the big overlander northbound...trip notes the big overlander northbound 47 days | johannesburg to...

TRIP NOTES

The Big Overlander Northbound47 days | Johannesburg to Nairobi

The Big Overlander Northbound - 47 days updated on 08-11-2017

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

- 1 -

Experience the contrasts and raw

appeal of this majestic continent up

close and personal. Visiting seven

different countries, spot wildlife

in Africa's best game parks, trek

for gorilla in Uganda, relax and

unwind on Zanzibar and soak up

the incredible sights!

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Kenya: Nairobi, extend your stay to explore

the sites. The Great Rift Valley. Lake NakuruNational Park and lake. Meet local childrenat the East African Mission Organisation.Lake Naivasha, the highest Rift Valley lake.The Masai Mara, Kenya's finest wildlifereserve. Masai Mara tribal lands.

• Uganda: Kampala, the lively capital. LakeBunyoni, spectacular scenery. Jinja, Nilerafting. The Equator Crossing.

• Gorilla Trekking(an optional excursion).Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla park in Uganda.

• Tanzania: Arusha, the safari gateway. TheSerengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Views ofMt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro. Dar es Salaam,Tanzania's largest city. Mikumi National Park(transit only).

• Zanzibar:Beautiful northern beaches &historic Stone Town (UNESCO-listed).

• Malawi: Lake Malawi, one of the AfricanGreat Lakes, with beautiful beaches, baysand inlets.

• Zambia: South Luangwa NP, Livingstone& Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia'sgateway to Victoria Falls.

• Botswana:Chobe National Park, famousfor its herds of elephants. Okovango Deltaexcursion.

• Zimbabwe:UNESCO - listed Victoria Falls,one of the natural wonders of the world.

• South Africa: Kruger National Park, SouthAfrica's flagship game reserve. The scenicPanorama Route and Blyde River Canyon.Johannesburg - extend your stay to explorethe city.

What's Included• Arrival transfer from Johannesburg Airport

on day 1• 1st night dormitory accommodation

at Mufasa Backpackers Johannesburg(upgrades available) and 42 nights camping.Tents and sleeping mats provided.

• A fully equipped overland truck fortransportation and game drives

• Services of 3 person crew (leader, driver,cook)

• All camping fees & appropriate equipment• 41 breakfasts, 36 lunches, 38 dinners• Park entry - Lake Naivasha NP and Victoria

Falls NP. Park entry and game drive - KrugerNP, South Luangwa NP, Matobo NP, Masai

Mara, Lake Nakuru NP, Ngorongoro NP,Serengeti NP and Chobe NP

• 3 night Zanzibar Excursion including ferrytransfer, accommodation, Spice Tour andDhow Sunset Cruise.

• All road taxes and tolls

What's Not Included• Entrance Fees: Gorilla Permit + Transfer USD

$720-870, paid in USD• Gorilla Permit and transfer fee: Please note

that Gorillas often move across the border,between the national parks in Rwanda,Uganda and DRC, therefore itineraries oftenhave to be changed at short notice in orderto track the Gorillas in whichever NationalPark they have migrated to. For this reasonthe cost of the Gorilla Permit and relevanttransfers varies, as do the applicable visacosts, dependent upon which country weneed to travel into

• International flights and visas• Tipping - an entirely personal gesture• Sleeping bag - please bring your own• Optional activities

Local Payment2017: USD$1430 / 2018: USD$2230, paid in USD

The local payment is a cost per person whichneeds to be paid in US Dollars cash only. It is thispayment which in part covers the park fees andother inclusions such as meals as detailed under‘what you get’. The local payment also covers yourarrival transfer and 1st night’s accommodation.Please note that due to exchange rate fluctuations

TRIP NOTES

The Big Overlander Northbound




- 2 -

in the US dollar, the local payment amount may besubject to changes. This payment will be collectedby your tour leader at the Welcome Meeting onday 1.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : JohannesburgTuesday. Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrivalat Johannesburg Airport, you will be met in thearrivals halls by our representative, holding anOn The Go Tours/Africa Travel Company signand transferred to the Mufasa Backpackers inJohannesburg. Please hand this voucher to ourrepresentative. On day 1 at 17.00hrs there willbe a pre departure meeting where you willmeet your tour leader. We do not take paymentfor pre tour accommodation. If requested, areservation will have been made, but you willneed to pay the hotel upon arrival. Overnight -Johannesburg

Days 2-3 : Kruger NationalPark

Included activity: Night Game Drive in KrugerJo'burg - Kruger. Leaving Johannesburg wehead towards the Lowveld and our campsituated within the border of the famous KrugerNational Park. On our way we pass through thesouthern section of the picturesque PanoramaRoute – famous for its breathtaking vistas.Our camp for the next two nights is a shortdrive from the Kruger Park Gate and has someinteresting local residents that include hippo,giraffe, zebra and impala. On day 2 we take anight game drive.

The following day we further explore theamazing Kruger National Park in the truck.Covering 19 485 km2 - 60 km wide and over350 km long, this conservation area has morethan 146 mammals, 500 bird, 114 reptile, 33amphibian & 49 fish species. 23 000 differenttypes of plants have been recorded. We spend

the day driving around the park keeping aneye out for these. Overnight - Kruger NationalPark (B:1, L:2, D:2)

Day 4 : Blyde River CanyonIncluded Activity: Blyde River Canyon

Kruger NP - Polokwane. Today we leave theLowveld and head on the long, scenic driveto Polokwane. Along the way we stop offat some of the best scenery in South Africa,including the ever striking Blyde River Canyonand God’s Window. The many viewpointsof the Canyon, afford us excellent photoopportunities. Polokwane, capital of Limpopo, isthe largest metropolitan complex in the northand a major economic centre. Its proximityto the neighbouring countries of Botswana,Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, as wellas its convenient distance from the KrugerNational Park and Magoebaskloof, makes it aperfect gateway and good destination in itself.We set up our tents on the lush green grass ofour campsite located outside of the city beforeenjoying a dip in the lovely swimming pool.Overnight - Polokwane (B, L, D)

Day 5 : Polokwane

Polokwane - Palapye (Botswana). After aquick replenishing of our stocks we beginour journey north toward Botswana. Thesmall town of Palapye is situated abouthalfway between Francistown and Gaborone(Botswana’s Capital). This popular ‘stopover’town for those en route to South Africa,is well known for the Morupule Collierycoal mines which supplies Morupule PowerStation, Botswana’s principal domestic source ofelectricity. Overnight - Palapye (B, L, D)

Day 6 : MaunPalapye - Maun. Maun is the starting point forour optional trip into the Delta and it is from

here that we set off to explore the OkavangoDelta. Tonight we prepare our provisions andpacks for our overnight night excursion. Wesuggest bringing along a smaller daypack onyour trip as this can be used to pack the suppliesneeded for this short excursion. Your trip leaderwill brief you fully on what is needed, andwhat to expect prior to your trip to the Delta.Overnight - Maun (B, L, D)

Days 7-8 : Okavango Delta

Included Activity: Okavango Delta Excursion

Maun - Okavango Delta. The Delta is a hugeexpanse of water, which has travelled from theAngolan highlands, spreading out to form thelargest inland delta in the world. Studded withexotic islands, The Delta is renowned for itsincredible variety of bird life and animals and isunique to Southern Africa.Here we can take a 2 Day / 1 Night Drive InMokoro Excursion into the Delta. After an earlyrise, we pack our expedition vehicle and fromMaun we drive north for a couple of hoursto reach the mokoro poler’s station. The Deltaregion is studded with many local villages wheremany families live in a traditional way. Some ofthe villages are very remote and can only bereached by the traditional mode of transport– the Mokoro. Mokoros are dugout canoesmanoeuvred through the waterways by localguides who “pole” them through the reeds. Atthe Mokoro station, we meet our ‘Polers’ andpack our supplies before heading out into thewaterways. . After a couple of hours along thewaterways, we arrive at our mobile tented campsituated in the heart of the Okavango.

On arrival you will meet the local staff whowill be your host during your stay. A briefintroduction to the camp will show you yourdome tent with twin beds and a bush en-suite bathroom – long drop toilet and a bucket

TRIP NOTES





- 3 -

shower. Relax in the tent with a cold drink or takea paddle in the Delta in a canoe. The activitiesat the camp include Mokoro trails and guidedwalking.

On day 8 we Mokoro ride and vehicle transferback to Maun and we arrive back around lunchtime and have the chance to complete ourpicture of the Okavango Delta by taking anoptional scenic flight over The Delta (dependenton weather conditions & availability).Overnight - Okavango Delta (1) Maun (1) (B:2,L:2, D:2)

Days 9-10 : Nata & KasaneIncluded Activity: Chobe River CruiseOptional Activity: Game/Bush Walk in Nata.Maun - Nata - Kasane. We leave this beautifulpart of Botswana behind us on the morningof day 9 as we depart to the lush campsitecalled Elephant Sands. The drive will take youthrough a very unpopulated landscape wherethe donkeys roam freely. Once we have arrivedat our campsite you will have the option ofpartaking in a game drive or a bushwalk. Yourcrew will provide you with more information.

