Day 1

Victoria Falls – Lusaka, Zambia

We travel toward the lively city of Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. We get our last look at the mighty Victoria Falls when we cross the bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe. You will note that the flora becomes progressively tropical as we journey forth, and the roads become a bit rougher. During our journey we experience colourful markets and busy villages and upon arrival we enjoy a prepared meal and are briefed on the days ahead.

The capital and biggest city of Zambia, Lusaka has two primary spoken languages – English and Nyanja. It is situated in the southern region of the central plateau of Zambia at a height of 1300 metres and boasts a population of approximately 1.7 million. With one of the most rapidly developing city centres in Africa, Lusaka is situated in a prolific farming region and is Zambia’s administrative, financial and commercial centre. It is believed that with proper and effective economic improvements, Lusaka (as well as Zambia as a whole) will advance significantly. Lusaka is home to a varied community of foreigners, many of whom work in the aid industry, as well as diplomats, representatives of religious societies and several business people.

Lusaka was named after it’s headman, and is situated at Manda Hill; close by to where the National Assembly building is established. The area was extended by European settlers in 1905 with the construction of the railway. During 1935, Lusaka was selected to replace Livingstone as the capital of the British colony of northern Rhodesia, due to it’s relatively central location on the railway. After the union of northern and southern Rhodesia in 1953, Lusaka became the heart of the independence movement, resulting in the formation of the Republic of Zambia. Zambia became the 9th African state to gain independence from the British colonialists in 1964, following which President Kaunda came into power, with Lusaka as the country’s capital.

Accommodation: Camp Eureka Camp or Similar
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Victoria Falls to Lusaka ±480 km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: View of Victoria Falls from the Bridge
Border Post: Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls Bridge (no telephone number) Open: 06h00-20h00 Zambia: Victoria Falls Bridge (no telephone number) Open: 06h00-20h00

Day 2

Petauke, Zambia

Today we embark on a lengthy drive through luscious countrysides of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka passing over the Luangwa River to Petauke – the gateway to the South Luangwa National Park. Purely African, Zambia is somewhat of an adjustment to the more Western culture we are accustomed to.

Accommodation: Camp: Chimwemwe Executive Lodge
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.
Route: Lusaka to Petauke ±410 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 – 4

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

In the morning, we depart from Petauke to the South Luangwa National Park border where we make our way to the banks of the Luangwa River to spend the following two evenings. We stop briefly in the town of Chipata, home of Chipata Cotton. For those interested in the Tribal Textiles of the African Culture, during the months of March to December you can enjoy a tour of their workshops. Enjoy one of the finest sunsets on the banks of the Luangwa River with a cold drink in hand.

The next morning you will have a chance to embark on (optional) game drive or during the dry season (April to December) you can join one of the iconic walking safaris on offer in the park. The South Luangwa National Park is well-known for its large population of leopard and hippo. We end the day with a sunset drive in the park and enjoy a sundowner. If you explore the park at night you may have an opportunity to spot the nocturnal animals you rarely see during the day.

Located in eastern Zambia, the South Luangwa National Park is a world famous wildlife sanctuary that is well-known for its beautiful walking safaris. There is a large population of Thorneycroft’s Giraffe as well as herds of elephants and buffalo. The Luangwa River sustains plenty of crocodile and hippo. Established as a game reserve in 1983, the area was declared a National Park in 1972 and presently covers over 9000 square kilometres. Hippopotami flourish in this Park due to the areas of flooded grasslands near the river where they happily graze during the evenings. We may be able to spot pods of over 500 hippos during the dry season as this is when the river dries up and leaves them restricted to areas of deep pools.

On average, there are most likely up to about 42 hippos per kilometre. These magnificent creatures are crucial to the Park’s ecosystem as their excrement released into the river fertilizes the waters and supports the fish population which, in turn, sustain the crocodiles. The South Luangwa National Park is also believed to contain the largest population of leopard throughout the entire African continent. It is estimated that there is one leopard for every kilometre of river in the Luangwa Valley. Therefore, the possibility of spotting this elusive and majestic nocturnal creature is fairly high.

Note: The Tribal textile production factory is closed annually from December to March, we will therefore not be able to view the fabric production, however the textile shop is open all year round

Accommodation: Camp Wildlife Camp or similar
Facilities: Campsite with Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Petauke to South Luangwa National Park ±170 km
Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x2, Dinner x2
Included Highlight: Textile visit, Sunset Game Drive in South Luangwa National Park
Optional Activity: Safari Walk (seasonal) or Morning Game Drive in South Luangwa

Day 5

Lake Malawi – Malawi, Malawi

Today we depart South Luangwa National Park, Zambia and head for Malawi. Your home this evening is located on the edge of Lake Malawi, the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system. As one of the largest lakes in the world it is home to more species of fish than any other lake.

Accommodation Camp: Ngala Beach Lodge
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: South Luangwa National Park to Lake Malawi ±560 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Border Post: Zambia: Chipata / Nwami, Tel: + 265 622 1652, Open: 06h00-18h00 Malawi: Mchinji, Tel: +265 124 2217, Open: 06h00-18h00

Day 6 – 7

Lake Malawi, Malawi

We visit a local village today near our accommodation with our guide. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the magnificent views and sounds of Lake Malawi. You can laze around at the pool at your accommodation, snorkel or swim in Lake Malawi. There are a variety of optional activities on offer here. The following morning we make our way north and spend another night on the banks of Lake Malawi where you will enjoy a magnificent sunset over the lake. Your guide will help you plan your activities for the days ahead or you can simply take time out and to relax on the shore.

Lake Malawi is the third biggest in Africa and the eighth biggest in the world, located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. The lake offers fantastic snorkelling and diving adventures and it’s tropical waters contain more species of fish than any other lake on earth. These fish support the locals who rely on the lake for survival, using mokoros (dug-out canoes) to set out massive nets. There is a huge variety of different ethnic groups dwelling in this area and as a result, there are plenty of dialects to be learnt and spoken. Majority of these groups are Christians due to the countless missionaries who passed through the area, whilst the remainder have maintained their traditional belief systems.

David Livingstone arrived at Lake Malawi in 1895 while he was trying to put a stop to the awful slave trade taking place. He returned in 1861 accompanied by seven missionaries who established a mission station in the southern area of the lake, but some contracted malaria and other various illnesses. They also had great conflict with slave-drivers. The surviving missionaries soon withdrew to Zanzibar. Livingstone returned in 1866 as part of his journey to discover the source of the Nile. In 1869 he travelled north and was subsequently out of contact for almost two years. Found by journalist Henry Stanley on the banks of Lake Tanganyika in 1871, Stanley uttered the famous phrase: “Dr Livingstone, I presume.” Livingstone then carried out his mission, eventually dying at a village called Chitombo in Zambia in 1873.

The death of this remarkable explorer revived the desire in other missionaries to come to Malawi and, after they finally finished setting up missions in various malaria-ridden areas, they constructed a malaria-free mission in the highlands of the eastern escarpment, aptly named Livingstonia. This particular mission is still operational today and is open to visitors willing to embark on a strenuous hike in order to reach it. Because of the difficulty of this 6-8 hour trek to the mission, you should be sure to partake in it only if you feel you are truly fit enough to brave the steep slopes and boiling temperatures.

Accommodation: Camp: Ngala Beach Lodge (Day 1), Majizuwa (Day 2) or similar
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Central Lake Malawi to North Lake Malawi
Meals: Breakfast x2, Lunch x2, Dinner x2
Included Highlight: Malawi Village Tour

Day 8

Lake Malawi, Malawi

Today is for leisure and to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding lake. Enjoy an afternoon of snorkelling and swimming in the clear, calm waters of the lake. Our afternoon is spent walking through the small village of Ngala.

Accommodation: Camp: Majizuwa or similar
Facilities: Campsite with Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Tanzania – Iringa, Tanzania

Departing from Malawi today, we make our way to Tanzania. We ascend out of the Great Rift Valley through some remarkable mountain passes, passing enormous tea plantations in the highlands before eventually arriving at our stop in Iringa.

Tanzania experiences tropical temperatures and, in the highlands, the climate ranges between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius during the cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures that seldom drops lower than 20 degrees Celsius. The hottest season is between November and February, reaching temperatures of over 30 degrees, whilst the coldest season occurs between May and August, dropping to below 15 degrees.

Tanzania is a mountainous region in the north east, where Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, is located. The Great Lakes of Lake Victoria (Africa’s biggest lake) and Lake Tanganyika (Africa’s deepest lake, famous for its unique fish species) are to the north and west. Central Tanzania comprises of a vast plateau complete with savannahs and fruitful land. The eastern shore is hot and humid, with the exotic island of Zanzibar situated just offshore.

Accommodation: Camp: Kisolanza Farm
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.
Route: Northern Lake Malawi to Iringa ±465km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Border Post: Malawi: Songwe (no telephone), Open: 06h00-18h00 Tanzania: Chi’zumulu, Tel: +265 15 357 207, Open: 06h00-18h00.

