Start city: Nairobi
End city: Victoria
Falls
Length: 21 days
Today
we depart the bustling capital of Kenya and cross the border into Tanzania. We
will stop in Arusha to visit the local Masai Mara Museum and the snake park.
This afternoon we make our preparations for the optional excursion to the
Serengeti NP and Ngorongoro Crater.
Meals:
Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Two per Room: Ndoro Lodge: www.ndorolodge.com
Facilities:
En-suites, hot showers, bar
Route:
Nairobi to Arusha. ±306 km
Travel
time: ±4-5 hrs and a border crossing
Activity
Package: Masai Museum and Snake park *Please note that this activity
could either take place on this day or after the Serengeti/Ngorongoro Crater
Excursion.
Border
posts: Kenya: Namanga, Tel: +254 455 132002, Open: 24 hrs.
Tanzania:
Namanga, No telephone number, Open: 24 hrs.
Arusha
Arusha
is surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks.
Beautifully situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch
of the Great Rift Valley, the city has a temperate climate due to its position
on the slopes of Mount Meru. It is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake
Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well
as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.
The
primary industry of the region is agriculture, with large vegetable and flower
producers sending high-quality produce to Europe. Small-scale agriculture was
badly affected by the coffee crisis of recent years and is now largely
subsistence farming. Arusha has several factories including a brewery, tyre and
fibreboard plant, and a large pharmaceuticals maker.
Day 2/3/4 Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
These
4 days are set aside for the 3-night camping excursion into the Serengeti
National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. This area has one of the most densely
inhabited large animal populations in Africa. On the first day from Karatu to
Ngorongoro, there will be time for visiting the Oldupai gorge and museum.
The
Serengeti excursion is in open topped 4x4 safari vehicles in order to tackle
the challenging side roads in the parks. For those not going to the parks, take
this chance to absorb some of the fascinating local culture.
Optional
Activities for those not doing the Serengeti Excursion: Various Serengeti &
Ngorongoro Excursion packages, Lake Manyara game drives, day hiking &
village tours and many more various day trips.
Day 2/3/4 - for those going on the Serengeti NP/Ngorongoro
Crater Excursion:
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation:
Day
2:
Camp: Seronera Campsite http://www.tanzaniaparks.com/serengeti
Day
3:
Camp: Seronera Campsite http://www.tanzaniaparks.com/serengeti
Day
4:
Camp: Simba Campsite http://www.tanzaniaparks.com/Serengeti or return to
Karatu (Kudu Camp)
Facilities:
Water not drinkable, shared ablutions, cold showers.
Route:
Arusha to Serengeti ± 260 km
Travel
time: ± 3-4 hours
What
you should take along:
•
Daypack with one change of clothes
•
Binoculars, cameras & film
•
Some warm clothes, as it is always cold on the rim of the crater
•
Lots of insect repellent
•
A few dollars (small notes) for tips, curios etc
•
Snacks, cold drinks, cigarettes etc. for the excursion
•
Sleeping bag
For those not going
on the excursion:
Optional Activities: Day walk inside Ngorongoro Forest,
Mountain biking around the villages, various day safaris options (Kudu Lodge to
Karatu)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kudu
Camp: www.kuducamp.com
Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Swimming pool, hot showers,
en-suite, gift shop & internet cafe
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is most famous for the largest and longest
overland migration in the world. This migration is one of the ten natural
travel wonders of the world. Around October, nearly 2 million herbivores travel
from the northern hills toward the southern plains, crossing the Mara River, in
pursuit of the rains. In April, they then return to the north through the west,
once again crossing the Mara River.
This phenomenon is sometimes called the Circular Migration.
Over 250 000 wildebeest alone will die along the journey from Tanzania to Masai
Mara Reserve in upper Kenya, a total of 800 km. Death is often caused by
injury, exhaustion, or predation.
Approximately 70 larger mammals and some 500 avifauna species
are found there. This high diversity in terms of species is a function of
diverse habitats ranging from riverine forests, swamps, kopjes, grasslands and
woodlands. Blue Wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and buffalos are some of the
commonly found large mammals in the region.