On day 10 we travel north to the town of Kasanewhere we set up camp on the banks of theChobe River. The Chobe River forms a borderbetween Botswana and Namibia and Zambiaand is the main water source to the ChobeNational Park. Elephant, hippo and many birdspecies can be viewed from the campsite whilewe watch another glorious African sunset. Listenout for the resident hippos! Overnight - NataRegion (1) Kasane (1) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Day 11 : Victoria FallsIncluded activity: Entry into Victoria Falls NP.Optional Activities - see below

Chobe National Park - Victoria Falls. Thismorning we continue to the border ofZimbabwe. Once we’ve completed borderformalities, we have a short drive to the nearbyVictoria Falls. Named after the famous WorldHeritage site and Water Falls, the town ofVictoria Falls is situated on the Zambezi Riverand surrounded by the Victoria Falls NationalPark. Our campsite is conveniently situated inthe centre of town, and within walking distance

of the adventure booking agents, restaurantsand shops.

A 20 minute walk down the main road takesyou to the entry point to view the falls, whichare situated between Zimbabwe and Zambia.Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke thatThunders), was named by David Livingstone onhis explorations, and is one of the Seven NaturalWonders of the World.

At 1700 m wide and around 100 m high, thisis the world's largest sheet of falling water anda memorable sight on any African Safari! Afterour adventure activities briefing (see price guideat the end of this document for options), theafternoon is spent relaxing at the campsite’sswimming pool, viewing the Victoria Falls, orexploring the many sights and delights of thistown! Overnight - Victoria Falls (B, L)

Days 12-13 : Victoria Falls

The next two days are spent relaxing inVictoria Falls or participating in a myriadof optional excursions. Optional excursionsinclude elephant back safaris, horseback safaris,walking with lions, a visit to the crocodileranch, boat cruises and golf at The ElephantHills Resort. Adrenalin junkies can bungee fromthe Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabweand Zambia or abseil down the Batoka Gorge- neither activity is for the faint hearted! Allyear round, flights in fixed wing, micro lightand ultra light aircraft or helicopters providean aerial perspective over this magnificentWorld Heritage Site. White water rafting on theZambezi is world class. Beside the excitement ofthe Grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats," wherethere is time to admire the scenic cliffs and theoccasional wildlife on the riverbanks. Overnight- Victoria Falls (B:2)

Day 14 : Chobe National ParkIncluded Activity: Chobe National ParkOvernight Mobile excursion

Victoria Falls - Chobe NP (Botswana). We headout from Victoria Falls to the border crossingto Botswana. Once we’ve completed the borderformalities, we continue to the town of Kasane,situated on the banks of the Chobe River. TheChobe River forms a border between Botswanaand Namibia and Zambia and is the main watersource to the Chobe National Park.

Once we are packed and prepared, we leavefor our Chobe National Park overnight mobileexcursion – an overnight experience in the wildsof the Chobe National park. Chobe is one ofBotswana’s premier game parks, renowned forits large elephant herds. Spend the afternoonin search of wildlife while we game drive toour camp within the park where we spend theevening surrounded by the night-time noises ofthe local wildlife. Look out for the rare Sable andRoan Antelope on your game drive, with theirmajestic backward slanting horns, or try keep acount of the Lilac Breasted Roller’s that swoopby! Overnight - Chobe National Park (B, L, D)

Day 15 : Livingstone

Chobe NP - Livingstone (Zambia). After ournight in the bush, we head out early tocontinue our search for wildlife, before packingup the camp and heading back to Kasane.Once returning to the camp at Kasane, weget back on our truck and continue to thetown of Livingstone. This afternoon we havethe opportunity to view the Falls from theMosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia or partakein a sunset boat cruise on the ZambeziRiver. Another fantastic photo opportunity!Overnight - Livingstone (B, D)

TRIP NOTES





- 4 -

Days 16-17 : South LuangwaIncluded Activity: Game drives throughSouth Luangwa National Park in the overlandtruckLivingstone - Lusaka Area - Luangwa. An earlymorning start sees us head north throughsouthern Zambia. As we drive, we pass througha few of the villages and towns of Zambia alongthe way. Prosperous during the copper boom inthe 60’s, Zambia was able to build infrastructureat the main mining and farming communities.After the fall of the copper industry, thecountry was left virtually bankrupt and existinginfrastructure was left to fall to ruin. Due toforeign investment and a rise in the miningindustry, Zambia is today once again starting toprosper. The difference is evident in the citieswith the availability of foreign stores, banks andimported cars, while the villages and smallertowns are still to catch up.

On day 17 we head to South Luangwa NationalPark. This breath taking park is situated onthe Luangwa River in the Eastern part ofZambia, and it is the southernmost of threenational parks in this region. South Luangwawas founded in 1938 as a game reserve, 1972was the year it was declared as a nationalpark, and today it covers over 9000 kilometressquared. Animals such as Giraffe, buffalo andElephants can be found in abundance. TheLuangwa river is home to many a hippo andcroc. Overnight - Lusaka Area (1), Luangwa (1)(B:2, L:2, D:2)

Day 18 : Chipata

Luangwa - Chipata. From Lusaka we head northeast on the old ‘East Road’ to a beautiful littlecampsite located just 10 km before the Zambia/Malawi border. In the days of old, the route fromCairo to Cape Town passed through Lusaka andit’s along this route to Malawi we travel today.While today is mostly spent driving, we do cross

the impressive Luangwa River Bridge whichis heavily guarded due to its close proximityto the Zimbabwean & Malawian borders. We’llalso stop off to purchase some fresh produceand coal from the local sellers along the way.Mamarula’s campsite is where we spend thenight before heading into Malawi. Overnight -Chipata (B, L, D)

Days 19-21 : Lake MalawiOptional activities vary; however we dorecommended that you take part in thevillage tour. Please that you can bring alongpens, pencils, notepads, or dry starch foodsorts for the villagers. Please speak to yourcrew for more information.

Chipata - Lake Malawi Beaches (Malawi). LeavingZambia we cross into Malawi, the ‘Warm Heartof Africa’. We stop off in the capital, Lilongwe, asmall city distinctively divided into the old townand the new administrative centre. Malawi is alandlocked country with 20% of its total areamade up of beautiful Lake Malawi. We camp firstat the central Lake, and then in the northern areaover the next 3 days.Spend the days learning the game of bao fromthe locals, scour the markets for a bargain orsimply relax on the pristine beaches. Malawi’stemperate climate allows for swimming in theclear blue fresh-water lake all year round.Explore the beautiful shore where you’ll happenupon the local fishermen sorting their catch.Traditional fishing techniques are still practicedand to appreciate their boating skills, try topaddle a dugout canoe yourself! At night you’llsee the ‘fairy’ lights of the fishermen outon the lake. The various beachside campsitesalong Lake Malawi’s shores offer many optionalExcursions including a variety of water sports,horseback rides and a visit to the local villageand school (see pricing guide at the end of thisdocument). Overnight - Lake Malawi Beaches(3) (B:3, L:3, D:3)

Day 22 : IringaLake Malawi Beaches - Iringa (Tanzania). Aftera relaxing 3 days, we leave Malawi, enteringTanzania through the border post at Songwe.Winding our way through the beauty of theTukuyu tea and banana plantations, we headtowards Iringa where we spend the night in thebeautiful rustic ‘Farmhouse’ campsite famous

for its Amarula Hot Chocolates and its steamyshowers! Overnight - Iringa (B, L, D)

Day 23 : Dar es SalaamIringa - Dar es Salaam. This morning we head offearly and make our way to Dar es Salaam. Wepass through the Mikumi National Park whereit is possible to view a range of wildlife fromthe roadside, totally impervious to the passingtraffic. Today’s drive time is extended due tothe heavier amount of traffic heading in to thecity, but the sights and sounds of Dar’s vibrantouter suburbs are sure to keep you entertained.Look out for the colourful shop-fronts with theirsometimes humorous catch phrases. On arrivalin Dar es Salaam, we make our way to our lovelyseaside campsite and prepare for our departureto Zanzibar the next morning. Overnight - Dares Salaam (B, L, D)

Days 24-26 : Zanzibar

Included Activity: Zanzibar excursion.Included Activity: Spice Tour & Dhow cruiseexcursion.Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. A ferry from Dar esSalaam takes us to the "Spice Island,” where wespend the next 3 nights. Zanzibar is steeped inhistory and was one of the major starting pointsfor most East African explorers in their questfor new lands. New passengers may join us toreplace those that will leave us at the end of ourexcursion to Zanzibar.PLEASE NOTE: Meals are for your own accountwhilst on Zanzibar. The Trip Leader joins youwhile meals can be enjoyed from a wideselection of restaurants. There are also a widevariety of optional excursions on offer, pleasesee the price guide at the end of this documentfor more details.

