SHORTLIST

Zambia to Nairobi - 21 days

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.
Tour details
Tour Provider On The Go Tours
Price From
$4,331
Number of Days
21
Start Location
Livingstone, Zambia
End Location
Nairobi, Kenya
Age Range
Avg. 50+
Group Size
1 to 28
Tour Style
Comfort
Tour Themes
No specific theme
Physical Rating
Easy
Itinerary Open all
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
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
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
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: 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 can, go horse riding around the lake, or visit a nearby village to meet the friendly Malawian villagers.
Day 7: 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
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
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: Mikumi
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
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
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: Mount 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
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
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
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
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.
Inclusions
  • Maasai Village Walk with a resident guide
    Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Excursion in a purpose built safari vehicle and game drives with a resident guide
    20 breakfasts, 16 lunches & 16 dinners
    16 nights camping in 2-person dome tents, 4 nights simple twin share accommodation in Zanzibar
    Escorted by a licensed 2-person crew
    Transportation in a 24-seater overland truck with camping and cooking equipment
    Zanzibar return ferry ticket
    South Luangwa National Park, open vehicle game drive with a resident guide
    Mosi Oa Tunya National Park, Victoria Falls visit
    Sleeping mattress (you will need to bring your own sleeping bag)
    All road tolls and vehicle taxes
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
29 Nov 2024 19 Dec 2024 Available $5,775
13 Dec 2024 02 Jan 2025 Available $4,331
24 Jan 2025 13 Feb 2025 Available $4,909
07 Feb 2025 27 Feb 2025 Available $4,909
21 Feb 2025 13 Mar 2025 Available $4,909
07 Mar 2025 27 Mar 2025 Available $4,909
21 Mar 2025 10 Apr 2025 Available $4,909
04 Apr 2025 24 Apr 2025 Available $4,909
18 Apr 2025 08 May 2025 Available $4,909
02 May 2025 22 May 2025 Available $4,909
16 May 2025 05 Jun 2025 Available $4,909
30 May 2025 19 Jun 2025 Available $4,909
13 Jun 2025 03 Jul 2025 Available $4,909
27 Jun 2025 17 Jul 2025 Available $4,909
11 Jul 2025 31 Jul 2025 Available $5,198
25 Jul 2025 14 Aug 2025 Available $5,198
08 Aug 2025 28 Aug 2025 Available $5,198
22 Aug 2025 11 Sep 2025 Available $5,198
05 Sep 2025 25 Sep 2025 Available $5,198
19 Sep 2025 09 Oct 2025 Available $5,198
03 Oct 2025 23 Oct 2025 Available $5,198
17 Oct 2025 06 Nov 2025 Available $5,198
31 Oct 2025 20 Nov 2025 Available $5,198
14 Nov 2025 04 Dec 2025 Available $5,198
28 Nov 2025 18 Dec 2025 Available $5,198
12 Dec 2025 01 Jan 2026 Available $5,198
26 Dec 2025 15 Jan 2026 Available $5,198