Tanzania & Zanzibar                                                                        Camping

Group Size: 8 - 22 Passengers                                       Tour Length: 20 days

Day 1- Nairobi - Arusha

On arrival at the Airport your Tour Leader will meet you and escort you to your Overland/ Safari Truck. The next few hours will be spent driving to Arusha, Tanzania. The landscape en route will vary from dry savannahs to green rolling hills, and if the weather is clear you might be able to see Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895 meter) which is the highest free standing mountain in the world. When arriving, if time allows you will be able to walk in town and settle into your new environment.

 

Day 2- Engaruka

Today you will hopefully start getting used to the badly maintained roads of East Africa. The drive today will lead you past numerous Masai villages where you are likely to see the Masai in their brightly coloured clothing. The stop this evening has been put into the itinerary to break the stretch of road to Lake Natron.

 

Days 3 & 4- Lake Natron 

This morning you will have the opportunity to visit a local school, and see how children are taught in Africa. If you would like to you can bring some chalk and pencils to donate to the school who will hand these out to whom they know needs it most. During the visit you can even learn some Swahili words. En Route you will be able to see Ol Donyo Lengai which is a mildly active volcano. There are optional walks around Lake Natron which is a picturesque Soda lake and you will also have the opportunity to walk to some waterfalls. For the adventurous amongst you there is an optional hike up Ol Donyo Lengai which will take all night and a solid part of the day. This is only recommended for fit people and those who want a little training before climbing Kilimanjaro.

 

Days 5 & 6- Mto wa Mbu

You will have an opportunity to take an optional, extended walking/ cycling tour of the village to look at how people live and survive on relatively little. There are 24 tribes who live in this unique town and thus the variety of greetings and smiles will amaze all. If you would like to you can visit a local school or even a traditional medicine man. Lunch will be held outside of town in a Banana plantation and those who dare can try some home brewed banana beer.
In the afternoon you can go explore the local craft market and maybe pick up some Curios.

 

Day 7- Serengeti National Park

 

Via a beautiful route lined by baobab trees you will approach the world famous Serengeti national Park. The Serengeti is the oldest national park in Tanzania and covers 14700 square kilometers. There are hundreds of species of animals in the park , but most note worthy must be the 1500000  Wilde Beast, 400000 Zebras and 200000 Thomson Gazelle. When the majority of people think of the Disney like Africa they think of the vast grass lands of the Serengeti. These open planes are only interrupted occasionally by small hills and clusters of trees.  During your stay you will be doing game drives in the morning and before sunset. Although your ambitions must lie in seeing.

 

Days 5 & 6- Mto wa Mbu

The ‘River of Mosquitoes’ is not as bad as it sounds. This quaint town is rich with history in the evolution of the modern Tanzania. The area is covered in Banana and other fruit orchards. On your second day in town you will have the opportunity to go on guided walks/ bicycles rides in town, taste some Banana beer or even visit a Masai Village. The town is located near the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, and is thus used as a starting point for many safaris. Numerous curio markets line the road and you will have ample opportunity to shop and take photos of people and places. Highlights of the day include ancient Baobab trees which dot the area and the picturesque Lake Manyara.

 

Days 7, 8 & 9- Serengeti National Park

 

Today you will be entering the park immediately after lunch. The Serengeti National Park will amaze and impress any visitor to its stunning landscape. The enormous 14.763 square kilometre park is famous for the amazing variety of animals in it, and the annual Migration which thousands of Wilde Beast (Gnu) undertake to the Masai Mara. The large grass planes of the Serengeti often stretch as far as the eye can see, and are only broken by the occasional hill and patch of trees. Game driving in the truck is an adventure in itself as the dust and wind travels freely through the truck when the windows are rolled up. When at arrest stop or at a lodge, use your common sense and don’t wonder off or place yourself in a position where animals can interact with you in a culinary manner. Both days are generally spent doing game drives in the morning and before sunset and thus resting in the afternoon. On the third night you will be camping on the crater rim which is regularly covered in clouds. This evening is usually quite cold, thus even if you are on tour in the summer take at least one change of warm clothes.

 

Day 10- Ngorongoro Crater

Today you will enter ‘The Last Eden’ which is the Ngorongoro Crater. The 18 km wide, 600m deep crater has created its own unique eco system, which contains an enormous variety of wild animals. There are almost guaranteed sightings of predators here and the sight of herds of Thompson Gazelle running from a chasing Cheetah is not uncommon. You will be using Jeeps today to do your Game Drives as our Truck is not permitted to enter the Crater. You will be staying outside the park in Karatu this evening.

 

Day 11- Karatu - Lake Eyasi

En route to Lake Eyasi you will come across the Datoq tribe which is similar to the Masai. The Datoq are famous for being the only tribe to be successful in resisting the warring Masai people. If you get to the Lake before sunset you will be awestruck by another beautiful African sunset.

 

Day 12- Karatu

Today you will have another opportunity to meet another indigenous tribe the Hadsabe. The Hadzabe are migratory hunter gatherers who speak a unique ‘clicking’ language. Although a local guide will accompany you, hand language and improvisation are the only means of communication. The tribe is extremely traditional and will give all an excellent insight into the lives of people in Africa in days gone bye.

 

Day 13- Arusha

You will be returning ton Arusha today where you will be spending your last evening camping on the tour. The old fortified German town has more than enough places to visit for shopping and bargain hunting. The camp site itself is an experience with its lively bar and optional activities. The people choosing to climb Kilimanjaro will depart from here to the town of Moshi at the foot of Kili.

 

Day 14 – Arusha - Dar es Salam

Departing early today, you will be heading to the coastal city of Dar es Salaam. The drive will be quite long, but the sight of the tropical coast and prospect of sipping cocktail on a beach will make up for the long day. This evening you will be staying in a comfortable small hotel.

 

Days 15 & 16 – Zanzibar (Stonetown)

Your ferry transfer from Dar to Zanzibar will take approximately two hours, where after you will arrive in Stonetown. The ‘Spice Island’ spent time under Arabic and British rule which has added to the character of the island.  You will be spending the night in Stonetown in twin rooms. At night the streets become alive with people wandering around and with the smell of spices everywhere. If you would like to you can even wander to the night market which is near the old Arab fort.

 

 

 

Days 17, 18, & 19- Nungwi

The drive to Nugwi today will be along the coast where you can see locals cycling to local markets with their produce and or spices. The idyllic beaches in front of your hotel will please all tastes. You can do as much or as little as you like. For the sun worshippers there is a palm lined white beach, and the more adventurous can go on optional snorkelling trips, scuba dives or even fishing trips. The en suite twin rooms here are next to the beach and are within a few meters walk of the bar/ restaurant.

 

Day 20- Stonetown

Returning to Stonetown today you will have a final chance to stock up on souvenirs. You can spend your last evening as you like in one of the many restaurants or bars.

 

Day 21- End of tour

Checking out of the hotel constitutes the end of the tour. As per arrangement you can depart the island by boat or plane to head home or for more adventures.