56 DAY ADVETURE LAKE NAIVASHA

Day 1: See the Cederberg Bushman Paintings
After a short stop to view Table Mountain, you depart Cape Town heading north for the Cederberg mountain region, well-known as one of the main Rooibos tea growing areas in South Africa.

These sandstone and shale mountains are also famous for their spectacular rock formations, and the area offers a variety of outdoor activities. On this first afternoon go on a guided walk to see Bushman paintings and learn about the native fauna and flora.

Day 2: Sit Under the Namaqualand Stars
Travel north through Namaqualand, towards the Gariep River. Namaqualand is big sky country and this vast semi-arid region comes alive in spring when millions of colourful wild flowers cover the countryside.

The night is spent sitting around the campfire getting to know your fellow travellers. The Gariep River forms the border of South Africa and Namibia and is used widely for agricultural irrigation in this arid area.

Day 3: Marvel at the Fish River Canyon
Choose between a relaxing morning on the riverbank or a half-day canoe adventure (optional) on the Orange River. Alternatively, spend your time swimming, watching birds and investigating the interesting geographical features that are unique to the Richtersveld area.

After lunch you travel north to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. The Fish River is the longest river in Namibia at 650km in length and the Fish River Canyon is situated along the lower reaches of this seasonal river. The Fish River Canyon is 161km in length and runs from Seeheim to Ai-Ais.

Day 4: Take a Walk in the Namib-Naukluft
After marvelling at the impressive natural beauty of the mighty Fish River Canyon, you continue on into the remote Namibian hinterland.

You arrive at Sesriem Camp in the afternoon and have time to go for a walk in to the smaller Sesriem Canyon. Tonight is an excellent opportunity to sleep out under the stars, beside the fire, surrounded by the shifting dunes and desert silence.

Day 5: Hike into Sossusvlei
Wake before dawn and drive into the Namib-Naukluft National Park, where you hike up Dune 45 and gain a different perspective of the desert as you watch the sun rise over the dunes.

After breakfast join a local expert on a guided tour as he explains the delicate desert ecosystem. Sossusvlei is a beautiful region of huge ochre-coloured sand dunes.

Day 6: Cross the Tropic of Capricorn
Today you cross the Tropic of Capricorn - where you can have your photo taken - on your way to Namibia's Atlantic coast.

Stop off in Walvis Bay to view the resident flamingo flock before heading to the seaside resort town of Swakopmund.

Spend the day exploring the town and enjoying the various coffee shops and souvenir shops. In the evening dine at a local restaurant serving the catch of the day (at your own expense).

Day 7: Get Adventurous in Swakopmund
Swakopmund is well-known for adventure sports and today is totally open for you pursue your own interests.

There are many exciting adventure activities to choose from in and around this resort town, such as quad biking, sandboarding, sky diving, dolphin cruises, scenic flights and even a spot of fishing.

Day 8: Uncover the Mystery of Spitzkoppe

It's time to leave all the trappings of modern life behind you and drive inland to the mysterious Spitzkoppe. The Spitzkoppe, a sacred site of the San people, consists of the core of an ancient volcano that had the outside layers eroded away.

You have the chance to climb the boulders and rock formations and camp in the wild for the night. The stars in Namibia are so bright you may almost feel you can reach out and touch them.

Day 9: Meet the Himba Tribes
After some early morning exploration you head north towards Kamanjab. Tomorrow you will meet the Himba people, semi-nomadic pastoralists who are easily recognisable by their unique style of dress.

Their hair, clothes and jewellery all form an important part of their tradition and culture. Encountering a totally different way of life is a moving experience for many people.

Days 10-11:Go Game Spotting in Etosha
An early rise sees you on your way to meet the local Himba people. After spending some time with them you head off to Etosha National Park, home to over 340 bird, 110 reptile and 100 mammal species including close to 3 000 elephant and one of the biggest populations of black rhino in Africa.

You spend your days on game drives to the abundant waterholes which offer excellent opportunities for game photography. After your evening meal you can relax at one of the floodlit waterholes.

Day 12: Explore the City of Windhoek
After an early morning game drive you set off towards Wiindhoek in the centre of Namibia, stopping at a popular craft market along the way. In the afternoon go on a short city tour.

An optional activity while in Windhoek is to have dinner at Joe's Beer House. The Windhoek city centre is characterised by a proliferation of German style buildings, a lasting reminder of Namibia's early colonial history. Windhoek is also home to Namibia's brewing industry.