History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth ofexperiences for the visitor. Today the quietstreets of the old Stone Town still retain their

TRIP NOTES





- 5 -

Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops tothe palaces of the Sultans, who founded theirvast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivorytrade. The island is famous for its spices and anexcursion around a spice plantation is always afascinating experience. Other options include atrip to the beautiful beaches and giant tortoisesof Prison Island, a full day scuba dive in Nungweor a fishing trip in a traditional dhow. Mopedsare available for hire if you’d like to explore themore remote areas of the island. Zanzibar is aseafood lover’s paradise. Numerous restaurantsoffer a great variety of the freshest catch fromthe ocean - crayfish being a popular speciality.Alternatively, mingle with the locals for dinner atthe Forodhani Gardens seafront market, wheredelicious, inexpensive seafood is on offer.Overnight - Zanzibar (B:1)

Day 27 : Zanzibar

Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. Leaving Zanzibar inthe afternoon, we return to the mainland andanother night in Dar es Salaam. Arrival back tocamp is usually in the late afternoon, or earlyevening. Overnight - Dar es Salaam (D)

Days 28-29 : ArushaDar es Salaam – Pangani - Arusha. From Dar esSalaam we continue north towards the coastaltown of Pangani where we spend the night.The following day we continue through vastsisal plantations and African bushveld to Arusha.On the way, we pass The Pare and UsambaraMountain ranges before driving through thetown of Moshi. Moshi is the base for MountKilimanjaro climbing expeditions and weatherpermitting; we may even catch a glimpse of thismagical mountain’s snowy summit - a photoopportunity not to be missed! Tonight we stayat a campsite in Meserani on the outskirts ofArusha, before heading out on our optionalexcursion to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro

Crater tomorrow Overnight - Pangani (1)Arusha (1) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Days 30-32 : Serengeti &Ngorongoro

Included Activity: Serengeti & NgorongoroExcursion

Arusha - Serengeti & Ngorongoro. On themorning of day 30 we visit the MeseraniReptile Park and Masai Cultural Museum. Afew minutes’ walk from the campsite is agallery selling the bright and iconic TingaTinga paintings. Alternatively the town ofArusha is nearby to explore. After enjoyinglunch at our camp against the backdropof Mount Meru we meet our Tanzanianguides and transfer into locally operated 4WDvehicles. These vehicles have been adaptedfor safari use and allow excellent viewingand photographic opportunities through theopening roof hatches.

The Ngorongoro/Serengeti excursion takes usvia the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (MosquitoRiver) that lies adjacent to the Lake ManyaraNational Park and up the Rift Valley Escarpmentto the higher lying village of Karatu. Karatu offersmagnificent views over the surrounding hillsand has many well established wheat farms thatadd to the picturesque panoramas. We spendthe evening at a pleasant campsite in Karatu.The following morning we depart early for theNgorongoro Conservation area and head intothe wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. This WorldHeritage Site boasts some of the best gameviewing in Africa – including the elusive BlackRhino.

After our game drive in the Crater, we continuedown the Crater rim and past the ‘Cradle ofMankind’ on our way to the Serengeti NationalPark. We cross the vast plains as we game

drive through the southern and central areas inthe park. Tonight we bush camp (no ablutions)in the wild surrounded by the sounds of theAfrican wilderness. In the morning, we headoff for another game drive and explore thelandscape in search of the resident wildlife. Withsome luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’!

After our morning drive, we head back acrossthe plains and the lush Crater rim to our truckat Arusha, where we spend the evening musingover our thrilling wildlife experience. Overnight- Karatu (1) Serengeti (1) Arusha (1) (B:3, L:3,D:3)

Day 33 : NairobiArusha - Nairobi (Kenya). We set off early thismorning and make our way to the Tanzania/Kenyan border and the small border townof Namanga. After completing the borderformalities, we continue on our journey to theCapital City Nairobi and the Kenya ComfortHotel. Overnight - Nairobi (B)

Days 34-35 : Masai Mara

Included Activity: Masai Mara NationalReserve game drive in our overland truck.

Nairobi - Masai Mara. Leaving the hustle andbustle of Nairobi we climb the escarpmentto our first stop, a viewpoint overlooking asection of the spectacular Great Rift Valley.Descending into the Rift Valley, we enter Masailand where these habitual pastoralists are oftenseen tending their cattle from the side of theroad. We pass through the town of Narok, andcontinue our drive possibly getting a glimpse ofsome wildlife along the way. We arrive at ourcampsite, Acacia Camp in the late afternoon.Acacia Camp looks on to the Meguarra hills andthe stream that meanders by on the bottomend forms a natural border to the Masai MaraNational Reserve.

TRIP NOTES





- 6 -

The next morning we depart shortly aftersunrise on our game drive into the Masai MaraReserve. The Masai Mara is well known as one ofEast Africa’s best National Reserves and is hometo a wide variety of wildlife species. Most famousfor the Annual Migration, that consists of theimpressive herds of over 1 million wildebeest,zebra and Thomson’s gazelle that cross overfrom the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania;the Masai Mara is most popular between Julyand October when these vast herds feast on thefresh grazing here. Following these herbivoresare Africa’s predators that are often seen at akill during this period. We game drive througha section of the park in search of the ‘Big 5’-elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard; alongwith the many other species of animals, reptilesand birds who make call this wilderness home.After our game drive, we have the option to visitone of the nearby Masai Manyatta’s – this is atraditional hamlet where the Masai still live intheir traditional way. This evening we sit aroundthe camp fire, and watch the sun set over this“Garden of Eden”. Overnight - Masai Mara (B:1,L:2, D:2)

Day 36 : KisumuMasai Mara - Kisumu. Leaving the Masai Maraearly, we head out of Masai Land pass throughthe scenic tea plantations of Kericho beforedescending the Rift Valley Plateau, on our way toKisumu - Kenya’s harbour town on the banks ofAfrica’s largest lake, Lake Victoria. We replenishour supplies and overnight here. Overnight -Kisumu (B, L, D)

Day 37 : KampalaKisumu - Kampala (Uganda). This morning,we cross the border into Uganda where weovernight it the capital city, Kampala. Ugandais a small country of striking physical beauty.Its landscapes vary from the fertile green areasaround the northern shores of Lake Victoriato the snow capped Ruwenzori Mountains inthe west and the semi-desert region in thenorth. The political instability that has hauntedUganda in the past has actually had thepositive effect of leaving the country free ofthe over commercialism so common in otherparts of Africa. The current administration underPresident Museveni has devoted considerableeffort and funds to return Uganda to its formerstatus as one of Africa's most prosperous and,

from a tourist’s point of view, one of the mostappealing and interesting countries to visit.Overnight - Kampala (B, L, D)

Days 38-41 : Optional GorillaTrekking

Optional Activity: Gorilla trekking

Kampala - Lake Bunyoni. After an early morningdeparture from Kampala we drive west into thedepths of Uganda to our base at the tranquilLake Bunyoni.

Lake Bunyoni, the deepest Crater Lake in Africaand home to a large and varied number ofbeautiful birds, is the base from which theoptional Gorilla trek takes place. Dependent onwhere trekking permits are available, we trekin the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks inUganda. For further information about gorillatrekking and the costs involved please refer toGorilla Permits under the Uganda Country Guidesection of this document..

Trekking Procedures: The mountain gorilla(Gorilla Gorilla Berengei), of which there are stillonly about 700 remaining, are one of our closestliving relatives. A visit to these gentle giantsin their natural environment is a unique andwonderful experience - one you’ll never forget.The park rangers monitor the gorillas on a dailybasis and have a fairly good idea of where theyare. However, they are free roaming animals,and their sighting cannot be guaranteed. As thegorillas share much of our DNA, anyone witheven the slightest cold or transferable illness willnot be permitted to trek. Trekking is also onlyopen to people over 16 years old.

Due to the restrictions on the daily numbers ofvisitors to these incredible animals, we departfrom our base in Bunyoni in small groups over3-4 days, depending on the group size. We

wind our way through arguably some of themost picturesque scenery in Africa en-routeto the National Park. Dependent on wherepermits are available, we may spend a nightin either Kisoro or in Rwanda. The followingmorning, after packing our picnic lunch, we aretransferred to a ranger’s station where the trekcommences. Your rangers will lead you throughthe cultivated lands and then into the denserain forest and on to a gorilla family. Trekkingcan take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours(not including transfer time) and it can be quitestrenuous, so a reasonable level of fitness isrequired. To ensure the gorillas do not get tooused to the presence of humans and becausethey share many of our genes (and thereforeable to catch our diseases), the maximum timepermitted to spend with them is 1 hour. You willhave plenty of time to watch their activity andto take photographs. The rangers will be ableto provide you with a background to the familyyou are visiting. Once your hour is up, you trekback out of the rain forest to your meeting pointwhere you will be transferred back to the LakeBunyoni campsite.

