12 days tour

Road To Zanzibar

Road To Zanzibar

This tour includes:

Guide

On this trip you will be accompanied by three crew members - Group Leader, Cook and Driver who will usually be Kenyan. Your Group Leaderโ€™s role involves organizing the overall operation and smooth-running of the trip, managing trip logistics, coordinating the tipping kitty (where applicable) and will form work groups to take turns cooking, cleaning and shopping. (From time to time your leader may drive as well) Your Group Leader will work towards making the trip as safe and enjoyable as possible for all travellers. Intrepid trips are built around the coโ€“operation and participation of all the group members under the supervision of the group leader. The group leader will show the group how to set up and use the equipment. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting, especially when tracking and identifying game - we think itโ€™s the best of both worlds. Regardless of the country of origin, our Group Leaders are chosen for their leadership skills and are wonderful ambassadors for our company and our beautiful continent and its people. Your Cook is responsible for the cooking and will help to coordinate the work groups for preparing the meals and washing up! Cooks are also responsible for organizing food shopping (they are always happy to have you on board) and most importantly, they make sure high hygiene standards are kept at all times while camping. Your Driverโ€™s main responsibility is to get you to your destination safely; they are also responsible for the maintenance of the vehicles along the way. Everyone is expected to participate and carry their share of the workload/duties, making camp chores easier. The duties Rota system is adopted where all members share in general camp duties โ€“ cooking, shopping, washing up etc. If the whole group participates it will be quicker, easier, and more fun. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader and crew; however, situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.

Meals

11 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners

Others

Included activities Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive Serengeti National Park - 4x4 Game Drive Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & market visit Marangu - village walk & lunch Irente - Lushoto hike & local lunch Zanzibar - Spice tour

Accommodation

Accommodation on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied. The type and variety of accommodation is determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different - on some we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others we also use hotels. In Africa itโ€™s not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities so we use hotel accommodation and eat out in local restaurants. There may be the occasional night stop, when we stay in the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite which may also have rooms/cabins available. In this case there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room. Rooms cost approximately USD60-120 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards of these rooms vary greatly and we recommend viewing the room before purchasing the nights accommodation. The day by day itinerary advises when upgrades may be possible (subject to availability). Keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you may have to share with other passengers or be split into same sex rooms. Campsites do have facilities but they usually arenโ€™t to the same standard you would find in western countries. For example the bathroom facilities can be very basic. There is rarely toilet paper provided and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Wild camps have no facilities at all. At times there may be spare tents in the vehicles. Unfortunately these cannot be used without purchase of a single supplement. This is to ensure the tents avoid wear and tear, or are clean and ready for the customers arriving on the next section of the trip. Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights),Camping (with facilities) (5 nights),Hotel (2 nights),Bungalow (2 nights)

Transport

Overland vehicle,4X4 safari vehicle,Ferry,Minibus Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. Your vehicle type may differ from those listed above. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air. Each seat will have access to a power socket to charge your devices. This outlet will use a UK/K: enyan 3 pronged outlet. There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you. African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While itโ€™s certainly our aim to avoid them, itโ€™s important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times.

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Others

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights not included.

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Road To Zanzibar

  • Day 1 Day 1: Nairobi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Nairobi

      Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. If you arrive early, perhaps head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village.

      Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 2 Day 2: Mto Wa Mbu
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Mto Wa Mbu

      Depart early for Mto wa Mbu in your overland truck (approximately 10 hours). The trip includes a border crossing from Kenya into Tanzania, so be sure to have your passport handy. While youโ€™re on the road, there will be a stop at an ATM and a market or shop to stock up on any supplies you might need for the coming days. Arrive in Mto wa Mbu and acquaint yourself with this delightful small village โ€“ itโ€™s a fascinating snapshot of small-town African life, situated well off the tourist trail.

      Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

  • Day 3 Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: 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 3โ€“4 hours exploring this incredible, perfectly intact volcanic caldera. Watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent game viewing all year round (some 30,000 animals live here) and the photo opportunities are unrivalled. Next, itโ€™s on to the wide-open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa โ€“ 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.

      Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)

  • Day 4 Day 4: Serengeti National Park
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Serengeti National Park

      Awake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then head 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. Youโ€™ll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. Thereโ€™s also the option of a balloon ride over the park this morning โ€“ in place of some of todayโ€™s game drives. If you have pre-booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, getting some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, indulge in a five-star bush breakfast, then be returned to camp.

      Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)

  • Day 5 Day 5: Serengeti National Park / Mto Wa Mbu
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Serengeti National Park / 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. Once camp is set up, join the local community for a guided stroll around the farming areas, milling machine, and local homes and farmlands, before a local meal in town.

      Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

  • Day 6 Day 6: Usambara Mountains
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Usambara Mountains

      Prepare yourself for a long travel day heading for the Usambara Mountains (approximately 10 hours). Stretch your legs during a brief supply stop in Arusha, then jump back in the vehicle and watch the ever-changing scenery, read your favourite book or get to really know your fellow travellers. Your base will be Lushoto โ€“ an old German colony and home to the Wasambaa people. This highland town sits at approximately 1400 metres and this evening youโ€™ll camp in the grounds of one of the oldest hotels in Africa.

      Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

  • Day 7 Day 7: Usambara Mountains
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Usambara Mountains

      Explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains today โ€“ a lovely unspoilt area of Tanzania. Unlike the coast and the north, very few tourists visit this part of the country, so it has a freshness that can be hard to find elsewhere. As beautiful as the surrounding mountains and rainforests are, however, the real jewels here are the local people and villages. Youโ€™ll experience some hospitality on a visit to some of the small local communities. From your base, you will take a walk out to the gorgeous Irente viewpoint. Itโ€™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 an Irente farm and enjoy a picnic lunch.

      Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

  • Day 8 Day 8: Dar Es Salaam
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Dar Es Salaam

      Leaving the mountains behind, travel further south to the coastal town of Kipepeo Beach in Dar es Salaam (380 km, approximately 8โ€“9 hours). Your camp at Kipepeo is by the beach, so make the most of it โ€“ perhaps take a stroll along the shore after you arrive and settle in.

      Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

  • Day 9 Day 9: Stone Town
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Stone Town

      Catch a ferry to Africaโ€™s โ€™Spice Islandโ€™ of Zanzibar. Filled with pristine white-sand beaches, winding cobblestone alleyways and fragrant bazaars, Zanzibar has had a colourful history โ€“ everything from slave traders to Arabian sultans and fruit exporters. The sight of traditional dhows sailing along the coast evokes what the island must have been like in centuries ago. The old part of Zanzibarโ€™s main city is known as Stone Town, and the best way to see this is on foot, exploring the markets, shops, mosques, palaces and courtyards. When the sun is setting, why not grab a drink from a bar overlooking the seafront. A seafood curry at a local restaurant is also a great choice. Youโ€™ll spend the night in Stone Town at a basic inn.

      Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 10 Day 10: Zanzibar Northern Beaches
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Zanzibar Northern Beaches

      Once checked out of your Stone Town accommodation, consider booking in to an optional guided tour of the islandโ€™s spice plantations, learning all about the history of this townโ€™s spice trade. You will have the opportunity to smell and taste various spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger, plus sample some teas made with these spices too. After lunch, head to the Northern Beaches, where white sands and sparkling blue seas await. This is the Indian Ocean at its best.

      Accommodation: Bungalow

  • Day 11 Day 11: Zanzibar Northern Beaches
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Zanzibar Northern Beaches

      Enjoy free time in this beautiful archipelago today. There are many ways you can spend your day โ€“ perhaps talk to your leader for any recommendations they might have. Snorkelling in search of exotic fish is an excellent option, or you could take a traditional dhow boat on the water. You might also like to feast on a sumptuous lunch of grilled local seafood, or just relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree with a good book. Itโ€™s totally up to you!

      Accommodation: Bungalow

  • Day 12 Day 12: Stone Town
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Stone Town

      After checking out of your accommodation this morning, you will make your way back to Stone Town, arriving at a centrally-located hotel around 12 pm. With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. That doesnโ€™t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you wish to stay on in Zanzibar, either at the Northern Beaches beach resort or in Stone Town, weโ€™ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 15 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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