This journey is chock full of diverse cultures, abundant wildlife, spectacular landscapes, stunning beaches, and a ton of adventure. Cape Town to Nairobi Overland 2008 GPF 12 22 Max 22, Avg 14 Africa Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania Culture/History, Wildlife/Nature 41 3 4 http://www.gapadventures.com/images/banners/kenya/kenya_masaiivillage.jpg Arrive in Cape Town at any time. Discover the surreal landscape of Cederberg. This is a massive rocky wilderness where giant sandstone boulders have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes.
We make our way into the more arid regions and enter Namibia. After a free afternoon at leisure, we set up camp at Gariep (Orange) River.
Journey to Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa. In the afternoon, watch as a spectacular sunset slips over the canyon's rim. Towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert. Explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets over the world's highest sand dunes. Lunar landscapes and the prehistoric Welwitchia plants surround the coastal town of Swakopmund. Explore the town or try optional quad biking/dune boarding. Move north into the stony desert landscapes and set up camp near Twyfelfontein. In the afternoon explore the area, which is adorned with rock engravings and petrified fossil forests. Etosha National Park, locally known as "the great white place of dry water", lies the game-rich northwest corner of Namibia, offering a variety of wildlife spotting opportunities. Take game drives in search of elephants, herds of antelope and lions gathering around the waterholes.
Leave Etosha National Park and head south to the capital of Namibia. Cross into Botswana and overnight in the heart of the Kalahari. Take a walk with a local San Bushman to learn fascinating wilderness survival skills. Camp in Maun for the night. Prepare for an unforgettable journey where you will head deep into the Okavango Delta by mokoros (dugout canoes). An excursion into the Okavango Delta is an enthralling experience not to be missed. Camp under the stars on remote islands and enjoy once in a lifetime game walks, birdlife and game viewing in this pristine wilderness area. Leave the Delta behind and continue to Gweta to set up camp under ancient Baobab trees.
Chobe National Park has Botswana’s most varied wildlife, including lions and elephants.
Tour Victoria Falls, a natural wonder of the world, plunging into the Zambezi Gorge. Try whitewater rafting on the mighty Zambezi or if you're feeling adventurous, there's an optional 111m bungee jump calling your name. Camp on the tranquil shores of Lake Kariba, home to hippo, crocodile and a wide range of bird life. Head towards the Luangwa River to spend the night. This is an interesting area full of friendly locals. Travel into the valley of the Luangwa River. South Luangwa National Park is wild and remote with an abundance of wildlife. Camp on the banks of the Luangwa River and explore the area on a game walk and an open 4WD game drive. Travel to Chipata on the Zambia/Malawi border. Visit the local market just north of the town centre. Relax on the shores of “the Lake of Stars”. Take beach walks, swim in the crystal clear water, and snorkel among the tropical fish.
Cross the border and head for Tanzania. Travel out of great Rift Valley through spectacular mountain passes and head towards your camp outside Iringa.
Discover Dar Es Salaam. The city started as a fishing village in the mid 19th century before becoming a port and trading centre. Zanzibar Island, “the spice island” has a rich history and culture. Visit the beaches, explore Stone Town, and soak up the island spirit. Catch the ferry back to Dar Es Salaam where you have one more night to enjoy the sites and sounds of this captivating capital. Catch your first glimpse of the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Head towards Arusha where there will be ample opportunity to browse the craft markets and absorb the eclectic mix of cultures. An intriguing, once in a lifetime, 4WD excursion to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Savour your last days in the open plains of Africa. If you are lucky, you may see the Masai people herding their cattle amongst the wild game. Travel to Arusha where we will set up camp. Take time to relax before we set up camp for the night. Arrive in Cape Town at any time. Discover the surreal landscape of Cederberg. This is a massive rocky wilderness where giant sandstone boulders have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes.
We make our way into the more arid regions and enter Namibia. After a free afternoon at leisure, we set up camp at Gariep (Orange) River.
Journey to Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa. In the afternoon, watch as a spectacular sunset slips over the canyon's rim. Towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei form the gateway into the Namib Desert. Explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets over the world's highest sand dunes. Lunar landscapes and the prehistoric Welwitchia plants surround the coastal town of Swakopmund. Explore the town or try optional quad biking/dune boarding. Move north into the stony desert landscapes and set up camp near Twyfelfontein. In the afternoon explore the area, which is adorned with rock engravings and petrified fossil forests. Etosha National Park, locally known as "the great white place of dry water", lies the game-rich northwest corner of Namibia, offering a variety of wildlife spotting opportunities. Take game drives in search of elephants, herds of antelope and lions gathering around the waterholes.
Leave Etosha National Park and head south to the capital of Namibia. Cross into Botswana and overnight in the heart of the Kalahari. Take a walk with a local San Bushman to learn fascinating wilderness survival skills. Camp in Maun for the night. Prepare for an unforgettable journey where you will head deep into the Okavango Delta by mokoros (dugout canoes). An excursion into the Okavango Delta is an enthralling experience not to be missed. Camp under the stars on remote islands and enjoy once in a lifetime game walks, birdlife and game viewing in this pristine wilderness area. Leave the Delta behind and continue to Gweta to set up camp under ancient Baobab trees.
Chobe National Park has Botswana’s most varied wildlife, including lions and elephants.
Tour Victoria Falls, a natural wonder of the world, plunging into the Zambezi Gorge. Try whitewater rafting on the mighty Zambezi or if you're feeling adventurous, there's an optional 111m bungee jump calling your name. Camp on the tranquil shores of Lake Kariba, home to hippo, crocodile and a wide range of bird life. Head towards the Luangwa River to spend the night. This is an interesting area full of friendly locals. Travel into the valley of the Luangwa River. South Luangwa National Park is wild and remote with an abundance of wildlife. Camp on the banks of the Luangwa River and explore the area on a game walk and an open 4WD game drive. Travel to Chipata on the Zambia/Malawi border. Visit the local market just north of the town centre. Relax on the shores of “the Lake of Stars”. Take beach walks, swim in the crystal clear water, and snorkel among the tropical fish.
Cross the border and head for Tanzania. Travel out of great Rift Valley through spectacular mountain passes and head towards your camp outside Iringa.
Discover Dar Es Salaam. The city started as a fishing village in the mid 19th century before becoming a port and trading centre. Zanzibar Island, “the spice island” has a rich history and culture. Visit the beaches, explore Stone Town, and soak up the island spirit. Catch the ferry back to Dar Es Salaam where you have one more night to enjoy the sites and sounds of this captivating capital. Catch your first glimpse of the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Head towards Arusha where there will be ample opportunity to browse the craft markets and absorb the eclectic mix of cultures. An intriguing, once in a lifetime, 4WD excursion to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Savour your last days in the open plains of Africa. If you are lucky, you may see the Masai people herding their cattle amongst the wild game. Travel to Arusha where we will set up camp. Take time to relax before we set up camp for the night. 3645 3195 2240 1600 4410 3195 2905 Local Payment 950 USD 3645 3195 2240 1600 4410 3195 2905 Local Payment 950 USD 3645 3195 2240 1600 4410 3195 2905 Local Payment 950 USD 3645 3195 2240 1600 4410 3195 2905 Local Payment 950 USD 3645 3195 2240 1600 4410 3195 2905 Local Payment 950 USD 3645 3195 2240 1600 4410 3195 2905 Local Payment 950 USD 3645 3195 2240 1600 4410 3195 2905 Local Payment 950 USD Accommodation Simple hotel (2 nts), participation camping (32 nts), inn/bungalow (4 nts), multishare guesthouse/lodge (2 nts). Brief Highlights Sossusvlei Dunes, Fish River Canyon, Namib Desert, Windhoek, Etosha National Park, Swakopmund, Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls, South Luangwa National Park, Lake Malawi, Dar Es Salaam, Arusha, Nairobi, Kalahari, Zanzibar, Serengeti National Park, Cape Town, Ngorongoro Crater. Brochure Notes Combination This tour combines two segments - Dunes, Deltas & Falls DCF and Vic Falls to Nairobi Adventure DVN. Departure Departures vary DepEnd Tues - Sun Group Leader Tour leader/driver, cook, local guides. Group Size Max 22, Avg 14 Included Highlights - Fish River Canyon entrance
- Sossusvlei Dunes entrance
- Twyfelfontein engravings entrance
- Etosha National Park entrance with game drives
- Okavango Delta entrance with mokoro excursion
- South Luangwa National Park entrance with game drive and walk
- Serengeti National Park with game drive
- Ngorongoro Crater with game drive
- Spice Plantation entrance with guided tour
Local Payment USD950 + National Park Fees $75USD Max Pax 22 Meal Budget Allow USD245 for meals not included. For additional expenses, see dossier. Meals Included 40 breakfasts, 29 lunches, 27 dinners. Min Pax 12 StartFinish Cape Town to Nairobi. Testimonial "I really enjoyed the trip. Highlights were wildlife, African scenery and meeting local people." - Tony Chadwick travelled on Cape Town to Nairobi Transport Overland vehicle, safari vehicle, 4WD, ferry. A Couple of Rules Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for G.A.P Adventures Adventure travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.
About Accommodation Camping in Africa is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get a first-hand experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. While camping, we stay at designated campsites in national parks and outside towns. Campsite facilities in southern Africa are generally good, but can be basic in certain places. There are generally small restaurants and/or bars, washing facilities and occasionally telephones available.

