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Begin your 16-day overland tour in exotic Zanzibar with three blissful nights in Nungwi. Journey through Tanzania's scenic highlands and Mikumi National Park before reaching Lake Malawi's crystal shores. Experience exceptional wildlife viewing in South Luangwa National Park, then follow Zambia's Great East Road to your final destination - the magnificent Victoria Falls.
This lodge safari combines Africa's finest experiences: pristine beaches, abundant wildlife, and authentic cultural encounters, all while offering comfortable accommodations at an excellent value.
During this overland safari, you are likely to come across activities that encourage tourists to participate in lion, elephant, or other wildlife interaction. This includes walking with lions, riding elephants, and any other tourist operation putting travelers in close contact with animals that would normally live wild and separate from human contact.
We absolutely do not encourage or endorse this type of wildlife interaction operation. For more information on why this is not good for Africa's wild animals, please see our detailed blog post on the subject.
This adventure-packed Africa Overland Tour begins when you arrive at your accommodation in Nungwi. Situated on the northern tip of Zanzibar's main island, Nungwi is part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, often referred to as the Zanzibar Spice Islands. It is renowned for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, and vibrant marine life.
Relax and explore the stunning northern beaches of Nungwi. At 4:00 PM, meet your group and guide at the accommodation for an introduction and tour briefing.
Over the next two nights, we’ll be staying at a beachfront resort, where you can unwind by the ocean, take a dip in the in the pool, or rent a bike to discover the local area. Spend these two days enjoying the various activities and attractions available. Whether you decide to venture out and explore or simply lounge on the beach and bask in the sun, you're sure to create unforgettable memories of the Zanzibar Beaches.
Today we journey by road to the historic and fascinating Stone Town, once a major port on the slave and spice trade routes. Along the way, we stop near a local village for a Spice Tour. We are guided on a walking tour of a local spice plantation to learn about the Zanzibar spice trade and see how spices like nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, and black pepper are grown and harvested. You also get the chance to buy some fresh spices from the local farms.
After our spice tour, we continue to Stone Town where we spend our final night on Zanzibar Island at a comfortable centrally located hotel. Your guide will lead you on a walk through the narrow streets of the old quarter of Stone Town to see popular landmarks and hear about the diverse cultures, fascinating history, and unique architecture of Zanzibar. See the birthplace of one of Zanzibar’s most famous sons, Queen singer Freddy Mercury. The rest of the day is yours to explore this fascinating place and try some of the varied cuisine on offer.
This morning there is still some time for a final exploration of Stone Town on Zanzibar Island as we await the ferry for our journey to Dar es Salaam. We spend the night in a comfortable, centrally located hotel in Dar (as it is fondly called) and you have the rest of the day free to explore this vibrant city and enjoy some of its diverse cuisine. You can savour traditional Tanzanian dishes, international cuisine, and fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants. Dar es Salaam has a range of markets where you can shop for local crafts, textiles, jewellery, and souvenirs. Popular markets include Kariakoo Market and Mwenge Woodcarvers Market.
Today we board our overland safari truck and bid farewell to the balmy Indian Ocean coastline. Our budget lodge safari heads inland to the outskirts of Mikumi National Park, one of the largest game parks in Tanzania. Mikumi National Park is an integral part of the vast 75,000 square kilometers (30,000 square miles) Nyerere (Selous Game Reserve) wilderness ecosystem and boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, including lions, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, buffalos, elephants, and over 400 species of birds. 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 exploring the sweeping Mkata Floodplains dotted with large herds of herbivores grazing on the lush vegetation, or a choice of cultural tours.
On Day 7 of our Africa Overland Tour, we continue our journey inland, over the rolling hills and rocky escarpments of the Southern Tanzania highlands. We stop to admire a baobab forest and take some group photos with these iconic trees silhouetted in the background. Our destination for the night is a lodge on a farm just outside the historic town of Iringa, on the cliffsides overlooking the Ruaha River Valley. The landscape changes dramatically with the seasons, from lush greenery during the wet season to the golden savannah grasses in the dry season. Lying at 1,550 meters (5,000 feet) 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 8 of our Zanzibar to Victoria Falls Safari takes us deeper into the Tanzania Highlands, through rolling tea plantations and into the Mbeya Mountains. Mbeya is one of the major coffee-growing regions of Tanzania and this afternoon we visit a coffee plantation to see how coffee beans are grown and harvested. You get to sample brews of the delicious coffee beans for yourself. Our next overnight stay is at a scenic lodge set in a coffee plantation in the Mbeya mountains.
Leaving the lush highlands of Tanzania, our Africa Overland Tour heads down into the Great Rift Valley and crosses into Malawi, the next country on our epic adventure. For the next three nights we will stay on the shores of Lake Malawi, fondly known as 'the Lake of Stars' due to the flickering lights of the fishing boats out on the vast lake at night. Third largest Africa Rift Valley Lake and one of the deepest, Lake Malawi stretches 580 kilometers (360 miles) from north to south, covering about 75% of Malawi's eastern border. This afternoon we reach our lakeside lodge in Chitimba in the northern part of the lake. Stroll along the shores of Lake Malawi and take your first dip in the crystal-clear waters.
