13 DAY Kenya & Tanzania Adventure ZOKCND-8

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Christian McLaughlin
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13 DAY Kenya & Tanzania Adventure ZOKCND-8 This tour visits: Kenya, Tanzania Picture this: gallivanting the

stretching out on the pristine beaches of postcardworthy Zanzibar. Sound too good to be true?

The Bucket List More Inclusions Maasai village walk Maasai Mara National Reserve Serengeti National Park &

1 13 DAY Kenya & Tanzania Adventure ZOKCND-8 This tour visits: Kenya, Tanzania Picture this: gallivanting the vast plains of Tanzania s mighty National Parks, gazing in wonderment at wildlife you d otherwise only see in guidebooks. Experience the history and culture of two of Africa s most intriguing regions, Kenya and Tanzania, before stretching out on the pristine beaches of postcardworthy Zanzibar. Sound too good to be true? Trust us, this once-in-a-lifetime African adventure is oh-so-real. The Bucket List More Inclusions Maasai village walk Maasai Mara National Reserve Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater excursion 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners 9 nights in campsites & 3 nights in hotels 2-person dome tents or twin share accommodation Zanzibar ferry Fully equipped safari vehicle Camping & cooking equipment Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

2 Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Nairobi, Kenya to Maasai Mara National Reserve Welcome to Nairobi: East Africa's most popular destination, which has a long tradition of welcoming visitors. Try to arrive the day before the trip s scheduled departure in order to relax and combat any jetlag, before joining us for our pre-departure meeting. Travelling in small, specialised safari vehicles, we make our way across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, enjoying views of the vast vistas en route. Prepare for two nights of camping on the edge of the reserve, with plenty of time to explore the park and meet the locals on morning and afternoon game drives. The 'Mara' is crossed every year between July and October by great herds of wildebeest, zebras and other grazing animals in their migration from the adjoining Serengeti plains to the south (in Tanzania). During our stay, we hope to see some, if not all, of Africa's 'Big Five' (elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard) and an array of other wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled! -Maasai Mara National Reserve Excursion Day 2 - Maasai Mara National Reserve Start the day right with an eye-opening morning game drive, where we'll be on the constant look out for the famous 'Big Five.' Think: elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions and leopards. In between our morning and afternoon game drives we have plenty of time to relax and soak up the top-notch panoramic views that this outstanding area of natural beauty brings to the table. Note to self: pack camera. -Maasai Mara National Reserve excursion Day 3 - Maasai Mara National Reserve to Nairobi Leaving the incredible natural wonderland of the Masai Mara behind us, we make tracks and head back to the chaotic Kenyan city of Nairobi where we stay overnight. Day 4 - Nairobi to Arusha, Tanzania After crossing the border into Tanzania at the busy Namanga frontier we arrive at our destination, Arusha, in the late afternoon. Situated midway between Cape Town and Cairo, this is very much Tanzania s safari capital as well as a bustling city of colourful markets, shops,

3 vehicles and people, all nestling in the shadow of the brooding Mt Meru. After exploring the markets, we head to our camp just outside Arusha on the open plains to the west of the city, where we prepare for our two-night, three-day included excursion to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. -Maasai Village walk Day 5 - Arusha to Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater This morning we ll change up our vehicles for a more game park-friendly option and drive west across the Great Rift Valley, passing through Mto Wa Mbo ('mosquito creek'), before entering the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. Passing into the park, we ll drive around the crater rim and down onto the Serengeti plains, which is home to an enormous variety of grazing animals, predators, and birdlife. Flatter and larger than the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti certainly lives up to its namesake: the place where the land moves on forever'. We drive to our designated (but unfenced) campsite for the evening where lion and hyena roam nearby, making for an unforgettable experience. -Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater excursion Day 6 - Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater Rise and shine! This morning we head out on a game-drive beyond the plains, and then ascend the outer wall of the Ngorongoro Crater, postlunch. The night is spent camping on the rim of the crater (read: pack your warmest jacket), which at 326 square kilometres, is Africa s largest intact caldera. If the view from the rim at 2,400 metres above sea level is spectacular, you can be sure the crater floor some 600 metres below, is equally spectacular. -Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater excursion -Serengeti Balloon Flight Day 7 - Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater On the final day of the excursion, we descend down the steep dirt road of the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning of game driving (and wildlife

4 spotting!). After our game drive we ascend to our campsite on the rim for a final view over the Ngorongoro Crater, pack up our camp and enjoy a bite to eat before retracing our steps to our campsite at Arusha. -Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater excursion Day 8 - Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater to Bagamoyo This morning we stroll through the local Maasai villages and enjoy an insight into the everyday life and traditions of this colourful culture, before heading to the Bagamoyo area. Founded at the end of the 18th century, Bagamoyo was the original capital of German East Africa and was one of the most important trading ports along the East African coast. If we re lucky with the weather, we might even be treated to the view of a magnificent snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa s highest peak, on our way. Day 9 - Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam Leaving our camp at Bagamoyo we make our way south to Dar es Salaam and the Indian Ocean. Dar is Tanzania s main port and is a hub of commerce and industry. It is a hot, humid and bustling seaport city of high rises, colourful markets and Arab influenced architecture on the coast accessing one of the most important sea routes in the world. To the majority of travellers, this city is the port of call to the more exotic and relaxed island of Zanzibar and other islands. We set up camp on the beach just outside of the city, take in the balmy Indian Ocean sea breeze, and prepare for our own trip to Zanzibar. Day 10 - Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Wonderfully exotic and perfectly placed, Zanzibar boasts idyllic, palm-fringed beaches, romantic winding alleys and lush tropical forests. The base of the great 19th century explorers John Hanning Speke, Richard Burton and David Livingstone, Zanzibar was once a major trading centre of spices not surprising, really, when you wander the streets and detect the intoxicating scent of spices in the air. Our time on the island is completely footloose and fancy-free, so spend your days as you wish. Please note: As we leave the truck on the mainland, basic safari lodge/hotel accommodation and breakfast on Zanzibar is included. However, lunches and dinners are your own to arrange. We usually divide our nights here between accommodation in Stone Town and accommodation on one of the northern beaches, but there are no set activities the time is entirely yours to do as you please. -Ferry to Zanzibar

