Johannesburg to Nairobi Accommodated Budget Safari

In Botswana, visit Phalatswe, on the Lotsane River and take a game drive in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary.

Fly from Maun to the Okavango Delta. Explore the Delta by mokoro. Travel east to Gweta, between Maun and Nata, close to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Head to Kasane, on the Chobe River and enjoy Chobe Nationa Park.

Cross into Zimbabwe and experience Victoria Falls for white water rafting and bungee jumping. In Zambia, visit Lusaka, Chipata and the South Luangwa National Park. Cross the Zambia-Malawi border and spend the night at Luwawa Forest. Relax on the beaches of Lake Malawi.

Ascend out of Tanzania's Great Rift Valley to camp outside Iringa. Drive from Iringa to Dar es Salaam and catch a ferry to Stone Town, Zanzibar. Return to Dar es Salaam and drive to Arusha and the Serengeti National Park.

Visit a Masai village. Enter Kenya and travel to Nairobi where this Accommodated Budget Safari ends.

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
• Zanzibar Island beaches and Stone Town
• Hike in Lushoto & visit scenic Karatu in Tanzania
• 4-day trip to Tanzania's Serengeti Park & Ngorongoro Crater

Day 1: Palapye – Botswana

This Johannesburg to Nairobi Accommodated Budget Safari departs from the bustling South African city of Johannesburg heading north to Botswana.

After completing border formalities we cross into Botswana and head to Palapye, situated halfway between Johannesburg and Maun in Botswana. We overnight in Palapye, previously called Phalatswe, located on the banks of the Lotsane River.

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.

This conservation project was established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino and a nearby Botswana Defence Force base offers the conservation area 24 hour protection. The 4,300 hectare sanctuary consists of a grassy pan dotted with watering holes providing a habitat highly suitable for rhinos.

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 Nairobi Accommodated Budget 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 Johannesburg to Nairobi Accommodated Budget 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. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20 - 22: Zanzibar – Tanzania

This Johannesburg to Nairobi Accommodated Budget Safari leaves Tanzania's Dar es Salaam on the East coast of Africa today.

A local ferry will take us from Dar es Salaam to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar Island (included in Activity Package). We spend the first night exploring the historical and unique architecture of this culturally diverse town.

There are also spice and seafood markets to be explored in Stone Town.

The following day we take a transfer to the northern part of Zanzibar Island where we will spend our time relaxing on the white sand beaches. At Nungwi Beach in Zanzibar there are various activities available, as well as excursions to explore this tropical island more.

Optional Activities: Lunch & Dinner, Swimming with Dolphins, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling etc.

Meals: Breakfast x 3

Day 23: Lushoto  – Tanzania

Today we leave the beach paradise of Zanzibar Islands and catch the ferry back to Dar es Salaam where our safari truck awaits us. 

Next on this accommodated budget safari we drive to Lushoto, the major (yet small) town and district centre, located in the Usambara Mountains, halfway between the scenic Tanzanian coast and game parks. 

The popular pot plant Saintpaulia is only found in the wild within Tanzania, particularly in the Usambara Mountain region. Here you will have the chance to hike in the surrounding mountainous area, or just relax.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 24: Karatu – Tanzania

Today we follow a scenic route, driving via Arusha, to the picturesque town of Karatu where you can say "saitaa" to the locals in greeting.

This area of Tanzania has a cool climate and features lush green hills with pretty views, attracting settlers and farmers. The slopes of the volcano and the lands surrounding Karatu town are covered in extensive rolling fields. Karatu is  only a stone’s throw away from the world-famous Serengeti Park & Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 25 - 27: Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater – Tanzania

The next 4 days are set aside for the optional 3-night ca​mping excursion into the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater (included in Activity Package).

This area of Tanzania has one of the densest large animal populations in Africa. The Serengeti Park & Ngorongoro Crater excursion is in open topped 4x4 safari vehicles to help tackle the challenging side roads in these top game parks.

For those not visiting the Serengeti Plains and Ngorongoro Crater, this is the ideal chance to absorb some of the fascinating local culture.

Optional Activities: Various Serengeti & Ngorongoro Excursion packages, Lake Manyara game drives, day hiking & village tours, volunteer at educational project and many more various day trips.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 28: Arusha – Tanzania

On day nine of the Zanzibar & Tanzanian Game Parks Safari the group meets up again and we have the chance to exchange stories of the various adventures that we participated in over the past few days in Africa. 

In the afternoon we visit the local Masai Mara Museum and Snake Park in Arusha. 

Optional Activities:  camel ride to local Masaai village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 29: Kenya – Nairobi

After crossing the border into Kenya we travel to Nairobi where this Johannesburg to Nairobi Accommodated Budget Safari comes to a close. 

Usually we end this African Budget Safari with a group meal at one of Nairobi’s excellent restaurants.

Optional Activities: Dinner out.

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Please Note:

You can do this fun-packed East African Safari in the reverse order - Nairobi to Johannesburg Accommodated Safari, if you prefer to start in Nairobi and end in Johannesburg.