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for - African
Trans Continental Expeditions
Cairo to Cape Town
Cairo to Nairobi or Cape Town 8 or 16 Weeks - (Egypt, Sudan,
Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia,
South Africa)
The words 'Cairo to Cape Town' conjure up images of an
expedition through the heart of Africa, crossing deserts, rivers, mountains and
overcoming the various challenges this continent can throw at you. As with any
travel to remote parts of Africa you must sometimes expect a high degree of
hardship: bouncing around on poor rocky un-tarred roads and even crossing a
desert where there is no road, or sometimes having to bush camp for the night
with no prospect of even a cold shower to wash away the dust. However, countries
such as Sudan and Ethiopia are particularly rewarding for the traveller who
likes to go places that have seen very few other tourists and meet local people
who are keen to meet you and whose hospitality can be very humbling.
Please note that because of the unpredictable nature of this expedition it is
not always possible to follow the itinerary exactly as set out below.
8 or 16 Weeks Cairo to Nairobi
or Cape Town
Week 1
Our first day is spent in Cairo visiting the
great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza with our Egyptologist guide,
we also visit the Egyptian Natural History museum
in the afternoon The following morning we drive out of Cairo and head for
the Western Desert leaving both modern and ancient civilizations behind
us for a few days. Described as the 'desert of deserts' this vast world of
desolation and beauty covers 2.8 million square kms. We visit 3 isolated
oases, Bahariyya, Farafra and Dhakla where u can roll down sand dunes, hire
a desert guide and some camels and head out to explore this sand sea and walk
through the winding lanes of mud houses at the Citadel of Mut.
Luxor
is where, based at a campsite, we have two full days to explore the city and
surrounds. Both Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple are within easy walking
distance. On our second day in Luxor we organise a trip to Valley of the
Queens and Valley of the Kings. Here, the remarkably well-preserved tombs of
Ramses II and Tutankhamun have coloured paintings and hieroglyphics that
still seem fresh after 3000 years.
Week 2
A half day drive further south brings us to Aswan. Here you will notice
the first of many cultural changes on this trip. The darker Nubian people in
Aswan lead a more relaxed and less hectic pace of life than their Egyptian
countrymen. We base ourselves here for the next 4 or 5 days to organise visas
and in which time you can organise a 2 or 3 day felucca cruise to Edfu and
Kom Ombo and also visit Abu Simbel, the stone
monuments built by the greatest of all Pharaohs, Ramses II. From
Aswan we take the ferry across Lake Nasser to the port of Wadi Halfa
in Northern Sudan. The ferry takes about a day and is a supremely relaxing
way to travel and a great opportunity to mix and chat to local Sudanese people.
Week 3
From Wadi Halfa we rejoin our expedition vehicle for our drive across the
Nubian Desert. We spend much of this journey hugging the banks of the Nile,
passing through sleepy Nubian villages where we can rest in tea rooms or potter
around the local souqs. The hospitality in
Sudan can be surprising. For such a poor country with so many recent problems,
people are often only too willing to invite you into their homes and often to
share their meals. Khartoum is our next stop and it has a
fantastic setting on the confluence of the Blue and White Niles. Our
stay here is on the banks of the Nile at the quirky but interesting Blue Nile
Sailing Club. It's office is housed in one of General Kitcheners old Gunboats, a
relic from the British military campaign against the Mahdi over a century ago.
For such a large city, Khartoum feels quite laid back. In our few days here you
can visit the Hamed al Nil Tomb and witness the dancing dervishes
who perform every Friday as well as the daily camel market or take a boat trip
on the Nile. You can also visit the ancient Pyramids at Meroe to the north of
the city and the temples at Naqa.
Week 5 & 6
Our route to Addis Ababa takes us via Lake
Tana and the spectacular Blue Nile Gorge and Blue Nile Falls. From
Bahar Dar you can organise boat trips to some of the small islands which
have Monasteries dating back up to 900 years and which are still looked
after by monks who live from subsistence farming. We spend a couple of days in
Addis and then on our
way south from Addis we travel down through the East Africa Rift Valley,
passing a number of lakes and some of the most dramatic scenery in the world.
Huge black peaks dominate the sky line and some of the soda lakes have vast
colonies of pink flamingos and great white pelicans.
Week 7
From here we cross the Kenya - Uganda border, and
continue to Kampala. We have a free day to spend in local cafes and
nightspots. The following day we as head west through swamps, patches of forest
and fertile green countryside, we'll visit a number of small towns and villages
where you will see roadside stalls manufacturing and selling traditional
musical instruments & where we can buy fresh rotisseries, roasted meat &
vegetables, as well as roasted bananas. We also stop at the spot where our
route crosses the equator.
Next is the Virunga range of volcanic mountains and the
rainforests on these mountain slopes are home to several families of Mountain
Gorillas. We will visit the gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda.
It is estimated that only around
500 to 600 of these gentle giants remain. This mountainous area on the borders
of Rwanda, Uganda and Zaire (now renamed Democratic Republic of Congo) is their
only natural habitat and they are periodically threatened by poachers and
political instability in the area. One permit allows you to spend about 50 to 60
minutes with one of the gorilla families. Trekking to find them in groups of 6
or 8 can take anything from half an hour to 5 hours. The organisations and
well-trained guides that continually monitor and protect the families are
conscientious and responsible. If we view them from Uganda there is the
opportunity to paddle out onto Lake Bunyoni in canoes and visit some of
the nearby islands or visit nearby villages & schools. From Rwanda there is also
the chance to visit the genocide museum in Kigali, which is a moving and
interesting experience.
Our break of
several days in Nairobi will give you a chance to laze by a hotel pool, drink an
ice-cold beer and catch up with the world with English language newspapers.
There is also time for you to pick up mail and post home any carvings and
souvenirs you don't wish to lug home with you, before continuing on the last leg
of our expedition to Cape Town.
Week 9
From Nairobi we head south into Tanzania and
the town of Arusha from where we use a local safari company to guide us
through Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Parks. On the crater
floor you can spend the day viewing wildlife including Elephant, Lion,
Cheetah, White Rhino, Hippo, Antelope, Crocodile and Pink Flamingos. From
here you can choose to go into the Serengeti for a day, where vast herds
of Wildebeest roam the plains. There is also the option, to visit a
local Maasai Village.
Week 10 A
one-day drive then brings us to Dar Es Salaam, where most people take the
ferry out to Zanzibar for four days and venture into the narrow bustling
streets of Stone Town and its exotic spice markets, old slave forts
and dungeons. There is also time to relax on Zanzibar's famous white
beaches, try scuba diving and snorkelling, and view stunning coral and fish or
swim with dolphins! After Zanzibar we begin our journey through the
hinterland of Tanzania. We pass through the peaceful national park of Mikumi
where it is possible to see Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra
and Antelope from the roadside.
Week 11
Passing rivers and lush mountains we enter Malawi,
which is dominated by its huge fresh water lake. We spend several days at small
laid back campsites on the edge of the lake. Most people choose to relax on
the sandy beaches or try their hand at snorkelling or windsurfing as we
follow the lakeshore south. There is also the chance to buy some great wooden
carvings along the way. Leaving the lake we continue to Blantyre in
the south of the country, where we stop for two nights and organise our
Mozambique visas. From Blantyre we cross the border into Mozambique. We
follow the infamous 'Tete Corridor' which was well known in the days of
Mozambique's long running civil war as the 'Gun Run'. Thankfully these days
things are a lot different! We then enter Zimbabwe and travel to Harare,
the capital, and spend two nights.
Week 12
From Harare we continue onto Gweru where we
visit a privately run horse and game ranch where you can go game viewing
on elephant and horseback. There is also the chance to go walking with
lion cubs which is always a great highlight! Next we travel to the Great
Zimbabwe Ruins, once the greatest medieval city in Sub-Saharan Africa and
from where the name Zimbabwe is derived. Bulawayo is where you have the
option of leaving the truck for a day and use a local safari company to venture
into Matobo National Park, where you may well see the elusive Black
Rhino amongst hordes of other game. There is also the opportunity to visit
Cecil Rhodes's grave and Ancient Rock Paintings before catching a
sleeper train (if available) to rejoin the truck at one of the adventure
playgrounds of the world - Victoria Falls.
Week 13
For some Mosi oa Tunya 'The Smoke That Thunders' is the highlight of their trip.
There is something here for everyone, from grade 5
white water rafting and canoe trips, the Flight of Angels or a Sunset Cruise, to
one of the world’s highest commercial Bungee Jumps, plus jet boating, gorge
swings, abseiling and a whole lot more!
Week 14
After your adrenaline has been spent we head into
Botswana and Chobe National Park is our first stop, where it is possible to
take a cruise on the Chobe River - a less intrusive way to view its
wildlife, particularly its hordes of elephants.
From here we then
organise our trip into the Okavango Delta. You will have the chance to go
on a Mokoro (dug out canoe) and explore the extensive waterways of this
unique desert wetland as well as take several game walks where Elephants,
Crocodile and Hippo are often seen. Heading west, we now cross into
Namibia and travel to Etosha National Park, recognised as one of the
world's greatest wildlife viewing areas and where we can game watch by night
at one of the floodlit watering holes as well as go several game drives,
hoping to spot some of the many and varied wildlife
from elephant, giraffe and zebra to rhino and leopard.
Week 15
From Etosha we visit a local Cheetah Park
before continuing on to the Brandenberg Mountains in Demaraland and the
Skeleton Coast. We then visit either the world famous Cape Cross Seal
Colony where thousands of these mammals - and their accompanying odour
pervade the coastline or one of Namibia’s most famous sites, the stunning
Sptizkoppe Rock formations, before making our way to Swakopmund
where we spend three days. You now have the choice of a load of
activities to indulge in, including quad biking, dune sledding,
deep sea fishing, skydiving, horse riding or a Desert flight.
Week 16
A one day drive takes us to the Namib-Naukluft Park, a vast expanse of
desert which contains some of the highest sand dunes in the world. At
Sossusvlei we have a chance to explore this vast sand desert. We are also
lucky enough to experience either sunrise or sunset from atop Dune 45.
Continuing south we enter the semi-desert, until we arrive at one of Africa's
most sensational natural features, Fish River Canyon. We camp next to
this massive gorge, where you can hike along the canyon rim and soak up the sun
and fabulous scenery.
A few hours drive
away we cross the Orange River and enter South Africa and near
Stellenbosch visit one of the historic Cape Wineries before reaching
the vibrant, jumping city of Cape Town. There is plenty to do in and
around Cape Town, from climbing Table Mountain to abseiling down it, shark
diving ( in ocean cages - or at the Two Oceans Aquarium ), great shopping and
nightlife, scuba diving courses, a tour to Robben Island the list goes on!
For those people who have onward travel from Cape Town - there are very good,
reliable and frequent coach and train services to just about anywhere in South
Africa.
16 Weeks Cape Town to Cairo
Please note that our itineraries are not set in stone and can
be subject to change.
Week 1
There is plenty to do in and around Cape Town, from
climbing Table Mountain to abseiling down it, shark diving (in ocean cages - at
the Two Oceans Aquarium), great shopping and nightlife, scuba diving courses, a
tour to Robben Island the list goes on! We recommend to passengers to fly-in
a couple of days before the trip commences to experience this great city and all
it has to offer as we spend just the first day on our trip in Cape Town.
We will visit
either in Stellenbosch or further north, one of the historic Cape
Wineries and sample some of their products! Its then on northwards for a day
and a half to cross the Orange River and enter Namibia.Our first
stop in the amazing country is at one of Africa's most sensational natural
features, Fish River Canyon. We camp next to this massive gorge, where
you can hike along the canyon rim and soak up the sun and fabulous scenery.
Namib-Naukluft Park, a vast expanse of desert which contains some of the
highest sand dunes in the world. At Sossusvlei we have a chance to
explore this vast sand desert. We are also lucky enough to experience either
sunrise or sunset from atop Dune 45.
Week 2
Next we make our way to Swakopmund where we spend three days. You now
have the choice of a load of activities to indulge in, including quad
biking, dune sledding, deep sea fishing, skydiving, horse riding or a Desert
flight. After leaving Swakopmund we visit either the world famous Cape
Cross Seal Colony where thousands of these mammals - and their accompanying
odour pervade the coastline or one of Namibia’s most famous sites, the stunning
Sptizkoppe Rock formations, before continuing on to the Brandenberg
Mountains in Demaraland. We also pay a visit to a local Cheetah Park
to get up close to these amazing creatures and learn more about them, before
heading onto Etosha National Park.
Week 3
Recognised as one of the world's greatest wildlife
viewing areas and where we can game watch by night at one of the floodlit
watering holes as well as go several game drives, hoping to spot some
of the many and varied wildlife from elephant, giraffe and zebra to rhino and
leopard, Etosha is truly an amazing experience. From here we then
head east and cross into Botswana to organise our trip into the
Okavango Delta. You will have the chance to go on a Mokoro (a dug-out
canoe) and explore the extensive waterways of this unique desert wetland as well
as take several game walks where Elephants, Crocodile and Hippo are often
seen.
Chobe National
Park is next and is where it is possible to take a
cruise on the Chobe River - a less intrusive way to view its wildlife,
particularly its hordes of elephants.
Week 5
After your adrenaline has been spent its a days drive to Bulawayo. You
have the option of leaving the truck for a day and use a local safari company to
venture into Matobo National Park, where you may well see the elusive
Black Rhino amongst hordes of other game. There is also the opportunity to
visit Cecil Rhodes's grave and Ancient Rock Paintings. From here we
travel to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, once the greatest medieval city in
Sub-Saharan Africa and from where the name Zimbabwe is derived. We then visit
a privately run horse and game ranch at Gweru where you can go game viewing
on elephant and horseback. There is also the chance to go walking with
lion cubs which is always a great highlight!
Week 9
From Nairobi we enter the
Great Rift Valley
with its lakes and abundant bird and wildlife and visit Lake Nakuru &
take a game drive past Black Rhino, Giraffe, Buffalo, Zebra and a horde of
other game and millions of Pink Flamingos which feed noisily along the
shoreline, as well as pay a visit to Elsamere, the home of Joy Adamson
of Born Free fame. Continuing on we cross into Uganda
and at Jinja, camp next to the
Nile River at Bujagali Falls where fishermen guide their dugout
canoes into the steaming rapids. We use more modern rubber rafts, and go on a
days whitewater rafting. We then cross the Owen Falls Dam on the Nile
where Lake Victoria pours its water into the beginning of the Nile River.
Kampala, the capital is only a few hours drive away and there is
the opportunity to visit a Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Rehabilitation centre
on one of the islands on Lake Victoria.
Week 10 A day
and a half drive away is the Virunga
Mountain range, on the borders of
Rwanda, Uganda and Zaire (now renamed Democratic Republic of Congo) the
rainforests on these slopes are home to several families of Mountain Gorillas.
We will visit the gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda.
It is
estimated that only around 500 to 600 of these gentle giants remain and their
only natural habitat is periodically threatened by poachers and political
instability in the area. One permit allows you to spend about 50 to 60 minutes
with one of the gorilla families. Trekking to find them in groups of 6 or 8 can
take anything from half an hour to 5 hours. The organisations and well-trained
guides that continually monitor and protect the families are conscientious and
responsible.
If we view them from Uganda there is the opportunity to paddle
out onto Lake Bunyoni in canoes and visit some of the nearby islands or
visit nearby villages & schools. From Rwanda there is also the chance to visit
the genocide museum in Kigali, which is a moving and interesting
experience
We return to Kenya via
Kampala and make our way to the Lake Naivasha where it is possible to
hire mountain bikes and cycle or walk through Hells Gate National Park -
the only game reserve in Kenya in which this is allowed! Or for a less active
but equably enjoyable game viewing experience visit the Crater Lake Game
Sanctuary. Both offer excellent scenery & opportunities to spot hyrax,
abundant bird & plant life along with several types of gazelle, impala and
eland. We then return to Nairobi and obtaining our visas for Ethiopia and Sudan
and start to once again head northwards.