The camps have flush toilets, and showers at some camps are outdoors, having simple reed enclosures for privacy. Additionally, warm water is available at most sites, but it is not guaranteed to always be warm when you take your shower; the warm water may be used up others who also use the camp. We usually set-up camp within close proximity to the toilet facilities, though occasionally to reach them you may to walk a short distance.

All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied, including camp mattresses, which are warm and comfortable. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. They are good quality, durable, industry-standard 2-person safari canvas tents. Please note that most adults will not be able to fully stand up inside the tents, though most travellers find these more than adequate, as they have a base area of approximately 4 square meters. These tents are regularly treated with a waterproofing agent, but under certain rainy conditions, the tent fabric may become saturated to the point where seepage or leakage may occur. All tents have built-in mesh insect netting on the windows and doors.

We travel with our own portable camp chairs with a comfortable back-rest, and we utilize our own cooking equipment to provide the group good quality camp meals.

In camping within the national parks and conservation areas, some camp sites are enclosed for keeping the resident wildlife out. Other camps are open to the natural environment – care must be taken, especially at night, when a torch/flashlight is recommended when walking around the camp area.

Your camping experience in the Okavango Delta is fondly called “bush camping”. This will be the most basic two nights of our trip, as there is no running water, no showers, nor toilets facilities. You will be truly camping in the wild, away from civilization and its comforts, and completely surrounded by nature – an unbelievable experience some in fact feel is the highlight of the trip.

The campsite in Serengeti National Park is extremely basic, with no electricity, simple bathing faciilties (no showers), and squat toilets. While camping at the Ngorongoro Crater rim, there is very limited electricity, occasionally warm showers, and both seated and squat flushing toilets.

Despite the challenge that a few days “roughing it” may pose to some, the experience of being that close to nature, camping under the African stars, and seeing incredible wildlife at your tent door-step is not just gratifying but ultimately an experience of a lifetime.
About our Transportation We use a combination of 2 different vehicles on this tour - a larger 22 seat overland vehicle for most of the trip, and in private 6-7 seat safari vehicles for the safari section in Tanzania.

Both styles of vehicles have their advantages - the overland truck allows the entire group to travel together, and because of its height, is great for game viewing and for enjoying the scenic African landscape. The smaller safari vehicles are more maneuverable, and have pop-up roofs and sliding windows, ideal for game viewing. If there is a large group, the group will be split up while travelling in the safari vehicles.

For your time in Zanzibar, please note that the overland truck will stay in Dar es Salaam, on the mainland. We use a large public ferry with in indoor seating area to cross to the island, and while there, our transportation will be in minibuses.

Road conditions can run the full gamut from new to being in very poor condition. This style of travel is by no means luxury, but it does allow us the flexibility of making stops when needed, and reaching some out-of-the way parts of Africa where the traditional safari crowd would not dare to go.

Here’s a quick look at the well-equipped G.A.P Adventures overland truck:
- storage for luggage underneath
- Onboard individual safe box under each seat
- Front view windows
- Large sliding windows, great for game viewing
- Fully equipped retractable kitchen
- Intercom between seating area and driver
- Inverter for battery charging
- A cd-player with an input for mp3s

Please note that our trucks do not have on-board bathrooms. Arrival Complications We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Associated Planeterra Project Planeterra – The G.A.P Adventures Foundation supports the work of Youth Challenge International in Africa.

Youth Challenge International (YCI) is a non-profit, charitable organization that combines community development, health promotion and conservation in projects conducted by international teams of volunteers. By involving youth in the solutions to the issues they face, YCI aspires to a world where young men and women aged 10 to 25 have access to education, healthcare and meaningful employment. Youth in Africa, South America and Asia face huge challenges and YCI is working right now to provide them with education on HIV/AIDS and basic employment skills training.

To achieve these aims YCI works within an international network and global constituency for youth. International volunteers aged 18 to 30 play a key role in the planning and implementation of development projects. Since 1989 YCI has successfully involved over 2000 Canadian youth volunteers in the implementation of our programs in developing countries such as Tanzania, Guyana, Costa Rica, and Vanuatu.

Each year we work with the staff at YCI to determine which African programs are in need of support. Through fundraising efforts and matched donations from travellers we have provided financial assistance to the following YCI programs:

The Planeterra Foundation has supported YCI's work in improving young men and women's lives in Tanzania. The ravages of HIV/AIDS combined with poor employment skills training for youth have lead to a loss of hope and reduced opportunities for young people. YCI addresses these problems by implementing three-day employment skills training seminars and HIV/AIDS education workshops for young men and women across Tanzania. These seminars and workshops have reached over 1,000 rural Tanzanian youth during the coming year - youth who typically receive little in the way of HIV/AIDS education or employment skills training.

Planeterra has also supported the research of a pilot project so that YCI may develop new partnerships in Kenya and Ghana and continue to develop their valuable programs within Africa.

Your donation is critical to YCI and your support will help them to continue their effective and valuable work within Africa.


In South Africa, Planeterra supports the following community project:

Shalati Community Project
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is having a devastating effect on the lives of millions of children worldwide especially in Africa. South Africa has one of Africa's strongest economies, but the HIV pandemic has weakened the nation and has taken a severe toll on its adult population. South Africa has the sixth highest prevalence of HIV in the world, with 18.8% of the population estimated to be infected. As children lose one or both parents to the epidemic, they are often either taken into care by other family members or find themselves suddenly responsible for the care of their younger siblings. As a result, the fabric of society has begun to shift and change in unprecedented ways.

In the South African community of Shalati there are many single parent families and a vast number of orphaned children, often cared for by their grandparents. This is due in part to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Many children do not begin school until the age of eight, and receive no formal education and limited support during their early formative years. Based on the needs of these families and children, we aim to assist the local community with their goal of building and developing a pre-school so that children are provided with a secure and nurturing environment to learn and grow.

How you can help
Donations raised through the Planeterra Foundation will provide funding for the construction and development of the preschool.

For more information about this project and/or to make a donation please visit our website at www.planeterra.org or contact us at info@planeterra.org
Brochure Intro This journey is chock full of diverse cultures, abundant wildlife, spectacular landscapes, stunning beaches, and a ton of adventure. Checklist •Fleece top
•Windproof/waterproof jacket
•Small towel and swimwear
•4 shirts/t-shirts
•Sun hat
•Warm sleeping bag
•1 pair of shorts
•2 pairs of long trousers
•1 pair hiking pants/track pants
•Hiking boots/sturdy walking shoes
•Sport sandals
•Sunblock
•Sunglasses
•Toiletries (biodegradable)
•Watch or alarm clock
•Water bottle
•Purification tablets or filter
•Pocketknife
•Flashlight (with extra batteries and bulbs)
•Money belt
•First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)

NOTE: Insect netting covering windows and door of tent is provided. We also recommend to bring individual mosquito nets for better protection.

Optional Items:
Camera and film, reading/writing material, binoculars, cover for backpacks.

Documents:
•Passport (with photocopies)
•Travel insurance (with photocopies)
•Yellow Fever Certificate (with photocopies)
•Airline tickets (with photocopies)
•USD cash and traveller's cheques
•Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
•G.A.P Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier
•Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Departure Tax USD40, may be included in the international air ticket Detailed Trip Notes Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip. This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe customized safari truck for the long open road drives. This is a true African experience for outdoor enthusiasts interested in culture, adventure and wildlife, who enjoy simple campsites and basic wild camps. We will get dusty on occasion; but this is Africa!

Other Trip Comments
An essential part of your safari is participation - from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing away in the morning, to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up - it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation, but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun!

Accommodation
Camping
While on safari (31 nights), we stay at designated campsites in national parks and towns. Campsite facilities in southern Africa are generally very good, but can be basic in certain places. There are hot and cold showers, restaurants, washing facilities and telephones available. Some camps in Namibia and Botswana have simple reed enclosures for showers, but do have flush toilets. All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in insect nets. Mattresses are also available, which are warm and comfortable. All camp chairs have a comfortable backrest.

