East Africa Explorer - 24 days
East Africa Explorer - 24 days
East Africa Explorer - 24 days
24 Days Starting in Nairobi and ending in Livingstone
Visiting: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi, Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Mikumi National Park, Iringa, Chitimba Camp, Lake Malawi, Kande Beach, Mzuzu, Chipata, Lusaka, Livingstone
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2496/EAEX
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Age range:
18 and over. Anyone over 65 to complete a Tour Suitability Form
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
CAMPING SAFARI: Discover the best of East Africa, from wildlife to beaches on this 24-day camping safari. Search for the Big Five in the Masai Mara, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy a relaxing beach break in Zanzibar and then travel south, driving through Mikumi National Park and unwinding beside Lake Malawi. Journey via the Zambian capital of Lusaka before arriving in Livingstone, where you'll visit cascading Victoria Falls.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Nairobi - Masai Mara. We leave Nairobi early this morning and make our way to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve. The Mara is adjacent to the Serengeti, forming one of the world's last surviving great wildernesses. We will be travelling in specialised safari vehicles for this part of the tour for a more intimate wildlife-viewing experience, and will join up with our main vehicle later. In the Masai Mara, we will be staying in twin-share pre-erected tents with ensuite facilities.
During our time in the Mara, we enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in search of the huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope which inhabit the plains and the predators that hunt them. Also keep your eyes peeled for other iconic species like rhino, elephant and giraffe. We camp on the edge of the reserve, close to the action!
Please note: The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 08:00 on Day 1 so please arrive in Nairobi the day before your tour. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book accommodation and transfers on request.
Day 2: Masai Mara
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we continue exploring the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives to different areas of the park. As well as the iconic Big Five, we will hopefully spot some of the less glamorous species, but creatures that are important to the ecosystem. Hyenas and vultures scavenge the remains of prey, warthogs scurry through the undergrowth and endangered African wild dogs hunt intelligently in packs. We break in the middle of the day for lunch before game driving back to our camp for the evening.
Day 3: Nairobi
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Masai Mara - Nairobi. Leaving the Mara, we travel back through the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi, where we spend the night at a campsite on the edge of the city.
Day 4: Arusha
Location: Arusha, Nairobi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nairobi - Arusha (Tanzania). We leave Kenya, crossing into neighbouring Tanzania at the Namanga frontier. We then drive to the country's safari capital, Arusha, arriving late afternoon. Situated in the shadow of Mount Meru and close to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, it is a great base for exploring the region. If time allows, we stop to browse the local markets and join a walk around a traditional Masai village before heading to our camp at the Meserani Snake Park.
Day 5: Serengeti National Park
Location: Serengeti National Park, Arusha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arusha - Serengeti National Park. We leave our overland truck behind and transfer to designated safari vehicles this morning. Crossing the Great Rift Valley, we enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We then drive around the rim of this spectacular UNESCO-listed crater and onto the wildlife-rich plains of the Serengeti. Serengeti derives from the Maasai word siringitu, which means "the place where the land moves on forever" and the scale of this wilderness is sure to impress as much as the wildlife you will inevitably see.
The Serengeti and neighbouring Masai Mara in Kenya play host to the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and antelope. These prey animals follow the rains and the freshest grass, stalked every step of the way by the lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas which feed on them. You are sure to have some amazing wildlife experiences today as we enjoy a game drive en route to our camp. We spend tonight at an unfenced campsite, where we can listen to the sounds of the bush and hopefully see some wildlife from our camp!
Day 6-7: Ngorongoro Crater
Location: Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha, Serengeti National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha. Game driving out of the Serengeti on day 6, we can search for any species we have not managed to spot so far. We travel back to the Ngorongoro Crater, camping on the rim of this UNESCO-listed natural caldera, one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife areas.
On day 7 we get our chance to head into the crater itself, following the steep, winding road into the reserve. On our game drive, you will have the chance to spot every major African animal, except for giraffes who can't manage the steep climb down the crater rim!
Returning to camp for lunch, we pack up before making the journey back to Arusha and our overland safari vehicle.
Day 8: Bagamoyo
Location: Bagamoyo, Arusha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arusha - Bagamoyo. We begin our journey to Zanzibar today, heading towards the Indian Ocean coast. It's a long but scenic drive, and we pass Mount Kilimanjaro en route. If the weather is clear we should be able to enjoy magnificent views of the iconic snow-capped peak.
Our stop for tonight is the port town of Bagamoyo. It was founded towards the end of the 18th century and was an important trading port along the East African coast. Today it is a centre for dhow building, with many of the boats being sent to Zanzibar and nearby areas. We camp on the outskirts of the town, near the palm-fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean.
