17 Days 16 Nights Arusha Friends Tour Package

hotel Lodge 3star

Border Information: Welcome to Kenya! If joining the trip in Nairobi, you will most likely enter Kenya at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA code: NBO).There will be a group meeting at 6:00pm - your trip leader will leave a note on the reception with the details of this important meeting.Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Nairobi before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Nairobi.

hotel Lodge 3star

After breakfast we will head out in our overland truck for included visits to the Langata Giraffe Sanctuary and the Nairobi Elephant Orphanage.From late afternoon you will have free time to explore the sights of Nairobi or simply relax by the pool!

hotel Campsite 3star

We will leave Nairobi early today, as we have a relatively long drive day ahead of us. We will travel overland through Kenya and cross the border to northern Tanzania as we head to our camp site outside of Arusha.

hotel Campsite 3star

This morning we will take a walk to a nearby Maasai village - our Maasai guide will take us through the Maasai Cultural Museum first so that we understand what we are about to see in the village. The village is completely genuine, and the villagers show you as they actually live - nothing here is fixed up for tourists. We will also visit a free clinic run by the campsite for the local villagers.After lunch we head back to our campsite to prepare ourselves for our safari the next day!

hotel Campsite 3star

Today we will be met at the campsite by our fleet of 6-person 4x4 jeeps - we will load the jeeps with our camping and personal gear, and then head out for our 3-day excursion to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, leaving our truck behind.Today will be a full drive along the rim of the Ngoronogoro Crater (stopping to take in the awe-inspiring views!) and then down into the plains of the Serengeti. We will take an evening game drive around the savannah before heading to our campsite - the area is one of the world’s premier spot for wildlife viewing and we hope to able to find elephants, lions, leopards, giraffe and other big game during our time here!Tonight we will stay at a campsite within the Serengeti NP. The camp where we stay is very basic (with showers and flush toilets, but no other facilities) but is located right in the middle of the plains, surrounded by animals and their nocturnal noises! Your leader will outline the basic safety rules to be followed when camping in an unfenced location where wild animals are present.

hotel Campsite 3star

Today we will get up very early and we set off in our jeeps for an early morning game drive in the heart of the Serengeti plains. The early morning is the best time of day for wildlife viewing, as many of the animals are at their most active while it is still cool.There is an option this morning to take a hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti instead of the game drive - demand is high for this activity, so this must be pre-booked at the time that you book your trip with us to avoid disappointment.We will have the chance to relax at the nearby Seronera Lodge during the heat of the day, before heading out for a second game drive in the afternoon.We will return to our campsite in the heart of the Serengeti for the evening.

hotel Campsite 3star

This morning we will have another early start to cross the Serengeti plains and head into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. Again, the Ngorongoro Crater is an outstanding area for wildlife spotting, often described as a ’natural wildlife enclosure’. This is the best chance on the excursion to spot black rhinos as well as a myriad of other big game.We will have lunch in the crater and leave in the afternoon. We will then be dropped off at our next campsite in the small town of Mto Wa Mbu, where we are re-united with our truck.We will have a well-deserved free evening to relax at our excellent campsite or to explore the town of Mto Wa Mbu.

hotel Campsite 3star

Today we will set off again in our overland truck and head east to Marangu, where we have a nightstop camping in the grounds of a beautiful colonial hotel at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. We will go past the whole length of Mount Kilimanjaro where we’ll hope for clear skies and fantastic views of the mountain from the road.

hotel Campsite 3star

Today we will have a short drive to the village of Mshiri, where we will visit the Marangu Village Education Project to learn about the Chagga people and have a delicious local lunch.We will then make our way back to our campsite, where we can take a walk to some nearby waterfalls or simply relax at the pool!

hotel Campsite 3star

Today we will leave the slopes of Kilimanjaro behind us as we make our way south to the cooler, less frequented Usambara Mountains and the old German colonial village of Lushoto.

hotel Campsite 3star

After breakfast we have an included easy half-day trek in the Usambara hills to the Irente lookout to see the breathtaking view over the Maasai Steppe below, and to visit the communities in the villages en route.The rest of the day will be free for you to independently explore the area more, or to simply relax.

hotel Campsite 3star

Today we have another travel day south to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city on the coast of the Indian Ocean.

hotel Campsite 3star

Today we will have a free day to enjoy a range of optional beach activities.

hotel Campsite 3star

This morning we will head to the exotic and beautiful island of Zanzibar! We will travel on the local commuter barge from Kigamboni to the city centre of Dar es Salaam, and then take a ferry from Dar es Salaam centre to Zanzibar. The ferry will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes.When we reach Zanzibar, we will meet our local guide who will help us check in to our hotel in Stone Town, and then give a quick orientation of the town before we branch off and head to lunch! We will have a free afternoon to explore the atmospheric streets of the historic centre of Stone Town, with the option of meeting for sunset drinks at Africa House and heading out to the night markets for a local dinner.

hotel Campsite 3star

On our second day on Zanzibar we will join our local guide for a very interesting and informative tour around the sights of Stone Town and learn about the history of the island. We will then head away from town and take in a tour of a spice plantation and enjoy a local lunch with our guide, before heading back to our hotel for a free afternoon to independently explore and relax.

hotel Campsite 3star

Today is a completely free day for optional activities and exploration of the beautiful island of Zanzibar.

Border Information: If leaving in Zanzibar, you will most likely exit Tanzania from Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Zanzibar. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities available.