Masai Mara, Zanzibar, Vic Falls: 24 Day Tour (Accommodated)

Day 1. Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve Highlights. Great Rift Valley. Accommodation. Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Masai Mara.

We board our game viewing vehicles and meet our local guides and head out of the busy city. Along the way we stop off at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint to learn more about the geographic phenomenon that stretches from the middle east through to the Zambezi valley.

From here we continue through the town of Narok and on to the buffer area that leads to the un-fenced Maasai Mara National Reserve. We spend our first night at our camp on the border of the reserve in the company of the local Askari to guard us from the roaming predators at night.

3 images Great Rift Valley

3 images Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Masai Mara

Day 2. Maasai Mara National Reserve Highlights. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Accommodation. Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Masai Mara.

We head out early on our game drive into the Mara and begin our search for the wildlife that is home here. From July to September the Maasai Mara hosts the herds of the Great Migration as they make their way across the Sand River from the neighbouring Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is during these months that you'll find the Mara dotted with wildebeest, gazelle and zebra as they enjoy the lush green grazing found here in the north.

During the other months there is still much to see in the reserve as there is a large resident wildlife population. The advantage is also that the reserve is less crowded with people on safari.

Seek out the predators like cheetah, lion and leopard as they hunt and the antelope as they graze with the moving herds. There are elephant, hyena, buffalo, giraffe and a variety of species to see - not to mention a rich variety of birdlife too.

3 images Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

3 images Enchoro Wildlife Camp, Masai Mara

Day 3. Maasai Mara to Nairobi Accommodation. Wildebeest Eco Camp, Nairobi.

After an exciting time in the Maasai Mara National Reserve we journey back across the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi and our comfortable hotel for the night.

4 images Wildebeest Eco Camp, Nairobi

Day 4. Nairobi to Arusha, Tanzania Highlights. Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania. Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania. Accommodation. Meserani Snake Park.

From Nairobi our journey takes us south and across the border into neighbouring Tanzania and the town of Arusha which is located midway between Cairo and Cape Town.

Arusha is very much 'Safari Town' and we stop to explore the markets and stock up on provisions before continuing the short distance out of town, onto the Maasai plains and our accommodation for the night.

3 images Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania

3 images Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania

5 images Meserani Snake Park

Day 5. Arusha to Serengeti National Park Highlights. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Accommodation. Serengeti Camp.

We swap our Acacia vehicle for purpose-built 4x4 game drive vehicles and are accompanied by professional local guides for a 2 night /3-day excursion into the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.

Our drive takes us out over the Maasai plains and up the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley with stunning views over Lake Manyara before entering the Ngorongoro highlands. After lunch on the rim of the famous Ngorongoro Crater, we continue on down into the Serengeti Plains and see the seemingly endless sea of grass opening up before us.

We game drive to our camp deep in the park and relax for the night.

3 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

2 images Serengeti Camp

Day 6. Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater Highlights. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. Accommodation. Simba Camp, Ngorongoro Crater.

We are up early and out at first light to enjoy all that is on offer in this world-famous national park. The park will be most peoples image of safari in Africa with the plains of grass, flat-topped acacia trees and rock outcrops. We drive in search of the 'Big 5' and if we are lucky we might encounter the large herds of grazing animals while on their annual migration.

This afternoon we make our way out of the park and up towards the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater where we camp for the night.

3 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

5 images Simba Camp, Ngorongoro Crater

Day 7. Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha Highlights. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. Accommodation. Meserani Snake Park.

We are up in the cool of the dawn and we may be lucky enough to see the sun rising over the rim of the crater, gradually burning off the mist and cloud before we jump on the 4x4 vehicles and head down into the crater for a full morning game drive.

We will be rewarded with some amazing animal sightings on the crater floor as all the main species of animals in the region are found in the crater with the exception of giraffe.

Following lunch we ascend the steep crater walls again and commence our journey back to Arusha.

3 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

5 images Meserani Snake Park

Day 8. Arusha to Bagamoyo Highlights. Bagamoyo, Tanzania. Accommodation. Firefly Camp.

We have a long drive today around the snow capped Mount Kilimanjaro where, if it's clear we may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the peak. Continuing on towards the coast we travel through sisal plantations and onwards to the palm fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean.

3 images Bagamoyo, Tanzania

7 images Firefly Camp

Day 9. Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Accommodation. Kipepeo Beach Village, Dar es Salaam.

We journey the short distance down the coast to the commercial capital of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam. After working our way through the busy traffic we arrive at our comfortable beach side camp and prepare for our excursion over to the spice island of Zanzibar.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

5 images Kipepeo Beach Village, Dar es Salaam

Day 10. Dar es Salaam to Stone Town, Zanzibar Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Accommodation. All Seasons Hotel, Zanzibar.

