You depart Nairobi and drive south, crossing the border into Tanzania at Namanga, and continue to Arusha. This is a pleasant town situated at the base of Mount Meru, and is the starting point for your optional excursion to the Ngorongoro Crater and/or the Serengeti.

You are taken in locally operated Land Rovers, which are specially adapted for safari use. Depending on which option you choose, you will be away from the Arusha campsite for either one or 2 nights.

If you take up the 2-night/3-day option you will depart Arusha in the morning with your vehicles and guides. The drive to the Serengeti National Park takes you through the Masai town of Mto Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) and up into the Ngorongoro Reserve for a glimpse of the Ngorongoro Crater before descending down onto the plains of the Serengeti.

The abundance of game in this area is truly astounding. The afternoon will be spent game viewing before setting up camp in the midst of the national park, probably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world.

After a full morning's game drive in the Serengeti you return to pack up camp and head back towards the Ngorongoro Crater. You travel up to rim of the crater and your campsite for the evening. We suggest you pack your winter woollies as it can get very cold during night.

For those taking the 1-night/2-day option, you are collected from Arusha in the afternoon and transferred to the town of Karatu for the evening. Tomorrow you join the rest of the group for your Ngorongoro game drive.

In the morning you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. With its 600m-high walls and 20km diameter, it is one of the natural wonders of the world.

The views from the rim are spectacular, but the true size of this caldera is only appreciated from the floor itself. There is an abundance of wildlife and some say the crater floor offers the finest game viewing in Africa.

It is home to nearly every species of African animal, and offers a chance to view an incredible concentration of East African mammals, such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lion, and plain's game.

After spending the full morning in the crater you will return to the campsite near Arusha for another night. Both optional excursions will follow the same schedule today.

You leave Arusha and head towards the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Traveling through the town of Moshi, you cross the southern slopes of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro.

This gives you the opportunity to view the snowy summit (weather dependant) and definitely calls for a photo stop! Continuing south you pass the Usambara Mountains where you encounter vast sisal plantations, then continue your journey to Dar es Salaam.

Today is another long day's drive through beautiful lush scenery and palm trees. On arrival in Dar es Salaam, you set up camp for the nigh at a beach hotel/campsite that is situated to the north of the city.

Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for your departure to Zanzibar the next morning.

A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes you to the legendary "Spice Island", your home for the next 3 nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands.

Please note: We can organize accommodation for you whilst on Zanzibar, although from our experience our clients usually feel the need to explore the island on their own. Therefore accommodation and food is for your own account whilst on Zanzibar.

History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade.

The island is still famous for its spices, and tours around a spice plantation can be organized. Other options include a trip to the nearby Prison Island with its giant tortoises. Or perhaps you would prefer hiring a motorbike and exploring the more remote areas of the island.

Zanzibar is a seafood lover's paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - giant lobsters being a popular specialty.

Leaving Zanzibar you take the ferry back to the mainland for an overnight stay in Dar es Salaam. There may be an opportunity to visit one of the craft markets offering an extensive range of exquisite ebony products (the price you pay depends on your bargaining skills), and where the goods are made on-site.

It is possible to observe the carvers at work and understand the skill which has gone into making even the simplest trinket.

Leaving Dar es Salaam you head for Iringa, passing through Mikumi National Park. It is possible to view a range of wildlife from the roadside, the animals totally impervious to humans and their vehicles.

Tonight you camp at the Old Farmhouse, a beautiful rustic campsite in rural Tanzania. Try one of the signature Amarula Hot Chocolates, they're delicious!

In the morning you drive through the scenic tea plantations of Tikuku before exiting Tanzania. You enter Malawi, the 'Warm Heart of Africa', through the border post of Songwe, and head to Chitimba Beach campsite for the night.

Malawi's temperate climate allows for swimming in these clear blue waters all year round. You spend the next 4 days travelling the full length of the western side of the lake, stopping at various bays and inlets.

This is the time for rest and relaxation in this scenic and friendly country. For the more energetic, Lake Malawi offers a variety of water sports from various beachside campsites.

Visit the nearby villages and schools and dine in the local village, haggle for a bargain at the local markets, learn the game of bao ... or simply relax on the pristine white beaches.

You cross the border into Zambia, heading to a beautiful little campsite just 10km after the Zambia/Malawi border, where you stop for the night.

The landlocked country of Zambia is quickly crossed, stopping at the capital city of Lusaka for one night. The campsite is home to some local wildlife, and has excellent facilities.

This morning you pack up camp early and travel south for Lake Kariba. You head to the western waters of the lake and your base camp for the next 2 nights.

Here you have the option of a 2-night trip on a house boat. Alternatively, you can take part in the many activities at the campsite, such as fishing, canoeing, hiking, exploring the local village or just relaxing on the tranquil banks of Lake Kariba.

House Boat option 2-nights/2-days: You board the house boats at approximately 1pm, and have lunch after you have settled yourself in. You depart the harbor at around 2pm and sail out to the Maaze River for a beautiful sunset. You overnight on the house boat.

The next day you can relax the entire day on the deck and enjoy the onboard Jacuzzi. After lunch you head to Maaze Island where you do a tour of the Crocodile Farm. Dinner is prepared on the boat while you sit back and enjoy your sundowner over the lake.

Today you cross the border into the town of Victoria Falls. 1700 meters wide and around 100 meters high, Victoria Falls is sure to be one of the most memorable sights on your African safari.

Enjoy the next days with a host of adventure activities; scenic flights, white-water rafting, bungee jumping off the Zambezi Bridge and elephant-back riding are all on offer.

Other optional activities include day trips into the Zambezi National Park, horse riding safaris, a visit to the Crocodile Ranch, or even handling snakes at the Snake Park.

Your memorable adventure comes to an end in the morning after breakfast.