Day 9: Dar Es Salaam
Location: Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bagamoyo - Dar es Salaam. Saying farewell to Bagamoyo we make the 2 - 3 hour drive along the coast to Dar es Salaam. This vibrant city is Tanzania's main port and a kaleidoscope of culture. Impressive Arab architecture and colourful markets give way to blissful beaches and turquoise ocean. We'll be camping on the beach tonight before our excursion to Zanzibar, and you'll have time to go for a swim or head into the city and explore.
Day 10-12: Zanzibar
Location: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. On the morning of day 10, we take the ferry to Zanzibar, leaving our overland truck on the mainland. Evocative and exotic, Zanzibar conjures up images of idyllic, sandy, palm-fringed beaches, romantic winding cobbled alleys, and lush tropical forests.
Our time on Zanzibar is not too structured. There is plenty of free time to explore the old part of Zanzibar City - Stone Town. You'll also want to visit a spice plantation, spend some time on the tropical beaches and enjoy snorkelling at the coast, home to a wealth of marine life. Other optional excursions you can book include massages and yacht trips. Please see the Trip Notes for more details.
In Zanzibar, we will not be camping, but staying in standard hotels, with breakfast included. We typically spend day 10 in Stone Town and days 11 and 12 at one of the northern beaches, but this can be flexible.
Day 13: Dar Es Salaam
Location: Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. Wake early for a final swim before breakfast, as we catch the ferry back to the mainland. The rest of today is free to further explore Dar es Salaam and we go back to camping by the coast tonight.
Day 14: Mikumi
Location: Mikumi National Park, Dar es Salaam
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dar es Salaam - Mikumi National Park. Making our way southwest, we head back inland and towards the border with Malawi. We'll be driving through Mikumi National Park for a large chunk of the day, and will hopefully see some of the wildlife that lives in Tanzania's fifth-largest game reserve.
Our campsite for the night is right on the edge of the park and, if time permits, there's an optional game drive to search for elephants, giraffes and other species that call Mikumi home. Later we relax with sun downers at the local bar, and enjoy an evening around the campfire.
Day 15: Iringa
Location: Iringa, Mikumi National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mikumi National Park - Iringa. Continuing our journey south, we pass through Baobab Valley, home to many of these ancient, swollen baobab trees. Reaching the town of Iringa, we end our journey at the Kisolanza Farm. This family-run business supplies Dar es Salaam with organic meat and vegetables and is a well-known camping spot, located in the scenic Southern Highlands of Tanzania.
Day 16-17: Lake Malawi
Location: Chitimba Camp, Iringa, Lake Malawi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Iringa - Chitimba Beach, Lake Malawi (Malawi). We wave farewell to Tanzania on day 16, crossing into neighbouring Malawi. We head straight to shimmering Lake Malawi, which covers around a fifth of the country and is the main source of income for a huge swathe of the country's population. Fishermen paddle their traditional Bwato canoes on the lake, which has a huge number of fish species found nowhere else in the world, making it a popular spot for scuba divers.
Arriving at our campsite by Chitimba Beach, the rest of today and tomorrow are at leisure. Relax by the beach, play volleyball or browse the local craft markets.
On day 17 there is an optional hike to Manchewe Falls. This 11km hike requires decent fitness, but the rewards are spectacular views of the waterfall and a dip in a natural bath. David Livingstone lived and worked in this area during his time in Malawi.
Day 18-19: Lake Malawi
Location: Lake Malawi, Kande Beach, Mzuzu, Chitimba Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chitimba Beach, Lake Malawi - Mzuzu - Kande Beach, Lake Malawi. Day 18 sees us driving through rubber plantations to the small town of Mzuzu, where we visit the local market and resupply the truck. Then it's onwards to Kande beach, another part of Lake Malawi around 240km down the shoreline.
The rest of today and day 19 are free to relax or join some of the optional activities on offer. You can go diving, canoeing, or snorkelling in the lake, or opt for a horse ride along the beach. You can also join a guided walk to a nearby village to meet the Malawian locals.
Day 20: Chipata
Location: Chipata, Kande Beach
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kande Beach, Lake Malawi - Chipata (Zambia). Travelling via the Malawian capital of Lilongwe, we make the border crossing into Zambia. We arrive at the town of Chipata, formerly known as Fort Jamerson. We should have time to wander around the town, home to a large Indian community and a number of ornate mosques. Then we continue to our campsite a little way out of town.
Day 21: Lusaka
Location: Lusaka, Chipata
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chipata - Lusaka. Today we have a long drive through the picturesque scenery of Zambia. We'll travel along the Great Eastern Road and cross the Luangwa River before reaching the capital, Lusaka. This is southern Africa's fastest-growing city, but we'll enjoy a slice of tranquillity at our campsite on a rural farm.
