Malawi

This self-launched version of Acacia Adventure Holidays' classic 22-day overland journey takes you from Zanzibar's spice-scented alleyways and white-sand beaches, through rural Tanzania and Malawi's lake shores, on to the thundering Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe's ancient Matobo Hills, and finally into the big-five wilderness of South Africa's Kruger National Park — ending in Pretoria. Instead of a guided overland truck, you'll string this route together using local buses, shared minibuses (dala-dalas), and budget shuttles, staying in well-rated hostels and budget guesthouses along the way. All major activities — game drives, national park entries, Victoria Falls — are bookable independently via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct with local operators. Costs are approximate estimates per person based on current backpacker rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,409

A self-launched, independent version of G Adventures' 55-day Cape Town to Nairobi overland epic — same route through nine countries, same big-ticket experiences (Sossusvlei dunes, Etosha, Okavango Delta mokoro, Victoria Falls, Lake Malawi, Zanzibar, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Masai Mara, Bwindi gorilla trek, chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu, Jinja). Instead of paying for a Lando truck, crew and camping package, you piece it together with Intercape/Greyhound-style coaches in South Africa, shared 4x4 shuttles and minibuses in Namibia, local safari operators in Botswana/Zambia/Tanzania/Kenya/Uganda, budget hostels, guesthouses and campsite dorm tents. The single biggest fixed cost is the Bwindi mountain gorilla permit (USD 800 in peak season) — book it directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority well in advance. All costs are approximate budget-traveller estimates in GBP.

Travel Crew

~£3,685

A self-launched version of Acacia's 29-day Kruger-to-Serengeti accommodated overland trip. You'll do the same arc — Kruger, Matobo rhino tracking, Victoria Falls, South Luangwa, Lake Malawi, Zanzibar and the Serengeti/Ngorongoro circuit — using local minibus taxis, intercity coaches, overnight trains, ferries and self-booked day tours, with hostels and budget guesthouses instead of the overland truck's lodges. This is the most logistically demanding route on the continent, so build in buffer days where possible and book park permits and safari day-trips a few days ahead. Costs are approximate per-person backpacker rates in GBP.

Travel Crew

~£3,150

A do-it-yourself reconstruction of G Adventures' 20-day "Victoria Falls & Serengeti Overland" camping trip — Victoria Falls, the Zambian bush and South Luangwa, Lake Malawi's beaches, the Tanzanian highlands, Zanzibar's Stone Town and beaches, then Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safaris finishing in Nairobi. Instead of a Lando truck and crew of CEOs and cooks, you'll use local buses, minibuses, the Azam ferry and shared safari-camp shuttles, staying in hostels, campsites and guesthouses. This is a long, bumpy, brilliant overland route — the key trade-off is that self-booking public transport takes more time and patience than a private truck, so allow flexibility at borders (Songwe/Kasumulu and Namanga). Costs are approximate 2025 backpacker rates in GBP.

Travel Crew

~£1,370

A self-launched version of G Adventures' 20-day Victoria Falls to Nairobi camping overland — same route, same parks, same Zanzibar time, but strung together with public buses, minibuses, shared 4x4 safari hires, local guides and hostel/campsite nights instead of a Lando truck and participation-camping crew. You'll cross Zimbabwe → Zambia → Malawi → Tanzania → Kenya on the ground, sleep in dorms and safari tents, self-drive nothing but organise everything yourself via GetYourGuide, local operators and direct campsite booking. Roughly £1,450–1,750 all-in versus ~£2,100+ for the commercial tour, with the big-ticket items being the Serengeti/Ngorongoro 4x4 safari and the Zanzibar ferry. Costs are approximate backpacker rates (2025/26) and exclude international flights, visas and personal spending.

Travel Crew

~£1,580

A self-launched version of Intrepid's 19-day Zanzibar to Victoria Falls overland trip. You'll start in Stone Town, snorkel the northern beaches of Zanzibar, safari in Mikumi and South Luangwa, chill on Lake Malawi, cross Zambia and Zimbabwe by public bus and train, and finish under the spray of Victoria Falls. Instead of a guided overland truck, you piece the route together with dala-dalas, ferries, buses and shared taxis — booking safaris and rhino tracking through local lodges and operators in each place. Expect more logistics and earlier mornings, but the same wildlife, beaches and scenery for roughly half the price.

Travel Crew

~£1,275

A self-launched version of Oasis Overland's epic 94-day Nairobi to Johannesburg expedition. Rather than a guided overland truck with a compulsory local payment, you'll string together the same circuit using local buses, shared minibuses (matatus/dala-dalas), domestic flights and the occasional cheap shuttle — booking game drives, gorilla permits, boat cruises and activities directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. You'll stay in backpacker hostels, guesthouses and campsites, wild camp or lodge near the parks, and move at your own pace. This is a big, demanding, rewarding overland-style trip best suited to confident solo travellers who enjoy slow travel and Africa's spectacular wildlife and landscapes. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget estimates in GBP.

Travel Crew

~£4,950

A self-launched version of Absolute Africa's 54-day Nairobi-to-Victoria Falls overland expedition. You'll follow the same route through 7 countries — Kenya's Rift Valley and Masai Mara, Uganda's Nile and savannah parks, Rwanda's Kigali, Tanzania's Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar, then down through Malawi, Zambia's South Luangwa and Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls. Instead of a guided overland truck, you'll string together local buses, shared shuttles, matatus, ferries and the occasional budget safari vehicle, booking activities directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. Costs below are backpacker-level estimates per person and exclude the big optional extras (gorilla permits, balloon safaris).

Travel Crew

~£4,050

A self-launched 27-day overland adventure from Nairobi to Johannesburg, mirroring G Adventures' "East Africa to South Africa Overland Safari & Participation Camping" using public transport, shared shuttles, budget safari operators, and self-catering camping. Cross 7 countries, camp under the stars, track the Big Five in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Chobe and Kruger, beach-hop on Zanzibar, and stand in the spray of Victoria Falls. This is a self-arranged equivalent: you book each leg yourself, join group safaris locally, and stay in hostels, campsites and simple guesthouses. Costs are approximate GBP per person.

Travel Crew

~£1,610

A self-launched version of Absolute Africa's legendary 54-day overland journey from Nairobi to Cape Town, crossing eight countries through East and Southern Africa. Instead of travelling in a group truck with a guide and crew, you'll piece together the same epic route using local buses, shared taxis and budget safaris — chasing elephants at Sheldrick's orphanage in Nairobi, game-driving the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, island-hopping on Zanzibar, paddling Lake Malawi, tracking rhinos at Matopos, rafting the Zambezi at Victoria Falls, cruising Chobe, mokoro-ing through the Okavango Delta, spotting lions in Etosha, and dune-surfing the Sossusvlei and Fish River Canyon before finishing in Cape Town. Far cheaper than the group tour (which adds a proportionate cost to the 54-night equivalent of the standard fare), but it demands real planning, patience and a spirit of adventure. Cost estimates are approximate and based on typical backpacker rates.

Travel Crew

~£2,800

An epic 56-day self-launched overland adventure from Cape Town to Nairobi, taking in 10 countries across southern and eastern Africa. You'll visit iconic landmarks including the Namib Desert, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, Zanzibar, Serengeti, and track mountain gorillas in Uganda — all at a fraction of the group tour cost. Replace the guided truck with a mix of local buses, shared shuttles, public ferries, and self-booked park transfers. Camp at backpacker sites and budget guesthouses throughout. Gorilla and chimp permits must be booked well in advance directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£3,850