Start and Finish Point: Nairobi
Departure Point: Acacia Camp, Magadi Road (off Langata Road), Nairobi
Check-in time: 8.45 am Departure time: 9.30 am
Pre-departure Meeting: 5.00 pm at the departure point the evening before departure
Passengers are recommended to arrive the day before their trip departs. Airport pick up on arrival and one night's pre-trip accommodation in a dorm bed is included in the trip fee.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Nairobi to Arusha (Tanzania) (Lunch / Dinner)
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.
DAY 2: Arusha to Karatu (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
A morning visit will be made to the Meserani Reptile Park and Masai Cultural Museum. A few minutes' walk from the campsite is a gallery selling the bright and iconic Tinga Tinga paintings. 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 3: Karatu to Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park (B / L / D)
To-day 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 4: 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 5: 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, political situations and group decisions. All prices and local payments are subject to change with prior notice. Due to Tourism Laws in some countries visited there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.
Kenya
Why visit Kenya
For a country of its size, Kenya really does pack a lot in: mountains and deserts, colourful tribal culture, beaches and coral reefs and some of Africa’s best wildlife attractions. Stunning landscapes set the scene, from Kakamega’s rainforests to Indian Ocean beaches and idyllic islands such as Lamu, by way of Mount Kenya National Park, the rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara to searing deserts on the shores of the Jade Sea; with the Rift Valley, home to millions of breeding flamingos on Lake Nakuru and spectacular birdlife and hippo families on Lake Naivasha, cleaving a massive gash through it all.
Wildlife safaris have been hugely popular in Kenya for decades, with legendary personalities such Ernest Hemingway and Karen Blixen highlighting their appeal, and films such as Out of Africa and Born Free portraying the romance, thrill and excitement of the country. Kenya has over twelve national wildlife parks, being among the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants, leopards and the famous wildebeest migration. The Masai Mara is famous for its annual Great Migration of more than two million wildebeest and thousands of Thomson's gazelle, zebra and impala. Aside from the Migration, game-viewing is excellent throughout the year. Large herds of elephant are common sights in the dry, ancient lakebed of Amboseli National Park, as are buffalo, gazelle, giraffe and zebra. In addition to the wildlife in Tsavo National Park, the Mzima Springs are popular, where millions of litres of cool, crystal-clear water flow out of the ground through porous volcanic rocks. The Samburu Game Park is a narrow plain giving way to rocky hillsides which are home to leopard. A highlight of these Parks is watching large numbers of elephant bathing in the Ewaso Nyiro River. The possibilities of trekking the glacial ridges of Mount Kenya, ballooning over the Masai Mara, snorkelling at the Marine National Park in Malindi on the Indian Ocean are all very real in Kenya.
Highlights of Kenya
- Kenya immortalised the safari with legendary personalities such as Ernest Hemingway and Karen Blixen, and films such as Out of Africa and Born Free.
- Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve is renowned for the annual Great Migration of millions of herbivores – one of the seven new wonders of the world.
- Masai and Samburu tribes-people live and tend their livestock alongside the resident wildlife.
- The country abounds in diverse landscapes, including the spectacular Great Rift Valley.
- It is one of the best countries in Africa for seeing large concentrations of animals throughout the year.
- Kenya is a birdwatcher's dream destination, with more than 1,000 species recorded.
- Lake Nakuru is a breeding ground for flamingo - up to two million birds can be found, and greater and lesser flamingos also migrate along Lakes Magadi, Elmenteita, Bogoria and Turkana.
- Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa and features a number of permanent glaciers. The best view of Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro is from Kenya's Amboseli National Park.
- The coastline is beautiful, particularly the Lamu Archipelago, featuring the islands of Lamu, Manda and Pate. Old Lamu Town is a World Heritage Site.
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer (September - April) |
34 °C |
20 °C |
| Winter (May - August) |
25 °C |
11 °C |
| Rainfall: April - June (long rains), October - Mid December (short rains) |
Kenya is divided by the Equator and its diverse geography means that temperature, rainfall and humidity vary widely. However, there are effectively four distinct zones:
The hot, rainy plateau of western Kenya has rainfall throughout the year, the heaviest usually during April when as much as 200mm may be recorded, and the lowest in January, with an average of 40mm. Temperatures range from a minimum of 14°C to a maximum of 36°C throughout the year.
The temperate Rift Valley and Central Highlands have perhaps the most agreeable climate in the country. Average temperatures vary from a minimum of 10°C to a maximum of 28°C. Rainfall varies from a minimum of 20mm in July to 200mm in April, falling in essentially two seasons – March to the beginning of June (the ‘long rains’) and October to the end of November (the ‘short rains’). Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Range are the country’s main water catchments, with falls of up to 3000mm per year recorded in these places.
In the semi-arid bush-lands of northern and eastern Kenya temperatures vary from highs of up to 40°C during the day to less than 20°C at night. Rainfall in this area is sparse and, when it does occur, is often in the form of violent storms. July is usually the driest month and November the wettest.