On Day 10 we travel further south along East Africa Great Rift Valley's Lake Malawi. There are many fishing villages dotted along the shores of this vast lake and we will stop at one of the villages to see more. Your guide will lead a walking tour through the village, learning about the local Malawians as they go about their daily lives, gaining insight into rural life in Africa. After our cultural experience in the Warm Heart of Africa, as Malawi is known, we continue to our lodge.
Our next lovely lodge is set on the shores of historic Ngala beach in central Lake Malawi. End the day off with a cool drink and a sunset stroll along the shores, or a swim in the lake. There are no scheduled activities for Day 10 of our Africa Overland Tour, leaving you free to enjoy balmy Lake Malawi. The beautiful clarity of the water makes snorkelling a popular activity, getting to appreciate the delicate balance of life beneath the lake surface. There are over 1,000 species of brilliantly coloured tropical cichlids, tiny fish often found in colourful aquariums around the world. Otherwise, explore the waters on a kayak, embark on an optional motorboat trip, do some bird watching, volunteer, or go hiking to a waterfall in 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 last serene sunrise over Lake Malawi before we set off for the wild South Luangwa National Park in neighbouring Zambia. Crossing into Zambia we pause in the town of Chipata before continuing to our tented camp beside the Luangwa River. Hippos and other birds & animals are commonly spotted from the lodge bar, so keep an eye open as we sit back with sundowners and watch a glowing sunset over the river.
Day 13 of our Africa Overland Tour from Zanzibar to Victoria Falls, is set aside for game viewing in the unspoiled South Luangwa National Park. Early risers may embark on an optional walking safari, a practice pioneered in South Luangwa and only available during the dry season. Led by knowledgeable guides, you get close to the sights and sounds of the African bush as they lead you on a leisurely walk while pointing out animal tracks and telling you more about the park's flora and fauna. Catch a glimpse of elephants, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species, while bird enthusiasts will delight in the park's over 400 bird species. If you're visiting out of season, an optional morning game drive is available instead.
In the late afternoon, we will embark on a sunset game drive, in search of the abundant wildlife that inhabits South Luangwa. The park hosts 4 of the illustrious Big 5: lions, elephants, buffalos, and leopards (rhinos are sadly absent). Additionally, you are sure to encounter hippos, Nile crocodiles, warthogs, pukus, impalas, spotted hyenas, greater kudus, and elands. Unique to the Luangwa Valley are Thornicroft's giraffes, Cookson's wildebeests, and Crawshay's zebras, found nowhere else. We pause for sundowners, relishing the spectacle of animals grazing on the plains, drink in hand as the setting sun paints a breathtaking canvas. Our game drive will continue into the evening when we hope to catch a glimpse of the elusive nocturnal creatures that thrive in South Luangwa, particularly leopards that call this park home.
We leave South Luangwa Valley today taking a relatively short drive through to Petauke. En route, we stop at a local craft initiative, the Mulberry Mongoose, where women from the surrounding area craft stylish accessories from locally sourced materials. Jewellery is even made from wire retrieved from poachers’ snares. Our destination for tonight is a comfortable lodge in the small town of Petauke.
Today our Africa Overland Tour takes us west along the Great East Road, the main artery crossing Southern Zambia. We cross the bridge over the Luangwa River and make a stop near the bridge to visit the vibrant Luangwa Market. This local market is a feast of colour, with brightly hued textiles, fruits, vegetables, and crafts on display. Interact with locals, sample traditional foods, and purchase unique handcrafted items. 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!
Last stop on our Africa Overland Tour, the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls! On Day 16 we continue along the Great East Road to Livingstone, on the Zambia bank of the Zambezi River and the mighty Victoria Falls, fondly known as Mosi-ao-Tunya by locals (the Smoke that Thunders). A smoke-like spray is created by the powerful plunging waters, causing a mist to rise up above the falls which is visible many miles away.
Our epic Overland Lodge Safari ends upon arrival in Livingstone, Victoria Falls.
While you are here, don't miss the chance to visit the world-famous Victoria Falls. This is a must-see natural wonder of the world. Witnessing the Zambezi River plummet over 100 feet into the gorge below is an awe-inspiring experience. We recommend spending a few extra days at Victoria Falls after this overland tour to do justice to this natural wonder of the world and try some of the unforgettable adventure activities on offer! This part of the Zambezi River is famous for offering some of the best Whitewater Rafting rapids in the world. Other optional adventures include helicopter and microlight flights for an aerial perspective of falls, or the adventurous can try a zip-line ride, swim in Devil's Pool, or go bungee jumping. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi River above the falls is also a popular excursion for spotting the wildlife that come down to the river to drink.
Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.
This Zanzibar to Victoria Falls Tour is also available in the opposite direction - Tanzania, Malawi & Zambia Safari - Africa Overland Tour (North), starting in Livingstone and ending in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
This Lodge Overland Tour is also available as a Camping Overland Tour - Zanzibar to Victoria Falls Africa Overland Camping Safari which follows the same itinerary and accommodation is camping at campsites rather than staying in lodges.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
Tanzania Activities
This tour does take children.
There is a minimum age limit of 8 years of age, for travellers on scheduled departures, however, children aged 8 and 9 years of age are accepted on a request basis only.
A maximum of 4 children, aged between 10 - 15 years will be allowed per 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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