Wild Camping
While in the Okavango Delta (2 nights), we camp wild on remote islands. Wild camps have no facilities; we will take our own water and all equipment. Wild camping can be very enjoyable, however please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. Toilets will be of the "dig and bury" variety and we will provide "bucket in a tree" style showers (with canvas screen for privacy). Wild camping is the ultimate African bush experience as we camp right in amongst the wildlife, so there is a possibility of elephant and other game coming very close to camp. Your safari guides will have your safety as a priority, so please ensure that you obey all their bush camping instructions.

Guesthouse/Lodge/Bugalows
2 nights in Swakopmund will be spent in a central and convenient lodge. We may have twin or quad rooms, all with ensuite facilities. 3 nights on Zanzibar Island we will stay in bungalows. Basic rooms, twin and multi sharing rooms with shared ablutions.

Simple Hotel
1 night in Cape Town and 1 night in Windhoek we will stay in twin rooms.

Transportation
Walking - easy to moderate walks throughout the tour (from 1/2 to 4 hours)
Mokoro (dugout canoe): poled by our local guides in the Okavango (subject to water levels)
Ferry: we take which ever is departing. Both are safe and reliable.
Vehicle - overland safari vehicle. Comfortable touring and good for game viewing. Large, sliding windows and viewing hatches give everyone a good view.

Food
This trip includes three healthy meals per day, except where otherwise indicated in the itinerary, when we will try out local restaurants. The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast; lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls; dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided. All beverages will be at your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops along the tour.

Language
There are multiple official languages in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, , Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania, although English is widely spoken. There are also numerous dialects spoken throughout different parts of these lands.

SOUTH AFRICA
Full country name: Republic of South Africa
Area: 1,221,037km2 (447,443mi2)
Population: 47,432,000 (July 2005 estimate), 44,819,278 (Census 2001)
Capital cities: Cape Town (Legislative), Pretoria (Admistrative) and Bloemfontein (Judicial)
People: Zulu, Afrikaners, Xhosa, Basotho (South Sotho), English South Africans, Bapedi (North Sotho), Indian/Asian, Venda, Tswana, Tsonga, Swazi, Ndebele, others
Language: Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Swati, Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda
Religion: Zion Christian 11%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8%, Catholic 7%, Methodist 7%, Dutch Reformed 7%, Anglican 4%, other Christian 36%, Islam 2%, none 15%
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Major industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metal working, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, food stuff, commercial ship repair.
Major trading partners: U.S., UK, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, China, France, Saudi Arabia, Iran (2004).
Currency: Rand (ZAR), consisting of 100 cents

HISTORY
Recommended reading: Long Walk to Freedom (Nelson Mandela), A History of South Africa (Leonard Thompson), Cry the Beloved Country (Alan Paton), No Future Without Forgiveness (Desmond Tutu)

CAPE TOWN
Cape Town's name originated from the term 'Cape of Good Hope' when Bartholomew Diaz and other seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain, like an inn that promised hospitality and prosperity.

Cape Town is steeped in a rich history and is a cultural melting pot with its diverse and vibrant character being derived from Khoisan and other African tribes from the North, and Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers.

The oldest existing building in South Africa, the Castle was built in 1666 to protect the new settlement at the Cape. Still operational as a military base, today its five imposing stone walls also house a museum with artifacts dating back to the 17th century and troops dressed in historic uniform parade on its cobbled grounds.

Nearby, across the Grand Parade, stand the Drill Hall and Cape Town's Italian Renaissance-style City Hall, completed in 1905. The Slave Lodge, the second oldest building in Cape Town, has served many purposes in its nearly three centuries. Originally built as accommodation for the slaves of the Dutch East India Company, it was also Cape Town's first post office, a library and the Supreme Court. Today it is home to the SA Cultural History Museum and its displays of ceramics, toys, silver and textiles from Cape Town's past, as well as artifacts from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

The historic Company Gardens, established by Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 as a vegetable garden from which to supply fresh produce to passing ships, today offers city dwellers and office workers a peaceful refuge from the bustle of the city's commercial centre. A cobbled avenue, lined with oak trees, leads to the South African Museum, the South African National Gallery, the Bertram House Museum and the Jewish Museum, which is housed in the oldest synagogue in South Africa.

Just beyond, South Africa's Parliament buildings stand in imposing array around the cobbles of Stal Plein ("plein” meaning "square").

Numerous other buildings of historic interest, such as Koopman de Wet House in Strand Street, Heritage Square in Bree Street, and many along the upper reaches of Long Street, are dotted throughout the city centre.

Situated on the lower slopes of Signal Hill, the Bo-Kaap (literally "upper Cape") is home to many descendants of the Malay slaves brought to the Cape during the 17th century. Most of the families, which inhabit its colourful rows of houses, are devout Muslims, and the call to prayer can be heard in the narrow, cobbled streets throughout the day. The Bo-Kaap Museum portrays aspects of Cape Muslim culture.

ROBBEN ISLAND

After Alcatraz in the United Stated, Robben Island (Island of Seals) is possibly the best-known prison island in the world.

Having served over the centuries as a penal settlement, leper colony and lunatic asylum, its notoriety has, more recently, centered around the fact that President Nelson Mandela and many of his colleagues were imprisoned here during the apartheid era.

Regular trips are made to the island, a world heritage site, by a ferry, which departs from the V&A Waterfront.

Cederberg:
Leaving Cape Town behind we are hitting north to the Cederberg Area. The Cederberg is a massive rocky wilderness where giant sandstone boulders have been sculpted by wind and rain into bizarre and artistic shapes. In the afternoon we explore the rugged landscape on foot.

Gariep (Orange) River:
Orange River is named after a Dutch explorer (Oranje). It’s now called the Gariep River. The river runs for about 1200 km. Source is at Gariep dam near Aliwal North in Eastern Cape. It flows into the sea at Oranjemund on the west coast forming the border between RSA and Namibia and forming a natural boundary of various provinces in RSA. Orange River, in sections, is a good diamond mining area. For thousands of years silt has washed down the river and produced diamonds on its banks. These diamonds also reach the sea and with long-shore currents (going northwards) and wind and wave action, they have washed up on the shorelines.

Fish River Canyon:
1. It is approx 161 km long.
2. 27km wide at its widest point.
3. 550m deep.
4. Oldest canyon in the world. Rocks at the bottom 2600 million years old.
5. Second biggest canyon in the world.
6. It was formed in part by glacial movements (upper section), erosion and movement of tectonic plates.
7. The plateaus are 220m from the base of the canyon.
8. There are catfish at the bottom that survive the dry season by burrowing into the mud until the water returns.
9. It’s a very slow moving and shallow river – more like a stream. Water present in Feb/Mar/Apr.
10.The highest recorded temperature at the base was 58 degrees and it’s usually ten degrees hotter at the bottom than where you stand. The canyon was formed 500 million years ago. It was formed because of fractures in the earth’s crust that created a deep, steep-sided valley, further deepened by glacial erosion during the ice ages. Connecting canyons were created because of further erosion and faults. The upper canyon was formed as a result of major movements in the earth’s crust. The lower canyon was formed when a continental uplift caused the Fish River to cut its path into the underlying strata. The river itself only started eroding about 50 million years ago. Four wet periods, or pluvial seem to have occurred in the South Western part of Africa during the last million years, resulting in a large run-off of water, which speeded erosion. The slopes leading up from the riverbed were originally sandstone, shale, and lava deposited about 1 800 million years ago. During a deep burial of 1 000 - 1 300 million years ago, these formations were compressed, folded and heated, forming metamorphic rock. The springs at Ai-Ais are rich in chloride, fluoride, and sulphate, with water temperatures averaging 60 degrees Celsius.

Namib Desert:
The oldest and most unique desert in the world. The central namib stretches over 2000km along the coast from the Olifant’s River in the south to San Nicolau in Southern Angola. Much of the desert is linear dunes, which are parallel to the sea and stretch from the coast to the inland gravel plains. These dunes may seem lifeless, but support a complex ecosystem capable of extracting moisture from the frequent fogs. The Desert was formed by a combination of activities. The Orange River combined with the Fish River deposit a great deal of silt into the ocean. Long shore currents push this silt northwards along the coast and onshore winds and wave action deposit this silt on to the shoreline. Over the millions of years this belt of sand has pushed further inland and upwards forming the Namib Desert. The sand is very orange in some places because of the iron ore in the sand, which has simply rusted.

