Vic Falls to Stone Town





Safari through East Africa to the shores of the Indian Ocean
Travel from the mighty Victoria Falls through Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania – to experience all the incredible sights, sounds and cultures Eastern Africa has to offer. Track rhinos on foot and spot lions and leopards on 4x4 game drives. Explore World Heritage-listed sites like the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. Meet locals to gain insight into the enduring cultures of these communities. Wind up on the shores of the Indian Ocean in Zanzibar after an unforgettable 17-day journey full of local knowledge and epic adventures.
4.5
50 reviewsStart: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
End: Zanzibar, Africa
- Duration
- 17 days
- Group size
- 1 to 22
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Basix
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Overland, Wildlife
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- 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.
- Spot elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, wildebeest, impalas and more on not one but two included 4WD safari game drives in Tanzania and Zambia.
- Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to learn about the rehabilitation of wildlife from poaching and get the chance to meet some rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care.
- Discover the magic of South Luangwa National Park on a morning and afternoon 4x4 safari game drive with local expert guides, and visit a workshop where local women transform poaching snare wire into jewellery to raise funds for conservation.
- The east of Africa isn’t all just roaming wildlife and open plains. Along the way, get to know some of the region's vibrant cities, including Lusaka, Harare and Bulawayo.
- Journey from the interior plains out to some idyllic Indian Ocean hotspots. Stroll along the shores in Dar es Salaam and consider extending your stay in paradisiacal Zanzibar.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 4 pm where you'll meet your tour leader and travel group. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Your campground is centrally located in the town of Victoria Falls. After the meeting, your leader will take you to a local activity centre where a range of activities will be on offer, and you can consider booking experiences for tomorrow.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
- Victoria Falls - Rafting & river boarding (half day) - USD218
- Victoria Falls - Village & township tour - USD61
- Victoria Falls - Canoe trail wine route - USD55
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent know. Ask reception or look for a note for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Accommodation upgrades and wi-fi are available.
Intrepid has not risk assessed all activities and only those listed in Optional Activities are recommended. It is against policy for leaders to help book any activities that do not adhere to our Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to these activities. If you are interested in the optional helicopter flight (12 minutes or 25 minutes) we endorse the following operator only: Zambezi Helicopter co CAA Zimbabwe.
Use your free day today to visit the magnificent Victoria Falls. This thundering curtain of water is 1.5 km 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 become a raging torrent. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and you can see little islets in the river below. Be sure to ask your local leader for their tips and advice on what to do in Victoria Falls.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance - USD50
The Victoria Falls entrance fee is not included in the price of the trip as groups are required to have a local guide and we feel that seeing these waterfalls for the first time should be an uninterrupted sensory experience.
You may notice businesses offering an optional 'Walk with the Lions' experience. We ask all Intrepid travellers to avoid this activity as it is contrary to our Responsible Travel policy. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many of our itineraries, we strive to only view animals in their natural habitats and to do so with the greatest level of respect. The lion walking industry directly contributes to the captive breeding and canned hunting of lions.
Depart Victoria Falls and travel to Bulawayo via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – one of The Intrepid Foundation’s projects. Here you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and the trusts role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. After, arrive in Bulawayo – known locally as the 'City of Kings', Zimbabwe's second-largest city has an interesting history and some impeccable colonial architecture.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
In Bulawayo you will stay in a campground with shared facilities and wi-fi. Upgrades are also available (subject to availability).
Wake up early and get ready to track rhinos in Matobo National Park. Home to a significant population of black and white rhinoceros that can be tracked on foot. As your expert guide takes you through the park, look out for other game like leopards, warthogs, and springhares. You'll also learn about the local plants and trees, including wild pear and paperbark, and discover San paintings and the fascinating rock formations. The Matopos area has great spiritual and cultural significance to the local people and there are many sites within the park where important ceremonies still take place.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings
- Bulawayo - Railway Museum - USD5
- Balawayo - Natural History Museum - USD10
Drive to Masvingo today. This settlement – the oldest in Zimbabwe – makes for the perfect base from which to explore the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. The ruined city, now a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, was first constructed in the 11th century. It's thought to be the former royal palace of the Zimbabwean monarch. Spend a few hours exploring this intriguing site before heading off to camp for the evening.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Your campground in Masvingo has shared facilities. Accommodation upgrades and wi-fi are available.
