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Travel from Nairobi in Kenya to Victoria Falls on one of Africa’s classic overland safari routes. This 22-day lodge safari travels south through Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi and Zambia, combining iconic wildlife parks, tropical beaches and comfortable lodge accommodation.
Ideal for travellers looking for a Kenya to Victoria Falls overland safari without camping, this trip includes the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, South Luangwa and Victoria Falls.
From game drives in East Africa to beach time and sunset cruises, this Nairobi to Victoria Falls tour is one of the best-value ways to experience Africa’s most famous destinations in a single journey.
During this trip, you may come across activities that involve close interaction with wild animals, such as walking with lions, riding elephants or posing with captive wildlife.
We do not encourage or endorse these activities. Wild animals should remain wild, and tourism experiences that bring travellers into unnatural contact with them can be harmful.
To learn more, read our guide to wildlife experiences to avoid in Africa.
This exhilarating Nairobi to Victoria Falls Overland Safari departs from Nairobi, leaving the bustling capital of Kenya and travelling south across rural Kenya before crossing the border into Tanzania.
On our way to the town of Arusha, our base for the night, we may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain. Arusha is located at the base of Mount Meru, Africa's fifth-highest peak. This growing town is set in a lush and hilly area of Tanzania that has a cool climate. Arusha is the base for people climbing Kilimanjaro and embarking on the Northern Safari Circuit of Tanzania, which includes the world-famous Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater Area.
This evening, our local guides will brief you on the wildlife adventures ahead. Our Ngorongoro & Serengeti safari is conducted in smaller safari vehicles, so tonight you will need to pack an overnight bag for the trip.
Leaving Arusha in our smaller safari vehicles today, we head to Serengeti National Park, where we will be spending the next 2 nights in the Seronera region, lying at the heart of the park. The Seronera River is a vital waterway that meanders through the region, providing a lifeline for the area's diverse wildlife. The Seronera region is known as the 'cat capital' of Africa due to its high density of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. So, if you're looking for a real-life 'Lion King' experience, this is it!
We will enjoy our first game drive en route to a private tented camp, which will be home for the night. The camp has spectacular views, so you can immerse yourself in the bush from the comfort of your luxurious Meru-style safari tent. Sit back with a cold drink at the end of the day and enjoy the sights and sounds of the wilderness.
Rise and shine early this morning for an action-packed day of 4x4 game viewing in the legendary Serengeti National Park. Located in central Serengeti, Seronera is famous for its exceptional predator sightings, especially the big cats of Africa. It is also one of the best places to see rhinos in Serengeti, as well as elephants, buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, and many antelope species. Sit back and soak up the iconic African safari landscapes of the vast Serengeti Plains teeming with wildlife. After a full day of wildlife, we head to the nearby village of Karatu which will be our base for 2 nights.
On Day 4, we head towards the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact volcanic caldera. It is a colossal bowl, 20 kilometers wide and over 600 meters deep, with a microcosm of Africa's wildlife living within its walls. The area is home to Olduvai Gorge, where some of the earliest evidence of human existence has been found. We will descend into the crater and roam the crater floor in search of the many animals, including lions, elephants, and rhinos, that live in its plains.
At the end of our game drive, we will exit the crater and return to the lodge in nearby Karatu.
After departing Karatu this morning, we make a stop at the vibrant Mto wa Mbu Market, located in the heart of the small but bustling village. This culturally diverse settlement is known for its fertile lands, where crops like rice and the region’s unique red bananas thrive. The town also serves as a key crossroads, connecting Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Arusha.
As we continue our journey, the scenery shifts dramatically—from the green highlands and coffee farms of Karatu, across stretches of open savannah and scattered rural communities, to the verdant foothills surrounding Moshi. Arriving in the late afternoon, the rest of the day is yours to relax. Weather permitting, you may catch a first glimpse of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, as you prepare for the next chapter of your adventure.
Today our epic Nairobi to Victoria Falls Overland Safari journeys out of the cool highlands of Tanzania and down to the humid Indian Ocean coastline. Our drive takes us through scenic landscapes scattered with bustling towns and markets offering a glimpse of life in rural Tanzania.
We travel to Bagamoyo, just north of Dar es Salaam and a perfect starting point for our upcoming trip to Zanzibar Island. Founded in the late 1700s, the town of Bagamoyo provides insight into the history of Tanzania, particularly the 19th century, when it was a major trading port for ivory and slaves. The capital of German East Africa, Bagamoyo, includes interesting German colonial, Swahili, Arabic, and Christian missionary influences. Today dhow sailing boats are built in Bagamoyo, which translates as “lay down your heart” a moniker dating back to the cruel slave trading days in East Africa. Tonight, we prepare for our trip to Zanzibar Islands the following day.
