26-Day 4-Country 4×4 Overland Safari

We’ve named this guided self drive expedition “Dr Livingstone… I presume”. It’s the perfect getaway for those who want to explore Nairobi, Kenya and Livingstone, Zambia. You’ll game drive through the Masai Mara Reserve and watch for lions and the great Wildebeest Migration. See Amboseli National Park with its herds of elephants with Mt. Kilimanjaro as a majestic backdrop, spending a night on the slopes of the mountain overlooking Lake Chala. Travel to the spice island of Zanzibar, lake Malawi and the historic town of Livingstonia, South Luangwa National Park, and finally the mighty Victoria Falls.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY…

Hi Debs. We arrived in Livingstone safely and with smiles!! Just wanted to say a big thanks for all your help since the beginning of the year – and the million emails. We had an amazing time with everyone and an unforgettable experience. Jan and Amos were very helpful along the way – Jan in particular – getting me comfortable with the car. He is a gun! To say thanks Bel and I put together a short vid of the trip that you can use with potential future clients (if you like it of course!). http://vimeo.com/tomhordn/africa2014 Thanks again and hopefully we find our way back to africa again.

Safari Tour Highlights

• Drive a 4WD 4,500kms through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia, East Africa’s most interesting and exciting countries
• Witness the Great Migration, the greatest natural wildlife phenomenon on earth, with the extraordinary movement of 2 million wildebeest and zebra migrating to the Masai Mara game reserve
• Watch the sun set over Mt Kilimanjaro as Elephants wander by
• Relax on the romantic spice island of Zanzibar
• Enjoy the peaceful tranquillity of Lake Malawi
• Test your 4WD driving skills on a challenging track to Livingstonia
• Seek out rare nocturnal wildlife in South Luangwa National Park
• Experience the incredible “smoke that thunders” of Victoria Falls

Dr. Livingstone Self Drive Safari Itinerary

(Click here for the full-length safari itinerary)

Day 1: David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Karen Blixen Museum

We begin our self drive odyssey across 4 countries in Nairobi, Kenya, with a visit to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to meet up to 30 orphaned elephants on a journey back to the wild. We then visit the Karen Blixen Museum, the original home of Karen Blixen, author of “Out of Africa”.

Day 2 – 3: Masai Mara National Reserve

Bidding farewell to Nairobi, we head for the bush and the wide African savannah of the Masai Mara National Reserve. We spend our time game driving and witnessing the spectacular movement of 2 million wildebeest and zebra as they venture to graze on the sweet grasslands of the Mara, followed closely by lions, hyenas and cheetah. If we are lucky, we will witness first-hand the remarkable river crossings where crocodiles wait patiently for their once a year meal.

Day 4: The Great Rift Valley

We enjoy an early morning game drive before our safari takes us to the Masai Mara for the unspoilt Champagne Ridge where we are hosted by Debs and Thiemo, Africa Expedition Support Directors. We share a meal together and chat about East Africa while watching the sun set over the Great Rift Valley.

Day 5: Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National park is a small park in comparison to other parks we visit; however, it is nothing short of spectacular. Mt Kilimanjaro, at an imposing 5,985m above sea level, offers a stunning backdrop to herds of elephants, giraffe, impala and many other wildlife. The lake in the centre of the park offers a refuge for an abundance of birdlife. We spend the afternoon game driving at leisure.

Day 6: Game Drive and the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro

Our day begins with an early morning game drive before driving up the side of Mt Kilimanjaro to the border of Tanzania. Crossing the border it is only a short drive to Marangu, on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro and our home for the night.

Day 7 – 8: Dar es Salaam

The next 2 days we safari drive through sisal plantations, tropical forests and open plains as we make our way to Dar es Salaam. The driving days are not hectic so there is plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, and stop to chat with locals selling everything from fruit and vegetables to furniture on the side of the road.

Day 9 – 11: Zanzibar – Beaches, Sun and Enchantment

Arriving in Zanzibar by hydrofoil we immediately feel like we have entered another world, with stunning beaches, warm sunny days and welcoming Zanzibarians. We immediately fall in love with her charm. With time to relax, explore Stone Town and take in a spice tour we will savour our time on this enchanting island.

Day 12 – 13: Mikumi National Park and Baobab Valley

After a relaxing morning and some last minute shopping, we catch the ferry back to the mainland and rejoin our 4x4s. The following day we continue our safari drive through Tanzania toward Malawi. We will be amazed at the diversity as we travel through Mikumi National Park and Baobab Valley to the rich dairy and produce farming area of Iringa.

Day 14 – 15: Iringa

Iringa is one of the oldest farming areas in Tanzania, dotted with an assortment of commercial to subsistence farms. As this is a farming rich area, the scenery changes every few minutes from open lush green fields with dairy cows to pine tree plantations. We spend our final night in Tanzania in the highlands at the best hotel in town!

Day 16 – 17: Livingstonia

Descending from the highlands in Tanzania to the lowlands of Malawi the change in scenery is amazing. We immediately feel the climate change to tropical as we see bananas and mangoes hanging off trees along the side of the road. We take a 4×4 track to the historical town of Livingstonia, a hidden gem in the Malawian highlands overlooking Lake Malawi.

