East African Explorer (29 days)

Itinerary

Head out on an epic adventure!

This overland adventure and beach safari tour offers the renowned Big 5 game parks, the friendly laid back beaches of Lake Malawi, the tropical paradise of Zanzibar, and the Victoria Falls. Its ideal for those wanting to see the best of East Africa.

Day 1. Johannesburg to Hazyview Highlights. Shangaan tribal dancing .

Departing early this morning for our first day of our adventure to Nairobi our route takes us from Johannesburg out via the Panoramic route and down dramatic escarpments to Mpumulanga province and on to the town of Hazyview which is our gateway to the wold famous Kruger National Park.

This evening we enjoy an evening of traditional Shangaan dance and song around the open fire. 2 images Shangaan tribal dancing

Day 2. Kruger National Park Highlights. Kruger National Park, South Africa.

We transfer onto specialised 4x4 game viewing vehicles with local expert guides today. Leaving in the darkness before dawn we make it to the park gate as they open at dawn to make the most of our full day in the park.

The park itself is home to a huge variety of animals and bird life and we are sure to be ticking items off the list and getting some fantastic photos in no time!

After an enjoyable day in the park we return to our camp in Hazyview. 6 images Kruger National Park, South Africa

Day 3. Hazyview to Tshipise Highlights. Tshipise, South Africa.

Back on the truck today as we continue our journey northwards. Travelling around the length of the Kruger National Park, our journey takes us into the Limpopo province and our camp in the beautiful rolling hills. 3 images Tshipise, South Africa

Day 4. Tshipise to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Highlights. Bulawayo.

An early start this morning as first stop is the border with Zimbabwe and crossing the Limpopo River at Beitbridge.

Once formalities have been completed our journey takes us onwards to the wide avenues of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city and our camp which is located just outside the city.

Day 5. Matobo National Park Highlights. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.

Time for our second game experience and again we meet a local expert guide and transfer into specialised 4x4 game drive vehicles for our half day excursion in this interesting park. We might also be lucky enough to enjoy an exhilarating walking safari.

It is also possible to take the option of extending this excursion to a full day. 4 images Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

Day 6. Bulawayo to Livingstone, Zambia Highlights. Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia.

From Bulawayo, we travel on to the town of Victoria Falls and crossing over the bridge that spans the gorge to connect Zimbabwe and Zambia we complete the border formalities and continue to our camp a few kilometres upstream from the falls themselves.

On arrival at the camp our team will run through the many different optional activities that are on offer in the area to make the most of the next couple of days. 4 images Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia

Day 7-8. Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia.

We have two days at leisure in Livingstone and our camp on the banks of the Zambezi makes for the perfect base to explore and partake in a variety of activities.

Bungy Jumping, White Water Rafting, Helicopter or Microlight Flights, Game Drives and Walks are just a few of the many activities on offer. Simply do as much or as little as you want! 5 images Livingstone Activities, Zambia

Day 9. Livingstone to Lusaka Highlights. Lusaka, Zambia.

Visiting the falls themselves and exploring the trails to take in the view this morning before hitting the road again and heading through the lush countryside to the nations capital, Lusaka and our camp a short distance from town on a farm which is home for the night.

Day 10. Lusaka to South Luangwa National Park

Swapping the tar sealed roads for the dirt tracks we head in to the varied South Luangwa National Park. Situated along the banks of the Luangwa River which acts as the parks lifeblood during the dry season ensuring that its wonderful to visit the park year round.

On arrival we set up our camp and enjoy a relaxing afternoon or possibly take an optional walking safari or village visit.

Day 11. South Luangwa National Park Highlights. South Luangwa National Park.

The best time to game view in the park is late in the afternoon so we spend the heat of the day relaxing by the pool in camp or possibly exploring the area on an optional drive and walk.

In the afternoon we head out with a local ranger in an open 4x4 game drive vehicles to enjoy the park. 3 images South Luangwa National Park

Day 12. South Luangwa National Park to Kande Beach, Malawi Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi.

Leaving the national park behind this morning we head towards the border with Malawi and patiently wait as formalities are completed. Soon we can continue with our journey greeted by friendly smiles and waves we travel through Malawi, 'The Warm Heart of Africa' to our camp for the next couple of nights, Kande Beach.

Kande is a comfortable vibey beach resort which gives us an ideal break from the last few days travelling. 4 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

Day 13. Kande Beach, Malawi Highlights. Kande Beach Activities, Malawi.

We have the day at leisure today and there are a wide range of activities on offer here. Horse riding through the villages and forests is a fantastic experience, ending off with a cooling dip in the fresh waters of the lake. Snorkelling and diving in the clear fresh waters is also an amazing experience. 4 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

Day 14. Kande Beach to Chitimba Beach Highlights. Chitimba Beach.

