This tour is new in Africa and there are few guides that know the first and the second part of it. This is the reason why we at Bluechilli Adventures would like you to experience it. We have done the tour and we know our way around Southern Africa very well. The tour starts in Mozambique and ends in Cape Town. We do recommend that you do the whole tour, but we have divided it into different legs so if you are limited to time, you are welcome to shorten it.
We invite you to join Bluechilli Adventures on a tour of a life time.
First leg
Days 1-7: Mozambique (Maputo, Tofo Beach and Bazaruto Archipelago Islands)
The tour begins in the Gauteng province in South Africa and carries on through the eastern part of the country and then into Maputo, Mozambique's capital. We will spend one night here in this true African capital city. Here you will be introduced to the country, its busy markets and the awesome night life it has to offer.
From Maputo we travel along the coastline to the small town of Tofo, with its beautiful beaches. Tofo is well known for its snorkeling with the giants of the sea, the “Whale sharks” as well as other sea dwelling creatures. (Manta Rays, and the Green and Leather Back Turtles to name a few). You also have a chance to meet the locals and enjoy the country. A snorkel dive with the Whale sharks is included in the tour costs. Your guide will organize it for you with one of the many diving companies. From here the trip continues north to the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Here you enjoy the tropical sea and dive around one of the best reefs in Africa. YA highlight of the tour is having the chance to see the almost extinct “dugon” while on our Dhow (arab sailing yacht).
Second leg
Days 8-15: Mozambique (Bazaruto Archipelago to Pemba)
The road north from here is different from the rest of the country because it takes you through the most rugged part of the country. We will pass the Gorongosa game park, one of the best in Africa before the civil war started in this country. We cross the Zambezi river, and take a long drive through some of the most scenic parts of the country. You can buy pine-apples, a dime a dozen and other tropical fruit in this area as we head up to the town of Quelimarie in the northern region of Mozambique. From here we travel to Nampula where we visit the Ila Mozambique, before going further north to the town of Pemba.
Pemba is one of the most beautiful towns in Northern Mozambique. The culture of the locals in this part of the country is very different to others. And to think that it was almost lost during the civil war. The locals here are inviting and friendly to those who are willing to learn about their culture. On a visit to Obi Island you will have the opportunity to gain knowledge on the way of living and the history of the slave trade. Scuba diving and fishing is common in this area.
Third Leg Days 16- 27: Mozambique-Tanzania (Pemba, Dar Es Salaam, Lilongwe)
Leaving Pemba behind us and traveling north towards the Tanzanian border, the drive takes us through yet another undeveloped part of Mozambique. A ferry takes us across the river, then into Tanzania and up to Dar Es Salaam. There we will visit more pristine beaches.
You have the option of taking a trip out to Zanzibar Island for a day or two. From here we take the road south to Malawi for a once in a life time experience, “Lake Malawi”. The tropical inland lake’s water is always warm and a swim in the evening will make you feel free from the rest of the world. From the lake we make our way down to the town of Lilongwe and then to the border between Malawi and Zambia.
Forth Leg Days 28-34: Malawi – Zambia (Lilongwe, Lusaka, Livingstone)
We will cross the border into Zambia where the road heads Northeast to one of the great game parks, South Luangwa game park. Here we will pitch our tents on the platforms built in the huge trees that grow in the area. At night the wild life comes alive beneath you. After two nights on the banks of the Luangwa River we make our way to the capital city, Lusaka and then down to Kariba for a night.
We spend the night on a house boat on Lake Kariba. The following morning a short drive takes us to Livingstone where we enjoy a sunset cruise on the great Zambezi River. The next few days are spent doing some of the many optional activities that Livingstone has to offer such as, Horseback riding, Bungee Jumping, White Water Rafting, Elephant Riding, Gorge Swing, Jet Boating and even a walk on the wild side with the Rhino.
Fifth Leg Days 35-54: Zambia, Namibia- South Africa (Victoria Falls, Etosha National Park, Cape Town)
We will leave Livingstone after a visit to the famous Victoria Falls. Our travels will take us north to one of the many islands situated on the Zambezi River “Paradise Island” for a night in the wild. This is for sure an experience you will never forget. A Mokoro (dug-out canoe) will transport you to the island where the local people will make you feel at home. Here you will enjoy a local home cooked meal, traditional singing and dancing. After breakfast, we take a trip back to the mainland and then on to the border of Zambia and Namibia. Here, once again, we cross the Zambezi River into the country where the African people are so friendly. You will never want to leave. Namibia has beautiful wide open spaces, roads that seem to go on for ever and only one major river “the Kavongo river”. This river feeds the Okavango Delta (wonder of the world). Our camp site is alongside the river and offers swimming in the river and sun deck, where you can enjoy a sundowner while you plan your optional Okavango delta trip. A day or over-night trip is well recommended.
We then travel further south through the desert towards Sossusvlei. We will stop off for lunch at a little place called Solitaire. (The apple crumble pie is a favourite of Bluechilli owner’s).
On arrival at Sossusvlei, the red dunes await us. We will camp under the big old pepper tree’s that grow in the area and then make a visit to the Sesriem canyon before retiring for the night. Early the following morning we will take a leisurely drive down to the dunes and maybe climb one of them to watch the sun rise. (There is an optional 4x4 drive or guided tour offered down to the heart of Sossusvlei to some of the most photographed dunes in the world. It is also possible to walk this distance, although we only recommend it only for the physically fit.)
The rest of the day is spent relaxing at the camp and in the swimming pool. We take the road through the most picturesque part of southern Namibia and down to the Fish River Canyon (second largest canyon in the world) for a night.
From here we travel to the hot water baths of Ai-Ais for a day where we camp once again under the thorn trees.
We will depart from Namibia on the following day and make our way back to the sleepy little town of Cederberg, South Africa. We will be camping here for the last time. On our last day of driving, we will make our way down to Cape Town where the safari ends.
We end the safari off with a night out in one of the world’s most picturesque cities. There is much to see and do in the city. There are day tours available for you if you wish to do so.
54 Day Blue Chilli Trek
