Leaving Nairobi on Day One the drive south to Tanzania takes you through sweeping and often arid plains dotted with whistling thorn. We cross into Tanzania at Namanga where you are sure to be tempted by Maasai selling beaded jewellery and wooden carvings. Further on Mount Meru looms in the distance and on a lucky day snow-clad Kilimanjaro might come into view. At 5,895 metres it is Africa’s highest mountain.

We have the Departure Meeting to go through the details of life on the truck, organise the local payment and all our rosters in Arusha.

Distance: 278 kms
Est. Drive Time: +/- 7 hours including lunch stop and depending on the border
Meals: X1 Dinner

Three days are allocated to allow time for a safari into Tanzania’s world famous game parks –The Serengeti
and Ngorongoro Crater – which most in the group usually choose to do.

Day 2: We depart early with a local guide on safari in 4×4 vehicles with a pop up roof. We travel to the Ngorongoro Gate, then transit on to Serengeti. Arriving in the Serengeti we see the famous kopjes, small hills of rocks from where lions dozing in the sun
nonchalantly oversee the surrounds, keeping an eye out for their next meal. Multi-coloured agama lizards can also be seen basking in the sun and golden jackal tussle over a kill in the grasses.

The seemingly endless grasslands of the Serengeti are also the stage for the famous wildebeest migration. On the annual migration 1.5 million wildebeest and other game, such as zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, impala and topi move on mass between Kenya’s Masai Mara, then into Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti. This mass movement is driven by the rains, and the herds’ endless search for water and good grazing.

We spend the night camped within the Serengeti with the sounds of the African bush around us. It is quite an experience to be in a tent with just the canvas between you and any wildlife that is out there.

Day 3: Game viewing is often at its best early in the day, so we rise early again to explore more of the
Serengeti.

We leave the famous Serengeti plains by mid afternoon to enter more mountainous terrain.

Our drive is also taking us through Maasai lands as well, and the traditional herdsmen can be seen throughout the region. En route we stop to visit a Maasai boma.

Tonight we camp near the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. We are at altitude here, so wrap up warm tonight.

Day 4: This morning we are up before sunrise to visit Ngorongoro Crater. The Crater is a perfectly intact volcanic caldera and known as the ‘Noah’s ark’ of game reserves. During our morning game drives we might view the ‘big 5’, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as plains game peacefully grazing including zebra, gazelle, impala and wildebeest. Hippopotamus can usually be found lolling in the pools and Lake Magadi can be rimmed with the pink of greater and lesser flamingo.

Leaving Ngorongoro we stop off, time permitting, at local markets where we can wander and buy Maasai souvenirs. We enjoy a pre-prepared barbeque to celebrate our first big game drives on our return to Arusha.

Distance, Day 2, and Day 4: 175 kms to and from the Conservation Area gate
Est. Drive Time: 3 to 4 hours

Meals, Day 2: X1 Breakfast
Meals, Day 3: None
Meals, Day 4: X1 Dinner

Optional excursions for Days 2 to 4: Three day/two night safari with game drives in both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in open top 4×4 vehicles (incl. x2 dinners, x3 lunches, x2 breakfasts), Balloon safari, Maasai boma visit, Olduvai Gorge Museum (Please note this visit is dependent on road conditions and time constraints. We also require advance notice prior to the tour departure).

We spend the morning in Arusha to shop and explore the town. After lunch we travel to Marangu at the foot of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Here we spend two nights and have the opportunity to explore, including the option to take a day hike to Mandara Hut, 2,700 kms from the base of the mountain. This is a beautiful walk through tropical forest and on clear days there are special views of both the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks of the mountain.

Alternatively there is the chance to do a day tour of the Marangu area to visit the village to learn more of local life, to visit a coffee plantation and a nearby waterfall.

Distance, Day 5: 120 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 5: +/- 3 hours

Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursions: Kilimanjaro day hike, Marangu day tour

We continue our journey south, travelling through lush surroundings and the stunning Usambara mountain range, before sleeping over at a coastal campsite either in Bagamoyo or in Dar es Salaam 70 kms further south. Bagamoyo itself was one of the first landing points for the Arabian slavers.

We make final preparations for the optional excursion on Zanzibar Island. The core arrangements are made well ahead of time so we are assured our groups are comfortable in the popular beach cottages to the north of the island at Kendwa and for a night in a local lodge in the traditional capital. The time is yours to relax and do as you please. The tour leader travels over to the island with the group as well to ensure that all runs smoothly.

Distance: 485 (545 if to Dar) kms
Est. Drive Time: 9 to 10 hours incl. lunch stop (11 to 12 if to Dar es Salaam)

Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Optional excursion: For those who want to get to Zanzibar early there is the option of flying to Zanzibar today with an extra night at the beach. Note that this needs to be pre booked as early as possible, contact us for prices and more information to fly early to Zanzibar.

Day 8 We head to the ferry port in Dar es Salaam from where we travel to the exotic spice island of Zanzibar for four days.

On arrival we travel to Kendwa where you can enjoy white sand beaches, and swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Fishing trips and cruises in traditional dhows can be organized. Scuba diving and snorkeling to nearby reefs or further afield including to Mnemba Atoll can also be arranged from the Dive Centre near our beach cottages.

There is a wide diversity of marine life off Zanzibar. The diving is some of the best in the world, with stunning coral gardens and more than 350 fish species recorded. Sightings of dolphins and turtles are quite regular occurrences, while humpback whales and whale sharks are occasionally spotted.

You can also explore Jozani Forest and see the red colobus monkeys and Prison Island with its giant tortoise. Snorkelling is also enjoyed off Prison Island.

On the last day we spend time in the traditional capital, Stone Town. Take a spice tour to find out a little about the spice trade that dominated the island’s history, as well as the slave trade. On our final night here we can explore the colorful night market.

Distance: 60 kms Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam
Est. Drive Time: Up to 2 hours Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam

Meals, Day 8: X1 Breakfast

Additional optional excursions whilst on Zanzibar: Stone Town City tour, snorkelling, scuba diving, Mnemba Island, Turtle Sanctuary visit, Prison Island with a visit to the Aldabra tortoise, Jozani Forest to view the red colobus monkeys

Arriving back in Dar es Salaam we rejoin the overland truck to head west to Morogoro to stay the night.

Distance: 194 kms
Est. Drive Time: 6 hours
Meals: X1 Dinner

We continue to travel west across Tanzania travelling through Mikumi National Park where roadside
sightings of elephant, giraffe and antelope are common. Travelling the road through Baobab Valley we are surrounded by the iconic ‘upside down trees’ and past the Ruaha River to Iringa for our last night in Tanzania.

Distance: 310 kms
Est. Drive Time: 9 hours incl. lunch stop
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

We enter Malawi and travel south down the third largest lake in Africa, Lake Malawi, created in the chasm provided by the Rift Valley. Known as “the heart of Africa” you will be struck by the warm welcome we receive, despite Malawi being one of the poorest countries en route.

Popular beaches by the Lake are ideal locations for the camps where we stay and set beside local fishing villages. We are welcomed into these villages with the chance to visit a couple of local schools as well. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional village life. Try bartering too with local craftsmen selling beautiful carvings including the traditional Malawi chairs, and enjoy sharing in a village meal during our stay.

Lake Malawi is home to the brightly coloured and prolific mbuna cichlid fish and scuba diving or snorkelling here has been described as ‘rather like a dive into a fish tank’. Canoeing is also an option on the lake.

Malawi is a spectacularly beautiful country and horse riding and trekking can be arranged too. Kande Beach particularly is a popular stop for a party. The Malawi markets are also the markets to raid for the latest in fashion attire if the group decides on an Absolute Bad Taste Party.

Distance, Day 14: 498 kms
Distance, Day 15 or 16: 235 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 14: 12 hours Incl. lunch and fuel stop and depending on the border
Est. Drive Time, Day 15 or 16: +/- 5 hours incl. stop for shopping
Meals: X4 Breakfasts, X4 Dinners

Optional excursions: Water sports, including snorkelling, canoeing, scuba diving and pedalo hire, horse
riding, village walk, wood carving lesson.

We travel to Zambia today, heading for one of the country’s treasures – South Luangwa National Park. Slightly off the beaten track, Luangwa is a stunning national park with high populations of game, including 60 different animal species and 400 different bird species.

On our full day in the park, we have time to relax by the pool and enjoy the wonderful African bush surrounds, with the chance for a game drive or walk in the morning and also in the evening. The evening drive gives you the chance to see some of Africa’s nocturnal and more elusive animals such as the leopard and genet.