Continuing up towards northern Malawi today we travel through scenic countryside dotted with rubber plantations to the northern provincial capital, Muzuzu. Stopping here to stock up in the colourful market we have the opportunity to explore the small town before heading back down to the lake sure and our camp on the beach at the foot of the Livingstonia Plateau. Home for the next two nights. 2 images Chitimba Beach

Day 15. Chitimba Beach Highlights. Livingstonia Day Hike, Malawi.

We have the opportunity to stretch our legs today with an optional hike up the scenic Livingstonia Plateau to the Manchewe Falls. For the effort, we are rewarded with stunning views and a refreshing dip in the cool pools.

Relaxing on the beach is also an appealing option as there are many alternative activities on offer.

Day 16. Chitimba to Iringa, Tanzania

Leaving the beautiful Warm Heart of Africa today we cross into our fifth country of our adventure, Tanzania. After crossing the Songwe River we steadily climb up through scenery dotted with tea plantations into the Southern Highlands of Tanzania with a cool fresh climate.

We camp the night on a family owned organic farm in a beautiful spot with a cozy bar.

Day 17. Iringa to Mikumi National Park area

Our journey heads east towards the Mikumi National Park. Here you will be stunned by the landscape of endless grassy plains. This park is the forth largest in the country and hosts an array of wildlife. Should time allow you can explore the park with an optional game drive in the afternoon. Soak the beauty in at the campsites swimming pool, enjoy the restaurant/bar and then marvel at the night time stars around an open fireplace.

Day 18. Iringa to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Mikumi National Park, Tanzania.

We have a long journey today via the Mikumi National Park in hope to spot some animals near to the roadside.

After making our way through the busy traffic in Dar es Salaam we arrive at our camp on the Indian Ocean beaches. 5 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 5 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Day 19. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Swapping our truck for the fast ferry across to the island of Zanzibar. With a long history as a trading hub for everything from slaves to spices our first stop is the capital, Stone Town.

With a maze of streets we have the opportunity to explore this vibrant town grabbing bargains in the bazaars and markets. 7 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Day 20-22. Stone Town to Kendwa Beach Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania.

From Stone Town we travel through the island up to the beautiful northern shore and the palm fringed white sandy beaches. This is our home for the next three nights and we can relax on the beach listening to the chilled tunes coming from the nearby beach bars or explore the local villages or take a dhow safari on the beautiful blue clear waters. 9 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

Day 23. Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam

It's time to get moving again and after a final morning on the beach we head back down to Stone Town to catch the fast ferry across to Dar es Salaam where we are reunited with our truck at the camp on the beach.

Day 24. Dar es Salaam to Marangu Highlights. Marangu, Moshi Area, Tanzania.

With a driving day ahead of us its an early start. Making our way out of Dar es Salaam our route takes us inland passing the Para and Usambara and eventually to the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro towering above us at 5895m. If we are lucky enough the skies will be clear enough for us to catch a glimpse of the snow capped peak.

Day 25. Marangu to Arusha Highlights. Maasai Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania. Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania.

Continuing on to Arusha, safari town and the mid point between Cape Town and Cairo we visit the markets before proceeding out of town to our camp on the Maasai plains.

This afternoon we have the chance to visit the local village and also learn about the proud Maasai heritage in the local museum. 3 images Maasai Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania 2 images Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania

Day 26. Arusha to Serengeti National Parke Highlights. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Swapping off the truck for a final time, again we are into specialised 4x4 game drive vehicles with our local expert guides we head off into the world famous Serengeti National Park.

Crossing the Great Rift Valley and passing through Mto Wo Mbo (Mosquito Creek) and then Lake Manyara we continue into the conservation area, pausing for lunch on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.

This afternoon we enter the Serengeti National Park and game drive through the grassy plains towards our unfenced camp deep in the park. Famous for its predators, the Serengeti is simply breathtaking with its sweeping views and abundant wildlife. 5 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 27. Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater

After a night in the wild with the sounds of the bush all around, we rise early and head out on a morning game drive to spot some of the amazing animals that are resident in the area.

After a fantastic morning in the park we game drive out of the park and climb back up to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater to our camp, in one of the most scenic spots on the route.

Day 28. Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha Highlights. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

We have our final morning of game viewing today and as we descend into the vast crater in the cool of the morning we enjoy driving in this garden of eden. Home to most of the major animal species found in Tanzania it is an awesome experience. It's easy to see why it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site while we drive the dirt tracks and observe the wildlife resident here.

After lunch we continue our journey back to Arusha and enjoy our final night on tour. 7 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 29. Arusha to Nairobi, Kenya

Packing up one final time we are back on the truck for the last leg of the adventure and our last border crossing.

Reaching Namanga, the small frontier town, we complete the formalities and enter Kenya and continue our journey on to the capital, Nairobi, where our safari comes to an end.

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