Self-Launched Zanzibar, Victoria Falls & Kruger: 22-Day Southern & East Africa Adventure

Arrive into Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and transfer to your hostel in Stone Town. Spend the day exploring the UNESCO-listed labyrinth of bazaars, Arab houses, and carved wooden doorways on foot — no guide needed. As the sun drops, grab a sundowner at one of the rooftop bars on the seafront such as Forodhani Gardens. Budget hostels like Zanzibar Coffee House Backpackers or Flamingo Guesthouse offer dorms from ~£12/night.

🚌Airport to Stone Town by dala-dala or shared taxi (~£2–5)

🛏Zanzibar Coffee House Backpackers or similar Stone Town hostel (~£12–18/night dorm)

• →Self-guided walking tour of Stone Town's bazaars and markets
• →Sunset cocktail at Forodhani Gardens seafront
• →Optional: Book a Spice Tour via GetYourGuide (~£20)

Take a shared dala-dala from Stone Town's Darajani terminal north to Nungwi (~1.5 hrs, ~£2). Check into a budget beach bungalow or hostel — Nungwi Dream or similar options from ~£15/night. Spend the afternoon swimming in the turquoise shallows and watching dhow builders at the traditional boatyard.

🚌Dala-dala Stone Town to Nungwi (~£2)

🛏Nungwi Dream Bungalows or similar beach hostel (~£15–20/night)

• →Dhow boatyard visit at Nungwi
• →Swimming at Nungwi Beach
• →Optional: Book a snorkelling day trip via GetYourGuide (~£25–35)

A free day to relax on one of East Africa's most beautiful beaches. Book a snorkelling trip to Mnemba Atoll via a local operator on the beach (~£30–35) or take a sunset dhow cruise. Seafood is cheap and plentiful at local beach shacks (~£5–8 per meal).

🚌None needed

🛏Nungwi Dream Bungalows or similar (~£15–20/night)

• →Optional: Snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll (book directly on the beach, ~£30–35)
• →Optional: Dolphin excursion from Kizimkazi (~£30)
• →Relax and explore local food stalls

Take the dala-dala back to Stone Town, then the Azam Marine or Coastal Fast Ferry to Dar es Salaam (~£10–15, 2 hrs). Book ahead online at azammarine.com. Arrive in Dar and check into a budget guesthouse near the bus terminal — Luther House Hostel or Jambo Inn are reliable options (~£15–20/night). Get an early night as Day 5 is a long drive day.

🚌Dala-dala to Stone Town (~£2), Azam Marine fast ferry to Dar es Salaam (~£12)

🛏Luther House Hostel or Jambo Inn, Dar es Salaam (~£15–20/night)

• →Ferry crossing Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
• →Explore Dar es Salaam city centre briefly

Catch an early bus from Ubungo bus terminal toward Morogoro/Iringa — buses pass through Mikumi (~4 hrs, ~£6). Mikumi National Park straddles the main Tanzam Highway, so wildlife viewing (zebra, elephant, giraffe) is often possible from the roadside. If you want a proper game drive, book a half-day 4x4 safari at the park gate on arrival (~£40–60 per person in a shared group vehicle). Camp at Mikumi Wildlife Camp or Tan-Swiss Lodge campsite (~£8–12/night camping).

🚌Ubungo bus terminal Dar to Mikumi (~£6, ~4 hrs)

🛏Mikumi Wildlife Camp campsite or Tan-Swiss Lodge camping (~£8–12/night)

• →Road journey through Mikumi National Park with roadside wildlife spotting
• →Optional: Half-day game drive in open 4x4 (book at park gate, ~£40–60 shared)

Continue south by bus toward Iringa (~2 hrs from Mikumi, ~£4) then arrange local transport or a guesthouse transfer to Kisolanza Farm on the Tanzam Highway. This working farm offers budget camping and simple rooms in a beautiful highland setting. Walk to the nearby Baobab Valley to see enormous ancient baobab trees — a self-guided walk is easy and free.

