CAMPING SAFARI: Take in the best of Tanzania including a 4-day Zanzibar beach break on this 11-day overland camping safari. Explore Stone Town and unwind on the island's northern beaches. See mighty Mount Kilimanjaro and search for some of Africa's most iconic wildlife in the Serengeti National Park and the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. Welcome to Tanzania. We depart from Dar es Salaam early this morning and travel by ferry to Zanzibar island. Evocative and exotic, Zanzibar conjures up images of idyllic, sandy, palm-fringed beaches, romantic winding cobbled alleys, and lush tropical forests. Our time on Zanzibar island is free for you to relax and explore at leisure. We spend our first night at a hotel in historic Stone Town.
In Zanzibar, we will be staying in simple hotels, with breakfast included. We typically spend day 1 in Stone Town and days 2 - 4 at one of the northern beaches, but this can be flexible.
Please note: The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 07:00 on Day 1 so please arrive in Dar es Salaam the day before your tour. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book accommodation and transfers on request.
Overnight: Stone Town - Zanzibar
Relaxing on Zanzibar
On day 2 we travel from Stone Town to the northern beaches of the island, a true tropical paradise. These three days are free for you to do as much or as little as you please. Lounge on the sunkissed beaches of Kendwa, snorkel in the tropical sea, or take a yacht or dhow trip. You could also book an optional spice plantation tour, go scuba diving, or enjoy a relaxing massage - it's up to you!
Overnight: Kendwa - Zanzibar | Breakfast x 3
Zanzibar to Bagamoyo
Zanzibar - Bagamoyo. We have the morning to do any last-minute shopping or enjoy one last swim before catching the ferry back to the African mainland, Dar es Salaam and onwards to Bagamoyo for the evening. The quaint town of Bagamoyo was founded at the end of the 18th century and was one of the most significant trading ports along the East African coast. Our camp for the evening is situated close by to the palm fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean.
Overnight: Bagamoyo | Breakfast, Dinner
Views of Kilimanjaro
Bagamoyo - Marangu. Departing early we drive north past the Usambara and Pare Mountains to Marangu. This small town is nestled at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain famed for its near-permanently snow-capped peak. If the weather is clear you will be able to enjoy magnificent views of the mountain from our campsite and the surrounding area.
Overnight: Marangu | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arusha
Marangu - Arusha. We make the drive to Arusha, Tanzania's safari capital and our base for exploring the Serengeti and famed Ngorongoro Crater. We enjoy a walk to one of the local Masai villages. Here we visit a local school and clinic, browse the small Masai museum and see the crocodiles, pythons, and other species at the Meserani Snake Park. There is optional camel riding available too.
Overnight: Arusha | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Serengeti National Park
Arusha - Serengeti National Park. Leaving our overland truck behind, we transfer to smaller 'game park friendly' vehicles and drive west across the Great Rift Valley to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We drive around the rim of the crater and down onto the wildlife-rich plains of the Serengeti, one of the last great wildernesses in the world.
Millions of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope migrate across these plains throughout the year, followed by the predators, such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. We game drive to our camp, stopping whenever we see anything of note. Tonight is spent at an unfenced campsite, where we can listen to the sounds of the bush and hopefully see some wildlife from our camp!
Overnight: Serengeti National Park | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater. Game driving out of the Serengeti on day 9, we can search for any species we have not managed to spot so far. We travel back to the Ngorongoro Crater, camping on the rim of this UNESCO-listed natural
Overnight: Ngorongoro Crater | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ngorongoro Crater game drive
Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha. This morning we wake early and drive down a steep road into the crater to enjoy a game drive in this incredible wildlife haven. On our game drive, you will have the chance to spot every major African animal, except for giraffes. Interestingly, they cannot manage the steep climb down the crater rim!
After our game drive, we returning to camp for lunch and pack up before making the journey back to Arusha.
Overnight: Arusha | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nairobi
Arusha - Nairobi (Kenya). This morning we cross the border into Kenya. We then journey to the capital, Nairobi, where our tour comes to an end on arrival later afternoon.
Breakfast, Lunch
Prices & Dates
Departures are guaranteed to operate when there are 6 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a tent. 'Shared' prices are applicable to solo travellers, who will share a tent with another traveller of the same sex.
Local payment - $850pp paid in USD
Please note that this is payable locally on day 1 of your trip in the currency specified.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
All Seasons Hotel, Zanzibar
A great base for exploring Stone Town, the All Seasons Hotel is located in the heart of the old part of Zanzibar City and just a few hundred metres from the beach. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, TV and a terrace. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Guests can dine at the onsite restaurant, and the hotel is situated within easy distance of an array of other restaurants and attractions, including the Old Fort of Zanzibar and the Persian Baths.
Sunset Bungalows, Zanzibar
Sunset Bungalows hotel is located on the northern Kendwa Beaches of Zanzibar's main island. This tropical paradise is the perfect place to while away a few days before getting back on safari. Recently renovated rooms come with four-poster or twin share beds, air-conditioning, seating area and ensuite bathrooms. The onsite Sunset Restaurant serves a delicious variety of Swahili and international cuisine, as well as a selection of cocktails. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the property and a beachside swimming pool offering wonderful ocean views.
Firefly Camp (campsite), Bagamoyo
The campsite at Firefly is just a few metres from the beach in Bagamoyo. There are shared toilets and showers and the communal areas, outdoor swimming pool and Wi-Fi connection are free for campers to use too. Food is served all day at the camp's restaurant and bar, including free coffee in the morning. Guests can also browse the souvenir shop, relax in the spa, or hire bicycles to further explore Bagamoyo.
Meserani Snake Park (campsite), Arusha
Founded in 1993 on the outskirts of Arusha, the Meserani Snake Park was once a barren wasteland, now it's a lush wildlife park, with hundreds of trees planted which are also home to native bird species. Travellers can visit a local Maasai village guided by a Maasai warrior and can explore the Snake Park zoo itself, home to 48 African snake species including the deadly Black spitting cobra and reptiles including crocodiles. The Snake Park hosts a monthly medical clinic for the local community too, serving more than 1,000 patients monthly. The campsite offers shared ablutions with hot water and you will camp amongst the birdsong-filled trees. The onsite Snake Park Bar is famous in the area for its array of memorabilia.
Simba Camp (campsite), Ngorongoro Crater
An unfenced campsite boasting stunning views of the Ngorongoro Crater and with wildlife free to roam around the campsite, Simba Camp is the perfect base for enjoying a wildlife safari in the Ngorongoro Crater. There are well-maintained shared bathroom facilities with hot water, and firewood can be purchased onsite. Take a short walk from camp for unrivalled views of the crater, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife as you go.
At a Glance