The consistently average temperatures of the humid coast region vary little during the year, ranging from 22°C to 30°C. Rainfall is dependent on the monsoon, which blows from the north-east from October to April and from the south-west for the rest of the year. Its rainfall averages from 20mm in February to around 300mm in May.
Depending on when the rains come, the Great Migration normally reaches Kenya around July. Hundreds of thousands of herbivores then disperse onto the plains of the Masai Mara for the next couple of months.
Key Facts
Population – 39 million
Capital - Nairobi
Currency – Kenya shilling
Language – Kiswahili, English, tribal languages
Nairobi, from the Masaai "enkare nyarobi" means "Place of Cool Waters"
“jambo rafiki” – hello friend
Time difference – GMT +3 hours
Telephone – country code 254, international code 00
Tanzania
Why visit Tanzania
Tanzania is unsurpassed for its magnificent scenery: from the snow-capped heights of Mount Kilimanjaro, the "Crown of Africa", to the exquisite floor of the Ngorongoro Crater; the jewel-like coastal islands of Zanzibar to the awe-inspiring Great Rift Valley, the natural splendours set the stage for the astoundingly diverse wildlife. Within the space of several hours it is possible to go from lazing on idyllic beaches and diving on exquisite coral reefs to exploring the narrow alleys of Arabian influenced Stone Town, from climbing mist-covered slopes in the Southern Highlands to trekking through barren landscapes around Ol Doinyo Lengai, guided by spear-carrying Masai warriors. Turtle season is between December and May, and these prehistoric creatures can be seen laying their eggs on the beaches.
Yet, despite its attractions, Tanzania has predominantly managed to remain unassuming and low-key. It has also remained enviably untouched by the tribal rivalries and political upheavals, and this makes it an ideal choice for both first-time visitors and Africa old hands.
Tanzania's natural endowment as a wildlife safari destination is unrivalled. Wild animals roam in vast uncrowded and unspoilt areas. The magnificent collection of game sanctuaries to the north of the country, near the border with Kenya, is referred to as the Northern Circuit. This is the most popular and accessible wildlife safari route in Tanzania, and is considered as one of the finest game viewing areas anywhere in the world. Arusha, a city of northern Tanzania is surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks. Beautifully situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley, it has a pleasant climate and is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.
Highlights of Tanzania
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain.
- Bordered by Africa's three largest lakes - Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria.
- Zanzibar Island, exploring bustling Stone Town, a World Heritage Site, and idyllic beaches, snorkelling, and picturesque fishing villages on Mnemba Island.
- Ngorongoro Crater - the largest intact caldera in the world, where wildlife are specifically protected.
- Olduvai Gorge - said to be the birthplace of man.
- The 20-million-year-old Great Rift Valley.
- The vast game-filled plains of the Serengeti and hot air balloon safaris.
- The annual Great Migration of millions of herbivores is a once-in-a-lifetime experience can be viewed between Tanzania and Kenya.
- More than twenty-five percent of Tanzania is dedicated to conservation areas.
- Possible to view the elusive "Big 10" in Tanzania - elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hippo, zebra and giraffe - plus the famous chimpanzees on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
- Tanzania boasts over 1,000 bird species, with Lake Manyara National Park alone being home to over 400.
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer (November -May) |
31 °C |
20 °C |
| Winter (June – October) |
22 °C |
15 °C |
| Rainfall: March - May (Long Rains “Masika”), November - December (Short Rains “Vuli”) |
Tanzania has a generally comfortable, tropical climate year-round, where temperatures rarely fall lower than 20°C. The coolest months countrywide are from June to October (15–20 °C), when it is also dry, and the warmest from December to March (25–31°C), although there are significant regional variations:-
- Along the warmer and humid coast, the average daily temperatures hover in the 30°C range, and only go as low as 25°C due to sea breezes from June to September. The climate here is determined in large part by the monsoon winds, which bring rains in two major periods. During the “masika” (long rains), from mid-March to May, it rains heavily almost every day, although seldom for the whole day, and the air can get unpleasantly sticky. The lighter “vuli” (short rains) fall during November, December and sometimes into January. July and August have the lowest rainfall.
- Inland, altitude is a major determinant of conditions. The central plateau is somewhat cooler and arid, while in the mountainous areas of the northeast and southwest, temperatures range between 10 and 20°C during cold and hot seasons respectively, and it can rain at any time of year. In the Kilimanjaro area, temperatures vary from 15°C in May-August period to 22°C over December - March. As one heads to the peaks of Kilimanjaro, temperatures can drop to below freezing, especially at night. The best climbing on Mount Kilimanjaro, which is surprisingly easy, is from August to October and from January to March.
Key Facts
Population – 43.7 million
Capital – Dodoma is the political capital, and Dar Es Salaam is the principal commercial city
Currency – Tanzanian shilling
Language – Swahili is the most widely spoken language, although English is the official language
“karibu tena” – welcome again
Peoples and Culture: there are over 120 tribes in Tanzania. However, the majority of people on Zanzibar follow the Muslim faith. Dress code to them is of particular importance and it is suggested that women try to dress fairly conservatively in order not to offend the local people. An Arabic influence is also evident in the people, who are a mix of Shirazia (from Persia), Arabs, Comorians (from the Comoros Islands) and Bantu from the mainland. The official language of Zanzibar is Kiswahili. Most residents have a good knowledge of English, Italian and various Arabic dialects.
