African Trails - Trans Africa 22 And 29 Weeks

TRANS AFRICA - ACROSS THE WHOLE OF AFRICA – FROM NORTH TO SOUTH.

MOROCCO, MAURITANIA, MALI, BURKINA FASO, GHANA, TOGO, BENIN, NIGERIA, CAMEROON, CHAD, SUDAN, ETHIOPIA, KENYA, UGANDA, TANZANIA, MALAWI, ZAMBIA, ZIMBABWE, BOTSWANA, NAMIBIA, SOUTH AFRICA.

The Trans Africa is the longest expedition we run. On this safari you will experience a phenomenal range of African culture, geography and climate. We cover 20,000 miles of the continent by road, starting in Europe and ending at the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa.

As we will be camping and travelling for an extended period of time, you must be prepared for an adventurous challenge. It can be hot and dusty, and will sometimes be out of contact from the rest of the world. This means no telephones, shops or any other mod cons. We need you to participate and work with all members of the expedition. For the Trans we use sturdy four wheel drive vehicles, which are purpose built for these rugged off-road conditions.

For those who do not wish to travel by road through Europe you can fly to Casablanca in Morocco and join us two weeks later.

Stage highlights:
Gibraltar, Riff Mountains, Sahara Desert, Niger River, West African Coast, Sahel, White Nile, Blue Nile, Mountains of Ethiopia, Gorillas.

Stage duration:203 days

THE ROUTE.

Weeks 1 - 4 - EUROPE, MOROCCO, MAURITANIA.

We start the trip at Malaga in Spain or Gibraltar. From there we cross the straits to Morocco. We visit the coastal capital city of Rabat. Meknes and Fez on the high plains are ancient walled cities with covered markets, in a labyrinth of narrow winding streets. In the plains above Fez we visit the ancient Roman city of Volubilis, then on to Casablanca and Marrakech. Through the Atlas Mountains we pass into the Sahara Desert.

The Sahara is never forgotten; oases surrounded by date palms laced with cool, irrigation canals, stretches of sand large enough to swallow a small country, old forts, camel trains following centuries old trading routes, and a night sky undiluted by city lights. We go hundreds of miles off road, sometimes digging the truck out of the soft sands to get us through. We follow the Atlantic Coast from the Western Sahara to MAURITANIA.

Stage highlights:
Spain, Straits of Gibraltar, Morocco, Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Casablanca, Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, Western Sahara, Mauritania.

Stage duration:4 weeks

WEEKS 5 - 9 - MALI, BURKINA FASO, GHANA.

We enter the Sahel (semi arid desert) and follow the Niger river, visiting the old mud towns of Mopti and Djenne. On cliffs along the huge Bandiagara escarpment we trek to the small villages of the Dogon. Burkina Faso is famous for its beautiful lost wax bronze statues. In Ghana we cross forest and jungle to the welcome beaches of the Gold Coast.

Stage highlights:
Sahel Desert, Niger River, Mopti, Djenne, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Gold Coast.

Stage duration:5 weeks

WEEKS 10 – 12 - TOGO, BENIN, NIGERIA, CAMEROON.

The countries of TOGO and BENIN are only fifty miles wide. Here the religion is the African cult of Voodoo - a highly organised religion based on the power of the dead. On Nakoue Lagoon you can take canoes to visit the fishing villages built high above the water on bamboo stilts.

NIGERIA is the most populous country in Africa, with 100 million people. As the languages are tonal, it is possible to translate their conversation into percussion music and so make their drums talk intelligibly over long distances. We visit Lagos, the commercial capital and largest city in West Africa and head on to Abuja the political capital. We stop at Wikki Warm Springs to relax for a few days. We pass into the northern mountain regions of CAMEROON, with the neatest villages in Africa.

Stage highlights:
Togo, Benin, Nakoue Lagoon, Nigeria, Lagos, West Africa, Abuja, Wikki Warm Springs and Cameroon.

Stage duration:3 weeks

WEEKS 13 – 16 - CHAD, SUDAN.

These countries are peopled by traditional African Arabs renowned for their courtesy and traditional hospitality, living in the starkly beautiful dry sub Saharan Sahel. We stop in CHAD’S capital Njamina and drive steadily on thru the sandy roads. In SUDAN you can go walking on the volcanic massif of Gebbel Murra and visit the traditional towns of El Fasher and El Obied. The Baggara cattle herding tribe lead their herds by riding their top bulls, while carrying their spears and bows and arrows.

