Masai Mara, Zanzibar, Vic Falls: 24 Day Adventure (Camping)

Day 1. Nairobi, Kenya to Maasai Mara Reserve Highlights. Great Rift Valley.

We depart Nairobi and head across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. For this excursion we are using small specialized safari vehicles that offer a much more intimate safari experience that enable better views of wildlife we are about to encounter. With specialist local guides, we spend the next two nights camping on the edge of the reserve with both morning and afternoon game drives included. The Mara is excellent for game viewing year round but is famous for the yearly crossing of great herds of wildebeest, zebra and other grazing animals migrating from the adjoining Serengeti plains.

3 images Great Rift Valley

Day 2. Maasai Mara National Reserve Highlights. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

Today we spend a full day game driving in the reserve where we hope to spot the 'big 5' - rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo and elephant from our specialized safari vehicles. After a relaxing lunch we slowly make our way back to the campsite for another night camping under the African stars.

3 images Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Day 3. Maasai Mara to Nairobi

We depart the Maasai Mara National Reserve today and make our way back to Kenya's capital city, Nairobi. We overnight here and get ready for departure the following morning to head across the border into Tanzania.

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

We board the Acacia vehicle in Nairobi and make our way down to the Tanzania border via the busy Namanga frontier. Our campsite is situated outside of busy Arusha town which is mid-way between Cairo and Cape Town, also known as the 'safari capital' of Tanzania. We have an opportunity to explore the bustling markets before arrival at camp and if time allows we enjoy a walk to the local Maasai village to experience the vibrant traditions of this colourful culture.

3 images Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania

3 images Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania

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

We leave our campsite and Acacia vehicle behind to board the smaller, 4x4 game park friendly vehicles to make our way into the Serengeti National Park. Game driving along the way we pass the Ngorongoro Crater conservation area, passing the rim and down onto the Serengeti Plains. We eventually make our way to our designated campsite for the night where lions and hyena roam nearby.

3 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 6. Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast we have a full day game driving out of the plains slowing ascending the outer wall of the Ngorongoro crater. We camp along the rim of the crater for the night, where wildlife also roam free. The views from the rim are spectacular, at 326 square kilometres, this is Africa's largest intact caldera and a world heritage site.

Day 7. Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha Highlights. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

After an early wake up and breakfast we descend the steep road of the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning of game driving. With camera's and binoculars at hand, we search for wildlife in this rich biodiversity.

After this game drive, we take in one more view from the top of the rim before packing up the campsite to make our way back to Arusha for the night.

3 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 8. Arusha to Bagamoyo Highlights. Bagamoyo, Tanzania.

This morning we leave Arusha behind and make our way to Bagamoyo via Moshi. If we are lucky and the weather is clear we may get the views of Mount Kilimanjaro along the way. We camp next to the palm fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean for the night.

3 images Bagamoyo, Tanzania

Day 9 . Bagamoyo to Dar Es Salaam Highlights. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Today we make our way to the Tanzania's main port, Dar es Salaam. Our campsite is based outside this bustling city full of high rises & colourful markets, accessing one of the most important sea routes in the world. We make this beach campsite home for the night before our ferry trip across to Zanzibar in the morning.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Day 10. Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Island, Stone Town Highlights. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Famous for idyllic sandy, palm fringed beaches; cobbled alleys, incredible food and lush tropical forests, Zanzibar has something for everyone. We spend the first night of three in Stone Town where you are free to explore the Arab influenced architecture, diverse street stalls & old bazaars or visit a famous spice plantation. Our time on the island is at your leisure.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

3 images Zanzibar, Tanzania

Day 11-12. Zanzibar Island, Nungwi Highlights. Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania.

We transfer to the northern beaches from Stone Town where you are free to explore stunning Nungwi beach. Take an optional diving trip to one of the many nearby reefs, indulge in some seafood or simply relax with a cocktail and good book. We spend the next two nights at this beach bungalow.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

Day 13. Zanzibar Island, Nungwi to Dar es Salaam

We depart the northern beaches and head back to Stone Town for some last minute shopping before catching the ferry back to Dar es Salaam for the night.

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

Leaving the coast behind, we drive inland through Mikumi National Park where we may spot forest elephant or giraffe feeding near the side of the road. We camp just past the this park and enjoy some sundowners at the local restaurant before sitting by the fire for the night. If time allows we will do an optional game drive in the late afternoon.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Day 15. Mikumi National Park Area to Iringa

Today we make the long journey to Iringa for a night at Kisolanza farm. We have climbed to 1600m and Kisolanza ensures a pleasant fresh climate in of the most scenic areas in the southern Highlands of Tanzania.

Day 16. Iringa to Mbeya Region

Heading towards Malawi we make a stop at the tranquil Utengule Coffee Lodge nestled amidst the majestic Mbeya range in Southern Tanzania.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the East African Rift Valley, relax by the poolside or enjoy the various activities like squash, tennis, pool, table tennis, or volleyball.

For those interested in coffee, an optional guided tour through the coffee plantation is available, including a roasting demonstration and a cup of home-grown coffee.

Day 17. Mbeya Region to Chitimba (Lake Malawi), Malawi

After our last night in Tanzania, we head to the Songwe border post into Malawi. Lake Malawi formerly ‘Lake Nyasa’ covers almost a fifth of the country’s area and provides the source of livelihood for many of the Malawi people. Fishermen, fish traders, canoe and net makers all ply their trade, and a common sight is that of a fisherman in his Bwato, (dugout canoe made from hollowed out tree trunk) fishing on the lake at the break of day. The lake also has the highest number of endemic freshwater fish species of any in the world.

Relax on the beach, take a leisurely village walk, visit the local craft market where you can enjoy learning the ins and outs of woodcarving your own souvenir, learn to play the game of Bao or haggle for some souvenirs.

Day 18 . Chitimba to Nkhotakota Region (Lake Malawi) Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi.

Today we take a nice scenic drive through rubber plantations to Mzuzu - the capital of the northern region and the third largest town in Malawi - where we stop for a short while to grab supplies and check out the markets, before arriving to Ngala Beach Lodge.

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

Day 19. Nkhotakota Region (Lake Malawi) Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi.

Today you’ll have some free time to try some of the optional activities, such as hiring a kayak, snorkelling, village walk, waterfall hike, or simply relax and enjoy the warm, fresh waters of Lake Malawi.

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

Day 20. Nkhotakota Region (Lake Malawi) to Petauke, Zambia

Saying our goodbye’s to ‘the Lake’, we drive through Nkhotakhota Game Reserve towards the border where we cross into Zambia. After completing the border formalities, we continue our journey to Petauke, a region known for agriculture, producing maize, cotton, sunflower, soya beans, and other crops.

Day 21. Petauke to Lusaka Highlights. Lusaka, Zambia.

Today we leave early and take the Great Eastern Road through lush country and small villages, cross the Luangwa River to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. Lusaka is Southern Africa’s fastest growing city with approx. 1.7m inhabitants.
It is located on Zambia’s southern plateau at an elevation of 1300m with four main highways running north, south, east, and west to different parts of Africa. Our campsite for the evening is set in a tranquil and relaxing setting on a farm.

Day 22. Lusaka to Livingstone Highlights. Victoria Falls - Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia.

Finally making our way south to Livingstone where will set up camp for the next few nights on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river, just a few kilometres from Victoria Falls. A visit to the falls itself is included today, before we settle in and learn about all of the exciting optional activities on offer the next couple of days.

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

Day 23. Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia.

Today is yours to explore Livingstone and take part in one or two of the many optional activities in the area. Try white water rafting on the Zambezi river, bungee jumping, river cruises, flights over the falls or just relax by the campsite pool and watch out for the local wildlife passing through the area.