Johannesburg to East Africa Overland Safari & Participation Camping

Arrive at any time. Tonight after a brief welcome meeting at the hotel, choose to experience Johannesburg with the group and attend an optional group dinner at a local spot. If you arrive a day or two early, we recommended booking an excursion to Soweto or the Apartheid Museum.

Cross the border into Botswana and travel across the desolate landscape of the central-eastern part of the country to the wild bush within Khama Rhino Sanctuary; a unique community initiative in wildlife conservation. This is where the group will stop for the night and set up camp before time around the fire beneath a starry sky.

Enjoy a wildlife drive through the Khama Sanctuary, learning more about this special place along the route. Climb back in the Lando and travel through Maun where the land becomes more fertile the closer you get to the Okavango Delta. Choose to prebook a scenic helicopter ride through the Delta during your free time in Maun.

On the way to the Delta set off on a wildlife walk and learn about tracking the animals while gaining more insight into their natural behaviours. Later, begin an exciting excursion deep into the Okavango Delta in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) and search for birds en route to the basic bush camp where you’ll set up camp and sing with the locals for the evening.

Choose to wake up early and watch a sunrise in the bush before traveling out of the Okavango Delta via mokoro through the channels. There will be time for showers while in Maun before boarding the Lando to Gweta, where the group will camp under the massive baobab trees. Free time will be had upon arrival to camp.

Journey overland to Kasane where there will be free time. Choose to embark on a sunset river cruise in Chobe National Park, which also happens to be home to the largest elephant population in southern Africa. The best way to appreciate one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos is on an optional sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. You can pre-book this on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.

Drive in the Lando across the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe; home of epic Victoria Falls. Stop for a traditional lunch at the G Adventures—supported Lusumpuko Women’s Club. Upon arrival there will be free time for the optional activities available in the area. For the adventurous we recommend going whitewater rafting, taking a scenic helicopter flight over the falls, or bungee jumping with the waterfalls in sight before crossing the border into Zimbabwe.

Spend a full free day on your own exploring the Victoria Falls area. Opt to try activities in the area like whitewater rafting, a scenic helicopter flight over the falls, or bungee jumping with the thundering falls in sight.

Rise early and get on the road around 6am to cross the border from Zimbabwe into Zambia. Towards the end of the day, the group will arrive at a private farm about 29km (18 mi) outside of Zambia’s capital and enjoy free time to relax and marvel at the wildlife on the property.

While today’s travel day might be long, there will be plenty of time to socialize on the Lando as the group is driven across the Zambian countryside to the campsite along the banks of the Luangwa River. There will be free time to enjoy your surroundings upon arrival.

Spend a free day doing as you please in South Luangwa National Park. Choose a walking safari (it’s seasonal), a night drive, or visit a nearby local village.

Rise early and choose to head out on an optional morning safari drive. Bring your camera to try and photograph some of the resident wildlife. Stop for lunch and for a visit to the Tribal Textiles Market & Courtyard, a G Adventures-supported craft workshop. Afterwards, continue travelling in the Lando to Lilongwe crossing the border into Malawi.

Travel to Lake Malawi affectionately known as, “Lake of Stars”. Spend four nights relaxing on the shores and during the day take beach walks, leisurely swims, and snorkel in this beautiful paradise.

Take advantage of a free day to explore Lake Malawi. In the evening the group will take part in a traditional dinner at a local home before camping under the stars.

Soak in another free day along Lake Malawi. From oceans and mountains to lakes and vast skies, you’re seeing some of the best scenery in Africa. Travel north to Chitimba Beach and try to spot Tanzania from across the lake. Free time activities here include getting out on the lake or hiking along the shores in the picturesque landscape.

Today the group will head into Tanzania en route to Iringa. Gaze out the window as the Lando climbs out of the Great Rift Valley through some spectacular mountain passes, viewing tea plantations and highlands as you go.

Continue northeast in the Lando to the group campsite in the Baobab Valley along the banks of the Ruaha River. Set up camp and look to the skies as the light begins to fade and enjoy a spectacular sunset in the lush, fertile lands of Tanzania. Then search the sky for shooting stars and make some wishes before drifting off to sleep.

Wake in Baobab Valley before driving to Dar es Salaam. Watch as the Tanzanian countryside passes by and the blue waters of the Indian Ocean make their debut. The group will spend the night here before embarking for the island beaches of Zanzibar.

Catch a ferry and travel to the island beaches of Zanzibar.

Spend a full free day in Zanzibar’s alluring tropical setting. Choose from an array of optional activities in the area like snorkelling, sailing, or beach lounging.

Travel back to Stone Town from the beach property on the other side of the island and set out on a guided tour of a local spice plantation before seeing the heart of Zanzibar for yourself.

Take the ferry from Stone Town back to the mainland and drive north in the Lando to the coastal town of Bagamoyo. During a free evening walk the unpaved streets and get to know this recently named World Heritage Site.

Jump on the road in the Lando and cross varied landscapes all the way to Arusha. Keep an eye out for views of Mt Kilimanjaro on the way. Arusha sits at the foot of rugged Mt Meru, Africa's fifth highest mountain.

Today begins your 3-day and 2-night excursion into Serengeti National Park and the wildlife-dense Ngorongoro Crater.

Enjoy a morning safari in the Serengeti and watch the wildlife come to life. Break down camp before travelling to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, famous for Africa’s best wildlife viewing. Set up camp near the crater rim and enjoy your surroundings for the remainder of the day.

Venture down to the crater floor for a final wildlife experience in the area. In the late morning the group will travel back to Arusha and enjoy a free evening.

Leave Arusha in the morning and travel in the Lando to Nairobi; Kenya’s capital city. The tour will end upon arrival. Please book ongoing travel from Nairobi in the evening. Not ready to go home just yet? That’s ok, stay for a few extra days to explore more of Kenya and beyond.

Participation camping (19 nts), full-service camping (2 nts), simple hotels (4 nts, twin-share), bush camping (1 nt).

Lando (overland adventure vehicle), 4x4 safari vehicles, ferry, mokoro, walking.