Africa Encompassed

60 days - from $5405

Our most comprehensive overland journey in Africa starts from the southern tip of the continent - Cape Town in South Africa. We travel north through vineyards, canyons, deserts, salt pans, inland waterways, waterfalls, lakes, tropical coastal islands, savannahs and mountain rainforests. This myriad of terrains is only matched by the warmth and friendliness of the continent's people and the amazing density and diversity of its wildlife. This is truly Africa encompassed!

Highlights

• Canoe the Okavango Delta
• The Chobe riverside, Chobe National Park, Botswana
• Dawn game drives in Masai Mara
• East Africa Mission Orphanage
• Night Game Drives in Kenya
• Sundowners by Lake Nakuru
• Tented camps and tall stories around the campfire
• The black-maned lions of The Mara
• The great mammal migrations of the Masai Mara National Reserve
• The hippos of Lake Naivasha
• Chibuku Shake Shake
• Diving and snorkelling in Lake Malawi
• Mix with the locals Chintheche
• Senga Bay (Lake Malawi)
• Dawn in Etosha National Park
• Sandboard the world’s biggest dunes, Namibia
• See (and smell) the seals at Cape Cross
• Sesriem Canyon
• Spend time with the San Bushmen, Namibia
• Sunrise at Sossusvlei Dunes
• Take the ultimate Namibia photo at Dead Vlei
• Gorilla Trekking in Parc National des Volcans
• Rwanda Genocide Memorial
• Explore Cape Town’s historic heart
• Swot up on Mandela
• Dawn game drives in the Serengeti
• Get away from it all in Pangani
• Safari through the Serengeti plains
• Snorkel the spice islands of Zanzibar
• Studded doors and slaves in Stone Town
• The African Eden of Ngorongoro Crater
• Drink waragi – Ugandan banana gin
• Get cheeky with chimps, Ngamba Island
• Ride the Nile at Jinja
• Safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Birds and big game by foot, South Luangwa National Park
• Victoria Falls by moonlight, Livingstone, Zambia

Itinerary:

Day 1-2: Cape Town - Township Tour - Cederberg3-4: Gariep (Orange) River - Fish River Canyon5-6: Sossusvlei - Namib-Naukluft National Park7-9: Swakopmund - Cape Cross - Spitzkoppe10-13: Etosha National Park - Bushmanland14-17: Sepupa – Okavango Delta15-17: Okavango Delta18-19: Caprivi Strip - Chobe National Park20-23: Livingstone (Victoria Falls) - Lusaka24-27: Chipata – South Luangwa National Park28-31: Lake Malawi32-33: Iringa - Baobab Valley - Dar es Salaam34-37: Zanzibar38-41: Pangani – Arusha – Mto Wa Mbu42-44: Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park - Arusha45-48: Nairobi - Masai Mara National Reserve49-52: East Africa Mission Orphanage – Great Rift Valley Lakes53-54: Jinja (Nile River)55: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary - Entebbe56-57: Queen Elizabeth National Park58-60: Gorilla Trekking – Parc National des Volcans – Kigali

What's It Like?

Gecko's adventures offer authentic experiences and a genuine alternative to backpacking. Our trips are designed for younger travelers on a budget but do include the entrance fees to the ‘must see’ sights while not wasting your money on unnecessary frills. Itineraries utilize public transport and basic twin share accommodations in small locally owned hotels, the occasional multi-share, or simply floor space in a jungle or village hut. Many trips involve some physical activity, the occasional long traveling day and you will need to carry your own bags. On camping trips, meals are freshly prepared by our camp cook, but expect to put up and take down your tent, and assist with camp chores. On all trips we only use local tour leaders who are passionate about their homeland. This is travel, grassroots style - basic but rewarding.

Included: An experienced driver, safari guide and camp cook whilst on safari; park fees; one pre-purchased gorilla permit; local specialist guides in Sossusvlei, the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park; all camping equipment; transport in custom-built safari vehicle during safari, mokoros, boat and on foot.
Not Included: International flights, local payment, arrival and departure transfers, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre-tour or post-tour accommodation, all other meals, drinks, sleeping bag, pillow, all optional additional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature, laundry and flights (unless specified).
Meals: 59 breakfasts, 47 lunches, 47 dinners
EquipmentIncluded: 02 Sep 10
Valid From: 11 Jan 09
Valid Until: 31 Dec 69
Starts/Ends: Cape Town to Kigali
Trip Reference: GAAE