Sesriem Canyon:
Here the Tsauchab River has eroded a gorge up to 30m deep into gravel deposited about 15 - 18 million years ago, during a wetter phase of the Namib. The canyon dates back 2 - 4 million years. It is +/- 14 km long. Sesriem canyon receives only seasonal rain, mostly during the summer months with the heavy rains (Jan-March) causing a possible down flow and some of the water pools survive most of the year. As you descend the canyon the pools are to the left ‘’upstream’’. This is the Tsauchab River and it is also the one that feeds Sossusvlei.

Namibia:
Full country name: Republic of Namibia
Area: 824,292 sq km (318,259 sq mi)
Population: 2,032,000 (July 2005 est) 1.820,916 (Census 2002)
Capital city: Windhoek (pop 161,000)
People: 86% African (50% Owambo, 9% Kavango, 7% Herero, 7% Damara, 5% Nama, 4% Caprivian, 3% San, 2% Baster, 0.5% Tswana), 7.4% mixed, 6.6% white Languages: English, Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Religion: Christian, Lutheran, native religions
Government: Republic
President: Sam Nujoma
Major industries: Meat packing, fish processing, dairy products, mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper), millet, sorghum, peanuts, livestock, fish, tourism.
Major trading partners: UK, South Africa, Spain, Japan, Germany, USA

Formally known as South West Africa. The whole territory became German protectorate in 1884, except for the British/Cape Colony enclave of Walvis Bay. After the First World War the territory was administered by South Africa until independence on 21 March 1990. The capital is Windhoek and the second largest town is Walvis Bay, Namibia’s only port. Swakopmund is a coastal town with a German influence and revolves mainly around tourism. Namibia’s economy relies on diamond mining in the south, cattle farming in the north, fishing along the coast and tourism. Most of the country is desert or semi desert. There is a population of around 1.8 million. This, around 1, 5 people per sq. km is one of the lowest in the world. The official language is English although there are many different cultures including Herero, San, Koikoi, Owambo, Afrikaans and German. Namibia was at one stage a German colony therefore having German-speaking people. About 75% of the locals are Christian and the others have traditional beliefs. Namibia is a land of contrasts. Being largely semi-desert and desert, midsummer temperatures may rise to 40°C, while winter night temperatures can drop to freezing. Along the coast it is cool, with regular morning fogs. Namibia’s rain falls in summer, from October to April, and the land averages 300 days of sunshine annually.

Skeleton Coast:
Namibia is well known for its desolate coastline. Along the West coast of Namibia flows the Cold Benguela Current. Also along the coastline is a very hot desert. What happens is that the cold, moist air from the sea mixes with the warm air from the desert and forms a very heavy mist. This mist over hundreds of years have caused many shipwrecks along the coast and if the sailors survive they soon perish in the unforgiving desert. With all the wrecks and shells of stranded ships along the coast and the death it’s caused the coast got its name. As you approach the coastline you will see the band of mist.

Twyfelfontein:
Twyfelfontein (Doubtful Spring), at the head of a grassy valley, is one of the most extensive galleries of rock art in Africa. The original name of this water source in the Aba-Huab Valley was /Ui-//Ais (Surrounded by Rocks) but in 1947 it was renamed by European settler D Levin, who deemed its daily output of one cubic metre of water insufficient for life in the harsh environment. The 6000year old Twyfelfontein works aren’t paintings but engravings, or petroglyphs, executed by cutting through the hard patina covering the local sandstone.

Etosha National Park:
Etosha National Park, "the great white place of dry water", in the game-rich northwest corner of Namibia, offers a variety of wildlife. We take game drives around the huge dry pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions around the waterholes before we camp at Okaukuejo with its floodlit waterhole. (Subject to animal movements, we may use any of the 3 camps in Etosha NP.)

Etosha:
Etosha, with its wealth of animal and plant life, lies in the North of Namibia and covers an area of 22 270km2; the Etosha pan’s size is 4 590km2. In 1851 the explorers Sir Francis Galton and Charles Anderson were the first Europeans to visit the great pan known as Etosha (the place of mirages). The area around it teemed with game animals and the spectacle during the rainy season of December to March, with the pan filled with mud more than a metre deep and countless flamingos resting here, made this one of the most exciting wildlife areas in Africa. Fifty years later the German government built a fort at the eastern end of the pan, at Namutoni. In 1904 the Wambo attacked this fort. Seven German policemen were stationed at the place at the time and they were short Ammunition after seven hours of fighting they slipped away in the night and made their way southwards until they encountered a German column coming to their relief. The combined party returned to Etosha and recaptured the fort, which had been looted and largely destroyed by the Wambo warriors. A new fort was built - a glistening, white, ‘Beau Geste’ stronghold, which today, in a new fort has never been under attack, and was a police post until the 1950’s. In 1907 the German government proclaimed Etosha Pan and its surroundings a game reserve. No tourist perfect state of preservation is an unexpected piece of architecture to find in the wilderness of Africa. The menities were built until 1952 however, when the construction of rest camps and roads began, particularly along the southern edge of the pan, where there are perennial waterholes that attract a concentration of wild animals. During the rainy season, animals are scattered over a vast grazing area, congregating in large numbers on the plains west of the pan where the grazing is good. At this time bird life in the pan is varied. The 400-mm of rain that falls also creates muddy roads and excellent conditions for malaria carrying mosquitoes. Temperatures are high - around 38 Celsius - and life is not very comfortable. In the winter temperatures drop to below 3 degrees Celsius.

Botswana:
Full country name: Republic of Botswana
Area: 600,370 sq km (231,800 sq mi)
Population: 1.6 million Capital city: Gaborone (pop 192,000)
People: Botswana 60%, Bakalanga, Basarwa, Bakgalagadi
Languages: English, Setswana
Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50%
Government: parliamentary republic
President: Festus Mogae
Major industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, potash, livestock processing, sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts (peanuts), beans, cowpeas, sunflower seed, livestock
Major trading partners: EU, Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Zimbabwe

The first inhabitants of Botswana were the San (Bushmen). They still populate the country, but the Tswana tribe is now more prominent. Other tribes include the Kalanga, Nbukushy, Yei and the Herero. The Herero women still wear the full-length Victorian-style dresses, which were introduced to them by German missionaries in the late 1800’s, however it is now a tribal trademark. The British controlled Bechuanaland (as Botswana was then known) from 1885 until the country received their independence on September 30th 1966. Ironically diamonds were discovered in Botswana in 1967! Interesting fact – Botswana’s diamonds do very well on the International market as they are classified as “Blood free,” meaning they are not used to fund guerrilla warfare. Botswana has the strongest economy and currency in Africa, mostly due to their diamonds and livestock. The European Union put many stipulations on their imported meats and Botswana’s tight vetenary checks, aiming at controlling foot and mouth, mean that the EU are happy to buy their meat. Agricultural income will improve when they have combated the problem of widespread drought. They are currently installing irrigation systems around the country to try to feed the most water-deprived areas. Botswana handles it’s international debt much better than any other African country with the interest being paid with one months export earnings, rather than the six months earnings it takes most other African countries. With the amount of for ex the have saved up the country could survive with no income for 36 months. Botswana has the world’s highest birth rate at 3.5%, and average women have 5 children. The country has a strong currency, the Pula meaning rain and the Thebe meaning raindrop. Government policies and poaching: Their policy on tourism is “high cost and low impact” therefore rather having a few less tourists and charging more money for the privilege of a visit to a park or similar. The country has a very good army, which has an anti poaching unit. Poaching has in the past been a problem in the country but in now almost under control. The army is allowed to shoot to kill without asking questions if you are caught poaching. Rhinos are very few due to poaching and they have breeding programs in place.

Okavango Delta:
The Okavango delta is one of the world’s largest inland water systems. It's headwaters start in Angola’s western highlands, with numerous tributaries joining to form the Cubango River, which then flows through Namibia (called the Kavango) and finally enters Botswana, where it is then called the Okavango. Millions of years ago the Okavango River use to flow into a large inland lake called Lake Makgadikgadi (now Makgadikgadi Pans). Tectonic activity and faulting interrupted the flow of the river causing it to backup and form what is now the Okavango delta. This has created a unique system of waterways that now supports a vast array of animal and plant life that would have otherwise been a dry Kalahari savanna. The delta’s floods are fed from the Angolan rains, which start in October and finish sometime in April. The floods only cross the border between Botswana and Namibia in December and will only reach the bottom end of the delta (Maun) sometime in July, taking almost nine months from the source to the bottom. This slow meandering pace of the flood is due to the lack of drop in elevation, which drops a little more than 60 metres over a distance of 450 kilometres. The delta’s water dead-ends in the Kalahari – via the Botetle River, with over 95 per cent of the water eventually evaporating. During the peak of the flooding the delta’s area can expand to over 16,000 square kilometres, shrinking to less than 9,000 square kilometres in the low period. As the water travels through the delta, the wildlife starts to move back into the region. The areas surrounding the delta are beginning to try out (the rains in Botswana occur approximately the same time as in Angola) and the wildlife starts to congregate on the edge of the newly flooded areas, May through October. The delta environment has large numbers of animal populations that are otherwise rare, such as crocodile, red lechwe, Sitatunga, elephant, wild dogs, buffalo, wattled crane as well as the other more common mammals and bird life. The best time for game viewing in the delta is during the May-October period, as the animal life is concentrated along the flooded areas and the vegetation has dried out. The best time for birding and vegetation is during the rainy season (Nov.- April) as the migrant bird populations are returning and the plants are flowering and green.

