Days 01-02:

Amboseli National Park and Arusha.  The tour will depart from Hotel Boulevard at 10am.  Our destination today is Amboseli National Park.  On a clear day the park gives stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro which make a wonderful backdrop for photographs.  Kili measures 5895m and is Africa's highest mountain.  

Amboseli is very much elephant country and huge herds, many still with relatively large tusks, can be seen at most times of year.  Also present in the park are small numbers of lions, hyenas and jackal as well as abundant populations of zebra, giraffe and many species of plains antelope.

The following day 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.  When we arrive at the border 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. Today safaris have taken over as the town's 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 03-05:

Serengeti National Park and 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 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”. The landscape here 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. This park 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.  July is generally the beginning of the dry season and the time when the wildebeest herds and some Zebra move north towards the Masai Mara in  search of better pasture.  The migration 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, smartly dressed waiters serve a full English breakfast, together with continental pastries, accompanied by champagne and fruit juice 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. Measuring 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 4½ hours game driving around the crater, before heading back to camp for lunch. Watch out for the black kites - renowned for stealing many a Kumuka passenger's lunch!

In the afternoon we journey back to Arusha and rejoin our truck for the onward journey to Dar es Salaam and the exotic island of Zanzibar.

Days 06-07:

Segera 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 snow capped Mount Kilimanjaro.   We also pass through large sisal plantations and a number of small villages and towns. The temperature becomes noticeably hotter as 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 before becoming the capital in 1891. It is a city with most of its colonial character intact, though like most African cities there are stark contrasts between the harbour fringed with palms and mangroves with Arab dhows and dugout canoes dotting the horizon, to the busy and dusty streets with their colourful and exotic atmosphere.

Days 08-12:

Zanzibar.  Our ferry crossing from Dar Es Salaam takes us 1½-2 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.  It is easy to see the strong Arabic influence as you listen to the Muslim prayer chanting and see the traditional dress. 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 options 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.  Most people will take the opportunity to enjoy a Spice Tour of the island.  On the Spice Tour your local guide will show you a variety of different spices and fruits grown locally, as well as explain more of its fascinating history.  Zanzibar was a major centre for the slave trade in the 19th Century and at its height 50,000 slaves a year passed through before being sent overseas or to local plantations. Your guide will 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 sunset 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 travel 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 final part of our tour.

Days 13-14:

Dar Es Salaam to Nairobi.  After bidding a fond farewell to Zanzibar we catch our return ferry to mainland Dar Es Salaam.   Enjoy a 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 34.

Post tour accommodation can be arranged by Kumuka.

Days 14 - Finishing Hotel

HOTEL BOULEVARD
Harry Thuku Rd
P.O. Box 42831
Nairobi
Tel: (254.20) 227567
Fax: (254.20) 334 071

Introduction

This tour encompasses the major highlights of East Africa in just 21 days. You will be able to spot an abundance of wildlife whilst visiting the Masai Mara, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Learn about the Masai, their culture and way of life. Finally discover the exotic allure of Zanzibar, the ‘spice’ island. A time to discover, explore and relax, the ultimate adventure!

Meeting Point

HOTEL BOULEVARD
Harry Thuku Rd
P.O. Box 42831
Nairobi
Tel: (254.20) 227567
Fax: (254.20) 334 071

The Hotel Boulevard is booked through the Kumuka office or your travel agent.

Please note: We are not able to match people up in twin share rooms.

If you haven't pre booked your arrival transfer the best way to get to the Hotel Boulevard is via a local taxi firm at the Nairobi airport called Venture Africa. There is a circular wooden desk in the arrivals hall with the VENTURE AFRICA sign. You can’t miss it, as Nairobi airport is quite small. The transfer will cost you approx USD$20. Ignore all the other taxi drivers who are shouting ‘Taxi! Taxi!’ and make your way to the desk. Kumuka passengers have been using Venture Africa for many years and it is a reliable, friendly firm.

Please do not catch the local buses, as there are growing incidents of theft on the buses.