In Central Sudan we cross the White Nile. In the capital Khartoum we see the whirling dervishes, take a felucca for a days sailing on the Nile and visit the pharaonic pyramids at Meroe - they are as old as the pyramids in Egypt.

Stage highlights:
Chad, Saharan Sahel, Njamina, Sudan, Gebbel Murra, El Fasher, El Obied, Central Sudan, White Nile, Khartoum, Nile, Pharaonic Pyramids at Meroe.

Stage duration:3 weeks

WEEKS 17 - 19 - ETHIOPIA.

We follow the Blue Nile gorge into the mountains of Ethiopia and visit the rock hewn churches of Debra Lindos & Lalibela. In the highlands you can go walking in the Simeon Mountains to see the golden, long haired, Gelda baboons. The waters of Lake Tana, one of the sources of the Nile spill out over the Blue Nile Falls to start its journey down to Egypt. We have a few nights out in the capital Addis Ababa before following the Rift Valley lakes out of the mountains and into East Africa.

Stage highlights:
Ethopia, Blue Nile, Churches of Debra Lindos & Lalibela, Simeon Mountains, the golden long haired Gelda Baboons, Lake Tana, Blue Nile Falls, Addis Ababa and the Rift Valley Lakes and mountains.

Stage duration:3 weeks

WEEKS 20 - 22 - KENYA, UGANDA.

We enter KENYA, passing through the arid Northern Frontier District passing through Marsabit National Park before climbing into the rich, green highlands surrounding Mount Kenya. We descend to the Rift Valley lakes of Nakuru and Naivasha before crossing into UGANDA.

At Jinja, on the White Nile, we have the opportunity to go white water rafting and have a night out in the capital, Kampala. In the west of the country we trek to visit the mountain gorillas before returning to Nairobi.

Stage highlights:
Kenya, Northern Frontier District, Marsabit National Park, Mount Kenya, Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Uganda, Jinja (source of the nile), White Nile, White water rafting, Kampala, visit the mountain gorillas and Nairobi.

Stage duration:3 weeks

WEEK 23 - KENYA, TANZANIA, MOUNT KILIMANGARO, NGORONGORO CRATER, DAR ES SALAAM.

Leaving Nairobi we cross the Athi River Plains and the border to Tanzania and see Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the horizon in the distance. We spend the night near Arusha, which is nestled at the foot of Mount Meru. From here you can hire Land Rovers with a guide to take you to the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is a collapsed, extinct volcano, thousands of years old and now supporting a wide range of animals. It’s an excellent place for your first game drive as being a relatively small area it has a high concentration of animals.

This area is the home of the Masai and we will undoubtedly come across tribesmen and women selling their distinctive beaded jewellery or inviting you to take photographs, for a small fee.

A day’s drive from Arusha brings us to Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast. Over the centuries trade between Africa and Arabia has resulted in the blending of Arabs and Africans into a beautiful Swahili (coastal) culture with wooden sailing dhows crossing the ocean, coconut plantations and fishing villages with mosques on the beaches. From Dar es Salaam you can take the ferry to Zanzibar Island. Here is the old stone Capital of the Omani Sultanate, sandy beaches, spice tours, snorkelling, diving and trips to other nearby islands. Zanzibar is a fascinating place to visit and you can stay for 3 or 4 days to take it all in.

Stage highlights:
Nairobi, Athi river plains, Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Mount Meru, Ngorongoro Crater, Masai tribesmen, Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar Island, Stone town, Omani Sultanate, sandy beaches, spice tours, snorkelling, diving and trips to other nearby islands.

Stage duration:1 week

WEEK 24 - TANZANIA, MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK.

South through Tanzania, our route takes us through Mikumi National Park where we may well see giraffe or elephant grazing along the roadside.

Stage highlights:
Tanzania and the Mikumi National Park.

Stage duration:1 week

WEEK 25 - MALAWI, LAKE MALAWI, ZAMBIA.

Crossing the border into Malawi, we soon reach the shores of its huge lake. The campsites and small resorts along Lake Malawi offer sandy beaches, swimming and snorkelling, waterskiing or walking in the surrounding countryside. You will also find markets selling beautifully carved Malawi chairs, tables and other souvenirs.

We enter Zambia and spend a couple of days driving through the bush, passing villages, mud huts and small children who wave at us as they tend their herds of cows and goats.

Stage highlights:
Malawi, Lake Malawi, Zambia.

Stage duration:1 week

WEEK 26 - ZAMBIA, VICTORIA FALLS.

Finally we reach the Victoria Falls where the Zambezi River plunges 100 metres down a mile wide chasm, creating one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world. The local name for the Falls is ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ which means ‘the smoke that thunders’ and you’ll soon find out why. When the river is in full flow, the falling water causes a huge roar and sends a cloud of spray up to 500 metres into the air.

We stay near Livingstone beside the Zambezi, above Victoria Falls, for a few days as there is so much to see and do. Adventure activities abound – you can bungee jump, white water raft, take a Microlite flight above the falls, sky-dive and go game viewing on horse back. More sedate excursions include canoeing, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the Falls, and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi. Of course, the Victoria Falls themselves are the main attraction and you can walk through the rain forest along the cliff opposite for an excellent view.

Stage highlights:
Zambia, Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Victoria Falls -‘the smoke that thunders’, 111m bungee jump, white water rafting plus numerous other adventure activities - microlite flight, sky-diving, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the Victoria Falls or a sunset cruise on the Zambezi or a walk through the rain forest.

Stage duration:1 week

WEEK 27 - BOTSWANA, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, OKAVANGO DELTA, CAPRIVI STRIP, NAMIBIA.

We catch the ferry at Kazungula and cross the border into Botswana. We visit Chobe National Park and travel along the edge of the Kalahari desert to Maun. A small town on the edge of the Okavango Delta, Maun is also the starting point for the mokoro trip. A mokoro is a traditional dug-out canoe and your transport into the Delta. As you glide through the waterways, you will see a fantastic array of wetland wildlife, birds in particular and you are also likely to come across hippos or elephants taking a drink from the shore. You can go on a walking safari to look for giraffe, buffalo and rare antelope such as the sessebe. This overnight stay is a great wilderness experience.

Leaving the lush Delta behind we enter Namibia and take the dirt road to Rundu on the Kavango River. Rundu-Mayana Lodge has plenty to keep us occupied for a couple of days - bar, pool table, tennis court, swimming pool. From here you can also organise a canoe trip on the river, a village walk and see some of Namibia’s leading dancers.

Stage highlights:
Zambia, Kazungula ferry, Botswana, Chobe National Park, Kalahari Desert, Maun, Okavango Delta, Namibia, Caprivi strip, Rundu, the Kavango River, a canoe trip, a village walk and Namibia's top traditional dancers.

Stage duration:1 week

WEEK 28 - NAMIBIA, ETOSHA PAN, CHEETAH FARM, SKELETON COAST, CAPE CROSS.

Next stop is Etosha Pan National Park. Thousands of years ago this vast saltpan was a lake, until the Kunene River changed its course and deprived the lake of it’s water source. Now the pan and surrounding bush support large numbers and a wide range of wildlife. We spend a couple of day’s game viewing from the truck during the day and spend the evenings around the floodlit water holes at the park’s campsites. These water holes provide an excellent opportunity to observe animals that are hard to find during the day, particularly rhino and also smaller animals such as the genet. Elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok, jackals, hyenas and meercats are also likely to be seen at Etosha.

From wild animals to tame ones, we spend a night at the Cheetah Farm where you can scratch the big cats behind the ears before watching them tuck in to their evening meal.

Namibia is a land of wide-open spaces and we pass few inhabited areas as we drive towards the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. This area derives its name from the numerous ships and men that met their end on the treacherous coastline.

On our way to Swakopmund, we stop at Cape Cross where the first European explorer landed in the 15th century. It is now more famous for the Seal Reserve, a breeding ground for thousands of cape fur seals. They occupy the beaches almost as far as the eye can see and you can watch them suckling their young, resting in the sun and fighting with their neighbours.

Stage highlights:
Estosha Pan National Park, Kunene River, game viewing, visit a cheetah farm a stroke one, Namibian Atlantic coast, Skeleton Coast, Cape Cross and the Cape Cross seal reserve.

Stage duration:1 week

WEEK 29 - NAMIBIA, SWAKOPMUND, NAMIB DESERT, FISH RIVER CANYON, SOUTH AFRICA, CAPE TOWN.

