Trip Overview
Is this trip for me? EXHILERATING. EVOCATIVE. WHOLE-HEARTED.
*Press play on Toto's Africa*
So, you wanna feel real? Then allow us to introduce you to this two-week, all-encompassing, UN-FOR-GETTABLE African extravaganza. Travelling from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, you'll dive headlong into pulse-quickening game drives. Eye-opening island discoveries. And local interactions that'll nourish your soul. By the time you get home, you'll be a whole new person. Well, you'll still be you. Just better.
Worth noting…
This trip includes remote overnight camping in the Serengeti National Park - don't forget to pack a sleeping bag. Sweet!
Tales From Topdeckers
Trip Itinerary
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Maasai Mara National Reserve
2You wanted free time to delve deeper – so here it is. You’ve got a full day to soak up the Mara’s rolling grasslands and broad horizons. Oh, and the Big Five? They’re here too. Goosebumps at the ready. There’s even time to visit a local Maasai village, if you’re keen. Prep your peepers for an explosion of colour, ‘cos the shukas (blankets) and jewellery that the locals make are seriously bright and beautiful. While you’re here, you may even get the chance to watch a traditional dance performance – and if you’re really lucky, you might be invited to join in...Tonight, we’ll tuck into another dinner under the stars. This is livin’.
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Included Today
- 4x4 game drive in Maasai Mara National Park
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Visit a Maasai village: from 25 USD
- Hot air balloon ride over Maasai Mara Reserve: from 500 USD
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Included Today
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Maasai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi
3Leave the incredible natural wonderland of the Maasai Mara behind as we hit the road back to the chaotic city of Nairobi. Tonight, you’re free to explore your way. Get schooled on Nairobi’s rich history at the National Museum. Explore the rainbow-coloured stalls at Maasai Market. Or just chill around the pool. Pro tip: head to Carnivore for the chance to try ostrich roasted on a traditional Maasai sword. It’s about as authentic as it gets.
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
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Meals
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Nairobi to Arusha, Tanzania
4Next stop, Tanzania. Fun fact: this unforgettable country is home to over 120 tribes – who speak over 120 languages. Try and wrap your vocal cords around a new phrase or two as we make our way to Arusha (Tanzania’s ‘safari capital’). This bustling city is filled with colourful markets and sits pretty at the foot of Mt Meru. You’ve got the afternoon to chill at our campsite or explore the town with your Trip Leader. Fill your wrists with beaded souvenirs at the Maasai Women’s Fair Trade Centre or sip on rich arabica brews at a local coffee shop. Don’t stress about dinner tonight – it’s waiting for us back at camp.
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Visit Arusha village: from prices available locally
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Meals
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Arusha to Serengeti National Park
5Wave bye-bye to the truck – today we’ll switch to 4X4 Jeeps as we head west across the Great Rift Valley to Serengeti National Park. With a name like ‘the place where the land moves on forever’, you know it’s going to be epic. Wear your khaki greens, ‘cos we’re going all-out safari mode – keep an eye out for lions and hyenas on the drive in. Tonight, tuck into dinner with the gang under a star-studded night sky. This is what you came for.
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Included Today
- 4X4 game drive in the Serengeti
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Serengeti National Park
6Rise and shine – we’re gonna make like Dora and explore the Serengeti plains on an incredible sunrise game drive. Safari fact: the animals here are usually more active during the cooler hours of the day – so the early rise will be oh’ so worth it. We’ll head back to camp for lunch and maybe sneak in a siesta – then, you’ve got the afternoon free to just do you. Take a hike. Sign up for an optional extra. Or sit back and enjoy the great African outdoors with your trip mates. Tonight is our last camping overnight in wildlife-paradise so make the most of it.
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Included Today
- 4X4 game drive in the Serengeti
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti: from 599 USD
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Included Today
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Serengeti National Park to Mto wa Mbu via Ngorongoro Crater
7Ever wondered what the Garden of Eden looked like? Our destination today comes pretty darn close. Kick things off with a 4X4 game drive inside the Ngorongoro Crater. Boasting its own unique ecosystem – we’ll past riverine forests, wide open plains and alkaline lakes as we search for the Big Five (who tend to be less shy here than in other wildlife reserves, FYI). You’ll be dreaming of zebras, cheetahs and rhinos after hitting the hay in Mto wa Mbu tonight.
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Included Today
- 4X4 Ngorongoro crater game drive
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Mto wa Mbu to Korogwe
8No lies – today is a bit of a drive. BUT it’s a chance to catch up on some zzz’s, text the ‘rents (you’ll be too busy later) and compare safari pics with your trip mates. Who’s got the AUX cord? We might get lucky and spot the snow-capped peak of Mt Kilimanjaro on the way – but no promises. Overlanding like Attenborough builds up the appetite, so fuel up at dinner and hit the hay. You’ll be having island-shaped dreams tonight.
