Register today and get 10% off any eligible trip!     Register Now!
AdventureLink Logo
Register Login Why Book with us? Talk to an expert!
24/7: (877) 691-4488, +1 (626) 539-7506, Skype : Support.adventurelink.com
HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
19 DAYS
COMFORT
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • Try the legendary Dabaga chilli sauce in Iringa, Travel through the vast, rolling African plains, Witness the awesome power of Victoria Falls, Canoe down the gentle Lower Zambezi River
  • Explore Zanzibar's spice plantations
  • Camp by the shores of the enormous Lake Malawi
  • Search for wildlife on a game drive through South Luangwa National Park
$1160USD
Prices vary by date. Make sure to pick your departure date.
Available Dates:
Available Spaces:
8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
Ready to book? Want more info?
You can also talk to an expert or book online:
BOOK ONLINE NOW
ONGOING PROMOTIONS
"Get 5% off when you book with AdventureLink before May 31st, 2012!"
SAVE 5%
Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
Promotion lasts :
From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
See the locations you'll visit!

Zanzibar to Victoria Falls

Travel through the south east of Africa on an adventure tour that combines an insight into authentic African cuisine and opportunities to get amongst the culture and shop at traditional markets, with the natural beauty and abundant wildlife that the continent is so well known for.
Travel through the south east of Africa on an adventure tour that combines an insight into authentic African cuisine and opportunities to get amongst the culture and shop at traditional markets, with the natural beauty and abundant wildlife that the continent is so well known for. Explore the fragrant spice plantations of Zanzibar, camp by the enormous Lake Malawi, people watch in the chilled Malawian capital of Lilongwe, search for wildlife on a game drive through South Luangwa National Park, glide down the Lower Zambezi River on canoes and finish the trip with the awesome spectacle of Victoria Falls.This trip is operated by our experienced local partners Dragoman Overland. Dragoman shares Intrepid's ethos for adventure travel and has many years' expertise in overlanding.Warning - this is a new trip for us!

While we've had a team of researchers travelling in the area to put together this trip, it still must be remembered that this is a relatively new trip for us. To be frank, we expect some things to go wrong. When we head to new destinations, we usually find there are more pleasant surprises in store than unpleasant ones, but the warning is sincere. If it concerns you then we recommend that you wait for a year until we get any bugs ironed out.
Day 1: Zanzibar
Jambo! Welcome to Tanzania.
The trip begins with a group meeting at 10am.
You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If your flight arrives too late, we recommend that you consider arriving a day early and book a night's accommodation prior to the trip so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your kitty, insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader.

We set up camp on a balmy beach outside of the city. The camp is in the grounds of a small beach resort and has flush toilets and showers. After the meeting you have free time for optional activities or simply relaxing on the beach.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's old capital, means 'Haven of Peace'. Many of its buildings display Arabian influence and the port area is fascinating to visit with its ocean-going dhows and inshore ngalawas (out-rigger fishing canoes).

Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)
Days 2-4: Zanzibar
Catch the ferry over to Zanzibar and spend the first night in Stone Town.
Filled with idyllic beaches, winding cobblestone alleyways and fragrant bazaars, Zanzibar's rich history involves everything from slave traders to Arabian sultans and fruit exporters. The sight of traditional dhows sailing along the coast invokes images of what the island was like back in the days of Livingstone.

The old part of Zanzibar's main city is known as Stone Town. The best way to see this exotic port town is on foot, exploring the bazaars, shops, mosques, palaces, courtyards and myriad intricate alleyways. When the sun is setting, why not enjoy a sundowner from a bar overlooking the seafront before trying one of the island's local seafood curries at one of the town's many restaurants. The next day we take a spice tour and have a local lunch before heading to the northern beaches for optional activities or relaxation.

Drive to the spice plantations where you'll receive a guided tour and the opportunity to touch, smell and taste various spices such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger, as well as teas made with these spices. At the end of the day there will also be an opportunity to buy some of the locally grown spices.
The third day is free for optional activities.