Swakopmund is an old German colonial seaside resort with plenty of things to do for the energetic and plenty of beerkellers for those after a more relaxing time. Horse riding or sand boarding on the dunes, deep sea fishing in the Atlantic or scenic flights over the coastline - these are just a few of the activities on offer.

Heading inland, we journey to the Namib Desert, famous for it’s 300 metre high sand dunes, the highest in the world. It can be hard work climbing to the top but the view is worth all the effort as the dunes stretch before you into the distance and change colour in the setting sun.

After an overnight stay in the desert we drive south to Fish River Canyon, at 85km long and 400m deep it’s second in size only to the Grand Canyon. You can trek down to the bottom of the canyon and, from the viewpoints at the top, watch the setting or rising of the sun. There are hot springs in the south at Ai Ais (seasonal). Our last stop in Namibia is the Orange River, which forms the border with South Africa. You can spend an afternoon canoeing here.

Crossing the river we arrive in South Africa and follow the Atlantic coast south through the sparsely populated areas of the Western Cape. We drive through mountain valleys and stony semi-desert before arriving in Stellenbosch, the centre of one of the Cape’s many wine routes. A wine tour with plenty of tasting makes for a great day out.

Finally we arrive at our journey’s end. Cape Town is a beautiful city, nestling at the foot of Table Mountain and you’ll find plenty of café’s, pubs, clubs, markets and sights to see. You can climb the mountain or take the cable car to the top for some wonderful views of the city and the Cape Peninsula. Nearby are several beaches where you may find yourself whale watching from the shore or sharing your towel with a jackass penguin.

We arrive in Cape Town on the last day of the tour. We take you to a hostel where you can book a dorm or a room, or you can arrange your own accommodation at one of the many other hostels or hotels. There are several operators who run excursions to the surrounding area and further afield to the Garden Route and beyond. There is an international airport as well as flight, train and bus connections to other South African cities.

Africa is an unpredictable continent. We do not have a fixed itinerary so please treat the information given as a guideline only. Although our information is written in good faith at the time of printing, our route may vary at any time due to weather, politics or road conditions.

For an updated dossier containing a more detailed itinerary and information on visas, vaccinations, spending money, optional excursions and other useful information please use or on-line enquiry facility on each tour to contact us.

Of all the trips we run this is the most likely to have a change of route due to local conditions and visa requirements.

Stage highlights:
Namibia, Swakopmund, Horse riding or sand boarding on the dunes, deep sea fishing in the Atlantic or scenic flights over the coastline, Fish River Canyon, canoeing the Orange River, Namib Desert, South Africa, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Table Mountain, jackass penguin colony at Boulders beach and then I'm afraid we have to say our farewells.

Stage duration:1 week

PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION - TRANS AFRICA - UK TO NAIROBI & CAPE TOWN.

Please be aware that once you are booked your deposit and balance is non refundable, so insure yourself accordingly.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Visas are required for most countries visited on the first leg of the trip. That is from Morocco to Kenya and Tanzania. Some of these we obtain in London before departure and the rest on route. We collect your passports at least three weeks before departure and keep them till departure to get these visas. For most nationalities the total visa cost will be approx. £350 - £400. You'll need at least 20 blank pages in your passport, which must be valid for at least 9 months from the date of travel.

Passports and inoculation cards with any Israeli stamps must be replaced.

If you require a French or Spanish ie Shengan visa for the land crossing of Europe, you must get it before you give us your passport. We will be in Europe for seven days, for this you need a "Shengan" multiple entry visa from the French Consul. You cannot get this visa at the border.

LOCAL PAYMENT

This is collected at departure and is used for food, Gameparks entrances and camping fees. Although the kitty pays for 2 meals a day, there are times where it is easier and more fun to eat locally. If no local food is available we will eat on the truck. This is payable in cash in pounds sterling (not Scottish notes, as they are not recognised in Africa) or US dollars only. Please pay this to the driver in Nairobi on departure. We cannot accept travellers cheques or card payments.

INSURANCE

It is compulsory that you are insured against personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation expenses. We only carry passengers on the understanding that, in most African countries through which we travel, no passenger or vehicle liability is available what so ever. We can organise insurance for you. Bring your insurance policy with you.

MALARIA

The London Hospital for Tropical Diseases advise for the countries we are travelling through to take malaria tablets. Your doctor or one of the clinics listed below will advise you which tablets to take. Tablets are to be taken with a main meal and started one week before going to Africa and continued for four weeks after leaving malarial area. You can buy them at most large chemists.

