Kenya to Vic Falls

27 Days Starting in Nairobi and ending in Victoria Falls

Visiting: Nairobi, Mto wa Mbu, Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park, Serengeti National Park, Serengeti National Park / Mto wa Mbu, Usambara Mountains, Dar es Salaam, Stone Town, Zanzibar Northern Beaches, Mikumi National Park, Iringa, Chitimba, Lake Malawi, South Luangwa National Park, Petauke, Lusaka, Harare, Great Zimbabwe Ruins / Masvingo, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

YXOVC

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 22

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Wildlife Tours

From: $5345 $4543 Operator discount: -$802 -15%

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Head on an action-packed adventure direct to East Africa’s biggest and best. Spend 27 unforgettable days spotting the Big Five in the vast plains of the Serengeti and deep in the Ngorongoro Crater, hiking the lush Usambara Mountains in search of the longest horizon, and lolling about Zanzibar’s pristine beaches, fragrant spice plantations and historic Stone Town. You’ll be accompanied by a crew of a local leader, driver and cook, on hand to offer their recommendations and make your overland journey a whole lot easier.

Highlights

  • Track rhinos on foot in Matobo National Park, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna including warthogs, leopards, and klipsingers. Learn about the park's cultural significance and San rock paintings.

  • Embark on an unforgettable safari across the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater in an open-roof vehicle with your small group for a chance to see the endangered black rhinoceros in full view.

  • Chill out on the northern beaches of Zanzibar, enjoying the white sand and sparkling blue sea of the Indian Ocean, maybe visiting the island’s famed spice plantations.

  • Discover the magic of South Luangwa National Park on a morning safari game drive. This park is a highly concentrated arena of noble African beasts and exotic wildflowers.

  • Get a chance to explore the largest ruins in sub-Saharan Africa – the World Heritage-listed Great Zimbabwe, considered the former palace of an ancient monarch.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Nairobi

Location: Nairobi

Accommodation: Hotel

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. If you arrive early, perhaps head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village.

Optional Activities:
-Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure

Day 2: Mto Wa Mbu

Location: Mto wa Mbu

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Depart early for Mto wa Mbu in your overland truck. The trip includes a border crossing from Kenya into Tanzania, so be sure to have your passport handy. While you're on the road, there will be a stop at an ATM and a market or shop to stock up on any supplies you might need for the coming days. Arrive in Mto wa Mbu and acquaint yourself with this delightful small village – it's a fascinating snapshot of small-town African life, situated well off the tourist trail.

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park

Location: Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Get up early, put your camping and personal gear into a six-person jeep and head out for an excursion into the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy a safari in the crater, spending 3 to 4 hours exploring this incredible, perfectly intact volcanic caldera. Watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent game viewing all year round (some 30,000 animals live here) and the photo opportunities are unrivalled. Next, it's on to the wide-open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa – the home of thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Your campsite is within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.

Included Activities:
-Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
-Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari

Day 4: Serengeti National Park

Location: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Awake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do, head out again as the day begins to cool. You'll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. There's also the option of a balloon ride over the park this morning – in place of some of today’s game drives. If you have pre-booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, getting some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, indulge in a five-star bush breakfast, then be returned to camp.

Included Activities:
-Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari

Optional Activities:
-Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price)

Day 5: Serengeti National Park / Mto Wa Mbu

Location: Serengeti National Park / Mto wa Mbu

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Rise with the sun and enjoy another game drive as you leave the Serengeti in your dust. Jump back into your overland vehicle and head for Mto wa Mbu. Once camp is set up, join the local community for a guided stroll around the farming areas, milling machine, and local homes and farmlands. After, we'll share a local dinner in town and if time permits you may have the oppertunity to watch how it's made with a local cooking demonstration.

After setting up camp, we'll take a guided stroll through the farming areas, milling machines, and local homes and farmlands, getting to know the local community and their way of life. Later, we'll enjoy a scrumptious local dinner in town. If time permits, you might even get to witness a local cooking demonstration and see how it's made.

