Looking for Africa overland tours for less than 30 days? Friends and family will often ask me what part of Africa to visit. I always recommend East Africa because there is so much to experience on an overland tour of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. You might even include Rwanda and one month is enough time to travel between each destination without it feeling rushed. Now, let’s take a look at some of my top picks for the best overland tour in East Africa that you should consider.
Note: You will notice I recommend a specific company for these overland tours. I might receive a small commission for anything you might book through them but please know, the reason for this recommendation is because I believe their are the most reliable tour operator on the market. You can rest assured they have excellent transport, equipment and knowledgeable guides.
1. Serengeti, Gorilla Trekking and Zanzibar – 19 Days
There is so much packed into this overland tour in East Africa. You begin with an unforgettable jungle trek to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda. Then you travel across Uganda and stop at Jinja where you can kayak or whitewater raft on the infamous Nile River. I really enjoy the quad biking in Jinja because it takes you along dirt tracks through remote villages and far from the beaten path. Arriving in Tanzania, you travel deep into Serengeti National Park in search of the Big Five and down into Ngorongoro Crater for an unforgettable encounter. As if that’s not enough, you finish this overland tour in East Africa with a relaxing stay on the white beaches of Zanzibar!
Full Itinerary and details here: Serengeti, Gorilla Trekking and Zanzibar 19 Day Tour
2. Cape Town, Namibia, Botswana & Vic Falls (21 Days)
What a place to begin an overland tour in Africa – Cape Town! You travel up through winelands on this tour and eventually reach the Namib Desert and the largest canyon in Africa. Spitzkoppe is where you will experience an unforgettable desert bush camp in a mystical setting and Etosha National Park offers fantastic game drives in search of the wildlife. You will then enter Botswana and travel by mokoro (canoe) into the Okavango Delta for more bush camping. This is a truly wild experience and a great place to sleep out under the stars. Victoria Falls is the perfect place to finish any overland tour with many activities to enjoy and a spectacular sight awaits at the waterfall itself.
Full Itinerary and details here: Cape Town, Namibia, Botswana & Vic Falls 21 Day Tour
3. Serengeti, Zanzibar, Malawi & Vic Falls (20 Days)
Another action packed overland tour in East Africa that travels all the way down through Malawi and Zambia. The games drives in both Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are a highlight of any trip and the short stay in Zanzibar is a welcome break from the dusty road. You will then have the pleasure of soaking in the more primitive side of Africa in Malawi which is full to the brim of small villages with friendly locals. More games drives at South Luangwa National Park in Zambia await and once again, this overland tour finishes off at the might Victoria Falls!
Full Itinerary and details here: Serengeti, Zanzibar, Malawi & Vic Falls 20 Day Tour
4. Masai Mara, Uganda and Gorilla Trekking (15 Days)
I personally think an overland tour in East Africa offers the best first time experience. This is largely because East Africa is not as westernized as down south. In other words, you are more likely to encounter local tribes and primitive villages in between each destination. The Masai Mara is an incredible wildlife safari Jinja is great for the more physical activities like stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and whitewater rafting the Nile River. The trip highlight is a trek to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda and you then retrace a slightly different route back to the starting point in Nairobi.
Full Itinerary and details here: Masai Mara, Uganda and Gorilla Trekking 15 Day Tour
5. Botswana, Zambia, Malawi & Serengeti National Park (27 Days)
You fly into J’Burg to begin this overland tour and then return to your home country from Nairobi, Kenya which is easy to organize in terms of flights. The trip begins with visits to a rhino sanctuary and the wildness of the Okavango Delta. You then go for a game drive in Chobe National Park before a quick stopover to see the majestic Victoria Falls. I love this tour because you also get to see some of Zambia and Malawi – the warm heart of Africa. You then also have a nice break on the beaches at Zanzibar and a wonderful climax at Serengeti National Park.
Full Itinerary and details here: Botswana, Zambia, Malawi & Serengeti NP 27 Day Tour
PS. Make sure to check out my post for the best travel insurance for Africa.
