Excellent
Zambia to Nairobi
CAMPING SAFARI: Uncover the highlights of Eastern Africa on this 21-day overland camping safari which travels from Zambia to Kenya. Search for the Big Five in the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Game drive through Mikumi and South Luangwa national parks, admire thundering Victoria Falls and spend three nights relaxing in Zanzibar. Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, swim in Lake Malawi and finish your tour in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Tour Overview
Duration
21 daysStarts
LivingstoneEnds
NairobiRange
OverlandingTour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour leaderGroup Size
Min 4 / Max 16Minimum age
18Departs
FridaysHotel Rating
Camping & 4 nights simple hotelCountries
Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zanzibar, ZambiaArrival Transfer
No - can be booked on requestDeparture Transfer
No - can be booked on requestMeals included
Breakfast: 20, Lunch: 16, Dinner: 16Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Itinerary
Day 1 - Livingstone
Day 1 - Livingstone
Livingstone - Lusaka. Welcome to Livingstone! Arrive a day early to enjoy an included visit to Mosi Oa Tunya National Park to see the spectacular Victoria Falls. On day 1 we depart at 7am for Lusaka, the Zambian capital. It is a rapidly growing city, but we'll be staying at a farm on the outskirts, where we can enjoy a relaxing first evening of camping.
Please note: Please arrive in Livingstone at least one night before your tour, to ensure you have time to visit Victoria Falls. There will be a pre-departure meeting at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure and the tour departs at 7am on day 1. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book a Livingstone Airport arrival transfer and pre-tour accommodation upon request.
Day 2 - The Great East Road
Day 2 - The Great East Road
Lusaka - Petauke. Leaving early this morning, we take the Great East Road, linking Zambia with neighbouring Malawi. We drive through lush countryside and small villages, crossing the Luangwa River before reaching our accommodation situated 5km from Petauke.
Day 3 - South Luangwa National Park
Day 3 - South Luangwa National Park
Petauke - South Luangwa National Park. We make our way to South Luangwa National Park today. This is Zambia's premier wildlife destination, home to elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and more than 400 bird species. After setting up camp, there is free time to embark on optional game walks or game drives.
Day 4 - South Luangwa NP game drive
Day 4 - South Luangwa NP game drive
South Luangwa National Park - Chipata. This morning we embark on an open vehicle game drive in South Luangwa National Park, with a local ranger. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons, is among the most intense in Africa. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species inhabiting the area. Following the game drive, we make our way to Chipata.
Days 5-6 - Kande Beach, Lake Malawi
Days 5-6 - Kande Beach, Lake Malawi
South Luangwa National Park - Kande Beach, Lake Malawi (Malawi). Leaving Zambia behind, we cross into Malawi and head to the shore of Lake Malawi, which covers more than one-fifth of the entire country. Our campsite is right on the shore of the lake, and you'll have time to go for a swim or relax at the camp. Day 6 is free to partake in optional activities. You could hire a traditional bwato canoe, go horse riding around the lake, or visit a nearby village to meet the friendly Malawian villagers.
Day 7 - Chitimba Beach, Lake Malawi
Day 7 - Chitimba Beach, Lake Malawi
Kande Beach - Chitimba Beach, Lake Malawi. This morning we take a scenic drive through rubber plantations to the town of Mzuzu, where we pick up some supplies and visit the market before travelling on to our beach-side camp at Chitimba Beach. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Relax by the beach, play volleyball or browse the local craft markets.
Day 8 - Hello Tanzania
Day 8 - Hello Tanzania
Chitimba Beach, Lake Malawi - Iringa (Tanzania). Today we have a long but scenic drive as we cross into Tanzania and travel to Iringa. Climbing through the Southern Highlands, we arrive at Kisolanza Farmhouse, a family-run working farm in a spectacular location.
Day 9 - Mikumi National Park
Day 9 - Mikumi National Park
Iringa - Mikumi National Park area. Heading east, we travel to Mikumi National Park, the fifth-largest reserve in Tanzania. Our campsite is located on the very edge of the park, and we'll enjoy an evening around the campfire. If time permits you can book an optional game drive to see some of the resident wildlife, including lion, buffalo, elephant, hippo and crocodile.
Day 10 - Wildlife & Dar es Salaam
Day 10 - Wildlife & Dar es Salaam
Mikumi National Park area - Dar es Salaam. Our journey to the Indian Ocean coast city of Dar es Salaam takes us through the heart of Mikumi National Park. We will probably see some wildlife on this drive, and will stop if we see anything of note, such as forest elephants or giraffe feeding at the roadside.
Arriving at our campsite on the beach outside Dar es Salaam, there is time to browse the local markets or head into town to explore.