Week 11
We drive
around the foothills of Mount Kenya as we head into northern Kenya
which is very remote, with nomadic tribes people like the Rendille in
Marsabit & the Samburu who still wear very distinctive and often elaborate
dress. We travel
along the East Africa Rift Valley, passing a number of lakes and some of
the most dramatic scenery in the world. Huge black peaks dominate the skyline &
some of the soda lakes have vast colonies of pink
flamingos & great white pelicans.
Week 12
The roads in northern Kenya are some of the worst we
will encounter on our trip, but we soon cross into
Ethiopia & head to Addis Ababa, the capital, where we spend a
couple of days before heading driving onto Bahar Dar on the southern edge
of Lake Tana and via the spectacular Blue Nile Gorge & Blue Nile
Falls. From here you can organise boat trips to some of the small islands
which have Monasteries dating back up to 900 years and which are still
looked after by monks who live from subsistence farming.
Week 14The
hospitality in Sudan can be surprising. For such a poor country with so
many recent problems, people are often only too willing to invite you into their
homes and often to share their meals. Khartoum, the capital has a
fantastic setting on the confluence of the Blue and White Niles. Our
stay here is on the banks of the Nile at the quirky but interesting Blue Nile
Sailing Club. It's office is housed in one of General Kitcheners old Gunboats, a
relic from the British military campaign against the Mahdi over a century ago.
For such a large city, Khartoum feels quite laid back. In our few days here you
can visit the Hamed al Nil Tomb and witness the dancing dervishes
who perform every Friday as well as the daily camel market or take a boat trip
on the Nile. You can also visit the ancient Pyramids at Meroe to the north of
the city and the temples at Naqa. We then drive across the Nubian Desert,
spending much of this journey hugging the banks of the Nile, passing through
sleepy Nubian villages where we can rest in tea rooms or potter around the local
souqs.
Week 15
Upon reaching Lake Nasser and the port of
Wadi Halfa in Northern Sudan we take the ferry across the lake which takes
about a day and cross into Egypt. The ferry is a supremely relaxing way
to travel and a great opportunity to mix and chat to local Sudanese and Egyptian
people. We rejoin our expedition vehicle which has travelled on a separate barge
and a half day drive further north brings us to Aswan. Here you will
notice the first of many cultural changes on this trip. The darker Nubian
people in Aswan lead a more relaxed and less hectic pace of life than their
Egyptian countrymen. We base ourselves here for the next couple of days to
organise visas and you can visit Abu Simbel,
the stone monuments built by the greatest of all Pharaohs, Ramses II. Or
organise a 2 or 3 day felucca cruise to Kom Ombo & Edfu and
continue on up to Luxor.
Week 16
Based at a campsite in Luxor we have two full days to
explore the city and surrounds. Both Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple are
within easy walking distance. On our second day in Luxor we organise a trip to
Valley of the Queens and Valley of the Kings. Here, the remarkably well
preserved tombs of Ramses II and Tutankhamun have coloured paintings and
hieroglyphics that still seem fresh after 3000 years. The following day
we drive out into the Western Desert leaving both modern and ancient
civilizations behind us for a few days. Described as the 'desert of deserts'
this vast world of desolation and beauty covers 2.8 million square kms. We
visit 3 isolated oases, Bahariyya, Farafra and Dhakla where u can roll down
sand dunes, hire a desert guide and some camels and head out to explore this
sand sea and walk through the winding lanes of mud houses at the Citadel of
Mut. Our final destination, Cairo is only a few hours away. Visiting
the great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza with our Egyptologist guide
and also visit the Egyptian
Natural History museum in the afternoon is definitely a fitting way to end
this amazing trip.
From Cairo it is easy to purchase onward flights to most
international destinations, as well as organise travel down to Dahab on the
Red Sea coast to spend a few days lazing on the beaches or
swimming in warm crystal clear waters or scuba diving or
snorkelling amongst the coral reefs that pervade the shoreline.
Due to the popularity of
Trekking to the Mountain Gorillas and the limited availability of obtaining
Trekking Permits, the Wildlife Authority responsible for organizing the Permits
require the following details before confirmation is granted;
1.
Your full passport
details
2.
Full payment
In order for us to confirm your
Gorilla Permit, it is essential that you notify us of your interest in
trekking at the same time as making your booking. We make reservations many
months in advance ( sometimes as early as 6 months for some dates ).
The permit currently costs £300
and we require full payment before we can confirm and secure permits.
(N.B. Please be aware that
up to approx 2 months before your departure - the cost of the trekking permit
may change. This may be due to currency fluctuations &/or price increases by the
local wildlife authority).
If you would like to trek
to the Mountain Gorilla’s please advise us at the same time as making your
booking – so that we can make the necessary arrangements to secure and
confirm your permit.
IMPORTANT PRE TRIP INFORMATION
Arrival:
It will be necessary to arrange some preliminary paperwork in
Cairo - which will assist you with the application for Ethiopian and
Sudanese visas. Therefore it will be necessary for you to fly into Cairo
approx 1 week prior to departure. More details with a recommended date to be
in Cairo will be issued upon booking. Please do not arrange any flights
prior to receiving this information or a confirmation from Oasis.
Pre Trip Accommodation & Airport Transfers:
Unlike some of our competitors – we do not charge a booking fee for
reserving pre tour accommodation and Airport Transfers. All accommodation
will be booked on a shared basis ( between 2 people of the same sex ). If
this option is not available or if there are no other people to share with –
we will reserve you a single room at the single room rate. We will always
try our best to provide the most economical option for you – whether it be
by sharing a room or by splitting the cost of an airport transfer with other
trip members who may be flying in at the same time.
