Post election Zimbabwe. On leaving Malawi we cross southern Zambia to Livingstone on the north side of the Falls.

We visit South Luangwa National Park in the southeast corner of Zambia. The park is well worth the visit; recent trips have seen; wild dogs, leopards, lions, and buffalo. We camp beside the park; park entry $25, game drives $40.

Week 1: 
We head south to Namanga and cross the border to Tanzania. We arrive in Arusha where you can take a side trip to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. The trip is camping for two nights in the parks amidst the animals. If you choose not to visit the park you can wander the markets in Arusha town. A day’s drive from Arusha brings us to Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast. Over the centuries trade between Africa and Arabia has resulted in the blending of Arabs and Africans into a beautiful Swahili (coastal) culture with wooden sailing dhows crossing the ocean, coconut plantations and fishing villages with mosques on the beaches.

Week 2: 
From Dar es Salaam you can take the ferry to Zanzibar Island. Here is the old stone capital of the Omani Sultanate, sandy beaches, spice tours, snorkelling, diving and trips to other nearby islands.  Zanzibar is a fascinating place to visit and you can stay for 3 or 4 days to take it all in.  South through Tanzania, our route takes us through Mikumi National Park where we may well see giraffe or elephant grazing beside the road.

Week 3:
Crossing the border into Malawi, we reach the shores of its huge lake. The campsites and small resorts along Lake Malawi offer sandy beaches, swimming and snorkelling, water-skiing, horse riding or walking in the surrounding countryside. You will also find markets selling beautifully carved Malawi chairs, tables and other souvenirs. In Blantyre the old capital of Malawi we get visas for the next leg. We enter Mozambique and spend a the day driving through the bush, passing villages, mud huts and small children who wave at us as they tend their herds of cows and goats. In Zimbabwe we visit the modern capital Harare, then on to Gweru and the Antelope Park. Here is the only place in the world you can walk with lion cubs, also you can swim with elephants and play polocrosse. In Bulawayo town there is Rhodes Matopos National Park, here you can walk near wild white rhino, see bushman rock paintings and see the fantastic view from Rhodes grave, the founder of modern Zimbabwe.

Days 22 to 25: 
Finally we reach the Victoria Falls where the Zambezi River plunges 100 metres down a mile wide chasm, creating one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world. The local name for the falls is 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' which means 'the smoke that thunders' and you'll soon find out why. When the river is in full flow, the falling water causes a huge roar and sends a cloud of spray up to 500 metres into the air. We stay in Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe above the falls where there is so much to see and do. Adventure activities abound - you can bungee jump, white water raft and go game-viewing on horse back. More sedate excursions include canoeing, light aircraft or helicopter flights over the Falls, and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi. Of course, the Victoria Falls themselves are the main attraction and you can walk through the rain forest along the cliff opposite for an excellent view.