EAST AFRICAN ADVEnTURE - 10 days two Countries

10 days
Nairobi, Serengeti, Panagni, Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar

If you are coming up from South Africa after the Penguin Rescue project in Cape Town, this is an ideal extension to connect you to East Africa and our Tanzania expedition.

Windhoek, the cosmopolitan hub of Namibia is the starting point for this safari. Heading for the coastal adventure town of Swakopmund we start our adventure. Sand boarding, sky diving and quad biking are on the cards, or simply exploring this landmark town promises to be an adventure. Journeying up north we find ourselves in the wildlife wonderland of Etosha National Park, before entering Botswana, a landlocked country comprising the Kalahari Desert and the world's largest inland delta, the Okavango Delta. From one waterway to another, you will travel to the mighty Victoria Falls and further north to Lake Malawi before ending up on the colourful island of Zanzibar.

Itinerary

This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road &
weather conditions, political situations and group decisions.

All prices & Local Payments are subject to change with prior notice. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.

DAY 1: Nairobi to Arusha (Tanzania) (L / D)
This morning we collect the passengers who’ll be joining us on the next leg of our trek. We travel south
crossing the border into Tanzania at Namanga. Tonight we stay in a lovely campsite in Meserani on the
outskirts of Arusha, before heading out on our Optional Excursions to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Crater.
DAY 2-4: Arusha to Serengeti National Park (OPTIONAL) (B / L / D)
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. We conduct these excursions in locally operated 4WD
vehicles, which are adapted for safari use. Depending on which option you choose, you will be away
from the Arusha campsite for either one or two nights. 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 takes us 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. We spend the evening at a pleasant campsite in Karatu. The following morning we depart early for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and head into the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino. Those on the 1 night option will transfer back to Meserani after the game drive. After our game drive in the Crater, we head down the Crater rim and past the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ on our way to the Serengeti National Park. We cross the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight we camp in the bushveld surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness. In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident game. With some luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’!
After our morning drive, we head back across the plains and the lush Crater rim to our truck at Arusha,
where we spend the evening musing over our thrilling wildlife experience.
DAY 5: Arusha to Pangani (B / L / D)
After a morning spent exploring Arusha and its vibrant craft markets, we head south towards Dar es
Salaam. On the way we drive through the town of Moshi. Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro
climbing expeditions, and weather permitting; we may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain’s
snowy summit - a photo opportunity not to be missed! We pass through vast sisal plantations surrounded by The Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before reaching our lovely campsite nestled between these mountains, midway between Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
DAY 6: Pangani to Dar es Salaam (B / L / D)
Today we continue on to Dar es Salaam. Travelling through lush scenery and palm trees, we near the
warm Indian Ocean. On arrival in Dar es Salaam we make our way to our lovely seaside campsite and
prepare for our departure to Zanzibar the next morning.
DAY 7: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar (B)
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island,” where we have the option to spend the next 3 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 us to replace those that’ll leave us at the end of our excursion to Zanzibar.

PLEASE NOTE: Accommodation and Meals are for your own account whilst on Zanzibar, as it is our
experience that passengers prefer to explore the island on their own. The Trip Leader joins you and can
arrange your 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 if you’d 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 (D)
Leaving Zanzibar, we return to the mainland and another night in Dar es Salaam.

Trip Code: ND10
Pre-Departure Meeting: 5:00 pm the day before at the departure point
Departure Point: Nairobi - Boulevard Hotel, Harry Thuku Road
Check-in: 08:45 am
Departs: 09:30 am
Accommodation: Camping
Group Size: Maximum 30 passengers
Safari Vehicle: Overland Truck

 

Optional Excursions

• Optional Excursions
  Arusha - 3 Day / 2 Night Serengeti/Ngorongoro Crater Excursion
  . . .US$380
  Arusha - 1 Day Ngorongoro Crater Excursion
  . . .US$200
  Zanzibar - Accommodation
  . . .US$ 20 p/p/p/n
  Zanzibar - Stone Town - Spice Tour
  . . .US$ 250
• NOTE: there is the free 3 Day Maasai Mara Expedtion avialble to add to this adventure.

Prices

All overland expeditions have a sterling amount to pay in the UK before departure, and a US$ amount to pay locally, of $180, at the beginning of the trip.

£395
US$790