African Wanderer - Southbound

Day 1: Nairobi (Kenya)

Today is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time. The remainder of your day is free for you to enjoy at leisure. A pre-departure meeting takes place at 6pm at the hotel. You may choose to eat at the hotel restaurant this evening or venture out to one of the many fine restaurants that Nairobi has to offer (own expense).

Day 2: Arusha (Tanzania)

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus) Starting early this morning we traverse the 'wildlife corridor' between Nairobi and Arusha, also known as the 'safari capital' of Tanzania. This town buzzes with activity, and you can expect to see several safaris heading off – or returning after a week in the bush. On arrival we set up camp on the outskirts of town and enjoy our surrounds. Our campsite is located at Meserani Snake Park and Masai Museum. The snake park is home to a variety of snakes common to East Africa, from the black mamba to the African python, as well as monitor lizards, tortoises and crocodiles. The adjoining Masai Museum centres on the culture, customs and dress of the Masai tribes. The Meserani Project works closely with the local community, providing antidote treatment for snake bites and other basic health service, free of charge, to the local Masai communities.

Day 3: Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus; game drive times variable) Taking a break from our overland vehicle and bidding farewell to our driver and cook for the next three days, we transfer into 4WD vehicles for our expedition to Serengeti National Park. We stop on the top of the Rift Valley escarpment for an incredible view out over Lake Manyara before continuing westward to our next destination - the great plains of the Serengeti. These massive grasslands seem to stretch as far as the eye can see, and even beyond! Over a million wildebeest roam through the park, along with a multitude of antelope species and significant populations of lion and cheetah. We spend two days exploring the plains on game drives as well as checking out the rocky outcrops, or 'kopjes', which are a favourite resting spot for the predators. We spend two nights camping inside the park - perfectly situated for the opportunity to hear the night time serenade of the African savannah. Please note that the campsites in Serengeti National Park are run by the national park administration and are the only public campsites available. You will need to purchase bottled water at your own expense for this part of the tour. The facilities are quite basic, but the opportunity to camp in the middle of the Serengeti Plains is a real highlight and an experience that you are unlikely to forget.

Day 4: Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

(Game drive times variable) Home to massive numbers of grazing animals and also various predators, Serengeti National Park provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. Today we will start around sunrise for a morning game drive and follow that up later on with an afternoon game drive, as the animals tend to be more active in the cooler hours of the day. We will usually return to camp during the hotter hours in the middle of the day, where we get to enjoy a hearty meal, relax and maybe take a siesta. Depending on wildlife movements and opportunities for sightings, our drive could sometimes be a continuous one that last all day and involves returning to camp in the late afternoon.

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater - Mto Wa Mbu (Tanzania)

(Driving time: approx 8 hours; game drive times variable) Departing Serengeti National Park, we head back eastward to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. At the heart of this is the crater, which is a volcanic caldera some 20 kilometres wide that contains an abundance of wildlife and bird life. Ngorongoro is often referred to as a microcosm of Africa, with forest and grasslands, as well as freshwater and soda lakes. We head down to the crater floor, where we spend time exploring this outstanding wildlife sanctuary. The crater is home to several black rhinos and, with luck, we may have the opportunity to seeing some of these highly endangered animals. (National park regulations stipulate that vehicles are only allowed a maximum of six hours in Ngorongoro Crater.) After an exciting visit to the crater we continue to the colourful and vibrant market town of Mto Wa Mbu. There is a nearby Masai village that you may visit (own expense) to learn more about the unique culture and traditions of this proud tribe. The town has a great curio market, as well as a fresh produce market which you can wander through. Alternatively you may choose to spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool at the campsite.

Day 6: School of St Jude - Arusha (Tanzania)

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) We head back to our Arusha campsite where we are reunited with our overland vehicle, driver and cook. We then visit a very special school in Arusha. The School of St Jude was founded in 2002 by Gemma, a young Australian woman, for orphans and very poor children of Arusha. The school was founded on Gemma's belief that not only was a good and accessible education a right for all children in the world but without it, Africa's rate of development would continue to lag behind the rest of the world. Under the banner of 'Fighting Poverty through Education' the school provides a totally free education to over 90% of the pupils, including supplying transport, uniform, stationery, snacks, water and a hot meal. The opportunity for sponsorship at St Jude is given to the brighest and most ambitious children of extremely poor families, after a series of tests designed to measure potential and poverty levels. Whilst on a guided tour of the school we are given more information on how it operates and the success that it has achieved. We have time to visit children in class, before joining them for tea. Our time here is certain to touch our souls and fill us full of optimism.

Day 7: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

(Driving time: approx 11 hours) From Arusha we travel past Mount Kilimanjaro which, on a clear day, may give us a splendid view of the snow-capped Uhuru peak. We cover a lot of ground today, through changing mountain and coastal scenery, as we make our way toward Dar es Salaam - the former capital of Tanzania. With over 2.5 million people, it is still the country's largest city and main administrative centre. We spend a night here at a beachside camp - a chance to experience a large African city before catching the following morning's ferry to Zanzibar.

Day 8: Stone Town - Zanzibar (Tanzania)

(Ferry sailing: approx 1½ hours) We say goodbye to our overland vehicle for four days and catch a ferry for the 1½ hour crossing to the famous spice island of Zanzibar, where we spend our first night in the evocative and historic Stone Town. In Stone Town allow yourself time to wander through the many cobbled laneways, take in the architecture and appreciate the famous Zanzibar doors. The market is a sea of colour and noise and offers a great insight into the lives of the friendly local people. An optional Spice Tour starts with a brief tour of the historical sights in Stone Town, before visiting the Slave Museum, the ruins of the Sultan's Palace and then travelling inland to the famous spice plantations. Here you learn about the many spices and fruits grown on the island, as well as their medicinal and culinary uses. A traditional lunch caps of this great half-day tour. Another great option in Stone Town is getting out to Prison Island. A local motorised dhow is hired and you are taken to the nearby Prison Island, where you enjoy excellent views back to Stone Town. On the island you can swim and snorkel (which you cannot do in Stone Town itself), as well as observe the giant tortoises that inhabit this island. Stone Town also offers great shopping and eating opportunities. Craft markets sprawl out of doorways and down alleyways. Wooden products, paintings and soapstone carvings are just some of the wares on sale. There are many little restaurants that are worth a try and the Night Market offers a great (and cheap) dining experience – the Zanzibari pizzas are quite unique and the banana and chocolate pizza is a real treat.

Day 9-10: Nungwi Beach - Zanzibar (Tanzania)

(Driving time: approx 1 hour) The next two days are spent on the idyllic north coast near the beachside village of Nungwi. This is located at the northern tip of the island and is a major place for construction of dhows (traditional Arabic sailing vessels). Here we also experience white sandy beaches and a warm tropical sea, making it a great place to chill out and relax. Our days in paradise are sure to prove a most welcome break in the midst of our overland adventure.

Day 11: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

(Driving time: approx 1 hour; ferry sailing: approx 1½ hours) We spend a final morning on the beach which allows us an opportunity to grab some last minute bargains, such as the colourful Zanzibari 'katanga'. Similar to a sarong, 'katangas' can be used as a scarf, towel, wrap or blanket. In the afternoon we catch the ferry back to the mainland where we are reunited with our truck. The evening is spent at a seaside campsite.

Day 12: Iringa (Tanzania)

(Driving time: approx 8 hours) We spend our final night in Tanzania where we camp on the grounds of an old farmhouse, a beautiful rustic campsite in the southern highlands. This campsite was voted as having the best showers in all of Africa! The area is fertile and hilly and is known for its vast tea estates and banana plantations.

Day 13-15: Lake Malawi (Malawi)

(Driving times: approx 8 hours plus) After our time in Tanzania we cross the border into Malawi - a hilly country with the picturesque Lake Malawi dominating its eastern flank. Previously known as Lake Nyasa, this lake is the southernmost part of the Great Rift Valley and is the third largest as well as the second deepest in Africa. It is also home to more species of fish than any other lake in the world. The lake is a relaxing spot to stop at and a good place to partake in a range of optional activities. There is also a large curio market here where we can test our bargaining skills (essential!) and buy some of the famous Malawi chairs and other wood carvings. In some places, we may also be able to see hippos as well as some of the numerous waterbirds. Our itinerary here is flexible and we may stop at more than one place along the lake, so please understand that the driving times mentioned may vary significantly.

Day 16: Lilongwe (Malawi)

(Driving time: approx 5 hours) Our next destination is Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, for an overnight stay. This is again a chance to replenish our supplies, change money, perhaps send some postcards and enjoy a taste of African city life.

Day 17-18: South Luangwa National Park (Zambia)

(Driving time: approx 8 hours; game drive times variable) We cross the border into Zambia and our next stop is one of the greatest wildlife reserves in Africa - South Luangwa National Park. Covering an area of 9050 square kilometres, it is home to an amazing concentration of wildlife. Its terrain includes dry shrublands, mopane forests and oxbow lakes, but the main feature is the Luangwa River. As we enter the park we cross the Luangwa River and will be immediately astounded by the incredible numbers of crocodiles and hippos. Our two nights here are spent camping at the border of South Laungwa National Park and we enjoy two game drives (one morning and one evening) in open 4WD vehicles in search of wildlife. If we are very, very lucky, we may even see leopard. This park is off-the-beaten-track, so we are some of the privileged few as not many travellers get to explore this hidden 'gem'. One day that will change!

Day 19-20: Chipata - Lusaka (Zambia)

(Driving time: approx 4 hours on Day 19 and 7 hours on Day 20) After our wildlife sojourn, we travel to Chipata for an overnight stay. There is a supermarket here and also a few places to change money. There is also an impressive mosque in town (entry is restricted to Muslims) and a collection of shops and markets. Next is the capital of Zambia - Lusaka. Lusaka actually replaced Livingstone as capital of the then-colony in 1935. It is a cosmopolitan city with a population of just over a million people. Always full of activity, you may wish to wander amongst the market place – a myriad of restaurants, fishmongers, fruit-sellers and craftsmen!

Day 21: Livingstone (Zambia)

(Driving time: approx 8 hours) We make our way into Livingstone, Zambia's gateway to spectacular Victoria Falls. Upon arrival in Livingstone we set up camp at our site located on the banks of the Upper Zambezi River. There is also be time to view the falls themselves and explore the craft markets, as well as the town of Livingstone. No trip to southern Africa is complete without a visit to Victoria Falls and nothing quite prepares you for the awesome power of this natural phenomenon. At its peak, it is estimated that 5 million cubic metres of water pass over the cataracts every minute! This is an unforgettable sight and a great place to end our African wanderings.

Day 22: Livingstone (Zambia)

Our trip ends today after breakfast. You may like to book additional post-tour accommodation to enjoy more time in this exciting place. You will need to do this if you plan to enjoy some of the many optional activities available in the area. Your tour leader can assist you in arranging some of these. There is much to choose from, including whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, elephant riding safaris and safari drives.

Tour Grade: Wildlife

Take your pick: hunt for tigers in northern India, listen to monkey chatter and birdsong in the jungles of Costa Rica and Peru or gawp at the Galapagos’ diversity. And of course, there's the big one: Africa. The names alone evoke images of wildlife: the Serengeti, Masai Mara, Kruger. And the reality’s even better. Africa’s got the lot, so go beyond the Big Five by hiking to close encounters with gorillas in Uganda’s forests, walking with lions at Zimbabwe’s Antelope Park, or canoeing past crocs on the Okavango Delta. From the Cape’s loveable penguins to Egypt’s loping camels, Africa’s animals await.