🚌Bus Mikumi to Iringa area (~£4), local matatu to Kisolanza (~£3)

🛏Kisolanza Farm campsite or budget room (~£15–25/night)

• →Self-guided walk to Baobab Valley
• →Explore Kisolanza working farm
• →Enjoy home-cooked meals at the farm

Travel by bus southwest toward Mbeya (~3 hrs, ~£5), passing through spectacular highland scenery of the Mbeya Range and glimpses of the East African Rift Valley escarpment. Stop at or near the Utengule Coffee Estate for a self-guided or guided coffee plantation tour with roasting demonstration and tasting (bookable at the estate, ~£8). Stay near Mbeya in a budget guesthouse.

🚌Bus Kisolanza/Iringa to Mbeya (~£5, ~3 hrs)

🛏Mbeya Sunrise Hotel or similar budget guesthouse (~£15–20/night)

• →Views of the East African Rift Valley from the highland road
• →Coffee plantation tour with roasting demo and tasting at Utengule (~£8)

Take an early bus from Mbeya to the Songwe border crossing into Malawi (~1.5 hrs, ~£3). Cross on foot and pick up a Malawian visa on arrival (~£40 for UK/EU citizens). On the Malawi side, take a minibus north toward Karonga and then toward Chitimba or Nkhata Bay on Lake Malawi (~3–4 hrs, ~£5). Do a cultural village walk in the late afternoon. Budget guesthouses and campsites line the lake shore from ~£8/night.

🚌Bus Mbeya to Songwe border (~£3), minibus into Malawi to lake shore (~£5)

🛏Lukwe Eco Camp or Chitimba Camp (camping ~£8–12/night or dorm ~£10)

• →Malawi border crossing at Songwe
• →Cultural village walk near the lake
• →Optional: Visit local craft market and try woodcarving

If heading to Nkhata Bay, take a minibus south along the lake shore (~2 hrs, ~£4) passing through rubber plantations and the market town of Mzuzu — stop here to pick up supplies and browse the local market. Arrive at Nkhata Bay and check into a lakeside campsite or budget hostel such as Butterfly Space or Mayoka Village. Swim in the crystal-clear lake — it's bilharzia-risk-managed in designated swimming areas.

🚌Minibus via Mzuzu to Nkhata Bay (~£4, ~2 hrs)

🛏Mayoka Village or Butterfly Space, Nkhata Bay (dorm/camping ~£8–14/night)

• →Scenic minibus ride through rubber plantations
• →Market visit in Mzuzu for supplies
• →Swimming in Lake Malawi at designated safe area

A full free day on the shores of the 'Lake of Stars'. Kayak hire is available directly from your guesthouse (~£5–8/hr). Book a snorkelling trip to see colourful cichlid fish via your hostel (~£15–20). The Livingstonia Day Hike up the escarpment can be arranged from nearby Chitimba (~£5 guide fee). White water rafting on the Zambezi is better saved for Livingstone — here enjoy the gentler lake pace.

🚌None needed

🛏Mayoka Village or Butterfly Space (~£8–14/night)

• →Kayak hire on Lake Malawi (~£5–8/hr)
• →Snorkelling trip for cichlid fish (~£15–20)
• →Optional: Waterfall hike or village walk (free–£5)
• →Optional: Livingstonia Day Hike from Chitimba (~£5 guide)

Take a southbound bus from Nkhata Bay via Nkhotakhota Game Reserve — the road runs through the reserve and wildlife (elephant, buffalo) can sometimes be spotted from the window. Continue to Lilongwe and then toward the Mchinji/Chipata border crossing into Zambia (~8–10 hrs total, ~£10–12). Cross into Zambia and stay overnight near Chipata.

🚌Bus Nkhata Bay to Lilongwe (~£5), bus Lilongwe to Chipata (~£5–7)

🛏Mama Rula's Guesthouse, Chipata or similar (~£15–20/night)

• →Bus journey through Nkhotakhota Game Reserve with roadside wildlife viewing
• →Zambia border crossing at Mchinji/Chipata

Early morning bus from Chipata to Lusaka, Zambia's capital (~6 hrs, ~£8). The road passes through Luangwa Valley farmland and the town of Petauke. Arrive in Lusaka mid-afternoon; Lusaka Backpackers is a reliable, sociable hostel with a pool and campsite. Use the evening to pick up Zimbabwean eVisa online (~£30) if not already done.