Day 22-23: Livingstone
Location: Livingstone, Lusaka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Lusaka - Livingstone. On day 22 we drive to Livingstone, our final destination, and home to Victoria Falls. There is an included visit to see the Zambian side of this famous cascade before day 20 is completely free so that you can relax at our campsite and enjoy some of the numerous optional activities available. Activities range from a further visit to see the cascades (prepare to get wet!), canoeing and rafting on the Zambezi River, bungee jumping and fishing to a scenic flight over the falls, or an abseiling experience - the choice is yours!
Day 24: Livingstone
Location: Livingstone
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today our tour comes to an end after a final breakfast in the hotel. If you'd like to stay a while longer in Livingstone then speak to our team about booking post-tour accommodation.
Day 20: Chipata
Location: Chipata
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kande Beach, Lake Malawi - Chipata (Zambia). Travelling via the Malawian capital of Lilongwe, we make the border crossing into Zambia. We arrive at the town of Chipata, formerly known as Fort Jamerson. We should have time to wander around the town, home to a large Indian community and a number of ornate mosques. Then we continue to our campsite a little way out of town.
Day 21: Lusaka
Location: Lusaka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chipata - Lusaka. Today we have a long drive through the picturesque scenery of Zambia. We'll travel along the Great Eastern Road and cross the Luangwa River before reaching the capital, Lusaka. This is southern Africa's fastest-growing city, but we'll enjoy a slice of tranquillity at our campsite on a rural farm.
Day 22-23: Livingstone
Location: Livingstone
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Lusaka - Livingstone. On day 22 we drive to Livingstone, our final destination, and home to Victoria Falls. There is an included visit to see the Zambian side of this famous cascade before day 20 is completely free so that you can relax at our campsite and enjoy some of the numerous optional activities available. Activities range from a further visit to see the cascades (prepare to get wet!), canoeing and rafting on the Zambezi River, bungee jumping and fishing to a scenic flight over the falls, or an abseiling experience - the choice is yours!
Day 24: Livingstone
Location: Livingstone
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today our tour comes to an end after a final breakfast in the hotel. If you'd like to stay a while longer in Livingstone then speak to our team about booking post-tour accommodation.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
Camping & simple hotels -
23 breakfasts, 18 lunches & 18 dinners
-
18 nights camping in 2-person dome tents, 3 nights simple twin share accommodation in Zanzibar and 2 nights permanent tented camp in the Masai Mara (please refer to the trip notes for details)
-
Escorted by a licensed 2-person crew
-
Transportation in a 24-seater overland truck with camping and cooking equipment
-
Masai Mara excursion in a purpose built safari vehicle and game drives with a resident guide
-
Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Excursion in a purpose built safari vehicle and game drives with a resident guide
-
Maasai Village Walk with a resident guide
-
Zanzibar return ferry ticket
-
Mosi Oa Tunya National Park, Victoria Falls visit
-
Sleeping mattress (you will need to bring your own sleeping bag)
What's Not Included
-
International flights and visas
-
Sleeping bag - please bring your own
-
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
-
Optional activities (prices listed in Trip Notes), meals not listed in inclusions, additional drinks and items of a personal nature
-
Airport transfers - can be booked on request
-
Local payment - $1390pp, paid in USD
-
Optional activities (prices listed in Trip Notes)
Check out our Q&As
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
2024 Oct
2024 Dec
2024 Jan
2025 Feb
2025 Mar
2025 Apr
2025 May
2025 Jun
2025 Jul
2025 Aug
2025 Sep
2025 Oct
2025 Nov
2025 Dec
2025
Sunday - Tuesday
Sep 22, 2024 - Oct 15, 2024Sunday - Tuesday
Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 29, 2024Sunday - Tuesday
Oct 20, 2024 - Nov 12, 2024Sunday - Tuesday
Dec 01, 2024 - Dec 24, 2024Sunday - Tuesday
Dec 29, 2024 - Jan 21, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Jan 12, 2025 - Feb 04, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Jan 26, 2025 - Feb 18, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Feb 09, 2025 - Mar 04, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Feb 23, 2025 - Mar 18, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Mar 09, 2025 - Apr 01, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Mar 23, 2025 - Apr 15, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 29, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Apr 20, 2025 - May 13, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
May 04, 2025 - May 27, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
May 18, 2025 - Jun 10, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 24, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Jun 15, 2025 - Jul 08, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Jun 29, 2025 - Jul 22, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Jul 13, 2025 - Aug 05, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Jul 27, 2025 - Aug 19, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Aug 10, 2025 - Sep 02, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Aug 24, 2025 - Sep 16, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Sep 21, 2025 - Oct 14, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 28, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Oct 19, 2025 - Nov 11, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 25, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Nov 16, 2025 - Dec 09, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Nov 30, 2025 - Dec 23, 2025Sunday - Tuesday
Dec 14, 2025 - Jan 06, 2026Sunday - Tuesday
Dec 28, 2025 - Jan 20, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
-
Terms and Conditions