Yomps, Adventure Travel Experiences

Johannesburg to Nairobi Overland Tour
Full Itinerary

Go on an amazing thirty day overland tour from Johannesburg to Nairobi to see the amazing Victoria Falls, canoe down the Zambezi River, go on game drives in beautiful national parks, relax on the beaches of Lake Malawi, take a ferry to Zanzibar, camp on river banks and beaches beneath the stars, witness the stunning wildlife of the Serengeti and the Ngorogoro Crater and see a variety of other amazing sights on this exciting and awe-inspiring overland adventure!

South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia

Days 1 - 6 - Journey overland through South Africa to Zimbabwe, see the great Zimbabwe Ruins, camp amongst the boulders of Matobo, visit the world famous Victoria Falls, enjoy adventure activities such as bungee jumping and white water rafting, traverse the Livingstone bridge and cross the border into Zambia

Day 1 Leaving Johannesburg early, you begin the trek north – stopping en-route to do some last minute shopping. Your destination is a rustic bush camp set on a private game reserve in the Limpopo Valley where you will camp the night. Arriving here early, you can familiarise yourselves with the vehicle and equipment before relaxing, enjoying a traditional “braai” (African barbeque), and getting to know your new travelling companions.

Day 2 After a morning walk, you travel the short distance to the border where you will complete formalities before travelling directly to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. The afternoon is spent exploring this massive complex and delving into the mysteries surrounding their origin. Tonight you can enjoy a night of relative comfort and have a catered meal (at your own expense).

Day 3 A short drive today will take you through the wide streets of Bulawayo then onto our camp nestled amongst the balancing boulders of Matobo. This afternoon you will enjoy an open vehicle drive into the Matobo National Park where you will track rhinos and other animals on foot.

Day 4 Rising early, you can stretch your legs with a climb up one of the “kopies” (large boulders) surrounding the camp, before packing up and moving onto Hwange. This afternoon you will enjoy an extensive drive in search of the animals for which Hwange is so well known, before night descends when you can drift off to sleep to the sounds of the wild at our bush-camp in the Hwange area.

Days 5 & 6 Leaving the bush-camp, you head for the amazing spectacle and wonder of the world that is Victoria Falls. Here you will spend two nights in comfort at the Drifters Victoria Falls Inn, in its nearby tourist village. There are numerous activities to enjoy in the area, which include bungee-jumping, white-water rafting, aircraft flips (at own expense) or you can just relax and leisurely explore the town. One evening meal will be at a local restaurant (at own expense), and the other will be a “braai” with traditional dancers at the pool.

Day 7 After an early start, you will get a last glimpse of the falls whilst crossing the historic Livingstone Bridge over the Zambezi Gorge into Zambia. Your journey then takes you across southern Zambia to the Kafue River, where you will set up camp before relaxing at the pool and enjoying a hot shower.

Zambia

Days 8 - 13 - Canoe the Zambezi River, see amazing wildlife, camp in the wilds, visit the famous city Lusaka, camp on the banks of the Luangwa River and see spectacular game viewing at the Luangwa National Park

Days 8 – 10 After receiving a river safety and procedure briefing, you will begin your Zambezi River canoeing adventure. For many people, these days are the highlight of the tour as there are such excellent bird and game viewing opportunities from the canoes. This section does involve a certain amount of effort, yet being able to see hippos and other big game at amazingly close range rewards any aching arms you may get! At night you will camp wild, falling to sleep to the sounds of the Zambian wilderness. You will end your paddling at the Chongwe River and will camp the last night on the mainland. The next day you will conduct a short game walk before transferring back to the Kafue camp by boat, for a hot shower and a catered meal (at own expense). Here you will camp the night under the stars.

Day 11 You continue north via the capital city, Lusaka, where you can stock up on provisions and enjoy an own expense paid lunch. You will then travel along the Great East Road to the overnight camp, covering as much distance today as possible.

Days 12 & 13 Travelling on, you will journey to the camp on the banks of the Luangwa River, just outside the Luangwa National Park, where you will stay for two nights. During the day you will enter the southern park to have some spectacular game viewing, in an area that has excellent opportunities for leopard sightings. There is also the opportunity to go on a night drive (at own expense) to see the spectacular nocturnal wildlife of the Luangwa National Park.

Zambia & Tanzania

Days - Relax on stunning beaches in Malawi, snorkel amid an amazing kaleidoscope of tropical fish, visit Lake Malawi, cross into Tanzania, visit the world famous Dar es Salaam, and take a ferry to Zanzibar to explore the island, visit the slave pits and sample the local cuisine

Days 14 & 15 Today you enter Malawi, and after replenishing stocks and spending some time at the curio stalls in Lilongwe, you continue down to Lake Malawi to spend two nights camping on the beach. You can spend your days simply relaxing and soaking up the sun, or for anyone who feels slightly more energetic the crystal-clear tropical waters teem with more fish species than any other lake on earth, making for some excellent snorkelling. There are also some lovely beach walks you can enjoy.

Day 16 Following the winding road along the lakeshore, you continue north and again camp the night on the beach of Lake Malawi. As the ninth largest lake on the planet and supporting a unique range of wildlife from crocodiles to fish eagles, Lake Malawi is one of Africa’s true jewels.

Day 17 Entering Tanzania, you begin your journey across this vast country, camping this night near the remote village of Mikumi.

Day 18 Arriving in Dar es Salaam, the historic port of Tanzania, at about noon, you will spend some time in this bustling city before moving to the North Coast where you will camp the night on the beach.

Day 19 – 22 This morning you will head directly to the harbour to embark on a ferry ride across to Zanzibar, an archipelago just off the coast sometimes referred to as the ‘Spice Islands’ for the cloves it produces. Exploring the island thoroughly, you will spend time at the remote villages and sandy beaches of the north, and enjoy the mystique and history of the Stone Town. You will also be able to visit the slave pits, go on a spice tour, and collect a variety of delicious things to eat at the colourful food and fruit market. One night you can also sample the gorgeous local cuisine (at own expense).

Tanzania, Kenya (optional)

Days 23 - 30 - See the town Arusha, visit traditional markets, see Masai herdsmen, visit the world famous Serengeti, go on game drive to see amazing wildlife, camp on the lip of the Ngorogoro Crater, see stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and finish in the Kenyan capital Nairobi

Day 23 Leaving the island behind, you take the ferry back to the mainland to camp the night just north of Dar es Salaam at a small resort.

Days 24 & 25 Moving inland, you journey to Arusha to spend two nights camping in this bustling town, enjoying a full day curio shopping and exploring the numerous markets. Set in a remarkable location, it is possible here to view Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa, from Arusha if the clouds oblige.

Day 26 – 28 Travelling from Arusha to Serengeti, you are almost certain to witness the impressive Masai herdsmen herding their cattle amongst the game. You will spend most of the day on a game drive in an area with exceptional game viewing potential, arriving at the Seronera camp in the late afternoon to camp the night. Rising early you continue game viewing for the entire next day, before exiting the park and making for the Simba Camp to camp the night on the lip of the Ngorongoro crater. Descending into the crater on the steep dirt track cut into the crater wall, you will be able to witness the diverse range of habitats in the crater, from lakes to grasslands, swamps to acacia forests. This amazing range of habitats is home to an equal diversity of wildlife, with everything one can imagine, including flamingos, elephants, lions, spotted hyenas, jackals, zebras, gazelles and black rhinos. Indeed with a population of about 25,000 large animals and the ever-present Masai herdsmen, the Ngorongoro crater is a truly awe-inspiring place to visit. You will exit the crater after lunch to return to Arusha for the night.

Day 29 Taking a final glimpse of Kilimanjaro, you head due north to enter Kenya and to travel directly to Nairobi. Staying overnight in a simple hotel, you will have a final evening meal (at own expense).

Please note that due to the current political situation in Kenya, you may opt to finish your tour a day early in Tanzania, thereby avoiding entry into Kenya.

Day 30 After breakfast you can bid farewell to your fellow travellers and the amazing adventures you had together, before going your separate ways.

Additional US$ Payment -

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE:
As well as the published price an additional cost of US$700 foreign currency is payable on departure in order for us to meet Dollar payments in Zambia and Tanzania.

Meals Included - The following meals are included in the price during the tour

• Day 1 Dinner
• Day 2 Breakfast and lunch
• Days 3 & 4 Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Days 5 & 6 Breakfast and dinner
• Days 7 – 10 Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Day 11 Breakfast and dinner
• Days 12 - 28 Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Day 29 Breakfast and lunch
• Day 30 Breakfast

Optional Activities (at own expense) -

• White Water Rafting
• Bunji Jumping
• Elephant Back Safari
• Luangwa Night Drive
• Scuba Diving

Option to join during tour -

Clients may join or leave this tour at certain stages of the itinerary. Call us for a quote with regard to this. Clients may, on occasion, return to Johannesburg with the vehicle at a nominal cost, but Drifters will be under no obligation whatsoever.

Important Information -

• During the dry season we may exit Serengeti from the west and travel to Nairobi via Lake Victoria.
• A trip of this nature can only be undertaken by people of a certain mentality and we only recommend it to people under 55 years of age, although this obviously depends on the individual.
• Africa can be harsh, with not only unpredictable weather, but unpredictable attitudes as well.
• Clients must expect delays for whatever reason.
• All visa requirements and border formalities are the responsibility of the client, and we will not hold the tour up for irresponsible reasons.
• Seasonal Malaria precautions are advisable and are locally obtainable.
• The recommended currency for this tour is US Dollars, in small denominations.
• The most necessary item on this tour is an open and flexible mind!
• Our price includes all transport, accommodations, scheduled entry and park fees, Victoria Falls entry, canoeing safari, ferry ride, group equipment, a professional guide, breakfasts, most lunches and all evening meals when not scheduled in a restaurant, coffee and tea.
• Our price does not include alcohol and soft drinks, curios, tips, visas, airport taxes, transfers, other optional excursions, restaurant meals and harbour taxes.

- Malaria Awareness

Travelling to long-haul destinations can be a wonderful and exciting experience. Before you go, make sure you take the right travel advice about visiting Malaria risk countries. At Yomps we are committed to stopping traveller deaths from malaria which is why we support the campaign being run by Malariahotspots.com. Click here to download our free guide about Malaria Awareness (opens in a new window).