Day 1 Tanzania - Iringa
It is a long drive from historical port city of Dar es Salaam to Iringa. We travel through Mukumi NP, the 4th largest National Park in Tanzania. Iringa is a pleasant town located at 1550m above sea level and can get rather chilly between June and August.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2/3 Malawi - Northern Lake Malawi
It is another long drive from Iringa to the northern beaches of Lake Malawi and Chitimba, a small village by the lake with white sandy beaches. Livingstonia Mission is at the top of the nearby mountains. You can hike up to the village, but be warned, this is not a relaxing stroll… there is a beautiful waterfall and interesting permaculture project on the way and it is possible to spend the night up there. Alternatively spend 2 relaxing days on the beach and enjoy the water sports on offer.
Optional Activities: Hike to Livingstonia Mission, Abseiling, Water sports etc.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4/5Central Lake Malawi
Next there is another couple of relaxing days at Kande Beach Village further south on Lake Malawi. There is lovely white sand and lots of water sport and leisure activities available. We will also visit a local village for some cultural interaction here.
Optional Activities: Scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing, horse riding, craft shopping, hiking and more.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6/7 Luwawa Forest
Today we leave the restful beaches of the lakeshore and we enter the highlands of Malawi and spend two nights at Luwawa Forest. Luwawa Forest camp are winners of the 2008 'Community Development Work and Sustainable Tourism Award’. Take a hike to the viewpoint to see the Lake form above, or rent a Mountain Bike for some exciting riding.
Optional Activities: Fishing, Mountain Biking, Hiking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8/9 Zambia - South Luangwa National Park
Early in the morning we drive to the South Luangwa NP where we spend two nights at our campsite right on the bank of the Luangwa River. You can often see Hippo and other animals from the campsite bar. The park is known for its high concentration of leopards and hippos. The next day we visit the community run tribal textile project and a local village. Later this afternoon we enjoy a guided afternoon game drive. On occasion, in the rainy season it is impossible or inadvisable to attempt to reach South Luangwa NP, if this happens an alternative itinerary will be chosen.
Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive and Game Walk in South Luangwa NP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Chipata
We leave South Luangwa NP today and have a relatively short drive through to Chipata where we will relax in the afternoon.
Zambia is truly African and an adjustment from the more western ways of Southern Africa. There are many rural villages and farming communities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 Lusaka
The journey towards the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka takes us along an interesting route. On week days there may be the opportunity to visit one of the interesting local markets of the Zambian capital city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls
We drive from Lusaka, across the Zimbabwean border and into Victoria Falls. In the afternoon there will be time to plan any optional activities you may want to experience on the following day.
Optional Activities: Dinner out in Victoria Falls
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13 Botswana - Kasane
Today you have the day free for any of the optional activities on offer. White water rafting is always popular, but you can also walk with Lions, visit the Elephants or take a scenic flight over the Falls. In the late afternoon we travel across the border in to Botswana for a relaxing evening on the banks of the Chobe River.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14 Maun
In the morning we will be going to view game on the Chobe River. We enter the NP by boat and watch the animals as they come to drink. We then travel to Maun where we prepare for our 2-day expedition in to the Okavango. We can only take 10kg each on the small planes so some careful re-packing will be required by some. The Okavango River has no outlet to the sea, so it empties into the sands of the Kalahari Desert, irrigating some 15,000 square km’s and forming the world’s largest inland Delta.
Optional Activities:, Crocodile Farm visit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15/16 Okavango Delta
In the morning we board our planes and head into the Delta. After a wonderful scenic flight we arrive at our base for the next two days. During our time in the Delta we enjoy the best nature has to offer. We go on nature walks and explore the Delta by mokoro traditional canoe(water level dependant). The Delta is truly spectacular and an unforgettable experience as the wild animals here are not used to people. Simply sitting on the deck of your tented accommodation often results in rewarding bird or game viewing.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17/18 Gweta
A second scenic air-transfer will return us to Maun and the truck. This afternoon we drive to Gweta where our accommodation for the next two nights is unique, and a little quirky. The next day we have an included Baobab Nature Walk with sundowner drink to view the unusual trees that grow in this area. The Makgadikgadi Pans are nearby and there is the option to visit them, or take a visit to a local village.
Optional Activities: Village Tour, Nxai Xini Pan trip, Ntwetwe Pan trip.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19 Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Palapye
We leave Gweta behind us and drive towards Palapye, previously known as Phalatswe. We stop at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a community based wildlife project where there is an included game drive to view the now protected Rhinos. We spend the night at Palapye, located on the banks of the tranquil Lotsane River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 20 South Africa - Johannesburg
Today we cross the border into South Africa and after quite a long, yet scenic drive we will arrive in Johannesburg. South Africa’s city of gold has much to offer and should not be underestimated as a travel destination. There are many excellent restaurants here where we can enjoy a final meal together.
Optional activity: Dinner out.
Meals: Breakfast
* This tour also runs in the opposite direction: NAJZ Delta to Dar Es Salaam (North)