After the short drive into the port we take the fast ferry across to Stone Town, the capital city of Zanzibar.

Zanzibar has a rich and varied history as for many years it was an important trading port from spices to slaves. We explore the old town, maybe grabbing a bargain or two in the markets.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

3 images All Seasons Hotel, Zanzibar

Day 11-12. Zanzibar Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania. Accommodation. Sunset Bungalows Kendwa.

On the morning of day 11 we travel up through the island to the beautiful white sand of the northern beaches where we have two nights to relax and enjoy this beautiful environment. Maybe take a trip out on a traditional dhow and go swimming and snorkelling or possibly explore some of the nearby villages or simply just kick back and relax. The time is up to you!

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

5 images Sunset Bungalows Kendwa

Day 13. Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam Highlights. Zanzibar, Tanzania. Accommodation. Kipepeo Beach Village, Dar es Salaam.

Leaving the beaches behind this morning we make our way down through the island to Stone Town to catch the ferry back to Dar es Salaam where we are met by our driver. We head back to our comfortable accommodation on the warm Indian Ocean beachfront.

3 images Zanzibar, Tanzania

5 images Kipepeo Beach Village, Dar es Salaam

Day 14. Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park Highlights. Mikumi National Park, Tanzania. Accommodation. Tanswiss, Mikumi.

Leaving Dar es Salaam early this morning we continue our journey in the Acacia vehicle. The route takes us through Mikumi National Park and we may be lucky enough to see some game near the road.

Upon reaching our camp on the far side of the park, depending on time, we may have the opportunity to take an optional game drive within the park.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

6 images Tanswiss, Mikumi

Day 15. Mikumi National Park to Iringa Accommodation. Iringa Farmhouse.

Continuing on through Tanzania we climb up into the southern highlands today and enjoy the cooler fresher climate compared with that of the last few days in Zanzibar. Our accommodation for the night is a working organic farm that has been owned by the same family for over 70 years and is well known for its cozy bar, hot showers and great chocolate brownies.

5 images Iringa Farmhouse

Day 16. Iringa to Chitimba, Malawi Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi. Accommodation. Chitimba Camp, Lake Malawi.

Dropping down from the southern highlands we weave our way through hills dotted with tea plantations and eventually reach the border with Malawi at the Songwe River.

After completing formalities we continue on down to the lakeshore and the inviting blue waters. Our accommodation is located on a pretty beach at the foot of the Livingstonia plateau.

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

8 images Chitimba Camp, Lake Malawi

Day 17. Chitimba Beach Highlights. Livingstonia Day Hike, Malawi. Accommodation. Chitimba Camp, Lake Malawi.

After a few days travelling, we have the opportunity to stretch our legs with a hike up the Livingstonia plateau to the Manchewe Falls where, after an 11km hike we are able to cool off in the fresh natural swimming pools.

If we are feeling less energetic we can always relax at camp or explore one of the local villages.

3 images Livingstonia Day Hike, Malawi

8 images Chitimba Camp, Lake Malawi

Day 18. Chitimba Beach to Kande Beach Accommodation. Kande Beach, Malawi.

From our northern lake shore spot we head inland first to the regional capital of Muzuzu where we take the chance to explore the colourful markets before hitting the road again and continuing on back to the lake shore. Passing through extensive rubber tree plantations we reach our beach accommodation, Kande Beach.

5 images Kande Beach, Malawi

Day 19. Kande Beach Highlights. Kande Beach Activities, Malawi. Accommodation. Kande Beach, Malawi.

We have a free day at Kande to enjoy some of what is on offer in the area. Lake Malawi is home to an amazing array of unique freshwater fish so is a great spot for snorkelling and diving however there are other non-water based activities on offer so you can possibly head out on a horse ride through the local forests and villages.

3 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

5 images Kande Beach, Malawi

Day 20. Kande Beach to Chipata, Zambia Accommodation. Mamarula Camp.

We bid farewell to Lake Malawi today and head west towards Zambia.

Crossing the border we soon arrive at the market town of Chipata, the largest in the eastern region of the country where we overnight.

4 images Mamarula Camp

Day 21. Chipata to Lusaka Highlights. Lusaka, Zambia. Accommodation. Eureka Camp, Lusaka.

It's a long day on the road today heading west towards the capital Lusaka. Passing through various towns and villages we arrive in Lusaka late in the afternoon where we stay at a comfortable farm, a short distance from the city.

5 images Eureka Camp, Lusaka

Day 22. Lusaka to Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia. Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia. Accommodation. The Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone.

Today is the last day on the road for the safari with the destination being Livingstone and the nearby mighty Victoria Falls. At high water, we will be able to see the column of spray from over 30km's away. Our accommodation here is on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River and we have a team on hand to ensure that we make the most of what is on offer here.