Victoria Falls to Dar es Salaam Safari (North)

Leaving behind the excitement of Victoria Falls, head towards the Zambian capital of Lusaka, and then north-east towards Chipata. Drive to South Luangwa National Park and visit the tribal textile project and local village. Take a sunset game drive.

Cross the border of Zambia into Malawi via Lilongwe to scenic Lake Malawi. Relax on the white, sandy beaches of the vast Lake Malawi and try some optional activities including scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing and horse riding.

Ascend out of the Great Rift Valley through mountain passes, via the vast tea plantations in the highlands of Iringa in Tanzania. Travel to the historical port city of Dar es Salaam, through Mukumi National Park.

This accommodated Victoria Falls to Dar es Salaam Safari is a great way to explore East Africa on a very reasonable budget!

Day 1: Lusaka – Zambia

This budget Victoria Falls to Dar es Salaam Safari North sets off from Victoria Falls, crossing into neighbouring Zambia. From Livingstone near Vic Falls we journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka.

As we drive deeper into Zambia you will see the vegetation becoming more sub-tropical and the roads a little rougher.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Chipata – Zambia

Today we take a long drive through lush countryside, crossing rivers as we drive to Chipata, the gateway to the South Luangwa National Park. Zambia is truly African, making for a unique travel experience that calls for an adjustment from the more Western ways of several other Southern African countries.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: South Luangwa National Park – Zambia

Early in the morning we drive from Chipata to the border of the South Luangwa National Park where we will spend the next two nights staying right on the banks of the Luangwa River.

Hippos and other wild animals are often spotted from the camp bar.  In the afternoon we enjoy a sunset game drive in the untamed South Luangwa National Park of Zambia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: South Luangwa National Park – Zambia

In the morning you have the opportunity to take another game drive in South Luangwa. This wild game park is known for its high concentration of leopards and hippos.

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

Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive and Game Walk.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Lilongwe – Malawi

Continuing our East African Safari 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 6/7: Kande Beach – Malawi

Our Victoria Falls to Dar es Salaam 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 8: 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 9: Tanzania – Iringa

Today we leave East African 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 10: 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 11: Dar es Salaam – Tanzania

Our 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.

Our budget Victoria Falls to Dar es Salaam Safari comes to an end in Dar es Salaam today.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Please Note:

This northbound Victoria Falls to Dar es Salaam Safari is also available in the opposite direction as the Dar es Salaam to Victoria Falls Safari South, starting in Nairobi and ending in Victoria Falls.