Vic Falls to Zanzibar


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Cascading falls to the clear blue waters of the Indian ocean
Unlock the mysteries of Africa's eastern lands on a 20-day trip from Zimbabwe to Zanzibar. Passing through Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania, visit fertile national parks, remote highland communities, savannas with endless horizons and the sparkling Indian ocean coastline. Safari past lion and zebra herds in South Luangwa National Park, watch local fisherman haul in their daily catch on Lake Malawi, and wind up on the idyllic shores of Zanzibar's northern beaches in search of a seafood curry and sundowner. Your African adventure sets the pace, with plenty of time to make your adventure special through independent activities, plus a local crew joining you each step of the way to give you all the local low-down. If safaris, sea breezes and a zest for exploration are your thing, jump aboard this overland adventure to the wilds of East Africa.
4.6
25 reviewsStart: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
End: Zanzibar, Africa
- Duration
- 20 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.
- Experience the rumble and roar of Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side, which gives you the broadest view. You'll have the opportunity to see the cascades from multiple angles, perhaps treating yourself to an unforgettable scenic flight.
- Explore the largest ruins in sub-Saharan Africa – the World Heritage-listed Great Zimbabwe – said to once be home to a Zimbabwean monarch!
- 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 game drive. This park is a highly concentrated arena of noble African beasts and exotic wildflowers.
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 this important 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. If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
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 time to visit the magnificent Victoria Falls. This thundering curtain of water is one-and-a-half kilometres wide, falling 108 metres into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 metres 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 toward Bulawayo (approximately 7 hours) 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. Onwards to 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
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 the short stretch to Masvingo (approximately 5–6 hours). This colonial settlement – the oldest in Zimbabwe – makes for the perfect base from which to explore the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. The ruined city, now a 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 campground in Masvingo has shared facilities. Accommodation upgrades and wi-fi are available.
Travel to Harare today (approximately 5–6 hours). You will 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
Tonight, accommodation upgrades are offered at your camp (subject to availability).
Today you will cross into Zambia and drive to your campsite just outside Lusaka, Zambia's capital (approximately 8 hours). 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
Tonight’s camp has shared facilities. Accommodation upgrades are available (subject to availability).
Spend some time checking out Lusaka before a long day of travel. You'll see that it's a modern city but still retains a traditional African feel. Afterwards, travel on to Petauke (approximately 8 hours).
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Tonight’s camp tonight has facilities, wi-fi and accommodation upgrades possible (subject to availability).
After breakfast, travel (approximately 4 hours) 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. Afterwards, make your way through the heartland to South Luangwa National Park (approximately 2 hours). 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 camp tonight has basic facilities.
Rise early for an exhilarating morning game drive in a 4WD vehicle. Enjoy classic savanna scenery while keeping your eyes peeled the parks abundance of wildlife. There’s every chance you may spot a herd of zebra grazing on parched grass or a pride of lions passing by. Midday is the hottest part of the day here, so seek refuge from the sun and return to the camp for lunch.
Return to the park for another Game Drive late this afternoon. Alternatively, perhaps head out on a village walk for a snapshot of daily life in the local community.
- 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
Cross the border into Malawi and continue straight to your camp on the shores of Lake Malawi (approximately 9–10 hours). 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
There are upgrades available at tonight’s campsite, but there is no wi-fi available.
Enjoy free time today to soak up your idyllic surrounds and take a refreshing dip in beautiful Lake Malawi. 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.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lake Malawi - Bike Hire - USD25
- Lake Malawi - Snorkelling - USD25
Drive to your camp in Chitimba (approximately 8 hours). Chitimba 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
Tonight’s camp has facilities and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are available.
Today is a long travel day into Tanzania and its southern highlands (approximately 11 hours). Sit back, relax and watch as the countryside passes by. On arrival you will 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
Tonight’s camp has facilities and wi-fi. Accommodation upgrades are available.
Today we 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
Today's travel time is approximately 5hrs
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' 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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Stone Town Tour - Dharajani Market, Joseph's Cathederal, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market - USD20
- Zanzibar - Prison Island Tour - USD25
As this is a combination trip the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and meet your new fellow travellers. Please note the Zanzibar portion of your itinerary may have more passengers than the maximum group size of 22 as we have a crossover of trips starting and finishing in Zanzibar.
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.
- Bungalow (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Zanzibar - Spice tour - USD25
If you choose not to book in on the optional Zanzibar spice tour this morning, you will be transported directly to the island's Northern Beaches.
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!
- Bungalow (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Zanzibar - Snorkelling - USD50
- Zanzibar - Dhow Trip - USD35
To book optional activities, please contact Zanzibar Watersports, located at Kendwa Rocks Beach Resort. Zanzibar Watersports is the only provider we have risk assessed and recommend using. However, please keep in mind that we have not risk-assessed all their activities, and only those listed in our trip notes are recommended.
Zanzibar Watersports
Phone or WhatsApp: +255 622 474 444
After checking out of your accommodation this morning, you will make your way back to Stone Town, arriving at a centrally-located hotel around 12 pm. With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. That doesn't mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you wish to stay on in Zanzibar, either at the Northern Beaches beach resort or in Stone Town, we'll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
- Breakfast
If you wish to organise onward transfers today, please note that the easiest option is to fly out of Zanzibar Airport. However, if you have arranged to fly out of Dar es Salaam Airport, ferries depart Zanzibar at 7.30 am, 9.30 am, 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm. It's important to allow enough time to get back to mainland Africa if you need to catch your departing flight from Dar es Salaam. Speak to your group leader earlier in your trip for more information.
Inclusions and activities
19 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 14 dinners
Overland vehicle, 4X4 safari vehicle, Ferry, Minibus
Camping (with facilities) (16 nights), Hotel (1 night), Bunglow (2 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
- Stone Town Tour - Dharajani Market, Joseph's Cathederal, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market - USD20
- Zanzibar - Prison Island Tour - USD25
- Zanzibar - Spice tour - USD25
- Zanzibar - Snorkelling - USD50
- Zanzibar - Dhow Trip - USD35
This trip generates 19 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, 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
- There are many excellent optional activities on this trip. We recommend taking this into consideration when budgeting for your adventure.
- 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 UBOXC on the Intrepid website for more information and to book.
- 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.
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 is a combination of YXON and YXOS of our most popular itineraries. As such the make up of your group and your leader may change on Day 17.
3. 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.
4. 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 20. Please do not book any flights until after 2pm this afternoon.
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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