Itinerary
- Day 1
Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park
Leave Nairobi early and head down into the Great Rift Valley with a stop at a lookout point to take in the views. Once you reach Lake Nakuru National Park, you'll get into specialized safari vehicles for a game drive where you can look for lions, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, and the famous flamingo flocks that gather at the soda lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park in specialized safari vehicles
Landmarks/POIs Lake Nakuru National Park Great Rift Valley - Day 2
Lake Nakuru to Eldoret
Travel from Nakuru to Eldoret, Kenya's fifth largest town, and cross the Equator with a photo stop at the crossing point. After arriving at camp on Eldoret's outskirts, you'll have time to check out the nearby Sirikwa holes, ancient dwellings from a tribal people whose history remains somewhat mysterious.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Sirikwa holes (ancient dwellings)
Landmarks/POIs Equator - Day 3
Eldoret to Kampala
Cross into Uganda at the border, entering the country Winston Churchill once called the 'Pearl of Africa'. The drive to Kampala takes you through rolling hills, tribal villages, and growing towns and cities along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4
Kampala to Chimpanzee Trekking Area
Head west from Kampala crossing the Equator again while passing through fertile terraced hillsides, banana plantations, and forests. Watch for herds of Ankole cattle with their long curving horns along the way. Arrive at accommodation where you can relax, take walks, and spend time with the local community.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walk in surrounding areas
- Mingle with local community
- Day 5
Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge
Search for chimpanzees in their natural habitat today. Unlike mountain gorillas, chimps spend most of their time in the trees, so you'll be looking up into the dense forest canopy. Seeing them in the wild offers a chance to observe our closest living relatives in their own environment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest or Kyambura Gorge with expert guides
Landmarks/POIs Kalinzu Forest Kyambura Gorge - Days 6 - 8
Chimpanzee Trekking Area to Lake Bunyonyi
Drive to Lake Bunyonyi, surrounded by scenic islands, lush forest, and rolling hills. Over the next three days, the group splits up so some can trek for mountain gorillas while others take optional boat trips to islands, go bird-watching, visit villages, or try canoeing. On trekking days, hike anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 or 7 hours into Bwindi National Park searching for gorilla families, then spend about an hour watching from a safe distance. Non-trekking days are free for you to relax and reflect on the experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park with expert guides (Days 6-8, timing varies by group)
Optional Activities
- Boat trips to Lake Bunyonyi islands
- Bird-watching
- Visit local village
- Hire canoes to paddle on the lake
Landmarks/POIs Lake Bunyonyi Bwindi National Park Volcanoes National Park - Day 9
Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala
Leave Lake Bunyonyi and the mountain gorillas behind as you head back to Kampala, skirting the northern edge of Lake Victoria. The evening is free, so you can explore the city, meet locals, or try some local food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Kampala city
- Meet locals
- Try local cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Lake Victoria - Day 10
Kampala to Jinja
Short drive to Jinja on Lake Victoria's banks, home to the source of the River Nile. The Nile flows 5,584km through 11 countries before reaching the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. You'll stay at a campsite beside the Nile with numerous optional activities available including quad biking, white water rafting, Nile cruises, fishing, mountain biking, and local school initiatives.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Quad biking
- White water rafting
- Nile cruises
- Fishing trips
- Mountain biking
- Visit local school initiative (painting, plastering, or labour to improve local schools)
Landmarks/POIs River Nile Lake Victoria - Days 11 - 12
Jinja
Two completely free days by the Nile to unwind. Do optional activities if you want, take long walks beside the river, or simply relax at the campsite. It's entirely your choice how to spend the time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional activities available (quad biking, white water rafting, Nile cruises, fishing trips, mountain biking, school visits)
Landmarks/POIs River Nile - Day 13
Jinja to Eldoret
Say goodbye to Jinja and cross back into Kenya, returning to Eldoret for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 14
Eldoret to Nairobi
Cross the Equator this morning and travel south toward Nairobi, arriving at accommodation in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Equator - Day 15
Nairobi
Free day to spend as you like exploring Nairobi city or relaxing at your accommodation. Optional excursions are available if you want to do something specific.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery
- Visit Giraffe Centre
- Visit Karen Blixen Museum in nearby town of Karen
Landmarks/POIs Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nursery Giraffe Centre Karen Blixen Museum - Day 16
Nairobi to Masai Mara
Leave Nairobi early and travel across the dramatic Great Rift Valley to Masai Mara Reserve. Arrive at camp on the reserve's edge and enjoy an afternoon game drive using specialized safari vehicles for better wildlife viewing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara Reserve in specialized safari vehicles
Landmarks/POIs Masai Mara Reserve Great Rift Valley - Day 17
Masai Mara
Spend morning and afternoon doing game drives in Masai Mara. This reserve is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and sits right next to Tanzania's Serengeti. Watch for lions, leopards, cheetahs, crocodiles, hyenas, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and the millions of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra that make up the Great Migration.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning game drive in Masai Mara Reserve with specialist guide
- Afternoon game drive in Masai Mara Reserve with specialist guide
Landmarks/POIs Masai Mara Reserve Serengeti National Park Mara River - Day 18
Masai Mara to Nairobi
Retrace your route back across the Great Rift Valley from Mara to Nairobi for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Great Rift Valley - Day 19
Nairobi to Arusha
Board the overland truck and cross into Tanzania, heading to Arusha, the country's safari capital. It sits near the Serengeti and in the shadow of Mount Meru. Browse local markets when you arrive, and you might also have time to visit a Maasai village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Maasai Village Walk with resident guide (if time allows)
Optional Activities
- Browse local markets in Arusha
- Visit Maasai village
Landmarks/POIs Mount Meru - Day 20
Arusha to Serengeti National Park
Transfer to specialized game vehicles and drive west across the Great Rift Valley through Mto Wa Mbo, entering the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. Drive around the crater's rim and out onto the vast Serengeti plains. Game drive to the unfenced campsite where lions and hyenas roam nearby for an unforgettable night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive and transfer to Serengeti National Park in specialized safari vehicles with resident guide
Landmarks/POIs Great Rift Valley Mto Wa Mbo Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area Serengeti National Park - Days 21 - 22
Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha
Game drive out of Serengeti into Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO-listed site featuring Africa's largest caldera with exceptionally high wildlife densities. Camp on the rim (nights can be cold due to altitude). Next morning, descend the steep dirt road into the crater for game drive spotting major mammals except giraffes. Return to rim for final views, pack up, have lunch, then head back to Arusha.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Morning game drive in Ngorongoro Crater with resident guide
Landmarks/POIs Ngorongoro Crater Ngorongoro Conservation Area Serengeti National Park - Day 23
Arusha to Bagamoyo
After a week of safari, drive to Bagamoyo on the Indian Ocean coast for some downtime. It's a long drive but you might see snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro if the weather cooperates. Stay at accommodation near the beach with time to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Bagamoyo town
Landmarks/POIs Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 24
Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam
Continue down the Tanzanian coast to Dar es Salaam, the country's most important port. The drive takes 2 to 3 hours, giving you time to explore the city independently. Check out the Arab architecture, vibrant markets, beaches, and bars. Stay by the beach tonight before heading to Zanzibar tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Dar es Salaam city independently
- Discover Arab architecture
- Visit vibrant markets
- Enjoy beaches and bars
- Days 25 - 27
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
Morning ferry to Zanzibar, a tropical semi-autonomous island off the Tanzanian coast (the overland truck stays in Dar). You'll have unstructured time to relax on the beach and book optional excursions like spice tours, snorkeling, scuba diving, or massages. Plan to spend one day in Stone Town then two days at northern beaches.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Return ferry ticket to Zanzibar
Optional Activities
- Spice tour
- Snorkelling
- Scuba diving
- Relaxing massage
- Explore Stone Town
Landmarks/POIs Stone Town - Day 28
Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
Final swim this morning before checking out after breakfast and catching the ferry back to the mainland. Stay by the coast again tonight with the option to return to Dar es Salaam if you choose.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Return ferry to Dar es Salaam
Optional Activities
- Explore Dar es Salaam
- Day 29
Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park area
Climb aboard the overland truck heading back inland toward the Malawian border. Drive through Mikumi National Park and stop if you spot wildlife like forest elephants or herds of giraffes. Stay at accommodation on the reserve's edge with optional extra game drive if time allows.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Extra game drive (if time allows)
