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
https://www.gadventures.com/about-us/core-values/
Reviews of this operator
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Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
G Adventures allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
G Adventures requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of g adventures charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Absolute Africa Overland Safari
55 Days Starting in Cape Town, South Africa and ending in Nairobi, Kenya
Visiting: Cape Town, !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Cederberg, Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Sossusvlei, Dune 45, Deadvlei, Sesriem Canyon, Solitaire, Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast, Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park, Waterberg Plateau, Windhoek, D'kar, Maun, Okavango Delta, Gweta, Kasane, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls, Lusaka, South Luangwa, South Luangwa National Park, Chipata, Lake Malawi, Chitimba Beach, Nyika Plateau, Iringa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Stone Town, Bagamoyo, Mt Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Mt Meru, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Mount Kilimanjaro, Nairobi, Great Rift Valley, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, Eldoret, Kampala, Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Lake Mburo National Park, Equator, Jinja ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
26076
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 22
Age range:
You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
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