Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg Safari

Drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park for some game viewing and on to Iringa in the highlands of Tanzania.

Travel to the tropical shores of scenic Lake Malawi then head to Zambia to explore Chipata and the untamed South Luangwa National Park. Visit the tribal textile project and a local village before going to Lusaka and visiting a local market.

Explore Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls and try out white water rafting on the Zambezi River, bungee jumping and elephant excursions. Head across to Kasane in Botswana, on the banks of the Chobe River and enjoy game viewing in the Chobe National Park.

Drive to Maun from where you fly into the watery and wild Okavango Delta. Fly back to Maun after walking and canoeing in the pristine delta and journey east to Gweta.

Continue south to Palapye, on the Lotsane River, and visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Cross the border into South Africa arriving in Johannesburg, the "City of Gold", where this accommodated Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg Safari comes to a close.

Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park – Tanzania

On day one of this Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg Safari we set off for the Mikumi National Park, in Tanzania. Mikumi Park is home to lion, zebra, wildebeest, impala, buffalo, elephant and more.

Today we have the opportunity to enjoy an optional afternoon game drive through Mukumi National Park, Tanzania's 4th largest National Park.

Optional Activity:  Afternoon game drive in Mikumi NP.

Meals:  Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Iringa – Tanzania

Today we leave the humid Indian Ocean coastline of East Africa, traveling inland and up to Iringa.

Iringa is located in the tea growing highlands of Tanzania at 1550m above sea level, which means this pleasant town can get quite cool between June and August.

In the evening we enjoy a traditional Tanzanian experience, eating in a local Masai Hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Northern Lake Malawi, Chitimba Beach – Malawi

Departing from Iringa we cross into Malawi making our way to the northern beaches of Lake Malawi, via scenic mountain passes. We descend to our next stop the small lakeside village of Chitimba. Here we get to relax on the sandy beaches of Lake Malawi and participate in optional activities.

If you are feeling more active then you can take a short hike to the 50m high Manchawe Falls covering a cave where locals hid from slave traders in colonial times. 

Lake Malawi is known for its friendly locals and fresh fish, in addition to the excellent water activities at this scenic lake. The third largest and second deepest lake in Africa, Lake Malawi is an impressive inland body of freshwater that covers one fifth of Malawi.

Optional Activities: Hiking, Abseiling, Water sports etc.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - 5: Central Lake Malawi, Kande – Malawi

Next we take a short drive south along the idyllic shores of this African Great Lake to Kande Beach, near Kande Island. In Kande we have time to relax on the unspoiled white sand beaches and swim in the clear blue waters of Lake Malawi. There are plenty of optional water sports activities to choose from, as well as activities such as horse riding.

On day two at Kande Beach we take a guided walking tour of one of the local villages lead by a local resident. This cultural excursion (included in the tour price) gives us a chance to meet some of the friendly locals and get a glimpse of life in Malawi, the "Warm Heart of Africa".

Optional Activities: Scuba diving, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing, horse riding and craft shopping.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Lilongwe – Malawi

Today we travel to Lilongwe, Malawis capital and largest city 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.  

Optional Activities:  City Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - 8: South Luangwa National Park – Zambia

Early in the morning we drive to the South Luangwa National Park in neighbouring Zambia where we spend the next two nights at our safari camp right on the banks of the Luangwa River. You can often see Hippo and other animals from the wildlife camp bar. The park is known for its high concentration of leopards and hippos. Later this afternoon we enjoy a guided afternoon to sunset game drive.

The following morning you can take an optional morning game drive and in the afternoon we visit the community run tribal textile project and a local village. On occasion, in the rainy season it is impossible or inadvisable to attempt to reach South Luangwa Park, if this happens an alternative itinerary will be chosen.

Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive and Game Walk in South Luangwa Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Chipata – Zambia

We leave South Luangwa National Park today taking a relatively short drive through to Chipata where we will relax in the afternoon. Zambia is truly African and an adjustment from the more western ways of Southern Africa. There are many rural villages and farming communities dotting the lush vegetation of this unique African country.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Lusaka – Zambia

The journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka takes us along an interesting route. If we arrive on time, and on a week day, there may be opportunity to visit one of the interesting local markets of Lusaka.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - 12: Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls

We drive from Zambia's Lusaka, across the Zimbabwean border and into Victoria Falls. In the afternoon there will be time to plan any optional activities you may want to experience on the following day. 

On day 12 you have the day free at Victoria Falls to participate in any of the optional activities on offer.

White water rafting is always popular, but you can also walk with Lions, visit the Elephants or take a scenic flight over the Falls. 

Optional Activities: Dinner out in Victoria Falls

Meals: Breakfast (day 11), Lunch (day 11)

Day 13 / 14: Zimbabwe – Vic Falls to Botswana – Kasane

We visit the spectacular Victoria Falls to experience the thundering sound of the mighty Zambezi River plummeting over 100m into the gorge below. Then we cross the Botswana border to Kasane, gateway to the Chobe National Park.

In the afternoon we enjoy an included sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River looking out for the wild animals of Chobe Park that are drawn to the waters.

Optional Activities:  Chobe Game Drive

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15: Botswana – Maun

On day 15 we travel to Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta, where we prepare for our 2-day expedition into the Okavango.

We can only take 10kg each on the small planes that carry us into the Delta, so some careful re-packing will be required by some. 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 and forming the world’s largest inland Delta.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16 - 17: Botswana – Okavango Delta

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. Simply sitting on a deck at your tented camp often results in rewarding bird or game viewing.

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 18: Botswana – Gweta

A second scenic flight over the winding channels of the Okavango Delta will return us to Maun and the safari truck.

This afternoon we drive to Gweta, located halfway between Maun and Nata near the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The landscape is dotted with 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.

Our overnight accommodation near Gweta is unique, and a little quirky.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19: Botswana – Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Palapye

Leaving Gweta behind, we drive towards Palapye, previously known as Phalatswe.

We make our way to Palapye, located on the tranquil banks of the Lotsane River, to visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. A community based wildlife project established in 1992 to help save the rhino. At Khama we take an included game drive to sight the now protected rhinos in the wild. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20: South Africa – Johannesburg

Today we cross the border into South Africa and after quite a long, yet scenic drive we will arrive in Johannesburg. South Africa’s city of gold has much to offer and should not be underestimated as a travel destination.

There are many excellent restaurants in Johannesburg where groups often choose to enjoy a final meal together after the affordable Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg Safari ends. 

Optional activity: Dinner out.

Meals: Breakfast