The risk of contracting malaria in the areas we visit is high. You must be very aware that malaria tablets offer only partial protection against malaria and that you should couple taking the tablets with mosquito bite avoidance. The malarial mosquitoes come out at night, ie from the beginning of sunset onwards, so from this time you should cover up in long sleeves, jeans or track suit pants plus socks - as mosquitoes tend to bite around the feet and ankles. You must also use insect repellent containing Deet, bring some, you will need it. The use of repellents and covering up can be as effective as the use of tablets. By coupling both methods of protection together, you should be malaria free. Whatever type of prophylactic you choose to use you should try a sample of it well before you travel as very adverse reactions can occur particularly with the Larium or Mephloquine type of drug.

INOCULATIONS

You have to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever and will need an International Vaccination Certificate to prove it when we cross some borders.

It is also advisable to be vaccinated against: -

Typhoid;

Rabies;

Hepatitis A;

Tetanus;

Polio and Meningitis.

If possible start your vaccinations two months (but as late as two weeks is ok) before departure.

Your G.P. can also inoculate but may take a while to get to get the vaccine in.

The following centres are amongst the many which can supply up-to-date medical advice and also administer vaccinations.

Most of these centres need you to book in. In London we recommend:

Nomad Travellers Store and Medical Centre. They can be contacted on 0208 889 7014 and are across the road from Turnpike Lane tube or across Russell Square tube station inside STA travel . They give African Trails clients a 10% discount on jabs, medical kits and camping equipment.

British Airways Travel Clinic, 156 Regent Street, London SW1. Tel. 020 7439 9584. Corner of Beak and Regent St from 9:30 - 5:15 Mon - Fri and 10:00 - 4:00 Sat. No appointment needed.

Travel Clinic for Hospital of Tropical Diseases, Mortimer Market Centre, Capper St London WC1 . Tel. 020 7388 9600.

In Scotland - Ailsa Travel Clinic, 42 Admiral St., Kinning Park, Glasgow, Tel. 0141 429 0913.

Clinics and doctors don't give detailed advice over the phone. It is best to check opening hours and go and see them.

MEDICAL KITS

We carry professionally compiled medical kits with emergency First Aid material and anti-biotics. However, the crew is not entitled to recommend or prescribe any medicine and we advise a health check with your GP and Dentist before you start your journey.

TIME

Most countries are on the same time as the UK with some of them being up to 3 hours ahead of UK time.

VIDEO CAMERAS

Our vehicles have facilities to charge camera batteries, so bring an in-car charger (either 12 or 24V). The trucks use 24 volts so you may need an adapter. In most campsites you can charge from the mains so bring a travel adaptor plug, as you'll come across virtually every type of socket ever invented plus a few others. Most countries run on 220/240 V current. You should also bring at least one spare battery with you, as you will not be able to purchase spares on route.

LIFE ON THE ROAD

There are times when we will have some long drives, but on most days that we travel we only move for half the day, but sometimes we cover big distances. Most evenings we will stop and find a bush camp and you and your tent partner will put up your tent, and then give a hand with the job you will be rostered for getting out the tables and stools or maybe the cook tent and water containers. Some may help collect firewood or take the stored firewood from the truck. The fire grates or gas stove need to be taken out and the fir started, and someone can fill the kettle and put it on for some hot drinks while the cooks prepare the evening meal. We usually cook in groups of two in a rota system. You can expect to cook about once every 10 days. At breakfast everyone helps themselves. Usually cereal, toast and coffee and the occasional cooked breakfast. If we stay in a hotel breakfast is sometimes provided. Lunch if we eat on the truck is cold and the cooking crew will put out the food and make a salad. In the evening the cooks with the help of all do their best to feed a hopefully ravenous mob.

MAPS

We use and recommend the Michelin maps of Africa - west, central and south.

LANGUAGE

Learning any basic French would be to your advantage as most West African countries are French speaking. The following languages tend to predominate in the following countries.

There may be up to 30 to 60 other languages in common use as well, but the following will get you by.

Morocco & Mauritania - French & Arabic.

Mali & Burkina Faso - French.

Ghana - English.

Togo & Benin - French.

Nigeria - English.

Cameroon - English & French.

Chad - French & Arabic.

Sudan - English & Arabic.