Included Activities:
-Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
-Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner

Day 6: Usambara Mountains

Location: Usambara Mountains

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Prepare yourself for a long travel day heading for the Usambara Mountains. Stretch your legs during a brief supply stop in Arusha, then jump back in the vehicle and watch the ever-changing scenery, read your favourite book or get to really know your fellow travellers. Your base will be Lushoto – an old German colony and home to the Wasambaa people. This highland town sits at approximately 1400 metres and this evening you'll camp in the grounds of one of the oldest hotels in Africa.

Day 7: Usambara Mountains

Location: Usambara Mountains

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains today – a lovely unspoilt area of Tanzania. Unlike the coast and the north, very few tourists visit this part of the country, so it has a freshness that can be hard to find elsewhere. As beautiful as the surrounding mountains and rainforests are, however, the real jewels here are the local people and villages. You'll experience some hospitality on a visit to some of the small local communities. From your base, you will take a walk out to the gorgeous Irente viewpoint. It's best to pack some water and snacks in a day pack for this trip. On your way back, visit a local cultural project based at an Irente farm and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Included Activities:
-Irente - Lushoto hike
-Irente - Local lunch

Day 8: Dar Es Salaam

Location: Dar es Salaam

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Leaving the mountains behind, travel further south to the coastal town of Kipepeo Beach in Dar es Salaam. Your camp at Kipepeo is by the beach, so make the most of it – perhaps take a stroll along the shore after you arrive and settle in.

Day 9: Stone Town

Location: Stone Town

Meals Included: breaksfast

Catch a ferry to Africa's 'Spice Island' of Zanzibar. 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.

Optional Activities:
-Stone Town Tour - Dharajani Market, Joseph's Cathederal, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market
-Zanzibar - Prison Island Tour
-Stone Town - Handicraft & Music Urban Adventure

Day 10: Zanzibar Northern Beaches

Location: Zanzibar Northern Beaches

Accommodation: Bungalow

Meals Included: breaksfast

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.

Optional Activities:
-Zanzibar - Spice tour

Day 11: Zanzibar Northern Beaches

Location: Zanzibar Northern Beaches

Accommodation: Bungalow

Meals Included: breaksfast

Enjoy free time in this beautiful archipelago today. There are many ways you can spend your day – perhaps talk to your leader for any recommendations they might have. Snorkelling in search of exotic fish is an excellent option, or you could take a traditional dhow boat on the water. You might also like to feast on a sumptuous lunch of grilled local seafood, or just relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree with a good book. It's totally up to you!

Optional Activities:
-Zanzibar - Snorkelling
-Zanzibar - Dhow Trip

Day 12: Stone Town

Location: Stone Town

Enjoy a sleep in and maybe one last dip in the warm waters of Zanzibar's northern beaches. After check-out at your accommodation, transfer back to Stone Town for a cruisy afternoon of free time. Maybe grab an octopus curry or biryani for dinner with your crew. There’s long day of driving ahead tomorrow, so be sure to relax in the island vibes tonight.

Optional Activities:
-Stone Town - Handicraft & Music Urban Adventure
-Stone Town - Culinary Urban Adventure

Day 13: Mikumi National Park

Location: Mikumi National Park

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Embrace an early start to catch a 7.30 am ferry to the mainland, then make tracks for Mikumi. It’s approximately an 8-hour drive to your first camp spot, but you’ll get a great look at all that renowned Tanzanian landscape on the way. 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. Once you arrive at your camp spot, your leader will show you the ropes (literally) and help you set up and get comfortable for your night in the tent.

Day 14: Iringa

Location: Iringa

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

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 – and maybe even a predator or two if you're lucky! Afterwards, we'll drive to Iringa (approximately 5 hours) and set up camp on the grounds of a farmhouse on the outskirts of this pleasant settlement. The area is filled with natural bush land which can make it a bird watchers paradise. Make the most of this rural setting by doing some stargazing before you retire for the night.


Included Activities:
-Mikumi National Park - 4x4 Game Drive

Day 15: Chitimba

Location: Chitimba

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Enter Malawi and travel to your campsite at Chitimba (approximately 10–12 hours). 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 that of a fisherman in a bwato (a dugout canoe made from a hollowed tree trunk) fishing on the still lake at the break of day.

