 Kenya - Tanzania
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Leaving Nairobi the drive south to Tanzania takes you through sweeping and often arid plains dotted with whistling thorn. Local children, herding cattle and goats, wave to the truck. We might also, on our first day's drive, spot some of Africa's wildlife as we travel. Further on Mount Meru looms and on a lucky day snow-clad Mount Kilimanjaro can come into view. At 5,895 metres it is Africa's highest mountain.
We cross into Tanzania at Namanga where you are sure to be tempted by the local Maasai tribespeople, selling beaded jewellery and wooden carvings. From here we head for Arusha and the world famous game parks of Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti where we have the opportunity to see all the game Africa has to offer as well as visit in a traditional village to find out a little about the Maasai's ancient way of life.
We have our Departure Meeting to go through the details of life on the truck, organise the kitty and our rosters at the Meserani Snake Park. This campsite becomes our base to explore Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. While here you can visit the reptile collection at the Park, and relax and enjoy a barbecue and a cold drink in the extensive entertainment area. Take a camel safari to the local Maasai village. There are also craft markets close by and email cafes in nearby Arusha.
The two night safari with a local guide in customised safari land cruisers into Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti is a huge highlight of the trip without any doubt. Sections of the drive through to the parks are bumpy and dusty and on the way we stop at bustling Mto Wa Mbu village with its extensive markets. Here we can wander around the village buying souvenirs before spending the night at a campsite just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We camp at altitude above Lake Manyara, so the evenings can get quite chilly. The views are magnificent.
Day Three we are up before the sun to go down into the Ngorongoro Crater. The bottom of the Crater is 265 square kilometres, this being just a small portion of the whole 8,288 square kilometre Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Crater is 20 kilometres across with walls 600 metre high - a perfectly intact volcanic caldera. From the lookout above, where birds ride the thermals, the mists and clouds roll back to reveal a landscape of lakes, plains and forests but the view from the rim does not really give justice to the overwhelming size of the area nor to the variety of ecosystems to be found here. Game viewing in the Crater is intensive. Our land cruisers take us down the steep winding tracks onto the Crater floor. As we descend a rim of pink at the waters edge of Lake Magadi can be seen as flamingos feast on algae. During our morning's game drives we have the chance to view 'The Big Five' lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as peacefully grazing plain's game including zebra, gazelle, impala and wildebeest. Hippopotamus can usually also be found lolling in the pools.
We have a picnic lunch in the Crater before heading to the Serengeti National Park.
Travelling on to the Serengeti and Naabi Gate we find there are no actual boundaries between the two parks, just a big notice board. The contrast between the Crater and the Serengeti is immediate though as we leave the mountains to come down onto the flats of the famous Serengeti plains. The seemingly endless grasslands of the Serengeti are the stage for the famous wildebeest migration. On the annual migration 1.5 million wildebeest and other game such as zebra, Thomson's gazelle, impala and topi move between the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya down through the Serengeti into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and back again, in search of the good grass upon which to graze. The herds can usually be found in the Serengeti from late November through to late June. They are of course closely followed by skulking hyena and other predators. The flat open ground is perfect territory for cheetah. Entering the park we come across the famous kopjees (small hills of rocks), where lion doze in the sun and nonchalantly oversee the surrounds keeping an eye out for their next meal. Multicoloured agamba lizards can also be seen basking in the sun and golden jackal tussle over the remains of a kill in the grass. Not to mention elephant, giraffe and the more comical and zany looking inhabitants such as secretary birds and warthog.
We spend a night or two camped in the wild in the Serengeti with all the sounds around us. It is quite an experience to be in a tent with just the canvas between you and any wildlife that is out there. The following day we have further morning game drives before returning through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. We also arrange a stop over at the Olduvai Gorge Museum and a visit to a local Maasai Village for traditional dancing and to get a glimpse of traditional life whilst we are in Maasai lands.
We relax after our safari in the wilds by returning to a prepared barbecue at the Snake Park.
Towards the end of the first week we are on the road to Dar Es Salaam and the East African coast. From the truck you watch a different world pass by - women cart water, children tend goats and vendors offer everything imaginable for sale from the side of the road - food, fruit, eggs, chickens, samosas, as well as bags of charcoal, jewellery and carvings.
Arriving into Dar Es Salaam, we park up by the coast to camp for the night listening to the waters of the Indian Ocean lapping nearby. The next morning we assist you with all your arrangements for your time on Zanzibar Island including your ferry transfer, accommodation and excursion bookings. The safari leader comes over for the first two days on Zanzibar to ensure all our requirements are confirmed.
We spend four days on the island, before catching the ferry back to Dar Es Salaam. On the first day the ferry arrives into the port of Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. We spend a day or so exploring the ancient port, the old town with its traditional Arab architecture and narrow alleys as well as the local food markets. Enjoy sun downers at Africa House whilst watching the traditional dhows sail in the harbour against the backdrop of a spectacular sunset. Arrange a spice tour - cloves were introduced to Zanzibar in 1818 and by the middle of the 19th century Zanzibar was the world's biggest producer. A spice tour allows you to test different spices and fruits as well as find out a little of the island's history including visiting the ruins of the Mahurubi Palace. An hour away from Stone Town you can take a walk in the Jozani Forest home of the red colobus monkey, or you can head south to swim with the dolphins off Kizimkazi Beach. In the north we stay in bungalows at peaceful Kendwa Beach close to Nungwi, eat fresh local seafood in the local beach restaurants and enjoy the stretches of sun bleached, palm lined beaches.
The Indian oceans waters are usually clear and calm. For the experienced scuba diver the diving at Mnemba Atoll is first class. Alternatively you can hire a snorkel and mask from the boys on the beach. Swim amongst the tropical fish and colourful twisting corals of the reefs. Come face to face with moray eels or turtles. There are also some great bars for those that want to party.
We return to Dar es Salaam by late afternoon or early evening of the fifth day on the island. Feel free to stay on though. We can assist by extending your bookings for a few more dreamy days on magical Zanzibar Island if you wish................................................
Contact us for bolt on safaris into the Masai Mara before your safari for the chance to see the big herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson's gazelle on migration, as well as the Big Cats who are usually on the prowl nearby.
VISIT THE MARA! ... click here for details ...
Want to chill down into the groove of Africa before you head out on safari, then unwind on the white sands of the Kenyan Coast.....hakuna matata.....
BEACH STAY ON THE KENYAN COAST.....click here for details
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