Day 13: Experience Tribal Dancing in Ghanzi

It's a scenic drive to the Buitepos border, where you cross into Botswana. Once at the camp you will meet with a local Bushmen community and experience some traditional tribal dancing. Optional activities include guided hunter-gatherer walk, trance dance and game drives.

The San people, who were formally known as the Bushmen, are indigenous to Botswana (and Namibia) and have lived here for over 30 000 years.

Days 14-16: Glide Through the Okavango Delta
Your journey takes you from Ghanzi towards Maun. You spend the night in Maun and prepare for your 2-night bush-camping experience.

From here you will enter the Delta using local transport. If the water level allows you will take a mokoro ride (traditional canoe) and a nature walk with the local people. An optional activity is a scenic flight over the Delta (time allowing).

The Okavango is the largest inland delta in the world. Its crystal-clear waters and countless islands are home to an amazing variety of animals and the area is a birder's paradise.

The Delta environment has large numbers of animal populations that are otherwise rare, such as red lechwe and sitatunga.

Day 17: See Elephants & Baobabs in Gweta
Leave the Delta behind and travel east to Gweta, located halfway between Nata and Maun, near the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Welcome to Planet Baobab, the baobab capital of the world and home to the funkiest bar in the Kalahari, which is just a stone's throw away from an elephant's paddling pool.

Day 18: Game View by Boat in Chobe
When you arrive at Kasane, set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River.

Spend an enjoyable afternoon on a boat cruise viewing game in the renowned Chobe National Park. This is an excellent opportunity to view some of Africa's spectacular wildlife.

You will have the chance to experience an early morning game drive the following day.

Day 19: Admire the Spectacular Victoria Falls
Arriving early at Victoria Falls you have enough time to plan the next day's adventure activities before visiting the amazing Falls - one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.

The popular optional sunset cruise on the Zambezi River includes dinner and drinks. A Chobe morning game drive is another optional activity that you can take part in.

Days 20-21: Enjoy Spills & Thrills at the Falls
There's plenty to keep you occupied over the next 2 days. You can go white water rafting, a not-to-be-missed experience in this, the adrenaline capital of Africa.

If that doesn't appeal to you, Vic Falls offers many exciting alternatives including bungee jumping, elephant-back safaris and tiger fishing - to name but a few.

Your new guides and truck arrive on day 21 and the last evening here can be spent together as a group at a local restaurant, recounting your experiences and adventures thus far.

Day 22: Journey Towards Lusaka
Leave the excitement of Victoria Falls behind and begin your interesting journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka.

You can spend the day exploring the shops and markets of Lusaka or finalising arrangements for the next stage of your trip. Lusaka is the largest city in Zambia and will play host to the 2011 All-Africa Games.

Day 23: Meet the Friendly Chipata Locals
Chipata is an interesting area full of amiable locals where you purchase almost anything you want. Drive from Chipata to Lilongwe in Malawi and there's a steasy stream of people and transport bringing in supplies that are not always readily available elsewhere in Zambia.

Browse through colourful fruit and vegetable markets and make a turn to see the ornate mosques due to the large Islamic Indian community living in Lilongwe.

Days 24-25: Visit a Tribal Textile Project
Early in the morning you drive from Chipata to the border of the South Luangwa National Park where you will spend 2 nights on the banks of the river. The next day visit the community-run tribal textile project and a local village.

Later in the afternoon enjoy a guided sunset game drive in the park. Optional activities include a morning game drive and game walk in the park.

South Luangwa is home to many unique animals and the concentration of game around the river is among the most intense in Africa.

On occasion in the rainy season it is impossible or inadvisable to attempt to reach South Luangwa. If this happens then an alternative will be followed. Normally groups choose to spend the additional nights in Malawi or on Zanzibar.

Days 26-27: Fish in Luwawa Forest
You leave South Luangwa early and pass through the Zambia-Malawi border. Heading north you enter the highlands of Malawi and spend 2 nights at Luwawa Forest, part of the largest man-made forest in Africa.

There are some wonderful hikes in the area as well as other optional activities to enjoy, such as fishing and mountain biking.

Days 28-29: Relax at Lake Malawi
You soon catch sight of Lake Malawi where you will spend the next couple of carefree days relaxing on white sandy beaches.

