Ultimate Africa

59 days - from $5310

This is the ultimate African adventure that takes us from the jungles of Rwanda to the savannahs of East Africa, the tropical beaches on the Indian Ocean, mighty Victoria Falls, the desert splendours of Namibia and ultimately Cape Town - the Mother City. At every juncture of this epic journey, the kaleidoscope that is Africa unfurls before us in what is surely the experience of a lifetime.

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)
• Brandberg Mountain
• Dawn in Etosha National Park
• Fish River Canyon
• 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
• Swakopmund
• 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
• Overload the senses in Victoria Falls

Itinerary:

Day 1-2: Kigali - Ruhengeri3-5: Parc National des Volcans (Gorilla Trek) - Kisoro - Queen Elizabeth National Park6-8: Entebbe - Ngamba Island - Jinga9-11: Kericho – East Africa Mission Orphanage – Lake Nakuru National Park12-14: Lake Naivasha – Masai Mara National Reserve15-17: Nairobi - Arusha - Mto Wa Mbu18-20: Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park - Arusha21-22: Pangani - Dar es Salaam23-26: Zanzibar27-28: Dar es Salaam - Baobab Valley - Iringa29-32: Lake Malawi33-36: South Luangwa National Park – Chipata37-40: Lusaka – Victoria Falls41-42: Chobe National Park43-46: Caprivi Strip – Okavango Delta47-49: Bushmanland - Etosha National Park50-52: Spitzkoppe – Cape Cross – Swakopmund53-54: Namib - Naukluft National Park - Sossusvlei55-56: Fish River Canyon - Gariep (Orange) River57-59: Winelands - Cape Town

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; all park fees; one pre-purchased gorilla permit; local specialist guides for gorilla trek and in Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta and Sossusvlei; all camping equipment; transport in custom-built safari vehicle during safari, 4WD vehicle during safari, mokoros, ferry, 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: 57 breakfasts, 45 lunches, 44 dinners
EquipmentIncluded: 02 Sep 10
Valid From: 11 Jan 09
Valid Until: 31 Dec 69
Starts/Ends: Kigali to Cape Town
Trip Reference: GAUA