Southern Safari

A day-by-day breakdown of what to expect and where you'll be staying.

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Day 1, Nairobi to Masai Mara

We depart from the bustling city of Nairobi and leave for our first viewpoint where we stop to overlook the Great African Rift Valley. We then descend into the valley and enter Masai land. The Masai, habitual pastoralists are seen quite regularly on the side of the road as they tend their cattle. We arrive at our campsite in the early evening in time to enjoy sunset over the plains of the Masai Mara.

Day 2, Masai Mara

We will look for the infamous Big 5 as well as the plentiful plains game and birdlife on our game drives. You will see this 'garden of Eden' in a state nature intended it to be, rolling hills, huge plains, and an abundance of game matched no where else on earth. Buffalo, elephant, lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck just to name a few of the animals that inhabit this wild wonderland. Sitting around a campfire listening to the bush sounds, whilst watching the sun set is the perfect way to finish a day's game viewing in the Mara.

Day 3, Masai Mara to Nairobi

Leaving the Masai Mara, we head out of the surrounding area where we still catch a glimpse of the game that has migrated into the Masai land region. We reach Nairobi in the late afternoon.

Day 4, Nairobi to Arusha

After a short but somewhat bumpy trip we cross the border at Namanga, enter Tanzania and continue to Arusha in the heart of Masai lands. This pleasant town is situated at the base of Mount Meru and is the starting point for your optional excursion to Ngorongoro Crater and/or Serengeti National Park.

Day 5, Arusha to Serengeti National Park

From Arusha you have the option of visiting the famous Serengeti National Park. You will depart Arusha in the morning with your vehicles and guides, if you take up the two-night/three day option. From Arusha you drive through the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) and up into the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve for a glimpse of the Ngorongoro Crater. Then you descend down onto the vast plains of the Serengeti. The abundance of plains game has never stopped to suprise anyone entering this wildlife heaven. The afternoon will be spent game spotting before setting up camp in the midst of the park. A camp fire and the night time noises of the wildlife finish off a day in one of East Africa's most famous game parks!

Day 6, Serengeti National Park

Our day is spent game driving through the Serengeti National Park.

Day 7, Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

An absolute 'must do' when in Tanzania. Pass through the 'Cradle of Mankind' and the Rift Valley whilst enjoying one of the best game viewing opportunities Africa has to offer. An early start takes us off for a full morning game drive in the Serengeti. We head back towards Ngorongoro where we sleep on the Crater's edge. We suggest you wear your winter woollies as it can get pretty cold on the rim of the crater during night times.

Day 8, Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Arusha

This morning we descend into the Ngorongoro Crater with its 600 metre walls. This Garden of Eden is 20-kilometre wide and a true natural wonder. The size of this caldera is only appreciated from the floor itself where the abundance of its animal inhabitants becomes apparent. It is home to nearly every species of African animal and offers great photo opportunities of most of East Africa's mammals, such as Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Hippo, Lion, and plain's game. After spending the morning in the Ngorongoro Crater you will return to our overnight stop near Arusha for the night.

Day 9, Arusha to Dar Es Salaam

On our way to Dar es Salaam we pass through a number of small villages, towns and sisal plantations.The temperature becomes noticeably hotter as we get closer to Dar es Salaam.

Day 10, Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar

An early ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to this exotic "Spice Island", where we will spend the next few nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history which is reflected in the varied architecture of Stone Town while further north you can relax on the white sand beaches or scuba dive in the clear warm water.

Day 11 to 13, Zanzibar Island

Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor. The quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence. With pretty Medina-like shops, the palaces of the Sultans, its spices, tours around a spice plantation - there is something for everyone on this island. You can even hire a motorbike and explore the more remote areas of Zanzibar.

Day 14, Zanzibar Island to Dar es Salaam

We take the ferry back to mainland for another night in Dar es Salaam. Time permitting there may be an opportunity to visit one of the local craft markets offering a large range of exquisite products (where prices depend on your bargaining skills).

Day 15, Dar Es Salaam to Iringa

Today we head deeper into Tanzania. Passing through Mikumi National Park we might be lucky and view a fair amount of wildlife from our truck. We spend the night at the Old Farmhouse, a beautiful rustic spot in rural Tanzania. Try one of their famous Amarula hot chocolates!

Day 16, Iringa to Lake Malawi

The following morning we head for Malawi passing through some gorgeous rolling hills, and beautiful tea and rubber plantations before exiting Tanzania.

