KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE

17 days from GBP1,799 to GBP2,449 including flights
Tripcode: AYK

Countries Visited: Kenya, Tanzania

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 16 reviews.

Jonathan Dusheiko

OVERLAND IN EAST AFRICA
Written March 2010
A great journey through the landscape, people and wildlife.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing a wild hyena staring back at me at night at our bush camp. Probably the most nerve-jangling as well! Also the stars at night, the endless plains near Ngorogoro teeming with the migrating wildebeest and zebra, seeing lions and a leopard, snorkelling over a beautiful coral reef in Zanzibar and the majestic bull elephants in the Ngorogoro Crater.
What did you think of your group leader?
Chris was very competent and fun to be around. He handled the one downer on the trip where we all got food poisoning very well. He made the correct decision to rest for a day by Lake Victoria and then made sure we did not lose out on any of the itinerary. Linda was also knowledgeable and full of stories.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is probably worth paying a bit extra to get a flight and hotel the day before you set off so you are fresh for the first day. Take a sleeping bag and a sleeping sheet/liner, the latter is needed for the hotter nights. Take a long sleeve shirt and trousers for mosquitos and tsetse flies. Avoid blue it attracts the tsetse. Pack light and use packing cells/stuff sacks to organise your clothes to take to your tent as the main bags are locked in the truck overnight. Take your own mask and snorkel for Zanzibar if you are keen on doing that as hire stuff is not that great. Take a surf rash vest to use while snorkelling to avoid getting badly burnt. Spice tour and trip out to Mnemba Atoll on the North coast are definitely worth doing. Take a animal/bird guidebook although the truck does have books as well. The truck also has good sleeping mats we did not need ours.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Super Bongo Comedy is the greatest - you will see what I mean on the ferry to Zanzibar!
David Willetts

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE
Written August 2009
A trip which surpassed any expectations I might have had. It seems that as a two week introduction to East Africa this trip would be hard to beat. A sociable, fascinating, profound experience.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It's difficult to identify one particular moment as they were so many and varied. Our first view of the rift valley, entering the Serengeti, watching a leopard kill, standing on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater at sunset, watching zebra in the campsite, meeting masai children and sharing the truck with such a great group of people to name just a few. Many of the inspiring moments were far more personal than I expected. I think the landscape and people made a huge impact on us all.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader was supported by a driver and cook. All three were tremendous. The depth of knowledge they had about the country we visited and its animals was excellent. Our cook produced astounding qulity food given the tools he had at his disposal and cleanliness was a priority throughout the trip. Our team leader was superb. He was instrumental in the atmosphere created in the truck and undoubtedly one of the reasons we all got on so well.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a 'Buff' neck thing or similar- the dust can be quite something! Also, security on the truck was very good- take plenty of US dollars, especially for tanzania as you can't take Tanzanian shillings back out of the country and changing them back into dollars costs a fortune. Cash was easy to get from cash machines by debit card everywhere but the north end of Zanzibar. Take plenty of wet wipes, alcohol hand stuff and a sense of humour!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this trip to other people, of all ages and walks of life.
Jenny Smith

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE
Written August 2009
This holiday never failed to amaze - truly a holiday of a lifetime and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Incredible wildlife, beautiful scenery, great people, fabulous crew... far far more than I had expected. Every day had a different wow factor!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many.
Possibly seeing the hippos on the first day at Naivasha, a real welcome to Africa moment! Walking amongst the Zebras and Giraffes at Crater Park on day 2. These were real highs. Then it just went on - the incredible display of thousands upon thousands of flamingos at Nakuru National Park, white and black rhinos, monkeys, baboons, lions etc. etc. Then onto the Serengeti for more.... where we saw so many lions (and very close) it was becoming commonplace. And the elephants....
Seeing a cheetah kill was the most incredible sight.
But then standing on the edge of the Ngorongoro crater as the sun set was pretty special, followed by watching some Zebras walk through the camp!
The walk through the Masai village was very moving in a way I can't describe...
What did you think of your group leader?
Manu was fantastic! Very knowledgeable, great sense of humour and interesting, as well as interested in what you had to say. The whole team were brilliant, they worked so hard but always had time for you - but they knew how to get everyone working well together and pull their weight. We were always ready to go on time, even if it was 4.30am, as no-one wanted to let the team down! This isn't a holiday for people who want to take it easy, or for anyone who likes their sleep (we averaged 4-5 hours a night!) or who can't cope without their creature comforts. But it wasn't anyway near as basic as I expected, I've camped in far worse here.
The food was incredible, even for the veggies! And I loved the fact that Pete made sure the veggies ate first so that the carnivores didn't steal it all! Every meal was a surprise...There is also no chance of losing any weight...
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take plenty of dollars, you will probably spend more than you think and the only chances to get some cash are at Arusha or Zanzibar.
Take a good lens - I took a 55-200mm and wish I had taken a 300, make sure you have plenty of room on your memory card (most people took more than 1000 photos). You can charge batteries on the truck (don't whatever you do call it a bus!).
When you are on the truck, hold onto your possessions - several pairs of glasses and scarfs flew out the side, not great in the national parks.
When you pack, try to put things into smaller bags inside your bag. You store everything underneath the seats on the truck, so you just take what you need to the tent every night - so it can take a while to get organised.
Wet wipes. You will get very very dirty and some of the showers can be quite, or even very, cold. A variety of scarfs were useful to cover the greasy hair.
Possibly the balloon ride wasn't worth it, as we only got a few feet off the ground (esp as the others saw a kill when we were gone) but thats probably down to chance. However, the breakfast is probably the most surreal experience ever!
Oh, and I wish I had taken some ear plugs. Some of the camp sites were quite lively - a bit like a Tanzanian 'Walkabout' bar and the music was quite irritating...
Is there anything else you would like to add?
An amazing holiday, helped by being with a fab group of people. As you with everyone 24/7, I could imagine that the group dimensions are pretty important to your enjoyment of this trip! I can't wait for the next opportunity to go back to East Africa..
If I were to do this trip again, I would definitely try to stay longer in Zanzibar.
Tracey Agnew

