Explore Africa - Big Six Safari

only  £720

Big Six Safari

Countries:

Zimbabwe Zambia Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Malawi Kenya

Duration:

only 6 weeks

  

or call:

0845 344 7540

Product Details

Uganda

On day one we depart Entebbe, Uganda to visit the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria. The forested island provides a safe haven for the 32 orphaned chimpanzees that are now free to roam the island. You can get close to the chimps as well as enjoy a traditional meal including locally caught fish.

Staying in Kampala we then leave to visit Mpambire Village to admire the work of the traditional royal drum makers. We also stop over at the equator, before traveling through to beautiful Lake Bunyoni. During our stay at Bunyoni there is time for a swim and to canoe on the lake.

One of the biggest highlights for most people is the gorilla trek for the opportunity to come face to face with these rare and special gentle giants, a species of which there are approximately only 700 left.

We trek in either the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for our gorilla trek or alternatively we travel through to the Parc Nacional de Volcans where Dian Fossey worked with the gorillas for many years. During our time at the gorilla parks we also visit a local orphanage and the villagers entertain us with traditional dancing and singing.

In the months when the migration is not in the Masai Mara, Queen Elizabeth National Park is our next destination for the chance to see Uganda's plains wildlife and take a game cruise on the Kazinga Channel viewing elephant, hippo, Nile crocodiles, as well as waterbuck and buffalo.

Arriving into Jinja we stay by the White Nile. Here we can white water raft on rapids grade 3 to 5 amidst lush tropical vegetation in the equatorial sunshine. Swim, cycle, fish, take a village walk, relax by the river and help out in local volunteer community project work.

Kenya

Driving towards Nakuru we overnight at an a working upcountry farm nestled into the Mau Escarpment before entering Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its soda lake which attracts greater and lesser flamingos. Game drives also allow us to view the other wildlife in the park such as lion, leopard, giraffe, zebra and rhino before we camp in the park. Our next stop is Lake Naivasha and Joy Adamson's Elsamere for afternoon tea in the grounds, the black and white colobos monkeys coming down to sit on the lawns.

A walk or cycle in Hells Gate National Park is next on the itinerary, the Maasai Cultural Centre within the park also being well worth a visit. On the months when the migration has usually arrived in Kenya (18th May to 13th October departures) we then head to the Masai Mara for game drives to see the big herds grazing on the undulating grasslands of the Mara.

From here we come into Nairobi, stopping to check out the sweeping panoramic views from the Rift Valley Lookout on the way. We then visit Sheldrick's Animal Orphanage and Langatta Giraffe Park.

Tanzania

Across the border to Tanzania we now enter the world famous Serengeti National Park by land cruiser. We camp in this 14,000 square kilometre park which is home to lion, leopard and cheetah pursuing the vast herds of wildebeest, gazelle, antelope and zebra.

Descending 2,000 feet into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest extinct volcano, we can view rhino, hippo, lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo, zebra, impala, wildebeest, cheetah, monkey, ostrich and flamingo. We arrange a visit to a traditional Boma (village) to experience a little of traditional ways.

From the Crater we travel to the Snake Park in Arusha, where there are opportunities to shop for spears, bead work and ebony carvings.

Zanzibar Island

We spend a night in the traditional capital to explore the winding, narrow streets of Stone Town with its colourful bazaars by day and to dine out at the bustling open air market for fresh seafood by night. The following morning a spice tour introduces us to the fascinating history of the island. We then spend three nights in beach cottages at Kendwa Beach with time to relax on miles upon miles of white beaches, enjoy beach volley ball and swimming in azure blue waters. Dolphin boat trips can be organised to also visit Jozani Forest's indigenous red colobus monkeys. Zanzibar also offers some of the best diving and snorkelling in Africa.

Malawi 'Africa's warm heart'.

Traveling down Lake Malawi, we make regular stops at the popular bays, the beaches providing excellent camping. Local craftsmen sell ornately carved African artifacts including traditional Malawi chairs in the markets on route. We can fish with the locals, take a village walk and there is always a welcome when we visit for a traditional meal and dancing. Enjoy a wide variety of water sports, including water skiing and scuba diving. Horse riding in the lake is always popular. Elephant swims are also popular.

Zambia - Zimbabwe

We travel through Zambia, stopping at the capital city of Lusaka and then continue on to Lake Kariba. Here we relax for two nights on a houseboat for a break from truck life before heading to a game reserve where we can take walks with lion in the bush.

Next stop is rhino trekking and game drives in Rhodes Matopos National Park or alternatively Hwange National Park. In addition to the rhino, these parks are home to a many of Africa's large mammals such as giraffe, buffalo, eland and elephants.

We then arrive at the mighty Mosi Oa Tunya ' the smoke that thunders' - Victoria Falls. White water rafting, on probably the best rapids in the world, is a Must. A leisurely canoe trip down the river is another option. A 'Flight of the Angels' over the Falls offers a unique appreciation of one of nature's greatest wonders. For the ultimate rush you can bunji jump from a bridge across the river or try the abseil/gorge swing. Later, a sundowner cruise is the perfect way to complete the day watching hippo loll in the Zambezi as the sun sets. Vic Falls offers it all.

Cost Details

only  £720

Absolute Africa Ltd

Absolute Africa have been running affordable overland camping safaris and adventure trips for 18-35 year olds since the 1980’s. We provide two crew in comfortable, customised overland trucks for trips ranging from 4 days to 10 weeks.

  

or call:

0845 344 7540