Lake Malawi, Zanzibar, Serengeti: 29 Day Tour (Accommodated)

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

We depart Pretoria this morning and travel via the region of Mpumalanga to the Kruger National Park. We will be staying just outside of the park in Hazyview, where we enjoy an evening of Shangaan tribal dancing and singing around an open fire.

3 images Shangaan Cultural Evening

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

Waking early today, we board our 4x4 safari vehicles for a full day game driving around this 24000 sq. km park. Home to over 500 bird species and almost 150 mammal species, there is a lot to be seen during our time here.

The day is spent driving along the winding paths in search of the Big Five and other magnificent animals residing in the park. Look out for the many colourful birds - especially the unusual ground horn-bill which can be seen here.

3 images Kruger National Park, South Africa

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

We travel north, away from Kruger National Park, and towards the town of Tshipise in the northern Limpopo province. Our camp for the evening has lovely hot pools and a natural hot spring to soothe away any travel stress.

3 images Tshipise, South Africa

Day 4. Tshipise to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Highlights. Bulawayo.

This morning we leave Tshipise and South Africa behind, crossing the border into Zimbabwe and travel on to the city of Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe's second largest city has strong colonial influences and offers wide tree-lined streets (it is said an ox-wagon could easily turn inside on of these) and quaint architecture. Our camp for the evening is situated in a leafy suburb on the outskirts of the city.

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

Rising early today, we head out in our 4x4 vehicle with the local guide, who will take us on nature drive and a wilderness walk. This park has the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in Africa and we search for these amazing creatures on foot.

Steeped in history and blessed with some of the most majestic views, the Matobo National Park is simply unforgettable!

3 images Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

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

We leave Bulawayo today, passing through the town of Victoria Falls and crossing into neighbouring Zambia. We travel the short distance to our accommodation in the town of Livingstone, stopping en-route for a visit at the magnificent Victoria Falls.

Mosi oa Tunya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to one half of the Mosi oa Tunya 'The Smoke That Thunders'.

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

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

These 2 days are free days for you to experience the multitude of optional activities that are available: bungy jump, abseiling, game walk, village tour, gorge swing, white water rafting, bridge tour and many more.

3 images Livingstone Activities, Zambia

Day 9. Livingstone to Lusaka Highlights. Lusaka, Zambia.

We depart Livingstone and travel through the countryside to Lusaka, Zambia's capital city. The city is the fastest growing in Southern Africa - with a population currently approximately 1.7 million!

Day 10. Lusaka to Petauke

Driving through beautiful countryside and villages, we pass the Luangwa River reaching our accommodation for the night, situated 5km from Petauke.

Day 11. Petauke to South Luangwa National Park

Today, we travel to South Luangwa National Park - home to hippo, elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe and many more.

On arrival we set up our camp and enjoy a relaxing afternoon, or take an optional walking safari, or a village visit.

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

This morning, we meet our local ranger who will take us on a game drive in an open vehicle to spot some of the wildlife in this park.

Amongst South Luangwa's many herbivores, three stand out as being endemic to the area. The beautiful Thornicroft's giraffe, Cookson's wildebeest and the Crawshay's zebra.

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

Today we depart Zambia and cross the border into Malawi where we will stay at Kande Beach for the next two nights, on the shores of Lake Malawi.

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

Today is a free day to experience the optional activities available here. Go on a village walk, snorkel or just relax on the beach.

The local Chichewa people are known for their friendly smiles and warm nature. Spending some time on the beach chatting to the local fisherman, villagers and passers-by, is a great way to get some insight into the daily lives of these local Malawians.

3 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

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

Today we travel further along Lake Malawi via Mzuzu, the northern region's capital and Malawi's third largest town. Stopping off for supplies at the local market, we soon make our way to the northern lake and our base for the next night.

3 images Chitimba Beach

Day 16. Chitimba Beach to Iringa, Tanzania

Leaving Lake Malawi, we also depart the country and make the short border crossing into Tanzania. We wind our way through Tanzania's southern highlands to our accommodation at the Kisolanza Farm House.