ZAMBIA
Full country name: Zambia
Area: 752,615km2 (17th largest in Africa)
Population: 10.4 million
Capital city: Lusaka
Largest Towns: Lusaka, Ndola, Livingstone, Kabwe, Kitwe.
People: Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja, Ngoni, Lozi plus many other different groups as well as Colonial ex-pats and people of Asian descent
Official Language: English
Other Languages: Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja, Lozi
Religion: Christian, ZCC and Islam
Government: Multiparty parliamentary democracy
President: Levy Mwanawasa
Currency: Kwacha
Major industries: Agriculture (mainly subsistence farming), mining, tourism

• Formally called Northern Rhodesia, Zambia gained its independence from colonial Great Britain in 1964.
• By the end of 1970, Zambia has become one of the poorest countries in the world due to corruption, mismanagement of the economy and a fall in the world copper price.
• In the 1990s Kuanda, the president since independence, was forced to amend the constitution, legalizing opposition parties and setting full elections in 1991. They were defeated by Frederick Chiluba. However, Zambia’s situation has not improved.
• The country has three distinct seasons: cool and dry from May to August, hot and dry in September and October and rainy between November and April.
• The majority of the population are subsistence farmers and there are also some large commercial farms growing sugar cane.

INTERESTING FACTS
1. Zambia is the fourth-largest supplier of copper in the world and the leading producer of cobalt. Combined the mining of these two minerals accounts for 75% of Zambia’s foreign exchange and 5% of employment in the country.
2. There are 73 officially recognized ethnic groups living within Zambia’s borders, each with their own culture and language.
3. Unlike many African countries, Zambia’s borders do not adhere to any logical language or tribal boundaries.
4. Unlike neighbouring Botswana the Zambian government does not have a comprehensive anti-poaching policy and poaching remains a major problem facing Zambia’s wildlife.
5. Approx 750 different species of bird have been recorded in Zambia. 6. The Victoria Falls on the Zambian side is known as “Mosi oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders)

The Victoria Falls:
Rising in Northern Zambia, the Zambezi River flows in a southwesterly direction passing through Angola and winding its way through the Barotse Plain in Zambia before entering the Caprivi Swamps where the Chobe River joins it. From this point the Zambezi takes an easterly course creating the boundary between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Here the river plunges 108 metres into the gorge below, forming the Victoria Falls, named in 1855 by David Livingstone in honour of his Queen, also known as “mosi-oa-tunya” - the smoke that thunders. In the season of floods - March to June - the river swells greatly, but the shallow valley contains it and the movement of the water is still slow. Only a few minor rapids high up the valley, and the small Gonye falls, give it a flurry of speed. Along the full width of its course the river tumbled into a deep trench only about 200m wide. The Falls measures 1708 meters across and has a mean maximum flow of 700 000 cubic meters per minute. The river has eroded the soft earth filled cracks in the original volcanic basalt plateau and has, during the past half million years, cut back a deep zigzag path forming a gorge 100 kilometers in length. The falls are divided into the Devil’s Cataract (27m wide and 60 m high), the main falls, which in turn are divided by a projecting rock (524m + 297m wide and 83m high) and the Eastern Cataract 304m wide and 96m high. In 1960 the flow of the Zambezi was constrained by a massive wall, Kariba, the then largest dam ever built, and backed up a lake 220 km long and in places 30 km wide. After escaping the confines of Kariba Dam, the Zambezi continues flowing on through Cabora Bassa Dam in Mozambique, finally reaching the Indian Ocean.

The Zambezi River:
The mighty Zambezi River, 2700 kilometres in length is Africa’s 4th longest river. This river is one of the largest and most impressive rivers in Southern Africa. It crosses southern Africa from west to east flowing through six countries. The river rises in the far northwestern corner of Zambia and flows briefly through Angola before entering Zambia again and further down becomes the border between Zambia and Namibia and briefly Botswana and then plummets over the Victoria Falls. It then acts as a border between Zim and Zambia and forces its way down the Batoka Gorge and enters Lake Kariba. Beyond the lake the Kafue adds to the flow of the Zambezi as it runs through Mana Pools and Lower Zambezi National Park. The Luangwa River then joins it and then the Zambezi enters Mozambique and creates the Cahora Bassa dam. Downstream from here the river slows and broadens and the Shire River, which drains Lake Malawi, joins it as the Zambezi flows over coastal plains, finally flowing into the Indian Ocean at a vast delta north of Beira.

SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
• A totally different experience to parks elsewhere in Africa, Luangwa offers a real immersion to the bush life in an attractive habitat of sausage trees and lagoons. In the stunning light of early morning and late afternoon, one can often see elephants, impala, puku, troops of baboons, hosts of water birds, crocodiles and hippos all through the same view finder of your camera or binoculars!
• The park is reputed to have the highest concentration of leopard in Africa. It is estimated that there is one leopard for every kilometre of river in the Luangwa Valley, so your chances of seeing this elusive nocturnal cat are quite high in this park.
• Pods of up to 500 hippos can be seen in the dry season as the river shrinks and they are confined to areas of deep pools. On average during the year there are probably 35 – 42 hippos per kilometre.
• World-famous walking safaris are a favourite activity in South Luangwa and operate from June until October and morning and night drives in open-topped safari vehicles are available year round. This is one of the few places in Africa where you are able to do games drives after dark with a spotlight.
• Huge varieties of animals can be seen in Luangwa, over 100 species of mammals and over 420 species of birds. For keen birdwatchers in particular, the wet season in Luangwa is one of the ‘must see’ sights in the world. The birdlife in Luangwa really is something special. There are an abundance of water birds including commonly seen Yellow-Billed, Saddle-billed, Open-billed, White, Black and Abdims Storks. Egrets, Ibises and Herons also abound on the lagoon areas. Other birds that can be seen include Lilac-breasted Rollers, Meyer’s Parrots, Lilians Lovebirds and Carmine BeeEaters (the latter have huge nesting colonies along the river banks around October time).


Commonly seen mammals
• Elephants, Hippos, Lions, Leopards, Impala, Waterbuck, Hyenas, Giraffes, Zebra, Baboons, & Warthogs.
• Other mammals in the park sometimes seen include Kudu, Sable Antelope, Jackals and Wild Dogs. Night safaris offer the chance to see Civets, Genets, Porcupines and Mongoose and a greater chance of seeing lion and leopard. Luangwa specialties
• Zebras (Crayshaw’s, a variety of Burchells Zebra)
• Puku (mostly found exclusively in Zambia)
• Thornicrofts Giraffe (an endemic sub-species of Giraffe)
• Cookson’s Wildebeest (an endemic sub-species of Wildebeest)

HISTORY OF THE PARK
• Back in 1938 North and South Luangwa Game Reserves were created to protect and control wildlife populations, especially elephants.
• In 1939 a gentleman called Norman Carr became a ranger in Luangwa. Over the years to come he was to have a huge impact on conservation in Africa. He established the first public camp in Zambia, and developed walking safaris, which involved visitors in the real bush experience away from the noise of vehicles. These walking safaris put Luangwa firmly on the map in terms of tourism and remain popular to this day.
• From 1972 several smaller game reserves combined to form what is now South Luangwa National Park.

