Leaving Backpackers Connection in Johannesburg we head northeast to South Africa’s most prized game reserve, Kruger National Park.

We have a full day of game drives to explore in the park for our first experience of Africa’s fabulous wild animals. One of Africa’s largest parks, Kruger is home to 147 mammals including the Big 5 – elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lion. There is also a tremendous diversity of reptiles and bird life in the park with 502 recorded bird species including vultures, eagles, carmine bee- eaters, rollers and storks.

We also visit Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world with its spectacular viewpoints including the Three Rondavels and God’s Window.
Distance: 570 kms
Est. Drive Time: 11 hours incl. stops for lunch & shopping
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X3 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Full day of game drives, Kruger National Park
Vehicle used for game drive: Overland truck

Over two days we make our way to our next highlight in the second country of our trip, Botswana. We arrive at Khama Rhino Sanctuary on day five.

Based in the Kalahari Sandveld, the sanctuary was set up in 1992 to restore the area’s depleted wildlife. It is now home to black and white rhino as well as 30 other animal species and over 230 bird species. Here you can opt for a rhino trek and night drives are also available.

Distance over two days: 739 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 4: +/- 10 hours (depending on the border) incl. stops for lunch & shopping
Est. Drive Time, Day 5: 2 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Entry to Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Optional Excursions: Rhino trek, night game drive

The following day we continue our journey north to Nata, travelling on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. We stop for a night in Nata before continuing to the town of Kasane for shopping and then onto our campsite on the banks of the Chobe River.

Distance over two days: 700 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 6: 7 – 8 hours incl. lunch stop
Est. Drive Time, Day 7: 5 – 6 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

We are in for another special treat with a visit at Chobe National Park today, another of Africa’s special game parks.

Here we take an afternoon cruise on the Chobe River to give us a rich insight into Africa’s pristine wilderness. Chobe is famous for its elephant population believed to be up to an estimated 120,000 elephants. During the cruise elephant can be seen “messing about” in the water as only elephant can do, both in and by the river. There is an excellent chance of also seeing hippo and crocodile and thirsty game such as giraffe, zebra, waterbuck and impala come to the river bank to drink.

Time is also set aside for the option of an early morning game drive to travel deep into Chobe to maximize your chances of getting the most from this beautiful game park. Chobe also has a large lion population, a migrating zebra population, large herds of buffalo, and leopards might be seen here.

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

Included wildlife activity: Game cruise on the Chobe River, Chobe National Park Conducted in open cruise vessel

Optional excursion: Morning game drive, Chobe National Park

Leaving Botswana behind we head to our next big highlight – Hwange National Park, the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe. We head out on an afternoon game drive with an expert professional guide. There is also the option of an extra game drives, including evening game drives if you wish to see a little more.

Hwange is known for its elephant and hyena population and also boasts many wildlife favourites, including wild or “painted” dogs. A visit to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre based at the park is also arranged during our visit. The painted dog, or African wild dog, recognisable by its mickey mouse ears, is very rare and is in danger of extinction.

Distance: 260 kms
Est. Drive Time: +/- 7 hours (depending on the border)
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activity: Game drives in Hwange National Park
Vehicle used for game drive: Open 4×4 safari vehicle

Optional excursion: Extra game drive, Hwange National Park

Today we head to Victoria Falls town, set right by the mighty waterfalls. The Victoria Falls are one of the wonders of the natural world. The spray from the crashing water can be seen rising into the air from miles around and they are aptly called locally Mosi oa Tunya, ‘the smoke which thunders’. This popular, vibrant town offers a wide range of activities based on both the upper and lower Zambezi River, from canoeing and cruises to white water rafting, and other adrenalin activities such as the bungee jump and gorge swing – an adrenaline junky’s paradise! The craft markets in town offer our first major chance to practice your haggling skills for some souvenirs or gifts.

Distance, Day 10: 195 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 10: 5.5 hours incl. a stop for lunch
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Optional excursions: White water rafting, river boarding, bungee jumping, gorge swing, rap jump, ‘Flight of the Angels’, canoe trips, horse riding, sundowner cruise.

Crossing into Zambia, we head to the capital city of Lusaka. Here we have a chance to stop to catch up on emails, get to the bank and stock up on supplies in the supermarket.

Distance: 625 kms
Est. Drive Time: +/- 9 hours (depending on the border)
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

We now head towards one of Zambia’s treasures – South Luangwa National Park, our fourth national park. On the way we stop off at a local textile shop to sample the wares and perhaps pick up a special piece, the special textile products showcasing a mix of traditional African art with contemporary design.

A fabulous amount of game concentrates around the Luangwa River and sightings regularly include elephant, hippo, giraffe, baboons and monkey to name just a few. This park too boasts strong lion and leopard populations.

A special feature of South Luangwa is the opportunity for an evening game drive with spotlights to see nocturnal wildlife such as leopard, bushbabies and genet whose stealth makes them a rare treat to spot. Travelling to such a remote destination this is also a wonderful chance to experience rural Zambia. A game of football with the local kids is always fun. There can be elephants through the campsite at night here as well.

Distance over two days: 560 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 14: +/- 6 hours
Est. Drive Time, Day 15: +/- 6 hours incl. a stop for lunch and shopping
Meals: X4 Breakfasts, X4 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Game drive, South Luangwa National Park
Vehicle used for game drive: Open 4×4 safari vehicle

Optional excursion: Evening game drive, South Luangwa National Park

Leaving Luangwa behind we travel to Malawi, heading for Kande beach to enjoy some down time by beautiful lake Malawi. The long strip of soft white sand is perfect for sunbathing and volleyball, and the campsite has a lively bar. Trips on the lake can be arranged for fishing, snorkeling and diving.

Horse riding is also popular. The riding trail leads through local forest and traditional villages before finishing on the beach from where the horses happily head into the lake allowing us the pleasure of a swim ride. Village visits can be arranged to nearby Tonga village too.

Distance, Day 18: 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

Optional excursions: Water sports, including snorkeling and scuba diving, canoeing and pedalo hire, horse riding, village walk.

We have one more next beach stop at Chitimba for more swimming, snorkeling, volleyball. Here we can walk to the local village too, whose income and livelihood is centered around the lake, like so many other villages in the area.

You can also browse the markets, Malawi being well known for its wooden crafts, from the massive Malawi chairs and tall wooden giraffes to intricately carved chess boards and globes.

Distance: 235 kms
Est. Drive Time: +/- 5 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Leaving Malawi behind, we cross the border into our sixth country, Tanzania. Our journey takes us through the mountainous terrain of the southern end of the 40 million-year-old Great Rift Valley, a geological phenomena that stretches over 4,000 miles from the Middle East to Mozambique. We are at altitude tonight at a farmhouse camp. A hot chocolate with a brownie are a popular treat to keep us warm this evening.

Distance: 498 kms
Est. Drive Time: 11 hours (depending on the border & incl. lunch stop)
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Today we travel through Baobab Valley, past the Ruaha River and through Mikumi National Park where we regularly see giraffe, elephant, zebra and impala. We camp here for the night.

Distance: 188 kms
Est. Drive Time: 4 – 5 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania, is known as the ‘city of peace’. It is also the gateway over to Zanzibar Island. The wind whispers in the coconut palms as the waters lap the white sands at our camp tonight, and we get ready for our optional trip to Zanzibar.

Distance: 321 kms
Est. Drive Time: approx. 10 hours incl. stop for lunch
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

This morning there is the option to head to the busy ferry port for the ferry crossing to Stone Town, the ancient capital of Zanzibar. The tour leader travels over to the island with the group to ensure that all runs smoothly during the island stay, and the core arrangements are booked well ahead of time so we are assured our groups will be comfortable in popular beach cottages on the island, as well as a lodge in Stone Town.

On arrival we make our way through the winding alleys and can check out the exquisitely carved doors. We enjoy lunch at a local cafe. We then head up the beach.

Pristine white sand and turquoise seas offer a postcard perfect view from the bar at our beach bungalows. Massages, manicures, pedicures, henna tattoos and more are available on the beach, while the dive centre next to the bar has a wide variety of boats trips and dive trips and courses, both scuba and snorkeling including to the coral waters of Mnemba Atoll. Trips too can be arranged to Prison Island. There is a small isolated group of the rare giant Aldabra tortoise here too which can be viewed. This group are separate from the main population of giant tortoise which are found on Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles.

Otherwise take a guided walk through the mangroves on the walkways in Jozani Forest, which is home to the rare red colobus monkey. A spice tour is arranged during our stay too to provide some background history to this fascinating island.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals, Day 24: X1 Breakfast

We catch the ferry back to Dar, before staying the night in the historic seaside town of Bagamoyo north of Dar es Salaam. Bagamoyo was founded at the end of the 18th century. Half a century later it was one of the most important settlements along the East African coast trading in slaves, ivory, copra and salt.Dawn sees us on the road to travel north, and then inland. Our drive takes us through lush surrounds and passes the stunning Usambara mountain range as we make our way towards the bustling town of Arusha.

