31-day Masai Mara Safari Tour to Victoria Falls & Kruger (Accommodated)

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

We depart the city early and make our way across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, enjoying views of the vast vistas en-route. We travel in small specialised safari vehicles that enable us to have a more intimate view of wildlife. Our tented camp for the next two nights is located on the edge of the Reserve with time to explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives.

3 images Great Rift Valley

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

We have the day to explore the Reserve in search of wildlife including the ‘big 5’ – lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard.

The Maasai Mara has long had the reputation of being one of Africa's best reserves for good reason. Not only is it home to the mass migration of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra coming north from the Serengeti each year from July to September; but also has a vast number of resident wildlife species throughout the rest of the year.

See the rolling hills and breathtaking views across the African wilderness and search out the magnificent predators and other mammals as we travel through the reserve.

We stop for a lunch en-route before returning to our tented camp for the evening.

3 images Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Day 3. Maasai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi

From the Maasai Mara we make our way back across the sweeping plains of the Great Rift Valley to Kenya's capital Nairobi where we will overnight.

Head out for a night on the town exploring the local nightlife or feast at the Boma - place of eating!

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

Leaving Kenya's capital, we drive south and cross the border into Tanzania. We pass through the town of Arusha - situated mid-way between Cape Town and Cairo, this is very much Tanzania’s ‘safari capital’ - a bustling city with colourful markets, shops, vehicles and people.

After exploring the town, we head to our accommodation just outside Arusha on the open plains to the west of the city at the small settlement of Meserani. It is from here that we prepare for our two night/three day excursion to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.

This afternoon, if time allows, we enjoy a walk to one of the local Maasai villages for an insight into everyday life and traditions of this colourful culture. Alternatively the Maasai Museum and snake park on site are fascinating to explore.

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.

This morning we meet our local guides and pack our gear into smaller 4 x 4 vehicles that will enable us to more freely explore the parks. Driving west across the Great Rift Valley, we pass through Mto Wa Mbo (‘mosquito creek’) before ascending to the farming town of Karatu where the entry gate to Ngorongoro is located.

We enter the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, pausing for a spectacular view as we drive around the crater's rim and down to the Serengeti plains. Once we've crossed into the Serengeti, we keep eyes peeled in search of the enormous variety of grazing animals, predators, and birdlife that roam freely in this natural wilderness.

We game drive to our designated (and unfenced) campsite for the evening where we sleep under canvas for an unforgettable African wilderness experience.

3 images Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 6. Ngorongoro Crater

After a rewarding morning game drive, we pack up camp and drive out of the plains ascending the outer wall of the Ngorongoro Crater. Our camp is perched on the rim of the crater with views down into the base of the caldera 600m below. See if you can spot the herds!

We spend the night camping on the rim, where wildlife such as elephants, zebra and warthog roams free. At 326 square kilometres in size, the Ngorongoro is Africa’s largest intact caldera and a World Heritage Site

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

This morning we make an early start and descend the steep road into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning of game driving in this spectacular wildlife haven. All of the large mammals are present except giraffe (which cannot manage the steep slopes leading down to the Crater floor). We make our way across the paths seeking out the different habitats within the confines of the crater where we see the different animals in their natural environment.

After our game drive, we make our way out of the crater and retrace our steps to Arusha and our accommodation at the Meserani Snake Park.

3 images Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

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

Rising early, we head south via Moshi to Bagamoyo. If the weather is clear we may, with a bit of luck, view the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak (5895m).

The quaint town of Bagamoyo was one of the most significant trading ports along the East African coast, founded at the end of the 18th century. Our accommodation for the evening is situated close by to the palm-fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean.

3 images Bagamoyo, Tanzania

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

Leaving Bagamoyo we make our way south to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s main port city. This bustling seaport city of colourful markets and Arab-influenced architecture was one of the most important sea routes in the world. To a majority of travellers, this city is the port of entry to the most exotic island of Zanzibar and other archipelago islands. Our accommodation is set in a tranquil setting on the beach south of the city where we prepare for our trip to Zanzibar.

3 images Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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

Zanzibar was the base of the great 19th century explorers such as John Hanning Speke, Richard Burton and David Livingstone and once was a major trading centre of spices.

After a ferry ride to the island, our time here over the next 3 nights is not structured and is yours to explore at leisure. Perhaps the best way to see Stone Town is on foot: explore the bazaars for old maritime trinkets, fabrics and wooden carvings, or visit mosques and palaces of the old town. Spices are grown in plantations nearby and can be sampled in the exotic dishes made at the local restaurants and food markets that dot the shores edge.

3 images Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

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

Enjoy free time on Zanzibar and transfer to the northern beaches from Stone Town.

Relax on the sun-kissed beaches of Nungwi, in the north-west part of the island, browse markets or enjoy lounging in a hammock with a cocktail and a good book. The beach is a great place to catch up with the locals selling their wares as they pass by or take an optional diving trip to the rich colourful reefs. Alternatively or grab a snorkel and goggles to explore these from above. Round the day off with a sunset dhow cruise or chilling to the tunes from the nearby beach bars.