NB: South Luangwa can become inaccessible during the wet season (early/mid-November to April)

• The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life blood of the park's 9,050km 2.
• The Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife and vegetation.
• The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter to a lush green wonderland in the summer months.
• There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species. The only notable absence is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction in South Luangwa National Park (they have recently been reintroduced into North Luangwa National Park)

MALAWI
Full country name: Republic of Malawi
Area: 118,500km2 (35 that)
Population: 10.4 million
Capital city: Lilongwe (pop 260,000)
People: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European
Languages: English, Chichewa, regional languages
Religion: 55% Protestant, 20% Roman Catholic, 20% Muslim, traditional indigenous beliefs
Government: Multi-party democracy
President: Bakili Muluzi
Major industries: Tea, tobacco, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods, tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, cattle, goats
Major trading partners: US, South Africa, Germany, Japan, Zimbabwe, UK Currency: Kwacha (K)

INTERESTING FACTS
• The country is known as the “warm heart of Africa” and really does have some of the friendliest people in Africa.
• Malawi during the colonial times was known as Nyasaland.
• In 1966 the country became a republic and Dr Hastings Banda the president. He soon pronounced himself as the “President for life”; banning foreign press and waging vendettas against any group he regarded as a threat and gained total economic control. He slowly destroyed the country and in 1994 Malawi had its first multi party election, which was won by Bakili Muluzi, who quickly abolished such laws as night curfews and gave back freedom of speech and free schooling to primary schooling children. He also lifted the law that said men could not have long hair and women could not wear trousers. However, things slowly got worse as food prices soared and subsidies were withdrawn or reduced and unemployment got to 50 %. Charges of corruption and mismanagement of funds are frequently reported.
• Malawi is about 900 km long and between 80 and 150km wide. It has a population of around 11 million, which is overpopulated for such a small country.
• About 85% of the people are rural inhabitants, either subsistence or workers on commercial farms. The main exports are tobacco, sugar and tea. Tourism is also a big income.

LAKE MALAWI
• This is Malawi’s main attraction and covers one fifth of the country.
• It is the third largest lake in Africa and is about 500km long.
• The lake has more fish species than any other lake in the world with around 600 different species. The largest family is the chichlids, which are exported all over the world to pet shops etc.
• The lake is also known for its good snorkeling and diving. The locals depend on the lake for fishing and survival and use dug out canoes to fish from and set out long nets.
• There are many different ethnic groups all speaking their own language and most are Christians and the rest have traditional beliefs, as do most African countries.

BILHARZIA
• Or schistosomiasis, is a disease transmitted by minute worms, which are carried by infected humans and a certain species of water snail.
• Both hosts need to be present for the worms to exist and transmit the disease. The disease can exist in any lake, pond and patch of standing water in Africa where the worms already exist. It does not occur in the sea or fast flowing water.
• Lake Malawi, in places, has got bilharzias present. It is normally present in areas where there is no wind or wave action or where there are a lot of reeds. The places you go to on the tour do not generally have these conditions and are low risk.
• The moral of the story is; enjoy your holiday and if you choose to go swimming and you are concerned about it then swim for less than ten minutes at a time and towel of when you’re done.
• The disease is curable and if you worried you can have it checked out when you get home by having a blood test and be aware it can have a long incubation period (weeks or months).

ZANZIBAR
• There are two main islands and several smaller islands. The main island of Zanzibar is about 40km of the coast of Tanzania. The island is about 85km long and between 20 and 30 km wide and covers an area of 1500 sq km. The island is surrounded by coasts of rocky inlets or sandy beaches with lagoons and mangrove swamps and coral reefs. • Humidity is generally quite high although relieved by sea breezes and the temperatures are generally consistent through the year.
• The main crops grown are coconuts and cloves. Bananas, citrus fruits and other spices are also grown commercially.
• The first European arrivals were Portuguese navigators looking for a trade route to India. They reached Zanzibar at the end of the 15th century and established a trading station.
• At the end of 17th century they were ousted by the Omani Arabs. During this period Zanzibar became a major slave-trading centre.
• In 1840 the Omani Sultan Said moved his court from Muscat to Zanzibar and the island became a Arab state and a important centre of trade and politics in the region. Livingstone and Stanley also spent time here.
• Zanzibar was a British protectorate from 1890 until 1963 when the state gained independence.

SLAVERY IN AFRICA
• The height of slavery was in the mid 19th century; It is estimated that between 80,000 and 100,000 Africans per year were sold into slavery or were killed by the Swahili Arabs and dominant local tribes. • Most were taken from Zambia and Malawi and taken to the shores of Lake Malawi and sold to wholesalers and then taken across the lake. They were then marched across Mozambique usually chained or tied and carrying elephant tusks for export.
• Any slaves too ill to make the journey were simply abandoned. Most died of dehydration or were killed by wild animals.
• At the coast they were loaded into dhows and shipped to Zanzibar. They would be packed tightly together with no food and water and lying in their own excrement. The bodies of those who perished were left lying amongst the living.
• Those who survived where auctioned in Zanzibar and then shipped to places such as Arabia or India.

STONE TOWN
• The Stone Town is the unofficial name for the capital of Zanzibar.
• There is a restaurant and bar next door to Karibu Inn on the RHS, which is great for a quiet drink. There’s also a small cafe across the road, next to archway, which serves chips (be patient) and ice cream. Shop which sells water next door.
• Two bureaux de changes found up the road on the way to Africa House. Second one (after post office) usually has a better rate. Open until 6 - 7.00 pm. To get to the post office, walk out of Karibu, straight down the alleyway. Turn left at the main road and it’s further up on the LHS - about 3mins walk.
• There is a phone/fax facility at a shop next door, which is reliable, but expensive.
• Some curio shops up this road take credit cards. Good one is near Africa House on the corner.
• There is a great T-shirt shop (modern) up the main road on the RHS.
• If pax need a cash advance, ask Hamim to take them to a place - the rate and commission is not too bad. Otherwise the Greenland Bank near the market does advance at the government rate. You can also try the international hotel and there is also a hotel near the market (fruit & veg) that can change US$ TC’s to US$ cash, but not sure of the name.
• Blues Restaurant is great for sundowners, but quite pricy. The night food market on the waterfront is great and really cheap. Try Zanzi pizzas, potato balls, meat/tuna/chicken kebabs, prawns, octopus, chips etc and be sure to try the sugar cane juice. Peachy’s Pizza does coffees and ice-cream at night. Be careful of the area though.
• Look out for hotels with rooftop bars for a great venue for sundowners and photos.

NORTH COAST – NUNGWI
Definitely noisier and busier than the East Coast. The Fat Fish rocks here on a Sunday night with live music. Walk into the village to buy bread, water, fruit etc. Basically all the guesthouses up there are fine. Hamim will recommend you H&H, he’s one of the owners. Usually just take the one with the best price and a freebie. You can do a Dhow snorkeling trip for US$10 in the North, which is recommended. You can go to Cholo’s at night (the most beautiful disco-bar on the beach). Or you can go to Kendwa Rocks, depending on your group, which is a lot quieter and very cool! It’s just south of Nungwi. Highly recommended The north coast, Stone Town itself, hiring a motorcycle for at least one full day (be aware that this can be dangerous!) and doing a drive around the island and having dinner at the market in front of the old fort in Stone Town.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO
• Is an almost perfectly shaped volcano, which rises from the plains. • The mountain is snowcapped and not yet extinct.
• It is 5895 metres and the highest peak in Africa and the world’s highest freestanding mountain.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
• It covers 14 763 sq km and is the country’s most famous park.
• On endless and almost treeless plains are literally millions of hoofed animals.
• The Wildebeest is the chief herbivore and the main prey of the large predators. The wildebeest are also famous for their yearly migration pattern.

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
• This area joins up with the Serengeti and is famous for its crater.
• It is an incredible 20km wide volcanic crater with 600m walls packed with just about all East Africa’s wildlife species.
• There are no giraffe in the crater as the sides are too steep for them; There are also no female elephants.
• In the crater is a soda lake called Lake Migadi, which has usually got flamingos present. Animals do move in and out of the crater but most stay there due to the good grazing and good hunting. Dossier Disclaimer The information in this dossier has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and G.A.P Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. The group leader will advise you of any changes at the initial group meeting. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to improve the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your dossier to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Dossier Intro 4WD Game Drives, Bushwalks in the Kalahari, Spice Island, Serengeti, Ngorongo Crater, the "Big 5". This journey is chock full of diverse cultures, abundant wildlife, spectacular landscapes, stunning beaches, and a ton of adventure. This is our ultimate African odyssey.
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Free Online Trip Journals An online Trip Journal is a great way to record stories and photos as you travel, not to mention sharing your experiences with friends. Encourage your family and friends to follow in your footsteps as you explore the world! With templates for over 300 G.A.P Adventures trips already online all you have to do to get started is log in, choose your trip and your departure date, it's quick and easy! Head to http://www.gapadventures.com/trip_journal. Group Leader Description On this tour, you will be accompanied on your trip by two G.A.P Adventures crew members – a driver and a cook, one of whom will also be the group tour leader.

All of our group leaders in southern Africa are registered and licensed tourism guides, meaning that they have studied to have a broad knowledge base of the region’s history, cultures, and wildlife, and are legally certified to lead/guide tours in the regions visited. Most of our leaders in the region are from South Africa, though it may be possible that you’ll have a leader from another country in the southern African region. As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. He/she will provide information on the places where you are travelling, and will take care of the small things so you can concentrate on enjoying your adventure.