You needn’t feel like you’re exploiting theseanimals. The ever-growing number of touriststrekking them each day play a vital role in theirsurvival. For years they have been ruthlesslyhunted for their hands and heads, which havebeen sold as ashtrays and lampshades! Inaddition, large numbers have been killed whilsttrying to stop poachers stealing the babiesfor sale to zoos, where they have never livedlong. 100% of the gorilla permit cost is usedto by the parks authorities to finance patrolsthat are instrumental in protecting the gorillasfrom poachers and their lethal snares and onpromoting these wonderful animals. Overnight- Lake Bunyoni (B:4, L:4, D:4)

Day 42 : KampalaLake Bunyoni - Kampala. After marvelling atthe experience of our gorilla encounters andenjoying the peaceful Lake Bunyoni, we beginour drive back to Kampala. We cross theEquator for the second time and stop for theclassic “one foot in each hemisphere” photoopportunity. We overnight in Kampala andhave the opportunity to sample its night life!Overnight - Kampala (B, L, D)

TRIP NOTES





- 7 -

Day 43 : JinjaOptional Activities: include white waterrafting, jet boating and even bungeejumping.

Kampala - Jinja. Today we have the optionof visiting the Ngamba Island ChimpanzeeSanctuary or heading to Jinja for a selectionof adventure activities including white waterrafting at the source of the White Nile, quadbiking or visiting a volunteer and communityproject. Spend the afternoon relaxing on thebanks of the river, or ticking off the wide varietyof water birds in this area. Overnight - Jinja (B,L, D)

Day 44 : Lake NakuruJinja - Lake Nakuru (Kenya). Departing early, wehead back to Kenya, stopping for lunch andsupplies en route before travelling on to Nakuru.Nakuru is Kenya’s 4th largest town and capitalof the Rift Valley Province and lies adjacent tothe small but wildlife rich Lake Nakuru NationalPark. Here our campsite is at EAMO; the EastAfrican Mission Organisation. We will have thechance to interact with the local kids as well asa chance to learn more about this wonderfulorganisation. Overnight - Lake Nakuru (B, L, D)

Days 45-46 : Lake Naivasha

Included Activity: Game drives in LakeNakuru NP and visit to Lake Naivasha.Optional Activities: Elsamere Visit, CrescentIsland and Hells Gate NP

Lake Nakuru - Lake Naivasha. In the morning onday 45 we begin our exploration of the LakeNakuru National Park which was established asa sanctuary for black and white rhino, whichare often seen. We spend the day searchingfor these pre-historic looking beasts as wellas the elusive leopard, encountering buffalo,giraffe, various antelope and the occasional

hippo along the way. After another night in LakeNakuru, we head to Lake Naivasha the followingday.

Lake Naivasha, is home to a multitude of birdlife, the most magnificent being the AfricanFish Eagle with his regal cry. At 1880 m, this isthe highest of the Rift Valley lakes. We spendthe next day enjoying optional excursionslike Elsamere (former home to Joy & GeorgeAdamson of Born Free fame), a boat ride to theCrescent Island Game Sanctuary or a bike ridearound Hell’s Gate National Park. Overnight -Nakuru (1) Naivasha (1) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Day 47 : NairobiLake Naivasha - Nairobi. After breakfast, we headback to Nairobi usually arriving by late morning,or early afternoon. On arrival to Nairobi, weexchange addresses and part ways, having justexperienced a trip of a lifetime!(B)

Please NoteThis expedition is run in conjunction withAfrica Travel Company.

This itinerary should be used as a guide onlyand may vary from day to day depending onroad & weather conditions, political situationsand group decisions.

All prices & Local Payments are subject tochange.

Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countrieswe visit, there may be a truck and crew changeduring the trip.

For booking purposes please notify our office assoon as possible should you choose not to trekthe Mountain Gorillas.

This safari is modular and a portion of this tripmay coincide with a family departure whichwelcomes children aged 6 and over.

Travelling in 2017?These Trip Notes and inclusions relate to travelin 2018. For departures in 2017 please contactus for your correct Trip Notes where some keyexcursions are optional not included.

Who's on tour?People from all over decide that the back tobasics and close-up approach to viewing Africais for them – from Canada to New Zealand toSingapore and the UK. Generally people are30-50yrs, easy going and happy to participate.They have a love of camping and as some daysare long, don’t mind a drive. Whilst the truck ispurpose built and ideal for this style of safari,for those who require more comfort we suggestyou opt for one of our lodge safaris.

Things To Bring• A rucksack/back pack is the best luggage to

bring as your main bag• A sleeping bag• For extra comfort, bring a travel pillow• Spare camera batteries/film and dustbag• Mosquito spray (with active DEET ingredient)• Your own personal first aid kit• A torch• A small daypack for your day-to-day needs.• Antibacterial wipes• A photocopy of your passport data pages• Your Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate• Your travel insurance policy details• Hat, sunglasses & sunscreen• Warm clothing - raincoat, warm hat, socks,

gloves etc as across Africa wet/dry and hot/cool climatic periods change invariably.

BudgetingAfrica is not as cheap as many people believeand we recommend that you budget betweenUS $30-35 per day for expenses such as drinks,snacks and curios. Budget more if you plan onbuying a lot of souvenirs and budget for youroptional excursions and visas separately.

Transport on TourOur overland vehicles are custom builtconverted Mercedes Benz or MAN trucks thathave seatingspace for our passengers and a storage areas forluggage and all trip equipment. The trucks seatbetween 27-30 passengers on our campingtrips. Most seats are forward facing, thoughsome models have a combination of forward,backward and some inward facing seats withtables. Vehicles have sliding glass windows, andthe seating area is raised providing a greatadvantage for game viewing and photography.Seats are cushioned and there is storage space

TRIP NOTES





- 8 -

for personal items like cameras, snacks and daypacks in the seating area.

Meals on TourMeals and menus vary as food is purchased en-route, and is subject to produce that is availableseasonally in the areas we travel through. Aswe support the local communities along theway, fresh produce is mostly purchased directfrom the producer or local grower and thereforehas an organic appearance. Our safari cooks areable to offer a wide variety of menus with theingredients available, even if the produce onoffer is not of the same selection as what youmay be used to back home. The breakfast spreadconsists of bread (toast when time allows),spreads and cereals with a hot breakfast everyfew days. Lunches are mostly prepared en-routewith a supply of ‘build your own’ sandwichingredients available. Dinners are cooked in theevenings on arrival at the campsite. A wide arrayof dinner menus are on offer during your safari,consisting of curries, stews, pastas, BBQs andeven roasts!

Participation on TourAll of our overland safaris are participation tripsmeaning that all passengers are expected tohelp out around camp. The crew membersrunning the trip will set up a rota system that willbefollowed. One day you may be on cleaning duty,the next day you may be on cooking duty and soforth. This is not only to make the trip easier forall involved but also for you as the passengers toget to know one another while on trip.

East Africa MissionOrphanageAbout the EAMOThe East African Mission Orphanage wasestablished in 1997 in order to provide asafe home for hundreds of orphans in Kenyaincluding babies and teenage mothers. Aregistered charitable institution, the EAMOprovides children in their care with clothing,health checks and three meals a day with aneducation programme in place to ensure thatthe children leave the orphanage with goodwork prospects.

What to expect when visiting the EAMO

On this overland camping safari we spend a fewnights camping in the campsite owned by theEAMO in Lake Nakuru and include the option tovisit the children at the EAMO. The orphanagecannot be compared to the facilities offeredat similar institutions in Western countries -the meals, clothing and education the EAMOprovide are the best they can do with limitedresources. There are still plenty more orphanedchildren in Kenya and if it’s the choice of givingone child at the centre a new pair of shoesor taking in another child from the street andfeeding him or her the centre chooses the latter.The number of orphaned children in Kenya isoverwhelming and incredibly sad and some willfind the plight of these children very upsettingso please consider whether you really do wishto visit. Before you travel it's a good idea to visittheir website at www.eamo.co.ke so you canfind out more information about the orphanageand the work they do.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Passports & VisasPlease ensure that you have at least two blankpages in your passport, plus an additional blankpage for each visa/African country you a visiting.If travelling on one of our longer overland safariswe recommend that you have at least 12 blankpages in your passport.

Please also note that your passport must bevalid for a minimum of six months from the enddate of your trip.

Any visa information provided in this documentis for general guidance purposes only, visarequirements and fees are subject to change.It is essential that you check current entryrequirements with each relevant embassy/consulate prior to departure. Visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and not of OnThe Go.

Booking Your FlightsWhen booking your departure flight you shouldallow time at the end of your African safari forany unexpected delays. We recommend thatyou book your onward flight no earlier than24 hours after the end of your safari. In thecase of our longer overland camping safaris(22 days or more) we advise against making

any firm arrangements for at least 48 hoursafter the scheduled departure date. We canhelp to arrange post tour accommodation uponrequest.

