30-Day Johannesburg to Nairobi Overland Camping Safari
Quick Itinerary Overview:
Embark on an unforgettable Southern Africa Overland Camping Tour with Adventure In The Wild Safaris! This incredible journey begins in Johannesburg and takes you through Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Kenya, offering exceptional safari experiences and breathtaking landscapes. Visit the Okavango Delta, Chobe River, Victoria Falls, and the Serengeti National Park, while enjoying cultural encounters and pristine beaches. Adventure, wildlife, and a journey of a lifetime await!
Itinerary for this Tour
Day 1: Johannesburg to Palapye – Botswana
Your 30-day overland adventure kicks off in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub. After meeting your guides and fellow travelers, we head towards Botswana. Our first stop is Palapye, where we stay in comfortable en-suite hotel rooms, relax, and enjoy the adventure that lies ahead.
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Palapye to Maun – Botswana
Journey through the Central Kalahari Desert towards Maun, your gateway to the Okavango Delta. Experience rural towns and pass by the Orapa Diamond Mine before arriving at Maun for an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (own expense). Prepare for the upcoming 2-night adventure into the Khwai River Area.
- Optional Activity: Scenic Okavango Delta Flight
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Maun to Khwai River Area / Okavango Delta – Botswana
Delve into the Okavango Delta, one of nature’s true miracles. Spend two nights in the Khwai River floodplain, where wildlife roams freely. Explore this vibrant ecosystem on a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) ride through reed-lined channels, and take a guided nature walk on a small island.
- Included Activity: Sunset Okavango Delta Mokoro Trip
- Optional Activity: Scenic Okavango Delta Flight
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Moremi National Park (Okavango Delta) – Botswana
Enjoy a full-day game drive in Moremi Game Reserve, home to the Big 5 and diverse wildlife. The park’s varied landscapes create the perfect habitat for animals like giraffe, cheetah, and zebra, along with a wide range of birdlife.
- Included Activity: Full Day Game Drive
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Khwai to Maun & Nata Pan – Botswana
Today we head back to Maun and continue our journey to the Makgadikgadi Pans. Spend the night at a campsite near Nata Pan, a salt pan that attracts birds and wildlife in the rainy season.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Nata to Kasane & Chobe National Park – Botswana
On Day 6, we travel north to Kasane, near Chobe National Park. Enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River, known for its close-up wildlife sightings, including hippos, elephants, and crocodiles.
- Included Activity: Chobe River Boat Cruise
- Optional Activity: Chobe National Park Game Drive
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 & 8: Kasane to Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
Cross into Zimbabwe and visit the majestic Victoria Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders. Spend two days exploring the falls, engaging in optional activities such as white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and more.
- Optional Activities: Visit Victoria Falls, Bungee Jumping, Helicopter Flights, White Water Rafting
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Day 7) & Breakfast (Day 8)
Day 9: Livingstone to Lusaka – Zambia
Continue your adventure as we travel to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. Enjoy a restful night at a safari camp surrounded by nature, where you can spot impala, giraffe, and zebra.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Lusaka to Petauke – Zambia
On Day 10, we head towards Petauke, the gateway to South Luangwa National Park. Stop at Luangwa Market to experience Zambian culture and shop for local crafts before preparing for your safari adventure in South Luangwa.
- Included Activity: Market Visit
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 & 12: South Luangwa National Park – Zambia
Begin your adventure with a drive from Petauke to the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s premier wilderness area renowned for its exceptional wildlife. Along the way, visit the vibrant town of Chipata, where you can explore the Mulberry Mongoose workshops. Here, local women create beautiful jewelry and curios from cotton and wire retrieved from poachers’ snares.
For the next two nights, camp on the banks of the Luangwa River in the heart of the park. Expect to spot hippos, birds, and other wildlife during your stay. Enjoy sundowners and witness a stunning sunset over the river.
On Day 12, immerse yourself in the beauty of South Luangwa with optional activities such as a walking safari or an early morning game drive. In the afternoon, head out for a sunset game drive, spotting animals like buffalos, zebras, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and crocodiles. End the day with a sundowner and the chance to observe nocturnal creatures.
Included Activity: Mulberry Mongoose Visit, Sunset Game Drive
Optional Activities: Safari Walk (seasonal), Morning Game Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner x2
Day 13 & 14: South Luangwa to Central Lake Malawi – Malawi
On Day 13, cross into Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa, and travel through the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, one of the country’s largest and oldest parks. Keep an eye out for elephants and zebras as you journey towards the breathtaking shores of Lake Malawi.
Set up camp at Ngala Beach, a beautiful lakeside campsite, where you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or simply relaxing on the beach. Day 14 is a free day for exploration. Optional activities include paddle skiing, horse riding, or a hike to the nearby Dwanbazi Waterfall for panoramic views. Explore local fishing villages or enjoy a laid-back walk along the lake’s shoreline.
Optional Activities: Snorkeling, Horse Riding, Paddle Skiing, Waterfall Hike
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner x2
Day 15: Central to Northern Lake Malawi – Malawi
On Day 15, head north along the shores of Lake Malawi to Chitimba, a village where you’ll take a walking tour to learn about the local culture. By late afternoon, arrive at your lakeside campsite and enjoy a relaxing sunset over the lake.
Included Activity: Malawi Village Tour
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: Lake Malawi to Mbeya – Tanzania
Bid farewell to Lake Malawi and travel into Tanzania. Enjoy scenic views of lush forests, rolling hills, and small villages as you cross the border and head to the town of Mbeya. Spend the night at a charming campsite located on a coffee plantation in the cool mountain slopes near Mbeya.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Mbeya to Iringa – Tanzania
On Day 17, explore a local coffee plantation, learning about coffee cultivation and sampling fresh beans. Then, journey deeper into Tanzania, passing through the stunning Tanzanian Highlands, before arriving at your campsite on a working farm outside Iringa.
Included Activity: Coffee Plantation Visit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 & 19: Iringa to Mikumi National Park – Tanzania
Travel north towards Mikumi National Park, part of the Selous Game Reserve ecosystem. Stop to visit Baobab Valley, where you’ll witness the towering baobab trees against the African savannah backdrop. At Mikumi National Park, enjoy a variety of wildlife, including lions, zebras, elephants, and buffaloes. You’ll camp for two nights at a comfortable safari camp, with optional activities like game drives or cultural tours.
Optional Activity: Safari Game Drive in Mikumi National Park, Cultural Tours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner x2
Day 20: Mikumi National Park to Dar es Salaam – Tanzania
On Day 20, leave the cool highlands of Tanzania behind as you head to Dar es Salaam, a coastal city and gateway to Zanzibar. Explore the bustling fish markets, museums, and beaches, or simply relax at your centrally located hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 21: Dar es Salaam to Stone Town, Zanzibar Island – Tanzania
After an early start, take the ferry to Zanzibar Island. Upon arrival, head to the historic Stone Town, where you can explore its narrow streets, visit the Darajani Market, and enjoy the local street food scene.
Included Activity: Zanzibar Island Ferry
Meals: Breakfast
Day 22 & 23: Beach Resort, Zanzibar Island – Tanzania
On Day 22, explore Stone Town on a walking tour, visiting landmarks like the birthplace of Freddie Mercury. Then, enjoy a Spice Tour to learn about Zanzibar’s famous spice plantations. Afterward, head to your beach resort, where you can relax and enjoy water sports like snorkeling, fishing, or scuba diving. Explore the island on guided tours or rent a scooter for your own adventure. Zanzibar’s tropical beaches are the perfect place to unwind and soak up the sun.
Included Activities: Stone Town Walking Tour, Zanzibar Spice Tour
Optional Activities: Dhow Sailing Trips, Jozani Forest, Turtle Sanctuary, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Fishing, Village Tours, and more
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner x2
Day 24: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam & Bagamoyo – Tanzania
We bid farewell to our beach paradise and travel to Stone Town, where we board the ferry back to Dar es Salaam. From there, we rejoin our overland safari vehicle and head north up the coast to the historic town of Bagamoyo. Bagamoyo, established in the late 1700s, is rich in German colonial, Swahili, Arabic, and Christian missionary influences. Today, it is renowned for its wooden dhow sailing boat construction, a tradition that continues to this day. We will camp overnight in this fascinating town.
- Included Activity: Zanzibar return ferry
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 25: Bagamoyo to Arusha – Tanzania
Our journey continues as we travel up the Tanzanian coastline, then head inland through scenic countryside and rural towns to Arusha, a lively town nestled in the foothills of Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth-highest peak. Arusha is the gateway to Tanzania’s famous Northern Safari Circuit, including Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, and serves as a base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbers.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 26: Arusha to Karatu – Tanzania
Today, we head west through the stunning landscapes of the East African Great Rift Valley. Our overnight stop is in Karatu, located between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. Karatu is an excellent base for exploring the Northern Safari Circuit of Tanzania. We will also visit the vibrant Mto wa Mbu market, where you can experience local life and try the distinctive red bananas grown in the area. Your guide will brief you on optional excursions like a local brewery or coffee plantation tour. The next day, we will embark on our two-day safari in Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti.
- Included Activity: Mto wa Mbu Market
- Optional Activities: Local Brewery Tour, Coffee Plantation Tour
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 27: Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti National Park (Seronera) – Tanzania
We rise early for an action-packed day of game viewing in specialized 4×4 vehicles. Our first stop is the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed caldera of an ancient volcano, teeming with wildlife such as buffalo, giraffes, elephants, and many bird species. In the afternoon, we head to Serengeti National Park, where we will stay in luxury tents in the heart of the park, offering incredible views of the plains. Enjoy a serene sunset while observing the wildlife.
- Included Activity: 4×4 Ngorongoro Crater Safari, Serengeti Game Drive
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 28: Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
On day 28, we explore the iconic Serengeti National Park, known for its large populations of big cats, particularly in the Seronera region. Serengeti is one of Africa’s top safari destinations, and you will be treated to many memorable animal sightings. For those seeking an extra thrill, a Hot Air Balloon Safari is available (pre-booking essential).
- Included Activity: Serengeti Full Day Game Drive
- Optional Activity: Hot Air Balloon Safari (pre-booking essential)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 29: Serengeti to Arusha – Tanzania
We leave the Serengeti behind and travel through the Great Rift Valley back to Arusha. After another memorable safari experience, we relax at a comfortable campsite in Arusha.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 30: Arusha to Nairobi – Kenya
On the final day of our Adventure In The Wild Safaris, we cross into Kenya, where we travel to Nairobi. If the weather is clear, we may get a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. After completing border formalities, we arrive in Nairobi, marking the end of our exciting overland tour from Zanzibar to Nairobi.
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Overland Tour Notes
We recommend booking your flights at least one day before and after this overland safari to account for any delays. Pre-tour and post-tour accommodation options are available.
If you prefer, you can also do this tour in reverse, starting in Nairobi and ending in Johannesburg.
This tour is also available as a Lodge Overland Tour, where you will stay in comfortable lodges instead of camping.
Great Migration Safaris Explained
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide, with millions of wildebeest and other animals like zebras, gazelles, and impalas migrating between Serengeti and Masai Mara. This dynamic migration also draws world-class predators, including lions and hyenas.
The best viewing of the migration typically occurs between June and August in Tanzania, and between July and September as the wildebeest cross the Mara River into Kenya.
For the latest migration updates and to plan your safari, consult our safari experts for advice and guidance.
Optional Extras and Excursions
For pricing and availability on optional excursions, please contact us directly. Some of the options available include:
- SOUTH AFRICA: Johannesburg City Tour, Soweto Tour, Kruger Park Open Vehicle Game Drive, Blyde River Canyon & God’s Window
- ZIMBABWE: White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Helicopter Flight over Victoria Falls
- TANZANIA: Masai Village Visit, Olduvai Gorge
- ZANZIBAR: Prison Island Snorkeling, Diving, and Fishing
Child Policy
This tour does not accommodate children.