Day 17, Lake Malawi

The huge Lake Malawi stretches as far as you can see as you drive along the western coastline. Other than the beautiful views, spend some time taking up some of the many water based activities on offer or trip into a local village to meet some real 'salt of the earth' Malawians.

Day 18, Lake Malawi

Today you can spend some time taking up some of the many water based activities on offer, trip into a local village or relax on the beach and read your book.

Day 19, Lake Malawi

Other than water activities, scuba diving, visits to local villages or relaxing on the beach there is also time for some shopping! Locally made crafts are often beautifully turned out and reasonably priced. Don't forget to check your home country's rules regarding importing these products before you buy. Bartering with the locals is expected!

Day 20, Lake Malawi to Lilongwe

During our visit in Lilongwe we will go shopping for African curios while the crew stocks up on supplies.

Day 21, Lilongwe to Chipata

A short trip today as we leave the busy city of Lilongwe, cross the border into Zambia, and stop for the night at the small town of Chipata.

Day 22, Chipata to Lusaka

We cross the landlocked country of Zambia, passing through the capital Lusaka where we spend the night. The campsite is home to some local wildlife and has nice facilities available to us.

Day 23, Lusaka to Livingstone

Heading off early this morning to Livingstone. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World - Victoria Falls - is a sight to behold and it's not difficult to see why. An option for tonight is a sunset dinner cruise on the mighty Zambezi while watching the sun go down and the wildlife come out to drink - stunning!

Day 24, Livingstone

With a day full of adventure, be sure not to miss the Bungee from Victoria Falls bridge, World class White Water rafting or abseil down Batoka Gorge. For the less adventurous there is horse back safaris, elephant back safaris, and the ever popular 'Flight of the Angels'.

Day 25, Livingstone

Our day is at leisure to explore the town of David Livingstone and experience some of the many activities.

Day 26, Livingstone to Kasane

A short drive, but potentially a long border crossing today as we make our way from Livingstone into Botswana to the small town of Kasane, on the border of Chobe National Park.

Day 27, Kasane to Nata (via Francistown)

Heading south across Botswana's desert plains, we travel through the frontier town of Francistown on our way to tonight's stop at Nata.

Day 28, Nata to Palapye

We continue south and east as we make our way towards South Africa spending tonight close to the border near Palapye.

Day 29, Palapye to Kruger National Park

Once through the border, we travel across the top of South Africa towards Kruger National Park. The Greater Kruger region combines the Kruger National Park and outlying private game reserves which used to be separated by a fence. Now the fences are gone, this region boasts an area of over 24,000 sq.km. More than enough space for our game drives!

Day 30, Kruger National Park

Game Drives and animal spotting take up our day with the odd stop for lunch or a swim if the weather allows.

Day 31, Kruger National Park to Johannesburg

An opportunity for a early morning game drive before we return to Johannesburg and the end of our tour.

Meals included in your tour cost

26 Breakfasts, 22 Lunches, 23 Dinners

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Highlights included in your tour cost

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There are 30 optional activities available on this trip.

Prices shown are approximate

• $75 Arusha Camel Rides
• $35 Chobe National Park Game Drive
• $45 Chobe Sunset Boat Cruise
• $30 Dhow Fishing Trip - Zanzibar
• $15 Domwe Island Excursion
• $60 Kande Beach Horse Riding
• $40 Kande Beach Scuba Diving
• TBA Kande Beach Water Sports Equipment
• $30 Kruger National Park Game Walk
• $435 Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride
• $70 Moped Hire - Zanzibar
• TBA Ngorongoro Crater Excursion
• $30 Nungwe Snorkel Trip
• $370 PADI Dive Course - Zanzibar
• $450 Serengeti National Park Excursion
• $520 Serengeti National Park Hot Air Balloon Ride
• $35 Stone Town City Tour
• $25 Stone Town Spice Tour
• $140 Victoria Falls Adrenaline Day
• $105 Victoria Falls Bungee Jump
• $110 Victoria Falls Elephant Ride
• $120 Victoria Falls Flight of Angels
• $115 Victoria Falls Helicopter Flight
• $70 Victoria Falls Horse Rides
• $120 Victoria Falls Microlight Flight
• $115 Victoria Falls Rhino Walk
• $115 Walk with the Lions - Victoria Falls
• $110 White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River
• $65 Zambezi Gorge Swing
• $50 Zambezi River Sunset Dinner Cruise