Itinerary
- Day 1
Nairobi
You can get to Kenya whenever works for you today. There's a welcome meeting at 6 pm, so if you show up early, the National Museum of Kenya, Karen Blixen Museum, or Bomas of Kenya are all good options to get a feel for local culture before everyone meets up.
Optional Activities
- Visit National Museum of Kenya
- Visit Karen Blixen Museum
- Visit Bomas of Kenya - traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes
Landmarks National Museum of Kenya Karen Blixen Museum Bomas of Kenya - Day 2
Nairobi to Mto wa Mbu
An early start in the overland truck heading toward Mto wa Mbu. You'll be crossing from Kenya into Tanzania, so make sure your passport is handy. There's a stop to hit an ATM and do some shopping at a local market before you reach this small village that doesn't see many tourists.
Landmarks Mto wa Mbu - Day 3
Mto wa Mbu to Serengeti
Early morning departure with gear packed into a six-person jeep. The day takes you through Ngorongoro Crater where you'll do a 3-4 hour safari spotting wildlife in an intact volcanic caldera that's home to roughly 30,000 animals. After that, head to the Serengeti plains and set up camp for the night within the park.
Included Activities
- Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive (3-4 hours)
Landmarks Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti National Park 
- Day 4
Serengeti
Wake before sunrise for an early game drive when animals are most active, then return to camp for brunch around 11 am. The midday heat means resting back at camp, but you'll head out again for an evening drive. A hot air balloon safari is available if you've pre-booked it, which includes a safety briefing and five-star bush breakfast.
Included Activities
- Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
- Serengeti National Park - Afternoon/Evening 4WD Safari
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon safari over Serengeti with five-star bush breakfast (must be pre-booked)
Landmarks Serengeti National Park 
- Day 5
Serengeti to Mto wa Mbu
Sunrise game drive as you leave the Serengeti, then back into the overland vehicle for the return to Mto wa Mbu. Once camp is set up, take a guided walk through local farming areas and visit homes to meet people from the community. Dinner is local food in town to wrap up the day.
- Meals
- Dinner (Local dinner in town)
Included Activities
- Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
Landmarks Serengeti National Park Mto wa Mbu - Day 6
Mto wa Mbu to Lushoto
A long travel day heading to the Usambara Mountains. You'll stop in Arusha for supplies and to stretch your legs, then continue to Lushoto, an old German colonial town sitting at around 1,400 metres elevation. It's home to the Wasambaa people, and your camp is on the grounds of one of Africa's oldest hotels.
Landmarks Usambara Mountains Lushoto - Day 7
Lushoto
Today you'll explore the Usambara Mountains, an area that gets few visitors so it keeps an authentic feel. Small local communities show genuine hospitality. A hike to Irente viewpoint is on the agenda, so bring water and snacks in a day pack. On the way back, stop at a local cultural project where lunch is prepared for you.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local lunch at cultural project)
Included Activities
- Irente - Lushoto hike
- Irente - Local lunch
Landmarks Usambara Mountains Irente Viewpoint - Day 8
Lushoto to Dar es Salaam
Travel south from the mountains to Kipepeo Beach in Dar es Salaam on the coast. Your camp is right by the water, so once you settle in, take a walk along the shore and get comfortable with the coastal atmosphere.
Landmarks Kipepeo Beach - Day 9
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
A ferry takes you to Zanzibar, Africa's famous Spice Island. After arriving, the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. Walk through Stone Town's cobblestone alleyways, check out the mix of Arabic, African and European architecture, or browse the busy Darajani Bazaar. There's a welcome meeting at 2 pm to meet other travellers, and dinner is at a local restaurant afterwards.
Landmarks Stone Town, Zanzibar Darajani Bazaar - Day 10
Zanzibar
After leaving Stone Town, you can opt for a guided tour of the island's spice plantations where you'll learn about the spice trade history and get to try cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and spice teas. Lunch happens before heading to the Northern Beaches with their white sand and clear blue water.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of spice plantations - learn about spice trade history, smell and taste various spices (cinnamon, vanilla, ginger) and spice teas
Landmarks Zanzibar Spice Plantations Northern Beaches, Zanzibar 
- Day 11
Zanzibar Northern Beaches
You've got the full day free to enjoy Zanzibar's coastline however you want. Swim in the calm waters, relax on the beach under palm trees, or try seafood dinner by the water. Just let the island rhythm take over.
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Beach relaxation
- Seafood dinner by the water
Landmarks Northern Beaches, Zanzibar - Day 12
Zanzibar Northern Beaches to Stone Town
Sleep in and catch one last swim in the warm northern beach waters. After checking out, transfer back to Stone Town for a relaxed afternoon with nothing scheduled. Grab octopus curry or biryani for dinner with your group before tomorrow's long drive.
Landmarks Stone Town, Zanzibar - Day 13
Zanzibar to Mikumi
An early 7:30 am ferry gets you back to the mainland, then it's a long drive toward Mikumi. Watch the Tanzanian landscape roll by with vast plains, baobab and tamarind trees, and possibly spot wildlife like elephants, buffaloes and giraffes. You'll arrive at Mikumi camp and get settled for the night.
