Border information: if you are joining in Accra, then you will most likely enter Ghana at Accra Kotoka International Airport (IATA code: ACC).There will be an important group meeting at 10:00am at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting. Your leader will collect your kitty and check your passport, visas, and insurance details at this meeting.The afternoon will be free to explore the city of Accra.Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Accra before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Accra.
Today we will apply for Togo visas at the Togolese Embassy in Accra.
This morning we will leave Accra and head north to the village of Akosombo.
Border information: Exit Ghana at Klouto, enter Togo at Klouto.
Today we will have a full day's drive to the spectacular Mont Klouto, crossing the border into Togo.
Today we will have a free day around the beautiful Mont Klouto region, with the opportunity to head out on optional forest walks or to visit Kpalimé town nearby.
In the evening, we will head to the village centre to see a spectacular show of drumming and dancing from the local villagers.
Over the next 2 days we will drive up the length of Togo, all the way through the remote northern border with Benin. We will wild camp for 1 night en route.
Today we continue our drive through Togo after our wild camp.
This morning we will head to the beach while we are watingin for our visas to be processed. Time to relax before we head into Benin tomorrow!
Border information: Exit Togo at Ketao, enter Benin at Ouaké.
Today we will cross the border into Benin, before continuing our journey to the Tata Somba region close to the town of Tanguiéta.
Today we will have a free day at Grand Popo for relaxing on the beach or taking a pirogue trip around the nearby ocean and mangroves.
There is also an option this evening to visit an incredible local vodun (voodoo) ceremony in the nearby village, complete with very energetic dancing and incredible magic tricks! It may also be possible to take a night walk in search of Atlantic turtles, which lay their eggs on the beaches between November and March.
From the Tata Somba region we have a short journey north to the beautiful Pendjari NP.We will stay for two nights wild camping in the NP, where we will have freedom to explore and head out on game drives in the truck in search of wildlife.
Today we have the entire day to enjoy this national park. One of the only places left in West Africa where wildlife continues to thrive. A lot of work is put into maintaining this park by African Parks who are resposible for many of the lesser known national parks in Africa.
Our journey today continues to Abomey, the ancient capital of the Dahomey kingdom. On arrival we will take an included tour of the Dahomey Palace and Museum.
Today we have a free day in Abomey to relax and prepare for the rest of our journey.
We will drive from Abomey to Grand Popo today and enjoy some well deserved time at the beach.
Today we will take a very interesting half-day tour of the sites in Ouidah, including the Voodoo Python Temple, the "Route des Esclaves" (Slave Route), La Maison du Bresil art gallery and the Ouidah Museum of History in the old Portuguese Fort of São João Baptista de Ajuda.We may hopefully see many of the local fishermen bringing their catch in.
This morning we will drive to Abomey-Calavi (a port on the outskirts of Cotonou), where we say goodbye to the truck for the night and jump aboard motorised pirogues to Ganvie, a fascinating town built entirely on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokoue.Today we will have an included tour of the stilt town of Ganvie, exploring deeper on our pirogues and soaking up the unique way of life in the floating village. In Ganvie we will stay in the stilt village itself!
Today is where our true adventure begins! We will be making our way through the next 6 countries without a fixed itinerary. We will be keeping a close eye on the travel advice for each area that we head towards. This starts with the next 8 days through Nigeria. Some of the highlights we may experience include the impressive Usman Dam, Abuja National Mosque, Lekki Market and the beautiful Yankari NP.We will be wild camping for the majority of this trip from now on, experiencing the true life and culture of the towns and villages we stop in.
Now we will head out of Nigeria into Cameroon. We have allocated another 8 days here. We may have the chance to apply for some visas during our time in Cameroon.Highlights of the country include Douala with its bustling shopping and nightlife as well as Yaounde which is where we will find the National Museum. There will be opportunities to relax by the beach as well as spend time in the foothills of Mount Cameroon which is one of Africa's biggest volcanoes.
We now pass into our next destination, Gabon. We will spend 6 days travelling through this vibrant country. This is the point where the tarmac runs out, we will be getting used to dirt roads from now on!There may be options for time on safari here as much of Gabon is rainforest. This could be in Lambarene or Loango NP which are barely inhabited by people and the wildlife is protected. There are also many Bwiti rituals in these areas.
