East Africa Overland Tour (Vic Falls-Nairobi): Itinerary DAY01 Lusaka Leaving behind the natural wonder of Victoria Falls we begin our expedition. After Livingstone we journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka. You will notice the vegetation becoming sub-tropical and the roads a little rougher. ±480km Victoria Falls to Lusaka Lusaka DAY02 Petauke Today is a long drive through lush country, crossing rivers en-route to Petauke, the gateway to the South Luangwa NP. Zambia is truly African and an adjustment from the more Western ways of Southern Africa. ±410km Lusaka to Petauke Chipata
DAY03 South Luangwa National Park Early in the morning we drive from Petauke to the border of the South Luangwa National Park where we will spend the next two nights right on the banks of the Luangwa River. You can often see hippos and other animals from the camp bar. This afternoon we enjoy a sunset game drive in the South Luangwa NP. ±180km Petauke to South Luangwa National Park South Luangwa National Park Sunset Game Drive in South Luangwa National Park DAY04 South Luangwa National Park In the morning you will have the opportunity to take an optional game drive through the South Luangwa National Park, which is known for its high concentration of leopards and hippos. After lunch we visit the community run tribal textile project and a local village. South Luangwa National Park Village and Textile Project Visit in South Luangwa Safari Walk in South Luangwa National Park Morning Game Drive in South Luangwa National Park
DAY05 Lilongwe Today we depart the South Luangwa National Park and head towards the bustling city of Lilongwe. En route, we will stop at a local market to experience the culture and way of live of the Malawian people. ±320km South Luangwa National Park to Lilongwe INCLUDED ACTIVITIES Lilongwe Local Market Visit DAY06 Lake Malawi - Malawi Today we journey from Lilongwe to Ngala Beach which lies on the shore of Lake Malawi and is a town of considerable historical note. We will stay here for the next two nights and you will have time to explore this area and participate in the numerous optional activities on offer here. ±250km Lilongwe to Ngala Beach Lake Malawi DAY07 Lake Malawi For much of the 19th century, it was the busiest slave-trading centre on Lake Malawi and by the 1850s, Nkhotakota had become the main terminus from which as many as 20,000 slaves were shipped annually across the lake from present-day Malawi to the Indian Ocean port of Kilwa Kivinje (Tanzania). Today you will have the
opportunity to experience the Slave Trade & Historical tour, gaining insight where Arab Traders organized the slave trade to Zanzibar. The tour includes the trees where Livingstone negotiated with the slave traders, the Church built by the first missionaries and the pool in the hills where enemies of the Arabs magically escaped. Slave Trade & Historical Tour DAY08 Lake Malawi Leaving Ngala Beach, we journey north to the Karonga region and our accommodation stop for the night is situated on the shores of Lake Malawi. Here you will have the afternoon free to participate in the various optional activities on offer ±290km Ngala Beach to Karonga DAY09 Tanzania - Iringa Today we leave Malawi and enter Tanzania. We ascend out of the Great Rift Valley through some spectacular mountain passes, passing vast tea plantations in the highlands before arriving at our camp outside Iringa. This evening our dinner is a traditional Kihehe dinner in a Kihehe hut (local tribe) or dinner in the famous Mud Ruins restaurant. ±510km Karonga to Iringa INCLUDED ACTIVITIES Dinner in a local Kihehe Hut
DAY10 Mikumi We leave Iringa today and head north to the Mikumi National Park. Mikumi is home to lion, zebra, wildebeest, impala, buffalo and elephant. Here we have the opportunity to enjoy an optional afternoon game drive through the park. ±360km Iringa to Mikumi Mikumi National Park Game Drive (min 6 clients) DAY11 Dar es Salaam Our journey today brings us out of the cool highland region to the humid Indian Ocean coastal city of Dar es Salaam. Meaning house of peace in Arabic, Dar es Salaam is the economic and trade capital of Tanzania, but inland Dodoma remains the official capital city. ±195km Mikumi to Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam
DAY12 Zanzibar Excursion A local ferry will take us from Dar es Salaam (where we leave the truck) to Zanzibar. We take a transfer to the northern part of the island where we will spend our time relaxing on the beach. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar by ferry: ± 80km; Stone Town to Nungwi Beach: ± 60 km Zanzibar Excursion plus Ferry Zanzibar Meals (per meal) Swimming with Dolphins Full Day (min. 2 people) Scuba Diving Per Dive Zanzibar Island DAY13 Zanzibar Excursion Enjoy your time on Zanzibar by relaxing at the beach or exploring, snorkeling, scuba diving or taking a sunset boat cruise through the waters. Today is for relaxing. Zanzibar Meals (per meal) DAY14 Zanzibar Excursion On the 3rd day, we head south to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar, where we will spend the night. Here we have time to explore the historical and unique architecture. There are also spice and seafood markets to be explored.
±60-70km Nungwi Beach to Stone Town Zanzibar Meals (per meal) Spice Tour Half Day (min. 2 people) DAY15 Dar es Salaam Bagamoyo Today we leave Zanzibar early and catch a ferry back to Dar es Salaam and return to our truck. It is a fairly short drive to reach our next destination, Bagamoyo, who s name goes back to the days of slavery and means lay down your heart. We settle into our overnight spot which is situated on the beach. Here you will have the afternoon free to step into the inviting Indican Ocean or laze on the beach and enjoy the timeless views across the ocean. The town of Bagamoyo is a short walk away and you can explore this vibrant town on foot. Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam by ferry ± 80km; Dar es Salaam to Bagamoyo: ± 80 km DAY16 Arusha The city of Arusha is surrounded by some of Africa s most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, the city is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro and The Arusha National Park. The following day we will prepare for our journey into the Serengeti. ±550km Bagamoyo to Arusha
DAY17 Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Excursion The following days are set aside for the 3-night optional camping excursion into the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. This area has one of the most densely inhabited large animal populations in Africa. The Serengeti excursion is in open topped 4 4 safari vehicles in order to tackle the challenging side roads in the parks. We leave our accommodation in the morning and drive to the Serengeti. On arrival we will start with our first game drive. ±250km Arusha to Serengeti National Park Tips for Guides Serengeti 4-day camping Excursion (min 4 people) Ballooning over Serengeti National Park Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti National Park DAY18 Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Excursion We spend the entire day game driving through the Serengeti. Our route is depending on the movement of the game and sightings. DAY19 Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Excursion Today we explore more of the Serengeti and make our way to the famous Ngorongoro Crater. We drive down to the bottom of the Crater, where we try and see as many animals as possible.
DAY20 Arusha Today the group meets up again and we have the chance to exchange stories of the various adventures that we participated in over the past few days. In the afternoon we visit the local Masai Mara Museum. ±250km Serengeti National Park to Arusha Arusha Masai Mara Museum DAY21 Kenya Nairobi After crossing the border into Kenya we continue to travel towards Nairobi. Founded by the British in 1899 as a simple rail depot, the town quickly grew to become the capital of British East Africa and eventually the capital of Kenya in 1963. Usually we enjoy a group meal out at one of Nairobi s excellent restaurants. Your tour ends upon arrival in Nairobi. ±270km Arusha to Nairobi Nairobi Dinner Out Nairobi