The lake is nearly 600km long and well-known for its golden shores and stunning natural scenery.

If you feel energetic there are endless leisure and water sport activities to keep you busy. Alternatively, soak up the atmosphere and relax in one of the most scenic and memorable holiday destinations in Africa. Your evenings are spent beside the lake's tranquil waters enjoying the party atmosphere.

Days 30-31: Walk up to Livingstonia
Lake Malawi used to be called Lake Nyasa and is the southernmost of the Great Rift Valley lakes. The lake is at an altitude of around 500 metres and has a tropical climate.

You continue a short way further along the northern part of the lake, close to the Livingstonia Mountains.

Take a stroll through the nearby craft market and discover why Malawi is called the friendly heart of Africa. If you're feeling energetic and the weather is favourable you can hike to Livingstonia (7 to 8 hours) or the waterfall (5 hours).

Day 32: See the Tea Plantations in Iringa
Today you make the border crossing out of Malawi. Leaving the lake behind you, you gain an hour as you cross into the East African time zone.

As you climb out of the Great Rift Valley you travel through some spectacular mountain passes and past vast tea plantations en route to your camp outside Iringa and your first night in Tanzania.

Day 33: Be Intrigued by Baobab Valley
Your route takes you on a transit through Mikumi National Park to the historical port city of Dar es Salaam.

You go down a pass and through an area called Baobab Valley, before reaching your destination.

One of the great symbols of Africa is, in fact, the baobab tree, with its bizarre appearance and surrounded by myth and folklore.

Day 34-36: Relaxing on a Zanzibar Beach
A transfer by ferry takes you from Dar es Salaam to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. You will spend the first night in Stone Town and get to explore the markets and original architecture.

The following day take a transfer to the northern part of the island and spend 2 days relaxing on the beach.

Optional activities include lunch and dinner, dolphin tours, scuba-diving and snorkelling. Zanzibar is an amazing island and there are many things that you can do here. It is a good idea to read a guide book before you go, as well as speak to your guide, so that you can get the most out of this excursion.

Day 37: Enjoy Dinner in Dar es Salaam
Today you leave Zanzibar and catch a late ferry back to Dar es Salaam and return to our campsite. The evening can be spent reminiscing about your days on the island.

Dar es Salaam is the largest city in Tanzania and is the country's richest and an important economic centre.

Day 38: Take a Scenic Drive to Arusha
A long and scenic drive takes you to Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania. If there are clear skies en route you might see the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

After arriving in Arusha you prepare to explore the Serengeti National Park - one of the most abundant wildlife reserves in the world.

Days 39-40: Game Drive in the Serengeti
Today you have the opportunity to go on a 3-day trip into the Serengeti.

As this is for your own expense, you are able to match the activity to your budget. If you decide not to go to the parks, you can take this opportunity to absorb some of the fascinating local culture.

One of the guides will remain with those who decide to stay in Arusha. Another optional activity is a Serengeti/Ngorongoro excursion.

Day 41: Meet the Maasai People in Arusha
Today you visit a local Masai village and tonight enjoy a final meal around the truck talking about the adventures you've had together.

Arusha is the capital of the Arusha region, located in the north of Tanzania.

Day 42: Discover the Secrets of Nairobi
After crossing the border into Kenya, with Kilimanjaro receding into the distance, you continue on towards Nairobi.

Nairobi is a cosmopolitan African-European city with a population of between 3-4 million people. The number of churches, mosques, temples and gurdwaras within the city bear testimony to its multiculturalism.

Nairobi is not a prime tourist destination, but it does have several tourist attractions, the most well-known being Nairobi National Park.

Day 43: Cycle in Lake Naivasha National Park
You depart the colourful metropolis of Nairobi and travel north to Lake Naivasha where you spend the day at Hell's Gate National Park, so named for the huge red-coloured cliffs that form the its entrance. Park entry fees are included in the tour.

This is the only national park you can go hiking in, as well as game and bird watching or the popular option of game viewing on bicycles. You may prefer to take high-tea at Elsamere - the former home of Joy Adams, best known for her autobiographical novel Born Free.

Day 44: Interact with the Maasai
Today you enter the 2 430 sq km Masai Mara to photograph some of Africa's most abundant wildlife.

Best known for the annual migration of around 1.5 million wildebeest, the Masai Mara is also home to many other plains animals including lions.