Allergies/Likes/DislikesWhilst all will done to accommodate everyone,sometimes the choice available is limited asyour cook may be making the best of verylimited availability, so some flexibility may berequired when encountering something you'renot particularly fond of or have chosen not to eatas a lifestyle choice. Should you possess allergieswhich will result in an medical emergency or alife threatening situation then please ensure youspeak to your cook on arrival so you can discussthe options available whilst en-route. This willensure also that they are fully aware of what youcan or cannot eat and make adjustments.

Botswana Country Guide

VisaPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirements with theembassy before travel. Please also ensure thatyour passport is valid for at least 6 months fromyour planned date of departure from Africa.UK, Ireland, Australian, New Zealand, USA,Canadian and South African citizens do notrequire a visa for entrance into Botswana.

The few countries that do require visas; mostlyEastern European and Asian Nationals, need toobtain them prior to arrival at the border. Visasare not issued at Botswana ports of entry, if youarrive without a visa, immigration officials willrefuse you entry to Botswana.

The border crossings we use in Botswanainclude:

Muhembo (Botswana/Namibia border)Kazangula (Botswana/Zimbabwe or Zambiaborder)Groblerberg/Martin’s Drift (South Africa/Botswana)

Botswana Tourism Levy from 1st June 2017 -postponed until further notice

TRIP NOTES





- 9 -

From the 1st June 2017 a tourism levy of $30USDis payable when entering Botswana. Payment istaken at the border in US dollars cash, debit orcredit card. The Levy is valid for a 30 day periodand can be used for multiple entry.

Please note this Levy has been postponed untilfurther notice.

VaccinationsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Botswana from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guidePolio, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus isstrongly recommended. Rabies may also berecommended.There is the risk of malaria in certain areasof Botswana so it is very important to checkwith your doctor before you go, to see whethermalarial medication is required for the areas youare visiting. A valid Yellow Fever vaccinationcertificate is also required if travelling intoBotswana and you have previously been in aninfected country.

Currency & BankingThe currency of Botswana is the BotswanaPulas (BWP) 1 Pula = 100 Thebe. Notes are indenominations of BWP10, 20, 50 and 100.Coins are in denominations of BWP1, 50, 25, 10,5, 1.

There are no restrictions on the import of local orforeign currencies, provided they are declaredon arrival. Export of local currency is limited toBWP50 and foreign currencies up to the amountdeclared on arrival. It is easy to change mostforms of currency including US$, GB£, Euros andSouth African Rand. The best place to changemoney in Botswana is the bureau de changesas banks charge commission to change eithercash or travellers cheques. ATMs are availablein all main towns, cities, shopping centres andmost petrol stations. MasterCard, Visa, AmericanExpress and Diners Club are all widely accepted.Travellers cheques should be in US Dollars orPound Sterling to avoid additional exchangerate charges. Proof of identity may be requestedin some instances, so it’s useful to carry apassport or some form of photo identification.

In large cities travellers cheques can incur a highsurcharge.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1530, Sat0830-1100.

Time & VoltageTime Zone - Botswana is 2 hours ahead of GMT.Daylight saving time is not observed.

The standard voltage is 220 - 240V. Primarysockets require a ‘Type M’ - South African,electrical plug which has three thick circularpins. You will need a voltage converter, and plugadapter in order to use U.S. appliances.

ClimateBotswana’s climate is mainly temperate.During the summer months (October-April)the weather can be very hot with daytimetemperatures of around 30 Celsius and higher.The rainy season (typically lasting from Januaryto March) can be hot with temperaturesstill in the mid 30’s and only dropping toaround the mid 20’s overnight. Winter (May-September) brings a cool change yet is stillreasonably warm and mostly pleasant withan average temperature of around 25°C. Earlymornings and evenings may be cold and frostyespecially in the Kalahari region. The amount ofrainfall decreases the further you travel west orsouthwards during the winter and rainy seasonmonths.

Travelling with children inBotswanaThe Ministry of Nationality, Immigration andGender Affairs informs the general public that ithas imposed requirements for minors (childrenunder 18) travelling through the county’s portsof entry.

Effective from the 1st October 2016 minorstravelling through the country’s borders willbe required to produce certified copies ofunabridged birth certificates in addition totheir valid passports. In the event that oneparent is not travelling with the child, theother parent's affidavit consenting to such travelshould be availed. However, an affidavit will notbe required if the father’s name does not appearon the child’s birth certificate.”

To summarise the above, should families betravelling with children below the age of 18 theywill require the following:• Valid Passports• Certified unabridged birth certificates for allminors below the age of 18• An Affidavit signed by the non-travellingparent should the minor be travelling with oneparent.

Unfortunately these regulations are very stricttherefore we urge all parents travelling toAfrica with their children to contact all relevantembassies well prior to departure to ensure theyhave the correct documentation as if you do not,there is a high chance you will be denied entry.

Kenya Country Guide

VisasPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirements with theembassy before travel. Please also ensure thatyour passport is valid for at least 6 months fromyour planned date of departure from Africa.South African passport holders do not requirea visa to visit Kenya for up to 30 days. Mostother nationalities, including UK, USA, Canadian,Australian and New Zealand passport holders,do require a visa to enter Kenya.</p>

On 1st July 2015 the government of Kenyaintroduced an electronic visa application. It isstill possible to purchase a visa upon arrival upuntil 31 August 2015. From 01 September 2015ALL tourists wishing to visit Kenya need to applyfor a visa online at www.ecitizen.go.ke. The visaprocess can take up to 7 working days. Forfurther details please visit our Kenya visa page -http://www.onthegotours.com/Kenya/Visas.

All passengers require an onward/return ticketsand sufficient funds for length of intended stay(at least US$500).

The border crossings we use in Kenya include:

Busia (Kenya/Uganda border)Namanga (Kenya/Tanzania border)Isebania (Kenya/Tanzania border)

TRIP NOTES





- 10 -

A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate isrequired for travel to Kenya and if travellingfrom an infected area it must be presented uponarrival in order to be granted entry. Please alsonote that if you are travelling onward to Ugandaand/or Rwanda you will need a Yellow FeverCertificate to produce on arrival in order to begranted entry.

East Africa Tourist VisaIf you are planning on visiting Uganda and/or Rwanda when travelling to Kenya then youcan apply for an East Africa tourist visa whichwill cover all countries. The visa allows multipleentry into these countries and is valid for 90days. It can be applied for in advance or uponarrival at Nairobi International Airport.

VaccinationsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Kenya from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guidePolio, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A&B and Tetanus isstrongly recommended. Rabies and Meningitisare also recommended.

There is the risk of malaria in Kenya so it isvery important to check with your doctor beforeyou go, to see whether malarial medicationis required for the areas you are visiting. AYellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is requiredfor travel to Kenya and if travelling from aninfected area it must be presented upon arrivalin order to be granted entry. Please also notethat if you are travelling onward to Ugandaand/or Rwanda you will need a Yellow FeverCertificate to produce on arrival in order to begranted entry.

Time & VoltageKenya is 3 hours ahead of GMT. Daylight savingtime is not observed.

In Kenya the standard voltage is 220-240V.Primary sockets require a ‘Type G’ - BritishBS-1363 type, three pin plug. You will need avoltage converter, and plug adapter in order touse U.S. appliances. We recommend packing auniversal adapter.

CurrencyThe currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling(code KES, symbol KSh).1 KSh = 100 cents. Notes are in denominationsof: KSh1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50.Coins are in denominations of KSh20, 10 and 5.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1500, Sat0900-1100. You can exchange money in banksor bureau de changes. Be aware that oldpre-2010 US$ banknotes or torn or markedbanknotes are difficult to exchange in Africa somake sure you take crisp new notes! In majortowns/cities most banks have an ATM. AmericanExpress, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa cardsare all widely accepted.

Travellers cheques can be changed at banks,these should be in US Dollars or Pound Sterlingto avoid additional exchange rate charges.Most banks will want to see your passportand proof of purchase receipt before cashingyour travellers cheques. Please Note: Travellerscheques can be difficult to cash and often haverestrictions of about US$100 a day maximum.They also tend to attract high commissioncharges, especially when exchanging for hardcurrency.

ClimateKenya is an excellent year round destinationwith a favourable climate and reasonably lowrainfall. In general the hottest months areDecember to March, although the climate variesenormously from place to place. The lowlandcoastal areas are tropical, with year roundhigh temperatures and humidity, which is atits peak in April and May, although temperedby monsoon winds. The highlands are moretemperate with four seasons. Nairobi has a verypleasant climate throughout the year due to itsaltitude. Near Lake Victoria, the temperaturesare much higher and rainfall can be heavy.