3 images Zanzibar, Northern Beaches, Tanzania

Day 13. Zanzibar Island, Nungwi to Dar es Salaam

This morning, we have time for one last swim before transferring back to Stone Town to do any last minute shopping. We then catch the ferry back to the African mainland and Dar es Salaam and onwards to our accommodation on the coast for the evening.

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

Leaving the warm Indian Ocean coast and the bustling city, we drive inland through the Mikumi National Park where we may, with luck, spot elephant and various antelopes feeding near the side of the road. Our accommodation is located a short distance from the park and we enjoy sundowners at the local bar/ restaurant followed by the evening around the open fire.

3 images Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Day 15. Mikumi National Park Area to Iringa

Moving on, we travel through the Baobab Valley and onto the highlands to the town of Iringa and the Kisolanza Farm. At an altitude of 1600m and home to the Ghaui family for over 70 years, Kisolanza remains a working farm providing organic meat and vegetables to the surrounding markets. The farm house is a well-known spot to stay on the overland route and is the mid-way point for our journey from the ocean to the Malawi border.

Day 16. Iringa to Mbeya Region Highlights. Lake Malawi, Malawi.

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.

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

Day 17. Mbeya Region - Chitimba (Lake Malawi), Malawi Highlights. 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.

3 images Lake Malawi, Malawi

Day 18. Chitimba to Nkhotakota Region (Lake 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.

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.

Rising early, we make our way along the Great Eastern Road, crossing the Luangwa River and small villages to Lusaka, Zambia's Capital where we spend the evening on a small farm nearby.

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.

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

We travel south to Livingstone, the adventure capital of Zambia. We make our way to our accommodation on the banks of the Zambezi River just a few kilometres from the mighty Victoria Falls.

It's here the local activity providers will brief the group on information on all activities available in the area (typically these include rafting, canoeing, bungee, abseiling, gorge swinging, horse riding, scenic flights, river cruises), allowing you to plan your time accordingly over the next four nights.

A visit to the Victoria Falls themselves is included in your tour and your crew will advise on what day this is done, allowing time to explore. At various times of the year, the spray from the ‘Falls’ can be seen from up to 20 or 30 kilometres away, hence the local name Mosi Oa Tunya – the ‘smoke that thunders’.

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

Day 23-25. Livingstone Highlights. Livingstone Activities, Zambia.

We have the next three days in Livingstone to explore the town and the many activities and markets or simply relax by the poolside at the Waterfront. The perfect time to catch up on your social media and share your experiences before heading off into the Southern Africa part of your holiday.

3 images Livingstone Activities, Zambia

Day 26. Livingstone to Matobo, Zimbabwe

Departing Livingstone, we cross the border to Zimbabwe and pass through Victoria Falls town and head to Matobo. We stop in Bulawayo for supplies before heading to our campsite.

Day 27. Matobo National Park Highlights. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.

Matobo National Park is located a short distance from Bulawayo and knowledgeable guides will take us to this very impressive park. The wind-sculptured Matobo Hills is the site of numerous Bushman paintings and hosts the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in Africa and, provided conditions are right, our guides will lead us on foot to some of the more concealed places in search of these magnificent animals.

Opt for a full-day tour of Motobo which includes a visit to Cecil Jonh Rhodes grave at World's View and ancient bushman paintings - informative and awe-inspiring.

3 images Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

Day 28. Matobo to Tshipise, South Africa Highlights. Tshipise, South Africa.

Leaving Bulawayo, we continue south to the border at Beitbridge. Completing formalities, we cross the Limpopo River -the second largest in South Africa and an important water source for this arid region. We continue to Tshipise, a town situated in the northern Limpopo province. Our accommodation is located at Forever Resorts at the foot of one of Limpopo’s rolling koppies set adjacent the Honnet Nature Reserve.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure swimming in the natural hot spring pools at the camp.

3 images Tshipise, South Africa

Day 29. Tshipise to Hazyview (Greater Kruger) Highlights. Shangaan Cultural Evening.

Today, we leave Tshipise and head for southern Africa’s premier game reserve, the Kruger National Park.

We spend two nights within the Kruger area at Hazyview, enjoy Shangaan tribal dancing and singing on our first night and take a full day game drive in the National Park itself to spot as many animals as possible the next day!

3 images Shangaan Cultural Evening

Day 30. Hazyview (Greater Kruger) to Kruger National Park Highlights. Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Waking at sunrise, we board our open 4x4 safari vehicles and enter the park for our full day game drive. Wildlife is free to roam the whole enormous area of 24,000 sq km and it has become incredibly diverse in both fauna and flora. From the mongoose to the ‘Big Five’, almost every major African mammal (148 species) is present. There is also prolific birdlife (over 505 species) and over 330 varieties of trees. We enthusiastically search for the animals during the morning and afternoon game drives. In the late afternoon, we return back to our accommodation and enjoy our last night together around an open fire reminiscing on our African adventure.