TANZANIAN GAME PARKS AND ZANZIBAR - 10 DAYS
NAIROBI TO DAR ES SALAAM / DAR ES SALAAM TO NAIROBI

The grassy plains of the Serengeti National Park are home to an abundance of game.  Thousands of hoofed animals are followed by the predators, while the Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site, is one of the most important refuges for wildlife in Africa.  Northern Tanzania is home to the red-robed Masai people who stalk the plains with their cattle as they have done for centuries, while the coast and Zanzibar are steeped in a long Muslim tradition. Stone Town in Zanzibar offers a tangle of narrow and ancient alleyways to explore as well as dazzling white beaches.  A safari and time on the beach makes a perfect combination.

 

	Location:	NAIROBI TO DAR ES SALAAM / DAR ES SALAAM TO NAIROBI	Dates:	Departs regularly
	Fees:	£445 - 10 days USD 180 - Local Payment	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance due 8 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AT002

General Information

Please Note: This trip operates in both directions

Start and Finish Points: Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam or Dar es Salaam to Nairobi
Departure Point Nairobi: Hotel Boulevard, Harry Thuku Road
Check-in time Nairobi: 8.45am (departure time 9.30am)
Departure Point Dar Es Salaam: Kipepeo Beach Camp, Plot 4, Mjimwema, Kigamboni 
Check in time: Dar Es Salaam 7.30am (departure 8.30am)
Pre-departure Meeting: 5.00 pm at the departure point the evening before departure

Itinerary

DAY 1: Nairobi to Arusha (Tanzania)

This morning passengers joining this leg of the trek will be collected before travelling south to cross the border into Tanzania at Namanga. The night is spent at a lovely campsite in Meserani on the outskirts of Arusha, before potentially heading out on an optional excursion to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. 

DAYS 2-4: Arusha to Serengeti National Park (OPTIONAL)

Arusha is a pleasant town situated at the base of Mount Meru and is the starting point for the optional excursions to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti. These excursions are in locally operated 4WD vehicles, 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 optional Ngorongoro/Serengeti excursion travels 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.  The evening is spent at a pleasant campsite in Karatu.  The following morning is an early departure for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater.  This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino.  Following the game drive in the Crater, the trip heads down the Crater rim and past the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ on the way to the Serengeti National Park, crossing the vast plains during the game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. The night is spent camping in the bushveld surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.   In the morning, the group heads off for another game drive to  explore the landscape in search of the resident game.  With luck, some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’ will be seen!   After the morning drive, head back across the plains and the lush Crater rim to the truck at Arusha, where the evening is spent musing over the day's thrilling wildlife experience. 

DAY 5: Arusha to Pangani

To-day the group heads south towards Dar es Salaam, driving through the town of Moshi on the way.  Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions, and weather permitting, it may be possible to catch a glimpse of this magical mountain’s snowy summit - a photo opportunity not to be missed!  The trip continues through vast sisal plantations surrounded by the Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before reaching the lovely campsite nestled between these mountains, midway between Arusha and Dar es Salaam. 

DAY 6: Pangani to Dar es Salaam

Today the trip continues on to Dar es Salaam travelling through lush scenery and palm trees, heading towards the warm Indian Ocean. On arrival in Dar es Salaam the group heads towards the lovely seaside campsite to prepare for departure to Zanzibar the next morning. 

DAY 7: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar

To-day starts with a ferry ride from Dar es Salaam to the "Spice Island,” where there is the option to spend the next three 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 the group here to replace those who will leave at the end of the excursion to Zanzibar.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Accommodation and meals are not provided whilst on Zanzibar, as experience has shown that passengers prefer to explore the island on their own. The Trip Leader wil be available and can arrange accommodation, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants.

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 for those who would 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

Leave Zanzibar, to return to the mainland and Dar es Salaam where addresses are exchanged and the group part ways, having enjoyed the trip of a lifetime.

Optional excursions

Tanzania, Arusha - 3 Day / 2 Night Serengeti/Ngorongoro Crater Excursion * $380

Zanzibar - Accommodation from $20 per person per night

Zanzibar Stone Town Spice Tour -$25

 

*Although traveller’s cheques are accepted for the Serengeti/Ngorongoro Excursion, they are subject to a surcharge of at least 5%.

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. 

 

Please note - all prices are approximate and are subject to change, and where activities occur away the base, there may be an additional transfer cost. 

Support

Support and advice is available from theTrip 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 the expedition and our staff are always on hand to offer further advice and information via telephone and email before departure. An optional pre-departure meeting is provided which is a great way to meet your trip companions.

Accommodation and Meals

These are camping trips, and spacious two-person tents with sewn in ground sheets and a separate fly sheet are  provided.  Most nights the group will stay 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 an extra cost, to upgrade to a bed if desired.  Occasionally, when it is impossible to drive any further or when there is no local campsite available, it may be necessary to bush camp.  The vehicles used are completely self-sufficient for this and camping out in the middle of the African bush can be a memorable experience.

 

All cooking on the trip is done by the safari cook but members of the group may have to participate in the preparation of the meals on a rota basis.  Meals and menus vary depending on what is available locally, but hree healthy square meals a day on the road are provided.  Fresh fruit and vegetables  are purchased en route from market stalls, supported by a bulk buy of goods prior to departure.  In the towns and cities there is the optional alternative of sampling the local restaurants.

Getting There

There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport – for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel.
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

Project Fees

What is included

• Fully equipped expedition truck/vehicle

• All cooking and camping equipment

• Meals

• Game park fees and excursions as detailed in the itinerary

• Suppport from trip leader and safari cook

What is excluded

• Sleeping bag and mat

• Personal travel insurance

• Visas

• Items of a personal nature

• Optional excursions

• Restaurant meals and drinks