Nairobi to Maun Overland Tours

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Price

£2425
+ Local Payment US$275
(local payment explained)


What's Included
• Matopos
• South Luangwa National park
• Chobe National park game cruise & drive
• Okavango Delta 2 night mokoro safari
• Great Zimbabwe ruins
• Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage
• The Giraffe Park
• Breakfast & dinner whilst travelling on the truck
• Some pre-prepared barbecues
• Camping whilst travelling on the truck
• Fully equipped expedition truck incl - fridge, gas, tents, sleep mats
• Services of Absolute Crew
• Ongoing advice
• All road tolls & taxes are paid
The Southern Cross Safari travailing from Nairobi to Maun
Countries Visited

Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana

Nairobi to Maun Safari Overview

From Nairobi to Maun - game drives in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, four nights on Zanzibar Island, leisurely days by Lake Malawi, the mighty Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta, finishing at Maun in Botswana. With adrenalin pumping white water rafting on the the Zambezi, bungee jumping, rhino treks, and nights in the bush under African stars........

Nairobi to Maun Safari Add-ons

Itinerary

Day 1 
KENYA

Sheldrick's elephant orphanage, Giraffe Centre

Days 2 - 5
TANZANIA

Drive through to Arusha , with evening celebratory barbecue on our return from the game parks.

Optionals: 3 day/2 night safari: Afternoon and morning guided game drives in smaller safari vehicles in the Serengeti National Park, afternoon transit drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation area, with morning guided game drives in Ngorongoro Crater.

Days 6 - 12
TANZANIA including 4 nights allotted for a stay on Zanzibar Island....

Marangu at the foot of Kilimanjaro, the Indian Ocean coast, seafood meal and preparations for Zanzibar Island on reaching the coast.

Optionals: Free time for the option to visit Zanzibar Island day 9, returning to the mainland on day 13.

Talk with us as to the special arrangements we can make for your stay on Zanzibar. We reserve accommodation in popular beach cottages and in a lodge within the ancient capital, Stone Town as well as your other requirements including ferry bookings, transfers and spice tours.

Other options to budget for include snorkelling and scuba diving on Zanzibar sweeping coral reefs, to Prison Island famous for its giant tortoise population and to Jozani Forest to see the red colobus monkeys.

All accommodation and transfers including a spice tours on Zanzibar Island can be arranged ahead of time.

Days 13 - 18
TANZANIA - MALAWI

Drive from Dar es Salaam south, through Mikumi National Park, Lake Malawi beach camps, village visits and curio markets.

Optionals: Water sports, village walk, wood carving lesson.

Days 19 - 24
ZAMBIA - ZIMBABWE

South Luangwa National Park, Lusaka, The Zambezi Valley and a relaxing few days at Lake Kariba.

Optional: Extra game drive or game walk, South Luangwa National Park, A houseboat cruise on the Lake visiting Matusadona and including a game cruise and fishing.

Days 25 - 28
ZIMBABWE

Great Zimbabwe Ruins and Matopos National Park for rhino treks.

Optional: Extra game drives and a visit to rock paintings and Cecil Rhodes’ grave or a Ndebele Village.

Days 29 - 31
ZIMBABWE

Action packed days in Zimbabwe's adventure capital, Victoria Falls.

Optionals: Rainforest walk – Victoria Falls, Bungee jump, Gorge swing, flying fox, zip line, white water rafting, riverboard, canoe trips, sundowner cruise, 'Flight of the Angels' scenic flight and horse rides.

Days 32 - 37

BOTSWANA

Kasane, Maun. Chobe National Park, game drive and game cruise, Okavango Delta guided mokoro safari.

Optionals: Flight over the Delta

Do  note safari itineraries are given as a guide only. A safari is a journey and true journeys in Africa unfold and are of an adventurous nature. The unexpected can arise, so do allow for this.

Feel free to give us a call about your safari plans. We look forward to your further enquiries.

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Budgeting Summary

Nairobi to Maun Budget

The costs to consider when travelling overland are:

What's included

Your safari price and local payment covers:

Transport in a fully equipped and dieseled expedition truck/vehicle including all camping and cooking gear, a fridge, gas cooker, tents, sleeping mats etc.

Services of a driver and safari leader.

The ongoing advice and back up from The Absolute Team.

All road tolls and taxes are paid.

