Stone Town to Nairobi

Intrepid Travel · 9 days

4.3

16 Reviews

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Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Take an East African road trip and spend nine days searching for wildlife among Tanzania’s incredible scenery, from the remote Usambara Mountains to the vast expanse of the Serengeti.

Highlights

Explore the Serengeti, a wildlife arena like no other, and look for lions, leopards, elephants and giraffes in this iconic park.
Learn to prepare a Swahili dish, crafting and learning about village life in Mto wa Mbu.
Take a mind-blowing safari across the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater in an open-roof 4WD vehicle for a chance to see endangered black rhinoceros.
Embark on a hike through the Usambara Mountains to the Irente viewpoint, then stop at a farm on the way back for a picnic lunch.
Tour a local coffee farm in Karatu village to see the innovative farming practices from the locals, then tuck into a traditional dinner cooked by a local Tanzanian family in their home.

Trip Details

Duration

9 days

Transportation

Overland vehicle,4x4 Safari Vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Stone Town / Bagamoyo, Kenya

Finishes

Nairobi, Kenya

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Overland Expedition

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Stone Town / Bagamoyo

Jambo! Welcome to Zanzibar. Your African adventure begins in Stone Town, Zanzibar’s Old Town. Meet your tour leader and travel group at an 11 am welcome meeting at your hotel. After, catch the ferry to Dar es Salaam. Then board your overland vehicle (and meet your driver and cook) and take the short drive to your camp at Bagamoyo, a lovely spot by the beach.

Accommodation:

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

Day 2: Usambara Mountains

Travel into the remote Usambara Mountains (approximately 7 hours). This unspoilt area of Tanzania attracts very few tourists, making it the perfect place to soak in your surroundings. The forests stretch across the mountains and are ideal for easy hikes and guided walks. You base is the old German colony of Lushoto, where you’ll stay on the grounds of one of the earliest hotels in Africa.

Accommodation:

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

Day 3: Usambara Mountains

Today, explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains and experience this area’s gentle hospitality on a visit to some of its small communities. From your base, hike to the gorgeous 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 based at Irente farm and enjoy a locally prepared lunch.

Included Activities:

Irente - Lushoto hike
Irente - Local lunch

Accommodation:

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

Day 4: Arusha

Today, journey from the scenic Usambara Mountains to Arusha. While there are no planned activities, enjoy the drive through Tanzania's picturesque landscapes as you make your way to the bustling gateway to the northern safari circuit. Upon arrival at your campsite on the outskirts of town, unwind and settle in for a restful evening and prepare for the adventures ahead.

Accommodation:

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

Day 5: Karatu

After breakfast this morning, head to Karatu, the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater. Here, you'll hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves and the Endoro waterfalls along the way. Rich with calcium, the Elephant Caves got their name as elephants would come here and break off pieces of rock, eating the dust to receive important minerals. Today's trek, accompanied by an expert local guide and armed ranger, is the perfect way to stretch your legs after a few days of overland travel. You'll hike through Ngorongoro rainforest as your local guide explains the ins and outs of the area here and points out interesting animal tracks and footprints. Marvel at the wild landscape and spot beautiful birdlife as you walk. After, head to Karatu village for a tour of the local coffee farm. Here, you'll see the innovative farming practices from the locals and learn about the farming activities that sustain the coffee, bean, maize, banana, soya and pea crops. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dinner with a local Tanzanian family in their home, who will cook you a few different dishes to try. Learn about the local culture with educational stories from a locally trained guide. What a night!

Included Activities:

Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek
Karatu - Home-Cooked Dinner
Karatu - Coffee Farm Tour

Accommodation:

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

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park

Get up 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. Enjoy a safari in the crater, spending between 3 and 4 hours exploring this perfectly intact volcanic crater. Watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. Next, move on to the 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 within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.

Included Activities:

Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari

Accommodation:

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

Day 7: Serengeti National Park

Wake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then go back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do, head out again as the day begins to cool. You'll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. There's also the option today of a balloon ride over the park (in place of a portion of the morning game drive). If you have pre-booked this activity you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, you will glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. After landing, you'll be treated to a five-star bush breakfast, then be returned to your camp.

Optional Activities:

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

Accommodation:

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

Day 8: Mto wa Mbu

Rise with the sun and enjoy another game drive as you leave the Serengeti in your dust. Jump back into your overland vehicle and head for Mto wa Mbu. After setting up camp, we'll take a guided stroll through the farming areas, local homes and farmlands, getting to know the local community and their way of life. Later, we'll enjoy a scrumptious locally prepared dinner in town.

Included Activities:

Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner

Accommodation:

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

Day 9: Nairobi

Set off early and cross the Kenyan border then continue to Nairobi. You'll be dropped at the finishing point hotel in Nairobi where your trip ends. If you'd like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.

Optional Activities:

Nairobi - Nairobi by Night Urban Adventure (76 USD)

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 $3,295

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 9 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Take an East African road trip and spend nine days searching for wildlife among Tanzania’s incredible scenery, from the remote Usambara Mountains to the vast expanse of the Serengeti.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 13 Mar 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Alison

Traveled, February 2023

02/28/2023

An outstanding Intrepid team and great itinerary made this a fantastic trip with a great variety of activities. Highlights were the Ngorangoro crater and Serengetti.

4.0

Rosie

Traveled, February 2023

02/23/2023

I had the most amazing holiday. The resort in Zanzibar was fabulous. Great start to the trip. The animals I saw in the Serengeti and Ngorongong Crater are out of this world. The hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti is a must. You won’t regret it….. thank you intrepid…

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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