27 Day Nairobi to Johannesburg Ultimate Adventure

Day 1: Nairobi, Kenya

Our adventure begins in Nairobi.

Spend the evening at the Hotel Boulevard Bar with your newest friends in preparation for tomorrow’s early morning. Travel can be exhausting, so sit back, fill up on food and drink, and spend the evening getting to know your group and guide.

You must have all the necessary visas by the time of the welcome meeting. Please read the visa section in our trip details in order to determine if any visas are required. Visas are not available to all nationalities upon arrival at the border..

Accommodation The Heron Portico (or similar)
Optional Activities: The Carnivore Restaurant 51-82USD per person Karen Blixen Museum 34-73USD per person, Railway Museum 6USD per person, David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Visit 5h30m-6h 26-65USD per person, National Museum 21-33USD per person

Day 2: Nairobi – Arusha, Tanzania

Travel in style in the overland vehicle as you journey through the semi-arid lands of the Maasai people en route to Arusha, Tanzania. Experience the breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance and share stories with your traveling companions.

Accommodation: Meserani Snake Park (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Nairobi – Arusha
Distance: 286 km

Day 3: Arusha – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

We are now ready to experience the Africa that we have all imagined, the experience that has been depicted in books, movies, and television time and time again. The Serengeti is one of the most famous national parks in Africa. Grab your cameras, purchase a quirky bucket hat, and head out on a wildlife safari drive.

Enjoy a 3-day and 2-night excursion into the Ngorongoro Crater and the park itself, which is home to abundant wildlife, vast golden plains, and thorny acacia trees.

As you change into a specialized 4×4 safari vehicle with a 7-seater capacity, you will meet an experienced safari driver/guide, who will help you experience a wonderful encounter with wildlife. Safari vehicles are equipped with sliding windows and a large pop-up roof, so you can enjoy the scenery and wildlife as you travel. The small size of these vehicles allows the group to maneuver through the wildlife areas more easily than the overland adventure vehicles. It is anticipated that the group will be divided among several vehicles due to the smaller size of the vehicles than the overland adventure vehicle .

Accommodation: Seronera Campsite (or similar)
Included Highlights: Serengeti National Park Safari
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Arusha – Serengeti National Park
Distance: 320 km

Day 4: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro, Tanzania

Get your buddies together and venture out for one last morning safari in the Serengeti. Before breaking down camp, watch the animal kingdom come to life in this grassland savannah as the sun rises higher in the sky.

Next, we will travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which has some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. Watch as animals meander around below the permanent water supply on the crater floor as you take in the epic views from the crater rim. After setting up camp near the crater rim in the late afternoon, you can spend the remainder of the day exploring one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries.

It is important to note that if you have pre-booked the Serengeti Balloon Safari, it is likely that this is the day for this activity! As it is subject to change, the guide will confirm the exact date and time. Although you will miss the morning wildlife safari drive with the group, you will be able to see a lot more from the air! In the event that you have not yet pre-booked, you may add it to your checkout page, or you may ask your travel agent for assistance.

We would like to remind you that due to the high altitude of our camp, temperatures may drop at night. During the evening and the following morning, it is recommended that you bring extra layers of clothing.

Accommodation: Simba Campsite (or similar)
Included Highlights: Serengeti National Park Safari
Optional Activities: Serengeti Balloon Safari 599 USD per person
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro
Distance: 160 km

Day 5: Ngorongoro – Arusha, Tanzania

Now is the time to experience “Africa’s Garden of Eden” up close and personal. As part of the final safari experience today, the group will descend to the crater floor. If you want to see wildlife, make sure you have your camera charged and ready because this is the place to do it (and we are looking forward to seeing you)!

It is highly likely that animals are bound to this area by the crater walls and its enclosed nature, which means it has created its own ecosystem, including grasslands, swamps, acacia forests, and Lake Makat.

In the late morning, the group will depart the crater with full cameras and even more full hearts and return to Arusha. Let yourself enjoy the passing scenery as you cruise along, share stories along the way, or pick out your favorite photos from earlier.

Day 6: Arusha –  Bagamoyo, Tanzania

A place as majestic as this does not allow time to rest or stop. Embark on your journey to the Indian Ocean early in the morning and enjoy the varied landscapes along the way. On the road towards Bagamoyo, you will see the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro in the distance.