Distance: 600 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 18: +/- 11 hours (depending on the border) and incl. stops for shopping and lunch
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: X1 game drive in South Luangwa National Park
Vehicle for game drive: Open 4×4 safari vehicle

Optional excursions: Extra game drive or walk, South Luangwa National Park

We now make our way towards the capital. Upon reaching Lusaka on day 21, we have a chance to get to internet, the bank and also stock up on supplies in a large supermarket.

Distance over 2 days: 560 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 20: +/- 6 hours incl. stop for lunch and shopping
Est. Drive Time, Day 21: +/- 6 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional stay on Lake Kariba houseboats

From here we travel to Lake Kariba where we hire a houseboat for a couple of nights’ break from truck life. The man-made lake took 9 years to build, the dam wall being completed in 1959 when the plains began to flood; animals became stranded on submerging islands and Matusadona National Park launched a massive rescue exercise known as Operation Noah. Whilst cruising on the houseboat we can view elephant, buffalo, kudu, waterbuck and, if lucky, lion as they come down to drink by the water’s edge. Sunsets over the lake create a rich backdrop of colour for the stark silhouettes of the fossilised leadwood trees remaining in the lake.

The boats have bedrooms, a jacuzzi and the houseboat crew cook our meals, so this is a fun change from camping and life on the road.

Distance, Day 22: 208 kms
Drive Time, Day 22: 4 to 5 hours depending on the border and incl. photo stop Lake Kariba dam wall.
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursion: Houseboat cruise on Lake Kariba

We drive via Chinoyi to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins – the remains of the ancient capital of the Shona people which was constructed between the 11th – 15th century. There are three main areas of ruins known as Dzimba dzamabwe (“stone houses”) from which modern-day Zimbabwe gained its name. These were formed using the dry stone technique, completely without mortar. The term “Great” distinguishes these rock constructs as different to smaller formations in the region and Great
Zimbabwe are known to be the largest collection and most impressive ruins south of the Sahara.

Distance, Day 24: 249 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 24: +/- 6 hours incl. shopping stop
Distance, Day 25: 440 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 25: 9 hours incl. shopping and lunch stops
Meals: x2 Breakfasts, x2 Dinners

This morning we have a guided tour of the ruins before continuing our way to the city of Bulawayo.
Distance: 307 kms
Est. Drive Time: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included Activity: Visit to Great Zimbabwe with guided tour

Here we head out for game drives and a rhino trek in Matopos National Park. The Matopos Hills have the largest concentration of raptors (birds of prey) in the world and black eagles can be seen soaring high over the dramatic ancient landscape of granite boulder stacks. The park is also home to both the endangered black and white Rhinoceros, now closely guarded in an intensive conservation program, and the magnificent sable antelope. We track rhino on foot with a professional guide, as well as look for other game. We also find out the different uses and medicinal value of the plant life in the park.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activities: Game drive and rhino trek in Matopos National Park.
Vehicle for game drive: Open 4×4 safari vehicle

Optional excursions: Extra game drives in Matopos National Park, Afternoon visit to rock paintings and Cecil Rhodes’ grave or a Ndebele Village

Today we travel through to the mighty Victoria Falls. The roaring torrents of water and the mists from the Falls which rise meters into the air, gave rise to the local name ‘Mosi-Oa-Tunya’, ‘the smoke that thunders.”

Distance: 438 kms
Est. Drive Time: +/- 7 hours incl. stop for lunch
Meals: X1 Breakfast

At the Falls there is a large number of different adrenaline activities on offer, such as the world famous whitewater rafting on the Zambezi, the bungee jump and the gorge swing. You can take a flight over the Falls in a helicopter or microlight on a ‘Flight of the Angels’. Time can be spent in the national park overlooking the Falls. We usually meet up at night for meals in local cheap eating places.

One of our nights at The Falls is often spent together on an evening sunset cruise drifting down the Zambezi as the sun sets. Wildlife such as hippo and crocodiles can be seen in and by the water, and monkeys play in the trees by the river.

Distance: 0 kms
Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals: None

Optional excursions: Whitewater rafting, riverboard, bungee jump, gorge swing, flying fox and zip line,
‘Flight of Angels’, canoe trip, horse riding, a sundowner cruise

Please note this itinerary is given as a guide only. A safari is a journey and true journeys in Africa unfold
and are of an adventurous nature. The unexpected can arise, so do allow for this. Please note some entries
to some game parks, particularly South Luangwa, can be seasonal. Feel free to give us a call about your
safari plans. We look forward to your further enquiries.