Best of Africa in the Overland Truck

Namaqualand offers us our first experience with the desert views that will accompany us in the coming days. We continue our journey north and travel after a short stop for supplies in Springbok to our camp on the banks of the Oranje. If you're lucky enough to travel in the spring months (July to September), you might encounter the wildflowers that have made this region famous. Regardless of the season, however, the peculiar desert views provide a unique backdrop for the journey of this day.

Our morning is spent strolling through the Quiver Tree Forest and the Giants Playground – named after the way the massive dolerite blocks are placed on top of each other – creating rock formations and a series of mazes. Every overland journey has some long travel days, and today is one of those days as we venture deeper into the Namib Desert. Our destination is the dune fields that cover the western areas of the desert. Long dusty roads and sparsely populated farms give us a glimpse into the vastness of rural Namibia. From the grasslands in the east to the red dunes in the west, the slowly changing landscape represents the many faces of this desert land. We will spend the next two nights at the threshold of the dune fields and fall asleep to the unique calls of the elusive Barking Gecko.

On the last day in the desert, we have the privilege of joining a local expert for an enlightening desert excursion (this activity could take place the day before). As we regretfully say goodbye to the Namib, we make a stop to celebrate our crossing of the Tropic of Capricorn. After taking in the wonders of the Namib Desert, we turn west and drive into the sunset towards our next destination, the vibrant coastal town of Swakopmund, where adventure and a welcome breath of civilization await us. Upon our arrival in Swakopmund, we will have the opportunity to book any number of exciting adventures. This evening, we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Our exploration of the desert continues with an excursion to the north, where we set off to Brandberg for a nature walk with your guide to see the rock paintings of the San. Brandberg (Burning Mountains) is considered the highest in Namibia and is home to the famous White Lady, one of more than 45,000 rock paintings in the area. This morning we will make the ±2-hour round trip to visit the painting that is said to be about 2,000 years old. (Please note that this activity will either take place this evening or tomorrow morning. The hike leads over rough terrain along the gorge of the usually dry Tsisab River)

“Our second day in Etosha allows for a full day to continue our exploration of the park. No day on safari is ever the same and the excitement before this special sight is the motivation that keeps our eyes wide open. We explore the edges of the Etosha pan in search of the rich wildlife found in the park.”

We leave the white sand of Etosha behind us and travel towards the Kavango River, entering the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. It spans five countries, including parts of our route through Botswana and Zimbabwe, one of the largest conservation areas in the world, supporting diverse animal species and ecosystems. Our overnight stop in Divundu offers a glimpse into this rich natural paradise.

We then cross the border into Botswana and make our way to the gateway to the Okavango Delta, the town of Maun. We spend the night in Maun before embarking on our next adventure – the Okavango Delta.

Today is a full day with a game drive as we spend the majority of our day in the Moremi Game Reserve, in search of the species that roam the plains. Expect some bumpy roads as we traverse this wilderness area in our 4×4 vehicles. We hope to see as many species of fauna and flora as possible, while offering habitats from wetlands, open waters to grasslands and savanna woodlands. This evening we return to Khwai to share and compare all the amazing sightings during the safari.

We travel from the Kalahari sands in Nata to Kasane and arrive just in time for lunch and a short nap before we set off in the afternoon to explore Chobe National Park from the river, enjoying a relaxed boat ride that allows us a personal encounter with the many elephants that frequent the river in the afternoon.

With the many activities offered in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Livingstone (Zambia), today is the perfect day for the adventure that suits your style best. Whether you navigate the mighty Zambezi River or enjoy a flight over the waterfalls, this is your day to enjoy the many attractions in Victoria Falls. Since your tour will continue tomorrow from Livingstone, your accommodation for tonight has been booked in Livingstone. However, you can spend the day in Victoria Falls and drive to Livingstone in the late afternoon. The transfer from Victoria Falls to Livingstone is included in your tour. You have the option to book a morning transfer (08:00) or an afternoon transfer (16:00). Please indicate your preferred time with your booking agent and/or at the time of booking.

This morning we drive through Lusaka, the bustling capital of Zambia, before turning east towards Petauke, our destination for the night. As a vital link between Lusaka and neighboring Malawi, the Great East Road winds through rural Zambia and we will cross the mighty Luangwa River along the way. Characterized by villages and subsistence farms, today's landscapes offer a stark contrast to the developed countries that many of us call home.

South Luangwa National Park is a top-notch safari destination, and we have a full day to explore the park in search of the variety of animal species that can be found there. This morning you can take part in an optional morning safari or, during the dry season (April to December), join one of the iconic walking safaris offered in the park. This afternoon we will enjoy a sunset drive in the park, including a stop for a sundowner. The unique opportunity to explore the park at night gives us the chance to discover the elusive nocturnal species that are rarely seen during the day.