An important trading port on the central east African coast in the late 19th century, this town has recently been designated as a World Heritage Site. Experience the quaint atmosphere of Bagamoyo on your own by strolling through the narrow, unpaved streets.

This morning, you will be transferred from your Arusha hotel to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Once you arrive in Stone Town, you will have the opportunity to explore on your own during the afternoon. You are welcome to stay an additional night in Stone Town and meet up with the group the next morning. The only included meal is breakfast.

Accommodation: Firefly Bagamoyo Campsite (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Arusha – Bagamoyo
Distance: 590 km

Day 7: Bagamoyo – Zanzibar Beach Resort, Tanzania

The next destination you will be visiting will be just what you need after the hectic first few days of your trip. Bagamoyo is the starting point for your journey to Dar es Salaam, and then you will board a ferry to Zanzibar, a tropical paradise.

Be prepared to enjoy picturesque island beaches that will make you think about living off the grid and staying here for the rest of your life. Get ready to enjoy this Tanzanian archipelago, take plenty of photos, and relax in a place that has long attracted backpackers and adventurers to its sandy shores that few places on earth can compare with.

Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim country. A woman or man in shorts dressed in an immodest manner will be harassed and cause great offense in Stone Town. It is customary for travellers to cover up when walking along the beach, although there are some exceptions to this rule. Ask for permission before taking a photograph.

Accommodation: Fun Beach (or similar)
Included Highlight: Stone Town Walking Tour 20-40USD per person
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Bagamoyo – Dar es Salaam – Stone Town– Jambiani
Distance: 120 km

Day 8: Zanzibar Beach Resort, Tanzania

Prepare to seize the day as you wake up in this island paradise. Imagine Africa meeting Arabia and adding the Indian Ocean to the mix as the cherry on top of one of the world’s great cultural crossroads.

During the day, you may spend it as you choose; you may dive, snorkel, board a sailing trip, or just relax on the beach. As an East African Indian Ocean destination, Zanzibar’s tropical setting and unique culture make it an enjoyable place to spend time.

Accommodation: Fun Beach (or similar)
Optional Activities: Snorkelling 35-60USD per person, Safari Blue – Sailing Day Trip 60-100USD per person, Scuba Diving 65USD per person, Swahili Cultural Tour 3h-4h 70-200USD per person, Jozani Forest Tour 3h-4h 35-150USD per person
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Stone Town, Tanzania

Today, your greatest challenge will be to pull yourself away from the beauty that surrounds you in Jambiani. Even so, you still have the option to spend one final night on this enchanted island in a more local location if that makes you feel any better. Explore the heart of Zanzibar from the other side of the island by traveling back to Stone Town. Throughout Stone Town, you will pass by balconies and enormous wooden carved doors as you wind through the winding unpaved alleys.

Explore the streets and squares for hours, drinking strong coffee from street vendors and purchasing sweets from tiny cafes. You will also be able to see tinga-tinga paintings, antique shops, beautifully printed cloths (kangas and kikois worn by locals), little carved chests with copper inlays, and spices – all of which make wonderful presents or souvenirs.

Accommodation: Spice Palace Hotel (or similar)
Included Highlight: Spice Plantation Tour
Optional Activities: Stone Town Walking Tour 20-40USD per person
Meals: Breakfast
Route: Jambiani – Stone Town
Distance: 60 km

Day 10: Stone Town – Baobab Valley, Tanzania

Time to bid farewell to this underrated paradise and return to the mountains further inland. As you ride the ferry back to Dar es Salaam, you will see the islands getting smaller and smaller. Next, you will board the Lando again to continue west towards the group campsite, located in the Baobab Valley along the banks of the Ruaha River.

Enjoy a spectacular sunset in Tanzania’s lush and fertile lands as the light fades and you set up camp. As you drift off to sleep, search for shooting stars in the night sky and make a few wishes.

Accommodation: Tanswiss Campsite (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Stone Town – Dar es Salaam – Baobab Valley
Distance: 560 km

Day 11: Baobab Valley – Iringa, Tanzania

Watch as the shadows of the baobab trees fall on the ground as the sun rises, then pack up camp and travel another day together. Consider journaling, taking a nap, or swapping inside jokes with your group (because let’s face it, you’ve got some by now).

