Tanzania’s natural environment and geographical features have made it one of the best tourist destinations in Africa. Being the biggest country in east Africa, Tanzania has heaps to offer her visitors, including 13 game reserves and national parks. Tanzania also forms part of the world’s largest animal’s movements, the great migration. Inland are the vast Serengeti National Park and the animal-packed Ngorongoro Conservation area, and thousands of people every year fulfil their lifetime achievement of climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest mountain in Africa. On the coast, Zanzibar is exotic, intriguing and steeped in the unique Swahili culture.
DAY 7: Musoma (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
We depart Kenya and head south into Tanzania. After border formalities, our drive takes us through the scenic granite landscapes adjacent to Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria. We spend the night at a campsite on the banks of Lake Victoria in the fishing town of Musoma. Tonight we camp stay at Tembo Beach (or similar).
DAY 8: Serengeti National Park (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
After stocking up on supplies for the next couple of days, we head to the Serengeti National Park, entering the park after lunch. The Serengeti (Masai for “endless plains”) is famous for its enormous concentration of game (especially the big cats) and for the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles. The abundance of plains game in this area is truly astounding. We enter the park through the lesser travelled western corridor and game drive en-route to our campsite in the centre of the park. Tonight, we bush camp (no ablutions) in the wild surrounded by the sounds of the African bushveld, pierced only by the calls of the nocturnal wildlife. In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident wildlife. With some luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’! Tonight we camp at Seronera Campsite (or similar).
DAY 9: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
After an early start, we pack up our camp and continue our game drive through the Serengeti National Park. We head to the southern part of the park where we have the chance to see the endless plains this park is renowned for. We cross from the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Conservation area at lunch time and begin our descent into the caldera, known as the Ngorongoro Crater. The Ngorongoro Crater with its 600 m high walls and 20 km width is a natural marvel. The Crater’s rim offers spectacular views, but the true scale of this caldera is only appreciated from the floor itself where the abundance of its animal inhabitants becomes apparent. It is home to nearly every species of African animal and offers a chance to view an incredible concentration of East African mammals, such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lion and plain’s game. After spending the morning game driving in The Crater, we continue to our campsite outside Arusha where we spend the evening musing over our thrilling wildlife experience. Tonight we overnight in Karatu & camp at Kudu Lodge (or similar).
DAY 10: Karatu to Arusha (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
A late start today as we travel onto Arusha where we will camp at the Meserani Snake Park (or similar).
DAY 11: Arusha to Pangani (Breakfast / Lunch)
This morning we change trucks and head to Arusha to stock up on supplies before continuing on towards Dar es Salaam. On the way, we drive through the town of Moshi situated at the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain. Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions, and weather permitting; we may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain’s snowy summit - a photo opportunity not to be missed! We pass through vast sisal plantations surrounded by The Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before reaching Highway Hotel (or similar) where we stay in twin-share rooms.
DAY 12: Pangani to Dar es Salaam (Breakfast / Lunch)
Today we continue on to Dar es Salaam. Travelling through lush scenery and palm trees, we near the warm Indian Ocean. Today’s drive time is extended due to the heavier amount of traffic heading in to the city, but the sights and sounds of Dar’s vibrant outer suburbs are sure to keep you entertained. Look out for the colourful shop-fronts with their sometimes humorous ‘catch phrases’. On arrival in Dar es Salaam we make our way to our lovely seaside campsite, Kipepeo Beach & Village (or similar) where we stay in beach bandas and prepare for our departure to Zanzibar the next morning.
DAY 13 & 14: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar (Breakfast)
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island,” where we spend the next 3 nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands.
History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island is famous for its spices and an excursion around a spice plantation is always a fascinating experience. Other options include a trip to the beautiful beaches and giant tortoises of Prison Island, a full day scuba dive in Nungwe or a fishing trip in a traditional dhow. Mopeds are available for hire if you’d like to explore the more remote areas of the island. These two nights we stay in twin-share rooms at Amaan Bungalows (or similar).
PLEASE NOTE: Meals are for your own account whilst on Zanzibar, as it is our experience that passengers prefer to explore the island on their own, and in accordance with their own budget. The Trip Leader joins you and will arrange your activities, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants. Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - crayfish being a popular speciality. Alternatively, mingle with the locals for dinner at the Forodhani Gardens seafront market, where delicious, inexpensive seafood is on offer. There are also a wide variety of optional excursions on offer.
DAYS 15: Zanzibar (Breakfast)
Today we travel back to the main town & tonight we stay in twin-share rooms at Swahili House (or similar).
DAY 16: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam (No Meals)
Leaving Zanzibar we return to the mainland in Dar es Salaam. In Dar, we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!