Public Transport Holidays
Discover another side of Southern Africa
This is a fantastic opportunity to spend 17 days travelling through Kenya and Tanzania by public transport.
17 day East African public transport holiday
£295.00 plus Local Payment of US $350
Your trip will begin in Nairobi, Kenya, from where you will travel south through Tanzania. Using African public transport, with your trip leader, you will stay in a combination of dorms, bungalows, camping and permanent tents, meeting locals and getting an authentic African experience.
You will be visiting capital cities, famous ports, Maasai warrior country, the warm shores of the Indian Ocean and much, much more!
Trip Round-up
Beginning in Kenya’s lively capital, you’ll start this trip with one of the world’s best known train journeys from Nairobi to Mombasa, which travels through the Tsavo National Park. Once in Mombasa you’ll have a few days to relax on the dazzling beaches, which have white sands and palm trees fringing an azure Indian Ocean. Then you head south into Tanzania and East Africa’s best known game parks. The plains of the Serengeti are trampled by thousands of hoofed animals with predators in their wake, while the Ngorongoro Crater is a World Heritage Site for its diversity of wildlife. At the coast enjoy a few days on atmospheric Zanzibar with its crumbling Arabic architecture, Swahili culture and beautiful beaches. This is a perfect combination of wildlife watching and downtime on the beach.
Day 1: Nairobi
We will spend today in Kenya’s capital city, making the final preparations for your adventure. There is the option of visiting the Giraffe Manor in Langata and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant and Rhino Nursery, or of spending a half day exploring Nairobi National Park. There are also the local city markets, which have plenty for you to see!
Day 2: Nairobi to Mombasa
After packing up, we will make our way to Nairobi’s train station and board the overnight train bound for the coastal city of Mombasa. Accommodation on board the train is in shared cabins. As we will be travelling at night there isn’t much opportunity for taking in the Kenyan landscape. However, we’ll get a glimpse of the local villages and inhabitants in the evening and early morning and we’ll even have the chance of spotting some of Africa’s magnificent game grazing beside the railway. As we near Mombasa, the landscape changes from the desert brush we wake up to, to lush tropical palm trees and increasing heat and humidity. We’re also afforded the opportunity of meeting some of the locals who use this route to travel between Kenya’s two largest cities.
Days 3 to 5: Mombasa
Colonised by the Portuguese in the mid 1600s because of its vital role in the trade of gold, ivory and spices, as Kenya’s largest port, Mombasa is still a major centre of trade today. Situated on the warm Indian Ocean and blessed with beautiful white sandy beaches, it is also the centre of Kenya’s coastal tourism. We spend two nights in bandas (traditional huts made of wood and covered in palm fronds) on a picturesque stretch of coast just north of Mombasa. Here we have the option of a variety of activities like snorkelling and diving, or a cruise on a traditional dhow. There is also the option of visiting the restored quarry at Haller Park, home to a Crocodile Farm and Reptile Park as well as a group of hippos and Rothschild giraffes. Watch the hippos being fed or feed the giraffes yourself! Alternatively you can wander around the “Old Town” where the Arabic influence is clearly evident, or visit Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, which houses various archaeological finds and an exhibition depicting the culture and history of the coastal people.
Day 6: Mombasa to Arusha (Tanzania)
Today we bid farewell to Kenya and its sunny beaches and head across the border to Tanzania. On the way to our next stop, weather permitting, we may catch a glimpse of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. The next two nights will be spent at a lovely campsite in the small village of Meserani, a few miles outside Arusha.
Day 7: Arusha
Situated at the base of Mount Meru, Arusha is best known as the safari capital of Tanzania. Today we’ll explore the local markets and visit the local Maasai Cultural Museum to learn a little more about these amazing people. There is the optional excursion to the Serengeti/Ngorongoro area, and if you decide on this you will prepare for your next day departure.
Day 8 - 10: Arusha to Serengeti National Park (OPTIONAL)
The Serengeti (Maasai for “endless plains”) is famous for its enormous concentration of game (especially the big cats) and for the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact caldera. The area teems with game throughout the year as the lush crater floor is able to sustain its population, making it unnecessary for them to join their Serengeti cousins on the annual migration.
For those not opting to visit the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park, the next 2 days are spent at leisure enjoying the Meserani reptile park, Maasai Cultural Museum and the surrounding villages and craft markets. Alternatively the town of Arusha is close by to explore.
The optional Ngorongoro/Serengeti excursion takes us via the Maasai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) that lies adjacent to the Lake Manyara National Park, and up the Rift Valley Escarpment to the higher lying village of Karatu. Karatu offers magnificent views over the surrounding hills and has many well established wheat farms that add to the picturesque panoramas. The evening will be spent at a pleasant campsite in Karatu. The following morning we will depart early for the Ngorongoro conservation area and head into the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa – including the elusive Black Rhino.
After our game drive in the Crater, we’ll head down the Crater rim and past the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ on our way to the Serengeti National Park, crossing the vast plains as we game drive through the southern and central areas in the park. Tonight we camp in the bushveld, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness. In the morning, we’ll head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident game. With some luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’!
After our morning drive, we will head back across the plains and the lush Crater rim to our camp at Meserani, where we spend the evening musing over our thrilling wildlife experience.
Day 11: Arusha to Dar es Salaam
Leaving Arusha behind us, we’ll head south towards Dar es Salaam. On the way we pass through the town of Moshi. Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions and, weather permitting, you may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain’s snowy summit. We will pass through vast sisal plantations surrounded by The Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before reaching our traditional banda on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean. New passengers may join us to replace those that’ll leave us at the end of our excursion to Zanzibar.
Day 12: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
A ferry from Dar es Salaam takes us to the "Spice Island,” where we spend the next 5 nights. Zanzibar is steeped in history and was one of the major starting points for most East African explorers in their quest for new lands.
PLEASE NOTE: Accommodation and meals are for your own account whilst on Zanzibar, as it is our experience that passengers prefer to explore the island on their own. The Trip Leader joins you and can arrange your accommodation, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants.
Days 13 to 16: Zanzibar
History aside, Zanzibar offers a wealth of experiences for the visitor. Today the quiet streets of the old Stone Town still retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like shops to the palaces of the Sultans, who founded their vast empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island is still famous for its spices, and an optional excursion around a spice plantation can be organised. Other options include a trip to the beautiful beaches and giant tortoises of Prison Island, a full day scuba dive in Nungwe or a fishing trip in a traditional dhow. Mopeds are available for hire if you’d like to explore the more remote areas of the island.
Zanzibar is a seafood lover’s paradise. Numerous restaurants offer a great variety of the freshest catch from the ocean - giant lobsters being a popular speciality. Alternatively, mingle with the locals for dinner at the Forodhani Gardens seafront market, where delicious, inexpensive seafood is on offer.
DAY 17: Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam (NM)
Leaving Zanzibar, we return to the mainland where we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!
FREE TRIP
When you book this trip, you are entitled to receive a FREE 3 Day Maasai Mara Safari the Thursday before your trip begins. A local payment is still applicable for the trip. This fantastic offer must be taken up at the same time you book this trip. Conditions apply.
Optional Excursions
Kenya Nairobi – Giraffe Centre – Entry fee $20
Kenya Nairobi – Nairobi National Park - Half day tour (min 2 people) – $20
Tanzania, Arusha – 3 Day Serengeti/Ngorongoro Crater Excursion – $380
Tanzania, Arusha – Camel Ride to Maasai Village – $65
Tanzania, Zanzibar – Accomodation p/p/pn – From $20
Tanzania, Zanzibar – Stone Town – Spice Tour – $25
Price is in US dollars
Quick Links
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