Malawi Country Guide

VisasPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirements with theembassy before travel. Please also ensure that

your passport is valid for at least 6 months fromyour planned date of departure from Africa.

As of the 1st October 2015 passport holders of(but not limited to) UK, USA, Canada, Australiaand New Zealand will be charged a visa fee atthe border into Malawi. The cost is $50 for a 7 daytransit visa and $75 for a 90 day single entry visa.

Please check with your local Malawi Embassy orHigh Commission prior to departure.

The border crossings we use in Malawi include:

Machinji (Malawi/Zambia border)Songwe (Malawi/Tanzania border)

VaccinationsSeek advice from your doctor or travel clinicat least six weeks prior to departure aboutwhat vaccinations you require. Typically the listincludes typhoid, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A andB and meningitis.

A malaria risk exists throughout the country, westrongly recommend that you take anti-malariamedication.

A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate isrequired from travellers over one year of agecoming from infected areas.

CurrencyThe currency of Malawi is the Malawian Kwacha(MWK, symbol MK).1 MWK = 100 tambala.

Notes are in denominations of Mk500, 200, 100,50, 20, 10 and 5.Coins are in denominations of Mk1 and 20, 10, 5,2 and 1 tambala.

On arrival in Lilongwe you will be able to convertmoney into MKW. The bureau de changes arethe easiest place to change money, and US$ andGB£ are accepted in both cash and travellerscheque format. Travellers cheques attract acommission charge and a lower exchangerate than cash, which is changed with nocommission.

If coming south from Tanzania, MKW can bepurchased on the border using US$ cash. ATMs

TRIP NOTES





- 11 -

are effectively non-existent for foreign cards inMalawi.

Time & VoltageTime Zone - Malawi is 2 hours ahead of GMT.Daylight saving time is not observed

Standard voltage is 220-240V. Electrical socketsin Malawi are the "Type G " British BS-1363 type.You will need a voltage converter, and plugadapter in order to use U.S. appliances

ClimateThere are three seasons in Malawi. The rainyseason extends from November to April, thecool season from May to July and the dry seasonfrom August to October. Temperatures andrainfall are greatly influenced by Lake Malawiand altitude, which varies from 37 metres (inthe Lower Shire Valley) to 3050 metres (MountMulanje). Along the lakeshore, the mean annualtemperature is 24°C, and humidity can be highduring the rainy season.

Tanzania Country Guide

VisasPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirements with theembassy before travel. Please also ensure thatyour passport is valid for at least 6 months fromyour planned date of departure from Africa.UK, Irish, Australian, New Zealand, USA,Canadian and RSA citizens require a visa forTanzania. A single entry visas can be obtainedby most nationalities upon arrival at Dar esSalaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar Airport orat Namanga border crossing point, betweenTanzania and Kenya. The current visa cost is U$50 for all nationalities, which can be paid inUS$, GB£ or Euro cash. The three East Africancountries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda havean agreement that you can travel freely betweenthese countries and do not have to get anothervisa when returning to each. If you exit thisregion and enter any other country, includingRwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo,you will need to get new visas to re enter Kenya,Tanzania and Uganda.

The border crossings we use in Tanzaniainclude:

Namanga (Kenya/Tanzania border)Isebania (Kenya/Tanzania border)Songwe (Tanzania/Malawi)

VaccinationsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Tanzania from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guidePolio, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid andTetanus is strongly recommended. Meningitisand Rabies are also recommended.

There is the risk of malaria in Tanzania so it isvery important to check with your doctor beforeyou go, to see whether malarial medication isrequired for the areas you are visiting.A Yellow Fever International Certificate ofVaccination is required from travellers over one,arriving from countries infected with yellowfever or who were in transit through infectedareas (unless they remained onboard or at theairport); this is particularly relevant if travelingfrom neighbouring African countries. If visitingZanzibar from mainland Tanzania, a yellow fevercertificate must be produced to gain entry.

CurrencyThe currency of Tanzania is the TanzanianShilling (code TZS, symbol TSh).1 TSh = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations ofTSh10,000, 5000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins arein denominations of TSh200, 100, 50, 20 and 10.

The Tanzanian Shilling is non exportable orimportable. You can exchange US Dollars,Pound Sterling or Euro cash at bureau dechanges or banks in larger towns/cities. Cash ischanged with no commission. Exchange ratesvary depending upon the denomination of thenote that you want to change and generallysmaller notes attract a lower exchange ratethan high ones. Be aware that old pre-2010US$ banknotes or torn or marked banknotesare difficult to exchange in Africa so make sureyou take crisp new notes. Alternatively mostlarge towns/cities have an ATM where cashcan be withdrawn using Visa or MasterCard.Credit cards are very rarely accepted for makingpurchases.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1230; Sat0830-1300. Bureaux de change have longerhours and in the cities open on Sundays.

Travellers cheques are more difficult to changeand require proof of purchase and often haverestrictions of about US$100 a day maximum.Please note that there is a surcharge whenpaying by travellers cheques.

Time & VoltageTanzania Time Zone - 3 hours ahead of GMT.Daylight saving time is not observed.

Standard voltage is 220-240V. Primary socketsrequire a Type G British BS-1363 or Type D IndianBS-546 type, three pin plug. You will need avoltage converter, and plug adapter in order touse U.S. appliances. We recommend getting auniversal adapter.

ClimateTanzania is sunny and tropical (accept in themountain regions). Given the sheer size ofthe country, the climate varies dramatically indifferent regions. In coastal regions and on theislands of Zanzibar and Pemba it is hot andhumid year-round with higher rainfall, whilstinland, the central plateau is dry and hot and thenorth-western highlands are cooler. The longrains occur between mid-March and the end ofMay and there are also short, lighter rains duringNovember and December. The driest monthsare June to October.

Uganda Country Guide

VisaPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirements with theembassy before travel. Please also ensure thatyour passport is valid for at least 6 months fromyour planned date of departure from Africa.UK, Irish, Australian, New Zealand, USA,Canadian and RSA citizens require a visa forUganda. This can be obtained upon arrival at allentry and exit points. Currently a 3 month singleentry visa costs - US$50.

TRIP NOTES





- 12 -

Please note that your Yellow Fever VaccinationCertificate must be presented upon arrival inUganda in order to be granted entry.

</p><p>East Africa Tourist Visa<p>If you are planning on visiting Uganda and/or Rwanda when travelling to Kenya then youcan apply for an East Africa tourist visa whichwill cover all countries. The visa allows multipleentry into these countries and is valid for 90days. It can be applied for in advance or uponarrival at Nairobi International Airport.

The border crossings we use in Uganda include:

Busia (Kenya/Uganda border)

VaccinationsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Uganda from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that all you receiveall of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guidediphtheria, hepatitis A, polio, tetanus andtyphoid are strongly recommended. Meningitisand hepatitis B are sometimes recommended.

A Yellow Fever Certificate of Vaccination isrequired for all people travelling to Uganda - itmust be presented on arrival before entry will begranted.

Uganda is affected by malaria – westrongly recommend that you take anti-malaria medication. Adequate measures toavoid mosquito bites include: insect repellent,sleeping under a mosquito net and wearinglong sleeve clothing and long trousers in theevenings.

CurrencyThe currency of Uganda is the Uganda Shilling(UGX).Notes are in denominations of UGX50,000,20,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000. Coins are indenominations of UGX500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10,5, 2 and 1.

The import and export of local currency isprohibited. It is possible to change moneyand use ATMs in large cities. Please note thattravellers cheques are not widely accepted andcan only be exchanged in Kampala.

Time & VoltageUganda is 3 hours ahead of GMT. Daylightsaving time is not observed.

In Uganda the standard voltage is 240V. Primarysockets require a ‘Type G’ - British BS-1363type, three pin plug. You will need a voltageconverter, and plug adapter in order to use U.S.appliances. We recommend packing a universaladapter.

ClimateDespite being located on the Equator, Uganda israther temperate, with the lowlands remainingwarm year round and temperatures averagingaround 26°C. In the mountain regions, due tothe high altitude, it is much cooler. The climatein Uganda is tropical and the country has twomain wet and dry seasons; it is typically dryfrom December to February and June to August,and wet from March to May and October toNovember.

Gorilla PermitsGorilla trekking is a wonderful experience,allowing you the opportunity to have a closeencounter with these gentle giants of thejungle in their natural habitat. The trekkingwill take place either in Uganda, Rwanda orDemocratic Republic of Congo - depending onlocal conditions and the availability of the gorillapermits.

The cost and availability of gorilla permits variesby country and park. Current permits cost US$600 in Uganda and the DRC, and US$750 inRwanda. There is also an additional booking &transfer fee of US$120. You will also need tobudget for visa fees (costs vary) and to renewyour Kenyan and Ugandan visa upon re-entryshould we have to go to Rwanda or DR Congo.The government often increases the permit andtransfer costs without notice, so we ask thatyou budget for the highest amount, so that youdon't suddenly have to find additional moneyto partake in this wonderful experience. Werecommend you budget a total of US$1000. TheGorilla Permit payment will be collected fromyou at the Welcome Meeting on day 1 in USdollars cash. We also advise budgeting a littleextra for tips for the local guides and rangers.