🚌Bus Chipata to Lusaka (~£8, ~6 hrs)

🛏Lusaka Backpackers (~£12–16/night dorm)

• →Long bus journey through Zambian countryside
• →Arrive and settle in Lusaka
• →Apply for Zimbabwe eVisa online if needed (~£30)

Take a morning bus or shared minibus from Lusaka's Intercity bus terminal south to Livingstone (~6 hrs, ~£8). Arrive by late afternoon. Check into Jollyboys Backpackers or Fawlty Towers — both legendary backpacker hostels steps from the Falls and packed with fellow independent travellers. Walk to Victoria Falls town centre to book optional activities for the next few days.

🚌Bus Lusaka to Livingstone (~£8, ~6 hrs)

🛏Jollyboys Backpackers or Fawlty Towers, Livingstone (~£12–18/night dorm)

• →Arrive in Livingstone
• →Walk to booking offices to arrange optional activities for Days 14–16
• →Sunset drink by the Zambezi

Buy your Victoria Falls entry ticket at the gate (~£20 for Zambia side). Walk along the gorge rim for spectacular spray-drenched views of Mosi-oa-Tunya. Book a Zambezi Sunset Cruise via a local operator or GetYourGuide (~£50–60). The afternoon is yours — the famous Devil's Pool (a natural infinity pool on the lip of the Falls) is accessible via Tongabezi or River Club in high-water season (~£90 including boat transfer).

🚌Walk or short taxi to falls (~£2)

🛏Jollyboys Backpackers or Fawlty Towers (~£12–18/night dorm)

• →Victoria Falls entry — Zambia side (~£20)
• →Walk the gorge rim viewpoints
• →Zambezi Sunset Cruise (~£50–60, book locally)

This is your big adventure day. The Gorge Swing (~£55), bungee jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge (~£100), and white water rafting on the Zambezi (~£130) are all bookable through Bundu Adventures or Safari Par Excellence. A half-day canoe safari upstream is a quieter alternative (~£80). Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park game walk including rhino tracking is bookable via the park (~£75). Mix and match based on your budget.

🚌Walk or taxi to activity departure points (~£2–5)

🛏Jollyboys Backpackers or Fawlty Towers (~£12–18/night dorm)

• →Optional: Victoria Falls bungee jump (~£100, book via Shearwater/Bundu Adventures)
• →Optional: Gorge swing (~£55)
• →Optional: White water rafting on Zambezi (~£130)
• →Optional: Mosi-oa-Tunya rhino walk (~£75)

Use this buffer day for any remaining bucket-list activities, recovery, or simply exploring the Zambia–Zimbabwe border area. The Full Day Canoe Safari (~£105) is a tranquil wildlife experience. A helicopter or microlight flight over the Falls (~£120–150) is a jaw-dropping splurge. Alternatively, cross the bridge briefly into Zimbabwe to see the Falls from the other side (Zimbabwe entry fee ~£30).

🚌Short taxi or walk (~£2–5)

🛏Jollyboys Backpackers or Fawlty Towers (~£12–18/night dorm)

• →Optional: Full day canoe safari on Zambezi (~£105)
• →Optional: Microlight/helicopter flight over Victoria Falls (~£120–150)
• →Optional: Cross into Zimbabwe briefly for Falls view from Zimbabwe side (~£30 entry)

Walk across the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge into Zimbabwe (have your eVisa ready, ~£30). From Victoria Falls town, take a Pathfinder or City Link express coach to Bulawayo (~6 hrs, ~£12). Arrive and check into a budget guesthouse or hostel such as Bulawayo Club or Burke's Paradise. Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second city with a relaxed pace and colonial-era architecture.

🚌Walk across bridge (free), coach Victoria Falls to Bulawayo (~£12, ~6 hrs)

🛏Burke's Paradise or Bulawayo Club guesthouse (~£15–22/night)

• →Walk across Victoria Falls Bridge into Zimbabwe
• →Coach journey to Bulawayo through Hwange corridor

Hire a local taxi or arrange a day tour from Bulawayo to Matobo National Park (~35 km, ~£15 return by shared taxi or negotiated hire car). The park is famous for its dramatic granite kopjes (balancing rocks), ancient San Bushman rock art, and one of the highest concentrations of black and white eagles in the world. A nature drive is doable by hiring a park vehicle at the gate (~£30 shared). A wilderness walk with a ranger can be booked at the gate (~£10–15). Cecil Rhodes is buried at World's View — a free walk up.