The Ngorongoro area is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and to
the north-west it adjoins the Serengeti NP and is contiguous with the southern
Serengeti plains. These plains also extend to the north into the unprotected
Loliondo division and are kept open to wildlife through transhuman pastoralism
practiced by Masai. The south and west of the area are volcanic highlands and
the southern and eastern boundaries are approximately defined by the rim of the
Great Rift Valley wall, which also prevents animal migration in these
directions.
Day 05 Kenya – Tanzania, Karatu
Today those that went into the Serengeti NP and Ngorongoro
will meet up with the truck in Karatu, where there will be time to share
stories of the wonderful African animals seen in the park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per room: Kudu Camp: www.kuducamp.com
Facilities: Bar, Swimming pool, hot showers, en-suite, gift
shop & internet cafe.
Route: Serengeti to Karatu ± 100 km
Travel time: ± 2 hours
Day 06 Lushoto
Lushoto is the major town and district centre, albeit small,
in the Usambara Mountains, halfway between the coast and the parks. The popular
pot plant Saintpaulia has its only wild occurrences in Tanzania, and
particularly in the Usambara Mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per room: The Lawns Hotel: www.lawnshotel.com
Facilities: En-suite, hot showers
Route: Karatu to Lushoto ±480 km
Travel time: ± 7-8 hours
After an early wake up, we leave Lushoto and head for Dar es
Salaam, where a local ferry will take us from Dar es Salaam (where we leave the
truck) to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. We spend the first night
exploring the historical and unique architecture. There are also spice and
seafood markets to be explored. The following day we take a transfer to the
northern part of the island where we will spend 2 days relaxing on the beach. Optional
Activities: Lunch and Dinner, Motorbike hire, Spice tour, walking city tour,
swimming with Dolphins, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling etc.
Please note: If you have not purchased the Activity Package
you will stay at the accommodation in Dar es Salaam for the following 3 nights.
Day 7
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Two per room: Abuso inn: www.abuso-inn-zanzibar-town-hotel.com
Facilities: En-Suites, hot showers, laundry services,
wireless internet
Route: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar by Ferry
Travel time: ±2-3 hrs
Day 8/9
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Two per room: Nungwi Inn: www.nungwiinnhotel.co.tz
Facilities: En-Suites, hot showers, coffee shop, laundry
services, bar
Route: Stone town to Nungwi Beach ± 60-70 km
Travel time: ±2 hrs
Zanzibar
You do not need to take your whole backpack; you can leave
this locked in the truck in Dar es Salaam as one of the guides normally remain
behind. A day pack is enough. Once on the island you will be met by a local
tour operator who will make your other arrangements for spice tours, snorkeling
and other optional activities.
Appropriate Clothing
Islam is Zanzibar’s dominant religion and appropriate
clothing should be worn in Stone Town. Beachwear should only be worn on the
beach and women are advised to wear a t-shirt and knee-length shorts or a skirt
in the town. It is not appropriate to show the arms above the elbow or legs
above the knee. Shoulders should remain covered and revealing necklines are not
acceptable. Men’s clothing is less restrictive and a t-shirt and pair of shorts
are fine. On the beach or in the resort there are no dress restrictions other
than the normal ones in pool/public areas.
Religious Holidays
If you are visiting Zanzibar in the month of fasting
(Ramadan) please speak to your local guide about the customs during this time.
Normally eating during the sunlight hours is not allowed and some locals will
make sure that you are aware of this (sometimes very loudly if you are seen).
Most shops and restaurants are closed during this period, but it is acceptable
(as a foreigner) to eat at the hotel or resort. The guide will tell you what is
appropriate and when.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of the United Republic of
Tanzania. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50
kilometers off the coast of the mainland and consists of a number of small
islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, informally referred to as
Zanzibar) and Pemba. Zanzibar was once a separate state with a long trading
history within the Arab world; it united with Tanganyika to form Tanzania in
1964 and still enjoys a high degree of autonomy within the union. The capital
of Zanzibar, located on the island of Unguja, is Zanzibar City and its historic
centre, known as Stone Town, is a World Heritage Site.
