Compare Stone Town to Nairobi by Intrepid Travel vs 16 Day Kenya Safari Exploration with Zanzibar by Gate 1 Travel
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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3.5 | Average
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| Duration | 9 days | 16 days |
| Price From | $ 2,227 | $ 6,709 |
| Price Per Day | $ 247 | $ 419 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Take an East African road trip and spend nine days searching for wildlife among Tanzania’s incredible scenery, from the remote Usambara Mountains to the vast expanse of the Serengeti. Go on game drives in search of lions, elephants and rhinos, and experience small-town life during village stays, crafting and cooking sessions. This overland adventure is all about being as close to nature and wildlife as possible – camping in the wild, watching animals you’ve only ever seen on TV in the flesh and going without wi-fi most nights. |
3 Nairobi, 2 Samburu National Reserve, 1 Aberdare National Park, 2 Lake Naivasha, 2 Masai Mara National Reserve, 2 Stone Town, 2 Kiwengwa |
Day 1 Stone Town / Bagamoyo
Jambo! Welcome to Zanzibar. Your African adventure begins in Stone Town, Zanzibar’s Old Town. Meet your tour leader and travel group at an 11 am welcome meeting at your hotel. After, catch the ferry to Dar es Salaam. Then board your overland vehicle (and meet your driver and cook) and take the short drive to your camp at Bagamoyo, a lovely spot by the beach.
Day 2 Usambara Mountains
Travel into the remote Usambara Mountains (approximately 7 hours). This unspoilt area of Tanzania attracts very few tourists, making it the perfect place to soak in your surroundings. The forests stretch across the mountains and are ideal for easy hikes and guided walks. You base is the old German colony of Lushoto, where you’ll stay on the grounds of one of the earliest hotels in Africa.
Day 3 Usambara Mountains
Today, explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains and experience this area’s gentle hospitality on a visit to some of its small communities. From your base, hike to the gorgeous Irente viewpoint. It's best to pack some water and snacks in a day pack for this trip. On your way back, visit a local cultural project based at Irente farm and enjoy a locally prepared lunch.
Day 4 Arusha
Get ready for is a full day of travel as you board your truck once again and venture towards Tanzania’s national parks. Your destination is the sprawling gateway town of Arusha. Arrive at your campsite on the outskirts of the town and settle in for the evening.
Day 5 Karatu
After breakfast this morning, head to Karatu, the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater. Here, you'll hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves and the Endoro waterfalls along the way. Rich with calcium, the Elephant Caves got their name as elephants would come here and break off pieces of rock, eating the dust to receive important minerals. Today's trek, accompanied by an expert local guide and armed ranger, is the perfect way to stretch your legs after a few days of overland travel. You'll hike through Ngorongoro rainforest as your local guide explains the ins and outs of the area here and points out interesting animal tracks and footprints. Marvel at the wild landscape and spot beautiful birdlife as you walk. After, head to Karatu village for a tour of the local coffee farm. Here, you'll see the innovative farming practices from the locals and learn about the farming activities that sustain the coffee, bean, maize, banana, soya and pea crops. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dinner with a local Tanzanian family in their home, who will cook you a few different dishes to try. Learn about the local culture with educational stories from a locally trained guide. What a night!
Day 6 Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park
Get up early, put your camping and personal gear into a six-person jeep and head out for an excursion into the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy a safari in the crater, spending between 3 and 4 hours exploring this perfectly intact volcanic crater. Watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. Next, move on to the open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa – the home of thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Your campsite is within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.
Day 7 Serengeti National Park
Wake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then go back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do, head out again as the day begins to cool. You'll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. There's also the option today of a balloon ride over the park (in place of a portion of the morning game drive). If you have pre-booked this activity you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, you will glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. After landing, you'll be treated to a five-star bush breakfast, then be returned to your camp.
Day 8 Mto wa Mbu
Rise with the sun and enjoy another game drive as you leave the Serengeti in your dust. Jump back into your overland vehicle and head for Mto wa Mbu. After setting up camp, we'll take a guided stroll through the farming areas, local homes and farmlands, getting to know the local community and their way of life. Later, we'll enjoy a scrumptious locally prepared dinner in town.
Day 9 Nairobi
Set off early and cross the Kenyan border then continue to Nairobi. You'll be dropped at the finishing point hotel in Nairobi where your trip ends. If you'd like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.
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DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Kenya
DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Nairobi
DAY 3, Saturday - Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre
DAY 4, Sunday - Evening Game Drive in Samburu National Park
DAY 5, Monday - Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in Samburu National Park
DAY 6, Tuesday - Game Viewing in Aberdare National Park
DAY 7, Wednesday - Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
DAY 8, Thursday - Lake Naivasha Boat Tour, Cooking Class
DAY 9, Friday - Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve
DAY 10, Saturday - Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve
DAY 11, Sunday - Travel to Nairobi
DAY 12, Monday - Stone Town, Sunset Dhow Cruise
DAY 13, Tuesday - Tour of Stone Town, Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park
DAY 14, Wednesday - Mtoni Palace Ruins, Spice Farm, Kidichi Persian Baths
DAY 15, Thursday - Day at Leisure
DAY 16, Friday - Depart Tanzania |
