Ngorongoro Crater and African wildlife
The open savannah of the Serengeti and enclosed eco-system of the Ngorongoro Crater provide a contrasting view of African wildlife and landscapes. Added to this is the spice island of Zanzibar; take a tour to find, smell & taste the spices, explore the alleyways of Stone Town with its imposing doors, dive or snorkel the unspoilt reefs or simply sit back in one of the bars and enjoy the African sunset.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(OE-3303-P) |
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Fully Escorted Tour - Kumuka Tour Leader, Driver and Cook |
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All Activities, Sightseeing + Entrance Fees as Per Itinerary |
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All Meals Whilst Camping |
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Breakfast and Dinner Whilst on Zanzibar |
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National Parks and Reserve Entrance Fees |
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All Tolls and Taxes |
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Price Excludes |
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Local Payment: US$210.00, Flights, Optional Excursions. |
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Suitability / Level |
Easy |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
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Max Group Size |
24 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Days 1-2: The tour will depart from the hotel Boulevard at 10am on day one. Nairobi to Arusha. We depart Nairobi from the hotel Boulevard where we meet up with our fellow travellers. We then head towards Tanzania and the border town of Namanga. If there are clear skies we may catch a glimpse of the snow peeked caps of Mt Kilimanjaro. The following day from Namanga we cross over the border into Tanzania. Tanzanian visas will be required by most nationalities and can be purchased at the border. Please note: USD$ cash will be needed for visas. Be ready to be swamped by Masai ladies selling jewellery, you can pick up some great bargains from them whilst we clear customs and immigration formalities. Our route to Arusha takes us through the Masai tribe lands and along the western slope of Mt Meru. Arusha is situated on the southern slopes of Mt Meru and was originally a coffee town. These days safaris have taken over as its primary industry and it is now the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. In town you will find an excellent market and bakery, along with a post office, banks and e-mail facilities and we will have an opportunity to indulge in some curio shopping here.
Days 3-5: Serengeti N.P. & Ngorongoro Crater. It is not possible to take large trucks into the Ngorongoro Crater, so for the next few days we will be using a local operator with four wheel drive vehicles. Starting early we begin our journey to the Serengeti, en route stopping at the village of Mto Wa Mbu (Mosquito Creek) where there is a good curio market for more purchases. Prices here are quite expensive though, so be prepared to haggle for a good deal. Further along the road we pass Lake Manyara, the largest soda lake in East Africa, where we will stop briefly to enjoy the magnificent views from the escarpment. Driving through the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area we skirt our way around the rim of the crater itself, before heading down onto the short grass plains, arriving at the gate to the Serengeti National Park mid-afternoon. The Serengeti is the oldest and largest National Park in Tanzania, its name coming from the Masai word meaning "endless plains". Its landscape varies from the long and short grass plains in the south, to the central Savannah, the hilly wooded areas in the north, and extensive wooded areas in the west. It is world renowned for its immense concentration of game, in particular its lion and zebra populations and the annual wildebeest migration which commences in July, the beginning of the dry season, when they move in search of pasture towards the Masai Mara. It is a time when you will see the full circle of life for these animals sometimes called "the clowns of the plains". The migration journey is hazardous and many of the older and weaker animals will lose their lives to predators such as lions and crocodiles. The migration also coincides with the annual rutting season, the calves being born at the beginning of the rains when there is plenty of fresh grass for feeding. After crossing into the park, we game drive through the long grass plains to our campsite in the Seronera valley at the very heart of the National Park. Campsite facilities here are very basic. The following morning an early start finds us game driving in search of big game. There is also an opportunity to experience a hot air balloon ride over the fabled Serengeti plains. After approximately an hour ballooning, waiters serve a full English breakfast, together with continental pastries, accompanied by champagne and fruit juice, in colonial dress on long white clothed tables in the middle of the plains. We return to camp for lunch before making our way back across the plains to the Ngorongoro Crater. Tonight we camp right on the rim of the Crater, where weather permitting, we enjoy a spectacular view into this "Garden of Eden". Camping facilities are again basic. Early the next day we descend onto the Crater floor for a morning game drive in one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world. At 19kms across and 600m deep this is the 5th largest crater in the world. It is a world heritage site and boasts a unique eco system. The crater itself reflects a mini rift valley. It has a soda lake with flamingos, fresh water, open plains, and a forest area. There is a high concentration of animals here, and it is also a home to a small population of black rhino. We spend around 4 hours game driving around the crater, before heading back to camp for lunch. Watch out for the black kites! That afternoon we head back to Arusha and rejoin our truck for the onward journey to Dar es Salaam and the exotic island of Zanzibar.