Day 16: Lake Malawi

Location: Lake Malawi

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Travel from Chitimba to Kande Beach on the shore of Lake Malawi (approximately 6 hours). 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.

Optional Activities:
-Lake Malawi - Guided village walks

Day 17: Lake Malawi

Location: Lake Malawi

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Enjoy free time today and soak up your idyllic surrounds. 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.


Optional Activities:
-Lake Malawi - Pedalos
-Lake Malawi - Canoe Hire
-Lake Malawi - Bike Hire

Day 18: South Luangwa National Park

Location: South Luangwa National Park

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Journey through southern Malawi and enter Zambia, continuing to South Luangwa National Park (approximately 9–10 hours). There will be border crossing formalities on the way, and a chance to stock up on goods at a shop or market and visit an ATM. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River and its lagoons is some of the highest in Africa. Take in the beautiful scenery and the abundance of wildlife, watching out for colourful birds and herds of elephants.

Day 19: South Luangwa National Park

Location: South Luangwa National Park

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Rise early for an exhilarating morning game drive in a 4WD with a local guide, then head back to the camp for lunch (as this is the hottest part of the day).
Return to the park for another Game Drive late this afternoon

Alternatively, an optional village walk is another good option, if you'd like a snapshot of daily life in the local community.

Included Activities:
-South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Dawn Game Drive
-South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Evening Game Drive

Optional Activities:
-South Luangwa National Park - Game Walk

Day 20: Petauke

Location: Petauke

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, pay a visit to 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, head further south to Petauke (approximately 6 hours).

Included Activities:
-South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project

Day 21: Lusaka

Location: Lusaka

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Head for your camp just south of Lusaka City (approximately 6 hours). Arrive, stretch your legs and take a stroll to discover the town. Though it's fast developing, Lusaka retains a strong African feel, and the locals are usually up for a chat.

Day 22: Harare

Location: Harare

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Travel to Harare today (approximately 8–9 hours). The first part of your journey takes you to the border with Zimbabwe. After crossing, continue to Harare. There will be a chance to explore the town, stock up on whatever you need at a market or shop and use an ATM.

Day 23: Great Zimbabwe Ruins / Masvingo

Location: Great Zimbabwe Ruins / Masvingo

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Drive to Masvingo (approximately 5–6 hours). This colonial settlement – the oldest in Zimbabwe – makes the perfect base for exploring the ruins of Great Zimbabwe. The ancient city, now a 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.

Included Activities:
-Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit

Day 24: Bulawayo

Location: Bulawayo

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Travel to Bulawayo (approximately 5–6 hours). Known locally as the 'City of Kings', Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second largest city. There is some impeccable colonial architecture to take in here. Enjoy free time this afternoon to explore town. 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.

Optional Activities:
-Balawayo - Natural History Museum
-Bulawayo - Railway Museum

Day 25: Bulawayo

Location: Bulawayo

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Get ready for the experience of a lifetime – 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. You'll also gain insights into the local plants and trees, including wild pear and paperbark and discover San paintings and the fascinating rock formations.
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.



Included Activities:
-Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings

Day 26: Victoria Falls

Location: Victoria Falls

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

Depart Bulawayo and make the 6-hour drive towards Victoria Falls. Stretching 1.6 kilometres wide and falling 108 metres into a narrow gorge below, the falls for which the area is named are a sight to behold. Although a visit to the falls themselves is optional, it is highly recommended. The entrance fee to the falls is not included, as groups that book ahead are required to tour the site with a local guide, and we feel that seeing these waterfalls should be an uninterrupted sensory experience. In the wet season, the spray created from this feat of nature can rise 400 metres and can often be seen from kilometres away. It’s no wonder that the local name for Victoria Falls is Mosi oa Tunya, or the 'Smoke that Thunders'. Though dry season travellers should not despair! 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 where a range of activities will be on offer.

Optional Activities:
-Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance

Day 27: Victoria Falls

Location: Victoria Falls

Meals Included: breaksfast

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the camp at any time. That being said, you may like to try some of the optional activities on offer here, and so, we recommend that you schedule any flights for later in the day. If you would like to spend more time in Victoria Falls, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).


