12 Day Arusha to Stone Town – Mixed Accommodation

Arrive at a time that best suits you, there are no activities scheduled for the day. Only a welcome meeting in the evening.

Today, enjoy a relaxed morning followed by a short drive to Mto wa Mbu, a charming town steeped in culture. Experience local life on a guided cultural walk, meet the welcoming women who lead these tours, and savor a delicious traditional lunch in a local home. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the beauty of Lake Manyara National Park, renowned for its iconic scenery, including the dramatic escarpment, the unique soda lake, and the remarkable sight of tree-climbing lions. Birdwatchers will be enthralled by the diverse avian life. This evening, enjoy a relaxed dinner at your own expense. Choose from the hearty options at your camp or venture out to explore the vibrant local restaurants in Mto wa Mbu.

This morning, we wake early to a warm cup of coffee or tea, pack our bags as we disembark onto a smaller 7-seater 4×4 game viewing safari vehicle with pop up roof tops that will allow you the best wildlife viewing opportunity within the Serengeti for the next few days. The road today is long and hard road into the Serengeti, but it’s rewarded with spectacular views of the open grasslands of the Serengeti, where the wildlife roam free and days are for creating memories that will last a lifetime. This afternoon we get to our campsite in the heart of the Serengeti, known as Seronera, where we set up camp, enjoy a wonderful campfire and the sounds of animals coming to life as the sun sets.

As you can imagine, today is an early morning. You’ll most certainly wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the African bush, with hints of fresh dewy, sandy sweet morning smells that’s so unmistakable and will be one of the reasons you want to return to Africa in the future. Today is a day dedicated to traversing through the Serengeti National Park in search of wildlife like never seen anywhere else. Here we can expect hyenas with full bellies lying in muddy puddles, lions on the small rocky outcrops in the park or hanging from a tree and if you’re lucky the great migration on the move through this wonderful park. We head back for lunch and a small siesta as the day becomes too hot for you and the animals to enjoy and will happily return on an afternoon game drive once the day cools and you have rested. Once again, we enjoy a campfire and the calls of the night, such as hyenas laughing in the background, lions roaring, the odd bark of an antelope or the hoot of an owl!

Another early morning today as we make our way out of the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservancy. We enjoy a morning game drive through the Serengeti en-route to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim where our camp will be set up for the night. It’s here where we make our way down into the Crater for an afternoon spectacle of wildlife. This trip into the Crater is unimaginable as the biomes within this “small” area are able to host a magnitude of animals that never leave the crater per say. Upon arriving back at camp by the early evening to enjoy the sunset, know that this night will probably be the coldest on your tour, so remember to have a jacket handy and enjoy the crackle of a large campfire for the evening and a tasty warm meal.

See firsthand the advantages of the Clean Cookstove Project by visiting a Maasai hamlet in the Monduli District. Ninety-five percent of Tanzanians cook with coal and wood. Every day, women and girls walk for hours in order to gather wood, which leaves them open to attack and prevents them from using that time to attend school. Open-fire stove indoor smoke can lead to burns, emphysema, cancer, pneumonia, and blindness. Visit bomas, or traditional dwellings, on a guided tour of these villages where you may meet the ladies who have received stove engineering training and either watch (or get your hands dirty) by assisting the Stove Team in installing a stove in a home. Observe the positive effects that the clean-burning stoves have on the Maasai villagers’ daily lives and health, particularly for the ladies.

Today is free for you to explore Arusha and all its wonders.

Take a plane to the stunning island of Zanzibar, then make your way to the hotel. Take a guided introductory walk through Stone Town’s historic district and then elect to go on an extended walking tour or explore on your own.

After your transfer, take a quick yet breathtaking flight to this island paradise. Make sure you get to Stone Town in time for the orientation tour and lunch. You will visit the Old Slave Market, and Palace Museum if you decide to take a lengthier tour of Stone Town; admission to these attractions is optional and must be paid for on-site.

A guided tour of a nearby spice plantation is available. Proceed to the stunning coast of Zanzibar, which boasts white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Take a guided tour to delight your senses and discover the many applications of a variety of spices, including cloves, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, breadfruit, jackfruit, vanilla, and lemongrass. The famed slave trade that began in Zanzibar in the 1840s was sparked by the spice plantations.

Spend your leisure time exploring the island, snorkeling, or relaxing on the beach.

This exciting journey has come to an end, but the memories will not be forgotten. The group transfer will commence in the morning from the beach. We recommend that you should schedule your subsequent travel no earlier than 2:30 pm.