Days 6-7: Arusha And Dar Es Salam. The next few days are spent covering the distance between Arusha and Dar Es Salaam. En route we have another chance to see Mount Kilimanjaro. This is the highest mountain in Africa at 5896m, and is snow capped all year round. We also pass through large sisal plantations and a number of small villages and towns. The temperature becomes noticeably hotter the closer we get to the port city of Dar Es Salaam, (translated from Swahili as "Haven of Peace"). This predominantly Muslim city is an absolute hive of activity. It started off as a humble fishing village in the mid 19th century becoming the capital in 1891. It is a city with most of its colonial character intact, though like most African cities there are contrasts in various parts of the city from the harbour fringed with palms and mangroves and Arab dhows and dugout canoes dotting the horizon, to the busy and dusty streets with their colourful and exotic atmosphere.
Days 8-11: Zanzibar. Our ferry crossing from Dar Es Salaam takes us 1-2 hours and soon we are stepping ashore on the "Spice Island" of Zanzibar. The name promises to take your senses to another world and has lured travellers to its shores for centuries. Many different cultures have made a home here: Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Dutch, Omani Arabs and the English all have contributed to, and influenced, Zanzibar. Hidden among the narrow winding streets of Zanzibar are countless bazaars, mosques and palaces. Marvel at the whitewashed, coral-rag houses, with over-hanging balconies and the richly detailed carved brass-studded doors. We spend two nights in the historic Stone Town staying in a local Zanzibari inn. There are many optional activities to enjoy in your leisure time. Take a trip to Prison Island to see the ruins of the old prison and the giant tortoises thought to have originated in the Seychelles, swim with the playful dolphins on the southern beaches or take a Spice Tour of the island. On the Spice Tour your local guide will show you a variety of different spices and fruits grown on the island, as well as explain more of its fascinating history. It is easy to see the strong Arabic influence as you listen to the Muslim prayer chanting and see the traditional dress. Zanzibar was a major centre for the slave trade in the 19th Century and at its height 50,000 slaves a year passed through the island before being exported overseas or sent to local plantations. Your guide will also take you to the site of the old slave market and you can visit one of the chambers where the slaves were imprisoned upon their arrival on the island. In the evening we can enjoy a "sundowner" watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean before sampling the delights of the local restaurants or maybe a trip to the night food markets to savour the myriad of fresh seafood available. Try a Zanzibari Pizza - not a pizza at all, but well worth a try! From Stone Town we head to the northern beaches for two days. Here you can enjoy a boat ride in a traditional Arabic sailing dhow, go snorkelling or even dive in the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean. Its coconut palms, white sands and clear blue sea make it a peaceful tropical setting for the ending of our tour.
Days 12-14: Dar Es Salaam To Nairobi. Bidding a fond farewell to Zanzibar we catch our return ferry to mainland Dar Es Salaam for our last opportunity to shop for souvenirs at the nearby markets, where you can watch the tradesmen handcrafting their wooden carvings.The last two days of our safari are spent on our return journey to Nairobi arriving at approx 5.30pm on the last day of the tour. NO accommodation is included on Day 14.
Post tour accommodation can be arranged by Kumuka. |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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-Camping (10 Nights)
-Hostel on Zanzibar - Optional (3 Nights) |
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Holidays
Extras |
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| Trip: |
Ngorongoro Crater and African wildlife |
| Duration: |
14 Days |
| Company: |
Kumuka Worldwide
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| Location: |
Nairobi |
| Region: |
Kenya,
Africa |
| Price: |
From
GBP650.00
p/p |
| Flights: |
Not Included 
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| Availability: |
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, December, |
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