Serengeti to Victoria Falls Overland: Night Stars & Spices

This G Adventures small-group trip stretches across five African countries, weaving through the Serengeti, Zanzibar and Lake Malawi to Victoria Falls. The journey begins with wildlife drives in Tanzania's Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, where the big five roam the plains and volcanic rims. Expect simple campsites with few frills, yet the chance to wake to distant animal calls.

From the savannah, the route heads to Zanzibar, where the scent of spice plantations lingers and the island’s culture takes shape in Stone Town’s labyrinthine streets. Following a ferry ride, the adventure continues to Malawi, where the calm waters of Lake Malawi invite a pause, before heading onward to the thundering Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Zambezi River, offering river rafting and a misty curtain of water that can soak watchers standing near the rim.

Travel is by overland truck and smaller safari vehicles, with shared tents or simple hotel rooms. The pace allows for long drives over rough roads, with courtesy breaks and local meals woven through. A rich variety of landscapes and cultures combine for a marathon exploration rather than a leisurely retreat.