All of our overland truck drivers are experienced in the routes travelled, and highly skilled in dealing with different terrains. All of our cooks will organize and lead the meal preparation, and have experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups.

We also use local guides for some included activities where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting.
Health IMPORTANT ADVISORY

There is currently an outbreak of wild poliovirus 1 in Namibia. As such we would like to provide the following information and advice:

Travellers to Namibia
1) All travellers to Namibia (including returning residents) are advised to obtain a booster dose of polio vaccine at least 10-14 days before travelling. If travel will commence in ≤10-14 days individuals should still be immunized.

2) Travellers should always practice strict hand hygiene and use safe water sources.

3) Choice of vaccine: the trivalent oral polio vaccine (TOPV) is the most accessible polio vaccine in SA and will be provided free of charge at government clinics. The vaccine is safe. Vaccine associated paralytic polio is a very rare complication and occurs in 1 in 2-3 million doses in susceptible individuals only. The only absolute contraindication to vaccination with TOPV is in persons with severe humoral immunodeficiencies. These individuals can be vaccinated with the inactivated polio vaccine alone (available only on section 21 through the MCC) or using the combination Td and inactivated polio vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria and inactivated polio). Pregnant individuals who have essential travel to Namibia should receive an inactivated polio vaccine.

Individuals entering SA from Namibia (includes returning SA citizens and visitors to SA)
1) These individuals should be advised to report to the nearest health care facility if they develop acute onset of paralysis (weakness or an inability to move any of the limbs) and to inform the health care worker of their visit to Namibia.

2) There is no role for vaccination of individuals from Namibia at border entry into South Africa. The vaccine will not prevent paralytic disease if individuals are already infected. Spread of infection can be prevented through scrupulous hand hygiene (washing hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before handling or preparing food) and always using a toilet or designated ablution facility to prevent faecal contamination of the environment. If these individuals are returning to Namibia they should be immunized before they return (see travellers above).

Issued by Epidemiology Unit NICD June 15th 2006

We recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least one month before departure. Travelers should also carry a basic first-aid kit. Travellers to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia should observe similar precautions to those taken elsewhere in Africa. Medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. For your own safety, we strongly recommend that you advise your tour leader of any medical condition that may affect you while travelling with the group. Be aware that all safaris enter malaria areas. Your doctor should be able to recommend the necessary prophylactics. Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor. IMPORTANT ADVISORY

There is currently an outbreak of wild poliovirus 1 in Namibia. As such we would like to provide the following information and advice:

Travellers to Namibia
1) All travellers to Namibia (including returning residents) are advised to obtain a booster dose of polio vaccine at least 10-14 days before travelling. If travel will commence in ≤10-14 days individuals should still be immunized.

2) Travellers should always practice strict hand hygiene and use safe water sources.

3) Choice of vaccine: the trivalent oral polio vaccine (TOPV) is the most accessible polio vaccine in SA and will be provided free of charge at government clinics. The vaccine is safe. Vaccine associated paralytic polio is a very rare complication and occurs in 1 in 2-3 million doses in susceptible individuals only. The only absolute contraindication to vaccination with TOPV is in persons with severe humoral immunodeficiencies. These individuals can be vaccinated with the inactivated polio vaccine alone (available only on section 21 through the MCC) or using the combination Td and inactivated polio vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria and inactivated polio). Pregnant individuals who have essential travel to Namibia should receive an inactivated polio vaccine.

Individuals entering SA from Namibia (includes returning SA citizens and visitors to SA)
1) These individuals should be advised to report to the nearest health care facility if they develop acute onset of paralysis (weakness or an inability to move any of the limbs) and to inform the health care worker of their visit to Namibia.

2) There is no role for vaccination of individuals from Namibia at border entry into South Africa. The vaccine will not prevent paralytic disease if individuals are already infected. Spread of infection can be prevented through scrupulous hand hygiene (washing hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before handling or preparing food) and always using a toilet or designated ablution facility to prevent faecal contamination of the environment. If these individuals are returning to Namibia they should be immunized before they return (see travellers above).

Issued by Epidemiology Unit NICD June 15th 2006

We recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least one month before departure. Travelers should also carry a basic first-aid kit. Travellers to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia should observe similar precautions to those taken elsewhere in Africa. Medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. For your own safety, we strongly recommend that you advise your tour leader of any medical condition that may affect you while travelling with the group. Be aware that all safaris enter malaria areas. Your doctor should be able to recommend the necessary prophylactics. Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor. Important Notes 1. This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, countries, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe customized safari truck for the long drives.

2. It may be required to show a Yellow Fever certificate if you are traveling to South Africa from a Yellow Fever endemic country.

3. An essential part of your safari is participation - from putting up your tent (while camping) or packing away in the morning, to helping with meal preparation and cleaning up - it is all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation, but we do ask the clients to help with the washing up. Team spirit is part of the fun! All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. All tents have built-in insect nets. Mattresses are also available, which are approximately 4cm thick, warm and comfortable.

4. Please note that this tour is a combination of several G.A.P Adventures tours. As such, your group tour leader, fellow passengers, or vehicle may change between the individual tour sections.

5. Please note that this trip is a combination of multiple G.A.P Adventures tours. As such, the staff and/or particular vehicles operating your tour may change between tour segments. You may also expect some group members to join or leave the tour, between tour segments. Itinerary Disclaimer While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit travel with G.A.P Adventures can be unpredictable. The dossier is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Joining Hotel Cape Town
Tulip Inn
Corner Strand & Bree Street
Cape Town
Tel: +27 21 423 5116
Fax: +27 21 424 2720
Joining Instructions The tour departs Cape Town on Day 2 in the morning.

On arrival into Cape Town an arrival transfer is not included. Please make your way to the joining hotel. Cape Town International Airport is about 22 km from downtown. There are a variety of ways to get into the city. To take a taxi, leave the international terminal, cross the first road and you will see the taxi stand. Official taxis have the kilometre rate on the door. If you wish to take a shuttle to the city centre, when arriving at the international terminal, turn immediately left and walk straight ahead and you'll see the shuttle services desk. Cost is approximately 80zar. If you have a pre-arranged transfer, upon walking out of the international arrivals look for a transfer person holding a G.A.P Adventures sign and your name. Ask him/her what hotel he/she will take you to (do not volunteer this information). Then present your passport for proof of identity. The tour departs Cape Town on Day 2 in the morning.

A brief departure meeting will be held in the hotel reception area in evening on Day 1 of your tour. Upon arrival look for information from your tour leader regarding meeting time and also the rest of the tour.

The tour ends in Nairobi on Day 41 after breakfast.
Keeping in Touch If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact. We recommend that family and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels en route, as our hotels are subject to change, and our hotel receptions often don't have English speaking staff.
Laundry Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap. Aboard the expedition ships Explorer and Andrea laundry facilities are provided at a charge. Aboard the Amazon Explorer laundry facilities are provided free of charge for each passenger once a week.
Local Flights All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure. Local payment description Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. This amount is a portion of the price of the trip and the final payment for your tour. Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds into countries that we travel through and also helps to reduce the overall price of the tour. This helps G.A.P Adventures keep our prices competitive and in-turn, pass our costs savings on to you. Payment is to be made to your leader or G.A.P Adventures representative upon arrival in cash in the requested currency. Please see our website, brochure or your trip documents and invoice for local payment.
Meals As mentioned above, most of the meals on this tour are included in the tour price. When a meal is not included, this is because there are often many options available - we would like to give you the opportunity to explore a bit and test the local cuisine yourself. In these cases, your tour leader will be able to suggest some good local restaurants or options for you to choose from.

All included meals will be prepared from fresh local produce. The majority of the shopping for foodstuffs will be done before the trip departs, and fresh goods, such as meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, will be bought en route during the trip from supermarkets, local shops and markets. Breakfasts will generally consist of breads and cereals, if time allows a warm breakfast may be prepared. Many lunches will be provided en-route and will be light meals such as sandwiches and/or salads. All evening meals will be freshly-prepared hot meals, and will consist of a variety of continental and local dishes.

Our cook will organize the meal preparation and lead the way here, but will prepare a duty schedule for ensuring a fair, rotating participation from you and your group members in the meal preparation and dish washing duties.

Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements need to be specified prior to arrival. Medical Form Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an 'average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers over the age of 70, or travellers with a pre-existing medical condition, are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that senior travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical and culture shock ratings in this dossier for more information.

Please note that all passengers, regardless of age traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gapadventures.com/online_medical_form.
Money Exchange Each of the countries you visit have their own currency, and all can be obtained locally by changing foreign currency. The easiest foreign currency to exchange for locally for any of the local currencies is the $US; however the British Pound and Euro may also be exchanged as well. $US notes that are older than year 2002 are not accepted everywhere and can be difficult to change. In addition, $US notes prior to 2000 are worthless in some areas of Africa, as they are rarely accepted and impossible to exchange. We recommend $US 50 notes, and $US 100 notes can be difficult to change in some places.

