20th  September to 2nd  October 2009

 2.500 Km.

This etapa takes you through some of the most fertile lands in all of Africa. From your starting place in Zambia, close to the fabulous Victoria Falls, along the edge of Lake Nyasa and into Tanzania and exotic Zanzibar.

Lusaka is your starting point and this bustling city offers you a taste of the relaxed but hectic African lifestyle. From here you can head south to see the incomparable Victoria Falls, or as the locals call them, Musi-O-Tunya, The Smoke that Thunders. Further along the shore at Lake Kariba you can enjoy all the watersports that you can think off, with whitewater rafting, canoeing, fishing and scuba diving all available, along with bungee jumping for the real adrenaline junkies. 

To the north lies the heart of Zambia, the Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley. Rich in all the animal and birdlife of Africa, it is much less developed than some areas and offers a more wild and authentic experience. South Luangwa National Park permits walking safaris that enable you to really experience the sights and sounds of the bush. The park is home to over 400 species of birds as well as many lions and a few graceful leopards, all set within beautiful glades of Giant Mahogany, Leadwood and Baobab Trees.

The long thin expanse of Lake Nyasa lies just over the border in Malawi. The lake is Africa´s third largest and appears more like a beautiful, peaceful sea. Head for Nkhata Bay where you can relax with freshly squeezed fruit juices or enjoy a trip into the secluded bays in local mokoros. Alternatively you can head for Lake Tanganika which forms the border with Tanzania.

Tanzania is home to some of the most famous places in sub-Saharan Africa, The Ngorongoro Crater, The Serengeti Plain, Olduvai Gorge and Mount Kilimanjaro itself. All of these are worth diverting your route for, but for a more distinctive route you can travel through southern Tanzania and discover the beautiful Selous Game Reserve, the Selous is Africa´s largest national park, but it is also one of the least visited making a stay here particularly rewarding. The reserve is beautifully set around the Rufiji River with rich Miombo woodland, lions and leopards live here in abundance, alongside the much rarer spotted hyena and wild dog.

Dar es Salaam marks the ancient meeting point between Arab and African culture and the chaotic city will come as a shock after peaceful days in the bush, but a short ferry ride away is Zanzibar the perfect place to enjoy the last couple of days of your trip. Stone Town contains the famous Sultan´s Palace, also known as €œThe House of Wonders€ which now holds a fine museum. You can go on a Spice Tour and learn more about the valuable spices that made Zanzibar so wealthy or you can watch the dhows winding their peaceful way along the coast and visit the harbour where fishermen haggle over their latest catches. In the evening head to the Jamituri Gardens where the locals set up stalls to cook and sell the freshly caught fish. Here you will find the real spirit of Stone Town, complete with delicious fresh fish and freshly squeezed sugar cane juice.