Overland from Victoria Falls to the Gorillas – 43 Days
Six countries by overland truck, from Victoria Falls and Lake Malawi to the Serengeti, gorillas and the Mara.
Tour overview
This 43-day overland adventure crosses six countries from the Victoria Falls to Nairobi by safari truck. A local leader travels with the group, with a driver and cook, and groups are no larger than twenty-two. You stay forty-two nights, mostly in two-person dome tents at campsites, with hotel and bungalow nights in towns and on Zanzibar. Most meals are included.
From the Victoria Falls you cross Zambia for a full-day safari in the Lower Zambezi and game drives in South Luangwa, then relax on the shores of Lake Malawi. In Tanzania you visit Mikumi National Park, spend time on Zanzibar, hike in the Usambara Mountains and camp in the Serengeti after a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater.
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Crossing into Kenya, you see the rhinos and flamingos of Lake Nakuru, then travel into Uganda for Queen Elizabeth National Park, the chimpanzees of Kalinzu Forest and the chance to trek to mountain gorillas. After Jinja, at the source of the Nile, you end with game drives in the Maasai Mara and return to Nairobi.
The physical rating is medium, with long drives and participatory camping. This trip suits adventurous travellers with six weeks to explore Africa overland.
Trip highlights
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Victoria Falls (Day 2)
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A Lower Zambezi safari (Day 5)
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Lake Malawi (Days 9–10)
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Zanzibar (Days 17–19)
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The Serengeti and Ngorongoro (Days 25–26)
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An optional gorilla trek (Day 35)
Your route
32 stops from Victoria Falls to Maasai Mara
- Victoria Falls Days 1–2
- Lusaka Day 3
- Lower Zambezi (Chiawa) Days 4–5
- Petauke Day 6
- South Luangwa NP Day 7
- Chipata Day 8
- Lake Malawi Days 9–10
- Chitimba Day 11
- Iringa Day 12
- Mikumi NP Days 13–14
- Dar es Salaam Days 15–16
- Stone Town Day 17
- Zanzibar (north beaches) Days 18–19
- Bagamoyo Day 20
- Usambara Mts (Lushoto) Days 21–22
- Arusha Day 23
- Karatu Day 24
- Ngorongoro Crater Day 25
- Serengeti NP Days 25–26
- Mto wa Mbu Day 27
- Nairobi Days 28 & 43
- Lake Nakuru NP Day 29
- Eldoret Day 30
- Kampala Day 31
- Queen Elizabeth NP Day 32
- Kalinzu Forest Day 33
- Kisoro Days 34–36
- Bwindi (gorilla trek) Day 35
- Mbarara Day 37
- Jinja Days 38–39
- Kericho Day 40
- Maasai Mara Days 41–42
Why choose this tour
Southern and East Africa in one epic journey. Zanzibar, the Serengeti, gorillas and the Mara.
Best suited to
- Adventurous travellers
- Wildlife lovers
- Solo travellers
- Travellers with six weeks to spare
Day-by-day itinerary
43 days from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Nairobi, Kenya
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Day 1 · Victoria Falls Victoria Falls
A welcome meeting.
- Hotel
- Camping
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Day 2 · Victoria Falls Victoria Falls
A free day at the falls.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Lusaka Lusaka
Into Zambia.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4 · Chiawa Lower Zambezi
Camp among wildlife.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 · Lower Zambezi National Park Lower Zambezi
A full-day safari.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6 · Petauke Petauke
Rural Zambia.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 7 · South Luangwa National Park South Luangwa
A jewellery workshop.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 8 · South Luangwa, Chipata Chipata
A morning safari.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 9 · Lake Malawi Lake Malawi
Into Malawi.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 10 · Lake Malawi Lake Malawi
A free day.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 11 · Chitimba Chitimba
Beaches and mountains.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 12 · Iringa Iringa
Into Tanzania.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 13 · Mikumi National Park Mikumi
A Tanzanian park.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 14 · Tukuyu Tukuyu
Off the beaten track.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 15 · Mikumi National Park Mikumi
A 4WD safari.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 16 · Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam
A free day.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 17 · Stone Town Zanzibar
The Spice Island.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 18 · Northern beaches Zanzibar
To the beach.
- Hotel
- Bungalow
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 19 · Northern beaches Zanzibar
A free day.
- Hotel
- Bungalow
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 20 · Stone Town, Bagamoyo Stone Town
Back to the mainland.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 21 · Lushoto Usambara Mountains
Into the mountains.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 22 · Irente Usambara Mountains
A hike.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 23 · Arusha Arusha
Gateway to the parks.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 24 · Karatu Karatu
A forest trek and family dinner.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 25 · Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park Serengeti
The crater and the plains.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 26 · Serengeti National Park Serengeti
Game drives.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 27 · Mto wa Mbu Mto wa Mbu
A village walk.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 28 · Nairobi Nairobi
Into Kenya.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 29 · Lake Nakuru National Park Lake Nakuru
Rhinos and flamingos.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 30 · Eldoret Eldoret
Westward.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 31 · Kampala Kampala
Into Uganda.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 32 · Queen Elizabeth National Park Queen Elizabeth
A Ugandan park.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 33 · Kalinzu Forest Kalinzu Forest
Chimpanzee country.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 34 · Kisoro Kisoro
Near the gorillas.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 35 · Bwindi Gorilla trek
An optional gorilla trek.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 36 · Kisoro Kisoro
Another chance to trek.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 37 · Mbarara Mbarara
Back east.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 38 · Jinja Jinja
The source of the Nile.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 39 · Jinja Jinja
Adventure on the Nile.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 40 · Kericho Kericho
Back into Kenya.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 41 · Maasai Mara National Reserve Maasai Mara
Game drives.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 42 · Maasai Mara National Reserve Maasai Mara
The Mara.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 43 · Nairobi Nairobi
The trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Where you stay
- Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania (16 nights) Camping
- Stone Town (1 night) Hotel
- Zanzibar (2 nights) Bungalow
- Tanzania (8 nights) Camping
- Nairobi (1 night) Hotel
- Kenya (2 nights) Camping
- Kampala (1 night) Hotel
- Uganda and Kenya (11 nights) Camping
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 42 nights, mostly camping
- Meals 41 breakfasts, 28 lunches and 36 dinners
- Overland truck, 4WD game drives and Zanzibar ferry
- Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa and Mikumi safaris
- Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara
- Usambara hike and community visits
- Local leader, driver and cook
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 1 breakfast, 14 lunches and 6 dinners
- Gorilla permit (optional)
- Visas
- Travel insurance, tips and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You don’t want to camp
- You dislike long drives
- You want comfort and luxury
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £5,658 per person, twin share, tour only. 36 upcoming departures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Is the gorilla trek included?
No, it’s optional and needs a permit booked well in advance.
What is the accommodation like?
Mostly two-person dome tents at campsites, with hotel and bungalow nights in towns and on Zanzibar.
Do I need visas?
Visas or eTAs are needed for several countries on the route. Check the latest advice for each before travel.
Do I need to help at camp?
Yes, everyone helps to set up tents and with camp chores.
Is the truck air-conditioned?
No, it has opening windows and power sockets at each seat.
Who leads the trip?
A local leader, with a driver and cook.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary