Big 5 & Beaches - 17 days
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Spend today in Kenya’s capital city, making the final preparations for our adventure. We have the option of visiting the Giraffe Manor in Langata (where we can feed the graceful Rothschild giraffes), the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant and Rhino Nursery (where we can view the feeding of orphaned elephant and rhino babies) or of spending a half day exploring Nairobi National Park. We can also spend the day wandering around the local city markets. After packing up, we make our way to Nairobi’s train station where we board the overnight train bound for the coastal city of Mombasa. We’ll get a glimpse of the local villages and inhabitants in the evening and early morning and we’ll even have the chance of spotting some of Africa’s magnificent game grazing beside the railway. We also get to meet some of the locals who use this route to travel between Kenya’s two largest cities. As we near Mombasa, the landscape changes dramatically from the desert brush, to lush tropical palm trees and increases in heat and humidity. Today we bid farewell to Kenya and its sunny beaches and head across the border to Tanzania. On the way to our next stop and if the weather permits, we may catch a glimpse of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Situated at the base of Mount Meru, Arusha is best known as the safari capital of Tanzania. Today we’ll explore the local markets and visit the local Masai Cultural Museum to learn a little more about these amazing people. Those doing the optional excursion to the Serengeti/Ngorongoro area will prepare for their departure tomorrow. You have the option to go on a 3 day Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater trip. (Please see the go guide for details and prices.) The Serengeti (Masai for “endless plains”) is famous for its enormous concentration of game (especially the big cats) and for the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic crater. The area teems with game throughout the year as the lush crater floor is able to sustain its population making it unnecessary for them to join their Serengeti cousins on the annual migration. For those not opting to visit the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park, the next days are spent at leisure enjoying the Meserani reptile park, Masai Cultural Museum and the surrounding villages and craft markets. Alternatively the town of Arusha is close by to explore. Leaving Arusha behind us, we head south towards Dar es Salaam. On the way we pass through Moshi. This town is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions, and weather permitting; we may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain’s snowy summit. We pass through vast sisal plantations surrounded by The Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before reaching our traditional banda on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean. A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island,” where we spend the next 5 nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands. Zanzibar offers you a wealth of experiences. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island is still famous for its spices and an optional excursion around a spice plantation can be organised. Other options include a trip to the beautiful beaches and giant tortoises of Prison Island, a full day scuba dive in Nungwe or a fishing trip in a traditional dhow. Mopeds are available for hire if you’d like to explore the more remote areas of the island. Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean. PLEASE NOTE: Accommodation is not included whilst on Zanzibar, as it is our experience that people prefer to explore the island on their own. The Trip Leader joins you and can arrange your accommodation, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants. Leaving Zanzibar, we return to the mainland where we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!
FREE MASAI MARA SAFARIWhen you book this trip, you are entitled to receive a FREE 3 Day Masai Mara Safari the Thursday before your trip begins. The Local Payment is still applicable for the trip. This fantastic offer must be taken up at the same time you book this trip. Click here for more details.
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This short tour of Egypt takes in all the best sites in 9 intoxicating days. Visit the Pyramids, sail down the Nile, check out amazing Abu Simbel and explore the Valley of the Kings!
| Twin/Double | Single Supp |
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| USD $719 | N/A |
If you are a single traveller we will match you up with other people on the tour so you do not have to pay extra.
- Nairobi - Kenya's capital city
- Mombasa - beautiful beaches and Arabic old town
- Arusha - Tanzania
- Meserani Village - Tanzania
- Serengeti and Ngorongoro - optional 3 day trip
- Dar Es Salaam - bustling sea port, Tanzania
- Zanzibar - tropical beaches and Stone Town
- 6 nights multi share traditional bandas/bungalows/chalets (2-4 people per room)
- 5 nights camping (2 people per tent)
- 1 overnight sleeper train (4 person shared cabin)
- All relevant transportation
- English speaking tour leader to provide info and assistance in booking optional activities and accommodation
- 1 night's pretour accommodation (needed if attending the pre-departure meeting)
- Accommodation whilst on Zanzibar
- Optional activities
- Flights and visas