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE
Written July 2009
A really good mix of safari and beach, but be prepared for long, long drives in the truck and very early mornings!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing four lion cubs in the long grass just by the side of the road, waiting for their mum to return from hunting
More fabulous sunsets than I can count!
Every clean, flushing toilet!
What did you think of your group leader?
Manu knows his stuff and was very organised. He can be slightly scary (!), and runs a very tight ship (think boot camp and you'll get the idea!)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for cold showers (although, there was an opportunity to shower most days)
Take a good book and some music - you will be in the truck for HOURS at a time
Take an alarm clock - you will be getting up very early
A head torch is an invaluable item of kit!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We were very lucky and saw loads of wildlife including two leopards. There is a good variety of activities, although you will spend a lot of time sitting down in various types of transport - the truck, 4x4's, a motor boat, two types of ferry ....! Take every opportunity to go on optional activities where you can stretch your legs and walk. The food was great, our cook (Pete) was brilliant and catered for everyones dietry needs. Manu nearly always found us a nice lodge or hotel whose toilet we could use on long trips, but be prepared to use roadside bushes (sometimes it is the only option and sometimes it is a better option than the toilets!). Almost every campsite had a good bar, but that was the only night time entertainment (although after the early starts we didn't manage many late nights).
Zanzibar was a nice contrast. The hotel in Stone Town was a bit grubby, but in a great location. I recommend a cocktail on the terrace of Africa House to watch the sun go down! The snorkelling trip was a nice change from all the sitting about, but the coral is very disappointing and in a very poor state. The spice tour goes on for HOURS and is totally random but if you get Ali as your tour guide, an experience you wont forget! The last couple of days on the beach were a perfect end and gave us a chance to really chill out.
It is a shame about the overnight flights on the way out and back (unless you are good at sleeping in planes!). The long first day in Kenya after an all night flight really did start this holiday off on the wrong foot, which is a shame as all in all this was a great experience, we met some lovely people and had a really good time
EVA HUNT

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE
Written January 2009
The best of both worlds - great Safari experience in fantastic setting of great national parks across two countries and few days by the sea! what else would one want?
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Safari drives were amazing - seeing soo many great animals in one place and being part of the tracking and searching! Amazing. The trip to fair trade coffee plantation in Moshi at foothills of Kilimanjaro was great - i now know more about the coffee growing process then i ever thought possible.
What did you think of your group leader?
Group leader, cook and driver could not do any more for us! They all made our trip immensly enjoyable - down to such a small detail as putting up Christmas decorations on truck! They also saved us a lot of dosh by explaining the bargaining process. I always find that local/ish team leader and other staff makes the holiday experience that much more precisious and memorable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Please read notes carefully - camping on this trip is not chanlenging but the space available on the truck for the luggage is...all stuff is placed under a seat, so the less you bring the better! #And as lots of dust comes and goes whilst on the truck and jeep on Serengeti there is no need to bring too much clothing - time can always be found to wash the odd T-shirt etc. Showeres are always available, but are not always hot.
By the way - avarage number of photos that a person took during Safari was over 1500 - so, come prepared! It was possible to charge bateries etc. on the truck and some campsites had electricity.
Remember to bring local cash or dollars to Zanzibar as ATMs are only in Stone Town and restaurants outside of Stone Town don't take plastic!
If you want to buy anything - do it when you see it! And do not, under any circumstances, leave it to Zanzibar, as prices there are geared up towards upmarket and very fashionable Italians.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Great trip, amazing experience, will do it again! Loved it!
Penelope Shoesmith