Now onto 8 days in the Republic of the Congo. This is where we really prepare for the unexpected! Digging out the truck, huge potholes and overgrown passages can make this country feel truly wild. We will only pass through this country with the whole team working together.The people in this country are renound for their hospitable welcomes and we will find smiling faces wherever we go, from Nouabale-Ndoki NP (home to Gorilla's), to Pointe-Noire (where the beaches are renound) we will be greeted with open arms.
Exploring the Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Republic of the Congo
We will be passing through a small portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as we make our way to Angola. Here we have the option of travelling West and visiting Kinshasa or, if it is in our best interests to do so, we can visit the enclave of Cabina, which is part of Angola.We should be able to view the Crystal Mountains range and have the option to climb Mont Mangengenge, a pilgrimage site for local people. You will probably be overtaken by the Congolese praying step by step as they ascend. The DRC is also home to the only Bonobo sanctuary in the world, definitely worth a visit!
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Exploring the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Our final country with no fixed itinerary is Angola. This is a country that is still making it's way back from years of civil war. Due to this tourists are not seen very regularly, in fact, we may be the first tourists to travel through some villages. We also have the chance to test out our Portuguese here.
Close to where we enter the country is Turtle Beach where endangered Olive Ridley Turtles hatch through September to March. The National Museum of Slavery near Lobito is a stark reminder of Angolas past. Other highlights include Kalandula Falls and Quicama NP.
Today we head to the stunning Etosha NP.Etosha is one of the world's most pre-eminent wildlife areas, and we have an excellent chance to spot some of Africa's most famous animals such as elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, leopard, oryx, impala, and rhino!We will stay in the park for 2 days, giving us plenty of opportunity for game drives in our truck in search of the animals here.In Etosha NP we will stay in a mixture of the campsites of Namutoni, Halali or Okaukuejo according to availability, all of which are superbly located within the NP, have excellent facilities and are situated next to watering holes where many animals come for a drink at night.
Full day in Etosha National Park.
Today we drive to Windhoek.
Today we will drive south to the stunning mountains of Spitzkoppe. This remote region has breathtaking sunsets and sunrises as the colour of the landscape takes on remarkable oranges and reds.
Today we will continue to the old German colonial town of Swakopmund, where we will have 2 nights to explore the town and enjoy some of the many optional adventure activities on offer.
We will also have an included visit to Cape Cross en route from Spitzkoppe, to experience the sight, sound and smell of thousands of olive-coloured seals on the shore.
Today we will drive from Swakopmund to Sesriem, our base for exploring the spectacular Namib Desert. If time allows, en route we will have the option to take a short walking tour of the desert around Solitaire where we can learn all about the ecosystem of the desert - please note that our time available for this is dependent on the time of the sunset, as they close the gates to our Sesriem campsite at sunset.
Today we have an early morning start to climb to the top of the famous Dune 45 for a dramatic and incredible sunrise view across a vast sea of sand. We will also have chance to explore the otherworldy landscape of the Dead Vlei. In the afternoon, we head south to our river camp near the small town of Bethanie.
Today we head south to the dramatic scenery of the Fish River Canyon. Here we will have some time for exploration and taking in the beautiful sunset over the canyon.
This morning we will drive to Noordoewer, next to the scenic banks of the Gariep (Orange) River - the natural border between Namibia and South Africa. If there is sufficient water in the river we may be able to take an optional canoeing tour on the Orange River.
NB: If we have arrived late the previous day, the Tour Leader may opt to spend more time at Fish River Canyon before driving to Noordoewer.
Border Information: Exit Namibia at Noordoewer, enter South Africa at Noordoewer.
Today we cross the border into South Africa and head down the Western Cape to camp site near Citrusdal. In the evening we will have the option for some wine tasting!
Our final day takes us down the Western Cape to the charming and beautiful city of Cape Town.
This evening you will have the opportunity to enjoy a final group meal to say goodbye to your fellow travellers after what is certainly the journey of a lifetime.
