Uganda - Jinja, Lake Victoria, Murchison Falls, Owen Falls Dam, Nile River
Jinja, Uganda overlooks Lake Victoria, one of the largest lakes in the world. The White Nile flows north from the lake towards Egypt. Owen Falls Dam blocks the river below which are the Owen Falls. On and around the river you can; white water raft, canoe, horse ride, bungee jump, jet boat, quad bike and help with local community projects.
Uganda - Lake Bunyonyi
The lake in the west of Uganda is our base while groups are off trekking to the mountain gorillas. It’s a highland mountain lake in quiet surroundings were you can row around the lake, swim and bird watch.
Kenya - Lake Nakuru
A large shallow lake surrounded by a park on the edge of Nakuru town. The big three here are pink flamingoes – sometimes millions of them, rhino and tree sleeping lions. Also living in and around the lake are; pelicans, cormorants, leopards, baboons, giraffe, waterbuck, rock hyrax and birdlife.
Kenya - Lake Naivasha
We camp by this large freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley. You can take boats out on the lake to see hippos relaxing in groups in the water and the hundreds of different types of birds. The hippos come out of the lake in the evening and graze around the shore into the night. Around the lake are a few side trips you can take.
Kenya - Naivasha, Green Crater Lake
In Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, a small placid jade green lake set amongst acacia tress in a small volcanic crater. Nature walks great for bird spotting, with Colobus monkeys and Flamingoes.
Kenya - Hell's Gate National Park
One of the few parks you can walk or cycle through, no lions here but you can see giraffe and antelope many wild animals but superb volcanic scenery. There a geothermal power plant on the edge of the park which you can see up close.
Kenya - Nairobi, Elsamere Conservation Centre
The old home of Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion of 'Born Free' fame. Take afternoon tea on the lake shore with black and white colobus monkeys swinging through the thorn trees above.
Kenya - Masai Mara
Kenya - is set on the southern border of Kenya some 4 hours drive from Nairobi on massive plain. The animals you are most likely to see are; lions, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra, gazelle, hyenas, wildebeest and some rhino. The most impressive site in the park is the great migration of wildebeest from July to October.
Kenya - Nairobi, Langata Giraffe Centre
Here you can hand feed giraffes while you stand head high with the giraffes. It’s a side trip in Nairobi with a entry fee of $7 plus a charge for giraffe food.
Kenya - Nairobi, Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage
Stand with baby elephants and rhinos which have been rescued from the wild; normally their mothers have been poached. Now they are fed from a bottle. It’s a side trip in Nairobi with a entry fee of $5. You can pay more, and foster an orphaned elephant.
Tanzania - Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater
Arusha is Tanzania’s safari hub. From here, you can take the trip to the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
The Serengeti plains are the Africa of the movies. Immense herds of zebra and wildebeest migrate here to and from Kenya’s Masai Mara. Leopards and lions are often spotted. All the big five can be found in the park. That is, if luck is with you. Your campsite is rustic offering the rare opportunity to fall asleep (or lay nervous and sleepless awake) to the sounds of lions or hyenas. Breakfast and box lunches are provided during the day and dinner is prepared for you by your cook at night. After game driving in the park, you’ll head out, past Masai villages and Olduvai Gorge, to the Ngorongoro Crater. The next morning, you’ll wake up early and do a game drive in the unique ecosystem of the crater where there are plenty of lions, black rhino, and elephant.
Zambia - South Luangwa National Park
A lightly forested park on the Luangwa River in the south east of Zambia. Animals normally seen are; hippos, elephants, crocodiles, antelopes, water and bush buck, wild dogs, lions, and buffalo. We camp on the river bank beside the park. You can do both day and night game drives into the park. Leopards can sometimes be spotted on the night drives as the park has one of the highest concentrations of them in Africa. The road up to the park is dirt and the park been part of vast swamp system, so from January up to March as the road can be flooded we can’t get in until the water recedes and the road’s rebuilt and graded. The government has fast tracked a road up grading program, so it should soon be all open all year round.
Zimbabwe & Zambia - Victoria Falls
The Zambezi River drops 100 metres over a mile wide chasm creating one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world. When the river is in full flow, the water roars and sends a cloud of spray 500 metres into the air.
Victoria Falls is on the border of Zimbabwe (Victoria Town) and Zambia (Livingstone). Adventure activities here are; bungee jumping, white water rafting, game-viewing on horseback, canoeing, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the falls and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi, walk with lion cubs.
Namibia - Etosha Pan National Park
Namibia’s Etosha pan is a large salt pan, forming part of the Kalahari Basin .The dry lakebed is 120-kilometers long (75-miles). During the day we drive through the park in the truck to various water holes where animals may congregate. We may see elephants, rhino, lion, leopard, springbok, oryx, kudu, mongoose, and even the elusive giraffe and zebra. In the evening, walk from the campsite to the illuminated waterhole, it’s very busy with animals coming to drink especially in the dry season.
Namibia - Kamanjab Cheetah Farm
Kamanjab, Namibia. Cheetahs are a threat to livestock which is a major industry in the area. Farmers and ranchers will often kill this endangered animal when one is suspected of taking down cattle, goat, or sheep. The family that runs the Cheetah Farm doesn’t like to see that happen and instead catches problem animals and releases them onto their expansive but enclosed property thereby saving the cheetahs and the livelihood of local ranchers. You can pet and play with the tame cheetahs up at the ranch house. In the afternoon, ride out to the fields to see the cats feed.
