30 day Johannesburg to Nairobi Overland Safari

Day 1: Johannesburg - Limpopo, South Africa

Leaving Johannesburg early, you will begin your trek north. Stopping en-route to do some last minute shopping, you will head for a rustic bush camp set on a private game reserve in the Limpopo Valley. 

You will arrive early and familiarise yourself with the vehicle and equipment, before camping the night. Enjoy a traditional braai (barbeque). Dinner.

Day 2: Zimbabwe Ruins, Zimbabwe

After a morning game walk, you will travel on the overland tour a short distance to the border where you will complete formalities and then travel directly to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

The afternoon is spent exploring this massive complex, and delving into the mysteries surrounding their origin. Tonight you will enjoy a night of relative comfort, and a catered meal. (own expense) Breakfast. Lunch.

Day 3: Bulawayo - Matobo, Zimbabwe

A short drive today, you will pass through the wide streets of Bulawayo, and on to the camp nestled amongst the precariously balancing boulders of Matobo.

This afternoon you will enjoy an open vehicle drive into the Matobo National Park where you will track Rhino and other animals on foot. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 4: Hwange, Zimbabwe

This morning you will stretch your legs with a climb on one of the kopies surrounding your camp before packing up and moving on to Hwange.

This afternoon you will enjoy an extensive drive in search of the animals for which Hwange is so well known. Tonight you will drift off to sleep to the sounds of the wild at the bush camp in the Hwange area. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 5 & 6: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Leaving the bush camp, you will head for the amazing spectacle of Victoria Falls, and the surrounding tourist village. You will spend 2 nights here in comfort at the Drifters Victoria Falls Inn.
There are numerous activities to pursue, such as bungi jumping, white water rafting and helicopter flips. (own expense) Clients will have leisure time to explore the town. One evening meal will be at a local restaurant (own expense). The other will be a braai (barbeque) with traditional dancers at the pool. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 7: Kafue Camp, Zambia

An early start on the African adventure tour, you will have a last view of the falls whilst crossing the historic Livingstone Bridge over the Zambezi Gorge into Zambia. Your journey takes you across southern Zambia to the Kafue River where you will set up camp. Relax by the pool and enjoy a hot shower. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Days 8 - 10: Zambezi Canoe

After a river safety and procedure briefing you will begin your canoeing adventure. These days are the highlight of the tour with excellent bird and game viewing opportunities. Hippo and other big game may be encountered at close range. This section does involve a certain amount of effort, and at night you will camp wild on certain islands.

You will end the paddle at the Chongwe River, and camp here on the last night. The next day a short game walk will be conducted before transferring back to Kafue camp by boat, for a hot shower and a catered meal (own expense). Camp the night. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner

Day 11: Luangwa River, Zambia

You will continue north via the capital city, Lusaka, where you will stock up on provisions, before moving along the Great East Road to your overnight camp. You will cover as much distance as possible today. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 12 & 13: Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Travel on to camp on the banks of the Luangwa River where you will overnight for 2 nights just outside the Luangwa National Park. You will enter the southern park for some spectacular game viewing with excellent opportunities of Leopard sightings. Camp both nights. (Optional night drive, own expense) Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 14 & 15: Lake Malawi

Today you will enter Malawi, and after replenishing stocks and spending some time at the curio stalls in Lilongwe, you will continue down to the lake where you will spend 2 nights literally camping on the beach.

The days are spent simply relaxing and soaking up the sun, or for the more energetic, the crystal clear waters offer excellent snorkeling and lovely beach walks. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 16: Lake Malawi

Following the winding road along the lakeshore, you will continue north and again camp the night on the beach, enjoying Lake Malawi, one of Africa’s jewels. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 17: Mikumi, Tanzania

Entering Tanzania, you will begin your journey across this vast country. Tonight you will camp in the remote village of Mikumi. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 18: Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

You will arrive in Dar Es Salaam, the historic port of Tanzania, around noon. You will spend some time in this bustling city before moving to the North Coast where you will camp the night on the beach. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Days 19 – 22: Zanzibar

This morning you will head directly to the harbour where you will embark on a ferry ride across to the spice island, Zanzibar. Exploring the island thoroughly, you will spend time at the remote villages and sandy beaches of the north, and enjoying the mystique and history of the Stone Town.

Visit the slave pits and participate in a spice tour, the food and fruit market is not to be missed. Sample the local cuisine one night (own expense). Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 23: Zanzibar / Dar es Salaam

Leaving the island behind, you will board the ferry for your journey back to the mainland. You will camp the night north of Dar Es Salaam at a small resort. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 24 & 25: Arusha, Tanzania

Moving inland you will head for Arusha where you will spend 2 nights camping in this bustling town. You will enjoy a full day of curio shopping and exploring the numerous markets, etc. At this stage it is possible to view Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa, if the clouds oblige. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Days 26 - 28: Serengeti - Ngorongoro Crater

Travelling from Arusha to Serengeti you are bound to witness the impressive Masai herdsmen, herding their cattle amongst the game. Most of the day is a game drive with exceptional game viewing potential, and you will arrive at the Seronera camp in the late afternoon to camp the night.

Rising early you will continue game viewing for the entire day, before exiting the park and making for Simba Camp to camp the night on the lip of the Ngorongoro crater. You will descend into the crater on the steep dirt track cut into the crater wall.

The diverse habitats of lake, swamp, grassland, and acacia forests bring with them an equal diversity of game, with everything one can imagine, from Flamingo to Elephant and the ever-present Masai herdsmen. You will finally exit the crater after lunch to return to Arusha for the night. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Day 29: Arusha - Nairobi

After a final hopeful glimpse of Kilimanjaro you will head due north to enter Kenya and to travel directly to Nairobi. You will overnight in a simple hotel with an evening farewell meal. (own expense). Breakfast. Lunch.

Day 30: Nairobi, Kenya

After breakfast you will bid farewell to your fellow travellers and depart on your separate ways. Breakfast.

Clients may join or leave this overland tour at certain stages of the itinerary. Call for a quote in this regard. Clients may on occasion return to Johannesburg with the vehicle at a nominal cost, but Drifters will be under no obligation whatsoever.

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