On a lucky day snow-clad Kilimanjaro might come into view towards the end of the day. At 5,895 metres it is Africa’s highest mountain.

Distance over two days: 665 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 28: 2 hours
Est. Drive Time, Day 29: 11 – 12 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Rising early most in the group choose to head to the vast savannah plains of the Serengeti on our final game safari visiting both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater over three days – the fabulous final wildlife treat of the tour. Across these two parks – the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater – wildlife viewing is regularly exceptional. Big cats and other predators always capture the imagination and regularly blond maned lions can be found nonchalantly lazing on the rocky outcrops or lolling in the shade. With a little luck cheetahs can be found pacing the open grasslands and leopards can be located resting up in the buffalo thorns and sausage trees that line the Seronera River of the Serengeti. Spotted hyenas, bat-eared foxes and jackals also roam both parks.

The Serengeti is a continuation of the same ecosystem across which the spectacular wildebeest migration travels, the vast herds moving seasonally between here and Kenya’s Masai Mara. A balloon safari can also be arranged for the Serengeti.

The three day safari also includes game drives on the floor of the ancient caldera, Ngorongoro, for the chance to see more wildlife. Ngorongoro is a perfectly intact volcanic caldera and the world’s largest extinct volcano. Descending onto the Crater floor we find a garden of Eden full of all the wildlife for which Africa is famous – rhino, hippo, lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo, zebra, impala, ostrich, flamingo, and many, many more.

We spend one night camping in the middle of the Serengeti, with just the canvas of your tent between you and the vast plains that stretch out around us in all directions, and one night camped on the rim above the Ngorongoro Crater.

En route between the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro we can arrange to pay a visit to a Maasai boma and, time permitting, the Olduvai Gorge Museum. There may also be time for some market shopping on our way out of the parks.

If you don’t head out on this set of safaris you can spend time in the extensive Maasai Cultural Centre and Museum, and if you are up for it visit the Snake Park which has a large collection of reptiles as well as a Maasai display. Arusha also has busy markets, a shopping mall, coffee shops and internet. A camel safari can also be arranged to visit a Maasai village.

The campsite where we are based has a comfortable entertainment area.

Back in Arusha in the evening of day 32, we all enjoy a group barbecue to celebrate.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals Day 30: X1 Breakfast
Meals Day 31: none
Meals Day 32: X1 Dinner

Optional excursions for Days 30 to 32: Overnight excursion for game drives in Ngorongoro Crater, Three day/two night safari with game drives in both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in pop up roof 4×4 land cruisers (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).

This morning you are transferred on to the shuttle for the journey from Arusha to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. The shuttle will drop you in town or alternatively at Jomo Kenyatta, Nairobi’s international airport. Overnight accommodation and transfers can be arranged in Nairobi. The following morning we can also assist with a morning excursion in Nairobi to visit two special reserves, Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Park.

Distance: 278 km
Est. Drive Time: 6.5 hours including border crossing
Meals: X1 Breakfast

Please note safari itineraries are 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.

Why choose this tour
We have chosen this overland tour because this local partner has been active in the overland industry for over 35 years. They only use qualified and passionate tour leaders with a big love for Africa and they love their job. They use good materials (truck, tents and cooking equipment), they are a small-scale company with attention for personal contact and satisfaction. They are based in Arusha.

What is different to other tours
-They do not have personal lockers in the truck
-You need to bring your own cutlery
-This trip is made up of components and quite often during the safari you will probably meet clients doing shorter and longer sections of your trip depending on the booking patterns for the months you are travelling. This makes it very dynamic.
-Most lunches are not included.
-There are quit a few optional activities.
-This way you can design and control your budget more

African Travels, specialist in group tours to Africa
The founders of African Travels (born and raised in Africa) have worked on overland tours through the whole of Africa. With a background as tour leaders on African overland tours we give honest and independent travel advice. It matters to us that you are travelling with like-minded people. A small group tour is more popular with the 40 crowd and a camping tour with 22 passengers is generally more popular with travellers aged 20-30, keen for a party. We only work together with our personal network which we built over the last 30 years.

We offer a price beat guarantee. Have you seen the same tour somewhere else cheaper? Let us know at the time of booking your tour and we give you the same rate. Only applicable at the time of confirmation. Due to the ever-changing exchange rates we cannot adjust all our prices on a daily basis.