You spend your first day on tour visiting the 'smoke that thunders' - Victoria Falls. Alternatively enjoy any one of the many exciting activities on offer in the area, get to know your new travelling companions or finalise arrangements before your departure tomorrow morning.

You leave behind the excitement of Vic Falls and head off on your expedition. A long but interesting drive take you to the bustling Zambian capital of Lusaka. The city has been receiving a face-lift over recent years. New shops, fast food outlets and even a multimillion-dollar shopping mall are being built. You overnight at Pioneers Camp.

You begin today with some shopping in Lusaka and there are limited banking facilities available. Once the shopping is done, you leave town heading northeast towards the Luangwa River where you spend the night at Luangwa Bridge Camp. This is an interesting area full of friendly locals, and a walk along the river is a rewarding experience.

An early start and you're on the road to South Luangwa where you will spend 2 nights on the banks of the river. You reach Wildlife Camp in the late afternoon with enough time to relax and have a look around this beautiful setting.

The 2nd day is put aside for activities. You can choose between a morning or night game drive, and a guided game walk accompanied by a professional local guide. If the South Luangwa National Park is not for you, then relax by the pool. On occasion in the rainy season it is impossible or inadvisable to attempt to reach the park. If this happens, then an alternative itinerary will be chosen.

You leave South Luangwa National Park early and pass through the Zambia-Malawi border. Heading north you enter the highlands of Malawi and spend the night at Luwawa Forest Camp. This is part of the largest manmade forest in Africa. The altitude means that it can get very cold here on winter evenings. There are some wonderful hikes in the area, and in summer there are small sailboats that you can sail on the dam.

Today your get your first glimpse of Lake Malawi where you will spend the next couple of carefree days on Kande Beach. For the more adventurous there are endless leisure and water sport activities. Alternatively, soak up the atmosphere and relax in one of the most scenic and memorable holiday destinations in Africa. The evenings are spent beside Lake Malawi's tranquil waters.

Lake Malawi used to be called Lake Nyasa and is the southernmost of the Great Valley lakes. Lying at an altitude of around 500 metres, the lake has a tropical climate. You spend your next few days at Chitimba Beach or Ngara Resort.

The adventurous can go hiking up to Livingstonia or the waterfall. This is quite a tough hike and you'll have to leave early. The return trip to the waterfall takes about 5 hours and the trip to Livingstonia 7-8 hours. There is abseiling here too which can be booked through Chitimba Beach Camp. Alternatively, you can just have a relaxing day at the lakeside.

Today you make the border crossing out of Malawi. Leaving the lake behind you, you head for your first night in Tanzania. As you climb out of the Great Rift Valley through some spectacular mountain passes, you pass the vast tea plantations in the highlands to your camp on Kisolonza Farm outside Iringa.

Today you transit through Mikumi National Park to the historical port city of Dar es Salaam. The city is an eclectic mix of Swahili, German, Asian and British architecture, reflecting its colonial past and more recent history. You stay at Mikadi Beach or Silversands for the night, and your guide will arrange your ferry ticket for your crossing to Zanzibar the next day.

A transfer by ferry takes you to Zanzibar where you will spend the next few days exploring this fascinating island. Zanzibar, the spice capital of the world, has it all from coral reefs to deserted beaches; colourful locals to ancient architecture; African markets to westernised shopping. Take a tour around the many sights of Stone Town, visit a spice plantation or just relax island-style and enjoy the warmth of the Indian Ocean and endless white sandy beaches.

Zanzibar is not included as part of the organised tour as most people prefer to explore this magical place on their own, or with some of their new friends from the tour. Costs can vary greatly depending on your preferred level of accommodation and the activities you choose. It is advisable to read a guide book before you go as well as speak to your guide so that you get the most out of this excursion.

Breakfast on Day 13 only.

Today you reluctantly leave Zanzibar, catch a late ferry (or flight) back to Dar es Salaam and return to your campsite at Mikadi Beach or Silversands. The evening can be spent reminiscing and exchanging stories about your adventures on the Spice Island.

Your morning starts with a long and scenic drive to Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania. If there are clear skies en-route you might see Mt Kilimanjaro. You spend the evening in Meserani Snake Park or Masi Camp preparing to explore the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Make sure that you speak with the guides about the different options available and their costs.

If you are not going in to the Serengeti, then there are many day excursions that you can book with the campsite. One of the guides will be remaining in Arusha with the truck.

Options available range from a 1-day trip to the Ngorongoro Crater, to a 3-day trip into the Serengeti. As this is for your own expense, you can match your choice of game viewing activity to your budget. Enjoy a morning game drive in the Serengeti National Park, then travel via Olduvai Gorge (the cradle of mankind) to Ngorongoro for a half-day crater tour with spectacular game viewing opportunities.

For those not going to the parks, take this opportunity to absorb some of the fascinating local culture.

Getting together again after your various game viewing activities, you spend your last night in this beautiful country swapping 'big game' stories around the campfire. Those that went on the longer excursion will only arrive back in Arusha in the late afternoon.

After crossing the border into Kenya you continue towards Nairobi and the end of your journey. Although your tour has ended, some groups like to spend this evening at a local restaurant. Carnivore, an open-air restaurant which serves a staggering variety of game meat, is always a popular choice.