Real East Africa & Zanzibar

Duration

13 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Got 13 days and a desire to see as much of East Africa as you can while unwinding on white-sand beaches? Welcome to the trip of a lifetime.

Highlights

Go in search of hippos, lions, leopards, zebras and more during game drives in the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and the Masai Mara National Park with your experienced local leader.
Relax on the powdery white beaches of Zanzibar, the perfect place to unwind after days spent searching for wildlife.
Spend the night in a Maasai village to learn about life from community elders, visit a widows’ community and maybe even learn to throw a spear.
Safari, safari, safari – what East African adventure would be complete without one? On this trip, you’ll embark on multiple safaris within three different areas.
Stop in places like Mto wa Mbu and Musoma for the best opportunities to chat with locals, swap stories and get to know their culture.

Trip Details

Duration

13 days

Transportation

Overland vehicle,Plane,Private Vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Nairobi, Kenya

Finishes

Zanzibar Beaches, Kenya

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

18 - 39 Year Olds Only, Overland Expedition

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Nairobi. If you arrive early, why not check out the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya where traditional homesteads of some Kenyan tribes are displayed at an outdoor village. After your meeting tonight, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner with your new fellow travellers.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Loita Hills Maasai Experience

Depart Nairobi this morning, stopping in Narok along the way for some food shopping. Today's drive crosses the Great Rift Valley – Africa's huge divide – to the remote region of Loita Hills. This is the home of the Maasai people and when you arrive, you’ll grab some lunch then visit the Maasai, known for their dazzling red dress and elaborate jewellery. Gain an insight into the culture and ancient ways of this proud East African community. A local elder will deliver a fascinating talk about the Maasai and what they're about. You'll also be shown around a traditional Maasai home and see where the resident cattle are kept.

Included Activities:

Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit

Accommodation:

Camping (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Masai Mara National Reserve

Travel from Loita Hilla to Masai Mara today. The Masai Mara is one of those classic African experiences – wide open plains, perfect blue skies and some of the world's great wild animals. After setting up camp, sit down to some lunch. Then, it's time to jump aboard your 4WD and go for a game drive through the wilderness of the Mara.

Included Activities:

Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Safari

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Masai Mara National Reserve

Adventure into the reserve for a full day's 4WD game drive. You'll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a lots of different wildlife. An optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is well worth considering. If you have pre-booked this activity, you’ll be picked up before sunrise and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. Then, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you’ll ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, you'll be treated to a bush breakfast, then return to your campsite to meet up with your group.

Included Activities:

Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Safari

Optional Activities:

Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) (470 USD)

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Lake Victoria

Travel towards the Kenya-Tanzania border and to the shores of Lake Victoria. This is not only Africa's biggest lake – it's the largest tropical lake in the world. It shares its shores with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. You'll arrive in the late afternoon, with time to chill out lakeside with a cold drink at sunset. Make the most of the ATM and local market to stock up for your next three days of wilderness adventures. You’ll be camping on the shores of the lake tonight, at one of its least visited campgrounds on the outskirts of a small town called Musoma, far from the tourist track.

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Serengeti National Park

Today, you’ll travel from Lake Victoria to the gate of Serengeti National Park on a smooth road. Stop for a picnic lunch at the entrance to the park, then enter the Serengeti and start your overland vehicle game drive on the way to your campsite. These plains – green after rain and brown and burnt in the dry season – are home to thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators, so see how many you can spot! Your campsite is right in the action, within the park itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep tonight.

Included Activities:

Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive

Accommodation:

Camping (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Serengeti National Park

Start the day with a game drive in your overland truck at dawn. You’ll head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch. After spending the warmer part of the day relaxing as the animals do, depart again in the afternoon for another adventure through the wild. You'll return in time for dinner. There's the option of an early-morning balloon ride here too, so if you didn't take one in the Mara, today's your chance!

Included Activities:

Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive

Optional Activities:

Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) (800 USD)

Accommodation:

Camping (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Karatu

Rise and shine for a final chance to spot Serengeti wildlife as you make your way out of the park this morning. At Nabi gate, hop aboard a jeep and descend into Ngorongoro Crater. This gigantic, perfectly intact volcanic crater is home to some 30,000 animals. Among these are endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor is great for game viewing all year round and the photo-opportunities here are next level. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater before heading back out on safari all afternoon. After, travel on to Karatu town and arrive at camp for a freshly prepared dinner with your group.

Included Activities:

Ngorongoro Crater - 4WD Safari
Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Mto Wa Mbu

Take it easy this morning with a relaxed breakfast at camp before setting off for Mto Wa Mbu with your group. You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore. Mto wa Mbu offers a snapshot of small-town East African life. You might consider joining a guided village walk or maybe take a bike ride around the farming areas, spotting milling machines, local homes and farmlands. Or, round up your fellow travellers to check out the craft market.

Optional Activities:

Mto wa Mbu - Village bike ride and lunch (30 USD)
Mto wa Mbu - Village walk and lunch (20 USD)
Manyara - Forest Hike and National Park Fee (excl. transport) (79 USD)

Accommodation:

Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Arusha - Stone Town

Pack up camp after breakfast and bid farewell to your crew. Transfer to Arusha Airport and take an included flight to Stone Town, Zanzibar. Your tour will be unescorted from here on; however, our local representatives will be on hand to look after you. Zanzibar is an archipelagic gem filled with idyllic beaches, vibrant markets and a varied and sometimes dark history. This is a place rooted in slavery, where Arabian sultans once lived, and Swahili and Islamic influences blend together to create an exotic island paradise steeped in centuries of history. Why not throw yourself into the midst of Stone Town’s maze of narrow streets – every twist and turn alive with an enticing mix of fragrant bazaars, enchanting mosques and charming ruins. Perhaps head to one of the bars on the seafront and soak up the salty ocean air with a cocktail in hand. Alternatively, if you would like to hear more about Stone Town and the island's history, our local representative can organize an afternoon tour.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Zanzibar Beaches

Venture out of Stone Town this morning and drive to the spice plantations for your optional guided tour, or head directly to the perfectly pristine northern beaches. If you choose to explore the spice plantations, you’ll learn all about the history of this town's renowned spice trade. Take the opportunity to touch, smell and taste various spices – such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger – then sample some delicious teas! After lunch, head to the northern beaches, where white sands and sparkling blue seas await, and reunite with your group for an afternoon at leisure. This is the Indian Ocean at its best.

Optional Activities:

Zanzibar - Spice tour (25 USD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Zanzibar Beaches

Wake up in paradise and enjoy a full day of freedom to indulge in the beautiful island surrounds. Take the opportunity to snorkel in the transparent waters, walk the stretch of powder white sand and paddle in the bath-like Indian ocean, dine on freshly caught sumptuous seafood or simply relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree with a good book. There are many ways you can spend your day – perhaps talk to your leader for any recommendations.

Optional Activities:

Zanzibar - Snorkelling (50 USD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 13: Zanzibar Beaches

Your trip comes to an end today. Please advise us at the time of booking if we can help with transfers to the airport or ferry terminal. If you’d like to spend more time in this island paradise, post-trip accommodation can be pre-booked at your beach resort or in Stone Town.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $4,780

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 13 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Got 13 days and a desire to see as much of East Africa as you can while unwinding on white-sand beaches? Welcome to the trip of a lifetime.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 13 Feb 2027

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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