Masai Mara and Tanzania Explorer Tour

Our East African adventure begins this morning as we depart the bustling Kenyan capital and journey overland across the dramatic expanse of the Great Rift Valley. Upon arrival at our camp, nestled on the edge of the renowned Masai Mara Reserve, we'll have ample time for an exhilarating afternoon game drive. To enhance our wildlife viewing, we'll switch to specialized safari vehicles within the Masai Mara, ensuring an optimal experience.

Note: The essential pre-departure meeting takes place at 18:00 the evening before departure. Our tour departs promptly at 08:00 on Day 1, so please plan to arrive in Nairobi the day prior.

Overnight: Masai Mara
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Today is dedicated to a full exploration of the legendary Masai Mara with both morning and afternoon game drives. Forming a vital part of the Serengeti ecosystem and bordering Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara stands as perhaps Africa's most iconic wilderness. As the stage for the Great Migration, you might witness the breathtaking spectacle of millions of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra traversing the plains throughout the year, relentlessly pursued by lions, stealthy leopards, and swift cheetahs. In the Mara River, patient crocodiles lie in wait for vulnerable prey, while scavengers like hyenas efficiently clear the remnants of kills. With numerous included game drives, you'll have exceptional opportunities to spot these incredible species, alongside majestic elephants, sturdy buffalo, graceful giraffes, and many more.

Overnight: Masai Mara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving the captivating landscapes of the Mara behind, we journey back across the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi, where we'll spend the night. Tonight offers a chance to delve into Nairobi's vibrant nightlife or indulge in a memorable dining experience at the famed Carnivore Restaurant (optional).

Overnight: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast

Today, we bid farewell to Kenya as we board our overland truck and cross the border into neighbouring Tanzania. Our destination is Arusha, known as Tanzania's safari capital, strategically located near the Serengeti and lying in the shadow of the impressive Mount Meru. We'll have the opportunity to browse the colourful local markets before arriving at our campsite for the night. Depending on timing, there might also be a chance to visit a traditional Maasai village (optional).

Overnight: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Once again, we transfer to smaller, specialized safari vehicles, perfectly suited for our adventure into the vast Serengeti National Park. Significantly larger than the Masai Mara, the Serengeti is renowned for being home to all of the "Big Five" – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo – promising unforgettable wildlife encounters. Our journey takes us around the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater (which we'll explore later in the tour!), as we enjoy a game drive en route to our unfenced bush campsite. Tonight, we'll camp under the African sky, serenaded by the sounds of the wild.

Overnight: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 sees us embarking on a final game drive through the Serengeti before enjoying lunch. Afterwards, we ascend the outer wall of the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater. We'll spend the night camping on the crater rim, where wildlife also roams freely. Spanning a remarkable 326 square kilometres, the Ngorongoro Crater is Africa's largest intact caldera and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the panoramic views from the rim, at 2400 meters above sea level, are spectacular, the experience of being on the Crater floor, some 600 meters below, is equally captivating.

We rise early on Day 7 and descend the steep, winding dirt road into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning dedicated to game driving within this extraordinary wildlife sanctuary. After a rewarding morning, we return to our rim campsite for lunch before beginning our journey back to Arusha.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Crater (1), Arusha (1)
Meals: 2 x Breakfast | 2 x Lunch | 2 x Dinner

An early start today sees us heading south via Moshi towards the historic port city of Bagamoyo, situated on the picturesque Indian Ocean coast. It's a longer drive, but on a clear day, we'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the snow-capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our campsite for the night is located near the beach, inviting you to step out and explore the coastal ambience at your leisure.

Overnight: Bagamoyo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We continue our southward journey along the Tanzanian coast to Dar es Salaam, the country's bustling and vital port city. This is a relatively short drive of just 2-3 hours, allowing you ample time to independently explore the city's diverse offerings. Admire the intricate Arab architecture, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the local markets, relax on the inviting beaches, or enjoy the lively bar scene. Tonight, we'll camp on the beach, anticipating our ferry to the tropical paradise of Zanzibar tomorrow.

Overnight: Dar es Salaam
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On the morning of Day 10, we'll board a ferry to Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous tropical island fringed by stunning beaches, just off the Tanzanian mainland. Our trusty overland truck will remain in Dar es Salaam.

Our time in Zanzibar is intentionally unstructured, offering you ample opportunity to unwind on the palm-lined beaches with a captivating book or partake in a variety of optional excursions. These might include aromatic spice tours, vibrant snorkelling or scuba diving adventures, or indulging in a soothing massage. Refer to your Trip Notes for a comprehensive list of options.

Generally, we'll dedicate one day to exploring the ancient heart of Zanzibar City, the fascinating Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Following this cultural immersion, we'll head to the idyllic northern beaches for two further days of sun-drenched relaxation in the turquoise waters. While in Zanzibar, we'll enjoy the comfort of standard hotels instead of camping.

Overnight: Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast x3

Enjoy a final refreshing swim in the crystal-clear turquoise ocean or indulge in some last-minute souvenir shopping before we board the ferry for our return journey to the mainland. Feeling rejuvenated after your three-day island escape, it is now time for our incredible East African tour to come to an end.

Meals: Breakfast