Description

Experience Tanzania's varied geography, diverse cultures and famed wildlife reserves on this highlighted safari. You will travel along the vast plains of the Serengeti with its abundance of plain game and predator populations as well as experiencing the natural spectacle of the Ngorongoro Crater Reserve. Tanzania also has some of the most diverse cultures presenting you with opportunities to interact with a variety of people from the famed Masai tribes to the large Muslim population of Zanzibar. With out a doubt you will be amazed by Tanzania's varied landscape from the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, to the Serengeti and along the Usambra mountain ranges to the picture perfect coastline of Zanzibar.

* We offer discounts to ISIC card holders.

Highlights

DAY 1: Nairobi to Arusha (Tanzania) (L / D)
This morning we head out of busy Nairobi and travel south crossing the border into Tanzania at Namanga. Tonight we stay at a campsite in Meserani on the outskirts of Arusha, before heading out on our Optional Excursions to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater tomorrow.

DAYS 2-4: Arusha / Optional Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti Excursion (B / L / D)
Arusha is a pleasant town situated at the base of Mount Meru, and is the starting point for safaris into the Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This morning we have the opportunity to explore this thriving town while we stock up on provisions needed for our excursion. You may chose to wander the vibrant craft markets, stock up on supplies or perhaps catch up on the news back home at one of the small internet cafe available. Heading back to our base camp, Meserani Snake Park, those that are participating in the optional excursions to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park can start to prepare for their departure this afternoon. The excursion is offered by a local Tanzanian operator who conducts the trip into the Parks in 4WD vehicles (In peak season, there may be a minivan or bus transfer to Karatu), which are adapted for safari use.

For those not opting to visit the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park, the next days are spent at leisure enjoying the Meserani reptile park, Masai Cultural Museum and the surrounding villages and craft markets. Alternatively the town of Arusha is close by to explore. The driver and cook remain behind in Dar es Salaam during the excursion.

The Optional Ngorongoro/Serengeti excursion takes us via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) that lies adjacent to the Lake Manyara National Park and up the Rift Valley Escarpment to the higher lying village of Karatu. Karatu offers magnificent views over the surrounding hills and has many well established wheat farms that add to the picturesque panoramas. We spend the evening at a pleasant campsite in Karatu. The following morning we depart early for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and head into the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa - including the elusive Black Rhino.

After our game drive in the Crater, we continue down the Crater rim and past the 'Cradle of Mankind' on our way to the Serengeti National Park. We cross the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight we bush camp (no ablutions) in the wild surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness. 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"!

After our morning drive, we head back across the plains and the lush Crater rim to our truck at Arusha, where we spend the evening musing over our thrilling wildlife experience.

DAY 5: Arusha to Pangani (B / L / D)
We head to Arusha this morning 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 mountains 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 our lovely campsite nestled between these mountains, midway between Arusha and Dar es Salaam.

DAY 6: Pangani to Dar es Salaam (B / L / D)
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 and prepare for our departure to Zanzibar the next morning.

DAY 7: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar (B)
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island, where we have the option to 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. New passengers may join us to replace those that'll leave us at the end of our excursion to Zanzibar.

PLEASE NOTE: Accommodation and 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 can arrange your accommodation, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants. There are also a wide variety of optional excursions on offer - please see the price guide on the end of this document for more details.

For those not opting to visit the island of Zanzibar, the next 3 days are spent at leisure at the beach campsite in Dar es Salaam. There are various optional excursions available from the camp including diving, snorkelling and fishing trips. The driver and cook remain behind in Dar es Salaam during the excursion.

DAYS 8 & 9: Zanzibar
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. 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.

DAY 10: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam (NM)
Leaving Zanzibar in the afternoon, we return to the mainland and another night in Dar es Salaam. Arrival back to camp is usually in the late afternoon, or early evening. In Dar we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!

Travel Types

• BackPacking Abroad
• Birdwatching
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Cooking
• Cycling (Road/Touring)
• Deep-Sea Fishing
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Kayaking (River)
• Mountaineering
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• Overland Tours
• Paragliding
• Photography
• Rafting
• Rugby
• Safari
• Scuba
• Snorkeling
• Surfing
• Tours
• Trekking

Cost in US$:

USD 990 plus a local payment of USD 240

Program Fees Include:

* Fully equipped overland safari truck with all camping and cooking equipment (tents, chairs, cutlery & crockery)

* 3 crew members on all safaris, Trip Leader, Driver and Safari Cook.

* Meals as detailed in the trip dossier

* Game park entrance fees and excursions as outlined in the trip dossier

Please ask us for the optional excursion price list so you can budget prior to your trip departing.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 28 max

Africa Travel Co's Mission Statement

Africa Travel Co is one of the continents leading operators for adventure overland travel and are completely African based. We operate a fleet of specially built safari vehicles, in ten eastern and southern African countries, and each year sees us introduce new and innovative itineraries. We started in 1990 and after 20 years of hard work, commitment and a professional approach, we now have operations and retail offices, backed by maintenance centers in Nairobi (Kenya), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), while our head office and main workshop are in Cape Town (South Africa). There is no other company that has this level of support in the overland safari industry. We believe that our success and growth has been due to the fact that 90% of the people who work with us as road crew, workshop and office staff are African. These are the people of Africa showing you their Africa.

Year Founded

1990