Highlights including:

* Chobe National Park game cruise & guided game drive
* Okavango Delta 2 night mokoro safari
* Matopos guided game drive and rhino trek
* South Luangwa National Park for a guided game drive
* Great Zimbabwe ruins
* Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage
* The Giraffe Park

28 Breakfasts and 28 dinners whilst on the truck, including some pre-prepared barbecues and a village meal

27 nights camping






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Optional excursions

A recommended typical budget for your optional excursions that you might pay for once in Africa would be: US$420 - US$1600

Some clients spend more, some less. The above is a typical estimate selecting from the following main choices during this tour. Do re-check your budget looking at what might tempt you. A friendly reminder as well that the below list provides an approximate guide only for the most popular excursions currently available for this tour. Excursions are operated by local operators and authorities and their pricing is out of our control (January 2025)

PAID BEFORE DEPARTURE
Zanzibar including return ferry, 4 nights B&B shared accommodation, transfers from Stone Town to the beach and return, and a Spice Tour £295
PAID IN AFRICA
Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater game drives 3 days/2 nights, from US$645
Kilimanjaro day hike US$125
Scuba diving (single dive) off Kendwa US$65
Snorkelling (3 hours) off Kendwa US$15
Jozani Forest, half day excursion to see the red colobus monkeys incl entry and transfers, from US$40
Sunset cruise, Zanzibar, from US$30
Prison Island with the aldabra tortoises US$25
Houseboats on Lake Kariba incl. Matusadona National Park (2 nights) US$170
Victoria Falls National Park - Entrance and Rainforest Walk to see Victoria Falls US$50
Bungee jump at Victoria Falls US$160
Combo deal, half day adrenaline (gorge swings, zip line, flying fox) US$158
Gorge Swing - (1 jump) US$103
White water rafting The Zambezi US$120
Helicopter flight over Victoria Falls (15 minutes) US$150
Sunset cruise on the Zambezi US$55
Canoeing on the Upper Zambezi US$150
Flight over the Delta, 1 hour (max 5 people) US$150
ALSO TO CONSIDER DURING YOUR TOUR
Balloon safari in the Serengeti £480
TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOUR TOUR
Special discounted offer:6 Days Kenyan safari inc 3 days/2 nights in the Masai Mara, with a visit to the Giraffe Park, The Elephant Orphanage and Lake Naivasha for a hippo cruise £From 1195
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Spending Money

You will need spending money to cover drinks, lunch and souvenirs and different small incidental costs whilst on tour such as cheap excursions costing under U$20
Other costs to note are those times we dont cover meals or accommodation on the tour, as well as tipping, extra transfers and upgrades.
Be aware during the trip tour there are busy times where we dont cover meals and/or accommodation as during these sections most people are away from camp doing their own thing on different excursions. It is then impractical to cover meals or accommodation.
The times to note on the Southern Cross tour are when the truck parks up for a few days at specific activity locations  Zanzibar and Victoria Falls - so please ensure you have enough money to cover meals during these times. And note as well spending money is needed to cover camping on the off-chance you chose to stay back on the overnight excursions. The overnight excursions on this tour are the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari (x2 nights), Zanzibar Island break (x4 nights) and the houseboat trip (X2 nights)
Tipping is customary in Africa, so budget for gratuities if you wish for guides or drivers who provide good service such as on the houseboat tour. Again it is at your discretion, but your tour leader and driver will appreciate a tip to acknowledge their hard work during your tour.
For some excursions extra transport is needed to get to the start point, and lastly some campsites en route also have simple huts or chalets on site. If you feel like a break from camping and youd like an upgrade at some point it is well worth having a little bit of money budgeted accordingly.
The recommended spending money for the Southern Cross is US$730 - US$885

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Visa

Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 - 9 months after your trip finishes. Ensure also that you have enough pages in your passport for each country you visit.Up to 2 consecutive blank pages can be required when you enter South Africa at the end of your trip. As a guide then, for the Southern Cross you will want to have a minimum of 8 blank pages (sides).

If you have dual nationality you can only use one passport for the entire trip, but bringing both passports is a wise back up. More information can be found in the different country listings on the FCOs website (www.fco.gov.uk) under entry requirements. Do be aware it can be illegal to travel in Africa on two passports.

At present please note that all travellers must apply for an eTA (electronic travel authorization) for Kenya prior to arrival. This is 30 USD.

Visas for most passport holders including British, Australian, New Zealand, Irish, South African, German, French, Dutch, Canadian and American passport holders for the other countries can be arranged in Africa en route. Visas in Africa can only be paid for in US Dollars cash.

Below is an estimation of current visa requirements and their costs. If your passport is not detailed please don't hesitate to contact us for further details of your requirements.

Visas are not normally required for Botswana for most passport holders.

Be aware that visa requirements can change without prior notice. This information is given as a guide only.

