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This Zanzibar, Vic Falls & Kruger Camping Safari takes you on an affordable African adventure through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Highlights on this budget camping trip include game viewing in South Africa's flagship Kruger National Park, as well as exploring Zanzibar Island with its sandy beaches, rich history and intriguing cultures. Top Southern African travel destinations featured on the itinerary include the world famous Victoria Falls, the fascinating and beautiful Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe and vast Lake Malawi, one of the most scenic lakes in the world.
An exciting exploration of Southern Africa's landscapes, natural wonders and cultures - this memorable camping tour offers an ideal mix of wildlife and beaches!
During this trip 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 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.
This African camping safari starts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, located on the East Coast of Africa.
We depart from Dar es Salaam in the morning with the tour guide giving a tour briefing on the ferry across to Zanzibar Island, also known as the Spice Island.
Our first destination, the Zanzibar Archipelago, is a cluster of lush tropical islands in the Indian Ocean, lying about 40 km off the coast of Tanzania. The main island is Unguja, also called Zanzibar Island, and the other main island is Pemba. The Zanzibar Islands are an alluring tourist destination, offering white sand beaches, exotic spices and a rich cultural heritage. Visitors are drawn to Zanzibar for its idyllic beaches and interesting history that can be seen in the architecture of places like Stone Town, as well as its diverse cultures.
We stay in Zanzibar for three nights, giving you plenty of time to explore this rustic and exotic island paradise. This tour does not follow an itinerary on Zanzibar, so you are free to choose your own activities and enjoy the islands at leisure.
Explore the palm-fringed beaches up north, choosing from the array of activities available. Activities include snorkelling and scuba diving in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, taking excursions to the smaller offshore islands and sampling the delicious fresh seafood on offer. Or you could simply relax on one of the beautiful beaches, sipping on a cocktail and taking a refreshing swim in the sea. Go on a romantic sunset cruise in a traditional Dhow sailing boat or hike one of the trails on the lush forested island of Zanzibar.
Browse the bustling local markets and visit the intriguing mosques, palaces and courtyards of Stone Town, or stroll through the winding lanes of the historic quarter, stopping at Arabic-style shops. Treat your senses to a Spice day tour to one of the spice plantations in the area where spices including cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper are grown - a feast of tastes, scents and colours.
Zanzibar displays a unique blend of Arabic and African cultures, having once been a major centre for the trading of slaves and spices. Even today the population of Zanzibar is mostly Sunni Muslim with the strong Arabic influence being evident in Zanzibar’s culture as well as its architecture and town design. Some of the 19th century’s great European explorers, such as Richard Burton and David Livingstone, used Zanzibar as a base, with the islands gaining independence from Britain in 1963.
After our Zanzibar Island adventure, we take the ferry back to Dar es Salaam, on the mainland.
Basic tourist-class accommodation on Zanzibar is included, but meals other than breakfasts are left for your own account for the sake of flexibility. We spend one night in Stone Town and two nights at one of the beaches in the north of the island. Your tour leader will be able to assist if you experience any problems, but there are no set activities—the time is entirely at your leisure.
Day four - spend the morning doing a last bit of sightseeing or curio shopping, before we catch the ferry back to Dar es Salaam. Returning to the Tanzanian mainland, we camp on the coast before travelling inland the following day.
Next, we drive through Mikumi National Park looking out for elephants, giraffes and other wildlife along the way. If time allows, you can embark on an optional game drive in the late afternoon. Arriving at our campsite near Mikumi Park, we go for sundowners at the local bar and relax around the campfire under starry skies.
On day six, we travel into the beautiful Southern Highlands of Tanzania, making our way to Iringa and our camp on Kisolanza Farm. At 1600m above sea level, Kisolanza enjoys a mild climate compared to hotter, low-lying areas. The farm produces vegetables and meat for the local markets and Dar es Salaam, and has been owned by the same family for over 70 years.
Day 7 sees our safari travelling further south traversing verdant mountain passes and driving through tea and banana tree plantations, as well as fertile fields where livestock graze as we head to the Mbeya Region en route to Malawi.
We stop at the serene Utengule Coffee Lodge, tucked away in the stunning Mbeya Range of Southern Tanzania, for our overnight stay. Here, you can take in the awe-inspiring views of the East African Rift Valley, unwind by the pool, or engage in a variety of activities such as squash, tennis, pool, table tennis, or volleyball. For coffee enthusiasts, there’s an optional guided tour of the coffee plantation, complete with a roasting demonstration and a chance to enjoy a cup of freshly grown coffee.
After our final night in Tanzania, we will make our way to the Songwe border post and cross the border into Tanzania's neighbour Malawi. This African country is fondly called the Warm Heart of Africa because of its reputation for being welcoming and friendly.