Zanzibar’s main industries are spices, raffia and tourism.
Zanzibar is also the home of the extremely endangered Red Colobus Monkey.
The word “Zanzibar” probably derives from the Persian,
Zangi-bar (“coast of the blacks”). However, the name could also have been
derived from the Arabic Zayn Z’al Barr (“fair is this land”). “Zanzibar” often
refers especially to Unguja Island and is sometimes referred to as the “Spice
Islands,” though this term is more commonly associated with the Maluku Islands
in Indonesia.
Some trivia: Zanzibar was the first region in Africa to
introduce colour television, in 1973. The current TV-station is called TvZ. The
first television service in mainland Tanzania was not introduced until some
twenty years later.
The musician Farrokh Bulsara (aka Freddie Mercury) of Queen
was born in Unguja, Zanzibar on September 5, 1946 to Indian-Parsi parents, who
were employed by the British colonial administration. There is a restaurant
named ‘Mercury’s’ on the beachfront of Stone Town. In September 2006, a radical
Islamic group on the archipelago, Uamsho, forced organizers to abandon plans to
mark his 60th birthday, saying he violated Islam with his openly gay lifestyle.
Zanzibar criminalized homosexuality in 2004 but despite this it remains a
popular resort destination for the South African gay community.
Today we leave Zanzibar and catch a late ferry back to Dar es
Salaam and return to our truck and campsite.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per room: Kipepeo Camp www.kipepeocamp.com
Facilities: Water not drinkable, en-suites, hot showers, bar
Route: Nungwi Beach to Stone town: ± 60-70 km; Zanzibar to
Dar es Salaam by ferry
Travel time: ± 2 hour to Stone town, ± 2 hour ferry ride to
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam (Arabic translation: “house of peace”), formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in
Tanzania. With a population estimated around 2 500 000, it is also the
country’s richest city and an important economic centre. Though Dar es Salaam
lost its official status as capital city to Dodoma in the mid-1970s, it remains
the centre of the permanent central government and continues to serve as the capital
for the surrounding Dar es Salaam Region.
In 1859, Albert Roscher
of Hamburg became the first European to land in Mzizima (“healthy town”). In 1866 Sultan Seyyid Majid of Zanzibar gave it
its present name. Dar es Salaam fell into decline after Majid’s death in 1870
but was revived in 1887, when the German East Africa Company established a
station there. The town’s growth was facilitated by its role as the
administrative and commercial centre of German East Africa and industrial
expansion resulting from the construction of the Central Railway Line in the
early 1900s.
Being situated so close to the equator and the warm Indian
Ocean, the city experiences generally tropical climatic conditions, typified by
hot and humid weather throughout much of the year. Annual rainfall is
approximately 1 100 mm and in a normal year there are two distinct rainy
seasons: "the long rains", which fall during April and May and
"the short rains", which fall during October and November.
Day 11 Mikumi
Today we leave the humid Indian Ocean coastline and our
journey leads us to Mikumi National Park. Mikumi is home to lion, zebra,
wildebeest, impala, buffalo and elephant. Today we have the opportunity to
enjoy an optional afternoon game drive through the park. Optional Activity:
Afternoon game drive in Mikumi NP.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per room: Tan-Swiss Lodge www.tan-swiss.com/
Facilities: Bar, restaurant, hot showers, en suites.
Route: Dar es Salaam to Mikumi, ± 260 km
Travel time: ± 4-5 hours
Day 12 Iringa
Today we travel further inland and up to Iringa in the
highland tea growing area. This evening our dinner is in a local Masai
restaurant where we enjoy a traditional Tanzanian evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per stable: Kisolanza Farm www.kisolanza.com
Facilities: Shared ablutions, hot showers, bar.
Route: Mikumi to Kisolanza ± 280 km
Travel time: ± 5-6 hours
Included Highlight: Dinner in a Masai Restaurant
Tanzania is mountainous in the northeast where Mount
Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest freestanding mountain, is situated. To the north
and west are the Great Lakes of Lake Victoria (Africa's largest lake) and Lake
Tanganyika (Africa's deepest lake, known for its unique species of fish). Central
Tanzania comprises a large plateau with plains and arable land. The eastern
shore is hot and humid with the island of Zanzibar lying just offshore.