Ethiopia - Ahmeric & English

Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania - English & Swahili.

Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia &South Africa - English

CURRENCY

It is easier to change money along the way if you have cash in US Dollars and Euro Dollars. But of course if you lose your cash you are lost. So the best bet is to carry a third each of: Sterling travellers cheques in small denominations; Euro Dollars cash or travellers cheques, we will be in Euro Dollar countries for around 8 weeks so budget your Euros accordingly and US Dollars cash. From Chad onwards US Dollars give more spending power. Don't bring Scottish money! Bring your US$ cash in a mix of clean new notes. The smaller notes are handy for paying things such as bar bills whereas the bigger US$ (50 and 100) attract a better rate of exchange.

SECURITY

There is a lockable safe bolted onto the floor of the truck for passengers' money belts, however, the company takes no responsibility for such or for any passengers' belongings. It is very important to remember that if a loss of a passport or travellers cheques occurs it is not always possible for the expedition to wait for those involved. Therefore, when you are looking after your valuables off the truck e.g. changing money in the bank, it is essential to wear a money belt which fits under your shirt. Do not wear a "bum bag" around your waist, or a money belt that hangs from your neck. In certain areas a passenger roster will be drawn up to guard the vehicle throughout the day. We advise you not to take any items of value that are not essential for your journey; particularly jewellery.

SPENDING MONEY

£200 a month is a good start. Of course this varies considerably from person to person depending on how much you drink, eat and how many souvenirs you buy. Do not rely on credit cards/switch type cards until you get to Southern Africa as money machines in the rest of Africa are almost non-existent. All up you will be looking at between £4500 - 5000 for the hole trip.

As a guide to help you budget your spending money, below are approximate costs for the side trips.

SIDE TRIPS

UK TO NAIROBI

Visiting the Dogon in Mali … from £6 per day

Canoeing to the village on stilts in Benin … £5

Climbing Mount Cameroon … £20 for 3 days

White water rafting on the Nile … £60

Hell's Gate National Park and bike hire … £20

Trek to visit the mountain gorillas … US$300

NAIROBI TO CAPE TOWN

Ngorongoro Crater Visit … £56

Zanzibar Island … £40 Ferry return plus.

Accommodation £5-7 per night for 3-4 nights plus food on Zanzibar.

ZAMBIA/ZIMBABWE

Victoria Falls.

Sunset Cruise, booze cruise above the falls $25

White Water Rafting, full day below the falls including lunch $95

Bungee Jump $95

Flight over the falls in a fixed wing plane $50

Microlite Flight for the brave hearts $75

Rhino walk $45

Houseboats - Zambia (3 nights/2 days) $85

BOTSWANA

Okavango Delta - 3 day canoe trip $130

Okavango Delta - 1 hour game flight $50

NAMIBIA

Swakopmund scenic flight $75

Swakopmund sand boarding $20

Swakopmund quad biking $50

Swakopmund deep sea fishing $50

Swakopmund tandem sky diving $160

Swakopmund horse riding $45

SOUTH AFRICA

Stellenbosch Wine Tour $20

TELEPHONING HOME

It can be very expensive to call home from Africa, sometimes as high as £20 for 3 minutes. A lot of the campsites don't have telephones that work. To make an international call from most places is often painful and expensive.

MOBILE PHONES

Your own mobile phone will work abroad if you have roam facility enabled on a dual band phone. Coverage is generally restricted to large towns, but is growing at a fast rate. For charging you will need your 240 volt charger and an adapter, we can charge of the truck but not all at once. Although convenient for outgoing calls at rates of around £1 per minute, incoming calls can cost up to £7 per minute to receive.

E-MAIL

E-mail facilities and internet café's are more pre-dominant on the East Coast of Africa from Uganda/Kenya downwards. You should be able to gain access to e-mail at least once a week from here. Until you get to to the East Africa do not rely on e-mail access.

WASHING

Most of the time you can wash every day but in the desert we can go a week without seeing water. There aren't many campsites on route, so grab your towel and bar of soap when you see a river.

FLYING BACK

You should buy your air fare home while in Africa from Backpack Africa Click here to e-mail details.

CAMPING

Tents are provided and all have sewn in floors and mosquito netting. You will need to bring with you a sleeping bag, sleep sheet, foam roll mat or air bed and a mosquito net for those nights you sleep out under the stars.