Namibia - Cape Cross
Namibian Atlantic Coast. This is where the first European explorers landed in the 15th century. It is now more famous for the seal breeding colony. It might not smell great, but the sight of so many Cape Fur Seals is quite impressive. The scene varies from season to season. Certain times males are fighting for mates. Pupping season brings not only adorable seal pups but ravenous jackal taking advantage of the weak newborns or, as they see them, easy meals. Cape Fur Seals are really a type of sea lion only found along the coast of Southern Africa
South Africa & Namibia - Orange River
The river forms the border with South Africa. You can spend the afternoon canoeing on the river.
Uganda or Rwanda - Mountain Gorillas
There are less than 800 mountain gorillas in the wild, we see the biggest primate in either; Uganda, DR Congo or Rwanda. Trekking to see them is expensive however well worth it according to everyone when they return from sitting beside the wooly giants. There are four parks you can visit the gorillas in three different countries. Three of the parks form a super park meeting on the borders of the three countries.
Uganda - Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Rwanda - Volcanoes National Park
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is the fourth park and separate to the other parks. Most of the gorillas live in Bwindi, which is where we try to see them. The parks are covered in rainforest and thick bamboo. Aside from the gorillas other animals you might see while trekking to the gorillas are colobus monkeys but the thick forest makes game spotting hard. The trek to gorillas can take; if you’re lucky less than an hour up to all day long. The trekking is done with ranger guides who follow the gorillas from their previous night’s nests. (They do build nests in trees or on the ground every night to sleep in). Once you reach the gorillas you sit with them for an hour while they normally feed or relax a short distance from you. There are a number of rules to follow when you’re around the gorillas which the guides show you how to follow.
Tanzania - Zanzibar Archipelago Unguja Island
You can take two a hour ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Islands for a few days.
Stone Town a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old slave market , the spice growing areas, Jozani Forest with Red Colobus Monkeys and in the evening visit the seafood cafes and have dinner on the wharf.
Africa House - Enjoy cocktails and maybe a water pipe as you watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean from the balcony of this historic hotel. Zanzibar Stone Town!
Night Market - Browse the stalls for seafood and sugar cane juice. Definitely have a Zanzibar Pizza made while you wait.
Spice Tour - Tour historic Stone Town and the slave chambers. Visit the local market as well as spice plantations. Have a traditional meal in a local’s home. Add the Jozani Forest to the day’s activities and see the endemic Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkeys.
Night Market - Browse the stalls for seafood and sugar cane juice. Definitely have a Zanzibar Pizza made while you wait.
Snorkeling - Take a dhow out to the reef that lies off a private island. Snorkel the reef and then sail back to a secluded beach for a fresh fish meal before returning to Nungwe.
SCUBA Diving - If you’re a certified diver, visit one of the dive centers and check out the dive sites. If you’re interested in learning, start your dive course here
Deep Sea or Reef Fishing - Hire local to take you reef fishing in a dhow or go with a professional outfit for deep sea fishing.
Visit one of two natural aquariums. Feed the resident sea turtles and even swim with them during high tide.
Sunbathe and relax on the beach. Catch up on your diary or book. Swim in the warm waters. Just watch out for sea urchins.
Beach Bars - Start early or spend a late night at one of the beach bars.
Tanzania - Mikumi National Park
On the Great North Road, in southern Tanzania. Its covered by savannah woodland. As we follow the highway through the park we often see elephants and antelopes.
Malawi - Kande Beach
Lake Malawi; it’s is a special beach resort orientated to budget beach activities. Snorkel around Kande Island. If you’re feeling fit, swim the 800 meters out. If you want to take it a bit easier, rent a paddle boat or canoe. If you’re up for an all day cooking job, bargain with the locals for a pig and spit roast it. SCUBA Dive the freshwater lake. Lake Malawi is home to countless beautiful, endemic fishes. PADI certifications also available here. Horseback ride through forests and villages with Kande Horses. All skill levels are catered to. Take your horse for a swim in the lake with you after a 2 to 4 hour ride. Have a drum circle with the local boys and get exposed to a little Malawian culture. Shop the wood carvings market or take a village tour
Botswana - Chobe Park
In Botswana on the Chobe River Its the home to 50,000 elephants as well as being a watering hole for giraffe, sable, cape buffalo, lion warthog hippo, kudu, hyena and fish eagle. You can take a cruise along the river with excellent game viewing and enjoying the sunset on the Chobe River or a guided game drive. We camp beside the river
Botswana - Okavango Delta
Maun is a small town on the edge of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. It’s starting point for the Mokoro (dugout canoe) trip into the Delta. As you glide through the waterways, you will see a fantastic array of wetland wildlife, birds in particular. You will come across hippos in the water and elephants drinking from the shore. You can go on a walking safari to look for giraffe, buffalo and rare antelope – the overnight stay is a great wilderness. We bush camp and cook over open fires. Toilet facilities consist of specially dug hole behind some bushes. After returning to Maun you can take the scenic flight over the Delta. See the extra wildlife that you didn’t realize were so close to camp.