Landmarks/POIs Mikumi National Park - Day 30
Mikumi National Park to Iringa
Drive through the spectacular Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Stay at a local family-run farm about 50km from Iringa, managed by the Ghaui family for over 70 years. They produce organic crops and meat for the local community and Dar es Salaam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 31
Iringa to Mbeya Region
Head toward Malawi with a stop at Utengule Coffee Lodge in the Mbeya range in Southern Tanzania. Enjoy views of the East African Rift Valley and relax by the poolside. Activities include squash, tennis, pool, table tennis, and volleyball. Take an optional guided coffee plantation tour with roasting demonstration and home-grown coffee tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided coffee plantation tour with roasting demonstration and coffee tasting
- Squash
- Tennis
- Table tennis
- Volleyball
- Relax by the poolside
Landmarks/POIs Mbeya range East African Rift Valley - Day 32
Mbeya Region to Chitimba Beach
After your last night in Tanzania, cross the Songwe border into Malawi. Lake Malawi covers nearly a fifth of the country. At dawn watch fishermen in traditional Bwato dugout canoes casting nets as the sun rises. Plenty of free time to relax on the beach, stroll through the village, explore the local craft market, learn the traditional game of Bao, and test your bargaining skills for handmade treasures.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Relax on the beach
- Stroll through the village
- Explore local craft market
- Try woodcarving
- Learn traditional game of Bao
- Shop for handmade treasures
Landmarks/POIs Lake Malawi - Days 33 - 34
Chitimba to Nkhotakota Region
Scenic drive through rubber plantations to Mzuzu, capital of northern Malawi and the country's third largest town. Stop to grab supplies and check out markets before reaching Ngala Beach Lodge. Next day is free with optional activities like kayaking, snorkelling, village walks, waterfall hikes, or simply relaxing in Lake Malawi's warm fresh waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hire kayak
- Snorkelling
- Village walk
- Waterfall hike
- Relax by Lake Malawi
Landmarks/POIs Lake Malawi - Day 35
Nkhotakota Region to Petauke
Say goodbye to Lake Malawi and drive through Nkhotakhota Game Reserve toward the border. Cross into Zambia and continue to Petauke, a region known for agriculture producing maize, cotton, sunflower, soya beans, and other crops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Nkhotakota Game Reserve - Day 36
Petauke to Lusaka
Early start for a long drive to Lusaka, Zambia's capital. Take the scenic Great Eastern Road passing through lush countryside and crossing the rushing Luangwa River. Stay at a tranquil campsite on a farm outside Lusaka, Southern Africa's fastest-growing city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Luangwa River - Days 37 - 40
Lusaka to Livingstone
Drive south to Livingstone, named after explorer David Livingstone. It's the Zambian base for Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi oa Tunya meaning 'Smoke that Thunders'. Visit to the falls is included. You'll then have three free days to relax or enjoy optional activities like bungee jumping, canoeing, rafting on the Zambezi River, scenic flights, fishing trips, or simply relax by the pool.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Mosi oa Tunya (Victoria Falls)
Optional Activities
- Bungee jumping
- Canoeing
- Rafting on Zambezi River
- Scenic flight over falls
- Fishing trip
- Relax by pool
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls Mosi oa Tunya Zambezi River - Day 41
Livingstone to Kasane
Say goodbye to Zambia and cross into Botswana, making the short journey to Kasane, gateway to Chobe National Park. This afternoon enjoy a cruise on the Chobe River hoping to see elephants, hippos, and crocodiles on the river banks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Chobe River cruise with resident guide
Landmarks/POIs Chobe National Park Chobe River - Day 42
Chobe National Park to Nata
Morning open vehicle game drive in Chobe National Park seeking elephants that are prolific here, as well as lions and antelope species. Travel south into Nata region where you'll likely spot buffalo in this sparsely populated area. Unfenced campsite tonight means local wildlife can wander through camp, and groups often enjoy some of their best wildlife experiences here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Open vehicle game drive in Chobe National Park with resident guide
Landmarks/POIs Chobe National Park - Day 43
Nata to Maun
Travel to Maun, the base for exploring the famed Okavango Delta. If time allows, take a scenic flight over the delta today, though this opportunity will be offered on Day 45 if not possible now.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Okavango Delta
Landmarks/POIs Okavango Delta - Days 44 - 45
Okavango Delta - Maun
Overnight excursion into the Okavango Delta using specialized safari vehicles. The delta is a natural wetland spread over 1.6 plus million hectares with incredible biodiversity. Transfer to traditional mokoro canoes and paddle along waterways to campsite in the delta. Next morning, another mokoro ride back out of the delta returning to Maun with time for optional scenic flight if you haven't done it yet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Okavango Delta excursion including mokoro canoes and walking safari
