8 spots left!!! The Ultimate Tanzania and Zanzibar Itinerary, July 1st to 10th 2023:
Day 1, 1st – Arrival at Kilimanjaro international airport and transfer to our lodge for an overnight stay after your long flight to recuperate for the adventure packed trip ahead. Overnight stay in Moshi.
Day 2, 2nd – After breakfast we will start this morning with a small hike (40mins) to the 80 meters high Materuni Waterfalls (dont forget your swimsuit) while taking in the view of Kilimanjaro if its a clear day, then after the falls an amazing coffee experience awaits you with the Chagga tribe. Here you will learn how coffee is cultivated, dried, roasted and further processed. You will also be invited to help with the grinding of the coffee, sing, dance with the tribe and get to taste the finished roast, as well as their local banana beer, wine and vodka. We will also have lunch with the tribe. After our visit, we will drive to Karatu (5hr). Overnight stay in Karatu.
Meal plan: (Breakfast and lunch)
Day 3, 3rd – Today after an early breakfast, we will visit the Ngorongoro Crater for our game drive. Often described as the “Eighth Wonder Of The World,” the Ngorongoro Crater is a spectacular natural sanctuary for over 25,000 animals, including the black rhino. We will drive down the steep and narrow road that takes you into the crater. The slopes are forested but soon the landscape changes to savannah. Here the wildlife is just breath-taking and with a little luck you can observe the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard in just a few hours. You should also see warthogs, wildebeests, zebras, hippos and some of the more than 500 bird species of the area. After a morning dedicated to game viewing and a picnic lunch, you will leave the crater in the late afternoon and head back for dinner in our lodge. Overnight stay in Karatu. Meal plan: (Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner)
Day 4, 4th – After breakfast we will drive via Ngorongoro Conservation area to the Olduvai Gorge where Louis and Mary Leakey discovered one of the earliest members of the human genus. Walk around the excavation sites and learn more about this wonderful place on Earth. Later after visiting the Gorge we will drive to the shifting sand. This is a remarkable black dune, composed of volcanic ash from Oldoinyo Lengai, which is being blown slowly westwards across the plains, at the rate of about 17 meters per year. Some nine meters high and 100 meters long in its curve, it can be found to the north of Olduvai Gorge. Late noon we'll head back to our lodge for dinner. Overnight stay in Karatu.
Meal plan: (Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner)
Day 5, 5th – Today after breakfast you will check out of our lodge and we will drive back to Moshi. We will make a stop to the beautiful Chemka Hot Springs, this is definitely one of the hidden gems of Tanzania that is a must visit. The water is crystal clear in this little jungle oasis where you can even enjoy rope swings, tire tubing, and some high jumps out of the trees. Later Overnight stay in Moshi.
Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Day 6, 6th– Kili day hike, you will be picked up around 7.00am in the morning at your hotel in Moshi and taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (Marangu Gate, 1860m). The driving will take approximately 2 hours. Once the necessary gate registration has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense Kilimanjaro rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and various bird species. Our knowledgeable English-speaking guide will inform you about Kilimanjaro and will explain the different species of plants and animals you will see. You will also meet mountain climbers descending from the top, and perhaps some of them will tell you of their experiences and you can start to dream about a climb of your own! After a 3-4 hour hike, you will reach Mandara Hut (2700m), where you will have a well-earned rest and lunch. Your guide will then take you on a short hike (15 minutes walking distance) to the Maundi Crater, where you can enjoy wonderful views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Once you have thoroughly enjoyed the views, you will return to the Marangu Gate (2-3 hours walking distance), where your vehicle will be waiting for you. Overnight stay in Moshi.
Meal plan: (Breakfast and Lunch box)
Day 7, 7th - We leave Moshi this morning to head to the airport to fly to our next destination Zanzibar. Our flight departs from Kilimanjaro airport. Upon arrival to Zanzibar we will be transferred to our hotel in Nungwi and have the afternoon to relax by the pool. Overnight stay in Nungwi.
(Internal flight included in the total price) Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Day 8, 8th – This morning will be a morning of leisure, enjoy breakfast by the pool. Later in the day we will have the chance to visit the turtle sanctuary for anyone that would like to go. This evening we will have dinner and drinks on the roof top of the Z hotel to catch one of the beautiful Zanzibar sunsets. Overnight stay in Nungwi. (Turtle sanctuary not included fee of $10/$15 and dinner is an extra cost)
Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Day 9, 9th – Today is a well-deserved day of relaxing on a traditional dhow boat. We have the full day at sea leaving at approx. 10am, visiting Mnemba island with the chance to see dolphins and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, while also visiting the sand bank by Mnemba island, lunch will be cooked fresh on the boat. Overnight stay in Nungwi. (Boat tour is included in total price)
Meal plan: (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 10, 10th – Its time our Tanzania / Zanzibar adventure comes to any end and say goodbye. Today you will be transferred back to Zanzibar airport for your flight home.
Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Total cost €2650 per person sharing
Included: All park entry fees on the mainland, transfers, Kilimanjaro day hike fees, all transport, english speaking guides, all mentioned above activities as per itinerary, Chemka Hot Springs, accommodation on the mainland, boat tour to Mnemba island, accommodation in Zanzibar, internal flight to Zanzibar.
NOT included: International flights to Kilimanjaro and from Zanzibar, visa for entry to Tanzania ($50), travel insurance, meals not listed in the itinerary, alcoholic and soft drinks, any required PCR tests, turtle sanctuary $10/$15.
If your happy with the itinerary and want to go ahead. A deposit of €500 will be required to secure your booking immediately, this is to secure the flights from Mainland to Zanzibar. The balance will be due 8 weeks before trip start date. (6th of May 2023) You can make the payments in instalments after the deposit is paid if that suits you.
With regards to getting a refund: Your deposit is non-refundable. As the flights are non-refundable and we need to prebook all accommodation due to high season in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
For the balance of your payment (€2150), we may be able to refund this up 8 weeks before the trip should you have an emergency and need to cancel. Anything closer than 8 weeks, and we will not be able to refund you.
We suggest you take out comprehensive travel-insurance that covers trip cancellations, that way should something happen, you will get a full pay out from your insurance company. Keep an eye on the excess required.
We are really excited to have you all on this trip, it is truly a trip of a lifetime.
Brenda and Jen x