Big Five Explorer Safari Northbound - 36 days

Saturday. Welcome to Victoria Falls! Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to our campsite in town. There is a pre-departure meeting at 1700hrs where you will meet your guide and the rest of your group.

Today we have a free day relaxing and enjoying the myriad of activities available at Victoria Falls. The Falls themselves are 1700 metres wide and 100 metres high - a truly spectacular sight. It is possible to take part in micro flights over the falls or go white water rafting in the Bakota Gorge as well as trying your hand at bungee jumping.

Victoria Falls - Chobe NP (Botswana). Today we depart Zimbabwe for Botswana and the town of Kasane. Kasane sits on the banks of the Chobe River This afternoon we head into Chobe National Park for our overnight excursion for lots of game driving and a night in the bush.

Chobe NP - Livingstone (Zambia). After our night in the park we cross into Zambia and to the town of Livingstone - on the other side of Victoria Falls. This afternoon we have the opportunity to view The Falls from the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia or partake in a sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River. Another fantastic photo opportunity!

Livingstone - Lusaka Region. We spend the day slowly travelling through southern Zambia and our campsite this evening is near the capital Lusaka.

Lusaka Region - South Luangwa. Departing Lusaka we head to Zambia's premier game park - South Luangwa - home to lots of wildlife, and our home for the night. This breath-taking park is situated on the Luangwa River in the Eastern part of Zambia, and it is the southernmost of three national parks in this region. South Luangwa was founded in 1938 as a game reserve, 1972 was the year it was declared as a national park, and today it covers over 9000 kilometres squared. Animals such as Giraffe, buffalo and Elephants can be found in abundance. The Luangwa river is home to many a hippo and croc.



From Luangwa, we follow the old "East Road" to a lovely campsite in Chipata, close to the Zambia/Malawi border.

South Luangwa - Lake Malawi Beaches (Malawi). Leaving Zambia we enter ‘Warm Heart of Africa’ better know as Malawi. We briefly stop off in the capital, Lilongwe before heading to the beaches at the famous lake.


Lake Malawi is also known as “the lake of stars”, offers an abundance of water activities. With the staggering amount of 500 species of fish, this lake makes for an excellent spot for fresh water diving after meeting and greeting all the welcoming locals. We camp first at the central Lake, and then in the northern area over the next 3 days.

Lake Malawi Beaches - Iringa (Tanzania). After lots of beach time it is time to leave Malawi as we head through the Tukuyu tea and banana plantations and into Tanzania for our night camping by the beautiful rustic ‘Farmhouse’ campsite famous for its Amarula hot chocolates and its steamy showers!

Iringa - Dar es Salaam. This morning we pass through the Mikumi National Park where it is possible to view a range of wildlife from the roadside. We'll also pass colourful shop-fronts with their sometimes humorous ‘catch phrases’. On arrival in Dar es Salaam, we make our way to our lovely seaside campsite and prepare for our departure to Zanzibar the next morning.

Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. This morning we take the ferry over to the Spice Island of Zanzibar for 3 nights. Spending our first night in the capital Stone Town before heading north to the beaches for some R&R.

Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. Leaving Zanzibar in the afternoon, we return to the mainland and another night in Dar es Salaam. Arrival back to camp is usually in the late afternoon, or early evening.

Dar es Salaam – Pangani - Arusha. Over the next couple of days we continue heading north for the town of Arusha. On the night of day 17 we stop in the coastal town of Pangani. Our campsite in Arusha is at the Maserani Snake Park and is our base for heading into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro tomorrow.

Arusha - Karatu. Today we head towards the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater on our included excursion using locally operated 4WD vehicles. These vehicles have been adapted for safari use and allow excellent viewing and photographic opportunities through the opening roof hatches.



Our Ngorongoro/Serengeti excursion takes us via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) to Karatu where you will be met with magnificent views over the surrounding hills. Tonight we spend the evening at a campsite in Karatu.



The following morning we depart early for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and head into the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. Comprising of open savannahs, acacia forests and both soda and fresh water lakes, the Ngorongoro Crater is truly a miniature ‘Garden of Eden’. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino.

Arusha - Nairobi (Kenya). Dedparting early - we travel north to the border with Kenya and the small town of Namanga. Once across the border we continue to the capital Nairobi where we overnight.

Nairobi - Masai Mara. Departing the capital we travel through the Great Rift Valley before arriving at our campsite Acacia Camp in the late afternoon. The campsite is on the border of the Masai Mara National Reserve.



The following morning we depart shortly after sunrise for a game drive into the Masai Mara. The Masai Mara is most famous for the Annual Migration, that consists of the impressive herds of over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle that cross over from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. We go in search of the ‘Big 5’- elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard; along with the many other species of animals, reptiles and birds who make call this wilderness home.



After our game drive, we can visit one of the nearby Masai Manyatta’s – this is a traditional hamlet where the Masai still live in their traditional way.

Masai Mara - Eldoret. Leaving the Masai Mara early, we head out of Masai Land pass through the scenic tea plantations of Kericho before descending the Rift Valley Plateau, on our way to Eldoret.

Eldoret - Kampala (Uganda). This morning, we cross the border into Uganda for our night in the capital city - Kampala.

Kampala - Lake Bunyonyi. This morning we travel to Lake Bunyonyi - our base for trekking to see the mountain gorillas. Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest Crater Lake in Africa and home to a large and varied number of beautiful birds. Depending on where trekking permits are available, we trek in the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda.



Please note: Gorilla permits need to be purchased in advance, please ask your reservations consultant or visit our Gorilla trekking travel guide.

Lake Bunyonyi - Kampala. After marvelling at the experience of our gorilla encounters and enjoying the peaceful Lake Bunyonyi, we begin our drive back to Kampala. We cross the Equator for the second time and stop for the classic “one foot in each hemisphere” photo opportunity. We overnight in Kampala and have the opportunity to sample its night life!

Kampala - Jinja. Today we have the option of visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or heading to Jinja for a selection of adventure activities including white water rafting at the source of the White Nile, quad biking or visiting a volunteer and community project. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the banks of the river, or ticking off the wide variety of water birds in this area.

Jinja - Lake Nakuru (Kenya). Today we return to Kenya travelling on to Lake Nakuru - Kenya’s 4th largest town and the capital of the Rift Valley Province, it lies adjacent to the small but wildlife rich Lake Nakuru National Park. We camp in the area of the National Park.

Lake Nakuru - Lake Naivasha. Today we game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park - an established sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are often seen. We spend the day searching for these and the elusive leopard, encountering buffalo, giraffe, various antelope and the occasional hippo along the way. After our game drive, we head back to our campsite, arriving in the late afternoon.



On day 35 we travel on to Lake Naivasha, which is home to a multitude of bird life, the most magnificent being the African Fish Eagle with his regal cry. We spend the day enjoying optional excursions like Elsamere (former home to Joy & George Adamson of Born Free fame), a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or a bike ride around Hell’s Gate National Park.

Lake Naivasha - Nairobi. After breakfast, we head back to Nairobi usually arriving by late morning, or early afternoon. On arrival to Nairobi, we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!