Compare Vic Falls to Zanzibar by Intrepid Travel vs Robin Pope Walking Safari by Wild About Africa

Day 1 Victoria Falls

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.

Day 2 Victoria Falls

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.

Day 3 Bulawayo

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.

Day 4 Bulawayo

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.

Day 5 Masvingo

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.

Day 6 Harare

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.

Day 7 Lusaka

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.

Day 8 Petauke

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).

Day 9 South Luangwa National Park

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.

Day 10 South Luangwa National Park

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.

Day 11 Lake Malawi

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.

Day 12 Lake Malawi

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.

Day 13 Chitimba

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.

Day 14 Iringa

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.

Day 15 Mikumi National Park

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!

Day 16 Dar es Salaam

Settle in for a 7-hour drive to Kipepeo Beach, just south of Dar es Salaam. Be sure to make the most of it – perhaps take a stroll along the shore after you arrive and settle in. Your camp today is on the grounds of a hotel situated next to the beach.

Day 17 Stone Town

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.

Day 18 Zanzibar Northern Beaches

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.

Day 19 Zanzibar 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!

Day 20 Stone Town

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).

Day 1 - Mfuwe, South Luangwa National Park
After arriving at Lusaka Airport and passing through immigration, you are directed to a smaller plane for your flight transfer to Mfuwe Airport by South Luangwa National Park. The flight lasts 70 minutes and upon arrival, a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you and drive you to Nkwali Camp. The road journey takes about one hour and passes by colourful local scenes of village life, subsistence farming and the African bush. Situated on Robin Pope's private land, the lovely Nkwali Camp overlooks the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond. Ideally situated for the start of your Zambia safari, Nkwali Camp has six rooms, each with an open-air, en suite bathroom and overlooking the river. After a little time to relax and freshen up you'll join an expert safari guide on your first game drive into South Luangwa National Park. End your first day with a cool drink whilst watching the sunset, and possibly followed by a spotlit night drive.
Dinner is included at Nkwali Camp.

Day 2 - Luangwa Walking Camp
After an early breakfast, you and your group will head north to start the walking mobile safari. Robin Pope Walking Safaris have become known as the wilderness experience of the South Luangwa. To reach your location, you enjoy an interesting drive along bush tracks covering about 90kms into the northern reaches of the park and to the Mupamadzi River. You usually arrive in camp around midday, in time for a tasty lunch. The camp team travelled ahead and you'll find the camp already set up for your arrival. Accommodation is in spacious walk-in tents furnished with chairs, storage compartments, and camp beds fitted with mattresses and made up with comfortable bedding. There's time for a relaxing siesta before afternoon tea and your first sortie on foot. You'll start by exploring the area in the vicinity of the camp as there is plenty to see here. Return in time for sundowners and dinner under the stars!
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Days 3 to 6 - Luangwa Walking Camps
Each morning you will rise early and head out on a walking safari at sunrise in order to make the most of the cool morning air. The area you explore with your knowledgeable guide is remote and wild, the terrain and habitats varied and the wildlife curious and unused to man. Walking safaris aren't route marches; they're about taking a time to spot signs of wildlife and learn how the ecosystems work. From ants to buffalo, a bird's nest to tracking a lion, you will stop often to discover the many facets of the bush with your safari guide. Usually, the group will return to camp for lunch and a siesta before afternoon tea. Then head out on a shorter walk in the afternoon, returning to camp as the sun sets over the horizon.

Whilst you explore, the camp team may pack up your tents and move on to set up in a new location. When you arrive at the new spot hungry for lunch, you'll find everything laid out and ready for you. The mobile camp is typically moved three times during the five nights on your walking safari. The exact number of times the move is made, and where the new camp is set up is dependent on wildlife movements at the time of your visit.

During the walking safari, you will slowly make your way along the Mupamadzi River, a major tributary to the Luangwa River. Each walk will be led by your Robin Pope Walking Safaris guide who is an experienced naturalist and qualified walking guide. He will be accompanied by an armed game scout as required by Zambia national park regulations.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 7 - Tena or Nsefu, Nsefu Sector
After an early breakfast, it's time to hop in a safari vehicle for the four to five-hour transfer drive back through the bush to the Luangwa River and the crossing point into the park's Nsefu sector. In 1949, the Senior Chief Nsefu established a private game reserve on the Luangwa River's eastern bank. This has since been absorbed into the boundaries of the present-day South Luangwa National Park and is known as the Nsefu sector. Upon reaching the river, you'll be met by the camp staff and transferred across by boat. From there it's a short drive to your comfortable accommodation at either the lovely Nsefu Camp or smart Tena Camp.

Nsefu was the first safari camp in Zambia. Dating back to the early fifties, it is one of four safari camps in South Luangwa that belongs to Robin Pope Safaris. Accommodation at Nsefu would be in en-suite thatched rondavels built on wooden platforms, whilst accommodation at Tena Camp, also Robin Pope Safaris, would be in large walk-in en-suite safari tents. Each camp overlooks the Luangwa River and has a small waterhole nearby which attracts a variety of thirsty game. Which camp you stay at will depend on the safari departure date - talk to us at Wild about Africa for details.

When you arrive you will be shown to your tent and given time to freshen up before lunch. Then there's time to relax before the afternoon and evening game drive. Time to rest those weary legs!!
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 8 - Flight home
After breakfast, you will be transferred through rural Zambia to Mfuwe Airport - a drive lasting about two hours. Arrive in time to meet your flight to Lusaka and check in for your international flight home.
Includes breakfast & lunch.

Note: It is possible to add more time on at one Nkwali Camp at the beginning of the safari and/or Tena or Nsefu Camp at the end of the safari. Speak to us at Wild about Africa for more information and the costs for this option.