Travel to Harare today. You'll arrive at your destination in time for lunch. You only have an hour or two to explore Zimbabwe's capital city, so if you're feeling active and up for a stroll, get out and make the most of it. Perhaps head to the National Gallery, the museum, the botanical gardens or simply wander the city centre and visit the colourful markets.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Harare - National Archives - USD3
- Harare - National Botanical Gardens - USD5
- Harare - National Gallery - USD10
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Your campsite tonight has Wi-Fi. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).
Today, you'll cross into Zambia and drive to your campsite just outside Lusaka, Zambia's capital. Your journey begins with a nice scenic drive to the border. At some point during the day there will be an opportunity to stop at an ATM and stock up on any supplies you might need at a shop or market.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
Tonight’s camp has shared facilities, a swimming pool, and wi-fi for a token. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).
Spend some time checking out Lusaka before a long day of travel today. You'll see that it's a modern city but still retains a traditional African feel. After, travel on to Petauke, where you'll spend the night.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
Tonight’s camp tonight has facilities, wi-fi and accommodation upgrades possible (subject to availability).
After breakfast, travel to a workshop in South Luangwa 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, make your way through the heartland to South Luangwa National Park. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River and its lagoons is among the highest in Africa. Many elephants, buffaloes, leopards, Thornicroft’s giraffes and lions are known to roam here. There are also some 400 species of birds inhabiting the area. A great way to experience South Luangwa and its beautiful scenery is to take an optional river trip – ask your group leader for more details.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
Your camp tonight has optional accommodation upgrades (subject to availability).
Rise early with a light breakfast and get ready for an exhilarating morning game drive in a 4WD with a local guide, then head back to the camp for an early lunch. During the hottest part of the day between safaris, you can either rest in the shade or take an optional village walk to get a glimpse of daily life in the local community. Return to the park for another game drive in the evening.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- South Luangwa National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
- South Luangwa National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
- South Luangwa National Park - Game Walk - USD50
The optional game walk listed for today is seasonal and requires a 24 hour pre-booking notice. Kindly inform your leader if you're interested.
Cross the border into Malawi and continue straight to your camp on the shores of Lake Malawi. Malawi is dominated by its lake, which covers almost a fifth of the country and provides a livelihood for many local people. Fishermen, fish traders and canoe and net makers all ply their trade on the lake. 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. Your campsite at Kande Beach is right on the shore, so take some time to rest and relax.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.
There are upgrades available at tonight’s campsite, but there is no wi-fi available.
This morning you can take an optional walk in the nearby village, an opportunity to meet some local Malawians-easily some of the friendliest people in Africa. Enjoy a free afternoon chilling out on the lake’s sandy shores, time to soak up your idyllic surroundings you can take a dip in the lake or try out cycling to the hilly villages. Perhaps cool off with an optional snorkelling trip with a local guide. Lake Malawi's high alkalinity has resulted in an abundance of brightly coloured fish and relatively low levels of plants. What you end up with is a tropical ocean-like snorkelling experience within a landlocked freshwater lake.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lake Malawi - Bike Hire - USD25
- Lake Malawi - Snorkelling - USD25
Drive to your camp in Chitimba, which lies along the coast of Lake Malawi and has lovely beaches, friendly locals and a laidback atmosphere. When you arrive, perhaps take a stroll and acquaint yourself with this different part of the lake. Enjoy the scenery of banana palms, papaya trees and the Livingstonia and Nyika mountains looming nearby.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
Tonight’s camp has facilities and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are available.
Today is a long travel day into Tanzania and its southern highlands. Sit back, relax and watch as the countryside passes by. When you arrive, you'll set up camp on the grounds of a farmhouse situated 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.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 11 hours.
Tonight’s camp has facilities and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are available.
