Overland from Victoria Falls to Kenya via Zanzibar – 28 Days
Five countries by overland truck, from Victoria Falls and Lake Malawi to Zanzibar, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.
Tour overview
This 28-day overland adventure crosses five countries from the Victoria Falls to Nairobi, travelling by purpose-built safari truck and camping beneath African skies. A local leader travels with you, with a driver and cook, and groups are no larger than twenty-two. You stay twenty-seven nights mostly in two-person dome tents at campsites, which can be basic, with hotel and bungalow nights on Zanzibar. Many meals are included, and everyone helps around camp.
Starting from Victoria Falls, with a free day to see the thundering falls, you cross into Zambia and camp in the Lower Zambezi for a full-day safari among elephants, buffalo and fish eagles along the river. In South Luangwa you visit a workshop where women turn poachers' snare wire into jewellery, then join a morning 4WD safari in search of leopards, lions and Thornicroft's giraffes.
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Crossing into Malawi, you spend days on the shores of Lake Malawi, where the clear water is ideal for snorkelling among colourful fish, before entering Tanzania. A 4WD safari in Mikumi National Park crosses baobab-studded plains, and after time on the beach near Dar es Salaam you take the ferry to Zanzibar to explore the alleys of Stone Town and relax on the island's northern beaches.
Back on the mainland, you hike to the Irente viewpoint in the Usambara Mountains and enjoy a locally prepared lunch, then trek through the Ngorongoro forest to the Elephant Caves and visit a coffee farm in Karatu, with dinner in a local home. A 4×4 game drive descends into the Ngorongoro Crater before you camp inside the Serengeti for dawn and dusk drives, with an optional balloon flight. After a village walk in Mto wa Mbu, you cross into Kenya to end in Nairobi.
The physical rating is medium, with long drives and participatory camping. This trip suits adventurous travellers who want to see East and Southern Africa overland on a budget.
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 9–12)
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Stone Town and Zanzibar's beaches (Days 17–19)
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The Ngorongoro Crater (Day 25)
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Game drives in the Serengeti (Days 25–27)
Your route
21 stops from Victoria Falls to Nairobi
- Victoria Falls Days 1–2
- Lusaka Day 3
- Chiawa (Lower Zambezi) 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
- Northern Beaches Days 18–19
- Bagamoyo Day 20
- Lushoto (Usambara Mts) Days 21–22
- Arusha Day 23
- Karatu Day 24
- Ngorongoro Crater Day 25
- Serengeti NP Days 25–26
- Mto wa Mbu Day 27
- Nairobi Day 28
Why choose this tour
Five countries and the great parks of Africa in four weeks. Excellent value, with many safaris included.
Best suited to
- Adventurous travellers
- Travellers on a budget
- Solo travellers
- Wildlife lovers
Day-by-day itinerary
28 days from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Nairobi, Kenya
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Day 1 · Victoria Falls Victoria Falls
A 4pm 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 snare-wire jewellery workshop.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 8 · South Luangwa National Park, Chipata Chipata
A morning 4WD 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 by the lake.
- 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
Beneath the Uluguru Mountains.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 14 · Mikumi National Park Mikumi
A 4WD safari.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 15 · Kipepeo Beach Dar es Salaam
To the Indian Ocean.
- 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 Bagamoyo
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 to the viewpoint.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 23 · Arusha Arusha
Gateway to the safari circuit.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 24 · Ngorongoro forest, 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
Dawn and dusk 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.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Where you stay
- Victoria Falls (2 nights) Camping
- Lusaka (1 night) Camping
- Lower Zambezi (2 nights) Camping
- Petauke (1 night) Camping
- South Luangwa (1 night) Camping
- Chipata (1 night) Camping
- Lake Malawi (2 nights) Camping
- Chitimba (1 night) Camping
- Iringa (1 night) Camping
- Mikumi (2 nights) Camping
- Dar es Salaam (2 nights) Camping
- Stone Town (1 night) Hotel
- Zanzibar (2 nights) Bungalow
- Bagamoyo (1 night) Camping
- Usambara Mountains (2 nights) Camping
- Arusha (1 night) Camping
- Karatu (1 night) Camping
- Serengeti (2 nights) Camping
- Mto wa Mbu (1 night) Camping
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 27 nights, mostly camping
- Meals 26 breakfasts, 18 lunches and 22 dinners, including a home-cooked dinner in Karatu
- Overland truck and the Zanzibar ferry
- Safaris in Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa, Mikumi, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti
- Irente and Ngorongoro forest hikes
- Snare-wire jewellery project and coffee farm visits
- Tents, mattresses and a local leader
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 1 breakfast, 9 lunches and 5 dinners
- Visas
- Optional activities such as the balloon flight
- 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 £3,134 per person, twin share, tour only. 47 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.
What is the accommodation like?
Mostly two-person dome tents at campsites, which can be basic, with hotel and bungalow nights on Zanzibar.
Do I need to help at camp?
Yes, everyone helps to set up tents and with camp chores.
Do I need visas?
Visas may be needed for Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya. Check the latest advice before travel.
Is the balloon flight included?
No, a Serengeti balloon flight is optional and should be booked in advance.
Is the truck air-conditioned?
No, it has opening windows and power sockets at each seat.
Who leads the trip?
A local leader travels with the group, 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