Landmarks Mikumi National Park - Day 14
Mikumi to Iringa
Early morning 4WD game drive into Mikumi National Park with local expert guides. You'll see elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, wildebeest, impalas and possibly predators. After the safari, drive to Iringa and camp on a farmhouse's outskirts surrounded by bushland and native birds. Stargazing before bed is a nice way to finish.
Included Activities
- Mikumi National Park - 4WD Safari
Landmarks Mikumi National Park - Day 15
Iringa to Chitimba
You'll cross into Malawi this morning and travel to Chitimba. Malawi is called the 'warm heart of Africa' and is dominated by Lake Malawi which takes up almost a fifth of the country. Along the shore, you'll see fishermen in traditional bwatos, which are dugout canoes, and fish traders working the water at dawn.
Landmarks Lake Malawi Chitimba - Day 16
Chitimba to Kande Beach
Travel from Chitimba to Kande Beach on Lake Malawi's shore. There's a stop along the way at a shop or market if you need supplies. Your campsite sits right on the beach, so you're set up for a relaxing getaway away from commercialism.
Landmarks Kande Beach Lake Malawi 
- Day 17
Kande Beach
A free day to soak up the lakeside setting. Chill on the sandy shores and hang out with some of the friendliest people in Africa, the local Malawians. It's possible to hire canoes, bikes or pedalos to add something to your time here if you want.
Optional Activities
- Hire canoes
- Hire bikes
- Hire pedalos (paddle boats)
- Meet local Malawians
Landmarks Kande Beach - Day 18
Kande Beach to South Luangwa National Park
Head through southern Malawi and cross into Zambia, continuing to South Luangwa National Park. Border crossing paperwork will be handled, and there's a stop to pick up supplies or use an ATM. Once at the park, you'll find one of Africa's highest concentrations of animals around the Luangwa River and lagoons. Look for colourful birds and elephant herds.
Landmarks South Luangwa National Park Luangwa River - Day 19
South Luangwa National Park
Wake early, grab a light breakfast and head out for a morning 4WD game drive with a local guide. Come back to camp for early lunch when the heat is at its peak. Rest in the shade or take an optional village walk to see how locals live. Return to the park for an evening drive as the sun comes down.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light breakfast), Lunch (Early lunch)
Included Activities
- South Luangwa National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
- South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Evening Game Drive
Optional Activities
- Village walk in local community
Landmarks South Luangwa National Park - Day 20
South Luangwa to Petauke
After breakfast, visit a workshop where local craftswomen make jewellery from snare wire that's been recovered from old poaching traps. You can watch the process, try coiling or hammering wire yourself, and your purchase supports anti-poaching conservation work. Afterwards, head south toward Petauke.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast)
Included Activities
- South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project
Landmarks South Luangwa Anti-Poaching Jewelery Workshop - Day 21
Petauke to Lusaka
Back on the road to a camp just south of Lusaka City. Once you arrive, stretch your legs and walk around town. Lusaka has developed rapidly but still holds a strong African feel and people are usually happy to chat. Your leader will share insights about the area, and later you'll relax under the stars at camp.
Optional Activities
- Walk and explore Lusaka
Landmarks Lusaka - Day 22
Lusaka to Harare
Travel to Harare today starting with a journey to the Zimbabwe border. After crossing and handling border formalities, continue to Harare where you can explore town and pick up supplies at a market or local shop.
Landmarks Harare - Day 23
Harare to Masvingo
Travel to Masvingo, Zimbabwe's oldest colonial settlement and a good base for Great Zimbabwe ruins. Spend a few hours exploring this 11th-century ancient city, a UNESCO World Heritage site that's believed to have been a monarch's seat of power. Return to camp for a free evening to rest.
Included Activities
- Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
Landmarks Great Zimbabwe Ruins - Day 24
Masvingo to Bulawayo
Head to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city known locally as the 'City of Kings'. Walk around at your own pace to take in the historical architecture. This afternoon is free, so explore town, check out local markets, chat with people, or visit the Natural History Museum and National Art Gallery.
Optional Activities
- Walk and explore Bulawayo's historical architecture
- Browse local markets
- Visit Natural History Museum
- Visit National Art Gallery
Landmarks Bulawayo Natural History Museum Bulawayo National Art Gallery Bulawayo - Day 25
Bulawayo
Today is a chance to track rhinos on foot with an expert guide in Matobo National Park. The park is known for black and white rhinos and also has klipspringers, leopards, warthogs and springhares. Your guide will share information about the animals and local plants, and you'll see San rock paintings and rock formations. The park holds important spiritual and cultural significance for local people.
Included Activities
- Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings
Landmarks Matobo National Park - Day 26
Bulawayo to Victoria Falls
Leave Bulawayo and drive toward Victoria Falls, which stretches 1.6 km wide and drops 108 m into a narrow gorge. In wet season, spray shoots up 400 m and can be seen from far away, which is why locals call it 'Mosi oa Tunya' (the Smoke that Thunders). During dry season, you get clear views of the falls and river islets. A visit is optional but recommended, and your leader takes you to a local activity centre with various options.
Optional Activities
- Visit Victoria Falls
Landmarks Victoria Falls 
- Day 27
Victoria Falls
No activities are scheduled, so you can leave camp whenever you want. If you're flying out, booking a later flight works well. Optional activities are available, so speak with your booking agent beforehand if you'd like extra accommodation to spend more time here.
Landmarks Victoria Falls
