Itinerary
- Day 1
Johannesburg
You'll land in Johannesburg and have time to settle in. If your flight gets you there early, consider stopping by the Apartheid Museum to get some context on South Africa's history before your 6 pm welcome meeting. After that, there's an optional group dinner where you can meet the other travelers on your tour.
Optional Activities
- Visit Apartheid Museum
- Group dinner with travel companions
Landmarks Apartheid Museum - Day 2
Johannesburg to Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Head across the border into Botswana this morning toward Khama Rhino Sanctuary, which sits on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. The sanctuary protects black and white rhino populations, and you'll also see zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches and wildebeest there. Later in the day, you'll go on a dusk game drive when the rhinos are most active.
Included Activities
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive
Landmarks Khama Rhino Sanctuary Kalahari Desert - Day 3
Khama Rhino Sanctuary to Maun
Drive to Maun, your entry point to the Okavango Delta, a 16,000 square km wetland system. Stock up on supplies when you arrive since you'll be heading into remote territory. Keep an eye out for hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats once you're in the delta.
Landmarks Okavango Delta 
- Day 4
Okavango Delta
Get in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) with a local poler and cruise through the Okavango waterways. You'll spot wildlife and birds as you wind through the lagoons and streams. Your guides will lead you on foot explorations, and by evening you'll camp on a remote island deep in the wilderness.
Included Activities
- Mokoro cruise through Okavango Delta waterways
- Walking exploration with local guides
Landmarks Okavango Delta - Day 5
Okavango Delta
Wake early for a sunrise walk to watch for elephants and Cape buffalo. After breakfast you'll have the afternoon free to rest, maybe take a swim, or nap during the hottest part of the day. If you want to stay active, there's an optional mokoro trip to experience the calm river atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk
Optional Activities
- Optional mokoro trip
Landmarks Okavango Delta - Day 6
Okavango Delta to Maun
Pack up camp and return to the poler station by mokoro, then travel back to Maun by vehicle. Once there, you can book an optional helicopter flight to see the Okavango Delta from above and get a different perspective on all those waterways and wetlands.
Optional Activities
- Scenic helicopter flight over Okavango Delta - USD280
Landmarks Okavango Delta - Day 7
Maun to Nata
Head out early toward Nata, a small town near the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. These salt flats cover around 12,000 square kilometers and create an otherworldly landscape. This afternoon you'll explore them by open-air vehicle through Nata Bird Sanctuary, though note that the dry season heat can create mirages across the pans.
Included Activities
- Nata - Makgadikgadi Salt Pans 4WD Excursion
Landmarks Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Nata Bird Sanctuary - Day 8
Nata to Chobe National Park
Travel to Chobe National Park, Botswana's oldest park, famous for its massive elephant population that often crosses the Chobe River. You'll also see hippos, crocodiles, cheetahs, lions and lots of birds here. A sunset cruise on the Chobe River gives you a chance to watch the light fade over the water and toast the day.
Included Activities
- Chobe National Park - River Cruise
Landmarks Chobe National Park Chobe River 
- Day 9
Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls
You'll start the day with an optional morning game drive through Chobe National Park if you're up for it, then head toward Victoria Falls and cross into Zimbabwe. Lunch happens along the Zambezi River banks, where you can take in the setting and grab some food before the group sets up camp. The afternoon is yours to explore around the area or just relax and settle in. By evening, you'll have a traditional Zimbabwean dinner featuring local dishes like village-style goat stew and peanut butter rice, followed by a cultural performance from White Star, so the night wraps up with music and local traditions.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River), Dinner (Traditional Zimbabwean dinner with local dishes, including village-style goat stew and peanut butter rice)
Included Activities
- Traditional Zimbabwean Dinner with White Star Cultural Performance
Optional Activities
- Chobe National Park - Morning Game Drive
- Victoria Falls - Entrance Fee
- Victoria Falls - Sunset Cruise
- Victoria Falls - Canoe Trail (full day)
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins)
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins)
- Victoria Falls - Rafting & River Boarding (half day)
- Victoria Falls - Village & Township Tour
- Victoria Falls - Canoe Trail Wine Route
Landmarks Chobe National Park Victoria Falls Zambezi River 
- Day 10
Victoria Falls
Spend your morning and early afternoon exploring Victoria Falls at your own pace. The falls drop 108 meters into a narrow gorge across roughly 1.5 kilometers of width. Your welcome meeting happens at 4 pm, then you'll grab dinner with your travel group afterward.
Optional Activities
- Victoria Falls Entrance Fee - USD50
Landmarks Victoria Falls - Day 11
Victoria Falls
This day is entirely yours to plan. Options include booking a helicopter flight over the falls, visiting a local brewery for craft beer tasting, or taking a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. Use the time to rest up and prepare for tomorrow's move into Zambia.
Optional Activities
- Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
- Helicopter Flight (25 mins - excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
- Sunset Cruise - USD50
- Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
- Rafting & river boarding (half day) - USD218
- Village & township tour - USD61
- Canoe trail wine route - USD55
Landmarks Victoria Falls Zambezi River - Day 12
Victoria Falls to Lusaka
It's a long travel day to Lusaka, so bring a good book or podcasts to keep occupied. You'll cross from Zimbabwe into Zambia and continue to a private farm campsite outside the city surrounded by natural bush. Once you're settled, spend some time walking around and watching for impala, giraffes or zebras in the area.
- Day 13
Lusaka to Lower Zambezi National Park
After breakfast, travel to Lower Zambezi National Park on the Zimbabwe border. The park's famous for the dramatic Zambezi River valley and wildlife like fish eagles, buffalo and elephants. You'll camp in the Chiawa area tonight, surrounded by native bush with animals moving freely through the campsite.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Lower Zambezi National Park Zambezi River - Day 14
Lower Zambezi National Park
Spend the full day on safari through Lower Zambezi National Park, one of Zambia's best wildlife spots. The landscape features acacia trees and tall trees along the Zambezi floodplain, with dramatic miombo woodland slopes to the north. Look for elephants, leopards, lions, cheetahs and birds. You'll see Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park across the river.
