5 Best Africa Overland Tours According to Ex-Tour Leader

Wondering which Africa overland tour to choose?

It’s a tough decision and everyone has the same problem – they are all amazing! However, after many years working as a tour leader, I know exactly which sections receive the best feedback. This feedback also aligns with my own personal opinion. And in this blog post, I would like to share my five best Africa Overland Tours that I think you should consider…

My 5 Best Africa Overland Tours to Consider

1.Serengeti, Falls & Cape Town

Route: Nairobi to Cape Town (40 days)

Trust me, you will not regret taking this entire journey. Every section is much different than the other and the value for money on an Africa overland tour is unrivaled. You will also avoid the FOMO (fear of missing out) that people always feel when they leave a trip early and you will never forget the bonds/friendships you form.

2. Nairobi to Serengeti & Zanzibar

Route: Nairobi to Zanzibar (13 days)

This is another one of the best overland tours in Africa. Starting in Nairobi (Kenya), the trip venture south toward Arusha, Tanzania. You will spend multiple days on a wildlife camping safari in Serengeti National Park and then finish off the trip on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar.

It has everything that you could want to experience on an Africa overland tour, from wildlife safaris and encounters with tribes to the paradise-like beaches. This part of the continent also offers a primitive taste of Africa and and travel time is minimized with the exception of the game safari drives.

3. Nairobi to Victoria Falls

Route: Nairobi to Victoria Falls (20 Days)

You begin this overland tour in the same place as the one above – Nairobi. You also get to experience some of the same highlights including Serengeti National Park and Zanzibar. The tour moves directly south through Tanzania and then into Malawi which is one of my favourite places/experiences in Africa. Depending on which tour operator you choose, you will then travel through either Zambia or Zimbabwe and finish the trip at one of the natural wonders of the world – Victoria Falls National Park.

This is the core section of an Africa overland tour in my opinion. This is because many of the group will have known each other for a few weeks and it should make for a more enjoyable/comfortable/relaxed experience. This section is also very different to the first part which is why many people book the entire trip rather than a section.

4. Masai Mara & Serengeti Camping Safari

Route: Nairobi – Masai Mara – Serengeti

For anyone short on time, this overland tour packs a lot into 10 days. You start out in Nairobi, Kenya and spend the first few days exploring the Masai Mara. The Mara is an incredible place to go on game drives and often the best place to see lion in particular. As if that’s not enough, you then travel south into Tanzania and deep into the heart of Serengeti National Park. I personally cite the Serengeti as the best place to go on safari in Africa because wildlife is easy to spot and it looks exactly like the brochure!

5. Serengeti, Zanzibar & Vic Falls

Route: Nairobi to Johannesburg

After departing Nairobi, this overland tour goes south into Tanzania where you spend a few days in Serengeti National Park. The trip continues to Zanzibar for another few days before spending approximately one week in the warm heart of Africa – Malawi! You will then venture into South Luangwa NP in Zambia and then onward to the spectacular Victoria Falls.

Thank you for reading and don’t forget to come back to my blog to make sure you know what to pack for an overland tour in Africa and where to get the best travel insurance for Africa.