Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam Safari (North)

This well-rounded Budget African Safari takes you through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania in East Africa.

Departing from Johannesburg in South Africa travel north into Botswana to visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. 

Fly from Maun into the watery Okavango Delta for nature walks and mokoro rides in the untamed wilderness. Fly to Gweta and head north to Kasane, on the Chobe River where we take a game viewing boat cruise.

In Zimbabwe, witness the mighty Victoria Falls and experience the Zambezi River, choosing from adventure activities, such as white water rafting and bungee jumping.

Travel to Lusaka, Zambia, before heading north-east towards Chipata. Drive to the South Luangwa National Park and enjoy some wild game viewing before visiting the community-run tribal textile project and a local village.

In Malawi relax on the white sand beaches of Lake Malawi, visit a local village and participate in a variety of optional activities, including excellent snorkeling and scuba diving.

 Travel Tanzania and ascend the Great Rift Valley to Iringa. Embark on a game drive in Mukumi National Park and continue to Tanzania's Dar es Salaam where this excitement filled South Africa to Tanzania Safari comes to a close.

Accommodated Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam Safari Highlights:

• Fly-in Okavango Delta Trip in Botswana
• Game Viewing Boat Cruise in Chobe Park
• Visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
• Zambia's South Luangwa Park Game Viewing
• Explore the beaches of Lake Malawi
• Game drive in Mikumi Park in Tanzania

Day 1: Palapye – Botswana

We depart from the bustling city of Johannesburg heading north to Botswana.

After border formalities we continue towards the Lotsane River and Palapye, previously known as Phalatswe, making our way towards Khama Rhino Sanctuary. We spend our first night in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a community based wildlife project, established in 1992 to help save the rhino. 

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Khama Rhino Sanctuary & Maun – Botswana

This morning we embark on a guided game drive in Khama Rhino Sanctuary, before heading to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta.

We arrive in Maun in the afternoon and prepare for our trip into the Okavango Delta. As our transport is in small planes the limit on personal luggage is a maximum of 10kg, for most people this means repacking! Do not forget your cameras! In the late afternoon there is sometimes time to visit a local Crocodile Farm. Optional Activity: Crocodile Farm.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - 4: Okavango Delta – Botswana

We leave our truck behind and fly into the Okavango Delta. After a wonderful scenic flight over the delta waterways we arrive at our base for the next two days. During our time in the Delta we enjoy the best nature has to offer. We go on nature walks and If possible will explore the Okavango Delta by mokoro. The Delta in Botswana is the world’s largest inland delta.

The Okavango River has no outlet to the sea, so it empties into the sands of the Kalahari Desert, irrigating some 15,000 square km’s. This is a truly spectacular and unforgettable experience where wild animals are not familiar with people.

Optional activities: If you wish to participate in additional Mokoro rides or nature walks, apart from what is included in the activity package, please speak to your guide.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Gweta – Botswana

We leave the magical Okavango Delta behind us and travel east to Gweta, which is located halfway between Maun and Nata, near the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

The area is also full of big Baobab trees, these large trees are often extremely old and there are many local fables in which they play a part. You can explore the bush around our camp to take a closer look at some of the oldest Baobab trees in this part of Botswana.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Kasane & Chobe National Park – Botswana

Today we head north to Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River. Apart from being the 2nd biggest National Park in Botswana, Chobe National Park is renowned for its high population of migratory elephants.

The afternoon is spent game viewing on a river cruise, into the renowned Chobe National Park. This is an excellent opportunity to view some of Africa’s spectacular wildlife. If you did not see enough animals already there will be time tomorrow morning for an optional game drive in the Chobe Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

On arrival in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, we have time to plan the next day’s adventure activities before we visit the spectacular Victoria Falls National Park and experience the thundering of the mighty Zambezi as it drops over 100m in to the gorge below.

The local Batoka tribe named the Victoria Falls ‘Mosi-o-Tunya’ which translated means “The Smoke that Thunders’. In high-water season the plume of spray rising from the Falls can be seen for kilometres.