Today, the group will travel south to Iringa, where they will visit a local crafts center. Explore the town in search of cool overlooks and pick up a souvenir to take home.

Accommodation: Kisolanza Farm (or similar)
Included Highlight: Iringa Craft Centre
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Baobab Valley – Iringa
Distance: 180 km

Day 12: Iringa – Chitimba, Malawi

As you pass from Tanzania into Malawi, you will be able to cross off another country from your travel list. The group is scheduled to stop at Lake Malawi in Chitimba, where the beach offers spectacular views of the mountains in the background and Tanzania is visible just across the lake.

It is a place where nature is king, and you will meet some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. Imagine clear shimmering waters with schools of colourful cichlids swarming in the depths.

Accommodation: Chitimba Beach Lodge & Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Iringa – Chitimba
Distance: 235 km

Day 13: Chitimba – Kande Beach, Malawi

As we continue along the shores of Lake Malawi, we will visit another beautiful destination. You are experiencing some of the best scenery that Africa has to offer, from oceans to mountains to lakes. In the afternoon, the group will travel to Kande Beach, one of the most picturesque enclaves in the world. After arriving at the lake, you may choose to get into the water or hike along the shoreline and take in the scenery that surrounds you.

Accommodation: Kande Beach Lodge & Campsite (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Chitimba – Kande Beach

Day 14: Kande Beach, Malawi

It is a beautiful morning, the birds are singing, the sun is shining, and the waters of Lake Malawi are calling your name, begging to be explored.

Get your camera and swimsuit ready for a fun-filled day. Take a leisurely stroll along the shore, grab a snorkel and explore life beneath the surface, take a leisurely swim off the shore, or take a tour of the nearby Tonga Village. A traditional dinner will then be served at a local home for the group.

Accommodation: Kande Beach Lodge & Campsite (or similar)
Included highlight: Kande Beach Local Dinner
Optional Activities: Snorkelling, Village Walk, Swimming
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Kande Beach – Chipata, Zambia

A new day brings a new adventure! A border crossing will take place today between Malawi and Zambia, which is landlocked. The group will be transported by Lando to Chipata, the capital of the Eastern Province. Formerly known as Fort Jameson, this town is now a popular refueling point for overlanders traveling to South Luangwa National Park.

Accommodation: Mama Rula’s Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Kande Beach – Chipata
Distance: 400 km

Day 16: Chipata – South Luangwa, Zambia

Our journey today takes us to South Luangwa National Park in order to observe wildlife. But before the group goes on its way to see the Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard Cafe, it will stop for lunch first.

You can then choose to participate in a wildlife safari drive either in the afternoon or at night in the national park. Ensure you have your cameras ready to capture images of giraffes, elephants, and Cape Buffalos in this hidden gem of a location that is the habitat of the largest numbers of these animals.

Accommodation: Wildlife Camp (or similar)
Included Highlights: Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard Cafe
Optional Activities: South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Chipata – Mfuwe
Distance: 150 km

Day 17: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

During the day, you can spend your time in the wildlife haven of South Luangwa National Park as you wish. You may participate in a walking safari (remember that walking safaris are seasonal), go on a night drive or visit a local village.

Regardless of what you decide to do, always remember to have fun and live in the moment. In general, life is more enjoyable when lived in the present and hey, so is travel. Don’t let your expectations limit your enjoyment of this place.

Accommodation: Wildlife Camp (or similar)
Optional Activities: South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive, South Luangwa Walking safari
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18: South Luangwa – Lusaka, Zambia

It is time to rise and shine and begin our journey for the day. There is a great deal of ground to cover, so be prepared to depart early and arrive in your next destination late in the afternoon.

In spite of the long journey along rough and bumpy roads, you will arrive at a private farm 29km (18 miles) outside the capital of Zambia and will feel so accomplished as we all know that driving in rough terrain is not easy. The zebras, buffaloes, and antelope who freely roam the property are a sight to behold. Get out, stretch your legs, and enjoy the sights. Relax by the pool or grab a cold drink at the camp’s bar (cheers!).

In between driving days, we will make an overnight stop in Lusaka, so we will not have time to explore the city.

Accommodation: Eureka Camping Park (or similar)
Optional Activities: South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive, South Luangwa Walking safari
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Mfuwe – Lusaka
Distance: 750km

Day 19: Lusaka – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.