
For an Africa overland safari with a myriad of experiences, landscapes and cultures in one trip, embark on our Savanna Dawn Kenya to Zimbabwe safari.
From visiting two of the worlds best known gameparks in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, lying on the white sands of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean to the fresh water of Lake Malawi and seeing one of the wonders of the world in Victoria Falls, African safari travel does not get much more varied than this. What’s more, you’ll have a real adventure while still having the time to relax.
DAY 1 - 4
Our Kenya to Zimbabwe safari begins! We depart Nairobi early morning and
immediately find ourselves in hot savannah grasslands with thorn trees
and acacia providing the only shade. We should see some game, usually zebra
and giraffe as we head south and cross into Tanzania and the town of Arusha.
Here we use a local African safari travel company to guide us through Ngorongoro
Crater and Serengeti National Parks. On the crater floor you can spend
the day viewing the abundant wildlife including Elephant, Lion, Cheetah,
White Rhino, Buffalo, Hippo, Antelope, Crocodile and Pink Flamingos. From
here you can also choose to go into the Serengeti for a day where vast
herds of wildebeest roam the plains. There is also the option, for those
who wish to visit a local Maasai Village and learn about their culture
and way of life.
DAY 5 - 9
It's one-day drive to Dar Es Salaam, and just another day in the life of
an Africa overland safari. Well pass a number of small towns and villages
along the way and, if we are lucky, we may see the towering peak of Kilimanjaro.
At Dar Es Salaam we camp for about 4 nights in a campsite on a beautiful
Indian Ocean beach. From here most people take the ferry out to Zanzibar
for the full four days and venture into the narrow bustling streets of
Stone Town and its famous spice markets, old slave forts and dungeons.
There is also time to enjoy your self on Zanzibar's famous white beaches
before returning to Dar Es Salaam.
DAY 10 - 12
After meeting the Zanzibar ferry we begin the journey through the interesting
and often mountainous hinterland of Tanzania. In the afternoon, after negotiating
some appalling roads, we pass through the peaceful Mikumi National Park.
African safari travel is synonymous with wildlife, and in this national
park we usually see Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra and Antelope from the roadside.
We now pass rivers and small waterfalls as we head for and enter Malawi
which is dominated by its huge fresh water lake.
DAY 13 - 17
The next 2 days marks the midpoint of this Kenya to Zimbabwe safari and will
be spent on a small laid back campsite on the edge of Lake Malawi. Camping
here sums up the spirit of an Africa overland tour with Oasis Overland.
From here we follow the lake shore south and spend a further 2 or 3 nights
on one of the fully equipped larger camps where you can windsurf, scuba
dive, water ski etc. If you are more inclined to just relax there is no
better place than on the shores of Lake Malawi. This really is a warm friendly
country and some people will go off for a couple of days and stay in one
of the many villages nearby, or visit a school or one of the craft markets,
where artisans produce some exquisite pieces of furniture and carvings
out of ebony and mahogany.
DAY 18 - 21
From here we continue on to Blantyre in the south of the country where we
stop for two nights. Here we organise our Mozambique visas as well as possibly
visit the local brewery - which is always eagerly anticipated! From Blantyre
we cross into Mozambique and head for Zimbabwe to continue our African
overland tour. We follow the infamous Tete Corridor which was well known
in the days of Mozambiques long running civil war as the Gun Run. Thankfully
these days things are a lot different! We enter Zimbabwe and travel to
Harare where we spend two nights to round off the first leg of the Savanna
Dawn overland safari. Those on the 21 Day Kenya to Zimbabwe tour finish
here in Harare, while those on the 31 Day tour carry on to Victoria Falls.
DAY 22 - 24
From Harare we head south to Gweru. Here we visit a privately run horse and
game ranch where you can go game viewing on elephant and horseback or even
take a walk with Lion Cubs! Its our destination for the next two days and
always a highlight!
DAY 25 - 27
From here we travel to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins which was once the greatest
medieval city in Sub Saharan Africa and where the name Zimbabwe derives
from, literally meaning house of stone. From here we continue south for
Bulawayo, where our African safari tour continues.
DAY 28 - 29
You have the option of leaving the truck for a day and a night and using
a local safari company, venture into Matobo National Park where you may
well see the elusive Black Rhino amongst hordes of other game. There is
also the opportunity to visit Cecil Rhodes' grave and Worlds End view point
before catching an bold colonial style sleeper train to meet up with the
truck again at one of the greatest adventure playgrounds of the world -
Victoria Falls.
DAY 30 – 31
For some, Mosi oa Tunya - The Smoke That Thunders, is the highlight of their
African safari. From the main road, in the bush 20 kms away, a cloud can
be seen against the blue sky. As you get closer a low rumble of thunder
can be heard. When you arrive it is a surprise to discover the enormity
of Victoria Falls. One mile wide and hurling over 5 million cubic metres
of water a minute into the Zambezi Gorge this is the setting for the most
awesome of grade 5 white water rafting in the world. There is something
here for everyone to end off this Kenya to Zimbabwe safari: a day trip
over the great Victoria Falls Bridge into Zambia with its excellent views
of the Falls, a more sedate canoe trip, the Flight of Angels over the Falls
in a light aircraft, microlite or helicopter, Sunset Boat Cruises, the
Gorge Swing, an Abseil and one of the highest commercial Bungee Jumps in
the world a perfect way to end your African experience.