🚌Taxi/shared hire Bulawayo to Matobo and back (~£15)

🛏Burke's Paradise or Bulawayo Club guesthouse (~£15–22/night)

• →Wilderness walk in Matobo National Park with ranger (~£10–15 at gate)
• →Nature/game drive in Matobo (~£30 shared park vehicle)
• →Visit Cecil Rhodes grave at World's View
• →San Bushman rock art sites

Take an early Pathfinder or Intercape coach from Bulawayo to the Beitbridge border crossing on the Limpopo River (~4 hrs, ~£12). Cross into South Africa on foot and take a connecting minibus toward Louis Trichardt or Tshipise (~2 hrs, ~£5). Tshipise is known for its naturally hot mineral springs — the Forever Tshipise Spa Resort offers day access and camping, and an evening soak in the heated outdoor pool is a blissful reward after the border crossing grind.

🚌Coach Bulawayo to Beitbridge (~£12, ~4 hrs), minibus to Tshipise (~£5)

🛏Forever Tshipise Resort campsite (~£10–15/night) or budget guesthouse nearby

• →Beitbridge border crossing — Limpopo River crossing into South Africa
• →Evening swim in natural hot mineral pools at Tshipise (~£5 day pass)

Travel by minibus or prearranged shuttle toward the northern reaches of Kruger National Park via Giyani or Phalaborwa (~3 hrs, ~£10–15 shared). Enter via the Phalaborwa Gate. Self-drive game viewing within Kruger is possible if you rent a car (~£35–50/day, bookable via Avis/Budget at Phalaborwa airport), or join a shared sunrise game drive from your camp. Stay at Letaba or Mopani rest camp inside Kruger (SANParks-run, from ~£15/night camping, book ahead at sanparks.org).

🚌Minibus/shuttle to Phalaborwa Gate (~£10–15), optional car hire (~£35–50/day)

🛏Letaba or Mopani SANParks Rest Camp campsite (~£15–20/night, book at sanparks.org)

• →Self-drive entry into Kruger National Park (~£20 park entry + £3 conservation levy per day)
• →Afternoon game drive within the park
• →Settle into SANParks rest camp

Today is your full Kruger day. If you've hired a car, self-drive the famous H1-6, S100, and Letaba River roads for the best chance of all Big Five. Alternatively, book a shared full-day guided open 4x4 game drive with a professional guide via GetYourGuide or directly at the camp reception (~£60–80 per person). Have lunch at the Letaba rest camp restaurant. Evenings in Kruger are magical — join a night drive (~£20, book at camp reception) for lions, leopards, and hyenas.

🚌Self-drive within park or guided vehicle

🛏Letaba or Mopani SANParks Rest Camp (~£15–20/night)

• →Full day Kruger National Park game drive — self-drive or shared guided open 4x4 (~£60–80 shared guide)
• →Lunch at Letaba rest camp restaurant (~£8–12)
• →Optional: Night drive from camp (~£20, book at reception)

Exit Kruger via Phalaborwa or Orpen Gate and catch a prebooked Baz Bus, Intercape coach, or shared shuttle to Pretoria (~4–5 hrs, ~£15–20). Alternatively, if flying home from OR Tambo (Johannesburg), shared shuttles run door-to-door. Arrive in Pretoria in the afternoon — the Hatfield district has excellent backpacker hostels like Hatfield Backpackers if you need a final night. Congratulations — 22 days, five countries, one epic self-launched adventure.

🚌Shuttle or Intercape coach Kruger/Phalaborwa to Pretoria (~£15–20, ~4–5 hrs)

🛏Hatfield Backpackers, Pretoria (~£14–18/night dorm) if needed

• →Final morning game drive or early exit from Kruger
• →Coach or shuttle transfer to Pretoria