IMPORTANT:
IN CAIRO - it is essential that we secure Hotel Reservations at
least 3 - 4 MONTHS IN ADVANCE for departures at this time of
year. For NAIROBI and CAPE TOWN reservations – we require
a minimum of 4 weeks prior notice. Please contact us as soon as you have
booked your flights if you would like us to pre book accommodation and /
or an Airport Transfer for your arrival . We require your FLIGHT
ARRIVAL DETAILS ( Flight Number – Time /Date of Arrival ) AND ROOM
REQUIREMENTS.
FLYING
INTO CAIRO – AIRPORT TRANSFERS – ACCOMMODATION
To fly from London to Cairo costs from approx GB£180 one way
including airport tax. NOTE: Buying
your tickets to fly back to UK
or onward to India, SE Asia or Australia and New Zealand - It is best to do
this when you arrive in Nairobi or South Africa as airlines usually won't
issue a ticket five or six months in advance. It is now no more expensive to
buy your ticket in these two countries than it is in the UK.
Flying into Cairo is quite
straightforward. English is widely spoken and signs and directions are also
in English. On arrival - you can
easily arrange your single entry visa which costs US$15 or GB£10. Whilst at
the airport you should change some £GBP
/ US$ Cash into Egyptian Pounds - in the main foyer of the airport
.Travellers Cheques can only be changed at the Thomas Cook Office
ONLY .The rates are the same
as in town but better than at hotels.
Cairo is an
interesting and exciting city to visit. We recommend staying for a couple of
days before your trip departs.
It is well worth visiting the Egyptian Museum on Midan Tahrir. It is
open daily and much of the archaeological glory of ancient Egypt resides
here. You could easily spend 4-5 hours to a couple of days viewing the vast
cache of antiquities. Afterwards you could try a tasty meal at the authentic
and cheap Egyptian restaurant Felfela, at 15 Talaat Harb Street.
Oasis uses the 3 Star
Havana Hotel at 26 Syria St, Mohandessen, Cairo. This is a
newly refurbished hotel and there are plenty of restaurants, cafés and banks
nearby. We can reserve a twin or double room
for £10 per person per night, or a single room for £15 .
This is payable direct to the hotel and is a special rate for
clients of Oasis Overland . All rooms have private bathroom, phone ,TV and
breakfast is included in the price. For guests of The Havana Hotel we can
also organise a FREE airport transfer.
Please see note below
AIRPORT TRANSFER
- IMPORTANT: WE CANNOT GUARANTEE A FREE
AIRPORT TRANSFER IF WE DO NOT HAVE YOUR FLIGHT ARRIVAL DETAILS IN AMPLE
TIME. A TAXI FROM THE AIRPORT COSTS APPROX £6 GBP / $10 US
The
crew will also be staying at the Havana Hotel before departure. Your tour
leader will meet you the night before and there will be a notice in the
reception advising you of this and of any changes. The tour will
officially start at 8 am on the day of departure from the Havana Hotel.
FLYING INTO NAIROBI - AIRPORT TRANSFERS -
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation – If you are budget
conscious - We use a privately run campsite on the outskirts of
Nairobi called Karen Camp, they have private and dorm rooms available from
£5p/p/n. We also use The Silver Springs Hotel which is situated at the
Hurlingham Roundabout, opposite Nairobi Hospital and 10 minutes walk from
the City Centre. A single room costs £40 pp. per night, twin / double room
£55 for the room or a triple room costs £60 for the room – which is
considerably below the listed room rates. All rooms have private bathroom,
telephone and TV and a full English breakfast is included in the price. This
is payable direct to the hotel and is a special rate for clients of Oasis
Overland. Both can arrange airport transfers from around US$25 per car.
FLYING INTO CAPE TOWN - AIRPORT TRANSFERS -
ACCOMMODATION
Flying into Cape
Town –
is quite straightforward, with taxis always available to the
city centre for approx £10. You can change money at all of the banks and
forex bureaux.
Accommodation -
We use The BackPack,
situated at 74 New Church Street, Cape Town. Tel. +27(0) 21 423 4530
www.backpackers.co.zw They do airport pickups from £9 with
accommodation costing approx £8 per night for a dorm room, and from £25 in a
single and £30 in twin or double room. They offer a vibrant atmosphere ,
lively bar and café , self catering facilities and a pool overlloking Table
Mt. You can contact them on
backpack@backpackers.co.za or accommodation@backpackers.co.za if you
would like any further information. Room and
transfer costs are paid directly to the hostel.
There
are many basic hostels and hotels in the centre Cape Town & but these can
be unreliable to pre-book. Good guidebooks will point you in the right
direction as well as give you a wide choice. Your crew will be staying at
the above hostel before the trip departs.
The tour will officially start at 8am
on the day of departure.
Your tour leader will meet you the night before departure and there
will be a notice in the reception advising you of this and of any changes.
If you are ending your trip in either one of the above
cities - Post Trip Accommodation can be arranged with your crew or direct
before arrival at any of the recommendations. All prices listed for Airport
transfers are approximate and dependant on the number of people ( max 4) and
the time of transfer.
Security - can be a problem if you
do not take sensible precautions. As with most major cities, both Cairo&
Cape Town have their share of petty crime. Don't walk around town wearing an
expensive looking wrist watch or carrying a camera. Leave your valuables,
excess money, passports etc in your hotel safe. Single women in particular
need to be wary – it is always better sit in the back seat of a cab &
wearing a wedding band can also help with unwanted attention. Discretion
should be used in your choice of clothing – more is better for both men &
women!!! Use your common sense when approached by individuals – especially
young males on the street.
