Wagon Trails | Tropical Trek extended itinerary

Tropical Trek extended itinerary

Day 1 Johannesburg

Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa.

You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting tonight at 6pm. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. Your leader will collect your local payment at this meeting. After the group meeting there is the option of joining the group for dinner.

Please note this is a combination trip. The composition of your group, your group leader and your overland vehicle will change in Livingstone.

Our journey begins in Johannesburg, a sprawling city of remarkable contrasts: in the townships, mansions stand alongside tin shacks and there are as many green parks on the outskirts of the city as there are conglomerations of concrete in the city centre. This is a good place to spend a couple of days to get an insight into South Africa's history and it's a great base for exploring the rest of the country.

In Jo'Burg we stay in comfortable twin share permanent dome tents with two beds, toilet facilities are shared.

Day 2 Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Today we head to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary situated on the edge of the vast Kalahari Desert. This reserve is the result of local communities' efforts in 1989 to convert the Serwe Pan, previously a hunting area, into a conservation area. Now, the area is prime habitat for white rhinos, zebras, wildebeest and giraffes, and game is easily observed around its many natural waterholes. A visit to this locally-based wildlife project benefits local communities and you'll also be contributing to the protection of the highly endangered rhinoceros. We head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they are at their most active.

Tonight we overnight at a campsite with camp toilets and hot and cold showers.

Days 3-5 Okavango Delta

We head to Maun, our base for heading into the Okavango Delta. Our destination today is one of the world's most renowned and complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. Springing from the Okavango River which begins life in Angola, this is a natural wetland system formed by the river dividing into an intricate floodplain of thousands of channels, spreading 1,600,000ha over northern Botswana. This fan-like network of waterways forms an inland delta, the only one of its kind in the world.

For those wanting more adventure there is an opportunity to fly over the delta in a small plane for a bird's eye view, a great way to appreciate the immensity of this watery world.

On day 4 we traverse the waterways by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe navigated by friendly local 'polers', as well as on foot. With luck, you might spot some of the delta's unusual wildlife and prolific birdlife while on these safaris. We also spend time exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides.

We camp on a remote island in the heart of the wilderness. We dig a bush toilet and go without a shower but it is all part of the Delta experience. At night, the sounds of the African bush are the only things you will hear - a true wilderness experience!

Day 5 sees us driving the 240kms (approx. 3 hours) to Planet Baobab. Our campsite is situated around an ancient boabab forest- a wonderful chance to get up close to these magnificent trees.
Day 6 Chobe National Park

This morning there is a chance to head out on an optional morning tour out to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans or enjoy some of the other adventure activities on offer.

We then take to the road again, driving 340km to Chobe, which will take around 5 hours including our lunch break.

Nestled in the northern corner of Botswana amid lush forest, Chobe covers a huge area of 12,000 sq km and is home to some of the largest elephant populations in Africa as well as lions and a flurry of bird life, including the famous African fish-eagle. In the late afternoon, we enjoy a fish-eagle cruise on the Chobe River, a very relaxing way to see hippos in the shallows and maybe even a herd of elephants coming down to the river's edge for bath time

Tonight we camp. There are hot showers and flush toilets at our campsite.

Days 7-8 Livingstone/Victoria Falls

Our day begins early, with the chance of an optional dawn game drive before heading for Zambia, its border naturally formed by the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers and we cross it aboard the Kazangula Ferry.

The powerful Victoria Falls is the perfect place to end this wilderness adventure.
After settling in to our campsite in Livingstone this afternoon we head to the
Falls to experience this wonder of nature. The falls are an enormous curtain of water, about a mile wide, falling 108 m into a narrow chasm below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 m and the falls are an impressive raging torrent. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and it's possible to see little islets in the river below.

As this is a combination trip the composition of your group and your group leader may change today. There will be a group meeting to meet your new travelling companions and for your new leader to give you some information about the next leg of your journey. Please note your leader will collect the second part of your local payment at this meeting.

These nights we overnight at a campsite near the mighty Zambezi River.

Day 9 Luangwa Bridge

Today is a long driving day as we make our way through rural Zambia. We drive around 680km which will take approximately 9 hours.