After an early morning wake-up on day 7, we head to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city. From Dar es Salaam a local ferry takes us to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar Island. Then you are transferred from Stone Town to the eastern shores of the main island. Arriving at our beach resort, it's time to kick off your shoes for some laid-back beach time.
Day 8 of our Nairobi to Victoria Falls Overland Safari is free for you to explore Zanzibar Island at your leisure. Spend the day relaxing on the white sand beaches and enjoying optional water sports and activities. There are various water sports and ocean activities available, from snorkelling and fishing to scuba diving and dhow sailing. Explore the islands on guided boat trips or rent a scooter and set off on your own. Zanzibar is renowned for its idyllic tropical beaches, so unwind in paradise and go swimming in the clear, warm Indian Ocean waters.
Today we journey back south to Stone Town, once a major port on the slave and spice trade routes. On our way south we stop at the spice plantations of Kidichi and Kizambani. Experiencing the tastes, colors, flavors, and smells of the exotic spices is a must in Zanzibar, which has long been known as the Spice Islands. Today we take a guided walking tour of the local spice plantations and villages to experience the modern spice trade. See how the farm workers climb trees in search of specific plants and get the chance to buy some fresh spices from the local farms.
After our spice tour, we continue south to Zanzibar’s main hub, Stone Town, where we spend our final night on Zanzibar Island. We take a walking tour through Stone Town. Every twist and turn down the narrow labyrinthine streets brings something new: a bustling bazaar here, an aromatic coffee house there, a beautifully carved wooden door just around the corner. The former slave market site, now home to the hauntingly beautiful Anglican Cathedral, is a stark reminder of Zanzibar's dark past, while the Palace Museum offers a glimpse into the lives of the sultans who once ruled these lands. We also visit the birthplace of Freddy Mercury.
This morning we leave the beach paradise of Zanzibar Islands and catch the ferry back to Dar es Salaam where our safari truck awaits us. We will spend the night in a comfortable hotel in the heart of Dar es Salaam. You are free to explore the city, from the National Museum displays of early human fossils, tribal artefacts, and colonial memorabilia, or brace yourself for a sensory overload at the Kivukoni Fish Market. Dine out at one of the many restaurants Dar es Salaam has to offer.
On day 11 of our Kenya to Victoria Falls Lodge Safari, we leave the humid Indian Ocean coastline behind and travel inland to Mikumi National Park, one of the largest game parks in Tanzania. We stay at a comfortable safari camp for two nights. You are free to relax by the pool or book some optional activities like Mikumi Safari game drives or a choice of cultural tours. Mikumi forms part of the vast combined Nyerere (Selous) game reserve ecosystem and is home to lion, zebra, and huge herds of wildebeest, impala, buffalo, and elephant, among other animals, and over 400 species of birds.
On day 13 of our Nairobi to Victoria Falls Overland Safari, we make our way inland to the historic small city of Iringa. Located on a cliff overlooking Ruaha River Valley in the highlands of southern Tanzania at 1550m above sea level, Iringa can get quite cool between June and August. This pleasant town features old German colonial buildings and a popular market, as well as a memorial to soldiers who died in local battles during the world wars.
Day 14 takes us further south through the rolling tea plantations of Southern Tanzania to the Mbeya Mountains. Mbeya is one of the major coffee-growing regions of Tanzania and this afternoon we visit a coffee plantation. Here you get to sample the delicious coffee beans and see how they are grown and harvested. Our next overnight stay is at a scenic lodge set in a coffee plantation in the Mbeya mountains.
Leaving Tanzania, we cross the border into Malawi and drive down into the Great Rift Valley heading south. Our destination for today is Lake Malawi, known as 'the Lake of Stars ‘, due to the flickering lights of the fishing boats out on the vast lake at night. The third-largest lake of Africa’s Rift Valley, Lake Malawi stretches 580km from north to south, covering about 75% of Malawi's eastern border.
This afternoon we reach our lakeside lodge in Chitimba. You can take a stroll along the northern shores of Lake Malawi and explore the local village on a walking tour. Here you'll encounter the local Malawians as they go about their daily lives and gain insight into rural life in Malawi.
On day 16 our lodge safari travels further south, following the shores of Lake Malawi, the ninth-largest lake in the world, and one in a string of lakes following the Great Rift Valley. Our next lovely lodge lies on the shores of central Lake Malawi at Ngala beach. We will spend 2 nights in this magical place. End the day off with a sunset walk along the beach and a swim in the lake.
