A wild 16-day Vic Falls to Dar es Salaam Family Safari from Zimbabwe to Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania, with an optional trip to Zanzibar Island.
Start at the mighty Victoria Falls where adventure activities abound, before exploring Botswana's Chobe National Park on an overnight camping trip. Then cross into Zambia for game viewing in the remote South Luangwa National Park and head to the pretty shores of Lake Malawi. Next up, travel through Tanzania to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar Island, where African and Arabic cultures mingle and idyllic palm-fringed beaches meet the warm Indian Ocean waters.
An exciting Budget Family Safari that visits diverse African countries known for their wild places, abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery. A truly African family experience that mixes beaches, natural wonders, the untamed bush and cultural highlights!
During this trip, you are likely to come across activities that encourage tourists to participate in lion, elephant or other wildlife interactions. This includes walking with lions, riding elephants and any other tourist operation putting travellers 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.
It all begins at Victoria Falls where we spend the first two days of our budget-friendly African safari. Upon your arrival at Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), you are collected and transferred to our first camp.
On day two, we visit one of the natural wonders of the world - the mighty Vic Falls waterfall. Victoria Falls, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning 'the Smoke that Thunders', is the world's largest sheet of falling water at 1700 m wide and about 100 m high.
Don't miss out on the chance to enjoy numerous optional adventure activities at Victoria Falls, known as the Adventure Capital of Africa, and explore the historic town. Optional activities include scenic flights over Vic Falls by fixed-wing plane, helicopter or micro-light. Trips to Livingstone Island, horseback safaris, sunset boat cruises and swimming in Devil's Pool are also available. There is the bungee jump from Victoria Falls Bridge, or the abseil down the Batoka Gorge for thrill-seekers, as well as world-class white water rafting on the Zambezi River!
Grab breakfast before we drive across into Botswana, heading to Kasane, where we camp along Chobe River. We take a break and have lunch at our camp along Chobe River where you can spot hippos and hear fish eagles calling. Then we get ready for our overnight camping trip in Chobe National Park.
The rest of the afternoon in spent game viewing in Chobe National Park, en route to our bush camp in the reserve. Giraffes, buffalos and antelopes, such as kudu, impala, sable and roan, are often sighted, among other animals. There are also plenty of birds, including raptors, plovers and lilac-breasted rollers to be seen.
Tonight we camp in the middle of the bush, listening to the nocturnal noises of untamed nature and the wild animals of Chobe.
This morning we take a game drive in Chobe Park and pack up camp before returning to Kasane. Back at the camp in Kasane, we board the safari truck and drive to Livingstone in Zambia.
In the afternoon you have time to go see Victoria Falls from Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambian side. In the late afternoon, you can enjoy a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River, a great way to spot animals and birds while relaxing at the end of an action-packed day.
We get up early today and drive north into Zambia, passing rural villages along the way to our next camp. Stopping just outside of the Zambian capital, Lusaka, we camp at a spot visited by eland, the biggest of Africa's antelope species.
Zambia is becoming more prosperous and its cities more westernized due to a resurgence in mining, but the country still largely retains its African feel and ways of life, free of major modern developments.
Today we drive to South Luangwa National Park, one of the finest game parks in Africa, known for its wild beauty. Today and tomorrow we explore this scenic and untamed wilderness area on game drives, immersed in nature.
The Luangwa River runs through this remote game park covering the lushest 9050 km² of the Luangwa Valley. The park is inhabited by some 60 animal species and 420 bird species, most conspicuously large elephant herds, numerous buffalos, hippos and crocodiles. Zebras, giraffes and a variety of antelope species are regularly sighted, and sometimes leopards.
Next, we drive into Malawi, best known for its massive fresh-water lake - Lake Malawi - and its friendly people. First stop, Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi.
Then we head to Lake Malawi, travelling up along the western shores of the 580 km long lake. Our trip takes us to the pretty bays and sandy beaches along the length of the southernmost of the Great Lakes in the East African Rift Valley. We visit fishing villages where you can meet the locals, eat fresh fish, shop at markets and even play the local game called bao. The climate in this part of Malawi is warm and mild, ideal for relaxing on the beaches, paddling in dug-out canoes and swimming in the clear waters of Lake Malawi. Other activities include village and school visits, horse riding, snorkelling and more watersports.
On day 11 we cross into Tanzania, travelling via the Tukuyu banana and tea plantations and the Songwe border post. Our scenic drive brings us to Iringa, where we stay at a farm-style guest house, known for its steamy showers and Amarula hot chocolate.
Today we drive to Dar es Salaam, passing through Mikumi National Park en route to the coastal city. Driving through the national park gives us a chance to spot the relatively habituated wildlife up close along the road. Arriving at our lovely seaside campsite on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, we relax and get ready for our trip to Zanzibar Island.
This morning we catch a ferry to Zanzibar Island, off the coast of Tanzania. The next few days are free for you to explore the tropical islands of the Zanzibar Archipelago enjoying the idyllic beaches and cultural riches of these old trade route islands. Zanzibar was once a major stopover on trading voyages between the East and West, and colonial explorations of East Africa.
On Zanzibar, meal and extra activity expenses are not included in the tour price. The safari guide accompanies the tour group to the main island and is there to assist you with activity and meal arrangements. Zanzibar is one of Africa's top beach destinations and as such features an array of restaurants, sights and activities.
New passengers may join the safari on the trip to Zanzibar.
The Zanzibar Islands are known as the 'Spice Islands' due to the aromatic spices that are grown here. We do a spice plantation tour to smell, see and taste the colourful spices, from cloves and nutmeg to cinnamon and pepper. Walk through old Stone Town to see the strong Arabic influences in Medina shopfronts, old palaces and mosques. Zanzibar is a culturally diverse and historically interesting destination, as well as being a superb beach getaway.
Spend blissful hours on the white-sand, palm-fringed beaches, swimming in the warm Indian Ocean, sipping on cocktails and eating fresh seafood. Zanzibar is also one of Africa's top scuba diving destinations, with options including day trips to smaller islands like Nungwe. Traditional dhow sailing trips are a unique way of exploring the islands and visiting the pristine Prison Island to see giant tortoises.
Our safari also includes a dhow sunset cruise in a traditional East African sailing vessel.
On day 16 we leave Zanzibar Island in the afternoon taking the ferry back to Dar es Salaam. Early this evening our Vic Falls to Dar es Salaam Family Camping Safari comes to a close in Tanzania.
This Budget Family Safari begins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and travels north through Zambia, Malawi and Zanzibar, ending in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Should you wish to spend a few extra days in Victoria Falls or Dar es Salaam, before and/or after your safari, accommodation can be booked through African Budget Safaris.
This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions. All prices are subject to change. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the safari trip.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
Children of 6 years and older, travelling with accompanying parents or guardian, are accepted on this family-friendly tour.
Please contact African Budget Safaris for further information.
1. Unguja, Tanzania
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