Optional Activities:
-Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day)
-Victoria Falls - Flying fox
-Victoria Falls - Gorge swing
-Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees)
-Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees)
-Victoria Falls - Rafting & river boarding (half day)
-Victoria Falls - Village & township tour
-Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (full day)
-Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (half day)

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Camping (with facilities) (19 nights), Hotel (3 night), Bunglow (2 nights)

  • Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner

  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive

  • Serengeti National Park - 4x4 Game Drive

  • Irente - Lushoto hike

  • Irente - Local lunch

  • Mikumi National Park - 4x4 Game Drive

  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Dawn Game Drive

  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Afternoon Game Drive

  • South Luangwa - Jewellery workshop Project

  • Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit

show more

What's Not Included

  • International Travel

  • Tipping and Gratuities

Included Activities

  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
  • Irente - Lushoto hike
  • Irente - Local lunch
  • South Luangwa National Park - 4x4 Dawn Game Drive
  • Petauke - Jewellery workshop project
  • Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit

Transport

  • Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. Your vehicle type may differ from those listed above. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air. Each seat will have access to a power socket to charge your devices. This outlet will use a UK/Kenyan 3 pronged outlet.
  • There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you.
  • African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it's certainly our aim to avoid them, it's important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times.

Accommodation

  • Accommodation on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied.
  • The type and variety of accommodation are determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different - on some, we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others, we also use hotels. In Africa, it's not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities, so we use hotel accommodations and eat out in local restaurants.
  • There may be the occasional night stop when we stay on the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite, which may also have rooms/cabins available. In this case, there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room. Rooms cost approximately USD 40-100 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards of these rooms vary greatly, and we recommend viewing the room before purchasing the night's accommodation. The day-by-day itinerary advises when upgrades may be possible (subject to availability).
  • Keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you may have to share with other passengers or be split into same-sex rooms.
  • Campsites do have facilities, but they usually aren't to the same standard you would find in Western countries. For example, the bathroom facilities can be very basic. Toilet paper is rarely provided, and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Wild camps have no facilities at all.
  • At times, there may be spare tents in the vehicles. Unfortunately, these cannot be used without the purchase of a single supplement. This is to ensure the tents avoid wear and tear or are clean and ready for the customers arriving on the next section of the trip.

Important Information

  • 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
  • 2. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Serengeti National Park is possible on this itinerary. Please see the itinerary above for full details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited, and we recommend you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.
  • 3. This trip is a combination of YXON, YXOP and YXOR of our most popular itineraries. As such the make up of your group and your leader may change on Days 9 and 12.
  • 4. Please note the Zanzibar portion of your itinerary may have a few more passengers than the maximum group size of 22 as we have a crossover of trips starting and finishing in Zanzibar.
  • 5. This trip finishes in Victoria Falls after breakfast on Day 27. However, if you wish to enjoy some of the optional activities on offer perhaps consider an evening flight or an additional night here.

Mode of Transport

  • Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. Your vehicle type may differ from those listed above. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air. Each seat will have access to a power socket to charge your devices. This outlet will use a UK/Kenyan 3 pronged outlet.
  • There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you.
  • African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it's certainly our aim to avoid them, it's important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times.

Accommodation

  • Accommodation on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied.
  • The type and variety of accommodation is determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different - on some we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others we also use hotels. In Africa it's not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities so we use hotel accommodation and eat out in local restaurants.
  • There may be the occasional night stop, when we stay in the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite which may also have rooms/cabins available. In this case there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room. Rooms cost approximately USD60-120 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards of these rooms vary greatly and we recommend viewing the room before purchasing the nights accommodation. The day by day itinerary advises when upgrades may be possible (subject to availability).
  • Keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you may have to share with other passengers or be split into same sex rooms.
  • Campsites do have facilities but they usually aren't to the same standard you would find in western countries. For example the bathroom facilities can be very basic. There is rarely toilet paper provided and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Wild camps have no facilities at all.
  • At times there may be spare tents in the vehicles. Unfortunately these cannot be used without purchase of a single supplement. This is to ensure the tents avoid wear and tear, or are clean and ready for the customers arriving on the next section of the trip.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent, occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the Big Five. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/africa/overland

    Camp in the Serengeti National Park itself without fences between you and the animals. Your leader will brief you on the safety measures the group will need to take for the two nights spent in the park.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

North American Adventure

12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

Cambodia Discovery

22-Jan-2024

The overall experience was fantastic. V good tour leader. All places visited had something special to do or see. I would book a tour with this company again. Only one negative tour hub is not I repeat not available to contact direct by phone.

