Serengeti to Victoria Falls Overland: Night Stars & Spices
20 days, Nairobi to Livingstone
Itinerary Notes
Want less travel time and more Zanzibar? Consider booking our ‘Zanzibar Express’ upgrade which includes a flight and an extra night in Stone Town.
Itinerary
Day 1Nairobi
Arrive at any time.
Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to know which visas you will need, if any. Please note that not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival at the border.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Nairobi/Arusha
Cross through the semi-arid lands of the Maasai people to Arusha.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Border Crossing (Kenya - Tanzania)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Arusha/Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive en route to the camp site in the central Serengeti.
After breakfast, begin the 3-day and 2-night excursion to Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, two of Africa’s premier wildlife areas.
Changing to specialized 4x4 7-seater safari vehicles, meet experienced safari driver/guides, who will ensure wonderful wildlife encounters. The safari vehicles each have sliding windows and a large pop-up roof, perfect for viewing animals and scenery. They are smaller than the overland adventure vehicle (OAV) and will allow the group to maneuver easily through the wildlife areas. As the vehicles are smaller than the overland adventure vehicle (OAV), the group will split up among several vehicles.
7-Seat 4x4 Safari Vehicle
Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.
Serengeti National Park Safari
This is the reason you came to Africa. Charge your camera, grab your binoculars, and set out on safari. Your eagle-eyed driver will keep an eye out for wildlife – buffaloes, elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras, and more. Tanzania’s Serengeti tends to be less crowded than some of Kenya’s reserves, so enjoy the scenery, the vast expanse of the grasslands, the play of light and shadow, and the up-close look at wild Africa.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive in the Serengeti during the day, and finish the evening camping at the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Before leaving the Serengeti, enjoy one last morning safari drive to see the animal kingdom come to life in this incredible expanse of grassland savannah. Then return and break camp, and journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, famous for Africa's best wildlife viewing. The views from the Ngorongoro Crater rim are stunning, and there is an ever-present abundance of wildlife, due to the permanent water supply on the crater floor. Arrive at the campsite at the crater rim in the late afternoon.
Please note: if you have pre-booked the Serengeti Balloon Safari, today's likely the day for this activity! The CEO will give the final confirmation when it will take place, as it is subject to change. You will miss the included morning wildlife safari drive with the group, but you will have a much better view from above! If you have not yet pre-booked, add it to your checkout page, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Please note that due to the high-altitude location of our camp, temperatures can drop at night. We recommend bringing extra layers to wear during the evening and following morning.
7-Seat 4x4 Safari Vehicle
Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.
Serengeti National Park Safari
This is the reason you came to Africa. Charge your camera, grab your binoculars, and set out on safari. Your eagle-eyed driver will keep an eye out for wildlife – buffaloes, elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras, and more. Tanzania’s Serengeti tends to be less crowded than some of Kenya’s reserves, so enjoy the scenery, the vast expanse of the grasslands, the play of light and shadow, and the up-close look at wild Africa.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Ngorongoro/Arusha
Venture down to the crater floor, and take in a final safari experience viewing the high concentration of wildlife bound by the crater walls.
Exit the crater late in the morning and travel back to Arusha.
If you have booked the Zanzibar Express, you will part from the group in Arusha and be transferred to your Arusha hotel for the night. The following morning you will fly to Zanzibar. Included: transfers, flights, one night Arusha (Outpost Lodge, or similar) and one night Stone Town (Mazsons Hotel, or similar). Only breakfast included.
Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife Safari Drive
Set the alarm and prepare for an early start to see the wonders of the Ngorongoro Crater. Here you’ll see Maasai herdsmen in the morning mist. Your driver/guide will take you down into the crater and to all the best spots to view wildlife. Spot zebra, gazelles, buffaloes, and warthogs. The swamp and forest are home to hippos, rhinos, elephants, baboons, and monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled and camera ready to capture a pride of lions or a lone leopard walking along the crater floor.
7-Seat 4x4 Safari Vehicle
Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Arusha/Dar es Salaam
Hit the road, and enjoy the varied landscapes on the way to the Indian Ocean coast.
Leave Arusha early and be on the lookout for the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro, on the road towards Dar es Salaam. The city started as a fishing village in the mid-19th century before becoming a port and trading centre.
Zanzibar Express; transfer this morning from your Arusha hotel to the airport for a scenic flight to Zanzibar. Arrive in Stone Town and spend the afternoon exploring on your own. Enjoy an extra night in Stone Town and meet back up with the group the following afternoon. Only breakfast included.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Dar es Salaam/Nungwi
Hop on a ferry, travel north to Nungwi Beach, and bliss out beachside on Zanzibar's northern coast.
After arriving on Zanzibar, transfer to Nungwi Beach. Relax on the idyllic white-sand beaches, wander through the village of Nungwi or opt to go snorkelling or diving.
Zanzibar is a Muslim society. Immodestly dressed women or men in shorts will get harassed and cause great offense in Stone Town. In Nungwi, customs are a little more relaxed, but travellers are encouraged to be respectful of the island's culture and cover up when walking around. Never try to take a photograph without asking permission.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Scuba Diving
130USD per personTake a boat to Mnemba, a small island surrounded by a circular reef boasting an an abundance of colourful coral and marine life. Suit up and enjoy the excellent visibility allowed by the turquoise waters of this region. If you are lucky, you just might be able to spot the bottlenose dolphins that are known to visit this area.
Snorkelling
40USD per personEnjoy a day of snorkelling in the safety of an experienced snorkel guide in the area of one of Zanzibar's most well-known reefs surrounding Mnemba island. Lifejackets, short wetsuits and buoyancy aids available. Price is dependent on pick-up location.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Nungwi
Opt to go diving, snorkelling, exploring or just sit back and relax.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Nungwi, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, and sailing. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Snorkelling
40USD per personEnjoy a day of snorkelling in the safety of an experienced snorkel guide in the area of one of Zanzibar's most well-known reefs surrounding Mnemba island. Lifejackets, short wetsuits and buoyancy aids available. Price is dependent on pick-up location.
Scuba Diving
130USD per personTake a boat to Mnemba, a small island surrounded by a circular reef boasting an an abundance of colourful coral and marine life. Suit up and enjoy the excellent visibility allowed by the turquoise waters of this region. If you are lucky, you just might be able to spot the bottlenose dolphins that are known to visit this area.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Nungwi/Stone Town
Travel back to Stone Town for a final night on this enchanting island.
Explore Stone Town, the heart of the island. It has an intriguing maze of narrow, cobbled lanes hemmed in by Arabic buildings. The best way to see Stone Town is, literally, to get lost. One can spend hours just wandering the alleys and squares, drinking potent coffee from pavement vendors, or buying sweetmeats from scores of tiny cafes. Look out for tinga-tinga paintings, antique shops, beautifully printed cloths (kangas and kikois worn by local people), little carved chests with copper inlays and spices – all beautiful presents or memories to take home.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Spice Plantation Tour
No visit to Zanzibar would be complete without a visit to the spice plantations. Your senses will be aroused as you will receive a detailed description on the assortment of spices (black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, breadfruit, jackfruit, vanilla, lemon grass) and their various uses. It was the spice plantations that brought the beginnings of Zanzibar’s infamous slave trade that dates back to the 1840’s.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Stone Town/Baobab Valley
Ferry to Dar es Salaam then continue to Baobab Valley.
Catch the ferry back to Dar Es Salaam and continuing travelling west to the campsite in the Baobab Valley on the banks of the Ruaha River. The camp is on the edge of the Udzwungwa Mountains National Park.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 11Baobab Valley/Iringa
Spend another day on the road, and journey south to Iringa. Visit a crafts centre that supports the local community.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Iringa Craft Centre
Stop by a crafts centre that employs local artists with disabilities. Grab a coffee at the café or pick up a souvenir to bring home.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 12Iringa/Chitimba
Cross into Malawi and travel to beautiful Lake Malawi.
Chitimba Beach has beautiful views of mountains in the background and Tanzania across the lake.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Border Crossing (Tanzania - Malawi)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13Chitimba/Kande Beach
Travel to another beautiful beach area on Lake Malawi.
Leave Chitimba in the morning and drive south along Lake Malawi to Kande Beach.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 14Kande Beach
Enjoy a traditional dinner in a local home, and opt to explore by foot, go snorkelling, or take a village tour.
Free Time
Kick back and relax on Lake Malawi.
Optional Activities - Day 14 HideShow
Swimming
Grab your bathing suit and go for a refreshing swim.
Snorkelling
25USD per personDiscover some of the best freshwater snorkelling in Africa at Lake Malawi, which generally has clear visibility and boasts a plethora of brightly coloured fish. Don a snorkel and hop in!
Village Walk
20USD per personSet off on a village walk to visit a nearby traditional Tonga village to learn more about daily village life in the area.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 15Kande Beach/Chipata
Cross the border into Zambia.
Cross the border from Malawi to Zambia, then continue to the capital of the Eastern Province, Chipata. Previously known as Fort Jameson, Chipata is a popular refuelling station for overlanders heading to South Luangwa National Park.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Border Crossing (Malawi - Zambia)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 16Chipata/South Luangwa
Arrive late morning at camp. Opt to go on a wildlife safari drive in South Luangwa National Park, or visit a nearby local village.
Please note that the South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive is an optional activity that is not included and will be an additional cost on tour should you choose to partake.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Free Time
Do as much or as little as you'd like during a free afternoon.
Optional Activities - Day 16 HideShow
Tribal Textile and Village Tour
Opt to visit a local village and popular textile market. A great place to purchase handcrafted fabrics and souvenirs.
South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive
50USD per personHave the opportunity to experience one of the true hidden gems in Southern Africa. Opt for a morning or evening wildlife safari drive through South Luangwa National Park. Home to large populations of the Thornicroft's Giraffe, elephants and Cape buffalo.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 17South Luangwa
Enjoy a free day to explore South Luangwa NP, a wildlife haven. Opt to go on a walking safari (seasonal), night drive, or visit a nearby local village.
Please note that the South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive and the South Luangwa Walking Safari are optional activities that are not included and will be an additional cost on tour should you choose to partake.
Free Time
Do as much or as little as you like on your free day.
Optional Activities - Day 17 HideShow
South Luangwa Walking Safari
65USD per personSouth Luangwa National Park is known as the birth place of walking safaris in Africa. Opt to take a guided walk through the park and experience the wildlife.
South Luangwa Wildlife Safari Drive
50USD per personHave the opportunity to experience one of the true hidden gems in Southern Africa. Opt for a morning or evening wildlife safari drive through South Luangwa National Park. Home to large populations of the Thornicroft's Giraffe, elephants and Cape buffalo.
Tribal Textile and Village Tour
Opt to visit a local village and popular textile market. A great place to purchase handcrafted fabrics and souvenirs.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 18South Luangwa/Lusaka
Sit back and enjoy a day of driving, taking in the scenery.
Set off early and arrive late in the afternoon. The long journey across rough and bumpy roads takes us to a private farm 29km (18 mi) outside the capital of Zambia. Marvel at the zebras, buffaloes, and the bok that roam the property, or relax by the pool or at the camp’s bar.
This is an overnight stop in between driving days, so we will not have time to explore Lusaka.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 19Lusaka/Livingstone
Continue travelling across Zambia and finish at lovely Livingstone just outside of Victoria Falls.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Optional Activities - Day 19 HideShow
Victoria Falls Visit (Zambia)
One of the seven natural wonders, this waterfall is not the widest or highest, but it produces a horizontal curtain of falling water as it drops more than 152.4m (500 ft) into the gorge below, creating a spray of 396.2m (1,300 ft). If watching isn't enough, when the water levels are low, take a swim at the Devil’s Pool at the edge of the falls, or at Angel’s Armchair. The falls are visible from 48.2km (30 mi) away.
Standard Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
Jump on a boat and cruise on the beautiful Zambezi River. Enjoy some snacks, drinks, a festive atmosphere, and, of course, gorgeous views of the sunset.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 20Livingstone
Depart at any time.
We highly recommend booking post-tour accommodation to fully experience everything Victoria Falls and the Zambezi area has to offer.
Livingstone is frequently used as a base for travellers wishing to participate in the many activities and excursions available in the area. Please contact your booking agent if you would like to book post-tour accommodation.