Zanzibar's most world famous musician is Freddie Mercury! He was born Farrokh Bulsara on September 5th 1946 in Zanzibar, to parents Bomi and Jer Bulsara, who were Parsees - members of the Zoroastrian faith.
Time difference – GMT +3 hours
Telephone – country code 255
The overland trip was excellent - really well run. The guides were fantastic, the campsites great, and the food excellent. This has got to be the best way to see Africa in a short period of time ...
Amanzi Travel are excellent - professional, informative but with a real personal service ... The cheetah volunteer project was an absolutely fantastic experience, and the Overland trip was brilliant.
Jennie and Stuart, Sweden, 32 and 34 (Cheetah Volunteer Project and Overland Trip)
The tour was amazing and the staff went out of their way to make our time in Africa as fun and memorable as possible for us. Our tour leader told us the history and other interestings facts about each area we visited. The food was really good. I wasn't expecting cooked breakfasts every morning. There was loads of food, no one ever went hungry and the variety was excellent.There was a rota up so everyone had a task to do each day eg. food chopping, washing up, truck cleaning and truck packing, but this only took about 5 minutes every day.
The optional excursions were good, but there was no pressure to do any of them and there were plenty of activities already included. We felt very safe and were generally very well looked after.
Mary & Eleanor, UK, aged 50 & 15
Gemma at Amanzi Travel was extremely helpful, professional and promt in her replies ...
To sum up, voluneering with children in Africa, some of which diagnosed with aids or orphaned, was the most rewarding, life changing thing I have ever done. Seeing the childrens faces light up when I brought in a picture story book was so moving, I don’t think they had had a book read to them before, which was heartbreaking to think. Seeing their pure happiness in the small things in life like a new soccer ball, a new pencil or a piece of fresh bread was made me appreciate my own life so much more and realise all that I take for granted. When faced with a difficulty in my life now, I look to the big picture and shake myself out of it when I realise how pathetic and trivial it may be after spending time with children who may very well not live until their 21st birthday. I think everyone should volunteer at sometime in their life, preferably when they are young, to see how lucky we really are and how easy it is to put a smile on someone elses face. I learnt that the more we get, the more we want and the less happy we are. These children taught me to be happy with life itself, not with how much cash I have in the bank.
Overall I loved the experience and would go back to see the children in a heart beat. I found it so rewarding and put my life in perspective.
Our 5 week overland tour was absolutely amazing I loved every second of it. The food was delicious and our guides/driver were lovely. The truck and tents were fine, that's all part of the experience!
Jess, Australia, aged 21 (Kenya Teaching and Community Volunteer)
Thank you Amanzi Travel for organising the overland trip from Cape Town to Vic Falls for us, I did enjoy it immensely. Was lucky that the group were of varied ages and we had a ball. My daughter is undertaking volunteer work in Africa also with Amanzi Travel and I joined her for this overland trip. I visited her at the Victoria Falls Lion Project in Zimbabwe and was very impressed by the organisation. She is having a wonderful time there and will be staying on for a few more months. I spoke to a few other volunteers whilst I was there and they were all happy with their experiences.
Thank you again Amanzi Travel, I know you are helping alot of people in Africa with your projects and I have certainly told a lot of people who are interested in our experiences about you.
Suzanne, Australia, aged 62 (Southern Sun 21 Day (Northbound))
I really had a fantastic time with both volunteering & overland tours. I have so many stories to share with everybody that sometimes I sit down & wonder if I am making them up....I can't believe all of what I did and saw! I left home feeling both excited and so nervous about spending 9 weeks in Kenya alone on the Teaching & Community Volunteer project, but on arrival I was met by one of the Amanzi Travel guys and felt welcome and safe immediately. After that I was never 'alone' and was welcomed by all age groups and nationalities on the volunteer programme and overland trip. The cottage we stayed in in Limuru was brill and it had everything there to make you feel right at home. The variety of food was great and the staff were wonderful. Working with the kids was amazing and I felt as though as I had a good amount of time to spend in both the orphanage and the primary school. My six weeks was split half and half and by the time I left I felt as though I had seen real changes in the kids I gave extra help too who were usually left behind in the back of the class.
The overland trip was an awesome end to my time in Kenya. The truck was surprisingly comfortable and the staff brilliant. Be prepared to do your duties, cleaning, cooking etc but it's all part of the fun. Most places we stayed in were lovely and had bars for a fun evening. The drive through all the different places was lovely and seeing all the wildlife was amazing. From lions walking in front of you in the Masai Mara, to leopards crossing the road in Lake Nakuru and the magniciant gorillas in Bwindi are only a patch of what I saw. Memories I will have forever and the most fantastic 9 weeks of my life. Thanks for guiding me the right direction Amanzi!
Michelle, Ireland, aged 30 (Kenya Teaching and Community Volunteer, Gorillas and Game Parks 14 Day)