The reason that we don’t include the gorillatrekking excursion in our Gorilla Safaris isbecause it is offered by a local operatorand they are unable to confirm these pricesand availability of permits. If we did, we’dhave to make allowances for the government’sunexpected price increases, and, possibly,charge our passengers far more than the priceof the actual permit. This way you get to pay thecorrect price for the permit.

The reason that the permits are so costly isbecause each park only issues 10 permits pergorilla family per day, so as to ensure that thegorilla’s exposure to humans is limited. 100%of the gorilla permit cost is used to by thegovernment to continue in the excellent workthey do in protecting and promoting thesewonderful animals.

On The Go are not in control of the price ofgorilla permits and therefore cannot be heldresponsible for any increase in fees.

South Africa Country Guide

VisasPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirements with theembassy before travel. Please also ensure thatyour passport is valid for at least 6 months fromyour planned date of departure from Africa.UK, Australian, USA and Canadian citizens donot require a tourist visa for South Africa forstays of up to 90 days.

Since 16th January 2017 all New Zealandpassport holders have been required to obtaina visa prior to travelling to South Africa. NewZealanders arriving in South Africa on or after16th January 2017 should ensure they have thecorrect visa.

Nationalities who don't require a visa are ableto get an entry stamp at the border on enteringSouth Africa. Please contact your local SouthAfrican embassy to find out if you require a visaprior to entering SA. If you are subject to visarequirements, you must apply and receive your

TRIP NOTES





- 13 -

visa before your departure for South Africa, visasare not issued at South African ports of entry.

The border crossings we use in South Africainclude:

Noordoewer (South Africa/Namibia border)Groblerberg/Martin’s Drift (South Africa/Botswana)Lebombo (South Africa/Mozambique)Oshoek (Swaziland/South Africa)

Travelling with Children to orthrough South AfricaFrom 1 June 2015 parents travelling withchildren into or out of South Africa, or transitingin South Africa will be asked to show the child’sunabridged (full) birth certificate which liststhe child’s details and both parents’ details.The abridged (short) birth certificate whichonly lists the child’s details won’t be accepted.Uncertified copies of birth certificates or copiesof the parents/guardians identification will notbe accepted. A parental contact affidavit (PCA)must have a certified copy of the parent’s/guardian’s identification (ie passport) attachedto it.

Where only one parent is accompanying a child,parental or legal consent for the child to travel(eg an affidavit from the other parent or –if applicable – a death certificate) is requiredand there are other requirements for childrentravelling unaccompanied or with adults whoare not their parents.

If you are travelling with children (under18) it is essential that you contact theSouth African High Commission or the SouthAfrican Department of Home Affairs for furtherinformation relating to these regulations. If youdo not carry the correct documentation you willnot be allowed to enter the country. Obtainingthe correct paperwork is the responsibility of thetraveller and not On The Go Tours.

Health & VaccinationsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to South Africa from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that all you receiveall of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guidetetanus, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis A (for stays

over 4 weeks) and hepatitis B (for stays over 3months) are recommended.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is requiredfrom travellers over one, coming from infectedareas.

A low malaria risk occurs in northern parts ofMpumalanga (as well as Kruger National park,northern and northeastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal). If travelling to these regions and/or thecountries north of South Africa, where there is ahigh malaria risk, we strongly recommend thatyou take anti-malaria medication. Precautionarymeasures to take to prevent contact withmosquitoes include: insect repellent, cover upat sundown, sleep under a mosquito net andwear long sleeve clothing and long trousers inthe evenings.

CurrencyThe currency in South Africa is Rand (ZAR;symbol R)1 Rand = 100 cents. Notes are in denominationsof R200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are indenominations of R5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and5 cents.

Obtaining local currency within South Africa isvery easy. ATMs are widely accessible and veryreliable and offer the best rates of exchange.International credit cards are accepted in almostall shops, restaurants, hotels and game reserves.

Bureau de changes offer a quick andcommission free service but are only foundin the main centres such as Cape Townand Johannesburg. Travellers cheques can bechanged at banks. These should be in US Dollarsor Pound Sterling to avoid additional exchangerate charges. Please note that proof of identitymay be requested in some instances, so it’suseful to carry a passport or some form ofphoto identification. Travellers cheques can bedifficult to exchange and tend to attract highcommission fees.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1530, Sat0830-1100.

Rand can be used in Botswana, Namibiaand South Africa, so if you are travelling onone of our overland safaris ample money

for these three countries can be obtainedprior to beginning your trip in Cape Town orJohannesburg. The Rand and Namibian dollarare tied to each other on an equal level and canbe used interchangeably in Namibia. The Randcan also be easily converted to Pula in Botswanaat good rates.

Time & VoltageTime Zone - South Africa is 2 hours ahead ofGMT. Daylight saving time is not observed

Standard voltage is 220-230V. Primary socketsrequire a ‘Type M’ - South African, electrical plugwhich has three thick circular pins. You will needa voltage converter, and plug adapter in orderto use U.S. appliances.

ClimateClimatic conditions generally range fromMediterranean in the south western corner ofthe country to temperate in the interior plateau,and subtropical in the northeast. A small areain the northwest has a desert climate. Mostof the country has warm, sunny days andcool nights. Rainfall generally occurs duringsummer (November-March), although in thesouthwest, around Cape Town, rainfall occursin winter (from June-August). Temperatures areinfluenced by variations in elevation, terrain,and ocean currents.

Zambia Country Guide

Visas & Departure TaxPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirements with theembassy before travel. Please also ensure thatyour passport is valid for at least 6 months fromyour planned date of departure from Africa.UK, Australian, New Zealand, USA, Canadiancitizens require a visa for Zambia. Visas can beobtained by most nationalities upon arrival atthe airport/border. A single entry visa currentlycosts US $50 and a double/multiple entry costs$80. Irish and South African passport holders donot require a visa.

KAZA Visa

TRIP NOTES





- 14 -

Zimbabwe and Zambia have re-introduced thepopular, and much-awaited KAZA (Kavango-Zambezi) “Uni-Visa”, which allows visitors to stayin either (or both) countries for up to 30 days fora single payment of US$50.

The UniVisa is available at Harare, Victoria Falls,Lusaka and Livingstone International airports,the Victoria Falls land border (Zimbabwe/Zambia) and the Kazungula land border(Zimbabwe/Zambia/Botswana).

The border crossings we use in Zambia include:

Machinji (Malawi/Zambia)Kazungula (Zambia/Botswana)

VaccinationsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Zambia from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that all you receiveall of the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideTetanus, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis A andhepatitis B (for stays over 4 weeks) are stronglyrecommended.

Zambia has a malaria risk throughout theyear in the whole country, therefore westrongly recommend that you take anti-malariamedication.

The yellow fever vaccination is required forpassengers travelling to and from Zambia. All in-transit passengers travelling between Zambiaand South Africa, irrespective of the time periodin transit, will also be required to present theirYellow Fever Vaccination Certificate.

CurrencyZambia’s currency is the Zambia Kwacha (ZMK)Notes are in denominations of ZMK100, 50, 20,10, 5, and 2.

Banking hours vary but most are open from Mon- Fri 0815-1430

ATMs are available at Standard Chartered andBarclays Bank which accept Visa. Most largestores and hotels accept credit cards.

If travelling on one of our overland safaris thereis no real need to convert any of your money to

ZMK, as you will only be in Zambia for a shortperiod of time. Campsites readily accept US$cash for food and beverages.

Time & VoltageTime Zone - Zambia is 2 hours ahead of GMT.Daylight saving time is not observed.

Standard voltage is 230V. Zambia has severalvarieties of electrical sockets. The 3 primarysockets are ‘Type C’ - European, ‘Type D’ - Indianand ‘Type G’ - British. You will need a voltageconverter and plug adapter in order to use U.S.appliances.

ClimateZambia is warm all year round, but has threedistinct seasons. Between December and Aprilthe weather is hot and wet; from May to Augustit is cooler and dry; between September andNovember conditions are hot and dry. Averagesummer temperatures range between 25°C to35°C, while in winter they can fall as low as 6°C atnight, although daytime temperatures average24°C.

Zambian Airport Departure TaxNOTES FOR THOSE FLYING OUT OFLIVINGSTONE AIRPORT IN ZAMBIA

An airport departure tax is in place for all flightsdeparting from Zambian airports. It will nolonger be included on the ticket and will now becollected in Zambian Kwacha cash direct fromthe passenger. The amount payable is currentlyK28,000 for Domestic Flights and K56,000for International Flights and is payable ondeparture from all Zambian airports. Passengersneed to have ZMK cash available for this tax.Please note, departure taxes are subject tochange.

