Africa Encompassed

56 days - from $5815

One of our most comprehensive overland journeys 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

• Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park's diverse habitats
• The 'Garden of Eden' of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Crater
• Game drives in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Serengeti
• Cape Town - South Africa's 'Mother City'
• Get cheeky with chimps, Ngamba Island
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mosi-oa-Tunya - Victoria Falls
• Kigali's Genocide Memorial - a monument to the courage and resilience of the Rwandan people
• South Luangwa National Park - the birthplace of walking safaris
• Ride the Nile at Jinja
• The beaches, cultural diversity and slave history of the 'spice islands' of Zanzibar
• Gorilla trekking in Parc National des Volcans
• The flamingos of Lake Nakuru
• Tented camp stays
• Masai Mara's mammal migrations
• Game drives in the Masai Mara
• Senga Bay on Lake Malawi
• The orange blaze of Sossusvlei's desert dunes
• Okavango Delta by 'mokoro'
• Sandboard the world’s biggest dunes, Namibia
• Etosha National Park - game drives and floodlit waterholes
• The children of East Africa Mission Orphanage

Itinerary:

Day 1: Cape Town (South Africa)2: Cape Town Township Tour - Cederberg Region (South Africa)3: Orange River (South Africa)4: Fish River Canyon (Namibia)5-6: Sesriem - Sossusvlei - Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namibia)7-8: Swakopmund (Namibia)9: Cape Cross - Spitzkoppe (Namibia)10: Twyfelfontein - Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park (Namibia)11-12: Himba Village - Etosha National Park (Namibia)13: Bagani (Namibia)14-16: Okavango Delta - Sepupa (Botswana)17-18: Kasane - Chobe National Park (Botswana)19-21: Livingstone (Zambia)22-23: Lusaka - Chipata (Zambia)24-25: South Luangwa National Park (Zambia)26: Lilongwe (Malawi)27-29: Lake Malawi (Malawi)30: Iringa (Tanzania)31: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)32: Stone Town - Zanzibar (Tanzania)33-34: Nungwi - Zanzibar (Tanzania)35: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)36: Arusha (Tanzania)37: School of St Jude - Mto Wa Mbu (Tanzania)38: Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)39: Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)40-41: Arusha (Tanzania) - Nairobi (Kenya)42: Nairobi (Kenya)43-44: Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)45: Lake Naivasha (Kenya)46: Lake Naivasha - Nakuru (East Africa Mission Orphanage) (Kenya)47: Lake Nakuru National Park - Nakuru (East Africa Mission Orphanage)48: East Africa Mission Orphanage School - Kericho (Kenya)49-50: Jinja - Nile River (Uganda)51: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary - Entebbe (Uganda)52-53: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)54: Ruhengeri (Rwanda)55: Gorilla Trek - Parc National des Volcans (Rwanda)56: Kigali (Rwanda)

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.

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).