Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar Jungle Safari
Days 1 – 3: Nairobi & Masai Mara, Kenya
We leave Nairobi early and head for the Masai Mara National Reserve. We cross the Great Rift Valley on our way to the Masai Mara, famous for its large populations of big cats, stunning scenery, and the Great Migration. We spend the next two nights camping on the outskirts of the world-renowned Masai Mara Reserve, home to Africa’s Big Five - elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, and leopard. Our days are filled with morning and afternoon game viewing drives searching for the abundant wildlife found in this 1510 sq km game park. The Masai Mara looks like idyllic Africa seen in movies, consisting of wide-open plains dotted with Acacia trees and thickets of vegetation, and fertile riverine woodland along the meandering Mara and Talek rivers.
Everywhere we go in the Mara, we will see numerous wild animals, including Masai giraffe, wildebeest, baboons, warthogs, bat-eared foxes, grey jackals, spotted hyena, topis, impala, and hartebeests. The Masai Mara Reserve is known for its’ annual Wildebeest Migration, when thousands of wildebeests, zebra, and other herbivores stampede across the plains in search of fresh grazing. In about July, they migrate north from Tanzania’s Serengeti and return south, crossing the Mara River in about November. This dramatic migration is one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles globally, especially seeing the grazers plunge into the Mara River inhabited by crocodiles and hippos. In addition, a unique number of predators and scavengers, such as lion cheetah and hyena, follow the herbivore migration adding to this truly spectacular sight. After three days of exploring the scenic Masai Mara, we cross the Great Rift Valley and return to Nairobi for an overnight stay.
Days 4 - 7: Arusha to Serengeti National Park, Olduvai Gorge & Ngorongoro Crater
Next, we travel south to the busy border frontier of Namanga, where we cross into Tanzania. We drive to Arusha, Tanzania's central safari hub located at the foot of lofty Mt Meru. There is time to explore the bustling city of Arusha, the halfway point between Cape Town and Cairo. Experience the colorful curio markets, shops, and lively coming and going of people. Leaving the town of Arusha, we make our way west to our next overnight camp situated on the plains outside Arusha. Take a walk around the base's open area and visit the local school and small clinic nearby. Walk to a local Masai village, the small yet informative Masai museum, and the attractive Meserani Snake Park.
We travel west by 4x4 safari vehicles from our camp near Arusha to Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, where we will spend the next three days. Our drive takes us across the Rift Valley via the village of Mto Wa Mbo ('mosquito creek'). We then pass the Ngorongoro Crater, driving around the rim, through the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. Along the way, we visit Olduvai Gorge, known as The Cradle of Mankind, a famous archeological site. Several significant hominid fossils, including some of the earliest known ancestral remains of humans, were first discovered by anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey. From Olduvai, we descend onto the game-rich open plains of the vast Serengeti, famous for it's enormous Great Migration.
Also known as the Wildebeest Migration, this annual wildlife spectacle occurs when 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 350,000 gazelles stampede across the endless Serengeti plains in search of water and fresh grazing. Visiting the Serengeti plains, lush in the wet season, and arider in the dry is an unforgettable wildlife experience at any time of year. Serengeti National Park is arguably the most famous game reserve globally, offering some of the best game viewings in the world. Tanzania's oldest national park, the Serengeti covers 15,000 square kilometers and is a world heritage site. The Serengeti is home to a remarkable diversity of wildlife and birds, including great herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, as well as lions and other predators. The Masai name for Serengeti is Siringitu, which means "the place where the land moves on forever," aptly describing the endless flat plains. After the unforgettable experience of camping under the stars in an unfenced campsite within the Serengeti, in an area where lion and hyena roam freely, we set off for the Ngorongoro Crater.
The Ngorongoro Crater, known as Africa’s Garden of Eden, is the largest unbroken caldera globally at around 326 sq km. We reach the top of the crater’s outer rim, at about 2400m above sea level, where we camp for the night. The views over the 600m deep and 16km wide crater are breathtaking. This World Heritage Site hosts almost all animal species found in East Africa, including rhino, lion, cheetah, elephant, hyena, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, buffalo, various antelope species, and numerous birds.
