Kruger, Zambia, Lake Malawi & Zanzibar: 23 Day Tour (Camping)

Day 1. Pretoria, South Africa to Hazyview Highlights. Shangaan Cultural Evening.

Leaving the city of Pretoria behind, we travel to South Africa's picturesque Mpumalanga province on our way to Hazyview on the outskirts of the central Kruger National Park

Our camp is in the town of Hazyview - just a short distance from the park itself. We are entertained this evening by traditional Shangaan singing and dancing around the open fire.

3 images Shangaan Cultural Evening

Day 2. Kruger National Park Highlights. Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Kruger National Park is home to some 505 bird-species 148 mammal species. This morning we aim to be at the park gate when it opens at dawn (with our local guide and a specialised open 4x4 game drive vehicle).

We spend a full day game driving and hope to leave with a long list of sightings ticked on our list.

3 images Kruger National Park, South Africa

Day 3. Hazyview to Tshipise Highlights. Tshipise, South Africa.

From Hazyview this morning, it's northbound and into the Limpopo province of South Africa. The journey takes us through lush countryside and our camp for the night, which is located adjacent to the Honnet Nature Reserve and offers a variety of hot springs to enjoy.

3 images Tshipise, South Africa

Day 4. Tshipise to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

We're up early this morning for the relatively short drive to the Limpopo River and the border with Zimbabwe. Once we complete the formalities our journey continues onward via the broad tree lined avenues of Bulawayo and onto our camp in the nearby Matobo Area well known for its interesting rock formations and cultural significance.

Day 5. Matobo National Park Highlights. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.

We are off the Acacia vehicle today and onto a purpose built 4x4 game drive vehicles with our local guide to explore the Matobo National Park.
Renowned for its rhino population, we have the opportunity to not only enjoy a nature drive in the midst of these ancient rock koppies but also to view these magnificent creatures on foot.

There's an option to partake on a full-day tour which includes lunch, Bushman paintings and the gravesite of Cecil Rhodes.

3 images Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

Day 6. Bulawayo to Livingstone, Zambia Highlights. Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia.

Back on the Acacia vehicle today as we continue north through Zimbabwe, passing through the town of Victoria Falls and crossing the bridge that crosses the Zambezi. Looking left as we cross you should see the falls themselves. After completing the entry formalities into Zambia, its just a short distance to our camp on the banks of the Zambezi a few kilometres upstream from the falls themselves.

3 images Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia

Day 7-8. Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia.

Livingstone and the Victoria Falls area is the adventure playground of Southern Africa and we have two days here to enjoy a wide variety of optional activities. The team at the camp will take you through the options of what is available and make the necessary arrangements. Bungee, Raft, Canoe, Microlight, Game Drive, Bike, Village Walk... the choice is yours!

3 images Livingstone Activities, Zambia

Day 9. Livingstone to Lusaka Highlights. Lusaka, Zambia. Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia.

Leaving Livingstone and the majestic Victoria Falls, we travel through villages and beautiful countryside to the southern plateau and Zambia's capital, Lusaka.

3 images Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia

Day 10. Lusaka to Petauke

Leaving via the Great East Road, a major link between Zambia and Malawi, we pass small villages with lush countryside and the Luangwa River. Our accommodation is situated 5km from Petauke.

Day 11. Petauke to South Luangwa National Park Highlights. South Luangwa National Park.

We're off the tar road today and on to the beautiful South Luangwa National Park. Due to the seasonal rains in the area the park attracts a wide range of different animals with over 60 animal species and 400 bird species.

On arrival at the camp we can relax by the pool or maybe enjoy a walking safari or a village visit.

3 images South Luangwa National Park

Day 12. South Luangwa National Park to Chipata Highlights. South Luangwa National Park.

Today we board specialised 4x4 game drive vehicles with our local guides in search of the wildlife that South Luangwa is so famous for - timing of this will depend on the season and will be chosen for the best experience.

Following our game drive, we make our way to Chipata for the night.

3 images South Luangwa National Park

Day 13. Chipata to Kande Beach, Malawi Highlights. Kande Beach Activities, Malawi.

Goodbye Zambia, hello Malawi! Today we are onto country number 4 of our safari and it’s time to hit the beach.

Crossing into Malawi, our journey takes us further eastward to the sparkling waters of Lake Malawi and the funky camp at Kande Beach. Swift border formalities entering Malawi should give us time for an afternoon of relaxing on the beach.

3 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

Day 14. Kande Beach Highlights. Kande Beach Activities, Malawi.

What's it to be today? Educational walk through the neighbouring villages and possibly a visit to the local school? Snorkelling or hire a pedalo on the fresh waters of the lake? Catching up with that book in a hammock on the beach? All up to you.

Kick back and enjoy the slow pace of life in Malawi.

3 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

Day 15. Kande Beach to Chitimba Beach Highlights. Chitimba Beach.

Onward and upward through the warm heart of Africa, greeted by the smiles and waves from the friendly local population, we travel through ordered rubber plantations to the northern provincial market town of Mzuzu and explore the vibrant and colourful market before heading back down to the lake shore.

Our destination is Chitimba Beach where we can enjoy some more of Malawi's beach life.

3 images Chitimba Beach

Day 16. Chitimba Beach to Iringa, Tanzania

Another border crossing day as we leave Malawi behind and head into the Southern Highlands of Tanzania.

Climbing up through tea plantations, neatly perched on the side of the steep escarpments, we head for the cool and lush region of Iringa and the farm which has been in the same family for the last 70 years.

Ward off the chill of the cool nights with a fantastic hot chocolate in the cosy bar.

Day 17. Iringa to Mikumi National Park area Highlights. Mikumi National Park, Tanzania.

With Iringa behind us, we make our way to the forth largest National Park in Tanzania, the Mikumi National Park. You will notice a change in landscape to vast grassy plains and scattered baobab trees. There is the opportunity of an optional game drive (should time permit), or you could relax at the lodge, boasting a large swimming pool and colourful restaurant/bar, ending the day with an outdoor fire under the African stars.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Day 18. Mikumi to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Mikumi National Park, Tanzania.

It's an early start today for the long drive into Dar es Salaam and its warm tropical beaches. Our route takes us through the Mikumi National Park and we may be lucky enough to see various animals close to the road including Elephant and Giraffe.

After weaving our way through the busy traffic in the city of Dar es Salaam we get to the palm fringed beaches and our comfortable camp for the night.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Day 19. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Island Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Leaving the mainland and our Acacia vehicle behind, we take an early morning fast ferry across the channel to the spice island of Zanzibar. Zanzibar's evocative name conjures up images of idyllic palm fringed beaches, fragrant spices and tropical forests.

First stop is the winding cobbled alleys of Stone Town and we explore the intriguing markets and bazaars on foot - probably also enjoy a couple of sun-downers in the old harbour area.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

3 images Zanzibar, Tanzania

Day 20-22. Zanzibar Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania.

Northward through the lush forests and spice plantations it's onto the palm fringed, sandy beaches on the North West coast of the Island.

Our home for the next three days is the vibrant beach resort of Nungwi - where we could chill with background tunes coming from the nearby beach bars, snorkel, explore the villages in the area, or possibly take a dhow trip on the beautiful turquoise waters.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

Day 23. Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

All good things must come to an end and after some last minute shopping, or a final dip in the ocean, it's back south to Stone Town and across the channel on the afternoon ferry back to Dar es Salaam - where our tour ends.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania