tuuur.com - Worldwide Trips

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Overland

Wildlife

Nairobi to Stone Town

9 Days | Serengeti safaris, local villages and Zanzibar’s colourful coastline

4.9

Excellent

71 reviews

9 days

Start

Nairobi, Kenya

Finish

Zanzibar, Africa

Trip Code

YXOP

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - null

Physical Rating

Meals

8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, 4WD safari vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Camping (with facilities) (5 nights), Hotel (1 night)

From £1,575(9 days)

Trip Informations

Watching a sunrise over the wide-open plains of the Serengeti is one of those ‘pinch me’ moments, and on this nine-day, it won’t be the only one. Beginning in Nairobi, take a trip into the countryside to Mto wa Mbu, get a safari fix in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, change up the altitude with walks around the Usambara Mountains and ferry to Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches and intriguing Old Town. This east Africa adventure will leave you with a greater appreciation of the stunning beauty of this part of the world and the people and wildlife that call it home.

Why you’ll love this trip

Explore the Serengeti, a wildlife arena like no other. You're bound to spot most of Africa's iconic Big Five game on your adventures at sunrise and sunset – when the animals are most active.

Meet with local community members and join in on village activities in Mto wa Mbu with a guided stroll around the farming areas.

Travel in an open-roof 4WD vehicle across the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater with your small group for the chance to see the endangered black rhinoceros up close.

Wander around Stone Town’s bustling bazaars and fragrant spice markets, and consider extending your stay on the Northern Beaches – full of sun, surf and seafood.

Accompanied by a knowledgeable local crew — a leader, driver and cook – you'll be in excellent hands for the duration of your adventure.

By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Tuuur Foundation partner, the East African Wildlife Society. Donations help them protect endangered wildlife, support conservation and promote sustainable management of natural resources in East Africa. Tuuur will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Tuuur Foundation.

Is this trip right for you?

This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent, occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the ‘big five’. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page:

Camping in the Serengeti National Park with no barriers between you and the animals is amazing, but it's important to heed the safety advice of your leader.

At Usambara Mountains, you'll hike to the beautiful Irente viewpoint. The walk is not overly strenuous, but you'll need to be reasonably fit.

As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

Itinerary

DAY 1
Day 1 • Nairobi
Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. If you arrive early, perhaps head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD55
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Petty theft is common in Nairobi. As a general rule, the safest place for your valuables is on your person in a neck wallet or money belt, though your hotel room may have a safe in which to store things. If you do decide to go exploring, make sure you get local advice on where it is and isn't safe to walk – particularly for later in the day. Be careful not to leave bags unattended on chairs or on the floor when in bars or restaurants. Without being paranoid, appearing vigilant is a great deterrence to would-be thieves. Also, make scans of important travel documents and email them to yourself – this will save you hours of time in paperwork if anything does happen.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Mto wa Mbu
Depart early for Mto wa Mbu in your overland truck. The trip includes a border crossing from Kenya into Tanzania, so be sure to have your passport handy. While you're on the road, there will be a stop at an ATM and a market or shop to stock up on any supplies you might need for the coming days. Arrive in Mto wa Mbu and acquaint yourself with this delightful small village – it's a fascinating snapshot of small-town African life, situated well off the tourist trail.
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.
Your camp tonight has Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and optional upgrades (subject to availability). We recommend using local currency for any purchases or upgrades.
DAY 3
Day 3 • Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park
Get up early, put your camping and personal gear into a six-person jeep and head out for an excursion into the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy a safari in the crater, spending 3 to 4 hours exploring this incredible, perfectly intact volcanic caldera. Watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent game viewing all year round (some 30,000 animals live here) and the photo opportunities are unrivalled. Next, it's on to the wide-open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa – the home of thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Your campsite is within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
Special information
Tonight’s camp is basic with limited running water. No accommodation upgrades or wi-fi are available. Our camp within the Serengeti National Park does not have a fence to separate the camp from the animals. This is quite the experience as animals such as buffalo and hyenas often come close to camp after sundown. On arrival at the camp, your leader will give a detailed safety briefing on what is required to ensure the safety of the group.
You may notice some Maasai villages in the region of the Ngorongoro Crater offering a cultural experience. Tuuur recommends avoiding these villages, as they can impact negatively on the Maasai culture and travellers' perceptions of it by selling an artificial experience.
DAY 4
Day 4 • Serengeti National Park
Awake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do, head out again as the day begins to cool. You'll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. There's also the option of a balloon ride over the park this morning – in place of some of today’s game drives. If you have pre-booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, getting some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, indulge in a five-star bush breakfast, then be returned to camp.
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
Optional activities
Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD745
Special information
The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather wait and get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited. If you participate in this activity you will miss the morning half of the included game drive.
DAY 5
Day 5 • Serengeti National Park / Mto wa Mbu
Rise with the sun and enjoy another game drive as you leave the Serengeti in your dust. Jump back into your overland vehicle and head for Mto wa Mbu.
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
Special information
Your camp tonight has Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and optional upgrades (subject to availability). We recommend using local currency for any purchases or upgrades.
DAY 6
Day 6 • Usambara Mountains
Prepare yourself for a long travel day heading for the Usambara Mountains. Stretch your legs during a brief supply stop in Arusha, then jump back in the vehicle and watch the ever-changing scenery, read your favourite book or get to really know your fellow travellers. Your base will be Lushoto – an old German colony and home to the Wasambaa people. This highland town sits at approximately 1400 metres and this evening you'll camp in the grounds of one of the oldest hotels in Africa.
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.
DAY 7
Day 7 • Usambara Mountains
Explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains today – a lovely unspoilt area of Tanzania. Unlike the coast and the north, very few tourists visit this part of the country, so it has a freshness that can be hard to find elsewhere. As beautiful as the surrounding mountains and rainforests are, however, the real jewels here are the local people and villages. You'll experience some hospitality on a visit to some of the small local communities. From your base, you will take a walk out to the gorgeous Irente viewpoint. It's best to pack some water and snacks in a day pack for this trip. On your way back, visit a local cultural project where you enjoy a prepared lunch.
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Irente - Lushoto hike
Irente - Local lunch
DAY 8
Day 8 • Dar es Salaam
Leaving the mountains behind, travel further south to the coastal town of Kipepeo Beach in Dar es Salaam. Your camp is by the beach, so make the most of it – perhaps take a stroll along the shore after you arrive and settle in.
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
Tonight’s camp is on the grounds of a hotel which has Wi-Fi. Accommodation upgrades are usually possible (subject to availability).
DAY 9
Day 9 • Stone Town
Drive to Dar es Salaam, then catch a ferry to Zanzibar. Filled with pristine white-sand beaches, winding cobblestone alleyways and fragrant bazaars, Zanzibar has had a colourful history – everything from slave traders to Arabian sultans and fruit exporters. The sight of traditional dhows sailing along the coast evokes what the island must have been like in centuries ago. Explore the many charms of Stone Town, the historic part of Zanzibar's main city, with a local guide. Taste the local delicacies and gain insight into daily local life living on Zanzibar.
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Stone Town - Walking Tour & Local Food
Special information
The ferry from Dar Es Salaam to Stone Town takes approximately 2 hours and usually departs at 9 am, arriving at 11 am. Occasionally, you may travel on the earlier departure (7 am), which arrives at 9 am.

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, 4WD safari vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Camping (with facilities) (5 nights), Hotel (1 night)

Activities

Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive

Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari

Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner

Irente - Lushoto hike

Irente - Local lunch

Stone Town - Walking Tour & Local Food

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

Sunday Dec 15, 2024

Monday Dec 23, 2024

Trip size max: - Sold Out

Sunday Dec 22, 2024

Monday Dec 30, 2024

Trip size max: - 9 spaces left

£2,063£1,856

Sunday Jan 05, 2025

Monday Jan 13, 2025

Trip size max: - 15 spaces left

£1,969£1,575

Sunday Jan 26, 2025

Monday Feb 03, 2025

Trip size max: - Sold Out

Sunday Feb 09, 2025

Monday Feb 17, 2025

Trip size max: - 15 spaces left

£1,947

Sunday Mar 09, 2025

Monday Mar 17, 2025

Trip size max: - 6 spaces left

£2,035

Sunday Apr 06, 2025

Monday Apr 14, 2025

Trip size max: - 18 spaces left

£1,947

Sunday Apr 20, 2025

Monday Apr 28, 2025

Trip size max: - 14 spaces left

£1,991

Sunday May 18, 2025

Monday May 26, 2025

Trip size max: - 18 spaces left

£1,947

Sunday Jun 01, 2025

Monday Jun 09, 2025

Trip size max: - 21 spaces left

£2,024

Sunday Jun 08, 2025

Monday Jun 16, 2025

Trip size max: - 18 spaces left

£2,024

Sunday Jun 15, 2025

Monday Jun 23, 2025

Trip size max: - 18 spaces left

£2,024

Sunday Jun 22, 2025

Monday Jun 30, 2025

Trip size max: - 18 spaces left

£2,024

Sunday Jun 29, 2025

Monday Jul 07, 2025

Trip size max: - 12 spaces left

£2,107

Sunday Jul 06, 2025

Monday Jul 14, 2025

Trip size max: - 15 spaces left

£2,195

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available on this trip for some nights. Read the itinerary for details on which nights have optional upgrades.

2. Your tour comes to an end on Day 9 at approximately 3 pm, after the Street Food Tour in Stone Town. Please keep this in mind when booking your departure flight.

2. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Serengeti National Park is possible on this itinerary. Please see the itinerary above for full details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited and we recommend you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.

Reviews (67)

5 stars

4 stars

2 stars

Ishanee

Nov 24, 2024

I can't recommend this trip highly enough for anyone looking to experience the magic of the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti in the most seamless and memorable way possible. Intrepid curated some incredible local experiences, including experiencing local food, that I would have never otherwise experienced. The safari itself was nothing short of magical, even though we didn’t travel during the peak season (perhaps especially because we didn’t travel during the peak season). The local safari guides were not only experts at spotting the Big 5 (and more) but also share stories about the ecosystems which made the trip more meaningful. What truly made this trip stand out, though, was the flawless execution of the tour, which was entirely thanks to the amazing staff who made sure we were safe, healthy and well-fed throughout. The logistics were handled with precision, ensuring we never had to worry about anything except enjoying the experience. If you’re talking of booking an African experience, you cannot go wrong with booking this one!

Tamika

Nov 24, 2024

Our trip was amazing. The Serengeti portion exceeded expectations, with the local guides providing a safe and exciting experience. Reaching the beach and the slower pace was a wonderful end. Recommend

Annette

Nov 18, 2024

Thoroughly enjoyed this overland trip from Nairobi to Zanzibar through the Serengeti and Eastern Arc Mountain Range. Be prepared for long driving days - but the animals and chameleons make it all worthwhile!! Absolutely 💯 recommend! A tour with Leader Jacob will not disappoint!

Marco

Nov 05, 2024

Beautiful wildlife, lots of driving, camping with early starts and nice bushfire talks in the night

Caroline

Oct 30, 2024

Lots of travel time sitting on a truck. Great landscapes, fantastic sunsets in Serengeti, top beach hotel in Sansibar. Happy to travel again with Intrepid.

Kathryn

Oct 29, 2024

A short and sweet tour of Tanzania. The Serengeti was an absolute highlight. Loved seeing all the animals and camping out in the park. Lots of driving on some days but necessary to see all the places we did.

Kate

Oct 28, 2024

Incredible trip! Great variety of landscapes and activities. Stephen was a fantastic guide. The food was delicious and the trip was super well organized!

Lisa

Oct 24, 2024

The Serengeti / Crater what can I say “Awesome” we spotted the big 5. Hot top - Take garden gloves for tent pitching ( it will help ) And if you get Tour - Leader Patrick - he is the best - nothing is a problem Jambo Jambo. The Northern Beaches were more than i expected and a great end to our trip. Book it today

Christine

Oct 23, 2024

A great way to explore East Africa I enjoyed every moment & exceeded way beyond my expectations…

Kerry

Oct 23, 2024

This is an excellent itinerary covering many different aspects of Kenya & Tanzania - culture, the tribes, village life, different environments from the Serengeti to the mountains with amazing safari experiences thrown in!

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