Tonight we camp the night at Luangwa Bridge. The campsite has hot showers and flush toilets.

Day 10-11 South Luangwa National Park

Today is another long driving day (420km, approx. 8 hours) as we head towards the Luangwa National Park. We reach our camp site in the early evening and can take a dip in the pool to cool off.

The following day we have two safaris- at dawn and again at dusk, when the animals are most active. South Luangwa is one of the most scenic parks in all of Southern Africa and is famous for it's high number of leopards. Hopefuly we will be lucky enough to spot this elusive member of the Big Five! There are also lions, hippos and plenty of elephants to be found.

Our campsite at South Luangwa is unfenced and there is often game wandering through the grounds. Hot showers, a pool and a bar on the banks of IIlongwe river complete this lovely setting.

Days 12-14 Monkey Bay/Lake Malawi

Today we head to our first taste of life lakeside (285km, approx. 6 hours drive) at Lake Malawi. We have three nights here to indulging in the many water sports on offer, or you may prefer just chilling out with a good book.

To give you a further taste of the lake, on day 13 we take a day excursion to the south (approx. 180kms, 4 hours) to spend time at Monkey Bay.

We camp right on the pure white sand of the lake's beach - unforgetable. Our campsite also features a bar and restaurant.

Day 15 Lake Chicamba

Tearing ourselves from Lake Malawi we make an early start and head for Mozambique. Today is a long driving day of around 720kms or about 10 hours, including the border crossing.

The camp ground here is quite simple but made up for with it's very pretty position overlooking Lake Chicamba and the frequency of game such as zebra and eland walking through.

Days 16-17 Vilankulo

Today is we cover 470km on our drive to Vilankulo (approx. 7 hours) in Mozambique's pleasure playground.

The following day we embark on a real trip highlight with a full day dhow excursion. This includes an opportunity to snorkel on the pristine reefs of the archipelago, and snorkelling gear is provided. There are opportunities to walk on the dunes and hike the trails on the islands visited and we will enjoy lunch on board our dhow.

Our campground has good ablutions, restaurant and bar, and a lovely pool.

Days 18-19 Inhambane

Today we begin our journey south heading to Inhambane (250kms, approx. 3 hours).

Inhambane is one of the oldest settlements on the East Coast. It was an important port for the Portugese and Arab traders. We have a free afternoon and another free day to explore this historic port town or spend some time relaxing on the beach. Inhambane has glorious beaches, splendid seafood and friendly locals. It has some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in the country, with reefs very close to major beaches.

For these two nights we stay at a campsite on Tofo Beach.

Day 20 Maputo

Leaving the peace and tranquility of the beach behind, we continue onto the bustling capital city of Maputo where we have the afternoon to explore this city and its rich cultural history. With its attractive tree-lined avenues, it has a unique European feel about it and it has some great local restaurants. Todays driving distance is approximately 460km which will take around 6 hours.

We head out on an afternoon walk to explore this city. Maputo is a wonderful place to hear local music and tonight after dinner we hit the town, visiting one of the many clubs playing local music. What we hear will be up to group wishes and who is performing but may be anything from jazz, African pop or even reggae.

Tonight we stay in a centrally located multi-share hostel.
Day 21 Kruger National Park

We have an early start today as we head to South Africa and our visit to the famous Kruger National Park (approx. 5 hours). We game drive all the way to our campsite and head out again in the late afternoon for a further chance of spotting the "Big Five". Tonight there is the chance for an optional night drive to spot nocturnal animals.

Tonight's campsite is comfortable with hot showers and a restaurant.

Please note that the trips departing on the 24th of May and 21st of June 2009 will camp in a bordering game reserve rather than in the National Park.

Day 22 Johannesburg

We are up at dawn with the animals for our final game drive before leaving Kruger. In the afternoon we drive the 450km (approx. 5 hours) back to Johannesburg where our tour finishes on arrival in the late afternoon (approximately 6pm).

On arrival in Jo'Burg you can be dropped at the airport or at Amadwala Lodge. Please do not book any international flights until after 10pm this evening.

No accommodation is provided for tonight, but we are able to book you additional accommodation at Amadwala Lodge in Johannesburg. Please ask at time of booking.