Nairobi to Harare (41 days) Apes & Lakes

Itinerary

Days 1 to 2
After our pre departure meeting - our trip departs Nairobi and heads north into one of Africas greatest natural features, the East African Rift Valley. Stretching from the Dead Sea in Jordan down to Mozambique in Southern Africa, our first view is from the top of a steep escarpment. Overland trips through East Africa will allow you to experience some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, and the Rift Valley is a definite highlight. The valley floor seems to sweep on forever and is dotted with volcanic peaks, shimmering lakes and countless springs. Our journey takes us into the heart of the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha. We camp near the lake shore where Hippos sometimes feed at night! Here you can walk to Elsamere, the house of Joy Adamson - of Elsa the Lion and Born Free fame, and enjoy a film of her life - and cream teas! You can also hire mountain bikes and cycle or walk through Hells Gate National Park - the only game reserve in Kenya in which you are permitted  to do so. Or for a less active but equally enjoyable game viewing experience - visit the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. Both offer excellent scenery & opportunities to spot hyrax, abundant bird & plant life along with several types of gazelle, impala and eland.

Days 3 to 4
We then continue west and travel to Uganda. A mountainous drive with spectacular scenery through the Nandi Hills brings us to our next stop at Eldoret. From here we cross the Kenya - Uganda border, and continue to the capital Kampala.

Days 5 to 6
Kampala has had a turbulent past, but these days it is a friendly and safe city. We have a free day to spend in local cafes and nightspots - where you can get to know the local people. There is also the opportunity to spend the day visiting a local Chimpanzee Sanctuary and rehabilitation centre on one of the islands on Lake Victoria. The following day we have a long drive as we head west through swamps, patches of forest and fertile green countryside. As we travel through Uganda, we'll pass through a number of small towns and villages; Mpigi, where you will see roadside stalls manufacturing and selling traditional musical instruments; Kyazanga, where we can buy fresh rotisserie and roasted meat and vegetables, as well as roasted plantain bananas. We will also be able to make a photo stop where our route crosses the Equator.

Days 7 to 10
The Virunga range of volcanic mountains and the rainforests on these mountain slopes are home to several families of highland Mountain Gorillas. You have the option to trek with the gorillas in Rwanda (booked as an Add On prior to departure). Getting up close to these amazing creatures is truly a once in a lifetime experience and one of the highlights of the trip. There will also be an opportunity to visit the genocide memorial in Kigali, which is a moving and humbling experience.

Days 11 to 15
We then return to Kampala and camp near Jinja - Uganda's adventure playground. Here, on the edge of Lake Victoria, the Nile begins its 6700km journey to the sea. We spend the next few days downstream from the source of the Nile. This is a spectacular area and a superb place to go whitewater rafting or kayaking. You can also organise quad biking , horse riding or a visit to a local education project.

Days 16 to 19
Entering back into Kenya we travel through hills covered in tea plantations and rural scenery. A days drive brings us to Lake Nakuru National Park - home to a wide variety of wildlife including Black Rhino, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena and Giraffe. However, Nakuru is a soda lake and most famous for its pink inhabitants, a flock of almost a million Pink Flamingos which feed noisily along the shoreline. A few hours drive brings us back to Nairobi where we will visit Langata Giraffe centre, you will also have the opportunity to visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where Oasis sponsor Kamboyo, an orphaned elephant.

Day 20
We depart Nairobi early morning and immediately find ourselves in hot savannah grasslands with acacia trees providing the only shade. Various game, usually zebra and giraffe can be seen as we head south and cross into Tanzania - where we camp on the outskirts of Arusha town.

Days 21 to 23
Here you have the option to use a local African safari travel company to guide us through Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. After a morning of flamingo spotting on Lake Manyara, you'll head down into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. On the crater floor you will have the opportunity to view the abundant wildlife including Elephant, Lion, Cheetah, White Rhino, Buffalo, Hippo, Antelope, Crocodile and Pink Flamingos. From here you can also choose to go into the Serengeti for a day where vast herds of wildebeest roam the plains. For those who wish - there is an option to visit a local Maasai Village and learn about their culture and way of life.

Days 24 to 30
After leaving Arusha we pass a number of small towns and villages along the way and, if we are lucky, we may see the towering peak of Kilimanjaro. We will stop off at Marangu where you have the opportunity to climb to Kilimanjaro base camp, or take a walk through the lush surroundings passing through coffee plantations, rivers, waterfalls, caves and visiting a local blacksmith. A days drive brings us to Dar Es Salaam where our truck is based for around 4 nights in a campsite on a beautiful Indian Ocean beach. From here most people take the ferry out to Zanzibar for the full four days and venture into the narrow bustling streets of Stone Town and its famous spice markets, old slave forts and dungeons. There is also time to relax on Zanzibar's famous white beaches, scuba dive or snorkel and swim with dolphins- before returning to Dar Es Salaam.

Days 31 to 33
After meeting the Zanzibar ferry we begin the journey through the interesting and mountainous hinterland of Tanzania. In the afternoon, after negotiating some appalling roads, we pass through the peaceful Mikumi National Park. African safari travel is synonymous with wildlife, and in this national park we usually see Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra and Antelope from the roadside. Passing through lush mountainous landscape and plantations - we enter Malawi which is dominated by its huge fresh water lake.

Days 34 to 38
Camping in Malawi sums up the spirit of an Africa overland trip with Oasis. We spend 4 to 5 days at friendly laid back campsites where most people choose to relax on the sandy beaches or try their hand at scuba diving , snorkelling or windsurfing as we follow the lakeshore south. If you are more inclined to just relax - then there is no better place than on the shores of Lake Malawi. This really is a warm friendly country - making it easy to wander off and meet up with your local hosts in one of the many villages or schools nearby. You can view first hand the talent of the local artisans and purchase some exquisite pieces of furniture and carvings out of ebony and mahogany. 

Days 39 to 41
From here we continue on to the capital Lilongwe in the south of the country where we you can post gifts home, play a round of golf or check out the local markets.

What’s Included

• Airport pick up and one night pre-trip accommodation at Karen Camp (in a dorm room)
• Lake Nakuru National Park
• Giraffe Centre
• Lake Naivasha
• Marangu - the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro
• Mikumi National Park
• Lake Malawi
• All transport on Oasis Expedition Truck
• Meals prepared by group or provided - approx 60%
• Accommodation fees (100% camping)
• Camping and Cooking gear
• Services of Oasis Crew

What’s Not Included

• Visas $170 - $280 (depending on nationality most can be obtained en route)
• Meals - approx 40%
• Optional Excursions as listed in the pre-departure information
• Gorilla Trekking Permit (bookable as an Add-on)
• Airport Taxes & Transfers
• Travel Insurance
• Flights
• Drinks  
• Tips

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