Zimbabwe Country Guide

VisasPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurementis the responsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirements with theembassy before travel. Please also ensure thatyour passport is valid for at least 6 months fromyour planned date of departure from Africa.

UK, Ireland, Australian, New Zealand, USA andCanadian passport holders require a visa toenter Zimbabwe, these visas are available atthe border for the following costs: Australian,New Zealand and US citizens: US$30 single/$45 double entry visa. British and Irish is US$55single/$70 double. Canadians can only obtain asingle entry visa at the border for US $75. SouthAfrican passport holders can obtain a visa forfree. Visas can be brought using post 2003 US$notes, GB£ or South African Rand.

KAZA VisaZimbabwe and Zambia have re-introduced thepopular, and much-awaited KAZA (Kavango-Zambezi) “Uni-Visa”, which allows visitors to stayin either (or both) countries for up to 30 days fora single payment of US$50.

The UniVisa is available at Harare, Victoria Falls,Lusaka and Livingstone International airports,the Victoria Falls land border (Zimbabwe/Zambia) and the Kazungula land border(Zimbabwe/Zambia/Botswana).

The border crossings we use in Zimbabweinclude:

Kazangula (Botswana/Zimbabwe)

VaccinationsSeek advice from your doctor or travel clinicat least six weeks prior to departure aboutwhat vaccinations you require. Typically thelist includes typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio,hepatitis A and B (for stays over 4 weeks).

In Zimbabwe a malarial risk exists fromNovember to June in all areas below 1200mand throughout the year in the Zambezi Valley.We strongly recommend that you take youranti-malaria medication. Other precautionarymeasures to prevent contact with mosquitoesinclude: insect repellent, cover up at sundown,sleep under a mosquito net and wear longsleeve clothing and long trousers in theevenings.

Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccinationcertificate is required from travellers over oneyear of age coming from infected areas.

TRIP NOTES





- 15 -

CurrencyThe Zimbabwean Dollar was abandoned in April2009. The country has adopted a multi-currencyscheme; the US Dollar and South African Randcan be used for domestic transactions.

Zimbabwe is essentially a cash-only society nowwith ATMs pretty useless for the foreigner andcredit cards only used in a handful of places.We recommend bringing enough cash to coveryour stay in Zimbabwe (in either USD or ZAR)especially in the smaller denominations (US$1-20 and ZAR10 - 200) as there is always ashortage of change and shopkeepers will oftenrefuse larger bills. Please also be aware it isillegal to leave Zimbabwe with over $1000 (orequivalent) in cash.

Zimbabwe introduced Bond Notes intocirculation on 28 November 2017 which willbe used alongside the US dollar and othercurrencies. These Bond Notes will be at a 1:1parity with the US dollar. However, they are onlylegal tender within Zimbabwe and as such canonly be used there. These Bond notes will be in$2 and $5 denominations and there will also bea new $1 Bond coin.

Banking hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri -0800-1500 , Wed 0800-1300 and Sat -0800-1130. In major towns/cities most bankshave an ATM. American Express, Diners Club andVisa cards are widely accepted. Major foreigncurrencies can be exchanged at bureaux dechange and banks at the official exchangerate. Please also be aware it is illegal to leaveZimbabwe with over $1000 (or equivalent). Asof June 2016 it is becoming increasingly difficultto withdraw money from ATMs in Zimbabwe.There is a cash limit of $500 per day - however alot of banks are not replenishing the ATMs. It isstrongly advised that you bring enough moneywith you before you enter Zimbabwe and don'trely on getting any whilst there.

Travellers cheques are accepted at banks, theseshould be in US Dollars or Pound Sterlingto avoid additional exchange rate charges.Most banks will want to see your passportand proof of purchase receipt before cashingyour travellers cheques. Please Note: Travellers

cheques can be difficult to cash so do not relyupon them as your sole source of funds.

Time & VoltageStandard voltage is 220-240V. Primary socketsrequire a ‘Type G’ - British plug, or ‘Type D’ -old English plug or Indian plug. You will need avoltage converter and plug adapter in order touse U.S. appliances.

Zimbabwe is 2 hours ahead of GMT. Daylightsaving time is not observed.

ClimateAlthough located in the tropics, temperateconditions prevail all year round in Zimbabweas the climate is moderated by altitude and theinland position of the country.

Zimbabwe has a rainy season from November/December to March, during this time daysare hot and sunny with possible afternoonthunderstorms. By April and May most ofthe rain is gone, skies are clear anddays are sunny and warm. Night timetemperatures drop dramatically between Juneand August although daytime temperaturesremain pleasantly warm. Late August sees thestart of the hot and dry season which continuesuntil October.

Zambian Airport Departure TaxNOTES FOR THOSE FLYING OUT OFLIVINGSTONE AIRPORT IN ZAMBIA

An airport departure tax is in place for all flightsdeparting from Zambian airports. It will nolonger be included on the ticket and will now becollected in Zambian Kwacha cash direct fromthe passenger. The amount payable is currentlyK28,000 for Domestic Flights and K56,000for International Flights and is payable ondeparture from all Zambian airports. Passengersneed to have ZMK cash available for this tax.Please note, departure taxes are subject tochange.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

We offer a number of locally operated optionalactivities and excursions on each of ourexpeditions. We feel that offering optionalexcursions affords a greater degree of flexibility,

independence and choice to our travellers. Tohelp you budget, below is a selection of optionalexcursions available on this trip.

Please note the following:All prices are in US Dollars and are subject tochange. Where activities occur away from yourbase, there may be an additional transfer cost.Make sure you have $US dollars with you beforeyou travel to Africa as it is notoriously difficult toget them here.

Serengeti/Ngorongoro Excursions (ifapplicable) - travellers cheques may beaccepted although they are subject to asurcharge of at least 5%.

Victoria Falls activities (if applicable) - must bepaid for in US$ cash (GBP & ZAR also accepted ata lower rate).

Gorilla Trekking (if applicable) - the price variesdependant on where gorilla trek takes place ieUganda, DRC or Rwanda.

We offer camping and accommodatedexcursions in the Serengeti/Ngorongoro Craterand Okavango Delta. These operate separately.Please note that a minimum of 4 passengersare required for the accommodated excursionsto run and if camping a sleeping bag will berequired.All optional excursions are offered by 3rd partiesand independently of On The Go Tours. Theyare undertaken at your own risk and On The GoTours take no responsibility for personal loss/injury caused.

Kenya

Elsamere High Tea Visit, home of JoyAdamson US $28-30

Giraffe Centre US $17-20

Hells Gate National Park US $50-55

Karen Blixen Museum - Nairobi US $22-24

Masai Hot Air Balloon US $600-650

Masai Village Cultural Visit US $17-20

Masai Warrior Dancing US $12-15

Nairobi National Park half day. (Min 2 people) US$195-210 per person

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant & RhinoNursery in Nairobi US $22-24

TRIP NOTES





- 16 -

Malawi

Fresh Water Diving at Kande Beach US $60-65

Full Day Snorkelling in Lake Malawi US $35-40

Horse Riding 2 - 3 hours US $80 - $120

Night Dive in Lake Malawi US $60-65

Traditional Healer Visit US $12-15

Village Walk & Meal US $22-24

South Africa

Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg US$90-100

Kruger Park Night Drive US $90-100

Soweto Tour - J'burg/Pretoria - from US $90-100

Tanzania

(2017 only)3 day Serengeti/NgorongoroExcursion (camping) from US $590

Masai Village US $17-20

Olduvai Gorge US $12-15

Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Flight (includingbreakfast) US $530-580

Uganda

Adrift/Softpower Community Project US $35-40

Gorilla Trek (inc. permit & transfer fee) from US$750-900

Horse Riding in Jinja 2 - 3 hours From US $65-70

Jinja Raft & Bungee Combo US $220-240

Lake Bunyoni Canoe Hire US $12-15

Nile River Bungee US $130-140

White Water Rafting On The Nile US $180-200

Zambia

Zambezi Sunset Dinner Cruise US $90-100

Zanzibar

Dhow Fishing Trip US $45-50

Dolphin Trip - Stone Town From US $40

Nungwi Half Day Snorkel Trip US $65-70

Prison Island Snorkelling Trip From US $30

Scuba Diving in Nungwi US $110-120

Stone Town Tour US $55-60

Zimbabwe

Bungee Jump (111m) US $170-180

Canoeing - Full Day US $170-180

Helicopter Over The Falls 12 mins US $170-190

High Wire - Abseil US $90-100

High Wire - Flying Fox US $90-100

High Wire - Gorge Swing US $110-120

High Wire - Zip Line US $90-100

Microlight Over The Falls 15 mins US $190-210

Rafting & Boarding Combo US $230-240

Rafting On The Zambezi Full Day US $150-160

the big overlander northbound...trip notes the big overlander northbound 47 days | johannesburg to...

Documents