Included Activities
Spice tour

Optional Activities
Snorkelling, Zanzibar - USD40.00
Prison island tour, Zanzibar - USD25.00
Scuba diving, Zanzibar - USD80.00

Accommodation
Hotel (3 nts)
Day 5: Dar es Salaam
Today we transfer back to the ferry (approx 90 minutes) and return to our campsite by the beach outside Dar Es Salaam.

Optional Activities
Dhow trip, Dar es Salaam - Free
Fishing, Dar es Salaam - Free

Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)
Day 6: Iringa
Heading for Malawi, we head through Mikumi National Park. The journey today is approximately 550 km. We stay at a campsite in the grounds of the Kisolanza Farm in Iringa tonight.

Set into the slopes of a cliff overlooking the Little Ruaha River, Iringa was built by the Germans in the late 19th century as a fortified defence. One of the highlights is the markets, which attract vibrantly clad locals and nearby tribespeople. It is also a great place to try the legendary Dabaga chilli sauce.

Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)
Days 7-9: Lake Malawi
Today we cross the border into Malawi and travel to our beautiful lakeside campsite at Chitimba (approx 510 km).

Malawi is dominated by its lake, which covers almost a fifth of the country and provides a livelihood for many Malawian people. Fishermen, canoe and net makers, and fish traders all ply their trade on Lake Malawi. A common sight is of a fisherman in his bwato (a dugout canoe made from a hollowed tree trunk) fishing on the still lake at the break of day.

The next day we drive along the shore of the lake to Kande Beach where we have the rest of the day, and the following day, free for optional activities. Make sure you take the opportunity to meet some local Malawians, easily some of the friendliest people in Africa.

Optional Activities
Guided village walks, Lake Malawi - USD10.00
Horse riding, Lake Malawi - USD50.00
Snorkelling, Lake Malawi - Free
Scuba diving, Lake Malawi - USD75.00

Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (3 nts)
Day 10: Lilongwe
Today we head approximately 350 km to the capital, Lilongwe. If we make good time today then we will have the afternoon free to explore the town and its many markets and shops.

Lilongwe is the political capital of Malawi with a population of just under a million people. Situated on the Lilongwe River, it's a great place to soak up some Malawian culture with lots of coffee shops, bars and restaurants.

Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)
Days 11-12: South Luangwa National Park
Our journey today takes us approximately 250 km, across the border into Zambia and to the stunning South Luangwa National Park.

We stay here for two nights in a boutique campsite bordering the national park. During our stay we take an early morning game drive and an evening game drive. South Luangwa National Park is probably the best park in Zambia to see hippos and crocodiles - the Luangwa River has vast numbers of them. The plains beside the river are populated with many kinds of buck, kudu, gazelle and also the red lechwe and Thornicroft giraffe which are unique to Zambia. The park is also renowned for its large elephant population, although you will notice that the elephants here are smaller in size than their counterparts in the plains of East or Southern Africa.

While we are staying in South Luangwa National Park we may have the chance to organise an optional visit to Kawaza Village to experience rural life in Zambia. Kawaza is a social centre for many of the surrounding smaller villages and is situated about 10 km from the national park. As far back as 1997 it has been the centre of a community tourism project. The local villagers of Kawaza genuinely want to share their culture with visitors so that they see not only the wildlife but also the local life of the people who live in the area. Usually we will take part in or watch on of the village's two dancing groups. Normally the women's group will perform local dances and stories and discuss everyday life in rural Zambia. They are very keen for guests to join in, and they will cook a traditional Kunda midday meal for us.

The Kunda, who live throughout the Luanda Valley, have been here for thousands of years. Like all traditional farming and hunting communities in this part of Africa, they have suffered over the past years with diminishing resources. At Kawaza the villagers are now benefiting directly from our visits, and have a stake in the local tourist infrastructure. Each year the village decides what to do with the money, whether it be school supplies, a water pump or local medicines.

Please note that during the wet season (January to March) it may not be possible to visit this village.

Included Activities
Game drives

Optional Activities
Evening game drive, South Luangwa National Park - Free

Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)
Day 13: Luangwa River
Today is a drive day of approximately 520 km as we head south towards the Lower Zambezi area. Tonight we stay at a campsite on the banks of the Luangwa River.

Accommodation
Bush camp (no facilities) (1 nt)
Days 14-16: Lower Zambezi
Drive to the banks of the Lower Zambezi where we meet our guides for a briefing and confirmation of the following days' activities.

The next two days we spend canoeing along the Lower Zambezi River.
The Zambezi Valley has been known outside of Africa for thousands of years. Legends suggest that the kingdoms of Hiram, Solomon and Sheba were enriched with goods originating from the area. More recent history records some of the explorations of hunters, missionaries and slave traders along this part of the Zambezi River.

Nowadays the Lower Zambezi has very different adventures in store - the prime pursuit being a canoe safari. All our gear is carried in the canoes and camps are erected on islands in the river along the way. Everyone gets involved in setting up camp and cooking.

Included Activities
2 day canoe trip on the Lower Zambezi

Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (3 nts)
Day 17: Choma/Livingstone
After breakfast we have an early morning transfer by road or boat (depending on season) back to the truck and then drive on to either Choma or Livingstone depending on time.

Accommodation
Bush camp (no facilities) (1 nt)
Days 18-19: Victoria Falls
Cross the border to Zimbabwe for an early start to Victoria Falls. Upon arrival in Victoria Falls we will arrange your optional activities, and either visit the falls, or arrange the visit for tomorrow.
The Victoria Falls are an enormous curtain of water, about a mile wide, falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 m and the falls are an impressive raging torrent. The spray from the falls can sometimes be seen from kilometres away. It's no wonder that the local name Mosi oa Tunya means the 'smoke that thunders'. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and it's possible to see little islets in the river below.

Responsible Travel Note:
During your visit to the Victoria Falls area you may notice businesses offering an optional 'Walk with the Lions' experience. We recommend that Intrepid travellers bypass this activity as it is contrary to Intrepid's Responsible Travel guideline stating that we 'actively discourage the participation of Intrepid groups in activities which exploit animals - wild or domestic.' Professional wildlife conservation organisations, including Born Free and the World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA), advise that habituating lions to humans can shorten their life and may result in lion-human conflict issues. While there is some merit in the argument that the money that you pay for the activity goes towards lion research, we feel that the negative impacts on the lions' rehabilitation far outweigh this.

Next day is departure day. If we were unable to visit the falls yesterday, we will do so today.
For those of you who are planning on spending a few extra days in Vic Falls there are various activities and excursions available - either on the water, on land or high above it all. Choose from white water rafting, canoeing, horse riding, abseiling or gorge swinging (please see the 'Optional Activities' below for more details on what you can see and do around Victoria Falls).

Included Activities
Visit Victoria Falls

Optional Activities
Bungee jumping, Victoria Falls - USD120.00
Gorge swing, Victoria Falls - USD70.00

Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

TRIP INCLUDES
  • Overland vehicle, Ferry
  • Camping (with facilities) (13 nts), Hotel (3 nts), Bush camp (no facilities) (2 nts)
  • 13 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 13 Dinners
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Allow USD $275 for meals not included.
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Did you know that you can customize this trip?

Customizing a trip is a great way to:

  • Change anything about the itinerary you don't like.
  • Change the size of the group or make this a private tour.
  • Change the duration or departure date of the trip.
  • Because we use the local operator, this customization usually won't cost you extra!
Contact us to customize this trip
SEND TRIP TO A FRIEND
Email this Trip to:
Seperate multiple emails by a new line.
Customize your message:
SEND
Customize the Brochure
Download Brochure
AS SEEN ON

Company

About Us Our Blog API Terms of Use Privacy Policy
California Seller of Travel #2088061-40
Real Time Web Analytics

Customers

Why book with AdventureLink? Invite Friends - Get $100 Trip Credit! Talk to an Expert - Get Travel Advice & Booking Help

Tour Operators

List your Trips on AdventureLink Tour Operator Portal Login

Affiliates

Become an Affiliate Affiliate Widgets

Help & Support

Contact Us Support Portal
Call Us or Our Experts:
(877) 691-4488
+1 (626) 539-7506
Skype : Support.adventurelink.com