Exciting game viewing combined with cultural interaction with Kenya's native Maasai people round off your safari experience.

Day 45: See the Birds in Lake Nakuru
After some further game viewing in the Masai Mara you travel towards central Kenya and Lake Nakuru.

Although the shallow soda lake is most famous for its large flocks of brilliant pink flamingos, the national park is also home to a further 450 species of birds and over 50 species of mammals.

White rhino inhabit the transitional savanna area surrounding the lake and if you are lucky you will get some great photographs.

Day 46: Take a Photograph at the Equator
Today you cross the border into Uganda, the 'Pearl of Africa', and also cross the equator - where there will be an opportunity for a photo.

The night is spent in Uganda's bustling capital city, Kampala. Although it's a typical capital city with a compact, high-rise centre, Kampala retains a small town charm and is one of East Africa's most laid-back and friendly cities.

The Nakasero fresh food market just off the city's main drag is one of the most colourful places in East Africa with piles of bananas, pineapples, tomatoes, mangoes and every fruit and vegetable you can think of.

Day 47: Visit the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary
You can either spend today exploring the city of Kampala, or take an optional day trip to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary of Ngamba Island.

This non-profit, eco-friendly project was set up in 1998 to care for the orphaned chimpanzees that are the sad result of the illegal bush-meat trade. Ngamba Island is situated in Lake Victoria and is only accessible by boat.

Day 48: Enjoy the Serenity of Lake Bunyoni
Lake Bunyoni is a small but attractive lake with steep sides and abundant birdlife.

Ringed by mountains, Lake Bunyoni is best known for its dense otter population and beautiful scenery.

You relax and spend the night in this beautiful spot in anticipation of one of the highlights of your tour, tracking the mountain gorillas.

Days 49-51: Encounter Unforgettable Gorillas
The Mountain Gorilla is extremely endangered with only around 650 remaining.
Visiting the gorillas is a great way to support their future as the money spent on permits is used for their protection, an extremely important part of which is local community development work - changing people's attitudes so they start to protect rather than poach.

Whenever possible you will make use of the National Parks in Uganda, but should permits not be available for either Bwindi or Mgahinga then you will travel to Rwanda or DRC. Visas for all nationalities are available on the DRC and Rwandan borders.

Your trek through the forest is sure to be an unforgettable experience. At times the gorilla trekking can be demanding and the day long as you search for the elusive primates.

This is quite possibly one of the most thrilling and evocative experiences that Africa has to offer, and certainly one that will remain an enduring memory from your travels.

Day 52: Spot Animals in Queen Elizabeth Park
Today you travel to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, known as the Ruwenzori National Park for many years until it returned to its colonial name.

The Rwenzori Mountains, or 'Mountains of the Moon', rise majestically above Lakes Edward and George.

This 1 995 sq km park consists mainly of wetlands, and contains over 600 species of birds and nearly 100 mammals including the (elsewhere elusive) giant forest hog, and the legendary tree-climbing lions. Game is best viewed from the water and so a sunset river cruise on the Kasinga channel is recommended.

Day 53: Enjoy a Night out in Kampala
You spend the morning in the park and then in the afternoon return to Kampala. In the evening you have the opportunity to dine out at one of the city's many restaurants.

Tomorrow you leave early for Jinja - home to some of the best white water rafting in the world. Should you wish to partake in this exciting activity, you need to pre-book today in Kampala.

Day 54: Go White Water Rafting in Jinja
Jinja is Uganda's second largest city and the source of the Nile, the longest river in the world. If you do not want to go rafting, there are many other exctiting activities on offer.

You can also choose to volunteer for the day at Soft Power Education - a UK registered charity that is doing a wonderful job in the education of Jinja's youth.

Day 55: Learn About the History of Eldoret
The tour returns to Kenya today and travels to the town of Eldoret. The Great Rift Valley is still the dominant geographical feature of this region with the altitude at Eldoret being 2 100m above sea level.

The town of Eldoret started in 1910 with a post office on what was known to the white settlers as "Farm 64" because at the time it was 64 miles from the newly built Uganda Railhead at Kibigori.

Day 56: Have a Final Dinner in Nairobi
Today you make your way back to Nairobi for the end of your adventure. You may want to finish off your tour with a final dinner with your travelling companions in one of the excellent local restaurants.

Once again 'Carnivore' is always a popular choice, where vegetarians are catered for, but not encouraged.