We leave Nairobi on day one for the drive south to Tanzania through sweeping and often arid plains dotted with whistling thorn. We cross into Tanzania at Namanga where you may be tempted by Maasai selling beaded jewellery and wooden carvings.

We have our Departure Meeting to go through tour details, including the group rosters and arrangements for our safari into the Tanzanian game parks. We then relax over our first meal together.

Distance: 278 kms
Est. Drive Time: 6 – 7 hours (depending on the border)
Meals: X1 Dinner

Leaving camp early this morning in landcruisers with pop-up-roofs, we head on safari travelling towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive takes us through rolling plains and traditional Maasai herdsmen can be seen throughout the region tending cattle and goats. We arrive at Naabi Gate, the entry to the Serengeti, by mid afternoon.

The seemingly endless grasslands of the Serengeti are the stage for the famous wildebeest migration. On the annual event 1.7 million wildebeest and other game, such as zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, impala and topi move en masse between the Mara, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti. The rains and the endless search for water and good grazing drive this movement. We game drive through the afternoon. Kopjes, small hills of rocks, are favourite vantage points for lion dozing in the sun from where they keep an eye out over the vast grassy plains.

We spend the night camped within the Serengeti with the sounds of the African bush around us. It is quite an experience to be in a tent with just the canvas between you and the wildlife of Africa.

Distance: 325 kms
Est. Drive Time: 6 hours including time in the Conservation Area, then game drives through the afternoon
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Lunch, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activities: Drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park
Vehicle for game drive: 4×4 land cruiser with pop up roof

Game viewing is often at its best early in the day, so we rise early and head out with a local driver to explore more of the Serengeti. Our game drives continue through the morning. This is Siringit – “the place where the land moves on forever” for the Maasai.

Big cats and other predators always capture the imagination. Regularly blonde-maned lions can be seen and with a little luck cheetahs can be found pacing the open grasslands. Leopards can be located resting up in the buffalo thorns and sausage trees that line the Seronera River. Spotted hyenas, bat-eared foxes and jackals also roam Serengeti, as well as the Conservation Area.

By early afternoon we leave the plains and enter more mountainous terrain on crossing back into the Conservation Area in the afternoon. A visit to a Maasai boma can be arranged and we are entertained by the traditional jumping dance performed by Maasai warriors. We can also visit a local school. The Olduvai Gorge Museum is also a stop off point (on request) where you can find out about the work of the Leakey’s into the origins of Man.

Our overnight camp tonight is near the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. We are at altitude here, so it is good to wrap up warmly tonight.

Distance: Game drives, then 163 kms to Ngorongoro Crater rim
Est. Drive Time: Game drives through the morning and slow transit in afternoon
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Lunch, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activities: Morning game drive in Serengeti National Park, return drive through the Conservation Area
Vehicle for game drives: 4×4 land cruiser with pop up roof

Optional excursions: Maasai Boma, balloon safari over the Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge Museum depending on road conditions and time constraints. Please note if you wish to visit Olduvai Museum you must let the office know prior to the tour departure.

This morning we are up before sunrise to visit Ngorongoro Crater. The Crater is a perfectly intact volcanic caldera and known as the ‘Noah’s ark’ of game reserves. During our morning game drives there is a chance to see the ‘Big 5’: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as plains game peacefully grazing including zebra, gazelle, impala and wildebeest. Hippopotamus can usually be found lolling in the pools and Lake Magadi can be rimmed with the pink of greater and lesser flamingo.

Leaving the Crater we travel back to Arusha. On the way there are beautiful views across The Rift and there is usually times to browse in a Maasai market.

We enjoy a prepared barbeque tonight back at the Arusha campsite tonight.

Distance: 195 kms
Est. Drive Time: Game drives through the morning in Ngorongoro Crater, then 5 hours to our Arusha camp in the afternoon
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Lunch, X1 Dinner

Included wildlife activity: Morning game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater
Vehicle for game drive: 4×4 landcruiser with pop up roof

We spend the morning in Arusha to shop and explore the town. After lunch we travel to Marangu at the foot of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 metres, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

The next day there is the option for a day hike in Kilimanjaro National Park to Mandara hut along the start 12of the Marangu route. This is a beautiful walk through tropical forest and on clear days there are exciting views of both the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks of the mountain.

Alternatively take a day tour of the Marangu area to visit the village to learn more of local life, to visit a coffee plantation and a nearby waterfall.

Distance, Day 5: 120 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 5: 3 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursions: Kilimanjaro day hike, Marangu day tour

We head south towards the Indian Ocean coast today, where we park up for a night to make final preparations for our four day stay on the tropical spice island of Zanzibar.