We take a game viewing drive in the morning as we make our way out of the Serengeti Plains, stopping for lunch before driving up the Crater rim. We camp on the Ngorongoro Crater rim tonight, enjoying spectacular views over the crater floor some 600m below (nights at 2400m above sea level can get cold, so bring a warm jacket). We make the steep descent onto the Crater floor in the morning and spend the morning game viewing in this unique wildlife haven. We have lunch in the Ngorongoro Crater before driving up the steep crater wall, stopping at the crater rim to admire the breathtaking views one last time. We return to our camp outside Arusha from the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater for an overnight stay.
Days 8 – 13: Dar es Salaam & Zanzibar, Tanzania
After stocking up on supplies in Arusha, we continue our journey south through Tanzania to Pangani River Camp, where we stay overnight. On our drive from Arusha down to Dar es Salaam, we get to see Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, at around 5895m high. The next stop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, is located on the East coast of Africa and as serves as the main port in Tanzania. There is usually some time to explore this bustling African city, browsing the curio markets and sightseeing. Next, we prepare for our trip to Zanzibar Island and spend the night at a campsite on the beach outside Dar es Salaam.
In the morning, we take a ferry to the Zanzibar Archipelago, a cluster of lush tropical islands lying about 40 km off Tanzania’s coast in the Indian Ocean. The main island is Unguja, also called Zanzibar Island, and the second main island is Pemba. The Zanzibar Islands are an alluring tourist destination, offering white-sand beaches, exotic spices, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors are drawn to Zanzibar for its’ idyllic beaches and fascinating history that can be seen in the architecture of places like Stone Town and its’ diverse cultures. We spend the next three nights in Zanzibar, allowing for plenty of time to explore this rustic and exotic island paradise. This tour does not follow an itinerary on Zanzibar Island, so you are free to choose your own activities and enjoy the islands at leisure.
Explore the palm-fringed beaches up north, choosing from the array of activities available. Activities include snorkeling and scuba diving in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, taking excursions to the smaller off-lying islands, and sampling the delicious fresh seafood on offer. Or you could relax on one of the beautiful beaches, sipping on a cocktail and taking a refreshing swim in the sea. Go on a romantic sunset cruise in a traditional Dhow sailing boat or hike one of the trails on the lush forested island of Zanzibar. Browse the bustling local markets and visit the intriguing mosques, palaces, and courtyards of Stone Town, or stroll through the winding lanes of the historic quarter stopping at Arabic-style shops. Finally, treat your senses to a Spice day tour to one of the spice plantations in the area where spices including cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper are grown - a feast of tastes, scents, and colors.
Zanzibar features a unique blend of Arabic and African cultures, having once been an important center for trading slaves and spices. Even today, the population of Zanzibar is primarily Sunni Muslim, with the strong Arabic influence being evident in Zanzibar’s culture as well as its’ architecture and town design. Some of the 19th century’s great European explorers, such as Richard Burton and David Livingstone, used Zanzibar as a base, with the islands gaining independence from Britain in 1963. After our exotic Zanzibar Island adventure, we take the ferry back to Dar es Salaam on the mainland, bringing the unforgettable Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar Camping Safari to a close.
Note: Your Zanzibar accommodation for the three-night island trip is included in the Basic Local Payment of the tour. Your tour leader will book accommodation in Stone Town (one night) and at the beach (two nights), but you are free to explore the island and relax at your own pace. Meals in Zanzibar are not included in the tour price or the Local Payment (budget about $30 - 35 per night).
Tour Transport
Transport on this tour is in a 24-seater, custom-built safari truck. The self-contained truck is fitted with onboard tables, individual lockers (70-litre), and a freezer, as well as safety features. The safari truck also features plug sockets, a library, and an i-pod jack.
