East Africa Explorer

Nairobi - Masai Mara. We leave Nairobi early this morning and make our way to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve. The Mara is adjacent to the Serengeti, forming one of the world's last surviving great wildernesses. We will be travelling in specialised safari vehicles for this part of the tour for a more intimate wildlife-viewing experience, and will join up with our main vehicle later. In the Masai Mara, we will be staying in twin-share pre-erected tents with ensuite facilities.

During our time in the Mara, we enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in search of the huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope which inhabit the plains and the predators that hunt them. Also keep your eyes peeled for other iconic species like rhino, elephant and giraffe. We camp on the edge of the reserve, close to the action!

Please note: The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 08:00 on Day 1 so please arrive in Nairobi the day before your tour. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book accommodation and transfers on request.

Today we continue exploring the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. Forming part of the Serengeti ecosystem and adjacent to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara is perhaps Africa's most iconic wild place. Home to the Great Migration, it is possible to see millions of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra crossing the plains throughout the year, tracked all the way by the lions, leopards, and cheetahs which feed on them. Crocodiles wait for an easy meal as the herds cross the Mara River, and scavengers such as hyenas clear up the remains of any kills. With plenty of included game drives, you'll have a great chance at spotting many of these species, as well as elephants, buffalo, giraffe and more.

Masai Mara - Nairobi. Departing the Mara we return to Nairobi for our last night in Kenya. We recommend heading into the city to enjoy a meal at the famed Carnivore restaurant!

Nairobi - Arusha (Tanzania). Say goodbye to Kenya as we board our overland truck and cross into neighbouring Tanzania. Our destination is the country's safari capital of Arusha, located near the Serengeti and in the shadow of Mount Meru. We'll browse the local markets before arriving at our camp for the night. There may also be time to visit a Maasai village.

Arusha - Serengeti National Park. Once again, we transfer to smaller, specialized safari vehicles for our excursion into the Serengeti National Park. Much larger than the Masai Mara, the Serengeti National Park is home to all of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and is sure to yield incredible wildlife experiences. Driving around the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater (we'll be back here later in the tour!), we game drive to our unfenced bush campsite, for a night spent camping and listening to the sounds of the African wild.

Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha. Day 6 sees us game-driving back out of the Serengeti and into the nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This UNESCO-listed site is dominated by the Ngorongoro Crater, Africa's largest caldera. It is also home to some of the highest densities of wildlife on the entire continent. The view from the rim (2400 metres above sea level) is spectacular. Here, we spend the night camping on the rim.

On day 7 we wake early and descend the steep dirt road of the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning of game driving in this spectacular wildlife haven. Returning to the camp for lunch. It's then time to pack up as we return to Arusha.

Arusha - Bagamoyo. It's time for some downtime! We head first to the port city of Bagamoyo, which is located on the Indian Ocean coast. It's a long drive, but we will be afforded views of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro if the weather is clear. Our campsite for the night is near the beach, and you are more than welcome to head out to explore.

Bagamoyo - Dar es Salaam. We continue our journey down the Tanzanian coast to Dar es Salaam, the country's most important port. It's a relatively short drive of just 2 - 3 hours, and there should be time for you to head into the city independently. There is a wealth of Arab architecture to admire, as well as a selection of vibrant markets, great beaches, and bars. Tonight we are camping on the beach before our trip to Zanzibar tomorrow.

Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar Island. On the morning of day 10 we board the ferry to Zanzibar, a tropical, semi-autonomous island off the coast of the Tanzanian mainland. Our overland truck will remain in Dar es Salaam.

Our time in Zanzibar is not structured, and there is plenty of time for you to unwind on the beach with a good book or embark on optional excursions such as a spice tour, snorkelling, scuba diving or enjoying a relaxing massage. See the Trip Notes for details.

As a general rule, we will spend one day in the old part of Zanzibar City, known as Stone Town. Then we will head to the northern beaches for two further days of sun, sea and sand. In Zanzibar we will stay in standard hotels, instead of camping.

Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. There's time for a final swim this morning before we check out after breakfast and catch the ferry back to the mainland. We're camping by the coast again tonight, and you'll be able to head back into Dar if you choose.

Dar es Salaam - Mikumi National Park. Climb aboard our overland truck once more as we make our way back inland, heading for the Malawian border. Today we are driving through Mikumi National Park, and will stop if we see any exotic wildlife, such as a forest elephant, or herd of giraffes.

Our campsite tonight is on the edge of the reserve, and you can opt for an extra game drive if you haven't had your safari fill yet! We'll also enjoy drinks at the local bar before an evening around the campfire.

Mikumi National Park - Iringa. Today's drive takes us through the spectacular Southern Highlands of Tanzania. We'll be staying at a local family-run farm around 50km from Iringa. The farm has been managed by the Ghaui family for more than 70 years and produces organic crops and meat for the local community and Dar es Salaam. It's a well-known camping spot on the way to Malawi.

Iringa - Mbeya Area. As we head towards Malawi, we make a stop at the tranquil Utengule Coffee Lodge, nestled amidst the majestic Mbeya range in Southern Tanzania. We take in breathtaking views of the East African Rift Valley, unwind by the poolside, or enjoy activities like squash, tennis, pool, table tennis, and volleyball. For those of us interested in coffee, we have the option to join a guided tour through the coffee plantation, complete with a roasting demonstration and a delicious cup of home-grown coffee.

Mbeya Area - Chitimba Beach (Malawi). After our last night in Tanzania, we make our way to the Songwe border post and cross into Malawi. Lake Malawi, formerly known as Lake Nyasa, covers nearly a fifth of the country and is a vital source of livelihood for many Malawians. Fishermen, fish traders, and canoe and net makers all rely on the lake, and at dawn, we see fishermen in their Bwato—traditional dugout canoes—casting their nets as the sun rises over the water. The lake is also home to the highest number of endemic freshwater fish species in the world. We have plenty of free time to relax on the beach, stroll through the village, and explore the local craft market, where we can try our hand at woodcarving and create our own souvenir. We also have the chance to learn the traditional game of Bao or test our bargaining skills while shopping for unique handmade treasures.

Mbeya Area - Chitimba - Ngala Beach. Lake Malawi is too much of a highlight for us to only visit one location along its never-ending shore! Our next destination is Ngala Beach, we stop to reload our supplies in the town of Mzuzu.

The rest of today and all of day 19 are at leisure. Optional activities include horse riding, a visit to a Malawian village, and freshwater scuba diving. Lake Malawi is home to several fish species found nowhere else in the world!

Ngala Beach - Petauke (Zambia). This morning, we bid farewell to "the lake" and we drive through Nkhotakhota Game Reserve on our way to the border, where we cross into Zambia. We continue our journey to Petauke, a region known for its rich agricultural production. As we travel, we pass fields of maize, cotton, sunflowers, soya beans, and other crops, getting a glimpse of the farming life that sustains this part of Zambia.

Petauke - Lusaka. It's an early start today as we have a long drive to the Zambian capital, Lusaka. The scenery en route is stunning though: we'll take the Great Eastern Road, passing through lush countryside and crossing the rushing Luangwa River. Our campsite is at a tranquil farm outside Lusaka, which is Southern Africa's fastest-growing city.

Lusaka - Livingstone. On day 22 we drive south to Livingstone. Named after famed explorer David Livingstone, this is the Zambian base for exploring Victoria Falls, one of the African continent's finest natural wonders. There is an included visit to the falls, which are also known as Mosi oa Tunya - the ‘Smoke that Thunders’.

Day 23 is completely free for you to do as little or as much as you like. Livingstone is an adrenalin junkie's paradise, with all manner of optional activities available. You could go bungee jumping, canoeing or rafting on the Zambezi River, take a scenic flight over the falls, or enjoy a fishing trip. Or you can sit by the pool and relax! See the Trip Notes for more details.

Today our tour comes to an end after a final breakfast in the hotel. If you'd like to stay a while longer in Livingstone then speak to our team about booking post-tour accommodation.