We retire tonight lulled to sleep by the sound of the waters lapping nearby and the breeze in the coconut palms.

Distance: 485 kms (545 kms if to Dar)
Est. Drive Time: 9 – 10 hours incl. lunch stop (11 – 12 hours if to Dar)
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

The last few days on tour allows us time on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar. We make core arrangements well ahead of time so we are assured our groups are comfortable in popular beach cottages to the north of the island and for a night in a simple local lodge in the traditional capital. The tour leader travels over to the island with the group to ensure that all runs smoothly. Other excursions available include snorkeling excursions to Prison Island, famous for its giant tortoise, as well as Mnemba Atoll; a trek in Jozani forest to see the red colobus monkeys, and fishing. Scuba diving can be arranged from the Dive Centre near the beach cottages.

Day 8 we travel by ferry in the morning to Stone Town, the ancient capital of Zanzibar Island. We head north, straight to the beach at Kendwa for a three-night stay in beach cottages. Zanzibar’s coastline offers superb white, palm-fringed beaches. Out from our beach cottages, we can swim in warm waters, much less susceptible to the tides than on the east side. The smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun. There is beach volleyball and fun beach bars.

There are also different excursions to enjoy. You can take a walk in the Jozani Forest, home of the red colobus monkeys or head south to swim with the dolphins off Kizimkazi Beach. There are also opportunities to visit Prison Island with its giant tortoise and to snorkel in crystal clear coral waters. Mnemba Atoll is a boat ride away just off the north east coast, and has superb corals and gorgeous schools of reef fish. Turtles who breed on the island, and dolphins, can be seen with a little luck. Seasonal whale shark and humpback whales can be seen gliding past.

For the final night, we check into a lodge within Stone Town. Stone Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. With its classic Swahili architecture of towers, courtyards and narrow alleys fronting onto shops, houses and mosques, the old town will catch your imagination. Mainly built of coral stone in the 19th century, the buildings have large verandahs with wooden balustrades and elegantly decorated balconies, and distinctly ornate wooden doors often with brass studs.

A Spice Tour on the island allows you to test different spices and fruits as well as find out a little of the island’s history. You can enjoy sundowners at Africa House whilst watching the traditional dhows sail in the harbour against the sunset and wander the evening food markets for Zanzibar pizza and other seafood delicacies.

Distance, Day 8: 60 kms Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam
Est. Drive Time, Day 8: Up to 2 hours Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam
Meals: X5 Breakfasts

Optional excursions: City tour, Snorkelling, Scuba diving, Mnemba Island, Turtle Sanctuary visit, Prison Island with a visit to the Aldabra tortoise, Jozani Forest to view the red colobus monkeys

Zanzibar Island finish
You can fly out at any time from the island the day after the tour ends or spend extra days here. We can also arrange the ferry back to Dar es Salaam for you should you fly out from there. Contact the office for more information as to arrangements at the end of the tour.

Extra accommodation can be arranged for those who would like more time on Zanzibar Island

Please note this itinerary is given as a guide only. A safari is a journey and true journeys unfold. They are of an adventurous nature. The unexpected can arise, so do allow for this. Feel free to give us a call about your safari plans. We look forward to having you onboard.

Why choose this tour
We have chosen this overland tour because this local partner has been active in the overland industry for over 35 years. They only use qualified and passionate tour leaders with a big love for Africa and they love their job. They use good materials (truck, tents and cooking equipment), they are a small-scale company with attention for personal contact and satisfaction. They are based in Arusha.

What is different to other tours

-They do not have personal lockers in the truck

-You need to bring your own cutlery

-This trip is made up of components and quite often during the safari you will probably meet clients doing shorter and longer sections of your trip depending on the booking patterns for the months you are travelling. This makes it very dynamic.

-Most lunches are not included.

-There are quit a few optional activities.
-This way you can design and control your budget more

African Travels, specialist in group tours to Africa
The founders of African Travels (born and raised in Africa) have worked on overland tours through the whole of Africa. With a background as tour leaders on African overland tours we give honest and independent travel advice. It matters to us that you are travelling with like-minded people. A small group tour is more popular with the 40 crowd and a camping tour with 22 passengers is generally more popular with travellers aged 20-30, keen for a party. We only work together with our personal network which we built over the last 30 years.

We offer a price beat guarantee. Have you seen the same tour somewhere else cheaper? Let us know at the time of booking your tour and we give you the same rate. Only applicable at the time of confirmation. Due to the ever-changing exchange rates we cannot adjust all our prices on a daily basis.