We head straight to the scenic Lake Malawi and our next camp, situated at Chitimba Beach on the northern shores of Lake Malawi, also called Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Mozambique. Located along the shores of this vast lake, Lake Malawi is the southernmost of the African Great Lakes dotting the Great Rift Valley in Eastern Africa. This African Great Lake covers nearly one-fifth of Malawi and is the highlight of any trip to Malawi. Lake Malawi is also renowned for having the largest number of endemic freshwater fish species of any lake in the world!
It serves as an important source of food and income with its fishing industry, and is a vital source of livelihood for many Malawians. The lake supports a variety of occupations, with fishermen, fish traders, and canoe and net makers all relying on its abundant resources.
The shores of Lake Malawi are lined with pretty golden-sand beaches and lively fishing villages where Malawians fish and trade for a living. Many of the fishing folk head out onto the lake in traditional dugout canoes, called Bwato. The lanterns of fishermen out on the lake twinkle like stars in the night, which is why the great explorer David Livingstone called it 'The Lake of Stars'.
Relax on the scenic golden beach flanked by the green Nyika mountains at Chitimba. The tropical climate is ideal for swimming in the warm, calm waters and relaxing under the banana palms and papaya trees. surrounded by the famous Livingstonia and Nyika mountains. Alternatively, you can explore the village on foot, browse the crafts market, visit the school and meet the locals. You can also hike up onto the Nyika Plateau where the old missionary village of Livingstonia, with its church dating back to 1894, lies high above Lake Malawi.
Please note: The Malawi stretch of our safari is subject to changes at the discretion of the crew in order to make the best of our time in Malawi.
Today we leave Chitimba and embark on a scenic drive through lush rubber plantations towards Mzuzu, the capital of Malawi's northern region and the country's third-largest city. We make a brief stop in this pleasant town surrounded by forested mountains and farmlands to stock up on supplies and explore the vibrant local markets before continuing to our beach lodge accommodation nestled along the shores of Northern Lake Malawi in Nkhotakota. Over the next two days, you can unwind and enjoy the warm, inviting waters of Lake Malawi or take part in a variety of optional activities. Whether it’s kayaking, snorkelling, exploring nearby villages, or hiking to a picturesque waterfall, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
Leaving Lake Malawi, we drive through the Nkhotakota Game Reserve towards the border, where we cross into Zambia. Once border checks are completed, we continue our safari to Petauke, a fertile rural region in the Eastern Province of Zambia known for its agricultural production of crops like maize, cotton, sunflower, groundnuts, and soybeans.
Getting an early start this morning, we leave Petauke and drive along the Great Eastern Road towards the Zambian capital, Lusaka. The scenic drive takes us through fertile lands of farms and gentle hills, dotted with little Zambian villages and across the Luangwa River.
Arriving in fast-expanding Lusaka on the southern stretch of our East & Southern African Adventure we continue to a farm outside of the bustling city. We camp in a peaceful rural setting, where we can relax after our long day on the road.
The capital of Zambia, Lusaka, is the country's most modern and cosmopolitan centre. Set high on a plateau, this is the heart of the nation, where the central government is based, major commerce happens, and nightlife can be experienced.
Next up - Livingstone, at Victoria Falls in Zambia.
Our next campsite is located on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, a few kilometres from the famous Victoria Falls waterfall. Vic Falls is considered the largest sheet of falling water in the world, at 1708 m’s wide and 108 m high - an unforgettable sight!
We spend four nights camping near Livingstone and get to view the natural wonder up close. When you witness the impressive spray rising from Victoria Falls as it plummets over 100 m's, you will understand why it is called the “Smoke that Thunders” or “Mosi oa Tunya”, as Vic Falls is called locally. When the Zambezi is flowing strongly, the spray at Vic Falls can be seen from as far as 20 km away.
Over the next few days, there are no planned activities, leaving you free to explore Livingstone town, participate in some of the thrilling adventure activities or simply relax beside the Zambezi River, keeping an eye out for hippos and crocodiles. During our stay at Victoria Falls, there are plenty of exciting activities to choose from, including white water rafting, scenic flights, bungee jumping, canoeing, game viewing, Zambezi River cruises and more. Spend time in Livingstone, browsing markets, meeting locals and sampling the nightlife. Take a day trip to Zimbabwe or unwind at the lodge bar and pool.
Please note:
During our stay in Livingstone, only breakfast is included in the tour price, allowing for flexibility with your other meals while you are on the move. Our overnight camp in Livingstone features a reasonably priced restaurant overlooking the Zambezi River, and many of the full and half-day activities include lunch. A budget of between US$30 and $40 per day is recommended for your other meals.
We depart from Livingstone after breakfast today and cross the border into Zimbabwe. Passing through Victoria Falls town on the Zimbabwe side of the mighty Zambezi, we take a scenic drive to Bulawayo, where we stop for supplies. Bulawayo is a pleasant city known for its cultural richness and historic highlights. It is the second largest city in Zimbabwe, hosting art galleries, museums, parks, and other attractions. From Bulawayo, we head to our campsite in Matobo National Park, where we will stay overnight. Tomorrow, we have the opportunity to explore this UNESCO heritage park.
