Highlights of Africa

On arrival at Nairobi International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

This morning after breakfast you will be met and transferred to Nairobi Airport for your onward flight to Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. (B)

Flight from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro – Not included in costing.

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Arusha (approximately 48 KM / 1 hour).

Today we depart by road and drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands to your lodge in Karatu, located just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (approximately 175 KM / 3.5 hours). (BLD)

Enjoy breakfast before descending over 600m down to the Ngorongoro Crater floor. Covering over 250 sq km of land, the Ngorongoro Crater is home to the rare black rhino, lion, elephant, cheetah and great herds of buffalo, antelope and wildebeest, and is one of Africa’s most unbelievable landscapes. Explore the forest and lake areas where you may see flamingos and open savannah. A picnic lunch will be served in the crater, before driving back late afternoon to Ngorongoro Farm House for dinner and overnight. (BLD)

After breakfast we travel to Ol'Duvai Gorge, the site of Louis and Mary Leakey’s renowned archaeological discoveries. Their findings include some of man’s earliest known ancestral remains. Continue on to Tanzania’s abundant Serengeti National Park in time for lunch. This enormous park supports every variety of animal imaginable - from large predators to the smaller herbivores they prey on. Enjoy an afternoon safari in the Serengeti National Park (approximately 200 KM / 4 hours). (BLD)

**SEE THE SERENGETI or MASAI MARA FROM ABOVE**
Why not pre-book a hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti or Masai Mara? Whilst staying in the Serengeti or Masai Mara you can choose to float above the open savannah for a unique perspective of the wildlife below, with superb photographic opportunities. The flight lasts about an hour and you can celebrate in the traditional manner with champagne on landing.
The price starts from AUD$650 per person. Early booking is recommended.

Experience the Serengeti National Park in full colour and sound during an entire day spent on game drives through the park (picnic lunch included). (BLD)

After breakfast depart for Lake Manyara, a mineral lake in the basin of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Lunch is taken at Kirurumu Tented Lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive in the park, the home of the so-called ‘tree-climbing lions’. Apart from the varied types of landscape including forest, swamp and savannah, Lake Manyara National Park supports a large variety of animals including giraffe, zebra, elephant, hippos, monkeys and a large variety of birdlife (approximately 225 KM / 5 hours). (BLD)

After breakfast depart Lake Manyara for Arusha and continue to the border crossing into Kenya and on to Amboseli (approximately 355 KM / 7 hours). (BLD)

Following an early breakfast, depart on a full day game drive in Amboseli National Park. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the Park before returning late afternoon to Elerai Camp for dinner and overnight. (BLD)

After breakfast, depart Elerai Camp and continue to Lake Naivasha, where you will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. This afternoon is at leisure (approximately 350 KM / 6.5 hours). (BLD)

After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha past the extinct Volcano of Mt Longonot and Suswa, into the homelands of Kenya’s Masai. The Masai Mara Game Reserve constitutes the northern stretch of the Serengeti and has the richest concentration of animals in Kenya (approximately 250 KM / 5 hours). (BLD)

Today you will get to see the real Kenya as you enjoy a full day game drive through the Masai Mara Game Reserve, searching for the 'Big Five' (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo), with a break for lunch back at the camp. (BLD)

Today you will travel to Kenya’s vibrant Lake Nakuru National Park. The park also boasts a good number of rhinos as well as leopard and lion. Lunch is taken at the lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive in the park (approximately 350 KM / 8 hours). (BLD)

Enjoy a final game drive before driving to Nairobi for lunch. Later you will transfer to Nairobi Airport for your flight to Johannesburg, in South Africa (approximately 184 KM / 3 hours). (BL)

Flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg – Not included in costing.

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Depart Johannesburg after breakfast and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, you travel via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, you travel via Sabie and arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park. (BD)

After an early morning breakfast, you will drive along the spectacular Panorama Route, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26 kilometre long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes’ and historic God’s Window, a breathtaking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park. (BD)

You will arrive back in Hazyview in the late afternoon, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or join an afternoon game experience (optional and at own expense).

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle game safari (with English speaking game ranger) through the Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the ‘Big Five’ (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game species. (BD)

The game safari includes a presentation of the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog), that was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Learn about the dogs that are trained to track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. A portion of the trip price of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience goes towards ensuring that these dogs receive the best possible care in support of the vital work they do. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.

This afternoon an open vehicle game drive in the National Park is included.

This morning you travel to Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of Eswatini (Swaziland) and their traditions. You travel via the capital city, Mbabane, and on to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for overnight. (BLD)

After breakfast you will continue south through Eswatini (Swaziland), before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. This afternoon you will join an open vehicle safari in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino. (B)

The day begins with an early breakfast before departing for Durban, travelling past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. You arrive at Durban (Umhlanga) airport for the short southward flight to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) – this flight is NOT included in the Tour Price and needs to be booked separately, where you will be met by your representative and once everyone has arrived, you head westwards along the Garden Route, which follows the Indian Ocean coastline, and is bordered inland by soaring mountain ranges and indigenous forests. (B)

After breakfast, visit the spectacularly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.

Afterwards you will continue your travels to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon, in the heart of the Garden Route. Enjoy a sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads, before sitting down for dinner at Drydock Restaurant, renowned for dishes with glorious aromas and flavours, using the finest local ingredients and freshly picked herbs from the region. (BD)

Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the “ostrich capital” and the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Along the way, visit ‘Dolphin Point’, an extraordinary viewpoint in Wilderness. In Oudtshoorn, you will visit an Ostrich Farm for a fun filled interactive tour and light lunch that includes local specialities such as Ostrich Steak, before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. You will arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check in and relax before dinner (for own account). (BL)

This morning you will enjoy an early morning meerkat safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). A portion of the monies paid by guests for this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience go towards the Buffelsdrift Foundation, that focusses on Wildlife conservation in the Klein Karoo region, habitat conservation and the local community. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land. (B)

After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, to interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom, learning more about this rural community. A portion of the trip monies go towards your Barrydale Farm School Development Fund, that supports local education of underprivileged children in rural communities. (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue via the Tradouw’s pass to Swellendam and then further to the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land-based whale watching (August-November) in the world.

After a leisurely breakfast, depart Hermanus and continue to Somerset West, travelling via the spectacularly scenic coastal road and then onwards to Stellenbosch, set in the beautiful Cape Winelands. You will have some free time to explore the town’s oak-shaded streets, cafés, boutiques, and art galleries before travelling to Cape Town. (B)

Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour to Table Mountain (at own expense) or simply explore the city. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes and restaurants as well as colourful craft markets. Alternatively relax on one of Cape Town’s many pristine beaches. Enjoy an evening of delicious Cape food, captivating theatre and entertaining tales and songs about the people of the Cape. (BD)

Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where you can enjoy an optional and at own expense seal island boat cruise) and then on to Cape Point where (by tradition) it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. You will return to Cape Town by way of Simon's Town, where you visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee at own expense), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg. (B)

This morning after breakfast you will be collected from the hotel and be transferred to Cape Town Airport for your flight to Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe.

Flight from Cape Town to Victoria Falls – Not included in costing.

On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, you will be met and transferred to Ilala Lodge. This transfer takes approximately 20 minutes, during which time your driver will give you a brief but informative commentary on the area and places of interest.

Today is free to explore Victoria Falls, one of the Natural Wonders of the World, browse the local markets and to experience the many optional activities on offer (at own expense). (B)

This morning after breakfast you will be met at the lodge and transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight. (B)