It
is recommended to carry either your passport or a copy of the photo /
personal details page with you at all times.
The security details
above should only be used as a guide & are quite common place for all major
towns & cities on the trip.
PASSPORTS &
VISA REQUIRMENTS
You will need at
least ten clear pages (20 sides) in your passport, which must be valid for
18 months from the UK departure date.
We need visas for most of the countries we go through. The approximate total
cost for visas for a European Passport holder to Cape Town is £250. Visa
costs are usually slightly cheaper for Irish, Australian and New Zealand
passport holders. If there are any stamps in your
passport linking you with an entry or visit to Israel ( this could include
border / immigration stamps from other countries bordering Israel ) , you
will need to replace your passport.
Visas for Sudan
and Ethiopia will need to be arranged prior to departure – as briefly
explained on Page 1. On booking the trip you will be given further
information regarding the process involved. An American
passport holder will cost up to $350 USD for a Sudanese visa and once
obtained we unfortunately still cannot guaranteed entry. Please contact
Oasis for more information.
Local Payment (LP) - is part of
your overall tour payment and is the most economical and convenient way for
Oasis to get hard currency to Africa to help run your trip. It goes towards
a variety of day-to-day local costs (i.e. all meals prepared by the group –
3 per day whilst travelling, 2 whilst in towns - campsite and accommodation
fees, wood, gas, charcoal and certain activities – as listed in the
brochure) which cannot be pre-paid from the UK. Your LP contribution
includes all camping ,accommodation & food as listed for a total of 57 days
/ 56 nights to Nairobi & 115 days / 114 nights to Cape Town .
Please note:
CASH ONLY is accepted and needs to be as £220
Pounds Sterling & £175 equivalent in $USD for the 8 week trip and £440
Pounds Sterling & £300 equivalent in US$ for the 16 week trip - (the
exchange rate of which will be determined on the day)
- Scottish Pounds are not accepted.
It is a compulsory requirement that you have adequate travel
insurance before you join any Oasis Trip and at the very least are insured
for all necessary medical expenses and repatriation costs incurred overseas
with a minimum sum insured of £500,000. We
believe that your safety and holiday enjoyment are very important. It is a
mistake to think that “it will never happen to me”.
We can arrange
comprehensive travel insurance for you if you wish, please consult our
website or the back of our brochure for further details.
Alternatively - if you
have planned to return home directly after your trip (e.g Australia, New
Zealand, South Africa ) – your insurance would provide repatriation to your
ultimate destination in the event of a medical emergency – but please be
aware that no medical expenses will be payable upon arrival in your normal
country of residence. If you are arranging travel insurance elsewhere,
please check where you may be repatriated to in an event of a medical
emergency.
Your tour leader will ask to see a
copy of your insurance policy at the pre-departure meeting and you will be
asked to provide the following details: 24-hour emergency medical
telephone number, your policy number, confirmation that the policy duration
is sufficient to cover you for the entire duration of your trip. It is also
wise to leave a copy of your insurance policy with a friend or relative for
safe keeping. Our crew will collect these Insurance
details solely for providing this information in the event of an emergency–
and not to check all the details of the policy and/ or its content of cover
are correct. For this reason, please be aware that it is your responsibility
to ensure you are fully covered for the different region/s and for the
activities that you choose to undertake whilst travelling with Oasis.
It is a condition of
booking – that it will not be possible for you to join the trip if you
cannot produce details or information to prove you have adequate travel
insurance at the start of your trip.
We usually have two crew whose duties are extensive and quite
demanding, with challenges ranging from
driving and maintaining the expedition vehicle to a very high
standard, to organising visas and border crossings, arranging accommodation,
pre-booking some excursions and guides, helping with shopping and cooking as
well as finding the best deals, socializing and making sure everything runs
as smoothly as possible.
Adventure travel – is not an
exact science. It is this very unpredictability which makes each expedition
such a rewarding experience. Occasionally we must amend our itineraries to
take into account changing local circumstances. In such situations we’ll
always try to minimise any disruption, but you need to bear in mind that
from time to time events occur outside our control. While our crew are
experienced and knowledgeable of the countries through which we travel -
they are not tour, nature or wildlife guides as such. Even still - they will
be more than willing to pass on any interesting and useful information that
they have acquired whilst on the road. An equally rewarding way to gain a
better insight into the wildlife, cultural and historical diversity of the
countries we travel through, is by talking to the local people and using
local guides.
ACCOMMODATION,
FOOD & LIFE ON THE ROAD
Oasis uses roomy
three-person tents but only for two people. They are specially made for us
to meet the tougher conditions of an overland trip of this nature and have
mosquito netting sewn into the door and windows. It would also be a good
idea to bring your own freestanding mosquito net so as to give you the
freedom of sleeping under the stars or in a hostel. From Morocco to Uganda
we spend most nights bush camping. In large towns and cities we are able to
stay in campgrounds. From Kenya to South Africa most nights are spent in
campgrounds, some of which are well equipped and managed and some very
basic. At some places you can also choose to stay in private rooms, lodges
and huts at your own expense. In Aswan & Swakopmund we include a couple of
nights in a Travellers Lodge. One nights accommodation is also included in
Cape Town. Your LP contribution includes all
camping , accommodation & food as listed for a total of 57 days / 56 nights
to Nairobi & 115 days / 114 nights to Cape Town .