This morning, we embark on a half-day game drive and possibly a guided nature walk depending on the conditions.
Matobo National Park is home to the largest concentration of Black and White rhinos in Africa. We look out for rhinos on our game drive, as Matobo is home to a successful rhino breeding program and an intensive protection zone for black and white rhinos. If conditions allow, our guide may take us in search of rhinos on foot. Other wildlife sightings include giraffes, wildebeest, and various other antelopes. The Matobo National Park also hosts one of the highest concentrations of black eagles and leopards in the world, so be sure to keep an eye out for black eagles and the elusive leopards.
Following our exciting game drive and nature walk, we head back to our camp for a leisurely afternoon. For those wanting to explore the park further, there is an optional full-day tour where you can see the ancient San (bushmen) paintings that are found in Matopos Hills, dating back as far as 2000 years ago. You can also visit the contested burial site of British imperialist and mining magnate Cecil John Rhodes, which is located at World’s View. The location of Rhodes's grave is controversial because these hills are sacred grounds of the Ndebele.
We leave Matobo Park this morning and continue our journey south, crossing the border at Beitbridge, over the Limpopo River and into South Africa. The second largest river in South Africa, the Limpopo River acts as an important source of water for this dry and arid region as well as acting as a natural boundary between South Africa and its neighbouring countries, Botswana and Zimbabwe, before it flows through Mozambique and out into the Indian Ocean.
Our road trip takes us to the town of Tshipise and our next camp, located in the hills next to the Honnet Nature Reserve. This northern area of the Limpopo Province hosts hot springs and thick groves of Mopani, Red bush-willow and Jakkalsbessie trees, as well as the third largest Baobab tree in the country.
From Tshipise, we make our way to the world-renowned Kruger National Park in the Mpumalanga Province.
We spend two nights camping within the Greater Kruger area, which covers over 24,000 km² of wild savannah and bushveld. Greater Kruger consists of the national park and surrounding private game reserves, where fences have been dropped to allow wildlife to roam freely. Kruger Park is South Africa’s flagship game park and top travel destination, boasting an unrivalled diversity of plants and animals, ranging from the warthog and dwarf mongoose to Africa’s Big Five - elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo.
The whole of day 21 is spent game viewing in a game-viewing vehicle with a resident guide. Our game drives in Kruger Park take us in search of the Big Five of Africa and a variety of other wildlife, such as giraffe, zebra, cheetah, hyena and various antelope species. With around 507 bird species, 147 mammal species and 114 reptile, game drives in Kruger Park offer excellent photographic opportunities. In addition to its abundance of wildlife, the untamed Kruger Park is also rich in archaeological and historical sites.
On the first evening in Greater Kruger, we are treated to traditional Shangaan singing and dancing. Our last evening camping under the stars is spent celebrating our exciting African adventure together.
On the final day of our safari through Southern Africa, we depart from Greater Kruger, driving west through one of the most scenic parts of South Africa to our last stop, Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. Situated just a short distance from Johannesburg, Pretoria is often called the "Jacaranda City," named for the stunning purple jacaranda trees that blanket the streets every October. The city offers a wealth of attractions, including the towering 10-meter bronze statue of Nelson Mandela, proudly standing beside the historic Union Buildings. You'll find a variety of cultural landmarks, shopping venues, lively bars, and fantastic restaurants in this beautiful city.
Our 22-day Zanzibar to Victoria Falls & Kruger Overland Camping Safari comes to an end when we arrive in Pretoria in the late afternoon or early evening. We recommend a post-safari overnight stay this evening.
Contact African Budget Safaris for a detailed and up-to-date itinerary description showing exactly what is included in the Adventure Pass. See Full Pricing Info above for the Adventure Pass cost.
Transport on this tour is in a 24-seater, custom-built safari truck. The self-contained truck is fitted with onboard tables, individual lockers (70-litre) (700mm deep x 330mm height x 540mm wide) and a freezer for food, as well as safety features. The safari truck also features plug sockets, a library and USB charging station and a drinks cooler box. Game drives in purpose-built safari vehicles and ferry crossings.
The group prepares the included meals in camp, and help with preparation is invited. Most dietary requirements can be catered for on the road, upon request at the time of booking. Please note that meals in Zanzibar are not included in the tour price.
Some of our National Park visits and game viewing drives are conducted using local services, to ensure the best quality game driving and to comply with local authority rulings. Using local African guides and service providers also adds to our safari experience and allows us to contribute to the local communities.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
Zanzibar Island:
Mikumi National Park:
Lake Malawi:
Livingstone:
Matobo National Park:
This tour does take children.
All Dar es Salaam Departures |
1. Unguja, Tanzania
Starting in Dar es Salaam travel through scenic Southern Tanzania Highlands to Lake Malawi, unspoilt wildlife of South Luangwa in Zambia, and ending in Livingstone,Victoria Falls.
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