Nairobi to Joburg Overland: Craters & Camping
27 days
From $ 4399
Duration27 days

Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Kruger National Park, Lake Malawi, Zanzibar, to Victoria Falls — we originally called this trip "Africa Complete," but those pesky lawyers made us change it. While it may not feature all of Africa, it's still pretty darn close. Wildlife safaris, cultural contact, rugged landscapes, and natural landmarks spread across six incredible countries. And with supremely knowledgeable CEOs (Chief Experience Officers), meals prepared from fresh local produce, and starlit camping stays, you’ll gain a kinship with this land and its people you won’t find anywhere else.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 27 days
    Service level: Camping
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ages: 18+
Falls, Beaches & Serengeti Adventure (Southbound) - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Nairobi
Arrive at any time. Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to know which visas you will need, if any. Please note that not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival at the border.
Day 2: Nairobi/Arusha
Cross through the semi-arid lands of the Maasai people to Arusha.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Arusha/Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, begin the 3-day and 2-night excursion to Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, two of Africa’s premier wildlife areas.
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive en route to the camp site in the central Serengeti. Changing to specialized 4x4 7-seater safari vehicles, meet experienced safari driver/guides, who will ensure wonderful wildlife encounters. The safari vehicles each have sliding windows and a large pop-up roof, perfect for viewing animals and scenery. They are smaller than the overland adventure vehicle (OAV) and will allow the group to maneuver easily through the wildlife areas. As the vehicles are smaller than the overland adventure vehicle (OAV), the group will split up among several vehicles.

End place: Serengeti National Park

Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro

Start place: Serengeti National Park

Before leaving the Serengeti, enjoy one last morning safari drive to see the animal kingdom come to life in this incredible expanse of grassland savannah. Then return and break camp, and journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, famous for Africa's best wildlife viewing. The views from the Ngorongoro Crater rim are stunning, and there is an ever-present abundance of wildlife, due to the permanent water supply on the crater floor. Arrive at the campsite at the crater rim in the late afternoon.
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive in the Serengeti during the day, and finish the evening camping at the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Please note: if you have pre-booked the Serengeti Balloon Safari, today's likely the day for this activity! The CEO will give the final confirmation when it will take place, as it is subject to change. You will miss the included morning wildlife safari drive with the group, but you will have a much better view from above! If you have not yet pre-booked, add it to your checkout page, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Please note that due to the high-altitude location of our camp, temperatures can drop at night. We recommend bringing extra layers to wear during the evening and following morning.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Ngorongoro/Arusha
Exit the crater late in the morning and travel back to Arusha.
Venture down to the crater floor, and take in a final safari experience viewing the high concentration of wildlife bound by the crater walls. If you have booked the Zanzibar Express, you will part from the group in Arusha and be transferred to your Arusha hotel for the night. The following morning you will fly to Zanzibar. Included: transfers, flights, one night Arusha (Outpost Lodge, or similar) and one night Stone Town (Tausi Palace, or similar). Only breakfast included.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Arusha/Bagamoyo
Leave Arusha early and be on the lookout for the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro, on the road towards Bagamoyo. This town, which was recently named a World Heritage Site, was one of the most important trading ports of the central east African coast in the late 19th century.
Hit the road, and enjoy the varied landscapes on the way to the Indian Ocean coast. Zanzibar Express; transfer this morning from your Arusha hotel to the airport for the flight to Zanzibar. Arrive in Stone Town and spend the afternoon exploring on your own. Enjoy an extra night in Stone Town and meet back up with the group the following day. Only breakfast included.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Bagamoyo/Zanzibar Beach Resort
Drive to Dar es Salaam, then hop on a ferry to Zanzibar and transfer to the picturesque island beaches. Zanzibar is a Muslim society. Immodestly dressed women or men in shorts will get harassed and cause great offence in Stone Town. At the beach, customs are a little more relaxed, but travellers are encouraged to be respectful of the island's culture and cover up when walking around. Never try to take a photograph without asking permission.
Meals: B
Day 8: Zanzibar Beach Resort
Take the day to enjoy paradise. Opt to go diving, snorkelling, take a sailing trip, or just sit back and relax.
Meals: B
Day 9: Stone Town
Explore Stone Town, the heart of the island. It has an intriguing maze of narrow, cobbled lanes hemmed in by Arabic buildings. The best way to see Stone Town is, literally, to get lost. One can spend hours just wandering the alleys and squares, drinking potent coffee from pavement vendors, or buying sweetmeats from scores of tiny cafes. Look out for tinga-tinga paintings, antique shops, beautifully printed cloths (kangas and kikois worn by local people), little carved chests with copper inlays and spices – all beautiful presents or memories to take home.
Travel back to Stone Town for a final night on this enchanting island.
Meals: B
Day 10: Stone Town/Baobab Valley
Catch the ferry back to Dar Es Salaam and continuing travelling west to the campsite in the Baobab Valley on the banks of the Ruaha River. The camp is on the edge of the Udzwungwa Mountains National Park.
Ferry to Dar es Salaam then continue to Baobab Valley.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Baobab Valley/Iringa
Spend another day on the road, and journey south to Iringa. Visit a crafts centre that supports the local community.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Iringa/Chitimba
Chitimba Beach has beautiful views of mountains in the background and Tanzania across the lake.
Cross into Malawi and travel to beautiful Lake Malawi.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Chitimba/Kande Beach
Leave Chitimba in the morning and drive south along Lake Malawi to Kande Beach.
Travel to another beautiful beach area on Lake Malawi.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Kande Beach
Enjoy a traditional dinner in a local home, and opt to explore by foot, go snorkelling, or take a village tour. Dinner in a local home. 
Meals: B, L, D
Day 15: Kande Beach/Chipata
Cross the border from Malawi to Zambia, then continue to the capital of the Eastern Province, Chipata. Previously known as Fort Jameson, Chipata is a popular refuelling station for overlanders heading to South Luangwa National Park.
Cross the border into Zambia.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 16: Chipata/South Luangwa
Stop for lunch, and a visit of the craft workshop, at the G Adventures-supported Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard Cafe. Opt for an afternoon, or night, wildlife safari drive in South Luangwa National Park.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 17: South Luangwa
Enjoy a free day to explore South Luangwa NP, a wildlife haven. Opt to go on a walking safari (seasonal), night drive, or visit a nearby local village.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 18: South Luangwa/Lusaka
Set off early and arrive late in the afternoon. The long journey across rough and bumpy roads takes us to a private farm 29km (18 mi) outside the capital of Zambia. Marvel at the zebras, buffaloes, and the bok that roam the property, or relax by the pool or at the camp’s bar.
Sit back and enjoy a day of driving, taking in the scenery. This is an overnight stop in between driving days, so we will not have time to explore Lusaka.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 19: Lusaka/Victoria Falls
Continue travelling across Zambia, cross the border into Zimbabwe and finish at the lovely town of Victoria Falls. Your accommodation is in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and NOT Livingstone (Zambia). Please make sure you have the necessary visa.
Meals: B, L
Day 20: Victoria Falls
The town of Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close (and wet from the spray) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, and for the more adventurous, bungee jump with Victoria Falls in view.

Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Spend the day exploring your beautiful surroundings. Opt to visit Victoria Falls, go whitewater rafting, or take a helicopter flight over the falls. Want to do more with your tour? Pre-book any two of the following activities: Zambezi Whitewater Rafting, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride, or the Zambezi River Sunset Cruise. You can pre-book on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.

Any optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival in Victoria Falls.
Meals: B
Day 21: Victoria Falls/Matobo National Park
Rise early to start the long but scenic drive to Matobo National Park.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 22: Matobo National Park
Walk with rhinos and enjoy an open vehicle wildlife safari drive in Matobo National Park.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 23: Matobo National Park/Tshipise
Cross the border into South Africa, and relax in the warm water mineral pool at our campsite.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 24: Tshipise/Kruger National Park
Welcome to wildlife country! The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Search for lions, elephants, rhinos, and many other animals in one of Africa’s greatest wildlife areas on a full-day wildlife safari drive.
Enjoy a full-day wildlife safari drive in the Lando in the Kruger National Park.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 25: Kruger National Park/Greater Kruger Area
Enjoy a traditional dinner and local dancing in the evening.
Witness spectacular wildlife on a wildlife safari drive in the Lando, or opt to upgrade to a 4x4 safari vehicle.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 26: Greater Kruger Area/Johannesburg
Continue to Johannesburg, the economic heart of South Africa and the largest city in the country.
Drive back to South Africa's largest city.
Meals: B, L
Day 27: Johannesburg
Depart at any time.
Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard Cafe, Mfuwe Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Kande Beach Local Dinner, Kande Beach Your Discover Moment: Victoria Falls
  • Serengeti NP and Ngorongoro Crater entrances fees and wildlife safari drives
  • Zanzibar excursion (3 days)
  • Spice plantation entrance and guided tour
  • Guided rhino walk and open vehicle wildlife safari drive in Matobo NP
  • Kruger NP entrance fee with wildlife safari drives in the Lando
  • Traditional dinner and local dancing
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Lando (overland adventure vehicle), 4x4 safari vehicles, Minibus, Ferry, Walking
  • Accommodation

    Participation camping (19 nts), Full-service camping (2nts), Simple hotels (5 nts)

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