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Okavango Delta
Landmarks/POIs Okavango Delta - Day 46
Maun to Omaheke Region, near Gobabis
Board the overland truck and travel to the Namibian border via Ghanzi, skirting the edge of the barren Kalahari Desert. Cross the border and reach accommodation. Included is a bush walk with local San Bushmen to learn about their way of life and how they work with nature.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Kalahari Bushman Walk with local San Bushmen
Landmarks/POIs Kalahari Desert - Day 47
Omaheke Region to Windhoek
Arrive in Windhoek, Namibia's charming capital with about 470,000 people and lots of German architecture from the colonial past. Camp on the city edge with easy access to explore, grab food, and wander around. Joe's Beerhouse is a recommended visit if you want perhaps Namibia's most well-known restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Windhoek
- Visit Joe's Beerhouse restaurant
- Days 48 - 49
Windhoek to Etosha National Park
Spend two days exploring Etosha National Park, a 20,000 sq km reserve dominated by a massive salt pan. Wildlife gathers around scarce watering holes year-round making animals easy to spot. Start with a short game drive before your first night at camp with a floodlit watering hole where you might spot elephants, giraffes, hyenas, or lions. Next day is a full day game drive across the park, stopping at various points of interest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Game drive on Day 48 in Etosha National Park
- Full day game drive on Day 49 across Etosha National Park with resident guide
Landmarks/POIs Etosha National Park - Day 50
Etosha National Park to Spitzkoppe
Game drive out of Etosha into Damaraland heading toward Spitzkoppe mountain peak. See incredibly well-preserved Bushmen paintings and spectacular rock formations reaching 1,800 metres high. Rock colors change as the sun moves across the sky, particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Stay at a campsite at the mountain base so you can enjoy sunset with a refreshing drink.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Spitzkoppe excursion to see Bushmen paintings with guided walk
Landmarks/POIs Spitzkoppe - Days 51 - 52
Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund
Drive to Swakopmund, a German colonial town on Namibia's famous Skeleton Coast. You'll have two free days to explore as you see fit. Wander German colonial architecture and relax in cafe culture. Lots of optional activities are available including quad-biking, sand boarding, skydiving, and dolphin-watching cruises.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Swakopmund town
- Quad-biking
- Sand boarding
- Skydiving
- Dolphin-watching cruises
Landmarks/POIs Skeleton Coast - Day 53
Swakopmund to Solitaire Area
Continue south crossing the Tropic of Capricorn with a photo opportunity en-route to a stunning desert campsite in Khomas region of Namibia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Tropic of Capricorn - Day 54
Solitaire Area to Sesriem Area
Head into Namib-Naukluft National Park arriving at Dune 45, a towering sand dune over 300 metres high that you can try climbing. Journey deeper to Deadvlei, a white clay pan surrounded by golden dunes with eerie petrified trees. The colors change with sun movement making it perfect for photos. Stop at Sesriem Canyon en-route to night camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sossusvlei guided walk and Dune 45 excursion
Optional Activities
- Climb Dune 45
Landmarks/POIs Namib-Naukluft National Park Dune 45 Deadvlei Sesriem Canyon - Day 55
Sesriem Area to Fish River Canyon
Long drive south through desert scenery to Fish River Canyon, second only to the Grand Canyon in the USA in size. More than 500 metres deep and scarring the land for 160km, it's a jaw-dropping sight. Stop at a couple of viewpoints and visit the canyon's famous sharp bend known as 'Hell's Corner'.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sesriem & Fish River Canyon visit
Landmarks/POIs Fish River Canyon Hell's Corner - Day 56
Fish River Canyon to Gariep (Orange) River
Travel south to the Orange River, also called Gariep, which marks the border between Namibia and South Africa for much of its length. Stay on the Namibian side with optional canoe safari for those wanting to see surrounding scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Canoe safari on Orange River
Landmarks/POIs Orange River - Day 57
Gariep (Orange) River to Cederberg Region
Cross the border entering South Africa, the seventh and final country of the adventure. Drive south through Namaqualand region enjoying views of beautiful wildflowers if traveling in spring (August through September). Arrive at riverside accommodation with optional wine tasting for Cederberg region's fine wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting of Cederberg region wines
Landmarks/POIs Namaqualand - Day 58
Cederberg Region to Cape Town
Complete the eight-week journey to Cape Town, South Africa's 'Mother City', where the tour ends. The city is home to Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, and spectacular scenery.
Landmarks/POIs Table Mountain V&A Waterfront