Tanzania has a tropical type of climate. In the highlands,
temperatures range between 10˚C and 20˚C during cold and hot seasons
respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower
than 20˚C. The hottest period extends between November and February (25˚C -
31˚C) while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15˚C - 20˚C).
Day 13 Malawi – Northern Lake Malawi
Leaving Tanzania we descend through scenic mountain passes to
our lakeshore camp at Chitimba. Set on a golden sandy beach amongst banana
palms and papaya trees, our accommodation for the night is surrounded by the
famous Livingstonia and Nyika mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Shared ablutions, hot showers, bar.
Route: Iringa to Chitimba Beach ±640 km
Travel time: ±10-11 hrs plus border crossing
Border posts: Tanzania: Chi’zumulu, Tel: +265 15 357 207,
Open: 06h00-18h00
Malawi: Songwe (no telephone), Open: 06h00-18h00.
Day 14/15 Kande
Beach
After arrival at Kande Beach, we will spend the next 2 days
enjoying the many optional activities available, such as horse riding and
different water sports. We will go on a guided village walk in order to meet
the local people and learn more about Malawian life. Optional Activities:
Scuba diving, snorkeling etc.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Facilities: Shared ablutions, hot showers, bar, craft market.
Route: Chitimba Beach to Kande Beach ± 250 km
Travel time: ± 4-5 hrs
Activity package: Guided village tour
The Republic of Malawi (formerly Nyasaland) is a democratic,
densely populated country. A large part of Malawi's culture is its dances and
the National Dance Troupe (formerly the Kwacha Cultural Troupe) was formed in
November 1987 by the government. Traditional music and dances can be seen at
most ceremonies and celebrations.
Soccer is the most common sport in Malawi, introduced during
British colonial rule. Basketball is also growing in popularity. The native
tribes of Malawi have a rich tradition of basketry and mask carving and some of
these goods are used in traditional ceremonies still performed by native
peoples. Wood carving and oil painting are also popular in more urban centers,
with many of the items produced being sold to tourists. There are several
internationally recognized literary figures from Malawi, including poet Jack
Mapanje, history and fiction writer Paul Zeleza and authors Legson Kayira,
Felix Mnthali, Frank Chipasula and David Rubadiri.
Lake Malawi
The lake, third largest in Africa and eighth largest in the
world, is situated between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. The lake's tropical
waters teem with more fish species than any other lake on earth and offers
wonderful snorkeling and diving experiences. The fish also support the local
people, who depend on the lake for survival, using dug-out canoes to set out
long nets. There are many different ethnic groups living in the vicinity and
many different dialects are spoken. Many are Christians, as a result of the
numerous missionaries that passed through the area, while many have retained
their traditional belief systems.
In 1859 David Livingstone reached Lake Malawi when he was
trying to put an end to the slave trade. He then returned in 1861 accompanied
by seven missionaries. They opened a mission station in the south lake area but
suffered from malaria illness and conflict with slavers. In 1864 the surviving
missionaries withdrew to Zanzibar. Livingstone then returned to the region in
1866 as part of an expedition to find the source of the Nile. In 1869 he pushed
north and was out of contact for two years. He was found by journalist Henry
Stanley on the banks of Lake Tanganyika in 1871 and Stanley uttered the famous
words “Dr Livingstone I presume”.
Livingstone continued on his mission and died at a village
called Chitombo in Zambia in 1873. His death rekindled a desire in missionaries
to come to Malawi and eventually, after setting up missions in various bad
malaria areas, they set up a mission called Livingstonia in the highlands of
the eastern escarpment (with no malaria). It is still in operation today and
visitors can hike to the mission. The walk is quite strenuous and you should be
reasonably fit especially if it’s hot. It’s about a 6 to 8-hour round trip.
