Lake Malawi, Vic Falls, Tanzania: 29 Day Adventure (Camping)

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

Departing early this morning for the first day of our adventure to Nairobi, our route takes us from Pretoria to Mpumulanga province and on to the town of Hazyview, which is our gateway to the world-famous Kruger National Park.

This evening we enjoy an evening of traditional Shangaan dance and song around the open fire.

3 images Shangaan Cultural Evening

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

We transfer onto specialised 4x4 game viewing vehicles with local expert guides today. Leaving early, we make our way to the park gate as they open at dawn to make the most of our full day in the park.

The park itself is home to a huge variety of animal and bird life and we are sure to be ticking items off the list and getting some fantastic photos in no time!

After an enjoyable day in the park we return to our camp in Hazyview.

3 images Kruger National Park, South Africa

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

Back on the Acacia vehicle today as we continue our journey northwards. Travelling around the length of the Kruger National Park, our journey takes us into the Limpopo province and our camp in beautiful rolling hills.

Our camp is set in a tranquil setting in the midst of the rolling koppies and hot springs. Soak in the pools and enjoy the views.

3 images Tshipise, South Africa

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

An early start this morning, our first stop is at the border with Zimbabwe and we will be crossing the Limpopo River at Beitbridge.

Once formalities have been completed, our journey takes us onward to the wide avenues of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city and our camp which is located just outside the city.

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

Time for our second game experience and again we meet a local expert guide and transfer into specialised 4x4 safari vehicles for our half-day excursion in this interesting park. We might also be lucky enough to enjoy an exhilarating walking safari with the rhino's.

It is also possible to take the option of extending this excursion to a full day.

3 images Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

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

From Bulawayo, we travel on to Victoria Falls town and then cross over the bridge that spans the gorge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia. This also serves as the border post where we complete the border formalities and continue to our camp a few kilometers upstream from the falls themselves.

On arrival at the camp, our team will run through the many different optional activities that are on offer in the area to make the most of the next couple of days.

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

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

We have two days at leisure in Livingstone and our camp on the banks of the Zambezi makes the perfect base to explore and partake in a variety of activities.

Bungee jumping, white-water rafting, helicopter or microlight flights and game drives and walks are just a few of the many activities on offer. Simply do as much or as little as you want!

3 images Livingstone Activities, Zambia

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

Leaving Livingstone and the majestic Victoria Falls, we travel to the southern plateau and the nation's capital, Lusaka.

Our camp a short distance from town on a farm which is home for the night.

Day 10. Lusaka to Petauke

Driving through lush countryside and small villages, we cross over the Luangwa River before reaching tonight's accommodation situated 5km from Petauke.

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

Swapping the tar sealed roads for dirt tracks, we head into South Luangwa National Park, situated along the banks of the Luangwa River. The river is the park's lifeblood during the dry season, ensuring that it is wonderful to visit the park year round.

On arrival we set up our camp and enjoy a relaxing afternoon, possibly take an optional 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.

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

Following our morning game drive, we drive to Chipata where we overnight.

3 images South Luangwa National Park

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

Leaving the national park behind, we head towards the border with Malawi and patiently wait as formalities are completed. Soon we can continue with our journey greeted by friendly smiles and waves while we travel through Malawi, 'The Warm Heart of Africa' to Kande Beach, our camp for the next couple of nights.

Kande is a comfortable vibey beach resort, which gives us an ideal break from the last few days of travelling.

3 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

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

We have the day at leisure and there is a wide range of activities on offer here. Try snorkelling in the clear fresh waters of the lake, hire a pedalo or enjoy a cooling dip - swimming.

3 images Kande Beach Activities, Malawi

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

Continuing up towards northern Malawi today, we travel through scenic countryside dotted with rubber plantations, to the northern provincial capital, Mzuzu.

Stopping here to stock up in the colourful market, we have the opportunity to explore the small town before heading back down to the lakeshore and our camp on the beach at the foot of the Livingstonia Plateau.

