30 Day Africa Overland Tour: Johannesburg to Nairobi (Lodge Safari)
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Africa with this 30-day overland tour, starting in Johannesburg, South Africa, and finishing in Nairobi, Kenya. This epic adventure takes you through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zanzibar Island, showcasing some of the continent’s most iconic wildlife and landscapes. Along the way, you’ll visit the Okavango Delta, Moremi National Park, Chobe National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Lake Malawi, Zanzibar Island, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti National Park. Experience Africa’s diverse cultures, landscapes, and wildlife on this Adventure In The Wild Safaris tour.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Johannesburg to Palapye – Botswana
The tour kicks off in Johannesburg, the bustling heart of South Africa. After meeting your fellow travelers and guides, you’ll travel through the scenic North-West Province towards the Botswana border. Crossing into Botswana, you’ll head towards Palapye, where you’ll relax in an en-suite hotel room for the night. Enjoy a drink at the hotel bar and unwind after a thrilling start to the journey.
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Palapye to Maun – Botswana
Continue north through the Central Kalahari Desert, passing rural towns and the Orapa Diamond Mine. Your route skirts the Makgadikgadi Pans, remnants of a massive ancient lake. Upon arrival in Maun, your base for exploring the Okavango Delta, you’ll have the chance to take an optional scenic flight over the delta before heading to your hotel for a restful night.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Maun to Khwai River Area / Okavango Delta – Botswana
Your journey into the Okavango Delta begins today. After a scenic flight over the delta (optional), travel deeper into the heart of this unique ecosystem. Stay in a tented camp at Khwai River, offering stunning views of wildlife. Enjoy a sunset mokoro trip through reed-lined channels and stop for a nature walk on a small island in the delta.
- 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
Explore Moremi Game Reserve, one of Africa’s first community-based conservation areas. Home to the Big 5 and a variety of other wildlife, Moremi offers excellent game viewing. Spend the day on a full-day game drive in the park, observing lions, leopards, elephants, and a variety of birdlife.
- Included Activity: Full Day Game Drive
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Khwai to Maun & Nata Pan – Botswana
After a morning game drive, head back to Maun and continue east to Nata Pan, part of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Spend the night in a lodge near the pans, where you may see large flocks of migratory birds depending on the season.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Nata to Kasane & Chobe National Park – Botswana
Arrive in Kasane and enjoy a boat cruise along the Chobe River. Known for its abundant wildlife, this river provides close-up sightings of elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles. You’ll also have the option to take a game drive in Chobe National Park.
- 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 make your way to the world-famous Victoria Falls. Spend the next two days exploring the falls and surrounding area. Optional activities include bungee jumping, white-water rafting, and helicopter flights over the falls.
- Optional Activities: Visit Victoria Falls, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Bungee Jumping, Helicopter Flights, White Water Rafting
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Day 7) & Breakfast (Day 8)
Day 9: Livingstone to Lusaka – Zambia
Travel from Victoria Falls to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. Enjoy the scenic drive through traditional villages and lush landscapes. Overnight in a safari camp surrounded by nature, where wildlife such as impala and giraffe may be seen.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Chirundu to Petauke – Zambia
On Day 10, the tour continues through Zambia towards Petauke, the gateway to South Luangwa National Park. Visit a local market along the way, where you can purchase unique Zambian goods, including local fruits and hand-crafted curios.
- Included Activity: Market Visit
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 & 12: South Luangwa National Park – Zambia
Embark on a journey to South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s premier wilderness area known for its outstanding game viewing. Our day begins with a drive from Petauke to the park’s border, with a stop in the lively town of Chipata. Here, you can visit the Mulberry Mongoose workshops, where local women craft unique jewelry and curios from cotton and wire retrieved from poachers’ snares.
We spend two nights at a safari camp right on the banks of the Luangwa River, where hippos, birds, and other animals are often spotted. Enjoy sundowners while watching a beautiful sunset over the river.
On Day 12, immerse yourself in the heart of South Luangwa. Adventurous early risers may opt for a Safari Walk or an optional morning game drive. After a relaxing break at camp, head out for a sunset game drive to spot the abundant wildlife, including buffalo, zebra, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and crocodiles. As the day winds down, enjoy a sundowner and watch nocturnal creatures emerge.
- 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 the border into Malawi, known as the Warm Heart of Africa. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, one of Malawi’s oldest and largest national parks, where you can spot elephants and zebras from the comfort of our truck.
We then head to the stunning shores of Lake Malawi, one of the deepest lakes in the world. Stay at a comfortable lodge at Ngala Beach on the shores of the lake. Relax with a swim, stroll along the beach, or take a snorkeling adventure.
Day 14 is for relaxation and exploration. Choose from optional activities such as paddle skiing, horse riding, or a guided hike to the Dwanbazi Waterfall for breathtaking views. You can also explore local fishing villages, experience the local culture, and enjoy the lake’s warm waters and vibrant cichlid fish.
- Optional Activities: Snorkeling, Horse Riding, Paddle Skiing, Waterfall Hike, and more.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (x2)
Day 15: Central to Northern Lake Malawi – Malawi
On Day 15, continue your journey north along Lake Malawi’s shores. Stop in a local village for a cultural walking tour before heading to our lakeside lodge in Chitimba. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon, reclining in a hammock while watching the sunset over the lake.
