kenya and tanzania overland trip travel through africa volunteer programme, masai mara, serengeti national parks. ngorongoro crater, viewing game arusha, nairobi

KENYA AND TANZANIA - 8 DAYS
KENYA AND TANZANIA

This trip begins in Nairobi, Kenya and travels through three of Kenya’s most famous game parks - the Masai Mara National Reserve, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park - before ending, eight days later in Nairobi, Kenya. The trip departs from Nairobi early on Sunday morning and any visitors wishing to explore Nairobi should plan their arrival accordingly. Accommodation in Nairobi can be arranged through Amanzi Travel.

Location:

KENYA AND TANZANIA

Dates:

Regular departure dates throughout the year

Fees:

£590 - 8 days
USD - 585 Local Payment

Payment:

£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure

Reference:

AT037

General Information

Start and finish point: Nairobi
Countries visited: Kenya and Tanzania
Departure Point: Hotel Boulevard, Harry Thuku Road, Nairobi
Check-in time: 8.45am
Departure time: 9.30am
Pre-Departure Meeting: Held at the Departure Point at 5pm the day before departure

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Nairobi to Masai Mara (D)

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Nairobi the safari vehicle climbs the escarpment to the first stop, a viewpoint overlooking the spectacular Great Rift Valley. Descending into the Rift Valley, the group enters Masai land where these habitual pastoralists are often seen tending their cattle from the side of the road. The town of Narok is passed before arriving at the campsite, Acacia Camp (a stone’s throw away from the reserve gate) in time to enjoy sunset over the Masai Mara.

DAY 2: Masai Mara (B / L / D)

The day is spent driving through nature as it was intended to be - huge plains, rolling hills and an abundance of game matched nowhere else on earth. Everyone keeps their eyes open for the Big 5 - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. If travelling between July and October, it may be possible to witness the impressive herds of over one million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s Gazelle in their Annual Migration. Sitting around the camp fire, watching the sun set is the perfect way to finish a day’s game viewing in this “Garden of Eden.”

DAY 3 - Masai Mara to Nairob (B)

Travel north today through the Masai Mara looking for any elusive game and then leave the Mara to reach head back to the Hotel Boulevard where some passengers will be ending their trip, before heading to the campsite for the night.

DAY 4: Nairobi to Arusha (Tanzania) (L / D)

The tour will leave the busy town of Nairobi and travel south, crossing the border into Tanzania at Namanga. The night will be spent in a lovely campsite in Meserani on the outskirts of Arusha, before heading out to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. A few minutes’ walk from the campsite is a gallery selling the bright and iconic Tinga Tinga paintings.

DAY 5: Arusha to Karatu (B / L / D)

A morning visit will be made to the Meserani Reptile Park and Masai Cultural Museum. Lunch will be taken at the campsite before meeting the Tanzanian guides and transferring into locally operated 4WD vehicles which have been adapted for safari use and allow excellent viewing and photographic opportunities through the opening roof hatches.

Leaving camp the tour will travel via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) that is adjacent to the Lake Manyara National Park, and then up the Rift Valley Escarpment to the village of Karatu which offers magnificent views over the surrounding hills and picturesque panoramas. The night is spent at a pleasant campsite in Karatu.

DAY 6: Karatu to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park (B / L / D)

Today sees an early departure for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. This is the largest unbroken, unflooded caldera in the world and is comprised of open savannahs, acacia forests and both soda and fresh water lakes. This World Heritage Site is truly a miniature “Garden of Eden” and has some of the best game viewing in Africa - including the elusive Black Rhino.

Following a game drive in the Crater, the group will head down the Crater rim and past the “Cradle of Mankind” on the way to the Serengeti National Park, crossing vast plans through the southern and central areas of the Park. Tonight’s camp will be in the bushveld surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness - with no fences, really in the midst of nature!

DAY 7: Serengeti National Park to Arusha (B / L / D)

There will be another game drive this morning in search of the resident game - hopefully seeing some of Africa’s “Big 5”. Then the group will begin its return journey, across the Crater rim to the truck in Arusha where the evening will be spent.

Day 8: Arusha to Nairobi (B)

After some free time in Arusha the group will rejoin the shuttle bus for the drive back into Kenya and onto Nairobi, where the trip ends in the city centre.

Please note that this itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road and weather conditions. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries visited, truck and crew changes may take place during the trip. Local payments are subject to change with prior notice.

Examples of Optional Excursions

Kenya - Masai Mara Balloon Safari (when available) - 435 US$
Kenya - Masai Village Visit - 5 US$
Kenya - Masai Warrior Dancing - 4 US$
Tanzania - Masai Village Visit - 10 US$
Tanzania - Olduvai Gorge - 5 US$

All prices are in US dollars. For a more comprehensive list of things to do before, during or after the trip, please email or call Amanzi Travel on 0117 904 1924.

Support

Support and advice is available from the Trip Guides whilst on the expedition and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support.

Orientation

An information pack will be sent upon booking this expedition and our staff are always on hand to offer further advice and information via telephone and email before departure.

Accommodation and Meals

The trips are camping trips, and spacious 2-person tents with sewn in ground sheets and a separate fly sheet are provided. Most nights will be spent in organised campsites which usually have hot water showers and extra facilities such as a bar or swimming pool. Increasingly these places have simple roomed accommodation, so on occasion there will be the choice at extra cost to upgrade to a bed if desired. Occasionally, when it is not possible to drive any further or when there is no local campsite available, it may be necessary to bush camp. The vehicles are completely self-sufficient for this and camping out in the middle of the African bush can be a memorable experience.

The safari cook does all the cooking on the trip, although it may be necessary to participate in the preparation of the meals on a rota basis. Meals and menus vary depending on what is available locally, but three healthy square meals a day on the road will be provided. Fresh fruit and vegetables will be purchased from market stalls, supported by a bulk buy of goods bought prior to departure. In the towns and cities there is the optional alternative of sampling the local restaurants.

Getting There

International flights can easily be arranged into Nairobi Airport. There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport – for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel.
Let Amanzi Travel make your travel arrangements for you