Begin your adventure on the idyllic island of Zanzibar, where pristine beaches and turquoise waters set the stage for a relaxing start. From there, travel to Arusha, the vibrant gateway to Tanzania’s renowned wildlife reserves. Continue to Karatu, a charming town surrounded by coffee plantations and the rolling hills of the Great Rift Valley. Venture into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with diverse wildlife within its lush volcanic caldera. Then, explore the iconic Serengeti National Park, where endless plains play host to the Great Migration and some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing on Earth. Return to Arusha before crossing into Kenya, concluding your journey in Nairobi, where the memories of East Africa’s unparalleled landscapes and wildlife encounters will linger long after your adventure ends.
ZANZIBAR & KENYA OVERLAND TOUR
Tour Highlights
Top Highlights of this Tour:
ZANZIBAR ISLAND
NGORONGORO CRATER
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
STONE TOWN
MTO WA MBU MARKET
Tour Destinations
Zanzibar | Tanzania | Kenya
Begin your journey on Zanzibar, where stunning beaches and turquoise waters provide the perfect island escape. Fly or ferry back to the mainland, then drive north to Arusha, Tanzania’s vibrant safari hub. From there, head west to Karatu, nestled among coffee plantations and the scenic hills of the Great Rift Valley.
Continue southwest into the Ngorongoro Crater, a wildlife-filled volcanic caldera, then venture further west to the vast Serengeti National Park, home to the Great Migration and breathtaking wildlife. Retrace your route back to Arusha before crossing the border north into Kenya, concluding your adventure in Nairobi, a bustling city where your East African adventure ends.
10 Day Itinerary
Journey from Zanzibar through Tanzania and into Kenya.
DAY 1-3
Spend the first three days immersing yourself in the beauty of Zanzibar. Wander through the historic streets of Stone Town, unwind on pristine beaches, and enjoy activities like spice tours, snorkeling, or a sunset dhow cruise along the coast.
DAY 4-5
Travel to Mainland Tanzania, then continue your journey to Moshi, nestled at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The next day, make your way to Arusha, a vibrant town known as the gateway to Tanzania’s most famous national parks.
DAY 6-7
From Arusha, head through Karatu to the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, where you’ll embark on a game drive through the caldera, home to diverse wildlife. Spend the day exploring the Serengeti ecosystem, before venturing to the Senora region for a more intimate safari experience.
DAY 8
Leave Ngorongoro and continue to the Serengeti for a full day of game drives in one of the world’s most iconic wildlife destinations. For an added adventure, opt for a hot air balloon safari at dawn, offering unparalleled views of the vast plains below.
DAY 9-10
After your Serengeti adventure, return to Arusha, where you’ll have a chance to rest before traveling on to Nairobi. Conclude your Tanzanian safari with a smooth transfer to Kenya’s bustling capital, marking the end of an incredible journey.
These overland tours are only available as an add-on to a project.
Contact us to add this to your trip.
CONTACT US
Recommended Projects to Connect to This Tour
Important Logistics and Ground Support
Important information you need to know about this tour in one place!
Flights & Arrivals
You’ll need to fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) if you are departing from Zanzibar. If you are doing this trip in reverse, Nairobi International Airport (HDS) is your best bet. It’s recommended to arrive the day before your tour if you are not on a project before departure. If you are on project you will need to be near the meeting point in time for departure. We can help arrange your accommodation before and after the tour if necessary.
Accommodation
Your accommodation on tour will vary between lodges, permanent tents, and campsites. In most cases, you’ll share a room with another traveller. Bathrooms are either shared en-suites or communal, depending on the location and accommodation type. If you’re camping, you’ll need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow; camping mattresses are provided.
Meals
Meals are prepared by the tour cook and served buffet-style. Breakfast typically includes cereals, yogurt, fruit, and occasionally a hot option. Lunch is usually a picnic with filling sandwiches and salads. Dinner is the main meal, varying between BBQs, stews, Bobotie (a traditional minced dish), or a fish or chicken dish, typically served with vegetables and a carbohydrate. We can accommodate certain dietary requirements, but please inform us well in advance. In some areas, gluten-free, lactose-free, or vegan options may be limited, and you may need to bring your own or purchase your own on the road.
Communication
Travelling through Africa can be a breathtaking experience, but it’s important to be prepared for areas with limited or no cellular signal. While popular accommodations often offer Wi-Fi, it’s wise to invest in an eSIM for reliable internet access on the go. This will help you to stay connected, navigate, and share your adventures.
Safety
You will be accompanied by a professional guide throughout your tour. The guide holds ultimate authority on tour decisions, particularly those concerning the safety of all guests. It is crucial to inform the Tour Leader or a crew member before leaving any overnight accommodation. Given the remote nature of certain tour locations, comprehensive travel insurance, including helicopter evacuation coverage, is strongly recommended.
Tour FAQs
WHAT IS AN OVERLAND TOUR?
It is an off-the-beaten-track safari, and you will see and experience parts of Africa that most tourists never do. The route and accommodations may also change due to unforeseen circumstances, as conditions on the road can change rapidly. Instead of limiting the experience to transportation and accommodation, the tours aim to provide a more inclusive experience. This includes cultural immersion, safari experiences, social interaction, and opportunities to book adrenaline-pumping activities like white-water rafting and skydiving.
WHO IS THIS SUITABLE FOR?
These tours host people of all ages and backgrounds, and are a great way to meet and interact with new people who are like-minded. The average age of the campers is 20-45, and the accommodated guests vary between 35-65 years old. Travellers under 18 will need a letter of permission from their guardian.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EAST AFRICA AND SOUTHERN AFRICA?
The Southern Africa tours included more popular tourist destinations, and shorter drive times. The East Africa tours involve longer drive times and are generally more rustic in the experience.
WHAT ABOUT VISAS AND PASSPORTS?
Your passport must have enough pages for all visas, at least 2 pages free for every country that you’ll be visiting. South Africa insists having 2 clear pages available when you enter the country. Keep this in mind if you are going to fly home from South Africa after completing a tour to multiple African countries. As visa requirements vary considerably depending on your nationality, please contact the various embassies or visa service agencies to re-check visa requirements at least four weeks prior to departing for your tour. If your itinerary includes Mozambique and you require a visa, please ensure that you apply for this before coming on tour with us as this visa in particular takes a long time to process at the border. All visitors to Kenya are required to pre-apply for their visas online http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html.