- Included Activity: Malawi Village Tour
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: Lake Malawi to Mbeya – Tanzania
On Day 16, bid farewell to Lake Malawi and journey into Tanzania. Traverse lush green forests, rolling hills, and small villages before arriving at a scenic lodge on a coffee plantation near Mbeya. Here, you can unwind and soak in the peaceful surroundings of the Mbeya Mountain range.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Mbeya to Iringa – Tanzania
On Day 17, enjoy a walking tour of a coffee plantation in southern Tanzania, where you’ll learn about the cultivation and harvesting of coffee beans. Sample fresh beans and continue your journey deeper into Tanzania’s highlands before arriving at our lodge on a working farm near Iringa.
- Included Activities: Coffee Plantation Visit
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 & 19: Iringa to Mikumi National Park – Tanzania
From Iringa, continue north towards Mikumi National Park, part of the Selous Game Reserve ecosystem. Along the way, stop at the Baobab Valley, where ancient baobab trees create a dramatic backdrop for photos. Mikumi is home to lions, elephants, zebras, and over 400 species of birds. We spend two nights at a safari camp, enjoying game drives and 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 the final day, journey towards the Indian Ocean coast, arriving in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s bustling commercial capital. Spend the day exploring the city, visiting fish markets, museums, or relaxing at the beach. End your day with a meal at one of the many local restaurants.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 21: Dar es Salaam to Stone Town, Zanzibar Island – Tanzania
Start your day early in Dar es Salaam as we board the local ferry to Zanzibar Island. This three-day adventure will take you to the tropical paradise of Zanzibar. Upon arrival, we head to our overnight hotel in the historic Stone Town, a former port city known for its deep connections to the slave and spice trade routes. Today, it is a popular destination for tourists seeking to explore its labyrinth of narrow streets, bustling markets, and rich culture.
Explore the Darajani Market to see daily life, and unwind at Forodhani Garden while enjoying local street food.
- Included Activities: Zanzibar Island Ferry
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 22 & 23: Beach Resort, Zanzibar Island – Tanzania
Begin day 22 of your Adventure In The Wild Safaris with a morning walking tour of Stone Town. Visit landmarks such as intricately carved wooden doors and the birthplace of Freddie Mercury. Afterward, we head to a local spice plantation where you’ll learn about the cultivation of spices and have the chance to buy fresh spices.
Next, enjoy a trip to our beach resort, where you can unwind on Zanzibar’s famous beaches. The resort offers activities like snorkeling, fishing, and scuba diving. Take a dhow sailing trip or explore the islands on a guided tour. Zanzibar is a renowned tropical beach destination, perfect for relaxation and adventure alike.
- 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
Today we bid farewell to the beach and return to Dar es Salaam by ferry. From there, we continue our journey to the historic town of Bagamoyo, a place rich in German colonial, Swahili, and Arabic influences. Bagamoyo is known for its dhow sailing boat tradition, still practiced today.
- Included Activity: Zanzibar return ferry
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 25: Bagamoyo to Arusha – Tanzania
Our journey today takes us through scenic landscapes to Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit. Arusha, located near Mount Meru and the world-famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, is a bustling town that serves as a hub for climbers and safari-goers alike.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 26: Arusha to Karatu – Tanzania
We head west through the stunning East Africa Great Rift Valley to the town of Karatu, nestled between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. Along the way, we stop at Mto wa Mbu, a vibrant farming village, and explore the local market.
Once in Karatu, enjoy some leisure time at your safari lodge before learning about optional excursions like a local brewery tour or coffee plantation visit.
- 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
Rise early for an exciting game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the eighth wonder of the world. Descend into this ancient volcanic caldera, where over 25,000 animals roam freely. After a day of game viewing, we head to Serengeti National Park for another memorable experience in the wild.
Spend the night at a luxury tented camp in the heart of Serengeti, where the views of the plains and wildlife will captivate you.
- Included Activity: 4×4 Ngorongoro Crater Safari, Serengeti Game Drive
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 28: Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
Today, we spend the entire day exploring Serengeti National Park. Known for its large populations of big cats, it is often referred to as the ‘Big Cat Capital of Africa.’ Experience iconic safari landscapes and enjoy numerous wildlife sightings.
- 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 journey back to Arusha through the Great Africa Rift Valley. In the evening, relax and reflect on the amazing wildlife experiences you’ve had.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 30: Arusha to Nairobi – Kenya
The final day of our Adventure In The Wild Safaris sees us heading north into Kenya, where we make our way to Nairobi. If the weather is clear, enjoy views of Mount Kilimanjaro before crossing the border and arriving in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. This marks the end of our adventure from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi.
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Optional Extras and Excursions
For updated pricing on optional activities, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
- Botswana Activities: Scenic Flight over Okavango Delta, Tips for Polers
- Zimbabwe Activities: Visit Victoria Falls, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Helicopter Flights, White Water Rafting, and more.
- Zambia Activities: Walking Safari, Morning Game Drive in South Luangwa National Park.
- Tanzania & Zanzibar Activities: Jozani Forest, Swimming with Dolphins, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Village Tours.
- Kenya Activities: Dinner Out in Nairobi.
Child Policy
This tour welcomes children aged 12 and above. A maximum of four children aged 12-15 years are allowed per scheduled departure date. Age restrictions may apply to certain activities, so please check with us before confirming your booking.