Day 18 – 19: Lake Malawi

We have 2 nights on the shores of Lake Malawi at Kande Beach, a beachside location popular with tourists and locals alike. Lake Malawi is home to 800 species of rare Cichlid and other tropical fish. It’s an amazing opportunity to go snorkelling or diving in this fresh water lake. Or take a walk through the village, visit a local school or simply lie in a hammock and read a good book.

Day 20: Nkhotakota Wildife Reserve

Today’s drive from Kande beach across the Zambian border to Chipata is nothing short of stunning, from vibrant villages to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve with its tropical rainforest, grassy savannah and unique birdlife.

Day 21 – 22: South Luangwa National Park

The first thing you notice when safari driving in Zambia is the dramatic change in scenery from the lush green of Malawi to the drier landscape of Zambia. South Luangwa National Park is Zambia’s hidden gem, with one of the richest concentrations of wildlife in Africa including species unique to this region like Thornicrofts giraffe, Crooksons wildebeest, and Crawshays zebra, it is also one of the few game parks where we can game drive at night, a rare opportunity to spot nocturnal animals like aardvark, bush baby, serval cats, genets and civets.

Day 23 – 24: Lusaka

We continue our journey across Zambia to the capital, Lusaka. As we traverse the country side we pass cotton, sunflower and tobacco plantations. Lusaka is a cosmopolitan city with western shopping malls, fabulous restaurants and every amenity one could desire, Lusaka’s wealth came about through the rich copper mines in the north of the country.

Day 25 – 26: Victoria Falls and Livingstone

Our final destination is the Victoria Falls in Livingstone. Victoria Falls is the most spectacular waterfalls in the World, spanning an unbelievable 1708 meters (5600 feet) wide and dropping 100 meters (330 feet) into the gorge below. We witness this phenomenon first hand. In the evening we enjoy a sundowner while watching the sun set over the Zambezi River, the source of the Victoria Falls.

Dates and Prices

Nairobi to Livingstone – Due to COVID no trips will operate before 2022

DATES	LAND PRICE	LOCAL PAYMENT
18 July – 12 Aug 2023 –  fully booked	Adult USD$3495 Child USD$1500	Adult USD$2,400 Child USD$2,400
18 July – 12 Aug 2024 –  places available	Adult USD$3845 Child USD$1500	Adult USD$2,400 Child USD$2,400
18 July – 12 Aug 2025	Adult USD$3845 Child USD$1500	Adult USD$2,400 Child USD$2,400

Livingstone to Nairobi

DATES	LAND PRICE	LOCAL PAYMENT
19 Aug – 15 Sep 2023 places available	Adult USD$3495 Child USD$1500	Adult USD$2,400 Child USD$2,400
19 Aug – 15 Sep 2024 – places available	Adult USD$3845 Child USD$1500	Adult USD$2,400 Child USD$2,400
19 Aug – 15 Sept 2025	Adult USD$3845 Child USD$1500	Adult USD$2,400 Child USD$2,400

Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing 1 vehicle. The trips costs are split into 2 sections, Land Price and Local Payment.

Land Price: A 20% non refundable deposit secures your vehicle.  The remainder is payable in full 90 days prior to departure. This is payable in United States Dollars (USD$)

Local Payment: Is payable on day 1 of your expedition directly to the crew. This is payable in post-dated 2013 USD$ Cash only.

Please note there is a bond of USD$1,500 per vehicle, this will be added to the invoice to be paid with the final payment. Once the vehicle and equipment has been inspected at the end of the expedition, and should there be no unreasonable damage, or claim from a third party the bond will be refunded.

Dr. Livingstone Safari Package includes:

• 4×4 overland Land Rover vehicle (max 2 people per vehicle or 2 adults and 2 children)
• Fuel, Road tolls, spare parts, international vehicle paperwork, ferries as per the itinerary
• Camping equipment (tent, camp beds, director camping chairs)
• Kitchen and cooking equipment
• Guide/lead vehicle
• Experienced expedition crew
• Meals while camping
• Accommodation – 8 nights hotels, 19 nights camping
• Maps and local information
• Return ferry to Zanzibar
• 

  This little cheetah is very curious while mum makes sure her cub is safe in the Masai Mara National Reserve

  Spice Tour, Zanzibar

• Entrance fees
• Victoria Falls National Park, Zambia
• South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
• Mikumi National Park, Tanzania
• Return ferry to Zanzibar
• Spice Tour, Zanzibar
• Lake Chala, Tanzania
• Amboseli National Park, Kenya
• Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya
• David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Kenya
• Karen Blixen Museum, Kenya

Dr. Livingstone Safari Package excludes:

• International driving permit
• Meals while in hotels, lunches while in same campsite for more than 1 day
• Visas (Kenya USD$50, Tanzania USD$50, Malawi USD$75, Zambia USD$50)
• Sleeping bag
• Flights
• Personal comprehensive travel insurance
• Personal spending money
• Minor or adventure activities en-route (white water rafting, walking with lions, ballooning Masai Mara etc)
• Drinks and snacks

BOOK THIS SAFARI NOW!