Merouane Harkat   Uk

Explore Southern Africa

08-Mar-2024

Best trip ever was, 2 things I didn't like the black mamba stop was wasting day and village ,so 2 night I think was just wasting, I could do 2 days in Kruger, and one more night in delta

Alan Perrott (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic time...

13-Aug-2024

We had a fantastic time on the Botswana Highlights tour recently. We chose Intrepid because it seemed to suit what we wanted - well planned itinerary, small group, comfortable without being overly luxurious (and pricey), and supportive of the local community and environment. We weren't disappointed, and as we met with other like-minded travellers then we all had a great time. We are already planning our next Intrepid tour - maybe Vietnam & Cambodia :-)

1 Select your preferred date

Sunday - Friday

Nov 17, 2024 - Dec 13, 2024
$5400 $4860

Operator discount: -$540

Sunday - Friday

Dec 01, 2024 - Dec 27, 2024
$5345 $4543

Operator discount: -$802

Sunday - Friday

Mar 09, 2025 - Apr 04, 2025
$5455

Sunday - Friday

Apr 06, 2025 - May 02, 2025
$5455 $5182

Operator discount: -$273

Sunday - Friday

Apr 20, 2025 - May 16, 2025
$5455

Sunday - Friday

May 18, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
$5455

Sunday - Friday

Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025
$5675

Sunday - Friday

Jun 15, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025
$5675

Sunday - Friday

Jun 29, 2025 - Jul 25, 2025
$5675

Sunday - Friday

Jul 06, 2025 - Aug 01, 2025
$5890

Sunday - Friday

Jul 20, 2025 - Aug 15, 2025
$5890

Sunday - Friday

Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025
$5890

Sunday - Friday

Aug 17, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025
$5890

Sunday - Friday

Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025
$5890

Sunday - Friday

Sep 14, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025
$5890

Sunday - Friday

Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025
$5675

Sunday - Friday

Oct 19, 2025 - Nov 14, 2025
$5675

Sunday - Friday

Nov 09, 2025 - Dec 05, 2025
$5455

Sunday - Friday

Nov 23, 2025 - Dec 19, 2025
$5455

Sunday - Friday

Dec 07, 2025 - Jan 02, 2026
$5675

Sunday - Friday

Feb 08, 2026 - Mar 06, 2026
$5725

Sunday - Friday

Mar 08, 2026 - Apr 03, 2026
$5725

Sunday - Friday

Apr 05, 2026 - May 01, 2026
$5725

Sunday - Friday

Apr 19, 2026 - May 15, 2026
$5725

Sunday - Friday

May 17, 2026 - Jun 12, 2026
$5725

Sunday - Friday

May 31, 2026 - Jun 26, 2026
$5725

Sunday - Friday

Jun 14, 2026 - Jul 10, 2026
$5960

Sunday - Friday

Jun 28, 2026 - Jul 24, 2026
$5960

Sunday - Friday

Jul 05, 2026 - Jul 31, 2026
$6185

Sunday - Friday

Jul 19, 2026 - Aug 14, 2026
$6185

Sunday - Friday

Aug 02, 2026 - Aug 28, 2026
$5890

Sunday - Friday

Aug 16, 2026 - Sep 11, 2026
$6185

Sunday - Friday

Aug 30, 2026 - Sep 25, 2026
$6185

Sunday - Friday

Sep 13, 2026 - Oct 09, 2026
$6185

Sunday - Friday

Sep 27, 2026 - Oct 23, 2026
$6185

Sunday - Friday

Oct 18, 2026 - Nov 13, 2026
$5960

Sunday - Friday

Nov 08, 2026 - Dec 04, 2026
$5960

Sunday - Friday

Nov 22, 2026 - Dec 18, 2026
$5960

Sunday - Friday

Dec 06, 2026 - Jan 01, 2027
$5960

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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