Days 11-14 - Zanzibar: a tropical island paradise
Days 11-14 - Zanzibar: a tropical island paradise
Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. On the morning of day 11, we take the ferry to Zanzibar, leaving our overland truck on the mainland. Evocative and exotic, Zanzibar conjures up images of idyllic, sandy, palm-fringed beaches, romantic winding cobbled alleys, and lush tropical forests.
Our time on Zanzibar is not too structured. There is plenty of free time to explore historic Stone Town and relax on the island's pristine beaches. There's also plenty of optional activities on offer including a visit a spice plantation, snorkelling safaris, scuba diving and yacht trips. Please see the Trip Notes for more details.
In Zanzibar, we stay in simple hotels, with breakfast included. We typically spend day 11 in Stone Town and days 12 - 14 at one of the northern beaches, but this can be flexible.
Day 15 - Bagamoyo
Day 15 - Bagamoyo
Zanzibar - Bagamoyo. We have the morning to do any last-minute shopping or enjoy one last swim before catching the ferry back to the African mainland, Dar es Salaam and onwards to Bagamoyo for the evening. The quaint town of Bagamoyo was founded at the end of the 18th century and was one of the most significant trading ports along the East African coast. Our camp for the evening is situated close by to the palm fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean
Day 16 - Views of Kilimanjaro
Day 16 - Views of Kilimanjaro
Bagamoyo - Marangu. Departing early from Bagamoyo, we head north past the Usambara and Pare Mountains in the Eastern Arc Mountain Range to Marangu, nestled at the base of the famed Kilimanjaro. If the weather is clear you will be able to enjoy magnificent views of the mountain from our campsite and the surrounding area.
Day 17 - Arusha
Day 17 - Arusha
Marangu - Arusha. This morning we drive past the town of Moshi to Arusha, Tanzania's safari capital and our base for exploring the Serengeti and famed Ngorongoro Crater. With time to explore the town we head out to our camp just outside the city at the edge of the Masai plains. This afternoon we enjoy a walk to one of the local Maasai villages. Here we visit a local school and clinic, browse the small Maasai museum and see the crocodiles, pythons, and other species at the Meserani Snake Park. There is optional camel riding available too.
Day 18 - Serengeti National Park
Day 18 - Serengeti National Park
Arusha - Serengeti National Park. Today we embark on our excursion to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Leaving our overland truck behind we transfer to designated safari vehicles. Entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we drive around the rim of the crater and onto the wildlife-rich plains of the Serengeti, one of the last great wildernesses in the world.
Millions of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope migrate across these plains throughout the year, followed by the predators, such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Look out for the Big Five and see abundant wildlife as we game drive to our unfenced campsite for the evening. With lions and hyena roaming nearby, listen to the sounds of the bush and enjoy a night in the wild!
Days 19-20 - Ngorongoro Crater
Days 19-20 - Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha. Game driving out of the Serengeti on day 19, we can search for any species we have not managed to spot so far. We travel back to the Ngorongoro Crater, camping on the rim of this UNESCO-listed natural caldera, one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife areas.
On day 20 we drive down into the crater itself, following the steep road into the reserve. On our early morning game drive, you will have the chance to spot every major African animal, except for giraffes who cannot manage the steep climb down the crater rim!
Returning to camp for lunch, we pack up before making the journey back to Arusha.
Day 21 - Nairobi
Day 21 - Nairobi
Arusha - Nairobi (Kenya). Entering the final country of our trip, we cross the border into Kenya this morning. We then journey to the capital, Nairobi. Here are tour comes to an end.
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Tour Reviews
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Pre Tour Accommodation Livingstone - Victoria Falls Waterfront, en suite room (Jan - May)
Double
Twin
Single
Pre Tour Accommodation Livingstone - Victoria Falls Waterfront, en suite room (Jun - Dec)
Double
Twin
Single
Pre Tour Accommodation Livingstone - Victoria Falls Waterfront, tent
Double
Twin
Single
Post Tour Accommodation Nairobi - Hotel Boulevard, ensuite room
Double
Twin
Single
Additional Excursions
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
Add on: Nairobi Airport Transfer (1 person)
$85
per passengerAdd on: Livingstone Airport Shuttle Transfer
$95
per passengerAdd on: Nairobi Airport Transfer (max. 3 ppl)
$55
per passengerAccommodation Standard
Camping
Campsites
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Accommodation Standard
Camping
Prices & Dates
Departures are guaranteed to operate when there are 6 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a tent. 'Shared' prices are applicable to solo travellers, who will share a tent with another traveller of the same sex.
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