As our journey begins, we gather in the welcoming town of Kasane, where everyone converges for a relaxed first evening. There’s no rush—those arriving from Johannesburg settle in by late afternoon, and if cooking feels like a chore, Kasane’s local restaurant offers an easy welcome meal.

The next morning, our adventure truly begins as we travel north, crossing into Zambia and heading toward Livingstone. Here, we immerse ourselves in the awe-inspiring sights of Victoria Falls and the vibrant atmosphere of Livingstone, giving us a taste of Zambia before we continue onward to Lusaka the following day.

In Lusaka, we take a leisurely pause to restock groceries, fuel up the vehicles, and enjoy a relaxed coffee or breakfast at a local café. From there, we head north along the Tanzam Highway, and we make a special stop at the Kapishya Hot Springs—a well-known oasis where the water is the perfect temperature for a soothing swim and relaxation.

We then cross into Tanzania, arriving at the tranquil shores of Lake Tanganyika. For the next few days, we unwind at a lodge that’s a slice of paradise, with options for scuba diving, snorkeling, sunset cruises, and just enjoying the lakeside atmosphere.

After our relaxing stay, we journey inland, carefully skirting around Burundi and making our way into Rwanda. In Rwanda, we take a reflective pause to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial or simply enjoy the gentle pace of the countryside. Driving through Rwanda is unique, and we have a few nights to soak it all in.

Next, we cross into Uganda for the highlight of our primate adventure: the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We spend a few nights here, trekking to see the majestic mountain gorillas and enjoying the rich biodiversity. We also savor the local lake fish cuisine, a delightful treat.

From there, we move north to track chimpanzees and enjoy the lush Ugandan landscape before heading east to Jinja, where the Nile River’s rapids offer a chance for rafting, kayaking, and a little relaxation with good food and a local Nile Special beer.

We then continue south into Kenya briefly, and then back into Tanzania, stopping at Arusha for supplies before heading to the Ngorongoro Crater. Summer in the crater is simply spectacular.

As we wind down our adventure, we journey through central Tanzania into Malawi for a restful day under the shade trees, enjoying a swim in Lake Malawi and tasting delicious local lake fish. Finally, we head back inland through Zambia, returning to Victoria Falls and into Botswana for our final night together.