Included Activities
- Lower Zambezi National Park - Full Day Safari
Landmarks Lower Zambezi National Park Mana Pools National Park - Day 15
Lower Zambezi to Petauke
Wake early and head to Petauke in Zambia's Eastern Province. As you drive, you'll see the scenery change from open plains to rural villages and roadside markets, giving you a real sense of daily life in Zambia. Tonight you'll camp under the African sky after a long day of travel.
- Day 16
Petauke to South Luangwa National Park
After breakfast, visit a workshop in South Luangwa where local craftswomen turn recovered snare wire from poaching traps into jewelry. You can smell and taste spices like cinnamon, vanilla and ginger, and try your hand at coiling or hammering wire yourself. From there, continue to South Luangwa National Park where there's an optional sunset game walk or river trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project
Optional Activities
- Game walk at sunset
- River trip
Landmarks South Luangwa National Park - Day 17
South Luangwa to Chipata
After breakfast, go on a 4WD safari with a local guide to spot elephants, buffalo, leopards, Thornicroft's giraffes and lions. Your guide will share knowledge about the region's landscapes and wildlife. By day's end you'll head to your next camp near Chipata for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- South Luangwa National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
Landmarks South Luangwa National Park - Day 18
Chipata to Lake Malawi
Cross into Malawi and head straight to your lakeside camp on Lake Malawi. The lake covers almost a fifth of the country and is central to local life, with fishermen, traders and canoe makers depending on it. Your camp sits right on the shore, so you can relax on the beach after the drive.
Landmarks Lake Malawi 
- Day 19
Lake Malawi
The day is yours to enjoy Lake Malawi however you'd like. Take a refreshing swim, explore by bike, or join a guided snorkelling trip. The lake's high alkalinity supports colorful fish, making it feel like an ocean experience even though it's a freshwater lake. Find a local spot for dinner and ask your leader for recommendations.
Optional Activities
- Guided village walks - USD15
- Bike hire - USD25
- Snorkelling - USD25
Landmarks Lake Malawi - Day 20
Lake Malawi to Chitimba
Drive to Chitimba, a laid-back town along Lake Malawi's coast with lovely beaches and friendly people. When you arrive, take a walk to get oriented with this part of the lake. The scenery includes banana palms, papaya trees and the Livingstonia and Nyika mountains in the distance.
Landmarks Lake Malawi - Day 21
Chitimba to Southern Tanzania Highlands
It's a long travel day into Tanzania's southern highlands. Sit back and watch the countryside roll past as you head toward your campsite on a farmhouse just outside a pleasant settlement. The area's filled with natural bush, great for birdwatching. If the night is clear, spend some time stargazing.
- Day 22
Southern Tanzania Highlands to Mikumi National Park
Drive to Mikumi National Park, Tanzania's fourth largest, situated at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Join the group for dinner this evening.
Landmarks Mikumi National Park Uluguru Mountains - Day 23
Mikumi National Park
Take a 4WD safari through Mikumi National Park with an expert guide to see baobab-studded plains and open savannahs. You'll spot herds of buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, elephant and zebra across this fourth largest national park near Morogoro.
Included Activities
- Mikumi National Park - 4WD Safari
Landmarks Mikumi National Park - Day 24
Mikumi to Dar es Salaam
Enjoy the scenic drive to Kipepo Beach on Dar es Salaam's south coast. The beach has white sand and your camp sits on hotel grounds right next to the water. Set up and take time to unwind, maybe stroll along the shore or take a dip in the Indian Ocean.
Landmarks Kipepo Beach - Day 25
Dar es Salaam
Today's completely free. Spend it at the beach or head into Dar es Salaam to explore Tanzania's largest city. Check out Kivukoni Fish Market where dhows unload their catch at dawn, or wander the city center with its tea vendors, samosa shops and mix of African, Arabic, Indian and German architecture telling the city's complex history.
Landmarks Kivukoni Fish Market - Day 26
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
Take a ferry to Zanzibar, known as the Spice Island. You'll have free time to explore Zanzibar City on your own, wandering the cobblestone alleys of Stone Town and checking out the architecture blending Arabic, African and European styles. There's also Darajani Bazaar if you want bustling market energy. At 2 pm join your welcome meeting, then head out for dinner.
Landmarks Stone Town Darajani Bazaar - Day 27
Zanzibar
Check out of Stone Town and consider booking an optional tour of the island's spice plantations to learn about Zanzibar's spice trade history. You'll smell and taste cinnamon, vanilla and ginger plus sample spiced teas. After lunch, head to the Northern Beaches where white sand and clear blue water await.
- Meals
- Lunch
Optional Activities
- Spice tour - USD25
Landmarks Stone Town 
- Day 28
Zanzibar
Wake to the sound of waves and ocean breezes. You have the full day free along Zanzibar's coast, so choose what appeals to you: a swim, relaxing under the palms, or a seafood dinner by the water. Let the island rhythm slow you down and take over your day.
Optional Activities
- Prison Island Tour - USD25
- Snorkelling - USD50
- Dhow Trip - USD35
Landmarks Zanzibar - Day 29
Zanzibar
Check out this morning and make your way back to Stone Town, arriving around 12 pm at a centrally located hotel. There are no planned activities, so you can leave whenever. If you want to extend your stay on Zanzibar at the Northern Beaches resort or in Stone Town, contact your operator about extra accommodation subject to availability.
Landmarks Stone Town
