Day 1, Nairobi
Nairobi - Arusha (Tanzania). Welcome to Kenya! We board our overland vehicle and depart Nairobi early this morning, driving across the border into Tanzania. We arrive at the country's safari capital, Arusha, which is located close to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and other important reserves including Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park. The city also sits in the shadow of Mount Meru.
We have time to browse the local markets and take a walk to a nearby Maasai village to meet the locals. Our campsite tonight is at the Meserani Snake Park, which holds a collection of snakes, crocodiles, and other reptiles which we can also visit.
Please note: The tour departs at 08:00 on Day 1 so please arrive in Nairobi the day before your tour. The pre departure meeting will be held on day 1. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book accommodation and transfers on request.
no breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 2, Serengeti National Park
Arusha - Serengeti National Park. We leave our overland truck behind and transfer to designated safari vehicles this morning. Crossing the Great Rift Valley, we drive around the rim of this spectacular UNESCO-listed crater and onto the wildlife-rich plains of the Serengeti. Serengeti derives from the Maasai word siringitu, which means "the place where the land moves on forever" and the scale of this wilderness is sure to impress as much as the wildlife you will inevitably see.
The Serengeti and neighbouring Masai Mara in Kenya play host to the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and antelope. These prey animals follow the rains and the freshest grass, stalked every step of the way by the lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas which feed on them. You are sure to have some amazing wildlife experiences today as we enjoy a game drive en route to our camp. We spend tonight at an unfenced campsite, where we can listen to the sounds of the bush and hopefully see some wildlife from our camp!
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 3-4, Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha. Game driving out of the Serengeti on day 3, we can search for any species we have not managed to spot so far. We travel back to the Ngorongoro Crater, camping on the rim of this UNESCO-listed natural caldera, one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife areas.
On day 4 we get our chance to head into the crater itself, following the steep, winding road into the reserve. On our game drive, you will have the chance to spot every major African animal, except for giraffes. Interestingly, they cannot manage the steep climb down the crater rim!
Returning to camp for lunch, we pack up before making the journey back to Arusha and our overland safari vehicle.
2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner included.
Day 5, Bagamoyo
Arusha - Bagamoyo. This morning we wake early and head south via Moshi to the port city of Bagamoyo, which is located on the Indian Ocean coast. It's a long drive, but we will be afforded views of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro if the weather is clear. Our campsite for the night is near the beach.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 6, Dar es Salaam
Bagamoyo - Dar es Salaam. We continue our journey down the Tanzanian coast to Dar es Salaam, the country's most important port. It's a relatively short drive of just 2 - 3 hours, and there should be time for you to head into the city independently. There is a wealth of Arab architecture to admire, as well as a selection of vibrant markets, great beaches, and bars. Tonight we are camping on the beach before our trip to Zanzibar tomorrow.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 7-9, Zanzibar
Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar Island. On the morning of day 7 we board the ferry to Zanzibar, a tropical, semi-autonomous island off the coast of the Tanzanian mainland. Our overland truck will remain in Dar es Salaam.
Our time in Zanzibar is not structured, and there is plenty of time for you to unwind on the beach with a good book or embark on optional excursions such as a spice tour, snorkelling, scuba diving or enjoying a relaxing massage. See the Trip Notes for details.
As a general rule, we will spend one day in the old part of Zanzibar City, known as Stone Town. Then we will head to the northern beaches for two further days of sun, sea and sand. In Zanzibar we will stay in standard hotels, instead of camping.
3 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 10, Dar es Salaam
Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. Enjoy a final swim or some last-minute shopping this morning before we depart Zanzibar aboard the ferry. On arrival back in Dar es Salaam our tour comes to an end.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.