Today is all about the lake, and this day is intended for you to relax by the lake. Take the time to read a book, enjoy the sun, or take in the many attractions available. If you wish, an optional hike to the nearby Dwanbazi waterfall can be undertaken with a local guide. The waterfall, located just a short 30-minute drive from the Nglala Beach Hotel, offers a breathtaking panorama from the summit. Depending on the weather, we may even have the opportunity to swim in the clear waters, surrounded by lush vegetation and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

We set off this morning and head north towards the Utengule Coffee Lodge, where we will be staying overnight.

This morning we finish our journey at the doorstep of Mikumi National Park. We make a short stop in the Baobab Valley, Tanzania. A fascinating landscape dotted with ancient, majestic baobab trees that have withstood the test of time. These iconic trees create a surreal and breathtaking scene and cast dramatic shadows against the African savanna, the perfect backdrop for a group photo. Then we reach Mikumi, which is considered the fourth largest park in Tanzania but is part of a 75,000 square kilometer wilderness area that encompasses Selous, Africa's largest game reserve. Today you have the opportunity to book a safari in Mikumi National Park.

We spend the night in our accommodation before we set off early the next morning to catch our transport to the island of Zanzibar.

With a rich history, this busy port was once a landmark for both the slave and spice trade routes. Our morning begins with a hike through Stone Town to discover the more well-known landmarks, including the birthplace of Freddy Mercury. After our city tour, we drive along the road to our base camp for the next 2 nights. Before our arrival, we will stop along the way to participate in a guided tour through spice plantations that leads through villages and spice farms. You will experience firsthand how spice farmers climb trees and seek specific plants, and you will have the opportunity to buy fresh spices directly from these farms.

We bid farewell to the white sandy beaches and the turquoise waters of Zanzibar. We board the ferry back to the mainland, arrive in the port city of Dar es Salaam, meet our truck again, and head north along the coast towards Bagamoyo. Once an important hub of East African trade routes, Bagamoyo is rich in history and Swahili culture. The drive provides an insight into the energy of city life before giving way to a more relaxed coastal landscape. We arrive in Bagamoyo in the late afternoon and settle into our accommodation.

Although it is a relatively short distance to Karatu, we will spend most of the day driving closer to the Ngorongoro Crater. Before our arrival in Karatu, we will visit the Mto wa Mbu market, located in the small village of Mto wa Mbu. Known for produce such as rice and their characteristic red bananas, the town is directly on the main road that leads straight into the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater area. This evening, our guide will inform us about our 2-night trip.

This morning we get up early to enjoy a whole day on a safari through the Serengeti National Park. Famous for its rich wildlife that lives in the park, we will spend most of our day searching for the animals that reside here.

We cross the border into Kenya this morning and make our way to Nairobi, where we will spend the night. You have the afternoon free to repack your bags for your trip to the Masai Mara. The visit to the Masai Mara will take place in safari vehicles and not by truck. For this reason, you are asked to bring a small overnight bag for traveling. You will need your towel, clothing, toiletries, and camping utensils.

The gentle grasslands of the Masai Mara offer ideal opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. Some of the animals that can be found here are elephant, black rhinoceros, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. Hippopotamuses and crocodiles are numerous in the murky brown waters of the rivers that flow through this reserve. Today we will spend the whole day observing wildlife in the Mara to seek out all the animals.

This morning we crossed the border into Uganda and set off for Jinja. Jinja is the second largest city in Uganda and is most famous as the point where the Nile (officially the Victoria Nile) flows out of Lake Victoria and begins its 6695 kilometer journey to Egypt and the Mediterranean.

The Budongo Forest is the largest mahogany forest in all of East Africa and is home to the largest number of chimpanzees in all of Uganda. It is believed that there are between 600 and 700 chimpanzees in Budongo, and this morning we will meet with our chimpanzee guide who will accompany us on our hike through the forest in search of the chimpanzees. We will also enjoy a boat tour in the park. Note: Since chimpanzee trekking is limited to 12 guests per trek, if there are more than 12 guests on a tour, the trekking will be split between the morning and afternoon. Therefore, you may do the boat tour activity first and then the chimpanzee trekking or vice versa. Please be flexible.

Crossing the equator once again, we travel south to the beautiful landscape of Lake Bunyonyi. With great anticipation, we prepare for the upcoming gorilla trekking excursion, and this evening we will receive a briefing on what to expect.