Zanzibar to Vic Falls

Welcome to Zanzibar! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm where you'll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. Aside from this important meeting, there are no planned activities for the day and you are free to explore on your own. Filled with pristine white-sand beaches, winding cobblestone alleyways and fragrant bazaars, Zanzibar has had a colourful history – everything from slave traders to Arabian sultans and fruit exporters. The sight of traditional dhows sailing along the coast evokes what the island must have been like in centuries ago. The old part of Zanzibar's main city is known as Stone Town, and the best way to see this is on foot, exploring the markets, shops, mosques, palaces and courtyards. When the sun is setting, why not grab a drink from a bar overlooking the seafront. A seafood curry at a local restaurant is also a great choice. You'll spend the night in Stone Town at a basic inn.

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.

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.

Spend a final morning relaxing on the sandy northern beaches before returning to Stone Town for an afternoon and evening at leisure. Maybe ask you leader where to grab a urojo, a unique and delicious street treat made from potatoes and noodles stewed in a stock of tumeric, mango, flour and more. Or maybe grab a sugarcane juice and have a wander. You've got a long day of driving ahead tomorrow, so make the most of your free time while you can!

Embrace an early start this morning with a 7.30 am ferry to the mainland, then make tracks for Mikumi. Watch the Tanzanian landscape pass you by along the way, as this long drive is a great chance to soak up the scenery. Gaze out at vast plains dotted with baobab and tamarind trees and maybe catch a glimpse of some of the elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions and leopards that call the park home. When you arrive at your camp, your leader will show you the ropes (literally) and help you set up and get comfortable for your night in the tent.

Wake up early this morning to head off on a 4WD game drive into Mikumi National Park with local expert guides. This less touristed park is home to impressive numbers of elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, wildebeest and impalas – you may even spot a predator! After, you'll drive to Iringa and set up camp on the grounds of a farmhouse on the outskirts of the settlement. The area is filled with natural bush land and native birds. Make the most of this rural setting with some stargazing before you retire for the night.

Enter Malawi this morning and travel to your campsite at Chitimba. Malawi, the ‘warm heart of Africa,’ is dominated by its lake, which covers almost a fifth of the country and provides a livelihood for many Malawian people. Fishermen, fish traders and canoe and net makers all ply their trade on Lake Malawi. A common sight is a fisherman in a bwato (a dugout canoe made from a hollowed tree trunk) fishing on the still lake at the break of day.

Travel from Chitimba to Kande Beach today, on the shore of Lake Malawi. There will be a chance to stop at a shop or market for any supplies you might need along the way. Enjoy a relaxing getaway from the commercialism and crowds with a few days on the lake’s more peaceful beaches. Your campsite at Kande Beach is right on the shore of Lake Malawi.

Enjoy free time today to soak up your idyllic surroundings. As well as chilling out on the lake’s sandy shores, make sure you take the opportunity to meet some local Malawians – easily some of the friendliest people in Africa! You can also hire canoes, bikes or pedalos (paddle boats) to enhance your time here.

Journey through southern Malawi and enter Zambia today, continuing to South Luangwa National Park. There will be border crossing formalities on the way, and a chance to stock up on goods or visit an ATM at a local shop or market. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River and its lagoons is some of the highest in Africa, so when you arrive, take in the beautiful scenery and the abundance of wildlife, watching out for colourful birds and herds of elephants.

Rise early this morning, grab a light breakfast and get ready for a morning game drive in a 4WD with a local guide. Then, you'll head back to the camp for an early lunch (as this is the hottest part of the day). Rest in the shade or take an optional village walk if you'd like a snapshot of daily life in the local community. Return to the park for another safari in the evening, looking out for the local wildlife as the sun sets.

After breakfast, you'll visit a workshop where local craftswomen take snare wire recovered from poaching traps and transform it into jewellery inspired by the African bush. The women will show you around their purpose-built workshop and give you a chance to try coiling or hammering the wire yourself. For each sale made, a donation is given to anti snare patrols dedicated to the conservation of the region. After your visit, you'll jump back in the vehicle and head further south to Petauke.

This morning you'll be back on the road, heading for your next camp just south of Lusaka City. When you arrive, stretch your legs and take a stroll to discover the town on foot. Though it's fast developing, Lusaka retains a strong African feel, and the locals are usually up for a chat. Your local leader will also give you some insight into the area. Tonight, you're free to chill out under the stars at camp.

Travel to Harare today. The first part of your journey takes you to the border with Zimbabwe. After crossing and going through border formalities, you'll continue to Harare. There will be a chance to explore the town when you arrive, as well as stock up on whatever you need at a market or local shop.

This morning, it's onto Masvingo. This colonial settlement – the oldest in Zimbabwe – makes the perfect base for exploring the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. The ancient city, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, was first constructed in the 11th century and is believed to have been the seat of power for a monarch. Spend a few hours exploring this intriguing site before heading off to camp where your night is free to relax.

Travel to Bulawayo today. Known locally as the 'City of Kings', Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second largest city. There is some impeccable historical architecture to take in here, so feel free to walk around at your own pace when you arrive. Enjoy free time this afternoon to explore town or ask your local leader for some optional activities. You might like to browse some local markets or chat with the locals. The Natural History Museum and National Art Gallery are also worth checking out.

Get ready for the experience of a lifetime today – tracking rhinos on foot with an expert guide! Matobo National Park, known for its black and white rhinos, is also home to other wildlife like klipspringers, leopards, warthogs and springhares. You'll learn all about these unique animals from your guide and gain insights into the local plants and trees, including wild pear and paperbark. Discover San paintings and the fascinating rock formations of the area, too. Matobo National Park is an important site of spiritual and cultural significance for the local people, and there are many places in the park where important ceremonies still take place.

Depart Bulawayo this morning and make the drive towards Victoria Falls. Stretching 1.6 km wide and falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below, the falls are a sight to behold. Although a visit to the falls themselves is optional, it's highly recommended. In the wet season, the spray created from this feat of nature can rise 400 m and can often be seen from far in the distance. It’s no wonder that the local name for Victoria Falls is Mosi oa Tunya, or the 'Smoke that Thunders'. If you’re travelling in the dry season, you’ll get an unobstructed view of the falls and the chance to see the islets in the river below. Your leader will take you to a local activity centre today, where a range of activities will be on offer.

With no activities planned for today, you’re free to leave the camp at any time. You may like to try some of the optional activities on offer here, so it's recommended you schedule any flights for later in the day. If you would like to spend more time in Victoria Falls, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.