Day 16 Lilongwe
Today we visit the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, Malawi’s only
sanctuary for rescued, orphaned and injured wild animals. The Centre is set in
180 hectares of beautiful woodland, Lilongwe’s only protected wilderness. Optional
Activities: City Tour
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per room: Barefoot Lodge: www.barefoot-safaris.com
Facilities: En suite, bar
Route: Kande Beach to Lilongwe ± 380 km
Travel time: ± 6-7 hours
Included Highlight: Visit Lilongwe Wildlife Center
Early in the morning we drive from Malawi and cross in to
Zambia and continue to the South Luangwa National Park where we spend the next
two nights right on the banks of the Luangwa River. You can often see hippos
and other animals from the camp bar. This afternoon we enjoy an included sunset
game drive in the South Luangwa NP.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per Tent: Wildlife Camp www.wildlifecamp-zambia.com
Facilities: En-suite,
hot showers, bar, swimming pool
Route: Lilongwe to South Luangwa National Park ±330km
Travel time: ±10-11hrs
Activity package: Afternoon sunset game drive in the South
Luangwa NP
Border posts: Malawi: Mchinji, Tel: +265 124 2217, Open:
06h00-18h00.
Zambia: Chipata / Nwami, Tel: + 265 622 1652, Open:
06h00-18h00.
Day 18 South Luangwa National Park
In the morning you have the opportunity to take another game
drive. The park is known for its high concentration of leopards and hippos.
After lunch we visit the community run tribal textile project and a local
village. Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive, Game Walk inside park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per Tent: Wildlife Camp www.wildlifecamp-zambia.com
Facilities: En-suite, hot showers, bar, swimming pool
Activity package: Village and textile visit
South Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia is a
world-renowned wildlife haven and famous for walking safaris. It supports large
populations of Thorneycroft's Giraffe and herds of elephant and buffalo often
several hundred strong, while the Luangwa River supports abundant crocodiles
and hippopotamus. Founded as a game reserve in 1938, it became a national park
in 1972 and now covers 9 050 square km.
Hippos thrive here due to the patches of flooded grassland
habitats (floodplains) that are found close to the river, on which they graze
at night. It is possible to see pods of up to 500 hippos in the dry season as
the river shrinks and they are confined to areas of deep pools. On average
there are probably 35 – 42 hippos per km! They are integral to the ecosystem
here, their dung released into the river fertilizes its waters and sustains the
fish population which in turn sustains the crocodiles. The park is also reputed
to have the highest concentration of leopard in Africa. It is estimated that
there is one leopard for every km of river in the Luangwa Valley, so your
chances of seeing this elusive nocturnal cat are very high.
Day 19 Chipata
We leave South Luangwa and drive through to Chipata where we
will relax in the afternoon. Zambia is truly Africa, with its lush,
sub-tropical vegetation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per Room: Mama Rulas www.mamarulas.com
Facilities: En-suites, hot showers, bar
Route: South Luangwa NP to Chipata ±120 km
Travel time: ±6-8 hrs (bad road conditions)
Chipata
Chipata has a population of around 75 000 and is the capital
of the Eastern Province of Zambia. Formerly known as Fort Jameson, the city is
located near the border of Malawi on the highway connecting the capitals
Lilongwe (130 km) and Lusaka (550 km). As we drive from Lilongwe to Chipita in
Malawi there is a steady stream of people and transport bringing in supplies
that are not always readily available elsewhere in Africa. You will also find
colourful fruit and vegetable markets and an unexpected amount of ornate
mosques due to its large Islamic Indian community.
Day 20 Lusaka
The journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka
takes us along an interesting route. On week days there may be the opportunity
to visit one of the interesting local markets of the Zambian capital city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Two per room: Pioneers www.pioneercampzambia.com
Facilities: En-suite, hot showers, swimming pool, bar, water
not drinkable
Route: Chipata to Lusaka ±567 km
Travel time: ±10-14 hrs (bad roads conditions) 9
Lusaka
Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. The two
main languages spoken in Lusaka are English and Nyanja. It is located in the
southern part of the central plateau of the country at an elevation of 1300 m
and has a population of 3 100 000 (2007 estimate). With one of the fastest
growing city centers in Africa, Lusaka is located in a productive farm area and
is the administrative, financial and commercial center of Zambia. It is thought
that with proper and effective economic reforms, Lusaka as well as Zambia as a
whole will develop considerably. Lusaka is home to a diverse community of
foreigners, many of whom work in the aid industry as well as diplomats,
representatives of religious organizations and some business people.
According to history, Lusaka was once the site of a village
named after its headman Lusaka which was located at Manda Hill, near where the
National Assembly building now stands. In the local Nyanja language, manda means
graveyard. The area was expanded by European (mainly British) settlers in 1905
with the building of the railway. In 1935, due to its fairly central location
on the railway and at the crossroads of the Great North Road and Great East
Road, it was chosen to replace Livingstone as the capital of the British colony
of Northern Rhodesia. After the federation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia in
1953, it was a centre of the independence movement which led to the creation
the Republic of Zambia. In 1964 Zambia became the ninth African state to gain
independence from the British crown and President Kaunda took power, with
Lusaka as its capital.
Day 21 Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls
On the last day of the journey we drive from Lusaka, across
the Zimbabwean border into Victoria Falls. Although your tour ends here we do
recommend that you spend another 1 to 2 nights in this area to experience
Victoria Falls and many exciting adrenaline activities here, such as white
water rafting or walking with lions.
Optional Activities: Dinner out in Victoria Falls
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Own Arrangements / Post Tour accommodation can
be booked through Nomad
Route: Lusaka to Victoria Falls ±500 km
Travel time: ±7-8 hrs and a border crossing
Border posts: Zambia: Vic Falls Bridge, no telephone number,
Open: 06h00-20h00.
Zimbabwe: Vic Falls Bridge, no telephone number, Open:
06h00-20h00.
Victoria Falls, 1 700 m wide and 108 m high – is said to be
the largest falls in the world. David Livingstone, the Scottish explorer, is
believed to have been the first European to view the Victoria Falls and wrote:
"It has never been seen before by European eyes, but scenes so wonderful
must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight". The older,
indigenous name of Mosi-oa-Tunya (‘the Smoke that Thunders’) is the name in
official use in Zambia. Due to its immense power and size, the waterfall is
surrounded by a rich mythology. The local Tonga people of the Zambezi believe
that a river god, Nyaminyami, resides in the water in the form of an immense
snake.
When the Kariba Dam was built in the 1950s, the Zambezi River
flooded three times, causing many deaths and much destruction. The local people
believe Nyaminyami caused the terrible floods in his anger at the construction.
The unusual form of Victoria Falls enables virtually the
whole width of the falls to be viewed face-on, at the same level as the top,
from as close as 60 metres, because the whole Zambezi River drops into a deep,
narrow slot like chasm, connected to a long series of gorges. Few other
waterfalls allow such a close approach on foot.
The falls are formed as the full width of the river plummets
in a single vertical drop into a chasm 60–120 m wide, carved by its waters
along a fracture zone in the basalt plateau. The depth of the chasm, called the
First Gorge, varies from 80 m at its western end to 108 m in the centre. The
only outlet to the First Gorge is a 110 m-wide gap about two-thirds of the way
across the width of the falls from the western end, through which the whole
volume of the river pours into the Victoria Falls gorges.
There are two islands on the crest of the falls that are
large enough to divide the curtain of water even at full flood: Boaruka Island
(or Cataract Island) near the western bank, and Livingstone Island near the
middle. At less than full flood, additional islets divide the curtain of water
into separate parallel streams. The main streams are named, in order from
Zimbabwe (west) to Zambia (east): Leaping Water (called Devil's Cataract by
some), Main Falls, Rainbow Falls (the highest) and the Eastern Cataract.
Tour Ends
Your tour will end at the Elephant Hills Resort www.africansunhotels.com.
Should you wish to extend your tour for another night, kindly pre book this
accommodation through us.
Arrival
Please
be sure to arrive 01 day before your
tour is due to depart. This will avoid any problems such as forgotten luggage,
misplaced bags or any unpredictable problems such as airline strikes or delayed
flight arrival.