There are no scheduled activities for day 17 of our Nairobi to Victoria Falls Overland Safari, leaving you free to enjoy balmy Lake Malawi. Popular optional activities include kayaking, horse riding, and snorkelling. Otherwise, you can embark on an optional motorboat trip, do some bird watching, volunteer, go hiking, or visit the nearby forest reserve. You can also take a walk along the lake, passing fishing villages along the way for some laid-back exploration.
Wake up to a serene sunrise over Lake Malawi before we set off for the wild South Luangwa National Park in neighboring Zambia. Just before the border, we enjoy a game drive through the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, one of Malawi’s premium wilderness areas.
Border crossing into Zambia complete, we pause in the town of Chipata before continuing to our safari lodge beside the Luangwa River.
Day 19 of our Kenya to Victoria Falls Lodge Safari is set aside for game viewing in the unspoiled South Luangwa National Park. In the morning you have the chance to take an optional game drive in South Luangwa, going in search of the wildlife and birds found here. This untamed game reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife, including buffalo, leopards, zebras, hippos, giraffes, antelopes, and crocodiles. Alternatively, you can join a walking safari in the dry season (April to December) - a thrilling way to get up close and personal with nature. Mornings are an excellent time for spotting a number of animals roaming South Luangwa. The opportunity to take a game walk is particularly special because South Luangwa National Park is where African walking safaris originated.
Later today we embark on a sunset game drive in the national park, looking for the rich diversity of wildlife and birds found in the wild marshes, woods, and grasslands. We stop for sundowners in the Zambian bush before continuing our game drive into the night when we hope to spot the elusive nocturnal animals of South Luangwa Valley, including leopards.
We leave South Luangwa National Park today taking a relatively short drive through to Petauke. En route, we visit a textile initiative in Chipata, called Mulberry Mongoose, where colorful African creations are being produced with local materials like cotton, feathers and even the wire retrieved from poaching snares. From March to December, you can take a tour of the workshops to see how the fabrics and hand-crafted products are made.
Zambia is truly rural with many local villages and farming communities dotting the lush vegetation we pass through on our drive to Petauke. We overnight at a lodge in Petauke.
Day 21 of our Nairobi to Victoria Falls Overland Safari sees us continue our journey along the Great East Road, stopping at the bridge over the Luangwa River and visiting the vibrant Luangwa Market. This is a chance to sample some of the local fruits or pick up some locally made souvenirs. We overnight just south of Zambia's capital city, Lusaka. Our Safari Camp is a shady oasis surrounded by natural bush where you may encounter animals such as impala, giraffe, zebra and fantastic birdlife!
On the last day of our budget lodge safari, we make the short journey through the southern reaches of Zambia towards the Zambezi River and Livingstone, Zambia’s adventure capital and launchpad for experiencing Mosi-ao-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders) as the locals call the spectacular Victoria Falls waterfall.
We highly recommend spending a few extra days here after your overland safari, in order to participate in some of the adventure activities available and to experience the might of Victoria Falls for yourself. Whitewater rafting is always popular, but other optional activities include bungee jumping, game viewing, swimming in Devil's Pool, visiting Livingstone Island, or taking scenic flights over Victoria Falls by helicopter, micro-light, or small plane.
This southbound Nairobi to Victoria Falls Overland Safari is also available in the opposite direction as the Victoria Falls to Nairobi Overland Safari, travelling north from Zambia to Kenya.
Looking for a more affordable option? Compare this lodge safari with our Kenya to Victoria Falls Camping Safari, which follows a similar route at a lower price.
Please note that the Wildebeest Great Migration between the Masai Mara (Kenya) and the Serengeti (Tanzania) is seasonal. As a natural wildlife phenomenon, it is fluid and unpredictable. For this reason, seeing the Great Migration cannot be guaranteed.
The wildebeest and other wild herbivores migrate between the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania. These herds move in a massive circular route covering some 1200 miles (1931km). It is a continuous movement of wildlife that can be seen in different areas at different times of the year. During certain phases of this annual trek the animals disperse or slow down, whilst at other times the migration picks up speed, with the herds becoming larger and denser. Not only does the Wildebeest Great Migration vary from place to place and season to season but the movement of these large wildlife herds varies from year to year.
Please talk to a travel expert from African Budget Safaris about seeing the Wildebeest Great Migration on your safari to find out more. Also, check out our detailed article about the Great Migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
There is a minimum age limit of 12 years of age, for travellers on scheduled departure dates.
A maximum of 4 children, aged between 12 - 15 years, will be allowed on any scheduled tour departure date.
Should there already be 4 children confirmed on a tour, any further children requests will be dealt with on a request basis only.
Age restrictions may apply to certain items listed in the respective tour activities and it is important that you are aware of these restrictions prior to confirming children on tour.
Please contact African Budget Safaris for further information.
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