We will have a few long
drives of about 4 to 8 days - for instance, across Southern Egypt and
Sudan. In the evenings - we may stop and find a bush camp where you and
your tent buddy will put up the tent, and then give a hand with getting out
the tables and stools or maybe the cook awning and water containers. Some
may help collect firewood or take the stored firewood from the truck. The
fire grates need to be taken out, the fire lit 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 three on a rota system. You can
expect to cook every 10-12 days or so – depending on the number of people on
tour and whereabouts you are. When we bush camp you will need to take one of
the truck shovels with you to make your own toilet pit. Make sure you dig a
suitable hole away from water sources – making sure to cover it up properly
afterwards. Your crew will advise in more detail the proper way to dispose
of waste paper. Most nights on the trip you will be able to shower - but
not all campsites on the trip will have hot showers.
The maximum group size
on this expedition is 24.
Food -
At breakfast we usually help ourselves to cereal, toast, hot drinks and on
occasion we will splurge with a cooked breakfast. Lunch is cold and usually
quick. The cook group will put out bread, tinned supplies and maybe make a
salad. In the evening the cooks come into their own and this is your chance
to impress or flop! Don't worry, your tour leader and other members of the
group will always help and advice. When the truck is parked up for a few
days at such places like Nairobi (Kenya),Vic Falls (Zimbabwe) – most people
usually like the option to eat out at local restaurants - so we often don't
cook all meals when at these locations. Meals whilst staying in Hotels /
Hostels (Zanzibar, Swakopmund & Cape Town) are not included in the Local
Payment price.
Vegetarians / Vegans -
Our crew will
always do their best to cater for Vegetarians or Vegans when the group are
cooking but it must be remembered that the variety of dishes available may
not be the same as available to meat eaters.
OUR VEHICLES &
SECURITY ON BOARD
Security - There is a lockable
safe bolted onto the floor of the truck - beneath a false floor. This is for
money belts, passports and smaller valuables. The company does not take
responsibility for clients’ personal items or monetary contents. In
certain areas a roster will be drawn up to guard the vehicle. A money belt
that can be concealed is better than a bum bag or wallet that hangs from the
neck. We advise you do not take items of value that are not essential for
the journey.
We use a purpose built
4X2 specialist vehicle for this expedition, built at our workshop in
Somerset. From Cairo to Cape Town, we pass through all types of terrains
from soft sand, mud, rock and potholed roads to tarseal.
All our 4 X 2 vehicles are equipped for your comfort with:
·
Comfortable coach seats with headrests &
removable seat bases with 3 foot deep compartments – which means easy access
to your baggage – even whilst driving!!!
·
Large internal floor area which is more
communal and allows easy movement - rather than the standard bus style
outlay
·
12 volt cigarette socket for recharging camera
/ video batteries
·
Internal & external lighting system
·
Onboard stereo with adaptors for MP3, I Pod, CD
walkmans
·
Onboard Library
·
Inter cab buzzer for communication with the
crew
·
Cooler boxes for food and drinks
·
Extra storage space for excess baggage and
souvenirs
·
Easy to reach overhead racking for day bags and
cameras
·
Lockable safe for storage of money and small
valuables
·
Professionally compiled expedition Medical Kit
·
Roomy 2 person tents with sewn–in mosquito
netting
·
Large water carrying capacity
·
Internal underfloor storage for dried and
tinned food
·
External lockers for cooking equipment, tents
etc
·
Camping stools &
cook awning for all
weather conditions
·
Extensive range of spare parts
CAMERAS -
PHOTOGRAPHY - ELECTRICAL
Photography - Mornings and late afternoons are
often best for photos, as the midday sun can be very bright and lead to a
washed-out look. A polarizing filter or lens hood will help to prevent this.
It is advisable to have a good all-round carry case to protect your camera
from dust and knocks. A few zip lock / plastic bags are good items to carry
for protecting your camera and changing film in dusty / sandy conditions.
Digital & Video Cameras – If you are bringing
either, it is advisable to bring a charger and spare batteries (see below).
Most towns and cities have internet cafes where you can download onto CD/
internet sites. It is also advisable to bring your USB cable for your camera
so you can connect your camera in the internet cafes. It is also recommended
that you bring at least 2 memory cards of 512mb or higher as places where
your cards can be burned onto disk are few and far between.
Chargers - You should bring at least one spare
battery with you, as purchasing spares on route may be expensive and
difficult and there will be times on the tour when you will not be able to
charge from the mains supplies for several days at a time. It is worthwhile
considering purchasing a spare battery even if you bring an in-car charger
with you, so as you will always have a battery charged and ready to go. Our
vehicles are equipped with 12 volt cigarette lighter charger sockets, so it
is worth while thinking about purchasing an in-car charger – however these
can be expensive. If you decide not to purchase an in-car charger bring your
normal 230V mains charger as well as a travel adaptor plug as you'll come
across virtually every type of socket ever invented plus a few others and at
some of the hotels, hostels, restaurants and campsites we use, you can
charge from their mains supply.
Electricity – log onto
www.kropla.com for information regarding the different electrical
plugs and voltage used in each country.
It is forbidden in all the countries we visit to take
photos of anything military. Bridges, border posts and airports are also
sensitive, so be careful or be prepared to have your film or possibly your
camera confiscated by irate officials. Please act with discretion and
respect when taking photos of people ( especially Muslim women ) - if in
doubt it is always better to ask first before you snap a way! It is also
advisable to be sensitive when poverty, deprivation or disadvantaged living
may be apparent. Taking these kind of photos may send out a misconstrued
message to the locals and may cause an uncomfortable or hostile atmosphere
for yourself and others.
LOCAL
COMMUNICATION & CONTACT FROM HOME
Language –
In Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan, Arabic is widely spoken,
although in the main cities some people do speak English - but learning some
basic phrases in Arabic is rewarding when meeting local people. English is
spoken fairly widely in all the other countries we visit – especially as we
hit East and Southern Africa. Because most African countries have so many
languages they have in many cases adopted the languages of their former
colonial rulers as the common national language. Radio and newspapers are
usually in English.
Online Diaries – A great variety of free “travel
blogs” are now available online, they are a good way of keeping relatives
and friend up to date with what you are doing and a good place to upload
photos, collecting messages as well as keeping a record for yourself, (a
great one is
www.bugbitten.com). Most towns and cities have internet facilities,
so you can update them regularly.
Contact from home - The most reliable way to
receive messages from friends and family is via email, which is quite
common place now in main areas that we visit – but the efficiency or speed
in connection is never a guarantee!! Our tour leaders will advise you of the
best places to pick up your emails en-route. You can usually check your
emails every 5 to 7 days and more frequently
throughout East and Southern Africa.
When it comes to postage - the Poste Restante mailing
service is still operated by the main post offices in main towns. Post
Offices are open Monday to Friday and will usually hold mail for collection
for approx 4 weeks.
You may also be charged about US$1 to collect a letter and
approx US $5 - $10 for a parcel. However, in most countries the post office
service is free.
PLEASE NOTE: Do not
send anything material or of major value and allow a minimum of 3 weeks for
the mail to arrive. For collection of mail – a passport or some form of ID
will need to be shown.
Alternatively, you can
use the mail holding service operated by American Express and their
agents if you are a client or have purchased Amex TC’s. Ask for a book of
holding addresses in Africa.
Mail for the following locations – address mail following
the details below – using your full name that appears on your passport:
PERSONAL
HEALTH – VACCINATIONS - MEDICAL KITS - MALARIA INFO
Health and Hygiene on the trip – To join the expedition
you should be in good general health. Your crew
will talk to you about general hygiene, cooking, washing cutlery, cleaning
etc. We purify our drinking water where necessary.
We must be told if you have any pre-existing medical
condition / allergy or if you are on any regular medication.
Vaccinations - Being vaccinated
against Yellow Fever and having a valid certificate and a photocopy is
deemed compulsory – especially as it is required at certain borders entering
Zanzibar Island in Tanzania and Zimbabwe. It is also advisable to be
vaccinated against Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A and Meningitis.
Consult your doctor about the necessity of having Hepatitis B and Rabies
shots.
Try to allow two months to get all your vaccinations done.
Your doctor will advise the best order in which your shots should be given.
If you are registered with a local GP / clinic - most will administer
vaccinations free of charge if they have the vaccination stock available –
or else you will only need to pay for cost of the prescription. If you are
not registered with a GP there are a number of medical centres which can
help you. However, some can be quite expensive so it is worth hunting
around. More information on vaccinations needed:
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
ln London we recommend the
Nomad Travellers Store and Medical Centre. They can be contacted on 0208 889
7014 and are across the road from Turnpike Lane tube. They will also give
Oasis clients a 10% discount on vaccinations, medical kits , clothing
and camping equipment . They also have stores in Bristol and Southampton.
Log onto
www.nomadtravel.co.uk for more information – and enter code
Oasis1000 to validate your discount
In Scotland,
Ailsa Travel Clinic, 42 Admiral St., Kinning Park, Glasgow. Tel. 0141 429
0913 has been recommended to us by past clients.
·
Clinics & doctors don't usually give
detailed advice over the phone. It is best to check opening hours & visit
them in person.
Medical Kits - We carry
professionally compiled medical kits with emergency First aid material and
antibiotics. 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.
Personal Medicines – Even though our trucks are equipped
with a comprehensive medical kit - it is not for general everyday use.
Therefore we advise you bring along your own small
medical kit to include:
·
Antiseptic ointment
·
Antihistamine cream and tablets
·
Nurofen or equivalent pain-killer
·
Eye drops/bath
·
Anti-diarrhoea treatment
·
Sun block 35 + / after sun / moisturiser / lip
balm
·
Assorted plasters
·
1-2 Sterile Syringes
·
1 course of malaria treatment (cure)
·
A couple of bandages ( elasticised and
triangular )
·
Medication for personal allergies / asthma etc
·
Insect repellent containing Deet
·
Some suitable antibiotics as recommended by
your
doctor for infected
cuts and to treat severe dysentery
·
Rehydration sachets / Vitamin Tablets
Whilst on included excursions and / or optionals (i.e.
Ngorongoro Crater / Okavango Delta Safari) – it is recommended and your
responsibility to have a personal medical kit available in case of an
emergency. Our Truck Medical Kit is for use solely whilst on the truck and
cannot be carried on excursions / optionals. Please be advised that some
local operators may not have medical kits on hand.
Malaria - Some GPs are quite
well versed in tropical medicine, vaccination requirements and malarial
prevention. However, many are not! If you are not happy with the
information your doctor has provided, you can contact the Nomad Clinic above
or other reputable clinics in your area. There are a number of prophylactic
malaria treatments on the market and requirements change. Also, a
particular regimen might suit you better than another. It is also wise to
take a sample of whichever prophylactic y | 
