Day 1: Nairobi to Arusha You depart Nairobi and drive south, crossing the border into Tanzania at Namanga, and continue to Arusha. This is a pleasant town situated at the base of Mount Meru, and is the starting point for your optional excursion to the Ngorongoro Crater and/or the Serengeti.
You are taken in locally operated Land Rovers, which are specially adapted for safari use. Depending on which option you choose, you will be away from the Arusha campsite for either one or 2 nights.
Day 2: Serengeti (Optional) If you take up the 2-night/3-day option you will depart Arusha in the morning with your vehicles and guides. The drive to the Serengeti National Park takes you through the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) and up into the Ngorongoro Reserve for a glimpse of the Ngorongoro Crater before descending down onto the plains of the Serengeti. The abundance of game in this area is truly astounding. The afternoon will be spent game viewing before setting up camp in the midst of the national park, probably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world. At night you fall asleep listening to the sounds of the wild.
Day 3: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater After a full morning’s game drive in the Serengeti you return to pack up camp and head back towards the Ngorongoro Crater. You travel up to rim of the crater and your campsite for the evening. We suggest you pack your winter woollies as it can get very cold during night.
For those taking the 1-night/2-day option, you are collected from Arusha in the afternoon and transferred to the town of Karatu for the evening. Tomorrow you join the rest of the group for your Ngorongoro game drive.
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha In the morning you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. With its 600m-high walls and 20km diameter, it is one of the natural wonders of the world. The views from the rim are spectacular, but the true size of this caldera is only appreciated from the floor itself. There is an abundance of wildlife and some say the crater floor offers the finest game viewing in Africa. It is home to nearly every species of African animal, and offers a chance to view an incredible concentration of East African mammals, such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lion, and plain’s game. After spending the full morning in the crater you will return to the campsite near Arusha for another night. Both optional excursions will follow the same schedule today.
Day 5: Arusha to Pangani You leave Arusha and head towards the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Traveling through the town of Moshi, you cross the southern slopes of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. This gives you the opportunity to view the snowy summit (weather dependant) and definitely calls for a photo stop! Continuing south you pass the Usambara Mountains where you encounter vast sisal plantations, then continue your journey to Dar es Salaam.
Day 6: Pangani to Dar es Salaam Today is another long day’s drive through beautiful lush scenery and palm trees. On arrival in Dar es Salaam, you set up camp for the nigh at a beach hotel/campsite that is situated to the north of the city. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for your departure to Zanzibar the next morning.
Day 7: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes you to the legendary "Spice Island", your home for the next 3 nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands.
Please note: We can organize accommodation for you whilst on Zanzibar, although from our experience our clients usually feel the need to explore the island on their own. Therefore accommodation and food is for your own account whilst on Zanzibar.
Days 8 - 9: Zanzibar History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island is still famous for its spices, and tours around a spice plantation can be organized. Other options include a trip to the nearby Prison Island with its giant tortoises, and beautiful beaches. Or perhaps you would prefer hiring a motorbike and exploring the more remote areas of the island.
Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - giant lobsters being a popular specialty. Alternatively, joining the locals for dinner in the waterfront market is an experience not to be missed. The market stalls offer an unusual selection of fast food African style at a very reasonable price.
Day 10: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam Leaving Zanzibar you take the ferry back to the mainland for an overnight stay in Dar es Salaam. There may be an opportunity to visit one of the craft markets offering an extensive range of exquisite ebony products (the price you pay depends on your bargaining skills), and where the goods are made on-site. It is possible to observe the carvers at work and understand the skill which has gone into making even the simplest trinket.
Day 11: Dar es Salaam to Iringa Leaving Dar es Salaam you head for Iringa, passing through Mikumi National Park. It is possible to view a range of wildlife from the roadside, the animals totally impervious to humans and their vehicles. Tonight you camp at the Old Farmhouse, a beautiful rustic campsite in rural Tanzania.
Days 12 – 15: Iringa to Lake Malawi In the morning you drive through the scenic tea plantations of Tikuku before exiting Tanzania. You enter Malawi, the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’, through the border post of Songwe, and head to Chitimba Beach campsite for the night.
The newly democratic Malawi is a landlocked country with 20% of its total area consisting of a beautiful fresh-water lake. The country's temperate climate allows for swimming in these clear blue waters all year round. You spend the next 4 days travelling the full length of the western side of the lake, stopping at various bays and inlets. This is the time for rest and relaxation in this scenic and friendly country. For the more energetic, Lake Malawi offers a variety of water sports from various beachside campsites. Alternatively you can wander along quieter shorelines where you can see the fishermen sorting their daily catch. Traditional methods are still used in their fishing techniques and you can appreciate their boating skills by trying to paddle in a dug-out canoe yourself.
Visit the nearby villages and schools and dine in the local village, haggle for a bargain at the local markets, learn the game of bao … or simply relax on the pristine white beaches.
Day 16: Lake Malawi to Chipata You cross the border into Zambia, heading to a beautiful little campsite just 10km after the Zambia/Malawi border, where you stop for the night.
Day 17: Chipata to Lusaka The landlocked country of Zambia is quickly crossed, stopping at the capital city of Lusaka for one night. The campsite is home to some local wildlife, and has excellent facilities.
Days 18 - 19: Lusaka to Lake Kariba This morning you pack up camp early and travel south for Lake Kariba. You head to the western waters of the lake and your base camp for the next 2 nights. Lake Kariba is one of the largest manmade lakes in the world and home to a wide variety of African game, birdlife and unique flora and fauna.
Day 20: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Today you cross the border into the town of Victoria Falls. 1700 meters wide and around 100 meters high, Victoria Falls is sure to be one of the most memorable sights on your African safari. A couple of days are spent here to enable you to experience not only the sights, but also the many activities available in this, the adrenaline capital of Africa. All year round, flights can be taken, in planes, micro lights or helicopters, which give you a panoramic view of the Falls, Batoka Gorge and the islands above the Falls. Back on the ground, the Falls can be seen from the Victoria Falls Park. All these options offer fantastic photographic opportunities.
White water rafting in Batoka Gorge is considered to be world class. Besides the excitement of the grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats” where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.
Bungee jumping enthusiasts can take the plunge from the Zambezi Bridge, which connects Zambia and Zimbabwe. The leap into Batoka Gorge is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Other optional activities include day trips into the Zambezi National Park, horse riding safaris, a visit to the Crocodile Ranch, handling snakes at the Snake Park, golf at the Elephant Hills Hotel, parachuting, and the Falls Craft Village.
Day 21: Victoria Falls Your memorable adventure comes to an end in the morning after breakfast.
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