Africa Family Overland

We meet you on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and transfer to a comfortable city camp to settle into our tents – a relaxed first taste of life on tour. You then have time to unwind after the flight or arrange an optional local outing – a gentle start to your family overland adventure.

We meet the crew for a detailed trip briefing and an introduction to the overland truck and the camping routine. We then drive through Nairobi’s suburbs to the Giraffe Centre, where we observe endangered Rothschild’s giraffes from raised walkways and learn about conservation work. We return to camp by road. The afternoon and evening are yours to relax after your first wildlife experience.

We travel south from Nairobi, cross into Tanzania and continue towards Arusha, passing open grasslands, farms and villages en route. Reaching Meserani Snake Park on the outskirts of the city, we relax and enjoy the setting of northern Tanzania. You can settle into camp, freshen up and organise your kit for the Serengeti ahead.

After breakfast we drive across the Ngorongoro Highlands to Olduvai Gorge, where the museum and viewpoint illuminate this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s role in our understanding of early humans. We continue into the Serengeti towards Seronera, crossing vast plains with wildlife often seen along the way. As we approach our campsite, we enjoy game viewing that sets the tone for the days ahead.

We set out at first light for a morning game drive on the Serengeti plains, watching for lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and a host of other species as the day begins. After lunch and a rest at camp, we head out again to explore another area of the park. The Serengeti rewards patience with both iconic sightings and the smaller, lesser known creatures that bring the ecosystem to life. As dusk settles, we return to our Seronera campsite for dinner under a canopy of stars and the nocturnal chorus of the bush.

We begin with an early game drive when wildlife activity is at its peak, then leave the Serengeti and travel towards the Ngorongoro highlands, pausing at a traditional Maasai village. At a Maasai boma we learn about this pastoral community’s culture, housing and customs. We continue up to the Ngorongoro rim and our campsite at Simba – a cooler, more forested contrast to the open plains we have left behind.

We descend from the crater rim to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning safari in this vast natural amphitheatre, home to a high density of wildlife including zebra, wildebeest, elephants, lions and, with luck, black rhinos. Climbing back out of the crater, we return to Meserani Snake Park near Arusha to rejoin our overland truck and crew. After the journey, you can unwind at the camp and prepare for the next stage of the trip.

We travel from the Arusha area to Marangu on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, with views of the snow capped summit on clear days. You have free time to relax amid the lush foothills – a welcome chance to slow the pace after several early safari starts.

We take a guided village walk around Marangu, visiting waterfalls, exploring caves and wandering through coffee plots to gain a deeper understanding of Chagga culture and life on the mountain’s lower slopes.

We leave the Kilimanjaro region and drive south to the Indian Ocean, finishing in Bagamoyo, a historic coastal town with a palm fringed beach. On arrival we unwind on the sand. In your free time you can paddle in the ocean, wander along the shore or simply relax at camp.

We travel down the coast to Dar es Salaam and continue to the ferry terminal, the city’s bustle a contrast to the quiet beaches we have left. We take the ferry to Zanzibar, then drive from the port near Stone Town up the coast to Nungwi Beach, passing villages and coconut groves. You have free time on Nungwi’s white sands – swim, paddle in the Indian Ocean or unwind at your beachfront base.

We leave Nungwi for Stone Town, glimpsing rural island life along the way. We join a guided Spice Tour, explore the maze of streets and markets, visit working farms to see how spices are grown and enjoy a local lunch. Later we return by road to Nungwi. The evening is free – you can relax back at your coastal base.

A full day at leisure in Nungwi – you can linger on the white sands, swim in the Indian Ocean, paddle along the shore or simply unwind at your beachfront accommodation.

We drive across the island to Zanzibar’s main airport and fly to Lusaka, a swift journey that avoids a long road transfer and brings us to Zambia’s capital to rejoin the overland truck. On arrival we meet the crew, settle in and get organised for the drive towards Victoria Falls.

We travel south from Lusaka through the Zambian countryside towards Victoria Falls, breaking the journey with stops en route. After checking into our lodge, you have a free evening in the town – relax by the pool, browse local shops or plan optional activities for the days ahead.

We visit Victoria Falls, following rainforest pathways to viewpoints where the spray rises as the Zambezi plunges into the gorge. Afterwards you have a free evening in the town of Victoria Falls – relax by the pool, browse the shops or finalise plans for optional activities.

We depart Victoria Falls and cross into Botswana for the drive to Chobe National Park, ending at a riverside campsite in one of Southern Africa’s premier wildlife areas. In the late afternoon we board a boat for a leisurely cruise on the Chobe River, watching elephants, buffalo and other wildlife at the water’s edge as the sun sets in golden light.

We leave Botswana and cross into Namibia, travelling through the Caprivi Strip to Ngepi Camp on the Okavango River. The route is rich in rivers, wetlands and wildlife. We settle in beside the Okavango and relax into the camp’s unique setting. In your free time you can join water based safaris or take a refreshing dip in the floating swimming pool.

We unwind at Ngepi Camp on the banks of the Okavango River, making the most of this special riverside location. You can join optional water based safaris, and the floating swimming pool makes this a particularly fun stop for families.

We travel west along the Okavango River to the bustling town of Rundu, passing small settlements and farmland along the south bank. In the evening we join a cruise on the Kavango floodplain near Rundu, watching for birds, hippos and other wildlife as the sun sets.

We leave Rundu and drive west towards Etosha National Park as the scenery shifts from lush riverine country to drier bush. In the late afternoon we head out on a game drive, scanning waterholes for elephants, antelope and predators. After dark we watch wildlife at the nearby floodlit waterhole.

We spend a full day on safari in Etosha, moving between waterholes and open plains as we travel from Namutoni towards Halali. With a rich variety of mammal and bird life, there are frequent opportunities for memorable sightings throughout the day.

We continue game viewing in Etosha as we make our way to the park gate – a final chance to spot species we may have missed. We then drive to a small, family run camp in the Namibian desert that supports local Himba communities, where the remote setting offers a vivid sense of life far from major towns.

We cross stark desert landscapes to the Atlantic coast and Cape Cross, where cool ocean air contrasts with the heat inland. We visit the Cape Cross Seal Reserve to watch thousands of Cape fur seals from the viewing platforms. Continuing south along the Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund, the road threads between Atlantic surf and desert dunes. On arrival you have a free evening in this seaside town with strong German influences – wander the streets, drop into cafés or stroll the beach.

A relaxed day in Swakopmund – you can explore the town, visit cafés or walk along the beach at your own pace.

Leaving the coast, we drive south into the Namib Desert to reach a remote campsite, with stark plains and distant mountains unfolding en route. On arrival we join a guided walk with a local expert to seek out the Little Five and other small desert creatures, learning how life survives here – including the fog basking beetles that harvest moisture from the morning mist.

We travel deeper into Namib–Naukluft National Park towards Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, driving between towering dunes into the heart of the desert. We explore the white clay pans framed by orange sand and ancient trees – a striking setting for photography. We then return to camp at Sesriem inside the park, where inky skies reveal a blaze of stars after dark.

We climb Dune 45 for sweeping views over a sea of sand, then you can run or slide back down to breakfast at the base. We leave the desert behind and drive north to Namibia’s capital, Windhoek – the final long leg of our journey. This evening we enjoy a last group night in the city – you might choose a celebratory meal, share highlights and bid farewell to new friends.

We transfer you from your Windhoek hotel to Hosea Kutako International Airport, the drive taking us out of the city and into open countryside. On arrival, check in for your onward flight. Your family overland adventure concludes as you depart Namibia.