kenya Tours Serengeti to Victoria Falls Overland: Night Stars & Spices

Itinerary:

Day 1 Nairobi      
Arrive at any time.      

Day 2 Nairobi to Arusha    
Hop in the Lando and hit the road in style as you cross through the semi-arid lands of the Maasai people en route to Arusha, Tanzania. Marvel at the epic views of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance and swap stories with your road trip buddies!      

Day 3 Arusha to Serengeti National Park    
Head out on a wildlife safari drive into one of the most famous national parks in Africa; the Serengeti.  Get ready for abundant wildlife, vast golden plains dotted with thorny acacia trees, and hippo-filled rivers as you begin a 3-day and 2-night excursion into the park itself and the great Ngorongoro Crater.      

Day 4 Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro
Jump aboard for one last morning safari in the Serengeti. As the sun rises higher in the sky watch the animal kingdom come to life in this grassland savannah before returning to break down camp.  Then it’s on to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, famous for Africa’s best wildlife viewing. Get ready for epic views from the crater rim and watch as animals meander around below drinking water from the permanent supply on the crater floor. You’ll be setting up camp in the late afternoon at a site near the crater rim and then you can spend the rest of the day enjoying one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on the planet.      

Day 5 Ngorongoro to Arusha    
Today, venture down to the crater floor where the group will embark on a final safari experience. The animals are bound to this area by the crater walls and the enclosed nature of the crater meaning its own ecosystem has been created. Get ready to see some magic.  Exit the crater in the late morning and travel back to Arusha. Swap stories along the way, pick those favourite photos from earlier, or simply sit back and let yourself enjoy the passing scenery as you cruise along.

Day 6 Arusha to Bagamoyo    
Hit the road early and enjoy the varied landscapes en route to the Indian Ocean. Be on the lookout for the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro in the distance on the road towards Bagamoyo.  This town was recently named a World Heritage Site and used to be one of the most important trading ports of the central east African coast in the late 19th Century. Stroll through Bagamoyo’s narrow, unpaved streets on your own and feel as if you stepped back in time.  

Day 7 Bagamoyo to Zanzibar Beach Resort    
Wake in Bagamoyo before driving to Dar es Salaam, then hop on a ferry to the paradise of Zanzibar. Get ready for picturesque island beaches that will make you contemplate staying here and living off the grid. Few places on this planet are as entrancing and exotic as this Tanzanian archipelago so get ready to relax in a place that has long lured backpackers and adventurers to its sandy shores.  

Day 8 Zanzibar Beach Resort      
Today is yours to spend as you choose; head out for a diving experience, grab some goggles and go snorkelling, hop aboard a sailing trip, or just lounge on the beach and relax. Zanzibar’s tropical setting, unique culture, and active beach-party scene make this place a very enjoyable East African Indian Ocean experience.  

Day 9 Stone Town
Travel back to Stone Town from the other side of the island and explore the heart of Zanzibar. Wander the winding historic unpaved alleyways of Stone Town passing by balconies and gigantic wooden carved doors along the way.  
Get lost and spend hours exploring the streets and squares, drinking potent coffee from pavement vendors and buying sweetmeats from tiny cafes. Keep an eye out for tinga-tinga paintings, antique shops, beautifully printed cloths (kangas and kikois worn by local people), little carved chests with copper inlays, and spices – all beautiful presents or memories to take home.

Day 10 Stone Town to Baobab Valley      
It’s time to head further inland back towards the mountains. Start by catching the ferry back to Dar es Salaam and watch as the islands get smaller and smaller, then hop in the Lando again to continue west to the group campsite in the Baobab Valley along the banks of the Ruaha River. Set up camp and look to the skies as the light begins to fade and enjoy a spectacular sunset in the lush, fertile lands of Tanzania.      

Day 11 Baobab Valley to Iringa
Watch the baobab trees cast shadows on the ground as the sun rises, then pack up camp and spend another day together on the road.  You will be journeying south to Iringa today, once there the group will visit a crafts centre that supports the local community. Buy a souvenir to take home and wander through town in search of cool overlooks.

Day 12 Iringa to Chitimba    
Get ready to check another country off your travel lists as you pass from Tanzania into Malawi. The group will stop at Lake Malawi in Chitimba where the beach has gorgeous views of the mountains in the background and you can see Tanzania from just across the lake. Think clear shimmering waters with schools of colourful cichlid fish swarming in the depths in a place where nature is king and the people are some of the friendliest you’ll ever meet.  

Day 13 Chitimba to Kande Beach    
It’s off to another beautiful destination along Lake Malawi today. From oceans to mountains to lakes you’re getting to see some of the best scenery that Africa has to offer. The group will head to the picture-perfect enclaves of Kande Beach. Once here you can choose to get out onto the lake or you can hike along the shores and enjoy the scenery that surrounds you.

Day 14 Kande Beach      
Wake to the sound of birdsong around you; the sun is shining, and the waters of Lake Malawi are calling your name. Wander the shore on foot, grab a snorkel and see what life under the water is all about, take a leisurely swim off the shore, or choose to experience a village walk at the nearby Tonga Village. Then the group will get to take part in a traditional dinner at a local home.

Day 15 Kande Beach to Chipata      
Today the group will cross the border from landlocked Malawi into Zambia. From there the Lando will take the group to the capital of the Eastern Province, Chipata. This town used to be called Fort Jameson and today is a popular refuelling station for overlanders heading to South Luangwa National Park.    

Day 16 Chipata to South Luangwa    
Continue the journey to South Luangwa National Park for more amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. First the group will stop for lunch and visit the Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard Cafe a G Adventures-supported craft workshop.    
Then you can choose to do an afternoon, or night, wildlife safari drive in the national park. Have those cameras ready to capture images of giraffes, elephants, and Cape Buffalo in this hidden gem of a place that happens to be home to the largest populations of these creatures.

Day 17 South Luangwa      
The day is yours to spend as you please in the wildlife haven of South Luangwa NP. Choose to go on a walking safari (just remember it’s seasonal), or a night drive, or visit a nearby local village.  

Day 18 South Luangwa to Lusaka      
Rise and shine and begin today’s journey. We have a lot of ground to cover so be prepared to set off early and arrive late in the afternoon in your next destination.  The long journey across rough and bumpy roads will take you to a private farm 29km (18 mi) outside the capital of Zambia. Get out, stretch those legs and marvel together at the zebras, buffaloes, and the antelope that freely roam the property. Then grab a cold drink at the camp’s bar or relax by the pool.  

Day 19 Lusaka to Victoria Falls      
Buckle those seat belts and cross the border from Zambia into Zimbabwe; home of the epic Victoria Falls. Get ready to feel the mist in the air as you enter the town of Victoria Falls and choose to get up close and personal with one of the largest waterfalls in the world on an optional falls visit.

Day 20 Victoria Falls    
Depart at any time.  

Additional Options:

Looking forward to your trip but not as much to the two-day road journey from Arusha to Zanzibar? Upgrade this part of your tour and fly instead! You’ll cut your travel time between the two cities to a fraction and enjoy an extra night in Zanzibar, where you can wait (nice and relaxed) for the rest of your group to join you.    

Departs:

Selected departures Dec 2020 - Apr 2022.