Today you'll drive to the edge of Mikumi National Park. Situated at the foot of the thickly wooded Uluguru Mountains, Mikumi is Tanzania's fourth largest national park. In the afternoon we head off on 4WD Game Drive with a local expert guide.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!
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Mikumi National Park - 4WD Safari
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Sit back and enjoy the scenic drive to Kipepo Beach, located just south of Dar es Salaam. Once you arrive, take some time to unwind – perhaps enjoy a peaceful stroll along the shore. Your camp for the night is set on the grounds of a hotel right next to the beach, offering the perfect opportunity to relax and take a dip in the inviting waters of the ocean.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Your camp tonight has optional accommodation upgrades (subject to availability) and beach access.
Catch a ferry to Africa’s 'Spice Island' – Zanzibar. Filled with pristine white-sand shores, winding cobblestone alleyways and fragrant bazaars, Zanzibar has a colourful history – everything from slave traders to Arabian sultans and fruit exporters. The sight of traditional dhows sailing along the coast suggests what the island must have been like in Livingstone's day. The best way to see this exotic port town and its old city (Stone Town) is on foot. When the sun is setting, perhaps enjoy a drink at a nearby bar overlooking the seafront, then a seafood curry at a local restaurant. With no further activities planned on arrival, this trip comes to an end in Stone Town.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
16 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 14 dinners
Overland vehicle, 4WD Safari Vehicle, Ferry
Camping (with facilities) (16 nights)
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
- Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Park Visit & San Rock Paintings
- Masvingo - Great Zimbabwe Ruins guided visit
- South Luangwa - Anti-Poaching Jewelery Project
- South Luangwa National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
- South Luangwa National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
- Mikumi National Park - 4WD Safari
- Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
- Victoria Falls - Rafting & river boarding (half day) - USD218
- Victoria Falls - Village & township tour - USD61
- Victoria Falls - Canoe trail wine route - USD55
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance - USD50
- Bulawayo - Railway Museum - USD5
- Balawayo - Natural History Museum - USD10
- Harare - National Archives - USD3
- Harare - National Botanical Gardens - USD5
- Harare - National Gallery - USD10
- South Luangwa National Park - Game Walk - USD50
- Lake Malawi - Bike Hire - USD25
- Lake Malawi - Snorkelling - USD25
This trip generates 21 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- 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 (unless you’re on an Original or Comfort style trip), 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/au/africa/overland
- There are many excellent optional activities on this trip. We recommend taking this into consideration when budgeting for your adventure.
- As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
- Please note that some passengers on this trip will have been travelling together prior to the start of your trip. To see what you're missing out on check out our Cape Town to Zanzibar trip – search trip code UXOBC on the Intrepid website for more information and how to book.
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.
Rest Camp Victoria Falls
Stand 5 Parkway Drive
Victoria Falls
ZIMBABWE
Phone: +26 3773463173
Description
Victoria Falls Rest Camp is located in the middle of Victoria Falls town, with just about everything you need within walking distance.
The rest camp has all the facilities you should need for your stay, including a pool and access to the internet.
Instructions
If you have pre-booked a transfer, your driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals area near the point you clear customs. Please look for our driver who will be holding a card with your name on it. The driver will wait for an hour after your scheduled arrival time.
If you are unable to find your driver please make your way to the ‘Wild Horizons’ desk which is located in the arrivals terminal. Wild Horizons operate our ground transfers and a representative will be able to help you. If you are still unable to find your driver you can call +27 11 4717400 during business hours, or +27 82 822 9407 after hours. If you are delayed beyond one hour after your scheduled arrival time, please make your own way to the hotel.
If you are making your own way to the hotel, there is a taxi stand outside the airport building. A taxi should cost approximately 20USD.
Dates and prices
Important notes
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. This trip starts in Victoria Falls on Day 1 at 4pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Victoria Falls. This trip finishes upon arrival in Stone Town on Day 17. Please allow enough time to get back to the mainland if you need to catch your departing flight from Dar Es Salaam. Speak to your leader about the best way to do this.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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