Masai Mara & Tanzania Explorer - 13 days
Masai Mara & Tanzania Explorer - 13 days
Masai Mara & Tanzania Explorer - 13 days
13 Days Starting in Nairobi, Kenya and ending in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Visiting: Masai Mara National Reserve, Masai Mara, Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2488/TMME
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
18-75
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a thrilling 13-day adventure through the heart of East Africa with the Masai Mara & Tanzania Explorer tour. This small group safari journey takes you from the bustling city of Nairobi to the iconic Masai Mara, where you'll experience exhilarating game drives in search of the Big Five. Cross into Tanzania to explore the vast Serengeti National Park and descend into the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO-listed wonder teeming with wildlife. Relax on the Indian Ocean's palm-fringed beaches in Bagamoyo and Dar es Salaam, before heading to the exotic island of Zanzibar. Here, unwind on pristine beaches, explore historic Stone Town, and indulge in optional activities like snorkeling and spice tours. With a mix of camping and hotel stays, this tour offers an unforgettable blend of adventure and relaxation, all escorted by a dedicated crew in a purpose-built safari vehicle.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi
Location: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation Name: camp
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Nairobi - Masai Mara. We leave Nairobi early this morning and make our way to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve. The Mara is adjacent to the Serengeti, forming one of the world's last surviving great wildernesses. We will be travelling in specialised safari vehicles for this part of the tour for a more intimate wildlife-viewing experience, and will join up with our main vehicle later.
During our time in the Mara, we enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in search of the huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope which inhabit the plains and the predators that hunt them. Also keep your eyes peeled for other iconic species like rhino, elephant and giraffe. We camp on the edge of the reserve, close to the action!
Please note: The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 08:00 on Day 1 so please arrive in Nairobi 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.
Day 2: Masai Mara
Location: Masai Mara
Accommodation Name: camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we continue exploring the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives to different areas of the park. As well as the iconic Big Five, we will hopefully spot some of the less glamorous species, but creatures that are important to the ecosystem. Hyenas and vultures scavenge the remains of prey, warthogs scurry through the undergrowth and endangered African wild dogs hunt intelligently in packs. We break in the middle of the day for lunch before game driving back to our camp for the evening.
Day 3: Masai Mara
Location: Masai Mara
Accommodation Name: campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Masai Mara - Nairobi. Leaving the Mara, we travel back through the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi, where we spend the night at a campsite on the edge of the city.
Day 4: Arusha
Location: Arusha
Accommodation Name: Meserani Snake Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Nairobi - Arusha (Tanzania). We leave Kenya, crossing into neighbouring Tanzania at the Namanga frontier. We then drive to the country's safari capital, Arusha, arriving late afternoon. Situated in the shadow of Mount Meru and close to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, it is a great base for exploring the region. If time allows, we stop to browse the local markets and join a walk around a traditional Masai village before heading to our camp at the Meserani Snake Park.
Day 5: Serengeti National Park
Location: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation Name: unfenced campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arusha - Serengeti National Park. We leave our overland truck behind and transfer to designated safari vehicles to embark on an exciting two day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater excursion. Entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we drive around the rim of the crater and 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 unfenced campsite, where we can listen to the sounds of the bush and hopefully see some wildlife roaming nearby.
Day 6-7: Ngorongoro Crater
Location: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation Name: Ngorongoro Crater camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha. Game driving out of the Serengeti on day 6, 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 caldera, one of Africa's most spectacular wildlife areas.
On day 7 we drive down a steep road into the crater itself for an unforgettable morning 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!
Returning to camp for lunch, we pack up before making the journey back to Arusha.
Day 8: Bagamoyo
Location: Bagamoyo
Accommodation Name: camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arusha - Bagamoyo. Today we have a long but scenic drive as we travel away from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and towards the Indian Ocean coast. We will pass Mount Kilimanjaro en route, and if the weather is clear we should be able to enjoy magnificent views of Africa's highest mountain.
The port town of Bagamoyo was founded towards the end of the 18th century and was an important trading port along the East African coast. Today it is a centre for dhow building, with many of the boats being sent to Zanzibar and nearby areas. We camp on the outskirts of the town, near the palm-fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean.
