Johannesburg to Nairobi Safari Tour

Below is the basic day to day brief,

The Full downloadable Itinerary is at the bottom of this window,

Please download the dossier should you want more detailed information on the route and tour.

Day 1: Johannesburg – Kalahari
We begin our safari to Victoria Falls with an early morning departure from Johannesburg. We head North West to Botswana. Crossing the border we continue to the town of Kang, the gate way to the Kalahari – home of the Bushmen.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Kalahari
We travel into the Central Kalahari. We spend the evening in the Ghanzi district, where we get a chance to encounter the indigenous San people. We have the opportunity gain interesting insights into the daily life of this nomadic tribe and about survival in the desert. We enjoy a guided walk as well as traditional storytelling and dancing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlights: Guided walk with San Bushmen/ San Evening Dance Performance

Day 3: Okavango Delta
Today we leave the harshness of the Kalahari and head for Maun – a real African frontier town. The landscape changes from the harshness of the arid Kalahari to the lush Okavango Delta. We spend the afternoon relaxing (or one can enjoy a scenic flight). The guides will give a briefing to what is required for the Delta Excursions coming up.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activities: Scenic flight over Okavango Delta

Day 4 & 5: Okavango Delta
We spend the next couple of days exploring this amazing eco system. The Okavango is a maze of waterways and flood plains and home to many species of wildlife and bird life. With our local guides we spend time poling and doing nature walks. Hippos and crocodiles laze on the banks, while larger animals are found on the numerous islands. The delta is one of the last true African wilderness areas and offers a unique view of the African bush.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Okavango Delta excursion

Day 6: Nata
We travel through to Makgadikgadi Pans, there is a chance to do an optional game drive. Have your camera ready.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activity: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

Day 7: Chobe National Park
Early morning we cross back into Botswana and set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. The Chobe is renowned for its huge herds of elephant and large number of predators – including lions. We spend the morning exploring the Chobe Park in open 4x4 vehicles. The late afternoon is spent cruising down the Chobe River, looking for animals coming down to river to drink.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activity: Chobe National Park game drive
Included Highlight: Chobe National Park boat cruise

Day 8: Victoria Falls
Leaving Botswana we cross into Zimbabwe and make the short trip to Victoria Falls. The mighty Victoria Falls is one of Southern Africa’s top destinations and offers stunning scenery and loads of activities. A visit to Victoria Falls National Park allows us to take in the spectacle of the Zambezi thundering over the falls. The afternoon is at your leisure and you can use the time to partake in one of the adrenaline activities – including rafting the rapids of the Zambezi. Alternatively one can spend time browsing the craft and curio markets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activities: Victoria Falls National Park visit, Bungee Jump, Gorge Swing, Sunset Cruise, Helicopter Flights, Boma Dinner Experience

Day 9: Victoria Falls
Today we have an opportunity to explore the Victoria Falls and surrounding area. Victoria Falls is well known as an adventure town and there is much to do. The Zambezi River offers some of the best white water rafting in the world. One can bungee jump, sky dive, take a scenic flight, browse the local craft markets or just take in the splendour of the Falls.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Victoria Falls – Lusaka
This morning we cross the Zambezi River and enter Zambia – providing us with an opportunity to view the Victoria Falls for the final time. After the excitement of the Falls, we spend the next 2 days travelling through rural Zambia. We spend the evening on the outskirts of Lusaka.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Rural Zambia - Petauke
A fairly long day of travel waits as we travel east through rural Zambia. Along the way we will encounter colourful markets, traditional villages and subsistence farming.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: South Luangwa National Park
Our first stop of the day is Chipata, an important trading town. Chipata is a textile town and is famous for its colourful African fabrics which are popular amongst the local population. There is an opportunity to enjoy a quick tour of the workshops and dye houses. (March - December). We enjoy sunset overlooking the famous Luangwa River.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activity: Textile project tour

Day 13: South Luangwa National Park
The day is spent exploring this famous National Park. In the morning we have an option to do either a morning safari or you can partake in a popular Big 5 walking safari. (the walking safari is seasonal). This afternoon we enjoy a game drive that extends into the evening, providing us with an opportunity to spot some nocturnal animals.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Sunset Game Drive
Optional Activity: Morning game drive or Game walk

Day 14: Zambia to Lake Malawi
An early start as we head for Malawi – The Warm Heart of Africa. Malawi is famous for its incredible fresh water lake. The lake has more species of fresh water fish than any other lake, which many are found in fish tanks around the world. The Malawian people are known for their friendliness and openness, which all makes for an incredible country to spend time in. We spend the night on the shore of the lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Days 15, 16 & 17: Lake Malawi
Today we travel north along the lake to our next stop where we will spend the next three nights soaking up the splendour of Malawi. The swimming and snorkeling are amazing and one can spend hours in the warm water. Malawi provides the ideal setting to relax (chill out in one of hammocks) and to explore the local villages. The people are welcoming and one can browse the local markets. We take some time to visit a small village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Visit to Village
Optional Activities: Swimming, Snorkeling, Relax

Day 18: Lake Malawi – Tanzania
After a relaxing time on the lake we say goodbye to Malawi, as we continue our journey north into Tanzania. We spend the evening in Iringa – a popular stop over for overland tours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 19: Mikumi National Park
Leaving Iringa, we head to Mikumi National Park, which is part the famous Selous National Park – the largest in Africa. The afternoon provides an opportunity for a game drive and an opportunity to spot more animals.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activity: Mikumi National Park Game Drive

Day 20: Dar es Salaam
Leaving Mikumi, we head to Dar es Salaam – the gate way to Zanzibar. Dar es Salaam is the largest city in Tanzania with a rapidly growing population and an important port in East Africa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlight: Zanzibar Excursion

Days 21 & 22: Stone Town to Nungwi
This morning we enjoy a boat trip to Prison Island, we head north to Nungwi, renowned for its pristine beaches. We will spend the next couple of days relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, diving and soaking up the sun. Nungwi offers incredible beaches, and one can enjoy the local bars, restaurants and other activities. The snorkeling trip is highly recommended as the coral and sea life are incredible. Alternatively you can explore the local fishing villages or take in the turtle sanctuary.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Highlights: Prison Island Boat Trip, Jozani Forest Half day tour
Optional Activities: Fishing, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Turtle Sanctuary Visit, Village Tours and more

Day 23: Zanzibar – Bagamoyo
A last chance to explore the island and perhaps buy some gifts and curios. We ferry across to Dar es Salaam, back to our truck and head to the town of Bagamoyo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 24: Arusha
This morning we head north to the safari town of Arusha. En route we may get a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Arusha is a bustling frontier town and is the gathering point for the Serengeti excursion.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 26, 27 & 28: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The next 3 nights will be spent in the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti National Park is famous for its high concentration of animals and for the largest mammal migration on earth, when tens of thousands of wildebeest and zebra move for greener pastures. Our game drives are conducted in open top 4 x 4 vehicles. The days are spent game viewing and enjoying the open savannas. Serengeti safaris are known for their excellent game viewing and one can expect to see a wide range of animals including the major predators. We spend a day descending into the Ngorongoro Crater where the animal viewing is excellent. The Serengeti safari is definitely one of the highlights of the tour. Note all camps in the Serengeti are controlled and maintained by the Tanzania National Parks Board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on all days
Optional Activities: Local Brewery Tour, Karatu Iraqw Market, Local Coffee Plantation Tour
Included Highlights: 4x4 Excursion to Ngorongoro Crater, Elephants Hike

Day 29: Serengeti – Arusha
Today we bid farewell to the Serengeti, heading back to Arusha where we arrive in the early evening.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch