Zanzibar to South Africa – 5 Country Overland Camping Safari (or opposite)

Game viewing highlights include Botswana’s premier Chobe National Park and South Africa’s flagship Kruger National Park and exploring Zanzibar Island with its powdery white sand beaches, rich history, and diverse cultures. Adventure opportunities abound in the world-famous Victoria Falls, where you can whitewater raft, bungee jump, mountain bike, abseil, rock climb, hike, take helicopter rides, and skydive, among others. Lake Malawi is one of the most scenic lakes globally, with abundant wildlife and gorgeous kayaking.

Days 1 – 3: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Island, Tanzania

This African camping safari starts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city located on the East coast of Africa. In the morning, we depart from Dar es Salaam with the tour guide giving a tour briefing on the ferry across to Zanzibar Island, also known as The Spice Island. Our first destination, the Zanzibar Archipelago, is a cluster of lush tropical islands in the Indian Ocean, lying about 40 km off Tanzania’s coast. The main island is Unguja, also called Zanzibar Island, and the other main island is Pemba. The Zanzibar Islands are an alluring tourist destination, offering white-sand beaches, exotic spices, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors are drawn to Zanzibar for its idyllic beaches and fascinating history that can be seen in the architecture of places like Stone Town and its diverse cultures.

We stay in Zanzibar for three nights, giving you plenty of time to explore this rustic and exotic island paradise. This tour does not follow an itinerary on Zanzibar, so you are free to choose your activities and enjoy the islands at your leisure. Explore the palm-fringed beaches up north, choosing from the array of activities available. Activities include snorkeling and scuba diving in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, taking excursions to the smaller off-lying islands, sampling the delicious fresh seafood on offer, going on a romantic sunset cruise in a traditional Dhow sailing boat, or hiking one of the trails on the lush forested island of Zanzibar.

Browse the bustling local markets and visit the intriguing mosques, palaces, and courtyards of Stone Town, or stroll through the winding lanes of the historic quarter stopping at Arabic-style shops. Then, treat your senses to a Spice day tour to one of the spice plantations in the area where spices including cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper are grown – a feast of tastes, scents, and colors.

Zanzibar displays a unique blend of Arabic and African cultures, having once been a significant center for trading slaves and spices. Even today, the population of Zanzibar is mostly Sunni Muslim, with the strong Arabic influence being evident in Zanzibar’s culture as well as its architecture and town design. Some of the 19th century’s great European explorers, such as Richard Burton and David Livingstone, used Zanzibar as a base, with the islands gaining independence from Britain in 1963. We spend one night in Stone Town and two nights in the north of the island at one of the beaches. After our Zanzibar Island adventure, we take the ferry back to Dar es Salaam, on the mainland.

Days 4 – 10: Mikumi National Park & Lake Malawi Beaches, Malawi

We stay in Dar es Salaam for one night before heading south towards Malawi, known as the Warm Heart of Africa. We drive via Tanzania’s Mikumi National Park, crossing into the northern tip of Malawi. Once in Malawi, we soon reach the vast expanse of Lake Malawi, one of the most scenic lakes in the world. We camp at one of the beaches along the shores of the lake, giving us time to relax and explore the area. There are a variety of activities available at Lake Malawi, including water sports such as snorkeling and diving. We also have the opportunity of visiting some of the local communities to meet the Malawian people, among the friendliest people in Africa.

Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, is the southernmost lake in the Great Rift Valley and the third largest lake in Africa. This African Great Lake covers nearly one-fifth of Malawi and highlights any trip to Malawi. The vast freshwater lake is surrounded by high mountains in an idyllically setting and is famous for its clear, warm waters and welcoming local people and is also known for its delicious fresh fish, sandy beaches, excellent diving, and resident fish eagles.

Days 11 – 16: Lusaka to Livingstone & Victoria Falls, Zambia

We leave the shores of Lake Malawi, continuing our journey to Livingstone in Zambia. We cross the Luangwa River and travel through Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city, on our way to Livingstone. Our next campsite is located on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, a few kilometers from the famous Victoria Falls on the Zambian side. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is considered the largest sheet of falling water at over 5,000 feet wide and 300 feet high.

There are plenty of exciting activities to choose from during our stay at Victoria Falls, including white water rafting, scenic flights, bungee jumping, canoeing, game viewing, elephant back safaris, Zambezi River cruises, and more. When you witness the impressive spray rising from the Zambezi as it plummets over 100 m’s at Victoria Falls, you will understand why it is called the “Smoke that Thunders” or “Mosi oa Tunya,” as Vic Falls is called locally. When the Zambezi is flowing strongly, the spray at Vic Falls can be seen from as far as 20 km’s away.

Our time at Vic Falls is free for you to explore Livingstone town, participate in some of the thrilling adventure activities or relax beside the Zambezi River, keeping an eye out for hippos and crocodiles.

Please note:

During our stay in Livingstone, only breakfast is included in the tour price, allowing for flexibility with your other meals while you are on the move. Our overnight camp in Livingstone features a reasonably priced restaurant overlooking the Zambezi River, and many of the whole half-day activities include lunch. A budget of between US$30 and $40 per day is recommended for your other meals.

Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Breakfast x 6 / Lunch x 3 / Dinner x 2

Day 17: Livingstone to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Today we head for the former royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi, which in 1929 became Hwange National Park. This vast area of over 14 600 sq km is home to over 100 species, particularly its large elephant herds, and includes Africa’s Big 5. We will embark on a game drive in the afternoon, which will continue until dusk, when we may see some of the park’s nocturnal animals.

Day 18: Hwange National Park to Antelope Park, Zimbabwe

Leaving Hwange behind us, we head south through Zimbabwe to Antelope Park. This private reserve is home to numerous animals and offers a variety of activities, including game walks and game drives. Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities

​Day 19: Antelope Park to Tshipise, South Africa

Today, we move into South Africa, crossing the border at Beit Bridge over the Limpopo River. The Limpopo is a valuable asset to this arid region and acts as a natural boundary between Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. We traveled into Limpopo Province to our campsite in Tshipise, adjacent to Honnet Nature Reserve and at the foot of one of the many koppies (hills) in the area and encircled by woodland.

​Days 20 – 21: Tshipise to Hazyview and Kruger National Park, South Africa

From Tshipise, we make our way to the world-renowned Kruger National Park in the Mpumalanga Province. We spend two nights camping within the Greater Kruger area, covering over 24 000 sq km of savannah and bush. The Greater Kruger area was recently formed when fences between Kruger National Park and the park’s private game reserves were removed. The establishment of the Greater Kruger enables the diverse wildlife found in these wilderness areas to move freely between Kruger Park and its neighboring game reserves.

Kruger is South Africa’s flagship game park and top travel destination, boasting an unrivaled diversity of plants and animals, ranging from the dwarf mongoose to Africa’s Big Five – elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, and buffalo. Our game drives in Kruger Park take us searching for the Big Five of Africa and various other wildlife, such as giraffes, zebra, cheetah, hyena, and various antelope species. With around 507 bird species, 147 mammals, and 114 reptiles, game drives in Kruger Park offer excellent photographic opportunities. In addition to its abundance of wildlife, the untamed Kruger Park is also rich in archaeological and historical sites.

Our last evening is spent celebrating our exciting adventure and entertainment from the local Shangaan tribesmen.

Camping in twin share tents with shared facilities
Breakfast x 2 / Lunch x 2 / Dinner x 2

​Day 22: Hazyview and Greater Kruger National Park to Johannesburg

On the final day of our camping safari through Southern Africa, we depart from Kruger Park, driving west through one of the most scenic parts of South Africa to our last stop, Johannesburg. In the evening, we arrive in the bustling city of Johannesburg, the economic powerhouse of Southern Africa, bringing our African adventure to an end.

Tour Transport:

Transport on this tour is in a 24-seater, custom-built safari truck. The self-contained truck is fitted with onboard tables, individual lockers (70-litre), and a freezer, as well as safety features. The safari truck also features plug sockets, a library, and an iPod jack.

Meals on this Tour:

The group prepares the included meals in camp and help with preparation is invited. Most dietary requirements can be catered for on the road, upon request at the time of booking. Please note that meals in Zanzibar are not included in the tour price.

Game Park Visits:

Some of our National Park visits and game viewing drives are conducted using local services, to ensure the best quality game driving and to comply with local authority rulings. Using local African guides and service providers also adds to our safari experience and allows us to contribute to the local communities. These local services are included in the Local Payment of the tour.