5 -Spice tour -Visit the old slave markets -Visit the Arabic Fort -Visit the Palace Museum Day 11 - Zanzibar Don your comfiest walking shoes and head out on foot to explore intriguing Stone Town. Peruse the bazaars for old maritime trinkets, vibrant fabrics and ornate wooden carvings, and then visit the city s mosques, palaces, courtyards and alleyways for a living history lesson of this fascinating island. -Spice tour -Scuba diving -Mnemba Island -Dhow snorkelling safari -Massage Day 12 - Zanzibar If it's white sand, sparkling ocean and hot sun you're after, head to the northern beaches and enjoy the Indian Ocean at its best. Feeling adventurous? Try a spot of optional snorkelling and diving. For those wanting to stay on dry land, indulge in some sumptuous seafood or simply relax beneath a coconut palm with a cocktail and a good book. #Bliss. -Spice tour -Scuba diving -Mnemba Island -Dhow snorkelling safari -Massage Day 13 - Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam It s our final day in paradise! Soak up your tears with a bountiful breakfast, before making the most of your incredible surrounds with a splash in the turquoise water. Time to send your last few Snapchats before ferrying back to Dar es Salaam where our trip comes to a close. *Sniff.

6 -Ferry to Dar Es Salaam Accommodation Camping On our Camping trips, you will be staying in easy-to-assemble, two-person dome tents provided by us. Please try to keep the tent clean, zipped up and remember that no smoking, candles or mosquito coils are permitted in the tent. To keep pests away, we also ask that you not eat or leave food in your tent. Ain t nobody got time for bugs. Please note: You must provide your own sleeping bag on Camping trips. Accommodated Sometimes you just need your creature comforts. We totally get it. That s why our Accommodated trips offer the same level of excitement and adventure as our Camping trips except every day ends with a night in a comfortable bed in a range of safari cabins, tented camps and hostels. Please note: Trips staying in Spitzkoppe and Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater will not be accommodated and two-person dome tents with a mattress and sleeping bag will be provided for these locations. Campsites Campsites you will stay in vary considerably. The general standard in East Africa is modest, although most have reasonable toilet and shower facilities. In southern Africa, the standard is usually somewhat higher. Occasionally we may camp out in the bush (with limited or no facilities). In addition to meal assistance, there are other odd jobs you will be expected to undertake as part of any trip in Africa. We ask that you get involved in collecting firewood, lighting fires, filling water tanks, loading luggage, keeping the truck clean and even helping with the dishes. Lending a hand has never been so much fun, trust us. Meals Your included meals are detailed in the 'More Inclusions' section of this document. While on the road, you will be provided with three meals a day unless otherwise stated. African overland trips are participation based, which means you will be expected to do your bit for the team by helping with purchasing, cooking and cleaning-up duties. In some places, we will be able to go out for a meal.if you have any dietary requirements we will make every effort to cater to your specific needs, as long as you advise your travel agent or Topdeck Trip Consultant when you book. Please be aware that it may not be possible to cater for every single dietary requirement, but we will always try our best to arrange it. No Tip Necessary Your Topdeck crew never expect tips themselves and will not ask for any; that s not what friends do! We also know how much tipping can

7 cost you. So go ahead, spoil yourself with the money you will save by travelling with Topdeck (just don t forget Mum s souvenir). Topdeck Travel App Our travel app has landed! With a range of awesome features including a Currency Converter, Budget Tracker, Check-In tool and Social Timeline you can plan your trip like a pro. Think of it like your very own Topdeck Trip Leader, always on call with the latest info, weather, maps and city guides to give you the trip of a lifetime, all in the palm of your hand. Please note: The Topdeck Travel App should only be downloaded once you have booked onto your trip. You will not be able to log in unless you have a Topdeck Booking Reference Number. Get it for iphone Get it for Android Passenger safety One of the best parts of travelling is experiencing the nightlife and entertainment each city has to offer. However, amidst the fun and excitement, it s important to be aware of your surroundings and personal safety as well. Before you hit the road with us, it s important to be aware of the following: When you re on a night out, remember to avoid walking alone, particularly through deserted areas like beaches and back streets. Always stick together, take a taxi where possible, and keep a note of your accommodation details so you can find your way back to your fellow Topdeckers if you become separated. In some countries, alcoholic measures can be considerably larger than what you may be used to. Try to keep track of what you re drinking, and if you see one of your trip mates looking a little worse for wear, take them back to your accommodation. Be cautious when accepting drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended. It s also important to be aware that what you might consider harmless flirting may be interpreted differently in some countries. Be yourself and have fun, but don t be naïve, and be mindful of the signals you are sending out so that you don t find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

4 DAY Kruger Safari ZOSAKJ-7

4 DAY Kruger Safari ZOSAKJ-7 This tour visits: South Africa Get ready to delve beneath the surface of one of the world s most famous wildlife havens Kruger National Park. Carefully designed to maximize