Adventure in East Africa: Camping or Lodge Safari

We leave the bustle of Nairobi behind and travel south to the Tanzanian border. After completing border formalities, we continue to the busy city of Arusha, our base for the night. Northern Tanzania is home to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Kilimanjaro.

Although it is only a short distance to Karatu, we will spend the majority of the day driving closer to the Ngorongoro Crater. Upon arrival in Karatu, our guide will inform us about our overnight excursion to the crater and Serengeti National Park.

We rise early and are picked up from our camp and taken in 4x4 safari vehicles to the Ngorongoro Crater. We will spend the majority of the day exploring the crater floor in search of the animals that reside in the plains. In the afternoon, we reach our overnight camp in the Seronera region, located in the heart of Serengeti National Park. The camp is surrounded by spectacular views and rich wildlife. In the evening, we can enjoy nature with a cool drink while watching the wildlife right outside our Meru-style tent. Included highlight: Full-day excursion in 4x4 vehicles to the Ngorongoro Crater.

This morning, we wake up early to enjoy our time on a game drive through Serengeti National Park. The park is famous for its rich wildlife and we will spend the majority of the day searching for the animals that call this place home. In the late afternoon, we return to Karatu and spend our evening reminiscing about the encounters of the past two days. Included highlight: Safari in the Serengeti.

We leave Karatu and Ngorongoro Crater behind and head back to Arusha. Upon arrival in Arusha, we meet up again with the other travelers who have booked the Serengeti package.

Early in the morning, we head south towards our accommodation for the night in the coastal town of Bagamoyo. The former center of the East African slave trade lies just north of the port of Dar es Salaam and serves as the perfect starting point for our upcoming Zanzibar excursion. Since today is primarily a travel day, we'll experience the hustle and bustle along one of Africa's main travel routes. The journey along Africa's roads is an experience in itself and the bustling markets, villages, and scenic backdrops provide a good insight into life in rural Africa. In the evening, we prepare for our Zanzibar adventure that begins tomorrow.

This morning we complete the short journey to Dar es Salaam and board our ferry for the two-hour ride to Zanzibar. Upon arrival at the ferry port, we make our way to Nungwi on the northern coast of the island. There are several excursions that can be arranged and your guide will assist you with this. Included highlight: Zanzibar excursion.

On your free day today, you can enjoy some of the many attractions and activities available here. Water sports are the order of the day and Nungwi offers opportunities for fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and a variety of water safaris. Whatever you choose, you will surely gather plenty of island experiences. You might consider renting a scooter to explore the many attractions or simply relax on the beach soaking up the warmth of the sun. Optional activities: Fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, turtle sanctuary, city tours, Jozani Forest, etc., Zanzibar excursion.

This morning marks the end of our stay in Nungwi as we continue on the road to Stone Town. Before arriving in Stone Town, we stop en route to participate in a guided spice tour that leads us through villages and spice plantations. You will witness firsthand how the spice workers climb the trees and search for specific plants, and you will have the opportunity to buy fresh spices directly from these farms. The bustling harbor of Stone Town has a rich history and was once an important stop on the slave and spice trade route. Included highlight: Boat trip to Prison Island and spice tour.

We leave the coast behind and head inland, where we will spend the night in Mikumi. Mikumi National Park is the fourth largest park in Tanzania and is part of the 75,000 sq km wilderness centered in Selous, Africa's largest game reserve. Optional activity: Safari in Mikumi National Park.

The town of Iringa is perched on a cliff overlooking the Ruaha River Valley. The town center offers visitors a glimpse into the past with its German colonial buildings and a popular market. The Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery serves as a reminder of the soldiers who fell locally during World War I and II.

This afternoon, we make a stop at a local coffee plantation where we have the opportunity to see the process of growing and harvesting coffee beans and taste some beans. Included highlight: Visit to a coffee plantation.

We leave Tanzania behind, drive down the Great Rift Valley, and cross the border into Malawi. Known as the 'Warm Heart of Africa', the country is located by the lake. Our destination today is the shores of Lake Malawi, where we will spend the night and enjoy the attractions of the northern regions of the lake. While snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, you will have the chance to see the colorful tropical cichlids up close, tiny fish often found in colorful aquariums around the world.

This morning we board our truck and continue south along the shores of Lake Malawi. Our destination today is the shores of Lake Malawi. It stretches over 500 km along Malawi's western border and is home to more fish species than any other lake. We will spend the night along the shores of this natural wonder. Included highlight: Visit to a village.

The day is once again free for you to relax by the lake. Read a book, sunbathe, or participate in numerous activities.

This morning we enjoy one last sunrise along the shores of Lake Malawi before continuing our tour to Zambia and the South Luangwa National Park. After crossing the border, we make a brief stop in Chipata before heading to our camp along the banks of the Luangwa River. After the sunrise we've experienced over Lake Malawi, we will witness an equally spectacular sunset over the Luangwa River this evening.

South Luangwa National Park is a top destination for safaris and we will spend the entire day here in search of the numerous wildlife that live within. In the morning, you can join an optional morning safari drive, or participate in a walking safari typically offered in the park during the dry season (April to December). In the afternoon, we will stay in the park on a safari drive until sunset, allowing time for a sundowner between day and night. The unique opportunity to visit the park at night gives us the chance to experience some of the nocturnal species that are hardly seen during the day. Included highlight: Sunset safari in South Luangwa National Park, optional activity: walking safari (season-dependent) or morning safari drive in South Luangwa.

We leave the Luangwa Valley in the morning and make another stop at Tribal Textiles. The area around Chipata is one of the main production centers for cotton and we get a feel for the creativity of African culture. Those interested can join a tour of their workshops (March to December) to see how these colorful fabrics are made. Our destination for tonight is the small town of Petauke. Included highlight: Visit to a textile project (available March to December).

We follow the Great East Road, a major connection between Lusaka and neighboring Malawi, winding through rural Zambia, crossing the Luangwa River on our way to Lusaka. Today's route is dotted with small villages and vital farms for the operators, presenting a strong contrast to the highly developed countries many of us come from.

We cross the southern foothills of Zambia and approach the Victoria Falls adventure, where in the afternoon we can catch our first glimpse of the mighty Victoria Falls. Crossing the bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe gives us a taste of “Musi oa Tunya”, the smoke that thunders, as the waterfalls are popularly called. The Victoria Falls offer a multitude of optional activities that can be booked upon your arrival at Victoria Falls. Upon arriving at Victoria Falls, our tour ends.