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Meals
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Korogwe to Dar es Salaam
9Hear that? It’s tropical paradise calling our name. We’ll roll south to the bustling seaport city of Dar es Salaam this afternoon – where a full evening of relaxing in the balmy ocean breeze awaits. Our accomm is right on the beach, so you’ll have heaps of time to cool off in the crystal clear waters or verse your trip mates at a not-so-friendly game of beach volleyball. After dinner tonight, get the gang together and pull up a pew at the Kipepeo Beach Bar for cold cocktails and an incredible sunset. Bliss.
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Meals
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Dar es Salaam to Stone Town, Zanzibar
10Wave goodbye to our trusty Overland truck – we’re getting the ferry over to palm-fringed paradise. Dump your stuff at the hotel and don your Birks, time to explore. If you want a local insight, opt in for the guided city tour and wander around the Old Fort, mosques, palaces, bazaars and winding alleyways of this UNESCO Heritage-listed city. Can you smell that? That’ll be the spices. Head out on an optional spice tour to learn more about the fragrant vanilla, cinnamon, pepper, ginger and nutmeg that are grown here. Or spend your free time doing your own spontaneous this-is-what-I-came-for thing. Tonight, dinner is up to you – but if you need some suggestions, our expert Trip Leader knows what’s good.
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Included Today
- Ferry to Zanzibar
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Spice tour of Zanzibar: from 25 USD
- City tour of Stone Town: from 20 USD
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Included Today
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Zanzibar
11You’ve seen the Insta-version of Zanzibar’s white sandy beaches and sparkling turquoise waters – now you’ve got two full days to experience it for yourself. Don’t waste a second. After a short drive to the northern beaches – we’ll get stuck into some of the best optional extras. Ready to find Nemo? Explore some of the top snorkelling spots in the area. We’re talking over 500 marine species including the odd turtle or dolphin (if you’re lucky). Or head off the coast to check out the giant sea tortoises on Prison Island. There’s even a dhow cruise (think: traditional wooden boat) with your name on it, if you want. When in Zanzibar, right?
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Snorkelling: from 70 USD
- Dhow boat trip: from 70 USD
- Prison Island tour: from 40 USD
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Meals
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Zanzibar
12Another day, another bunch of sun-soaked, wildlife-filled optional activities. Try your hand at scuba diving. Or explore the Jozani Forest with a local guide – keeping your eye out for resident Skyes’ monkeys, bush pigs, tree hyraxes and red Colobus monkeys. Rather do your own thing? No worries. There’s a plenty of shady coconut palms to settle under – good book in hand. Or hunt down a local haunt for some fresh AF seafood. Tonight is your last one with the gang (no crying). So, why not get everyone together for a round of sunset dhow cruising and beachside bevvies. We’ll give this incredible adventure the send-off it deserves.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Scuba diving: from 70 USD
- Sunset dhow boat trip: from 30 USD
- Walk through the Jozani Forest: from 40 USD
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Meals
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Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
13Time for one last dip – we’re heading back to Dar es Salaam after breakfast. Swap those socials on the ferry and pick a date for next year’s reunion trip. We’ll say our choked up goodbyes back on the mainland – but no one said the adventure has to end here. Where to next?
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Included Today
- Transfer from Nungwi to Stone Town
- Ferry from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
What's included
Included Experiences
- Game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Game drives in Serengeti National Park
- 4X4 Ngorongoro crater game drive
- Three-night island stay in Zanzibar
Accommodation
-3 nights in hotels, 9 nights in 2-person dome tents or twin-share accommodation
Transport
Overland safari truck – lockers included. 4X4 safari Jeeps. Local ferry to Zanzibar.
Optional activities
-Balloon ride in the Maasai Mara National Reserve: from 500 USD
-Visit a Maasai village: from 25 USD
-Visit Arusha village: from prices available locally
-Hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti: from 599 USD
-Spice tour of Zanzibar: from 25 USD
-City tour of Stone Town: from 20 USD
-Snorkelling in Zanzibar: from 70 USD
-Dhow boat trip in Zanzibar: from 70 USD
-Sunset dhow boat trip: from 30 USD
-Prison Island tour: from 40 USD
-Scuba diving in the Indian Ocean: from 70 USD
-Walk through the Jozani Forest: from 40 USD
OTHER INFORMATION
PACKING
This isn’t your usual suitcase-pushing holiday abroad – we’ll mostly be travelling in Overland trucks and local ferries. Meaning? Luggage space is limited. Bring a soft bag or backpack vs a hard suitcase. And remember, what you pack is what you lug around (so, pack light).
Other packing essentials include: a sleeping bag, bug spray, quick-dry travel towel, modest clothing (for those church and mosque visits) and neutral colours (African wildlife tend to get suspicious of hot pink).
VISAS
Visas are not included. Many countries in Africa require you to purchase visas before you travel; please ensure you have checked before you travel and obtained all of the necessary documents.
VACCINATIONS
Please ensure you have obtained any required vaccinations and medications in advance of travel. Many African countries require you to have a yellow fever certificate on entry.
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