Budget for all visas US$30 - $185 depending on nationality
VISA CHART Kenya Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Malawi Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana Namibia South Africa
PASSPORT
Australian $30 - - $50 - - $30 - - -
New Zealand $30 - - $50 - - $30 - - -
South Africa $30 - - - - - - - - -
Canadian $30 - - $50 - - $75 - - -
American $30 - - $100 - - $30 - - -
British $30 - - $50 - - $55 - - -
German $30 - - $50 - - $30 - - -
Dutch $30 - - $50 - - $30 - - -
Irish $30 - - $100 - - $55 - - -
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Pre and post safari please click here.

Remember you then need to budget for flights, insurance, vaccination costs and any equipment you might need such as a sleeping bag.

Any queries? Call our office on +44 (0) 208 742 0226, email us at absaf@absoluteafrica.com or skype us on skypeabsoluteafrica

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Dates

Nairobi to Maun
Start Nairobi Finish Maun Price Local Payment Departure details
Tue 11 Feb 2025 Wed 19 Mar 2025 £2425 US$275 0 Seats available
37 day tour Incl. Giraffe Park and Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 6th February
Tue 13 May 2025 Wed 18 Jun 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
With a day in Nairobi Incl. Giraffe Park and Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage
Book Now
Fri 13 Jun 2025 Sat 19 Jul 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
With a day in Nairobi Incl. Giraffe Park and Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage nd why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 8th June
Book Now
Sun 13 Jul 2025 Mon 18 Aug 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
With a day in Nairobi Incl. Giraffe Park and Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage nd why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 8th July
Book Now
Mon 18 Aug 2025 Tue 23 Sep 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 13th August
Book Now
Wed 17 Sep 2025 Thu 23 Oct 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 12th September
Book Now
Mon 13 Oct 2025 Tue 18 Nov 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 8th October
Book Now
Thu 6 Nov 2025 Fri 12 Dec 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available Book Now
Sat 27 Dec 2025 Sun 1 Feb 2026 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 22nd December
Book Now
Thu 12 Feb 2026 Fri 20 Mar 2026 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 7th February
Book Now

Before You Go

Nairobi to Maun

Click on the link below to download the predeparture dossier for this overland trip "The Southern Cross" - to Maun.

The Southern Cross - pre departure pack

This information has been developed over 30 years of experience overlanding in Africa.

It includes all you might need to know to prepare for this trip and more. We know many people love to plan their trip in detail and we hope you will find lots of "stuff" in here to help!

We also send out personal updates about 6 weeks before departure to all participants heading out on each departure date. This includes final confirmations of pre safari transfers and accommodation and other details relating to your specific travel arrangements so you can check all is as you need.

We recommend once booked on a Nairobi to Maun trip that you periodically check back here as this information is regularly updated. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on the news area of this site.

And if you are not excited enough about heading to Africa already, check out our facebook page, listen out for our tweets and keep up to date with our blog to stay up to date with all that is happening on the road on the trucks.

Overlanding in Africa is a very different destination from your usual package holiday! You may find some information in this dossier different from what you expected. Whatever your question don't hesitate to ask. We are here to help so feel free to get back to us.

We are more than happy to advise as to what is the best plan for your particular Africa travel needs.

Give us a call, or skype or email. We look forward to planning your trip to Africa with you.

Book your Nairobi to Maun Safari

Start Nairobi Finish Maun Price Local Payment Departure details
Tue 11 Feb 2025 Wed 19 Mar 2025 £2425 US$275 0 Seats available
37 day tour Incl. Giraffe Park and Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 6th February
Book Now Tue 13 May 2025 Wed 18 Jun 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
With a day in Nairobi Incl. Giraffe Park and Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage
Book Now Fri 13 Jun 2025 Sat 19 Jul 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
With a day in Nairobi Incl. Giraffe Park and Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage nd why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 8th June
Book Now Sun 13 Jul 2025 Mon 18 Aug 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
With a day in Nairobi Incl. Giraffe Park and Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage nd why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 8th July
Book Now Mon 18 Aug 2025 Tue 23 Sep 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 13th August
Book Now Wed 17 Sep 2025 Thu 23 Oct 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 12th September
Book Now Mon 13 Oct 2025 Tue 18 Nov 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 8th October
Book Now Thu 6 Nov 2025 Fri 12 Dec 2025 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
Book Now Sat 27 Dec 2025 Sun 1 Feb 2026 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 22nd December
Book Now Thu 12 Feb 2026 Fri 20 Mar 2026 £2425 US$275 4+ Seats available
And why not join us for a 5 day pre-tour safari in Kenya's Masai Mara departing Nairobi on the 7th February