If you plan to rely on cash, please bring foreign currency (Euro, Pound, USD) with you, as it is often expensive to buy these currencies locally. And in more rural areas, it is often not likely. Please note that South African Rand is widely accepted in throughout southern Africa, and you may use this as you “foreign currency” while travelling in other countries in the region.

Travelers’ cheques are not recommended in Africa. They are difficult if not impossible to exchange in many places. Where they are excepted, you often need the receipt of the purchase of the cheques, and the process of changes cheques where possible is extremely time consuming. Please no not expect to rely on traveller’s cheques for access to cash in Africa.

Debit cards are very useful for cash advances, but you must remember to bring your PIN number (be aware that many ATM machines only accept a 4-digit PIN). The Visa/Plus system cards are the most widely accepted debit cards; it is harder to find machines Master Card/Cirrus cards. While there are many ATMs in the major centres, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Africa. Check with your bank.

Credit cards can be used in major cities and towns ONLY but please do not rely on them as a method of payment because they are generally not widely accepted. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Credit cards, especially Visa cards, ARE INDEED USEFUL, HOWEVER, for taking cash advanced in ATMs

Please note that in many areas there may be occasional power-outages, where there will be no electricity for hours at a time. In addition, ATMs outside of larger centers often run out of cash or can be out of order unexpectedly. These factors could affect your ability to access money from ATMs. As such, please do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money.

A combination of foreign currency and debit/credit cards for cash advances is best, with traveller's cheques being a distant third option. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds. Experience has shown that it is better upon arrival at the airport/starting city, to draw a large amount of money from the ATM’s in the local currency. Your Tour Leader can advise you on the approximate amounts of money you will need for each country of your tour.

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. Newsletter Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G.A.P Adventures, subscribe at www.gapadventures.com/newsletter_signup
Optional Activities OOptional activity prices are subject to change and can fluctuate in relation to the high/low season and the number of people on a specific excursion. Not all excursions listed here may be available, due to season, or weather conditions. As generally not a lot of time is spent in start/end cities, you may want to arrange to arrive early, or stay longer after the trip in order to allow sufficient time to participate in optional activities there.

All prices are in US dollar amounts.

SOUTH AFRICA
Wine tasting $7
Table Mountain cable car $30
Robben Island cruise $35
Seal Island cruise $17
Abseiling Cape Town $45
Diving $60
Shark cage diving $140

NAMIBIA
Guided Desert Walk $25
Quad biking 1-3 hrs $40 to $85
Dune boarding (lie down or stand up) $30 to $47
Horse riding $62/$45 (1 pax/2 or more)
Parasailing $55
Township tour $52
Dolphin Cruise $62
Flight (1.5 hour) $150
Flight (2 hours) $255
Flight (2 hours + Skeleton coast) $255
Fishing (5 hours) $55
Skydiving (tandem) $210
Skydiving (static) $80
Ballooning Swakopmund (1 hours + breakfast) $380
Gariep canoe trip $45

BOTSWANA
Chobe Game Walk and Sunset Cruise $75
Chobe Game Drive $40
Bush walk $20
Village tour $15
Makgadikgadi Pans day trip $80
Local Drive $11 (min 4)
Khama II Rhino Sanctuary game drive $25 (min 4)
Moremi Falls $43 (min 4)

ZAMBIA/ZIMBABWE
Vic Falls entry $10
Game drives (2 hours) $40
Elephant riding (2-3 hours) $130
Horse riding (1.5 hrs plus) $45-55
Flight (helicopter) $95 (15 mins) $190 (30 mins)
Flight (microlight) $95 (15 mins) $190 (30 mins)
Rafting (half day) $110
Rafting (full day) $135
River boarding $135
Canoe (upper Zambezi full day) $135
Zambezi cruise $35
Mukuni Village tour $25
South Luangwa morning drive $30
South Luangwa night drive $40

MALAWI
Canoe Hire $30
Scuba Diving $ 60
Snorkeling equipment $15

ZANZIBAR
Prison Island Tour $55
Spice Tour $25
Dolphins Tour $40
Scuba Diving $ 70

ARUSHA
Arusha to Nairobi Shuttle from $20
Ngaramtoni markets-Thursday & Sunday (Bus 250TZS and Walking Tour $7)
Tenguru markets-Saturdays only (Bus 200TZS and $7 Walking tour)
Our Commitment to Responsible Travel in Antarctica Planeterra-The G.A.P Adventures Foundation Through G.A.P Adventures’ commitment to responsible tourism we have developed Planeterra – the G.A.P Adventures Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world through support of international charities, local organizations and community projects in the places that we visit on our tours. G.A.P Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration fees, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit www.planeterra.org

Planeterra Dollar-A-Day Program
Our Dollar-A-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to help us give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar per day for the duration of their tour. 100% of these proceeds will go directly to support our Planeterra projects.

To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G.A.P Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your GA.P Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be charged in the currency of your booking) Responsible Travel Being a responsible tour operator is at the heart of what G.A.P Adventures is all about. From the start, G.A.P Adventures has been committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveller and host alike. While our sustainable tourism policies are constantly evolving, our commitment to socially conscious, grassroots style travel has never changed. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

For more information about our commitment to responsible travel, please visit the Sustainable Tourism section of the G.A.P Adventures website: www.gapadventures.com
Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Single Travellers We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Spending Money Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Tipping Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. It is one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the African community. Although it may not be customary for you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, as an important source of income for those in the tourism industry. Giving a tip should be a seen as a formal 'thank you', and the action should in no way be awkward. The best method of tipping someone that has served the whole group is to plan in advance, and not rush when it comes to saying goodbye. A suggestion would be for each group member to contribute anonymously by putting their tip into an envelope. This often works the best and the group as a whole should gather to present the gift to the recipient(s), offering their thanks and showing their appreciation. This method brings the action out into the open, allowing for a friendly and appreciative interaction between the group and the recipient(s).

You may use the following as a guideline, all given in a per client format: Restaurant/Café servers: 10% of cost of bill, especially when in a large group (no envelope required); Driver / Camp Cook / Tour Leader US$1.50 each, per day worked, per traveller. Travel Forum - The Watering Hole Be sure to stop by The Watering Hole, our adventure travel forum. If you're interested in meeting others booked on your upcoming trip, check out the Departure Lounge section of our forum and introduce yourself. Otherwise, just drop in at anytime to share some travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at wateringhole.gapadventures.com. Travel Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Trip Specific Safety Travelers must exercise common sense and caution at all times. Tourists should stick to set travel arrangements and avoid unknown areas. Always keep a photocopy of your passport, airline tickets and a record of your travelers' checks and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals. The route we follow is relatively safe and your guide knows the countries intimately and will endeavor to show you the best parts while looking after you. We do not enter Zimbabwe on this trip. In the cities keep a careful eye on your belongings. In the wild areas, your guide will brief you on the necessary precautions, follow this advice and you will be fine. Be aware, but not paranoid, and you will have a great trip. We also recommend that you wear minimal jewellery and that you keep valuable items safely stored. Validity Valid for all trips departing January 1, 2008 - December 31st 2008. Visas All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

As of January 26th, the Zambian government will no longer be issuing any visa waivers to individuals or tour operators. All travelers will be required to obtain a visa prior to entering the country, either at the border or in advance from your local embassy. Please note that the fees associated with Zambian entrance visas have increased for the majority of nationalities. We advise you to contact your local Zambian consulate or embassy to confirm the procedure and costs of obtaining an entrance visa.

**FOR YOUR INFORMATION**
Border crossing from Malawi into Tanzania is via the Songwe Border Post and from Tanzania into Kenya through Namanga Border Post. We Want Your Photos Want to see your photos and/or stories in print or on the web? Then enter our "Great G.A.P Adventures Photo Story Contest". Simply go online to www.gapadventures.com/contests/photo-story-contest to upload your photo stories! There are travel and camera prizes worth more than $5000 available to be won! If you prefer to submit slide film or photos instead of digital entries online, just make sure they are clearly marked with your name and contact details on each and the place where it was taken. Unfortunately, we are unable to return any entries. Send mailed entries to "Photo Editor" at our head office.
What to Take You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labeled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, or sports bag, maximum 15kg, plus a daypack. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles is limited. Porters are not available, so be prepared to carry your own bags. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a warm jacket for early morning game drives. During the winter months (May to October), the temperatures can get quite cold in Namibia. It is wise to bring plenty of layers for cool mornings and evenings. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable. Your Fellow Travellers As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.