Day 10

Mikumi, Tanzania

We depart from Iringa today and make our way north to the Mikumi National Park. Mikumi is home to many lion, zebra, wildebeest, impala, buffalo and elephant. It is here that we have the chance to partake in an afternoon game drive through the park.

Accommodation: Camp Bastian
Facilities: Shared Ablutions. Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Iringa to Mikumi ±360 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Mikumi National Park Game Drive

Day 11 – 13

Zanzibar Excursion (3 Nights: 1 in Stone Town & 2 on the Beach)

We rise early and make our way from Mikumi to the Port of Dar es salaam where we climb aboard a local ferry that transports us to Zanzibar. Our home for the following three nights. Stone Town offers a variety of activities and is the perfect stop to enjoy the beaches.

The next morning we enjoy a Spice tour with our local guide before heading north to Nungwi famous for its white sandy beaches. Here we will spend 2 nights.

We devote some time to unwinding on the golden beach or simply partake in the many activities on offer here. You need not bring your entire backpack to the island as a day pack is usually sufficient. We are met by a local tour guide whom you will be able to arrange any optional activities (There are loads of activities to do in Nungwi such as fishing, snorkelling, scuba or jumping on a local sail boat). . There are also various spice and seafood markets to enjoy.

Due to the dominant Islam religion in Zanzibar, conservative clothing should be worn in most places except on the beach, where your regular clothes and swimsuits are acceptable. It is recommended that women wear t-shirts and knee-length shorts or skirts in town. The Islamic religion frowns upon the showing of arms above the elbow or legs above the knee. Shoulders should also remain covered and no revealing necklines are acceptable. Men’s clothing is less restrictive, allowing them to wear shirts and shorts. However, on the beach or in our resort, there are no dress codes other than the regular ones adhered to in most pool/public areas.

If you happen to be visiting Zanzibar during the month of fasting (Ramadan), please speak to your local guide about the customs adhered to during this period. Regular eating times during the day are forbidden and most locals will be sure to make you aware of this. The majority of shops and restaurants will be closed during Ramadan, but it is acceptable as a foreigner to have meals at hotels or resorts. Your guide will be able to inform you of what is appropriate and when.

Zanzibar trades in spices and raffia and has a flourishing tourism industry. In addition to this, Zanzibar is also home to the extremely endangered species of the Red Colobus Monkey. The word ‘Zanzibar’ was derived from the Persian term ‘zangi-bar’ meaning ‘coast of the blacks’ however, it is believed that the name could have also originated from the Arabic ‘Zayn Z’al Barr’ meaning ‘fair is this land’. ‘Zanzibar’ frequently refers specifically to Unguja Island and is sometimes referred to as the Spice Islands, though this term is more often associated with the Indonesian Maluku Islands.

Accommodation: Two Per Room: (Night 1) All Seasons Hotel in Stone Town or similar then  Amaan Bungalows (Night 2&3)
Facilities: En-suites Per Room Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Bagamoyo via Dar es Salaam to by Ferry ± 80km, Nungwi to Stone Town ±60-70 km
Meals: Breakfast x3, Lunch x3, Dinner x3
Included Highlight: Prison Island boat trip/ Walking Spice Tour
Optional Activities: Fishing, Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Turtle Sanctuary Visit, Village Tours, and more

Day 14

Bagamoyo, Tanzania

The morning can be spent exploring Stone Town before leaving Zanzibar behind. We climb aboard a ferry that transports us back to Dar es Salaam, where we return to our truck. We make our way to Bagamoyo which means “”lay down your heart”” and dates back to the days of slavery. The town of Bagamoyo is a short walk away and you can explore this vibrant town on foot. Your stay this evening will be on the beach.

Accommodation: Camp: Bagamoyo Travellers Lodge or similar
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam by ferry ±80 km; Dar es Salaam to Bagamoyo ± 80 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Stone Town

Day 15

Arusha, Tanzania

Today we embark on a picturesque drive to Arusha where we will spend the night. Enclosed by some of Africa’s most well-known landscapes and National Parks, Arusha is located at the base of Mount Meru – on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley’s eastern branch. The city experiences mostly balmy weather due to its location on the hills of Mount Meru.

Within close proximity to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha contains its very own National Park, situated on Mount Meru.

The main industry of this area is agriculture. Producers of huge vegetables and flowers send superb produce to Europe. Arusha has several factories including a brewery, tyre and fibreboard plant as well as a big pharmaceuticals manufacturer. For those who have purchased the optional Serengeti Excursion upgrade will be briefed on what to expect for the upcoming days.

Accommodation: Camp: Meru Mbega Lodge 
Facilities: Shared Ablutions Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered
Route: Bagamoyo to Arusha ±550 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pre Departure