Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 4 pm this afternoon in Victoria Falls – a town in western Zimbabwe and the gateway to the massive waterfall of the same name. If you arrive early, you might take a helicopter flight over the Falls, stroll through the town centre, or check out the restaurant and brewery scene. After your meeting, get to know your fellow travellers over dinner at a local restaurant. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent know. Ask reception or look for a note for more information on where the meeting will take place. Your campsite tonight has shared facilities and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability). You may notice businesses offering an optional 'Walk with the Lions' experience. We ask all Tuuur travellers to avoid this activity as it is contrary to our Responsible Travel policy. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many of our itineraries, we strive to only view animals in their natural habitats and to do so with the greatest level of respect. The lion walking industry directly contributes to the captive breeding and canned hunting of lions. If you decide to go on a scenic helicopter flight, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), which is the only operator Tuuur endorses.

Today is a free day for you to choose your own adventure! Maybe spend the day exploring the magnificent Victoria Falls. This thundering curtain of water is 1.5 km wide, falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise an incredible 400 m, and the falls become a raging torrent. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray, and you can see little islets in the river below. Be sure to ask your local leader for their tips and advice on what to do in Victoria Falls. Your campsite tonight has shared facilities and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability). The Victoria Falls entrance fee is not included, as group bookings must be accompanied by a local guide. By leaving it optional, you can choose how you want to experience this natural wonder at your own pace. Tuuur has not risk assessed all activities and only those listed in Optional Activities are recommended. It is against policy for leaders to help book any activities that do not adhere to our Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to these activities.

This morning, travel to Lusaka. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it’s the perfect chance to get stuck into a good book or catch up on your favourite podcasts. After crossing the border from Zimbabwe into Zambia, continue to your campsite on a private farm surrounded by the natural bushland, just outside of the city. When you arrive, set up camp, settle in, and spend some time exploring the camp, stretching your legs as you try to spot impala, giraffes, or even zebras wandering through! Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours. Tonight’s camp has shared facilities, a swimming pool and wi-fi for a token. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

After breakfast, you’ll travel to Lower Zambezi National Park – located on the Zimbabwean border and famous for its spectacular Zambezi River valley and abundant wildlife, including fish eagles, buffalo, and elephants. Tonight, you’ll camp in the wildlife-rich Chiawa area, surrounded by native bush with animals roaming freely through the camp. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Tonight’s camp has shared facilities, and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

Set off on a full-day safari through one of Zambia’s best wildlife viewing areas – Lower Zambezi National Park. This park is set along a wide floodplain of the Zambezi River, dotted with acacias and towering trees, and framed by a dramatic slope to the north, covered in thick miombo woodland. Across the river you'll see Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park - the two parks forming one of Africa’s most amazing wilderness areas. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants, leopards, lions, cheetahs and birds along the way.

Wake up early and begin your journey to Petauke – a town in the Eastern Province of Zambia. Along the way, watch the ever-changing scenery shift from open plains to rural villages and bustling roadside markets, offering a glimpse into daily Zambian life. Tonight, enjoy a well-earned rest at your camp, under the African night sky. Your travel time today will be approximately 12 hours. Tonight’s camp has shared facilities, and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

After breakfast, travel to a workshop in South Luangwa where local craftswomen transform snare wire, recovered from poaching traps, into jewellery inspired by the African bush. When you arrive, the women will show you around their purpose-built workshop, then try your hand at coiling or hammering the wire yourself! After, continue your journey through the heartland to South Luangwa National Park. When you arrive, maybe set out on a game walk or river trip to see South Luangwa’s beautiful scenery as the sun slowly sets – just ask your local leader for more details! Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours. Your camp tonight has optional accommodation upgrades (subject to availability). The optional game walk listed for today is seasonal and requires a 24-hour pre-booking notice. Please let your leader know if you're interested.

After breakfast, you’ll spot iconic African wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, leopards, Thornicroft’s giraffes and lions, on a 4WD safari with a local guide. Learn about the region’s diverse landscapes and animals, then make tracks to your next camp near Chipata for the night. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Tonight’s camp has shared facilities and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

Cross the border into Malawi and continue straight to your camp on the shores of Lake Malawi. The country is dominated by its lake, which covers almost a fifth of the country and provides a livelihood for many local people. Fishermen, fish traders, and canoe and net makers all ply their trade on the water. Your campsite sits right on the shore so you can relax on the beach after todays drive. Your travel time today will be approximately 11 hours. There are upgrades available at tonight’s campsite (subject to availability), but there is no wi-fi.

Enjoy a free day to soak up the lake’s sandy shores. Maybe take a refreshing dip in the lake, explore the surrounding area by bike, or join a guided snorkelling trip. Lake Malawi’s high alkalinity has created an abundance of brightly coloured fish and relatively few plants, resulting in a tropical, ocean-like snorkelling experience within a landlocked freshwater lake. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your local leader will have the best recommendations!

Drive to your camp in Chitimba, which lies along the coast of Lake Malawi and has lovely beaches, friendly locals and a laidback atmosphere. When you arrive, perhaps take a stroll and acquaint yourself with this different part of the lake. Enjoy the scenery of banana palms, papaya trees and the Livingstonia and Nyika mountains looming nearby. Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours. Tonight’s camp has shared facilities and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

This morning you can take an optional walk in the nearby village, an opportunity to meet some local Malawians-easily some of the friendliest people in Africa. Enjoy a free afternoon chilling out on the lake’s sandy shores, time to soak up your idyllic surroundings you can take a dip in the lake or try out cycling to the hilly villages. Perhaps cool off with an optional snorkelling trip with a local guide. Lake Malawi's high alkalinity has resulted in an abundance of brightly coloured fish and relatively low levels of plants. What you end up with is a tropical ocean-like snorkelling experience within a landlocked freshwater lake. Your travel time today will be approximately 11 hours. Tonight’s camp has shared facilities, and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

Today you'll drive to the edge of Mikumi National Park. Situated at the foot of the thickly wooded Uluguru Mountains, Mikumi is Tanzania's fourth largest national park. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for dinner. Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

Journey off-the-beaten-track today as you explore Mikumi National Park – a landscape of baobab-studded plains and open savannahs. Mikumi is the fourth largest national park in the country, located near Morogoro. Join an expert guide on a 4WD safari, where you’ll see herds of buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, elephant, and zebra.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic drive to Kipepo Beach, located on the white sandy beaches on the south coast of Dar es Salaam. Once you arrive, set up camp and take some time to unwind – maybe enjoy a stroll along the shore. Your camp for the night is set on the grounds of a hotel right next to the beach, offering the perfect opportunity to unwind and take a refreshing dip in the Indian Ocean. Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours. Your camp tonight has optional accommodation upgrades (subject to availability) and beach access.

Today is a free day to explore at your own pace. Enjoy a day at the beach or head into Dar es Salaam to explore Tanzania's largest city and cultural centre. Maybe start your morning at Kivukoni Fish Market, where fishing dhows unload their fresh catch and the city buzzes to life with the day’s first light. In the city centre, tea vendors wander the streets, shops sell spicy samosas, and the mix of African, Arabic, Indian, and German architecture tells the story of Dar es Salaam’s rich cultural blend.

Catch a ferry to Zanzibar, Africa’s famous ‘Spice Island.’ On arrival, enjoy some free time to discover Zanzibar City at your own pace. Lose yourself in the maze of cobblestone alleyways in Stone Town, admire the mix of Arabic, African and European architecture, or soak up the bustling atmosphere of Darajani Bazaar. This afternoon, you’ll have another welcome meeting at 2 pm to meet the new travellers joining you on the next leg of your adventure. After your meeting, perhaps head out together for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations. As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today. The Zanzibar portion of your itinerary may have more passengers than the maximum group size of 22 as we have a crossover of trips starting and finishing in Zanzibar.

Once checked out of your Stone Town accommodation, consider booking in to an optional guided tour of the island's spice plantations, learning all about the history of this town's spice trade. You will have the opportunity to smell and taste various spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger, plus sample some teas made with these spices too. After lunch, head to the Northern Beaches, where white sands and sparkling blue seas await. This is the Indian Ocean at its best. If you choose not to book in on the optional Zanzibar spice tour this morning, you will be transported directly to the island's Northern Beaches.

Ease into the day with the sound of gentle waves and soft ocean breezes. With a full day free to enjoy Zanzibar’s coastline, you might choose to take a refreshing swim, stretch out on the beach beneath the palms, or savour the flavours of the island with a seafood dinner by the water. However you spend it, today is all about slowing down and letting the rhythm of island life take over.

Say goodbye to Zanzibar’s northern beaches this morning as you travel back to Stone Town. Here you’ll meet new members of your group at an 11 am welcome meeting before taking the ferry back to Dar es Salaam. Say hello to your driver and cook before boarding your overland vehicle for the short drive to you camp in Bagamoyo, a lovely spot by the beach. As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today. Your beach camp tonight has wi-fi, a swimming pool, and cold showers. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

Travel into the remote Usambara Mountains (approximately 7 hours). This unspoilt area of Tanzania attracts very few tourists, making it the perfect place to soak in your surroundings. The forests stretch across the mountains and are ideal for easy hikes and guided walks. You base is the old German colony of Lushoto, where you’ll stay on the grounds of one of the earliest hotels in Africa. Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours. The campsite has flush toilets and showers, but limited Wi-Fi. Upgrades are possible (subject to availability).

Today, explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains and experience this area’s gentle hospitality on a visit to some of its small communities. From your base, hike to the gorgeous Irente viewpoint. It's best to pack some water and snacks in a day pack for this trip. On your way back, visit a local cultural project based at Irente farm and enjoy a locally prepared lunch.

Today, journey from the scenic Usambara Mountains to Arusha. While there are no planned activities, enjoy the drive through Tanzania's picturesque landscapes as you make your way to the bustling gateway to the northern safari circuit. Upon arrival at your campsite on the outskirts of town, unwind and settle in for a restful evening and prepare for the adventures ahead. Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours. This campsite has flush toilets and showers. It also has a bar – the perfect place to unwind with a drink after a long day in the truck.

After breakfast this morning, head to Karatu, the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater. Here, you'll hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves and the Endoro waterfalls along the way. Rich with calcium, the Elephant Caves got their name as elephants would come here and break off pieces of rock, eating the dust to receive important minerals. Today's trek, accompanied by an expert local guide and armed ranger, is the perfect way to stretch your legs after a few days of overland travel. You'll hike through Ngorongoro rainforest as your local guide explains the ins and outs of the area here and points out interesting animal tracks and footprints. Marvel at the wild landscape and spot beautiful birdlife as you walk. After, head to Karatu village for a tour of the local coffee farm. Here, you'll see the innovative farming practices from the locals and learn about the farming activities that sustain the coffee, bean, maize, banana, soya and pea crops. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dinner with a local Tanzanian family in their home, who will cook you a few different dishes to try. Learn about the local culture with educational stories from a locally trained guide. What a night!

Get up early, put your camping and personal gear into a six-person jeep and head out for an excursion into the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy a safari in the crater, spending between 3 and 4 hours exploring this perfectly intact volcanic crater. Watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. Next, move on to the open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa – the home of thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Your campsite is within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep. The camp is basic with limited running water and no upgrades or wi-fi available. You will notice some Masai villages in the region of the Ngorongoro Crater offering a cultural experience. Tuuur recommends avoiding these villages, as they can impact negatively on the Masai culture and travellers' perceptions of it by selling an artificial experience. Our camp within the Serengeti National Park does not have a fence to separate the camp from the animals. This is quite the experience as animals such as buffalo and hyenas often come close to camp after sundown. On arrival at the camp your leader will give a detailed safety briefing on what is required to ensure the safety of the group.

Wake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then go back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do, head out again as the day begins to cool. You'll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. There's also the option today of a balloon ride over the park (in place of a portion of the morning game drive). If you have pre-booked this activity you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, you will glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. After landing, you'll be treated to a five-star bush breakfast, then be returned to your camp. The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. Please speak to an Tuuur representative before your tour begins to secure a place. If you would rather wait and get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited. If you participate in this activity you will miss the morning half of the included game drive.

Rise with the sun and enjoy another game drive as you leave the Serengeti. Jump back into your overland vehicle and head for Mto wa Mbu. After setting up camp, we'll take a guided stroll through the farming areas, local homes and farmlands, getting to know the local community and their way of life. Later, we'll enjoy a scrumptious locally prepared dinner in town. Your campsite has shared facilities and optional upgrades (subject to availability).

Set off early and cross the Kenyan border then continue to Nairobi. You'll be dropped at the finishing point hotel in Nairobi where your trip ends. If you'd like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent. Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours. It's important not to book any flights departing Nairobi earlier than 8 pm (or 1 pm if you're departing in Arusha).