GAMES

If you have a Frisbee, chess board, cards, backgammon, scrabble board, etc., that isn't too valuable, bring it along. It's also worthwhile bringing about ten books so that you can exchange books with everyone on the trip. Books are hard to find in some parts.

TAPES

There is a stereo cassette player in the back of the truck. It is up to you to bring along a few cassettes. Remember it's a long trip and if we don't have a good selection of tapes the same music gets rather boring.

PHOTOGRAPHY

African authorities require that tourists do not take pictures of airports, railway stations or military installations. We are often in areas where locals are not used to being photographed and we ask you to show them every respect and courtesy. For SLR cameras we recommend a telephoto of 120mm (or similar) or an 80-200 zoom. High-speed film is usually necessary for photographing gorillas, or any game in early morning or late afternoon, particularly if using a long lens. It is best to purchase all film prior to arrival in Africa. Even when using a digital camera you will need loads of floppies and a good lens, these are great fun to e mail home photos while on the trip.

MEETING THE TRUCK TO START IN MALAGA OR GIBRALTAR.

We will return your passports before departure. If you need it before let us know and we can get it to you or you can come and collect it from our office.

Your kitty and payment for visas obtained in London the driver will collect in Malaga at the start of the trip. Both these payments can only be made in cash.

We will pre-purchase your airline tickets and the driver will arrange to meet you on arrival (as flight times may vary) Click Here to e-mail details.

MEETING THE TRUCK TO START IN MOROCO.

We will liase with you as to the time and place to meet with you in either Tangiers or Casablanca.. The reason for this is that we want to work with you in getting the best possible deal on flights into Morocco to meet up with us. Sometimes in the past this has even meant meeting up with people flying into Malaga in the south of Spain.

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT.

The less you take the less you have to pack, wash and lug home and you'll always pick up extras along the way. You'll be travelling in the heat, lazing on beaches and camping in the cool, so bring clothes for all climates, rough stuff is best.

SUGGESTED LIST:

Sleeping bag & Sleeping mat,

Medical kit (bring your own sample kit),

Rehydration sachets available from any chemist,

Insect repellent e.g. "Jungle Juice",

Suntan cream and blockout,

lip balm,

headache tablets,

plaster,

vitamin tablets,

malaria tablets.

Toiletries (you can buy most basic toiletries easily in Africa):

toothbrush and toothpaste,

dental floss,

soap (in a container),

razors,

moisturisers,

towel,

flannel,

tampons (enough for the trip),

shampoo and conditioner.

Clothes (you can buy most clothes easily in Africa, including good second hand stuff):

Some warm clothes:,

jacket, socks, shirts, jeans,

underwear, sweatshirt/jumper

Some cool clothes:,

shorts, skirt, T-shirts, swimsuit,

sandals/flip flops/jandals/thongs.

Small day-pack or bag to carry your daily items,

Airmail paper and envelopes,

Hat and sunglasses,

Camera (in a protective case), spare batteries and all the film you think necessary,

Money belt or pouch to hold your passport, vaccination book and travellers cheques,

Books and cassettes - there is a cassette player on the truck,

Torch and spare batteries,

The best type of carrier is a rucksack (with an internal frame) or a kit bag,

Water bottle at least 1 litre, empty 2 litre coke bottle is best, buy it on the way.

The easiest and best way to travel is as lightly as possible, taking just what is necessary.

Most people make the mistake of bringing too much luggage.

Stage highlights:

JOIN US FOR THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE
JOURNEY ACROSS AFRICA !!!

Stage duration:209 Days

Cost includes:-
Transport in expedition truck, cooking and camping equipment, services of a driver/leader, two meals a day while on the truck, some gamepark entrance fees,

Cost Excludes:-
Visas, flights, insurance, personal spending money, restaurant meals

Departure dates:-
01/03/2004, 11/11/2004, 01/03/2005, 11/04/2005

Baggage Limits:-
Backpack and daypack

Age Limits:-
Minimum Age:- 17 Maximum Age:- 99

Passenger Limit:-
24

What to bring along:-
Clothes, sleeping bag, mosquito net (optional)

Price:-
The cost of the Trans Africa 22 and 29 weeks is GBP 1900.00

Local Payment:-
USD 1350.00
Convert this price to:

The flow chart below indicates where you are in the holiday planning process:

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Trans Africa 22 and 29 weeks