Departure
Please
book your onward travels to depart the day after
the tour officially ends. This is to account for any delays that we may
experience due to unpredictable road conditions.
Note:
All information is subject to change without prior
notice. Travel times and campsites can change depending on road or weather
conditions, etc. These are used as a guideline only. On our longer tours it is
possible that your crew, truck and fellow travelers will change due to our
unique tour linking system. On this tour, camping and accommodated clients will be travelling
together with a maximum number of participants of 18.
Accommodation providers are subject to change
without notice, the accommodation listed in this dossier is our preferred
supplier, but sometimes due to availability, we are unable to make use of the
property listed in this dossier. If we cannot use the accommodation provider as
listed we will substitute another property of similar standards, however,
en-suite facilities are not always guaranteed.
Activity Package
This is an optional additional payment that covers what we consider to be
‘essential activities’ on our tours and therefore this itinerary has been
written with these items included in the day-by-day itinerary. Ideally we
would include all of these, but not everyone can afford this.
MEALS ON TOUR
Breakfast: As breakfast
is served very early in the morning (if there is driving or activities to be
done) it is a simple but filling breakfast: Tea and coffee, breads and spreads,
cereals, yoghurts, fruits and on occasion, when there is time for a later
breakfast, guides will serve a hot breakfast of scrambled eggs, porridge, bacon
or beans.
Lunch:
Lunch is generally served at a picnic spot next to the road en route to a
destination. As the guides only have approximately 45 minutes to get everyone
off the truck, prepare lunch and then get everyone back on the truck again,
lunches consist of sandwiches and salads (rice salad, pasta salad, tuna salad
and green salad) which are quick and easy to prepare but which are quite filling.
They do have meal plans which they should stick to, to ensure that there is
variety on a day to day basis.
Dinner: This is when the guides get time
to prepare a delicious meal and they focus on a substantial protein, vegetable
and carbohydrate dinner. We serve traditional cuisine consisting of braais
(BBQ), potjie (stew), bobotie (mince), spaghetti and fish and chicken dishes.
All meals (on both accommodated and camping tours) that are
included as per the dossier are prepared at the full service adventure truck.
This is a unique adventure in itself where you get to dine under the stars with
your new found friends and experience the real sights and sounds of Africa!
LUGGAGE
Only pack as much as you can comfortably carry, not
pull. The more you pack, the more uncomfortable you will be; this is definitely
a game of less is more. When you arrive at a campsite or at your accommodation,
you will need to take your bag out of the truck and carry it to where you will
be sleeping and this may be more than a hundred meters away.
As the wheelie / trolley bags have a solid frame,
they don’t squeeze into spaces the same way a backpack or duffel bag does, some
of the lockers are as narrow as 38cms and some of the shelves as narrow as
20cms. If the frame does not fit these diameters, there aren’t many other
places to put your bag and it will inconvenience everyone else on tour. They aren’t
as comfortable to carry as a duffel bag and as you know you don’t have to carry
it, you end up packing a lot more than you normally would.
TIPPING ON TOUR
Southern / East Africa: In general tipping in restaurants is
expected and is around 10% for good service, more if you have received
exceptional service and, feel free not to tip at all if you received poor
service. Tipping taxi drivers etc is really at your own discretion and not
always expected. If in doubt please ask your guides. It is expected to tip
Porters and Car-guards etc. Ask your guides how much is appropriate in local
currency.
Our guides do work hard but they are also paid at (and often
above) industry levels for this work. Our Crew can be tipped if you feel that
they have done a good job and/or gone above and beyond the call of duty. The
recommended amount is between USD1-2 per person, per day, per crew member.
The best
way to arrange tips is to elect one person in the group to collect the money.
So if you have 3-crew on a tour, we would recommend that 3 envelopes are used
and each crew member’s name written on one. Place what you feel is fair in to
each envelope and the elected person can give these to the crew at the end of
the tour. If you do not feel that the crew deserves a tip, please, do not tip
them.
THANK YOU FOR
TRAVELING WITH US