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

Making our way from Iringa, we travel east-ward towards yet another African highlight - Mikumi National Park. Home to plentiful wildlife such as lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard. Upon reaching our accommodation, you may have time for an optional afternoon game drive through the grassy plains and iconic baobab trees. Or simply relax at the campsite's swimming pool and restaurant/bar before enjoying an open air fire to end off the day.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

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

Rising early, we make our way towards the Indian Ocean and the city of Dar es Salaam - passing through Mikumi National Park. Known for its landscape of baobabs, black hardwood trees and grassy plains, Mikumi hosts 4 of the Big 5 and we hope to glimpse these magnificent animals. As we near the bustling city of Dar es Salaam, there is much to see on the roadside with the quirky shops and stalls along the way.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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

Today we leave the African mainland and travel to the beautiful island of Zanzibar.

We arrive in time for lunch giving you an afternoon free to explore the winding alleyways, monuments and markets of the capital of Unguya Island. We spend our first night in Stone Town where tonight you can explore the tasty delights of the city.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

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

This morning there is the opportunity to head out on an optional tour of the spice plantations that surround the city. Zanzibar is still one of the biggest producers of rare spices and there are also many tropical fruit farms (from which you'll get to sample the seasonal fruits).

We transfer to the northern beaches of the island where we will stay for the next three nights. Here your time is your own, so relax on the beach, dive or snorkel and enjoy this idyllic island lifestyle.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

Day 23. Zanzibar to Bagamoyo Highlights. Bagamoyo, Tanzania.

Today we leave our tropical paradise and retrace our journey back to the mainland and the city of Dar es Salaam where we meet the Acacia truck and drive a short distance to Bagamoyo - where will stay for the evening.

3 images Bagamoyo, Tanzania

Day 24. Bagamoyo to Marangu Highlights. Marangu, Moshi Area, Tanzania.

We start early this morning. Leaving Bagamoyo behind, we head north to Marangu at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro. If we are lucky enough and the weather is clear, we may get to see the snow-capped peak of Africa's highest mountain.

3 images Marangu, Moshi Area, Tanzania

Day 25. Marangu to Arusha Highlights. Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania. Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania.

Driving out of Marangu, past the town of Moshi, we make our way to the city of Arusha (situated exactly mid-way between Cairo and Cape Town), where we will spend the night and prepare for our excursion to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater tomorrow.

3 images Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania

3 images Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania

Day 26. Arusha to Serengeti National Park

We transfer our overnight gear to 4x4 vehicles and meet our local guides who will escort us into the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Our drive takes us via the Great Rift Valley escarpment where we have sweeping views down onto Lake Manyara. From here, we pass through the lush farming town of Karatu before entering the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.

We cross the rugged plains on to the famed Serengeti National Park, where we the famed savanna plains and seek out the abundant predators and their prey on a game drive deeper into the park this afternoon.

Tonight we camp in the wilderness with very basic facilities - but are fully rewarded with the night time sounds of the awesome African wilderness!

Day 27. Ngorongoro Crater Highlights. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

We wake early to make the most of the dawn and hopefully see what the wildlife has been up to while we were asleep - perhaps you'll have heard the mighty lions roar nearby and now have the chance to head out and see them.

After breakfast, we head out on game drive out of the plains and we ascend the craters' rim, where we spend the night. Wrap up warm as the high altitude here can make for a chilly night!

3 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 28. Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha Highlights. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

Rising early today, we descend to the crater floor for a morning game drive in search of the spectacular wildlife here. All major mammals can be seen apart form giraffe who cannot manage the steep slopes to the crater floor.

A World Heritage Site, and home to an abundance of wildlife - the Ngorongoro Crater is without a doubt one of Africa's safari highlights.

After our morning in the wild, we head back to our Acacia vehicle at camp outside of Arusha.

3 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 29. Arusha to Nairobi, Kenya Highlights. Nairobi.

We depart Tanzania today, making our way across the Masai Steppes into Kenya and travel to Nairobi where our tour ends on arrival in this bustling garden city.