3 images Chitimba Beach

Day 16. Chitimba to Iringa, Tanzania

Leaving the beautiful Warm Heart of Africa today, we cross into our fifth country of our adventure, Tanzania.

After crossing the Songwe River, we steadily climb up through scenery dotted with tea plantations into the Southern Highlands of Tanzania with a cool fresh climate.

We camp the night on a family owned organic farm in a beautiful spot with a cozy bar.

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

Our journey heads east toward the Mikumi National Park, where one will be thoroughly stunned by the landscape of endless rolling grassy plains. This park is the forth largest in the country and hosts an array of wildlife. Should time allow, you can explore the park with an optional game drive in the afternoon, soak the beauty in at the campsite's swimming pool, enjoy the restaurant/bar and then marvel at the night time stars around an open fireplace.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

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

We travel today via the Mikumi National Park in the hopes of spotting some more animals near to the roadside.

After making our way through the busy traffic of Dar es Salaam, we arrive at our camp on the shores of the Indian Ocean.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

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

Swapping our Acacia vehicle for the fast ferry across to the island of Zanzibar today. With a long history as a trading hub for everything from slaves to spices, our first stop is the capital, Stone Town.

With a maze of streets we have the opportunity to explore this vibrant town, whilst grabbing bargains in the bazaars and markets.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

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

From Stone Town we travel through the island to the beautiful northern shore and the palm fringed white sandy beaches. This is our home for the next three nights and we can relax on the beach listening to the chilled tunes coming from the nearby beach bars, explore the local villages, or take a dhow safari on the beautiful blue clear waters.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

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

With our sunkissed skin and sandy toes, it's time to leave this tropical haven and make our way back to Stone Town.

With last minute shopping done, we catch the ferry back to the mainland and drive a short distance to our camp for our last night next to the Indian Ocean.

3 images Bagamoyo, Tanzania

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

Making our way out of Dar es Salaam, our route takes us inland - passing the Para and Usambara and eventually to the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro towering above us at 5895m. With luck the skies will be clear enough for us to catch a glimpse of the snow capped peak.

3 images Marangu, Moshi Area, Tanzania

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

Continuing on to Arusha, a safari town midway between Cape Town and Cairo, we visit the markets before proceeding out of town and on to our camp on the Maasai plains.

This afternoon we have the chance to visit the local village and also learn about the proud Maasai heritage at the local museum.

3 images Maasai Culture Village Walk, Arusha, Tanzania

3 images Meserani Snake Park, Tanzania

Day 26. Arusha to Serengeti National Park Highlights. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Swapping the Acacia vehicle for a specialised 4x4 game drive vehicle with a local expert guide, we head off into the world famous Serengeti National Park.

Crossing the Great Rift Valley, passing through Mto Wo Mbo (Mosquito Creek) and Lake Manyara, we continue into the conservation area, pausing for lunch on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.

This afternoon we enter the Serengeti National Park and game drive through the grassy plains towards our un-fenced camp deep in the park. Famous for its predators, the Serengeti is simply breathtaking with its sweeping views and abundant wildlife.

3 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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

After a night in the wild with the sounds of the bush all around, we rise early and head out on a morning game drive to spot some of the amazing animals resident in the area.

After a fantastic morning in the park, we game drive out of the park and slowly climb back up to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater to our camp, in one of the most scenic spots on the route.

3 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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

We have our final morning of game viewing today and as we descend into the vast crater in the cool of the morning, we enjoy this 'garden of eden', home to most of the major animal species found in Tanzania. It's easy to see why it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site while we drive the dirt tracks and observe the wildlife resident here.

After lunch we continue our journey back to Arusha and enjoy our final night on tour.

3 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 29. Arusha to Nairobi, Kenya

Packing up one final time, we are back on the Acacia vehicle for the last leg of the adventure and our last border crossing.

Reaching Namanga, the small frontier town, we complete the border formalities and enter Kenya continueing our journey on to the capital, Nairobi, where our safari comes to an end.