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE
Written October 2008
A truly outstanding trip combining excellent wildlife viewing with travelling and opportunities to meet local people. There were even moments for relaxation! The participatory camping aspect always helps to create a good group atmosphere and is really good fun as well, especially the wild camps in the game reserves.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Being within a few meters of a pair of cheetahs takes some beating but we saw more white rhinos than you shake a stick at, loads of hippos, all types of antelope (virtually every one listed in our book). Along with swimming with a pod of 20 wild bottlenose dolphins off Zanzibar, playing with a group of rare red colobus monkeys , watching hyenas hunt flamingos, waterbuck battling over territory, hyena mothers tending their cubs, and red hot lion porn (twice) - what can I say? Simon King was on the same flight as us to Nairobi (on his way to film big cat diaries) but I recon even he would have been impressed by the game that we saw!
We particularly enjoyed the visit to the orphanage which Jules and JJ organised. It was lovely meeting the children and the family who look after them. It gave us the opportunity to meet some local people who are trying to make a difference. On other safaris we have been on, there has been little interaction with the local communities, so this was a marvellous unexpected addition to the itinerary.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jules is excellent - if she's still learning the ropes I hate to think how good she's going to be!
JJ and Johannes were really good as well. The food was excellent and varied and in copious quantities! I don't know how you bake a cake on an open fire in the middle of the Serengeti, but Johannes managed it!
Both Jules and JJ were excellent drivers throughout the trip with no unexpected exciting moments, even on tricky roads and tracks in the rain.
The Triple J Team was awesome! Very laid back but extremely organised as well; you never felt hassled, even in the morning when we had to pack up. They seem to have a knack of getting a group of complete strangers to become good friends and work together as a team.
We particularly enjoyed the visit to the orphanage which Jules and JJ organised. I believe Jules & JJ happened upon them the trip before ours while looking for somewhere to have lunch on the way from Arusha to Moshi. It made a very welcome break in the day and was a wonderful unexpected addition to the trip.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Some warm clothing & waterproof jacket: you think Africa: hot, dry - lovely and it is, but it can also get really cold and pee it down! On the same line, a good sleeping bag liner, it can get really rather cold in some places at night.
Take a good torch. Essential especially in the bush camps where you never quite know what may be watching you!
Bring a bog roll, which incredulously is not provided. Exodus - come on guys, shipping bog roll from Europe to Africa is not exactly green. Buy local supplies and keep some on the truck.
Bring more US dollars than you think you will need. They can be used directly both in Kenya & Tanzania. ATMs can be hard to find and quite often don't work.
Lots of spare batteries for you camera. There's loads to take pictures of but power availability can be a bit sparse.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
One of, if not the best Exodus trip we have done. A really good balance.
I did feel that we could have done with more time in the Serengeti as we only had 24 hours there. We were unlucky in that we ran into a major thunderstorm when we arrived and got to the campsite with just enough time to set up the tents before dark, due to te tracks turning to rivers. The morning game drive was better but we only had about 3 hours before we had to get back, pack and leave the park before the permit ran out. It would have been better to have had 48 hours in the park so that we could have seen more, it's such a vast area that 24 hours really isn't anything like enough time. It would have been nice to have spent some more time in Ngorogoro, the campsite was excellent (and exciting with noctunal game) and two nights there would have been better as it would have allowed more time in the crater.
I think that some of the "optional trips" should have been included in the trip cost especially were the alternative was staying in the truck. The foot safari at Navasha, visit to Elsamere (with marvellous cakes) and the Masi village as Arusha should be included as there was no alternative and everyone went; these trips weren't expensive but they did run a few people short of cash early in the trip.
The visit to the orphange should be included in future itineries as it not only makes a very pleasent place to have lunch, but also gives the trip a humanist element. It's very easy on these sort of trips to focus on the wildlife and the hedonism of being on holiday and forget about the local communities you pass through. A visit like this returns an element of reality and even the abilty to give something back if you want. The walk to the waterfall organised by the orphanage after lunch was a welcome break after a long time in the truck.
Neil Shoesmith

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE
Written October 2008
We have been on some great Exodus Holidays but this one took the biscuit.The trip was really nicely balenced between the Wildlife and meeting the people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing two Cheetahs in the early morning light in Ngorogoro crater.
However the high point for responsible, careing tourism was the visit to the Orphanage between Arusha and Moshi.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jules was great, if she is new to East Africa, how good is she going to be in a few months?
J.J. Gave her fantastic support and Johanas was a great cook.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take some warm, waterproof clothing. It might be Africa but who can guarentee the weather anywhere nowadays.
Take extra batteries for your cameras, there is only a single power point in the truck so re-charging can be a hassle.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
What a really great trip, made even better by great team leaders and a really nice group.
Ngorogoro Crater is one of the most magical places I have ever been to.
Can I go again, please?