Optional Activities: Chobe NP Early Morning Game Drive, Zambezi Sunset Dinner Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

You can choose between relaxing and shopping or taking part in some of the amazing adventure activities on offer at Vic Falls.

The Zambezi White Water Rafting still boasts the most grade-5 white water to be commercially tackled and this is a serious must-do activity for most people. If braving the white water, or bungy, is not for you then the lion walk or elephant encounter are both amazing options, it’s a totally different experience to meet one of these creatures up close!

Optional Activities: White Water Rafting, Bungy Jump, Elephant Excursion, Walking with Lions, Horse Riding, Micro-light, Flight of the Angels, Skydiving etc.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Lusaka – Zambia

Leaving behind the natural wonder of Victoria Falls we begin our expedition. After Livingstone we journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka where we see locals going about their daily business. You will notice the vegetation becoming sub-tropical and the roads a little rougher.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Chipata – Zambia

Today is a long drive through lush countryside, crossing rivers enroute to Chipata, the gateway to the South Luangwa National Park. Zambia is truly African and an adjustment from the more western ways of Southern Africa. We pass by many rural villages and farming communities as we travel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - 12: South Luangwa National Park – Zambia

Early in the morning we drive from Chipata to the border of the South Luangwa National Park, where we spend two nights in a wildlife camp on the Luangwa riverbanks. South Luangwa is known for its high concentration of leopards and hippos. Hippos and other wild animals are frequently spotted in the bush from the camp bar. Later this afternoon we enjoy a guided sunset game drive in South Luangwa Park.

On day 12 of this Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam Safari you have the opportunity of venturing out into the African bush on a morning game drive in South Luangwa Park.

After lunch we visit a community run tribal textile project and a local village nearby. 

Optional Activities: Guided morning game walk in South Luangwa National Park and morning game drive.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Lilongwe – Malawi

Continuing our East African Adventure we cross into Malawi and visit the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, Malawi’s only sanctuary for rescued, orphaned and injured wild animals. The Wildlife Centre is set in 180 hectares of beautiful woodland, Lilongwe’s only protected wilderness.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 / 15: Kande Beach – Malawi

Our East African Budget Safari takes us north to the shores of Lake Malawi after enjoying an optional 2-hour city tour of Lilongwe this morning.

A scenic drive brings us to Kande beach on Lake Malawi, where we will spend the next 2 days relaxing and enjoying optional activities, such as horse riding and an array of water sports.

We will go on a guided village walk to meet the friendly local people and learn more about the Malawian way of life.

Optional Activities: 2 hour morning city tour in Lilongwe, Water Sports, Horse Riding, Craft Shopping etc.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Lake Malawi – Chitimba

We travel further north along the shores of Lake Malawi and spend our last day in Malawi, known as "the Warm Heart of Africa" at Chitimba beach. 

For those who have had enough of the beach, there is a short hike to the Manchawe Falls. 

Optional Activities: water sports etc.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17: Tanzania – Iringa

Today we leave East Africa's Malawi and enter Tanzania. We ascend out of the Great Rift Valley through some spectacular mountain passes, passing vast tea plantations in the Tanzanian highlands before arriving at our camp outside Iringa.

This evening our dinner is in a local Masai Hut where we enjoy a traditional Tanzanian evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18: Mikumi Park – Tanzania

From Iringa we drive north to the Mikumi National Park. Mikumi Park is home to lion, zebra, wildebeest, impala, buffalo and elephant, among other wildlife and birds.

Enjoy an optional afternoon game drive in Mikumi Park.  

Optional Activities:  Afternoon game drive in Mikumi NP

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19: Dar es Salaam – Tanzania

Our budget Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam Safari journeys out of the cool highland region of Tanzania to the humid Indian Ocean coastal city of Dar es Salaam. 

Meaning ‘house of peace’ in Arabic, Dar es Salaam is the economic and trade capital of Tanzania, but inland Dodoma remains the official capital city. This terrific accommodated African Budget Safari comes to an end in Dar es Salaam today.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch