23-day Kruger, Victoria Falls Zanzibar Accommodated

Leaving the city of Pretoria behind, we travel to South Africas picturesque Mpumalanga province on our way to Hazyview on the outskirts of the central Kruger National ParkAfter settling into our accommodation, we experience the culture of the Shangaan as they teach us their traditions around an open fire through song and dance.

Rising early, we board our open 4x4 safari vehicle and make our way to the park gates as they open at dawn. Kruger has incredibly diverse fauna and flora - from the dwarf mongoose to the famed Big Five - almost every major African mammal 148 species is present. There is prolific bird-life over 505 species and over 330 varieties of trees. We game drive in the morning and late afternoon, pausing in the heat of the day in one of the parks resorts. In the late afternoon, we return to our accommodation and enjoy the evening around the fire reminiscing about the days sightings.

Leaving the Greater Kruger area we travel north through South Africas bushveld to Tshipise, a town situated in the northern Limpopo province. Our accommodation is next to the Honnet Nature Reserve and offers a variety of hot springs to enjoy.

Moving on, we make our way across the border to Zimbabwe and the city of Bulawayo, a pleasant city with broad tree-lined avenues and bustling markets. Our accommodation for the evening is in the Matobo Area, a natural heritage site where we prepare for our next days adventure.

Matobo National Park has the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in Africa and, provided conditions are right, our guides will lead us on foot to some of the more concealed places in search of these magnificent animals. The park also has the densest population of leopard and black eagle in the world, and we keep our eyes peeled high and low for these creatures. This half day tour will end after the walk and a vehicle will transfer you back to the camp for an afternoon at leisure. Theres an option to partake on a full-day tour which includes lunch, Bushman paintings and the gravesite of Cecil Rhodes.

We journey north today passing through the town of Victoria Falls before crossing the border into Zambia and the town of Livingstone. Situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, our accommodation at the Waterfront has a restaurant and small deck/terrace overlooking the river, and is a base and booking point for the numerous optional activities available in the area. A visit to the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park is included in your tour and your crew will advise on what day this will be done. At over a mile wide and some 100 metres deep the Falls at high water form the largest curtain of falling water in the world with spray visible from 20 kilometres away hence the local name Mosi Oa Tunya, or smoke that thunders.

Enjoy your time over the next two days at leisure in Livingstone participating on the many optional activities, explore the vibrant town and markets or simply relax by the poolside at the Waterfront overlooking the mighty Zambezi River. Some of the most popular activities include bungee jumping, abseiling, game walk, gorge swing, sunset cruise and white water rafting.

We leave Livingstone and head through lush country and villages to Lusaka, Zambias capital. Lusaka is Southern Africas fastest growing city with approximately 1.7 million people and is located on the southern plateau. Our accommodation for the night is set in a tranquil farm setting just outside of the city.

Leaving the capital Lusaka, we head to Petauke via the Great East Road, an important link between Zambia and neighbouring Malawi. Our accommodation is situated 5km from Petauke.

Leaving early, we head to the South Luangwa National Park. At 20,000 sq. miles in area with a 500 mile 9059 sq. km long Luangwa River flowing through the park, it is known to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world! The park is home to over 400 bird species and 60 different animal species. On arrival, we settle into our accommodation and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore or partake in an optional activity.

In the morning, we board our open safari vehicle for a game drive with a local ranger along the rivers edge to see the abundance of animal and birdlife inhabiting the area. Following our game drive we make our way to Chipata for the night.

Leaving Zambia behind, we cross the border into Malawi, a landlocked country in south-eastern Africa. Lake Malawi formerly Lake Nyasa, covers almost a fifth of the countrys area and provides the source of livelihood for many of the Malawian people. Our first stop on the lake is at Kande Beach where we will spend the next two nights. Visit a village and interact with the locals and join in on the many fun optional activities including freshwater snorkelling.

Today youll have some free time to try some of the many optional activities, meet the local people of Malawi, generally known as amongst the friendliest in Africa or simply relax and enjoy the warm fresh waters of Lake Malawi.

Moving on, we travel through dense rubber plantation forests, flourishing in this mountainous country, to Malawis third largest town Mzuzu. We stop for supplies at the local markets before heading to the Northern shores of the Lake and our accommodation at Chitimba. Time here is at your own pace. Meet the locals as they tend to their day-to-day fishing duties, shop at the local wood-craft markets, or simply just laze on the beach.

Saying our farewells to the lake we journey north, crossing the border into Tanzania. Travelling on we ascend the mountainous Southern Highlands to the Kisolanza Farmhouse. Rising at an altitude of 1600m, this sustainable farm provides organic meat and vegetables to the local markets and has been home to the Ghaui family for over 70 years.

We travel east this day towards Mikumi National Park - home to plentiful wildlife such as Lion, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard. Upon reaching the accommodation you may have time for an optional afternoon game drive, or could simply relax at the lodges swimming pool and restaurant/bar - before enjoying an open-air fire to end the day.

We continue towards the port city of Dar es Salaam Haven of Peace, the gateway to Zanzibar and the remaining Archipelago Islands. This route runs through the Mikumi National Park and we may spot elephant, numerous species of antelope, or giraffe feeding near the side of the road. Dar is Tanzanias hub of commerce and industry a humid and bustling seaport city of colourful markets and Arab-influenced architecture. Our accommodation here is nestled on a picturesque beach south of the city centre, and its here we prepare for our trip to Zanzibar.

Exotic Zanzibar invokes images of palm fringed beaches, Arabic architecture, aromatic spices, winding cobbled alleys and lush tropical forests. You will find all of these here and more. We make the ferry crossing this morning from the port of Dar es Salaam to the island of Zanzibar and the capital, Stone Town. Its here we spend our first evening at leisure exploring the ancient maze-like cobbled alleyways, Arabic mosques, Sultan palaces and its rich history that makes this interesting city worth visiting.

This morning we transfer to the northern beaches via quaint villages and lush spice plantations and if you wish, participate on an optional guided tour of the spice plantations and sample some of the local produce and teas. After settling into your accommodation, the next three days is yours at leisure to relax on the sun-kissed beaches, take an optional diving trip to the rich colourful reefs, grab a snorkel and goggles to explore these from above, sample the local cuisine, sail on a traditional Dhow and round the days off chilling to the tunes from the nearby beach bars.

Retracing our footsteps back to Stone Town, we have the morning to do any last minute shopping or enjoy a last swim, before catching the ferry back Dar es Salaam on the African mainland - where our tour ends.