Road to Zanzibar

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe 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.

Depart early this morning, headed 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 ready. 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 familiarise yourself with this delightful small village – it's a fascinating snapshot of small-town African life, situated well off the tourist trail.

Rise bright and 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. During your safari through this impressively intact volcanic caldera, watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent wildlife viewing all year round (some 30,000 animals live here!) and the photo opportunities are unparalleled. 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 located within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.

Wake up at dawn and head out on safari at a time when the animals are at their most active. Then, head back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. You’ll have the middle of the day to relax at the campsite, then you’ll head out again as the day begins to cool. You'll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. You might also opt to take a balloon ride over the park this morning in place of today’s morning safari. If you have pre-booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, take off and glide through the dawn sky, sometimes at tree height, getting some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you'll ascend higher, giving you an overview of the vastness of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, head into the bush, where you’ll tuck into a special breakfast paired with a glass of champagne, then you’ll be returned to camp.

Rise with the sun and go out on another game drive. Then, leave the Serengeti behind and jump back into your overland vehicle, bound for Mto Wa Mbu. When you arrive, set up camp, then you’ll take a guided stroll through the local homes and farmlands, getting to know the local community and their way of life. Later, you’ll enjoy a local dinner in town.

Prepare yourself for a long travel day as you head 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 take the chance to get to know your fellow travellers better. Your base in the Usambara Mountains will be Lushoto – home to the Wasambaa people. This highland town sits at an elevation of approximately 1400 m. This evening, you'll camp on the grounds of one of the oldest hotels in Africa.

Explore the striking landscapes of the Usambara Mountains today. Unlike the coast and the north, far fewer tourists visit this part of Tanzania. As beautiful as the surrounding mountains and rainforests are, however, the real highlights here are the local people and villages. You'll experience the local hospitality on a visit to a small community. You’ll also take a walk out to the 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’ll also stop for lunch.

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 – maybe take a stroll along the shore after you arrive and settle in.

Catch a ferry to Zanzibar, Africa’s famous ‘Spice Island.’ On arrival, enjoy some free time to discover Zanzibar City at your own pace. Lose yourself in the maze of cobblestone alleyways in Stone Town, admire the mix of Arabic, African and European architecture, or soak up the bustling atmosphere of Darajani Bazaar. This afternoon, you’ll have another welcome meeting at 2 pm to meet the new travellers joining you on the next leg of your adventure. After your meeting, perhaps head out together for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Once checked out of your Stone Town accommodation, consider booking in to an optional guided tour of the island's spice plantations, learning all about the history of this town's spice trade. You will have the opportunity to smell and taste various spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger, plus sample some teas made with these spices too. After lunch, head to the Northern Beaches, where white sands and sparkling blue seas await. This is the Indian Ocean at its best.

Ease into the day with the sound of gentle waves and soft ocean breezes. With a full day free to enjoy Zanzibar’s coastline, you might choose to take a refreshing swim, stretch out on the beach beneath the palms, or savour the flavours of the island with a seafood dinner by the water. However you spend it, today is all about slowing down and letting the rhythm of island life take over.

After checking out of your accommodation this morning, you will make your way back to Stone Town, arriving at a centrally-located hotel around 12 pm. With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. That doesn't mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you wish to stay on in Zanzibar, either at the Northern Beaches beach resort or in Stone Town, we'll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).