Day 9: Dar Es Salaam
Location: Dar es Salaam
Accommodation Name: beach camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bagamoyo - Dar es Salaam. It's only a relatively short drive south along the coast to Dar es Salaam today. The city is Tanzania’s main port and is a hub of commerce and industry - a hot, humid, and bustling seaport city of high rises, colourful markets, and Arab-influenced architecture on the coast. We set up camp on the beach just outside the city tonight, and you'll have time to go for a swim.
Day 10-12: Zanzibar
Location: Zanzibar
Accommodation Name: simple hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. On the morning of day 10, we take the ferry to Zanzibar, leaving our overland truck on the mainland. Evocative and exotic, Zanzibar conjures up images of idyllic, sandy, palm-fringed beaches, romantic winding cobbled alleys, and lush tropical forests.
Enjoy free time on the island. Independently explore historic Stone Town on day 10 before we drive to one of the beautiful beaches in the north of the island for two days of Indian Ocean relaxation. Perhaps visit a spice plantation, spend some time on the tropical beaches and enjoy snorkelling at the coast, home to a wealth of marine life. Other optional excursions you can book include massages and yacht trips. You can also enjoy a sunset dhow cruise. Please see the Trip Notes for more details about the optional activities available in Zanzibar.
In Zanzibar, we stay in simple hotels, with breakfast included. We typically spend day 10 in Stone Town and days 11 and 12 at one of the northern beaches, but this can be flexible.
Day 13: Dar Es Salaam
Location: Dar es Salaam
Meals Included: Breakfast
Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. Enjoy a final swim in the turquoise ocean or do some last-minute shopping before we board the ferry back to the mainland. Feeling refreshed after your three-day beach break, it is time for our tour to come to an end.
What's Included
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Meals
The tour includes 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 9 dinners.
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Accommodation
Accommodation includes 9 nights camping in 2-person dome tents and 3 nights in twin share tourist class hotels in Zanzibar.
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Tour Crew
The tour is escorted by a 2-person crew.
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Transportation
Transportation is provided in a 24-seater overland truck with camping and cooking equipment.
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Masai Mara Excursion
Includes a Masai Mara Excursion in purpose-built safari vehicles and game drives with a resident guide.
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Maasai Village Walk
A Maasai Village Walk with a resident guide is included.
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Sleeping Mattress
A sleeping mattress is provided, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag.
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Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Excursion
Includes a Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Excursion in a purpose-built safari vehicle and game drives with a resident guide.
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Road Tolls and Vehicle Taxes
All road tolls and vehicle taxes are included.
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Zanzibar Ferry Ticket
A return ferry ticket to Zanzibar is included.
What's Not Included
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International Flights and Visas
International flights and visas are not included.
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Local Payment
A local payment of USD $1770 per person is required for bookings made prior to 15 Dec 2023, and $850 per person paid in USD for other bookings.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are not included but can be booked on request.
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Tipping
Tipping is not included and is an entirely personal gesture.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities are not included and prices are listed in the Trip Notes.
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Sleeping Bag
A sleeping bag is not included; please bring your own.
Age Policy
18 and over. Anyone over 65 to complete a Tour Suitability Form.Maximum age 75.Â
Mode of Transport
Travel in a 24-seater overland truck equipped with camping and cooking gear, with specialized safari vehicles for excursions in the Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, and a ferry ride to Zanzibar.
Accommodation
Experience a blend of camping and comfort with 9 nights in 2-person dome tents and 3 nights in twin share tourist class hotels in Zanzibar, offering a unique mix of adventure and relaxation.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 9 nights of camping in 2-person dome tents and 3 nights in twin share tourist class hotels in Zanzibar.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 9 dinners.
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Is there a guide provided during the safari excursions?
Yes, the safari excursions in the Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater are conducted with a resident guide.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
Transportation is provided in a 24-seater overland truck equipped with camping and cooking equipment. For certain excursions, purpose-built safari vehicles are used.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, additional costs not included are international flights, visas, airport transfers, tipping, optional activities, and a local payment of $850 per person in USD.
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What is the age policy for this tour?
The tour is for individuals aged 18 and over. Anyone over 65 must complete a Tour Suitability Form, and the maximum age is 75.
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What activities are available during the stay in Zanzibar?
In Zanzibar, you can explore Stone Town, relax on northern beaches, visit a spice plantation, snorkel, and enjoy optional activities like massages, yacht trips, and sunset dhow cruises.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.