Karibu Tanzania! Best of Tanzania & Zanzibar
Tanzania awaits: this unique itinerary blends thrilling wildlife safaris with a relaxing beach holiday on the island of Zanzibar.
SPECIAL OFFER
9.7*
ECO SCORE
2
PASSENGERS
18
DAYS
3/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Tanzania: Drink It In
Welcome to a once-in-a-lifetime transformative learning journey into Tanzania, home of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the great Serengeti, and the magical “Spice Island” of Zanzibar. This 18-day adventure takes you on a wildlife safari through the iconic Northern Circuit followed by a tropical beach holiday on the island of Zanzibar. It includes a variety of activities that explore the natural environment, as well as the history and culture of the people in this magnificent region—particularly the Maasai people who live in and near the parks, the Wameru people of the Arusha region, and the Swahili people of the coast. Feel good knowing that this trip strictly abides by socially responsible ecotourism practices and supports a social impact mission of Maasai empowerment and community-led conservation.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
- • This exceptional itinerary surpasses the usual safari experience with night game drives in Tarangire National Park and hands-on exploration during a dhow safari in Menai Bay.
• Many of this trip’s activities are led by local guides, allowing explorers to gain a deeper understanding of the people's relationship with their natural environment.
• Participate in a cooking lesson with a local chef, preparing a Swahili meal using freshly harvested spices and fruits.
Trip Sustainability Awards
Education
Trips feature visits to primary and secondary schools where travelers can engage in volunteer experiences
Community
55% of proceeds go to a charity that works to restore land, rights, and economic self-determination to the Indigenous Maasai people of East Africa.
Carbon
Some of this operator's camps can boast a “zero-footprint,” and many of the lodges are striving toward that goal.
Itinerary
Days 1-3: Mt. Meru Foothills
Area Overview
The foothills of Mt. Meru offer a picturesque landscape of rolling hills, small-scale farms, lush banana fields, and traditional mountain homesteads, giving this peri-urban area near Arusha its distinct character. The climate is generally cool and temperate, making it a pleasant destination for hiking and outdoor activities. Visitors can explore the nearby Arumeru River, which is lined with large trees and offers a tranquil setting for picnics and relaxation. The area is also known for its diverse birdlife, and birdwatching is a popular activity here.
Travelers can visit old-world coffee farms and learn about the local production of this popular beverage or canoe out into Lake Duluti—a volcanic lake at the foothills of Mount Meru that’s home to some of the nation’s best fishing and bird watching. Several primary and secondary schools welcome travelers interested in learning more about local educational practices and even offer multi-day volunteer experiences for adventurers looking to give back to the communities surrounding Mount Meru. The area is wonderful to visit to get to know the local Wameru people through coffee and cultural tours and to explore the land through nature trails to waterfalls and sacred Lake Duluti.
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Tanzania! After arriving at JRO airport, your guide will meet you and drive you to your hotel located in the foothills of Mt. Meru outside of the city of Arusha.
Day 2: Tengeru
Small scale farms, lush banana fields and traditional mountain homesteads give this peri-urban town in near Arusha its distinct character. Travelers can visit old-world coffee farms and learn about the local production of this popular beverage or canoe out into Lake Duluti—a volcanic lake at the foothills of Mount Meru that’s home to some of the nation’s best fishing and bird watching.
Fair Trade Organic Coffee Tour
Start your Tanzanian adventure with a coffee tour led by one of our social impact partners Tengeru Cultural Tourism, a community-based tourism program led by Mama Gladness. Learn about the origin of coffee, its history in Tanzania, how to cultivate coffee plants, how coffee is harvested, and how it is processed for the market.
On the way, meet local farmers and learn about local flora and fauna. Learn about the history of coffee and how coffee is planted, maintained, harvested, and processed. Participate in roasting and grinding beans for a cup of coffee made by your own hands! Afterwards, enjoy a hot local lunch prepared by Mama Gladness.
Day 3: Arusha City Tour
Below are options to fill a half or full-day exploring the city with your local guide. Just let your guide know what you would like to do when they pick you up—you can improvise!
Africafe
Visitors to East Africa will soon learn about the favorite local brand of coffee, Africafe. The flagship cafe, a favorite of locals and expats, is located in the heart of Arusha city center, a perfect place to start a city tour and chat with your local guide and travel companions. In addition to coffee, you can enjoy a full menu of breakfast items and a host of delicious pastries.
Maasai Market
The Maasai Market is a haven for lovers of street shopping. Located near the Arusha Clock Tower, visitors are in for a treat with more than 100 stalls that sell items like textiles, carvings, souvenirs, and African jewelry. A must-visit, this colorful market is ideal for those who love to bargain. Bring Tanzanian shillings and let your guide help you get the best deals.
Cultural Heritage Center
The Cultural Heritage Arusha Center, established in the year 1994, is the first of its kind in Africa dedicated to exploring the rich treasures derived from African Culture. It has acquired iconic status due to the unique structure of the buildings within its compound and having the treasure chest of African art which is keeping African Art alive. The main building is designed to resemble the Uhuru Peak of Kilimanjaro. It also has an impressive array of arts and crafts including unique masks, Verdite carvings, and paintings by famous African sculptors.
Themi Living Garden
Stop by Themi Living Garden, a women-led community center in the lush forest where you can grab a delicious home cooked vegan lunch and see the community artists and musicians at work. Their unique art is for sale if something catches your eye. After lunch, stroll through the walking paths along the river.
The Tanzanite Experience
Learn about the unique gemstone Tanzanite, found only in Tanzania. Visiting The Tanzanite Experience Museum gives you a chance to delve deep into history and enjoy one of the main attractions in Arusha. It is an exciting journey that leads you right into the heart of this precious gemstone. Through a guided tour, visitors understand why Tanzanite is not only so rare and sought after, the complexities involved with its mining, the skills involved in cutting and polishing as well as enjoy the stories and myths surrounding the gemstone.
Soku Kuu (Kilomberu Market)
For those who want a glimpse into the local Tanzanian life, your guide can take you to Soku Kuu (literally the "Big Market") close to city center. This large, bustling market features locals doing their day-to-day shopping for vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, and spices. Bring some Tanzanian shillings and let your guide help you buy some delicious fruit or exotic spices for a good price, if you wish. This is a great place to practice your simple Swahili phrases!
Accomodations (Days 1-3) – Kiboko Lodge
Kiboko Lodge, beautifully situated on the border of Arusha National Park and the slopes of Mt Meru, is the ideal starting point of your safari through Tanzania. It is a beautiful place to enjoy the sounds of nature, the rich birdlife and the breathtaking forest. In the evening, by the open campfire, be overwhelmed by the grandeur of the starry sky and the sounds of the night.
Kiboko Lodge is a perfect place to relax. While sitting on one of the property's many terraces, simply enjoy the pure and tranquil sights and sounds of nature. You can also join a walking safari through the area that will introduce you to traditional daily life in the countryside. Pay an exclusive visit to one of Kiboko lodge's community-based projects that supports the local children. You can also spend a full day in Arusha National Park, a unique and hidden beauty which borders the lodge, a protected area with plenty of wildlife and breathtaking nature.
Other activities include:
• village mountain biking
• Mt. Meru foothills hiking
• river walks
• coffee tours
• village market visits
• bird watching
• Arusha city tour
• hiking Mt. Meru (plan in advance)
• Lake Duluti canoeing
Days 3-6: West Kilimanjaro
Area Overview
This part of Maasailand borders Mount Kilimanjaro to the East and Kenya to the north and is the location of several Maasai villages, including Ngabobo village, where this operator is facilitating a number of projects to support the local Maasai community. This region also boasts a wilderness area with open plains, acacia woodland and above all, spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Contiguous with the Amboseli National Park in Kenya, this unspoiled area has good populations of elephant as well as species such as lesser kudu, gerenuk, bat-eared fox and striped hyena.
Day 5: Arusha National Park
Not only is Arusha the gateway to the famous northern safari circuit in Tanzania but it boasts a very underrated national park on its doorstep alongside the slopes of Mt Meru and further away, Mt Kilimanjaro. Arusha National Park covers large tracts of Mt Meru and although small at just 544 square kms, it boasts a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife.
The Ngurdoto Crater is somewhat swampy and a good place to see buffaloes, and past the Ngurdoto forest there is a grassland area called Little Serengeti where zebras can be seen. The series of seven shallow alkaline lakes on the north eastern side attract all manner of wading birds and even flamingoes. On the Small Momella Lake it is even possible to do canoe safaris, and so along with good hiking and even mountaineering on Mt Meru itself, the park can offer lots of activities and a variety of wildlife. There is a good population of giraffe, waterbuck, buffaloes, warthogs, zebra, and even the occasional leopard.
Accommodations (Days 3-6) – Osiligilai Maasai Lodge
West of Mount Kilimanjaro in the wilderness of the Maasai steppe lies Osiligilai Maasai Lodge, a scenic eco-lodge where you immediately will come to rest and reflect on the essentials while enjoying an immersive cultural experience with the Maasai. At Osiligilai, it is all about being together, sharing traditions, passing on stories, and learning lessons about life that cannot be taught from a book.
Enjoy the serenity and vastness of the Maasai steppe and experience peaceful moments, extraordinary "Rock Trees", awe-inspiring sunsets while making friends with your Maasai hosts. Here you stay in unique bungalows built with locally available natural materials sustainably produced by local craftspeople. Just outside your door is a great view of Africa’s tallest mountain.
Osiligilai offers a host of memorable, authentic, and exhilarating activities, all led by your friendly Maasai hosts and other members of the local community. These include ethno-botanical walks, Maasai boma visits, fireside storytelling, spear throwing competitions, sunset adumu performances, small mountain hikes, and more. You also have the chance to visit and support a number of community projects.
Days 6-8: Tarangire National Park
Area Overview
Tarangire National Park covers an undulating area of 2,850 km2 (1,100 mi2) and is an easy few hours drive from Arusha. Famous for its giant baobabs, savannahs with scattered termite mounds, and large elephant herds, this underrated park is dominated by the perennial Tarangire River. In the middle of the park, the Silale swamp becomes the main source of water and attracts elephants and predators as the season gets drier and drier. There is a healthy lion population and the other predators are often spotted trailing the plains game as they head to water, or occasionally the cats can be spotted lounging in sausage trees.
Days 6-8: Tarangire National Park Game Drive
This park is known as the park of elephants and baobabs, both of which as are scattered everywhere. Over 450 species of birds have been observed in this park, so get out your binoculars! The Tarangire River is a vital source water to animals in the park where you are likely to find many major species behaving and interacting naturally. After dinner, you have the option to take a night game drive in the park and see how the animals behave after dusk—a great opportunity to witness the predatory action of lion prides and other predators.
Accommodations (Days 6-8) – Tarangire Tortilis Camp
Just 120km from Arusha, Tarangire Tortilis Camp is the perfect place for an introduction to the riches of Northern Tanzania. This spacious camp, built in-between a line of 4 magnificent Baobab trees, looks onto a vast expanse of wetlands. Elephants appear as ships sailing through the long grass watched from the warmth of the fire pit area while you enjoy a drink and watch the sunset.
The Tarangire River is a life-giving spine for this National Park and attracts herds of over 1000 elephants, tremendous numbers of giraffe, and flows all year round – teaming with life for you to enjoy on a game drive right on the riverbanks.
Walking tours with a national park ranger and your driver-guide is a tantalizing experience where you can encounter the largest elephants to the tiniest of insects. The ranger and guide will share deep insight into the details and sensations that are so unique to experience on foot.
Our tents are always a surprise to our visitors who feel more like they are in a comfortable lodge than in a simple tent. We’ve put a lot of thought and creativity into the layout and interior design, as well as the decoration, materials, fabrics and items that each of our tents are created from. The result is a unique East African, spacious and comfortable space to feel welcome in for the duration of your Tortilis Experience.
Days 8-10: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Area Overview
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) extends from the crater highlands all the way past Olduvai Gorge and onto the short grasslands of the southern Serengeti and Lake Ndutu. But the wildlife does not adhere to these boundaries and there is very good wildlife viewing, especially during peak calving season when the NCA plains play host to the Great Wildebeest Migration and the birth of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest in a short span of time. This brings predator action, especially with large hyena clans, cheetah, and the return of African hunting dogs. The NCA is a protected area and a World Heritage Site located 180 km (111 miles) west of Arusha. The area is named after the Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera whose name derives from the sound made by the cattle bells of the local Maasai pastoralists.
Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive
A veritable Garden of Eden, the Ngorongoro Crater is only 260 km2 (100mi2) in size yet has some of the highest densities of lion and spotted hyena found anywhere in the world. The view from the crater rim at 600 m (1970 ft) is nothing short of breathtaking. The thick mountain forests of the crater highlands strike a sharp contrast with the short grass plains of the crater floor with its yellow fever Acacia woodlands and streams. The soda lake Magadi in the center of the crater floor sometimes attracts lesser flamingos, and the area is known for very large tusked elephants, black rhino, and great predator action.
Easily accessible from Arusha, the three million year old Ngorongoro Crater was once a gigantic volcano that some suggest was even higher than Mt Kilimanjaro. It is the largest intact caldera in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walks are available on the rim in certain areas, but game viewing on the crater floor is strictly by vehicle and on designated game drive routes. Local Maasai pastoralists and their villages surround the western side of the crater whilst the eastern side is heavily forested up to the farming town of Karatu.
Drive to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend to its floor for a half-day tour, inclusive of a picnic lunch by the hippo pools. Often referred to as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’ the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s best known wildlife areas. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also one of the largest volcanic Ngorongoro Craters in the world (almost 20 kilometers wide, 610- 760 meters deep and covering a total area of 264 square kilometers).
An utterly unique biosphere, the Ngorongoro Crater harbors grasslands, swamps, forests, saltpans, a freshwater lake and a glorious variety of birdlife, all enclosed within its towering walls. Due to its high concentration of wildlife, close range viewing opportunities and striking scenery it is also Tanzania’s most visited destination.
Accommodations (Days 8-10) – Mysigio Camp
Mysigio Camp is a luxury highland camp located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area close to Mysigio Village along the Endulen Road, offering a myriad of Maasai cultural activities to immerse yourself in. The camp is set away from the busy crater rim ensuring total tranquility: it is set on an exclusive, semi-permanent campsite with no permanent platforms or plumbing for the tents, which would be damaging to the environment within the conservation area.
Mysigio Camp runs on 100% solar-powered light, from the well-lit paths to the bedside reading lights, ensuring that the clear Ngorongoro atmosphere is not spoiled by noisy generators. The wood burning stove is designed to run on eco-briquettes made from remnants of coconut and cashew husks as well as waste charcoal that would otherwise be discarded. The camp consists of 12 massive luxury tents with complete en-suite bathroom facilities. There is a wood heated lounge as well as a mess for relaxing and dining.
The tribe arranges really lovely and authentic Maasai activities at the campsite, allowing guests to see and experience these ancient traditions. Ole Dorop is available to join guests for dinner, take a short or half day walk direct from the camp. He and his sons have extremely interesting conversations about their lives in Ngorongoro and also about themselves as Maasai traveling the world! Mysigio Camp has a plethora of activities available, most organized in conjunction with the Maasai tribe in the nearby Mysigio Village.
Days 10-13: The Serengeti
Day 10: Serengeti National Park Game Drive
After breakfast, continue with both morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti national Park. Totaling 14,763 km2 in area, the park is appropriately named after the Maasai word for “endless plains”. Here you are certain to get up close and personal with the “Big Five” (Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, Leopards, and Cape Buffalo), if you haven’t already, and hosts of other iconic and lesser known species. Given the vast terrain, weather patterns, and migratory patterns of the innumerable species, many animals of the Serengeti are constantly on the move. This makes for an adventurous game drive! Your drives will depend on the move of the migrants; your expert naturalist guide knows very well how to locate the herds.
Day 12: An unforgettable journey above the Serengeti
From your camp to the balloon (5-6:15am)
Some things are worth getting up early for and this is certainly one of them. Rising before the birds and heading out in the silence of the pre-dawn towards the launch-site is all part of the anticipation. Perhaps one of the Serengeti’s more elusive inhabitants will be caught in the headlights on this nocturnal game drive.
Keeping safe and preparing to fly (6:15-6:45am)
Your pilot takes you through the important safety briefing ahead of your flight as the sky begins to lighten and the crew inflates the balloon - an envelope of savannah gold and acacia green billowing into the cool morning, lit by the flames of the burners. You climb into the basket and prepare to lift into the dawn.
Serengeti from the sky (6:45-8:15am)
Each flight is a different journey dictated by the direction of the wind, where the sights and sounds rise from the ground to meet you. We know where we’ve started but we don’t know where we will return to earth. This is part of the adventure. Sometimes the basket will be gently brushing the tips of the grass and then climbing, climbing through the layers of air until you’re high enough to see the curve of the horizon, painted gold and pink by the early sun. Our pilots not only have years of experience in harnessing the African wind, but are also interpreters of the wild lives in the ebb and flow of the landscape below. Around an hour or so after you lift into the sky, the basket will return to the plains of the Serengeti. But it’s not over yet.
Celebrating a tradition (8:15-8:30am)
The balloonist’s tradition is to toast the flight with bubbly. A short walk or drive from your landing spot will find you raising a glass to your time in the skies. We then seek to take care of earthly concerns and whisk you off by safari car to a special Serengeti breakfast spot.
Meeting hunger with plenty (8:30-9:30am)
There is truly nothing to compare with breakfast served under the sweeping canopy of an acacia in the middle of the Serengeti plains. Tropical fruit, bread baked this morning and eggs cooked in the bush, all made more delicious by the location, and served on linen, bone china and Sheffield cutlery in an 'Out of Africa' style. Shoulder to shoulder with your fellow passengers, this is a time to soak in the exceptional flight you’ve just been a part of and absorb the moment.
Day 13: Zanzibar
Today you will fly to the exotic "Spice Island of Zanzibar"!
The main island of Zanzibar (known as Ungunja) and the surrounding islands and atolls of the archipelago are enchanting for their unspoiled tropical beauty, unique cultural richness, and culinary delights. The glorious abundance of unique sea life in the perpetually warm, turquoise Indian Ocean make this destination a diver’s paradise as well.
Zanzibar is a romantic oasis full of mystique. Historically, it has been a center of commerce, international diplomacy, a beacon of learning, and a vestibule into Africa for the rest of the world, an island where merchants, traders, missionaries, and explorers dealing in spices and ivory, princes and slaves have visited over the past several centuries.
Nicknamed “Spice Island,” Zanzibar was an important part of the slave and ivory trade as a connecting point between the mainland interior and the Middle East. This made the likes of some slave traders, like Tippu Tip, very rich men. A walk around the Sultan's Palace is reminiscent of this dark past. More recent pop culture will undoubtedly lead to the doorway of Zanzibar's most famous son, Queen's iconic frontman, Freddie Mercury.
Cultural Stone Town Tour
A unique blend of African, Middle Eastern, and Indian cultures, Stone Town is full of history and fascinating legends. After breakfast, depart with your local guide from your hotel. A tour will take you through the history and sights of the Cathedral, Slave Markets, the Sultan's Palace, Tippu Tip’s House, the Old Arabic Fort, the fruit and vegetable market, Forodhani Park, and the famous Zanzibar Doors in the petite streets. This full-day or half-day excursion will take guests through a colorful and historical tour of Zanzibar's oldest town.
Rooftop Dinner
At 6:00pm, head to the rooftop of Emerson on Hurumzi in the heart of Stone Town for a dinner celebration—a “Swahili food safari” that celebrates local cuisine in an enchanting setting. The Tea House at the top of Emerson on Hurumzi boasts a 360 degree view over Stone Town and the Indian Ocean. Seating is Swahili style, on thick Persian rugs with low tables. Most evenings, a traditional Taarab singer & band perform during a delicious dinner with authentic Zanzibari cuisine, fused with Omani and Persian influences.
Accommodations (Days 10-13) – Pembezoni Classic Green Camp
Pembezoni is a comfortable and stylish tented camp. Being in one location year round, on the banks of the Orange River in the Kilimafetha area, means it has a few more creature comforts than a mobile camp. The history of the area dates back to gold mines in the early 1900’s. The camp is surrounded by scattered acacia woodlands consisting mainly of Acacia tortilis, and marginal riverine forests with a few spectacular Sycamore Fig trees. Mostly the camp is surrounded by open grasslands, typical of the Serengeti.
Pembezoni Camp has a large and airy mess tent for dining, a library and lounge with books and games and outdoor seating with great views of the Serengeti plains. Phone and battery charging is available through a solar powered inverter.
A huge variety of wildlife move through and past camp. The Orange River has permanent pools and is a refuge for all types of animals during the year and especially during the dryer months. A resident baboon troop that roosts in the figs can make for nice later afternoon entertainment while you enjoy a sundowner around the campfire or on the viewing platform down by the river. Its also not uncommon to sit at the fireplace and enjoy buffalo, elephant, hyena, zebra, wildebeests etc walk past camp.
Days 13-15: Zanzibar, the Spice Island
Day 14: Dhow Safari & Secret Garden Dinner
A dhow safari is a bucket list activity to include in your visit to Zanzibar! A dhow safari in Menai Bay departing from Fumba in the southwest is a full day adventure that allows you to snorkel in calm waters, relax on remote sandbanks, experience the coastal mangroves, and perhaps even swim with dolphins. A dhow safari to Nakupenda sandbank is a nice option for a shorter trip that departs from close to where you are staying in Stone Town. A stop at Prison Island, which includes the opportunity to feed the local giant tortoises and learn some interesting history, can be added for a full-day tour.
Option 1: Fumba, Menai Bay, & Sandbanks
After breakfast, head to Fumba on the southeast coast of the island and set sail into Menai Bay where you will glide alongside pods of dolphins, which local conservation efforts have allowed to flourish. Mid-morning, land on a powdery sandbank and enjoy snorkeling in the shallows or bask in the sun under the clear Zanzibari sky, then snorkel over two different reefs, both offering a variety of pristine marine life.
After working up an appetite, the Kwale Island restaurant is ready and waiting for your arrival where you will feast on a freshly caught seafood buffet. Taste 10-15 of Zanzibar’s exotic fruits, and sip on Amarula and coffee. Mid-afternoon, discover all that Kwale island has to offer: sail on a traditional ngalawa canoe, explore the mangroves, climb an ancient baobab, witness the coral formations, swim or lounge the afternoon away on a day-bed on the beach.
Finally, in late afternoon when the day is done, the crew hoists the lateen sail as you make a leisurely voyage back to Fumba as the sun sets on your glorious day in paradise.
Option 2: Nakupenda & Prison Island
After breakfast, depart on foot with your captain and board a dhow to the picturesque Nakupenda sandbank, a pristine and isolated stretch of white sand surrounded by turquoise waters. Once there, you can sunbathe, snorkel or swim in the crystal-clear waters. You will also be treated to a beach picnic featuring freshly caught seafood, local fruits, and your favorite beverages. Pure relaxation!
If you choose to, you can also visit the nearby Prison Island, which is home to a fascinating collection of giant tortoises, some of which are over 100 years old. The island has a dark past, as it was once a detention center for rebellious slaves, but now it's a protected area with an abundance of wildlife, flora, and fauna.
Whether relaxing on the sandbank or exploring the island, you'll be able to witness the stunning scenery of Zanzibar's coastline and the Indian Ocean.
Secret Garden Dinner
Set amidst lushly landscaped hidden ruins, open to the skies, the Secret Garden offers a Zanzibari inspired à la carte menu. Jazz infused evenings, occasionally featuring our TaraJazz protegés, as well as music events on Friday nights with Zanzibari musicians who fuse their traditional music with modern music. The hidden away Sebleni lounge is a perfect spot for coffee or cocktails, all classics with a Zanzibar twist. Special events are hosted in the Secret Garden, varying from book launches to wedding celebrations—a special location for private functions.
Accommodations (Days 13-15)
Option 1: Emerson Spice Hotel
An inspired and lovingly restored Merchant’s House, this Boutique Hotel has eleven stylishly furnished rooms structured around an airy central courtyard. The hotel hosts two restaurants: The Secret Garden Restaurant, located in the distinctive Ruins of the adjacent garden and the rooftop Spice Hotel ‘Tea House,’ one of Stone town’s most renowned restaurants offering a stylish ambiance amidst the sound of the calls to prayer from the town’s many mosques. Every room in this famously glamorous hotel is different from the other. This mixture of mystery and history make them the best hotel rooms in Stone Town.
Furnished with antique Zanzibar furniture, be it the classic ornate Swahili bed, or the Zenji Déco take on the international design era, every single of the eleven rooms is different from the other. Built for romance, the bathrooms are fully or partially open to the bedrooms. This mixture of glamor, mystery and history make them the best hotel rooms for a stay in Stone Town.
Option 2: Emerson on Hurumizi Hotel
In the heart of Stone Town is a beautifully restored hotel that once was the home of one of the richest men in the Swahili Empire – Mr Tharia Topan, who served as the principal financial advisor to Sultan Bargash. Today it is one of the most popular hotels in Zanzibar: an exotic building with historical significance and unique style. The property combines the elegance of antique furnishing in the period in which it was built with the colour and comfort of the 21st century. Each room is stylish. Each space is magical. Step into the soul of Zanzibar and experience the timeless magic of Stone Town.
Day 15: Spice Tour & Cooking Lesson
Wake to the call to prayer echoing through the streets and the smell of freshly roasted Tanzanian coffee! Head to your hotel restaurant for breakfast, after which you depart with your local guide to the village of Dole bordering the Masingini Forest for a tour of a spice farm. Zanzibar is known as the “Spice Island”, a name that evokes a romantic past infused with the particular aroma of cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and lemongrass.
Today, these, and many other spices, herbs, and tropical fruits are cultivated on the same plantations that have been producing them for centuries. A tour of the spice plantation starts with a drive through a profusion of greenery in the countryside and follows with a walk through the plantation where you will see and taste a variety of mouth-watering tropical fruits such as: jack fruit, pineapple, banana, green coconut (madafu), durian, love apple (matufaa), litchi (shokishoki), sour sop (mabungo), and star fruit (carambola); spices such as cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, and nutmeg.
A full tour involves much more than edible plants—you will also have a chance to see the iodine plant, heena bush, ylang-ylang, lipstick tree, cacao, and coffee trees. After the tour, walk to the outdoor kitchen where a local cook will show you how to prepare a sumptuous Swahili meal using many of the spices and fruits you have just sampled.
The tour additionally includes a bit of history with a visit to the Kidichi Persian Baths built in 1850 by Seyyid Said bin Sultan for his Persian wife Princess Sheherezade, granddaughter of the Shah of Persia, and to the Maruhubi Palace Ruins built by the third Sultan of Zanzibar Seyyid Barghash for his 99 concubines.
Day 16: Muungoni Village
Get a unique insight into the daily life of the Zanzibari people living in the traditional village of Muungoni. Learn the ancient skill of hand-weaving with soft palm leaves, and how to grind and make fresh coconut milk the Zanzibari way. Observe the challenging skill of making coconut rope, and try it yourself. Learn how to wrap and wear the beautiful Khanga dresses from the local women.
Join your local guide in his family house and enjoy a delicious Swahili meal cooked by his wife. During the guided walk you will also have the chance to visit local houses, and experience first hand the real Zanzibari life. Afterwards, your guide will walk you through the many fruit trees, bushes and local herbs down to the ocean, where you will embark on a beautiful ride in a wooden canoe through the mangrove area.
Day 17: Relaxation & The Rock Restaurant
Spend your day at leisure enjoying the beach and all it has to offer.
The Rock Restaurant
World-famous, known for its iconic location, fabulous food, and character. Inspired by natural resources, a strong twist of Zanzibar, and mountains of Italian love. The southeast coastline of Zanzibar is recognized as amongst the most beautiful in East Africa and provides the stage for an extraordinary experience.
Day 18: Zanzibar Tea Ceremony
The Emerson Zanzibar Tea Ceremony introduces guests to the Zanzibar food culture as well as Stone Town, a melting pot of cultures and religions living harmoniously in this World Heritage site. The Tea Ceremony is held in Roshani at Emerson on Hurumzi where seating is on low chairs and on “Swahili style” cushions. The guests are shown the tea spices, how to mix them, and also about the traditional tea and coffee drinking culture of Zanzibar, while enjoying them with traditional appetizers and sweets. This whole experience helps you to step into the soul of Zanzibar.
Later today you will head to the airport to board your flight home!
Accommodations (Days 15-18) – Pongwe Beach Hotel
Pongwe Beach Hotel is situated on the beautiful tropical island of Zanzibar. Our Zanzibar hotel is situated on a picture perfect beach with white powdery sands, turquoise waters and shady palm trees – the perfect holiday destination!
The restaurant offers a variety of meals with fresh seafood and fish available daily; while still being small enough to cater for all dietary requirements. The bar stocks local and imported drinks as well as making daily fresh juices and cocktails – perfect for enjoying next to the infinity pool.
Through working with the villagers, the hotel has developed a variety of excursions and trips throughout the island, including snorkeling on the house reef just offshore and visiting the spice plantations which made Zanzibar what it is today.
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Experience the best of Tanzania with this socially conscious, eco-passionate operator. This itinerary includes a wealth of diverse, wildlife-focused and culturally inspiring activities, including some in-depth time with the Maasai people, and you’re bound to come away from this adventure deeply moved and powerfully changed.”
Joy Martinello, Founder
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What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
• Pick up/drop off at airports listed on the detailed itinerary
• Flight from Serengeti to Zanzibar on Auric Air (12-seater non-commercial aircraft)
• Professional naturalist guides and local guides throughout the itinerary
• Transport in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with open roof hatches and unlimited mileage in Northern Tanzania
• Transport in a private minivan or large car in Zanzibar
• All game drives and activities
• All cultural excursions mentioned in the itinerary
• Full board accommodations and additional meals, per itinerary
• Plentiful drinking water (mineral water)
• Flying Doctor services in Tanzania
• Government Taxation
• Service charges
• Hot air balloon
• Adumu Impact Fund (see adumuimpact.org)
• Bespoke concierge service before, during, and after your trip
NOT INCLUDED:
• International airfare & flights to/from East Africa
• Visa fees (see pre-trip information on how to apply)
• Personal health insurance
• COVID-19 testing (currently N/A)
• Travel insurance (highly recommended and offered upon purchase of this package)
• Optional day room on final day (this can be arranged after international departure time is determined)
• Additional alcoholic beverages & sodas, except as stated as included above
• Laundry services, unless offered by the lodges
• Optional massages and spa services
• All items of personal nature
• Dinner at the Rock restaurant
• Gratuities
